Chapter 143: Caught in the Trap (Part I)

The afternoon following the next day, after entrusting the two little ones to Qiao Ruowei, Tao Ming and Su Nanxing set off in a carriage toward the Sixth Prince's Mansion.

Su Nanxing repeatedly exhorted Tao Ming, "Remember this well: do not touch anything anyone gives you to eat or drink. God knows what kind of traps they might have set for you."

"I know, don't worry." Although Tao Ming had heard these words over a dozen times, she knew Su Nanxing was doing it for her own good, so she remained patient.

Su Nanxing always felt that Tao Ming dressed too attractively. He had carefully selected her outfit yesterday, thinking this pinkish-white dress was the most modest, yet he hadn't expected the neckline to hold such subtle mischief; once she perspired slightly, a patch of fabric became almost transparent, revealing her collarbones in clear view.

However, making an issue of it now would seem too deliberate. Su Nanxing could only repeat, "I will come inside to find you in two quarters of an hour."

Tao Ming nodded firmly. "Alright."

Soon, the carriage turned into Ziyun Lane, where the Sixth Prince's Mansion was located, but they were blocked by many other carriages ahead and could not pass for the moment. Tao Ming was not anxious; in any case, she hadn't wanted to come here in the first place.

The carriage moved in fits and starts, finally stopping before the main gate of the Sixth Prince's Mansion.

A woman outside asked, "Which noble family's young lady is in the carriage?"

Tao Ming stepped out of the carriage and handed her the invitation. The woman opened it, glanced at it, and then swept her gaze over Tao Ming, saying, "Miss Tao, please come this way."

Tao Ming waved toward the interior of the carriage, braced herself against the carriage frame, and hopped down. Seeing her action, Su Nanxing exclaimed, "Watch your belly!"

Tao Ming turned toward the carriage and whispered, "It might only be a fertilized egg right now, what's there to worry about?"

The Hu family's sixth daughter, Hu Lianmeng, and seventh daughter, Hu Yimeng, had just stepped out of their carriage. Hearing Su Nanxing's shout, they exchanged a glance and quickly walked over to Tao Ming to support her, whispering, "Young Master Su, please rest assured. We will help look after Miss Tao."

Su Nanxing nodded at them, closed the carriage door, and the carriage drove off further into Ziyun Lane.

Tao Ming looked around and offered a friendly smile. "Hello, I am Tao Ming."

Hu Lianmeng laughed. "We have long heard of your name. I am the Hu family's sixth daughter, Hu Lianmeng."

Hu Yimeng added, "And I am the seventh daughter, Hu Yimeng."

Tao Ming frowned. "I don't know my own ranking." She then moved her arm. "You don't need to hold me, I'm fine."

The two released her, and Hu Lianmeng lowered her voice. "The Hu family and the Qin family have always been on good terms. Yesterday, your father came to the Hu residence to see my father and specifically asked us to look after you today."

Touched in the softest part of her heart, Tao Ming's expression softened. "Thank you."

The three shared a smile and walked together into the Sixth Prince's Mansion. A maid led the way, and they soon arrived at a lotus pond.

Seeing that the lotus flowers before her were not quite the same as those on Earth, Tao Ming became interested and stood by the pond to observe them closely. The lotus flowers here appeared much larger; even the smallest bloom had petals as long as Tao Ming’s arm. They came in various colors, and beyond the common white, pink, and yellow, there were even gray and black ones.

The black lotus flowers, in particular, carried a bewitching beauty.

The Hu sisters stood guard on either side of Tao Ming. Hu Lianmeng laughed, "The lotus flowers at the Sixth Prince's Mansion are the most famous. Who knows how they manage to cultivate them so well?"

Tao Ming turned to look around and saw many pavilions built along the lotus pond. At this moment, many people were seated in the largest pavilion nearby. Hesitating for a moment, Tao Ming asked, "Should we go over to the pavilion and take a look?"

The Hu sisters had no objections, but just as they had taken a few steps, they heard someone shout from behind, "Her Highness Princess Qingyao has arrived."

Tao Ming stood still and turned around. She saw a woman in a pale purple dress approaching from a distance, accompanied by several people. The crowd in the pavilion also rose one after another and came near Tao Ming, waiting quietly for Qiao Qingyao to arrive.

Qiao Qingyao walked very slowly—so slowly that Tao Ming thought it would be dark by the time she reached them. Fortunately, this did not happen. Qiao Qingyao walked with elegant steps until she was before them. Only then did Tao Ming notice Su Xi and Su Feng following behind her.

The crowd knelt and bowed in unison, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Princess."

Tao Ming stood where she was, thinking, *I don’t even kneel to the Heavenly Emperor, and you want me to kneel to you?*

She then unabashedly sized up her romantic rival, finding that Qiao Qingyao looked delicate, gentle, and pitiable, involuntarily evoking a desire in others to protect her.

Qiao Qingyao swept a cool glance over the crowd, finally resting her gaze on Tao Ming. Seeing her standing there openly, her expression devoid of any awe, looking as dazzling as the moon in the sky, a surge of envy, jealousy, bitterness, and hatred welled up within her.

The two stared at each other for a moment; the noble ladies kneeling on the ground felt the air around them turn chilly.

Nanny Wu, who was by Qiao Qingyao's side, had already held a grudge against Tao Ming. Seeing her standing still, she shouted angrily, "Bold! How dare you not kneel upon seeing the Princess!"

Tao Ming replied brazenly, "I don't know how; nobody taught me."

Nanny Wu's voice carried contempt. "Which family's young lady are you? Your household clearly has no governess to teach you manners!"

Su Xi gave a light snort. "This is the mother of the Saintess."

Qiao Qingyao's voice sounded exceptionally fragile. "Since she is the mother of the Saintess, it is natural that she has never learned etiquette."

*Who are you insulting?* Tao Ming thought to herself, then smiled lightly. "Thank you for your understanding, Princess."

Just as Qiao Qingyao was about to speak, she heard someone report from behind, "Princess, the Seventh Prince has arrived."

Qiao Qingyao was secretly delighted. *So, the Seventh Imperial Uncle really couldn't sit still and rushed over.* She ordered, "Quickly, invite the Seventh Imperial Uncle over."

Tao Ming pointed to the crowd kneeling beside her. "Can you let them get up first? Their dresses are so thin; kneeling on the ground can't be comfortable."

Only then did Qiao Qingyao allow everyone to rise. Ever since hearing the words "Seventh Prince," Su Xi’s emotions had become tense; her pretty face flushed, and her heart pounded like a startled deer.

The Seventh Prince walked quickly, reaching the crowd in just a few minutes. Seeing that Tao Ming was safe and sound, he let out a silent sigh of relief.

The many noble ladies, who had only just risen, knelt again. "Greetings, Your Highness the Seventh Prince."

The Seventh Prince would naturally not make things difficult for them. "Rise."

Su Xi angrily protested, "Tao Ming, you aren't kneeling to the Seventh Prince either?"

"Didn't you not kneel either?" Tao Ming blinked her innocent, wide eyes.

*Is that the same thing?* Su Xi thought. *I am someone destined to marry the Seventh Prince.*

The Seventh Prince laughed. "Feng'er, Xi'er, why don't you greet your uncle when you see him?"

Su Feng called out readily, "Uncle."

Su Xi called out sullenly, "Uncle..."

Tao Ming couldn't wrap her head around it. *Why does Su Xi call the Seventh Prince 'Uncle'? Does Su Nanxing call him 'Uncle' too? If the Seventh Prince is Su Xi's uncle, why does she have a secret crush on him? Could it be that the Su family knows the truth about the Seventh Prince's background?*

Seeing Tao Ming’s brows knitted together, the Seventh Prince smiled. "Mingming, you didn't call me either."

Tao Ming called out sweetly, "Cousin."

The Seventh Prince felt a shiver run down his spine at these words. *Why did Tao Ming suddenly change her temperament?*

Qiao Qingyao had made many arrangements for the day and naturally could not let everyone stand here. She spoke up, "Seventh Imperial Uncle, the sun is too strong. Let us go sit in the pavilion."

The Seventh Prince gave a grunt of assent. After walking a few steps, he turned back and said, "Mingming, come here."

Tao Ming gritted her teeth, walked to the Seventh Prince's side, and lowered her voice. "Why did you run over here?"