Chapter 5 The Flower Banquet
A few days later, the palace hosted an banquet.
The Empress had missed the children of various families and specially set up a flower-viewing banquet in the imperial garden.
I had wanted to decline, but Mother pressed me down. "Missing the imperial banquet would be rude. Besides, you should go out and move around more. Staying cooped up at home like this doesn't suit you at all."
I could not disobey my mother, so I followed Father into the palace.
The imperial garden was filled with blooming flowers. The princes, princesses, young masters from noble families, and court ladies gathered together, their robes fragrant and their voices filled with laughter.
I found a secluded corner and sat down, holding a cup of clear tea and watching the golden carp swim lazily in the pond, uninterested in socializing.
"Young Master Wen is truly idle."
A familiar voice sounded from behind me.
I turned around and saw Xiao Huai An standing at some distance, accompanied by several princes and ministers.
He wore a bright purple everyday robe today, making his face like carved jade all the more striking.
In the previous life, I would have happily walked over, but now I merely nodded slightly. "Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The aloof address caused Xiao Huai An's smile to fade a fraction.
He dismissed the people around him and walked over alone. "It's been several days since I last saw you, Wen Yan. You seem rather distant."
"As a subject and monarch, we are bound by propriety. I dare not overstep."
He stared at me for a moment, then smiled. "Still angry about that day? It was my fault for wanting to borrow your essay without your permission."
In the previous life, upon hearing his soft apology, I would have softened instantly.
But now, I only felt sad.
He apologized because he had never done anything wrong.
It was because I had made him feel uncomfortable, as if his pet had suddenly bitten someone.
"Your Highness has overthought it. I still have matters to attend to. I will take my leave first."
I turned to go, but my wrist was suddenly grabbed.
His grip was firm. "Wen Yan, what exactly is wrong with you?"
The gazes around us grew more obvious. Several court ladies stood at a distance, whispering to each other, their eyes full of curiosity and inquiry.
I was a man, yet so close to the Crown Prince; this alone invited criticism.
Now his actions pushed me even further into the spotlight.
"Your Highness, please behave yourself." I pulled away forcefully, my voice a little colder. "There are many eyes here. It may harm Your Highness's reputation."
Xiao Huai An's expression darkened.
I did not look at him again and turned to leave quickly.
As I passed the corridor, I collided head-on with a girl in a pink dress. Her wine cup fell to the ground with a clear sound.
"Oh!" The girl exclaimed, looking up and catching sight of me. A flash of astonishment crossed her eyes before it turned into grievance. "I-it's... Young Master Wen? I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose."
The younger sister of a concubine, still unmarried.
"No harm done."
I said indifferently and stepped aside to pass.
"Young Master Wen, please wait." She stepped forward and curtsied. "This daughter is Lin Ru. I have seen Young Master Wen. I have long admired your reputation. Today I finally see it in person, and it does not disappoint."
Her voice was soft and gentle, her eyes full of undisguised admiration.
People around had already turned to look, murmuring among themselves.
I was about to speak and tell her to leave when a cold voice sounded from behind. "Young Miss Lin has quite the courage. How dare you block a man's path in the imperial garden to speak to him."
Xiao Huai An had appeared at some point, his face terrifyingly gloomy, his gaze falling on Lin Ru with a chilling intensity.
Lin Ru's face turned deathly white. She dropped to her knees with a thud. "Your Highness, spare me! This daughter merely... merely accidentally bumped into Young Master Wen and wanted to apologize."
"Apologize?" Xiao Huai An sneered. "This prince sees you trying to climb up by association. Confined for three months and ordered to copy the Nü Jie a hundred times. Learn some manners!"
"Your Highness!" Lin Ru wailed for mercy. "This daughter really didn't..."
"Drag her away."
Xiao Huai An gave her no chance to explain, his tone as cold as ice.
The guards pulled away the sobbing Lin Ru, and the surrounding area fell instantly silent.
I looked at Xiao Huai An, a sense of absurdity rising in my heart.
In the previous life, he had always turned a blind eye to the provocations of the palace women, even allowing them to humiliate me to suppress the Wen Clan.
But now, for such a trivial matter, he had severely punished the younger sister of a concubine.
"Your Highness, there is no need for this." I spoke up. "It was merely a misunderstanding."
Xiao Huai An turned his head to look at me. The chill in his eyes faded slightly, but a stubbornness appeared. "Since she offended you, she deserves punishment."
His tone was completely natural, as if I were his possession and no one else was allowed to touch me.
I frowned and did not wish to entangle myself further with him. "If Your Highness has nothing else to do, I will take my leave first."
This time, he did not stop me.