990 Perplexed and Smitten 50 (1/2)
”You mustn't say this again, Miss. His Highness has already warned me that he'll break my legs the next time he sees me if he finds out that you escaped. He already knows that you're planning to leave. His Highness has also transferred me here to keep you company because he's afraid that you'll be bored. I'll be loyal to you, Miss. Just stay here and put your mind at ease.”
An Xiaoning took out a red chiffon dress and placed it against her body to envision herself wearing it. ”Yu Jiao, what do you think of this dress?”
”Miss, your skin is so fair, you'll look beautiful in red.”
She initially wanted to stay for a while before going to sleep, thinking to herself that she will probably feel sleepy soon. However, her immense curiosity instilled an urge in her to find out more.
It was rather torturous for her to have to wrap herself tightly in long-sleeved clothing, in spite of the sweltering heat during summertime.
An Xiaoning sat in front of the bronze mirror and stared at her own reflection. She also looked at Yu Jiao, who was helping her comb her hair.
In real life, she had shoulder-length hair whereas in her dream, her hair was much longer and darker. Yu Jiao had nimble hands and soon tied An Xiaoning's hair into a neat yet elaborate updo and secured the hair on her crown with some hairpins that were embellished with red rubies — a perfect accompaniment to her red outfit.
”This hairpin is beautiful.”
”Of course, it was a gift from His Highness. I've never seen you using any other hairpin, Miss. This one seems to be your favorite. ”
Now that her hair was done, it was time to apply some makeup on her face.
Due to the fact that she was not used to using ancient cosmetic products, she still required Yu Jiao's help.
Taking one last glance at herself in the mirror, An Xiaoning said with a smile of satisfaction, ”Let's go.”
”Miss, where would you like to go?”
”Outside. Did he restrict me from stepping out of the gate?” An Xiaoning asked.
Shaking her head, Yu Jiao answered, ”He didn't. Otherwise, he wouldn't have threatened to break my legs if he finds out that you went missing.”
He actually didn't restrict me from leaving?
Was he thinking that I wouldn't stray too far or that I wouldn't leave the residence at all?
Regardless of what the case was, she was pleased with the fact that she'd been granted freedom. If not, it would feel just like she was in prison.
”In that case, let's go out. We might just bump into him along the way.”
”Miss, you're really not planning to leave this place for good?”
”I'm really not.”
”That's good,” said Yu Jiao, who appeared much more relaxed.
Contrary to Yu Jiao's expectations, An Xiaoning did not opt to ride in the sedan.
Worry was written all over Yu Jiao's face, the exact same expression that Mei Yangyang would usually have. She said, ”Miss, we must take the sedan. There are tons of people who'll recognize you on the streets. Besides, rumors about you are spreading like wildfire now. It's better that we go out in the sedan.”
”What rumors?”
Yu Jiao immediately fell silent.
”I'm asking you, what rumors are there?”
”Well…” Yu Jiao bit her lip, contemplating if she should tell her.
”Hurry and tell me the truth.”
”I didn't mean to hide it from you, but I heard this from the cooks in the kitchen. They were discussing this in private, but I happened to overhear their conversation. They said that you were shameless to have crawled onto His Highness' bed at a tender age, despite knowing that His Highness is already married and will never take you as his wife. They also said that His Highness is merely…” Yu Jiao's voice began to fade slowly.
”Merely what?”
”It was really crude, I don't want to say it.”
”I'm asking you to tell me.”