The midday sun was so bright that Lin Wanyu could hardly open her eyes. In a daze, a figure blocked the sunlight in front of her. A deep voice, like celestial music, echoed in her ears.
Lin Wanyu blinked her eyes and slowly raised her head. The man in front of her stood there like a strong pine on a green mountain. The cold aura around him made her heart tremble involuntarily.
There was a hint of tenderness on his handsome face, which she couldn't quite make out.
"The servant girl pays respects to Your Highness."
After just one glance at him, Lin Wanyu immediately withdrew her gaze. She lowered her body and was about to perform a respectful courtesy.
The moment she lowered her head, her vision went blurry.
Her thin figure swayed uncontrollably a few times and then she collapsed to the ground.
Lu Huaijin's eyes darkened slightly. After letting out an almost inaudible sigh, he bent down to pick up the woman on the ground and turned to walk outside.
"Your Highness, Miss Lin can't leave yet..."
The maid who was in charge of supervising Lin Wanyu saw this and bravely tried to dissuade him.
At present, Lin Wanyu's punishment was not over yet. If Lu Huaijin took her away like this, she would surely be in big trouble.
Lu Huaijin paused. His gaze fell on the blushing face of the woman in his arms. His voice was low and carried an unyielding coldness.
"If the Princess asks, just say that this Prince took Lin Wanyu away."
It was his mother who sent Lin Wanyu to his bed that day, and it was still his mother who was making things difficult for Lin Wanyu now.
He couldn't understand his mother's thoughts more and more...
After saying that, Lu Huaijin carried Lin Wanyu and strode out of the front yard.
...
As soon as they left, He Shulan learned about this matter.
She lowered her eyes and glanced at the maid kneeling in the hall to plead for forgiveness. A cold glint flashed in her long and slender phoenix eyes.
"Did the Prince really take Lin Wanyu away in person?"
Hearing this, the maid buried her head even lower. "Replying to the Princess, yes."
He Shulan curled her lips. Her long and slender fingernails pinched the blue - and - white teacup. Her face was calm as she said, "Alright, I know. You may leave."
Hearing this, the maid heaved a sigh of relief. After kowtowing to express her gratitude, she quickly retreated.
As soon as she left, He Shulan threw the teacup in her hand out instantly.
The cup fell to the ground and broke into several pieces. The tea inside spilled all over the floor.
Nanny Zhou, who was attending her, immediately stepped forward to console her. "Princess, please calm down. Now that the Prince has finally taken a fancy to someone, for the sake of the Prince's liking, you can't punish Lin Wanyu anymore."
Nanny Zhou was He Shulan's dowry maid and knew a lot of things. In the whole mansion, only she dared to persuade and remind He Shulan like this.
He Shulan took a deep breath. There was still a trace of anger on her noble face.
"I'm his mother. Would I harm him? Lin Wanyu has only been here for less than three days, yet she has incited Huaijin to beat to death that concubine - born daughter sent by the Minister Feng's family."
"The concubine - born daughter is a small matter, but the face of Minister Feng is a big one. Now that Huaijin is in great need of connections, if he has a conflict with Minister Feng because of this, wouldn't it be a case of losing the greater for the lesser?"
"Yes, yes, yes. The Prince is still young and doesn't understand the Princess's good intentions."
Nanny Zhou quickly poured another cup of tea and handed it to her.
He Shulan waved her hand tiredly. She gave a solemn order. "You send someone to keep a close eye on the movements of Yuncheng Residence at all times! I originally thought that Lin Wanyu was a virtuous and gentle woman. If Huaijin wanted to keep her, I would let it be. Who would have thought that she is a seductive woman? Huaijin has a bright future ahead of him. He can't be ruined by such a woman..."
"This woman must not be kept."
Nanny Zhou responded with a worried look on her face. She supported He Shulan's hand and accompanied her into the inner hall.
...
At that time, outside the main hall of the Wanhua Pavilion, Lu Huaijin stood under the corridor with his hands behind his back. His face was gloomy as he stared blankly at the pear trees full of blossoms in the middle of the yard.
The doctor finished diagnosing Lin Wanyu's pulse, wrote a prescription, and came out with Chunqiao.
Chuncheng stepped forward to Lu Huaijin's side. He cupped his hands and reported, "Your Highness, the doctor has finished the diagnosis."
Hearing this, Lu Huaijin came back to his senses and responded.
Chuncheng waved his hand. The doctor understood and stepped forward with his medicine chest in hand. After performing a courtesy, he reported truthfully, "Your Highness, Miss Lin is suffering from qi deficiency and internal heat. It is because the summer heat has invaded her body. I have already given her acupuncture. In the next few days, she only needs to drink some medicine to nourish body fluids and replenish qi."
Lu Huaijin nodded slightly. Chuncheng immediately winked at Chunqiao, asking her to send the doctor out.
After they left, Lu Huaijin looked back at the main hall. There was a hint of gloom in his ink - black eyes.
"Tell Chunqiao to take good care of Miss Lin these days."
Chuncheng nodded. After a pause, he tentatively said, "This subordinate notices that Your Highness seems to treat Miss Lin differently."
Lu Huaijin looked up at him. There was no ripple in his cold and clear eyebrows and eyes at this moment.
But often, a lake without ripples is the most terrifying place.
"This subordinate has spoken out of turn. Please punish this subordinate, Your Highness."
Lu Huaijin lowered his eyes and looked at him for a long time. His cold as frost gaze fell on him, making him break out in cold sweat instantly.
Just when Chuncheng thought he was bound to be punished today, the man in front of him spoke.
"Miss Lin has a gentle nature, just like Aning. Since she has followed me now, I will surely protect her well."
After saying that, Lu Huaijin stepped down the steps and walked outside.
Only then did Chuncheng dare to raise his head. He secretly wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. He took a meaningful look at the main hall behind him and then quickly followed Lu Huaijin out of the Wanhua Pavilion.
When Lin Wanyu woke up, the sky was just turning pale. The faint white light was scattered in the room.
She felt sore all over her body and had a severe headache. Her two knees were also burning with pain, as if they had been roasted on a fire rack all night.
But looking at the time, it was already time to go to the main hall to serve.
The Princess of Xiang had warned her. She must serve Lu Huaijin well and not let others find any faults.
Chunqiao had brought her many clothes. She chose a rather plain one to put on, simply tied up her hair in a bun, and then went out.
After leaving the Wanhua Pavilion, the main courtyard of Yuncheng Residence was right next to it.
Lin Wanyu pushed the door open and entered. In the huge courtyard, there was no one there. It was quiet everywhere.
She was a little confused, but she still bravely walked in.
She first went to the washroom to fetch a basin of water and a handkerchief. Then she stepped to the door of the main hall and respectfully called out, "Your Highness, this servant girl, Wanyu, is here to serve Your Highness to get up."
After her voice fell, there was no movement in the hall for a long time.
Lin Wanyu bit her red lips. She stood there, not knowing whether to advance or retreat. She was at a loss.
She hadn't learned the etiquette rules of this mansion. She didn't know what to do in such a situation.
After waiting for a while, she called out again. This time, there was finally a sound in the hall.
"Come in."
Lin Wanyu took a deep breath. She gently pushed the door open and walked in. She placed the basin in her hand on the shelf, then soaked the handkerchief in water, wrung it dry, and carried it into the bedroom. She knelt beside the bed and lowered her voice. "Your Highness, it's the Mao hour. It's time to get up."