Chapter 147: You Are Looking for Someone

Qiao Ke blinked his eyes at Qiao Zhi and said in a soft, childish voice, "Royal Uncle, my little aunt is here; do we still need to go pay our respects to Grandmother? Ke'er wants to accompany my little aunt to the Imperial Garden."

"Oh..." Lian Yue intentionally drew out the last syllable to show she understood. She tugged at Qiao Ke’s hand, loosening and tightening her grip several times. "So that’s how it is."

Indeed, the reason Qiao Zhi was there was because he had used Qiao Ke as an excuse. Having been exposed so bluntly by the child, he felt a flicker of embarrassment, though his skin was thick enough that the awkwardness vanished in less than a heartbeat, leaving no trace.

Since Qiao Ke was only five, Qiao Zhi assumed the boy had spoken without thinking. Besides, the Empress Dowager’s quarters were filled with female guests, and he had no interest in that, so he simply went along with the child’s words: "Since you want to go, then go."

"Then let's go now!" Qiao Ke immediately pulled Lian Yue’s hand and headed toward the hanging flower gate ahead. "The butterflies in the Imperial Garden are the most beautiful. Little Aunt, you have to catch butterflies for Ke'er later."

Unlike before, the group was no longer as relaxed. Lian Yue was led by Qiao Ke at the front, followed closely by Shi Yaoyao and Qiao Zhi, with Han Luyan, Zhuo Yuying, and the others trailing, while Nanny Li brought up the rear.

Although Qiao Ke’s steps were small, once he started running, Lian Yue found it hard to keep up just by walking, occasionally needing to jog a few steps. Gradually, she fell behind the others. Thinking it was just a child’s whim to catch butterflies, she kept telling him to slow down.

However, she only realized what the little imp was up to when he suddenly blurted out, "Little Aunt, have you considered my Sixth Uncle?"

It seemed this little nephew of hers had a penchant for matchmaking. Suppressing a smile, Lian Yue whispered, "What would a little brat like you know?"

Qiao Ke’s delicate voice chimed in again, "Little Aunt, you should consider it. My Sixth Uncle is handsome and wealthy."

Lian Yue found herself increasingly torn between laughter and frustration. "But I don’t like him."

Qiao Ke hadn't anticipated this answer. He continued his little trot in silence for a moment before asking, "Then does Little Aunt have someone she likes?"

Lian Yue’s eyes grew distant. She thought of the figure from that night, and a sense of loss filled her heart. Why hadn't he come to find her?

"Is it the masked uncle from that night?"

Lian Yue cracked a bitter smile and reached out to tap Qiao Ke lightly on the head. "What are you talking about?"

Qiao Ke pouted, rubbing his head with his small hand, and said indignantly, "And I was going to tell you that I just saw him!"

Lian Yue stopped abruptly. She bent down and hugged Qiao Ke, asking anxiously, "What did you say? Saw whom?"

Qiao Ke sniffled, his small finger pointing to the spot where Lian Yue had tapped him. Lian Yue hurriedly reached out to rub it, her eyes filled with hopeful anticipation.

"The masked man from the night market. He came to the birthday banquet, too. I think he went toward the Imperial Garden just as I was leaving."

Upon hearing this, Lian Yue was overwhelmed with excitement. One thought echoed in her mind: *He is here. He is here, and he is right nearby.*

Their strange behavior naturally caught the attention of the others. Yaoyao trotted up, puzzled, and looked at the clearly flustered Lian Yue. "Big Sister Yue, what’s the matter?"

Hearing her voice, Lian Yue snapped back to reality. She realized she had lost her composure and said to Yaoyao, "It’s nothing. Let’s go, to the Imperial Garden."

Yaoyao watched Lian Yue’s back with suspicion, muttering, "Something’s up. Definitely something." Her gaze then shifted to Qiao Ke, a strange smile playing on her lips as she followed.

Qiao Ke watched Lian Yue thoughtfully, sensing that something was about to happen. He did not notice Han Luyan’s gaze fixed upon him.

"Useless, you are all useless!" Inside the Rain Flower Pavilion, Qiao Yu’s bedchamber, the palace maids knelt trembling across the floor. Garments of all colors were strewn across the floor, the bed, the folding screens, and the tables.

Qiao Yu glared at the kneeling maids, fury written on her face. She had returned to change, but every outfit she picked felt wrong—one made her look like an eggplant, another like a parrot. After sifting through all the seasonal clothing, she hadn't found a single suitable piece.

The maids kneeling on the floor had their own grievances. Qiao Yu favored bright colors, and seven out of every ten items were red. Two days ago, in a fit of rage, she had taken scissors and shredded all her red clothes. There were few outfits left, and the embroidery workshop couldn't possibly finish anything new in time for today's banquet. They knew her temper well; silence was their only defense. Anyone who spoke up would surely be punished with a beating.

The steward eunuch, Xiao Pingzi, heard the commotion from outside. He knew that if he delayed delivering the news Xiao Zhan had brought, he would certainly face a lashing. He steeled himself, walked in, and knelt at the threshold. "Princess, Xiao Zhan just reported that the Sixth Prince and the Crown Prince have accompanied Princess Qingyu and the others toward the Imperial Garden."

The moment Qiao Yu heard the name Qiao Wanwu, she knew it must be Yue Lian Yue and her crowd. Recalling how Lian Yue had called "Brother Qiao, Brother Qiao" the other day, she couldn't stand it any longer. It was too detestable. She had to rush over immediately.

Qiao Yu glared at the motionless maids and roared, "What are you standing there for? Change my clothes!"

Xiao Pingzi retreated quickly. The maids scrambled to their feet amidst Qiao Yu’s shouting, looking at the mess of clothes in despair. One of the bolder ones asked, "Which one would the Princess like to wear?"

Qiao Yu swept her gaze across the room and pointed to a sky-blue dress. She remembered that the person sitting next to Lian Yue at the Prince of Nanping’s estate had worn that color.

The maid hurriedly grabbed the dress from the table and helped Qiao Yu change. When she reached for the hairpins, Qiao Yu pushed her hand away. "No need for that. You two, follow me."

The two maids named bowed their heads, silently nursing their own grievances.

***

Passing through a long, vermillion-walled corridor and rounding a hanging flower gate, the view suddenly opened up. Ancient cypresses and old locust trees, exotic flowers and herbs, pavilions and palaces scattered like stars, and crisscrossing gravel paths gave the entire garden an air of antique tranquility without losing its imperial grandeur. There were many people visiting the Imperial Garden today, adding a touch of vitality to the magnificent rear gardens.

This was the destination for Lian Yue’s group. Lian Yue, who always loved beautiful scenery, was for once not looking at the views but searching the garden for a figure.

Unable to find the person she wanted to see within her range of vision, she couldn't help but want to walk further inside.

Qiao Ke pulled her hand, acting spoiled. "Little Aunt, so many butterflies! Ke'er wants butterflies!"

Lian Yue couldn't spare a thought for that now. She coaxed, "Be good, Ke'er. There are more butterflies inside. Let’s go in, shall we?"

"No!" Qiao Ke didn't fall for it, his small eyes full of threat. "Butterflies!"

Lian Yue grew impatient. "I’ll have Auntie Yaoyao catch them for you, okay?" Without waiting for his protest, she turned to the people behind her and said, "Yaoyao, catch butterflies!"

When she finished, she realized Yaoyao was nowhere to be seen. Then, a deafening sound erupted nearby.

"Wow! It’s so beautiful here!"

Yaoyao had already run ahead of her. Lian Yue rubbed her ears, looking helplessly at the excitable Yaoyao, and handed Qiao Ke’s small hand to her. "Catch butterflies for Ke'er now. Xiangju, Xiangzhu, you go too."

"Alright!" Yaoyao agreed readily, then asked, "And you?"

"I have other things to do," Lian Yue replied, her face flushing. Fortunately, Yaoyao was too busy to pay her any mind and had only asked in passing. She pulled Qiao Ke toward the flower beds.

Qiao Ke cast a resentful look back at Lian Yue. To avoid feeling guilty, she pretended not to notice, silently resolving to give him some banknotes later.

Lian Yue turned to the others who had come with them. "We’ve reached the Imperial Garden. Let’s split up and explore, and we’ll meet up when it’s time to head back."

The others, having the same intention, bowed to Qiao Ke and scattered in groups.

Qiao Zhi remained with Lian Yue. She turned back and said, "You should go do whatever you need to do; I want to walk around alone."

Qiao Zhi asked, unmoved, "Are you looking for someone?" Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.