Chapter Seventy-Two: The Mysterious Man’s Identity

Lin Miaomiao couldn't quite understand how what was supposed to be an outing for just her and Li Yanhe had somehow become a group of four, with each person wearing an icy expression. She suddenly felt her own big mouth had landed her in trouble—she’d called out without thinking, and immediately it was as if she’d stirred up a hornet’s nest.

Spotting a street vendor selling chestnuts, Lin Miaomiao hurried over and asked for some. Li Yanhe simply stood silently by her side. Li Deren was just about to pull out some silver coins when he saw Lin Miaomiao take copper coins from her own little purse. After paying, she handed the purse to Li Yanhe.

Looking up at him, she said, “Shouldn’t we get some more small change? Otherwise, we won’t have enough for snacks later.”

Li Yanhe glanced at her and replied, “You already have enough coins in your purse. There’s no need to exchange more.”

Now that Lin Miaomiao was something of a little rich lady, she didn’t bother trying to calculate. Usually, Li Yanhe would handle it. She nodded, glanced at Li Deren, and said, “Shall we have lunch together? My treat. Would you like to join us?”

Li Deren glanced at the Crown Prince, Li Hanwen, upon hearing this. The Crown Prince replied to Lin Miaomiao, “Yes.”

But immediately, in perfect unison, Li Yanhe and the Crown Prince both said, “No.”

Lin Miaomiao looked at the two of them, then decided to persuade Li Yanhe. “He’s not your enemy, it’s just a meal. Why not eat together?”

Li Yanhe looked at her, and she noticed a hint of grievance in his expression. For some reason, she found it oddly amusing. Taking his large hand in hers, she whispered, “It’s just lunch. We’ll head back in the afternoon.”

“When we get home, I’ll make you something delicious. What would you like? I can bake a cake, or make cookies for you,” she said, walking beside him.

Hearing her voice, Li Yanhe picked her up and said, “Alright.”

Lin Miaomiao couldn’t help but sigh at his compromise, as the two of them walked ahead. They soon entered the arena, where the legendary game of cuju was about to begin, and the atmosphere was electric.

Outside, people were placing bets on which team would win. Lin Miaomiao turned to Li Yanhe. “Shall we place a bet?”

Li Yanhe shook his head. “No need. There’s no telling who’ll win—anything can happen.”

She nodded, and together with Li Yanhe, the Crown Prince, and the Fourth Prince Li Deren, entered the stands. Li Yanhe had originally prepared two seats, but now there were four people, so it didn’t match up. Lin Miaomiao simply sat on Li Yanhe’s lap, freeing up an extra stool.

She glanced at the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince—clearly, there was still one seat short. As she puzzled over how to resolve it, the event organizer approached, showering Li Yanhe with flattering words. The organizer, noticing the distinguished appearance of the two young men beside Li Yanhe, realized at once that they weren’t ordinary folk.

Soon someone brought over another stool for the man dressed in black, so Li Yanhe and the young man could sit together. In that instant, Lin Miaomiao felt a strange unfamiliarity toward this man, as if they were lifelong adversaries.

The Crown Prince sensed Lin Miaomiao’s gaze and looked back at her coolly. It was the first time she had seen this man in black—his robe was clearly of exquisite quality, and a deep blue cloak hung from his shoulders. Sitting beside Li Yanhe, this cold, handsome man radiated an aura of strength; it was as though two titans sat side by side.

Lin Miaomiao felt stifled, staring at the Crown Prince as if time itself had frozen. The Fourth Prince, noticing her fixed gaze on his elder brother, frowned. Lin Miaomiao looked up at the Crown Prince and said, “You must be a man of great distinction.”

Everyone around was momentarily stunned by her words. She continued, “You must be very lonely.”

At this, the Crown Prince suddenly laughed. “How did you know?” he asked.

She lifted her head and replied, “Intuition.”

With that, Lin Miaomiao no longer bothered with him. She found the Crown Prince difficult to approach. Only later would she learn just who this noble man was—that he would one day ascend to the throne he so desperately desired.

Yet, tragically, he would become one of the few pitiful emperors in history.

Every time Lin Miaomiao later recalled the cuju match they watched that day, she felt a pang of regret for that man. After the game, Lin Miaomiao thought this ancient version of football had no fixed rules.

Hand in hand, she and Li Yanhe went to the largest restaurant for lunch; after all, she was now a little rich lady. Once again, Li Deren saw Li Yanhe take out Lin Miaomiao’s little purse from his own coat, and Lin Miaomiao produced a stack of silver notes.

“Is this one alright?” she asked, holding up a note worth one tael, and Li Yanhe nodded.

She handed the purse to him, and he tucked the cute little bag into his own coat as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Lin Miaomiao couldn’t help but wonder at the sudden display of boyfriend-like protectiveness.

She glanced at Li Yanhe, and he looked back; their eyes met, and she gave an embarrassed little smile. Seeing it, his heart melted.

He reached out his large hand and patted her head. Li Deren, with a half-smile, asked, “Hey kid, is that little purse yours?”

Annoyed, she shot back, “You’re the kid—I’m Lin Miaomiao.”

Rolling her eyes, she saw comprehension dawn on Li Deren’s face. So that was why she was so wealthy—the Lin Processing Workshop must belong to her. He gave her a quick once-over, then looked away.

Li Yanhe leaned over and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Miaomiao replied, “I don’t know why, but your boyfriend-like side is showing all of a sudden. I’m not quite used to it.”

He looked at her quizzically. “What do you mean by ‘boyfriend-like’?”

She hesitated, then explained, “I mean, someone who’s particularly manly.”

He nodded and tucked her little purse into his coat.

Li Deren, watching the way they interacted, raised his eyebrows—he’d never known his second brother could be so easygoing. The Crown Prince, observing them, suddenly recalled a certain rumor and narrowed his eyes.

After lunch, Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe parted from the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince. She had no idea that, beneath the surface of these simple events, intrigue was brewing. The Crown Prince watched as Li Yanhe boarded his carriage.

Li Yanhe lifted the curtain and said to the Crown Prince, “I didn’t realize the capital was so full of secrets, brother. Yet you still have time to go out.”

The Crown Prince’s gaze turned cold and dangerous. “So you are aware of what’s happening in the capital?”

Li Yanhe met his eyes, and in that instant, the air seemed to freeze. Standing nearby, the Fourth Prince felt a chill run through him.

The Crown Prince glared at his brother, his face darkening, while Li Yanhe calmly brushed imaginary dust from his sleeve.

“I have no interest in the affairs of the capital,” Li Yanhe said quietly. “The waters here are too deep. I’m content to stay in the borderlands. Brother, you’d best return to the capital—if you’re late, Father may start to suspect something.”

As soon as he finished, the Crown Prince gripped his riding crop tightly. The Fourth Prince shuddered—his second brother really dared to speak so bluntly.

Watching Li Yanhe’s departing figure, the Fourth Prince saw the cold aura radiating from the man.

“Brother, shall we…” he ventured cautiously.

The Crown Prince, his voice even and calm, answered, “Let’s go. We’re heading back.”

But sweat was already beading on the Fourth Prince’s back, for at that moment, the Crown Prince was truly terrifying.

Lin Miaomiao watched Li Yanhe close his eyes to rest. For some reason, she sensed he was in low spirits.

“Why are you unhappy?” she asked, puzzled.

He looked at her. “That was the Crown Prince.”

She stared at him in disbelief. That man just now—the Crown Prince? Then the Fourth Prince must be the emperor’s fourth son as well?

She’d met the gentle and refined Third Prince before, and the phrase “A dragon begets nine sons, each different from the last” sprang to mind.

She turned to Li Yanhe. “So you’re the second son, the Crown Prince is the eldest, then there’s the Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and who else?”