"Miss, if you don't untie him, won't people notice?"
Those who are hypnotized are different from ordinary people. What if someone comes here again, won't they notice?
"No need to untie it. This is different from hypnosis; it's just imprinting something in his mind."
Yu Liu and Yu Shan looked again at the young eunuch kneeling to see them off. Indeed, as before, his eyes were lively, not dull as they had been.
Is this the divine power of the Goddess?
So powerful.
Ling Yao's mind was filled with the suggestions given by Eunuch Bai Xi. The things he hid were definitely in Feng Que Tower, but there were many places where lotuses were imprinted, and she didn't know which one he was referring to.
The lotus pond, the marble floor, the murals, even the palace lanterns, were all shaped like lotuses. Where could it be?
"Little sister, I've been looking everywhere for you. Where did you go?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The Second Prince ran over anxiously, looking like he had searched many places, his fair face flushed from running.
He was wearing a moon-white brocade robe with embroidered cloud patterns, a dark green fur-lined cloak over it. His handsome features resembled hers, beautiful and gentle, without any hint of aggression.
He had not experienced the purgatorial ordeal she had, and the youthful innocence had not yet faded from him. In this biting winter, he was like a tall, straight green bamboo, exuding etherealness and purity.
"Aren't you afraid of the cold? You're still running around. I thought you were sent away again." His beautiful eyes were clear and bright, his thoughts shallow, and one could see his lingering fear at a glance.
"Just came out for some fresh air."
"You never even went out in winter before," the Second Prince grumbled, not even glancing at Yu Liu and Yu Shan behind her.
Ling Yao hesitated, "Second brother, aren't you supposed to be studying at this time?"
"I'm not studying anymore. The Imperial Academy has been suspended," the Second Prince stated simply.
Suspended? How could it be suspended? Father had said that the Second Prince would begin to take over state affairs after he turned eighteen. He was already over eighteen. Father had an accident, and the court was controlled by others. But the Second Prince was the future crown prince, and no matter what, he couldn't be excluded!
He couldn't be involved in state affairs, but he should continue his education and learning, not be confined to the palace like a woman, doing nothing.
Wasn't this also a form of confinement?
They also said that Uncle Prince of Runan had no ambition. She didn't believe it!
"It was originally scheduled for graduation at eighteen. There's nothing more to learn. Uncle Prince is watching over state affairs. We'll make arrangements after Father recovers."
Seeing the Second Prince's indifferent demeanor, Ling Yao suddenly felt a surge of anger.
How could he be so stupid!
"Second brother! You—" Just as anger flashed in her eyes, she was interrupted by a sudden voice.
"Your subject pays his respects to His Highness the Second Prince, Your Highness the Princess, Your Highness."
Lu Yanmo's posture was steady, but his heart trembled.
He had never imagined that the woman he yearned for and could not forget was the rumored Princess Ling Yao.
How could he not have thought of it? Standing beside the Second Prince just now, their appearance, demeanor, stunning beauty, and noble bearing – how could she be a daughter raised in a humble household!
The Second Prince was the foremost of the Five Beauties of the capital. With so many similarities in their appearances, how could he not have connected the dots?
What she had said before was all lies, all to deceive him. This made his heart feel both sour and bitter, yet a hint of joy also arose.
She had escaped from the Tujue and now needed protection. He could... divorce Chi Qiuying.
Ling Yao's expression turned cold. She would not be as easily emotional as before, without concealment, but when facing an enemy, she could not yet feign politeness.
The Lu Grand Tutor's family and her royal family were irreconcilable enemies!
On this point, the siblings were surprisingly in agreement. The Second Prince's gentle face turned icy.
Damn Lu! He was arrogant and domineering before, colluding with factions in court and causing Father difficulties. His dog-like son even wanted to harm his little sister. He deserved to die. The whole family was no good. And this Lu Yanmo had even gained fame in the capital, being called one of the Five Beauties.
There were still many of Lu's people in the palace. Fortunately, there was Uncle Prince of Runan, otherwise, the palace would have become his family's backyard!
"Why are you entering the palace?" the Second Prince asked with annoyance.
Lu Yanmo appeared very humble and respectful. In fact, he had always been like this, but in the Second Prince's eyes, he was just hypocritical. With such a father, how could he raise a well-behaved son?
"Replying to Your Highness, this subject is here to attend the Imperial Study for discussions."
Ling Yao sneered. How wonderful. The Emperor's own sons were not qualified to enter the Imperial Study, yet a minister could enter so openly. And the Eldest Brother, who didn't even have the right to enter the palace. What kind of relationship between ruler and subject was this?
Whoever issued the decree to enter the Imperial Study, it certainly wasn't her unconscious father. It was either someone surnamed Lu or Prince Runan.
The more Ling Yao thought about it, the angrier she became, her expression as cold as frost.
Hearing her voice, Lu Yanmo looked up, only to see her gaze at him as sharp as ice shards, filled with hatred. His heart involuntarily tightened.
Even though she had never given him a good look, where did this hatred come from?
"What are you looking at? Staring directly at the legitimate princess is audacious! I said you were hypocritical, pretending to be a well-behaved person. Hurry up and leave!" the Second Prince berated him without mercy.
Those eyeballs should be dug out. He was the same kind as his ignorant brother!
Indeed, bad shoots could not produce good bamboo!
"Your Highness, could you allow this subject to speak with the Princess alone?"
Lu Yanmo lowered his head, clenching his fists. It was not easy for him to see her, and he didn't want to leave like this. For so long, so many words had been bottled up in his heart. He wanted to tell her.
He loved her.
He wanted to protect her.
"I have nothing to say to you," Ling Yao said, walking past him.
Lu Yanmo became anxious and did the most out-of-character thing in his life, blurting out his true feelings: "Princess, I wish to ask for your hand in marriage."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a brief silence in the air.
Ling Yao was the first to react, saying sarcastically, "Are you worthy?"
"Yes! Are you worthy! Son of a treacherous minister, are you worthy!" The Second Prince's face turned green with anger. "Go back and ask your good father if losing one son wasn't enough, and he wants to sacrifice another!"
"Second brother! Don't talk to him anymore, let's go!"
This palace was full of Grand Tutor Lu's informants. They couldn't afford to provoke him too much.
Lu Yanmo's face was also very unpleasant after being so humiliated, yet he was not discouraged and stepped forward again to block their path.
At this moment, Yu Liu and Yu Shan followed behind, their weapons already secretly drawn.
"I know you were a Goddess before and were engaged to Song Shuting, but you are no longer that. He has also broken ties with the Left Prime Minister and is a penniless commoner. I will divorce Chi Qiuying and make you my official wife with honor. My father will agree."
Ling Yao: "......"
What kind of brain was this? Was he really not sick?
"Lu Yanmo! What dream are you having? Do you even compare to Song Shuting! Let me tell you, even if Song Shuting is powerless, penniless, and living on the streets, he is the only one worthy of my imperial sister! You Lu family, even if you wear yellow robes, you are still rotten goods with gilded exteriors and rotten insides!"
The Second Prince was furious and cursed without restraint, his elegant and jade-like demeanor completely gone.
"Second brother! Don't talk nonsense!"
Ling Yao covered the Second Prince's mouth. What yellow robes! They were now princes and princesses without any backing. They had to be low-key and careful in the palace. How could they anger their enemies!
Just then, she vaguely felt a strong gaze directed at her.
This feeling...