“No. Such vulgar things must not sully the lady’s painting skills,” Xia Zhiyuan said solemnly.
I looked at him pitifully. “This servant is not afraid of vulgarity.”
He smiled slightly. “It’s sunset now. The Ministry of Personnel office should be closing soon.”
I gritted my teeth and forced a smile. “This servant must go now.”
“Very well.” He paused. “Shall I escort you?”
“No need.”
As the gray cranes around us rose, spreading their wings to the sky, Xia Zhiyuan pulled me close amid the gray fog.
“Be careful, my lady.”
Several gray crane wings brushed past me, not painful. Xia Zhiyuan leaned close to my ear and chuckled softly:
“He won’t be able to protect you for long. It’s better to come to my side.”
As the gray mist dispersed, he released me, a subtle smile playing on his face. “Please consider carefully.”
The Eastern Palace and I walked in opposite directions, each harboring our own schemes.
After passing a grove of trees, I looked around to ensure no one was following, then pulled out a white silk cloth and waved it toward a nearby hill.
A distant dog bark came from the hill, relieving me as I walked along the puddles toward it. Suddenly, the dog bark turned panicked and urgent.
I stopped, concerned something was wrong. A chaotic sound of hooves came from the forest, prompting me to turn back.
Princess Xia Zhiqian, dressed in red, rode a blue horse, looking down at me with a smile. She always smiled like a villain, which explained her unmarried status. Several maids followed her, breathless and pale, presumably from chasing her.
“It’s indeed you,” she said impatiently, as if waiting for me to bow.
Despite being in men’s clothing, she recognized me from a distance. Is this the telepathy of rivals?
I smiled politely and bowed. “This servant greets the princess.”
Xia Zhiqian struck at me with her silver-handled whip. I dodged back, and the whip hit the grass, sending leaves flying.
“You dare to dodge?” she frowned.
Ridiculous, wasn’t I supposed to dodge being whipped? I kept my hand behind my back, frantically waving the white silk toward the hill.
Que’er and Yuanxiao were hiding nearby, ready to find An Jin if they noticed I was in trouble. I just needed to stall for time and wait for reinforcements.
“How have I offended the princess?”
I set aside my worries. The white jade hairpin and coral waist buckle were things I bought myself, and the sandalwood beads do not exist. As for the vermilion ceremonial robe, An Jin never liked that color and had never worn it.
The poor Seventh Princess is likely feeling quite complicated, mostly speculating who this new rival could be.
Xia Zhiqian probably thought I was spineless, and bullying me offered no achievement. She glared at me and said, “Remember, don’t foolishly try to win An Lang’s affection!”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
She turned to mount her horse, and I sighed in relief. But then—
I hate “but then.”
An extremely familiar dog bark approached, heading my way. Xia Zhiqian froze as a white mass came charging from the grass.
Was Yuanxiao here? I looked behind him for Que’er, but she likely went to find An Jin while Yuanxiao insisted on finding me.
With Yuanxiao’s arrival, I was touched, but his meeting with the Seventh Princess might spell trouble. Yuanxiao, vengeful and resentful of Xia Zhiqian’s previous attempts to undermine him, barked fiercely at her.
Xia Zhiqian said disgustedly, “Pull it away.”
I hurriedly whispered kind words, calming him down. However, Xia Zhiqian sneered, “A cowardly dog matches a cowardly master.”
This provoked Yuanxiao again, and he lunged, ripping a large section of her red robe and exposing her calf. Xia Zhiqian screamed, while her attendants hesitated to approach due to Yuanxiao’s ferocity. Recognizing his anger, I called him back, and he finally let go, running to me. But unexpectedly, Xia Zhiqian raised her whip and struck Yuanxiao from behind.
Yuanxiao was caught off guard, hit squarely, tumbling several times before collapsing beside my foot, gasping, with a bloody wound on its back, skin torn and flesh exposed.
This whip hurt more than if it had struck me directly, leaving me feeling completely hollowed out.
Yuanxiao struggled to rise, wobbling to my foot and lying down, rubbing against my leg and whimpering. I squatted down, patted his head, and whispered, “Yuanxiao, you’re a true hero.”
Xia Zhiqian ran up with her whip. “Bite! Bite again! Rabid dog, you’ll never learn without punishment!”
I looked up at her, my gaze fierce enough to make her step back. “W-what are you doing?”
“Nothing,” I smiled and took a step toward her. “Just want to avenge Yuanxiao.”
I never imagined I would one day pounce like a hungry tiger. But at that moment, I had only one belief: You hit my Yuanxiao?! I’ll make you pay!
I shook my head, dragging myself out of the water and squatting next to Yuanxiao, lifting this several-dozen-pound fellow with both hands. Yuanxiao rubbed its big head against my neck, and I could feel its chaotic breathing and cool, wet nose.
The previously numbed senses started working again, and my body ached all over, especially my burning face, with warm liquid flowing down—unsure if it was water or blood. It sensed my pain and licked my face, seemingly trying to comfort me.
Xia Zhiyuan followed behind. “You’re injured,” he said, hinting at regret.
I looked back. “Your royal sister is more injured than me.” The thought of the punishment for beating a princess flashed through my mind, but I didn’t dwell on it.
I staggered forward, carrying Yuanxiao. Xia Zhiyuan reached out to support me and asked a servant to carry Yuanxiao. I shook my head, insisting on carrying it myself. He held my shoulder, seeming hesitant to speak.
“It’s fine, I can manage,” I said, kissing Yuanxiao’s head. “Yuanxiao, it’s time to lose weight. Even heroes can’t be too fat.”
It looked up, seemingly half-understanding, then buried its head in my arms and whimpering. I thought it might be reminiscing about when it was smaller and nestled in my arms.
Xia Zhiyuan applied some pressure on my shoulder, forcing me to lean towards him. “Let me send you back,” he said.
“No need, my husband will come to pick me up—” I was shaking my head when An Jin’s voice rang out from ahead.
“Your Highness, please return my wife to me,” An Jin said, his face expressionless and voice deep. Que’er stood behind him, staring at me in shock.
Her psychological state must be quite complex. How did her mistress end up looking beaten in such a short time? She didn’t know that someone else had actually been beaten.
When did he arrive? I found his presence mysterious.
Xia Zhiyuan stood beside me, not letting go. I struggled, but he held me tighter.
“Your Highness,” An Jin stepped forward, slowly approaching us. His lips were tightly drawn, exuding an intimidating air. “Please return my wife to me.”
The words carried an implicit threat.
I thought I was bold for beating a princess, but An Jin was even bolder. If the Eastern Palace didn’t release me soon, he might just take me away.
Xia Zhiyuan’s expression darkened. His guards, sensing the tension, watched An Jin warily, hands on their sword hilts. They faced off, one concealing his sharpness, the other displaying his edge. I idly appreciated their confrontation, believing An Jin had the upper hand. My husband was remarkable.
Xia Zhiyuan finally let go. I happily ran towards An Jin while carrying Yuanxiao, but tripped and fell onto the grass. An Jin quickly steadied me and took Yuanxiao.
He didn’t even bid farewell to the Eastern Palace. Truly bold.
