Chapter Sixty-Eight: Accepting the Red Cord

Only then did the man realize his behavior was inappropriate. He hurriedly released her hand, stepped back, and offered a respectful bow. “I am truly sorry to have startled you, miss.”

Under normal circumstances, Guli would have flared up and called for someone to give this brazen youth a good lesson. But the situation was delicate now; she only wished to avoid trouble and simply shook her head, saying it was nothing.

The man gazed at her, seeing the face he remembered—now more mature, yet still dazzling and breathtaking. Unable to help himself, he drew from his sleeve a red cord woven into the shape of a flower and offered it to her.

Guli was momentarily stunned; it was only then she realized she had been pulled aside for a confession!

Truly, this face of hers was always inviting trouble!

She meant to refuse, but suddenly another thought occurred to her. With brisk decisiveness, she accepted the cord and tied it to her lantern.

Behind his mask, the man’s handsome face broke into a faint smile.

Though Guli accepted the token, once she had fastened it, she cupped her hands in a bold gesture and said, “Thank you for your kindness, good sir. I appreciate the compliment. Farewell.”

With that, she led Jasmine away without a backward glance.

The man did not pursue her, but his smile only grew brighter.

Guli, I hadn’t expected to meet you here.

Rest assured, we shall see each other again very soon.

Guli had barely left the poetry gathering when Jasmine anxiously tugged at her sleeve. “Princess, why did you accept that rogue’s red cord?”

“How silly you are.”

Guli flicked her on the forehead, responding with proud nonchalance, “Yuyang and I came out together, and she already had a young man offer her a red cord. If I, a princess, were to leave empty-handed, wouldn’t that make me look bad?”

“But…” Jasmine hesitated, her expression troubled. “Precisely because you’re a princess, accepting a red cord from a stranger might not be appropriate.”

“Don’t worry.” Guli, understanding her maid’s concerns, smiled reassuringly. “I don’t even know him. The world is vast; what are the chances we’ll ever meet again? He’s just a stranger—no trouble will come of it.”

Jasmine thought it over and found the argument reasonable, so she fretted no longer.

Guli assumed she would now be free to enjoy herself, but before she had gone far, she ran into the Crown Prince and Yuyang, walking together.

Yuyang still wore her mask, while the Crown Prince had taken his off. No matter how she looked at him, Guli felt her brother’s expression was not good. But with Yuyang present, she didn’t want to ask. The Crown Prince, on seeing her alone, immediately frowned. “What’s this about? Where is General Chang’an? Why isn’t he with you?”

Although Guli was usually mischievous and often relied on the Crown Prince’s indulgence, she was still a bit afraid of his temper. Now, feeling guilty, she shrank her neck, searching for an excuse, when a familiar voice sounded behind her. “Your Highness, I’m here.”

Guli turned around to see Lie Chang’an standing not far away.

Lie Chang’an had hurried over at the sound of the Crown Prince’s voice. He’d nearly been scared out of his wits when Guli had disappeared right in front of him; his hands had gone cold, his mind buzzing with panic, fearing some mishap had befallen her.

He was, in fact, furious—angry she hadn’t listened, angry at her stubbornness and unwillingness to let others rest easy. Yet seeing her now, head down, neck drawn in, looking so sheepish and pitiful, he couldn’t bear to let her be scolded. He stepped forward at once.

The Crown Prince, seeing General Chang’an behind them, realized he must have simply overlooked him before, and nodded, saying no more.

He was in a foul mood, lost in his own thoughts, and so failed to notice Guli’s guilty glances, Lie Chang’an’s cold sweat, or the sudden appearance of a red cord on Guli’s lantern.