Ojos encantadores

Capítulo 42

Previously, her father rarely saw her, and they could only see her occasionally as well.

"Of course it's true, come on, show me your cheek."

Su Shaochu pointed to his cheeks, and the two girls immediately gave each of them a sweet kiss, swearing that they were the best girls.

"Now tell me, what did you just see?"

"I didn't see anything!"

The two adorable faces immediately answered obediently in loud voices, offering their cheeks at the same time.

Su Shaochu smiled and kissed each of them on the cheek, fulfilling their promise.

***Exclusively produced by Fengmingxuan*** ***

Within the Three Emperors' Mansion, news kept coming that the two young princesses had returned to the mansion early from Qianruo Temple but had secretly slipped away. At noon, it was reported that they had not yet been found, but by evening, it was reported that they had been found and were on their way back to the mansion.

"Pingfei, shouldn't we find some time to teach these two girls a good lesson, so they don't forget they have a father as an elder when they're having fun?" Zhu Yu said with a sigh as he sipped tea in his study.

Before, when they were just maids accompanying him, they would cling to him, their royal master, and make a ruckus every day. But after these two girls became princesses, they went wild. Whenever they found something interesting, the first person they could abandon was their father.

"The two princesses are just too lively." Yan Pingfei was wise enough not to interfere in the father-daughter relationship.

"What do you think, Feng Yan?" Zhu Yu asked the swordsman, who usually stood silently in a corner, with interest.

"As long as the Third Prince can be ruthless." Feng Yan, as taciturn as ever, cut to the chase.

"Yes, it takes a lot of ruthlessness from me to discipline them, but now they've been spoiled rotten."

Is it a father's desire to make amends? Since last year, he has almost always given in to his two daughters' demands.

"How are the other tasks being handled?" he asked Yan Pingfei.

"Everything has been completed, including the residence and identity in Jiangnan."

"Very good." Zhu Yu put down his teacup, his gaze cool and detached. "Young Master Chu, wait for the big surprise this prince has in store for you!"

"Other sources indicate that the eldest prince of the Eastern Region royal family arrived in the Central Plains half a month ago, and his intentions and movements are currently unknown."

"The real members of the Eastern Royal Family have arrived. What treasure has suddenly appeared in the Central Plains that has them flocking here one after another?" Zhu Yu joked. "Have someone keep an eye on them, so as not to alert them."

"Yes." Yan Pingfei nodded in agreement.

Just then, a noisy commotion came from outside the study, as people rushed in.

"It seems my two adorable little orioles have returned."

"father!"

The study door was pushed open forcefully, and two pretty figures rushed to Zhu Yu's side. Before Zhu Yu could speak, they began to cry and complain, full of grievances.

"Buddhist temples are so boring, don't ask us to go there anymore."

"Yes, every day is spent kneeling and chanting scriptures. We can't eat meat or play games."

"The smoke from the Buddhist temple is suffocating."

"And the wooden fish drum is so noisy!"

"Grandma Queen is so serious, she even scolds people when they say they want to drink chicken soup."

"Only the eldest princess would keep us company, and she would even secretly give us some delicious food."

"Dad is so cruel, making us go there!"

"I miss you so much, but I can't come back right away."

Facing his two daughters, who were pouting and crying as they clung to him, Zhu Yu remained completely calm and composed.

"Why are you back now?"

“We both cried in front of the Queen.”

"We cried desperately, saying we missed our dad and wanted to go home!"

"But the Empress sent someone to say that she hopes you two will go to Qianruo Temple again." Wuyou and Wuchou, terrified, each sat on his lap, burying their faces in his neck and crying pitifully. "Father, I don't want to go!"

"I don't want to go either, Dad!"

"Sigh, you only come looking for your father at times like this, you won't abandon him." Zhu Yu held his daughters in his arms, listening to their chattering complaints, and smiled lovingly. "Without your lovely voices by my side, this prince really feels a bit lacking."

"Then please don't ask us to go to Buddhist temples again."

"Yes, Her Majesty the Empress said not to call us."

"Okay, in a few days, Dad will take you on a long trip. You can go wherever you want."

"Anywhere is fine?" The two girls' eyes lit up. "Will it take a long time?"

"Enough time for you to start missing the capital."

"Doesn't that mean we won't see Young Master Su for a long time?" They felt dejected at the thought. "Father will take her away; she can't refuse even if she doesn't want to."

"Really!" The two sisters jumped up from Zhu Yu's lap with joy, clapping their hands happily. "That's wonderful! Wu Chou was so afraid that Young Master Su wouldn't come back from his wedding in the Eastern Region!"

"That's right, by staying by Father's side, Young Master Su won't become someone else's!"

"A grand wedding in the Eastern Region?!"

Hearing Zhu Yucha's shout, Wuyou and Wuchou, who had accidentally let slip their secret, covered their mouths in panic.

"Oh, you said it. You promised Young Master Su you wouldn't tell."

"You said it yourself!"

The two young girls looked at Zhu Yu's ashen face with fear, and Feng Yan and Yan Pingfei cast questioning glances at them.

"Father, Father, we're tired, let's go and rest."

"Yes, Dad, we won't bother you anymore."

Get out of here right now!

"Wuyou and Wuchou, both of you come here and tell me what happened."

Zhu Yu called out to the two sisters who were trying to run away by lifting their skirts.

"But……"

They hesitated, having just promised Young Master Su they wouldn't tell.

"Do you two want your dad to abandon you and stop taking you out to play?"

"Father—we wouldn't dare, we're all worry-free!"

"Nonsense—it's all nonsense!"

The two sisters immediately ran to Zhu Yu and cried, vying to tell her everything they had seen during the day, to show that they were the best and most obedient children.

Chapter Ten

Do you understand love? Su Shaochu—her elegant figure walking along the courtyard corridor bathed in the moonlight—couldn't help but recall Xuan Hong Zhai Cheng's words. Do you understand the feeling of being moved, of longing for someone day and night after falling in love?

Passing by several trees in full bloom with yellow and red flowers, she couldn't help but stop. A gentle breeze swayed the branches, and the moonlit petals, though seemingly about to wither from their excessive bloom, still tried their best to display their beauty. The moonlight and the gentle breeze seemed to soften the last trace of summer's lingering splendor in the flowers.

"Can the heart and feelings be separated?" she murmured unconsciously.

Reach out and catch the fallen petals blown by the wind, bring them to your nose and smell them. They have no fragrance, but their colors are bright and attractive.

...I want you, Su Shaochu, more than any rare treasure in the world. In fact, no precious gem in the world is as valuable as you, Su Shaochu...

"I don't know which kind of feeling to give to you, because I can't separate these two feelings, yet I can't give them to you either."

Letting the withered flowers in his palm fall to the dust, Su Shaochu lowered his eyes indifferently.

"Indeed, there is nothing in the beginning, so where can dust settle?"

"Fourth Young Master, the water in the bath has been prepared." The old nanny greeted her as she returned to the courtyard.

"Alright, you may all step down. And tell the Three Mysterious Swords that there is no need for defense tonight. Go and get some rest!"

Recently, tranquility has been elusive for her; at this moment, she only wants to be alone and reflect on her experiences.

After the old nanny led the other servants out of the side room, she entered the bathing room behind a curtain. The steam rising from the large round wooden tub filled the room with a hazy mist.

The shimmering water under the lamplight reflected her delicate features, her slightly furrowed brows revealing a state of mind and spirit that could no longer be carefree.

She longed to leave the Central Plains, to escape all this worldly troubles, and to roam freely in the boundless mountains and rivers beyond the pass, free from all thoughts and the entanglements that bound her. But now, every word and action she took was fraught with danger. The Empress's intervention and Zhu Yu's opportunistic moves meant that a single misstep could bring trouble to the Su family.

You wouldn't understand. Compared to Zhu Yu, who seeks affection but doesn't know how to reciprocate in order to win someone's heart, you, Wu Zhen, are truly heartless and cold-blooded. Overly sentimental, you only offer empty accusations. How much more knowledgeable do you really have than Zhu Yu?

How much more knowledgeable is she than Zhu Yu? It's not that she didn't see the flames of desire burning in his eyes because of his longing for her, nor that she ignored the pain and malice that would inevitably flash through his eyes after she left. It's just that she didn't have any firm thoughts in her heart, nor did she intend to give anything to him, so why did she need to create a false impression by getting close to him?

How can I make you have me in your heart? How can I make you look at me? How can I become the person in your heart?

Rather than saying she had no answer for Zhu Yu, it would be more accurate to say she didn't want Zhu Yu to be her answer at all. His feelings were like a blood-sucking thorny vine, suffocating and bloody.

"Life is nothing more than seeking a carefree existence, why cling to illusions and fleeting dreams?" Youyou murmured, her smile fading. "Perhaps I truly am a heartless one."

With a long sigh, she got up, untied her blouse, and hung it on the screen beside her. As soon as she took off her outer robe, she keenly sensed an extremely light presence coexisting with her in this world. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar figure in the shadows by the screen. The restrained aura and the piercing gaze told her who it was!

Despite the warm room temperature, a chill crept up her spine. Her panic barely showed in her breathing. She casually ran her hand through her long hair, and through the stray strands, she saw the figure about to step out. She reached out and pressed her hand against the small table next to her where the bathroom supplies were placed.

As soon as the breath approached, she suddenly turned around, flipped the table, and tried to pull back the curtain to escape. But she had only taken one step when a powerful body pressed in front of her. The suddenness left her no time to make any further moves, and her entire body was forced back against the wall!

"Young man, do you want to scream for help?"

Zhu Yu's voice, along with his burly chest and the arms supporting her head, locked her in place!

"I just want to say... it's too impolite for a young man to be so poorly dressed when such distinguished guests are here." She forced a smile and said.

Unlike his composure in the past, Zhu Yu's eyes tonight were sharp and intimidating, as if two giant flames had ignited in his pupils with rage, so bright that they seemed to emanate a chilling desire and a mad fire. Yet, his noble and handsome face was smiling, and his smile was quite wicked.

“This prince adores your barely-clothed hospitality.” His handsome face nestled against her cheek, gently caressing her soft, slightly sweaty skin, as if sensing something, his ear brushing against her temple. “I even hope that in the future, you will no longer need these coverings in front of this prince.”

"Third Prince... is this all you wanted to say about sneaking into 'Yunshuzhai' at night?" Although she didn't like to restrict her hands, she casually placed them behind her back, seemingly unguarded against his approach.

"We must go to the Eastern Region in mid-autumn to complete the grand wedding." Zhu Yu touched her sweaty cheek with his tongue, whispering in a cold tone, "Young Master Ai, you reject me, the prince, while accepting the feelings of others. Are you enjoying this?"