Since we were rushing to the first-month celebration of the Western Liang Crown Prince, we traveled quickly. After my conversation with Little Sister, she seemed to have stopped opposing General Shen, growing quiet instead. I noticed this change, and General Shen likely did too; I often caught him glancing in her direction.
It seems there’s hope. It’s not just Little Sister’s affection; General Shen must have feelings for her as well. Otherwise, with his calm demeanor, he wouldn’t pay attention to her changing attitude. Yet with one being stubborn and the other cold-faced, I could foresee their complicated path ahead.
Although Xia Zhiyuan had long been a venomous beauty in my heart, I cannot deny that he was also very attractive, drawing several unmarried princesses from Xiliang to visit the guest inn without reservation.
However, Xia Zhiyuan remained calm and indifferent, seemingly not paying special attention to anyone. Consequently, the frustrated princesses shifted their focus to General Shen.
General Shen, though usually composed, was driven to hide in his room by the scene. My younger sister looked down on them, believing these princesses were so desperate to marry that even a “turtle general” would suffice.
I smiled silently, sensing that this trip to Xiliang would not be in vain.
Chapter Fifty-Nine: Three Men
“Princess, please.”
After several invitations, I finally could not refuse and agreed to have tea with Xia Zhiyuan. A few osmanthus trees were in the guest inn, their fragrance lingering as autumn set in. He had someone set up a jade stone table under the trees, prepared fine tea and snacks, and dismissed the attendants to sit across from me. Unusually, he wore a simple white cotton robe, creating the illusion of an immortal.
I knew he would not choose to harm me here and must have something to say. Yet, after several rounds of tea, he only made small talk, urging me to eat snacks, appearing completely at ease.
I remained still, maintaining a polite smile. The wind rustled the leaves, dropping osmanthus petals. He stared at his teacup and suddenly fell silent.
“Your Highness, is something wrong?”
I asked tentatively, noticing him staring blankly at the teacup.
He said wistfully, “It’s late autumn again. Does my lady remember the White Crane Plain from last autumn?”
How could I forget? The Eastern Palace had me paint for his favorite concubine, Feiwu. I later encountered the Seventh Princess and ended up in a sorry state. The Eastern Palace must have known my background and approached me deliberately, hinting that An Jin could no longer hide me.
“Your Highness, please speak directly,” I refilled his tea.
“Previously, threatening the princess to marry through her family, I did not expect you to be magnanimous,” sadness fell on his beautiful face, stirring my heart.
This is the advantage of beauty. Even knowing he was not kind, I found myself moved.
“Regardless, we have paid respects to heaven and earth, become husband and wife. Even if you escape, whether you resent me or not, this is a fact.” He looked at me deeply. “In my heart, you are my wife. I will try to make amends for past mistakes.”
He took out a white silk from his sleeve and gently unfolded it before me. The silk depicted a graceful dancing woman, signed “Lantern Festival Thirteenth Young Master.”
Having been soaked in water, the ink was blurred, and the woman’s original image was unrecognizable.
“I have kept this painting until now not for anything else, but because it is something you left behind.” He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes lush. “A Yao, give me a chance, will you?”
This was the first time Xia Zhiyuan did not refer to himself as “this palace,” and the first time I truly looked at him. After a long look, I sighed and asked, “Isn’t this tiring?”
He looked up in confusion.
“You are like this, Xia Zhichun is like this, and Yan Or is also like this,” I said with a bitter smile. “For your ambitions, forcing yourself to please someone you don’t love, pretending to be deeply in love, performing such touching plays. Isn’t this tiring?”
His expression stiffened, and after a while, he curved his lips, laughing with a hint of bitterness. “Sometimes when people act for too long, they become too involved and find it hard to extricate themselves.”
“Do you think I would believe you now?” I felt helpless. Why did I look so easy to deceive?
Before I could ask him to clarify his earlier statement, someone announced, “Reporting to the Crown Prince’s Palace, Grand Princess Zhao Hua, there is an imperial messenger seeking an audience with the Grand Princess.”
Seeking me?
I turned around and saw Mo Qu standing behind the reporting guard, bowing to me. “His Majesty invites the Grand Princess to the palace for a conversation.”
On the way to the palace, Mo Qu walked beside me, silent. He was known for being taciturn, but I sensed anger in his icy demeanor. Had I offended him unknowingly?
I attempted to engage him in conversation, but he only responded with nods or shakes, remaining mute. Frustrated, I fell silent.
Yan Huo had chosen an excellent location. His Ping Yao Imperial Palace, built on high ground, featured a water pavilion overlooking the city, offering a breathtaking view.
“How is it?” Yan Huo stood beside me, with Mo Qu nearby. The setting sun painted the sky with rosy clouds. “Isn’t the scenery of Xi Liang just as beautiful as that of Nan Rui’s Da Qi?”
“Your Majesty’s invitation to the palace surely isn’t just to appreciate the scenery.”
With the Crown Prince and now Yan Huo, I felt my time was wasted unless I learned more about Xia Zhichun and An Jin.
“Don’t you want to sit and enjoy the scenery?” Yan Huo asked regretfully. “The Grand Princess Zhao Hua is no longer the thirteen-year-old from before. I thought you would have many questions.”
“Zhao Hua indeed has many doubts,” I said. “Your Majesty is wise and knows what Zhao Hua wants to ask.”
“Let me guess,” he said, touching his forehead and glancing at Mo Qu. “I hear the Nan Rui court is unstable, with senior officials urging Emperor Hong to have the Grand Princess hand over the Wujin Token. This token was in the hands of Xia Zhichun, the third prince of Qi Kingdom, who brought it to Xi Liang. Could it be that the Grand Princess has traveled to Xi Liang for this Wujin Token?”
I smiled and took a sip of wine. Social engagements were a torment. I hadn’t eaten since the afternoon and was starving, yet I had to maintain my composure.
In the past, when An Jin was by my side, he would never let me go hungry. I was getting distracted.
Yan Huo, seeing my silence, seemed pleased. “I thought the Princess had come for An Daren, but it turns out it’s for this Wujin Token. Those who achieve great things must sometimes be ruthless. The Princess is becoming more like a true heir.”
He had misunderstood my intentions, but I was in no hurry to argue. Yan Huo was too cunning; if he knew my true thoughts, he might exploit them, and I would not get the information I wanted. For now, I could only be patient.
“May I ask Your Majesty about the whereabouts of this Wujin Token?”
He raised an eyebrow and spoke leisurely: “Only Xia Zhichun knows the token’s location.”
“Then may I ask Your Majesty if you know Xia Zhichun’s whereabouts?”
Yan Huo paused briefly, then smiled and nodded: “I’ve said that whenever the Princess has a request, I will do my utmost. Finish this cup, and I’ll have Mo Qu take you to see Xia Zhichun.”
I was surprised by Yan Huo’s easy agreement to let me meet Xia Zhichun. Typically, he would seize such opportunities to set conditions, yet he offered assistance without hesitation. Could he have another plan?
I gratefully raised my cup: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
