The weather was just right. Winter sunlight spread across the plum grove, breathtakingly beautiful.
Commandery Princess Luochuan followed the mama from the Eldest Princess’s residence a few more steps and then saw a figure standing beneath the plum grove, slender like green bamboo, currently with his back to her while speaking with someone.
Perhaps because he was in a good mood, he suddenly smiled. Seen from the side, his nose bridge was high and his features handsome.
Commandery Princess Luochuan subconsciously stopped walking.
The mama from the Eldest Princess’s residence softly reminded her, “Princess, the one ahead is Lord Lai. You must have seen him before. I will escort you only to here. If anything happens later, just call out.”
Commandery Princess Luochuan had indeed seen Lai Chenglong before.
After all, he was one of the noble sons who had risen the fastest in recent years. Lai Chenglong’s father, Lai Youde, was Emperor Yongchang’s milk brother and had once nearly lost his life in a fire while saving the emperor.
Because of this, after ascending the throne, Emperor Yongchang greatly promoted the Lai family.
Later, Lai Youde even became Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and Grand Scholar of Taiji Hall.
Unfortunately, his health later declined, so he chose to withdraw at the peak of his career and had been recuperating in his hometown ever since.
Only after Lai Chenglong grew up and, benefiting from the protection of his father and elder brother, entered the Embroidered Uniform Guard did the Lai family return to the capital.
Emperor Yongchang had always valued the son of this old acquaintance.
Especially after Lai Chenglong went on a trip to Dongying, he rose even more rapidly and became a Zhenfu of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, clearly showing signs of becoming a trusted confidant of Emperor Yongchang.
She had heard this name more than once from Zhou Wangfei and Zhou Wang.
Not to mention anything else, just in terms of appearance alone, he had already surpassed Tian Baoci by who knows how much.
Thinking of her mother’s instructions, Commandery Princess Luochuan quickened her steps forward, just as Lai Chenglong turned around.
Lai Chenglong was a full head taller than Commandery Princess Luochuan. As he turned, he blocked a large patch of sunlight, causing her heart to skip a beat.
Although her status among noble ladies was exceptional, she actually had little experience interacting with men. For a moment she felt nervous and subconsciously turned away, instinctively reaching to pick a plum blossom to cover her embarrassment.
But she was too flustered, and after several attempts still failed to pick the blossom, becoming both anxious and irritated.
At that moment, Lai Chenglong raised his hand from behind her and effortlessly plucked the plum blossom, handing it to her. “Commandery Princess.”
Commandery Princess Luochuan only felt her face burning. She widened her eyes at Lai Chenglong and slowly reached out to take the plum blossom, just thinking about how to speak without sounding stiff.
Lai Chenglong had already slightly inclined his head. “Commandery Princess, my mother did not think things through. I apologize to you.”
Commandery Princess Luochuan held the plum blossom and looked up at him. “Lord Lai, why do you say that?”
“My mother previously did not know that I already have someone I love.” Lai Chenglong looked at her frankly and nodded apologetically. “That is why there was this meeting in the plum garden. I truly apologize to the Commandery Princess for the offense.”
……
Commandery Princess Luochuan froze in disbelief, tightly gripping the plum blossom in her hand while staring at Lai Chenglong. Her face turned pale, then green, then pale again.
Was he playing with her?!
Her expression darkened little by little. She suddenly threw the plum blossom at Lai Chenglong’s face, lifted her skirt, and turned to run.
The mama who had been waiting beside the plum grove was startled. Seeing Commandery Princess Luochuan run out crying, she was even more alarmed and hurriedly chased after her.
Lai Chenglong stood where he was, his expression unchanged. He flicked his robe lightly and turned to leave.
At this time, Madam Lai was also looking at the Eldest Princess with a headache. “That brat never told me before that he already had someone in his heart. I only thought to arrange things for him…”
The Eldest Princess felt even more troubled than she did.
Zhou Wangfei had helped connect Lu Jintang and had arranged the marriage between Zeng Wenxiu and Lu Jintang. The Eldest Princess had agreed to help Zhou Wangfei sound out Madam Lai as a return favor.
Fortunately, Madam Lai had agreed to let them meet, so she held this plum appreciation banquet to let Lai Chenglong and Commandery Princess Luochuan meet.
But who would have expected that Lai Chenglong already had someone he liked.
Madam Lai coughed. “Your Highness doesn’t know our boy, he’s really like a stubborn bull. Once he decides something, even nine oxen couldn’t pull him back. If he says he has someone he likes, then he truly won’t look at anyone else.”
She felt very guilty. “I also know I didn’t think this through. Later I will personally apologize to the Wangfei and the Commandery Princess.”
Apologize?
The Eldest Princess gave a bitter smile, yet couldn’t help feeling curious.
Lai Chenglong was like an iceberg, could an iceberg really have someone he liked?
Just as she was thinking, there was suddenly a bang from outside. Immediately afterward, Jiang Mama lifted the curtain and came in, somewhat troubled as she glanced at the Eldest Princess. “Your Highness, just now Zhou Wangfei went to the young madam’s room and was talking with her, when Commandery Princess Luochuan suddenly ran over crying…”
The Eldest Princess and Madam Lai exchanged a glance, both sighing inwardly.
Madam Lai immediately stood up. “That rascal, I repeatedly told him to speak properly. I’m afraid his stubborn temper flared up again. I’ll go apologize to the Wangfei.”
The Eldest Princess also rose. After all, Zeng Wenxiu’s health was not very good, and her pregnancy was especially unstable.
If Commandery Princess Luochuan got angry, she might say something unpleasant.
When the two hurried to Zeng Wenxiu’s courtyard, Commandery Princess Luochuan was throwing herself into Zhou Wangfei’s arms, crying uncontrollably.
Zhou Wangfei was also at a loss.
She couldn’t help asking in confusion what had happened to her daughter.
Commandery Princess Luochuan was full of grievance. “I already said I don’t want to get married, I’ll never get married again! You insisted on making me come and even found someone like this to humiliate me completely. Are you satisfied now?!”
How was she completely humiliated?
Zhou Wangfei was confused by what she said. Ignoring her headache, she hurriedly pulled her. “Wait, now I’m confused. What exactly happened?”
She had carefully selected Lai Chenglong from countless candidates.
Even Zhou Wang had said that Lai Chenglong had limitless prospects in the future.
How could someone like this be unsuitable?
Zeng Wenxiu’s face was somewhat pale. She coughed softly and nodded weakly. “Yes, Princess, if there’s something to say, please say it properly. What happened?”
“What happened?” Commandery Princess Luochuan was nearly collapsing. “He already has someone he loves and didn’t want to come to this meeting at all, and he doesn’t even think much of me!”
Zhou Wangfei frowned, stunned. She had never expected such a reason.
What do you mean, he already has someone he loves?
Lai Chenglong wasn’t married yet. Marriage was originally arranged by matchmakers and parents’ orders. Just because he had someone he liked, he could oppose his family?
A young girl’s self-esteem outweighs everything, especially for someone like Commandery Princess Luochuan. Even Tian Baoci, as much of a playboy as he had been, absurd and reckless in private, had still obeyed her in everything.
But Lai Chenglong had rejected her directly, something Commandery Princess Luochuan simply could not accept.
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 20+ chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
