Chapter 156 – How Could it be Him?
In a blink of an eye, the dark shadow saved Ye Zhen from falling; strong arms held her back by her waist and whirled her around to safety without difficulty.
Initially, she was sure that she was going to fall into the pond. Whether she would drown or not was the second thing that came to her mind. With Mo Rongyi around, his people would surely save her and pull her out of the water, but she could not bear losing face here.
Once she falls into the water, her maiden name would be tainted, and the humiliation would hinder her from entering the palace to become a female medical doctor.
For this, she felt intense anger towards the Chief Princess and her daughter, Liu Hua, for the first time.
She didn’t want to provoke them nor cause any trouble with them. Yet, they refused to let her go in peace since the moment they laid their eyes on her!
What’s more, she saw it all—the meaningful wink of the Chief Princess to her maids-in-waiting. Just vicious and cruel.
From the moment she felt the maid shove her, she didn’t expect anyone to save her—her and her reputation.
In that brief moment, she thought several times about what to do if she indeed fell into the water so as not to damage her maiden name. Fortunately, strong hands held her firmly.
“Thank you …” She felt her feet touched the ground and her frame steadied. With a happy heart, she looked up to thank the person who saved her.
Sharp eyes hovered over her, knife-shaped eyebrows lifted and thin lips slightly pressed. The man was donned in a black embroidered golden dragon uniform with his neckline and cuffs embroidered with a dark golden auspicious pattern, making him look more powerful if possible.
However, the coldness in his gaze eyes and inherent domineering aura hindered anyone to dare to make a sound.
How could it be him?
Mo Rongzhan’s hands were still on her waist as he looked down at her with seemingly confused face.
In shock, Ye Zhen pushed him away without thinking and stepped back a few steps. The resistance and disgust in her eyes was noticeable.
“Brother.” Mo Rongyi looked delighted, but his voice sounded timid. He had always been afraid of his elder brother. At this moment, even him was too scared to speak.
Chief Princess was clearly disappointed by the sudden appearance of the Emperor, but she still forced herself to bow before him. “Your Highness…”
Her daughter also gave salute to the Emperor, only it was quite different. Liu Hua looked at Mo Rongzhan with a coquettish and happy face, and stepped closer to him.
“Cousin Emperor, why are you here?” she asked, fluttering her lashes towards him.
Instead of answering, Mo Rongzhan’s cold eyes fell lightly on Ye Zhen. Seeing that she hung her head down, he spoke in a heavy voice, “Raise your head.”
Is he talking to me? Ye Zhen was shocked. Her hand, clenched in a fist, remained hidden in her sleeves. Slowly, she raised her head and quickly, bowed down on her knees.
“This miss thanks His Highness for saving her life.”
When he met her in the Chengde Mountain Villa, the little girl looked a little different. Mo Rongzhan scrutinized her for a moment, then turned his head and glanced at the others. “What happened?”
“Your Majesty, this miss bumped on me and refused to admit her mistake with strong arguments.” Liu Hua stared at Ye Zhen’s beautiful face, envious in her heart. For fearing that she would attract the Emperor, she immediately went to his side and cried out with injustice.
Mo Rongyi came to Ye Zhen’s defense. “You fell yourself! Where exactly did Yao Yao hit you?”
By then, a venomous voice contradicted the little prince. The Chief princess spoke, the hatred in her eyes evident.
“My sweet little prince, did you see Liu Hua fall on her own? We all know that you are inclined to help your friend Lu Yaoyao. Do not tell lies.”
“You…” Mo Rongyi’s face turned red with anger. The Chief princess was his aunt. however, she despised them. He still remembered the first time he and his mother, the Empress Dowager, saw her. At that time, the Empress Dowager wanted to greet the Chief princess, yet, she ignored them in front of many people, saying that her mother was too low in status to speak to her.
“You should not be even standing before me! How dare!”
Mo Rongyi remembered that scene very clearly like it happened just yesterday. That year, his brother had just left capital for an expedition, and his father no longer doted on his mother, who was the without a title.
They did not have a good time in the palace. Although he was very young, he remembered clearly the look on the Chief Princess’ face at that time.
Now, his brother is already the most honorable person in Jin country. Why does the Chief princess still dare to show an arrogant attitude in front of them?
He gritted his teeth, stared at princess royal and said, “What if this prince wants to help Lu Yaoyao? She is my friend. If I should not help her, should I help you instead?”
“You are impudent!” The Chief Princess shouted louder than she’d expected, “How dare you talk to me like this!”
“Then tell me, aunt, how should I talk to you? Or do you think that this prince is not even qualified to stand before you?” Mo Rongyi’s young face was full of resentment.