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Jokingly Presenting Flowers
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
The sky has collapsed! The land has sunk!
Lu Qi Yang actually covered the lie for Shen Lan Chi!
Shen Lan Chi was astonished and couldn’t help but secretly size up Lu Qi Yang, fearing that she got the wrong person. But no matter how Shen Lan Chi looked, he was all no different from usual———–Lu Qi Yang was there yawning, lazily lifting his weary eyes, a completely unserious look.
The only explanation she can think of was that Lu Qi Yang had some little calculations again.
“Since the heir is here, then this appraisal of the old coins can wait. For once the weather is bright and sunny, why don’t your second Highness also bring over a horse and walk together, admiring the mountain scenery along the way?” Shen Lan Chi asked.
Since Lu Zi Xiang’s horse carriage will fall off the cliff, then just switch to riding on horseback. If there’s another accident, he can also escape more easily.
The beautiful girl in riding clothes was smiling sweetly, the bottom of her eyes and the tip of her brows penetrating with spryness. Even if Lu Zi Xiang knew that she was a daughter of the Shen family, he still couldn’t bear to reject her.
Lu Zi Xiang stared at her for a while, somewhat feeling it was a pity inside, saying with a smile, “It’s better for me to ride the carriage, so won’t go together with Miss Shen.”
Shen Lan Chi was someone that will marry Lu Zhao Ye. He shouldn’t have too much involvement with her. Since childhood, his consort mother has warned him don’t know how many times, ‘the people of the Shen family are all old foxes’, ‘even the women are malicious, so absolutely can’t go near them’.
Although a pity, there was also no other way.
Seeing Lu Zi Xiang having a trace of regret in the bottom of his eyes, Lu Qi Yang inwardly snickered. Shortly after, he climbed down from the horse carriage, taking a horse from the guard’s hand and saying, “Since his second Highness won’t come, then I’ll come. Miss Shen’s riding skills have never beat me before.”
Watching the two of them shoulder to shoulder, about to walk away bathing in that warm sunlight, complicated feelings started bubbling inside Lu Zi Xiang suddenly———-It’s true that Shen Lan Chi was going to marry Lu Zhao Ye, but if the three of them stay together, presumably older brother and consort mother won’t be able to pick out anything to criticize Shen Lan Chi and him.
Therefore, Lu Zi Xiang also got on horseback. The three of them pulled along the reins, slowly walking on the official road.
Lu Qi Yang’s horse wandered about in the very front, walking crookedly, causing the two behind him to all be careful and cautious, so as to avoid bumping into him. After traveling for a segment of the way, he even picked a half-withered jade lotus root colored wrecked flower off a slope on the side of the road, saying that he’s going to give to Lu Zi Xiang to put in his hair.
“No thanks.” Lu Zi Xiang repeatedly refused, having the subject changed, “Previously, didn’t Qi Yang say, you wanted to buy that ‘Beauty of the Spring Mountain’ painting? I will say it directly now, the one on the market is a forgery, but it’s forged quite well, also worth some money. Qi Yang, when you get to it, be a bit careful, so as to avoid getting cheated of your money.”
“Yes, yes.” Lu Qi Yang responded, his eyes gazing at the nearby mountain.
Right at this time, a small squad of guards caught up from behind in a hurry, their heads covered in sweat. Turns out, something happened to the horse carriage that Lu Zi Xiang was riding in previously. The horses suddenly went crazy, taking the horse carriage directly off the cliff.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Hearing these words, Lu Zi Xiang complexion was slightly pale.
Fortunately, he changed to riding on horseback with Shen Lan Chi, else, he would’ve been injured by now.
“The weather has been alternating between hot and cold lately, so the horses frequently get sick.” Lu Qi Yang opened his mouth, “A few days ago, wasn’t Miss Shen’s horse carriage also like this? The horse getting startled, even nearly charging into someone’s residence.”
“Go carefully investigate.” Lu Zi Xiang’s face slightly darkened. A good while later, he finally recovered his usual smile, politely saying to Shen Lan Chi, “Miss Shen, this time, it really is thanks to your good fortune.”
Shen Lan Chi made a slightly surprised look, hurriedly saying, “What are you saying? Naturally, it’s your Highness that’s blessed by the heavens. But, why did the horse suddenly act up? Your Highness should nicely investigate.”
Lu Zi Xiang saw her slightly pale complexion, his smile softening, consoling, “Don’t be scared, no one got hurt. I’m here.”
With something like this happening on the way, Lu Zi Xiang no longer had the mood to admire the scenery along the way. He took a squad of light calvary and headed towards the capital.
After the carriage squad left, Lu Qi Yang lazily stretched his body, saying to Shen Lan Chi, “The person’s already gone, you can tell the truth now. What are you up to today, suddenly running out to see the second prince? In the capital, who doesn’t know that the Shen family and Liu family are rivals. I don’t think your mother will allow you to do this.”
Shen Lan Chi was stumped.
“Then, why don’t you say first, why you suddenly came to see his second Highness?” She didn’t answer, just lifting her brow and asking back.
“I’m in a good mood today, coming to see my own tang brother, what? Not allowed?” Lu Qi Yang casted her a glance, “Miss Shen is going to extend your hands into my family affairs?”
“Allowed.” Shen Lan Chi got pricked by him, somewhat unhappy, her pretty brows frowning, “I came to see his second Highness….because….en…….” She who was normally always unruffled was unexpectedly speechless for once.
“En?”
A moment of silence later, Shen Lan Chi could only squeeze out a half true half false excuse, “I, now, don’t want to marry the crown prince anymore. Thinking back and forth, I figured that perhaps if I become a bit closer with the second prince, my parents will spare me, not letting me marry.”
Lu Qi Yang was stupefied.
He furrowed his brows, leaning an inch closer, and another inch, quietly asking, “Lan Lan, are you possessed?”
Lu Qi Yang was too close, as if in the next moment, he can just bite her ear. This close of a distance kept making her unconsciously recall that kiss on her forehead in the past life. She was somewhat annoyed, angrily having Lu Qi Yang pushed aside, blurting out, “I’m very well, stop getting so close, really annoying.”
“Sure are strong.” Lu Qi Yang rubbed his chest where she pushed, mumbling to himself, “Since childhood, you’ve been eagerly waiting to marry Lu Zhao Ye, yet now, you suddenly changed your mind? You’re saying you’re not possessed? This young master doesn’t believe.”
“The crown prince hates me, having a cold face every time he sees me, so why bother tormenting myself?” Shen Lan Chi’s gaze drifted, her tone unconsciously carrying a bit of disdain.
“Yo, you’re quite attentive.” Lu Qi Yang hooked the corner of his lip, revealing a smile that didn’t reach the eyes, “What if his mouth is just stubborn? Some men appear as if they particularly hate you, but in reality, have you treated like a treasure in the bottom of their heart.”
Shen Lan Chi ignored him, so he just rubbed his nose, having an embarrassed look. Not long after, he said, “It’s getting late, I’m going back first.” Afterwards, he had that wild flower that he picked previously inserted near Shen Lan Chi’s ear, saying, “This flower will be bestowed to you. It just so happens the jade lotus root color also suits you. Ever heard of ‘jade lotus root, white tangerine, all objects of the immortals’ before?”
“How can I not have? Glittering royal ointment, taste of sweet snow, white lotus, black dates, jade lotus root, white tangerine……….”
Not waiting for Shen Lan Chi to finish, Lu Qi Yang just left.
Shen Lan Chi took down that half-withered jade lotus root colored wild flower, playing with it in her hand for while before returning to the An Duke Manor. She’d secretly slipped out, so wanted to quietly change out of the riding clothes before Shen first madam discovered.
Who knew, as soon as she entered the door, she just heard a shout like thunder.
“Lan Chi, where did you go?!”
Shen Lan Chi lifted her head. It was Shen first madam standing there with an angry face, and standing next to her was Shen Tong Ying with a look of taking pleasure at another’s misfortune. Shen Lan Chi immediately understood what was going on———-
Shen Tong Ying suddenly had the idea to run to her mother’s place to tell on her.
The people of the second branch sure are idle!
Their own family affairs naturally need to be taken care of behind closed doors. Shen first madam ordered the servant girl to have Shen Tong Ying invited out, then immediately just started scolding her own precious daughter: “Lu Zhu has already confessed! You went to see the second prince, didn’t you!? The second prince is Noble Consort Liu’s child, how is he someone you should meet with!”
Shen Lan Chi’s heart jumped, inwardly complaining that Lu Zhu confessed too quickly.
“……..No, mother, listen to Lan Chi……..” Shen Lan Chi looked up to her mother’s angry face, saying, “This daughter went to look for the heir, just he needed to go pick up the second prince who’s returning to the capital today. If mother doesn’t believe, you can go next door to ask, whether or not the heir went out of the capital today.”
Shen Lan Chi said these words so solemnly, making Shen first madam half-believe and half-doubt.
Just, even if she didn’t voluntarily go meet Lu Zi Xiang, her conduct still wasn’t considered good.
“You, you, you went to look for the heir?” Shen first madam’s tone became even angrier, “Mother originally thought that you were just momentarily impulsive, yet didn’t expect that you’d still be willful even now! If you walk too close with other men, you won’t be able to marry into the Eastern Palace in the future, letting someone else gain the advantage for nothing. When time comes, don’t blame mother for not warning you!”
Shen Lan Chi dryly responded ‘yes’, and then softly said, “But, this daughter really fell in love with the heir at first sight………..” Just, seeing her mother’s scary look, Shen Lan Chi promptly went quiet, changing her words, “This daughter was wrong.”
Shen first madam flung her sleeves, scolding her a bit more before leaving.
Because of Lu Zi Xiang’s return to the capital, his Majesty wanted to hold a reception for Lu Zi Xiang, so in a few days, there will be a banquet, inviting the nobles in he capital to attend. Not only so, Noble Consort Liu even sent an invitation to all the noble young ladies in the capital, saying that she wanted the young ladies to also come for a gathering.
The madams and young ladies of the capital were all aware inside. The second prince has also reached marriageable age, so Noble Consort Liu wanted to take this time to carefully take a good look and find a helping hand for the second prince.
During these palace banquets in the past, Shen Lan Chi has always outshined the mass, stunning all sides. For the sake of the An Duke Manor’s face, Shen first madam always gave her all to meticulously dress up her own daughter, to the extent where she would even cross the regulations sometimes, letting her wear materials that even the noble consort may not necessarily be able to afford to wear, putting on hairpins that even the princesses were unable to obtain.
In the past life, wearing these clothes and accessories that weren’t appropriate of her rank, Shen Lan Chi completely didn’t feel there was anything wrong. After dying once, she finally discovered that there were also countless things to pay attention to in dressing up.
Shen first madam had prepared two outfits for her, both extremely gorgeous, while also over stepping the rules. She shook her head towards the servant girl and said, “First have these outfits that mother prepared put away. Go have the clothes that I prepared a few days ago brought out.”
Lu Zhu was somewhat confused——In the past, miss loved these outfits and head ornaments the most. Moreover, her appearance was stunning, able to suppress these glittering treasures and instead appear even more dazzling. How come, now, miss suddenly changed?
Bi Yu went to fetch the two outfits that Shen Lan Chi prepared a few days ago. Compared with the clothes that Shen first madam prepared, this outfit was just a lot plainer. She had the clothes brought before Shen Lan Chi, saying, “Miss, how about picking this clear sky after the rain color? The crown prince loves this color the most.”
Shen Lan Chi studied that clear sky after the rain colored dress and then had her line of sight shifted to the other jade lotus root colored dress.
Afterwards, she started smiling, using her fingers to pick up a corner of the hem, leisurely saying, “It’s better to wear this jade lotus root colored one, ever heard of ‘jade lotus root, white tangerine, all objects of the immortals’ before?”
The two servant girls honestly shook their head.
“Although unable to understand, but miss is indeed like an immortal deity.” Lu Zhu said.
“This, I like to hear.” Shen Lan Chi smiled even deeper.
T/N: One of the colors the author mentioned in this chapter is 碧藕色 (jade lotus root color), which to be honest, I don’t even think is an actual color. 藕色(lotus root color) exist, which is usually pink or cream color and a chinese traditional color. But, 碧 which means jade, usually refers to a teal or green-blue color. It would’ve bneen fine if it was refering to a combination of two colors, but it’s weird to refer to it as a single color.
There’s a site: https://china-color.vercel.app/ that lists out the chinese traditional colors. The author’s color choices do get better in the later chapters at least.
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“a man pretending to hate but having you as a treasure at the bottom of his heart” is this certain someone talking about himself perhaps? 👀 I feel bad for the 2nd prince…can’t even appreciate the beauty in front of him in case the beauty bites back 😔