Chapter Forty-Four: Entanglement

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Bai Yingnan saw that everyone's attention was focused on Su Liluo, looking at her with disgust. Su Liluo was attracting so much attention—it was clear she was deliberately opposing her.

Su Liluo sensed an unfamiliar gaze and looked up, only to see Bai Yingnan across from her staring coldly, the look in her eyes somewhat frightening. Su Liluo frowned and lowered her lashes, puzzled as to how she had offended her.

Bai Yingnan noticed Su Liluo meeting her gaze, seemingly not taking her seriously at all. She gripped her handkerchief tightly, unable to stop herself from imagining: was Su Liluo performing so well just now in order to seize Lord Yi's attention? Bai Yingnan bit her lip. If that were the case, this woman could not be allowed to stay.

Bai Yingnan had always regarded Yun Yan Yi as her own possession and never imagined bold Su Liluo would try to compete for him. With resentment, Bai Yingnan glared at Su Liluo, then turned to see Yun Yan Yi had already walked away. She could not care about anything else, stomped her foot, and hurried after Yun Yan Yi.

The heir of Annan saw Bai Yingnan leaving and called after her, "Princess, where are you going? The game has only just begun."

Bai Yingnan didn't turn her head, afraid she would not catch up to Yun Yan Yi, and jogged a few steps, ignoring the heir's question behind her.

The heir of Annan frowned deeply, his smile fading, muttering, "What on earth is wrong with everyone today?"

The noble ladies below glanced anxiously at him and asked softly, "Heir, will the game continue?"

"Of course it will. Lord Yi and the princess may not appreciate it, but I wish to continue. Come, Miss Su has finished her performance; let the jade bell start passing from the lady next to Miss Su." The heir signaled for the jade bell to be handed to the young lady beside Su Liluo, and with his command, the game resumed.

Su Liluo looked up to see those around her enjoying themselves, with nothing more required of her. Led by a maid, she left her seat. She had only managed to rub her hands briefly due to time constraints, and the dirt beneath her fingernails was not completely cleaned. Su Liluo found her hands unsightly.

A maid brought a basin for her to wash her hands. Su Liluo carefully cleaned each finger, using a small brush for the stubborn dirt.

Seeing her hands clean and fresh, she raised them to the light for inspection. Finding nothing amiss, she nodded, "Take these away. You needn't follow me anymore. I'll stroll for a while and return to the banquet soon."

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The maid responded softly, collected the basin and items, and left. Su Liluo noticed the washing area was close to the garden. She glanced at the sky; the game would not end soon. The place was tranquil, with only herself present. A relaxed smile appeared on her face as she walked forward, admiring the scenery within the Annan Prince's residence.

Suddenly, voices sounded ahead. Su Liluo stopped instinctively and hid among the nearby flower bushes.

Hunched behind the flowers, Su Liluo finally saw who was speaking—it was Yun Yan Yi and Bai Yingnan, who had left earlier. Bai Yingnan faced Su Liluo, reaching out to grasp Yun Yan Yi's hand, but he dodged aside. Yun Yan Yi said coldly, "Princess, please respect yourself."

Bai Yingnan looked embarrassed, then teased, "Why so cold, Lord Yi? You know well my feelings for you..."

"Princess, I have never promised you anything. Please do not entangle yourself with me." Yun Yan Yi's face was expressionless, his voice icy. Su Liluo quietly gave him a thumbs up; impressive, so indifferent even to the princess.

"Your Highness, Yingnan likes you. I once swore, in this life, I will marry no one but you," Bai Yingnan confessed, gazing affectionately at Yun Yan Yi and hoping for a response.

Yun Yan Yi had his back to Su Liluo; she could not see his expression, but the coldness in his tone was clear. "Princess, you have heard the rumors outside. Marrying me will not bring happiness. Why go to such lengths?"

Hearing this, Su Liluo recalled the rumors about Lord Yi—one of which was supposedly that he was impotent. She couldn't help but laugh, then quickly covered her mouth on realizing she had made a sound, but it was already too late.

"Who is there? Come out at once," Bai Yingnan demanded sharply, staring intently in the direction of the sound, determined to find the intruder.

Yun Yan Yi turned to look. Seeing she had been discovered, Su Liluo stepped forward with both hands raised, smiling awkwardly, "I was just passing by, just passing by."

She turned to leave, only to be stopped by Bai Yingnan's fierce command, "Stop! If you take another step, I will make you regret it."

Su Liluo grimaced and turned back with her head lowered. Bai Yingnan turned to check for Yun Yan Yi, only to discover he had already departed. "Ah, he's gone?" She looked again at Su Liluo, displeased, and shot her a hateful glare.

Su Liluo felt a chill in the air, glanced around, and noticed a pair of men's boots was missing. She understood, shrinking back, wishing she could become invisible before Bai Yingnan.

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With Yun Yan Yi gone, Bai Yingnan raised her head haughtily and mocked, "Miss Su, where did you learn your manners? As a lady of a noble family, you hide in the shadows eavesdropping, sneaking about without a trace of propriety."

"Your Highness is right. Liluo will never do such a thing again. Please forgive me," Su Liluo replied promptly, her eyes lowered so her expression was hidden. She felt no genuine respect for Bai Yingnan; as a princess, Bai Yingnan's authority could only be avoided for now.

Seeing Su Liluo's good attitude, Bai Yingnan's expression eased. Fearing Su Liluo might reveal today's events and ruin her reputation, she warned coldly, "Remember, if I hear even a whisper of what happened today, Miss Su, you will be like this flower—never again able to bloom before others."

As she spoke, Bai Yingnan pinched a chrysanthemum, pressed lightly, then released it, leaving a ruined blossom lying on the ground.

"Liluo understands. Rest assured, Your Highness, I will keep my lips sealed and not utter a single word." Bai Yingnan snorted lightly. Su Liluo waited for the sound of footsteps fading before relaxing, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead and muttering, "This princess is truly terrifying."

Su Liluo looked up to see Bai Yingnan heading back toward the banquet. She shook her head, turned her back, and walked away.

Ahead was a small path winding past an artificial hill. Su Liluo frowned, remembering there was a route behind the hill leading to the banquet. She moved lightly, "Surely I won't run into that spoiled princess again."

Thinking that once past the hill she would be near the banquet, Su Liluo quickened her pace. Suddenly, her body was lifted, a large hand covered her lips, and she was dragged into the darkness.