"The princes in the palace often horse around like this. Come on, let's not watch. If we spoil their fun, we'll be in big trouble." Cui'er averted her gaze and pulled her along.
'Horsing around?'
'This is clearly bullying.'
"Well? Say it," Sang Rui said, his smile insufferably smug.
The attendants surrounding the boy began to shove him repeatedly.
"If you can't say it, then you'll have to crawl between my legs. You lot, hold him down." Sang Rui spread his legs wide.
The young attendants only dared to shove; they would never truly lay a hand on him. He was a prince, after all.
"What? You dare defy me? I'll have all your heads chopped off!" Sang Rui fumed.
The attendants were terrified by his words and began to raise their hands to hold the boy down.
"In that case, you tell me. Is this flower pink or red?"
A childish voice rang out. A blur flashed before Sang Rui's eyes, making him stumble backward until he nearly fell flat on his rear.
Everyone in the garden froze, turning to look at the newcomer.
Ye Qianning planted her feet, her small hand pinching an iris. She waved it at Sang Rui and asked again, "Is this red or pink?"
Hearing her voice again, Sang Rui finally snapped out of it. He looked and saw the flower was gone from his hand, then glared viciously at her. "Who are you?"
"I'm just a passerby. An unhappy one."
"I don't care what your name is! You damned fatty, you dare meddle in my business? You must be tired of living!" Sang Rui stepped forward and aimed a kick at Ye Qianning.
Ye Qianning dodged to the side with her chubby body. Sang Rui kicked nothing but air, and his own momentum sent him stumbling forward until he fell flat on his face.
"Your Highness!"
The attendants cried out in alarm and rushed to help him up.
Sang Rui got a mouthful of mud. After his attendants helped him up, he spat a few times, completely enraged. "Seize her! I'm going to have her beaten with a—"
"Purple."
A clear and elegant voice cut Sang Rui off.
Sang Rui's fury turned to astonishment. He stared at Sang Zhi in disbelief, his voice shaking. "You... what did you just say?"
Sang Zhi's gaze, however, was fixed on the iris in Ye Qianning's hand.
Only then did Ye Qianning get a clear look at the boy's face. 'Even though I've seen all kinds of handsome men before, I'm still stunned. This boy is breathtakingly beautiful. I thought the young Commandery Princess Nanxiang was gorgeous, but compared to him, Nanxiang is merely cute. He has thick brows and large, starlit eyes. His skin is flawless, and he has the quiet elegance of an orchid. No wonder his silhouette seemed so delicate. If he were a bit older, he'd probably be one of those fragile, poetic beauties.'
"Purple," Sang Zhi said again.
His crisp voice still carried a childish lilt.
"You... you..." Sang Rui pointed a trembling finger at him, stammering.
"Seventh Brother, am I right?" Sang Zhi asked.
Sang Rui was both furious and shocked. 'His... how are his eyes better?'
"You... both of you! Just you wait!"
Thoroughly spooked, Sang Rui spat out the threat and scurried away with his tail between his legs.
"Getting that scared just because someone can see? What a coward!" Ye Qianning huffed. She turned to look at Sang Zhi, feeling puzzled herself. 'Didn't they say he couldn't distinguish colors?'
Sang Zhi looked at Ye Qianning.
Ye Qianning studied him quizzically. Their eyes met—hers full of curious wonder, his as serene as still water, mature beyond his years.
"Here, it's for you." Ye Qianning held the flower out to him.
Sang Zhi's delicate face was extremely serious. With his small hands behind his back, he froze for a second.
When he didn't take it, Ye Qianning pushed the flower a little closer.
"Thank you."
After a moment of hesitation, Sang Zhi finally reached out and took the flower.