Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Speaking Wild Nonsense

Sheng Zhi Wan looked over.

An Zhi spoke: “Minister Liu’s daughter fell from a boat outside the city and was rescued by Second Young Master Shang who happened to be passing by!”

“Ah?!” Ting Lan gasped in shock. “Minister Liu’s daughter? Could it be Eldest Young Lady Liu, Liu Yan?”

An Zhi shook her head. “I only heard it’s a Liu family daughter, but not specifically which one.”

Sheng Zhi Wan pinched a small piece of black rice cake and gently took a bite. But after just one taste, she set it aside. Today, the black rice cake seemed less sweet than usual.

“Princess! Princess! The Northern Di envoys have arrived!” Ting Lan called out urgently.

Only then did Sheng Zhi Wan gather her thoughts and look.

…

Inside the carriage, Liu Yan was feeling terribly upset.

She had never imagined that detestable Liu Xu would be so bold. Not only had Liu Xu refused to obediently fall into the lake, she even fought back and pushed Liu Yan in instead!

[Now what should I do?]

She was rescued in full view of everyone. Even though the rescuer was no lowly commoner, he was still a notorious playboy.

[How is he better than a commoner?]

Liu Yan’s lovely face filled with resentment. Had she known it was Shang Hang Yu who would rescue her, she would rather have drowned in the lake!

But it had already happened, and now she could only think of a way to salvage the situation.

Thinking quickly, Liu Yan suddenly turned to the trembling maidservant beside her. “Bing Er, when you shouted that Young Lady had fallen into the water, did you specify which Young Lady?”

Bing Er’s teeth were chattering. Her clothes had been taken by Liu Yan, leaving her shivering in Liu Yan’s wet garments. “N-no… Maidservant only said Young Lady fell into the water…”

“Perfect!” Liu Yan’s eyes brightened. Quickly, she grabbed a silk scarf and covered the lower half of her face. “Since no one knows exactly who fell, later you must insist that I am Liu Family’s Second Young Lady.”

Since Liu Xu, that little wretch, dared push her into the water, then she could go marry that useless playboy instead!

The more Liu Yan thought about it, the cleverer her plan seemed.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the Liu residence.

Liu Yan, having prepared her expression carefully, lifted the curtain gracefully. “Second Young Master Shang—”

But before she could finish speaking, the playboy atop his horse flicked the whip, urging the horse onward. “Go!”

The fine steed swiftly turned and galloped away.

Holding the carriage curtain, Liu Yan stood frozen, her carefully prepared expression stiffening awkwardly.

“Young Lady?” Bing Er shivered. “Second Young Master Shang has left already. Perhaps we should hurry inside…”

If they lingered any longer, she feared she’d freeze to death right there.

Liu Yan clenched the curtain, watching Shang Hang Yu’s departing figure with irritation.

She might disdain this good-for-nothing young master, but his sudden departure, without even a glance or question despite knowing she was a Liu Family daughter, left her feeling strangely unsettled.

“Hmph!”

Forget it!

No wonder this worthless man accomplished nothing, consorting only with lowly courtesans. Missing such an opportunity, he deserved his mediocrity.

Such a man was perfect for Liu Xu.

Thinking this, Liu Yan entered the mansion.

Meanwhile, Shang Hang Yu’s mind was filled entirely with regret over that brief glance, increasingly regretting his impulsive rescue.

Had he not saved that girl, he’d already be with the person he longed to see. Perhaps they’d now be together, seated in a teahouse, sipping warm tea, savoring her favorite pastries, and discussing the gains from Tedan.

Yet because of that unnecessary rescue, he was delayed by at least an hour.

[Who cares if the daughter of Zhang, Wang, or Liu drowned? What did it have to do with him?]

Blame it all on the moment he saw that girl and recalled Sheng Zhi Wan’s fall into the icy lake. Back then, trapped by the crowd, he’d arrived too late to rescue her.

Thus, as if possessed, he flicked out his whip to pull the stranger ashore.

The fine horse swiftly reached the teahouse. Instead of entering by the front, Shang Hang Yu deftly climbed up through a window.

Cups remained, still warm, but the person he sought was already gone.

Annoyed, Shang Hang Yu quickly exited again before the waiter entered to tidy up.

…

“Princess, someone is following us.” Liu Shang suddenly lowered her voice, alerting Sheng Zhi Wan inside the carriage.

She tilted her head slightly, eyes closed, counting quietly, “Three, two, one… Now! So fast—definitely an expert!”

An Zhi and Ting Lan immediately tensed, unconsciously shielding Sheng Zhi Wan.

Liu Shang remained alert but soon frowned slightly. “Strange, they’ve gone?”

The mysterious presence had passed swiftly over their carriage and continued onward.

“Perhaps they were just passing by?” Ting Lan wondered.

“Perhaps,” Liu Shang remained vigilant all the way home until finally relaxing inside the mansion courtyard.

Surely no one would dare harm the Princess within Duke Qi’s residence.

An Zhi opened the door, and Sheng Zhi Wan stepped inside.

A pink plum blossom lay crushed beneath her feet.

Her eyelashes fluttered; she halted abruptly.

“Princess?” An Zhi glanced curiously, unsure why her Princess had stopped.

“Liu Shang, earlier I saw peach pastries on the street. Buy some and share them with the maids and nannies. An Zhi, Ting Lan, you both retire as well—I need rest.” Sheng Zhi Wan’s hand tightened briefly.

Once everyone departed, and the door closed quietly behind them, Sheng Zhi Wan lifted her gaze towards the ceiling.

Empty.

She froze, then glanced behind the screen. Still no one.

She bit her lip, doubtful.

[Was I mistaken?]

Just a plum petal.

Pinglan Residence also had plum blossoms; perhaps the wind had carried it in. Besides, at this very moment, he should still be at Liu Mansion.

Having rescued Liu Mansion’s daughter from drowning, by Capital City customs, he should soon become betrothed.

But was it Liu Yan, or Liu Xu he had saved?

Considering the carriage’s grandeur, likely Liu Yan.

Sheng Zhi Wan slowly sat on the soft couch, reaching for the teacup—

In a sudden flash, she shot to her feet.

Before she could utter a sound, a warm hand covered her mouth entirely.

Her soft lips pressed gently against the heated palm.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes widened in shock.

Shang Hang Yu similarly recoiled, feeling as if burned, hastily withdrawing his hand.

“You—”

“Princess—”

Both spoke simultaneously, stopping together.

Blinking innocently, Shang Hang Yu quickly took control of the conversation, shamelessly protesting, “Princess, you almost exposed me just now.”

Sheng Zhi Wan: “…”

Sheng Zhi Wan took a calming breath. “Why are you here again?”

“Naturally, I came to see you, Princess. The moment I returned, I immediately rushed here,” Shang Hang Yu smoothly replied, pouring tea thoughtfully. “Would you like some?”

She accepted the cup, feeling a strange warmth calm her heart, yet stirring new confusion.

“Second Young Master Shang is truly speaking nonsense,” she suddenly retorted, somewhat inexplicably. “Did you not first save Miss Liu and escort her home?”

Lowering her eyes, she continued coldly, “Don’t blame me if next time my new maidservant with excellent martial skills tosses you out for barging in again!”