Since the capital of Chu was in the north after all, there were few places where one can enjoy the lotus, so the places where one can indeed were filled with visitors. The lotus of early summer had drawn throngs of ladies of the capital before finishing blossoming.
Mo Xiu Yao had heard that Ye Li was going to enjoy lotus outside the manor and didn't invite him. He said nothing about that, only telling her that Prince Ding's Manor had its own pleasure boat and she could invite her friends with her. Ye Li had been holding a grudge against him for the past few days so she forgot to ask him along and left the manor happily with a few maids. Ah Jin looked at His Highness quietly.His Highness clearly wants to go with the princess, why doesn't His Highness tell her directly?
On the pleasure boat of Prince Ding's Manor, Ye Li was leaning against the window, lost in her thought.
Hua Tian Xiang measured the decoration inside the pleasure boat with admiration and said with envy: "It's definitely a boat of Prince Ding's Manor. Look at the decoration… It's brilliant. But Li-er, did Prince Ding decorate this boat specially for you? There hasn't been anyone who would go out of Prince Ding's Manor for years but this boat doesn't look like an old one."
Ye Li looked at her lazily and smiled: "The boat of your family is as good as this one. It's not a big deal."
Hua Tian Xiang rolled her eyes at her a little angrily: "What do you know. How many people are there in my family? The noise they make drives me crazy. You have it better. How nice it is to enjoy a boat by yourself. Ah… it would be … if Prince Ding is here. Well, no, it's better that he's not here thus I won't feel ashamed while taking advantage of your boat."
Ye Li looked at various pleasure boats that were floating on the lake not far away and said with confusion: "There are so many pleasure boats right now. Are we here to enjoy lotus or pleasure boats?"
Hua Tian Xiang chuckled: "Both the lotus and the people. Who could have thought the weather is so good during the first few days that the lotus is blossoming? There are bound to be a lot of visitors. Do you know how many talented scholars and fair ladies would become couples on this Fair Lady Lake?
"Fair Lady Lake?" Ye Li glanced over the huge lake. Having seen the West Lake, Taihu Lake and Qiandao Lake, this tiny Fair Lady Lake seemed to have nothing to do with a fair lady.
Hua Tian Xiang had no choice but to shake her head: "You are so unromantic! Do you know why Zheng-er isn't with us today?"
"Please enlighten me."
"Because she's with the second son of Xu Family!" Hua Tian Xiang gritted her teeth and glanced at Ye Li. "Come to think of it, I am curious why you are here by yourself today. I thought you would have been here with Prince Ding. I have planned to hang out with Murong at first."
Ye Li threw her a piercing glance a little angrily. "Then who it was that invited me out?"
"I was afraid you didn't know about it and wanted to remind you. You are the one who hide in your manor and won't go out after all." Hua Tian Xiang muttered unhappily. Looking at the brand new decoration of the boat, she said with a guilty conscience: "Remember His Highness's birthday is in a few days. Ask him out to enjoy the lotus then. I'm sure he has prepared this boat in order to enjoy the lotus with you. Perhaps Prince Ding is thinking about how to kill me without leaving a trace at the moment."
Ye Li stopped for a second. Looking at Hua Tian Xiang's worried face, she couldn't help but laughing: "You are overthinking."
"Tian Xiang, Ah Li!"
It's a fine day. Both the lake and its bank were filled with happy laughter and cheerful voices but there was none other than Murong Ting who would shout out so loud. Besides boats, all Ye Li and Hua Tian Xiang saw was Murong Ting who was waving violently at them on another pleasure boat while shouting and jumping. Next to her was a good-looking young man, who seemed to be talking to her. But Murong Ting was clearly impatient with him and didn't want to respond.
Behind Ye Li, Hua Tian Xiang said with a small laughter: "It's the second son of Leng Family, Leng Hao Yu."
"Murong's fiancé?" Ye Li said.
"Right. Ting-er found him an eyesore since she was little but he enjoyed being by her side all this time. Later, Ting-er was at the border with her father. Who could have thought he still enjoys p.i.s.sing her off when she was back." Hua Tian Xiang said with a little tease. Clearly, Leng Hao Yu had left not so bad an impression on her.
On the pleasure boat over there, the two were already in a fight since Murong Ting wanted to come here with flying skills while Leng Hao Yu didn't want her to. While he was holding her back, Murong Ting flared up and started the fight.
Besides Hua Tian Xiang and Ye Li, there were several other boats near them and looked over due to their fight. Clearly, many of them knew Murong Ting and Leng Hao Yu as well and started to hoot and cheer.
Hua Tian Xiang smiled: "How long do you think Leng Hao Yu can persist this time?"
Ye Li said after she looked at them for some time: "Murong is no match for him."
It seemed that Leng Hao Yu was in a bad place but he was in fact more steady. Though there was a mischievous smile on his good-looking face which made him a playboy but the way he was looking at Murong Ting was most sincere.
"You mean he's letting Ting-er have her way?"
Ye Li smiled: "General Murong loves his daughter the same as his life. Do you think he would really let Ting-er marry some playboy without learning or skills?"
"Well…" Hua Tian Xiang was unable to make up her mind. To be honest, she hadn't considered that yet.
Having enough of the fun, Ye Li smiled: "Let them get the boat out of here. Let's not disturb Murong today."
Hua Tian Xiang held her back. "Don't. I believe even if we get the boat away, Ting-er would jump into the water if she's irritated."
Ye Li thought of Murong Ting's temper. That was indeed possible so she spoke to the other boat: "Mr. Leng, Murong, how about coming here and having a chat?"
Murong Ting stopped. She turned to Ye Li and shouted: "Ah Li, only I'm your friend. Why do you ask him to come over as well?"
Hua Tian Xiang smiled: "Then are you coming or not? We'll get the boat away if you don't."
Murong Ting glared at Leng Hao Yu fiercely. She got rid of his hands and stumped on his feet heavily then flew away. With a few steps on the water, she landed on Ye Li's pleasure boat.
Leng Hao Yu smiled a little sadly. He cupped his hands towards Ye Li and smiled: "Thank you, My Lady." Then he left his boat and came to Ye Li's as well.
Ye Li told the boatman to get the boat out of here before she invited the two inside the cabin.
The four of them sat down. Qing Luan brought them new tea and dimsun and left them alone.
Sittng beside Ye Li, Murong Ting ate dimsun while not forgeting to glare at Leng Hao Yu from time to time.
Leng Hao Yu acted as if he didn't see her harsh glares and smiled at Ye Li: "It's a fine day. Why isn't His Highness with you, My Lady?"
Ye Li raised her brows and asked him with a smile: "Mr. Leng, are you friends with His Highness?"
The teacup in his hand shook slightly. He smiled: "I'm only a playboy. How could I have the chance to become friends with His Highness?"
Murong Ting sneered: "Well, it's good that you know you are a playboy."
"Ting-er…" Leng Hao Yu looked at her with grievance. "What's so bad about being a playboy? I have no worries about winning bread and always have fun. I can stay with you all the time. And have a big brother to take care of everything back home."
"Bah!" Murong Ting almost wanted to jump off her seat. "I hate good-for-nothing playboys the most. You'd better stay away from me from now on, or I'll kick your a.s.s every time I see you."
"You'd kick my a.s.s each time you see me now…" Leng Hao Yu muttered but in a voice loud enough that everyone in the cabin could hear him.
Ye Li and Hua Tian Xiang couldn't help but covering up their secret laugh. Murong Ting was so angry that her face was crimson. She would love to stab this wretch who had made her embarra.s.sed. Leng Hao Yu seemed to fear her a lot and kept begging for mercy. But one could tell he was only playing with her from the pampering smile in his eyes. Ye Li and Hua Tian Xiang looked at each other with smiles watching Murong Ting so angry as to stamp her feet. It's true that the person that's in love is baffled, the onlooker sees clear.As Murong Ting's friends, both girls wished her a happy future but it was up to Murong Ting to make her own choice.
"My Lady, the boat of Prince Li's Manor is up ahead." While the four of them were talking, Qing Xia came inside and reported.
Hearing that, Hua Tian Xiang said with a frown: "Li-er, why do we b.u.mp into Prince Li again?"
Ye Li smiled: "You are to blame for not picking a good day. Or we can say, the capital is indeed a small place."
Murong Ting curled up her lips and said: "I say enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road."
Before Ye Li opened her mouth, Qing Luan came in as well, looking quite unhappy. "My Lady, Prince and Princess Li want to see you."
"Let them in." Ye Li sighed.
Shortly afterwards, Mo Jing Li was inside with Ye Ying. But someone else next to him gave Ye Li a frown. Though the girl beside him was in a different light-yellow dress with some makeup and a veil on her face, it was meaningless if you asked Ye Li. No matter who saw that girl, he would recognize that she was Princess Qi Xia of Nan Zhao. Was this a provocation against his emperor brother? The palace had not announced the death of Princess Qi Xia yet.
"Good to see you, Prince Li and Princess Li." Hua Tian Xiang and the others curtseyed.
Mo Jing Li glanced at those inside the cabin and eventually turned his eyes from Ye Li to Leng Hao Yu while saying in a deep voice: "Leng Hao Yu?"
Leng Hao Yu smiled: "Your Highness, it's a pleasure that you recognize me. "
Surely, Mo Jing Li knew about Leng Hao Yu's reputation. He looked at Murong Ting who was beside Leng Hao Yu. Snorting slightly, he said to Ye Li: "Why is Mo Xiu Yao not here with you?"
"Why does that concern you, Your Highness?" Ye Li was not in a good mood at the moment so she fired back without hesitation when she heard Mo Jing Li's rude tone.
As expected, Mo Jing Li turned dark and said angrily: "Woman, you cannot tell good from bad!"
Ye Li rolled her eyes inside her and didn't bother to answer him.
Leng Hao Yu measured Princess Qi Xia who was next to Mo Jing Li up with deep interest and smiled: "Your Highness, may I ask about this pretty lady…" Pinched on the back by Murong Ting, his pretended ease immediately turned into an amusing grimace in pain.
Mo Jing Li stared at him coldly and said: "Didn't your brother teach you not to ask something you shouldn't?"
Leng Hao Yu shrugged and said: "My brother is a busy man. He has no time for that."
Ye Li rubbed her forehead and said indifferently: "Prince Li, forth sister, let's have a seat before we talk."
Murong Ting snorted slightly and said: "I don't want to sit with someone. Ah Li, Tian Xiang and I are going outside for the view." After she had said that, she cast Mo Jing Li a sidelong look and went out with Hua Tian Xiang. Look at her. She was one step away from saying directly to him that she didn't want to sit beside him.
Hua Tian Xiang cast Ye Li an apologetic glance and let Murong Ting take her outside. She didn't want to be near Prince Li either.
Watching Murong Ting go out, Leng Hao Yu was a little hesitated after he looked at Ye Li and Mo Jing Li's looks. Ye Li said with a smile: "Mr. Leng, go out and watch over Murong. Don't let her take Tian Xiang all over the place." Leng Hao Yu nodded before he headed outside.
In a moment, Qing Luan and the other maids came carrying tea and dimsun and remained inside after they were finished, each of whom stood at a corner of the cabin, as if they were ready to take orders from their princess.
Clear about what was on their mind, Ye Li laughed to herself but didn't say anything.
"Get out first. I have something to talk to her." Mo Jing Li said.
Ye Ying bit her lips and left without a word while Princess Qi Xia looked at Ye Li with hostility and left after Ye Ying silently. But Qing Luan and the other maids weren't as obedient as they were. They were still at the four corners of the cabin, looking down on the floor as if they had not heard him.
Mo Jing Li said in a deep voice: "I've asked you to get out. Didn't you hear me?"
Qing Shuang answered clearly and loudly: "Your Highness. We've heard that. But His Highness told us to protect My Lady so we will naturally follow his orders."
A sudden coldness appeared in Mo Jing Li's eyes. He stared at Qing Shuang with indifference and said: "Are you suggesting that I will hurt her?"
Qing Shuang answered: "I don't know. We are prepared for all contingencies. Please forgive us for that, Your Highness."
Ye Li smiled slightly and said: "Prince Li, there's nothing secret between us, I believe. Besides, I trust them. You can speak your mind in front of them."
Mo Jing Li was silent with his eyes fixed on Ye Li. Ye Li didn't say anything either and let him stare all he wanted. After a good while, he finally said coldly: "Ye Li, you lied to me!"
Ye Li was stunned. Lying to him? Where does that come from? Or what did Mo Jing Li think she lied to him?
"Your Highness, where does that come from? It's not a good habit to slander me." Ye Li said indifferently.
Mo Jing Li snorted coldly before he said: "You pretended so useless since you wanted me to break off the engagement, didn't you? You hooked up with Mo Xiu Yao a long time ago, wasn't it?"
Ye Li held the teacup calmly and refrained herself from pouring the tea over that man's face. "Your Highness, I've told you already. Over-thinking is a condition. Go see a doctor. You are a bad person doesn't mean others are bad too." She wasn't happy about her engagement, but he went too far accusing her of hooking up with Mo Xiu Yao before that. Even now, she and Mo Xiu Yao were still in a Platonic relationship.
Mo Jing Li turned dark at once but he didn't flare up as he used to. Instead, he stared at Ye Li for quite some time before he laughed maliciously. Ye Li stared back expressionlessly and secretly held her guard up when Mo Jing Li lowered his voice and said to her with a smile: "Ye Li, you and Mo Xiu Yao haven't consummated your marriage yet, have you? Is it… Mo Xiu Yao couldn't do it since he's crippled? If so, I could manage to…"
Bang!
Before Mo Jing Li finished his sentence, a fist hit him on the nose hard and accurately from his opposite and two trickles of blood dripped down. Mo Jing Li's eyes widened with surprise. Before he could tell what was happening, Ye Li had already stood up and smashed his head against the table.
"d.a.m.n, Ye Li!" The throb on his forehead made him recover from the shock that he was. .h.i.t by her once again. "I won't let you off this time!"
Ye Li cast a glance at Qing Luan, who was about to attack and her lips curved in a sneer. Seeing that Mo Jing Li go for her, Ye Li jumped backwards and dodged his attack. When he made for her again, she was beside another window.
Due to the fact that he didn't get her for two consecutive times and that he was. .h.i.t twice, Mo Jing Li had guessed that she wasn't a normal woman. This time he used martial skills and pounced at her harshly, swearing that he would catch the woman who had him played like a fool. However, Ye Li squatted down. Mo Jing Li felt a severe pain under his armpit. Couldn't stop himself, he hit the cabin window –
"Someone! Prince Li has fallen into the lake!"