Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 40.2

Early the next morning, Gong Yu set off from the mansion with Qin Hua and a group of servants, heading to the East Gate to gather.

The biting wind howled. Though Gong Yu carried a homemade hot water bottle in her bosom and clutched a hand warmer, she couldn’t stop her teeth from chattering.

But what weighed even more heavily on Gong Yu’s heart was Dai Ru Yan. Since Dai Ru Yan’s last visit to the mansion, she had truly never come again.

In the past, if it were Dai Ru Yan, Gong Yu would have openly and boldly gone to find her. But now, that was no longer possible.

After waiting all night until dawn, Dai Ru Yan still hadn’t appeared. After much contemplation, Gong Yu concluded that Dai Ru Yan must be angry.

In the past, whenever Dai Ru Yan was upset, she wouldn’t come to the mansion. But then Gong Yu reconsidered—that day, they had been so intimate. How could Dai Ru Yan suddenly change her mind again?

Poor Gong Yu, taking three steps forward only to glance back twice, let out sighs so heavy they practically overwhelmed Qin Hua beside her. Qin Hua, holding the reins, nudged his horse slightly forward and asked, “Your Highness, did you forget to bring something?”

Gong Yu shook her head. “No, I’m just waiting for my beloved.”

Qin Hua was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, “It’s still quite early. Miss Dai’s residence is far away; she probably can’t make it.”

“Is that really the case?” Gong Yu tilted her head and looked around, barely able to make out her own five fingers in the dim light. She realized it was indeed too early.

Perhaps if she waited a little longer, Dai Ru Yan might still come.

But as they traversed most of the capital, the distant sky began to brighten. Gong Yu, looking left and right, saw the city walls approaching, yet there was no sign of Dai Ru Yan anywhere.

The Sixth Prince had arrived early. Gong Yu withdrew her gaze, and the two exchanged a few polite words before the grand procession set off.

It had been a long time since Gong Yu had ridden her little red horse, which had now grown into a sturdy adult steed. The rhythmic clip-clop of hooves echoed as Gong Yu occasionally turned her head to glance back at the bustling capital, still hoping to catch a glimpse of her beloved.

The Sixth Prince, riding slightly ahead, looked back curiously and asked, “Little Ninth, what are you looking at?”

Gong Yu snapped out of her thoughts and replied, “The candied hawthorns made by Master Zhang in the capital are the most delicious.”

The Sixth Prince looked bewildered and said nothing more, but Qin Hua interjected, “Your Highness, please forgive her. The young princess probably just wants to eat candied hawthorns.”

The Sixth Prince, gripping his reins, said, “It’s no trouble. This journey to Jinzhou is long. If I had known Little Ninth liked them, I would have brought the candied hawthorn maker along.”

Uh… Brother, is that really an appropriate way to handle things?

However, Gong Yu kept these thoughts to herself. Only when the capital’s walls were completely out of sight did she finally give up hope.

Perhaps Dai Ru Yan truly had other matters to attend to. After all, in this freezing weather, her coming would only invite gossip.

Trying to console herself with these thoughts, Gong Yu tightened her grip on the reins and slowly caught up with the Sixth Prince ahead. The howling wind whistled past her ears, and even the sound of hoofbeats seemed to grow fainter.

As dawn broke, the capital remained as lively as ever. In Dai Ru Yan’s courtyard, however, it was exceptionally quiet.

Outside, Biyu entered with a tray of tea. The charcoal brazier in the hall burned brightly, and Dai Ru Yan, dressed in light clothing, held a long sword in her hand, her expression focused.

Biyu approached cautiously, her hands trembling slightly as she set down the tea, and whispered, “Miss, the Ninth Prince has left the city.”

Dai Ru Yan, wiping the sword with a cloth in her right hand, replied calmly, “Is the wind strong outside?”

“Very strong. The cold wind is piercing.” Biyu hesitated for a moment before asking, “Miss, why didn’t you go to see the Ninth Prince off?”

Dai Ru Yan suddenly stopped her wiping motion, slightly furrowing her brows as she looked at Biyu and asked, “Why should I send it?”

Biyu quickly lowered her head and said, “This servant spoke out of turn.”

“It’s good that you know.”

“This servant will take her leave now.”

After Biyu closed the doors and windows, the cold wind outside continued unabated. The elderly woman waiting by the door whispered, “Is the young lady still taking her medicine?”

Biyu shook her head and replied, “She hasn’t taken any medicine since the Ninth Highness injured his head.”

“Ah…” The elderly woman sighed softly and said no more.

After several consecutive days, Gong Yu began to struggle with the long hours of horseback riding and decided to walk alongside the refugees.

The cold wind swept across the desolate plain like a heavy blow to the face. Gong Yu buried half of her face in her homemade scarf, her gaze drifting over the subdued refugees.

Qin Hua approached from the side and said, “Ahead lies a range of mountains, hiding countless bandits. Your Highness should be cautious.”

Gong Yu nodded in response, “I once sent people to investigate Jinzhou, but I never imagined it would be such a remote and barren place. It’s even more concealed than I thought.”

“Indeed,” Qin Hua agreed. “Jinzhou is where the founding emperor of Gong Kingdom launched his campaign. The terrain is complex and filled with hidden mechanisms, making it a place ordinary outsider dare not enter lightly.”

“Could it be that you’ve long yearned for Jinzhou?” Gong Yu asked alertly, smiling at Qin Hua.

Qin Hua was taken aback but nodded. “It is said that Jinzhou holds the dragon vein of Gong Kingdom, and the imperial tombs of successive emperors are built here.”

Gong Yu joked, “Are you perhaps a tomb-raiding captain?”

“What is a tomb-raiding captain?”

Uh…

This was a generational gap.

Gong Yu had no choice but to rephrase, “It’s nothing, just a casual joke.”

Qin Hua was deeply enigmatic, and Gong Yu couldn’t see through him—no wonder Dai Ru Yan had warned her earlier. Although one shouldn’t employ someone they distrust, and once employed, they shouldn’t be doubted, Qin Hua still had many suspicious aspects.

As the travelers entered the mountain range ahead, the mist was hazy. However, due to the terrain blocking the strong winds from outside, it felt much warmer. Yet the mist seemed unusual; it was said that the thick fog in the deep mountains could be toxic. Gong Yu put on her homemade scarf and whispered, “This fog is strange. You should be careful too, sir.”

Qin Hua nodded discreetly. Sure enough, within a short while, many refugees began to show signs of discomfort. The Sixth Highness, noticing the situation, likely sensed something amiss and ordered his men to carry the refugees and hurry forward.

After a while, the thick fog gradually dissipated, but the surroundings fell into an eerie silence. Gong Yu instinctively gripped her sword.

Suddenly, massive logs came rolling down from all sides. The valley was so cramped that there was no way to avoid them, and chaos instantly erupted.

The terrain around was steep, clearly indicating that bandits had laid an ambush. Shouts suddenly rang out: “Charge!”

The soldiers drew their blades to resist, but the bandits were numerous. Gong Yu unsheathed her sword, still feeling somewhat nervous.

Though Qin Hua was a scholar, he was unexpectedly agile with a sword. The sounds of shouting and fighting echoed through the valley.

Surrounded and protected, Gong Yu saw numerous arrows suddenly flying in, seemingly all aimed at the bandits.

The scene was quite spectacular. The soldiers gradually halted their movements, and within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, most of the bandits were dead or injured, with the remainder fleeing deep into the forest.

The bearded leader rode up on horseback with several dozen men and said, “This old official is the guard of Jinzhou. Is the Sixth Highness safe?”

The Sixth Highness stepped out from his guards and replied, “General Ji, you are too courteous.”

Gong Yu quickly instructed the guards to check on the injured refugees and didn’t pay much attention to Old General Ji.

Instead, Qin Hua reminded her, “Old General Ji has served in the court longer than even the Grand Tutor.”

Curious, Gong Yu glanced at the group accompanying Old General Ji. They all had black cloth wrapped around their faces, clearly to protect themselves from the poisonous mountain mist. “Then why is he staying deep in these mountains?” she asked.

“I heard Old General Ji requested it himself,” Qin Hua replied as he helped an injured guard to his feet. “It seems he dislikes the court’s intrigues and deceit, so he chose to come to this remote Jinzhou.”

“That Old General Ji must be quite formidable,” Gong Yu remarked.

Qin Hua hesitated slightly before asking, “Why do you say that, Your Highness?”

Gong Yu sprinkled medicinal powder on the injured guard’s abdomen and whispered, “He has Jinzhou under tight control. If he weren’t capable, outsiders would have already infiltrated.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have needed to come personally to uncover Jinzhou’s secrets.

After a brief rest, the group resumed their journey through the mountains. By nightfall, they still hadn’t found their way out. The soldiers set up camp, and Gong Yu, exhausted and disoriented, sat by a stream, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Qin Hua handed her a water flask and asked, “What is Your Highness thinking about?”

Gong Yu wrung out a cloth to wipe her face and said, “I’m thinking we might have fish soup tonight.”

“Your Highness has been in high spirits despite these days of travel.”

“What else can I do?” Gong Yu took a sip of water. “The road ahead is long. Since I chose to wade into these troubled waters, how can I turn back now?”

Qin Hua smiled. “Your Highness jokes.”

“But why haven’t Old General Ji’s companions removed the cloth from their faces?” Gong Yu wondered, looking around. “Could it be they all have scars?”

“Perhaps they don’t want to be recognized,” Qin Hua suggested, taking a sip of hot water.

Don’t want to be recognized?

Gong Yu abruptly stood up and scanned her surroundings, feeling as though someone had been watching her for a while.

Qin Hua grew alert. “Has Your Highness noticed something?”

“No,” Gong Yu shook her head. “I just felt like standing after sitting for too long.”

Perhaps it was just her imagination. After all, what could be lurking in these deep mountains besides ghosts and monsters? She chided herself for being paranoid.

As night deepened, the mist over the water dissipated. The campfire illuminated the stream. After a quick wash and a light meal of porridge, Gong Yu prepared to sleep.

But the mountain mosquitoes were relentless. Even the insect-repellent herbs she had brought from the capital proved useless. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep soundly.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching her tent. At first, she thought she was mistaken, but when the tent flap was lifted, she immediately gripped the sword beside her.

So, I really am being targeted, she thought.

In a daze, she saw someone enter. Pretending to be asleep, she was about to strike with her sword when a soft voice called out, “Xiao Jiu.”

Huh? Am I dreaming? That voice sounds so familiar.

Gong Yu opened her eyes. The tent was dim, but she could vaguely make out the figure. Before she could speak, a hand covered her mouth, and the person gently held her, whispering in her ear, “Don’t be afraid. It’s me.”

After Gong Yu nodded several times, the person released her hand. Gong Yu leaned in for a closer look but still couldn’t make out the face clearly. With no other choice, she reached out and touched it.

Hmm, no mistake—the skin was smooth and tender to the touch. It was definitely Dai Ru Yan.

“Ayan?” Gong Yu leaned closer and asked, “Why are you covering your face so tightly?”

“Silly.”

Ah…

Dai Ru Yan gently held Gong Yu and whispered, “If I didn’t cover my face, wouldn’t I be recognized?”

“I meant, why are you still covering it now?”

“This gauze is tricky to handle. I can only stay for a little while before I have to leave.”

Gong Yu asked, puzzled, “You’re leaving already?”

“There are even more mosquitoes outside. Ayan, why not rest here in the tent for a bit?”

Unexpectedly, Dai Ru Yan waved her hand dismissively and said, “Your tent is stuffy and unpleasant. It’s worse than outside.”

Gong Yu hadn’t expected that after not seeing each other for days, Dai Ru Yan’s words of disdain would be so blunt. Feeling hurt, she said, “I brought mosquito-repellent herbs all the way from the capital.”

No sooner had she spoken than a large mosquito buzzed past them, clearly unaffected by the herbs.

Dai Ru Yan laughed and said, “It’d be better if you just put out those herbs.”

“Alright.”

Gong Yu leaned gently against Dai Ru Yan’s chest, noticing how slow her heartbeat was, and whispered, “Ayan, you still haven’t told me why you came here.”

“Do you really not know why I came, Xiao Jiu?” Dai Ru Yan’s fingertips lightly brushed Gong Yu’s earlobe.

“I don’t.”

Gong Yu leaned in closer, mischief in her heart, and began unwrapping the gauze from Dai Ru Yan’s face. “If Ayan doesn’t tell me, how am I supposed to know?”

Dai Ru Yan’s palm rested softly against Gong Yu’s cheek as she replied in a low voice, “Naughty. Xiao Jiu, you know exactly why I’m here.”

After unwrapping several layers of gauze, Gong Yu finally touched Dai Ru Yan’s face. Smiling, she leaned in and kissed Dai Ru Yan’s cheek, whispering, “Ayan, you’re even more mischievous than I am, sneaking all the way here after me.”

“But this place isn’t Jinzhou yet,” Dai Ru Yan said, holding Gong Yu tightly as she drew near. “General Ji is only pretending. Once you enter Jinzhou, we’ll have to part ways.”

Gong Yu hadn’t expected Dai Ru Yan to be so daring. Amazed, she cupped Dai Ru Yan’s face and whispered, “Ayan, you’re really bold.”

Dai Ru Yan chuckled softly, her lips brushing Gong Yu’s brow and cheek, just as she used to. Just as they were about to meet Gong Yu’s lips, Gong Yu deliberately shifted slightly.

When their lips touched, Gong Yu felt as if an electric current ran through her. Overjoyed, she pressed closer.

Their breaths mingled in the tent, growing noticeably heavier. Gong Yu…

Relentlessly pursuing, after a good while, Dai Ru Yan helplessly retreated, her fingertips caressing Gong Yu’s lips, her scorching breath falling upon Gong Yu’s cheek.

“You’re done kissing, now it’s my turn.” Gong Yu, slightly breathless, tried to lean in, but Dai Ru Yan gently pushed her away and said with a serious tone, “You’re not allowed to kiss me.”

Huh?

Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan in confusion and whispered, “Why?”

Dai Ru Yan stroked Gong Yu’s lips with her thumb, leaned in, and gave a firm kiss at the corner of Gong Yu’s mouth, as if completing a ritual, before replying:

“Just not allowed.”

“I don’t accept that.” With that, Gong Yu leaned in closer.

But Dai Ru Yan cupped Gong Yu’s face, her fingertips tracing Gong Yu’s brows and the bridge of her nose, and said softly, “Who told Xiao Jiu she had to leave me?”

“This is just a small punishment.”

Gong Yu looked at Dai Ru Yan helplessly and pleaded pitifully, “Just one little kiss, okay?”

“No.”

“But Ayan just kissed me, doesn’t that mean I kissed Ayan too?”

“That’s different.”

“How is it different?” Gong Yu grumbled and lightly bit Dai Ru Yan’s fingertip.

But Dai Ru Yan didn’t mind; instead, she unceremoniously bit Gong Yu’s cheek, and it hurt so much.

Yet Gong Yu couldn’t even cry out in pain. At this moment, Dai Ru Yan was simply like a devil.

Teasing without letting her kiss—truly wicked.