Chapter 104: Boldness, and Getting Splashed with Water

“Recognize her?” The cold-faced youth did not stop walking, merely asking with a chilling tone.

“It seems like I do!” The smaller boy’s face twisted mischievously as he stared at a nearby private room upstairs. If his eyes did not deceive him, that girl had just come out of that very room.

The cold-faced youth neither confirmed nor denied the remark.

The attendant continued leading them toward an empty private room, but as they passed by Qin Wanru’s room, the smaller boy suddenly pushed open the closed door.

The cold-faced youth stopped abruptly, displeased, and hissed, “Don’t be reckless!”

“Big brother, I’ve met a friend! Let’s share a table with her!” The smaller boy was carefree, pointing inside the room.

Inside, Qin Wanru held a cup of tea. The sudden noise startled her, but she quickly regained composure. Her gaze landed on the cold-faced youth standing before her. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, struck by an inexplicable sense of familiarity—though she did not know him.

Her eyes then shifted to the smaller boy who had boldly strode in, her frown deepening.

“Miss Qin, second young lady, shall we share a table?” The smaller boy lounged casually, dragging a chair beside her and sitting down as if they were old acquaintances.

So the so-called invitation was more a formality than a true question.

“Fourth brother, how can you be so rude? Get out!” The cold-faced youth’s voice was stern, tinged with authority. His eyes swept over Qin Wanru’s refined features—a young lady from a respectable family—yet she had no attendant. Hearing his fourth brother’s earlier startled exclamation, he realized the boy must have recognized her maid.

Having said that, he shifted his feet, preparing to leave.

“Big brother, this is the second young lady of General Ningyuan’s residence. We saw her before!” The smaller boy called out cheerfully.

Second daughter of Qin Huaiyong? The cold-faced youth halted, considering for a moment before following them inside, even sitting opposite Qin Wanru.

Qin Wanru pressed her delicate pink lips together. Her bright eyes, tinged with coldness, settled on the two brothers. Anyone could see her mood was sour.

“Miss Qin, you may call me Lord Xin. This is my elder brother. We’re somewhat acquainted. Sharing tea together shouldn’t be a problem!” Lord Xin spoke familiarly, treating himself as part of the group. He poured himself a cup of tea, sipped leisurely, and spoke with ease.

A servant behind the cold-faced youth came forward, poured tea for his master, then respectfully stepped back.

“Where did you disappear to before? I chased you for quite a while. I didn’t expect someone so young to be so fast. I’ve been in the capital a long time, yet never seen a noble lady who’s so skilled at scaling walls and running!” Lord Xin gave an approving thumbs-up to Qin Wanru.

The capital... Lord Xin... The cold-faced youth’s elder brother looked somewhat familiar. Suddenly, a name flashed through Qin Wanru’s mind like lightning, flooding her senses.

Lord Xin was Prince Xin, the Emperor’s fourth son—Chu Liu Xin!

Her hand clenched the handkerchief tightly, trembling slightly, thankfully concealed beneath the table. And thankfully, she had died once already, carrying memories from a second life. Otherwise, she might have lost control, stood up, and fled this moment.

She recalled who they were.

The elder brother was Prince Yue, Chu Liu Yue—the reigning Emperor’s eldest son, once Crown Prince for two years before being deposed. Most importantly, the order to sever her body in half had come from him!

That child... the sixth prince she was temporarily caring for... was clearly dead when placed in her arms. That woman had personally handed the baby to her, then immediately accused Qin Wanru of strangling the infant, with everyone around corroborating her claim.

On that day, the prince was nearby, sitting on a pavilion by the artificial rock garden. He saw everything clearly but said nothing, asked no questions. Without a word, he allowed her to take the blame—becoming the first in the history of Dongcang Kingdom to be executed by halving. Beforehand, he had even forced a poison down her throat, silencing all defense.

At the time, she didn’t understand. But as she lay half-dead, writhing in agony after being severed, realization dawned— that woman was aligned with Chu Liu Yue. They had strangled the child. They needed a scapegoat. Without that child, the emperor’s sole bloodline was him, enabling him to leverage imperial power against Chu Liu Chen.

She was merely a pawn bearing the burden of his crimes.

Her veins seemed ready to burst with hatred—how could she not detest him?

Driven by a surge of recklessness, she grabbed her tea cup and flung its contents squarely at Chu Liu Yue’s face, eyes wild with desperation.

The water wasn’t hot; it had cooled some time ago, but it caught him off guard. He could only watch as lukewarm liquid poured over his head, soaking his meticulous robes.

“How dare you plot against His Highness! Kneel at once!” The little eunuch serving Chu Liu Yue screamed, face pale, hastily rushing to wipe his master’s soaked face.

“Where did this scoundrel come from? Insolent!” Qin Wanru suppressed the iron taste of blood in her throat, her voice fierce. Her bright eyes glared venomously at Chu Liu Yue, entirely undaunted by the eunuch’s words.

That face... no wonder it seemed familiar. She had seen him that day, though he wore his formal crown, and his downward-hanging pearls had concealed part of his visage.

The room fell into an eerie silence, everyone stunned by the scene.

The smaller boy, Chu Liu Xin, seemed to realize something and suddenly broke the tension, laughing uproariously. “Big brother, she thinks you’re a scoundrel! This girl isn’t an ordinary noble lady. She’s bold—remember how she climbed walls and trees, then slipped away right under my nose? And now... now she thinks you’re a scoundrel. What an interesting little girl!”

Chu Liu Yue took the handkerchief nervously handed to him by the eunuch, wiping his face. His gaze landed on Qin Wanru’s face: long curled lashes framing eyes filled with anger, exquisite features set on a delicate rosy face, and lips tinted with a natural, alluring hue. He’d never seen such a finely featured girl before.

Having not paid much attention before, now he found himself unexpectedly impressed.

But she was so small, and so audacious—to dare splash tea in his face! His expression darkened.

“No matter where you come from, this is Jiangzhou. No one is allowed to act recklessly here!” Qin Wanru’s voice was icy. She turned and left, no one noticing the murderous coldness lurking behind her angry eyes.

At that moment, if she had a dagger, she felt she might have plunged it into him without hesitation. The betrayal, the execution—such hatred made her unable to stay.

She feared losing control and having no excuse.

“Hey! Wait! This—” Chu Liu Xin was dumbfounded as Qin Wanru fled without hesitation. He glanced at his elder brother, still dripping wet, but did not pursue.

“Big brother, this girl really is fearless. Nothing else to say. Didn’t you see her on the swing earlier? Noble ladies in Jiangzhou seem freer than those in the capital—fewer restrictions. They come and go as they please. It’s wonderful!” Chu Liu Xin laughed.

“Second daughter of General Qin?” Chu Liu Yue’s narrow phoenix-like eyes lifted, his tone cold.

“Yes. She looks no older than ten, but she’s quite amusing—so bold, skilled at scaling walls, and her agility climbing down trees was impressive. Big brother, you didn’t see—she came down the tree like a seasoned warrior, very interesting!” Chu Liu Xin chuckled, recalling the earlier scene.

He had truly been startled then, and today, that little girl had scared him several times.

“Let’s go back.” Chu Liu Yue stood, his voice frosty.

“Big brother, didn’t we agree to have tea here for a while and enjoy the scenery?” Chu Liu Xin’s voice trailed off. Seeing his brother’s current mood, he knew it was not suitable to linger.

“You stay.” Chu Liu Yue commanded, then strode away.

“Big brother, hurry and change your clothes and rest. Don’t catch a cold!” Chu Liu Xin exclaimed excitedly after Chu Liu Yue left. Being left behind was a relief—the absence of his brother made wandering more comfortable. The only regret was that the girl had vanished. She must have thought him a scoundrel too.

But no matter. When General Qin returned to the capital, he would have another chance to see her. With that thought, Chu Liu Xin no longer felt so eager.

Chu Liu Yue ignored his brother’s noisy chatter and headed downstairs with his entourage.

“Your Highness, shall we capture her?” a guard hurried up to Chu Liu Yue, speaking in a low voice.

“No need.” Chu Liu Yue shook his head.

“Yes, Your Highness.” The guard found it strange but obeyed.

“Miss, what brings you here?” Yu Jie, holding pastries, was surprised to run into Qin Wanru on the way back.

“Let’s return.” Qin Wanru glanced behind; no one pursued. She breathed a sigh of relief, a cold, mocking smile curling her lips.

In her current state—a child yet to blossom—Chu Liu Yue was unlikely to harm her. Besides, they had been rude first, barging into her room. Given these facts, her misunderstanding and the tea she splashed could not be faulted.

Back at the residence, Qin Wanru first went to Qin Huaiyong’s study, unexpectedly encountering Nurse Zhou at the door.