Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 14

The fortune pouch is a New Year’s blessing tradition in the Gong Kingdom, similar to red envelopes, though they don’t necessarily contain money—sometimes they hold objects. For the more refined, they might contain poetry or other such items.

However, these pouches are typically exchanged only among family members or very close friends.

The heavy snow had been falling for days, blanketing the entire Gong Kingdom in white. In the early morning, Gong Yu, emerging from the palace, sneezed and quickly tightened her cloak.

The palace corridors were unusually quiet. As she grew older, Gong Yu found it less appropriate to enter the inner palace. But thinking of the deposed Crown Prince Gong Quan, who remained under house arrest, she decided to take a detour to visit him.

Carrying a box of pastries, she walked straight into the courtyard without being stopped by the guards. Inside, servants were already sweeping away the accumulated snow.

“Ninth Highness, what brings you here?” A maidservant knelt in the snow to greet her, then turned to the younger maids nearby. “Quickly, go and announce her arrival.”

“I came to visit Eldest Brother.”

Gong Yu waited briefly in the main hall before Gong Quan appeared, dressed in white as if emerging from the snow itself, though his brow carried a trace of hostility.

This was different from the Gong Quan she had first met. Holding a cup of tea, Gong Yu smiled and said, “Wishing you a prosperous New Year, Brother.”

Gong Quan sat nearby and replied, “Little Ninth, how thoughtful of you.”

“I heard Father has been unwell lately. Has the imperial physician examined him properly?”

“The injuries from that battle were too severe. Every winter, Father complains of pain. The physicians can do little—only prescribe medicinal soups to ease it.”

The hall was thick with incense, and Gong Yu found the scent oddly familiar, though she couldn’t quite place it.

The maids quietly served tea and snacks. Though Gong Yu had a sweet tooth, she resisted reaching for them, instead averting her gaze.

With little else to discuss, Gong Yu soon stood, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and left the courtyard.

Coincidentally, she ran into the Grand Tutor in the palace corridor. Gong Yu greeted him politely, only for the old man to suddenly ask, “Ninth Highness, have you finished copying the Gong Kingdom’s legal codes yet?”

Ah…

Truly a sly old fox. Even Father hadn’t brought this up.

“Thank you for your concern, Grand Tutor. The legal codes are divided into three volumes. Three hundred copies will still take some time,” Gong Yu replied.

Once she left the palace in her sedan chair, Gong Yu clutched her hand warmer tightly. The capital’s streets were usually bustling, but at this early hour, most shops remained closed, lending the scene an air of desolation.

Back at her residence, Gong Yu curled up in her courtyard. She had intended to take a nap, but now she had no choice but to bury herself at her desk.

The thick legal codes were no joke. Twirling her brush, Gong Yu mused that if only she had a copying machine.

But of course, that was just wishful thinking.

And so, until the Lantern Festival, Gong Yu never left her residence. The stacks of paper in her study had grown half a person tall.

Yet three hundred copies were still far from complete.

Unable to resist the festivities outside, that evening Gong Yu slipped out through the back gate with a few servants in tow.

The lantern fair was lively, the streets packed with vendors and crowds. A spectacular lion dance drew onlookers to a standstill.

Arms laden with snacks, Gong Yu wandered through the throng before making her way to a stone bridge to escape the press of people.

From the bridge, she looked down at the long, brightly lit street below, alive with noise and excitement.

Though the snow had yet to melt and the air was still chilly, Gong Yu stayed warm with a roasted sweet potato in her hands.

Just as she was about to leave the bridge, she caught sight of someone on the second floor of a nearby teahouse. Gong Yu paused. Wasn’t that Ah Yan?

The handsome young master standing nearby looked like a complete stranger.

“Ah, Your… Young Master, where are you going?” The attendant waiting nearby panicked as he watched Gong Yu slip away in the blink of an eye.

Gong Yu stepped over the threshold, and the waiter eagerly approached to ask, “Would the esteemed guest prefer a private room or are you meeting someone?”

“I want to go upstairs.”

“My apologies, sir. The second floor has already been reserved by a distinguished guest.”

“I know. I’m quite familiar with that distinguished guest up there.” Gong Yu tossed a silver ingot and said, “If you don’t believe me, just watch. See if I get thrown out.”

The waiter was left dumbfounded by Gong Yu’s words, staring blankly as Gong Yu swiftly slipped upstairs.

Hiding in the shadows, Gong Yu saw Dai Ru Yan sitting by the window, holding a white chess piece and intently studying the board. Across from her, a man sat with a sword placed beside him.

Their expressions were eerily similar, completely unaware of Gong Yu’s presence. Gong Yu stuffed almond pastries into her mouth, chewing slowly.

Despite the clamor outside the window, the two remained utterly unfazed. Gong Yu’s neck was starting to ache from watching.

The man set down his chess piece and smiled. “Miss Dai’s skills are exceptional. I admit defeat.”

Dai Ru Yan’s expression remained as calm as ever, showing no additional emotion. She merely placed her white piece down and replied,

“How fares the Gu Family Manor?”

“Rest assured, Miss Dai. All is well.”

The man lifted his teacup and drank heartily, yet his gaze never left Dai Ru Yan’s face—clearly another admirer of beauty.

As for why the word “another” came to mind?

Gong Yu wasn’t entirely sure herself. But just then, the man suddenly glanced her way, startling Gong Yu so much she forgot to breathe.

Fortunately, the man seemed to look away again, focusing on Dai Ru Yan as he said,

“Though the scenery from the frontier to the capital is splendid, it lacks the company of a beauty—diminishing its charm somewhat.”

“Young Master Gu must be accustomed to freedom. How could you be tied down by a beauty?” Dai Ru Yan poured tea, drinking it with indifference.

A flicker of disappointment crossed the man’s eyes as he softly called, “Ah-Yan, you know my heart.”

“Young Master Gu, you should also know that it’s impossible between us.”

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward. Gong Yu could practically feel the awkwardness oozing out.

Deciding to cut the tension, she stood up from the shadows, brushing off the pastry crumbs clinging to her clothes, and strode out confidently.

“Sister Dai, what are you doing here?” Gong Yu lied without batting an eye.

The man turned to Gong Yu, scrutinizing her with a sharp gaze, his hand instinctively gripping his sword as he barked, “Who allowed you up here?”

Gong Yu ducked behind Dai Ru Yan, pressing close with a mischievous grin. “So fierce, no wonder Sister Dai doesn’t like you.”

“You—!” The man was clearly enraged.

Dai Ru Yan sighed helplessly. “Xiao Jiu, stop fooling around.”

“Young Master Gu, I have matters to attend to. Would you mind stepping aside for now?”

The man stood up angrily, glaring at Gong Yu, all traces of his earlier gallantry gone.

Once the second floor was silent and empty, Gong Yu leaned against the window, stopping beside Dai Ru Yan.

“Do you know who he is?” Dai Ru Yan looked up slightly at Gong Yu, smoothing out the wrinkles in her disheveled robe.

Gong Yu poured herself some tea, took a sip, and after a moment’s thought, shook her head. “Is he someone important?”

“He is the only son of the wealthiest merchant in the realm—Gu Qing of the Gu Family.”

“Richer than our family?”

Gong Yu joked.

“Of course, he’s wealthier.”

Gong Yu hesitated, holding a water cup, and asked, “Ah-Yan, if I go after him now, is it still too late?”

It seemed Dai Ru Yan had arranged to meet this Gu Qing, likely for some important discussion.

Dai Ru Yan pulled Gong Yu to sit beside her and replied, “Now you understand why I told you not to fool around.”

Gong Yu obediently sat down, resting her hand on the red-lacquered wooden table. “He may be rich, but merchants have never been valued in court. If Ah-Yan were to marry him, it would be his gain.”

“Who told you I was going to marry him?” Dai Ru Yan raised a delicate eyebrow, lightly poking Gong Yu’s plump cheek with her fingertip, a smile playing on her lips. “You’ve grown taller and look much thinner, so why does the flesh on your face never seem to go away?”

Gong Yu ignored the comment, lost in her own thoughts. That earlier remark somehow felt like she was speaking out of spite.

Perhaps because Gong Yu was too quiet, Dai Ru Yan withdrew her hand and said seriously, “During the Lantern Festival, you claimed illness to skip the palace banquet but sneaked out of the estate. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you for still being so playful?”

“No, I’ve been copying the Imperial Laws these past few days,” Gong Yu stretched her arms, frowning. “My hand is almost broken from writing.”

“Have you finished copying them?” Dai Ru Yan asked, naturally reaching out to gently massage Gong Yu’s wrist.

“Not yet.”

Gong Yu had always thought her own hands were soft and delicate, but Dai Ru Yan’s were even more slender and fair, with a porcelain-like smoothness.

“If it hurts badly, you should call for a physician to apply medicine. That way, you won’t risk long-term damage.” Dai Ru Yan’s voice was tender and mesmerizing as she massaged.

“Did you hear me?” Dai Ru Yan turned her head, looking at Gong Yu with earnestness.

Gong Yu, feeling like a thief caught red-handed, quickly averted her gaze and mumbled, “Mm… I heard.”

“How did you know I was here?” Dai Ru Yan asked casually.

“I just happened to see you from the stone bridge over there,” Gong Yu answered honestly.

Outside the window, the night was enchanting, the faint scent of sweet pastries lingering in the air.

Dai Ru Yan released her hand and said, “Next time you see me, don’t hide. It’s pointless! You always get caught anyway.”

“I was caught?” Gong Yu had thought she was well-hidden.

“If you had been quieter while eating pastries in that corner, you might have gone unnoticed.”

“Uh…”

Dai Ru Yan turned her gaze to the window, a faint smile on her lips. “Have you visited the Eldest Prince?”

“Yes, but I didn’t stay long.”

Gong Yu hadn’t told anyone about visiting Gong Quan, yet she wasn’t surprised Dai Ru Yan knew. It always felt as though Dai Ru Yan could effortlessly uncover anything she wanted to know.

“Xiao Jiu, what do you think of your Eldest Brother?” Dai Ru Yan suddenly asked with unusual seriousness.

Gong Yu thought for a moment before replying, “I can’t quite figure him out. He seems like someone with a meticulous mind, I suppose.”

Dai Ru Yan chuckled lightly but said nothing more.

Unsure what Dai Ru Yan found amusing, Gong Yu asked, “Ah-Yan, what are you laughing at?”

“I was just thinking—today is the Lantern Festival.”

“Yes, it is.”

Gong Yu didn’t quite grasp her meaning.

Dai Ru Yan gazed at the chessboard before her and murmured, “Yet I haven’t eaten any tangyuan, nor have I seen the lanterns.”

“Then I’ll take you there.” Gong Yu smiled and said, “I’ve been sampling along the way and remember exactly where to find the best tangyuan.”

“You can still eat more?” Dai Ru Yan asked with slight surprise.

“Of course.” Gong Yu playfully squeezed Dai Ru Yan’s warm hand and said, “And the lanterns outside are so beautiful—will Sister Dai buy a few for Little Jiu?”

She had heard that Dai Ru Yan had never been out to enjoy such festivities before. In fact, Gong Yu had sent people to inquire about Dai Ru Yan’s younger sister multiple times but had uncovered nothing. The only information she obtained was that before the age of twelve, Dai Ru Yan had spent her childhood confined within the high walls of the Dai family estate, never once stepping beyond its gates.