Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Aggressive Marquis of Pingnan

A moment ago, Guo Mengdie had been commanding and imperious, but upon hearing Zhu Hao’s intimate words, her face flushed bright red, the color spreading all the way to her ears. She mumbled softly, "Shameless! How could you say something so brazen? Hmph! Wicked man!"

Though Guo Mengdie spoke under her breath, she took no care to hide it from Zhu Hao, who naturally heard every word, his spirits lifting as he laughed in delight. This only provoked Guo Mengdie to stamp her foot in frustration.

After a few awkward moments, Zhu Hao finally voiced the question he had come to ask: "Miss, including today, this is the third time we've met. You already know my identity as a prince, so shouldn’t you tell me your name as well?"

Guo Mengdie didn’t want to answer him, but almost as if compelled by some unseen force, she whispered, "My name is Guo Mengdie."

Zhu Hao repeated her name thoughtfully, "Guo Mengdie, Guo Mengdie… what a lovely name! Wait—are you from Prime Minister Guo’s household?" Suddenly struck by the realization, Zhu Hao couldn’t help but exclaim aloud. Guo Mengdie hadn’t expected such a reaction. Though her grandfather’s reputation was well known, it shouldn’t have startled a prince to this degree. Nevertheless, she nodded and said, "Yes, my grandfather is Prime Minister Guo. Are you afraid of him?"

Inwardly, Zhu Hao cursed, "Afraid? Hardly! What I fear is the power of the Guo family, especially your empress aunt! Damn it, this girl is from the Guo family—how am I supposed to interact with her from now on? It’s really a headache!"

Despite his inner turmoil, Zhu Hao kept a calm, smiling face and asked, "Why did you come to the palace? Is there some business this time?"

Guo Mengdie thought to herself, Why should I tell you? Yet her mouth moved of its own accord: "My uncle has taken command of the Imperial Guards. I came to the palace with him, and also to deliver a family letter from my grandfather to my aunt."

Zhu Hao nodded, shocked. The Guo family seemed to be making a move. Considering the timing, he wondered, "Could it be that the Red Pill Case is about to happen?" Anxiety seized him—this concerned his own father’s safety and future. He dared not be careless. He said to Guo Mengdie, "Miss Guo, it’s getting late. You’d best return home now, lest your grandfather worry. We’ll meet again if fate allows." With that, he turned to leave.

Just as Zhu Hao turned, the sky began to drizzle, quickly escalating into a downpour. Raindrops the size of soybeans pelted the rooftops and walkways, churning up a white mist like a veil of gossamer. A strong wind swept through, sending the mist swirling; rain splattered in sheets onto the puddled streets, raising blooms of water.

In an instant, Zhu Hao was soaked to the skin, and Guo Mengdie, left standing helplessly, was no better off. The sudden deluge drenched them both utterly.

Without hesitation, Zhu Hao grabbed Guo Mengdie’s hand and raced toward his own chambers. By the time they arrived, both were thoroughly drenched. There were no women’s clothes in Zhu Hao’s rooms, but as luck would have it, Guo Mengdie was of similar build; Zhu Hao found a new set of his own clothes for her and handed them over. He changed as well. Once both were dry, they stood together by the window, watching the rain cascade outside. Guo Mengdie, her face anxious, said, "If I don’t return soon, my grandfather will surely worry!"

Zhu Hao glanced at the torrents outside, sighing helplessly. "With rain like this, you certainly can’t go home. And by now, the palace gates must be closed. It seems you’ll be staying with me tonight."

Guo Mengdie looked at him in alarm, arms crossed defensively. "What… what do you intend?"

Zhu Hao realized what she was thinking. Although he never considered himself a paragon of virtue, he wasn’t the type to take advantage of others. He joked, "Don’t worry! You’ll sleep in the bed; I’ll make up a mattress on the floor. I’m not interested in a little bean sprout like you. Even if you stripped bare, I wouldn’t give you a second glance. So relax!"

For the first time, Guo Mengdie began to doubt her own looks. Was she truly so unattractive? But her fleeting insecurity was quickly replaced by anger. She snapped, "Zhu Youjian, you’re courting death!" With that, she raised her little pink fist and swung at Zhu Hao.

Zhu Hao wasn’t about to stand there and let her hit him, nor would he violate his code of never striking a woman, especially since he might not win. So he dodged and fled as best he could.

Thus, within Zhu Hao’s chambers, a game of cat and mouse unfolded.

"Zhu Youjian, stop right there!" she shouted.

"Why should I listen to you?" he retorted.

"Zhu Youjian, you scoundrel! If I catch you, I won’t let you off!"

"Catch me if you can!"

Back and forth they went, chasing each other for who knows how long. Eventually, exhaustion overtook them, and silence fell. One slept upon the bed, the other on the floor, each drifting into dreams.

Perhaps it was the fatigue from the previous day, for when the sun climbed high in the sky the next morning, neither had awakened. It was only when a commotion erupted outside that they stirred.

"Hurry up! All of you, move!" came a shout from outside.

"Surround this place—don’t let even a fly escape!"

"Move faster!"

"Didn’t you hear me?"

"You useless lot!"

The arrogant shouting, punctuated by the clash of armor and weapons, startled Zhu Hao and Guo Mengdie from their sleep.

Zhu Hao was the first to rise, rubbing his bleary eyes, grumbling, "Which servant is making such a racket outside? Tired of living, are they? Outrageous!" With that, he strode toward the door to investigate.

Guo Mengdie sat up with a yawn just as the brash voice rang out again, "Guard this place well!"

Zhu Hao had reached the door and was about to open it when Guo Mengdie cried, "Don’t!"

He stopped, turning to her in confusion. Guo Mengdie quickly explained, "That voice—it sounds like my uncle. If he finds out I spent the night in your room, he’ll never let it rest!"

Upon reflection, Zhu Hao realized she was right. A young lady, spending the night in a man’s room—any family would be furious, much less the son of Prime Minister Guo. Even if nothing untoward had happened, who would believe it?

Panic gripped him. "What should we do? Your uncle’s already at the door—it’s too late for you to leave!"

Guo Mengdie considered briefly, then said, "I’ll find a place to hide. Once my uncle leaves, I’ll sneak away. If he can’t find me, he’ll eventually give up."

Zhu Hao nodded, "That’s our only option."

Once Guo Mengdie had hidden herself in the wardrobe, Zhu Hao opened the door and forced himself to sound calm, "Who is making such a din at this hour, disturbing my rest?"

The door swung open, revealing Marquis Pingnan, Guo Zixuan. Without even glancing at Zhu Hao, Guo Zixuan barked, "Search every inch! Not even a fly gets out!"

Zhu Hao responded with a cold snort, "I’d like to see you try! On what grounds do you search a prince’s chambers?"

Guo Zixuan remained unmoved, speaking coolly, "Apologies, Fifth Prince. His Majesty fell unconscious last night. As commander of the Imperial Guards, I suspect someone is practicing dark arts to curse the Emperor. By order of Consort Dowager Zheng and Her Majesty the Empress, I am to search the harem. Forgive me, Fifth Prince."

With a wave of his hand, he ordered, "Search!"

Zhu Hao’s face changed dramatically. He shouted, "What? The Emperor collapsed? And instead of seeking the real culprit, you dare suspect me and search my quarters? Such audacity!"

Guo Zixuan sneered, "Fifth Prince, you misunderstand. Searching for practitioners of forbidden arts is precisely seeking out whoever harmed His Majesty. How is this baseless? I act under orders—do not interfere, or don’t blame me for what comes next!"

Zhu Hao stiffened his neck in anger. "I will stop you—what of it? I want to see if you truly have the nerve to harm a royal prince!"

Guo Zixuan, himself a marquis and the prime minister’s son, had his pride. Being called out as ‘audacious’ by Zhu Hao infuriated him. He roared, "Men! Arrest the prince who dares impede my search!"

The soldiers hesitated, none daring to move. Everyone knew the Fifth Prince was the Emperor’s favorite son. If the Emperor awoke and sought answers, the Marquis would be fine, but the soldiers would surely suffer. None dared act.

Guo Zixuan, seeing their inaction, drew his sword and pressed it to Zhu Hao’s throat, growling, "If you won’t act, I’ll kill this boy myself! Aren’t you all afraid of the Emperor’s wrath? Fine, let’s see how far this goes!"