Today, Yuan Tuo had thought Anli was going to be punished.
When he returned from Gui Class at dusk, he happened to see the explosives detonate and Anli throw herself into the Crown Prince's arms.
At that moment, the air in the room seemed to freeze solid.
Then, inch by inch, it turned to ice.
The little lion curled into a ball and buried his head beneath his belly.
Yuan Tuo shivered from the cold. "I'll go prepare tomorrow's lesson first."
Yun Jing's thin lips pressed tightly together. With a slight twist of his fingers, the teacup turned to powder and fell over the little lion.
The little lion did not dare move at all.
Yuan Tuo curled his toes and tactfully said, "Perhaps we should check on Sister Anli first."
After that, every time Anli brushed against the Crown Prince, his master's aura chilled another degree.
The more he watched, the angrier he became.
Was the Crown Prince courting death? He kept taking advantage of Anli.
The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly terrifying, until Yuan Tuo even slowed his breathing.
When Anli fed the Crown Prince candied hawthorn skewers, his master suddenly gave a cold laugh and vanished from the room.
The Mystic Light Mirror vanished as well.
Yuan Tuo figured he had gone to find Anli.
He wanted to send her a warning, but there was no way he could be faster than his master.
As he anxiously paced in circles, his master returned. The dreadful aura around him had faded, and he grabbed the little lion before reclining in the rocking chair.
Yuan Tuo thought he had brought Anli back.
But just then, his master rose and began to play the qin.
Meng Anli smiled awkwardly and held up her hands. "I'll pour Master another cup."
Yun Jing set the teacup in her hands, letting the matter from earlier pass as well.
He merely asked, "You took the formula for the explosives. What are you planning to do with it?"
"I wanted Master to see whether you could have someone develop it. Master is Great Emperor Dangmo, after all. You must have countless skilled craftsmen under you who specialize in warfare. They'll surely be able to create explosives better than Meng Shiwan's."
Meng Anli respectfully presented the tea.
Yun Jing accepted it and took a shallow sip. "It is feasible."
"If Master says it can be done, then it definitely can," Meng Anli readily agreed, nodding repeatedly. "It's getting late. Shall I return to the dormitory first?"
Yun Jing set down his teacup.
There was no sound, only the faintest tap.
Yet Meng Anli's feet, which had been sneaking toward the door, froze in place. She turned around respectfully. "What are Master's instructions?"
Yun Jing lifted his eyes, his expression serious. "You are eighteen this year."
Meng Anli also put away her smile and answered uneasily, "Yes."
"You know very little of the outside world, and there are not many people you have met. Some matters cannot be decided too early."
Meng Anli nodded. That was indeed true.
She had merely taken one trip to the mortal realm today and encountered the strange Meng Shiwan.
The clever Empress Chu.
She had also realized that her previous understanding of the Crown Prince had been rather superficial.
To completely bring down the Meng family and reform the Crown Prince, she still needed to learn more and make further plans.
"Therefore," Yun Jing said. His brows furrowed, and he seemed somewhat awkward, but then he remembered that once a teacher, always a father. He had to concern himself with her lifelong matters.
"You may not fall in love before the age of one hundred. Cultivation, seeing the world, and meeting people should come first. Only then will you know who you truly like and have choices."
"Huh?" Meng Anli was a little dazed.
Why had they suddenly started talking about love?
Then she recalled that Master had become angry today because she had traveled with the Crown Prince.
"Is that unacceptable?" Yun Jing's expression turned cold. "Then make it two hundred years."
Meng Anli hurriedly said, "It's fine, it's fine. I'll do as Master decides."
"Mhm." Yun Jing immediately softened like spring wind and rain, warmly instructing her, "You are a young lady. Do not get too close to men. Do not let them hold your hand or rub against you. They are taking advantage of you."
Unexpectedly, Meng Anli thought of what Meng Mingde had once told her.
"Being able to become engaged to the Crown Prince is a blessing you could never beg for in several lifetimes."
"What are you acting reserved for? Go find the Crown Prince."
"There are so many beautiful palace maids around the Crown Prince. If you don't go find him, he'll forget you."
She remembered saying, "But the Crown Prince does not seem to like me."
"Have you seen that Liuyin beside the Crown Prince? Men all like that sort."
"A woman pursuing a man is separated only by a veil. Go find him more often and follow him around. Look for chances to have more contact with him—physical contact is best."
"It would be best if he is willing to touch you. If he isn't, once you turn eighteen, I'll ask Your Majesty to let you marry."
"You were engaged to the Crown Prince. If you cannot marry him, no one else will want you."
"..."
So, following her father's words, she had clung to the Crown Prince whenever she found an opportunity.
The Crown Prince found her annoying and would not let her get near him.
She had always been troubled by that in the past.
After being reborn, she only wanted to cultivate properly and break off her engagement with the Crown Prince.
She had never thought about love.
But what Master meant now was that she should meet more people, then find someone suitable.
So it could be like this too?
She did not have to chase after someone. She had choices?
Love or no love did not matter, but Master said she had choices.
"Master..." Meng Anli looked at him, deeply moved.
Yun Jing saw her reddened eyes and frowned. Had he been too harsh?
He wanted to explain, but Meng Anli suddenly threw herself down beside his feet. "Master, why are you so good to me?"
Yun Jing: "?"
His face was full of confusion.
He was good to her?
Could it be that his words had hurt her too deeply and muddled her mind?
Meng Anli raised her head. Though her eyes were red, her gaze was resolute and clear.
"Master, I will definitely repay you."
Yun Jing was puzzled. She was not muddled, yet after being lectured by him, she wanted to repay him?
Meng Anli said no more. She rose, moved farther away from him, and respectfully saluted.
"Master just said I should keep my distance from men. I'll go back and cultivate now. Master, see you tomorrow."
Yun Jing: "..."
He laughed helplessly. Fine, as long as she remembered.
"Wait."
Meng Anli turned back. "Does Master have another instruction?"
Yun Jing tipped his chin toward the small stone table. "I saw you staring at those grapes earlier. Take them."
Meng Anli was puzzled. She had not been staring at them.
She had been thinking about how to calm Master down. When had she stared at grapes?
But...
Meng Anli saw the large, purple cluster of grapes. "Thank you, Master."
She held the grapes as she walked and ate.
Her eyes narrowed happily. Master's grapes really were delicious.
When she reached the dormitory, she gave half of the remaining grapes to A Yao and found her hands sticky.
Meng Anli had originally thought she could simply form a Cleansing Incantation, but after recalling Master's words and her contact with the Crown Prince today,
she deliberately fetched water to bathe.
As she soaked in the bathing tub, she thought of Meng Shiwan's body wash.
She had to make it before Meng Shiwan did.
But doing it by herself would be far too difficult.
She thought of the person who had cooperated with Meng Shiwan in her previous life—Mo Ziqian.
Within the Crown Prince's residence.
Liuyin sat on the Crown Prince's lap, her seductive fox-like eyes bewitching and soul-snaring as she boldly and passionately moved slowly toward his lips.
Normally, the Crown Prince would have kissed her without hesitation, starting at the desk before moving the battle to the bed.
But at that moment, he suddenly thought of Xiao Ying's shy, timid gaze.
He thought that if Xiao Ying wanted to kiss him, she would surely close her eyes, perhaps with her lashes trembling faintly.
Liuyin's lips pressed against his. Feeling his change, she joyfully drew back slightly.
"Crown Prince, why are you so valiant today?"
The Crown Prince smelled her rich fragrance and found it piercing.
"Get away."
Liuyin did not hear clearly. More precisely, she could not believe it. "What did Crown Prince say?"
She tried to move close to the Crown Prince again.
The Crown Prince leaned back, seized her hand, and flung her aside. "I said, get out."
Liuyin's clothes were disheveled, and she looked utterly miserable. "Crown Prince, you clearly already..."
"Get out!" the Crown Prince ground out through clenched teeth.
He knew perfectly well that it was because of Xiao Ying.
He had merely thought of her.
And then he...
He was somewhat embarrassed. It should not have been like this.
He ordered, "Bring me someone with a gentle temperament who blushes easily."
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