Chapter 11

 

"Love?" Long Lian stared at her Second brother in disbelief. This Second brother of hers that always wear the everlasting ice cube face finally fallen in love? That was too hard to believe! "Is it her background that tempts you?"

 

The Second Prince gave his sister a cold look. "Long Lian, you are being rude."

 

"Surely you don't mind us being curious about your beauty? We are after all siblings with a good relationship," the Third Prince said with a gentle smile. "Or are you trying to cover up something?"

 

"What are you trying to imply?" The Second Prince asked with an unfriendly tone.

 

"If there is nothing to cover up then there isn’t any need for you to be this defensive."

 

Liu Chu Chu placed a hand on the Second Prince's arm before stepping forward. "Third Prince and Princess overthink this commoner's background. This commoner is nothing but just a simple person."

 

The Third prince let out a soft chuckle, but hearing it make Xiao Hua's heart beat speed up. The author had written that the third prince had fallen for the heroine in their first meeting. After all the heroine was described as if she was a celestial from the heaven that no female mortal could be compared to her intelligence, talent, and beauty.

 

Xiao Hua felt so regretful that this body she currently occupied possessed short-sightedness! If only she knows how to make spectacles, then she can feast- cough - admires all the beauties!

 

It was terribly sad that this time era provides have a very limited hobby to choose from.

 

"You are just a commoner. What right do you have to dictate a prince's thoughts?" Da Liu stepped forward with an overbearing aura that was directed onto Liu Chu Chu.

 

Xiao Hua blinked, stared at the Third Prince with a dumbfounded look. The Third Prince does not seem to have any intention of telling Da Liu to stop.

 

What is this? Where’s the gentleness that was promised by the author when the Third Prince interacts with the heroine? (⊙_⊙)

 

"You dare to threaten this prince's consort?" The Second Prince said coldly towards Da Liu, but the loyal blackguard did not back away. Even if he was scared of the Second Prince, his face showed none of it!

 

"Second Imperial brother, this younger brother isn't aware that Father Emperor had already granted you marriage with a lady of unknown background." The Third Prince may sound polite, but the two last words were said with undisguised mockery.

 

In the novel, the Third Prince was portrayed as a prince that was not eloquent with words despite liking to read poetry and terrible in lying. He was also terrible in masking hidden intention under polite words.

 

But now...What is going on? Why does Xiao Hua feel that the Third Prince dislike the heroine?

 

"Third Prince, this girl is from a humble family of a merchant in Guilin country. Chu Chu was separated from father when my carriage horse was frightened by wild animals."

 

"You are a daughter of a merchant? Second Brother, younger sister thinks that Father Emperor would not agree to this match," Long Lian straightforwardly voiced out what she thought with her eyes filled with contempt. Liu Chu Chu was the most beautiful lady that she had ever seen, except for her Mother Empress, but her status does not match a prince.

 

"Father Emperor would allow us to marry. After all, Chu Chu had saved my life and my men. To have a princess consort like Chu Chu is considered as my fortune with heaven blessing."

 

Why did this diehard fan Le XiaoTing start to think this Second Prince was rather cheesy? (￣_￣)・・・

 

The Third Prince smiled and stood up from his chair. "Since you are so determined... this younger brother has no other words to say. Second Imperial Brother, do take your time to return. Father Emperor and Mother Empress would be worried about Long Lian, so it would be best if we hurry back first."

 

Before the Third Prince had even finished speaking, An Jing had already entered the carriage with Xiao Hua, along with the rest of the inner maids. Xia Hua did not get to see the rest of the show and not long after, the carriage resumed the ride.

 

Xiao Hua could not resist asking. "What's going on?"

 

Tian Zi and Tian Chi looked at each other. An Wan let out a sigh as if she was reluctant to explain. "You are now one of us, so you are entitled to know most of the things that could harm our Master."

 

Why does the Third Prince, one of the cannon fodders, have such a detailed background? The author had not revealed much about this Third Prince. Perhaps Xiao Hua could no longer treat this as a novel's world, but a world she was living in now where people would be acting differently from the novel.

 

This is her new reality.

 

"Never trust any of the princes," Tian Chi stated firmly, her finger nearly poked into Xiao Hua's eye.

 

"Wrong," Tian Zi admonished. "She should never trust anyone except for the inner servants and our prince!"

 

"Because you are master's personal servant, many would eye you as someone worthy to be manipulated with the purpose to harm our master," An Wan added.

 

"Even if the first prince is the crown prince, that does not mean he's untouchable. The Second Prince would try to remove the title from him by any means. But at the same time, he would try to get rid of other possible competitors."

 

"The Third Prince does not wish for the throne, right?" Xiao Hua asked before her mouth could catch up with her mind. Shit! “I mean, he would not hurt his siblings, isn’t it?”

 

Xiao Hua was given looks as if she had just said something unbelievable.

 

Tian Zi denied fiercely. “That throne belongs to our master!”

 

“Quiet down. Something must not be said out loud,” An Wan told Tian Zi off with a frosty glare before answering Xiao Hua. "That is just one of the small aims before aiming for the main objective." An Wan revealed with a wicked grin. Her submissive vibe was totally nonexistence now. "Our master will be the ruler of the four great kingdoms."

 

Four Great Kingdoms? (・・ ) ?

 

Before Xia Hua could ask more, sounds of galloping horses filled her eardrums again. How she longed for ear muff to protect her poor ears!

 

"Third Imperial brother," The ice cube that was known as the Second Prince called out. "It would be safer for us to travel back together. With my men watching our surroundings, you and younger sister will be unharmed."

 

"Pretentious guy," Tian Zi mumbled and got a sharp elbow jab from An Wan. "Ow!"

 

"Be careful or your tongue would bring trouble for our master."

 

Xiao Hua silently praised Tian Zi for being loyal to her master. Even the hero with golden halo got scolded just because they stood in different sides.

 

The carriage stopped again, and the driver, Da Liu called them out. "The prince says to camp here for the night."

 

Indeed, being busy helps you to forget about the time. It was only now that Xiao Hua realized the sun was setting and the sky was getting darker. What a different view of the sunset in the middle of forest compared to the view seen from the city.

 

Gazing at the sunset, Xiao Hua feels nostalgic and she missed her home even more. She could watch the sunset during her stay at MongLu manor, but she was too busy feeling panic in her new environment to feel nostalgic until it was time for bed.

 

"We are your family now," An Jing suddenly said.

 

Sister An Jing, you truly deserve to be known as the perfect maid! But are you aware that you are not my maid?! (￣ ￣|||)

 

Xiao Hua tried to stop her from doing things for her, but with her funny limping, she would make trouble instead of helping so she reluctantly sat down at a large boulder and watch the servants moving around. In no time, the fire was burning, four large tents were set up and the dinner was cooked.

 

Xiao Hua saw the meat came from the wild animals that few soldiers had hunted down earlier. Their hunt was fast and silent, with no terrifying roar or scream reaching her ears. She shivered slightly at the bad thoughts that rebelliously formed in her head.

 

Xiao Hua could smell a nice floral fragrance when a beautiful lady holding onto a plate full of meat sat down beside her.

 

"Xiao Hua, what do you think of that woman?" Long Lian immediately asked.

 

"Miss Liu Chu Chu?" Xiao Hua honestly did not know what to say without revealing spoilers to reader Ah Lian!