Volume One, Chapter 14: Strip Away Her Shamelessness!
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Xiang Zhu heard the pounding of her own heartbeat, yet she knew it was not because she was infatuated with the Fourth Prince. Rather, it was the overwhelming nervousness that came from discovering the Fourth Prince’s secret. Considering his age, and the fact that such a handsome, gentle youth was enamored with her scent, Xiang Zhu felt her cheeks flush red, her whole being restless and agitated.
Given the Fourth Prince’s character, he must have thoroughly investigated her background and naturally knew her age. Reflecting on how earlier that day he had insisted she was indispensable to him, but tonight in the bathhouse he restrained himself—clearly aware of her youth and sobered by it—Xiang Zhu found this to be a good sign. If the Fourth Prince, knowing they were nearly six years apart, still harbored other intentions toward her, that would be utterly absurd.
She exhaled in relief and then sought out the soapberry she used for bathing. Xiang Zhu lifted the soapberry and sniffed it near her nostrils. The palace servants all used soapberry issued by the Imperial Household Department, so the scent was always the same. She then rummaged through her blush and powder, also unremarkable and all issued by the same department. The items she received were inferior to those given to first-class palace maids, and the quantities were meager.
After a thorough search, she found nothing exceptional. Then she turned to a seldom-used scented pouch, formulating a plan. Since the fragrance on Shuang Yun was so detestable to Zhao Ye that it made him lose all pretense and insist on driving her away, could she not do the same? Xiang Zhu gathered all the fragrant materials she could find and crafted a scented pouch with a scent similar to Shuang Yun’s.
Her intent was to place the pouch on her bed and sleep enveloped in that fragrance. Yet within the span of a single tea break, Xiang Zhu had retched twice. She simply could not tolerate the scent and so switched to a rich, sweet fragrance that she could bear, stuffing it into the pouch.
Xiang Zhu’s plan was sound: by dawn, when Zhao Ye summoned her to serve him, her entire person would be steeped in this scent. She did not believe the Fourth Prince could endure it. As she drifted into a vague sleep, she faintly heard another cry—brief and quickly silenced. She wanted to listen more closely, but waves of drowsiness overtook her, and she fell into a deep slumber.
When the Fourth Prince discovered that her scent was as intolerable as anyone else’s, he would no longer see her as special and would let her leave. Xiang Zhu’s plan was clever, but unfortunately, she had no chance to carry it out over the next two days.
She was summoned to attend Zhao Ye again three days later. Lowering her head, she adjusted the scented pouch at her waist, ensuring her hands were fragrant before following Eunuch Yuanbao to the study.
That day, Zhao Ye wore a deep purple brocade robe that accentuated his broad shoulders and slim waist. Golden and silver threads embroidered subtle patterns on the collar, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
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Xiang Zhu approached and bowed: “May Your Highness be well.”
Zhao Ye set down his brush after the final stroke and turned to look at Xiang Zhu. His gaze fixed on the scented pouch at her waist, which gave off a fragrance… one that did not quite suit her.
“Tomorrow, Young Master Han is hosting a gathering at a suburban villa outside the capital. You will accompany me.”
Xiang Zhu: “...Yes.”
There were two suburban villas near the capital. One was exclusively for the royal nobility; the other served as a refined gathering place for the city’s noble youth. Zhao Ye referred to the latter.
On the twenty-eighth day of the eighth month, just past the hour of the hare, Xiang Zhu’s door was knocked upon.
It was Liang Cai.
“Sister, this is from His Highness. He wants you to change into this outfit and accompany him outside the palace.”
Palace garments differed from those worn outside. Xiang Zhu initially thought Liang Cai had brought her the attire of a common noble servant but was surprised to find the dress exquisitely refined.
The fabric was fine silk satin, a soft green brocade glowing gently in the morning light. The sleeves resembled the delicate wings of a butterfly, embroidered with vivid flowers seemingly fragrant. The long skirt was adorned with dense vertical pleats, falling straight to the ankles—an unusual style.
Xiang Zhu changed into pearl-embellished shoes of lake green to match the dress. She glanced at the scented pouch on her waist table but ultimately chose not to bring it.
They were heading to the suburban villa, where Zhao Ye would meet many people. If he lost composure because of the scent on her, it would not just be a matter of letting her go, but rather her demise on the spot.
Zhao Ye looked at Xiang Zhu standing before him, his dark eyes bright and captivating. His taste was indeed impeccable; the outfit suited her perfectly.
He had changed into riding attire: a deep indigo long coat paired with a chestnut-red short jacket, black trousers, and tall boots. His black hair was neatly tied with a jade hairpin, sharp and tidy.
The two exited through the side door of the Xiefang Hall. Yuanbao, dressed as an ordinary page, waited in the alley holding the carriage reins.
Once aboard, Yuanbao drove the carriage out of the palace through the East Hua Gate.
The suburban villa was a vast expanse of lush green grass stretching endlessly under the sun, which bathed the open riding ground like scattered shards of gold.
Youthful noblemen in splendid riding garments sat tall on their horses, reins skillfully guiding their mounts. Hooves kicked up clouds of dust, and hearty laughter swept through the wind with carefree abandon.
Noble maidens were no less impressive. Their riding attire was elegant yet unrestrained, their hair dancing lightly in the breeze.
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The three rode side by side, chatting softly, their laughter ringing like silver bells across the equestrian field.
“To cheer someone up, Young Master Han has gone to great lengths. Alas, that person is ungrateful—his mind is filled only with the Fourth Prince, who spends all day with a lowly palace maid.”
The girl on the far left wore a short skirted riding outfit of lake blue and silver. With delicately arched brows, almond eyes, a refined nose, and cherry lips, her voice was soft and sweet. Though charming, her words were laced with venom. She was Jiang Menghan, daughter of the Deputy Minister of War.
Two years ago, Deputy Minister Jiang had served under the aged Marquis Ouyang and suffered severe internal injuries during battles on the border against the Mongu. Though he survived, he could no longer wield sword or spear in battle. By imperial grace, he was appointed Deputy Minister of War in the capital.
Jiang Menghan had grown up playing with Ouyang Yanwan, and their friendship was close enough for candid speech. She deeply resented Ouyang Yanwan’s leniency and kindness of heart.
If it were her fiancé who committed such indiscretions, she would not only have ended the shameless woman’s life but also administered a harsh beating to her fiancé with a whip to vent her wrath.
“Menghan, you’re still so fierce. Tell me then, after you beat him, would you want the fiancé or not?” teased the girl to the right of Ouyang Yanwan, clad in a peach-pink riding outfit.
Jiang Menghan scowled. “Sister Cui, don’t laugh at me. We’re talking about Yanwan and the Fourth Prince.”
Cui Nanlu, the only daughter of the capital’s chief magistrate, had willow-like brows, fox-like eyes, and wore a fresh peach riding outfit that could not conceal her alluring charm. She smiled faintly, pointing ahead: “Look, here comes the Fourth Prince whom you all are so concerned about.”
Ouyang Yanwan had spotted Zhao Ye’s carriage at the first sight. Just as a smile bloomed on her lips, it was shattered by the woman who emerged from the carriage.
Jiang Menghan noticed the change in Ouyang Yanwan’s expression and furrowed her brows.
“Is she that shameless palace maid who crawled into Yanwan’s fiancé’s chambers? Daring to cling to the Fourth Prince here—just wait, I’ll tear that thick-skinned woman apart!”
The carriage came to a stop, and Xiang Zhu slowly awakened.
This was her first time riding outside the palace with her master. Initially, she had feared awkwardness but unexpectedly fell asleep right after leaving the palace gates, missing all the scenery along the way.
She only woke because Yuanbao announced, “Fourth Master, we have arrived.”
Rubbing her stiff neck, Xiang Zhu glanced at Zhao Ye sitting upright opposite her and sighed in relief. Thankfully, the journey had been uneventful.
She lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down. No sooner had she steadied herself than she heard the approaching sound of hooves and a sharp, petulant voice shouting: “Wretched maid! Watch your back!”