"Your Highness, forgive me! Your Highness, please forgive me!!" Ning Yuanfeng finally found a sliver of strength amid his overwhelming terror. With a heavy thud, he dropped to his knees, tears and snot streaming down his face as he slammed his forehead against the cold stone road.
"This lowly one was blind! I offended the imperial presence! I deserve ten thousand deaths! I beg Your Highness for mercy! Please, Your Highness, show mercy!!" His companions came to their senses too and frantically kowtowed behind him, their foreheads thudding against the ground.
Ye Yang looked down at the people bowing like pestles pounding grain. There was not the slightest trace of pity in his eyes, only cold indifference and a hint of amusement.
"Enough." Ye Yang's voice drifted lightly through the air, yet it sounded like a decree of pardon. Ning Yuanfeng and the others froze, then raised their heads hopefully.
"For the sake of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Sect Master Ning, I'll remember what happened today..." Ye Yang's gaze was like an ice spike, piercing Ning Yuanfeng's eyes. "I'll keep it in mind."
"Get lost."
Ning Yuanfeng and the others felt as though they'd been granted a royal pardon. They scrambled to their feet and fled without daring to look back, escaping in disgrace like beaten dogs as the surrounding crowd watched with complicated expressions.
Only then did Ye Yang turn his gaze away and face Tang Yuehua, his warm, jade-like smile returning. "Madam, please lead the way."
Tang Yuehua's heart stirred with unease. This Crown Prince really did seem different from before.
She suppressed her turbulent thoughts and turned respectfully to the side. "Your Highness, this way."
Ye Yang gave a slight nod and, guided by Tang Yuehua and guarded by the silent escort, walked unhurriedly toward the elegant carriage.
The crowd parted of its own accord, making an even wider path. They watched this Crown Prince, so noble in status yet so inscrutable in bearing, leave with reverence.
The carriage started moving slowly, heading toward Moonlight Pavilion, the symbol of elegance and art, deep in Heaven Dou City's noble district.
[Ding! Intimidating petty villains, dignity+1, mental strength+1]
The carriage was filled with a faint, orchid-like fragrance, as refined as Tang Yuehua herself.
Ye Yang wasn't actually resting with his eyes closed. He turned his head slightly, his gaze settling on Tang Yuehua across from him as if it had substance.
The mistress of Moonlight Pavilion, the Clear Sky Sect's little princess, sat upright with impeccable poise, like a carefully sculpted white jade Guanyin—serene and noble.
His gaze held undisguised scrutiny and amusement as it moved from her meticulously arranged coiffure to her smooth forehead and elegant nose, finally coming to rest on her eyes, tranquil as a deep pool.
Her eyes were clear, yet it was as if a thin veil lay over them, concealing all her emotions.
His gaze continued downward, passing over her graceful chin and slender, fair neck. Beneath the well-tailored moon-white gown lay a curvaceous yet restrained figure, its alluring charm bearing the richness of years.
"Madam Yuehua..." Ye Yang's voice sounded in the quiet carriage, lower than it had been on the street, its lazy, magnetic quality breaking the silence.
Tang Yuehua's heart tightened slightly, but she maintained her poised smile and inclined her head. "What would Your Highness have me do?"
She keenly sensed the change in his gaze. It was no longer the stern scrutiny of a superior; it felt more like... a man admiring a woman. That left her feeling a little uncomfortable.
"Have you do?" Ye Yang gave a soft laugh and leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them. The orchid fragrance seemed to grow more distinct.
"I'm simply curious. Moonlight Pavilion is refined and otherworldly, the most renowned place of elegance in Heaven Dou City. And you, Madam, are its very soul, like a bright moon high in the sky, inspiring others to look up at you."
He paused, his gaze locking onto Tang Yuehua's eyes. His tone grew more ambiguous, touched by a hint of teasing.
"How is it that the mistress of such a noble place had the leisure today to take a carriage out, like an ordinary young lady—and even happen to... come to my rescue?"
"Could it be that you sensed something in your heart and foresaw that I would leave the palace in plain clothes today to experience the ways of the common folk?"
[Ding! Flirting with wealthy ladies, charm+1, acting+1]
Tang Yuehua's heart skipped a beat.
His words were so blunt they were almost rude. This was nothing like Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's usual mild and courteous manner!
Her fingers curled slightly inside her sleeves, but her face remained calm, even offering a perfectly measured smile.
"Your Highness jests. I had merely finished taking care of a few matters at the pavilion. The weather was fine, so I thought I'd take a carriage to the western district and see some newly arrived orchids."
"When I passed through the busy streets, I saw Soul Masters clashing and feared they might disturb the people. That was why I spoke up to stop them. I truly didn't know Your Highness was traveling incognito. It is my honor to have happened upon you and been able to help."
"Oh? Looking at orchids?" Ye Yang's voice rose slightly, clearly unconvinced, though his smile deepened. His gaze lingered on her lovely face and graceful neck.
"Your refined tastes suit your character perfectly. But..."
He leaned back against the soft seat, relaxed in posture, though his eyes grew more predatory.
"Madam, you are peerlessly beautiful and possessed of such elegance, just like the name of Moonlight Pavilion—aloof and lofty, inspiring others to dare not profane you. And the more so..."
Ye Yang lowered his voice, giving it a dangerous, magnetic quality. "The more curious I become. Beneath your appearance, like a fairy from the moon palace, do you also hide... the passions of the mortal world?"
"Or perhaps your elegance and composure are innate, or are they... the result of cultivation? Like those orchids: in the quiet chambers of the pavilion, they naturally give off a delicate fragrance. But what would they be like amid the smoke and clamor of the streets?"
His words had become almost undisguised flirtation and provocation.
Tang Yuehua's smile finally faltered. A faint trace of indignation and embarrassment flickered through her eyes.
Her hands tightened slightly in her lap, her knuckles paling.
She drew a deep breath and forced herself to stay calm. Her voice remained steady, but carried a trace of chill that was difficult to detect.
"Your Highness flatters me. I am but a woman, entrusted by the royal family and others with managing Moonlight Pavilion and teaching some rudimentary etiquette."
"Whatever bearing or temperament I possess is simply part of my duties; I do my best, nothing more. As for what Your Highness said... my duties keep me here, and my heart is with the pavilion. I dare not entertain thoughts elsewhere. Your Highness is noble in status, so please choose your words with care."
Watching the ripples Tang Yuehua was forcing down in her eyes and the slight tension in her shoulders and neck, Ye Yang felt his boredom-born mischief thoroughly satisfied.
This was far more entertaining than scheming at court or teaching someone like Xue Beng a lesson.
He laughed softly, the sound echoing through the carriage with the delight of having gotten his way and undisguised interest.
"Madam, there's no need to be nervous. I merely... found your graceful bearing captivating and spoke on a whim, teasing you with a harmless joke."
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