Lin Mengya could guess whom that frivolous and rude voice was coming from.
As expected, it was Hu Lunan, who was clad in luxurious apparels.
What was worrying to Lin Mengya was how intimate he was with the Crown Prince.
Since when did these two men become so intimate?
They must be in partnership to carry out some evil plans together. She did not believe that anything good can result from them collaborating.
"Long time no see, Princess Yu."
Hu Lunan walked up to Lin Mengya. Although he was all smiles, Lin Mengya could sense that he was up to something no good.
She turned to walk towards Long Tianhao, ignoring Hu Lunan’s greetings.
Regardless of what they were up to, Lin Mengya was determined to upset their plans.
Just wait and see!
"We ought to be careful. Hu Lunan was the one to suggest coming for this hunting trip. The guards around Mount Lingju were also the Crown Prince’s men.
The Prince’s quiet words of warning to Lin Mengya felt heartwarming.
Long Tianhao was always so sweet to her, always taking everything into consideration for her sake.
She nodded in response. Even without Long Tianhao’s warning, she would make sure that she trod every step with caution.
The princes and the nobles were not the only ones invited for this hunting trip, in fact, many of the officials in the courts had also come along, even bringing along their families.
By chance, Lin Mengya spotted Elder Sister Yueting, who was wearing a long, white dress, making her look even more feminine and beautiful.
When Yueting saw Lin Mengya, she smiled at her warmly as if greeting her.
"Do you like Miss Yue?"
Lin Mengya’s interaction with Yueting did not escape Long Tianhao’s eyes.
Subconsciously, Long Tianyu’s eyes were always drawn towards Lin Mengya whenever she was by his side.
When he saw the look of delight in Lin Mengya’s eyes whenever she saw Miss Yue, strangely, Long Tianhao would feel a thrill too.
It seemed that whenever she was happy, likewise he would feel happy.
"She is my future sister-in-law. Moreover, Elder Sister Yueting is gentle and beautiful. Who wouldn’t like her?"
Lin Mengya certainly adored her Elder Sister Yueting. She had also managed to contact her brother through Uncle Yue.
She was sure that Elder Sister Yueting would soon become part of her family.
"I believe you will also grow to like Linlang. She is also a gentle and virtuous girl."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLong Tianhao spoke of Linlang as if they were really familiar with each other.
Lin Mengya felt a stab in her heart at the mention of Linlang, but she kept a straight face and said with a whisper,
"I’m looking forward to meeting this Princess Linlang."
She took a sip of the wine from the cup. Although it was supposed to be good wine, it tasted especially bitter now.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, what shall have as a good omen for this hunting trip?"
Since this was supposedly a casual feast, the rules were not hard and fast.
For some unknown reason, Hu Lunan seemed to become very intimate with the Crown Prince, as if they were good brothers, and their conversation was no longer overly cautious and courteous.
The Crown Prince’s eyes which initially rested on Lin Mengya was now averted.
The more he looked at the stunning beauty in Princess Yu, the more he felt that Long Tianhao, the useless fellow, did not deserve such a stunning beauty.
However, he could not suppress that feeling in his heart.
"Good omen? I almost forgot about it if Second Prince did not mention it. Will someone please bring on the gifts?"
Immediately, some men presented a box overlaid gold. Lin Mengya cast a curious look at it. If even the box was so exquisite, its contents must be exceptionally precious.
"This is a precious pearl presented by the East Sea. Everyone could have a look at it."
The Crown Prince instructed someone to open the box. What they saw was a pearl the size of a child’s fist, giving forth a subtle glow.
"What a huge pearl!"
"Such a big pearl must be very valuable!"
The people standing around started to exclaim at the sight of the pearl.
This was a rare treasure and for this reason, not many people have seen it before.
Lin Mengya glanced at it without showing much interest.
Although this pearl was rare to come by, it was not of much use. If she were to wear it as a piece of jewelry, it would be too burdensome.
"Don’t you like it?"
Long Tianhao asked curiously as he observed that she did not look very interested.
Any regular girl would be fond of such precious pearls, however, his wife did not seem at all interested in it.
"To me, this pearl is not as lovable as little kittens and puppies. What can one do with it she obtains it? I guess it would only be used for showing off."
Lin Mengya’s perception was new to Long Tianhao and this induced a brainwave in him.
"Princess Yu, vice Princess Dugu has asked for you."
Just when Lin Mengya was drinking to lift her mood, a strange voice sounded beside her.
As she turned to look, she saw an unfamiliar face.
"Vice Princess Dugu?" she had an impression that she had heard this name before. However, she just could not put a finger to it even after pondering for a moment.
"She is the Crown Prince’s vice Princess. We’ve met her at the palace banquets."
Long Tianhao gently reminded her, whispering into her ear.
Lin Mengya suddenly came to a realization. Her body tensed up as Long Tianhao leaned in on her.
"Why would your vice Princess look for me?"
Lin Mengya tried to shake off her reflex action when Long Tianhao was at close proximity.
However, she could not ignore the feeling of excitement.
"Our vice Princess had said that she felt familiarity at first sight of you. For this reason, she would like to spend some intimate time with you."
The maidservant’s words rang a bell. Lin Mengya remembered now, that pretty lady in a purple dress on the state banquet.
So this was the legendary vice Princess Dugu.
The strange thing was that the Emperor never saw eye to eye with Prince Yu. Why would this lady invite Lin Mengya alone to meet her?
"It must be hard for you. I’m just wondering why the vice Princess would want to see me? What is this regarding?
Lin Mengya got up to leave the banquet tent with the maidservant.
"My mistress had said that she felt this familiarity when she first you. This was the reason why she sent me to you to invite you to meet her. Please follow me, Your Highness."
The maidservant was obviously telling the whole truth. Lin Mengya could sense that vice Princess Dugu had a deeper intention than just the reason given by the maid.
The two of them entered a smaller tent one after another. Once in the tent, Lin Mengya could see that vice Princess Dugu was dressed for horse riding as well. She had also prepared some dishes and laid them on the table, waiting for Lin Mengya’s arrival.
"Your Highness, the vice Princess, Princess Yu is here."
Thereafter, the maidservant excused herself and left Lin Mengya and vice Princess Dugu alone in the tent.
"Little Sister Lin, I’ve prepared some dishes and wine here, so the two of us can spend some time getting to know each other better. I hope you don’t find lacking in manners?"
The Crown Prince’s vice Princess was not just any regular vice princess. Once the Crown Prince went through coronation, she would become the queen.
In this light, it was appropriate to address Lin Mengya as her sister.
However, if the vice Princess had addressed her as little sister Lin, did it mean there was an Elder Brother Bao?
"Please don’t say that, I’m the one who is lacking in manners."
Lin Mengya smiled and sat herself down with poise. She was rather impressed by this little tent.
"There is no need to stand on ceremony and be uncomfortable since we are sisters within the same family after all."
The vice Princess smiled at Lin Mengya with such grace and warmth that it drew Lin Mengya towards her.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHowever, this made Lin Mengya want to keep herself on her toes even more as she smiled back warmly.
"After you, Your Highness, the vice Princess."
"A few days ago, I heard the Crown Prince talking about how you looked so stunning during Concubine De’s birthday banquet."
Vice Princess Dugu said, as she lifted the wine cup and gave Lin Mengya a toast.
"I’m just shining forth a little light, but how could I ever compare to vice Princess in terms of beauty?"
Lin Mengya smiled a modest smile as she responded to the vice Prince’s compliment, touching her lips to the rim of the cup, but not drinking from it.
"Little sister, you do know what to say to make me happy. I hope we can get along better in the future, if you don’t mind."
Lin Mengya could tell from the words of the vice Princess that there was a deeper meaning to them.
The vice Princess should only address other consorts of the Crown Prince as sisters within the same family. It was ridiculous to address Princess Yu as a sister within the same family.
"I’m honored that vice Prince Dugu, you don’t despise me. Mengya would honor Your Highness, the vice Prince’s intentions."
For some unknown reason, she had the feeling that there was something no good hidden behind the vice Princess’s smiles.
She thought to herself that it would be better to return to Long Tianhao as soon as possible.
"Your Highness, the vice Princess, Prince Yu has need of my presence back at the banquet tent. Please forgive me, I have to go back first."
Lin Mengya was about to take her to leave from the small tent to return to the large tent after her apologetic words when suddenly she was blocked by a guard who suddenly appeared.
"What’s the hurry? Why don’t stay here a little longer to drink a bit with me?"
The voice of the vice Princess turned cold and the expression on her face was no longer as friendly as before.
She was looking at Lin Mengya with a look of pity, but even more, with a cruel mocking look.
"What is your intention?"
Lin Mengya did not want to upset their relationship there and then, since she was alone without any support nearby.
"What is my intention? Do you not understand, Princess Yu? Even since the Crown Prince set his eyes on you, he couldn’t stop thinking about you. He had wanted to get on intimate terms with you, but you did not him a chance. Today, I’ve stumbled upon this good chance, so I shall help the Crown Prince fulfill his wishes. Don’t disappoint me and upset my good intentions. Someone, take her down!"
The vice Princess had totally ripped off her hypocritical mask by now as she commanded with a cold tone.
There were many beauties in the Crown Prince’s mansion, but Princess Yu was the first to capture the Crown Prince’s attention to this extent.
Moreover, the Crown Prince had also promised her that she would become the queen sooner if she helped him achieve his wish to lay his hand on Princess Yu.
To gain the Crown Prince’s favor, the vice Princess had been wracking her brains for ways to do please him. On this occasion, Princess Yu was going to get lucky.
"What are you doing? I’m warning you that I’m Princess Yu, whom His Majesty, the Emperor had conferred this title upon me! If you dare lay a finger on me, you would die a tragic death!"
However, Lin Mengya did not go into a frenzy to kick and scream as vice Princess Dugu had expected. On the other hand, she was rather calm.
Her calm disposition appeared arrogant in the sight of the vice Princess.
"My good little sister, you can do away with the pointless struggle. The Crown Princess dotes on beautiful women, so he will treat you well."
The vice Princess was smiling ever so gently. There was a look of confidence and satisfaction on her face.
Lin Mengya was surrounded by the vice Princess’s men. There was no way she could escape from here.
"Oh, what’s going on here that looks so lively and happening. Why wasn’t I invited?"