Unexpectedly, as we approached the border, a small incident occurred. Yuan Xiao had a quarrel with Xiao Huang and jumped out of the carriage to chase and play, being caught red-handed by the border guards.
The guard held up the portrait from the wanted notice in one hand and grabbed Yuan Xiao’s collar with the other, carefully comparing. Seemingly finding a resemblance, his suspicious gaze turned towards our carriage.
I quickly lowered the curtain and instructed everyone to put on human skin masks and be extra cautious.
“Are all white dogs in the world going to look the same? Can they really tell?” My younger sister grumbled while putting on her mask, which displeased her.
The Tang Clan members chatted with the guards. They frequently crossed borders and were familiar with the guards, so despite the guard’s suspicions about Yuan Xiao, he lifted the carriage curtain and let us pass.
An Jin’s arrangement to have the Tang Clan assist was extremely clever. Although nothing went wrong, I still scolded Yuan Xiao and Xiao Huang, who hung their heads in submission.
The carriage successfully left the Qi Kingdom border and entered South Rui territory. The first stop was Lan City, the small city where my biological mother, the Proclamation Emperor, had died during childbirth, and my birthplace.
Lan City was not large, but a solemn guard was stationed beneath the city gate. The leading man was tall with handsome features. Xiao Huang flapped its wings and flew to him, landing on his shoulder and shouting, “General! General!”
My younger sister rolled her eyes. “Him again?”
General Shen dismounted his horse and bowed to me.
“I was entrusted by His Majesty to specifically meet your family here. Moreover, His Majesty has a message he specifically asked me to convey to you.” He paused, his expression softening. “Welcome home.”
My heart warmed. Despite my lingering caution about the South Rui journey, these words touched me.
Chapter Fifty-Seven: South Rui’s Wind and Clouds
South Rui retrieved Princess Zhao Hua, celebrated for three days in Feng Zhu City, and simultaneously issued a general pardon, sharing joy with the people. “I truly regrets, truly,” Emperor Hong held my hand, his eyes misty, his face sorrowful. “If I had tried to prevent your mother empress’s marriage back then, she would not have married your father consort; if she had not married your father consort, she would not have been neglected in the inner palace and had her political power seized; if your father consort had not seized political power, he would not have had the opportunity to rebel; if he had not rebelled, your mother empress would not have fled in panic…” I had heard this incoherent heartfelt speech eighteen times already. Initially, I felt deeply sad and emotional, but now, whenever I hear the words “I truly regrets,” I unconsciously drift off.
No wonder the princes and princesses rush to leave after paying their respects, finding any excuse to escape quickly. Who would have thought this gentle and humble Emperor Hong was such a chatterbox in private?
Fortunately, I have a father who goes off-topic whenever discussing historical events, so I’ve been accustomed to handling such situations since childhood. Emperor Hong was delighted that I was willing to keep him company.
Emperor Hong was insistent that I reside in the ** Palace, which had always been the residence of South Rui’s heir apparent. This clearly announced to the world that he viewed me as the heir. Simultaneously, he hired two teachers to instruct me in royal etiquette and governance principles.
Although I didn’t consider myself suitable for governing the world and found mid-career learning extremely difficult, I couldn’t refuse Emperor Hong’s kindness. I obediently attended classes, though I found the coursework overwhelmingly burdensome.
Three princesses and the fourth prince had been granted territories and would soon depart. The fifth princess was married to Da Qi and had disappeared, leaving only the second princess, Jiang Yun Qiao, without a territory.
Jiang Yun Qiao was two years older than me and had been carefully cultivated. Had I not been found, the heir’s position would have been hers. However, she seemed completely indifferent to the heir’s position and often stayed close to me, taking me around Feng Zhu City.
I kept the secret about the fifth princess to myself, not revealing it to Emperor Hong. I was uncertain about An Jin’s plan, and although the second princess was my relative, royal family politics were complex. I couldn’t fully trust them, so I could only silently apologize to the fifth princess, waiting for the right moment to bring her back.
Since arriving in South Rui, I’ve been cautious and observant. I don’t necessarily want to become empress, but I must be capable of protecting myself and my family, of safely reuniting with An Jin. If wielding power is the only way to achieve this, then I must compete.
Was Emperor Hong’s intention of finding me back truly just about familial affection? Despite my repeated explanations that I had no interest in being heir and only wished to live a peaceful life with my family, he persistently granted me the ** Palace and publicly proclaimed me as the next heir. Was there some hidden scheme?
Escape was impossible. With Emperor Hong so determined to return the throne to me, if it was truly from the heart, I couldn’t refuse; if there was a plot, I couldn’t escape. The only option was to proceed carefully, follow his arrangements, and remain vigilant.
Assuming Emperor Hong truly had no ulterior motives and genuinely wanted to return the throne to the daughter of Emperor Xuan, what potential threats might I face? Undoubtedly, it would be Jiang Yun Qiao. Although she appeared normal, I had seen too much royal family hypocrisy to easily trust surface appearances. Since Jiang Yun Qiao often visited me, I would go with the flow and see what she was hiding.
I had thought Jiang Yun Qiao had feelings for General Shen, but surprisingly, she was already married with a son. When I mentioned my previous speculation, she laughed it off, saying they were merely friends. Although as a princess she could take a side consort, she clearly had no such intention, focusing entirely on her beloved animals.
Since my arrival in South Rui, she had received less attention and seemed more relaxed, often inviting me to play with Yuan Xiang and Xiao Huang in her residence among the animals.
Yuan Xiang quickly became friends with several foxes and dogs in the princess’s residence, spending entire days playing and reluctant to return home. Xiao Huang fell in love with Jiang Yun Qiao’s favorite white peacock, constantly following its tail feathers and bringing fruits to curry favor—a bootlicking attitude that made me cringe.
I returned home and earnestly educated Xiao Huang. The next time we visited the princess’s residence, it initially restrained itself, casting plaintive glances toward the white peacock Snow Encounter. Just as I felt relieved, the peacock shook its feathers, and Xiao Huang disregarded my obstruction, scampering after it. Unexpectedly, the peacock completely ignored it, walking away proudly without a glance.
Xiao Huang flew back dejectedly to Yuan Xiang’s head, listless. This scene was fully observed by Jiang Yun Qiao, who sighed with emotion: “No wonder Xiao Huang would like her. Xue Yu is indeed beautiful. For it, perhaps Xue Yu is an unattainable divine bird, knowing it cannot be obtained, yet still deeply infatuated.”
Her tone and expression were somewhat unusual.
As I was puzzled and about to ask, I heard a soft, tender call: “Mother, Aunt.”
Yun Qiao’s six-year-old son A Fu ran over, diving into her arms, hugging her arm and kissing her face. “Mother, A Fu wants tea too.”
