After Accidentally Marking the Cold and Elegant Eldest Princess - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Consulting with Humility

Yuan Jingxue, of course, would not let her help.

Including the occurrences today, it had happened three times; no matter how light the movements, there was some redness. Even if Yuan Jingxue couldn’t see it, she wouldn’t let this Qianyuan—who appeared sincere but was full of “schemes”—help her.

“You may leave.” Yuan Jingxue stood up and bound her half-dry long hair with a hairpin; her aura once again became dignified and aloof.

Yan Yunti had only mentioned it in passing. She placed the red porcelain jar on the couch and leaned toward Yuan Jingxue. “Does Your Highness truly want me to leave?”

Yuan Jingxue arched an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.

Yan Yunti continued, “Can Your Highness be certain that no further discomfort will arise today? Can you completely suppress the Dependency Period before Physician Xu develops the Scent Pills?”

It would take Xu Su at least five days to produce the pills; as of now, four days remained. Counting from the Millennium Banquet, this was the fourth day, and only two days had passed between the two temporary markings. Their dependency episodes were unpredictable; Yan Yunti’s words were not without merit.

Yuan Jingxue’s expression remained sparse. “And so? What are Miss Yan’s thoughts?”

Once she became distant, it was “Miss Yan” this and “Miss Yan” that.

Yan Yunti felt a sudden pang of longing for those calls of “Yan Yunti,” whether angry or emotional. Without showing it on her face, she said rationally, “If Your Highness is willing, I can stay at the Eldest Princess’s Manor as a guest for these few days. I will wear a veiled hat; no one will know who I am. To outsiders, it will simply be the Eldest Princess reminiscing with an old friend. What does Your Highness think?”

This method was naturally viable. However, there was one issue. Yuan Jingxue asked, “If you are away from your manor for a long time, won’t the people in the Marquis’s Manor become suspicious?”

Hearing Yuan Jingxue’s relenting tone, Yan Yunti smiled and shook her head. “Your Highness can rest easy. Since my mothers’ divorce, I have always shuttled between the Qiu residence and the Marquis’s Manor, and sometimes I stay at my own private residence. No one in the Marquis’s Manor can control me.”

Even if they wanted to, her mother would push back. Yan Yunti’s current casual and unrestrained personality was largely learned from her mother.

After hearing this, Yuan Jingxue remained silent for a moment before finally saying, “You will stay in the East Side Hall. If the bell rings, it is to call for you.”

“Your Highness makes it sound like you’re hiding a ‘golden beauty’ in a side palace, only to appear when the bell rings,” Yan Yunti teased. Then, changing her tone, she added, “Then I need to go out once to gather some habitual items. Does Your Highness wish to send someone to follow me?”

This matter was difficult for both parties, but currently, Yan Yunti was accommodating her at every turn. Yuan Jingxue knew that sending someone would be the safest bet, but after a moment of silence, she said, “Wear your veiled hat well. Do not let anyone follow you when you return. Someone will meet you at the East Side Gate.”

This meant she would not send anyone to follow.

Yan Yunti smiled with curved eyes, stood up, and deliberately performed a formal bow of thanks. “This subject’s daughter thanks Your Highness for her trust.”

The girl’s bow was disciplined, yet her eyes were exceptionally lively. Yuan Jingxue glanced at her once and then averted her gaze.

When Bawei had prepared everything and Yan Yunti was about to leave, she saw the red porcelain jar left on the couch. She picked it up, stuffed it into Yuan Jingxue’s arms, and urged, “Your Highness, do not endure it; remember to apply the medicine.”

Having said that, as if afraid the other would get angry, she hurried away.

Yuan Jingxue picked up the red porcelain jar and pursed her lips while looking at it for a while. Recalling Yan Yunti’s advice to “try to accept it,” she slowly opened the jar.

Yan Yunti rode a white horse from the Princess’s Manor and began packing as soon as she returned to the Marquis’s Manor. Since it was only for four or five days, she took a few books she usually read, a few sets of clothes, and the silver sword hanging on the wall.

“I will be out for a few days. If Grandmother or others ask, say I am staying at the Qiu residence for a few days. No need to say anything else.”

Just as Yan Yunti finished giving instructions to Qionglan, Songxia walked in and said, “Miss, wait a moment. The Grand Dowager has sent someone; she wants you to go over for a talk.”

Yan Yunti: “Did they say what it’s about?”

Songxia shook her head. “I couldn’t find out. The nanny by the Grand Dowager’s side is waiting outside the courtyard gate.”

This meant she had to go. Fortunately, it was still early. Yan Yunti put down her bundle and walked out.

The Grand Dowager, Madam Luo, lived in Fu’an Hall. Yan Yunti followed the nanny all the way and, before entering, heard sounds of laughter and joy from inside. She recognized several familiar voices; it was her second uncle, Yan Xingfeng, and his family keeping her grandmother company.

As soon as Yan Yunti entered, she saw Yan Xingfeng’s youngest son, Yan Hengzhi, leaning into Madam Luo’s embrace, pleading like a spoiled child: “Grandmother, Grandmother, grandson also wants to see the grand world. Father said that only then can I avoid stage fright in the future. And all my classmates are going! If grandson cannot go, how will I interact with them later? Grandmother, please agree!”

“Good, good, don’t be anxious.” Madam Luo smiled kindly and, looking up to see Yan Yunti enter, patted Yan Hengzhi. “Look, your cousin is here.”

“Greetings, Grandmother, Second Uncle, Second Aunt.” Yan Yunti bowed to each of them with a shallow smile, appearing poised and generous.

Once her greetings were finished, Yan Hengzhi was still clinging to Madam Luo, refusing to even stand up straight.

Sitting in the primary seat on the left, Yan Xingfeng frowned, his naturally long face showing authority and stretching even longer. “Hengzhi, greet her quickly!”

Rebuked by his father, Yan Hengzhi reluctantly stood up and bowed toward Yan Yunti. “Hengzhi greets Cousin.”

“Hengzhi seems to have grown taller,” Yan Yunti offered a casual pleasantry. At Madam Luo’s gesture, she sat in the seat on the right. “I wonder what Grandmother urgently called me here for?”

“Grandmother heard that in ten days, the Emperor is going to Mount Lu for the Spring Hunt. Will Ti’er be going along this year?” Madam Luo asked with a motherly expression.

The annual Spring Hunt was an event where only high-ranking officials, nobles, and their relatives could accompany the Emperor. As the only daughter of the Marquis of Jingning, Yan Yunti naturally had the qualifications to go; the news had already been delivered to the manor. However, unlike the Millennium Banquet, this time only Yan Yunti could accompany the Imperial retinue.

Hearing Madam Luo’s probing question, Yan Yunti had a faint suspicion but didn’t show it. “Yes, since grandson’s daughter is in the capital this year, I must go.”

“Then I want to go too! Cousin, you definitely have a way to let me go along, right!” Yan Hengzhi blurted out first.

“When elders are speaking, what right do you have to interrupt!” Yan Xingfeng scolded sharply, scaring Yan Hengzhi into hiding back in Madam Luo’s arms.

“Enough, he’s just being direct.” Madam Luo shielded her grandson and looked at Yan Yunti, no longer beating around the bush. “Heng’er is thirteen this year. Grandmother wants him to go out and see the world. I wonder if Ti’er has a way to add your cousin’s name to the list of those accompanying the Spring Hunt? He has always been obedient and sensible; he surely won’t cause you any trouble.”

Yan Yunti wanted to laugh at this. Could Yan Hengzhi’s temperament ever be called “obedient and sensible”? If she really could bring one person, she would rather bring her female cousin, Yan Yunpei, than this spoiled brat.

“Grandmother must be joking. How could I possibly change the list for the Spring Hunt?” Yan Yunti gave a helpless smile. “Isn’t Second Uncle serving in the Ministry of Rites? Surely he has a way?”

Yan Xingfeng was currently a sixth-rank Secretary in the Ministry of Rites. It was precisely because his rank was too low that the second branch had no chance to accompany the Imperial retinue; even the Millennium Banquet invitation had been thanks to Yan Yunti. Now, Yan Yunti’s question sounded like sarcasm to those listening.

The Second Madam, Fang Li, glanced at her husband’s expression and spoke up: “Didn’t Yunti save the Eldest Princess at the banquet a few days ago? Now that you have a relationship with the Princess, if this matter can be done, Second Aunt will surely thank you properly.”

Yan Yunti understood perfectly now. They wanted her to use the Eldest Princess’s connections to shove Yan Hengzhi into the hunt list. The scheme was laid out plain as day.

And it wasn’t the first time.

The Yan family had three branches. Her mother, Yan Qiao, was the eldest daughter and had only her. Her second uncle, Yan Xingfeng, had one daughter and one son: the daughter, Yan Yunpei, was a Kunze, and the son, Yan Hengzhi, had differentiated into a Qianyuan last year. As for her young aunt, Yan Qingyu, she remained unmarried.

Previously, Yan Xingfeng and Fang Li had been so eager for her to marry the Third Prince not for her sake, but for Yan Hengzhi’s future. Yan Hengzhi was only thirteen, yet they were already impatient to pave his way, simply because they felt she, a Beta (Zhongyong), would eventually marry out, and Yan Hengzhi, the Alpha, was the true choice to inherit the Marquis title.

Yan Yunti felt a surge of annoyance. With four pairs of eyes staring at her, she drew out her tone. “This matter…” Just as their expectations reached their peak, she cut them off decisively: “I cannot do it. I only met the Eldest Princess once; we have no relationship. Second Aunt, you mustn’t say such things outside, or if the Princess becomes displeased, I won’t even be able to plead for mercy.”

As soon as Yan Yunti refused, Yan Hengzhi began to throw a tantrum, even pointing at Yan Yunti and claiming she was deliberately refusing to help. Yan Xingfeng’s sharp shouts couldn’t stop him. Madam Luo protected Yan Hengzhi again, and the hall became a chaotic mess in an instant.

Yan Yunti simply got up to bid farewell and slipped away amidst the confusion. Once outside, the air felt exceptionally fresh. She had just used the Eldest Princess as an excuse, and now she felt an inexplicable urge to see her.

Qionglan was waiting at Fu’an Hall with her bundle and silver sword. Yan Yunti took her things and left the manor immediately. By chance, she ran into her young aunt, Yan Qingyu, just as she was leaving.

Yan Yunti’s mind shifted, and she stepped forward with a smile to stop Yan Qingyu. “Aunt, Yunti has something she would like to consult you about.”

“Oh? What could possibly bring you to consult me?” Yan Qingyu closed her rouge box and looked at Yan Yunti in surprise.

Yan Yunti had a good relationship with her. She leaned in and whispered a few sentences. Yan Qingyu’s surprise turned into a flash of understanding. “You’ve reached that age. Since Yan Qiao isn’t here, I’ll be the one to teach you these things. Come, to my courtyard; I’ll find some books for you.”

Hearing about books, Yan Yunti grew even more curious. In the entire Yan manor, if anyone was unconventional, it was this young aunt of hers. Yan Qingyu was a Kunze who also liked Kunze, and she had researched heavily into how to serve a Kunze well.

“Since you are a Beta, you won’t be affected by pheromones. You won’t be as reckless as those Alphas. Just follow what is taught in here. Although Betas cannot mark like Alphas, if you do it well, you can still make a Kunze’s gland feel very comfortable,” Yan Qingyu shared her wisdom while handing a book to Yan Yunti. “I wondered why you were so reluctant to marry the Third Prince—so it turns out you like female Kunze!”

Yan Qingyu patted Yan Yunti’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I understand. I definitely won’t tell anyone about this. Study well, capture her heart, and let her understand that Betas have their own advantages!”

Yan Qingyu spoke with great passion. However, Yan Yunti opened the book she was given, read only two or three pages, and slammed it shut, her ears turning a deep shade of red.

Yan Qingyu clucked her tongue and shook her head. “So pure-hearted. You’re just like I was back then.”

Yan Yunti gave an embarrassed smile. She wasn’t pure-hearted; it was just that the book was entirely un-pure. She had to hide this book well; if the Eldest Princess ever saw it, she would truly be labeled as a person of unbridled lust.