As the sky completely darkened, I thought I heard wolves howling.
Fortunately, by then, torches lit up in the woods, and the shouts of "Miss Wang" grew from faint to clear. I breathed a sigh of relief and responded with all my might.
Though I was thirsty, hungry, and scared, my voice was weak. But the heavy rain had stopped, and they should be able to hear me. Indeed, before long, a small light was rapidly moving towards me. I tried to stand up by holding onto a tree trunk, but not only did I fail, I also shook a cascade of water droplets from the canopy.
My already soaked clothes became even wetter, and the cold made me shiver.
A cloak was thrown over my head. Just as I was about to say thank you, I looked up and saw Situ Yao standing in front of me.
His Highness the Crown Prince was hardly presentable at this moment, even looking a bit disheveled. My mind went blank, only regretting my usual diligence that had trained me into such good health, making it impossible to faint.
"Get up." His Highness the Crown Prince's voice was squeezed out from between his teeth, clearly indicating he was very angry.
I could somewhat understand his anger. After all, the matter between him and me was far from settled, and yet I had gone out horse racing with his brother. Horse racing was one thing, but to end up in trouble was another. At this moment, I was likely being linked with Shui Xingyang Hua.
I could only try to stand up again.
Thus, we both got drenched in water once more.
Situ Yao's gaze shifted downward. "What's wrong with your foot?"
"I twisted it while jumping off the horse."
I heard his breathing deepen. He handed me the torch and then swept me up in his arms. I was so startled that the torch trembled, almost burning his hair.
"Your Highness, you could have just sent someone to carry me. This commoner can still hold on."
"All the guards I brought are male. Who do you want to touch you?"
Actually, I thought that as long as it wasn't him, any of the guards would be fine, as long as they were good-looking. But I didn't dare to say this, so I settled for the next best option. "Your Highness, why don't you help me walk? I only twisted my ankle."
Situ Yao snorted. "We've already done more intimate things. What's a little embrace?"
My face instantly burned like fire.
That night's incident could not be swept under the rug. I mustered my courage and said, "Your Highness, that night we only... well, we didn't even reach the final step. At most, it was..."
"What was it?"
"Friendly mutual assistance."
Situ Yao's steps faltered for a moment, then he continued walking forward. "Did you go back to look at the Fire-Repelling Diagrams?"
It wasn't necessary to be so blunt.
Of course, I was too embarrassed to tell him that I had seen such diagrams years ago.
The topic had suddenly veered off course. By the time I remembered that my original intention was to ask him to put me down, the area ahead was already brightly lit. Dozens of guards, holding torches high, illuminated the dark woods as if it were broad daylight. The guards, in unison, parted to the sides, revealing Peng Cheng, who was leading a horse.
"Your Highness, the woods are too dense for the carriage to enter."
"No matter." With that, he placed me onto the horse's back.
I thought he would have someone lead the horse for me, but to my surprise, he mounted it himself. His right hand went over me to grasp the reins, and his left hand directly wrapped around my waist. The warmth emanating through my damp clothes made my entire body stiffen. Just as I was about to speak, I heard Situ Yao command, "Peng Cheng, go ahead to the別苑 and prepare. The rest of you, clear the path ahead."
What path needed clearing in the middle of the night?
But I soon understood. I saw all the guards draw their swords and, as the horses advanced, slash away the tripping branches with a "swish, swish, swish" sound.
The branches that had painfully whipped me on the way down fell to the ground, and they had indeed cleared a path for smooth passage.
I watched, dumbfounded. Situ Yao let out a soft neigh, and the horse beneath us began to gallop.
"Cold?"
"I'm alright."
"But I am cold." The grip around my waist tightened, and Situ Yao pulled me closer into his embrace.
I struggled a few times but could not break free from his strength. "If you move again, I'll leave you in the woods to be fed to the wolves."
I...
I never expected that His Highness the Crown Prince, whom everyone in the court praised as refined and upright, would take advantage of me.
Upon exiting the dense forest, the別苑 was not far away.
Peng Cheng had made ample preparations. When we arrived, ginger soup and hot water were already prepared in the room. Two maids served me the soup and then tried to help me undress. I quickly said I could do it myself.
Axiu was one thing, but being bathed by two strangers was something I truly couldn't enjoy.
The two maids agreed but did not leave. They waited outside and, after I finished bathing, proactively helped me dry my hair.
Once everything was settled, the imperial physician arrived.
As he took my pulse, he asked, "How are you feeling, miss?"
"My foot hurts a bit, but everything else is fine."
"Miss, you have been exposed to the elements previously, appearing healthy, but you are slightly depleted. Now that you've been rained on, wearing wet clothes, and exposed to the mountain wind, you might develop a fever tonight."
"That won't happen. My body is perfectly fine. Imperial physician, please bandage my foot quickly. I need to go home shortly."
"The city gates are closed. I have already sent word to your Uncle Wang and Aunt Qing. You can stay here at ease tonight, and I will escort you home tomorrow." The pearl curtain rustled as Situ Yao's voice rang out.
I widened my eyes, staring at him. "Your Highness, can your status not open the city gates?"
Situ Yao glanced at the imperial physician, who, being perceptive, said, "This subordinate will go and prepare the medicine. Miss Wang can have her meal first and must drink the medicine before sleeping."
The imperial physician was not the only one who was perceptive. After he left, the two maids in the room also withdrew, thoughtfully closing the door behind them. Situ Yao sat down in front of me. "It's just an overnight stay. Naturally, I will not use my public office for private gain."
Me: "...... What about the Second Prince?"
"What? Do you really want to see him?"
This scoundrel actually pinched my chin again. I was forced to meet his gaze. In the candlelight, His Highness the Crown Prince was overtly displeased. "Wang Shichun, I remember you said you had no designs on my brother. Then tell me, why were you traveling alone with him?"
"No, isn't this how the Second Prince and I always interact? The frightened horse was an accident. Otherwise, the Second Prince and I would have already returned to the city."
"But you have reached the age of maturity, and you must avoid impropriety when interacting with external males. Tomorrow, I will go to your home to propose marriage."
I shivered, and my whole being felt unwell. Even my parents thought being involved with the Second Prince was a great climb, but if the Crown Prince came to my home to propose, would my mother beat me to death with a rolling pin?
I stammered, "Y-Your Highness..."
"What? You are unwilling?" The Crown Prince became even more displeased. The authoritative pressure of his status was fully displayed at this moment, almost making me nod in agreement.
Fortunately, I, Wang Shichun, was not easily intimidated. After the shock, I organized my thoughts. "Your Highness, this commoner's status is too low to be worthy of you."
"Wang Shichun, we have already had physical contact. I am obligated to take responsibility for you."
"Then it is even less necessary. Your Highness, if you don't speak of this, and I don't speak of it, no one will ever know."
Situ Yao frowned, looking at me intently for a long time. "Do you have someone you care about?"