Chapter 044: The More One Tries to Cover Up, the More One Reveals—A Grave Misunderstanding
Because she had been so eager to make her complaint just now, she hadn’t paid any attention to what was happening behind her. Now, even if she wanted to avoid it, it was already too late.
The moment Wu Tan turned her head, Xiao Yun recognized her immediately.
A faint twitch appeared between his brows.
Wu Tan’s first instinct was to seek refuge behind Xiao Yue, but fortunately she reacted quickly—this was Xiao Yue, not her elder brother. She suppressed the impulse just in time and stood there, rigid as if awaiting her doom.
“I merely changed my residence, Your Highness. Why would you come in person?” Xiao Yue greeted him with a smile.
He stepped forward to meet Xiao Yun, walking only a couple of steps. Yet, to Xiao Yun, it seemed a deliberate move, perfectly positioning himself to shield Wu Tan behind him.
Why was Wu Tan here? Did she know Xiao Yue? What could be the connection between them? And—
He had seen them from afar, standing together and talking. What conversation could have kept them together for so long?
Especially now, with Xiao Yue’s subtly evasive gestures, it made Xiao Yun feel particularly uneasy.
“Opening your own residence and office is a significant event, Uncle. Father cannot leave the palace, so I’ve come on his behalf to offer congratulations,” Xiao Yun said.
Though he was young, raised since childhood to be a sovereign, he had developed his own distinctive manner. He was neither immature nor prone to losing his composure.
“It’s a trivial matter, really. Your father is much too thoughtful!” Xiao Yue replied, slightly turning his body, still managing to keep Wu Tan hidden behind him.
Wu Tan was growing anxious—
She was indeed here at Xiao Yue’s place, but since she had encountered Xiao Yun, hiding would only arouse suspicion, as if she were guilty of some wrongdoing.
She wanted to greet Xiao Yun directly, but Xiao Yue stood like a mountain in her way. His movements were deft and precise, isolating her completely.
Trailing behind him, Wu Tan circled once, unable to catch sight of Xiao Yun’s face.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yun had been ushered toward the entrance of the courtyard, his frustration mounting. “Uncle…”
He drew a breath to speak, but before he could voice his grievances, Xiao Yue laughed and said, “Wait a moment!”
Then, turning to Wu Tan, he instructed, “Go with Steward Cen. Let him take you to the flower hall.”
“Yes, Your Grace!” Steward Cen bowed respectfully.
Wu Tan dared not ignore the Crown Prince. She was anxious, but Xiao Yue had already turned, casually patting Xiao Yun’s shoulder and guiding him into the courtyard, leading him straight to the study.
For reasons unknown, seeing Wu Tan at Xiao Yue’s residence, and the familiarity between them, left a pressure in Xiao Yun’s chest that would not dissipate.
His expression was sour, but pride kept him from asking directly.
As they entered, Xiao Yue asked, “I heard your brother assigned you a new tutor. How is he?”
“He’s fine,” Xiao Yun replied absent-mindedly, glancing around the study. What he saw shocked him—the inner chamber's bed was in disarray, yet no one had come to tidy it.
His face darkened instantly.
He disliked Wu Tan, and if she truly behaved improperly, it would only confirm his judgment of her character. Yet—
They had once discussed marriage, though it had never been publicly announced, and the matter had fallen through. To encounter such a situation within days left Xiao Yun utterly humiliated, as though he’d been slapped in public.
He was still young, and his emotions showed clearly when angered.
Xiao Yue sat down and, noticing Xiao Yun glaring at the inner room with obvious anger, followed his gaze, amused and explained, “Oh! That girl slipped when she came in and soaked my bed with her tears. I can’t tell if she was truly hurt or just pretending.”
His explanation only made matters worse—Xiao Yun felt it was a cover-up.
Wu Tan had supposedly fallen? Yet when they met at the door, she showed no sign of injury.
Suspicious, Xiao Yun recalled Xiao Yue urging him to kill Wu Xun. Unable to fathom his uncle’s intentions, he grew even more guarded.
Outside, Wu Tan had no idea Xiao Yue had just made matters worse for her. She only felt the misunderstanding had grown, and she couldn’t go in to explain. Her face was drained of all hope.
Steward Cen approached with a kindly smile. “Please, Miss Wu.”
“Oh,” Wu Tan replied gloomily, turning to follow him. Her two maids hurried after.
Having been sabotaged so openly by Xiao Yue, Wu Tan lost all appetite for the banquet, trudging after Steward Cen. The more she pondered the Crown Prince’s suspicious nature, the more she feared trouble.
Last time, just a word from Huo Yunhua had prompted him to confront her in the palace. If he suspected her of being too close to Xiao Yue, it might truly cost her her life.
Still fretting, she entered the flower hall and, not paying attention, tripped over the threshold.
“Miss!” An Qiao, behind her, cried out in alarm.
The group seated around the table, deep in conversation, was startled into silence.
“Careful there!” The nearest woman reached out to steady her warmly.
“Thank you!” Wu Tan quickly offered her gratitude, looking up, only to feel dizzy at the sight.
Around the table sat seven or eight women, each elegantly dressed. The eldest, the Princess of Huyang, was the emperor’s and Xiao Yue’s aunt, already over seventy, while the youngest, the new Princess Consort of Li, was twenty-seven and mother of two.
Wu Tan did not recognize them all, but their gracious smiles dazzled her.
She wondered if she had entered the wrong room and even considered checking the plaque outside. The Princess Consort of Li, who had helped her, warmly took her hand and laughed, “So we have a guest! Whose daughter are you? You look familiar.”
She addressed Steward Cen.
Steward Cen replied respectfully, “Your Highness, this is the second daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan, who came with Young Master Wu.”
An older woman nearby chimed in, “Ah! She’s Wan-niang’s daughter? Come here, let me look at you!”
She took Wu Tan’s hand, studying her closely, her eyes soon brimming with tears. “Your nose and mouth are just like your mother’s!”
Wu Tan’s mother’s given name was Lin Wan. Old Chancellor Lin, having had a daughter late in life, let his wife name her Wanwan, but he found the character for 'late' inauspicious and chose a homophone, Lin Wan, hoping his daughter would thrive healthily like plants rather than seek wealth or glory.
Clearly, this lady was an old acquaintance of her mother.
Wu Tan could not pull her hand away and shot a pleading look at Steward Cen.
Steward Cen could only smile and said, “Miss Wu, please stay here and chat with the elders. The banquet will begin in less than half an hour.”
He waved, signaling the two maids to wait in the courtyard.
“Steward Cen, are these all the female guests invited to Lord Sheng’s residence today?” Xingzi kept glancing back, sensing something was amiss.
Steward Cen answered amiably, “Yes, all are senior relatives. His Grace personally chose the list and sent the invitations. It’s not a grand banquet, but he said the elders of the clan mustn’t be neglected and should be invited to recognize the house.”
With a smile, he left, leaving Xingzi and An Qiao exchanging worried glances.
Neither spoke, but both felt their mistress, surrounded by princesses, consorts, and elders, was in a rather odd predicament.
Inside the flower hall, Wu Tan was among this group of noblewomen, smiling sweetly and obediently on the outside while inwardly her thoughts were in turmoil—
Xiao Yue, are you mad? You coerced me with threats, I let it go. You schemed against me in front of the Crown Prince, I endured that too. But now you’ve gathered all your aunts, elders, and noble ladies to single me out? What have I done to deserve this torment?
This scoundrel, this fiend, this utter pervert! It’s simply inhumane!
——Side note——
Wu Tan’s inner world is collapsing…
The unlucky Crown Prince: [face of utter despair] I’m even more broken…
This novel is first published here. Please do not repost!