He Zhiyu looked at her profile; even in the candlelight, her skin was remarkably flawless. Her fair cheeks resembled blooming peach blossoms, as if one could squeeze water from them.
Her two shallow dimples were as sweet as candied fruit, and a faint fragrance wafted from her hair as she walked, filling his nostrils with a rich and subtle aroma.
He Zhiyu withdrew his gaze. Wanyan is a good girl, a bit spoiled, but with a kind heart. I should ensure she finds a suitable match one day, someone who will appreciate her.
The room, heated by a central heating system, was as warm as springtime, and Qiao Wanyan slept soundly all night. She was awakened the next morning by a knock on the door.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes, pulling her cloak tighter. "Coming, coming," she mumbled, stumbling out of bed and opening the door.
Outside the door, Qiao Yihuan saw the person who opened it and her eyes narrowed slightly. Without a word, she swept past Wanyan into the room, her gaze sharp as she took in the scene.
"Wanyan, care to explain what you're doing here?" Her voice was cool, controlled, but with a definite edge.
Just what happened last night? And why, pray tell, are you wearing His Highness's cloak?
Qiao Wanyan, still struggling to wake up, just wanted to bury herself back under the covers. "Ugh, sister, it's too early for this... Something happened last night, and Brother-in-law...well, he ended up letting me stay here because..."
Before she could even begin to untangle the story, Xiaoying, ever the loyal attack dog, pounced.
"See! I knew it! That sweet act is just a facade! Look, Miss, her true colors are finally showing!" Xiaoying was practically spitting with fury. That second miss is nothing but a conniving little fox! I can't stand her!
Qiao Wanyan's brain short-circuited. Woah, okay, simmer down, Xiaoying! I'm not even finished explaining! What's with the third degree?
Qiao Yihuan, though visibly displeased, didn't reprimand her maid. Her chest rising and falling slightly faster than usual, she turned and marched towards the room on the second floor. She rapped sharply on the door, and predictably, He Zhiyu opened it.
"Yihuan? What are you doing here so early? Did you come to see Wanyan?"
Wanyan? He's being awfully casual all of a sudden.
He usually calls Qiao Wanyan the second daughter of the Qiao family.
"Your Highness," Qiao Yihuan said, her voice tight, "perhaps you could enlighten me as to why I find my sister in your chambers?"
He Zhiyu was taken aback by Yihuan's sharp tone. Is she jealous?
"Yihuan, let me explain. There's a perfectly reasonable explanation."
He Zhiyu proceeded to recount the events of the previous night. However, Qiao Yihuan remained unconvinced. "Even so, she could have stayed with me. Why the need to switch rooms entirely?"
Just then, Qiao Wanyan, realizing the gravity of the situation, came rushing over, slightly disheveled. "Sister, please, it's all a misunderstanding! I was being a silly, spoiled brat and insisted on switching with Brother-in-law. He was just being kind! Please don't be angry with him!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Wanyan mentally facepalmed. Oh, crap. This is that scene, isn't it? The one where everything goes sideways? Why, oh why, didn't I remember this sooner?!
He Zhiyu stepped forward, his expression stern. "Yihuan, you're being unreasonable. Wanyan was simply frightened, and I offered her assistance. There was nothing untoward about it." He turned a concerned gaze on Wanyan. "Wanyan, you're shivering. Go inside and put on a proper coat before you catch a chill."
Panic flared in Qiao Wanyan's chest. She had to defuse this situation, and fast. She had already removed the cloak, hoping to alleviate Yihuan's suspicions. Now, hearing He Zhiyu's words, she almost automatically obeyed before catching herself. "Oh, um, it's alright, Brother-in-law. I'm not really cold. I'll just...go back inside in a bit."
Qiao Yihuan felt a surge of resentment. Why does he always defend her? Has he grown tired of me already? Is he starting to see her in a different light?
Qiao Wanyan, sensing the tension, spoke quickly, "Sister, truly, it's not his fault at all. Please don't misunderstand. He was just being a good brother-in-law and helping me out. It was all my fault for being such a scaredy-cat."
Despite Wanyan and His Highness's earnest explanations, Qiao Yihuan remained visibly hurt. With a curt nod, she turned and walked away, her back stiff.
Qiao Wanyan released a shaky breath. Phew, that was close! But seriously, Yihuan is too good for this world. She's always so forgiving and understanding, even when people treat her like dirt. Maybe she needs to stay away from the Crown Prince for a while, just to be safe.
As He Zhiyu watched Yihuan's retreating figure, a flicker of guilt crossed his face. Perhaps I was too harsh. Yihuan is simply protective, and I should have been more sensitive to her feelings.
Qiao Wanyan, seeing his troubled expression, bit her lip. "Brother-in-law, please don't be upset with my sister. She didn't mean to cause a scene. She just...misunderstood. It's all my fault for being so clumsy and causing trouble."
He Zhiyu sighed softly. "It's not your fault, Wanyan. If anything, it was my responsibility to ensure that Yihuan didn't jump to conclusions. I'm sorry you had to take the blame."
Qiao Wanyan murmured softly, "If only I had remembered the plot sooner,"
He Zhiyu frowned slightly. "What was that, Wanyan?"
"Oh! Um, nothing!" Wanyan plastered on a bright, hopefully convincing, smile. "Just thinking out loud!"