Chapter 69

The closer he got, the clearer the song became.

The melody was graceful, yet it carried a deep, unresolvable sorrow that made one's heart ache.

Luo Qinghan stopped in his tracks, looking at the woman standing with her back to him, and remained silent.

Only after the song ended did the woman turn around.

Qingsong, hiding in the shadows, opened his eyes wide and observed carefully.

Bathed in the bright moonlight, he clearly saw the woman's face—it was Lady Zhao!

Lady Zhao, not expecting the Crown Prince to be there, was frightened and her face turned pale. She hurriedly knelt down and bowed.

"I, your humble servant, pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince. I did not know His Highness was here, and I failed to greet you in time. Please punish me, Your Highness."

Her voice was naturally beautiful, and now, trembling with fear, it had an even more pitiful and delicate quality that made anyone who heard it reluctant to blame her.

Luo Qinghan told her to rise.

Lady Zhao was dressed in a moon-white, floor-length Wangxian dress. The soft, thin fabric clung to her body, accentuating her slender and graceful figure. Her oval face, with its fair and delicate features and her plump, rosy lips, was breathtakingly beautiful.

This was the first time she had seen the Crown Prince up close, and she felt both nervous and excited.

She cautiously raised her head, looking at the Crown Prince with a shy and timid expression.

Her eyes, like water, held an obvious affection.

Luo Qinghan asked, "What were you singing just now?"

"It's a folk tune from my hometown, called 'Evening Boat Watching the Sunset.'"

"Is your hometown in Chenliu County?"

"Yes."

Luo Qinghan stared at her for a moment. "I didn't know there was someone from the same place as my mother in the Eastern Palace. How did you end up here?"

Lady Zhao's cheeks turned red under his gaze, and she answered shyly, "I entered the palace during the selection last year."

"It's so late. Why aren't you in your room? What are you doing here?"

"I've been in the palace for more than half a year, and I miss my hometown and family very much. But I dare not tell anyone about it, so I come here secretly to sing the folk tunes of my hometown to ease my homesickness."

As she spoke, Lady Zhao lowered her head in disappointment, and the golden butterfly hairpin in her hair trembled slightly.

Luo Qinghan extended his right hand, pinched her chin, and forced her to look up.

Their eyes met.

Looking at the Crown Prince's handsome face, Lady Zhao's heart raced uncontrollably, and her body felt weak.

She was so shy that she wanted to hide, but she couldn't bear to, and her voice trembled softly, like a fully bloomed peony waiting for a lover to pick it.

"Your Highness..."

Eunuch Chang, intending to remind the Crown Prince that they were still outside and that it would be inappropriate if someone passed by and saw this scene, thought it would be better to go inside if the Crown Prince wanted to be closer.

But he knew the Crown Prince's temper, and if he said anything, he would surely receive a glare.

Eunuch Chang could only sigh inwardly and wave his hand at the attendants behind him.

Everyone turned away, not daring to look any further.

Qingsong, hiding in the shadows, saw this and thought, "It's over; Lady Zhao has succeeded!"

He was afraid that if he continued to watch, he might see something inappropriate. Since he already knew what he needed to know, there was no point in staying. He withdrew his gaze and quietly ran away.

Luo Qinghan looked at Lady Zhao, who was so close, with a cold, unresponsive gaze, his eyes sharp like a blade.

"Who told you to come here and sing? And who told you that my mother is from Chenliu County?"

Lady Zhao's body trembled, and she froze in place.

Her pupils constricted slightly, and her face showed a moment of panic.

"What is Your Highness talking about? I don't understand."

Luo Qinghan's eyes turned even colder.