Chapter 25: Your Highness (I)
Chapter 25: Your Highness (I)
This is the first part of today’s sponsored chapters. For the first part of this week’s sponsored chapters, check Ch.24 Part 3.
Cheng Yujin was shocked. Her pupils suddenly dilated. What does Cheng Yuanjing mean? Did he found her out?
Does he want to eliminate the witness?
Cheng Yujin quietly took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She hid in a cabinet long before Cheng Yuanjing came in. This cabinet was made from heavy red wooden planks and decorated with gauze. It was specially made for storage, so from outside, one couldn’t see what’s inside. Cheng Yujin was sure that she didn’t leave any clue when she sneaked in. Reasonably speaking, Cheng Yuanjing shouldn’t notice her.
Could it be that he was simply testing out of carefulness?
In a blink of an eye, Cheng Yujin’s mind churned out countless possibilities. In the end, she decided to kept silent, planning to stay still and see how things developed. If before she had no fear towards this Ninth Uncle and could act so unbridled, now she only felt a pure terror. Cheng Yujin never wanted to know his real identity, why he has to hide in Cheng family, or what kind of deal he made with Old Master Cheng. She only wished to stay as an ordinary young miss, safely getting married off, and never get involved in this kind of whirlpool.
Anyway, she should just pretend to be ignorant and never admit it no matter what.
Cheng Yujin hid inside the cabinet, holding her breath and nervously listening to the sound outside. It was totally quiet for a long time, as if Cheng Yuanjing’s previous action was just a necessary safety measure instead of suspicion. Cheng Yujin waited patiently. Suddenly she heard a sigh, and then a voice said nonchalantly: “There are people outside. If you don’t come out now, you won’t be able to leave.”
Cheng Yuanjing fiddled with an incense burner on the table. The room was silent, as if everything was just his imagination. After a while, the door of a cabinet creaked softly.
Cheng Yuanjing shook his head and smiled, not even bothering to turn his back. The person standing behind seemed to be hesitant. After a long time, she slowly called: “Ninth Uncle.”
Cheng Yujin gritted her teeth, lowered her head, and said: “Ninth Uncle, just now, this niece fell asleep accidentally when taking care of grandfather. I didn’t notice you come in and was so rude. Forgive me, Ninth Uncle.”
Cheng Yuanjing smiled lightly. He turned back and gave Cheng Yujin a deep look. Standing beside the red wooden door, the girl was staring at the floor with her head drooping. Her expression was calm and composed, no different than a little girl who had just made a small mistake and now was admitting her wrong honestly. There was no trace of panic on her face. It was as if she really just fell asleep accidentally, nothing more.
When Cheng Yujin saw Cheng Yuanjing stood in front of the table and fiddling with an incense burner, the grip on her palm became tighter.
Cheng Yuanjing seemed to have enough look and closed the gilded bronze lid. He picked up a handkerchief and wiped his fingers before throwing it to the side. He then glanced at Cheng Yujin with a faint smile, “Still calling me Ninth Uncle?”
Cheng Yujin’s heart jumped: “Ninth Uncle, this niece doesn’t understand your meaning…”
“Next time you jump in from the window, remember to clean the footprints on the carpet.”
Cheng Yujin lowered her gaze and found a little trace on the carpet under the window. The Old Master’s bedroom was covered with carpet, both for warmth and sound insulation. Because of that, when Cheng Yujin jumped in from the window, she made almost no sound. However, when her legs stepped in, she flattened a small part of the fine fur that made the carpet. The trace was very slight. Only after looking carefully did she see the clue.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Yuanjing noticed such a small blunder. Cheng Yujin knew that it was useless to say any more. Without hesitation, she gathered the corner of her skirt and immediately kneeling on the floor. “Your Highness the Crown Prince, this subject daughter is not intentional. This subject daughter didn’t hear anything….”
Just a moment ago, she still acted innocent. But in a blink of an eye, her words were changed so promptly. Cheng Yuanjing silently stepped forward. Cheng Yujin lowered her head. From the corner of her eyes, she saw him approaching, and her heart almost stopped beating in fright.
However, Cheng Yuanjing didn’t do anything and passed by her.
Cheng Yujin was still kneeling on the ground. She felt dazed and couldn’t fathom this man’s intention. Cheng Yuanjing took two steps forward before turned around and raised his eyebrow at Cheng Yujin: “Still not going yet?”
Cheng Yuanjing never had the patience to hear people talk uselessly, and naturally, his own speech was also short and concise. Cheng Yujin subconsciously asked, “What?”
Right after the words fell, Cheng Yujin instantly regretted it. Heavens, has she been bored of living! Cheng Yujin wanted to bite her own damnable tongue. When she desperately tried to find a way to remedy the situation, she heard Cheng Yuanjing spoke again: “People are coming in. Are you going to kneel until everyone sees it?”
Cheng Yujin was stupefied. After a while, she finally pointed at herself in doubt: “Are you telling me to get up?”
Cheng Yuanjing’s eyes were as if looking at an idiot. He then turned around and strode away. His gaze made Cheng Yujin’s almost lost her breath, but she didn’t dare to protest and quickly got up to follow behind Cheng Yuanjing.
T/N:
Sorry for the late update! Although technically it’s still Sunday and I’ve promised a weekend update so….. not too late, I suppose. Enjoy!
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