Chapter Ninety-Three: The Sting of Jealousy

Butterflies drifted and swayed around them, and in the blink of an eye one floated to the troubled face of the Lady Hua. When she looked up in a daze, she was startled and stumbled back two steps.

“What was that that just flashed past my eyes?”

Before she could even steady herself, she felt her body sway precariously, as though she were about to topple to the ground.

In alarm, Prince Jun swiftly stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her upright.

Suspended in midair, Lady Hua felt a little uneasy. Jun Yechen, however, appeared utterly at ease, the faint curve of his lips carrying a deadly charm.

“My lady, are you all right? You must be careful. What if you fall and hurt yourself?”

That voice, low and magnetic, made Lady Hua swallow unconsciously. “What is going on? Why does this fellow look as though he’s trying to seduce me?”

Lady Hua was not the sort to be easily swayed by temptation, but Jun Yechen was clearly toying with fire, and something about it felt deeply wrong.

Still, seeing how awkward the two of them looked together, she turned her head aside in embarrassment and said through clenched teeth, “Um... just help me up.”

If not for her aching waist and her inability to stand on her own, Lady Hua would not have remained locked in this standoff with him for so long, nor endured such an awkward silence without a word.

Regaining his senses, Jun Yechen helped her stand straight. Seeing the pink peony on her head tremble unsteadily, he reached out and gently steadied it for her.

“My lady, you’ll have to be more careful next time. If you fall and damage the flower while injuring the person wearing it, that would be a loss all around.”

Jun Yechen smiled, but Lady Hua only felt a chill creep over her skin, cold sweat rising uncontrollably.

She nodded awkwardly and lowered her head, not from shyness but because she truly did not know how to face him.

The atmosphere was simply too strange, and unsettlingly so.

“Um, I still have something to attend to. You should take a walk on your own first!”

In times like these, the best strategy was to flee. Lady Hua only wished she could escape this man’s grasp at once, lest someone see them and give rise to unnecessary misunderstandings.

With that, she hurried off at a light pace.

But before she had gone two steps, her head suddenly struck something hard.

Pain surged through her, and Lady Hua could not help but grumble, “What on earth? Have I run into a ghost today? Why is everything against me?”

She lifted her head and could not help but complain, “There’s such a wide road here. Why must you walk straight at me? Do you not watch where you’re going?”

Her tone was tinged with frustration, but once she truly saw who stood before her, it was as if clouds had rolled in at once, and the color drained from her face.

Like a storm gathering overhead, Emperor Jun Yeli’s expression was truly grim. From the force of her collision moments ago, he had not moved an inch, standing there like a wooden post.

“Your Majesty, why are you here?”

Lady Hua’s pupils trembled faintly, and she could not shake the feeling that this expression boded ill, like the prelude to a storm.

Thinking of Jun Yechen still behind her, unease rippled through her heart. “What is going on? Surely the Emperor hasn’t misunderstood us?”

But after a moment’s reflection, she felt that such guilt was unnecessary. She had done nothing wrong.

“No, why should I feel guilty? He’s the one living in happiness with his beloved. I’m only taking a walk with the Second Prince; it’s not as though I’m doing anything improper.”

That thought brought her some comfort. She forced herself to calm down, then managed a strained smile. “Your Majesty, did you enjoy yesterday?”

“Whether I enjoyed it or not, I can’t say. But you certainly seem very pleased. My younger brother must be quite considerate, I suppose?”

The tone was laced with sarcasm, and beneath it ran a faint thread of bitterness.

Lady Hua froze completely, then hurriedly waved both hands. “Your Majesty, please don’t think too much of it. The Second Highness and I were merely taking a walk!”

As she spoke, she quickly glanced back at Jun Yechen, who stood at a distance with his hands behind his back and a smile at the corners of his mouth. Unease flickered in her heart. “What is this fellow doing? Why doesn’t he come over and explain?”

What mattered was that the Emperor’s face was already as dark as storm clouds. How could Jun Yechen still keep such a composed air?

It seemed the saying was true: those with clean consciences fear no ghost at the door. So why was she the one so anxious?

She swallowed hard and, bracing herself, said, “Second Highness, please come over and help me explain.”

At her words, Jun Yechen sauntered over to Lady Hua with leisurely steps and said softly, “Indeed, Your Majesty. This subject merely accompanied the Lady on a stroll. Since she has not been back in so long, I had her show me around. The Emperor surely would not mind, would he?”

“Heh. There are so many people in the palace, yet you chose a lady who has only been here a month to guide you around. You do have an eye for people.”

With that firm and cutting remark, the tension around them spread like smoke, filling the air with a fear that would not settle.

Standing there, one could almost feel the murderous atmosphere ready to explode at any moment. Lady Hua swallowed nervously.

What sort of bizarre plot was this? Why did it feel as though her situation had only become more awkward?

It had all the trappings of a cheap melodrama where two men fought over one woman, but that was clearly not what this was. She could not even tell where the anger came from; somehow, the two of them simply looked ready to begin a battle that would shake the very age.

Taking a shallow breath, Lady Hua could only steel herself and step forward, lifting one finger between them as she said cautiously, “Your Majesty, Second Highness, we’re all family here. There’s no need to make the atmosphere so tense, is there?”

She lifted her eyes hopefully, shifting her gaze back and forth between the two of them.

Yet Jun Yeli’s dark eyes showed no sign of softening. Seeing this, Lady Hua felt both vexed and helpless. Her fists tightened, but in the end, she chose to yield.

“This fellow is more stubborn than an ox, so single-minded he’d go straight through to the stomach. Looks like there’s no use counting on him.”

Helpless, Lady Hua could only send Jun Yechen frantic signals with her eyes, hoping he would step back first so that heaven might widen and the sea grow vast again.

Fortunately, Jun Yechen was remarkably cooperative. He suddenly gave a soft laugh and teased with a hint of amusement, “Brother Emperor, there’s really no need for concern. This is your consort—what could I possibly do? You needn’t think so poorly of me.”

After speaking, he glanced at Lady Hua again, his smile becoming even more wanton and gentle. “Very well, my lady would not wish to see discord between brothers. I hope Your Majesty can be at ease. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

Jun Yechen clasped his hands in salute. Once the words fell, he did not wait for a response before turning and leaving directly.