The Royal’s Little Lady

T/N: I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year. May 2023 be filled with nothing but goodness!

It seemed that Xiao Heng wasn’t the type to drink, he just took a few little sips and then put it down.

 

After three cups of wine, Xiao Heng went out. From his expression, he seemed to have something on his mind.

 

Zuo Xiuyan was thrilled; she had thought of an unprecedented idea to resolve the situation at that moment. She promptly found an excuse to leave and followed him out.

 

However, after Xiao Heng left, he first went to the lavatory and then entered the adjacent reception pavilion to take a break.

 

It was quite clear that he disliked drinking but it would have looked bad if he didn’t touch wine when it was merely a gathering between brothers. Consequently, he seized the opportunity to come out to get some fresh air now.

 

Raising her hand, Zuo Xiuyan adjusted her hair and patted her cheeks a few times to add a tinge of red to her face. Finally, she lowered her head and scanned her dress before pulling down the lapel to reveal a small part of her white and delicate neck post a moment’s hesitation.

 

Prepared, she stepped forward and asked in a soft voice: “Third Young Master, why are you here?”

 

Ever since Xiao Heng got drugged in the inn at the foot of Mount Xu, he refrained from drinking too much. As he couldn’t decline it at that time, he simply took a few sips and stepped out to hide for a while.

 

Unexpectedly, Zuo Xiuyan came over.

 

He stared at her countenance. Although it was indeed extremely similar to his mother’s, the essence of her being was different after all.

 

His mom was stubborn, otherwise she wouldn’t have adamantly refused to seek help when she was clearly pregnant with the flesh and blood of the monarch; so much so that she died of ill health and poverty.

 

“Does Zuo girl have something to say?” His voice was cold.

 

“No, there’s nothing.” Zuo Xiuyan replied in a soft voice: “When I came to know of third Young Master’s past from my Mother recently, I couldn’t help feeling a little heartache on your behalf… I can still recall Father frequently speaking of Aunt from my childhood days.”

 

She was certain that Xiao Heng’s mother would be his soft spot.

 

As expected, Xiao Heng’s face changed slightly after hearing this. He pursed his lips and asked in a low voice: “What did your father say?”

 

As far as his mom was concerned, he actually didn’t know much about her.

 

He was only five years old when she passed away. He didn’t know anything about his mother’s life as a young girl.

 

Now hearing Zuo Xiuyan’s words, he couldn’t help but want to learn more.

 

“It was nothing much, just that Aunt was considered an extraordinarily talented girl second to none in Yanjing City back then. She was the eldest legitimate daughter of Duke Anguo and had a top-grade appearance and skills. He also said that from childhood, Aunt loved to read books and play the qin.”

 

In fact, Zuo Xiuyan didn’t hear much from her father, but this didn’t prevent her from making things up.

 

In any case, as the eldest Young Miss of a ducal family who was also betrothed to the Crown Prince, she was naturally very good in all aspects. Casually saying a few such things wouldn’t let the cat out of the bag.

 

If it was in the past, Xiao Heng would have definitely realized her scheme. But now it was related to his own mother, he really believed her words.

 

“My mom never mentioned these to me.”

 

The mother in his memory only worked hard every day to make a living.

 

Prior to his father’s arrival, he used to think that he was just an ordinary child of a poor family who lost his father.

 

Noticing Xiao Heng’s entranced expression, Zuo Xiuyan understood that this was the right moment to strike. If she missed it now, she would never have another chance like this.

 

She came over at once and sat near Xiao Heng, uttering softly: “Cousin, we are fellow sufferers who can empathize with each other. We are actually the same.”

 

While speaking, she leaned forward slightly.

 

Seeing that Xiao Heng’s attention was focused entirely on her words and that he didn’t catch their implied meaning, she became more brazen and raised her hand to touch his chest.

 

“Cousin—” As she spoke, she tilted her body, intending to fall directly into Xiao Heng’s arms.

 

Originally deeply immersed in thoughts he couldn’t extricate himself from, Xiao Heng abruptly noticed Zuo Xiuyan’s approach and raised his hand to grab her wrist directly.

 

His strength was too great. Zuo Xiuyan was rooted to her spot, unable to move a single step.

 

With her trick seen through and her wrists feeling extremely sore, tears fell from her eyes. She shrieked instantly, “Third Young Master, let me go. What do you want to do ah? Ah, someone help me ah! Third Young Master, what are you doing?”

 

Everyone seemed to have heard her wail as they rushed over one by one shortly after.

 

Seeing her pretentious behavior, Xiao Heng sneered and flung her to the ground.

 

Zuo Xiuyan was just a delicate girl. Being thrown so sharply, she felt light-headed and dizzy, her butt hurt too much; all in all, she felt as if she was half-dead.

 

As soon as the people came over, they saw Zuo Xiuyan sprawled on the floor pitifully. Even the lapel of her clothes was slightly pulled, exposing the snow white skin hidden beneath it. It seemed like she had just been assaulted.

 

Zuo Xiuyan wept more and more loudly: “I didn’t expect third Young Master to bully me, an unmarried girl, like this! What should I do now!”

 

Between her words, she didn’t forget to beat the ground with her fist and express her desire to knock against the pillar and end her life.

 

If this kind of behavior was displayed before any other people, they might truly begin to sympathize with her.

 

But unfortunately for her, this group of women standing before her was headed by Grand Princess Shengping, the current Emperor’s aunt who had encountered scenes of this sort countless times in the past.

 

Witnessing the outrageous attitude of the woman in front of her, she felt extremely disgusted.

 

How could the descendant of a dignified ducal family really act in such a manner? It seemed that the bitter cold of northern Liaoning had long since obliterated the nobility running in her blood!

 

There was a mocking smile in the Old Madam’s eyes. She didn’t say a word; she just wanted to see how Xiao Heng would handle this matter.

 

While facing the interminable wails of the woman on the ground, he asked calmly: “How exactly did I bully you?”

 

Zuo Xiuyan deduced that there was still some hope, so she covered her face and sobbed, “I came here merely to ask third Young Master if he was feeling unwell. But who would have thought that after I got closer, he would suddenly… suddenly want to molest me… M-my reputation and integrity are ruined now!”

 

While speaking, she sobbed pitifully.

 

Xiao Heng stretched out his hand and raised her chin, gazing at her face covered with tears.

 

That face was extremely beautiful, very much like his own mother’s.

 

As he got older, many of his childhood memories gradually became vague. It was this face that reminded him of his mother’s appearance.

 

He stared at her face, pursing his lips lightly.

 

Seeing his appearance, Zuo Xiuyan felt that she still had some hope.

 

After all, she was indeed very like much her dead aunt. As long as Xiao Heng had his mother in his mind, she had the possibility of turning this defeat into a victory.

 

Xiao Heng finally spoke: “In the future, I don’t want to see anyone doing things that make me feel nauseous with my mom’s face. Otherwise, I will destroy this face.”

 

Every word he uttered was chilling.

 

Hearing this, Zuo Xiuyan’s blood seemed to have frozen stiff. She stared blankly into his eyes as a chill slid down her spine for a moment.

 

This person was absolutely terrifying.

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