Chapter 9: Trouble

In the blink of an eye, it was the birthday of the third Miss Chen of the Ministry of Rites Minister’s manor. The Wen manor had received the invitation several days prior, inviting the Wen sisters for a small gathering.

"Second Sister, are you really not going?" Wen Chan couldn't help but ask until the very moment they were about to leave.

Wen Hao smiled and nudged her elder sister, "Big Sister, you’ll be late if you don't leave now. It hasn't been long since the incident at Prince Jing’s manor; if I go, I’ll only end up hearing idle gossip for no reason."

"Then Big Sister will go first. I’ll bring you back some pastries from Wanji Shop."

Once Wen Chan left, Wen Hao’s smile faded, her eyes lowering to hide the coldness within.

In her previous life, she hadn't attended the third Miss Chen’s birthday banquet either.

Although this invitation mentioned her, the only person they truly wanted to invite was her elder sister. After all, the third Miss Chen prided herself on the decorum of a refined lady and couldn't stand a wild girl like her who was always climbing over walls.

She wasn't someone who would ask for a snub, so naturally, she wouldn't go to join the crowd.

"A-Hao, your foot has healed well. Why don't you accompany Mother to the Treasure Pavilion for a stroll? It’s been a while since I’ve been there; I imagine they’ve brought in many new styles."

Wen Hao looked at Lady Lin, who was speaking, and felt a warmth in her heart.

In her previous life, her mother had said the same thing after her elder sister left.

She had said it was to have her accompany her to the Treasure Pavilion, but in truth, she was worried that Wen Hao would feel dejected for not attending the third Miss Chen’s birthday banquet.

Living this life again, she didn't care at all about what gossip she might hear. It wouldn't have mattered if she had gone to the Chen manor with her elder sister, but this trip to the Treasure Pavilion was something she had to make.

She had pondered it: the person who had designs on her in her previous life was likely someone who had seen her during this very trip to the Treasure Pavilion.

In the year or so since her maternal grandfather passed away, she had either been at the Wen manor or the General’s manor, never venturing outside. Even when she accidentally fell from a wall into Prince Jing’s manor, she was quickly taken back to the General’s manor by her elder sister.

The day of the third Miss Chen’s birthday was the only time she had stayed out for any length of time.

After that, her father brought the Chang woman back to the manor, and her maternal grandmother died of rage. Between observing mourning for her grandmother and feeling heartbroken for her mother’s situation, she never stepped out again. Until her elder sister was married off, the only stranger she had seen was her brother-in-law.

Wen Hao did not want to lose the clue to finding that person.

For her father to be capable of selling his own daughter, that person’s status must be extraordinary. Rather than being passive and not knowing when she might be targeted, it was better to take the initiative to uncover the other party’s identity.

"Alright, I was just thinking of going out for a stroll, Mother."

Seeing Wen Hao agree, Lady Lin hurriedly tidied up and left the house in high spirits.

Changchun Street was bustling with people coming and going, exceptionally lively.

Lady Lin brought Wen Hao off the carriage and into the Treasure Pavilion.

"It’s been a long time since Lady Lin visited. Please, come in, come in." The female shopkeeper’s face beamed with smiles and her eyes lit up the moment she saw Lady Lin.

Lady Lin was both a regular customer and a major patron of the Treasure Pavilion.

Old General Lin had followed the founding emperor to conquer the world and was enfeoffed as the Duke of Dingguo. Having started as a mountain bandit, he was quite adept at hoarding wealth; it was no exaggeration to say the Lin family possessed heaven-defying riches.

Lady Lin was an only daughter and had two beautiful daughters; it would have been strange if she weren't a regular at the most famous jewelry shop in the capital.

It was only since Old General Lin passed away that Lady Lin hadn't set foot here for over a year.

As expected, the mother and daughter received meticulous service.

The long table was covered with hairpins and jewelry, the gold flashing and dazzling the eyes.

"My Lady, look at this pair of jade bracelets. They are clear and emerald green, with excellent luster—they would best complement the Second Miss’s complexion."

Lady Lin glanced at them and said indifferently, "They aren't as good as the pair I bought for them the year before last."

The shopkeeper hurriedly pushed a box toward Lady Lin, "Then take a look at this pure gold and ruby butterfly hairpin. The ruby on it is not worth mentioning to you, my Lady, but the butterfly itself is exquisitely crafted, so lifelike..."

"Mother!" Wen Hao spoke up at the right moment, "It seems very lively outside. I want to go out and take a look."

"Are you feeling bored?" Lady Lin smiled and squeezed Wen Hao’s hand, "Go ahead, but make sure your veil hat is on properly."

Wen Hao put on her veil hat and, accompanied by Baozhu, walked out of the Treasure Pavilion.

Not far from the Treasure Pavilion, a group of people had gathered, and the sound of gongs and cheers could be heard from time to time.

Wen Hao steadied herself and stepped toward them.

The people were surrounding a youth performing with a sword.

The youth looked to be fourteen or fifteen years old, with a vigorous posture, tumbling and spinning. He was remarkably handsome, unlike the usual street performers.

Wen Hao stared at the youth, somewhat lost in thought.

She couldn't recall why she had watched someone perform with weapons for so long in her previous life.

It couldn't be because the boy was good-looking, could it? She wasn't that kind of person.

"Good!"

Amidst the cheers, the youth finished his routine, and an old man beside him turned the copper gong in his hands, circling the crowd to ask for rewards.

Copper coins hit the gong, making a clanging sound. Before the old man could reach Wen Hao’s side, a gasp erupted from the crowd.

"It’s actually a gold leaf!"

"Someone tipped a gold leaf!"

One had to know that people usually used copper coins for trade; even silver was rare, let alone gold leaves.

Curious, the crowd pushed in that direction, wanting to see if it was truly a gold leaf.

Wen Hao knew that she would soon have her veil hat knocked off in this sudden surge of people.

"Miss, be careful!" Baozhu blocked those pushing toward Wen Hao, shielding her as they moved outward.

Wen Hao turned around.

Just then, someone walked past her quickly and bumped into her veil hat.

The veil hat fell to the ground and was quickly trampled by the crowd.

Baozhu pulled Wen Hao away from the crowd, looking nervous, "Miss, you weren't stepped on, were you?"

"I'm fine." Wen Hao raised her hand to tuck her slightly disheveled hair behind her ear.

"Miss, we should go back to the Treasure Pavilion."

"No, let's watch a little longer." Wen Hao’s gaze remained fixed on that spot, her feet unmoving.

In her previous life, she had returned to the Treasure Pavilion quickly. If she chose to stay this time, would things be different?

The old man and the youth who were performing left quickly after receiving the gold leaf, and the onlookers gradually dispersed. The once-crowded street became deserted in the blink of an eye, leaving only the veil hat lying lonely on the ground.

"Miss, this servant will go pick up the veil hat."

Wen Hao did not nod immediately.

Could the calamity of her previous life have started with this dropped veil hat?

Just as she hesitated, she saw a young man in brocade robes walking toward that spot.

He bent down, picked up the veil hat, and walked toward Wen Hao.

Wen Hao bit her lip tightly, suppressing the rapid breathing caused by her overwhelming shock.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Baozhu rushed forward.

The two guards following the young man in brocade robes immediately stepped forward, blocking Baozhu’s approach.

"That is our Miss’s veil hat!" Baozhu said angrily.

The young man in brocade robes glanced at Wen Hao, handed the veil hat to Baozhu, and chuckled, "Return this to your Miss, and be careful not to drop it again."

Baozhu took the veil hat and ran back to Wen Hao’s side.

Wen Hao turned around expressionlessly and walked quickly toward the Treasure Pavilion.

The young man in brocade robes watched that retreating figure disappear into the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion and gave a cold smile, "Quite arrogant. Wang Gui, go and find out which family’s young lady that is."

"Yes."

Wen Hao walked into the Treasure Pavilion, her tightly clenched palms already covered in cold sweat.

The spring day was growing warmer, yet she felt as if she had fallen into an ice hole, chilled from her hair to her very heart.

It was the Crown Prince—that person was actually the Crown Prince!