Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 39.2

For a long while, Gong Yu waited until she had finished her porridge before responding, “I want… candied hawthorn!”

Eunuch Li couldn’t help but think that although the Ninth Prince didn’t appear foolish, perhaps he really had damaged his mind from the fall. He didn’t want an official position, nor did he desire gold, silver, or jewels—all he asked for was candied hawthorn.

“Very well! His Majesty will surely reward the Ninth Prince with candied hawthorn.”

Gong Yu smiled happily, took a sip of tea, and handed the cup to Eunuch Li with utmost seriousness. “Alright then, I’ll go. Father must give me candied hawthorn to eat.”

“Ah, yes, this old servant will certainly report it to His Majesty.”

With that, Eunuch Li seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, set down the imperial edict, and left the residence, accompanied by the old steward.

Gong Yu put away her smile and unrolled the edict, sighing inwardly at the coldness of the royal family. The handling of the refugee situation had been disastrous this time. The Fourth Prince had tarnished the royal reputation, and the refugees’ resentment had deepened. Now, the court suddenly wanted them to leave the capital.

Who would believe it? Instead, they would suspect the court of having ulterior motives. Yet, with winter approaching, the refugees were starving and freezing on the streets of the capital, while the wealthy and noble youths indulged in drunken revelry in taverns.

Unrest was already sprouting in the shadows. The court could suppress small-scale disturbances but couldn’t prevent nearly ten thousand refugees from collectively rioting.

The slightest misstep could escalate into a full-blown rebellion, which would then become a truly massive problem.

The old steward returned from outside, his breath still visible in the cold air as he hurried over. “Your Highness, are you really going?”

Gong Yu set down the edict and replied, “Of course, I’m going.”

“I’ve opened the granaries for disaster relief for months and had Mr. Qin lead his disciples in aiding the poor and suffering—all for the sake of building this reputation. Now that Father has finally taken notice, if I don’t go, chaos is sure to erupt.”

“Then will Your Highness attend the morning court tomorrow?”

“No, we need to delay a bit.”

If she went too obediently, it would be easy for others to see through her intentions.

Two days later, early in the morning, Gong Yu was still putting on her boots when Eunuch Li hurriedly called from outside, “Ninth Prince, why haven’t you left for court yet?”

Gong Yu yawned sleepily, looking confused. “Court? What’s that?”

Eunuch Li’s face instantly turned pale, and he wailed, “My dear ancestor, you promised this old servant!”

“What did I promise?”

“To attend court, make an appearance, and pacify the refugees so they would leave the capital for Jinzhou.”

Gong Yu straightened her robes and said, “I haven’t gotten my candied hawthorn yet, so I’m not going.”

Eunuch Li sighed helplessly. “Very well, this old servant will go buy candied hawthorn for the Ninth Prince. But please, do not delay this morning’s court session.”

Watching Eunuch Li dash off, Gong Yu washed up, ate her porridge, and contentedly accepted the candied hawthorn from him before getting into the sedan chair.

It had been nearly half a year since she last set foot in the palace, and Gong Yu felt an inexplicable sense of oppression upon returning.

By the time she stepped out of the sedan, she had only eaten two pieces of the candied hawthorn. Thus, among the orderly and solemn officials, Gong Yu stood out conspicuously, especially with the bright red candied hawthorn in her hand.

Ignoring the stares of the crowd, Gong Yu walked on calmly. Beside her, Eunuch Li watched with bated breath, fearing that the Ninth Prince might suddenly change her mind again.

“Isn’t the Ninth Prince recovering from a head injury at his residence?”

“Indeed, I heard his mind was affected. How is he even fit to enter the main hall?”

The murmurs only ceased as they entered the grand hall. After Gong Yu finished her candied hawthorn, Eunuch Li quickly gathered the remnants and whispered, “Your Highness, the Ninth Prince, you must behave properly now.”

Gong Yu smiled and nodded, though her expression seemed anything but normal.

Once the emperor took his seat on the dragon throne, the officials performed their ceremonial kowtows. Gong Yu deliberately delayed her bow by half a beat, after which the entire proceeding largely proceeded without her involvement.

The ministers discussed court affairs, occasionally mentioning refugees but only in terms of unrest and suppression. Very few actually brought up Jinzhou.

When the court fell silent, the Sixth Prince stepped forward and addressed the throne: “Father, regarding the matter of pacifying the capital’s refugees, I propose that the Ninth Prince and I jointly undertake the task of relocating them to various regions in Jinzhou.”

“Jinzhou is half a month’s journey from the capital. The distance alone is considerable, not to mention the refugees’ strong resistance. How confident are you in this endeavor, my son?”

“While I cannot claim full certainty, I would estimate eighty to ninety percent success.”

This exchange unfolded without any intervention from other ministers, which struck Gong Yu as peculiar.

She noticed that the acting chancellor and the grand tutor both appeared lost in their own thoughts, their minds clearly not on the refugee crisis.

What seemed even stranger was that the emperor must have already known about Jinzhou. The Sixth Prince’s proposal had clearly been prearranged with the emperor before being presented in court.

Realizing this, Gong Yu understood that the ministers were also well aware—the emperor had already decided to entrust the refugee pacification mission to the Sixth Prince. Her own involvement was merely incidental.

Among the princes currently present at court with any standing were the First, Fourth, and Sixth Princes. Given the circumstances, the emperor evidently favored the Sixth Prince and intended to credit him with the achievement of pacifying the refugees.

The more Gong Yu thought about it, the more frustrated she felt. Though not a legitimate heir to the throne, it was clear the emperor had never considered her as a potential successor.

She was somewhat surprised to hear that the Fourth Prince would soon marry Zhao Anyue, the grand tutor’s daughter. Had Zhao Anyue actually been frightened into compliance by her?

Observing the Fourth Prince’s prominence in court, it seemed his marriage alliance with the grand tutor’s faction was purely a move to contend for power against the Sixth Prince.

When the morning court session finally concluded, Gong Yu felt a headache coming on. As the ministers dispersed, the Sixth Prince smiled and remarked, “Little Ninth, you’re looking much better today.”

Gong Yu maintained a stern expression. “Sixth Brother, do you have any candied hawthorn?”

The Sixth Prince looked bewildered, but Eunuch Li hurried over with a skewer of candied hawthorn. Gong Yu smiled and began eating it contentedly.

Eunuch Li sighed. “Your Highness, please don’t take offense. I fear the Ninth Prince’s mind hasn’t fully recovered.”

“No matter. Since Father has agreed that Little Ninth will accompany me, I should take this opportunity to understand her better during our journey,” the Sixth Prince replied amiably.

They walked along the lengthy palace corridor, the cold wind stinging Gong Yu’s face until it turned red. Finally seated in the palanquin, she clutched a hand warmer, the half-eaten candied hawthorn now too hard to bite in the freezing weather.

The journey to Jinzhou would take a full half-month. Why did the emperor insist she accompany them?

Logically, her role should only require appearing when the refugees departed the city and reciting a prepared speech at most.

If she joined the mission, wouldn’t the Sixth Prince have to share the credit with her? That didn’t seem advantageous at all.

Gong Yu didn’t believe her cold-blooded, heartless father would suddenly grant her a favor. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this trip to Jinzhou was fraught with danger.

With the Sixth Prince leaving the city for a month, only the Fourth and First Princes would remain at court. Was her father deliberately pitting them against each other?

Her father was far too biased. Weren’t they all his sons? Gong Yu felt it necessary to send someone to investigate the Sixth Prince’s mother.

As the sedan chair gradually came to a stop, Gong Yu snapped out of her thoughts, clutching a hand warmer in one hand and holding a candied hawthorn skewer in the other.

From afar, she spotted Dai Ru Yan waiting in the long corridor. Gong Yu quickened her pace toward her.

The biting cold wind made Gong Yu hunch her shoulders as she approached the corridor. Dai Ru Yan, dressed in moon-white robes, appeared particularly aloof. Gong Yu drew closer and called out, “Ayan, why didn’t you wait for me inside?”

Dai Ru Yan’s expression remained stern. Gong Yu’s heart sank, suspecting that the imperial edict had already been issued.

Alternatively, Dai Ru Yan’s informants at court might have already notified her about Gong Yu accompanying the Sixth Prince to Jinzhou.

“Xiao Jiu could have refused.”

“I could have pretended to be mad and refused,” Gong Yu whispered, pressing the hand warmer into Dai Ru Yan’s palm. “But I can’t just stay holed up in this residence waiting for disaster to strike.”

Dai Ru Yan avoided accepting the hand warmer and asked, “Why can’t you stay safely in the residence?”

“By wading into these troubled waters, do you truly believe His Majesty intends for you to return to court?”

Gong Yu, still holding the hand warmer, couldn’t bear the intensity of Dai Ru Yan’s gaze. Softening her tone, she explained:

“Father already sent Eunuch Li to inform me days ago. Whether I pretend to be mad or actually go mad, it’s clear I have no choice but to go.”

“Then Xiao Jiu could have feigned a serious illness. If you truly didn’t want to go, would His Majesty have you carried there?”

Of course, such lies wouldn’t deceive Dai Ru Yan. She was clever and knew Gong Yu all too well.

Noticing how thinly clad Dai Ru Yan was, Gong Yu called out, “It’s cold outside. Let’s go inside and talk.”

Dai Ru Yan turned her head, her gaze fixed intently on Gong Yu. “Is Xiao Jiu determined to go to Jinzhou?”

Her cold stare sent a chill down Gong Yu’s spine. Avoiding her eyes, Gong Yu replied, “I just want to see what the current situation at court is like. If the relief efforts for the disaster victims go smoothly, I should be able to resume attending morning court sessions.”

As long as she could set foot in the main hall, it meant there was still room for maneuver. Even if her father intended to enthrone the Sixth Prince, as long as Gong Yu secured a foothold at court, she could gradually build her influence. By then, even if a new emperor ascended the throne, she would have enough power to protect both herself and Dai Ru Yan.

Dai Ru Yan stepped closer and asked, “Why must Xiao Jiu go to court? Wouldn’t it be better to stay peacefully in this residence?”

Gong Yu shook her head. “No. If I stay here forever, I’ll only be at others’ mercy.”

“No one can harm Xiao Jiu.” Dai Ru Yan stretched out her arms and gently embraced Gong Yu, whispering, “I will protect you.”

“That’s not good enough.” Gong Yu lowered her head, lightly nuzzling Dai Ru Yan’s cheek as she murmured, “I can protect Ayan too.”

“I know.”

Dai Ru Yan pulled back slightly and said, “But the times are different now. Xiao Jiu should be obedient.”

“Why won’t you let me go to Jinzhou?”

“Because it’s clear that His Majesty intends to use Little Nine to pave the way for the Sixth Prince. However, the journey to Jinzhou is long, and if the Sixth Prince encounters assassinations or rebellions along the way, even His Majesty won’t be able to protect him. That’s why His Majesty sent Little Nine—because Little Nine is the bait.”

This explanation sounded somewhat strange to Gong Yu. Moreover, why was Dai Ru Yan so certain that accidents would occur during the journey?

Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan with confusion and asked, “Ayan, why are you so sure that there will be trouble on the road?”

Dai Ru Yan gently cupped Gong Yu’s face in her palms and replied, “The more His Majesty values the Sixth Prince, the more danger he will face. Other factions will inevitably seize the opportunity to act, whether through assassinations or inciting unrest among the refugees. This is an invisible war.”

“If Little Nine goes, there’s a chance she could get hurt or even be dragged into this conflict. The best way is for Little Nine to feign illness and not go.”

Something didn’t feel right. Even if most of what Dai Ru Yan said was correct, Gong Yu could sense from her words that while many might target the Sixth Prince, there was more to this mission of pacifying the refugees. Perhaps there was another hidden conspiracy.

Gong Yu gently held Dai Ru Yan’s hand and said, “Ayan, you actually know the true intention behind this mission to pacify the refugees, don’t you?”

Dai Ru Yan met Gong Yu’s gaze and said, “I don’t know. Because I don’t know what His Majesty intends to do, that’s why I want to stop Little Nine at all costs.”

“Then don’t worry, Ayan. Perhaps everything will go smoothly, and I’ll be back in less than a month to spend New Year’s Eve with you.”

“I won’t allow it.”

Gong Yu hadn’t expected Dai Ru Yan to grip her wrist so tightly that she couldn’t break free. The biting cold wind howled through the courtyard.

Dai Ru Yan held Gong Yu firmly and insisted, “I won’t allow Little Nine to leave me.”

“You’re not allowed to go anywhere.”

Gong Yu leaned helplessly against Dai Ru Yan and whispered, “But Ayan, you know very well that the imperial decree has been issued. Whether I want to or not, I have to go. Besides, Father must have a plan in mind. How can I possibly avoid it?”

As she spoke, Gong Yu turned her head and kissed Dai Ru Yan’s frost-reddened cheek to comfort her:

“Don’t be afraid, Ayan. Let me tell you a secret. There will be a large number of guards, and I’ve also brought many hidden guards. Moreover, there will be many martial artists along the way. I will definitely be safe.”

Dai Ru Yan avoided Gong Yu’s kisses, pressed her fingertips against Gong Yu’s lips, and gazed at her with deep affection. “But Little Nine, you don’t realize that sometimes external enemies aren’t the ones to fear. It’s the people by your side who can cost you your life.”

Gong Yu playfully nibbled on Dai Ru Yan’s fingertips, kissing them repeatedly as she whispered, “Aside from Ayan, there’s no one else by my side.”

“Then Little…”

“Why must Jiu be so heartless as to go so far away from me?”

“I don’t want to be apart from you either.”

Dai Ru Yan blinked softly and whispered, “The journey to Jinzhou takes a month round trip. If we encounter stormy, snowy days, it could be delayed for several more days.”

“I can’t bear to be separated from you for so long.”

Gong Yu hadn’t expected Dai Ru Yan to be so direct. It was truly surprising, and at the same time, it deepened a suspicion in her heart.

Perhaps the Dai family was the one most intent on harming the Sixth Prince. That must be why the Emperor insisted on Gong Yu accompanying him undoubtedly because of Dai Ru Yan.

But what reason could drive the Emperor to send the Sixth Prince on such a risky journey away from the capital to Jinzhou? Perhaps Jinzhou concealed the royal family’s deepest secret.

So, Dai Ru Yan knew this journey would be fraught with difficulties, which was why she was so adamantly trying to stop Gong Yu from participating.

“Ayan…” Gong Yu hugged Dai Ru Yan tightly and called out softly, “Ayan, be good. Perhaps when I return from this trip, I can openly and honorably marry you with a grand procession of eight bearers.”

“I don’t want Xiao Jiu to face such danger.” Dai Ru Yan pressed her lips close to Gong Yu’s earlobe, nibbling gently as she whispered, “What if something happens to Xiao Jiu?”

“It won’t. I have the protection of heaven.”

“I just won’t allow you to go.” Dai Ru Yan gave Gong Yu’s earlobe a light bite.

Gong Yu suppressed the pain and gasped softly, “Ah, if you keep biting, it’s really going to bleed.”

Dai Ru Yan immediately stopped and gently kissed the spot she had bitten. Her affectionate gesture was like that of a small animal. Gong Yu held her tightly, laughing happily.

“Ayan, wait for me to return. When I do, I will surely ask His Majesty for permission to marry you.”

“You must come back.”

“I promise, I will definitely return.”

Dai Ru Yan let out what seemed like a sigh, then clutched Gong Yu’s robe tightly and murmured,

“I really should chain Xiao Jiu up to feel at ease.”

Uh…

Gong Yu couldn’t help but think, I’m not some little animal.