Chapter 13: Roaring Out Against Injustice

"The princes in the palace often frolic like this. Come on, let's not watch. If we spoil their fun, we'll be in deep trouble," Cui'er said, averting her gaze and pulling her forward.

Frolic?

This was clearly bullying.

"Speak up!" Sang Rui laughed with sheer triumph.

The attendants surrounding the boy began to shove him incessantly.

"If you won't speak, then you'll crawl under my legs. You lot, hold him down!" Sang Rui stepped forward.

The young attendants only dared to shove; they didn't dare to actually use force. At the very least, he was a prince.

"What? If you don't listen to this Prince, I'll have all your heads chopped off!" Sang Rui snapped in irritation.

Hearing this, the attendants were terrified and hurriedly raised their hands, preparing to pin the boy down.

"Then tell me, is this flower pink or red?"

A childish voice rang out. A flower appeared before Sang Rui's eyes, swaying so much that he stumbled backward, nearly landing on his backside.

Everyone in the garden froze and turned to look at the newcomer.

Ye Qianning stood her ground, her small hand clutching the iris. She shook it toward Sang Rui and asked again, "Tell me, is this red or pink?"

Hearing the voice again, Sang Rui finally snapped out of it. He turned around only to find the flower in his hand gone, and then he glared at her fiercely. "Who are you?"

"My surname is Lu, and my given name is Buping."

"I don't care what your surname is! You fat brat, how dare you meddle in my business? You must be tired of living!" Sang Rui took a few steps forward and swung his foot to kick Ye Qianning.

Ye Qianning tilted her chubby body to the side. Sang Rui's kick met empty air, and his momentum sent him lunging forward. After a few clumsy stumbles, he fell face-first into the ground.

"Master!"

The attendants cried out in alarm and rushed to help him up.

Sang Rui had a mouthful of dirt. After being helped up and spitting a few times, he was utterly enraged. "Seize her! This Prince will have her flogged—"

"Purple."

An elegant and clear voice interrupted Sang Rui.

Sang Rui went from rage to shock. He looked at Sang Zhi in disbelief, his voice trembling. "You... what did you say?"

Sang Zhi's gaze, however, was fixed on the iris in Ye Qianning's hand.

Only then did Ye Qianning see the boy's face clearly. Even though she had seen all sorts of handsome men before, she was still shocked; the boy was impossibly beautiful.

She had thought the Little County Princess of Nanxiang was already very beautiful, but compared to this boy, Nanxiang was merely cute.

The boy had thick brows and large eyes, eyes like stars, skin like congealed fat, and an aura as graceful as an orchid. No wonder his silhouette had seemed so delicate; if he grew a bit more, he would likely become a delicate, fragile beauty.

"Purple," Sang Zhi spoke again.

His crisp voice still held a hint of childishness.

"You... you..." Sang Rui pointed at him with a trembling finger, stammering.

"Seventh Brother, am I right?" Sang Zhi asked.

Sang Rui was both angry and shocked. How... how had his eyes recovered?

"You... you all just wait for me!"

Terrified, Sang Rui threw out those words and fled in disgrace.

"To be scared like that just by a pair of eyes, how cowardly!" Ye Qianning huffed. She turned to look at Sang Zhi, feeling puzzled herself. Hadn't they said he couldn't distinguish colors?

Sang Zhi looked at Ye Qianning.

Ye Qianning studied him curiously. As their eyes met, one pair was filled with confusion and wonder, while the other was calm and composed, possessing the air of an old soul.

"Here, this is for you." Ye Qianning raised her hand and offered him the flower.

Sang Zhi's delicate face turned extremely serious, and he momentarily dazed with his hands behind his back.

Seeing that he hadn't taken it, Ye Qianning pushed the flower forward a little more.

"Thank you."

After a moment of hesitation, Sang Zhi reached out and took the flower.

(End of Chapter)