Ojos encantadores

Capítulo 46

"So this brat is from your Tongjia Village! Excellent! Make him kneel down and confess his sins immediately! He has offended the esteemed Third Young Master!" The fat magistrate had finally found someone to vent his anger on.

“Third Prince… Third Young Master, please calm down. Shao Chu is just a troublemaker. Most importantly, she… cough, he doesn’t understand your… great background.” Tong Zhenwu tried to smooth things over while giving Shao Chu a meaningful look to leave.

“Great people should be appreciated in great places. The small southern border cannot appreciate the greatness of the imperial prince. I apologize for the offense, Third Prince.”

The phrase "Third Prince" drew gasps from everyone around.

"You recognize me, the prince?" The handsome man was none other than Zhu Yu, the powerful third prince. Before he could finish speaking, the white-clad figure had already retreated several steps away.

His response was an inscrutable smile, and a haughty yet challenging glint in his eyes, which stared directly at Zhu Yu!

"Uncle Tong, I'll be going ahead now."

"Wait!" Zhu Yu called out, but his white-clad figure had already vanished into the depths of the forest as if carried away by the wind.

"Third Prince, young people are ignorant and don't know the rules. Please forgive him." The old master of Tong Manor immediately put his venerable face in front of Zhu Yu, blocking his gaze.

Despite risking displeasing the prince, the old manor lord was already sweating profusely. Judging from the look in the eyes of the Third Prince Zhu Yu, if his "delicious" nephew didn't leave quickly, the prince might directly demand him!

As Su Shaochu stepped out of the wild forest, a deep sense of helplessness welled up within him.

The Third Prince Zhu Yu! She encountered the biggest challenge she would face on her way to the palace right at the southern border. Now that she had met Zhu Yu, she had no choice but to leave. From the eyes of this demon-like prince, she could see that he was very interested in the "young man" in front of him. Once he aroused his interest, he would use any means to find his target.

Rather than waiting for the other party to lock onto you, it's better to proactively create an environment that's advantageous to you.

The fact that she was from one of the four great families, and that the Su family was related to the royal family by marriage, made this prince of the imperial family still keep a certain distance. However, she would probably have to be careful in the palace from now on. She could not be alone, and she could not be taken advantage of. The days ahead were so "exciting" that she couldn't help but sigh again.

At this moment, the little golden monkey in her arms blinked its big eyes, looking at her innocently and pitifully. It was clear that the lingering fear from earlier had not subsided. This cute little creature really made her happy, and even encountering people she hated could not affect her good mood.

"Sigh! On another note, all my friends are masters of martial arts, and it feels really good to 'use' them. Next time, I'll think of a few more tricks to play with your master."

In the distance, another figure, far from the forest, sneezed several times, a chill running through his body!

Su Shaochu, you devil! He knew that she was stubbornly staying at Nanbian Pass and refusing to leave in order to force him to appear. How could he dare to see her again? But he also knew that if he didn't offer something that could represent him and make her happy, no one would dare to experience her tricks. So he had no choice but to reluctantly offer up his beloved little golden monkey, Mao Niu.

What's most despicable is that she risked his adorable little girl, confident that even if he didn't save her, he would definitely save his beloved little girl.

Oh, his poor little girl, she had to sacrifice herself for her master and entertain the guests for a few days to appease Su Shaochu, that terrible devil, so that she wouldn't focus her attention on him again.

"Master Tong." Zhu Yu, standing in the woods, glanced sideways at the Master of Tong Family Manor, his hands behind his back. "Is this young man from your household?"

"Your Highness, Shao Chu is the son of a good friend of mine. He was just passing through Tongjia Village as a guest."

"Shao Chu?!" Zhu Yucai finally looked at the name that seemed vaguely familiar. "Is it the 'Chu' in 'Chu Geng' (first watch)?"

The old master of the Tong family was taken aback, and had no choice but to answer truthfully, "Yes, Shao Chu is from one of the four great families, and the Su family is the sixth in line."

The four great families?! The old lord's words startled the county magistrate. So that white-robed boy was from one of the four great families, and he even dared to offend the current Third Prince. Sure enough, the Su family and the Crown Prince are related by marriage, so their status is quite different. Hey, he shouldn't have been too rude to the boy just now!

In this small border region, not only royalty and nobility, but also any high-ranking official and powerful person had to cultivate relationships and make favors in order to benefit their future career.

"The sixth son of the Su family?" Zhu Yu's voice was quite amused, as he recalled a scene from many years ago. "The sixth son of the Su family who was sent to the border region at a young age?!"

The small body pulled from the pool years ago must have been a little girl underwater, but when they met again on the red wall path inside the palace, it was not only a little boy, but even their subtle eye contact and expressions seemed different, filling him with doubt!

“Su Shaochu…the child from back then.” He still remembered that even when Su Shaochu was captured, his defiant gaze met Su Shaochu's without fear; such a demeanor at such a young age had once impressed him. “Is he still a guest in Tongjia Village?”

"Ahem, Shao Chu is leaving Tongjia Village today." The venerable old man smiled steadily, trying to hide his inner unease.

He had a premonition that if these two continued to stay in the southern border, he, the uncle, would be the one to suffer. So even if his nephew didn't leave, he would knock his beloved nephew unconscious and tie him up to leave the southern border.

At the southern border, he, as the uncle, had the responsibility to protect his nephew's "pure body." Once outside the southern border, he would entrust the matter to his nephew, who was on his way to Kuaichengjin.

At this moment, Zhu Yu looked thoughtfully in the direction Su Shaochu had left.

Its graceful and serene demeanor, yet subtly imbued with a fierce intensity, is not the scorching intensity of fire, but rather a proud and detached indifference to the world, untouched by any dust or grime.

"Su Shaochu..." From this moment on, the name was etched into Zhu Yu's heart.

Chapter Two

Sunlight streamed through the half-open window, illuminating the serene and bright interior. Wisps of purple-white smoke drifted from the inner room, which was veiled by a light blue gauze curtain. A gentle breeze stirred the curtain, causing it to flutter and sway. The afternoon light and shadow cast shadows on the body on the bed in the inner room.

On the quilt covered with purple silk and red satin, her jet-black hair was scattered like surging waves, half-concealing her clear and beautiful face. Wisps of smoke drifted through the room, filling it with the subtle fragrance of flowers and plants, stirring the person lying on the bed with her eyes closed.

From afar, one could hear the sound of rushing water, even mixed with the clear chirping of birds, and the breeze seemed to bring a touch of coolness and freshness from the depths of the forest.

Subtle sensations kept stirring within her, but her body was so weak and powerless that even opening her eyes was difficult. A soft moan escaped her lips, and whenever the will to wake up came, a heavy feeling followed. She could only let go of her consciousness and let the faint fragrance of flowers and grass fill her nose without resistance. A blissful intoxication arose again, as if to bring her back into a dream.

"Ha, the effects of the sleeping incense have only just worn off, and you're already struggling to wake up?"

The newcomer's voice was a lazy, mellow chuckle. He pointed a finger, gathered his breath, and flicked it toward a lit incense stick beside the bedside table. The incense stick, which had almost burned out, went out instantly, and the wisps of purple and white smoke slowly dissipated.

"Judging from the situation, you should be able to hear my voice now."

The tall, slender figure sat down on the edge of the bed, admiring the person still lying on the bed with her eyes closed. He reached out and brushed away a few strands of hair from her forehead, gently stroking her delicate cheek.

"Purple Sleep Incense not only puts people to sleep, but when its effects wear off, even if they are conscious, their bodies are still too weak to move."

Her elegant and radiant face appeared as if she were still asleep, but only upon closer inspection could one see that her slightly raised eyebrows seemed to be resisting something, and her pupils, hidden beneath her eyelids, seemed to be trembling slightly.

"The way you're struggling so desperately is making me lose control. Don't provoke me like that!"

A handsome, flawless face looked down, its elegant eyebrows exuding a captivating charm, and its thin lips lazily curved upwards.

"Still thinking about resisting? This time is different from before! Young Master Ai." The Third Prince Zhu Yu helped the person on the bed up and called out to him in a teasing tone.

She held his delicate body, which she had been tormenting day and night for the past six months, in her arms, her weak head resting on his arm, her thin clothes outlining her alluring curves, and she nestled quietly against his chest.

Li Yan, whose eyes remained closed due to the lingering effects of the sleeping incense, appeared almost serene. However, he knew how shrewd and calculating the person in his arms was, and how calmly and silently she remained even when her thoughts were racing.

"You're not in the capital, not in the imperial city. The eldest princess, your elder brother, and the four great families can't track your whereabouts. You're far from any opposing forces you could use. Even your martial arts have been sealed. What else can you do?"

His breath brushed against her lips, and he lowered his head to gently caress her lips.

"Young Master Chu, you've tormented me enough these past six months. You'll never leave my side again in this lifetime, understand?"

As if taking advantage of her weak and powerless state, his lips gently rubbed against her thin, soft lips, his large hands caressing her alluring body through her thin clothes. Just as he was about to kiss her deeply, his slender fingers placed on her lips, blocking his intention. His eyes slowly opened, their clear light carrying a hint of unfathomable mystery.

They stared at each other almost breathlessly, and saw their own reflection in each other's pupils, burning with a sharp, domineering intensity that seemed to want to devour the other's calm, elusive serenity.

He pulled down her hand that was covering her mouth, and once again his warm breath touched Su Shaochu's lips. She didn't resist, nor did she look away. She simply let their lips meet and touch, almost merging into one breath. Only the silent struggle of their gazes remained locked in their gazes, neither of them looking away...

"Young master, we servants have brought food for the young mistress."

Two maids were waiting outside the door, knocking.

"Come in."

Two maids, each carrying a meal, bowed towards the inner chamber, which was veiled by layers of light blue gauze.

"Place it in the outer room; you may leave now."

The accompanying attendants, both men and women, all came from the Three Emperors' Palace and were already well-trained and accustomed to their master's new identity among the common people.

"Anything else?"

Two maids were seen waiting outside the misty, watery veil.

"The two young ladies are clamoring to play with the young mistress."

"To prevent them from running in and disturbing the young master and young mistress, Steward Yan is trying to calm them down."

"These two girls just can't sit still. Tell them I'll be taking the young mistress out later." Zhu Yu frowned slightly as she looked at the elegant face in her arms, and then added with a vicious smile, "Also, if they keep making noise, they won't be allowed to see their mother."

"Yes." The two maids bowed and left.

Young master, young mistress, two young ladies... and—mother?!

"What? Does Young Master Chu have anything to say about this new identity?"

"The creation of heaven is truly wondrous!" Su Shaochu said with a half-smile.

"oh?"

"I woke up to find myself with a husband and a daughter. This kind of happiness... a gift from heaven... is something I alone in the world can enjoy. What have I done to deserve this!" A myriad of complex emotions welled up in my heart.

"What? Is this happiness making you want to shed tears of emotion?" He always found the subtle movements of her eyes and brows when she retorted.

"I'd rather shed tears... tears that are covered in dust."

Originally there was nothing, so where could dust settle? This profound and insightful statement by Yan Shanshan was the only thing that echoed in her mind after Zhu Yu took her away from the capital.

"It's rare to see the usually carefree and easygoing Fourth Young Master Su have such a moment of reflection."

"I woke up to find myself being molested by a demon. It's hard not to think that in my past life, Jianying probably kidnapped and did a lot of things to me." So, the heavens sent a ghost prince from the imperial family to do all sorts of things to her.

"Alas! It's all my fault for being too infatuated with my wife. I'm so infatuated that I don't want to let go for even a moment. Just like now, looking at your lips, I can't help but think about the taste of those alluring lips."

Zhu Yu tightened his embrace around her, while his other hand roamed over her alluring body again. He pressed his forehead against hers and murmured, "Stroking your body makes me think even more about the intoxicating beauty hidden beneath these clothes... As long as I don't hold you, the unbearable pain torments my body and soul. My dreams are filled with nothing but you. My obsession with wanting you and holding you is like an addiction. Now that I have you, how can I not become a demon with you in my arms!"

He deliberately used suggestive words, which sounded casual, but the blazing light in his eyes was so intense that it was awe-inspiring.

“The poison has seeped into your very bones, and your mind is filled with madness. Although Shao Chu is not a renowned doctor, there is a way to cure it.” His intensity had always left her indifferent. “The rare poisons of the Eastern Regions, whether it’s E Qing, Can Shi San, or the Heart-Corroding Gu, swallowing any one of them will cure you once and for all, Third Prince.”

"My wife, you are so cruel. You would rather poison your husband than grant my wish that I just want you."

"If a wish is merely a one-sided delusion, it is ultimately just a dream."

"A dream?" His leisurely demeanor vanished, a sharp glint appearing in Zhu Yulian's narrowed eyes as he curled his lips into a cold smile. "Is it delusion or a dream? Young Master Chu seems to have forgotten something—"

Zhu Yu suddenly pressed her onto the bed, his tall body covering her. Su Shaochu, whose martial arts had long been sealed, and with the lingering effects of the sleeping incense, was now weaker than a delicate young woman.

"I am the one who can determine your current situation!"

Su Shaochu gritted his teeth and groaned in pain. His wrists, which were suddenly pulled over his head and held in place, and his bound body, were all warnings of the force exerted.

"I told you, once you fall into my hands again, you will never have a chance to escape. Do you remember what the last sentence was?"

Zhu Yu pulled open her clothes with one hand, revealing a light green bodice, but Su Shaochu turned to look at her in silence.

"Are you afraid I'll truly become a vile womanizer, or do you know that this time, you have absolutely no chance of winning?"

"I just want to..." she said slowly, "The Third Prince probably wouldn't want a dead plaything."

Zhu Yu sneered. "Does Shao Chu still think of threatening his beloved younger brother with 'suicide'?"

"These past three days, the first two were spent resting your body and mind after indulging in your bestial desires at 'Yun Shu Zhai,' and you were rarely sober." In fact, the excessive fragrance from the Eastern Region had made her delirious for two days. "On the third day, you gave her a sleeping incense, so she continued to wander in her dreams."