Chapter Forty-Five: Sinister Schemes

"Woo... woo..." Su Lilu struggled with all her might, but her strength as a woman was no match for the hands that gripped her from behind. She forced herself to calm down, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and kicked backward with all her strength. The muffled groan she heard told her she’d hit her mark, filling her with anxious delight.

The man, stung by the pain, loosened his grip on her face just a little. Su Lilu’s eyes sparkled; seizing the moment, she grabbed his hand with both of hers, opened her mouth, and bit down hard. "Let go," she demanded.

In an instant, an arm tightened around her neck, just enough to cut off her breath. Hearing the voice behind her, Su Lilu already knew who he was. Her mouth slowly released his hand, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Prince Yi, I didn’t know it was you. Besides, it was you who startled me first, so you can hardly blame me..." Su Lilu lowered her head, forced a foolish smile, her eyes brimming with tears. Why did it have to be this powerful man? She could never afford to offend him.

"A sharp tongue indeed," Yun Yan Yi sneered twice. Even in the darkness, his eyes could see clearly—the deep, purple bite marks on his hand proved she’d used all her strength.

"Your Highness, you can’t blame me. Anyone suddenly grabbed would react just as strongly," Su Lilu argued in a panic, her face full of fear.

"Is that so? Miss Su is no ordinary person. At a critical moment, you even know where to strike to escape," Yun Yan Yi’s face darkened. The pain and numbness at his waist were intense—he had no idea how badly he was injured. This woman was ruthless, daring to strike there without hesitation.

Su Lilu forced a foolish laugh. "Your Highness, why did you suddenly attack me? If not for your suspicious actions, I’d never have resorted to such measures." Her face stiffened, a hint of guilt in her eyes as cold sweat trickled down her back. Yun Yan Yi’s sinister smile made her heart race. She lowered her eyes, trying to ignore the furious aura emanating from him.

She felt his unfamiliar breath on her neck, goosebumps rising across her skin. She shrank back, but couldn’t escape. With a bitter smile, she said, "Prince Yi, could you please step back a little? I find it hard to breathe when you’re so close."

"Su Lilu, don’t get the wrong idea. I ask you—what did you see today?" Yun Yan Yi’s voice was chilling.

Su Lilu opened her mouth to answer honestly, but her eyes rolled as she quickly covered her lips, coughed twice, listened to the sounds behind her, and said slowly, "Today… I saw nothing at all."

"Mm..." Yun Yan Yi’s hand tightened, and Su Lilu’s voice faded. "If you saw it, you saw it. Clearly, you’re being dishonest. Let me warn you—not a word of what you saw today is to be revealed. Otherwise, not even that medical book in your hands will save your life. Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes, I understand," Su Lilu nodded like a pecking chick, terrified that any delay would mean her neck would be snapped.

"Then I’ll wait for you to keep your promise, Miss Su." As he spoke, his hand left her neck. Su Lilu clutched her throat, coughing incessantly.

"How long do you plan to stay? It seems you don’t want to go back," Yun Yan Yi observed as Su Lilu remained across from him, a puzzled look in his eyes. Wasn’t she afraid of him? Why didn’t she hurry to leave?

Su Lilu’s next action was a harsh slap to herself. "No, no, Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand. I’ll leave now, right now." She dared not linger, lifted her skirt, and darted out of the rockery.

Outside, the sunlight was dazzling. Su Lilu shielded her eyes, waited for her vision to adjust, then looked around anxiously, fearful a large hand might drag her back. She hurried away.

With Su Lilu gone, Yun Yan Yi’s tall frame bent over, clutching his waist, his face twisted in pain. He struck the rockery with his fist, gritting his teeth. "Damn woman."

Leng Feng, seeing Su Lilu leave, softly called from the entrance, "Your Highness, are you all right?"

"I’m fine. Don’t come in," Yun Yan Yi’s face was pale. Once the pain eased, he straightened up, his hand now more badly injured than before.

He glared coldly at his wounded hand, his voice venomous. "Su Lilu, if you prove useless, there’s no reason to let you remain in this world."

"Your Highness, are you really all right?" Leng Feng heard faint sounds from within the rockery and worried that the prince might be injured. As he anxiously rushed in, Yun Yan Yi emerged, head bowed, nearly colliding with him. Yun Yan Yi hid his hand behind his back, his lips pale, cast a cold glance at Leng Feng, and murmured, "Let’s go."

Yun Yan Yi’s steps were slow; Leng Feng, puzzled, followed silently.

Hearing the lively chatter ahead, Su Lilu finally calmed herself. She wiped her lips, finding blood on her hand. Only then did she realize her mouth was filled with the taste of blood. She took a handkerchief and wiped twice, clenched her palm, and sat quietly among the crowd, biting her lip.

She picked up the tea on the table, took a big gulp to wash down the blood, and with several more sips of hot tea, her emotions settled.

"Su Lilu, what are you doing sitting here?" Su Baihan circled the crowd a few times before spotting Su Lilu quietly seated to the side, asking disdainfully.

"Sister, your clothes are changed. Be more careful in the future. Constantly changing is disrespectful to the host," Su Lilu looked her over and saw she’d changed into a pale yellow dress. Su Baihan’s fair complexion made the outfit striking.

"Su Lilu, have you no shame? You clearly tripped me," Su Baihan lowered her voice in anger, worried about disturbing the guests nearby.

Su Lilu smiled faintly, feigning innocence. "Sister, I don’t understand your words. Everyone saw it clearly—it was you who suddenly lunged at me. Now you’re crying thief to catch thief?" She raised an eyebrow at Su Baihan’s angry face, suddenly finding it tiresome. She coughed lightly and then asked seriously, "Why were you so eager to find me?"

"Nothing, I just thought you looked pitiful sitting here alone," Su Baihan fiddled with the tassel at her waist, pretending not to care.

"Oh... So you searched for me just to enjoy my misfortune. I’m impressed," Su Lilu drawled, seeing Su Baihan’s embarrassed face. She stood gracefully, adjusted her dress, and suggested, "Sister, why don’t we go see Mother? It’s getting late."

Su Baihan looked at Su Lilu with disdain, but in her heart, she agreed. She replied generously, "Since you want to see Mother, I’ll go with you—so you won’t look so lonely walking alone."