Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 25

Entering the hall, the four corners held blazing braziers, making it naturally much warmer. Gong Yu couldn’t bear to let go and shamelessly continued holding on.

After the maids waiting nearby prepared tea, fruits, and refreshments, they all withdrew. However, Dai Ru Yan suddenly turned her head and looked helplessly at Gong Yu, saying:

“How much longer are you going to hold onto me like this?”

Uh… Why did that sentence feel a bit piercing to the heart?

Gong Yu was very reluctant to let go and hastily came up with an excuse: “Ah-Yan’s hand is so warm to hold, I forgot for a moment.”

“Silly,” Dai Ru Yan murmured softly, her voice so light it didn’t sound like she was calling someone silly at all. Gong Yu sat there dazedly, her mind spinning. Actually, being gently scolded by Dai Ru Yan like this didn’t seem so bad.

Although this kind of development felt a bit unsettling.

“If you’re cold, why don’t you hold a hand warmer?” Dai Ru Yan handed a hand warmer to Gong Yu.

Only half a window in the hall was open, and incense was burning in the censer placed on the low table. Dai Ru Yan sat to the side, picking up a book and reading on her own.

The little rabbit, raised by Dai Ru Yan, had grown plump and white. Gong Yu held it with one hand, finding it a bit cumbersome, but its soft fur was truly comforting to touch.

Gong Yu couldn’t bear to let go, noticing that Dai Ru Yan was engrossed in her book and didn’t seem inclined to speak.

For a moment, it became too quiet. Gong Yu peeled peanuts, occasionally letting her gaze drift to Dai Ru Yan’s brows, earlobes, and then down to her smooth neck.

Of course, Gong Yu had no ill intentions. She was simply admiring, appreciating Dai Ru Yan’s beauty.

A question suddenly popped into her mind: Is liking someone only because of their appearance?

Gong Yu internally denied it.

Dai Ru Yan’s beauty came in many forms. Her appearance was her external beauty, but that was only the surface. Her every word and action still tugged at Gong Yu’s heartstrings.

Even her brows, the ends of her hair, or a single sentence from her could fill Gong Yu with delight.

Though she had thought it all through, Gong Yu suddenly realized that Dai Ru Yan knew nothing of these thoughts, and it felt as though she had been thrown from a high place once again.

After all, this wonderful Dai Ru Yan before her did not belong to her.

Unconsciously, Gong Yu sighed and quietly stuffed peanuts into her mouth, comforting herself with the thought that watching the person she liked live a happy and joyful life was another form of guardianship.

As if she had already arranged everything perfectly and clearly before even starting, Gong Yu seemed to have convinced herself once again.

“What are you looking at?” Gong Yu snapped out of her thoughts and asked.

Dai Ru Yan glanced sideways at Gong Yu and replied, “Can’t Xiao Jiu tell I’m reading a book?”

Uh…

Gong Yu sprawled boredly on the low table, fiddling with the peanuts in front of her, and said, “But if you’re reading, you have no time to talk to me?”

“What do you want me to say to you?” Dai Ru Yan continued reading, her expression aloof.

Yet Gong Yu’s heart raced wildly at the sight, and she quickly averted her eyes, noticing a painting in the hall.

The painting depicted a few branches of plum blossoms, arranged in a disorderly yet elegant manner, with subtle colors. Only a few red dots were scattered casually, serving as the perfect finishing touch.

Gong Yu set the little rabbit aside, stood up, and walked over to examine the painting. There was no signature or seal, so she asked, “Ah-Yan, who painted this?”

“I painted it in my spare time.”

Uh…

“Ah-Yan, do you have to be so outstanding?”

Gong Yu wandered idly around the hall, her eyes catching a painting of a Buddha in a corner. After circling the space, she realized the hall wasn’t particularly large.

When she returned to her original spot, she saw Dai Ru Yan gazing at the painting as if lost in thought. Hearing Gong Yu’s footsteps, she turned, her eyes clear and composed.

“Where did you go just now?” Dai Ru Yan closed the book in her hand and asked.

Gong Yu sat down cross-legged nearby. “Just wandered around a bit. Do you usually stay alone in this hall, Ah-Yan?”

Dai Ru Yan took a sip of tea. “Mm.”

“It seems darker outside. Should you be heading back?”

Gong Yu pushed open the window to look—indeed, it had grown considerably dimmer. In less than half an hour, it would be completely dark.

Such was the drawback of winter: darkness fell too early. Gong Yu cracked the window open slightly and said, “The brazier in here is still burning strong. Letting in a little fresh air now and then is good for your health.”

“Well, I really should be going now.” Gong Yu stood up, smoothing the wrinkles in her robes. Dai Ru Yan rose as well.

The wind outside was fierce. “No need to see me out,” Gong Yu said. “It’s freezing out there.”

“Alright.” Dai Ru Yan stepped closer, fastening Gong Yu’s cloak. “Be careful on your way.”

Once outside, the biting cold wind stung her skin. Clutching her hand warmer tightly, Gong Yu hurried down the corridor and happened to run into an elderly woman she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“How have you been lately, Granny?” Gong Yu asked with a smile.

The old woman looked spirited and chuckled, “My, how you’ve grown, Ninth Highness! It feels like just yesterday since I last saw you.”

“How is Yue’er’s health these days?”

“Ah, the girl passed away last year.” The old woman’s expression turned solemn as she sighed. “It’s alright. She was always frail. She didn’t suffer when she went.”

Gong Yu was taken aback that the young girl was already gone. Dai Ru Yan had never mentioned it.

The old woman softened her tone. “Let’s not dwell on this. It’s getting late. You should head back to your residence soon, Ninth Highness.”

“Alright.”

After leaving Dai Ru Yan’s courtyard, Gong Yu took a sedan chair back to her residence. When she stepped out, she noticed it had started to rain. Catching a few drops in her palm, she thought how bitterly cold the rain felt.

Not long after the Start of Winter came Light Snow, and the weather grew increasingly harsh. Even attending the daily morning court sessions felt like a trial.

Of course, Gong Yu had it relatively easy compared to the Third Prince, whose situation was far worse.

The Third Prince had been accused of fratricide and faced further impeachment for forming cliques and indulging in debauchery.

Accusations piled up like snow weighing down a dead branch, each charge substantiated one after another. Those who had once sworn loyalty to the Third Prince scattered like monkeys fleeing a falling tree, leaving him isolated and abandoned.

This was perhaps the most complete rise and fall Gong Yu had ever witnessed. The Fourth Prince, in contrast to his usual arrogance, now spent his days in a temple. Ostensibly praying for the kingdom’s people, though in truth, it was merely to seek safety.

It seemed to work. Unlike the Third Prince, who stubbornly denied everything, the Fourth Prince managed to maintain a relatively stable position for the time being.

The court factions crumbled almost overnight, with power dynamics shifting between the First and Sixth Princes.

As the Lunar New Year approached, the palace welcomed several new princesses, bringing a rare wave of joy. Even the Emperor’s demeanor softened noticeably.

On the day it snowed in the capital, Gong Yu was dragged by the Fifth Prince to a tavern, where many wealthy young men of the city had gathered.

After several rounds of drinks, Gong Yu realized this was actually a disguised attempt to form factions. What puzzled her was why the usually timid Fifth Prince had suddenly developed such ambitions.

“Little Ninth, how can a man not drink?” the Fifth Prince said with a laugh, his wine cup sloshing and spilling most of its contents onto Gong Yu’s robe.

Gong Yu had deliberately asked for her wine pot to be switched and had only been drinking tea. By the time the noble young men in the hall were thoroughly drunk, she quietly slipped away.

The tavern was quite large, with corridors extending in all directions. Gong Yu’s head was spinning from wandering around, so she decided to find a servant to ask for directions.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Gu Qing. At first, Gong Yu thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. Gu Qing, with a woman on each arm, bore no resemblance to the deeply affectionate man who had once confessed his love to Dai Ru Yan.

Thank goodness she had intervened in time—otherwise, he would have been nothing but a scoundrel!

Just as Gong Yu was about to slip away, Gu Qing suddenly rushed over, grabbed her by the collar, his eyes frighteningly red.

“Dai Ru Yan!” he gritted out through clenched teeth.

“You… you’ve mistaken me for someone else,” Gong Yu instinctively protected her left hand, which had only just healed. If it were injured again, it might never recover properly.

Gu Qing let out a cold laugh. “I’m not mistaken. You’re the pretty boy that Dai Ru Yan keeps!”

Huh?

A pretty boy?

To be honest, Gong Yu wouldn’t have minded being Dai Ru Yan’s pretty boy, even if the thought was a bit shameless.

Just then, Gu Qing suddenly collapsed. Fortunately, her guards arrived promptly. Gong Yu breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Gu Qing being helped away by a young woman.

“Your Highness, are you alright?” the guard asked anxiously.

“I’m fine. You arrived just in time. You’ll be rewarded!” Gong Yu replied.

If she really were a pretty boy, she’d at least be a rich one, she couldn’t help thinking.

Descending the tavern stairs and crossing the main hall, Gong Yu had the vague feeling that someone was watching her. But when she looked back, all she saw were the tavern’s patrons.

Stepping out of the tavern, she found heavy snow falling like goose feathers outside. The lanterns swayed gently in the wind. Gong Yu glanced around and asked, “We’re not far from Miss Dai’s place, are we?”

“Miss Dai’s residence is just ahead,” the guard replied softly.

Holding a lantern, Gong Yu cheerfully made her way toward the courtyard. After turning down two long streets and walking a bit further, she could see the lantern hanging at the gate of the secluded courtyard.

The servant at the gate looked surprised to see her. “Your Highness, Ninth Prince, what brings you here at this hour?”

“I was just passing by,” Gong Yu said with a smile before confidently stepping into the courtyard. She assumed Dai Ru Yan would be resting in her chambers at this time.

Before she even reached the room, she could hear the faint sound of a zither, though the howling wind and snow made it hard to discern clearly.

Stopping by the door, Gong Yu gave a light knock and heard Dai Ru Yan’s soft voice ask, “Who is it?”

“It’s me,” Gong Yu replied with a silly grin.

When the door opened, Dai Ru Yan, wrapped in a cream-colored cloak, stood looking at her. Gong Yu remained frozen with her foolish smile until Dai Ru Yan quickly reached out and pulled her inside.

The room was warm and cozy. Dai Ru Yan turned to fetch a thin blanket and draped it over Gong Yu’s shoulders, asking worriedly, “What are you doing coming to my place on a snowy night like this?”

“And why do you smell so strongly of alcohol?” Dai Ru Yan frowned slightly, looking at Gong Yu and asking, “Did you drink?”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Dai Ru Yan placed the hand warmer into Gong Yu’s hands, her warm fingertips reaching out to touch Gong Yu’s forehead as she said with concern, “I’ll have someone prepare some sobering soup for you. I imagine someone drinking for the first time might wake up with a terrible headache.”

Gong Yu tightly held Dai Ru Yan’s hand, listening to her gentle, rambling words, and felt as though Dai Ru Yan’s delicate fragrance was drifting right into her senses. It was as if the wine wasn’t intoxicating, but the person was. Yet Gong Yu knew perfectly well that she had only drunk a few cups of water, so she spoke up, “I’m not drunk.”

“You say you’re not drunk, but your face is burning hot, and you reek of alcohol.” Dai Ru Yan sounded almost scolding. “You’ve just recovered from a serious illness, and it’s so late. If you were to stumble and fall while drunk, you’d be in a world of pain.”

Gong Yu felt as though she really might be intoxicated by the person before her. Her gaze remained fixed on Dai Ru Yan’s tender lips, and a devilish voice seemed to scream in her mind: Just pretend to be drunk and kiss her. Just one kiss. We’re both girls, and someone as kind as Dai Ru Yan surely wouldn’t get angry.

But then another voice chimed in: No, you can’t do something only a pervert would do. Dai Ru Yan treats you so well; you mustn’t scare her with such actions.

Perhaps because Gong Yu remained silent, Dai Ru Yan grew even more worried. She reached out and gently touched Gong Yu’s left shoulder, asking, “Xiao Jiu, did you bump into anything on your way here? Your bones have just healed. We can’t risk leaving any lasting issues from this.” She continued murmuring to herself, her hands carefully feeling along Gong Yu’s arm and shoulder blade as if checking for injuries.

Gong Yu felt her heart melting entirely. She hugged Dai Ru Yan affectionately and whispered, “A Yan…”

Dai Ru Yan immediately tensed and stopped, urgently asking, “What’s wrong? Does it hurt here? Xiao Jiu, let go of me so I can see how badly you’re injured.” Clearly, she was genuinely concerned and tried to pull away to examine where Gong Yu might be hurt.

But Gong Yu couldn’t bear to let go of Dai Ru Yan in her arms and stubbornly refused to release her. Of course, Dai Ru Yan wouldn’t use too much force to struggle free, especially since Gong Yu’s left arm had only just healed.

Now, with Dai Ru Yan nestled in her embrace, Gong Yu knew that if she leaned in just a little, she could kiss those soft lips.

But was it really okay to kiss her without Dai Ru Yan’s permission?

To kiss or not to kiss? That was the question worth pondering.