Chapter 144: Caught in the Web (Part II)

The Seventh Prince quickened his pace, eyes fixed ahead. "I received word that you were in trouble at the Sixth Prince's manor, so I rushed over here."

Tao Ming hurried to catch up, retorting irritably, "The trouble might just end up landing on you! You didn't see the look in Su Xi's eyes; she looked like she wanted to devour me."

The group trailing them had fallen a dozen paces behind, their expressions varied, while Su Xi’s face was dark with fury.

The Seventh Prince led Tao Ming to the coolest spot in the pavilion. "Mingming, caution is paramount."

Tao Ming shifted slightly away, maintaining a half-arm's distance. "I will be careful. Nanxing will be here shortly."

The Seventh Prince leaned in and plucked a leaf from Tao Ming’s hair. "I’m afraid he won't be able to get in for a while. I saw him from afar at the entrance earlier, encountering an acquaintance at the end of the alley."

"An acquaintance? Who?" Tao Ming still placed great trust in Su Nanxing.

At this moment, a crowd of noble young ladies entered the pavilion, and the Seventh Prince fell silent with a faint smile.

Qiao Qingyao sat opposite the Seventh Prince. Su Xi hesitated before sitting down right next to Qiao Qingyao, and after a glance, Su Feng sat beside Su Xi.

Hu Lianmeng and Hu Yimeng took their seats next to Tao Ming, while the others occupied the remaining spots on Qiao Qingyao’s side. Tao Ming counted them mentally; excluding herself, Qiao Qingyao had invited thirteen people.

Looking at the group opposite, Tao Ming felt it was quite awkward to have only four people on their side.

Qiao Qingyao offered eagerly, "Miss Tao, please have some snacks. They are made by the Imperial Kitchen and cannot be found outside."

Remembering Su Nanxing’s instructions, Tao Ming smiled and declined, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess, but I had just eaten before coming here, so I have no appetite."

Su Xi interjected with a sarcastic tone, "Just like yesterday at the Su manor, causing the family banquet to end in discord."

The moment these words left her lips, the noble ladies began whispering to one another. Even without listening, Tao Ming could guess what they were saying—nothing more than accusations of her being shameless for visiting the Su family on the very day the betrothal gifts were delivered.

The Seventh Prince, who had been enjoying his tea, felt his mood sour. He glanced at Su Xi, thinking to himself that this brainless creature still hoped to gain something from Tao Ming?

Tao Ming glared at Su Xi coldly, saying nothing, but tugged at the Seventh Prince’s sleeve under the table. The Seventh Prince found it amusing and cooperated by sliding closer to her, leaving only a fist's width between them.

Su Xi bit her lip and said no more.

Qiao Qingyao waited for the murmurs to die down before gently admonishing, "Cousin, let’s not discuss family matters in public."

Tao Ming curled her lip. If that was the extent of her ability, she shouldn't bother showing off.

Hu Lianmeng, observing Tao Ming’s reaction, felt a surge of curiosity and lowered her voice to ask, "You really went to the Su manor yesterday?"

Tao Ming nodded. Hu Lianmeng exclaimed, "No wonder Master Su brought you over just now. Aren't you afraid of people gossiping?"

"Even if I did nothing, people would still gossip. So, I might as well not bear the bad name for nothing." Tao Ming wasn't afraid of gossip; it wouldn't cost her a piece of flesh.

Hu Lianmeng rested her head on Tao Ming’s shoulder. "From now on, I’m sticking with you."

Tao Ming nudged her head away to keep her from sliding off. "Sticking with me?"

Hu Lianmeng grabbed Tao Ming’s left hand to examine it. "Your father said yesterday that after you marry, the Qin and Su families will collaborate to build some kind of shopping plaza. My father wants to get a share of that, too."

Tao Ming felt her left hand itch and asked, "What are you looking at?"

"The ring on your hand is quite extraordinary." Hu Lianmeng tried to take it off, but failed.

Hu Yimeng also leaned in to observe the ring.

Tao Ming rubbed the ring with her left thumb. "Nanxing made it himself."

Hu Lianmeng let go. "I guessed as much. The ring is even engraved with a Heart-Link Array. Young Master Su is truly devoted to you."

"Is a Heart-Link Array very rare?"

Seeing Tao Ming’s ignorance, Hu Lianmeng explained, "It’s not so much rare, but with the constraints of the Heart-Link Array, if either party changes their heart, they will face heavenly retribution."

Tao Ming pouted in dissatisfaction. "Does that mean I’m stuck with him for the rest of my life?"

Hu Lianmeng laughed and chided, "Are you mad to say such things?"

Hu Yimeng added, "Spending a lifetime with only one man—that is indeed a bit dull."

Hu Lianmeng lifted her head and gave Hu Yimeng a light tap on the mouth. "Don't speak so recklessly when we're out. Be careful someone hears you."

Hu Yimeng made a face and sat properly.

Seeing Tao Ming chatting happily with the Hu sisters and appearing completely unaffected by Su Xi, Qiao Qingyao gave a wink to a maid standing outside the pavilion. The maid nodded, picked up a teapot, walked behind Tao Ming and the Seventh Prince, and said, "This servant will refill your tea, Seventh Prince."

The Seventh Prince shifted his body to make room.

As the maid filled the teacup, her hand trembled, and the spout caught the rim of the cup. Tea spilled across the table, splashing onto Tao Ming and the Seventh Prince.

The maid trembled in fear, knelt down, and kowtowed. "This servant didn't mean it. Please, Seventh Prince, forgive me."

The Seventh Prince naturally wouldn't haggle with a maid. "Get up."

The bodice of Tao Ming’s dress was soaked, sticking to her skin and revealing her undergarments. She quickly bent over to hide the wet patch under the table.

The Seventh Prince produced a bright red silk scarf and handed it to her. "Use this to cover up for now."

Tao Ming took the scarf, puzzled. "Why is a grown man like you carrying a silk scarf?"

"I originally intended to give it to you on your wedding day." The Seventh Prince stood up; a patch of his purple robes was clearly darker from the spill.

Tao Ming draped the scarf over her shoulders to cover the wet area.

Qiao Qingyao spoke up, "Seventh Uncle, Miss Tao, I will punish the clumsy maid myself. You two should go change your clothes first."

Tao Ming was eager to leave and nodded.

Qiao Qingyao winked at Ruoliu. "Ruoliu, accompany Miss Tao to change. Mother Wu, you accompany the Seventh Prince."

Hu Lianmeng and Hu Yimeng stood up, intending to go with Tao Ming. Qiao Qingyao wanted to stop them but feared raising Tao Ming’s suspicions, so she let them go.

The three followed Ruoliu, walking further and further around the lotus pond. Seeing the path narrow and the surrounding foliage grow thicker, Tao Ming stopped. "Just find any room to change. If we keep walking, our clothes will be dry by the time we get there."

Ruoliu replied, "Answering Miss Tao, there are very few rooms around the lotus pond. There is a wooden cabin just two turns ahead."

Tao Ming thought, *Could there be a man waiting in that cabin?* To be safe, she cautiously suggested, "Why don't we just wait here for a while? The clothes are almost dry."

Ruoliu urged, "Even if they dry, it will leave a stain. It is better to change into fresh attire."

Tao Ming was about to refuse again when the Seventh Prince’s voice came from behind. "Mingming, why haven't you changed yet?"

Tao Ming turned to see the Seventh Prince had already changed his clothes. She asked, puzzled, "Where did you change?"

The Seventh Prince laughed. "I am a man. I just found a secluded spot with dense trees, set up an isolation array, and changed."

Tao Ming’s eyes lit up. "I could change that way too."

The Seventh Prince countered, "Do you know how to set up an array?"

"I don't. But you do."

The Seventh Prince found it amusing. "The array I set up would trap both you and me inside. How would you change your clothes?"

Tao Ming had to ask the Hu sisters, "Do either of you know how to set up an array?"

The Hu sisters shook their heads in unison. "No."

Ruoliu spoke up, "Miss Tao, if you are worried, why not let the Seventh Prince stand guard for you?"