The veiled woman walked alone on the deck, the breeze gently teasing her robes as they fluttered in the wind. Her graceful silhouette attracted many admiring gazes, but the half-veil obscured her face, leaving only a pair of enchanting eyes visible—eyes that stirred sympathy and curiosity in the hearts of passing men.
The surrounding stares pricked at Su Yiyi's nerves. She had only wanted a moment of peace and quiet. Feeling slightly suffocated by the attention, she slipped toward a secluded corner of the deck.
Just then, a violent storm stirred suddenly over the river, causing the flower boat to lurch to one side. Su Yiyi shrieked, stumbling directly into a wooden door at her side. Fortunately, her reflexes were quick. She ducked low and stabilized herself just as the boat regained its balance.
She exhaled deeply, a little too pleased with herself—almost to the point of embarrassment. However, something felt off. The room she'd stumbled into was filled with fragrant steam, thick and warm… suspiciously so.
A strange force tugged at her veil. Before she could react, it was yanked away, and a voice rang out—shocked and disgusted:
"You?!"
Su Yiyi furrowed her brows. Looking up, she was met with the sight of a broad chest—dripping with water—and a grand bath tub.
That handsome face was flushed with fury. Su Yiyi's lips twitched awkwardly. "Eh… Your Highness Prince Xiao, what a coincidence. Bathing in broad daylight?"
"You…"
His eyes were a storm of rage. Su Yiyi instantly sensed danger.
"Ahem. What's with the expression, Your Highness? Don't tell me you're angry at being peeped at? Heavens, this is all just a coincidence! A pure accident!"
"A coincidence?" Nalan Xiao's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Just like last time? Was that a coincidence too?"
Last time? Su Yiyi's eyes twitched in disbelief. Meanwhile, Nalan Xiao was already slipping into a robe behind the screen, his voice laced with scorn.
"I detest clingy women. I already rejected Third Miss Su's kindness clearly last time. Let me say this only once: if I can make you the Crown Princess, I can also destroy your reputation."
What?! Su Yiyi froze, then slowly straightened her posture. She patted her shoulder haughtily and replied with pride, "Do I, Su Yiyi, even have a reputation left to destroy? Besides, maybe you're the ideal man for every woman in Qi, but in my eyes—you're just a flea!"
Nalan Xiao hadn't expected that. His surprise was brief, but then he sneered. With a flick of his hand, a letter fluttered to her feet.
"If you're trying to play hard to get, let me say just four words: You. Are. Dreaming."
Su Yiyi picked it up. On the envelope, beautiful handwriting spelled "To Prince Xiao." She opened it and frowned.
"A love letter?"
"What, don't recognize your own handwriting?"
"…"
It was clearly written in black and white. No way to deny it. Still, Su Yiyi refused to back down. Straightening up, she declared, "It was just calligraphy practice. So what?!"
Nalan Xiao remained cold. "The woman I choose must be one in ten thousand. Third Miss Su should wait obediently to become Crown Princess. Don't waste my kindness."
Wait. Did he just say he was the reason behind the imperial marriage decree?
Su Yiyi narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Don't tell me… it was you who asked the emperor to arrange our marriage?"
Nalan Xiao merely smiled faintly. "No need to thank me too much. Just leave now."
"Thanks, uncle!"
Unexpectedly, the girl turned around and snapped with fiery eyes, "Why choose me? Of all people, why a prince who spends his days loitering around brothels? Do you know a certain movie star begged me 800 times and I still refused him? Even if every man on Earth died, I, Su Yiyi, would never become a princess! You're the shameless one!"
Nalan Xiao had never been scolded like this in his life. His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"
"Is there anyone else here besides you?" Su Yiyi scoffed, her expression full of disdain. She cursed him silently in her heart—over and over again. He actually dared to throw her to another man just because she liked him?! One day, he would deeply regret this.
"I kindly advise Your Highness to put on some clothes. If someone walks in, they might think we've done something unspeakable in here. Goodbye!"
With that, Su Yiyi huffed toward the door. Then, as if remembering something, she spun back around and added:
"Oh, and by the way, don't flatter yourself thinking all women like you. With that skinny little body—stripping won't help. I, Su Yiyi, am not the slightest bit interested!"
Compared to that stunningly beautiful Demon King, he was completely outclassed. Only someone of that caliber was worth peeking at!
"You—!" Nalan Xiao's anger flared, but before he could explode, Su Yiyi had already slipped away like an eel—gone without a trace.
He stared at the door, stunned.
Why was he so angry just now? He always prided himself on being calm and aloof, never showing emotion to the irrelevant. Yet somehow, that idiot girl made him lose control in a heartbeat.
He glanced down at his body—scarred from countless battles, his muscles tight and strong. How dare she say he was "skinny"?
"Hmph. Only villains and unruly women are hard to raise."
The previously tranquil room now felt completely wrecked. Nalan Xiao stepped to the side, opened a drawer, and unrolled a scroll.
A serene painting of green mountains and flowing water spread out before him.
A poem was inscribed in the corner. The sharp light in Nalan Xiao's eyes dimmed softly as he read:
"In the Peach Blossom Valley stands the Temple of Flowers,
And in that temple dwells the Spirit of Blossoms.
She plants peach trees, trades blooms for wine,
Sober, she sits among flowers; drunk, she sleeps beneath.
Half-dreaming through each day, half-awake through each year—
As blossoms bloom and fall with time."
"His Highness seems very fond of this poem." A man in white stepped in, catching the final verse.
Nalan Xiao's voice held a rare, wistful gentleness. "Women in this world are so crude. Why is there no one like her? Lord Bai, will you still not tell me who wrote this?"
The man in white had a refined face and an air of steady grace. He sat quietly beside him and smiled faintly. "I heard from the attendants there was quite a commotion in your room. What happened?"
Nalan Xiao scowled, the disgust returning to his face. "A filthy nymphomaniac dared peek at me! Lord Bai, why did you let someone like that on board?"
His tone was heavy with disdain. But Lord Bai blinked, clearly stunned.
"A… nymphomaniac? Do you mean the third daughter of the Prime Minister?"
"Hmph. Who else? If not for your sake, I would've punched her straight off this boat!"
Lord Bai froze, glanced at the painting, then at the prince beside him with a complicated expression.
Nalan Xiao didn't seem eager to continue. He gently stroked the poem, affection in his eyes. "Only a woman like her deserves to be my princess. One glance from her could topple kingdoms. She must be a breathtaking beauty."
"…" Lord Bai's lips twitched. He hesitated… then said quietly,
"Didn't Your Highness always want to know who wrote that poem? I think… perhaps you were never meant to meet her."