81 Let The Game Begin (2/2)

The emperor nodded at her suggestion. He looked towards the aide behind the eldest miss and gave a small nod. Hongyue lowered her head and stood up. As she moved to get up, her robes rustled loudly, and her right hand casually abandoned the spoon. At the sudden collision of the metal utensil to the tabletop, the eyes of the aide behind her abruptly dulled. It was just a slight movement, and no one seemed to have noticed it. As she moved, her robes excluded a faint silver fog that quickly faded into the air.

On the other side, Jiayi lifted his head and stood up as well. His footstep paused slightly before picking up the pace, leading the way out of the entrance of the palace hall. Hongyue nodded at the Emperor and Empress. Turning her head, Hongyue's eyes happened to meet the gray eyes of the Crown Prince. She let out a radiant smile before she continued on her way out of the door.

Now, let the game begin.

*******

In the royal garden under the warm sunlight, Hongyue rested on the stone pathway every once in while as she gazed at the attractive flowers before her. If Jiayi didn't know her any better, he would have genuinely mistaken her as someone innocent with the harmless expression on her face. His eyes floated to her fingers. While Hongyue seemed to be randomly placing them, she was touching everything rhythmically.

Eventually, Hongyue's finger hesitated on a dark purple blossom before her. Her eyes seemed to be concentrated on a dewdrop on the arch of the petal.

”Well? Don't you have anything to say?” Her voice was firm, nothing like the cheerful little miss in the hall. Jiayi was slightly surprised at the sound of her voice.

How dangerous.

Even though he knew about her other side, he could still be fooled by her act.

Jiayi's eyes focused on the girl in front of him, ”What are you playing at now?”

A moment passed without a sound.

Finally, a snapping of a stem could be heard. Jiayi frowned as Hongyue gave a slight smile, ”Play? Does this miss look like she's playing?”