C16 Crown Prince Lord

Three days later, early in the morning.

A stately, elegant carriage was already parked at the entrance of the Cui Mansion. It was said that Yaen Ting had been running a high fever for three days straight, yet she hadn't sent anyone to inquire about him. She was determined to break off the engagement; no matter how wealthy Yaen Ting's family was, she wouldn't give him a second glance.

Cui Waner was released from the ancestral hall by her father and would accompany Mrs. Qian to the Plum Leaning Forest today. Cui Zuoyu quietly stayed on the third floor, watching the bustling scene at the door. Zi Luo draped a cloak over her shoulders and followed her gaze, her eyes already dark with disdain.

"These people are like shadows that never leave. Wherever you go, they follow," Zi Luo remarked.

Cui Zuoyu smirked coldly, her eyes landing on Cui Waner's pale face, her smile growing more triumphant. "We'll stay home today and enjoy ourselves. As for the Plum Leaning Forest, none of us have ever been there."

With that, ignoring Zi Luo's startled expression, she went to a warm corner to take a nap. The recent events with Cui Waner had left her utterly exhausted.

Back then, Cui Waner had tried to blackmail her while heavily pregnant, but Zuoyu, with her kind heart, had advised her to focus on her health.

Originally, it was thought that the eldest girl was frail and delicate because she was born prematurely. Everyone knew about the guilt she felt towards the eldest girl, whom she raised as her own daughter. Unfortunately, no one expected Waner to be so malicious, using her own daughter's blood just to ensure she lost Yaen Ting's affection. Who knows if, when she grows old and her beauty fades, Yaen Ting will still treat her with the same love?

Now, although Waner's indiscretions with Yaen Ting were discovered early, the child she carries is likely the much-pitied eldest girl. The eldest girl was born at the wrong time, pushed into a fiery demise by her own mother, truly heartbreaking.

As the Cui Mansion's carriage followed closely behind the Marquis Mansion's, Cui Zuoyu changed into a convenient male disguise and, with Zi Luo, secretly rode after them.

Located outside the city's western outskirts is the Plum Leaning Forest, a semi-circular island accessible directly from the city. The island is covered with red plum blossoms, interspersed with a few pristine white ones. The most remarkable feature is Bright Mirror Lake in the center, which, after enduring the harsh winter, has become a perfect natural ice skating rink.

The fish in Bright Mirror Lake are known for their rich flavor, which draws many local fishermen to carve large holes in the ice, using bait to lure them. These holes vary in size, with some wide enough for three or four people, while others are as small as a fist.

To the west of the Plum Leaning Forest stands a grand estate built for visitors' enjoyment. It's five stories high, offering a panoramic view of the island from the top floor.

Cui Zuoyu followed closely behind the tracks left by the Cui Mansion's carriage, her eyes filled with darkness and hatred. As she stepped onto the island, the snow's bright reflection made her appear almost ghostly. The crisp, cold air was invigorating, making it an ideal place to relax, and she was reluctant to disturb it.

Zi Luo had already hidden the horse in a secret spot and quietly returned to whisper in her ear, "I've gathered information from the inn. They're staying on the second floor, in the easternmost room, along with the Yongjing Marquis Madam."

The easternmost room on the second floor offers a sweeping view of the Plum Leaning Forest, but to see Bright Mirror Lake, one must head west. It's truly a wonderful spot.

At the inn, the antique charm is pervasive, with a sprig of red plum blossom adorning each room. The blossoms are vibrant, but one was suddenly plucked by someone passing by.

Plum blossoms drifted gently to the ground, and a pair of shoes embroidered with mandarin ducks stomped on them under the moonlight. Looking up, one could see a slender figure with an exceptionally delicate waist. Her eyes were strikingly alluring, yet beneath that allure lay a hint of coldness.

Suddenly, a red plum branch was pulled down, drawing the displeasure of the shopkeeper. When he went upstairs and saw the distinguished guest, he was so frightened that he immediately prostrated himself on the floor.

"I apologize for not recognizing you sooner, Miss Lau," the shopkeeper stammered, trembling slightly with fear.

In the royal circles, the Lau family was among the most prominent. The enchanting beauty before him was Lau Qingyao, the adopted daughter of the family. Her aunt was the current Empress Lau.

Her adoptive father was the Grand Tutor, holding both civil and military authority, a high-ranking official whom even the emperor regarded as a mentor. Lau Qingyao was truly a favored child of destiny, not only possessing an exceptionally beautiful face but also excelling in traditionally masculine pursuits like horseback riding and archery.

There was even a time when she rode with the princes, presenting a black bear to the emperor. Rumors about her circulated quietly among the people.

The Lau family is a top contender for the Empress's position. With the current Crown Prince Lord having the Empress Lau's name attached, it's certain he'll marry a daughter from the Lau family. When that happens, the Lau family will have produced another Empress Lau. Such prestige, such prominence.

Lau Qingyao merely glanced at him with a slight, disdainful smile. To her, people like him were as insignificant as ants, not worth her words.

The door swung open abruptly, revealing a scene of vibrant color. Dozens of dancers swayed their hips, lingering around a handsome man. This man exuded charm, his eyebrows sharp and expressive, his face's angles shifting in the light, making it hard to see clearly. A faint smile played on his lips, and his large hands rested on the shoulders of a striking woman beside him.

This charming man was none other than the current Crown Prince Lord, Pei Xuanling. As the son of Empress Lau and the Emperor, he had been in the spotlight since childhood.

Watching Lau Qingyao approach with a calm demeanor, he raised an amused eyebrow, pulling the woman beside him closer, and mocked, "What brings you to the Plum Leaning Forest, Qingyao?"

Though he pretended not to know, she was the most aware in the entire royal city. His mother, to consolidate the Lau family's power, would undoubtedly ensure he married a Lau daughter as Empress.

In the Lau family, there are only two daughters. One is Lau Qingyao, just sixteen, in the prime of her beauty, yet known for her ruthless and cold-hearted nature. He once witnessed her kill a parrot. The bird's blood splattered across her face, giving her an eerie allure, and he knew such a woman was not for him. The other is her adopted sister, sweet and sincere, but too young to be considered.

Lau Qingyao's lips curled into a cold smile as she surveyed the people around him, her gaze icy. "It's been years, and Mr. Xuanling's taste has certainly become more... interesting," she remarked. These people weren't even worthy to carry her shoes.

If her aunt hadn't forced her to come here to find Pei Xuanling and stroll through the Plum Leaning Forest, she would never have come.