Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 5

Imagination is a beautiful thing, but Dai Ru Yan’s outfit was simply unsuitable for going out. Helpless, she had no choice but to change first.

Gong Yu stepped forward to help Dai Ru Yan remove her earrings and pendant. Dai Ru Yan tilted her head slightly and asked, “How are you so skilled at handling women’s accessories?”

“Of course, it’s because I’m also a girl. Though it’s not allowed, I’ve always been curious about them,” Gong Yu hesitated, making up an excuse on the spot.

Dai Ru Yan’s gaze swept over her thoughtfully before suddenly remarking, “You’ve grown quite a bit taller.”

Gong Yu’s heart raced, fearing Dai Ru Yan had noticed some flaw again.

“Of course! If I didn’t grow any taller, I’d just be a little dwarf, wouldn’t I?”

Dai Ru Yan smiled faintly as she picked out clothes and said, “But as you grow older, it’ll be harder to conceal your identity as a woman.”

Yes, that was exactly what troubled Gong Yu. She turned her head, about to ask something, only to find Dai Ru Yan changing behind the screen. Hurriedly, she averted her gaze and stared obediently at the tea in front of her.

By the time Dai Ru Yan finished changing and stepped out from behind the screen, Gong Yu lowered her head and took a sip of tea, not daring to let her eyes linger.

Finally, the two slipped out through a side gate. The night enveloped the entire capital, and the streets were brightly lit. Dai Ru Yan reached out and grasped Gong Yu’s wrist, saying, “It’s crowded.”

“Mm.”

Gong Yu didn’t dare stray too far, lest they get separated and cause unnecessary trouble.

The clamor of vendors filled the air as Dai Ru Yan wandered around with great curiosity. Gong Yu found herself inexplicably holding a pile of things in her arms.

“Xiao Jiu, do you want to try this?” Dai Ru Yan held out a pitch-black snack, her eyes full of curiosity.

Uh…

Could she choose to regret this?

Gong Yu opened her mouth and took a bite. The taste? Aside from a hint of sweetness, there wasn’t much else to it.

“Is it good?”

“It’s alright, just a bit too sweet.”

No sooner had she spoken than Dai Ru Yan pulled her toward another stall. Suddenly, fireworks burst into the sky, drawing everyone’s gaze upward.

The dark waters beneath the stone bridge reflected the dazzling fireworks. Gong Yu was busy munching on chestnuts when she caught sight of Dai Ru Yan watching the display like any ordinary person, her ink-black eyes alight with something akin to hope.

For some inexplicable reason, Gong Yu’s heart tightened. Without thinking, she blurted out, “When we leave the capital someday, where would you like to go?”

Dai Ru Yan turned her head and replied, “I just want to see the world.”

“Then we can decide where to go as we travel,” Gong Yu said between bites of chestnut, completely missing the flicker of guilt in Dai Ru Yan’s eyes.

Due to the wedding celebrations, the capital was adorned with lanterns and decorations, brimming with festivity. The fireworks lasted for a long time.

This was probably a rare moment of peace and tranquility. Behind the scenes, the princes’ factions were quietly maneuvering. Conflict was inevitable sooner or later.

As autumn passed, the weather grew colder, and the maple tree in the courtyard shed its leaves day by day.

Regretfully, Gong Yu gathered many of them, hanging some in the pavilion and preserving the rest as specimens.

On the first day of winter, the morning mist was thick. The empress, heavy with child, prompted the emperor to take all the princes to the temple to pray for blessings.

Early in the morning, Gong Yu crawled out of bed. On the small table beside her lay the poetry she had been punished to copy by the Grand Tutor.

Pitifully, after staying up all night, she still hadn’t finished. In a hurry, she gulped down half a bowl of porridge before setting off with the procession.

The grand procession moved forward, the streets of the capital already cleared and quiet. Dai Ru Yan traveled with the empress and her entourage, while Princess Gong Ling was with her newlywed consort. The remaining princesses rode in separate carriages, and the journey was mostly dull and uneventful.

Upon reaching the ancient temple, the sedan chairs slowly came to a halt. Gong Yu lifted the curtain and stepped out.

The tolling of the century-old temple bells echoed through the valley. The group ascended the mountain in an orderly fashion, Gong Yu’s slender figure hidden among the crowd.

Only after the prayers concluded and the emperor and empress retired to their quarters did Gong Yu finally relax. Holding a cup of hot tea, she strolled leisurely through the ancient temple grounds.

By chance, she encountered Gong Ling and her newlywed consort in the midst of a heated argument. Though she couldn’t make out their words, their expressions and gestures were far from harmonious.

“What are you doing here?” Gong Ling approached and asked.

Gong Yu held out the hot tea with a flattering smile. “Second Sister, have some tea.”

Gong Ling accepted the tea with a laugh. “You little clever one. Why are you wandering alone? Have you forgotten the lesson from last time?”

“No, I haven’t,” Gong Yu replied, still feeling the lingering pain from the wound on her arm.

After a brief exchange, Gong Ling departed first.

Gong Yu continued walking aimlessly when she coincidentally came across Dai Ru Yan and Crown Prince Gong Quan. The two seemed to share an incompatible aura, their interactions cold and distant as if every encounter between them was like this.

Suddenly, the crown prince glanced in her direction. Gong Yu knew she couldn’t hide, so she forced a smile and walked over.

Only then did she meet Dai Ru Yan’s gaze—cold, or rather, utterly devoid of emotion.

“What are you and Sister Dai discussing, Brother Crown Prince?” Gong Yu feigned innocence.

The crown prince averted his eyes. “We were merely discussing whether there are any wild beasts in these mountains.”

What a blatant lie.

Yet Gong Yu kept her smile intact, not exposing him. Soon, a guard arrived to summon the crown prince, who excused himself on urgent business.

Dai Ru Yan’s gaze lingered on Gong Yu. “I heard you were punished by the Grand Tutor to copy poetry and texts.”

“How did you know?”

“The Grand Tutor even mentioned it in court.” Dai Ru Yan asked seriously, “Have you finished copying?”

Gong Yu sighed helplessly. “Almost. But the Grand Tutor is truly a headache.”

“Those who uphold propriety and law are often like that.”

Dressed in a pale green gown with a fox-fur cloak draped over her shoulders, Dai Ru Yan appeared frail, embodying the delicate beauty of a sickly noblewoman.

“You don’t look well,” Gong Yu remarked, stepping closer and lightly touching Dai Ru Yan’s cheek.

“It’s nothing.” Dai Ru Yan didn’t pull away, answering softly. “The crown prince is not the empress’s biological son. Now that the empress is pregnant, if she bears a son, chaos may soon follow.”

Gong Yu pressed the warm handwarmer into Dai Ru Yan’s palm and asked curiously, “If the empress gives birth to a boy who becomes the new crown prince, does that mean you won’t be the future empress?”

Dai Ru Yan’s brows furrowed slightly. “With so many imperial descendants, I still won’t escape the fate of a political marriage.”

“Ah…”

“Don’t worry. We’ll take it one step at a time.” Gong Yu stepped forward and gave Dai Ru Yan a light, comforting hug.

Dai Ru Yan suddenly laughed, gently pulling away and pinching Gong Yu’s earlobe. “No more getting close.”

“Why?” Gong Yu blinked in confusion.

“You are a young prince now. Even though you’re still young, the propriety of gender separation cannot be ignored.”

Gong Yu playfully winked. “What’s there to fear? Didn’t you say you wanted me to marry you, Sister Dai?”

After speaking, Gong Yu mischievously kissed Dai Ru Yan on the cheek. Dai Ru Yan froze for a moment, her lips tightening slightly as her fingers applied a bit more pressure. Gong Yu winced in pain and begged for mercy, “Sister Dai, I was wrong! Next time—”

“There’ll be a next time?” Dai Ru Yan raised an eyebrow, her aura suddenly intensifying.

“N-no, there won’t be a next time.”

Fortunately, Dai Ru Yan released her grip, allowing Gong Yu’s earlobe to escape.

The mountain forest was bitterly cold, and without a heating stove, Gong Yu could only tuck her hands into her sleeves. Gazing at the frost-covered trees, she sighed, “Isn’t the Crown Prince brother practically burning up with anxiety?”

Dai Ru Yan looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Gong Yu huddled her neck in, blinking playfully as she grinned. “Well, Her Majesty the Empress is about to give birth any day now. If that child is a boy, the Crown Prince’s position might not be so secure anymore. Wouldn’t that make him as frantic as an ant on a hot skillet?”

Dai Ru Yan, however, replied with utmost seriousness, “If your Crown Prince brother decides to act decisively, a newborn child would be no match for him.”

“But the Empress is your aunt which means the child would be backed by the Dai family. Wouldn’t that make him a sheltered sapling under a mighty tree?”

“The Dai family only supports those most likely to ascend the throne. The rest are mere pawns, expendable.”

In a way, Gong Yu suddenly felt she understood a little more about this battle for the throne. The Dai family had spread their influence throughout the court, ensuring that no matter which prince claimed the throne, their power would remain unshaken.

Lost in thought, Gong Yu suddenly sneezed. Dai Ru Yan handed her a handkerchief and said, “Let’s head back. It’s too cold here.”

“What about you?” Gong Yu took the handkerchief and wiped her nose.

Before Dai Ru Yan could answer, her gaze shifted into the distance. Soon after, Gong Yu heard scattered footsteps approaching.

“What’s so fun about this desolate mountain wilderness? What a waste of this prince’s time!”

“Fourth Highness, please calm yourself. Though the mountains may be dull, Consort Xi ordered—”

“You wretched dog! Dare mention my mother again?”

With that, the attendant was kicked out of the corridor, his face bruised and swollen. He clutched his cheek but dared not utter another word.

Gong Yu watched curiously as the stout Fourth Prince approached. Beside her, Dai Ru Yan frowned slightly before withdrawing her gaze and saying quietly,

“Fourth Highness’s birth mother is Consort Xi, a princess from a foreign tribe. Though her influence is limited, the Fourth Highness is a born warrior. Strong, fond of recruiting talent, and quick to anger. If he ever gains command of a powerful army in the future, he could become quite the troublemaker.”

“Listening to all this, it seems like I’m the weakest one here. Doesn’t that make me the most vulnerable?”

Dai Ru Yan turned to Gong Yu and replied, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Her expression was utterly serious, which made Gong Yu feel a little embarrassed. Scratching her head, she said, “It’s fine. At worst, I’ll just study hard these next few years. I won’t drag you down.”

“Well, well, if it isn’t Lady Dai?”

The towering Fourth Prince lumbered closer. His massive frame, bundled in thick winter robes, made him look like an impenetrable wall.

Dai Ru Yan subtly grasped Gong Yu’s hand, her expression unchanging as she greeted, “Fourth Highness, are you well?”

“Well enough. It’s just that I rarely see Lady Dai, and I’ve missed you dearly.” The Fourth Prince grinned, his face scrunching up like a meatball.

Gong Yu nearly gagged at the greasy words but managed to force out, “Hello, Fourth Brother.”

The Fourth Prince finally glanced at Gong Yu and chuckled lightly, “Oh, so Little Ninth is here too.”

Hmm…

This was blatant disregard, plain and simple.

“However, your Fourth Brother currently has matters to discuss with Lady Dai. You may withdraw now.”

The Fourth Prince commanded without the slightest courtesy, clearly intending to take advantage of Dai Ru Yan. Gong Yu wasn’t foolish. She tightened her grip on Dai Ru Yan’s hand and said, “I was just about to ask Sister Dai for advice on poetry. Little Ninth will take her leave now.”

Without waiting for a response, Gong Yu pulled Dai Ru Yan along as they moved to the side. Suddenly, the Fourth Prince extended an arm to block their path, visibly furious as he snapped:

“Little Ninth, are your ears not working, or is it your brain? Why are you dragging Lady Dai along?”

The anger burned like fire. Gong Yu froze momentarily, only to feel Dai Ru Yan step closer and firmly return the handhold as she replied, “Men and women should not be alone together in the same room. I must ask the Fourth Prince to observe propriety and decorum, lest the Grand Tutor submits another memorial against you.”

Dai Ru Yan’s voice was pleasant to the ear, yet the authority and anger in her words were unmistakable. Gong Yu couldn’t help but acknowledge that Dai Ru Yan carried the commanding presence of someone in power. One that inspired a deep sense of security.