Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 4

“You better not have any designs on me,” Gong Yu said nervously, backing away. “Let me tell you, my only goal right now is to save up some silver and get the hell out of this capital as soon as possible.”

Dai Ru Yan picked up the teapot beside her, pouring herself a cup of warm tea and sipping it leisurely. Only when Gong Yu stopped speaking did she respond, “As long as you enjoy the privileges of being a prince, you can’t escape the cruelty that comes with being part of the imperial family.”

“Right now, the emperor is still healthy and can keep things under control. But someone powerless like you needs support. Even if you don’t take that throne, you still need enough strength to avoid being devoured by others.”

Gong Yu buried her head in the blankets, feeling a headache coming on. Seeing Dai Ru Yan still sitting there, she asked, “So what do you want me to do?”

It was obvious Dai Ru Yan already had a well-thought-out plan.

“I want you to marry me,” Dai Ru Yan said with utmost seriousness.

But this only made Gong Yu’s headache worse. Forget actually marrying her. Even if Gong Yu so much as mentioned it outside, she was sure dozens of knives would come flying her way.

“Sister, are you really trying to save me here?” Gong Yu said, on the verge of tears.

This palace intrigue was way beyond her ability to navigate!

Dai Ru Yan’s eyes curved slightly as she reached out, her fingertips lightly brushing Gong Yu’s furrowed brow. “I can protect you. I can even put you on that throne. Don’t you want that?”

“No.”

Gong Yu dodged Dai Ru Yan’s hand and sat up properly. “What about you? You’re not doing all this just for me, are you?”

“Me?” Dai Ru Yan averted her gaze and said softly, “I’m just like you. I only want to escape this place.”

“Escape? Your family and friends are all here. Where would you go?”

Dai Ru Yan frowned and turned to look at Gong Yu. “This capital is like a cage, and the ones imprisoning me are my own family.”

“Do you think I’d hesitate to leave?”

“Uh…”

“I’ll think about it,” Gong Yu muttered, retreating back under the covers, her headache worsening.

In truth, Gong Yu didn’t really have a choice. Everything depended on Dai Ru Yan.

Her illness was slow to heal, and by the time she returned to her own residence, the steward hovered around her so closely that she didn’t even have a chance to lift a finger.

By the time autumn arrived, the summer heat still lingered. Word spread that a new shop had opened in the capital, selling a unique yogurt made by foreigners said to be exceptionally delicious.

Gong Yu couldn’t stop thinking about it, but the shop was so popular that even sending someone to queue up might not guarantee a purchase.

With nothing else to do, Gong Yu spent her days attending the imperial academy every morning. Though the princes were of different ages and thus studied different subjects, Gong Yu, who was just starting to learn horseback riding, trembled like an old man clinging to a pillar, her heart pounding with fear.

As a prince, she had to master not only the Four Books and Five Classics but also the Six Arts. Even if she couldn’t excel, she at least had to be competent.

Still a novice at riding and archery, Gong Yu found herself stuck on her horse, too afraid to dismount. The Crown Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Sixth Prince rode into the field together, their horses’ hooves clattering loudly, making Gong Yu even more nervous. She was terrified her little red horse would spook.

The high walls couldn’t block the glow of the setting sun, and as a gentle breeze blew, Gong Yu finally began to grasp the basics.

But then, to her surprise, Dai Ru Yan and several princesses arrived, suddenly filling the riding grounds with people.

Dai Ru Yan had changed into simpler attire, her usually loose hair tied up, making her look spirited and bright.

With just a glance, Gong Yu spotted her in the crowd and then quickly looked away.

“Little Ninth has grown capable, now she can ride a horse,” Gong Ling remarked, her striking red attire dazzling as she rode closer with a smile.

The timid Gong Yu, afraid her horse might spook, quickly maneuvered away and said, “Second Sister, don’t tease me. I’m still not good at this yet.”

“Such a coward,” Gong Ling laughed but didn’t press further.

Dai Ru Yan rode up naturally and said softly, “Don’t be nervous. Straighten your back a little and take it slow.”

“Oh, okay.”

“By the way, have you thought about that matter from last time?”

“Huh?”

Gong Yu turned her head to look at Dai Ru Yan, thinking how impeccably she wore the color cyan. Her eyes and brows weren’t overtly alluring, yet they made one’s heart race wildly.

A gentle breeze drifted by as Gong Yu stammered, “Well, I haven’t really prepared myself mentally yet.”

Marrying a girl, this was a first for her.

Dai Ru Yan smiled faintly. “No rush. We have plenty of time to arrange things.”

Gong Yu felt as if the wind had blurred her vision and lowered her head to look at her little red horse. “Aren’t you afraid at all?”

“Why should I be?”

“If my identity were exposed, wouldn’t you suffer the consequences too?”

Dai Ru Yan held the reins, her gaze distant. “Little Ninth, do you trust me?”

“What?” Gong Yu asked, puzzled.

“Never mind.” Dai Ru Yan smiled lightly and simply handed Gong Yu a water pouch from the side. “It’s hot. Try this.”

Gong Yu actually had her own water pouch, but since Dai Ru Yan had already offered it, she took a small sip. To her surprise, it wasn’t water inside but chilled yogurt, and it tasted absolutely divine.

“Do you like it?” Dai Ru Yan asked with a smile.

Since arriving at the riding grounds, Gong Yu hadn’t had a single sip of water. The chilled yogurt was a perfect thirst-quencher. “Mhm.”

“I once sent the steward to buy some for me, but he only managed to get it once. After that, it was always out of stock,” Gong Yu said with a frown, full of regret.

Dai Ru Yan tightened her grip on the reins, keeping pace beside her. “If you like it, I’ll have some delivered to your residence every day.”

Just then, the Third Prince suddenly erupted in anger, shouting, “Damn servants, blind as bats! Guards, drag him out and behead him!”

The eunuch tending to the horses kowtowed desperately, begging for mercy. “Third Highness, spare me!”

The plea was abruptly cut short. The Third Prince held a sword, its blade still stained with fresh blood. Silence fell over the grounds, the horses lowering their heads to graze.

Gong Yu could only hear her own heart pounding. She had heard rumors of the Third Prince’s violent temper. His maternal uncle was the Grand Preceptor of the court, his influence rivaling even the Crown Prince’s. He acted recklessly, treating human lives as worthless.

“Don’t be afraid,” Dai Ru Yan turned her head slightly, her eyes calm as if the bloody scene had been nothing more than an unrelated play.

“I’m not afraid,” Gong Yu replied, taking a deep breath.

This was something she would have to accept sooner or later. At least here, apart from her, everyone else seemed accustomed to such things.

Mentally, she reassured herself, but physically, she couldn’t stop herself from vomiting.

That night, Gong Yu developed a fever. Though not severe, it still left her bedridden for several days before she gradually recovered.

The poor, anxious steward fretted daily, insisting on visiting a temple to pray for a longevity charm to ease his worries.

True to her word, from that day onward, Dai Ru Yan had yogurt delivered to Gong Yu’s residence every single day.

After the White Dew passed, the weather suddenly turned much colder. Gong Yu changed into warmer clothes early to avoid catching a cold again.

The capital was filled with wealthy and noble families, and there was never a shortage of excitement. Gong Yu stepped out once more for the wedding banquet of the Second Princess, Gong Ling.

It was probably time for a growth spurt, as most of the previous clothes no longer fit.

The steward smiled and had Gong Yu change into a bright-colored outfit. The festive red was something Gong Yu couldn’t quite agree with in terms of taste.

Yet, it had to be said that this attire made Gong Yu look somewhat like a dashing young noble. However, with the increase in height, Gong Yu’s features had also matured, making it harder to conceal a distinctly feminine appearance.

Lost in thought, Gong Yu inexplicably felt a bit troubled. Sitting in the carriage, holding a bag of melon seeds and almonds brought from the mansion, Gong Yu mused that the journey was long, and there might not be much to eat at the banquet.

Unfortunately, the streets were so crowded that Gong Yu nearly got sick from the jostling. Finally, they arrived at the princess’s residence.

“Congratulations, Consort Song.”

This Consort Song was the eldest son of General Song and would inherit his father’s position as a second-rank military official. Gong Ling and the Third Prince were born of the same mother.

When it came to palace affairs, a little deeper thought would reveal layers of intrigue. enough to send chills down one’s spine.

Gong Yu lowered their head and ate the fish porridge, finding the taste quite good, and decided not to dwell on anything else.

Suddenly, murmurs rose around them. Gong Yu pricked up their ears and caught snippets of conversation:

“The Dai Garden sent an extravagant gift today. Everyone knows the Dai family has the keenest sense of political winds. What do you think the Third Prince?”

“This is a matter that could cost us our heads. Best not speak too soon.”

“The waters of Dai Garden run deep. No one can tell which prince the Dai family truly supports. Let’s not stick our necks out prematurely.”

Dai Garden. Gong Yu had once asked the steward about it.

The steward had only said that since the founding of the Gong Kingdom, the Dai clan had intermarried with the royal family. Their influence was so profound that it was common knowledge. Almost every daughter of the Dai family was destined to bear the title of Gong Kingdom’s empress.

No wonder she wanted to escape. Someone as intelligent as her would never willingly spend a lifetime as a mere accessory.

“Little Nine.”

The familiar voice suddenly rang in Gong Yu’s ears, catching them off guard. Turning in confusion, they looked to the side.

Dai Ru Yan was dressed in resplendent robes, her pearl hairpins dazzlingly bright. Yet, she seemed almost devoid of soul.

“Are you sitting here?” Gong Yu asked as she slowly took a seat.

“Is this spot not allowed?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Dai Ru Yan settled in gracefully, tilting her head slightly and blinking with a faint smile, as if this was the real her.

“Bow to Heaven and Earth!”

Amidst the guests’ cheers, the banquet truly began. Gong Yu ate the porridge and, noticing Dai Ru Yan hadn’t served herself, scooped a portion for her.

“Why are you dressed like this today?” Gong Yu asked, not daring to look directly at her.

Dai Ru Yan held her spoon and replied, “Does it not look good?”

“No.” Gong Yu met her gaze earnestly. “It looks stunning.”

“Sweet talker.” Dai Ru Yan chuckled and continued eating, clearly not too concerned.

Gong Yu hesitated before asking, “You still haven’t told me why you’re dressed like this.”

Dai Ru Yan answered softly, “It was arranged by my mother.”

The conversation abruptly stopped.

Her tone was too calm, as if she had long grown accustomed to being controlled by others.

Gong Yu could clearly feel the eager gazes of the crowd directed their way precisely the effect Dai Ru Yan’s mother had intended.

Though she appeared utterly unbothered, Dai Ru Yan would still openly admit her dislike when no one else was around.

Gong Yu reached for a nearby teacup and pretended to fumble, spilling the tea onto Dai Ru Yan’s dress. Feigning remorse, she exclaimed,

“Oh no, your dress is soaked! Sister Ru Yan, you should go change right away.”

Dai Ru Yan’s eyes flickered with confusion, but she played along and stood up. Gong Yu trailed behind her like a guilty child.

Only once they reached the corridor of the side chamber did Dai Ru Yan turn to study Gong Yu and ask, “What’s this about?”

Dropping her earlier act, Gong Yu grinned. “If you don’t like the banquet, let’s just go somewhere else instead.”

“But… what about Mother?”

“Don’t worry, the hall is packed right now. It’ll take her a while to notice.” Gong Yu stepped closer and took Dai Ru Yan’s wrist. “If you don’t like something, you should say so. How about I take you out for a stroll?”

Dai Ru Yan gazed quietly at Gong Yu, then seemed to relax, a warm smile finally reaching her eyes as she replied, “Alright.”

That gentle smile perhaps it was the first true happiness that had flowed from her heart.