A Devoted Tea Ceremony Master Prince - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

My memories were interrupted by the sound of a familiar poem being recited.

My cousin, who had been sitting beside me only a moment ago, had already gone up to the stage to write a poem.

I called it familiar because the poem she had written just so happened to be the very one I had composed at the Spring Banquet in my previous life.

Once someone finished reading it aloud, my cousin turned toward me and gave me a provocative smile.

The moment the poem was done, the ladies and young misses in attendance burst into applause.

“As expected of a daughter of the Xie family. The moment she makes a move, it is a masterpiece.”

“Indeed. I heard the young lady onstage is only Minister Xie’s niece.”

“The Xie Clan truly lives up to its reputation as a century-old noble house. Every one of their juniors is outstanding.”

The madams and daughters-in-law praised her loudly.

My cousin gave a shy smile and bowed to accept their compliments.

That expression, that movement-they were exactly the same as mine in my previous life.

Watching her act that way made my stomach turn.

It was bad enough that she was copying me so poorly, but she even took my poem and read it as her own.

If she wanted to climb to the heavens, she should not have used me as her stepping stone.

I was furious, but then another thought suddenly popped into my mind.

Since she had claimed the poem as hers, why not let the mistake stand?

Today, she could steal the limelight, and I could seize this chance to run.

I could flee the capital, head to the border, and save my eldest brother before his leg was nearly crippled. I could also escape the clutches of that beast, Prince Xuan.

No one would force nourishing tonics down my throat anymore, nor would I spend every day listless and drained, unable to muster interest in anything.

Once I made up my mind, I acted. Using a trip to the privy as an excuse, I took a few maids with me and slipped away.

As soon as I left the courtyard, I heard the same words as in my previous life.

“A fine poem. Reward her!”

The speaker was the Emperor, who had come strolling over with nothing better to do.

If he was here, Prince Xuan was here too. Run!

Lüluo panted heavily.

“Miss, why are you running? You’re just handing this chance to bring honor to yourself over to the third branch’s young lady?”

The composed Hongye reprimanded her.

“Do not speak recklessly. Whatever Miss chooses to do, we servants need only obey.”

Lüluo was still indignant, but she did not dare talk back to Hongye. Puffing up in frustration, she said, “Then, Miss, are we returning to the residence?”

I nodded and ran even faster.

“Back to the residence. Then out of the capital and to the border to find my eldest brother.” To save him!

Hongye frowned the moment she heard this.

“You must not!”

Lüluo rolled her eyes.

“What is wrong with you, Hongye? Weren’t you the one who just said we should listen to Miss?”

Hongye’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“This servant… this servant believes such a matter should be reported to Master and Madam.”

Report my ass. If I reported it, I would never make it out of the capital.

No noble family would ever allow an unmarried young lady of the household to entertain such an outrageous idea.

Even if one did, the idea would be strangled in the cradle.

Based on what I knew of that old Emperor from my previous life, there was no way he would bestow my cousin upon Prince Xuan.

My cousin’s father was a low-ranking petty official, and her mother came from a merchant family. They could not protect Prince Xuan at all.

As long as I remained in the capital, sooner or later, the Emperor would grant that marriage.

When the Emperor wanted to do something, he would find a reason even if none existed.

Right now, the timing, location, and opportunity were all on my side. If I did not run now, what was I waiting for?

Once I escaped the capital, that doting-son Emperor would never grant me in marriage to Prince Xuan.

He would not let his youngest son marry a rebellious and unruly woman as his principal consort.

After we returned to the residence, Qingliu, who had stayed behind to watch the house, was so delighted to hear that I wanted to go to the border to find my eldest brother that she practically jumped for joy.

“This servant hasn’t seen the eldest young master or my own elder brother in so many years.”

Qingliu’s elder brother had followed my eldest brother to the border three years ago.

After parting all those years ago, neither of them had ever returned to the capital.

I glanced at the three of them.

Hongye was skilled at managing household affairs, Lüluo loved studying culinary arts, and Qingliu knew both martial arts and medicine.

I could not do without a single one of them.

Hongye was unwilling no matter what, but she was no match for Qingliu and Lüluo’s persuasions.

A quarter of an hour later, the four of us slipped furtively out through the side gate.

Qingliu disguised herself as a young manservant and drove a carriage over from the rear courtyard.

Once we were all inside, Qingliu cracked the long whip, and the gates of the residence grew smaller and smaller behind us.