"Ah!!" Hua Liuli was getting engrossed in the conversation when she suddenly remembered that she had promised the Crown Prince to meet him later, but the banquet was about to end, and she was still playing with a few young girls outside.
"What's wrong?" Yao Jiamin and Yao Wenying were sitting on another branch and noticed Hua Liuli's sudden change in expression, thinking that something significant had happened.
"I promised someone that I would go find them, but I almost forgot because I was having such a great time with you all," Hua Liuli pointed below, "Jiamin, you go down first and wait for me."
"What does it have to do with me if you forgot?" Yao Jiamin said as she unconsciously climbed down the tree.
"I'm not strong enough. I'm afraid I might fall when climbing down," Hua Liuli smiled at Du Xiuying and Yao Wenying, "Sister Du, Miss Yao, you continue playing. I'll go ahead."
"Careful," Du Xiuying carefully pulled the corner of Hua Liuli's clothes, afraid that she might fall from the tree.
"It's okay. Jiamin will take over for me," Hua Liuli smiled at Yao Jiamin, "Isn't that right, Jiamin?"
Yao Jiamin: "..."
At a time like this, she still cared about maintaining her delicate and frail appearance. How much does Hua Liuli want to become a historically famous delicate beauty?
After Hua Liuli climbed down the tree, Yao Jiamin said to the girls on the tree, "I'll accompany her outside the garden so she doesn't fall," After speaking, she grabbed Hua Liuli's arm and walked out.
"How did you manage to make Sister Du climb the tree?" Outside the garden, Yao Jiamin said, "I really admire you."
"It's fine. There are many more reasons for you to admire me in the future, so don't rush," Hua Liuli teased for a while, then stopped at the intersection where eunuchs were guarding and said to Yo Jiamin, "Sister Du is not in a good mood. You should spend more time with her."
Yao Jiamin sighed, "Grand Tutor Du's health is deteriorating day by day. According to the imperial physicians, it seems that he only has a few more days left. For the sake of Grand Tutor Du, the Du family has invited physicians and Taoist priests, but the old master's condition continues to decline."
"Life and death are predetermined. What use is it to seek gods and ask Buddhas?" Hua Liuli remembered the time she visited the Du family. Mother Du invited a Taoist priest, which showed that the Du family was extremely concerned about Grand Tutor Du's well-being.
But they didn't think about the fact that Grand Tutor Du never believed in gods and spirits. Their actions were contrary to Grand Tutor Du's beliefs. If Grand Tutor Du knew about what they were doing, who knows what he would think?
As an outsider, it's not appropriate for her to say too much. The only thing she can do is to spend more time with Sister Du. Sister Du was raised by Grand Tutor Du himself, so her bond with the old master is naturally stronger than the other grandchildren.
Unfortunately, despite Grand Tutor Du's remarkable career and his experiences with two emperors, his descendants, including his children and grandchildren, have been rather unremarkable. After he's gone, one could only wonder whether these descendants possess the capability to carry on the legacy of the entire Du family.
"You should hurry back. Don't keep the Crown Prince waiting for too long," Yao Jiamin urged Hua Liuli, crossing her arms, "Did you really think I am unaware that the Crown Prince is eagerly awaiting your return?"
"To know me is to admire me, Yao Jiamin. I'm going to meet the talented and beautiful Crown Prince now. I'll come to play with you again tomorrow," Hua Liuli collected her thoughts and waved at Yao Jiamin before turning around and walking towards Wuyang Hall like a gentle breeze.
Who could have imagined that she was a ruthless person who dared to wield a sword and kill enemies?
"Greetings, Junzhu," The palace maids and eunuchs guarding outside greeted Hua Liuli eagerly, "Junzhu, do you plan to visit other places?"
When she first returned to the capital, she was quite interested in exploring the palace, but now, after getting used to staying in the palace often, she didn't have the same enthusiasm as before. It's not like she was going shopping.
She recognized these palace servants and asked in confusion, "Are you... attendants from the Eastern Palace?"
"Junzhu has sharp eyesight. We are here on the Crown Prince's orders to ensure your safety," The head eunuch smiled ingratiatingly, "The Crown Prince said that there were people coming and going outside the palace tonight, and he was afraid that some ignorant people might disturb your enjoyment, so he had us guard this place."
"The Crown Prince was here?" Hua Liuli felt even more guilty. She had promised to meet the Crown Prince but almost forgot about it. When the Crown Prince came to find her, she was still accompanying others.
To avoid disturbing her, the Crown Prince not only didn't come to bother her but also had his subordinates guard the area to ensure she had a good time.
The more she thought about it, the more ashamed and guilty she felt. Hua Liuli lifted her skirt and said, "I won't go to other places. I'll go back to Wuyang Hall to find His Royal Highness."
The palace attendants were delighted and quickly followed her.
They weren't afraid of Junzhu going to find the Crown Prince; they were afraid she wouldn't go.
"Junzhu, watch your step. There's a pebble here. Don't hurt your delicate face," The head eunuch bent down and picked up a pebble no bigger than a fingernail, "Who would be so careless not to notice such a big stone?"
After saying that, he bent down and offered support to Hua Liuli, "Junzhu, there are stairs ahead."
The eunuch's words amused Hua Liuli, and she couldn't help but laugh, "Are all the attendants from the Eastern Palace like this?"
"As long as it makes Junzhu happy, we will be whatever you want us to be," The head eunuch flattered, "The Crown Prince has ordered us to serve you as if we were serving him, without any disrespect."
"Do you behave the same way in front of the Crown Prince?"
"The Crown Prince... is wise and brave, generous, and considerate towards his subordinates. We don't have to be so formal in front of him," The eunuch quickly replied, "But when we see Junzhu, we can't help but feel close to you, so we naturally become more attentive."
"Yes, yes," A nearby palace maid approached and lifted Hua Liuli's skirt, "We all really like you, Junzhu. Some even say that you are a heavenly fairy who has descended to the mortal world. We want to get close to you and bask in your celestial aura."
When it comes to flattery, the servants from the Eastern Palace have never lost to anyone in the palace.
"Fushou Junzhu?" He Yuanting walked out of the main hall and saw Hua Liuli being surrounded and pleased by the palace maids and eunuchs. When he thought about Hua Liuli's identity, he understood.
She's the future Crown Princess of Great Jin and possibly the future Empress of Great Jin too. Who wouldn't want to please her?
"Third Prince," Hua Liuli lowered her lifted skirt and slightly bent her knees to perform a respectful courtesy.
He Yuanting returned the gesture.
Since one of his envoy's mysterious death, which was later revealed by the Ministry of Justice to have been orchestrated by someone with ill intentions, he hadn't seen Fushou Junzhu again. During the time spent in the secluded guest residence, he had heard many rumors about her.
He had heard about the assassination attempt on Fushou Junzhu and the Crown Prince. Also heard about how the Crown Prince was trying to win over the Hua family, and later, the Crown Prince and the daughter of the Hua family were engaged.
The Hua family held significant military power, while the Crown Prince was the future successor of Great Jin. He couldn't imagine what kind of mindset the Emperor of Great Jin had to agree to let the Crown Prince marry the daughter of a prominent military general.
For the imperial family, whether it's family affection or romantic love, they all pale in comparison to power and status.
When he first saw Fushou Junzhu, he thought she was the most dazzling color among the reds. However, no matter how dazzling the color, once it entered this palace, it would eventually become dull and lackluster.
"Third Prince, where are you preparing to go?" Hua Liuli was a bit surprised. Considering the cautiousness of the envoys from the Daimao Kingdom, they shouldn't be wandering around in such a situation.
"Benwang's sister went out to change her clothes and hasn't returned yet. Benwang is waiting for her here," He Yuanting hesitated for a moment, "Benwang's sister is new to your esteemed country and still unfamiliar with its customs. If you have the time, Junzhu, please visit the Imperial Academy and see her. Benwang would be deeply grateful."
Looking at the man who bowed to the end, Hua Liuli nodded slightly, "I heard that your country intends to arrange a marriage by sending this princess to our country?"
"Benwang's sister came to your country with a learning mindset," He Yuanting explained, "Benwang believes that your country will be able to educate Benwang's sister well."
Letting an exceptionally beautiful sixteen-year-old princess come to a foreign land to study?
In the Daimao Kingdom, where women couldn't easily leave their residences, how could they have such an enthusiastic mindset?
Seeing through but not revealing, Hua Liuli didn't bother to speculate about the other party's intentions, "Please rest assured, Great Jin will not mistreat anyone who seeks knowledge."
"Thank you," He Yuanting couldn't help but glance at Hua Liuli a few more times.
"Third Brother," Princess Yan returned after changing her clothes and curtsied to pay her respects to the Third Prince and the future Crown Princess of Great Jin.
Hua Liuli returned the courtesy and glanced at the Great Jin palace attendants behind the Daimao Princess.
Noticing the attentive attitude of the palace attendants towards Hua Liuli, Princess Yan curiously looked at her a few more times.
"Princess?" Hua Liuli was sensitive to the gaze of others and noticed the Daimao Princess looking at her again. She curiously asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"
He Yuanting glanced at Princess Yan and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"No, Junzhu, you look fine," It's just that she rarely saw the daughter of an outsider receiving so much respect in the palace, so she was curious.
"That's good," Hua Liuli made a gesture of invitation with her hand, "Please, both of you can enter first."
"Please, Junzhu should go in first," The Daimao Kingdom didn't dare to provoke Great Jin now, and naturally, they didn't want to show off in front of the future Crown Princess.
"How can I let distinguished guests walk behind me?" Hua Liuli insisted on letting them walk ahead. When she stepped into the hall, she saw the Crown Prince sitting in a chair, looking at her with a somewhat resentful gaze.
"Apologies, I have other matters to attend to. Please feel free, Your Highnesses." Hua Liuli bowed to He Yuanting and the Daimao Princess before she walked briskly toward the Crown Prince.
He Yuanting watched as Hua Liuli hurriedly left, his gaze deep.
"Third Brother?" Princess Yan noticed He Yuanting's gaze and whispered, "It seems like Great Jin's Crown Prince is looking at us."
She had a feeling that there was something strange in the way Third Brother looked at that girl.
He Yuanting met eyes with the Crown Prince and bowed, sitting back with a respectful expression.
"Your Royal Highness," Hua Liuli approached the Crown Prince and poked his arm with her finger, "Your Royal Highness?"
The Crown Prince shifted his body, not looking at Hua Liuli, "There is no Crown Prince here, only a pitiful man forgotten by his fiancée."
"I'm here, aren't I?" Hua Liuli cleaned her hands and peeled a few longans for the Crown Prince, feeding them to him personally, "Don't be angry, hmm?"
"Do you think a few longans can appease Gu?" The Crown Prince ate the longans but maintained his face expressionless.
Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow. Now that he referred to himself as "Gu", it seemed like he was genuinely angry.
"Do you want some pine nuts?" Hua Liuli simply sat down by the Crown Prince's table and whispered in his ear, "Give me face and smile. Otherwise, by tomorrow, all the noble ladies in the capital will mock me, saying that you don't even like me. Even if I try to please you in front of them, I won't get a smile from you. And when I marry into the Eastern Palace, I'll only be neglected by you..."
"Who dares to spread such nonsense?" The Crown Prince finally turned his head to look at Hua Liuli, "Who was the person who said that they would come to see me later?"
"It was me."
"And yet you went to play with other girls, even talking to other country's princes, completely forgetting about me."
"How could I forget about you?" Hua Liuli fed a pine nut to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince lowered his head and obediently ate it.
"I saw that Sister Du was feeling down, so I wanted to comfort her," Hua Liuli held onto the cuff of the Crown Prince's robe under the table, gently shaking it back and forth, "You understand my feelings, don't you? We are betrothed, and my intentions, don't you understand?"
The Crown Prince's ears began to turn red as he turned his head, "I don't understand."
"Really?" Hua Liuli looked at him with a smile.
The Crown Prince turned his head and looked into her eyes, his face still red, "You never told me, how could I understand?"
Hua Liuli laughed out loud and hooked her finger, "Then come closer and lend me your ear."
The Crown Prince lowered his head, bringing his ear closer to Hua Liuli's face.
"I like you."
The whole world fell silent. The Crown Prince held Hua Liuli's hand that was gently shaking his robe and said with a red face, "I didn't hear clearly, say it again."
"I said, Hua Liuli likes Ji Yuansu the most. Ji Yuansu is the most handsome, gentle, and best man in the world," Maybe it was because holding his hand felt so warm, but Hua Liuli felt her face heating up, "I like you, I like you the most. No man in the world can compare to you. Do you understand now?"
Looking at the blushing cheeks of the girl in front of him, the Crown Prince felt a hint of regret. If only this wasn't the Wuyang Hall, he would have tightly embraced her.
"Let me add one more thing," The Crown Prince looked at Hua Liuli earnestly, "No woman in the world could compare to me either."
Hua Liuli couldn't help but laugh, "Okay, no man, woman, young or old in the world can compare to you. Nothing in the world is better than you. You are my only one. Do you understand a little better now?"
"I got it," The Crown Prince looked into Hua Liuli's eyes seriously, "If you ever take a liking to someone else..."
"I'll kill him," He extended his thumb and gently pressed Hua Liuli's lips, his eyes as dark as ink, "There are too many good-looking people in the world. If I can't control your heart, then I can only control others."
In the Crown Prince's eyes, Hua Liuli saw unprecedented solemnity. She gently held the Crown Prince's wrist and smiled, "Okay."
"But remember, Your Royal Highness," Her smile was radiant. "My heart is like your heart, so don't disappoint my feelings."
Krish728
Author's Note:
The Crown Prince: Facing a love rival, I am a ruthless killer.
Translator's Note:
---- Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow. Now that he referred to himself as "Gu", it seemed like he was genuinely angry. ----
For the last few chapters, whenever the Crown Prince and Hua Liuli had privately conversed with each other, the Crown Prince had been addressing himself as "I" or "me", not "Gu". Obviously, these "private conversations" include their attendants and maidservants, who are always with them.
Apart from their circle of attendants and maidservants, if they are interacting with each other in front of others, the Crown Prince switches to addressing himself as "Gu" as per his etiquette.
The reason behind my inconsistency in maintaining this distinction between "Gu" and "I" in their private conversations in the last few chapters was due to the complexities involved in the translation process. I had established a predetermined format for the characters addressing each other and themselves; and this was how I previously mixed up with the Crown Prince's address of "Benwang", which I had rectified to "Gu". Unfortunately, I unintentionally continued with "Gu" in subsequent chapters, overlooking the fact that the Crown Prince began addressing himself as "I" or "me" during his private conversations with Hua Liuli, which I have missed for the last few chapters. I will mind his way of addressing more strictly from here on.
"Ah!!" Hua Liuli was getting engrossed in the conversation when she suddenly remembered that she had promised the Crown Prince to meet him later, but the banquet was about to end, and she was still playing with a few young girls outside.
"What's wrong?" Yao Jiamin and Yao Wenying were sitting on another branch and noticed Hua Liuli's sudden change in expression, thinking that something significant had happened.
"I promised someone that I would go find them, but I almost forgot because I was having such a great time with you all," Hua Liuli pointed below, "Jiamin, you go down first and wait for me."
"What does it have to do with me if you forgot?" Yao Jiamin said as she unconsciously climbed down the tree.
"I'm not strong enough. I'm afraid I might fall when climbing down," Hua Liuli smiled at Du Xiuying and Yao Wenying, "Sister Du, Miss Yao, you continue playing. I'll go ahead."
"Careful," Du Xiuying carefully pulled the corner of Hua Liuli's clothes, afraid that she might fall from the tree.
"It's okay. Jiamin will take over for me," Hua Liuli smiled at Yao Jiamin, "Isn't that right, Jiamin?"
Yao Jiamin: "..."
At a time like this, she still cared about maintaining her delicate and frail appearance. How much does Hua Liuli want to become a historically famous delicate beauty?
After Hua Liuli climbed down the tree, Yao Jiamin said to the girls on the tree, "I'll accompany her outside the garden so she doesn't fall," After speaking, she grabbed Hua Liuli's arm and walked out.
"How did you manage to make Sister Du climb the tree?" Outside the garden, Yao Jiamin said, "I really admire you."
"It's fine. There are many more reasons for you to admire me in the future, so don't rush," Hua Liuli teased for a while, then stopped at the intersection where eunuchs were guarding and said to Yo Jiamin, "Sister Du is not in a good mood. You should spend more time with her."
Yao Jiamin sighed, "Grand Tutor Du's health is deteriorating day by day. According to the imperial physicians, it seems that he only has a few more days left. For the sake of Grand Tutor Du, the Du family has invited physicians and Taoist priests, but the old master's condition continues to decline."
"Life and death are predetermined. What use is it to seek gods and ask Buddhas?" Hua Liuli remembered the time she visited the Du family. Mother Du invited a Taoist priest, which showed that the Du family was extremely concerned about Grand Tutor Du's well-being.
But they didn't think about the fact that Grand Tutor Du never believed in gods and spirits. Their actions were contrary to Grand Tutor Du's beliefs. If Grand Tutor Du knew about what they were doing, who knows what he would think?
As an outsider, it's not appropriate for her to say too much. The only thing she can do is to spend more time with Sister Du. Sister Du was raised by Grand Tutor Du himself, so her bond with the old master is naturally stronger than the other grandchildren.
Unfortunately, despite Grand Tutor Du's remarkable career and his experiences with two emperors, his descendants, including his children and grandchildren, have been rather unremarkable. After he's gone, one could only wonder whether these descendants possess the capability to carry on the legacy of the entire Du family.
"You should hurry back. Don't keep the Crown Prince waiting for too long," Yao Jiamin urged Hua Liuli, crossing her arms, "Did you really think I am unaware that the Crown Prince is eagerly awaiting your return?"
"To know me is to admire me, Yao Jiamin. I'm going to meet the talented and beautiful Crown Prince now. I'll come to play with you again tomorrow," Hua Liuli collected her thoughts and waved at Yao Jiamin before turning around and walking towards Wuyang Hall like a gentle breeze.
Who could have imagined that she was a ruthless person who dared to wield a sword and kill enemies?
"Greetings, Junzhu," The palace maids and eunuchs guarding outside greeted Hua Liuli eagerly, "Junzhu, do you plan to visit other places?"
When she first returned to the capital, she was quite interested in exploring the palace, but now, after getting used to staying in the palace often, she didn't have the same enthusiasm as before. It's not like she was going shopping.
She recognized these palace servants and asked in confusion, "Are you... attendants from the Eastern Palace?"
"Junzhu has sharp eyesight. We are here on the Crown Prince's orders to ensure your safety," The head eunuch smiled ingratiatingly, "The Crown Prince said that there were people coming and going outside the palace tonight, and he was afraid that some ignorant people might disturb your enjoyment, so he had us guard this place."
"The Crown Prince was here?" Hua Liuli felt even more guilty. She had promised to meet the Crown Prince but almost forgot about it. When the Crown Prince came to find her, she was still accompanying others.
To avoid disturbing her, the Crown Prince not only didn't come to bother her but also had his subordinates guard the area to ensure she had a good time.
The more she thought about it, the more ashamed and guilty she felt. Hua Liuli lifted her skirt and said, "I won't go to other places. I'll go back to Wuyang Hall to find His Royal Highness."
The palace attendants were delighted and quickly followed her.
They weren't afraid of Junzhu going to find the Crown Prince; they were afraid she wouldn't go.
"Junzhu, watch your step. There's a pebble here. Don't hurt your delicate face," The head eunuch bent down and picked up a pebble no bigger than a fingernail, "Who would be so careless not to notice such a big stone?"
After saying that, he bent down and offered support to Hua Liuli, "Junzhu, there are stairs ahead."
The eunuch's words amused Hua Liuli, and she couldn't help but laugh, "Are all the attendants from the Eastern Palace like this?"
"As long as it makes Junzhu happy, we will be whatever you want us to be," The head eunuch flattered, "The Crown Prince has ordered us to serve you as if we were serving him, without any disrespect."
"Do you behave the same way in front of the Crown Prince?"
"The Crown Prince... is wise and brave, generous, and considerate towards his subordinates. We don't have to be so formal in front of him," The eunuch quickly replied, "But when we see Junzhu, we can't help but feel close to you, so we naturally become more attentive."
"Yes, yes," A nearby palace maid approached and lifted Hua Liuli's skirt, "We all really like you, Junzhu. Some even say that you are a heavenly fairy who has descended to the mortal world. We want to get close to you and bask in your celestial aura."
When it comes to flattery, the servants from the Eastern Palace have never lost to anyone in the palace.
"Fushou Junzhu?" He Yuanting walked out of the main hall and saw Hua Liuli being surrounded and pleased by the palace maids and eunuchs. When he thought about Hua Liuli's identity, he understood.
She's the future Crown Princess of Great Jin and possibly the future Empress of Great Jin too. Who wouldn't want to please her?
"Third Prince," Hua Liuli lowered her lifted skirt and slightly bent her knees to perform a respectful courtesy.
He Yuanting returned the gesture.
Since one of his envoy's mysterious death, which was later revealed by the Ministry of Justice to have been orchestrated by someone with ill intentions, he hadn't seen Fushou Junzhu again. During the time spent in the secluded guest residence, he had heard many rumors about her.
He had heard about the assassination attempt on Fushou Junzhu and the Crown Prince. Also heard about how the Crown Prince was trying to win over the Hua family, and later, the Crown Prince and the daughter of the Hua family were engaged.
The Hua family held significant military power, while the Crown Prince was the future successor of Great Jin. He couldn't imagine what kind of mindset the Emperor of Great Jin had to agree to let the Crown Prince marry the daughter of a prominent military general.
For the imperial family, whether it's family affection or romantic love, they all pale in comparison to power and status.
When he first saw Fushou Junzhu, he thought she was the most dazzling color among the reds. However, no matter how dazzling the color, once it entered this palace, it would eventually become dull and lackluster.
"Third Prince, where are you preparing to go?" Hua Liuli was a bit surprised. Considering the cautiousness of the envoys from the Daimao Kingdom, they shouldn't be wandering around in such a situation.
"Benwang's sister went out to change her clothes and hasn't returned yet. Benwang is waiting for her here," He Yuanting hesitated for a moment, "Benwang's sister is new to your esteemed country and still unfamiliar with its customs. If you have the time, Junzhu, please visit the Imperial Academy and see her. Benwang would be deeply grateful."
Looking at the man who bowed to the end, Hua Liuli nodded slightly, "I heard that your country intends to arrange a marriage by sending this princess to our country?"
"Benwang's sister came to your country with a learning mindset," He Yuanting explained, "Benwang believes that your country will be able to educate Benwang's sister well."
Letting an exceptionally beautiful sixteen-year-old princess come to a foreign land to study?
In the Daimao Kingdom, where women couldn't easily leave their residences, how could they have such an enthusiastic mindset?
Seeing through but not revealing, Hua Liuli didn't bother to speculate about the other party's intentions, "Please rest assured, Great Jin will not mistreat anyone who seeks knowledge."
"Thank you," He Yuanting couldn't help but glance at Hua Liuli a few more times.
"Third Brother," Princess Yan returned after changing her clothes and curtsied to pay her respects to the Third Prince and the future Crown Princess of Great Jin.
Hua Liuli returned the courtesy and glanced at the Great Jin palace attendants behind the Daimao Princess.
Noticing the attentive attitude of the palace attendants towards Hua Liuli, Princess Yan curiously looked at her a few more times.
"Princess?" Hua Liuli was sensitive to the gaze of others and noticed the Daimao Princess looking at her again. She curiously asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"
He Yuanting glanced at Princess Yan and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"No, Junzhu, you look fine," It's just that she rarely saw the daughter of an outsider receiving so much respect in the palace, so she was curious.
"That's good," Hua Liuli made a gesture of invitation with her hand, "Please, both of you can enter first."
"Please, Junzhu should go in first," The Daimao Kingdom didn't dare to provoke Great Jin now, and naturally, they didn't want to show off in front of the future Crown Princess.
"How can I let distinguished guests walk behind me?" Hua Liuli insisted on letting them walk ahead. When she stepped into the hall, she saw the Crown Prince sitting in a chair, looking at her with a somewhat resentful gaze.
"Apologies, I have other matters to attend to. Please feel free, Your Highnesses." Hua Liuli bowed to He Yuanting and the Daimao Princess before she walked briskly toward the Crown Prince.
He Yuanting watched as Hua Liuli hurriedly left, his gaze deep.
"Third Brother?" Princess Yan noticed He Yuanting's gaze and whispered, "It seems like Great Jin's Crown Prince is looking at us."
She had a feeling that there was something strange in the way Third Brother looked at that girl.
He Yuanting met eyes with the Crown Prince and bowed, sitting back with a respectful expression.
"Your Royal Highness," Hua Liuli approached the Crown Prince and poked his arm with her finger, "Your Royal Highness?"
The Crown Prince shifted his body, not looking at Hua Liuli, "There is no Crown Prince here, only a pitiful man forgotten by his fiancée."
"I'm here, aren't I?" Hua Liuli cleaned her hands and peeled a few longans for the Crown Prince, feeding them to him personally, "Don't be angry, hmm?"
"Do you think a few longans can appease Gu?" The Crown Prince ate the longans but maintained his face expressionless.
Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow. Now that he referred to himself as "Gu", it seemed like he was genuinely angry.
"Do you want some pine nuts?" Hua Liuli simply sat down by the Crown Prince's table and whispered in his ear, "Give me face and smile. Otherwise, by tomorrow, all the noble ladies in the capital will mock me, saying that you don't even like me. Even if I try to please you in front of them, I won't get a smile from you. And when I marry into the Eastern Palace, I'll only be neglected by you..."
"Who dares to spread such nonsense?" The Crown Prince finally turned his head to look at Hua Liuli, "Who was the person who said that they would come to see me later?"
"It was me."
"And yet you went to play with other girls, even talking to other country's princes, completely forgetting about me."
"How could I forget about you?" Hua Liuli fed a pine nut to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince lowered his head and obediently ate it.
"I saw that Sister Du was feeling down, so I wanted to comfort her," Hua Liuli held onto the cuff of the Crown Prince's robe under the table, gently shaking it back and forth, "You understand my feelings, don't you? We are betrothed, and my intentions, don't you understand?"
The Crown Prince's ears began to turn red as he turned his head, "I don't understand."
"Really?" Hua Liuli looked at him with a smile.
The Crown Prince turned his head and looked into her eyes, his face still red, "You never told me, how could I understand?"
Hua Liuli laughed out loud and hooked her finger, "Then come closer and lend me your ear."
The Crown Prince lowered his head, bringing his ear closer to Hua Liuli's face.
"I like you."
The whole world fell silent. The Crown Prince held Hua Liuli's hand that was gently shaking his robe and said with a red face, "I didn't hear clearly, say it again."
"I said, Hua Liuli likes Ji Yuansu the most. Ji Yuansu is the most handsome, gentle, and best man in the world," Maybe it was because holding his hand felt so warm, but Hua Liuli felt her face heating up, "I like you, I like you the most. No man in the world can compare to you. Do you understand now?"
Looking at the blushing cheeks of the girl in front of him, the Crown Prince felt a hint of regret. If only this wasn't the Wuyang Hall, he would have tightly embraced her.
"Let me add one more thing," The Crown Prince looked at Hua Liuli earnestly, "No woman in the world could compare to me either."
Hua Liuli couldn't help but laugh, "Okay, no man, woman, young or old in the world can compare to you. Nothing in the world is better than you. You are my only one. Do you understand a little better now?"
"I got it," The Crown Prince looked into Hua Liuli's eyes seriously, "If you ever take a liking to someone else..."
"I'll kill him," He extended his thumb and gently pressed Hua Liuli's lips, his eyes as dark as ink, "There are too many good-looking people in the world. If I can't control your heart, then I can only control others."
In the Crown Prince's eyes, Hua Liuli saw unprecedented solemnity. She gently held the Crown Prince's wrist and smiled, "Okay."
"But remember, Your Royal Highness," Her smile was radiant. "My heart is like your heart, so don't disappoint my feelings."
Krish728
Author's Note:
The Crown Prince: Facing a love rival, I am a ruthless killer.
Translator's Note:
---- Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow. Now that he referred to himself as "Gu", it seemed like he was genuinely angry. ----
For the last few chapters, whenever the Crown Prince and Hua Liuli had privately conversed with each other, the Crown Prince had been addressing himself as "I" or "me", not "Gu". Obviously, these "private conversations" include their attendants and maidservants, who are always with them.
Apart from their circle of attendants and maidservants, if they are interacting with each other in front of others, the Crown Prince switches to addressing himself as "Gu" as per his etiquette.
The reason behind my inconsistency in maintaining this distinction between "Gu" and "I" in their private conversations in the last few chapters was due to the complexities involved in the translation process. I had established a predetermined format for the characters addressing each other and themselves; and this was how I previously mixed up with the Crown Prince's address of "Benwang", which I had rectified to "Gu". Unfortunately, I unintentionally continued with "Gu" in subsequent chapters, overlooking the fact that the Crown Prince began addressing himself as "I" or "me" during his private conversations with Hua Liuli, which I have missed for the last few chapters. I will mind his way of addressing more strictly from here on.
