Chapter 041: Don’t All Men Like This?

“Prince Sheng himself asked me for this gift, so I can hardly refuse to deliver it, can I? Since you won’t take it, then I’ll be on my way.” Wu Tan waved the box in her hand with indifference.

Lei Ming truly had no idea what had gotten into his master lately, and he couldn’t be sure whether the words his lord had said to this little troublemaker the other day had been meant in jest. But regardless—

He could not be the one to take on the responsibility!

“If our prince asked for it himself, then I’ll take you—so you can present it in person,” Lei Ming said, his face dark.

Wu Tan was not at all afraid to see Xiao Yue. After all, he was a high and mighty prince; even if she made a bit of a scene, as long as she didn’t commit treason or break the law, what could he really do to her?

At worst, if she offended him deeply, their families would simply stop associating in the future—which would also spare the emperor any cause for suspicion.

“All right!” She had come here precisely to offend Xiao Yue, so she was entirely unafraid.

Lei Ming turned to leave, but An Qiao, legs weak, collapsed to her knees and could not be pulled up by Xing Zi. She began to cry, “Miss, this servant…”

She was a straightforward sort. Though the prince’s manor was an extravagant place, the path they’d walked so far was filled with guards and servants, and the atmosphere was so severe it was truly intimidating.

Wu Tan more or less understood her fears, and as she bent to pull her up, she coaxed her with a mix of comforting and cajoling words, “It’s just a short trip with me. Don’t worry, I’ll bring you back afterward.”

“Really?” An Qiao was not easily convinced.

This second young lady seemed unreliable; a young noblewoman cheerfully chatting with strange guards in the prince’s residence—if she were sold off, it would hardly be surprising.

“Really, really!” Wu Tan exchanged a glance with Xing Zi, and together they helped An Qiao to her feet.

Lei Ming led the three of them to Xiao Yue’s study in the back courtyard.

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, a young woman holding a tray of bottles and jars came out from within.

“What’s this…?” Not only was the prince’s study off-limits, but the entire back courtyard was forbidden to outsiders. Seeing Lei Ming bring in several women, she was immediately curious. Looking closer, she recognized Wu Tan as the girl she’d met recently at the temple fair.

Lei Ming was not about to explain. “Is the prince inside?” he asked.

“Yes,” the woman replied, her gaze never leaving Wu Tan, scrutinizing her intently.

Annoyed by the staring, Wu Tan glared at her before striding past, head held high.

Lei Ming dared not take Wu Tan directly into the study. Wu Tan shoved the box into his hands and pushed An Qiao forward.

Both Lei Ming and An Qiao looked utterly miserable. In the end, Lei Ming told An Qiao to wait by the door, then entered with the box.

The study was spacious; Wu Tan, standing outside, could only catch the sound of Lei Ming’s voice, but not the words.

Then—

A furious roar swept out, Xiao Yue’s voice thunderous as a storm: “Lei Ming! Are you courting death?”

Lei Ming, usually a steadfast man, fell to his knees with a thud. He hastened to explain, “Your servant wishes to live—she’s the one delivering the gift…”

An Qiao, standing at the door, all but melted into a puddle of terror.

Wu Tan, eavesdropping outside, sensed things were going awry and prepared to slip away.

But before she could turn, the box Lei Ming had brought inside came hurtling out the door.

It flew with such force that, reacting instinctively, Wu Tan shielded her head. Thankfully, Xiao Yue’s intent was only to smash the thing, not to aim for her head—otherwise, the scene would have been far bloodier.

The box struck her left shoulder with a heavy thud, sending Wu Tan to the ground, dazed by pain and instantly in tears.

“Miss!” Xing Zi screamed and rushed over in panic.

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Yue realized something was wrong and quickly rounded the desk, striding out in haste.

Though he hadn’t used any inner strength, he knew full well the force of his own throw.

Wu Tan lay there, sprawled in the dirt, utterly still—on the verge of breaking into sobs.

Lei Ming followed, gasping at the sight.

Xiao Yue’s face darkened further. Only now did he realize that, in a moment of blank fury, he’d lost his head and was briefly at a loss.

Irritated, he strode over and bent to help Wu Tan up, but as soon as his hand touched her shoulder, she finally broke down and wailed, “Don’t touch my shoulder!”

Xing Zi saw that the ground beneath her was soaked with tears and was instantly heartbroken.

At first, Xiao Yue wasn’t sure where he’d struck her, so he reached around, grasped her other shoulder, and helped her up, carefully avoiding her left side as he swept her into his arms and carried her inside to lay her on the bed.

Wu Tan’s cheeks were streaked with tears, but she only sniffled quietly, no longer crying out in pain.

“Your Highness, allow me to take a look,” Lei Ming said, asking permission.

Xiao Yue stepped aside.

His expression was grim, and Xing Zi and An Qiao, though worried, dared not approach and stood back.

Lei Ming was experienced with such injuries. He examined the wound through her clothing, coaxed her to move her shoulder, and, seeing she could still move it—though she wept bitterly—he finally relaxed. Turning to Xiao Yue, he reported, “No broken bones, just a bruise.”

But Xiao Yue was still furious. “Fetch Feng Qi!” he snapped.

Lei Ming hesitated. “Your Highness, with guests in the residence today, if we make too much of a scene…”

Before he could finish, Wu Tan interrupted, “Don’t call anyone! If my brother finds out, he’ll scold me!”

Wu Qinglin would never scold her without reason, but if he learned Xiao Yue had injured her like this, who knew what trouble would ensue?

Wu Tan felt wretched. She’d only meant to disgust Xiao Yue, to make him keep his distance from her family, but now she’d nearly created a blood feud.

She’d never suffered such pain before; her shoulder throbbed terribly.

Lei Ming left and soon returned with two bottles of medicinal wine Xiao Yue had used before, which he handed to a trembling An Qiao.

Xiao Yue, cold and unsmiling, was truly terrifying. An Qiao had been shaking ever since entering the courtyard, and when Lei Ming thrust the cold bottle into her hands, she dropped it in fright.

As the bottle hit the floor, she fell to her knees in a panic. “This servant deserves to die! This servant deserves to die!”

Xing Zi, too, was cowed by Xiao Yue’s imposing presence and dared not move.

Looking at the quivering servant on the ground, then at Wu Tan, who sat on his bed sniffing pitifully, Xiao Yue felt a nosebleed coming on.

Of course, it wasn’t because the gift Wu Tan brought was particularly arousing, but because of how exasperating this troublesome child was.

So young and already so mischievous!

“This is the gift you chose for me?” Xiao Yue sneered.

Wu Tan, instinctively guilty, tried to bluff, “You told me to prepare a gift, but nothing I own would catch your eye. At least a maid can serve tea…”

Her words choked him momentarily. Seeing her red, tear-stained eyes and utterly aggrieved expression, he stifled his anger and barked, “All of you—out!”

It would be improper for her, an unmarried young lady, to be left alone with him.

The two maids, anxious and reluctant, dared not protest before Xiao Yue. Without so much as a glance up, they hurriedly withdrew.

Lei Ming left last, closing the door behind him.

“Who picked out that maid for you?” Xiao Yue asked, watching the three retreat.

He suddenly suspected someone was trying to use Wu Tan to ensnare him with a beauty trap.

“Don’t all men like that sort of thing?” Wu Tan mumbled.

“Men?” Xiao Yue was taken aback by her words.

“My second brother said so!” Wu Tan trusted her brother’s advice. Now she could only blame this Prince Sheng for being so abnormal!

She had given him a pretty maid and he was still displeased? What kind of person was he?

Wu Tan looked utterly defeated, and the sight made a vein throb at Xiao Yue’s temple.

She began to think she’d made a miscalculation. Now, left alone with him, she was genuinely frightened. Head lowered, she twisted her fingers, “If you don’t like her, I’ll just take her back…”

Xiao Yue felt that if he spoke with her any longer, he might actually break his rule and strike a woman. He turned her around so her back faced him.

Wu Tan, bewildered by his sudden movement, had no time to protest before she felt a chill on her shoulder—he had stripped off her upper garment in one swift motion.

—Author’s note—

Ah, the advantages of an older imperial uncle: no need for restraint; if he wants to hold you, he holds you, if he wants to undress you, he does so without hesitation.

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