"So, you must have someone you like, right?" Mo Tong asked.
"Yes! But it's not just about liking." Chu Xiyin answered her affirmatively.
"Is it Prince Yichuan?" Mo Tong continued to ask.
Chu Xiyin shook her head helplessly. How could she explain to her that she wasn't from this world? And how could she explain that the person she loved shared the same name, surname, and appearance as the Prince Yichuan she spoke of, yet they weren't from the same world?
Mo Tong stared blankly at Chu Xiyin with wide, bewildered eyes. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked, "What if they want to offer you to the Emperor? Wouldn't that mean..." Tongtong shook Chu Xiyin's arm and said, "How about I let you go now? Run as far away as you can."
Chu Xiyin shook her head and said, "Don't be silly! This will not only implicate you, but also your father. Don't worry, I have my own way of handling things. Tell me about Prince Yichuan first!" She couldn't run away before she understood some things. As for that tyrannical emperor, she had her own way of dealing with him.
Mo Tong felt somewhat helpless. Indeed, if Chu Xiyin left, her father would have no chance of finding a more suitable woman to present to the emperor in such a short time. If he did not present these women to the emperor tonight, it would be tantamount to deceiving the emperor!
"Are you willing to marry the Emperor?" Mo Tong asked.
Chu Xiyin shook her head and said, "No, I won't marry him. Don't worry! I have my own way."
“You’ll be leaving for the capital in an hour, and there’s nothing I can do to help you. Since you seem so interested in the Prince’s affairs, I’ll tell you about it!” Mo Tong said smugly, as if he had grasped Chu Xiyin’s thoughts. “I won’t tell you about the battlefield, I don’t understand anyway. Let me tell you something you want to hear!” Mo Tong gave Chu Xiyin a mysterious look and said, “Did you know? Prince Yichuan never gets close to women, I wonder if that’s why…”
"Gay?" Chu Xiyin exclaimed, voicing her first reaction.
"What?" Mo Tong stared at Chu Xiyin with a curious expression.
"No, it's nothing, I meant 'give it to you'," Chu Xiyin casually grabbed a piece of cloth from the bed and stuffed it into Mo Tong's hand.
Mo Tong took the item, looked down, and suddenly blushed. Chu Xiyin followed Mo Tong's gaze and exclaimed in dismay! The piece of cloth she had casually grabbed was actually an ancient woman's undergarment.
Chapter 11 The Old Fox
That Tongtong is really something! How could she just leave those clothes on the bed like that? Luckily, she didn't let Hua Shao and the others in earlier, otherwise any man would have all sorts of wild thoughts looking at that bright red dress!
A sudden knocking startled Chu Xiyin. Could it be Hua Shao and the others?
"Who is it?" Mo Tong was startled for a moment, then hurriedly stuffed the garment in her hand into the quilt.
"Miss, it's me, Xiao Yao."
Mo Tong opened the door, and Mo Yun's personal maid stood respectfully outside, looking at Mo Tong timidly, and whispered, "Miss, Master said that Miss Chu should go to his room."
In front of the maid, Mo Tong still maintained a proper young lady demeanor. She straightened her posture, cleared her throat slightly, and instructed the maid, "Understood! Go back and tell the master that Miss Chu will be there soon."
The maid named Xiao Yao was about the same age as Mo Tong. She seemed to be very afraid of Mo Tong. After receiving the order, she hurriedly went to Mo Yun's room.
Mo Tong looked at Xiao Yao's thin back and revealed a victor's smile.
"Are you going to the capital? If you want to leave now, I can still let you go." Mo Tong put his hands on his hips, pouted, and said with a sly look, "At worst, I'll just grab that little girl from earlier to fill in! Anyway, I don't like her."
Seeing Mo Tong's jealous expression, Chu Xiyin couldn't help but smile. She thought that Mo Tong must have seen the girl named Xiao Yao being harassed by Hua Shao earlier. Otherwise, she wouldn't bother with a little maid.
"No matter what, I'll go see your father first!" Chu Xiyin stopped smiling and calmly glanced at Mo Yun's slightly ajar room.
Chu Xiyin entered Mo Yun's room. Mo Yun was sitting in a chair, and Xiao Yao was massaging his shoulders. The Fourth Prince should have been gone for a while, because his teacup was no longer steaming.
"What do you need me to do?" This was the first thing Chu Xiyin said to Mo Yun after entering the room.
Mo Yun took a leisurely sip of tea and slowly said, "Even your personality is just like your father's! Don't rush! Have a seat for a while!"
At that moment, she was in no mood to sit.
"Where are the other nineteen women?" This was Chu Xiyin's second question to Mo Yun, a simple and clear inquiry. She was indeed still deeply influenced by the atmosphere of the School of Journalism; her curiosity to find the truth and her sense of justice made her completely ignore her own safety at this moment.
Mo Yun did not answer her question. He crossed his hands and tapped them rhythmically together. In his shrewd eyes was a profound depth that was unfathomable to ordinary people.
Chu Xiyin considered herself a well-mannered child. Although Mo Yun was an elder, he shouldn't be so disrespectful! He should at least make some noise! Chu Xiyin couldn't stand it any longer. Forgetting about seniority and etiquette, she walked up to Mo Yun and questioned him again, "Why didn't you answer me?"
Mo Yun didn't mind Chu Xiyin's rudeness, continued tapping his fingers, and said leisurely, "I've already let them go."
"Gone?" Chu Xiyin looked at Mo Yun in confusion.
Mo Yun nodded
"Where did they go? The capital?" Chu Xiyin worried about the women's safety. History books said that Emperor Yiyang was an exceptionally cruel and perverted ruler. If those women fell into his hands, what would become of them? Their lives would be ruined! Thinking of this, a surge of anger rose in Chu Xiyin's chest. She couldn't help but shout at Mo Yun, "Why should they become victims of your power struggle? Why must women be reduced to pawns in your game? Don't you feel guilty for doing this? Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
Hahaha... Mo Yun laughed loudly as he walked towards Chu Xiyin, "You're so young and impetuous, you can't keep your composure!"
Chu Xiyin glared angrily at Mo Yun. What old friend? What concern for the country and its people? In her eyes, Mo Yun was nothing more than a cunning and worldly-wise old fox.
"Don't look at me like that!" Mo Yun couldn't stand Chu Xiyin's gaze. He turned around, crossed his hands behind his back, sighed, and said, "I just received the Emperor's decree to bestow all of you upon Prince Yichuan."
Chu Xiyin was even more surprised. Why would Yi Yang suddenly make such a decision?
“His Majesty is testing the Prince! As the saying goes, one’s merits should not overshadow one’s master. Recently, the Prince’s limelight has been too great!” Mo Yun shook his head, his words revealing his concern for the Fourth Prince.
"Those women..." Chu Xiyin still didn't quite believe Mo Yun's words.
“They’ve all been sent to the Prince’s residence,” Mo Yun said, turning to look at Chu Xiyin. “However, based on my understanding of the Fourth Prince, he won’t accept any of those women.”
Mo Tong had just told Chu Xiyin that Prince Yichuan never showed interest in women. Therefore, it wasn't impossible for the prince to reject all those women. However, if this made Yi Yang suspicious of him, wouldn't it lead to fratricide? "What if he rejects them all?" Chu Xiyin swore that if the Fourth Prince didn't have the same appearance as Yichuan, or the same birthmark, she definitely wouldn't care about his life or death; after all, it's better to avoid trouble.
Mo Yun didn't speak, but his expression was enough to tell Chu Xiyin that if she refused everything, the consequences would be severe.
"Then why don't you tell him yourself?" Chu Xiyin thought that people in ancient times were really troublesome. Wouldn't it be better to just tell the person involved the consequences of the matter directly?
“After all, they are brothers. It would be inappropriate for an outsider like me to get involved.” Mo Yun was indeed suited for officialdom; he clearly knew what was right and wrong. “The Fourth Prince has learned martial arts from me since childhood. He is kind-hearted and generous, and I don’t want anything to happen to him. Therefore, this time, I earnestly request Miss Xiyin to persuade him and make sure nothing bad happens to him.” From the way Mo Yun looked at Chu Xiyin, it was clear that he was genuinely worried about the Fourth Prince.
"Me? How can I save him? If he likes women, then surely one of those nineteen women can satisfy him. If he doesn't like women, then what use would I be?" Chu Xiyin put on an indifferent expression.
"No! The way the Fourth Prince looked at you just now... he's never looked at a woman like that before." Mo Yun said with a smile, "I believe only you can save him!"
"Even if I could save him, why should I go? What does it have to do with me?" Chu Xiyin feigned indifference. Yes! A fourth prince from ancient times, a complete stranger to her—why should she get involved in this mess? Besides, she was determined to return to her own world. What if that fourth prince took a liking to her and insisted on marrying her?
“You will definitely go to save him!” Mo Yun said to Chu Xiyin with great certainty. “Didn’t you want to save those nineteen women? If you don’t go, their lives will be in danger.”
As expected, experience matters! There was nothing she could do; this cunning old fox had found Chu Xiyin's weakness!
Chapter 12 You stay!
Chu Xiyin sat in the luxurious carriage, and Mo Tong held tightly to her clothes, reluctant to let her go. Although they had only known each other for a few hours, she had already considered Chu Xiyin a friend in her heart, which was why she told her the secret she had kept hidden in her heart without reservation.
Chu Xiyin placed her hand on Tongtong's fair and soft hand and patted it gently. A feeling of reluctance welled up in her heart.
Despite her immense reluctance, she had to leave. Chu Xiyin released Tongtong's hand and gracefully climbed into the carriage. Qi Yu and Hua Shao also boarded the carriage one after the other.
"Tongtong, I will come to see you again, don't miss me too much!" Hua Shao said to Tongtong as he pulled open the car curtain.
Tongtong waved to Chu Xiyin with tears welling in her big eyes. She truly couldn't bear to part with Chu Xiyin.
Chu Xiyin smiled and waved. She was used to parting.
Two horses, one brown and one black, galloped wildly along the mountain road. The scent of sandalwood wafted into the carriage as the horses ran. Chu Xiyin lifted the curtain beside her, and rows of ancient trees quickly receded behind her as darkness fell.
Chu Xiyin was a sentimental woman. At this moment, she felt that life was too unpredictable. Just a few hours ago, she was still in that era, but now she had inexplicably arrived in this strange place. And she had inexplicably become a pawn in the power struggles of men, dragged into a treacherous royal civil war.
"What are you thinking about?" Hua Shao asked, patting Chu Xiyin on the shoulder.
Chu Xiyin turned around, shook her head, and forced a smile.
"Hua Shao, Qi Yu, do you really not recognize me?" Chu Xiyin clung to a sliver of hope, hoping they could tell her that it was all just a dream.
"I thought something was wrong with you! Oh, so that's what it was about! Now that we're acquainted, aren't we?" Hua Shao said carelessly.
Qi Yu, who was always serious, nodded slightly in agreement.
Chu Xiyin's eyes dimmed, and she fell silent. They were, after all, not them. She, in this unfamiliar place, was ultimately alone. How could she leave this place? How could she possibly leave? In that world, would the person she loved, or the person who loved her, be worried about her now?
Horse-drawn carriages are not as fast as modern transportation. After winding their way up the mountain, it was already completely dark when they arrived at the Prince's Mansion.
Qi Yu was the first to disembark from the carriage.
Having learned from his previous experience, Hua Shao tidied his long hair in the carriage before getting out.
When Chu Xiyin got off the carriage, Qi Yu and Hua Shao stood on either side of the carriage and very gentlemanly extended their hands to Chu Xiyin.
"No need, thank you!" Chu Xiyin was really not used to this kind of treatment. She wasn't used to being waited on.
Although the Hu clothing Chu Xiyin was wearing was a bit difficult to put on, it was quite convenient for her to move around in, and she jumped off the carriage without any trouble.
This prince's mansion is truly magnificent. Even late at night, it's brightly lit. If this were an ordinary family, they probably wouldn't even dare to light an oil lamp at this hour! These nobles, spoiled since childhood, have no idea of the hardships of the common people.
Qi Yu and Hua Shao walked ahead, with Chu Xiyin following closely behind as they entered the Prince's Mansion.
As soon as the three stepped into the Prince's mansion, Steward Zhang came forward to greet them and lead the way.
There were quite a few servants in the prince's mansion. Maids or male servants would pass by from time to time. These servants were very polite and would bow to Qi Yu and Hua Shao when they encountered them.
Chu Xiyin sighed inwardly, thinking how troublesome the ancients were, with so many etiquettes that even walking took up a lot of time.
It took about half an incense stick's time to walk from the door to the prince's room.
"You should all leave!"
The voice coming from the room made Chu Xiyin's body stiffen slightly. It sounded so much like his voice! No, not only the voice, but even the appearance and the birthmark on his hand were exactly the same.
"Your Highness, Lord Qi and Lord Hua request an audience," Steward Zhang announced, bowing deeply.
"Come in!" The Fourth Prince's voice carried a hint of authority.
Butler Zhang gently pushed open the door, and nineteen women stood in the room. Chu Xiyin sized them up one by one; they were truly a veritable sea of beauties! Cold and aloof, cute, dignified… all sorts of beauties were there. Could it be that this Fourth Prince really had a penchant for homosexuality? Turning away so many beauties offered to him!
Chu Xiyin followed Qi Yu and Hua Shao into the room, and Butler Zhang withdrew and closed the door.
"These nineteen women are all top-tier beauties of the Ziling Dynasty. Has Your Highness not taken a fancy to even one of them?" Hua Shao's gaze swept over the nineteen women before him, thinking how wonderful it would be if these women were bestowed upon him. Fourth Prince, Fourth Prince, you don't know how blessed you are!
"Let them all go back! If possible, find them good families!" The Fourth Prince sat upright in a rosewood chair, his expression serious.
Chu Xiyin stared blankly at the Fourth Prince. He was clearly Yi Chuan! The same indifference, the same aloofness, the same refusal to let anyone into his heart.
"What does Your Highness think of this woman?" Qi Yu asked, pointing to Chu Xiyin beside him with a serious expression.
Chu Xiyin was startled upon hearing the sound.
Following Qi Yu's direction, the Fourth Prince saw Chu Xiyin, the woman who had called Mo Yun by his name that afternoon.
He rose from the rosewood chair, his tall and slender figure perfectly outlined by a black, tight-fitting suit. He frowned and walked step by step toward Chu Xiyin. This woman was different from other women; in the past twenty years, no woman had ever made him feel such a strange sensation.
Step by step, he walked towards her; step by step, he drew closer. Her eyes were so captivating, her nose so exquisite, her lips so full… Everything about her was both new and familiar to him. Familiar? He had only seen this woman once, so why did she feel so familiar? Could this be the legendary love at first sight?
He walked toward her, his heart pounding.
She gazed intently at him. That face she knew all too well. For a moment, she was momentarily disoriented. Was it him? Was this man walking towards her, the man who had caused her both heartache and helplessness?