Chapter 21: The Crown Prince's Assassin

  On this day, Hua Zhe was still sleeping in the rain, when someone came from He's side to spread the word that Young Master Hua Shengnan had brought some fresh fruit from the south and invited a group of young ladies to taste it together.

  She wore a rain-soaked dress without batting an eyelid, unhurriedly finishing her breakfast before letting Hua Yu umbrella her way to the Da Cheng Garden. Halfway there, she ran into Hua Bi-li and Hua Bi-yu, the second and fourth ranked ladies of the Second House, respectively. One wore a brown-green woven gold brocade skirt, while the other wore a pink-trimmed gold-edged silk skirt; their waists were slender, their gait as lithe as a willow in the breeze. Though they were coquettish, there was nothing about them that gave off an air of flightiness.

  "Second sister, did you hear second brother and others say that the Crown Prince will come today? Is it true?"

  "Who knows? The Crown Prince has always looked down on our Duke's Manor, if he really comes this time because of Second Brother, Eldest Uncle will definitely never scold Second Brother for being useless again."

  "Actually, a man as handsome and tall as Your Highness the Crown Prince, I really hope he can visit our Duke's mansion, at least we can get familiar with him..."

  Two sisters were chatting happily, when Hua Ruomeng walked by with a short-haired white dog and teased: "What's going on here? You two are clearly thinking about spring, but you're talking so nicely, who doesn't know your wicked thoughts?"

  The two sisters' faces changed, and they wanted to scold her, saying that since their mother was like that, what was she proud of? But they endured it. Hua Bili smiled and said: "It turns out it's Eighth Sister, to be honest, we really don't have Eighth Sister's skills, we can't even hook a good Seventh Brother-in-law, tsk tsk, we are really far behind."

  Hua Ruo Meng suddenly spoke in a sharp voice, "Who said I seduced Seventh Brother? It's clear that Fourth Prince doesn't like Seventh Sister and likes me instead, what does it have to do with me?"

  Hua Biyue sneered, "Is that so? Since the Fourth Prince likes Eighth Sister, why hasn't he come to propose to her all these days? Could it be that your skills in enticing people are not up to par, and someone else has already snatched her away?"

  Hua Ruoyan couldn't bear to hear others say that the Fourth Prince hadn't proposed to her, and she immediately wanted to pounce on Hua Biyuan. Fortunately, He Shi and Hua Ruoyun arrived just in time and stopped her, saying "Your own sister, why don't you go inside to talk? You're not afraid of getting sunburned under the scorching sun?"

  Hua Ruo Yun was furious, but now that she no longer had her mother to back her up, she had nowhere to vent her grievances and was so angry that she wanted to set the dogs on someone. But then Hua Ruo Yun suddenly smiled at Hua Zhe Yu who was standing under the shade of a tree at the corner, saying: "Seventh Sister, when did you arrive? I didn't expect this intersection to be so lively today, several sisters have all gathered here."

  This is the real smiling tiger, after watching the play in the rain for a while, she was pointed out by her and didn't feel embarrassed at all. She walked up calmly and said: "I just arrived too, I saw Second Sister, Fourth Sister and Eighth Sister chatting, and I didn't want to disturb them."

  Hua Ruo Yan gently patted her forehead, scattering the loose hairs, and smiled charmingly with a hint of fragrance. "They were all chatting about trivial matters, basically congratulating Seventh Sister on becoming the queen consort of Bei Ming Wang. It seems that due to some minor disputes between the Fourth Prince, Seventh Sister can completely let go and be herself with them. Standing aside listening, it's easy for people to misunderstand."

  This is clearly a provocative act, and she's afraid that Hua Ruoyan doesn't know about it. This woman is too sinister.

  As expected, He's two daughters looked displeased, and a hint of anger flashed in Hua Ruo Meng's eyes. However, Hua Zhe Yu ignored them and walked past, smiling: "We're all sisters from the same family, not outsiders, what's there to misunderstand? Second sister, fourth sister, don't you agree?"

  The two sisters in the second house hummed and turned their heads away, pretending to respond.

  Just as Hua Zhe Yu was about to pay respects to He Shi, the fine lychee dog in Hua Ruo Meng's hands suddenly broke free from its leash and pounced on Hua Zhe Yu. The two sisters of the second house let out a shrill cry, and although Hua Zhe Yu had her back to the dog, she immediately sensed something was amiss and tried to dodge, but Peony hastily blocked her way, determined to protect her mistress.

  In a flash of lightning, she was terrified that Hongyao would be bitten by the dog. In an instant, Hongyao was hooked away, and the two rolled to the ground together.

  On the other side, Hua Ruomeng's mouth curled up into a sly smile. This fine Lyu dog was a hybrid breed, and although it wasn't big in size, it was quick to attack when provoked. It had been her uncle who had spent a high price to bring it back from the Western Regions, and he treasured it dearly. On that day, while Hua Zheyu was being bitten by a snake in his room, and her mother was being confined without reason, she had analyzed that there must be some trickery involved. So, she asked her uncle to let her take care of this fine Lyu dog for a few days, with the intention of using it to pounce on Hua Zheyu and exact revenge.

  Look down, isn't that little scoundrel covered in blood from being bitten?

  Just as she thought she could see the flower rain skin open and flesh burst, a purple figure with white light flashed over her head, and in the next instant, not only did she not see the flower rain skin open and flesh burst, but also in a strange cry, her hybrid dog was splashed with blood and became separated from its body!

  Hot blood with a fishy smell splattered all over the ground, and everyone was stunned by this scene before their eyes!

  The peony flower, which had narrowly escaped disaster, was suddenly overturned by a torrent of rain, and a large hand was already stretched out in front of her.

  She was taken aback and looked up along his large hand, but under the dazzling sunlight, a familiar face appeared in front of her.

  However, those faint purplish-blue marks at the corners of his eyes...

  She suddenly had an epiphany: wasn't this the killer who murdered Chancellor Chen on that day in the big street?

  How dare he appear in front of her again under broad daylight?

  However, she was also only a glimpse of surprise, and immediately returned to calmness.

  The master of Daxi, Chu Ba, stared at the changes in the expression of the little woman in front of him, and was very satisfied with the result.

  He didn't care whether she was willing or not, and pulled her up with one hand. He then shook the thick-backed knife in his left hand, which still had blood dripping from it, and raised an eyebrow, saying: "Whose dog is this? How dare you hurt people?"

  Hua Ruo Meng had now reacted, seeing the borrowed dog die on the spot. Suddenly, she cursed: "You are a wild beast from where, daring to kill my beloved dog?"

  He saw Chu Bao's purple cloud crane patterned golden brocade robe and the thick-backed large knife, suddenly thought of someone, wanted to stop her but it was too late. As soon as the words fell, a woman in palace attire immediately came forward without warning and slapped her, "How dare you! Even the current crown prince dares not scold him, this is Duke Dai teaching you this uneducated thing!"

  A slap with five fingerprints, the flower-like dream was beaten into a daze.

  The two sisters were also stunned, is this the tall, rich and handsome prince in their minds? The person was very handsome, with a strong aura, but why did he still have faint bruises on his face?