Chapter 136: Heatstroke

"Well, Your Highness, there is no need to worry. I can get down on my own." Su Liluo braced herself, unwilling to have any unnecessary contact with the Heir of Annan. She gripped the horse's back tightly. As soon as she looked down, a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she nearly tumbled off. She dared not move again.

Yun Yanyi walked over to her in a few strides and reached out his large hand. Su Liluo looked at him in surprise. "Your Highness, Prince Yi?"

"What? Do you expect me to ask three times? If you don't want to fall to your death, get down here now." Yun Yanyi’s expression was displeased. The Heir of Annan had one hand gripping the County Princess of Anping’s hand while the other was wrapped around her waist, lifting her to the ground with ease.

Turning back to Su Liluo, he found her hand already extended toward his palm. With a firm pull, he helped her down. Once she stood steady, Su Liluo quickly stepped back two paces. The warmth of his touch still lingered on her palm; she curled her fingers, her face revealing nothing.

The Heir of Annan longed to look her over to see what was wrong, but fearing he might offend the lady, he could only ask stiffly, "Miss Su, are you alright?"

"I am fine. County Princess, let us go inside." Su Liluo and the County Princess of Anping were supported by their respective maids, while the Heir of Annan followed closely behind, his hands hovering as if to protect them. Yun Yanyi watched coldly from the side, saying nothing.

The Heir of Annan asked the estate manager, "Are the rooms prepared?"

The estate manager was a simple, honest man. Hearing the Heir’s question, he hurriedly replied, "Yes, they are prepared. Please, follow me, Your Highness." As he led the way, he occasionally mentioned the estate’s local specialties, but the Heir’s mind was entirely on his sister and Su Liluo, so he only nodded absentmindedly to show he was listening.

Once they reached the prepared rooms, Su Liluo and the County Princess of Anping only wished to rest, having no heart for sightseeing. As it was improper for the Heir of Annan and Prince Yi to enter the women's quarters, they remained outside until the maids had settled the ladies in.

An hour of rest passed. When Su Liluo woke, her maids, Liuzhu and Liuying, entered carrying several items. "Miss, these were sent by Prince Yi and the Heir of Annan. They both said you should rest well and that your health is the priority."

The gifts were largely the same—pastries and medicinal tonics to dissipate the summer heat. Su Liluo looked at the two nearly identical offerings and hesitated before asking, "Which one was sent by the Heir of Annan?"

Liuzhu stepped forward, holding her portion. "Miss, this is what the Heir sent. Would you like to have some?" Liuzhu was quite fond of the Heir; with her mistress’s marriage still undecided, he seemed like an excellent candidate.

"Liuying, bring me yours instead." After a moment of hesitation, Su Liluo chose the one sent by Yun Yanyi. Liuzhu asked, puzzled, "Miss, when did you become so close with Prince Yi? Do you not like the things the Heir sent?"

Liuzhu’s eyes were filled with confusion. Su Liluo understood her thoughts, but she could not explain her reasoning to the maids. She simply shook her head. "I have my own plans. Put those aside. Liuying, bring it over."

Having slept for so long, she felt hungry. Her lack of appetite from earlier had faded, and she now felt refreshed. She picked up a green pastry; the cool, refreshing taste settled in her heart, and the stifling sensation that had been pressing on her chest dissipated.

Liuying placed the items on the table and smiled, happy to see her mistress’s appetite return. Seeing Liuzhu pouting, she nudged her and whispered, "Are you trying to give the Miss a hard time?"

"It’s not that. It’s just that this was a kind gesture from the Heir. Why can’t the Miss accept it?" Liuying sighed at her stubbornness, whispering, "The Miss has her own judgment. We should just follow her lead. Who gave you the courage to dictate your mistress’s decisions?"

Liuying wanted to rap Liuzhu on the head to see what she was thinking. Sighing, she resigned herself to dragging the girl out to give her a stern lecture.

Su Liluo was well aware of her maids' antics, but she had no energy to deal with them. It was better to let Liuying handle the sermon, which might save her from being questioned further later.

Standing by the window, Yun Yanyi occasionally heard the sounds of poultry from the estate. Behind him, Lengfeng knelt on the floor, saying respectfully, "Your Highness, Miss Su has taken the medicine and is now eating the pastries you sent."

"Is that so? It seems she knows who treats her best. And what of the Heir of Annan?" Yun Yanyi couldn't help but wonder if Su Liluo was secretly pleased by the Heir's enthusiasm.

"He doesn't seem to know whose gifts she chose. Should I go and find out more?" Lengfeng had only been concerned with the situation in Su Liluo’s courtyard and hadn't thought to watch the Heir. Realizing this, he lowered his head, feeling dejected.

"No, this is fine." Yun Yanyi felt a secret joy, though he remained composed. He waved Lengfeng away, feeling increasingly pleased as he imagined Su Liluo eating the pastries.

The next day, Su Liluo went to visit the County Princess of Anping. Their rooms were close, and she arrived within a quarter of an hour. Seeing the County Princess’s maid, she asked softly, "Is the County Princess awake?"

"Yes, she is. Please, go right in, Miss Su. She is having breakfast." The maid lifted the curtain, and Su Liluo entered to find Anping at the table, which was spread with various dishes. Upon seeing her, the County Princess’s eyes lit up. "Sister Liluo, have you had breakfast? Come, sit and join me."

Su Liluo, dressed in an emerald-green silk dress, was about to bow, but the County Princess stopped her. "Do you treat me as an outsider? There is no need for such formalities between us sisters. Sit."

Su Liluo felt awkward. Seeing the County Princess’s displeased expression, she sighed. "Let it be for today, but in the future, I must observe the proper etiquette, or else what would become of the rules?"

The County Princess conceded with a helpless nod. "Very well, as you wish. But when we are alone, no more bowing. You must take that to heart." She laughed and pulled Su Liluo to the table. Su Liluo had eaten little that morning, so she joined the County Princess in her meal.

Thinking of Yun Yanyi, Su Liluo hesitated before asking, "County Princess, should we go see Prince Yi today?" She did not really want to, but they were staying at the same estate, and it would be improper if people found out she had not paid her respects.

The County Princess shook her head decisively. "Sister Liluo, haven't you heard? Prince Yi returned to the capital early this morning, saying there were urgent matters to attend to. I find it strange. Why go through all that trouble? To say he came to escape the heat, only to return after half a day—the journey alone was more exhausting..."

Upon hearing this, Su Liluo’s eyes flickered. She had found it strange that Yun Yanyi sent pastries yesterday, but now, hearing the County Princess, she suspected there was more to it than met the eye.

"Could he have..." Su Liluo’s heart skipped a beat, and she nearly voiced her thoughts, but she caught herself just in time before the County Princess could hear.

After finishing breakfast, the heat became intense. Neither wanted to explore the estate during the day, so they waited for the sun to set and the heat to subside.

Su Liluo noticed the ice in the basin and immediately asked her maid to prepare some. "County Princess, I will prepare some drinks. You should have some later."

The County Princess, who had lost her appetite, nodded happily. "Go quickly, Sister Liluo, I will wait here." Driven by curiosity, her spirits were instantly lifted.