The two continued to walk along the lake for about half an incense stick's worth of time. Ahead, there was a rock garden.
Nian Jiaojiao's ears were sharp, and even before reaching the rock garden, she could clearly hear the conversation ahead.
Female voice: "Your Highness, this is the Snow Skin Pill I exchanged with my military merits. I heard this pill can keep one youthful for 50 years."
Male voice: "Rewards are not given without merit. General's gift is too precious."
Female voice: "Your Highness, don't you know my feelings for you? I will be content as long as Your Highness accepts this pill."
Male voice: "No need. I order you to move aside now."
Female voice: "Your Highness, ever since I first saw you, I have not taken any new consorts. Which woman can do that?
Moreover, with my status and position, I am perfectly worthy of Your Highness. Besides me, is there anyone in the court more suitable?
Your Highness, I will go and propose to the Empress later, to have you marry me."
Male voice: "Scram!"
...
Although she didn't know who the male voice belonged to, Nian Jiaojiao easily identified the female voice – it was General Situ, who sat to her right.
Without revealing her intentions, she said to the Tenth Prince beside her:
"Your Highness, I think we've enjoyed the scenery enough. How about we return to the main hall?"
Yuan Xun was reluctant, but he didn't want to leave a "willful" impression on the person he admired. Thus, he nodded obediently.
As Nian Jiaojiao escorted him to the entrance of the main hall, a eunuch from the Tenth Prince's retinue hurried over.
"Tenth Highness, where have you been? You scared this humble servant to death."
A hint of displeasure flashed in Yuan Xun's eyes, but he replied gently:
"I felt stuffy in the hall and went out for a stroll."
Although he said this, Yuan Xun was already planning to send this tactless eunuch to the laundry bureau tomorrow.
The eunuch was stunned at first. When he saw Nian Jiaojiao's appearance, he understood, realizing his "mistake." The eunuch, trembling, stood aside, not daring to utter another word.
Watching the Prince repeatedly glance back at her, Nian Jiaojiao confirmed...
This fellow was lusting after her!
Seizing an opportunity when the Tenth Prince wasn't paying attention, Nian Jiaojiao immediately flashed away from the entrance. Using her movement technique, she quickly arrived before the rock garden.
She wasn't here for any other reason than to satisfy her curiosity about the "Snow Skin Pill" they had mentioned.
Could that thing really keep one youthful for 50 years?
Could she get six of them?
As Nian Jiaojiao pondered this, she had already reached the spot where the conversation had taken place.
However, upon arriving, she found the place deserted.
What happened?
Nian Jiaojiao frowned slightly.
It had taken her over an incense stick's worth of time to send the Prince back to the hall. Yet, she had barely spent any time returning. In such a short period, could they have finished their conversation and returned to the hall?
Since there wasn't just one path leading to this rock garden, Nian Jiaojiao speculated that she might have missed them on the way.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, she spotted a torn piece of fabric in the corner.
She picked up the scrap of cloth.
This texture...
It seemed to be made of the same material as the clothes the Prince she had met earlier was wearing...
Nian Jiaojiao narrowed her eyes, recalling.
It was him!
...
A certain side hall.
This place was sparsely populated, a scenic spot within the imperial palace, but at this time of day, no one was present.
The guards were stationed only around the perimeter.
Because this place was rarely visited and nothing significant had ever happened here, the guards were somewhat lax, sitting on the ground and dozing off casually.
In the shadows.
Situ Mo watched the disheveled man tied on the ground, her heart beating faster and faster.
Usually, when she saw him, he was so aloof, barely looking at her directly.
Perhaps it was due to drinking too much today, but seeing his constant rejection, she acted impulsively and directly tied him up.
However, as things had come to this, she believed that as long as the deed was done, for the sake of the royal family's reputation, and with the status she and her mother held in court, the Empress would surely betroth him to her.
Thinking this, Situ Mo, who had felt a little guilty, became full of confidence.
She squatted down and gazed at him with infatuation, saying:
"Your Highness, please do not be angry. You will enjoy it later. Once you know how good I am, you will not refuse me."
The Eighth Prince's pair of phoenix eyes widened, almost turning into almond eyes.
He found it hard to believe that the person who had always been timid and almost obsequious in front of him had the audacity to tie him up directly.
However, his mouth was gagged with cloth, making it difficult for him to alert the guards outside.
"Mmm-hmm-hmm..."
The Eighth Prince made muffled sounds, trying hard to straighten himself up and continuously retreating backward.