CHAPTER 504: CHAPTER 504: LAKE EXCURSION

Prince Yun Mansion.

Princess Consort Yun is energetically discussing Princess Fu Yun’s dowry with her trusted nanny.

She can’t be more satisfied with her future son-in-law.

A daughter marrying a good husband makes a mother happy; she only hopes for a grand wedding.

Just as Princess Fu Yun reached the door, she heard the Princess Consort Yun say, "Fu Yun’s needlework is too poor. I wonder if it will be frowned upon. This wedding dress is certainly unembellishable; tomorrow go to the palace to find Consort Li and see if we can invite an embroideress from there."

Princess Fu Yun blushed and turned to leave.

Her maid Shanhu followed her, covering her mouth with a laugh, "Princess, you’ve missed entering the door several times now. You’re engaged to Mr. Su, and there will be plenty of times when the Princess Consort will discuss your wedding; don’t you plan to see her then?"

Under Princess Fu Yun’s glare, Shanhu’s voice grew quieter.

Just as Princess Fu Yun stepped out of the courtyard gate, a young maid approached with an invitation card, saying, "Princess, Princess Yining from Prince Yu Mansion invites you for a lake outing."

Princess Fu Yun furrowed her brows slightly.

Shanhu said, "Didn’t Princess Yining send an invitation a few days ago, and the Princess declined? Why send it again?"

Princess Fu Yun accepted the invitation and said, "It seems she really wants me to accompany her for a lake outing."

"Is the Princess going?" Shanhu asked.

"Let’s go."

On that day, the sun was bright, and there were rarely any clouds in the sky.

The clear lake water mirrored the clouds above, creating a beautiful sight.

When Princess Fu Yun arrived at Qianhe Lake by carriage, Princess Yining and the others were already there.

"Why did you come so late?" Princess Yining asked.

Princess Fu Yun apologized, "I’m sorry for being late."

Princess Yining replied, "I brought some fruit wine; later you should drink three cups as a punishment for being late."

Shangguan Feng’er walked over and said, "The fruit wine from Prince Yu Mansion is unique. Princess Yining, is this a punishment or a reward? Next time you invite me out, I’ll have to be late too."

"How could I miss your share?" Princess Yining teased with a smile.

"Let’s get on the boat."

A group of seven or eight young ladies stepped onto the boat.

As the breeze gently blew, the boat headed towards the center of the lake.

Standing on the deck, gazing far out, even though the sun shone brightly overhead, it didn’t feel as hot.

In the distance, there was a small boat.

"I wonder whose small boat that is; a lone boat on the lake, it’s more picturesque than our big boat," said one of the well-bred ladies.

"This scene is suitable for painting," Princess Yining said.

"Does anyone have any interest in capturing this scene?" she asked with a smile.

The well-bred ladies hesitated, and finally said, "Among us, Princess Fu Yun’s paintings are the best. She is the most suitable."

Princess Fu Yun modestly refused.

But Princess Yining pushed her to the table.

Princess Fu Yun had no choice but to pick up the brush and start painting the scene before her.

As she painted, faint music came from afar.

Shangguan Feng’er looked toward the distance and said, "There’s a boat over there, let’s go have a look."

The boatman steered the boat toward the large boat in the distance.

Hmm.

On that boat were the Heir of Duke Chong and others.

As the two boats drew near, Shangguan Feng’er was surprised, saying, "Brother, how come it’s you guys?"

"Why shouldn’t it be us?" replied the Heir of Duke Chong.

Princess Yining instinctively looked at Princess Fu Yun.

She had heard about the Heir of Duke Chong proposing to Princess Fu Yun but instead, Princess Fu Yun was promised to the Eldest Young Master of Duke Chong Mansion.

The day before, Shangguan Feng’er had come to ask about the lake outing; because there weren’t many people going, Princess Yining had given up on the idea.

Shangguan Feng’er suggested sending another invitation; staying at the mansion was stifling, and going out to relax would be nice.

She too found staying dull, so she listened to her suggestion.

Unexpectedly—

Seeing the Heir of Duke Chong, Princess Yining had some regrets.

Her intuition told her this was not good.

Shangguan Feng’er invited the Heir of Duke Chong onto the boat; Princess Yining wanted to refuse, but before she could speak, the Heir of Duke Chong leaped onto the boat.

The Heir of Wu’an Bo and others also came over.

Princess Yining’s words circled in her throat but were swallowed, leaving a hint of displeasure on her face.

The Heir of Duke Chong walked towards Princess Fu Yun.

How awkward it was, need not be elaborated.

Princess Fu Yun deeply regretted it in her heart.

She shouldn’t have come.

Princess Yining stood beside her and whispered, "Sorry."

Princess Fu Yun realized this had nothing to do with her.

The engagement between Princess Fu Yun and Su Chong was not widely known, nor were many well-bred ladies aware of the Heir of Duke Chong’s admiration for Princess Fu Yun.

The Eldest Young Master of the Minister of War played the zither, while the well-bred ladies danced.

The addition of several gentlemen made the leisure boat livelier.

No one noticed the small boat getting closer and closer to them.

As the girl danced, Shangguan Feng’er dodged and "accidentally" bumped into Princess Fu Yun, almost knocking her off the boat. Princess Yining reached out to pull back Princess Fu Yun.

Princess Fu Yun was startled, patting her chest repeatedly.

Princess Yining looked at Shangguan Feng’er and reproached, "Be careful; you almost knocked Princess Fu Yun off the boat."

Shangguan Feng’er silently cursed Princess Yining for meddling, but with a slightly apologetic face she said, "It was my fault, too engrossed in watching the dancing, not paying attention to everything. Thank goodness you were here."

Su Chong, lying on the small boat, moved the bamboo hat covering his face aside, sat up, and said, "Wow, it’s lively here."

His rich, resonant voice carried directly to the leisure boat.

The young ladies looked down and saw Su Chong.

Su Chong stood up, spotting Princess Fu Yun immediately, he smiled, "What a coincidence, Princess Fu Yun is here too."

Princess Fu Yun’s face flushed red, feeling particularly embarrassed.

In one day, she met two people she neither wanted nor dared to meet.

And these two both focused on her.

Especially Su Chong, unafraid of social niceties, he laughed, "Come down and accompany me for the lake outing."

Although engaged, they weren’t married yet, and few knew about their engagement. How could he make such a bold request?

The Heir of Duke Chong’s forehead veins bulged.

Princess Fu Yun came for the lake outing because Shangguan Feng’er had arranged it for him.

If in the end Princess Fu Yun accompanied Su Chong, he would again be making wedding dresses for others!

He walked to the edge of the boat, looking over and said, "Princess Fu Yun is unwilling; why force someone against their will?!"

Su Chong looked at the Heir of Duke Chong and laughed, "Won’t you greet your brother?"

The Heir of Duke Chong clenched his fists.

Su Chong looked at Princess Fu Yun, saying, "Fu Yun, tell him whether you’re willing or not."

The intimate call made Princess Fu Yun’s heart feel like a feather was tickling it.

She knew the Young Master of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion was willing to marry her because Prince NanAn and others pressured him.

If she didn’t give him face, he certainly wouldn’t want to help her.

"I, I’m willing," Princess Fu Yun whispered.

Su Chong smiled with satisfaction.

He opened his arms, "Come down."

Princess Fu Yun, "... ."

The leisure boat was very high.

Princess Fu Yun needed her maid’s assistance even to step down from a stool.

Was she really going to jump just like that?

Princess Fu Yun regretted saying she was willing.

He must have done it on purpose.

Su Chong kept his arms open, and Princess Fu Yun’s ears gradually turned red.

If she didn’t jump, she would embarrass Su Chong publicly.

She bit her lip, closed her eyes, and jumped down.

Did she really jump?

Very obedient.

Su Chong stretched out his arms and caught Princess Fu Yun in an embrace.

With Princess Fu Yun in his arms, Su Chong looked at the Heir of Duke Chong and said, "I’ll now excuse myself from interrupting everyone’s lake outing, goodbye."

The boatman rowed away.

Shanhu stood at the forefront of the boat, almost crying out in panic.

Princess, you can’t neglect me, your little maid, just because you have Mr. Su now.