Ch 10: When the Wild Goose Returns

“My shoes!”

Qing Yan bent down to retrieve them, and the boat rocked.

Lake water splashed into the little boat.

She stared at the dark, unfathomable surface of the lake, panic rising. She quickly grabbed the boat with both hands, clutching tightly, not daring to move again for fear of falling into the water.

The boat, which had been caught among the jade-carved lotus branches, slid free and slowly drifted onward.

Her shoes and socks floated farther and farther away.

The snow-white silk socks lay limp on the water’s surface.
The pale bluish shoes bobbed along the lake like tiny boats, swaying gently with the ripples.

The embroidered auspicious clouds on the shoes’ sides were soaked, turning into gloomy storm clouds.

A tickle on the sole of her foot made Qing Yan’s body stiffen. She pursed her lips and looked back at Duan Wucuo.

—He was still holding her ankle.

His eyes were lowered, gaze resting on the small foot in his hand.

The delicate foot was graceful and dainty, slender as a jade shoot, with a faint fragrance.
Entirely unlike a man’s large feet.

Duan Wucuo pressed his palm to the bottom of Qing Yan’s foot. Her foot was exactly the length of his hand—just the right fit.

His clean, slender fingers glided along her foot, carefully measuring.

Qing Yan’s foot tingled with a prickly, numb sensation that surged from the sole, raced up like fire, and exploded in her mind like a shockwave.

“Shameless!”

Qing Yan kicked at him with all her strength.

The boat rocked, and a few drops of water splashed onto her flushed cheeks.

Duan Wucuo’s grip on her ankle loosened. Though he let go, his palm still brushed along her smooth, tender calf.

Her little foot landed against Duan Wucuo’s chest. Her lilac skirt slipped upward, revealing a slender stretch of fair leg.

The layers of her skirt bunched up like blooming petals, the white center peeking out like a flower in bloom.

Duan Wucuo didn’t dodge. He watched her with a faint, gentle smile.

He always smiled that way—refined, mild, as if he wasn’t doing anything indecent at all.

Qing Yan’s cheeks were already burning. Her chest rose and fell with anger.

“You… you’re shameless!”

She stammered the accusation again, flustered. She pulled her leg back and hastily tugged down her skirt, covering her bare legs and feet.

Her apricot-shaped eyes glared at Duan Wucuo, their purple sheen trembling with shame, anger, and fear.

Qing Yan couldn’t believe her eyes.

Everyone said Prince Zhan had a face like a god—countless infatuated women would endure all hardships just to see him once.

In rural tales, it was said that if Prince Zhan ever smiled at you, you’d never marry again and have no regrets.

But Qing Yan felt the man before her wore a human-skin mask. Strip away that beautiful shell, and he might just be some cruel, hideous demon!

She forced herself not to show fear.
She wasn’t Qing Yan—she was Princess Shi Lingwu of Tao.
Besides, Su Hongfang could lure Emperor Wen He here at any moment. If the emperor saw her squeezed into a boat with Duan Wucuo, barefoot and disheveled, she’d never be allowed into the harem.

Using the shimmering lake as a mirror, she forced herself to stay calm.

Then she raised her chin and stared him down, voice laced with restrained fury:
“If Prince Zhan returns me promptly to shore, I shall overlook your reckless misconduct. Otherwise—”

“Otherwise what?”

Qing Yan gritted her teeth. “Otherwise, don’t blame me for calling others over to witness your shameless acts!”

She quietly hid her trembling hands behind her back.

She never imagined she’d one day curse out Prince Zhan to his face.
She was afloat on this little boat, her fate now drifting with him.

Duan Wucuo chuckled softly.
“Princess is mistaken. Calling someone over would do you more harm than good.”

“So now Prince Zhan wants to threaten me? But I’ve done nothing wrong—you have. The one who should be ashamed is the one acting improperly, not the innocent victim!”

Innocent victim?

Duan Wucuo laughed again.

Looking at her flushed cheeks, he said gently, “This poor monk does not wish to trouble you, much less detain you. You may go wherever you please.”

—What a scoundrel’s line!

After speaking, Duan Wucuo reclined at the stern of the boat, folding his arms behind his head, and looked up at the vast blue sky.

The breeze was light, the clouds overhead drifting with a cheerful gait.

In the presence of Buddha and wind, Duan Wucuo closed his eyes.

“You…”

Qing Yan bit her lip and reached for the oar.

Rowing? So what? How hard could it be?

With her cherry lips pressed tight and brows furrowed, her small hands clutched the paddle and splashed furiously along both sides of the boat.

Clearly, Qing Yan didn’t understand how to row properly or use the right amount of force. Her arms quickly went numb with exhaustion, water splashed everywhere, and the little boat barely moved. It just spun in circles in the middle of the lake.

The flying droplets landed on Duan Wucuo’s face. He lazily lifted an eyelid and cast a sideways glance at her serious but clumsy effort.

Duan Wucuo said unhurriedly, “Go with the current, and the boat will eventually reach the shore.
Beside Yuexi Palace is the viewing corridor, where today’s guests are dining.”

Qing Yan felt like she was grinding her teeth into powder. She glared at Duan Wucuo in confusion.

He wanted all the guests to see her in a private meeting with him?
And when they arrived, would he carry her barefoot off the boat?

That would ruin her reputation entirely. She’d never make it into the palace, let alone enjoy peaceful days in the Cold Palace.

Suddenly, Qing Yan struck the side of the boat with the paddle.

The small boat tilted slightly to that side. A large splash of water landed right on Duan Wucuo’s face.

His brow twitched almost imperceptibly. The smile on his face faded as he looked at Qing Yan.

She forced herself to meet his gaze, eyes filled with both fury and defiance.

In truth, her heart was pounding. But she kept reminding herself that she was a princess.

And noble princesses were allowed to have a temper.

They stared at each other for a long moment. Qing Yan finally couldn’t hold out anymore. She was afraid she might cry if she didn’t stop.

Stiffening her neck, she turned her head away, set down the paddle, and gave up on wasting her strength.

Then she hugged her knees and refused to even glance in Duan Wucuo’s direction.

Suddenly, she felt a tug at her skirt. Peeking out of the corner of her eye, she saw Duan Wucuo had sat up and grabbed the hem of her skirt.

She instinctively tried to snatch it back, but she was a step too late.

The soft fabric was already in Duan Wucuo’s grasp. He bent forward and slowly wiped the water from his face with her skirt.

A cool breeze brushed over Qing Yan’s legs, carrying with it the faint scent of sandalwood from his robes.

Duan Wucuo let go of her skirt and lay back down again, resting his arms behind his head.

Qing Yan lowered her head, her face twisted with frustration.

The small boat drifted slowly, and time on Ouhe Lake passed just as slowly. In her mind, she had already counted thirty thousand roasted lambs.

She faintly heard the sound of laughter in the distance. Her shoulders tensed.

She knew they were nearing the viewing corridor.

At this distance, with the mountains blocking the view, the guests couldn’t see them. But if she made any loud noise, they would definitely hear.

Just as she raised her head to look at Duan Wucuo, he opened his eyes and looked back at her.

The next moment—splash—Qing Yan leapt from the boat into the lake.

Duan Wucuo shot up, reaching out to grab her. The edge of her lilac sleeve brushed past his fingertips.

His expression shifted. Just as he was about to move, a figure darted past and jumped into the lake after her.

Duan Wucuo paused, then understood immediately.

Watching the figure move swiftly through the water, he chuckled.

“Who goes there!”

The splash had indeed drawn attention from the viewing corridor. Guards were already hurrying over.

A few curious guests also came to investigate, peeking around the rock formations.

Qing Yan had already been pulled to shore by Wen Xi. Drenched, she looked even more delicate and small. Wen Xi grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the rocks and trees at the edge of the shore.

Her wet skirt clung to her legs. She bent forward to lift it, stepping lightly on the stone tiles and leaving small footprints behind.

By the time the guards arrived, she was already gone.

“Prince Zhan?”

The guards who arrived were shocked.

They quickly lowered their weapons.

Some guests nearby heard the commotion and were stunned—why was Prince Zhan here?

The Su sisters had already been paying attention. On hearing the news, they both reacted in their own way.

“How did this happen…” Su Ruqing murmured in surprise.

Su Ruche pretended to be shocked. She quietly squeezed her sister’s hand and whispered, “Don’t let others grow suspicious. Let’s go have a look.”

Duan Wucuo leaned casually against the boat.

When the boat finally drifted ashore, he stood up, picked up the soaked monk’s robe, draped it over his arm, and stepped onto land.

“Greetings to Prince Zhan,” came the collective voice.

Duan Wucuo said nothing and walked forward without even glancing sideways.

Not seeing Qing Yan, Su Ruche was surprised. Su Ruqing, however, breathed a sigh of relief and quietly said, “Thank goodness,” gripping her sister’s hand tighter.

Su Ruche gave an awkward smile.

There were many guests in the viewing corridor. Numerous noblewomen stole glances at Duan Wucuo, only to quickly lower their heads in embarrassment when they realized others might see.

The eighth princess asked her sixth sister in a soft voice, “Sixth Sister, what was that splash just now? Did Ninth Uncle fall into the lake?”

Duan Wucuo paused and looked toward the little princesses.

“Don’t speak nonsense,” Sixth Princess whispered sternly.

The four-year-old Eighth Princess pointed to the dripping monk robe in Duan Wucuo’s arm and said with a puzzled frown,
“But Ninth Uncle’s clothes are all wet. Wow, he’s so amazing—he climbed out all by himself!”

The crowd fell silent. No one dared speak.

Duan Wucuo’s gaze landed on the Eighth Princess.

She had a round face, rosy cheeks, and dimples even when not smiling.

Suddenly, Duan Wucuo laughed—because he was annoyed, not amused.

Not at the little princess—but at that other dimpled wild princess.

The Sixth Princess was on the verge of tears. She quickly covered the Eighth Princess’s mouth and bowed in apology.
“She’s just a child and doesn’t know better. Please forgive her, Ninth Uncle…”

Before she could finish, Duan Wucuo had already walked away, his face cold and distant.

In truth, Duan Wucuo had known that Wen Xi was following by the shore. He just didn’t care.

What surprised him was Qing Yan’s sudden leap into the lake—especially when they were so close to the viewing corridor.

She must have thought he would lower his guard at that moment. But in his eyes, her timing made it look like a deliberate attempt to dirty his name.

Interesting.

Duan Wucuo laughed again.

The so-called wild princess, Qing Yan, was currently sneezing in a wooden pavilion.

Winter hadn’t passed yet, and the waters of Ouhe Lake were still cold.

She had already changed into dry clothes. Wen Xi was helping her dry her hair.

This wooden pavilion was part of Yuexi Palace, but it had long been unused, as the palace had no mistress.

Though the plan had come from Su Ruche, Qing Yan had never been passive. They had already scouted the area, and Wen Xi had never truly left.

When Qing Yan jumped, Wen Xi immediately understood and dove in to save her.

“Everyone knows you came to the banquet today. You have to show your face, then find an excuse to leave.”

Wen Xi said.

Qing Yan nodded absentmindedly, clearly distracted.

She pressed her palms to her cheeks. They still felt burning hot.

By the time her hair was nearly dry and Wen Xi helped her freshen up, the two of them slipped quietly out of the pavilion.

They took a secluded path and intentionally ran into a group of palace maids, claiming they had gotten lost while sightseeing. The maids then escorted them back to the banquet.

Qing Yan carried herself like a proper princess, gliding through the crowd under the scrutinizing gaze of noble ladies from the capital.

The Su sisters greeted her politely in front of others, then found an excuse to pull her aside.

Before either of them could speak, Qing Yan frowned and asked irritably,
“Why didn’t Emperor Wen He come?”

Su Ruqing had a stomach full of questions, but Qing Yan’s dissatisfied tone caught her off guard.

“There must have been a mistake on Hongfang’s end,” Su Ruqing said.

She hesitated, then asked, “Just now, Prince Zhan…”

“Since Emperor Wen He didn’t come, but I saw Prince Zhan there, I left.”

Qing Yan huffed, “Are you sure you gave the little heir the right instructions? He didn’t fetch the wrong person, did he?”

Hearing this, Su Ruche was clearly displeased.

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