The painted boat gradually approached the canopy boat.
Shen Yunxi stepped onto the canopy boat using the wooden ladder, her eyes darting across the cabin. Only after confirming there were no women onboard did she quietly sigh in relief.
She intimately linked arms with Lu Ying and said coquettishly, "Your Highness said we were just going for a stroll, yet we've gone so far already? The dragon boat race is halfway through now; if we go back soon, we might still catch the final results."
Lu Ying uttered a faint "hmm," motioning for the servant to tie the canopy boat to the tail of the painted boat for it to follow, then accompanied Shen Yunxi aboard the painted boat.
Inside the painted boat with its glossy red lacquer, curtains of beads hung elegantly. Clean and luxurious purple bamboo mats covered the floor, while the low table held a sumptuous spread of delicacies and fine wines. Several maids knelt quietly in the corners, awaiting instructions.
Lu Qianqian, who had a lively and sociable disposition, immediately invited everyone to play a game.
She arranged for everyone to sit around the low table, bringing out a sheepskin drum and a lotus flower: "Let's skip those cultured drinking games. We'll play 'Drumming While Passing the Flower.' I'll act as the judge. When the drum stops, whoever holds the flower must follow my instructions—either answer a question or perform a daring act."
Shen Yunxi, sitting close to Lu Ying, laughed and said, "Qianqian, you're the best at setting the mood among us, so we'll go along with your rules."
Lu Qianqian turned her back to the group and started beating the drum.
When the drumbeats ceased, she glanced back, and the lotus flower had coincidentally landed in Shen Yunxi's hands.
Lu Qianqian mischievously winked at her and ordered, "Crown Princess Consort, please kiss the person you like most among us."
The crowd immediately erupted into cheerful coaxing and laughter.
Clutching the lotus flower, Shen Yunxi blushed deeply and shyly looked at Lu Ying, saying, "Your Highness..."
Lu Ying remained nonchalant.
Shen Yunxi gazed at his strikingly handsome and refined profile, her eyes filled with undisguisable admiration.
She had liked Lu Ying for a long time.
Her father had gotten rid of Shen Yinning for her sake. This man now belonged solely to her—Shen Yunxi's husband.
Her cheeks reddened, her heart pounding like thunder. She closed her eyes and slowly leaned in toward Lu Ying's lips.
Lu Ying did not push her away.
Witnessing the satisfactory scene, the painted boat burst with even more enthusiastic cheers and laughter.
The vessel moved smoothly, slicing through the lake.
Tied to the painted boat's tail, the canopy boat left behind a long ripple, stretching far into the water.
Hidden within the wooden paneling of the canopy boat, Shen Yinning curled up in the cramped, dim space. She silently raised her curled lashes and peered through the wooden slits at the narrow beam of sky overhead.
She could hear their laughter, their revelry.
She could hear Lu Qianqian instructing Shen Yunxi to kiss Lu Ying.
Shen Yunxi was Lu Ying's Crown Princess Consort. For a man like him, who placed great importance on decorum, there was no way he would embarrass her publicly.
Hence, the painted boat's cheerfulness grew even livelier.
Only she remained trapped in the claustrophobic compartment at the boat's bow—humiliated and alone.
Shen Yinning's lashes trembled lightly before she closed her eyes in bitter indignation.
This year's dragon boat race was exceptionally festive, carrying on until dusk.
The sky grew heavy and dark, the clouds hanging low above the canal. A fine drizzle fell onto the surface of the water, prompting travelers and merchants to rush into inns and restaurants for shelter while street vendors packed up their stalls along the riverside.
Shen Yunxi linked arms with Lu Ying and left Feilai Pavilion, speaking softly, "Your Highness, it's about time we returned to the palace. You promised me you'd stay with me tonight, so don't go back on your word. I recall you once mentioned how much you liked pomegranate-red ruquns. I had the seamstress make over a dozen of them this year; I'll wear one for you tonight, hmm?"
"Alright."
As they were about to board the sedan chair, Lu Ying noticed Gao Zheng standing nearby with a hesitant demeanor, as if wanting to approach but not daring to.
He instructed Shen Yunxi, "You go back to the Eastern Palace first. I have something I need to take care of."
Shen Yunxi followed his gaze toward Gao Zheng, noticing he was a man, and let out a relieved smile. "Your Highness is always busy handling affairs. Even during a festival, you ought to take a break. But since you're occupied, I'll head to the Eastern Palace first. Don't forget to return early; my sisters and I are all waiting for you to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival together."
After the sedan carried Shen Yunxi away, Gao Zheng cautiously stepped forward.
He dared not look directly at Lu Ying, keeping his head bowed as he clasped his hands in greeting. "My humble self greets the Crown Prince."
"What is it?"
Gao Zheng hesitated for a moment before speaking tentatively, "I shouldn't trouble you, Your Highness, but I haven't seen Miss Shen all day, and my heart is full of concern. I thought she was accompanying you, yet it seems you've spent all day with the Crown Princess Consort at Feilai Pavilion. I fear Miss Shen might have gone missing, and my worry grows unbearable."
Lu Ying clasped his hands behind his back.
Upon hearing this, he glanced toward the riverbank.
The canopy boat remained tied to the painted boat.
Shen Yinning had been locked inside the canopy boat for the entire day.
Twisting the jade ring on his finger, he said, "She may have returned home by now."
Gao Zheng froze momentarily before replying, "Then I'll check at home."
Just as he was about to leave, Lu Ying suddenly called to him.
Gao Zheng stopped, puzzled. "Is there something more, Your Highness?"
Lu Ying fixated on him. "You like Shen Yinning?"
His tone was calm and unhurried.
Yet the shadows in his gaze were more oppressive and chilling than the storm clouds above the canal.
He was the Crown Prince.
The heir to the Great Zhou Country.
Gao Zheng's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground with a loud "thud," his back breaking out in cold sweat.
He knew it must have been Eunuch Gui who reported what had transpired in the colonnade days ago to the Crown Prince.
Terrified, he stammered, "Your Highness, I wouldn't dare!"
Lu Ying looked down at him.
Only when cold sweat soaked through Gao Zheng's robes did Lu Ying slowly say, "You'd better not."
Gao Zheng kowtowed in fear before scrambling away.
A strong wind swept across the canal.
In mere moments, the sky and water turned dull and lifeless, as torrential rain cascaded down in thick drops. The river banks and water's surface were now completely devoid of people.
Lu Ying opened his umbrella and boarded the canopy boat.
He unlocked the brass keyhole and removed the wooden panel.
The cramped space was damp and dim, and Shen Yinning lay unconscious, curled like a fragile figure within, her soaked black hair clinging to her pale skin, exuding both pity and disgrace.
Today's dragon boat race was so bustling, with merchants and commoners everywhere.
They passed back and forth nearby—perhaps some even stepped onto this canopy boat to peddle goods between other boats.
None of them would have guessed that hidden within the empty compartment below their feet was a beauty.
And this beauty had once been the delicately pampered daughter of Shen Guogong Mansion.
She was the Bright Pearl of her teacher's affection.
But now, this fate was her own doing.
After all, hadn't she betrayed him?
Lu Ying knelt on one leg at the boat's bow, holding an umbrella with one hand while gently stroking Shen Yinning's pale and tender cheek with the other.
His lowered lashes concealed the emotions in his eyes, leaving his face expressionless.
The twilight deepened.
Though it was the Dragon Boat Festival, Shen Garden was steeped in sadness and cold rain.
When Shen Yinning awoke, she had already been bathed, her hair dried, and dressed in fresh, clean nightwear by the maids.
She looked at Lu Ying, who sat on the bed beside her, his back facing her as he read a book. Hatred flashed in her eyes.
"Awake?"
Lu Ying turned to look at her at the sound of her movements.
Shen Yinning quickly concealed her resentment, her eyes reddening with feigned grievance as she threw her arms around him from behind. "Lu Ying-gege, how cruel you are!"