A few days later, one night, Na Luo went to see the eldest prince. The princess had promised her that she could continue to learn to play the flute with the eldest prince, so when the appointment came, Na Luo couldn't wait to meet him.
This was also the first time she came back after leaving the eldest prince.
Stepping into that familiar place again, her mood was as excited as a fluttering bird, so that she didn't notice the unusual expressions of other palace people. She walked to the back garden with ease, and when she looked up, she saw the white figure standing under the walnut tree, like a green lotus soaked in the moonlight, with the elegance and handsomeness of the clouds. The man seemed to notice the movement behind him, and looked back. The coldness in his eyes gradually disappeared, filled with water-like tenderness, and also concealed the worry and concern that could not be covered.
"Master..." She called softly, and then didn't say anything. Before coming here, I clearly had a lot of words to talk about, but when I really saw him, I didn't know what to say.
He suddenly frowned, stepped forward and gently brushed away the hair in front of her forehead, and said with a distressed look, "Why have you lost so much weight? Look at how sharp your chin is? And your cheeks are not as plump as before. Tell Master quickly, did Princess Dana bully you?"
Na Luo felt warm in his heart and shook his head hurriedly, "Master, don't worry, Princess Dana treats me very well and has never punished me. When I was sick a while ago, she even asked the best witch doctor to treat me."
Isda's expression eased a little, "I also heard about this from Manya. It would be best if the princess could treat you well, but when I think about it carefully, this matter is still a bit strange." He paused and said with displeasure, "If she treats you badly, I can still ask my father to take you back. But she treats you very well, and I can't find an excuse to take you back."
"Master, I am really happy there. I also met a new friend, her name is Usma, she told me a lot of things. Everyone is very nice to me, don't worry." She tried her best to show a relaxed and happy smile, "Besides, I'm not that thin. Master, do you want to see a big meatball rolling in?"
Ishtar was amused by her and smiled, "As long as you are fine, I will be happy even if you become a big meatball."
She stuck out her tongue, "Master, you just like to make fun of me. If I really become a meatball, Master will definitely shout that the monster is coming and quickly have someone kick me out."
"Okay, stop talking nonsense." He smiled and patted her forehead, "Why don't you practice the song quickly? I don't know how much you have regressed after so long. To be honest, I really don't have much confidence."
"Then... Master, do you want to prepare first?"
"Prepare for what?"
"Prepare to get something to plug your ears first! Otherwise, what if Master wants to beat someone up after hearing it."
Ishtar finally laughed out loud. He had been worried about her situation these days. Even if he asked Manya to find out about her situation, he was still worried. Until this moment, his heart, which was hanging in the air, was slowly put down.
Of course, it was only half put down.
Na Luo took out the flute from his arms and put it to his lips to adjust the sound first.
"Wait a minute, Na Luo, you see, have you even forgotten the posture of holding the flute?" He said, and stepped forward to hold her wrist, trying to help her adjust the posture. Who knew that this time he pinched the place where she was burned, and Na Luo couldn't help but screamed in pain.
Ishtar's face suddenly darkened, and he immediately pulled up her sleeves. What caught his eyes was a burn mark! His pupils suddenly shrank, and even his voice became hoarse, "What's going on?"
Na Luo hurriedly explained, "Master, don't get me wrong. I accidentally fell down, and no one bullied me. The princess also asked the witch doctor to give me a very good ointment. I think it will be fine after a few more rubs."
"Na Luo, you can't hide anything from me. I hate people lying the most in my life." A trace of annoyance passed through his face, and his tone was much heavier than usual. As soon as he saw her injury, he could no longer maintain his usual calm. This may be the so-called concern makes you confused.
"No one bullied me, really, no one bullied me..." She pursed her lips aggrievedly, "Master, really, I didn't hide it from you... I didn't lie..."
"Then are you okay there? Na Luo, I want to hear the truth." His heart, which had just been half relieved, quickly rose again.
Her eyes gradually turned red, and suddenly she burst into tears, saying incoherently, "No, no, no, no, no! Actually, I'm not feeling good there at all!"
The expression on Isda's face was even more nervous, "Why is it not feeling good? What's wrong? Tell me quickly!"
She sobbed and wiped her tears with her sleeves, mumbling, "Master, I didn't lie, the princess is very good to me. But I... I still miss you very much, really miss you... Without Master, no matter how good you are, it will become bad... I don't want to say it because I'm afraid you will worry, but if I don't say it, you will definitely think too much and worry more..."
"Naro, you... this silly child." He reached out and hugged her tightly in his arms, only to feel as if a blunt knife was grinding back and forth on his heart, slightly painful, but deep into the bone marrow.
Naro did not move in his arms, as obedient as a wounded rabbit. His chest was not broad, and the warmth he could give was also very limited. But as long as there was a little warmth, it was enough to resist all the coldness in the world.
In front of him, she didn't want to hide anything anymore. She wanted to be the most authentic herself, a real child. She laughed wholeheartedly and cried wholeheartedly.
But - after crying tonight, she had to become stronger.
When leaving Ishtar's bedroom, Na Luo saw Manya and the other maids coming together, so she went up to say goodbye to them. Who would have thought that the maids ignored her, snorted coldly, and turned around and left. Na Luo felt a little puzzled, and looked at Manya with a puzzled look, "What's going on? Didn't these sisters treat me very well before?"
Manya hesitated for a while before stammering, "Na Luo, after you were injured last time, the eldest prince thoroughly investigated the matter and found out that it was Qu Chi. Qu Chi is such a kind person, how could he deliberately hurt you? You wouldn't believe it if it were you. But the eldest prince still blamed her and sent her out of the palace a while ago... I didn't want to tell you, but it seems that I can't hide this from you."
What? Qu Chi left the palace? "Na Luo was shocked. Although she had suspected that the incident might be related to Qu Chi, Qu Chi had always taken good care of her and treated everyone so well. She could not believe that Qu Chi would deliberately harm her. Could there be any misunderstanding?
"You know, everyone likes Qu Chi very much. So when Qu Chi left, they took their anger out on you." Manya comforted her, "It's okay, you don't have to mind. This matter was decided by the eldest prince, and it has nothing to do with you. "
Na Luo's mind was a little confused, and he didn't ask any more questions. He hurriedly said goodbye to Manya and left.
How could the eldest prince be sure that it was Qu Chi who did it? He even sent her out of the palace so quickly. Isn't this punishment too harsh? But the eldest prince is definitely not a person who does things without measure. He must have his reasons for doing this.
Could it be that Qu Chi really did this on purpose? Does Qu Chi... really hate her so much? Why?
Her little head seemed to be tightly tied with a string, pulling all her sensitive and fragile nerves. For some reason, she felt that the wind tonight was colder than ever before.
The darkness around her was even more depressing and suffocating.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, another summer in Loulan Kingdom arrived.
Na Luo has completely adapted to life here. Princess Dana is still kind and friendly to her. The palace people continue to cause trouble for her every now and then, but generally speaking, everything is still calm. She is not afraid of dealing with trouble. What she fears most is to offend the second prince. I don't know what is the difference between this man's brain and others, otherwise how can he come up with so many vicious tricks. Thanks to him, I have suffered a lot these days.
The eldest prince began to participate in political affairs frequently. His insightful insights on political affairs are quite appreciated by the king and other ministers. However, he will try his best to take time to teach Na Luo to play the flute. Although they didn't meet often, Na Luo was very satisfied and she cherished every opportunity to meet him. She also met Lord Quehu Hou a few times on weekdays, but the other party did not ask her to do anything, just let her stay with Princess Dana for the time being.
Early summer is the time when pomegranate flowers are in full bloom. From a distance, they are in full bloom, as bright and colorful as the morning glow, almost illuminating half of the palace. In the midst of the red, there are a few rare rouge-colored pomegranate flowers that are particularly beautiful. Na Luo couldn't help but reach out and pick two, thinking that she would give them to Manya later and ask her to find a beautiful vase to put in front of the eldest prince's window.
"A Bao! A Bao!" A familiar female voice suddenly pulled Na Luo back from her thoughts. Before she turned around, the woman had already rushed to her and said with surprise, "Na Luo, it turned out to be you! Great! I don't know where the monkey of the third prince ran away again, please help me find it quickly!"
Na Luo looked at her helplessly, "Sister Mo Li, is that Ah Nao causing trouble again?"
"A Nao?" Mo Li was stunned.
"It's Ah Nao who often causes trouble and makes everyone uneasy. "Na Luo curled her lips and brushed away the dew on the pomegranate petals.
Mo Li was about to laugh, but when he noticed the figure behind Na Luo, his face changed slightly. He winked at Na Luo, signaling her not to continue.
Na Luo didn't notice her expression at all, and continued to mutter, "Am I wrong? You also know how many troubles that monkey has caused in the palace, and how many people have been beaten because of that bastard monkey? Don't mention it, the last injury hasn't healed yet. I heard that Xiaoyun's legs were broken, and Qili was even blinded in one eye by it!" If it were any other time, she would also know the palace's rule of less talk and more action, but Qili was a new partner she met last month. He was very kind and often brought food from the kitchen for her, but she didn't expect to encounter such an accident. So when she mentioned this monkey, she couldn't help but say a few more words.
This monkey has become more and more annoying in recent years, and it has become an evil monkey that everyone is afraid to avoid.
"Okay, Na Luo, don't say it. Just help me find Abao first." Seeing that Na Luo was getting more and more angry, Mo Li was anxious to stop her, but he didn't dare to make it clear.
Na Luo nodded, and added with lingering anger, "I say, what kind of owner will raise what kind of animal."
"Second brother, you heard what the dead kid said! This time you must punish her severely!" A sharp and loud boy's voice suddenly came from behind her.
"Yes, I heard it all." The voice of the man who answered was like drizzle sliding down petals, and spring breeze blowing through the bamboo forest. But the moment this voice entered her ears, Na Luo's feet trembled slightly as if she was out of control, and her brain was blank. An indescribable fear immediately enveloped her from head to toe.
Mo Li also called out with a pale face, "The maid greets the second prince, the third prince..."
Na Luo had to turn around stiffly, only to see the third prince looking at her coldly, as if he wanted to eat her alive. An Gui had a mocking expression on his face, and asked casually, "Why don't you continue? What kind of owner raises what kind of animal?"
Na Luo came to her senses and smiled innocently, "I have met the two princes. What I mean is that only a smart and brave man like the third prince can raise such a cute Abao."
This girl is good at lying. An Gui narrowed his eyes slightly, and the corners of his mouth gradually rose...
"Second brother, how do you say to punish her! Should I slap her in the face, cane her, or whip her?" The third prince's series of suggestions were vicious.
Na Luo cursed the inhuman third prince several times in her heart.
"How can you punish a little girl like this, kid?" An Gui looked at her with a smile, "Isn't that right, Na Luo?"
Na Luo felt a chill on her back. Seeing the other party's smile, she thought that it might be more merciful to slap her face or whip her.
"Look! A Bao is on the tree!" The third prince glanced and suddenly pointed at the tree not far away and shouted.
An Gui thought for a few seconds and immediately had a good idea to make things difficult for her. "Well, if you let A Bao down from the tree and he listens to you obediently, then the previous disrespect will be written off. Otherwise," he paused deliberately, "you can only let my brother deal with you."
Na Luo was immediately worried. This evil monkey was very smart. After successfully deceiving it once last time, it would never be fooled again. And even if it was tricked down, it would be even more difficult to make it obedient. But the third prince clapped his hands and laughed, "Second brother, second brother, I got it! Then I will have someone sew up this dead child's mouth with needle and thread! Let's see if she dares to say this to me next time!" An Gui looked at him with doting eyes, seeming to approve of his brother's new idea.
Thinking of what they had done before, Na Luo felt angry. What did these two guys think of others? Even if they were princes, could they trample on others' dignity and lives?
Thinking of this, she responded loudly on impulse, "Okay! You said it!"