An Unexpected Invitation to the Moon Festival
For the next couple of hours, TanTan continued chatting with ShuangAi. From time to time, they also played with FangFang, while Aunt Tong came and went several times to check on them.
This Aunt Tong is really like a prison guard...
TanTan couldn't help thinking.
During their conversation, TanTan was mostly the one asking questions, especially about ShuangAi's childhood memories with Prince Li. She wanted to understand more about this difficult prince so she could figure out how to deal with him in the future.
According to ShuangAi, she had first met Prince Li when she was about the same age as FangFang, around seven years old.
At that time, Prince Li ZhouWei's mother had just passed away. Her death had left such a deep trauma in the little prince that his father, Physician Huang, had decided to take him into his home to receive treatment and recover.
ShuangAi remembered that, during their first meeting, the little Prince Li refused to speak to anyone.
When she tried to force him to talk, she ended up getting bitten on the hand!
"Really? He bit you?" TanTan asked in disbelief.
"That was actually my fault," ShuangAi admitted. "He was holding a dirty flower straw, and I tried to take it away from him."
"A flower straw?" TanTan looked confused. What kind of flower straw was that?
"That's right. It's actually a childhood game. We make flower-shaped decorations out of dried straw."
"I can make one!"
FangFang excitedly offered her help. She immediately searched the ground for some dried straw. Fortunately, there were a few pieces nearby.
She sat between the two ladies and quickly began folding the straw with her little hands until it took the shape of a flower.
"Here... for YangMu!"
She proudly handed it to TanTan.
"Wow! Thank you, FangFang. You're really good at this! How did you make it?"
TanTan examined the little straw flower. It looked simple, but it had quite a number of intricate folds.
"YiFu taught me! I'll make another one for Pretty JieJie!"
FangFang immediately searched for another piece of dried straw.
ShuangAi laughed softly. Her smile made her look even more beautiful.
"Yes, that's exactly what I saw back then. See, MuTan Jie? Just because of that little thing, he bit my hand so hard that Father scolded me afterward. How pitiful I was!"
ShuangAi continued sharing her childhood memories.
As a little girl, she had never given up trying to get close to the little Prince Li. Eventually, the young prince began opening his heart to her. He gradually became kinder and even started protecting her whenever they played together in the woods.
There was one occasion when things went terribly wrong. Prince Li was badly injured while protecting her, leaving ShuangAi feeling extremely guilty.
After that incident, ShuangAi began studying medicine under her father more seriously. She wanted to learn how to treat her brother if they ever found themselves in danger again.
TanTan listened attentively, imagining all those childhood memories as if she were watching a short movie.
Now I understand why Prince Li fell in love with ShuangAi. She has been genuinely kind to him since they were little. But I wonder why ShuangAi never fell in love with him too. They could have been the perfect couple in a romantic drama...
When ShuangAi finally finished her story, TanTan sincerely expressed her feelings.
"Those are really, really sweet memories."
TanTan could see how deep the bond between the two childhood companions was.
As an only child, she had never experienced what it was like to grow up with a brother. She couldn't help feeling a little envious of their relationship.
If Hua MuTan were here right now, I bet she would already be furious with jealousy!
"MuTan Jie, I'm sorry. I must have bored you with all my stories..."
"No, no! I was the one who kept asking you to tell me. It's nice to hear more about you and Prince Li."
"Listen, MuTan Jie. I told you about my relationship with Li Ge because I want you to understand something. Sometimes it takes time to get close to him. You just need to be patient. You're his wife now, after all. I believe that one day, he'll open his heart to you."
This ShuangAi still thinks I'm in love with that prince... How can I explain it to her? And even if I do explain, then what? Can she help me return to my own time? Maybe... I should at least try.
"I don't think I like your brother anymore..."
"Is that because you've forgotten your past? Don't worry. Like I said, your memory loss might only be temporary. You'll remember everything eventually."
"No... I mean, ShuangAi... I won't remember those things because I... actually... I came from..."
Suddenly, a loud cry interrupted them.
"Waaaaah! Waaaaah!"
Not far from them, FangFang had fallen forward after accidentally stumbling over a small rock.
There were scratches on her shoulders and ankles, and a little blood was visible. It seemed she had fallen rather hard.
TanTan and ShuangAi immediately rushed toward her.
ShuangAi reacted like a physician at once. She knelt beside FangFang and began examining her injuries.
"Are you all right, FangFang? Let me check your wounds. Don't cry..."
TanTan stood behind them, watching. She thought it was better to let ShuangAi handle the situation since she was the one with medical knowledge.
Suddenly, a terrifying voice called out her name.
"HUA. MU. TAN!!!"
TanTan froze in surprise.
Here we go again, right? Oh, please! This is already the third time!
The owner of the voice was none other than Prince Li.
With an angry expression, he rushed toward them, followed by Aunt Tong, XiaoRue, and ManQi. All of them looked worried.
This time, I'm not going to let him slap me like before!
Just as Prince Li raised his hand to strike her, TanTan shouted fiercely.
"STOP!"
She glared straight at him, as if ordering a furious Doberman to obey.
To her surprise, Prince Li actually stopped.
"Don't you think you should check what's happening first before accusing someone wrongly?!"
"YOU CLEARLY MADE MY DAUGHTER CRY AGAIN! WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO CHECK?! If I hadn't rushed here after Aunt Tong informed me, you might already have hurt ShuangAi too, wouldn't you?!"
His accusations were merciless.
He continued glaring at TanTan with fury, but this time, she didn't back down. She stared right back at him.
The tension between them was so intense that nobody else dared to speak.
"Li Ge... Please calm down. It's not what you think..."
ShuangAi stood up after confirming that FangFang's injuries weren't serious. She asked Aunt Tong to look after the little girl before approaching Prince Li.
She wanted to explain what had happened.
However, Prince Li seemed too consumed by anger to listen.
TanTan was equally upset by his unfair accusations.
"WHY DON'T YOU LISTEN TO SHUANGAI MEI?! SHE'LL TELL YOU THE TRUTH! YOU CAN ASK HER WHETHER I HURT FANGFANG OR NOT!"
Prince Li frowned.
ShuangAi Mei? Why is she suddenly addressing her so affectionately?
He then noticed the worried expression on ShuangAi's face and immediately reached for her hands.
"ShuangMei, are you all right?"
TanTan rolled her eyes.
This prince treats ShuangAi and me so differently! Instead of asking what happened to her, he asks whether she's all right first. What a fool! He's completely blinded by love!
ShuangAi, however, wasn't comfortable with Prince Li holding her hands so gently in front of Hua MuTan. Usually, such a gesture would only give Hua MuTan another reason to become jealous and resentful.
She gently withdrew her hands and answered formally.
"I'm fine, Li Ge. Actually, nothing serious happened here. FangFang simply stumbled and fell by herself. Her injuries aren't serious. You have wrongly accused MuTan Jie."
Prince Li didn't seem satisfied with her explanation.
He glanced at TanTan before pulling ShuangAi a little farther away from her.
At the same time, XiaoRue took the opportunity to approach TanTan.
Prince Li lowered his voice as he spoke to ShuangAi. Unfortunately, it was still loud enough for everyone nearby, including TanTan, to hear.
"Why are you here, ShuangMei? Didn't I tell you not to visit her alone anymore?"
"Well, every time I asked you to accompany me to visit MuTan Jie, Li Ge, you always found an excuse to refuse."
"Oh, ShuangMei! Can't you understand why I did that? Don't tell me you've forgotten what she did to you! You're putting yourself in danger by meeting that woman. I don't want you to get hurt again! It's fortunate that I returned just in time today. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened?"
Hearing their conversation, XiaoRue realised that she needed to distract her XiaoJie before another argument broke out.
"XiaoJie... XiaoJie, are you all right? You look pale. Why don't we return to your room and rest? I'll prepare your favourite snacks..."
Unfortunately, her plan didn't work.
"Sshh, XiaoRue! Be quiet!"
TanTan was too curious about how ShuangAi would respond.
Surely, she would explain that TanTan hadn't done anything wrong?
And that was exactly what ShuangAi did.
"Li Ge, you're completely mistaken! MuTan Jie didn't hurt me, and she won't hurt me anymore. She's changed. We're friends now!"
"Friends? ShuangMei, I don't believe she wants to be your friend without some hidden motive. Please don't be so naive!"
"Li Ge! Enough! It's impossible to have a sensible conversation with you when you're this angry!"
ShuangAi turned toward TanTan, who was watching the argument in confusion.
She linked her arm through TanTan's and gently pulled her away from the garden.
"Come on, MuTan Jie. Let's leave. We still need to prepare for our evening stroll."
"What?! Wait! Where are you two planning to go tonight?"
Prince Li suddenly stepped in front of them, demanding an explanation.
"Move aside, Li Ge. MuTan Jie and I have already planned to go into the city tonight for the Moon Festival."
"Moon Festival... WHAT?! Who gave you permission to do that?! No! I forbid it! This woman isn't allowed to step outside this mansion!"
His firm command immediately triggered TanTan's anger.
I'm clearly a prisoner here! How dare he decide where I can and cannot go!
"I'm not your prisoner! As far as I know, I'm only your unwilling wife. So why do you insist on keeping me locked inside this mansion?!"
TanTan could no longer hold back her sarcasm.
"MuTan Jie, don't say that. I believe Li Ge just needs time to realise his mistakes. In the meantime, why don't we enjoy ourselves at tonight's festival?"
Prince Li fell silent.
This Hua MuTan! What kind of spell has she cast on ShuangAi? Why is she suddenly so close to her? This can't continue...
However, he knew how stubborn ShuangAi could be once she had made up her mind. If he continued refusing, there was a good chance the two women would sneak out behind his back.
After thinking for a moment, he finally spoke.
"Fine. You may go!"
ShuangAi immediately brightened.
But before she could celebrate, Prince Li added,
"On one condition..."
"What is it?" TanTan asked curiously.
"I'll come with you tonight!"
Both women reacted at almost exactly the same time, but in completely different ways.
ShuangAi looked delighted.
"That's a wonderful idea!"
TanTan, on the other hand, looked horrified.
"No way!!!"
Prince Li turned toward her sharply.
"Do you have an objection to me coming, Hua MuTan?"
Perhaps your evil plans won't succeed if I'm there. Hah! I won't let you get away with anything!
ShuangAi also looked at TanTan in confusion.
"It's all right, MuTan Jie. The more, the merrier! We can all enjoy the festival together."
TanTan felt troubled.
She really didn't want to spend the evening accompanied by a man who clearly hated her. It would completely ruin her mood. All she wanted was a peaceful evening enjoying the festival.
But if she refused, Prince Li might forbid her from going altogether. Worse, it might also disappoint ShuangAi.
Noticing TanTan's troubled expression, ShuangAi leaned closer and whispered reassuringly.
"Don't worry, MuTan Jie. I won't disturb you two. I'll take FangFang with me, and you can spend some time alone with Li Ge..."
No! Please don't!
TanTan shook her head desperately, but ShuangAi only smiled and nodded, apparently believing everything had been settled.
"All right, Li Ge! MuTan Jie agrees. Let's enjoy the festival together tonight!"
TanTan turned toward XiaoRue, who was standing behind her, and spoke quietly.
"XiaoRue, please don't leave me alone tonight..."
"I won't, XiaoJie," XiaoRue answered firmly.
Well, at least I'll have XiaoRue with me. I can just ignore this prince and enjoy the festival anyway!