Hearing this, Ivy Shen asked no more, simply closed her eyes to rest. She kept turning over one question in her mind: what exactly was the Crown Princess’s injury trying to hint at?!
“Here, Sherry, this is for you!” Luna hurriedly fished out two handkerchiefs from her pocket, handling them with care—one she handed to Ivy, and the other she tucked away for herself.
“What’s this?” Ivy frowned slightly, examining the plain handkerchief in her hand.
“It’s a gift from the heavens! Listen, we actually met the Chu Emperor’s consort! She’s not much to look at, but she’s super kind and really sweet!” Luna gushed, full of admiration.
“Yeah, she’s really nice! So gentle! And she even asked us to send you her regards when she heard you were hurt,” Little Die chimed in, patting her own chest to show off her own handkerchief.
“The Chu Emperor’s consort?” Ivy murmured the title, Chu Emperor... Chu Emperor??
“Whoa, it smells so good!” Suddenly, Luna sniffed her handkerchief, turning it over and over. “Sherry, you guys have to smell this—it’s amazing!”
At her words, Ivy quickly brought the handkerchief to her nose. The moment she caught the scent, her eyes widened—a name leaped to mind: Lucian!
It’s him. He’s here? The Chu Emperor... so it really is Ethan?
“Sherry—” Suddenly, Ivy grabbed her handkerchief and bolted out of the room.
“Sherry, where are you going?” Luna and Little Die called after her, but by the time they reached the door, Ivy was already gone.
“What just happened?” Little Die turned to Luna, confused.
“Why are you looking at me? How would I know!” Luna huffed, then happily resumed inspecting her handkerchief.
----
"You put your scent on the handkerchiefs?" Adrian Night asked.
"Yep, it’s my own scent. Heart will recognize it instantly," Lucian Vane smiled. As soon as you held the handkerchief, the fragrance would spread.
Adrian frowned. "Won’t giving those maids a scented handkerchief make people suspicious? That scent doesn’t exist anywhere else in the palace!" He sounded worried.
"It’s fine. The scent fades away quickly, and nobody would ever guess it’s mine. I’m playing a woman right now—my whole body reeks of powder and perfume. Who’s going to suspect anything?" Lucian had already planned for everything.
"Good, that’s a relief. But… I just hope Heart actually gets the handkerchief!" Adrian muttered, feeling uncomfortable every second he had to stay here.
"Someone’s coming!" Suddenly Adrian heard strong footsteps approaching and spoke up.
Lucian immediately bent down, pretending to examine a lotus blossom. "General Nee, look how beautiful this flower is! And it smells so nice!"
Gavin Wang walked over and bowed to Lucian. "Wang Gui greets Your Grace."
"Huh?"
"The Crown Prince invites you to join the meal," Gavin Wang said with a smile.
"Oh, has the Crown Princess arrived yet?" Lucian was a little frustrated—he didn’t want to attend any banquet, he just wanted to wait here for his Heart. But sometimes, you have to do things you don’t want to do.
"She’s getting ready and should be here soon. Your Grace, let’s go ahead," Gavin Wang said, gesturing politely.
So Lucian forced a smile and followed him toward the lotus pavilion.
"Qiao Qiao, are you tired?" Ethan Chu stood up, looking at him with gentle affection.
"Is Sister not here yet? I’m kinda nervous."
"Why are you nervous, Consort Qiao? The Crown Princess is very kind—she’ll definitely like you," Jude said, secretly admiring Ethan. How could he be so taken with this woman? She really didn’t look special at all!
"Really?"
Suddenly, a rush of footsteps sounded at the door—except it wasn’t the Crown Princess who appeared, but a breathless Sherry. The whole group froze.
"Sherry... what brings you here?" Jude asked, smiling as he saw Ivy run in.
Ethan, Lucian, and Adrian were all stunned. Even with her disguised face, the instant she appeared, something deep inside them just… jumped.
Ivy glanced at Ethan, then at the woman beside him, then at General Nee standing off to the side. She’d already figured it out—damn it, who told you guys to come here? Ethan, Lucian, Adrian!
Sometimes, when love runs deep, you can sense each other even in a crowd. Their bond was so strong, even in disguise, they could tell who was who. That’s love—down to the bone.
"Forgive me, Your Highness—I just wanted to thank you in person. Luna and Little Die said you gifted us handkerchiefs, and I’m very grateful." Ivy smiled at Jude as she spoke.
Jude’s face softened with affection. "Oh? So Consort Qiao gave them handkerchiefs?"
"Yes! I love lotuses, and they take care of them so well. I thought their job was amazing, so I gave them some handkerchiefs I bought at the market. I never expected you’d come thank me!" Lucian was practically bursting with excitement, but he had to hold it in. Right now, all he wanted was to hug her tight.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace," Ivy said, about to kneel. Jude stopped her, "No need to kneel, Sherry—your knees are still injured!" He turned to Lucian, "Consort Qiao, don’t mind her. She can’t kneel right now."
"Oh, you’re hurt?" Lucian rushed over, reaching out to steady her. "Are you okay?"
Ivy’s nose tingled—this guy was playing the woman again! Didn’t he promise to only act this way for her? What a jerk.
"Sherry, Consort Qiao is talking to you," Jude reminded her gently, thinking she’d been stunned by everything.
"Ah, I’m fine, Your Grace. Thank you for your concern," Ivy stammered.
Adrian, standing by Ethan’s side, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His heart was already with Ivy, but his feet couldn’t move. It was suffocating.
"Heh, and this maid is?" Ethan asked, recovering his composure with a polite smile.
"She’s a Lotus Pond maid named Sherry—a really interesting girl," Jude replied, his eyes full of gentle affection.
"Oh? Seems the Crown Prince cares quite a bit about this girl."
"Heh, she’s special!" Jude didn’t answer directly, but the pride in his face said it all.
Under the table, Ethan’s hand curled into a fist. Damn you, what’s with that look? You think you’re worthy?!
"Do you really like lotuses, Your Grace?"
"Yup, I love them!"
"Your Highness, since Her Grace gave me a gift, may I row a boat with her to pick the prettiest lotuses in the pond?" Ivy looked at Jude with big puppy eyes.
It was the first time Jude had seen her look at him like that. He gulped nervously. "But she hasn’t eaten yet."
"Your Highness, I’m not hungry at all. I just want to pick lotuses! Please?" Lucian blurted out. Damn it, if you say no, I really might lose it!
"Just let them go, she’s never liked these banquets anyway," Ethan said, doting gaze fixed on Ivy—not Lucian.
Jude glanced at Ivy, saw her pleading eyes, and nodded. "Be careful with your knees, Sherry."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Ivy flashed him a brilliant smile. That smile made Jude’s heart race—this was the first time he’d truly liked a girl, not just for her body, but for her heart.
From the moment he first saw her, he’d promised himself: whatever she wants, he’ll give. As long as she’s happy, that’s enough.
Lucian took Ivy’s hand and led her toward the little boats. Adrian, standing beside Ethan, clenched his fists again, heart anxious and restless.
"General Nee, come help us row!" Lucian suddenly called out, not sure how else to get closer to Heart.
"Yes!" Adrian answered, hurrying over, eyes full of gratitude that Lucian remembered him.
"Go slow!" Jude called after them.
"Don’t worry, Your Highness. The one you care about—I’ll make sure she doesn’t tire herself out. All the rowing can be left to General Nee. We’ll take it slow," Lucian promised, smiling as he took Ivy’s hand. "Come on, let’s pick some lotuses." With that, he helped her onto the boat, and Adrian started rowing.
With their backs to Jude, Ivy’s nose stung again and her eyes grew red. These fools… absolute fools…
*******
PS: Extra thousand words this chapter! Ivy’s finally starting to pay back the chapter she owed you all, hehe. Next week will be a big update spree—three days’ worth in one day, maybe more! As for which day… teehee, still a secret~