Chapter 134: Seeking Refuge from the Summer Heat

Having received a prior warning from Yun Yanyi, Su Liluo dared not refuse him. She hurriedly shook her head and said, "The Prince may do as he pleases. I have no objections, but as for the County Princess..."

Su Liluo inwardly calculated that if Princess Anping refused him, Yun Yanyi would have no reason to remain in the carriage—a most desirable outcome.

Upon hearing this, Yun Yanyi looked quietly at Princess Anping. Although she was usually prone to speaking ill of him behind his back, when truly confronted by him, the Princess would merely shrink away, not daring to say much.

Seeing how obedient the two were, Yun Yanyi gave a satisfied nod and praised them, "The County Princess and Miss Su are truly sensible. Knowing that the weather outside is scorching and that my constitution cannot withstand such heat, you have kindly allowed me to intrude."

Su Liluo could only offer a dry laugh in her heart. He had phrased his intrusion so eloquently that to drive him away would be to paint both her and the Princess as cold-hearted and malicious, indifferent to Prince Yi’s health.

Princess Anping’s mouth twitched, and she laughed awkwardly, "You are too modest, Your Highness. It is just a carriage; it is no great matter."

No sooner had Yun Yanyi stepped in than the Heir of Annan arrived, following close behind. As he lifted the carriage curtain, he was blocked by Yun Yanyi’s outstretched hand. "What is the Heir doing?"

"Riding a horse alone is too dull; I wish to come in as well," the Heir of Annan said, looking at Yun Yanyi with an innocent expression. Just as he prepared to step into the carriage, expecting consent, Yun Yanyi refused him without a shred of mercy.

"Heir, as you can see, there is no room left in the carriage. You had best content yourself with riding," he said, dropping the curtain from the Heir's hand. Princess Anping and Su Liluo exchanged glances; seeing Yun Yanyi look their way, they rubbed their noses, the atmosphere in the carriage growing awkward.

They could still faintly hear the Heir of Annan grumbling outside: "There is clearly room inside; why won't he let me in? Riding alone is so boring..."

Yun Yanyi curled his lips slightly and suddenly looked toward Princess Anping. "County Princess, the Heir seems quite heartbroken. As his sister, shouldn't you go and comfort him?"

At this suggestion, Princess Anping’s brow furrowed deeper. After a long moment, unable to set her mind at ease regarding her brother, she leaned toward Su Liluo and whispered, "Sister Liluo, I will go out to check on him and return immediately."

Seeing the triumphant glint in Yun Yanyi’s eyes, Su Liluo was about to ask to accompany her, but noting the hidden meaning in his gaze, she swallowed the words. "Very well, do return quickly, County Princess." She feared Yun Yanyi might use this opportunity for retaliation; since he held so many things over her, he was someone she could not afford to offend.

Once Princess Anping had bent down to exit the carriage and was helped down, silence descended. Su Liluo shifted toward the corner, eyes downcast, terrified of meeting Yun Yanyi’s gaze.

Yun Yanyi raised a dark eyebrow. Seeing her deliberate display of detachment, he suddenly leaned in close to her ear and chided, "Su Liluo, do you even have a brain?"

She was incensed, her fair, delicate face flushing red. Not understanding why the man who had been quiet just moments ago was now scolding her, she was about to retort when Yun Yanyi sneered, "Still feeling aggrieved? You handle matters so clumsily. Fortunately for you, I am here—I have already dealt with those spreading rumors. How do you intend to thank me?"

His words earned him only a roll of her eyes. She lowered her voice and asked, "Prince Yi, I have my own plans; there was no need for you to interfere in this matter." She cursed him thoroughly in her mind, though she kept her tongue civil.

"...That is fine, too. It just means I am the only one who dares to marry you, and those others will stay far away." Thinking this, Yun Yanyi felt quite pleased, and his earlier doubts vanished without a trace.

Su Liluo kept her head lowered. She did not want her reputation to be too pristine, lest others use her marriage as a bargaining chip for profit. Yet, the Yun Yanyi before her was also plotting against her. Did he know about the military tally? She felt restless and dared not continue the conversation, fearing that a single misspoken word would only make matters worse.

Yun Yanyi looked at her, noting how her head was bowed almost to the ground, and couldn't help but tease, "Miss Su, do you intend to never look up again? Since when have you become so timid?"

"I am not!" Su Liluo couldn't help but retort. In her agitation, she fell right into his trap. Looking up to see the irrepressible smile on his face, she inwardly cursed his cunning.

Even so, she suppressed her anger, showing not a trace of it on her face. He found this strange; in the past, Su Liluo would have been lecturing him by now. Her silence was truly curious.

At the thought of Yan Hong, Yun Yanyi put aside his teasing and said seriously, "I was lax in the discipline of my subordinates, which allowed her to harbor such intentions. I have already had Yan Hong dealt with; she will never threaten you again. I cannot assist you with the affairs of the inner chambers at all times; you must rely on yourself. Do not always display weakness, or those women will see you as soft and easily bullied."

Su Liluo found the first part of his words comforting—the incident with Yan Hong was his fault, after all, and he was merely fixing the aftermath. But the latter part grated on her ears.

"When have I ever let people think I am easily bullied? Prince Yi, do you not find it shameful to pry into the private affairs of others' households?" Su Liluo felt her privacy threatened and spoke with sarcasm. How did this Prince know everything? She had no chance to do anything behind his back.

Yun Yanyi watched her vibrant expression—much more lively than her previous listless state—and teased her on purpose, "Is that so? Yet I often see you being bullied, so I assumed you were a soft-hearted person who could be pushed around at will." He told the lie without a change in expression, purposely letting her see the smile at the corners of his eyes.

Her face flushed with two patches of red, and she retorted in embarrassment, "Whether I am a soft-hearted person or not is none of your concern, Prince. The matter of Yan Hong was your fault from the start. Had you made her hold her tongue earlier, none of this would have happened today." It had caught her off guard; fortunately, the situation had turned around, or she would have been ruined.

Seeing Su Liluo blaming him despite his help, and receiving not a shred of gratitude, Yun Yanyi said coldly, "What is it you want now, Miss Su? Was it wrong of me to help you clean up the mess?"

Su Liluo glared at him. "It is your fault regardless! Had you not threatened me, Yan Hong would never have seen that scene, nor would she have had anything to use against me." Recalling Yun Yanyi’s previous insolence, her ears burned, and she felt as if his touch still lingered on her lips.

As her emotions grew more agitated, her voice inevitably rose. The two outside heard the commotion. The Heir of Annan hesitated, wanting to board the carriage. Princess Anping, seeing his indecision, grabbed his hand and encouraged him, "Brother, if you truly like her, you must be proactive. This is a perfect opportunity."

Encouraged by his sister, he finally steeled himself and strode toward the carriage. Princess Anping watched him from behind, her eyes full of mirth, happily observing her brother pursuing the woman he loved.

Hearing someone approaching, Yun Yanyi ceased his bickering with Su Liluo. She was surprised he had stopped first. As the carriage slowed, she saw the smiling face of the Heir of Annan appear before her.

"Why has the Heir come?" Su Liluo shifted inward. This time, the Heir of Annan entered the carriage directly without asking Yun Yanyi’s permission. The three of them sat inside, not minding the lack of space.

The Heir of Annan looked at Su Liluo with a warm smile and asked, "Has Miss Su been well these past few days? I left in such a hurry last time and have yet to apologize to you."

Su Liluo hurriedly shook her head. "The Heir speaks too seriously. I understand that you are busy with official matters; besides, with the County Princess accompanying me, I felt nothing amiss."

"That is good. I have been preoccupied with that matter, fearing you might be unhappy. Now that I have heard your words, I can finally set my mind at ease." The affection in the Heir’s eyes made Su Liluo’s heart skip a beat, and she quickly looked away.