Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 32.2

Raising my head to look around, the sky hadn’t even brightened yet. Gong Yu could still hear the roosters crowing and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. This was truly waking up earlier than the chickens!

After walking intermittently for a while, I hadn’t expected that today there would be far more officials on horseback than usual.

It felt like running into a classmate who happened to be getting off at the same bus stop.

“Minister Zhou, you’re up early today.”

“Minister Song is the one truly dedicating himself to the nation and its people.”

“Not at all, not at all. Minister Zhou, you flatter me.”

This kind of workplace-like small talk kept drifting into Gong Yu’s ears, sending a chill down his spine. These two were truly engaged in awkward small talk the entire time.

Dismounting and entering the palace, the emperor’s expression in the main hall was clearly unwell, and the assembled officials were equally lifeless.

“A high-ranking court official dies right under the nose of the imperial court, and the Dali Temple still hasn’t uncovered the murderer! What use do I have for any of you?”

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.” Instantly, all the officials knelt, along with several princes.

Prince Gong Quan spoke up from below the hall: “Father, please calm your anger. The Dali Temple is still fully investigating the exam leak case, and the Minister of Justice being murdered at this time clearly shows the killer is challenging the court.”

“The urgent task now should be to order a city-wide lockdown, seal off the roads, and strictly inspect anyone of unknown origin, especially those with exceptional martial skills.”

“I second the proposal.”

By the time the morning court session ended, Gong Yu watched as large numbers of soldiers and officers set out from the palace, immediately throwing the streets into chaos. He thought to himself, this is only intensifying the common people’s fear of the murderer.

After leaving the palace, Gong Yu went with Qin Hua to the residence of the late Minister of Justice. But aside from witnessing the weeping concubines in the residence, they gained no other information.

With no leads in mind, Gong Yu noticed the sedan chair in which the Minister of Justice had died and had it brought back to his own residence.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Anyue followed him like a lingering ghost into the residence. Losing patience, Gong Yu said, “Why are you following me?”

“I just want to see. What, are you afraid I’ll find the murderer before you do?”

“This is my residence. According to Volume 300, Page 4, Article 8 of the Gong Kingdom’s laws, trespassing into a private residence without the owner’s permission is punishable by up to thirty cane strikes.”

After saying this, Gong Yu called out, “Guards!”

Zhao Anyue grew flustered and hurriedly said, “If you bully me, I’ll tell everyone about you spying in the Stone Forest!”

“Go ahead and say it.”

Gong Yu hadn’t expected Zhao Anyue to use this old trick to threaten him. He replied bluntly, “Guards, throw her out!”

“Gong Yu, how dare you!”

“Why wouldn’t I dare?”

“I am the Grand Tutor’s daughter. If you offend me, I… I’ll tell my elder brother that you bullied me.”

Qin Hua, standing nearby, couldn’t help but laugh. “Little girl, our prince doesn’t seem like the type to bully you.”

“Exactly, and with such a fierce temper, you’d better be careful no one will marry you in the future.”

“You’re the one who won’t get married!”

Gong Yu flashed a bright smile, revealing a row of white teeth. “I don’t need to marry. I’ll be the one doing the marrying.”

“Hmph! A pretty boy like you who enjoys peeping. Let’s see which family’s daughter would ever marry you.”

“Certainly not you.” Gong Yu leaned in to inspect the inside of the sedan chair and said, “If it were you, I’d have to jump into the moat to prove my innocence.”

Before the words had fully left his mouth, Zhao Anyue, enraged, shoved Gong Yu hard. Caught off guard, Gong Yu stumbled forward and crashed into the far end of the sedan chair.

Unexpectedly, there was a hidden panel inside the sedan chair. Although Gong Yu had accidentally bumped into it, the impact was so painful that she clutched her forehead, seeing stars. Reaching inside, she felt around and pulled out a small cylindrical object.

“Could you please help me up?”

By the time Gong Yu emerged from the sedan chair, her vision was still slightly blurry.

Qin Hua looked at the small stick of incense in Gong Yu’s hand and asked, “What is this?”

Just as Gong Yu was rubbing her head and preparing to confront Zhao Anyue, the latter suddenly spoke up, “It’s knockout incense.”

“How do you know that?”

Zhao Anyue rolled her eyes and said, “I often use this to play tricks on the servants at home.”

Ugh… How could she say that so shamelessly?

Gong Yu took a sip of tea and said, “There’s a hidden compartment inside, probably large enough to fit a small-boned child.”

“The murderer is a child?” Zhao Anyue asked curiously.

Qin Hua shook his head. “Judging by the knife wounds on the Minister of Justice, the precision and force suggest it couldn’t have been an ordinary child.”

“Is it possible that it was someone who knows a skill like bone contraction? That way, they could shrink into the hidden compartment and even hide there unnoticed after killing the Minister of Justice.”

Gong Yu reached up to touch her head again, worried that the bump might have drawn blood.

Zhao Anyue suddenly grew excited. “It feels like a martial arts master striking from the shadows—so impressive!”

Is that a normal reaction to have?

Qin Hua stood up and said, “We can’t rule out that possibility. I’ll dispatch guards to investigate immediately.”

Gong Yu held the incense and sat back in her seat, while Zhao Anyue wandered around the courtyard. “Hey, why is your residence so quiet?”

“It’s almost dark. If you don’t head back soon, I’ll send a servant to report you to the Grand Tutor.”

“Hmph!” Zhao Anyue circled back to stand in front of Gong Yu. “Let me do you a favor and tell you—this incense isn’t cheap. It’s called ‘Scentless.’ Not only is it colorless and odorless, but it doesn’t even produce smoke when lit, making it virtually undetectable.”

Gong Yu looked at the incense curiously. “Where can you usually buy this?”

“I don’t know.”

Zhao Anyue smirked slyly, clearly unwilling to share the information even if she knew.

Gong Yu pocketed the incense, rubbed her face, and decided to ignore her, muttering in frustration, “I wonder how bad this injury is.”

She then asked a servant to bring a bronze mirror. Gong Yu held the mirror, examining her reflection repeatedly, while Zhao Anyue scoffed beside her, “You’re a grown man—why are you so vain?”

“I’m not a grown man, I—”

Gong Yu paused mid-sentence and then added, “What’s wrong with being a grown man? Can’t I take care of my face?”

Zhao Anyue laughed, snatching the mirror from Gong Yu’s hands. “You are indeed more handsome than most young masters in the city, but you look far too frail.”

Who’s frail?

Gong Yu took the mirror back from Zhao Anyue and said, “It’s really getting dark. Why aren’t you going home yet?”

“I’m not going back. I’m staying here with you.”

“What!”

Gong Yu set the mirror down and looked at Zhao Anyue seriously. “Let me tell you, I already have someone I like.”

“I don’t believe it. What girl in the capital would like a frail pretty boy like you?”

“Hmph, suit yourself. Why should I tell you anyway?”

Zhao Anyue wandered around again. “Even if you don’t tell me, I already know who it is.”

Gong Yu thought Zhao Anyue was just trying to scare her, so she didn’t take it seriously. Sipping her tea calmly, she replied, “Go ahead and guess all you want. I never said anything, so don’t go around spreading nonsense later.”

“Is it the young lady from the Dai family, isn’t it?”

“You…” Gong Yu held her teacup, trying to hide her surprise. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Zhao Anyue looked straight into Gong Yu’s eyes and said, “More than half of the young noblemen in the capital are infatuated with the Dai family’s young lady.”

“But she’s not as kind-hearted, gentle, or considerate as the rumors claim.”

Gong Yu frowned. “What are you trying to tell me?”

“Haven’t you noticed?” Zhao Anyue sat down beside her. “At first, the one closest to the Dai family’s young lady was the eldest prince, Gong Quan. But soon after, he was stripped of his crown prince title for failing in his duties as regent.”

“Then came the third and fourth princes. Even the most favored third prince—look how tragically he died. The fourth prince has been holed up in his residence, and it’s said he’s lost his former vigor. And then there’s the sixth prince, who was also deeply in love with the Dai family’s young lady. Now, because of the exam leak scandal, he’s caught in a crisis.”

Zhao Anyue stood up, picked up a bronze mirror, and smiled. Through the mirror, she observed Gong Yu’s serious expression. “Haven’t you ever wondered why, with the Dai family’s immense power, the Gong family still securely holds the throne?”

Gong Yu felt as if Zhao Anyue had suddenly become a different person. Nervously, she took a sip of tea and said slowly, “But your Zhao family is also deeply entrenched. The Grand Tutor has served two dynasties and has surely placed many of your people in power.”

“You’re not as dumb as you look, pretty boy.”

Zhao Anyue put down the bronze mirror and flicked her sleeve. “This ‘Fragrance-less’ incense is a secret used exclusively by the Gong royal family. Although some nobles might have privately hoarded a little, it’s extremely rare. Guess who might have it?”

Zhao Anyue laughed, suddenly reverting to her carefree, playful self.

“But didn’t you say you’ve used it before?” Gong Yu asked, puzzled.

“Of course, I was just teasing you. For ordinary servants, common knockout drugs are enough. Why would anyone use such precious incense?”

Zhao Anyue replied with a mischievous smile before turning and leaving the residence on her own.

Gong Yu looked down at the half-burned incense in her hand, feeling perplexed. If it truly was a secret of the Gong royal family, where did it come from?

The Minister of Justice wasn’t someone with overwhelming power. Who would want to kill him?

Moreover, when the exam leak scandal broke out, the Minister of Justice claimed illness and handed the case directly to the Supreme Court.

In recent years, the only case the Minister of Justice handled related to the royal family was the assassination attempt on the fourth prince.

But the fourth prince had no reason to kill the Minister of Justice. Besides, that assassination case had long been closed.

Gong Yu slowly walked to the peach tree and lay down alone in the open pavilion. Her thoughts drifted back to what Zhao Anyue had said earlier.

This Zhao Anyue was far from simple.

At the very least, she had been closely monitoring the court’s movements. No wonder when Gong Yu had someone investigate the Grand Tutor’s daughter yesterday, they found she was exceptionally intelligent from a young age. The Grand Tutor even consulted her on many matters. That was probably the real reason she was so favored by him.

Gong Yu felt her mind was a bit muddled and couldn’t help but sigh, turning her head to glance at the deaf-mute maid waiting nearby.

The peach tree was currently in full bloom, yet even with the gentle breeze, many petals still drifted down.

“Why is Xiao Jiu lying here alone again?” Dai Ru Yan’s voice sounded from not far away.

“Ayan, why are you here?” Gong Yu slightly turned her head to look at the approaching Dai Ru Yan, then shifted inward and said, “I’m thinking about something.”

“I heard the Grand Tutor’s daughter just left?”

“Yes, she nearly drove me mad with annoyance.” Gong Yu reached out to touch the hem of Dai Ru Yan’s skirt helplessly.

Dai Ru Yan sat down beside her, gently stroking Gong Yu’s slightly furrowed brow with her fingertips. “Zhao Anyue is the Grand Tutor’s most beloved daughter. If he hears you say that, you should be careful.”

“I don’t care. Ayan, look, there’s another bruise on my forehead today.” Gong Yu shamelessly laid her head on Dai Ru Yan’s lap.

“Who told you to pique her interest?” Dai Ru Yan murmured softly as she massaged Gong Yu’s forehead with her fingertips.

Gong Yu looked pitifully at Dai Ru Yan and said, “But that’s unfair. How did I pique her interest?”

“Zhao Anyue is usually eccentric and exceptionally clever. She rarely bothers to interact with others, yet Xiao Jiu has run into her several days in a row. Do you really think it’s a coincidence?”

“I strongly suspect she’s been secretly investigating me.”

“Perhaps she’s taken a liking to Xiao Jiu’s beauty.”

Gong Yu sighed, hugging Dai Ru Yan and shaking her head. “Then I’m in trouble. She’s so fierce. Ayan, can you think of a way to help me?”

Dai Ru Yan ran her fingers through Gong Yu’s hair and chuckled. “Who told Xiao Jiu to have such splendid peach blossoms in her residence?”

“What does it matter if the peach blossoms are in full bloom?” Gong Yu asked, puzzled. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Silly.”

Uh…

“Ayan, are you familiar with Zhao Anyue?”

“Not really.” Dai Ru Yan twirled Gong Yu’s hair around her finger and whispered, “But she knows me very well.”

Gong Yu lay flat on her back, looking up at Dai Ru Yan, and replied, “Yes, she seems to know a lot about you.”

Dai Ru Yan traced circles on Gong Yu’s forehead with her fingertip and murmured, “It’s also possible that she’s causing trouble for Ah Jiu because of me.”

Huh?

“I’m completely confused now.” Gong Yu rubbed her forehead against Dai Ru Yan’s warm palm, like a weary little kitten.

“Don’t move.” Dai Ru Yan looked down at Gong Yu, gently massaging her forehead with her palm. “Luckily, the skin isn’t broken and there’s no bleeding. Otherwise, Xiao Jiu would be even more…”

“I really dislike that Zhao Anyue.”

“Ayan is still teasing me.” Gong Yu held onto Dai Ru Yan’s hand and said helplessly.

Dai Ru Yan chuckled softly, “Zhao Anyue is also a famously unruly little beauty in the capital. Why is Little Jiu so troubled?”

Gong Yu sat up, causing the peach blossoms that had fallen on her robe to scatter quietly.

“That Zhao Anyue was just trying to drive a wedge between me and Ayan earlier.”

“What did she say?” Dai Ru Yan reached out and gently picked up the petals that had fallen on Gong Yu’s shoulder, asking as if it didn’t matter.

Gong Yu hesitated and said, “Never mind, it’s just some unpleasant words. If Ayan hears them, she’ll only get upset.”

Dai Ru Yan paused her hand slightly and asked, “Does Little Jiu believe it?”

“I don’t.” Gong Yu shook her head. “As long as Ayan says it’s not true, I naturally won’t believe it.”

“Then just ignore Zhao Anyue.”

Dai Ru Yan held the petals in her hand and whispered, “The pear blossoms in Dai Garden are in full bloom. Why don’t you come with me tomorrow, Little Jiu?”

“Sure.”

Gong Yu leaned lazily against Dai Ru Yan and said, “A lot has been happening in the capital lately.”

Dai Ru Yan raised her hand and gently stroked Gong Yu’s back to comfort her. “This is the capital of Gong Kingdom. If everything were peaceful every day, that would be the strangest thing of all.”

“How is Ayan always so composed?” Gong Yu rubbed her nose against Dai Ru Yan’s clothes, inhaling the faint fragrance.

“Perhaps it’s just a habit.”

Dai Ru Yan replied lightly, then looked down and noticed Gong Yu’s little gesture. She curved her eyes and gently tapped Gong Yu’s nose with her fingertip, saying:

“Why are you like a little cat, always sniffing here and there?”

Gong Yu asked curiously, “Has Ayan ever kept a cat?”

Dai Ru Yan hesitated slightly and replied, “Mm, that was a long time ago.”

“What happened to the cat later?”

“It disappeared.”

“How could it just disappear?” Gong Yu, rarely hearing Dai Ru Yan mention her past, pressed for more details.

Dai Ru Yan stretched out her arms and held Gong Yu tightly, frowning deeply as she whispered:

“I can’t remember.”

“It’s been too long.”

Does she really not remember?