"Thirteenth Brother, why didn't you escort Miss Du to the palace?" Nan Gongyan asked when he saw Nan Gongyi alone.
"Your Highness, Prince Qi is to marry Miss Du next month. It is not proper for a betrothed couple to meet before the wedding," Pei Qianyun said, her hand on Nan Gongyan's arm and her other hand supporting her waist, speaking with a hint of playful complaint.
"So that's how it is," Nan Gongyan chuckled warmly. "Thirteenth Brother, you should change those bad habits of yours. Don't lead the teacher astray."
Nan Gongyi, with a teasing smile, replied, "Teacher, will you be led astray?"
Xiao Man smiled at Nan Gongyi, then subtly stuck her foot out in front of him. Nan Gongyi tripped, catching himself on Xiao Man's foot, and stumbled forward. The person in front of him was a sturdy young woman. Hearing a sound behind her, she turned, and Nan Gongyi crashed directly into her embrace.
Xiao Man couldn't help but whistle, "Quite a lucky encounter."
The young woman was no ordinary person; she was Miss Xiang Huan'er, the daughter of Duke Lu. Duke Lu had only this one precious daughter, whom he had raised to be plump, charming, and incredibly strong. Without regard for who had fallen into her arms, she grabbed Nan Gongyi by his collar and was about to slap him. Nan Gongyi quickly raised his hands to protect his face, narrowly avoiding a bruised and swollen face, but the force of her grip still sent him to the ground.
"You scoundrel! My father said that any scoundrel who takes liberties with me will be beaten to death!"
Nan Gongyi scrambled up and darted behind Xiao Man to hide. "Your Highness, I merely stumbled. It was not intentional."
"Get out here! I'll teach you a lesson, you lecher!"
"A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!" Nan Gongyi hid behind Xiao Man, refusing to come out.
Seeing herself caught between the two and nearly hit several times, Xiao Man quickly intercepted Xiang Huan'er's hand and bowed. "Miss, please calm your anger. Do not involve innocent bystanders."
Xiang Huan'er's gaze fell on the hand gripping her wrist, her eyes darkening. Startled, Xiao Man quickly released her hand and offered Xiang Huan'er a handkerchief. Xiang Huan'er took the handkerchief, stared at Xiao Man for a moment, then blushed and ran away. Xiao Man dejectedly extended her hand. "Don't run! At least drag that person hiding behind me out for a beating!"
Seeing Xiang Huan'er flee, Nan Gongyi breathed a sigh of relief. "Teacher, that was unkind!"
"How was that unkind? Such a special beauty threw herself into your arms. Is Prince Qi still not satisfied?" Xiao Man patted a non-existent speck of dust off her clothes and stretched her shoulders. "Let go. Men and women should not touch each other!"
Nan Gongyan choked on his saliva. "Men and women should not touch each other..." That didn't sound quite right. "Teacher, this statement..."
"Your Highness, you are unaware. Prince Qi has a history of being indiscriminate, both men and women. For my own purity, I believe it is best to stay away from Prince Qin. If any unpleasant rumors were to spread, wouldn't that cause trouble for Your Highness?"
Nan Gongyan found this quite reasonable. "Thirteenth Brother, with your wedding approaching, it would be best to maintain some distance from the teacher."
"No, Third Imperial Brother, I only like women!" Nan Gongyi quickly explained.
Nan Gongyan's gaze fell on Nan Gongyi's hand resting on Xiao Man's waist, his expression seeming to ask, "Do you really only like women?"
Nan Gongyi quickly retracted his hand. "I was just trying to avoid trouble."
Xiao Man flicked at the creases on her robes and quickly walked a few steps ahead, widening the distance between herself and Nan Gongyi, feigning extreme aversion. This immediately made Nan Gongyi's heart ache.
The Crown Princess of Chu stifled a laugh. "Thirteenth Brother, you've scared the teacher."
"It wasn't intentional..." Nan Gongyi gritted his teeth. "Good heavens, Xiao Man, if you don't tease me for a day, are you uncomfortable? I merely put my arm around your waist, do I need to be so wary of me?"
Nan Gongyi glanced at Xiao Man, who was deliberately keeping her distance from them, and extended his hand, measuring Xiao Man's waist with his fingers. Her waist was slender, barely filling his grasp. He had always known she had a slim waist, but he hadn't expected it to be so thin. It seemed that with just a little force, he could break it.
"Ahem," Nan Gongyan coughed twice, seeing Nan Gongyi gesturing with his hand and a dreamy look on his face, trying to remind Nan Gongyi. However, Nan Gongyi was still lost in contemplation of Xiao Man's slender waist, unable to extricate himself.
Nan Gongyan subtly reached out and pinched Nan Gongyi's waist. Nan Gongyi's face contorted in pain. He looked up and saw Grand Tutor Du and Miss Du looking at him. No, they were looking at his hand.
Nan Gongyi quickly hid his hand behind his back. "Grand Tutor, Miss Du."
Although Grand Tutor Du was displeased, his expression was impeccable. "Your Highness Prince Qi, Your Highness Prince Chu, Crown Princess Chu."
"Grand Tutor."
Grand Tutor Du looked at Nan Gongyi. "Your Highness Prince Qi, shall we proceed together?"
"Yes, Grand Tutor."
Nan Gongyi stepped forward, walking alongside the Grand Tutor. Du Yulan stepped back, following behind. Her gaze swept towards the direction Xiao Man had left, but she couldn't see Xiao Man's figure. Xiao Man had vanished without anyone noticing.
Grand Tutor Du stopped and looked at his granddaughter. "Yulan, you go to the Imperial Garden first."
"Yes, Grandfather."
As soon as Du Yulan left, Grand Tutor Du led Nan Gongyi down a different path. "Your Highness Prince Qi, Yulan has been spoiled since childhood. After you are married, I implore you to treat her with care."
"I understand."
"Your Highness, those improper thoughts you may harbor, it is best to put them away. Since you intend to reform, you cannot turn back halfway."
Nan Gongyi understood that Grand Tutor Du must have seen him stumble into Xiang Huan'er's embrace. "That was merely a misunderstanding earlier."
"Have you and Yulan had a disagreement?" Grand Tutor Du naturally knew it was a misunderstanding, but he knew his granddaughter too well. The way Yulan looked at Xiao Qin was the look one gives a rival. Moreover, Prince Qi and Xiao Qin were very close, and Prince Qi was rather unruly. He was afraid Prince Qi might do something dishonorable, causing Yulan embarrassment.
"Grand Tutor worries too much. I have not had any disagreements with Miss Du."
"Are you and Xiao Qin too close?" Grand Tutor Du asked again.
"Mr. Xiao and I share similar interests. She is Third Imperial Brother's retainer and possesses considerable talent. I admire her greatly. We are not closely associated, having only met a few times," Nan Gongyi replied indifferently. He had only confided his feelings for Xiao Man to his fourth brother, and his fourth brother would never let go. He understood this in his heart.
"To avoid any unpleasant rumors, Your Highness should minimize contact with him. Moreover, this is a time of great importance. It is best to avoid trouble whenever possible." Grand Tutor Du paused. "Your wedding must not have any mishaps. Do you understand, Your Highness?"
"I shall remember the Grand Tutor's teachings." Nan Gongyi's expression remained unchanged, and his demeanor was respectful. Grand Tutor Du was unsure whether Prince Qi had truly taken his words to heart. As a minister, he could only point things out. If Prince Qi remained obstinate, he would not hesitate to employ other means.