Taking the Princess as My Wife - Chapter 5

“Future Consort, Am I Some Kind of Fearsome Beast?”

The smile on the face of the Madam of the Marquess of Yuchang froze instantly. She clenched her palms tightly, maintaining a facade of aggrieved innocence as she spoke: “Princess, I am already advanced in years and ceased managing the household long ago. I truly am not clear on these matters.”

Jiang Shaojia maintained that same half-smile. She did not answer the Madam, but instead turned directly to the Vice-Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and Assistant Minister Qiu: “Did you hear that? Whoever manages the inner workings of the Marquess of Yuchang’s estate is the one who knows exactly who buried someone in there.”

“This…”

Assistant Minister Qiu and the Vice-Minister exchanged glances. They bowed in unison to the Princess and said, “We pray the Princess speaks with caution.”

Princess Huaqing had never been known for a mild temperament. Her biological mother was the Emperor’s legal wife and the daughter of the former Great General of the State. Since the Empress’s passing, the Emperor—deeply attached to his late wife and pitying Huaqing for the early loss of her mother—had doted on this daughter excessively.

There were even rumors that the military tally capable of commanding hundreds of thousands of elite troops of the Zhenguo General resided in Princess Huaqing’s hands.

However, as the years of imperial favor passed, Princess Huaqing’s personality grew increasingly willful. She never spared others’ dignity; even matters unsuitable for public discourse were things she would brazenly expose.

A smile blossomed at the corner of Jiang Shaojia’s mouth. She said with extreme politeness, “What are you two Lords doing? Are you afraid I might say something shocking? If you ask me, this Marquess’s manor is due for a thorough reorganization. I’ve been here so long and haven’t seen anyone bring me a chair. It’s quite lacking in refinement.”

The Madam of the Marquess took a deep breath and commanded a nearby maid, “Why are you still standing there? Go and have someone bring chairs for the Lords at once.”

Vice-Minister Lu wiped the sweat from his brow. “Madam, there is no need for a chair for me. The urgent matter is to have the person in charge of the household come forward.”

The Second Madam, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke: “Sister-in-law went to a Taoist temple in the capital today. She should be back later this evening.”

“Why are all the Lords gathered in my home?” A middle-aged man with a protruding belly, dressed in rich silks and carrying a parrot cage, walked toward the garden.

Upon seeing Princess Huaqing, he hurriedly set down the cage and bowed to her, his voice tinged with trepidation: “The Princess graces my humble abode with her presence. Has my wife failed in her hospitality?”

Jiang Shaojia appeared somewhat bored. She replied, “Marquess, please rise. I reported a crime today, and these three Lords are here to investigate the case.”

The Marquess’s expression grew even more terrified. Ignoring the parrot cage on the ground, he scrambled to his feet. Upon seeing the excavated flower bed, his face turned ashen. “This…”

Liu Ruheng sighed softly. Investigating a case in the homes of the powerful was indeed full of twists and turns.

Just then, the bailiff sent to search the tunnel returned from the main gate, escorting a short servant. After handing the servant over to the guards at the entrance, he whispered a few words into the Vice-Minister’s ear. The Vice-Minister’s expression immediately became solemn. Though Liu Ruheng could not hear the content of their conversation, she could roughly guess that this servant was a suspect related to the case.

“The Lords must investigate this thoroughly… To think someone buried a corpse in the Marquess’s manor!” The Marquess spoke with righteous indignation.

“It is getting late. The Court of Judicial Review will take the remains. Bailiffs will remain to guard the garden tonight; I ask for the Marquess’s understanding,” Assistant Minister Qiu said before walking toward the burial site.

Vice-Minister Lu’s gaze was heavy. He suddenly turned and said, “Liu Ruheng, where is your residence? I shall give you a ride.”

“Vice-Minister, why don’t I send her back? It is a good opportunity to cultivate our feelings,” Jiang Shaojia said with a curving brow, her tone brooking no argument.

Liu Ruheng’s face burned red. The words Jiang Shaojia spoke were truly… improper. Vice-Minister Lu readily agreed.

As she followed Jiang Shaojia out of the manor, Liu Ruheng wished she could bury her face in the ground. She hadn’t forgotten the Princess’s frivolous behavior toward her at the restaurant last time. Before her cross-dressing, she was young; after, to better hide her identity, she had little contact with both men and women, striving to maintain the principle of “friendship between gentlemen is as light as water.”

This was the first time someone had been so…

Liu Ruheng dared not think further, feeling one side of her cheek grow increasingly hot.

Outside the manor, a magnificent carriage appeared before Liu Ruheng. Golden wind chimes jingled loudly. Jiang Shaojia lifted the curtain and boarded first. Under the urging of the lady official, Liu Ruheng steeled herself and climbed in as well.

The interior was laid with soft carpets and lacked excessive decoration. Jiang Shaojia sat at one end; after a moment of hesitation, Liu Ruheng sat at the other.

“Future Consort, am I some kind of fearsome beast?” Jiang Shaojia’s voice trailed upward, her eyes now entirely filled with Liu Ruheng’s reflection.

Liu Ruheng avoided her gaze. The faint blush that had just subsided surged back up. The pomegranate-red dress Jiang Shaojia wore today suited her perfectly. “Princess… The Princess is peerlessly bright. In my eyes, you are second to none.”

Jiang Shaojia patted the space beside her, signaling Liu Ruheng to come forward. She tilted an eyebrow: “The Consort is the one who truly looks like a beautiful woman—much better looking than most girls.”

Liu Ruheng’s breath hitched, and her heart skipped a beat, fearing the Princess would say something else to shock her. She hurriedly sat by the Princess’s side. At such a close distance, Liu Ruheng seemed to smell the faint, elegant fragrance emanating from her.

After sitting stiffly for a while, Liu Ruheng remembered the people she met at the Taoist temple.

“Princess, yesterday, through a colleague’s introduction, I went to a Taoist temple. I heard people there discussing the death of the Left Chancellor.” Liu Ruheng paused, then added, “The people at that temple seem very unusual. They appear to have significant influence among the women of the capital.”

“What were you doing at a Taoist temple?”

Liu Ruheng was stunned. She hadn’t expected Jiang Shaojia’s focus to be there. She somewhat sheepishly pulled a talisman from her robe. “I heard rumors that the Court of Judicial Review is haunted, so I went to seek a talisman to ward off evil.”

Jiang Shaojia nodded slightly. “I have noted what you said. I will send someone to investigate the temple.”

Having told Jiang Shaojia about the matter, Liu Ruheng felt a sense of relief. She then remembered a serious question and asked hurriedly, “Princess, if I wish to contact you in the future, is there a way?”

“Does the Consort wish to see me every day? There is no need to be in such a rush; Father has decided that you and I shall wed in two months.” Jiang Shaojia’s eyes curved, her face showing a rare, mischievous smile.

Liu Ruheng’s eyes widened. “Wed in two months?!”

Jiang Shaojia covered her mouth, a smile shimmering in her eyes. “I didn’t know the Consort was such a flighty person. Later, I will send someone to deliver a messenger pigeon to you. If you wish to see me, simply send a message.”

Liu Ruheng nodded blankly. After a long while, she asked again, “Truly… to be wed in two months?”

“Naturally. Would I lie to you?” Jiang Shaojia withdrew her smile, looking somewhat imposing.

Liu Ruheng was at a loss, frightened by this major news. “Please punish me, Princess. I am merely… overly surprised, it feels surreal.”

Liu Ruheng closed her eyes in agony, but her ears only caught the sound of the wheels and horse hooves. Surprised? More like terrified. All of Liu Ruheng’s lifelong composure had been lost in front of the Princess.

“Then I shall punish you by having you write me a love letter,” Jiang Shaojia said, her expression unchanged, her red, soft lips uttering cold words. “In ancient times, wild geese carried letters; today, the Consort writes them. It is quite fitting. I imagine the talent of the Third-Rank Scholar will certainly give me a great surprise.”

The carriage slowed. The driver called out, “Princess, the Liu Residence has arrived.”

“Go on. Do not forget to write the letter.”

Liu Ruheng stepped down and stood at her door, watching the carriage disappear into the distance with a sense of melancholy. Four words filled her mind: Death is drawing near.

The Princess’s kindness toward her was likely due to her identity as a “man” and “Consort.” If her female identity were discovered, let alone the Princess, even other scholars would spit on her.

Liu Ruheng lowered her eyes. Guilt, indignation, and resentment could only turn into a sigh. The prejudices of the world were so terrifying. Simply for being a woman, one was unworthy of living, unworthy of inheriting the family name, and unworthy of holding high office—only fit to be an appendage to a man.

In all her years of hard study, aside from the desire for her family’s safety, she also wanted to prove something for herself. Every time the academy masters praised her talent for far exceeding others, she would secretly rejoice. If given the chance, women were no worse than men.

Sometimes, in the silence of the night, Liu Ruheng would secretly feel grateful. Fortunately, her brother had been frail back then, which gave her the chance to escape those ridiculous prejudices.

She was truly that contemptible.

“Master, why are you standing at the door in a daze?” Li Anyu timidly poked her head out from behind the door.

Liu Ruheng took a deep breath, suppressing the moisture in her eyes, and smiled. “It’s nothing.”

Li Anyu nodded, her eyes bright as she mimicked her mother’s bow. “Master, the letter you asked me to deliver has been safely sent.”

The next day, Liu Ruheng set out for the Court of Judicial Review as the first light of dawn broke.

Somehow, word of yesterday’s case had leaked, and within a single night, it had become the talk of the town. As Liu Ruheng walked in her official robes, she felt as though people were peeking at her from behind. She became even more determined to buy a horse.

Before reaching the Court, she heard bursts of commotion from afar. Usually, no one wanted to get near the Court of Judicial Review unless necessary, considering it bad luck. Why was it so lively today?

Liu Ruheng cautiously approached the gate. She saw Vice-Minister Lu’s carriage surrounded by a crowd. They were wailing and crying. From the noise, Liu Ruheng pieced together the situation.

Since news of the burial case leaked, many parents of missing children had rushed to the Court overnight. Whether alive or dead, they wanted to see their children.

Vice-Minister Lu was completely blocked in, but he was a good official; he wouldn’t drive these grieving people away with brute force. He could only try to persuade them with reason and emotion, though with little success.

Liu Ruheng felt it was best not to disturb the Vice-Minister and the grieving parents. She quietly entered the Court of Judicial Review through the side door.

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