“Not a man?”
The young prince was displeased upon hearing this. Despite his cheeks still being pinched, he replied seriously, “Manhood cannot be judged by age alone. Some may be in their thirties, yet remain indecisive, weak, incompetent, and lacking responsibility – they can hardly be called men. Although I have not yet reached twenty, I conduct myself with integrity, have no shame before heaven and earth, and take responsibility for my actions. How can you say I’m not a man?”
His reasoning seemed sound. Taohua nodded repeatedly in agreement. As she gazed at his soft, youthful face, her eyes grew even more affectionate.
Prince Nan possessed a youthful vigor she hadn’t seen in a long time. Only such passionate youngsters would insist on being called men.
It was quite endearing, she thought.
Releasing her hold, Taohua forcefully resisted the urge to pat his head. She mentally repeated “This would be disrespectful” twenty times before smiling and saying:
“I was narrow-minded to judge based on age alone. Your Highness is the most manly person this concubine has ever met!”
The prince’s face still held a hint of indignation, but upon hearing her words, Mu Wuxia suddenly felt embarrassed. He turned to look outside, changing the subject: “Carriages can’t go up Yingxian Mountain. We’ll have to climb on foot later.”
Was he shy? Taohua observed with curiosity, her heart melting even further.
After dealing with cunning and treacherous individuals like Shen Zaiye for so long, Prince Nan’s genuine nature seemed especially precious.
“Alright,” she replied. “We’ll take our time climbing later.”
It was indeed strange. Despite their difference in status and lack of familiarity, there was no awkwardness between them. Instead, they felt quite at ease.
Taohua spent the journey analyzing the reason, finally concluding that perhaps she and the young prince were fated to meet.
“This is Father Emperor’s favorite mountain. He occasionally comes here in disguise for spring outings,” Mu Wuxia explained as they walked after dismounting the carriage. “The highest point is a temple. During spring, they hold a peach blossom festival. Many nobles from the capital come to watch. It’s quite lively.”
Taohua nodded, taking a deep breath. The air here felt much fresher than in the Chancellor’s mansion.
“What’s over there?” she asked curiously as they passed a lush forest. “There are many people on other paths, but that area looks pleasant. Why isn’t anyone resting there?”
Mu Wuxia glanced over and replied, “That’s the Snake Forest, an area cordoned off by Father Emperor. Only imperial family members are allowed inside. It’s full of various venomous snakes that Father Emperor likes.”
“What?” Jiang Taohua was shocked. “His Majesty likes venomous snakes?”
“Yes,” Mu Wuxia said, pursing his lips slightly. “I don’t understand why Father Emperor would like such vicious and frightening creatures. However, if you’d like to see them, we can enter through a small path on the side. There are no guards there.”
“No, no, this concubine is afraid of snakes!” Taohua’s mouth twitched as she glanced at the Snake Forest, asking in an odd tone, “His Majesty must be very fond of Chancellor Shen as well?”
“Naturally,” Mu Wuxia replied. “Father Emperor relies heavily on Chancellor Shen, sometimes treating him even better than Crown Prince Jing.”
No wonder, Taohua thought. Shen Zaiye himself was a big venomous snake, perfectly matching His Majesty’s tastes! She pouted, continuing to follow the young prince up the mountain.
As they approached the temple, the crowd grew denser. Many people recognized Mu Wuxia, nodding slightly in greeting.
“We’ll go around the front,” the young prince said, returning greetings while speaking. “The peach grove behind the temple is only open to imperial family members. There will be fewer people there.”
“Mm,” Taohua responded, keeping her head low and maintaining a maid’s posture as she followed behind Prince Nan to avoid drawing attention.
Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief after passing through the crowded front of the temple, she suddenly heard a familiar voice:
“Wuxia, you’re here too?”
Prince Nan turned around, smiling and nodding at the approaching figure. “Elder Brother Jing.”
Mu Wuyin had also come out to enjoy the fine weather today, not expecting to encounter the Prince Nan. While he approached the Yu Prince with calculations and suppressed the Heng Prince forcefully, he occasionally showed brotherly affection towards this young, unthreatening Prince Nan.
Jiang Taohua’s hair stood on end. Without time to explain anything to Prince Nan, she turned and fled before Prince Jing could see her face!
What if they met? She had thought she’d never have the chance to see Mu Wuyin again, but this unfortunate encounter proved she must have forgotten to check the almanac before going out today.
“Who goes there!” Prince Jing shouted sternly upon seeing someone run. “Halt!”
Prince Nan was stunned, turning to look at Taohua’s rapidly retreating figure in confusion, not understanding why she had run.
“Wanfeng, bring her back to me!” Prince Jing commanded in a deep voice. “Such furtive behavior – she must be up to no good!”
“Yes!” A nearby guard responded, swiftly giving chase.
Mu Wuxia stood still, pondering for a moment before smiling and asking, “What’s the matter, Royal Brother? Why so nervous? People come and go at this temple fair. Isn’t it normal for someone to be running? Don’t frighten the young lady.”
After staring at the distant figure for a while, Mu Wuyin turned to look at him and said, “That person seemed familiar to me. Do you know her?”
Pursing his lips slightly, Mu Wuxia shook his head. “I don’t. Perhaps she accidentally entered the imperial family’s courtyard following me, thought she had committed a grave offense, and ran because of that.”
“I see,” Mu Wuyin nodded, patting his shoulder. “You go on and enjoy yourself. Your Royal Brother will go take a look. Who knows, she might be the person I’ve been searching for.”
Mu Wuxia nodded, watching Prince Jing leave before instructing someone nearby, “Go find a way to stop them.”
“Yes.”
Initially, Taohua had been pulling Qing Taialong as they ran, but the pursuers were too fast. Qing Taidirectly hoisted her mistress onto her shoulders and leaped over the temple’s eaves.
The people chasing them caught up, but outside the temple was a bustling crowd, and they momentarily lost sight of their quarry.
“Oh my goodness!” Taohua said nervously. “This is life or death! If we’re caught, it’s over! Qingta, run faster!”
Panting heavily, Qing Taislowly set her down and said, “Have you gained some weight recently, My Lady? This servant has no strength left.”
Jiang Taohua: “…”
She had been nourishing her body lately and indeed seemed to have gained some weight, no longer as light and agile as before.
“You go ahead first, My Lady. This servant will find a way to hold them back,” Qing Taisaid, taking off her outer robe and tossing it aside, now wearing only her inner dress. “They didn’t see this servant’s face, so they’ll only recognize the clothes. This servant will be fine.”
“Alright,” Taohua thought for a moment, then lifted her skirts and dashed forward quickly.
The mountain was vast, and she didn’t know the way. She could only rely on instinct to dodge and hide. Unfortunately, her pursuers seemed quite persistent, unwilling to give up until they caught her. They began to spread out from the mountaintop, searching methodically.
This is too much! Taohua wanted to cry but had no tears. She desperately searched for a way down the mountain.
“Over there!” A shout suddenly came from above. Jiang Taohua looked up to see someone with keen eyes standing at a high point, having spotted her.
This is the end! She gritted her teeth and plunged into the forest, holding up her skirts.
The forest grew denser as she descended, with the sounds of pursuit never ceasing. Taohua didn’t dare stop. After a while, a wall suddenly appeared before her. Looking left and right, she couldn’t tell if it enclosed a courtyard or something else. Without hesitation, she began to climb.
Hiding inside the wall, hearing the voices outside gradually approaching, Jiang Taohua didn’t dare breathe, keeping her eyes tightly shut.
“Where did she go?”
“Not here.”
“Let’s keep searching downhill.”
After a commotion, the footsteps gradually faded away. Her heart finally settled back into her chest, and she slowly opened her eyes.
“Hiss—” A black and white patterned snake opened its round black eyes in front of her, flicking its tongue.
Her pupils constricted as Taohua’s eyes widened, her mouth slowly opening, and a scream caught in her throat!
Snakes!
Just as she was about to cry out loudly, someone leaped down beside her, scooping her up and swiftly striking the snake’s vital point with a sword!
Her vision blurred, and Jiang Taohua trembled all over, clutching the newcomer’s clothes. After swallowing hard several times, she finally found her voice: “S-snake… Snake Forest?”
Mu Wuxia frowned, allowing her to cling to him as he sighed, “You ran too far. You’ve entered the Snake Courtyard.”
The snakes here were extremely precious. The Emperor would occasionally select some to take to the palace for a few days. Usually, when imperial family members came, they would only observe from the viewing platform. Who would have thought she’d panic and run straight in here?
Fortunately, she had come through the unguarded small path. Otherwise, trespassing in the Snake Forest would have been a serious crime.
“Th-there’s another one coming!” Taohua’s mind was blank, seeing only snakes all around. She shrank behind the Prince Nan’s back.
They couldn’t call for help now. Mu Wuxia said in a low voice, “I’ll protect you. Quickly climb out.”
Taohua nodded, trying hard to turn and climb the wall, but…
“This concubine’s legs are weak… I can’t climb up…”
Sensing the threat, the other venomous snakes in the courtyard slowly slithered towards them. Suddenly, a beautifully patterned snake reared up and lunged at Mu Wuxia.
Mu Wuxia pressed his lips together, not panicking at all. His gaze was exceptionally sharp as he aimed for the snake’s vital point and swung his sword.
Snake blood splattered, and Mu Wuxia’s expression grew solemn: “Calm down and get out quickly. Otherwise, the consequences will be worse than being bitten by a snake.”
“Alright!” Taking a deep breath, Taohua tried her best not to think about the scene behind her. Using the stones beneath her feet, she climbed over the wall.
Swinging his sword, hearing that the commotion behind him had mostly subsided, Mu Wuxia turned and climbed up the wall.
However, the jade pendant at his waist caught on the wall’s eaves and fell into the grass at the corner of the Snake Courtyard.
Both were in a state of high tension and didn’t notice the fallen item. As soon as they left the Snake Courtyard, Mu Wuxia grabbed Taohua’s hand and they ran frantically.
Stumbling to where the carriage was parked, they found Qing Taiand the Prince Nan’s guards already waiting. Without a moment’s delay, the group hurriedly departed.
“Do you know Crown Prince Jing?” the Prince Nan asked quietly, catching his breath.
Taohua’s face was pale as she sighed, “It’s a long story. If you want to know, you can ask the Chancellor when we return.”
(End of Chapter)