While TanTan was practicing the guzheng, Prince Li had already returned to the mansion and was making his way toward the pavilion.
As he passed through the corridor, he caught sight of Minister Hua and heard the familiar melody of a guzheng drifting through the air. He slowed his steps slightly, observing the two from a distance as he continued walking.
Her playing technique is just as advanced as the original HuaMuTan's... But I still can't shake the suspicion that she isn't the real HuaMuTan.
Prince Li recalled the first time he had played music together with HuaMuTan. Back then, he had to admit that he genuinely enjoyed playing a song in harmony with her.
However, everything changed after he discovered how deeply HuaMuTan was obsessed with him. From that moment on, he became reluctant to play with her again, especially after remembering all the things she had done to keep him trapped in her cage of love.
He was approaching the pavilion when the music suddenly stopped.
Then he heard TanTan speaking to Minister Hua.
"I don't mind... Let's find it together."
TanTan rose from her seat, apparently ready to lead Minister Hua to her room to search for the special item her mother had left her.
But before they could leave the pavilion, Prince Li stepped inside.
"Why have you stopped practicing?"
His voice was calm as he entered.
Minister Hua immediately stopped and greeted him politely. Prince Li responded with a slight nod.
TanTan also paused and turned toward him.
"We're done," she answered briefly.
"Ah, what a pity! I hurried back home because I wanted to see your practice."
TanTan narrowed her eyes, staring at him suspiciously.
Since when has he cared about my practice?
Minister Hua, seemingly unwilling to disappoint Prince Li, quickly offered a suggestion.
"If that's the case, perhaps we could perform one more time for Prince Li, Young Lady? The other matter can wait."
TanTan felt a little annoyed. After all, she wasn't the only one who would be performing at the upcoming celebration. Perhaps it was about time Prince Li practiced as well!
"Then why don't you join us?"
Prince Li looked at TanTan. He seemed to have anticipated her suggestion, and a small smile appeared on his face.
"Very well. Why not?"
He reached behind his robe and took out his precious flute, which he carried with him almost everywhere.
"Why don't we play the same song we performed together at the palace before? Minister Hua can judge our performance. What do you think, Minister Hua?"
As he spoke, Prince Li secretly watched TanTan's reaction.
Let's see whether this woman still remembers the song.
He raised his flute toward his lips.
"Shall we begin?"
TanTan felt challenged, but there was one problem.
How was she supposed to know which song he meant?
"You may start. I'll follow."
Seeing her hesitation only strengthened Prince Li's suspicion that the woman before him was not the original HuaMuTan.
He smiled faintly.
"Very well..."
And then he began playing.
The moment TanTan heard the melody, a strange feeling of longing washed over her. Without thinking too much, her fingers began moving across the guzheng strings, following the tune of his flute.
Prince Li was surprised when she managed to follow him so naturally.
Nevertheless, he didn't stop. Instead, he continued playing, gradually adjusting his melody to harmonize with hers.
Their music soon blended together, creating a beautiful harmony.
But at that very moment, another memory struck TanTan.
It was another day at the palace.
HuaMuTan was walking along a corridor when she noticed several young eunuchs carrying a body toward another part of the palace.
The body was covered with a white cloth, but one hand had slipped out from underneath it. There were visible whip marks on the skin.
From the appearance of the body, HuaMuTan could tell it was a woman.
Behind the eunuchs stood Prince Li LongYi, the First Prince who had now become the Crown Prince. He was giving instructions to the leader of the group.
HuaMuTan felt disgusted by the sight and immediately turned away, wanting to leave before anyone noticed her.
Unfortunately, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Where are you going, MuTan Mei?"
HuaMuTan turned around and saw Prince LongYi approaching her.
She forced herself to give him a reluctant greeting before answering shortly.
"I have to return home, Prince Yi."
But Prince LongYi had no intention of letting her leave. He stepped in front of her and grabbed her hand forcefully.
"Not so fast, MuTan Mei. Let's have a little talk."
"Let me go! I don't want to talk to you!"
Horror and disgust were written all over HuaMuTan's face as she struggled to free herself.
"Oh, stop pretending! Didn't you say you wanted to be my woman? I know exactly what you're after! So why are you suddenly pretending to be hard to get? What more could you possibly want? I even promised to make you Queen!"
There was nothing but lust in his eyes, making HuaMuTan feel even more repulsed.
"I'm no longer interested! Not when I've seen your disgusting hobbies! I refuse to become another one of your victims! Now let go of me, or I'll tell the King about your sick nightly activities!"
HuaMuTan was furious, but beneath her anger was fear. She knew Prince LongYi had a reputation for being a violent man.
Her words only made him angrier.
"My patience has its limits, HuaMuTan! You shouldn't dare defy me!"
He shoved her against one of the pillars and pinned her there, restraining both her hands.
Then he leaned toward her, attempting to force a kiss.
"No! Let me go!"
"PRINCE YI!"
A sudden, furious shout interrupted them.
Prince LongYi immediately turned toward the voice.
It was Prince Li.
Without hesitation, Prince Li stepped forward and pulled HuaMuTan away from the Crown Prince.
"Forgive me, Yi Huang Ge, but I have something urgent to discuss with MuTan Mei."
Without waiting for a response, he took HuaMuTan away.
However, Prince LongYi wasn't about to let them leave so easily. He grabbed Prince Li's arm, and the two immediately exchanged blows.
Their martial skills clashed in the corridor.
Prince Li was clearly the stronger fighter and could have defeated his elder brother easily. However, he didn't want to humiliate the First Prince in front of the palace servants.
Instead, he deliberately made a move that appeared to leave him off balance, allowing Prince LongYi to fall even harder.
"Ugh... LiZhouWei! YOU...!"
Prince LongYi was furious, but the pain from the fall kept him down longer than Prince Li.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Prince Li grabbed HuaMuTan's hand and hurriedly led her away, leaving the First Prince behind.
Once they were far enough from the scene, HuaMuTan forcefully pulled her hand away.
She clearly wasn't comfortable being held by him.
Prince Li noticed her reaction.
"Are... you all right?"
HuaMuTan felt conflicted. She was relieved to have escaped Prince LongYi, but at the same time, she felt humiliated to have been rescued by Prince Li, a man she had often looked down upon.
Her pride had taken a serious blow.
"I... I'm fine! I didn't need your help!"
Prince Li merely smirked.
"I don't know what kind of arrangement you had with the First Prince, but if I may offer you some advice, stay away from him. Next time, you might not be so lucky. There may not be anyone around to help you."
After saying that, Prince Li turned and walked away.
HuaMuTan remained where she was, watching his retreating figure.
And somewhere in that moment, something inside her began to change.
For the first time, she started seeing Prince Li differently.
Perhaps it was the way he had appeared without hesitation, or perhaps it was simply the fact that he had protected her when she needed it most.
Whatever the reason, that was the beginning of HuaMuTan's feelings for him.
Back in the pavilion, TanTan's fingers continued moving across the guzheng strings, while Prince Li remained focused on his flute.
He occasionally glanced at her, but she was completely absorbed in the melody.
Neither of them noticed that the music was bringing back a memory that had once changed HuaMuTan's heart forever.