Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 37.1

“Have you heard? The Ninth Prince, who just got engaged to the Grand Tutor’s daughter, has gone mad.”

“Indeed! They say the Ninth Prince drove away the Grand Tutor’s matchmaker with a sword, shouting that he won’t marry.”

“That’s right. Somehow, the Ninth Prince ended up with a deep gash on his head and is still bandaged up. It seems he might have hit his head and damaged his mind.”

“Haven’t you heard the inside story? They say the Ninth Prince originally sought to marry the young lady of the Dai family, but somehow it was changed to the Grand Tutor’s daughter.”

“Such a twist! No wonder the Ninth Prince lost his senses. He must have been furious.”

The tea stall buzzed with noise, and rumors spread like wildfire through the capital’s streets and alleys.

Meanwhile, the Ninth Prince’s residence was unusually quiet. The Emperor had dispatched imperial guards to seal off the estate, allowing no one to enter.

Gong Yu released the flock of pigeons he had been raising. The old steward handed him a bowl of medicinal soup and asked, “Your Highness, are you really going to let the rumors in the capital spread like this?”

“Of course,” Gong Yu replied, taking the steaming bowl and frowning slightly. “His Majesty has confined me here to force me to submit. I must turn the imperial decree on its head, making white seem black.”

The old steward sighed. “But Your Highness, your complexion is frighteningly pale. It would be best not to overthink things.”

Gong Yu gulped down the medicinal soup in one go. “It’s nothing serious. Aside from a bit of dizziness, I’m fine.”

It was already early autumn, and the weather outside was no longer as sweltering as before. After the old steward left, Gong Yu picked up his sword and walked self-mockingly toward the pond.

In the past, Gong Yu had thought he would rarely have use for a sword, imagining he could live out his days as a carefree prince. But given the current situation, that seemed unlikely.

The Emperor was suspicious and guarded, the princes schemed against one another in secret, and even marriage had become a pawn in political games.

“Your Highness, Miss Zhao is here,” a servant reported from outside the pavilion.

Before Gong Yu could respond, Zhao Anyue had already barged into the pavilion uninvited.

“You’re so badly injured—why hasn’t Dai Ru Yan come to see you?”

Gong Yu turned his head to look at Zhao Anyue and replied, “What business is it of yours?”

Zhao Anyue stepped closer, displeased. “I knew you were pretending to be crazy. The capital is filled with rumors about me. Tell me, did you spread them?”

“The Emperor has forbidden anyone from entering or leaving. How dare you come in?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Zhao Anyue laughed triumphantly. “We’re already engaged, and our wedding is just around the corner.”

Gong Yu took a slow breath. “You know full well about my relationship with Ayan, yet you still had the Grand Tutor force this match.”

“At first, I wondered how you happened to be at the exact spot where Jin Zhaowen fell into the water. Now, thinking back, you were waiting for me.”

Zhao Anyue’s expression remained unchanged, and she merely smiled. “What are you trying to say?”

“Of course, it’s not because you’re infatuated with me. Yet you persistently pursue me, even though you know I intended to marry someone else, and you still force me to marry you.” Gong Yu paused, glanced at the sword in his hand, and frowned. “It’s because you’re infatuated with Dai Ru Yan.”

“Nonsense!” Zhao Anyue burst into laughter. “Have you lost your mind, pretty boy?”

“I’m a woman, and Dai Ru Yan is also a woman. Why would I like her?”

Gong Yu chuckled softly. “Yes, I’ve been wondering the same thing—how could it be possible?”

“Until I remembered what you once told me—that every prince Dai Ru Yan had contact with ended up facing setbacks—so I began to investigate quietly.”

Zhao Anyue asked, puzzled, “What did you find?”

“I discovered that the daughter of Grand Tutor Zhao has an eccentric temperament and dislikes lively banquets the most. Yet, whenever there was a banquet attended by Dai Ru Yan, the daughter of Grand Tutor Zhao would always show up. Even during the incident when the Third Prince encountered assassins on his boat, Zhao Anyue, you were on that boat too, weren’t you?”

Gong Yu gently swayed the sword in her hand, took a few leisurely steps, and said softly, “At that time, the Third Prince was at the peak of his influence in the court, and he and the Fourth Prince were at odds. It would have been easy to pin the assassination attempt on the Fourth Prince.”

“Utterly absurd. Why would I want to harm a prince?” Zhao Anyue chuckled lightly.

“Exactly. I couldn’t find a suitable reason no matter how much I thought about it.” Gong Yu tilted her head to glance at Zhao Anyue’s maids and servants waiting outside, then shifted her gaze back to the pavilion and said:

“Then came the incident where the Sixth Prince was implicated in the exam leak case. Originally, the Grand Tutor was in charge of the imperial examinations, so why was the final session handed over to Zhou Wencai, a fourth-rank official?”

“Of course, I didn’t find any concrete evidence. But with so many coincidences piled together, even the most unlikely truth becomes believable.”

Zhao Anyue chuckled lightly, her eyes filled with disdain as she looked at Gong Yu and whispered, “You’ve angered the emperor and betrayed the Dai family in court. There’s no chance for you to turn things around now. It’s better to keep these wild fantasies to yourself.”

Gong Yu laughed along, her sword lightly scraping against the wooden floor as she replied, “But you didn’t refute me. Instead, you’re using laughter to cover up your guilt.”

“My guilt?” Zhao Anyue shook her head. “You’re not stupid, but you’re too naive and idealistic. That’s why you’ve ended up so badly wounded.”

“Do you really think I’m worried that a pretty boy like you would suddenly turn into a big bad wolf and bite me?”

Gong Yu’s gaze fell on the sword in her hand, then shifted away as she said, “Things are unpredictable. Who knows what might happen until the very end?”

“Stubborn?” Zhao Anyue laughed triumphantly. “You’re truly ridiculous. As a prince, without the emperor’s favor or the support of the ministers, don’t you realize you’re nothing now?”

“Then why did you come here to flaunt your superiority?” Gong Yu stared directly at Zhao Anyue. “I suspect you just wanted to see me in a state of despair.”

“What a pity.” Gong Yu sneered. “Do you know that I’ve kissed Ayan?”

“Or that I’ve held her in my arms and slept in the same bed with her? Did you know any of that?”

Zhao Anyue’s expression changed abruptly, her brows furrowed as if suppressing her emotions. Gong Yu observed her and laughed, “What’s wrong? The ever-bold Zhao Anyue, too afraid to admit you’re jealous of me?”

“Ridiculous. If Dai Ru Yan liked a pretty boy like you, she wouldn’t have left you to fend for yourself in this mansion.” Zhao Anyue turned her head away.

Gong Yu circled around Zhao Anyue and laughed loudly, “Yes, utterly ridiculous!”

“I even asked Ayan specifically if she knew about Grand Tutor Zhao’s daughter, Zhao Anyue. Guess what she said?”

Zhao Anyue hesitated, turning her head back, her eyes fixed intently on Gong Yu as she asked, “What…did she say?”

“Ayan says she doesn’t know you, and she’s never even taken notice of your petty cleverness.” Gong Yu’s eyes were filled with amusement as she continued, “And Ayan knows you understand her well, yet she still doesn’t care about you. In fact, you’re not even worth mentioning to her.”

“You!” Zhao Anyue suddenly swung her hand forward, but Gong Yu blocked it and said, “Why so angry and embarrassed?”

“As a woman yourself, you admire another woman—jealous for her, crazy about her—yet you don’t dare admit it. Instead, you oppose her at every turn and secretly slander her.” Gong Yu harshly threw off Zhao Anyue’s hand and declared:

“No matter how destitute I may be, I am still a prince. How dare you act so recklessly?”

Zhao Anyue stepped back, her gaze falling on the sword Gong Yu had been holding all along. Her eyes showed disbelief as she asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Gong Yu smiled. “I’m just thinking about how, after we’re married, I’ll slowly torment you.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Why wouldn’t I dare?” Gong Yu lightly raised her sword and gave it a casual swing, slicing the soft green curtain in half. “I dared to openly refuse the Grand Tutor’s request in court, and I dared to defy my father’s orders. Why wouldn’t I dare to kill you?”

Zhao Anyue retreated further and said, “Many officials and factions in court rely on my father’s influence…”

Before she could finish, Gong Yu raised her sword playfully toward Zhao Anyue and laughed, “Once you marry me, you’ll be my wife. Everyone knows I’m mad—so what wouldn’t they expect from a madwoman?”

“Do you really think I’d let you bully me so easily?” Gong Yu stepped closer. “As you said, we’re about to be married. Why are you running away?”

The sword struck a nearby candlestick, and Zhao Anyue stared in terror before turning to flee. Gong Yu cut off her escape and chuckled.

“Zhao Anyue, you might escape today, but you can’t escape forever. Besides, weren’t you the one who claimed not to be afraid of me? Why run now?”

Seeing the situation turning dire, Zhao Anyue cried out, “Someone, help! The Ninth Prince has gone mad!”

Gong Yu spread her arms and closed in on Zhao Anyue step by step. Several maids rushed in from behind.

“Stay out!” Gong Yu shouted, waving them back. The maids froze in fear.

Gong Yu continued to press forward relentlessly. Zhao Anyue, frantic and panicked, scurried around, her usual arrogance completely gone.

“Zhao Anyue!” Gong Yu called out methodically, as if playing a game of hide-and-seek. The sound of her sword scraping against the wooden floor echoed sharply.

Suddenly, Zhao Anyue grabbed a vase from behind. Gong Yu turned and swung her sword, shattering the vase in two and sending it crashing to the ground.

The tip of the sword now pointed directly at Zhao Anyue’s throat. Trembling and with reddened eyes, Zhao Anyue pleaded, “Don’t kill me!”

Gong Yu laughed. “Kill you? No, I’m going to torment you slowly.”

“I… I can ask my father to beg His Majesty to revoke the marriage decree.”

“Do you think such lies will make me let you go?” Gong Yu frowned deeply.

Zhao Anyue pressed herself against a pillar, not daring to move. The slightest misstep could drive the sword into her body. She could already feel the sharp edge cutting into the skin near her shoulder blade.

Gong Yu looked at the shrewdly calculating Zhao Anyue before her, while her peripheral vision caught the large group of guards rushing in from the front courtyard. She chuckled softly and said, “Your acting is excellent. Even when I accidentally saw you with Zhou Wencai that day, it took me a while to realize what was happening.”

“But…” Gong Yu paused, watching the approaching guards, and shouted, “I’m going to kill you! You madwoman!”

The sword tip pierced Zhao Anyue’s right shoulder blade, and blood quickly flowed. Zhao Anyue fainted entirely.

The guards outside rushed in, and Zhao Anyue’s maid, who had followed closely, hurriedly supported the bleeding Zhao Anyue and led her away.

Gong Yu laughed uncontrollably until the maids had taken Zhao Anyue away.

The pavilion was in disarray. The guards withdrew one by one, and the maids in the residence dared not make a sound. Gong Yu spoke up, “Do you know what just happened?”

The maids trembled and shook their heads in silence. Gong Yu smiled and said, “All of you, leave.”

In a moment, only Gong Yu remained in the pavilion. The old steward entered with tea and pastries, the sword already discarded by Gong Yu’s side.

Gong Yu lay on the low couch, nursing a headache, and asked, “Have all those maids been sent away?”

“Yes,” the old steward replied, setting down the pastries and tea with a sigh. “Your Highness, why must you go to such extremes?”

“I have no choice,” Gong Yu sat up and said. “The more wildly they spread rumors about me outside, the more the Grand Tutor will believe it, and the more Zhao Anyue will fear me.”

“Only when they fear me and dare not bully me will they not dare to actually marry the Grand Tutor’s daughter to me.”

The old steward directed the cleanup of the pavilion. Gong Yu reached out and picked up the long sword, finally understanding why Dai Ru Yan had said one must be strong. Only by being strong can one avoid being bullied and protect those one wishes to protect.

At the very least, in this world where the strong prey on the weak, one must hold a sword in hand. Otherwise, one would not be forced into such dire straits.

Gong Yu leaned to the side and gazed out at the lake, feeling that the pavilion was filled with the scent of blood.

She turned her head to breathe the outside air but could not alleviate the nausea in the slightest. Gong Yu managed to eat only half a pastry before slowly closing her eyes, unable to stop thinking about Dai Ru Yan, whom she hadn’t seen for over half a month.

Was she angry? Or was she truly too busy?

After all, the fact that the imperial guards outside had allowed Zhao Anyue to enter indicated that the emperor had only placed Gong Yu under house arrest.

Turning it over in her mind, Gong Yu couldn’t figure it out and could only comfort herself, thinking that Dai Ru Yan must be too busy, handling important matters.

As the season turned to Bailu, the weather gradually cooled, but the teahouses in the capital remained bustling.

“Things have been quite lively lately. A few days ago, when the Fourth Prince was collecting grain and silver taxes, he forcibly seized the daughter of a wealthy merchant. I heard the merchant’s daughter, unable to bear the humiliation, wrote a blood letter and hanged herself.”

“What kind of mess is this? But that merchant’s daughter was truly captivatingly beautiful!”

“In comparison, the Ninth Prince is having a much harder time. After going mad, he nearly killed the Grand Tutor’s daughter with his sword. I heard she left the residence drenched in blood—truly terrifying. Yesterday, the Grand Tutor requested the annulment of the engagement in court, and the edict was issued this morning.”

“So, has the Ninth Prince truly gone mad?”

“Of course, it’s true. The maids in his residence witnessed it themselves. The Ninth Prince stays cooped up in the courtyard, clutching his sword all day, and often practices with it at night, claiming there are ghosts.”

“Ah, when misfortune strikes, even the royal family can’t escape it!”

The intermittent words gradually faded away. The teahouse was bustling with people coming and going, their voices slowly drowned out by the waiter’s shouts.

Inside the Fang residence, Gong Yu remained in the courtyard pavilion, allowing no one but the old steward to enter.

The imperial edict annulling the marriage engagement was still tossed aside by Gong Yu, while Eunuch Li stared wide-eyed at the seemingly deranged Ninth Prince, who was quietly polishing a sword.

“Ninth Prince?” Eunuch Li had heard the rumors circulating in the capital all along. Now, face to face with the prince rumored to have gone mad, he couldn’t help but feel a little fearful.

The Ninth Prince glanced sideways at Eunuch Li, then continued polishing the sword and murmured, “No talking!”

“I’m polishing my treasured sword.”

Eunuch Li was startled, then picked up the edict and said with a smile, “But Your Highness must still receive this imperial decree.”

There was no response. Left with no choice, Eunuch Li handed the edict to the old steward beside him, shook his head repeatedly, and left with the guards stationed outside.

After the old steward saw Eunuch Li off, he returned to the courtyard. Gong Yu was lazily sprawled on the low couch, holding a cup of sour plum soup and sipping it slowly.

“Your Highness was right—the guards outside have been withdrawn as well.”

Gong Yu set down the sour plum soup, unfolded the edict, and let out a sigh of relief. “Eunuch Li stayed in the residence for so long, I was almost exhausted.”

The old steward tidied up the crumpled paper balls scattered all over the floor and, noticing the paper crane nearby, asked, “Your Highness has been folding so many paper cranes these past few years. What are they for?”

“For blessings,” Gong Yu replied, setting aside the edict and picking up a piece of paper. “I should have sent them long ago, but I kept getting delayed.”

“Your Highness still has the heart of a youth. However, in the Gong Kingdom, white paper cranes are used to pray for the deceased. It must be someone very important to Your Highness.”

Gong Yu paused briefly and said, “Very important.”

As for Dai Ru Yan, it was someone very important to her.

The evening breeze was cool. Candlesticks were placed in the courtyard pavilion, and Gong Yu lay on her side on the low couch. The chirping of cicadas filled her ears, so loud it unsettled her mind.

By the hour of Hai, Gong Yu still hadn’t fallen asleep. The guards outside the residence had been withdrawn, so Dai Ru Yan should have come to see her.

Even if only for a glance, she should have come.

But the longer Gong Yu waited, the more she thought it might be too late, and perhaps Dai Ru Yan would come tomorrow instead.

Her eyelids heavy with sleep, Gong Yu hugged the hilt of her sword and gradually relaxed, her breathing steadying.

Half-asleep, she seemed to hear someone approaching. The footsteps were so light she could barely make them out.

But Gong Yu didn’t dare move, afraid of startling the visitor. Step by step, the person drew closer until they sat down on the low couch.

When soft fingertips gently brushed Gong Yu’s cheek, she knew it was Dai Ru Yan.

Dai Ru Yan carefully cradled Gong Yu in her arms, holding her hands gently as if embracing an infant.

Gong Yu slowly opened her eyes and, by the moonlight, saw the worry in Dai Ru Yan’s eyes. She complained, “I thought you wouldn’t come to see me anymore.”

“Why did it take you so long to come?” Gong Yu asked, looking up.

Dai Ru Yan remained silent, only lowering her head to press her cool lips lightly against Gong Yu’s brow, her cheek, and finally, the corner of her mouth.

Gong Yu wanted to sit up to get a better look at Dai Ru Yan, but Dai Ru Yan’s hand did not loosen its grip. Instead, she softly said, “Xiao Jiu, don’t move. Let me hold you a little longer.”

“Then why won’t you talk to me?” Gong Yu blinked and reached out to gently touch Dai Ru Yan’s cheek. “I thought it was just a dream.”

“Although it took a long time, the engagement was finally annulled, wasn’t it?” Gong Yu smiled and asked, “Is Ayan not happy?”

Dai Ru Yan shook her head and replied, “Xiao Jiu has lost a lot of weight.”

“It’s nothing. I love eating so much. I’ll gain it all back in less than half a month.”

Gong Yu’s fingertips traced from Dai Ru Yan’s brow to the corner of her eye. Though it was too dark to see clearly, Gong Yu could still feel the intensity of her gaze.

Outside, the wind rustled the green curtains, causing the shadows cast on the ground to sway along with them.

“I can’t see Ayan clearly like this,” Gong Yu said, lightly tugging at Dai Ru Yan’s clothes. “Will Ayan lie down with me for a while?”

Only then did the silent Dai Ru Yan respond, “Alright.”

Lying on her side, Dai Ru Yan still held Gong Yu close. Gong Yu allowed herself to be held, her gaze carefully studying Dai Ru Yan’s expression as she asked, “Ayan, did you miss me?”

“It’s been months since we last saw each other.” Gong Yu moved closer, hoping to see Dai Ru Yan’s face more clearly.

Dai Ru Yan raised her hand slightly, her fingertips gently tracing the scar on Gong Yu’s face that had already scabbed over. Softly, she replied, “I did. Of course, I missed you.”

“Then why didn’t you reply to my letters? Many of the pigeons I sent carried letters for you. Did you see them?”

Gong Yu held Dai Ru Yan’s hand and lightly kissed her palm, her fingers gently stroking it as she asked, “Last time, I remember your palm was badly swollen. How did you get hurt?”

“It was an accident. It’s long since healed now.” Dai Ru Yan gently grasped Gong Yu’s hand and said, “I’ve kept all your letters and often take them out to read.”

“Then why didn’t you reply?” Gong Yu lifted her head slightly, gazing into Dai Ru Yan’s dark eyes. She leaned in and kissed Dai Ru Yan’s slightly pursed lips, complaining, “I thought Ayan was ignoring me.”

“I’m sorry.” Dai Ru Yan held Gong Yu closer, her palm pressing against the back of Gong Yu’s neck. With a steady breath, she whispered, “I failed to protect Xiao Jiu.”

“It’s not Ayan’s fault.” Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan seriously and said, “If I weren’t so weak, Father wouldn’t have pressured me like that, and Ayan wouldn’t have had to worry.”

“That time when Ayan kissed me, you were crying, weren’t you?” Gong Yu kissed the corner of Dai Ru Yan’s eye apologetically and murmured, “I’m the one who should be saying sorry.”

Dai Ru Yan’s gaze was gentle as she looked at Gong Yu. Though she didn’t say a word, Gong Yu could feel it.

After a long while, Dai Ru Yan finally spoke, “But Xiao Jiu shouldn’t have hurt herself.”

“I’m sorry.” Gong Yu’s fingertips gently stroked Dai Ru Yan’s cheek as she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“But Xiao Jiu shouldn’t have hurt herself.”

Dai Ru Yan repeated the words calmly, yet her arms tightened around Gong Yu as she murmured, “How could Xiao Jiu hurt herself?”

“Does Xiao Jiu know that when I pushed open the palace doors, my hands were trembling?”

“I’m sorry.” Gong Yu, unable to break free from Dai Ru Yan’s hold, could only apologize.

Dai Ru Yan’s grip grew even tighter, and Gong Yu could feel her own breathing growing unsteady beside Dai Ru Yan’s ear.

Gong Yu wanted to take a good look at Dai Ru Yan, but Dai Ru Yan refused, stubbornly holding Gong Yu tightly, unwilling to let go.

“I’m very angry,” Dai Ru Yan said softly. “I’m angry at myself, and even more at Xiao Jiu, but in the end, I couldn’t resist coming to see Xiao Jiu.”

“During these past few months, when Xiao Jiu’s head injury was hurting badly, I often came at night, but I still can’t forgive Xiao Jiu.”

“I’m sorry, I was too impatient at the time and couldn’t think of a better way,” Gong Yu anxiously apologized.

Dai Ru Yan’s breathing was rapid, her emotional turmoil surprising Gong Yu.

The kiss that landed by her ear was light yet burning, and Dai Ru Yan’s breath lingered by Gong Yu’s ear for a long time.