Fending off wolves at the front door, only to have tigers enter through the back.

Today, the place was truly lively. Wasn’t it said that Lanze Manor was remote? Why, then, did it always seem to attract this prince? Lingran muttered to herself in frustration.

Wu Wei was the first to greet Hongxiao with a clasped-fist salute, but his eyes slid sideways toward Lingran, as if mocking the ambiguous scene he had just witnessed between her and Hongxiao.

What a dreadful misunderstanding! Lingran was at a loss for words to defend herself. She could only rise and bow respectfully to Chu Yu.

Hongxiao offered a faint, indifferent smile and stood as well.

Chu Yu strode straight into the house, not sparing them a single glance, leaving behind a cold remark: “If you want to flirt, do it elsewhere. Don’t sully my late mother’s residence.”

Hongxiao did not respond. Instead, he turned to Lingran and said, “You serve Prince Xiang first. I’ll have someone fetch you to the Peony Pavilion for dinner—we haven’t finished our conversation.” With that, he paused beside Wu Wei, gave him a lingering look, and then swept away.

After Hongxiao left, Wu Wei finally approached Lingran with a sigh. “You’re quite something! I’ve never seen Hongxiao pursue a girl before, never even heard of it. But… you might be in trouble now. Pray for yourself.”

Lingran watched Wu Wei and the young attendant follow Chu Yu inside. She recalled Wu Wei’s earlier words: Chu Yu loathed Hongxiao most of all. Given what had just happened, it was easy to see how the situation might be misconstrued. If Chu Yu couldn’t vent his anger on Hongxiao, he might well take it out on her! It was truly a case of escaping the wolf at the front door only to meet a tiger at the back. Why was she so unlucky?

She thought back to reporting the disappearance of the Dowager Princess’s portrait from Lanze Manor a few days ago—no one cared. She had diligently cleaned the house and offered incense, never making a mistake. This thought gave her a surge of confidence.

She guessed the prince wouldn’t stay long; she must seize the chance to ask Wu Wei about the whereabouts of her friends. Slowly, she crept to the door and waited for them to emerge.

Sure enough, Chu Yu was the first to come out. He immediately noticed Lingran peeking about, his deep gaze growing even colder. Lingran shivered inexplicably.

So beautiful, yes, but cold as stone—he was like a block of ice! Best to keep out of his way. She only wanted to be an inconspicuous maid, but fate seemed determined to single her out.

Chu Yu strolled slowly to the pavilion and sat facing outward. His eyes never left Lingran, their chill making her feel like a beast of prey was sizing up its quarry—assured she could never escape, but not anxious to devour her just yet.

He was dressed in a thin silk robe, loosely belted with a silver sash at the waist. His physique was both athletic and alluring; the silk clung to his chest, revealing the enticing lines beneath.

Lingran swallowed—he was a feast for the eyes! Only by looking at him could one appreciate his perfection; avert your gaze, and it was impossible to imagine such otherworldly beauty existed. Unlike Hongxiao, whose charm made one want to draw near, Chu Yu inspired awe and untouchable reverence, as if born to be worshipped.

The young attendant stood behind his master, duster in hand, his eyes round and lively as he openly studied Lingran.

Wu Wei followed them into the pavilion, but dared not sit. He stood behind Chu Yu, frantically signaling to Lingran with his eyes.

What did those looks mean? Lingran was baffled. Was he telling her to disappear?

Yes, that must be it.

With this in mind, she bowed deeply from a distance to Prince Xiang and tried to slip quietly down the mountain.

But before she reached the steps, Chu Yu’s icy voice rang out: “Get back here!”

Startled, Lingran quickly turned and hurried back to the pavilion, standing before him with her head bowed in the most respectful posture.

You can’t provoke a tiger! Surely submission would keep her safe?

“Your Highness,” she began carefully, “since tomorrow is the Ghost Festival, I thought I should hurry to fetch supplies to prepare for the Dowager Princess’s memorial offering.”

Chu Yu narrowed his eyes, silent, scrutinizing her from head to toe. His gaze was sharp as an X-ray, leaving her feeling utterly exposed.

Lingran’s palms were slick with sweat. Was this her rotten luck or good fortune? First under Hongxiao’s scrutiny, now under this “lotus prince’s” piercing stare—if the ladies of the capital knew, they’d die of envy.

Chu Yu gave a soft snort.

Pleasant as it sounded—it matched the voice she’d heard that night on the mountain—but why did he always communicate through such nasal sounds? What did he mean? Lingran’s thoughts whirled, her dark eyes darting nervously.

Then Chu Yu remarked, “Though you’re not much to look at, your eyes are certainly shifty.”

Fury flickered in Lingran’s heart. What did he mean, not much to look at? Did he even have eyes?

“No wonder you could seduce that shameless man Hongxiao!”

At this, Lingran jerked her head up. Ordinarily, her temper would demand a retort, but with such a gulf in their stations, reckless words could cost her life. She steeled herself to endure. Internally, she fumed: not only an ice block, but a razor tongue as well! Truly the son of Chu Liuxiang.

Having vented in secret, her anger quickly dissipated. She assumed a calm, untroubled air, feeling a bit of the spirit of the hapless Ah Q, and had to suppress a laugh.

Wu Wei, standing behind Chu Yu, reminded her quietly: “Why aren’t you speaking? What were you and Hongxiao doing here just now? Why did he come seeking you?”

Lingran put on a look of utter grievance. “It’s a long story. I truly am innocent, but as a lowly maid, I dare not waste His Highness’s precious time with a lengthy account. I suppose I can only endure the scolding.” Surely this ice block wouldn’t want to bother with her any further—the sooner she could send this plague god on his way, the better.

Unexpectedly, Chu Yu lifted his robe, crossed one leg over the other, and said coldly, “I have plenty of time today.”

Lingran thought in frustration: Why can’t I ever read anyone’s temper? Has the sun risen in the west? The prince actually wants to listen! Very well then.

She cleared her throat and recounted in detail how Xu Shanquan had been promoted to a concubine and set out to make trouble for her, forcing her to frame Mo Han. She described how she had refused with upright indignation, how she was bound and brought before the prime minister, who ordered her execution, and how Hongxiao had burst in to save her at the crucial moment. Of course, she omitted the reason Hongxiao had chased her up the mountain, claiming only that he’d told the prime minister he fancied her.

Ninety-nine percent of her story was true, so there were no loopholes to be found.

Chu Yu listened quietly to her animated tale, his eyes betraying not the slightest ripple of emotion.

When Lingran finally fell silent, she grew increasingly uneasy. His composure was unnerving—surely this was what people meant by “unflappable even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.”

“Among women, you must have the thickest skin,” Chu Yu concluded, rising to his feet.

It was as if a superior had just listened to a subordinate’s report and dismissed it with a less than flattering comment, leaving Lingran anxious. She turned to Wu Wei. “What does His Highness mean by that?”

“You just painted yourself as a heroic maiden who would rather die than submit. Even I don’t believe Hongxiao would fall for you,” Wu Wei said, mercilessly mocking her.

Lingran bristled with indignation. She had spoken nothing but the truth! At the very least, what Hongxiao and Chu Liuxiang said was exactly as she claimed!