Dugu Jing slowly stood up. "I will set off in the middle of this month."
While taking a walk in the courtyard, I suddenly caught a glimpse of my third brother, who looked thoughtful.
"Third Brother..."
Liu Chengxian looked up in surprise: "Oh, it's Fourth Sister."
I looked up at him, in the direction he had just come from: "Third Brother, did you just come back from outside?"
"Yes, I went out for tea with friends and came back."
We walked side by side.
The courtyard was bursting with blooming flowers, the weather was perfect.
Suddenly, I caught sight of two red flowers. "A twin lotus..."
My third brother looked in the direction I pointed. He smiled and said, "It's very beautiful..."
I nodded. I noticed he had fallen silent again. "What's wrong, Third Brother?"
Liu Chengxian then began to recount his encounter with the Fourth Prince at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
I was somewhat surprised: "You mean, the Fourth Prince volunteered to govern Chuzhou."
Liu Chengxian nodded, then said, "Fourth Sister, I am already very grateful that the Fourth Prince has gone to such lengths."
Back in the courtyard.
"Ping'er, I need to go to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. If anyone is looking for me, please cover for me."
"Yes, miss."
When we arrived at Baihua Tower, I asked Qiu Niang to tell me the intelligence I had recently gathered.
"Your Highness, has he made any moves?"
Qiu Niang gave me a list of people the Crown Prince had recently been in contact with, and added, "These two people are both in court demanding the impeachment of Lord Liu."
My eyes darkened. "I understand."
Just as I stepped out the door, I suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure downstairs.
"What is that?"
Qiu Niang replied, "It's Lord Lu Yiheng. He's been coming to Baihua Tower every day these days."
I went downstairs and noticed the intoxication on his face; he'd probably had quite a bit to drink. He was leaning against a scantily clad woman.
I was just about to walk over there.
With a snap.
I turned around and saw the woman slump to the ground, tears streaming down her face: "Young master..."
Lu Yiheng's eyes were glazed over, and his body swayed.
"I...I don't like you...I like..." She turned her body to one side.
"I like him the way he is."
I froze, standing still. I looked at Lu Yiheng, who was pointing at me with a bewildered expression.
The woman on the ground looked on in surprise.
The people around me were also surprised, because at that moment, I was dressed as a man.
Lu Yiheng stumbled over, a smile on his face: "I like...I like...you..."
The woman rushed over immediately: "Young master, I'm sorry... he's drunk..." she said apologetically.
I know her, Sasha.
I nodded: "It's okay."
Just as I was about to leave, a pair of strong hands suddenly appeared on my waist.
I turned around in surprise, and a face reeking of alcohol was right next to me.
"I like... um... I like..." with a bewildered smile.
“Young Master…” Sasha rushed over.
Lu Yiheng broke free from her grasp and tightly hugged my waist. I suppressed my discomfort.
"Let go." He said coldly.
Lu Yiheng's face drew closer, and he let out a hiccup. "You two look so alike, but you're a man..."
Qiu Niang stood to one side: "Master, this Young Master Lu..."
I said casually, "Prepare a room."
I looked at Lu Yiheng lying on the bed and whispered, "Lu Yiheng, are you really drunk or just pretending?"
Qiu Niang said from behind, "Young Master Lu has been staying at Baihua Tower these past few days. Every time he comes, he orders salsa."
A question lingered in my mind: "Why Sasha?"
Qiu Niang paused for a moment, then continued, "Because Sasha has a similar voice to Master."
I was stunned and turned around blankly.
Looking at Lu Yiheng sleeping on the bed, she slowly got up.
He turned around and took a few steps.
"Moon..."
His body stiffened.
In the end, he still left.
Ruoshui looked at me in surprise: "You mean, you're leaving?"
I nodded and replied, "Yes, I'm going to Chuzhou."
"Why?" Ruoshui asked, puzzled. "Worried about the Fourth Prince, oh... I see..."
Me: "No, it's for my dad. If this isn't resolved, my dad's life will be in danger."
Ruoshui stopped joking and said, "Be careful on your way, girl. If you need any help, just let me know." She then handed me a metal spoon.
What is this?
Ruoshui: "If you encounter any trouble, just blow on this spoon. My people will come to protect you."
I looked at her gratefully and said, "Thank you, Ruoshui."
Finally, he added, "From the bottom of my heart."
Ruoshui smiled as beautifully as a flower.
After putting on makeup, I secretly blended in with the entourage.
Looking ahead at the person on the maroon horse, his posture was upright, and his black robe billowed in the wind.
I walked with the crowd, looking left and right.
"stop……"
The group immediately stopped.
I stood by the roadside with a few soldiers.
"You, come here."
The familiar voice put me on alert.
Facing Dugu Jing: "Your Highness, what brings you here?"
Dugu Jing looked at me silently for a while, then said, "You are in charge of taking care of the horse."
I nodded: "Yes, Fourth Prince."
As I fed the horse grass, I wondered how successful my disguise had been. I glanced at the people around me every now and then.
Would you like to ride it?
I looked up, somewhat puzzled: "Is Your Highness speaking to me?"
Dugu Jing looked at me silently.
It's been a while since I last rode a horse, and the thrill of that experience is still fresh in my mind. This horse is truly wonderful; the wind blowing through my hair—that's exactly the feeling.
Suddenly a gust of wind blew by.
I felt a warmth behind me, and then a warm body pressed against me.
His body stiffened instantly: "Fourth Prince..."
"Don't get distracted, focus on riding..."
A deep, magnetic voice entered my ears, and I straightened my eyes. "Yes, Fourth Prince..."
The horse suddenly began to gallop, running exceptionally fast. I was startled by the sudden acceleration and kicked my leg hard. "Ah..."
"Don't be afraid..."
I felt a tightness around my waist as a pair of strong hands reached up to support me.
The wind on my face no longer stings so much.