Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 18

“Brother…” The girl emerged from the room, smiling as she ran over.

Breaking the inexplicable silence from earlier, Gong Yu handed her a loquat and said, “There’s a pit inside that you need to spit out, and the skin on the outside isn’t edible either, understand?”

The girl nodded obediently. “Mm.”

After giving her instructions, Gong Yu finally approached Dai Ru Yan, tasted the loquat, and said, “It’s very sweet.”

“If you like it, I can have someone pick fresh ones daily and send them to your residence,” Dai Ru Yan replied, tilting her head as she looked at Gong Yu. She took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and gently wiped Gong Yu’s damp hair.

“Sounds great,” Gong Yu said with a smile.

Indeed, she was much more accustomed to this approachable version of Dai Ru Yan. That sudden, silent demeanor earlier had been far too domineering.

Gong Yu, feeling like an old soul, admitted she couldn’t quite handle it.

By age, she should have been the more mature one, shouldn’t she?

Her thoughts swirling, Gong Yu glanced at Dai Ru Yan before her and wondered if perhaps it had just been her imagination.

After all, Ah Yan was usually such a gentle and soft-hearted girl.

After several spring rains, early summer arrived, and the temperature gradually rose day by day.

The court seemed to have returned to normal, with various ministries pushing trivial matters daily until the assassination attempt on the Fourth Prince, which stirred up a storm.

“Under the Emperor’s very nose, someone dared to assassinate a prince? Minister of Justice, have you investigated this matter?”

“Your Majesty, the criminal committed suicide. The weapons and clothing used bore no distinctive markings, so we have yet to uncover any leads.”

“Very well. I give you ten days. If you fail to find answers, consider your official cap forfeit,” the Emperor on the throne said, setting down the memorial.

The Minister of Justice, kneeling in the grand hall, bowed his head. “This humble servant obeys Your Majesty’s decree.”

After the morning court session, Gong Yu strolled along the stone steps, pondering who could have possibly harmed the Fourth Prince.

While power struggles in the court were common, with the Emperor still reigning, conflicts usually remained at the level of underlings clashing. To directly target a prince, that was far too brazen.

Under the scorching sun, the heavy robes felt unbearably hot. Wiping sweat from her brow, Gong Yu noticed the Third Prince, looking triumphant, had been spending an unusual amount of time with Prime Minister Dai lately.

The intensifying factional strife in court was naturally between the Third and Fourth Princes, who were like fire and water, perpetually at odds.

Yet now, with the Fourth Prince’s assassination attempt, suspicion fell squarely on the Third Prince. Was it really wise for him to be so blatant?

Finally reaching the end of the long palace pathway, Gong Yu coincidentally ran into the Sixth Prince and the newly appointed top scholar, Zhou Wencai.

“Greetings, Sixth Imperial Brother,” Gong Yu called out cheerfully.

Beside him, Zhou Wencai bowed. “Your Highness, the Ninth Prince, I hope you are well.”

The Sixth Prince, exuding an air of distinction with a folding fan in hand, said, “Little Jiu, you seem preoccupied. Is something troubling you?”

Gong Yu stepped closer. “I’ve been worried about Fourth Imperial Brother’s injury. I heard he lost a lot of blood.”

“Little Jiu, you’re still too young. Fourth Brother has fought on battlefields bare-chested without fear—this minor injury is nothing,” the Sixth Prince reassured. “I visited him yesterday; his spirits were high. There’s no need for you to worry.”

“That’s a relief.” By now, Gong Yu had mastered the art of playing the innocent child effortlessly.

After a brief exchange, they parted ways. Glancing back, Gong Yu noticed the top scholar still walking alongside the Sixth Prince.

Finally settled into the palanquin, Gong Yu hastily rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair arms, and fanned herself for some cool relief.

Due to the ancient custom of not cutting hair, Gong Yu now found her tied-up locks unbearably heavy. Worse still, washing her hair daily in the scorching summer heat was nothing short of a major hassle.

The cicadas’ incessant chirping rose and fell in waves by the courtyard. After painstakingly tying up her dried hair, Gong Yu lay alone in the waterside pavilion, intending to enjoy a comfortable afternoon nap.

Still young in age, Gong Yu held no official position and had no specific duties assigned to her. Aside from occasionally observing political affairs, she had nothing else to do.

Half-asleep, Gong Yu vaguely felt her arm going numb. When she opened her eyes, she found the girl sleeping beside her. Clearly having sneaked over again.

To make it easier for the servants in the residence to address her, Gong Yu had given the girl a name: Qing Yun.

“Qing Yun, why have you come to me again?” Gong Yu sighed helplessly, tugging at the sleeve tightly clutched by the girl.

Rubbing her eyes drowsily, Qing Yun reached out and hugged Gong Yu, giggling, “Qing Yun wants… to sleep with brother.”

“No.” Gong Yu sat up, her expression stern.

Qing Yun blinked in confusion, mimicking Gong Yu by sitting up as well. “Why not?”

“Because… I’m a man. Men and women must maintain propriety, we can’t sleep together.”

“But they say I’m the… the…” Qing Yun seemed to struggle for the right word before finally saying, “concubine that brother keeps.”

Girl, do you even know what a concubine means?

Meeting Qing Yun’s innocent gaze, Gong Yu was utterly speechless.

What was even more baffling was that ever since Qing Yun had been brought into the residence, Dai Ru Yan had stopped visiting altogether.

Of course, Gong Yu had considered sending Qing Yun to another residence. After all, the emperor had granted Gong Yu other estates as well.

But every time, Qing Yun would chase after the palanquin, returning with red-rimmed eyes to wait pitifully at the gate. How could Gong Yu bear to turn her away?

Left with no choice, Gong Yu could only make time to visit Dai Ru Yan’s residence. Strangely, though, Qing Yun seemed unusually afraid of that place—or perhaps, afraid of Dai Ru Yan herself.

Finally freeing her sleeve, Gong Yu cleared her throat and said, “I’m going to Sister Dai’s place. Are you still going to stop me?”

Qing Yun immediately became docile, shaking her head and timidly tugging at Gong Yu’s robe. “Then… when will you come back?”

Good heavens, why does Gong Yu feel like she’s picked up a child?

Riding out of the residence, Gong Yu arrived at Dai Ru Yan’s estate, only for the gatekeeper to announce, “Your Highness, the Ninth Prince, Lady Dai has gone out on business today.”

Gone out…

Of all times, why did she have to leave just when Gong Yu came to visit?

The excitement Gong Yu had felt upon arrival was now replaced by sheer disappointment.

Passing through the bustling market, Gong Yu idly decided to investigate the tavern where the Fourth Prince had been injured.

Coincidentally, she ran into the imperial guards conducting their investigation and the frowning Minister of Justice. Ten days was indeed a tight deadline.

“Your Highness, what brings you here?” the Minister of Justice inquired.

Holding a handful of green jujubes she had bought along the way, Gong Yu offered some to the minister with a smile. “No need for formalities, Minister. I was merely passing by.”

“Many thanks for Your Highness’s generosity,” the minister replied with a smile.

Gong Yu had already investigated the tavern herself and found nothing unusual. The assassin had come prepared to die. After being captured by the Fourth Prince’s guards, he had promptly taken poison and perished.

As decisive and direct as a professionally trained assassin, Gong Yu happened to notice a familiar pattern. Biting down on a green jujube, she stepped out of the tavern just as the sun was nearing sunset.

“Ah Yan should be back at the residence by now,” Gong Yu murmured, leading her horse back to the manor. A carriage was parked at the entrance, with servants bustling about.

Dai Ru Yan held an oil-paper umbrella to shield herself from the sunlight. Dressed in a plain green robe, her long hair was loosely tied with a simple hairpin, her face as strikingly beautiful as ever. On the other side stood the hypocritical Third Prince, the epitome of false virtue.

Gong Yu wanted to approach, but glancing at her disheveled robes, the lone horse she led, and the few green jujubes tucked in her arms, she thought better of it. It didn’t seem appropriate.

After much deliberation, early the next morning, Gong Yu found herself rummaging through the jewelry vault, muttering, “Most of these are common. I need to pick something rare and interesting to send over.”

The old steward watched as Gong Yu moved boxes back and forth, sorting through several chests until afternoon. Finally, she said, “Steward, have these loaded onto a carriage and sent to Sister Dai.”

“Your Highness, shouldn’t there be a reason for sending gifts?”

Gong Yu paused, then asked, “Do gifts always need a reason?”

The steward hesitated. “Not necessarily, but wouldn’t this seem too abrupt?”

“It’s fine. I just want to send them,” Gong Yu replied with a carefree smile.

Once the chests were dispatched, Gong Yu changed into a handsome crescent-white robe embroidered with golden dragons. Taller now, she looked more dashing than usual though her ever-present smile gave her an air of innocent charm, creating an odd contrast.

Riding out of the estate, Gong Yu felt her attire was at least presentable enough to draw glances from young maidens. But the chests she had sent ahead were still on the carriage, and the gatekeeper informed her, “Ninth Highness, early this morning, the Third Prince invited Lady Dai for a boat excursion.”

“Which dock did they depart from?”

“Likely the one by West River.”

Gong Yu turned around, her earlier confidence deflated, a surge of irritation rising to her head.

It had been nearly a month since they last spoke. Surely, the servants must have informed Dai Ru Yan of her visit yesterday. Yet today, Dai Ru Yan had gone with the Third Prince—wasn’t that deliberately leaving her empty-handed again?

Dismounting, her guards finally caught up. Gong Yu gazed at the vast river. Fortunately, the Third Prince’s extravagant tastes meant his boat was unmistakably regal.

“Prepare a boat. I’m boarding that ship.”

A guard hesitated. “Ninth Highness, that’s the Third Prince’s vessel.”

Gong Yu turned to him sharply. “Tell me, which prince is your master?”

The guard lowered his head, silent. Gong Yu took a deep breath. “Just get it ready.”

“Yes.”

Boarding a small skiff, Gong Yu made her way onto the ship. The guards in the cabin, familiar with the Third Prince’s usual retinue, didn’t stop her, assuming she was an invited guest.

Pacing the grand vessel, Gong Yu felt like a fool. Leaning against the railing, she glared at the expansive lake, wondering why she was so worked up.

If Dai Ru Yan wanted to meet someone else, that was her freedom. So why was she so angry?

“Oh my, this young man looks quite handsome.” The overwhelming scent of powder and rouge hit her like a wave, startling Gong Yu, who exclaimed, “Sister, what are you doing?”

The woman, clad in red, kissed Gong Yu and lightly rested a hand on her shoulder while holding a smoking pipe with the other, her movements suggestive as she chuckled:

“You’re such a sweet talker. Call me ‘sister’ again, won’t you?”

Forgive Gong Yu for only thinking about how to push this person away at the moment, but then the Third Prince’s laughter rang out from behind: “Who would have thought? Even our Little Jiu is someone who cherishes the fairer sex.”

Gong Yu instinctively searched for Dai Ru Yan’s figure and saw her standing nearby, gazing in their direction. Her beautiful eyes were dark as ink, and though the breeze tousled her hair, she still looked stunning.

Yet there wasn’t a trace of amusement in her expression—only a detached coolness as she watched them. Despite the sweltering summer heat, Gong Yu suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.