Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 2

The next day, the steward suddenly rushed in with urgent news: the court had uncovered a corruption case, and the embezzled funds meant for the estate had been returned.

The timing was so coincidental. There was likely no one else who would have helped him but her.

But this also meant her background was far more formidable than he had imagined.

As a prince, the duties he had to fulfill were too numerous for Gong Yu to count, especially during major occasions when he was required to attend no matter how scorching the weather.

Hunting was usually an autumn activity, but for some inexplicable reason, the emperor suddenly proposed it now, leaving Gong Yu no choice but to accompany him.

Still too short to reach the height of a horse, Gong Yu spent most of his time cooling off in the mountain villa. The age gaps between the princes were too wide for them to play together.

The imperial concubines who had come along, however, chatted quite animatedly, and since Gong Yu was young, he stayed with them.

The empress seemed to be in poor health and was rarely seen, so Gong Yu quietly kept to a corner.

“Miss Dai has arrived,” the matron outside the door announced respectfully.

Gong Yu perked up his ears, then straightened his posture as she entered, clad in a light green dress, her figure graceful, her skin as fair as snow; unbelievably beautiful.

The empress brightened and said, “Ah-Yan, it’s been so long since you last visited.”

Ah-Yan?

That was an intimate form of address.

Yet she merely bowed lightly in response, her gaze briefly sweeping over the room. Gong Yu averted his eyes as if caught doing something wrong.

Within the palace walls, bright colors dominated, making her figure all the easier to spot. Gong Yu peeled peanuts one by one, occasionally eavesdropping on the conversations.

By afternoon, everyone had grown weary and began to disperse.

When Gong Yu left the empress’s quarters, he was already feeling quite full. He paused in the corridor, lost in thought, his brows furrowed in a way that clearly discouraged interaction.

“What are you thinking about?” Gong Yu mustered the courage to ask as he approached.

She turned her head slightly toward him, her eyes clear and unreadable, and replied softly, “Nothing much.”

“Oh.”

If she didn’t want to say, it was better not to pry.

The afternoon heat was oppressive. Seeing her still standing there, Gong Yu asked, “Are you close with Her Majesty the Empress?”

“She is my aunt.”

“Will you be attending the imperial hunting competition tomorrow?” she suddenly asked.

This was the first time she hadn’t addressed him as “Young Prince” but simply as “you.”

Gong Yu was in high spirits, but the question made him frown in thought. “I don’t know how to hunt, but I have no choice but to go.”

“Same here,” she replied with a faint smile, the light in her eyes brightening.

She was truly beautiful.

Dazed for a moment, Gong Yu hesitantly asked, “I still don’t know your name.”

“I am older than you, and a lady’s name should not be given so casually,” she said, seemingly in good spirits. “Besides, that day you called me ‘dear sister’, we mustn’t confuse seniority.”

Uh…

That had been a slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment.

A gentle breeze drifted by, and though the air was still stifling, her expression seemed much more relaxed than before.

Thinking this, Gong Yu decided not to dwell on it. Just then, a maidservant came looking for her. She turned and said, “My surname is Dai—Dai Ru Yan.”

“Then I’ll call you Ah-Yan too.”

“Little rascal,” she chuckled softly. “I’m older than you. You should call me Sister Dai.”

“Young Miss, Madam requests your presence,” the maidservant reminded gently from the side.

The smile in her eyes vanished in an instant, and Gong Yu stared blankly as she walked away.

The poor steward, nearly fifty years old, came running over and said, “Oh, my dear young master, it’s best not to wander around in the depths of the palace.”

Gong Yu snapped out of her daze, touched the tip of her nose, and replied, “Ah, but I’m perfectly fine right here.”

Most princes were only allowed to leave the palace at thirteen or fourteen, but Gong Yu, being unfavored, had been driven out much earlier. Even her mother had passed away many years ago.

The struggle for the throne among princes had always been bloody, and being expelled had its advantages otherwise, Gong Yu’s secret of disguising herself as a boy would have long been exposed.

As night fell, the emperor returned from hunting with his sons, lighting bonfires that illuminated the entire valley. Only then did Gong Yu get a clear look at her father, the emperor.

Yet this emperor appeared to be no more than forty years old, and rumors had it that another noble consort in the palace had recently become pregnant.

It seemed Gong Yu would soon have new siblings.

Dai Ru Yan sat near the empress. The bonfire’s glow made faces appear flushed, and after several glances in her direction, Gong Yu noticed many others were also looking at Dai Ru Yan.

Well, it made sense. Beauty always drew attention.

Gong Yu couldn’t drink alcohol, so she stuck to tea. When the roasted venison was ready, its rich aroma filled the air, and her thoughts quickly turned to the food.

The bonfire burned fiercely, and staring at it for too long made her eyes uncomfortable. After the emperor retired to rest, the consorts gradually dispersed as well.

Gong Quan and Dai Ru Yan sat close to each other, yet neither seemed to speak much, remaining as quiet as wooden statues.

“Steward, try this meat,” Gong Yu whispered, handing him a small plate.

The steward shook his head in alarm. “This was bestowed by the Son of Heaven. how could it be given to another?”

Before he could finish, Gong Yu stuffed the meat into his mouth and said with a laugh, “Don’t you dare spit it out. That would be a capital offense.”

The poor steward could only chew carefully. Gong Yu poured him tea and said, “The venison is truly delicious, so I wanted you to try it. Don’t be upset.”

Touched, the steward looked at her and said, “You’re too kind, young prince.”

In the dead of night, when all was quiet and perfect for sleep, Gong Yu’s stomach acted up, forcing her out of her room.

After finally leaving the outhouse, she got lost and had no choice but to grope around in the dark, hoping to find someone to ask for directions.

She must have wandered into the manor’s garden, as she couldn’t find anyone for the longest time. Just as she was on the verge of tears, she heard voices.

By the moonlight, Gong Yu faintly saw what looked like a man and a woman meeting in secret. Not wanting to intrude, she prepared to sneak away.

Suddenly, someone appeared behind her, startling her so much she nearly screamed but a hand covered her mouth, and a soft voice whispered in her ear, “Don’t make a sound.”

That voice sounded oddly familiar.

Only after being pulled aside did Gong Yu realize it was Dai Ru Yan. Surprised, she asked, “Why aren’t you asleep in the middle of the night?”

Leaning against a pillar, Dai Ru Yan gazed at the tranquil pond and said, “I just couldn’t sleep, so I came out.”

That was a reason Gong Yu couldn’t argue with.

Resting her hands on the railing, Gong Yu compared their heights. She was only a head shorter, not particularly tiny.

“Books say people can’t sleep when they’re troubled,” Gong Yu said, moving closer. “What’s on your mind, Sister Dai?”

Dai Ru Yan suppressed a smile, tilting her head to look at Gong Yu. She reached out and lightly tapped Gong Yu’s forehead, saying, “This doesn’t quite match the rumors outside.”

“What rumors?”

“Gong Yu is bedridden year-round, silent in temperament, quick to anger, and usually avoids close interactions or laughter with others.”

“Uh…”

Gong Yu had to admit if Dai Ru Yan were a villain, she’d probably have met her end already. From now on, she’d have to be more careful with her words, or she might not survive past three episodes.

“People change. Like right now, I’m just a little shorter than you, but in the future, I might even grow taller.”

Gong Yu had no idea if such nonsense would convince her.

Dai Ru Yan silently gazed at the dark water’s surface before murmuring, “Yes, people do change.”

“What’s wrong?” Gong Yu leaned in to ask.

“Nothing.” Her tone had already steadied.

Moonlight spilled like water over the quiet courtyard. The mountain air carried a slight chill, and Gong Yu, feeling drowsy, leaned against a pillar and idly asked, “Who were those two people earlier?”

Dai Ru Yan turned her head, her gaze deep and unfathomable, before looking away and replying, “The Crown Prince and his beloved concubine.”

So calm about it?

Gong Yu couldn’t help but let her gossipy side show. “Sister Dai, aren’t you jealous?”

“Why would I be?”

“I heard people say you’re destined to become the Empress. Doesn’t that mean the Crown Prince will be your future husband?”

Yet Dai Ru Yan didn’t even furrow her brows, replying coolly, “In the struggle for power, no one knows the outcome until the very end.”

Too composed.

Gong Yu sighed regretfully, resting her chin on the railing as she glanced at the bright moon and muttered, “Any other girl would’ve blushed by now. How come you don’t react at all?”

“And what reaction does Little Nine think I should have?” Dai Ru Yan shifted slightly, sitting beside her.

The cicadas’ chirping filled the air as Gong Yu sat cross-legged nearby, grinning. “Why are you calling me ‘Little Nine’ now?”

“If we follow what you just said, I’m bound to marry one of your brothers in the future. Calling you ‘Little Nine’ now isn’t inappropriate.”

“Fine, you have a point.”

Gong Yu was bored, but the path they’d taken earlier was the only way forward. Going back now would be tempting fate.

Dai Ru Yan sat quietly beside her, not as distant as she had been during the day. Now, she seemed gentle and approachable; someone easy to get along with.

Since transmigrating, Gong Yu had spent a long time without anyone to talk to. On one hand, she feared being exposed, and on the other, there were hardly any peers in the estate. The hierarchy in this world was too rigid; almost no one dared to cross boundaries.

“So, is there someone you like?” Gong Yu asked aimlessly.

Without hesitation, Dai Ru Yan answered softly, “No.”

“But you’re about to get married. Which brother will you marry?”

“I don’t know.”

Before Gong Yu could respond, Dai Ru Yan suddenly added, “Though if I really had to choose, there is one suitable candidate.”

Curious, Gong Yu looked at her only to find Dai Ru Yan’s wolf-like gaze fixed on her, sending a sudden chill down her spine.

“I… I’m telling you, no way. Don’t even think about it!” Gong Yu shrank back.

Dai Ru Yan’s eyes curved into a dazzling smile as she said, “What’s wrong with it? You have no power or influence. You’d be the easiest to control. Naturally, you’d make the perfect puppet.”

Just whose eyes had gone blind to think Dai Ru Yan was a kind-hearted beauty?

Gong Yu inexplicably felt that the older Dai Ru Yan before her might one day become a femme fatale, with herself as the test subject.

“Teasing you is really quite amusing,” Dai Ru Yan said with a laugh, then stood up and said, “Let’s go.”

Should she follow her or not?

After all, a moonless, windy night was the perfect time for murder and arson.