The footsteps sound neither urgent nor slow, and not too frequent, indicating there were very few people. Moreover, the sound was stable and heavy, and Su Mo'er could tell it was a man.
As the appearance was too sudden, she didn't have time to see if it was the Crown Prince or others. Furthermore, even if she had seen the Crown Prince, she wouldn't recognize him, so she didn't bother to investigate.
She glanced around and chose a spot, pretending to fall.
But unexpectedly, she was in a hurry and didn't notice her steps, and she actually tripped for real.
She subconsciously was about to make an exclamation, but she heard a whooshing sound in her ear.
Following that, there was a mixed smell of blood in the wind.
She then realized that a pair of strong arms had wrapped around her slender waist tightly, pulling her back.
The movement of the other party was too fierce, and there was no feeling of tenderness. Su Mo'er was shaken by the movement and fell on the man's chest slightly embarrassed.
After stabilizing herself, Su Mo'er suppressed the pounding of her heart and looked up, "Thank you..." but the words stuck in her throat when she saw the other's face.
The man was backlit, wearing armor mixed with dirt, exuding a rough charm all over. His handsome and rugged face, especially the high, sharp eyebrows and the eyes that seemed to be engulfing everything, were like a dark vortex.
For a long time, the man coughed lightly, causing Su Mo'er to come to her senses. Her face turned hot immediately as she stooped down, "Thank you for the gentleman's help. I am very grateful."
As she said this, she was still thinking, this man is really good-looking! Today, she came here to 'accidentally' meet the Crown Prince, so she dressed up, but not as grandly as others.
Yuan Niang once privately told her that although men tend to gaze at heavily made-up women, the reality was quite different. Nine out of ten men are attracted to the kind of simple, pleasing, and appropriately delicate women, which could evoke their protective instincts.
Su Mo'er agreed wholeheartedly; this was one of the reasons why she had been entangled with Liu Yanzhe for so many years.
Therefore, her seemingly casual dress today was actually full of careful consideration, making her moon-white embroidered ruqun dress set off her fair skin like jade more beautiful, her delicate features lightly sketched, her rosy lips revealing a delicate and pure feeling.
And with her graceful figure, she made people feel soft and affectionate at a glance. In addition, her gentle and magical voice, like a gentle spring, made people feel as if a clear spring was slowly flowing into their hearts during these hot days.
Zhao Jinghuan stared at the girl in front of him closely, his gaze slowly moving from her graceful head down to her slender neck and rosy earlobes, his eyes becoming even more profound.
For a long time, he said, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
When Su Mo'er heard his voice, she shivered unconsciously and looked at him secretly, thinking to herself: Why does this man act like a block of ice? Although he's good-looking, there's no expression on his face. If not for his tightly pressed lips and eyes, I would think he's a robot. His voice is so cold, as if someone owes him money.
While she thought this, she put on a weak and gentle smile, "Honestly, I am a dancer at the Commandant's Office. I was originally there to greet the Crown Prince. However, due to some incident, I arrived here later. I didn't expect to get lost after separating from the escorts. Just now, I thought someone was coming to help me, so I was anxious to call for assistance but accidentally fell. Thanks to the gentleman's help, I didn't fall in a disheveled manner."
Su Mo'er wasn't so naive to tell everything, she only half-truthfully said it, hoping to gain the other's trust with her words.
Zhao Jinghuan looked at her deeply and casually said, "Greeting the Crown Prince?"
"Yes, that's right." Su Mo'er hurriedly nodded, fearing that he might misunderstand, and continued, "However, although I am a dancer at the Commandant's Office, I have only been here for a month or so. I hardly ever wander around the mansion except for training. The paths here are really confusing, which is why I got lost..."
Zhao Jinghuan again casually exclaimed, "Oh, if you're just going to greet the Crown Prince, you don't have to go anymore."
He glanced at Su Mo'er and said indifferently, "The Crown Prince has already entered the mansion and gone to rest..."
"Ah?" Su Mo'er couldn't help but widen her watery eyes as she exclaimed softly, raising her slender hand to cover her mouth. She looked at Zhao Jinghuan with a puzzled expression, "How did you know?"
Then, she carefully looked at him and exclaimed again, "Could it be... you are the Crown Prince..."
Hearing this, Zhao Jinghuan stared at her abruptly, thinking to himself: This person is really not simple. Clearly, we have never met, but she completely guessed my identity. Could she have seen through my identity and has been acting with me the whole time?
Just as he thought this, Su Mo'er continued, "Or one of the Crown Prince's guards?"
Zhao Jinghuan: "......"
"You can tell at a glance that I'm a guard?" He looked at Su Mo'er strangely.
Seeing that he didn't deny it, Su Mo'er breathed a sigh of relief but also felt a little disappointed.
In that case, according to this person's meaning, did she come too late?
At the thought of this, she suddenly felt regretful, deeply feeling that she had missed a great opportunity.
But after scanning Zhao Jinghuan, she thought to herself: "This person looks so good, has a remarkable aura, and probably serves as a guard by the prince's side. His rank probably isn't too low either. It would be better to establish a good relationship with him first, maybe she could get some information from him in the future?"
Her agile mind complemented her rapid thinking, and although she felt disappointed at not meeting the prince, she believed that linking up with someone by the prince's side would be a good choice.
Suddenly, her attitude towards Zhao Jinghuan became better, and she said softly, "Isn't it obvious? Look at you, in military attire, looking so disheveled and dirty. You must be a guard by the prince's side, or could it be that you are the prince?" She couldn't help but snicker at her own words. "But, if you are indeed a guard by the prince's side, why aren't you protecting His Highness inside and instead wandering aimlessly outside?"
She forgave herself for being ignorant. Many noble people she had met, such as the prominent figures of the Liu family, or even the master of the Commandant's Manor, were always accompanied by a large group of people. Hence, in her opinion, even these people were so assertive, then wouldn't it be even more glorious for a prince to move around?
Therefore, she subconsciously assumed, upon seeing Zhao Jinghuan, that he was a guard by the prince's side, rather than thinking of the prince himself.
Zhao Jinghuan upon hearing this: "......"
Looking at the petite girl in front of him speaking confidently, his already cold face seemed even more frosty.
He didn't expect that he should have been bathing peacefully in Dingxi Tower, but due to the urgent report of a disaster, he had to deal with it first. By the time he rushed back to Dingxi Tower, he had become a mere guard?
Did he look so much like a guard?
Of course, he couldn't ask such a question directly. With these thoughts in mind, he remained silent, neither confirming nor denying it.
At the moment, he just wanted to hurry back to Dingxi Tower for a bath and then attend the evening banquet, in order to observe the officials of Longzhou, and then set his plans accordingly.
So, he didn't feel like talking much with the young girl in front of him. Whatever she said, so be it.
However, as for why he was wandering outside...
The Prince Zhao Jinghuan of the Great Zhou was not one for jesting, cold and stern, devoted to serving the people, and would never approach women. He was not likely to speak frankly.
He was good at everything, except for the fact that he was very prone to getting lost...
He remained silent, while Su Mo'er stared at him, suddenly seemed to realize something, looked at him strangely, and couldn't help but laugh, "Could it be that you're lost?"
Zhao Jinghuan: "......"
It was his first time coming to the Commandant's Manor, and he ended up staying in such a confusing area. Upon returning, it didn't cross his mind, but before he knew it, he found himself lost. Finally, he managed to find his way back. However, he hadn't expected to be exposed by the girl in front of him so easily.
Seeing him looking even more unpleasant, Su Mo'er finally burst into laughter. She quickly composed herself and looked at Zhao Jinghuan with curiosity, "You... a bright and talented person like you, can be so foolish?"
Zhao Jinghuan in this life and the previous one had never been called foolish by anyone: "......"
His demeanor became even colder. Su Mo'er couldn't help but touch her arm, realizing she might have gone too far.
She coughed lightly and hastily changed the subject, "But, it's quite normal. Even I, who has been in the Commandant's Manor for over a month, gets lost. Let alone someone like you who just arrived. But, are you going to..."
Just as she was about to continue, she realized she nearly revealed too much. After all, in front of him, she had to pretend she didn't know where the prince lived and continued pretending to be lost, so it was impossible for her to point out the way for him.
She fell silent and cautiously looked at Zhao Jinghuan.
He also stared at her with deep, inscrutable eyes, causing her to shudder slightly before quickly shifting her gaze.
As the two of them fell silent, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward when they heard a call from Qingyou.
Su Mo'er's expression brightened, as Qingyou had come as she had instructed, pretending to search for the missing her.
She responded promptly, then saw Qingyou rushing over with a flushed face. Seeing Su Mo'er and Zhao Jinghuan, she felt a little pleased, thinking that her mistress had succeeded.
However, when Su Mo'er explained to her that the person in front of her was just a lost guard by the prince's side and hinted that she was too late and didn't get to see the prince, Qingyou couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Su Mo'er asked Zhao Jinghuan, "Do you remember where the prince lives? I, as a maid who grew up in the Commandant's Manor, can take you back."
Zhao Jinghuan flatly refused, "No need, I'll find it myself."
After speaking, he glanced at Su Mo'er once again, "Goodbye."
With that, he headed towards the Dingxi Tower.
Su Mo'er: "......"
So, she had gone through all that for nothing...
Qingyou chimed in, "The Crown Prince is truly remarkable, even his guards are so handsome and have character."
Su Mo'er forced a smile, "What's the use? After all, he's not the prince..."
Qingyou hurriedly consoled her, "Don't be disheartened, as long as we're in the Commandant's Manor, we'll surely see the Prince. In that case, with your looks and character, you will surely catch the Prince's eye in the future."
Upon hearing this, Su Mo'er slightly lifted her spirits, "You are right, as long as we're still in the Commandant's Manor, there will be opportunities!"
...
Perhaps it was the mutual encouragement between the master and servant, and not long after they returned, Su Mo'er received an urgent summons from Yuan Niang.
When everyone hurried to the Dance and Music Hall, Yuan Niang glanced at everyone and then announced a significant news: tonight, everyone would attend the welcome banquet for the Crown Prince set by the Commandant, and they would be performing.
Yang Mama, who stood nearby, jokingly said, "Tonight's welcome banquet is everyone's chance. You young ladies must seize this opportunity. If you can catch the Crown Prince's fancy, then in the future, you might be arranged to serve by the Crown Prince's side."
As soon as this news came out, everyone became excited, and their breathing became quickened involuntarily.
Su Mo'er's eyes flashed slightly, a mix of nervousness and joy rising in her heart. She had prepared for this opportunity for so long, and now it had finally arrived!
At this moment, she sensed something and looked over, her gaze meeting Lui Feifei's across the air, invisible sparks seemed to fly as a result.
.....
The author has something to say:
La la la, the next chapter will be dedicated to the dance~
Thank you, "White Deer" little angel, for the 10 bottles of nutrient solution~