Chapter 29: Hard to Protect Oneself

  It seems she was wrong before, this princess is not disgusted with the world, but just didn't show it at first.

  "I wonder which young lady Miss Qi thinks is the most suitable for our family's Si Tong?" The Empress Dowager asked with a smile, seeing Hua Zhe Yu remaining silent.

  She didn't want to get involved in this muddy water, so she lowered her eyes and cautiously said: "I'm not very familiar with those ladies outside, I really don't dare to speak rashly."

  "Does Miss Qi think it's too sudden for me to say these things to you?"

  Flowers in the rain, he couldn't help but raise his eyes and honestly say: "Yes."

  "You're indeed a sincere child, no wonder the prince is willing to help you." The Grand Princess smiled in praise, then sighed and said: "Please forgive me for being momentarily upset, also because of your relationship with Hua Zhenzhu and the prince, that's why I said some startling words. Alright, you can go out and play now, just hope your future fate will be better than your aunt's and sister's..."

  Her face was desolate, the marks of time left at the corners of her eyes reflected in the mottled sunlight, like a withered and fallen azalea in the fading light.

  The princess's words moved her to sympathy, but in reality, the princess chose to speak these words to her because she needed someone to confide in and share her sorrow with. She chose this person not out of any particular affection, but simply because she too was a pitiful soul, and the princess hoped to find some resonance with her.

  "I heard that my second uncle came over today to administer medicine to the young master to suppress his illness, I wonder if the young master's illness is congenital or acquired later in life?"

  The princess shook her head, casting her gaze out the window at the endless lake surface, a sorrowful expression on her face. "What's the point of being born with it? What's the point of getting sick later? Today, Gu Zhengliang said that his condition is already very difficult to control, and he will relapse at any time, next time when he relapses..."

  She didn't continue speaking, but tears had already blurred her eyes, as if she didn't want to be seen by the flower-like rain, and she turned her back, falling silent once more.

  Hua Zhe Yu's mood was heavy as he walked out of the round house on the left wing, but when he looked over at the people in the great hall, they had already dispersed into small groups of three or five, some pushing open windows to gaze out at the distant view, others chatting and laughing, while still others were reciting poetry and composing essays, all very leisurely. However, Chu Mingqiu and Fang Lishang were nowhere to be seen, nor was Li Sitong.

  "Where did Seventh Sister go just now? Third Sister has been looking for you in circles." At this time, Hua Ruo Yun and an unfamiliar young lady walked over, smiling brightly.

  "Hua Zhe Yu Dan Dao: 'I just strolled around casually, does San Jie have something for me?'"

  Another young lady smiled and said: "Elder sister Yun said she wants to find Seventh Miss to recite poetry together, the scenery here is quite good, it's sure to produce a great work."

  Next to the railing, there were still five or six charming young ladies standing, and as soon as it started raining, they completely lost interest and continued playing those games of favoritism.

  She shook her head and said, "You recite your poems, I'd rather enjoy the breeze."

  Hua Ruo Yun's expression was considerate, "Since Seventh Sister wants to enjoy the breeze, this place is indeed not ideal. However, my cousins are at the northern pavilion on the other side, where it's breezy and well-ventilated. Seventh Sister can go there."

  Hua Zhe Yu didn't go to the north, she always felt that Hua Ruo Yun's smile was like a peacock spreading its screen, making her very uneasy. However, it wasn't a good time to take leave either. Seeing that there were fewer people on the right wing, she simply went up to the corridor on that side and stood in the shade, leaning against the railing.

  "Dou sister, your piano playing is so good, can you play another piece for me... okay?"

  "Crown Prince, spare me... There are many people who play the zither well, why must you cling to me?"

  "I wasn't bothering you, I just wanted to listen to you play the piano... Ah, why are you crying..."

  Hearing the two voices getting closer on her right side, Hua Yu'er turned her head to look and indeed it was Li Si-tong tugging at Du Yuan-zhen's sleeve like a little kid making a request. Du Yuan-zhen, however, looked angry, anxious, embarrassed, and annoyed all at once, with a bright red face and tears falling from her eyes like broken pearls. She was completely different from the sharp-tongued person she had been before.

  Li Sutong was at a loss, holding his sleeve to wipe away her tears. Du Yuanzhen took advantage of his loosened grip and immediately ran towards Hua Zheyu's side. Li Sutong panicked and chased after her, shouting: "Du sister, wait for me..."

  Perhaps due to the shock, Du Yuanzhen was actually knocked down four steps away from the flower rain, and Li Sitong immediately bent down to pull her up. But things happened in that instant, a white light shot out from the water surface under the corridor like a meteor, straight at Du Yuanzhen's chest. A blood-curdling scream was heard, followed by the white light rapidly falling back into the water. Fresh blood gushed out of Du Yuanzhen's chest like paste, splashing Li Sitong who was still bent down with his waist and face full of it.

  The murder happened in an instant. Even though Hua Yu's reaction was quick, she couldn't help but let out a low cry of surprise, "Prince, quickly hide!" She feared that the white light would attack him again.

  For a moment, he was stunned, but upon hearing her reminder, Li Sutong did indeed lift his head. However, in that short span of time, his eyes had turned a terrifying blood red, and the fresh blood on his face made him look even more ferocious. Gnashing his teeth, he strode towards Hua Zelei with large steps, like an evil spirit come to claim her life.

  Peony was frightened into a stupor.

  A distance of three or four steps is not a safe distance, and even if Hua Yu turns around to escape, Lei Si Tong, who has a knife hidden in his sleeve, will still chase after her and stab her through the heart. In the blink of an eye, she made the most daring decision.

  In the midst of countless cries of surprise, she swiftly pulled out a golden needle as thin as cow hair from her wrist. With her fingertips pinched together, not only did she not dodge, but instead, she stepped forward, sidestepped, and stabbed him in the back of his neck! Her decisiveness caused the sharp knife to pause after piercing through her clothes.

  The next moment, the wooden board under their feet suddenly broke, and the two of them instantly fell down.

  In an instant, a dark shadow appeared at the bottom of the water, like a fish, with a sharp knife in its hand, stabbing towards her, but was blocked by another black shadow that parted the lotus leaves.

  Two black shadows fought, stirring up layers of waves at the bottom of the water.

  The rain poured down, and she didn't dare to linger. She hooked her arm around Lei Si Tong's neck, who was already unconscious, and wanted to leave. However, Lei Si Tong's body was suddenly pulled back by a great force, and with an irresistible power, it was dragged towards an unknown place.