Chapter 184

"If this is a joke, please allow me to leave, Your Highness," said Gu Ying, clenching her fists in her sleeves, preparing to knock him out if he dared to take advantage of her.

However, Li Yang did not actually make a move on her. Hearing her words, he obediently moved aside and lazily raised his eyebrows, generously making way.

Gu Ying lowered her eyes, not wanting to stay in this man's presence for a moment longer. She left without looking back.

Li Yang turned and watched the woman's retreating figure. In his mind appeared the alluring sight of her writhing beneath him.

The image was too real...

The more he thought about it, the more parched he felt, his whole body hot.

As the son of a beloved imperial concubine, the Prince of the Eastern Lu kingdom, he could have any woman he wanted with a little patient hunting.

If it wasn't for Jiang Yin repeatedly reminding him before entering the palace not to disrupt the plan, he would have pressed Gu Ying down today to steal a kiss.

Avoiding Prince Shu, Gu Ying's eyebrows were knotted into a little mountain.

In her previous life, she had no connection with Prince Shu at all. Why was Prince Shu interested in her in this life?

"My lady, I'm afraid we'll have to tell His Highness the Heir about this..." said Yin Lan worriedly. "Prince Shu does not seem like a good man."

What was most worrying was the sense of entitlement Prince Shu had towards her lady.

Gu Ying sighed and said helplessly, "I know."

Prince Shu was indeed troublesome... Fortunately, with Adu around, no matter how arrogant Prince Shu was, he could not just seize another man's wife.

"Yin Lan, you and Yanzhi stay here and secretly keep an eye on Huo Qiyen, don't let her make trouble. I'll go and come back soon."

Yanzhi pursed her lips worriedly. "My lady, where are you going?" The corners of Gu Ying's lips turned up. "Be good. I'm just going for a walk to clear my mind. I'll be back soon."

She had something important to do today, so she let Yin Lan and Yanzhi stay in the imperial garden to attract others' attention. She took the opportunity to head towards where Ning Si was.

Ning Si was the precious eldest daughter of the prestigious Ning family, gentle and delicate, a typical young lady from a good family - gentle, kind, modest and virtuous.

At this moment, however, she was being bullied by two unnamed young noblewomen under a rockery not far from the Chifeng Palace.

The two girls aggressively jabbed Ning Si in the shoulders, pushing her backwards while berating her aggressively.

"Well, well, if it isn't Young Lady Ning from the Ning family! How dare you still show your face here?"

"That's right, this is where Prince Duan rests when he enters the palace. Don't tell me you've come looking for Prince Duan, Ning Young Lady?"

"Ning Si, how can you still show your face here? Oh I know, Prince Duan is ill so you're worried he can't give you a good future. That's why you've set your sights on Prince Shu instead, right? We're right, aren't we?"

"Oh my, we can't call her Young Lady Ning anymore. We must address her as Prince Shu's Future Consort!"

The mocking was extremely harsh.

Ning Si was so ashamed she nearly cried, glaring at the two girls ridiculing her with wet eyes, unable to say a word to defend herself.

"Oh my, why is the Prince Shu's Consort not saying anything?"

In the middle of winter, snow fluttering about, Ning Si swayed unsteadily in the cold wind. Her hair ornament was tangled up in her messy hair, making her frail body look helpless and pitiful, like a trapped beast.

Not far away, on the covered corridor, a tall, thin figure stood behind a pillar, half of his pale, handsome face faintly visible.

His brows were slightly furrowed, clearly worried that Ning Si would be hurt, yet he remained silently standing there without moving a muscle.

Gu Ying could bear it no longer.

She circled around from behind the rockery and pulled Ning Si behind her, shielding Ning Si with her body. Facing the two young ladies coldly, she said, "Regardless of whether she is Prince Shu's future consort or not, the eldest daughter of Minister Ning's family is not someone you can reprimand as you like. If you dare cause trouble again, don't blame me for dragging you personally to Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty to seek justice!"

The two girls were quite young. Seeing the prestigious Gu Ying who had married into the Duke of Guo's estate, they immediately fell silent.

"We didn't bully her much, just said a couple of things, what's the big deal?"

"In that case, I'll say that at your age, you're still stuck at home unmarried. Forget about becoming Prince Shu's consort, it would be difficult for you to even find a son from a decent family. Are you happy now? Do you like hearing that?"

"You--!"

Gu Ying's face darkened. "Get lost now, or I'll call someone." The two young ladies were left speechless by her words. They only had a crush on Prince Duan and couldn't stand Ning Si abandoning Prince Duan for Prince Shu. There was no need to make this too ugly. Muttering resentfully, they soon dispersed.

Gu Ying turned around and pulled the swaying Ning Si into her arms.

Ning Si's face and hair were covered with snow. Although she had a thick cloak on, her little face was still stiff and cold, exuding an icy chill.

"Lady Ning, are you alright?"

Too weak to stand, Ning Si leaned against Gu Ying, her long eyelashes as thin as cicada wings fluttering weakly. She looked very frail. "Gu..."

"Call me Little Ying," said Gu Ying. Feeling Ning Si's burning hot hands, she realized Ning Si had a high fever. "Are you sick?"

Flushed and glassy-eyed, Ning Si twisted her slender, willowy brows in pain. Her body went limp and she collapsed into Gu Ying's arms.

As capable as Gu Ying was, she was still just a woman. It was difficult for her to carry such a big person.

"Lady Ning, Lady Ning?" She held onto Ning Si's shoulders, about to pull her up.

A sickly pale, big hand suddenly stretched out from the wind and snow before her. "Let me."

The man's voice was low and mellow, like muffled drum beats - not very loud yet serenely dignified.

He bent down to pick Ning Si up. His thin arms held her legs tightly. It seemed to require some effort, his finger joints turning white from exertion.

Gu Ying recognized his identity but hesitated to speak. The man didn't say anything either, just gave a few coughs, his neck muscles tightening as he swallowed hard. He stood still for a while to catch his breath before slowly walking towards the Chifeng Palace with Ning Si in his arms.

Under the palace eaves stood a fat little eunuch, eyes brimming with tears, looking at the thin back of the departing man with heartache. "Your Highness..."

"Wait outside."

"Yes..."

The Chifeng Palace was exceptionally bleak.

After Gu Ying entered, she realized that in the vast palace hall, only one brazier was burning. Icy winds swirled around the four corners. Outside, goose feather-like snow danced wildly amidst strong gusts. The entire palace was freezing, with only that brazier giving off a hint of warmth.

She watched as he placed Ning Si on the wooden couch inside. Seeing him laboriously moving the brazier, she couldn't bear it and wanted to step forward to help.

"So even you see me as useless, don't you?"

The man turned his head. His sharp features were sickly pale. His lips were light-colored - clearly someone who had been ill for a long time.