The Eldest Princess and Her Consort - Chapter 2

The Eldest Princess had arrived at the manor, and Old Madam sent Young Master Yuwen to…

 

 

Yuwen Qing froze. Isn’t she supposed to ask me how to deal with the enemy? she thought. I had everything planned out before I came here. Why is this wrong?!

 

The Eldest Princess’s first words were an order for her to remove her veiled hat. Although Yuwen Qing had no connection to the Eldest Princess, her own identity was too sensitive for her to take such a risk. She blinked and lied, “This commoner’s appearance is hideous, Your Highness. I fear I would frighten you.”

 

Xiao Weilan remained silent, her gaze scrutinizing Yuwen Qing. Yuwen Qing immediately worried that the Eldest Princess would order her to remove the hat again, and her heart hammered with apprehension.

 

Xiao Weilan withdrew her gaze and spoke again, “Do you have your identification papers?”

 

What would it mean to hand over her identification papers? Her identity was a secret. If she surrendered them, the Yuwen family would be guilty of the crime of deceiving the emperor. But if she refused, Yuwen Qing could only smile bitterly as she glanced at the generals flanking her, their eyes all fixed on her.

 

Yuwen Qing steeled her resolve. “My identification papers were left at home.”

 

The tent fell so silent that a pin could be heard dropping. Everyone’s gaze was locked onto her.

 

“Are you playing games with This Palace?” Yuwen Qing saw Xiao Weilan’s eyes grow cold, her voice laced with frost. She enunciated each word slowly, as if gritting her teeth, the sound cutting clearly into Yuwen Qing’s ears.

 

Yuwen Qing felt a chill run down her spine. She shrank back, quickly cupping her hands in a respectful salute. “This humble woman wouldn’t dare.”

 

She had nothing to offer as proof, so she truly had no way to convince the Eldest Princess. If only the Princess believed her, but it was obvious she didn’t!

 

If I were in her place, I wouldn’t believe a stranger’s word either, Yuwen Qing thought, biting her lip. She clenched her hands tightly and dared not straighten her back.

 

Xiao Weilan stared at her, her expression impassive. This woman has some nerve, she thought. Not only has she refused to kneel, but she’s also trying to play me for a fool.

 

Smash!

 

Xiao Weilan slammed her teacup onto the table. “This Palace sees you’re quite bold. Still refusing to tell the truth?”

 

Yuwen Qing’s heart leaped. “This humble woman is telling the truth! I truly came to help Your Highness. I can help you defeat the enemy and slay their Commander!” She raised her hands urgently to swear her sincerity.

 

This Eldest Princess is terrifying.

 

It’s early summer, yet a single glance from her makes me shiver with cold.

 

“You claim you can slay the enemy Commander? How can This Palace believe you?” Xiao Weilan demanded coldly.

 

Without a second’s hesitation, Yuwen Qing replied, “Yes.”

 

As for how to convince Xiao Weilan, Yuwen Qing’s mind raced.

 

“Your Highness,” the general leading the right flank stood up, cupping his fist. “Your Highness, this person is likely a spy sent by Dongling. There’s no need to waste words with her. Why not just drag her out and behead her?”

 

Yuwen Qing turned in alarm toward the source of the voice a middle-aged man with a swallow-like jaw and a tiger’s mustache. His voice boomed, echoing throughout the entire tent.

 

The others quickly chimed in.

 

“Your Highness, I’m telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, I can spar with all the generals present,” Yuwen Qing argued. *How could these people only know how to fight and kill?*

 

“With just you?” the middle-aged man sneered.

 

Xiao Weilan watched the two of them without a word.

 

The middle-aged man gripped the saber at his waist. Suddenly, another, younger general beside him stood up and raised a hand to block him. He scoffed, “General Cheng, wait. How can you use your own hands to deal with such an overconfident little girl? This general will do it.”

 

With that, he drew his saber first. “Little girl, pick a weapon that suits you.”

 

His tone was flippant, as if he were teasing a pitiful, weak little animal.

 

The crowd burst into laughter again.

 

Yuwen Qing looked up at the main seat. Xiao Weilan’s eyes remained calm as she lifted her slender hand, poured a cup of tea, and sipped it slowly. Withdrawing her gaze, she scanned the weapon rack. “I don’t need a weapon.”

 

Her weapon of choice was the long spear. Although this was the Commander’s Tent, it was still too cramped to wield freely.

 

The moment she finished speaking, the man snarled, his face darkening. “You’re asking for death!” With that, he swung his saber.

 

The lamps in the tent flickered as the blade cut through the air, creating a gust of wind. The firelight wavered. Yuwen Qing’s expression hardened. She stepped forward, grabbed the man’s wrist, and released it with a slight twist.

 

Clang! The saber hit the ground.

 

The crowd stared at the fallen weapon. After a long silence, a wave of shocked whispers reached Yuwen Qing’s ears. She was still holding the man’s wrist and quickly let go, saying modestly, “You flatter me.”

 

Still stunned, the man finally snapped out of it. His face flushed red with humiliation and rage. He raised his fist to strike again, but Yuwen Qing stepped back, putting distance between them.

 

Luoxia declared, “The winner is decided. This young lady has indeed proven herself slightly superior.”

 

“Slightly superior?” Yuwen Qing thought. *That’s an understatement. The phrase was designed to save face.*

 

She turned to Xiao Weilan. “Can you believe me now?”

 

Xiao Weilan tapped her fingertips on the table. “Your skills are indeed impressive.”

 

Her words immediately stirred a storm of protest.

 

“Your Highness, please reconsider! What if she’s a spy sent by Dongling?”

 

“Yes, Your Highness! She couldn’t even produce any identification papers.”

 

One by one, the officials stepped forward. Their accusations shifted from her likely being a Dongling spy to attacking her for being a woman.

 

Yuwen Qing glanced at the seat of honor and shook her head. Do these men not realize that the person they’re addressing is also a woman?

 

Xiao Weilan remained silent, her gaze turning colder. The maidservant behind her stepped forward and silenced the crowd with a sharp reprimand.

 

As the Eldest Princess’s personal maid, she answered only to her mistress and feared no one in the room. After all, the Eldest Princess was the one in charge here.

 

The tent fell silent instantly.

 

The maid stepped down and came to a halt before Yuwen Qing. A girl of fifteen or sixteen, she was in the midst of a growth spurt, her figure slender and tall. Standing next to the other maid, Qiushui, she was nearly the same height.

 

Qiushui shook her head. “How will you answer the questions they’ll ask? You can’t produce the travel documents to prove your identity, and Her Highness won’t believe you just because you say a few words and know some martial arts.”

 

It was true—Yuwen Qing couldn’t explain it. She met Qiushui’s gaze and, for some reason, read a flicker of hope in her eyes. When Yuwen Qing remained silent, that hope slowly faded into disappointment. Qiushui shook her head and continued, “Since you can’t explain yourself, we have no choice but to detain you for now.”

 

As soon as she finished speaking, the two armored guards who had been standing at the entrance strode inside. Their expressions were impassive as they reached out to seize Yuwen Qing’s arms.

 

“Wait, wait, wait…” Yuwen Qing backed away, offering a forced smile. “I’m really not a spy.”

 

Just then, a soldier rushed into the tent, his expression frantic. He dropped to one knee before Xiao Weilan and reported, “Your Highness, the enemy is launching a night raid! They’ve already reached the camp perimeter!”

 

“What?”

 

“How could this happen?”

 

“Your Highness, I’ll lead the men to repel the attack immediately!”

 

“Protect Her Highness!”

 

The tent erupted into chaos. Seizing the opportunity, Yuwen Qing declared, “I can prove I’m no spy right now!” Without waiting for Xiao Weilan’s permission, she snatched a long spear from the weapon rack and rushed out of the tent.

 

The enemy raiding party was small—just a single detachment. Judging by their position, they had clearly targeted the grain stores. Unfortunately for them, they were discovered the moment they arrived.

 

Under the cover of night, Yuwen Qing removed her veiled hat and tied a cloth over her face. Without the hat’s concealment, the firelight revealed her gaunt features.

 

She charged into the fray with her spear, and in short order, the enemy forces were annihilated.

 

Yuwen Qing approached Xiao Weilan and clasped her fists in a salute. “Your Highness, I have a plan to catch Dongling off guard.”

 

Xiao Weilan’s gaze was unreadable as she asked, “Speak.”

 

Yuwen Qing breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, *She finally believes me.* “Dongling’s raid gives us the perfect opportunity to turn the tables.”

 

Xiao Weilan frowned. “How so?”

 

“I suspect their goal was to burn our grain stores,” Yuwen Qing explained. “Without supplies, we couldn’t hold out for long, and they would have crushed us in one final blow. Instead, let’s make them believe their plan succeeded, then hit them with a surprise of our own.”

 

With that, she raised her spear and bowed. “I am willing to lead an incursion into the enemy camp. I only ask that Your Highness grant me a cavalry detachment—fifty men will suffice.”

 

*Fifty men?* Even a veteran general would hesitate to request such a small force for a raid on an enemy camp. This young woman was utterly delusional.

 

Xiao Weilan curled her lips. “Very well. This Palace will give you fifty cavalrymen.”

 

To her surprise, the Eldest Princess agreed so easily. Yuwen Qing gratefully accepted the favor. General Zhang, who led the group, set fire to the grain stores, sending flames roaring into the sky. Under the cover of the blaze, Yuwen Qing and her fifty cavalrymen disguised themselves as Dongling soldiers and charged toward the enemy camp.

 

Luoxia looked at her mistress in bewilderment. “Are you really letting her go to her death?”

 

Xiao Weilan’s expression turned cold. “She arrived at the perfect time.”

 

Luoxia said nothing.

 

The flames leapt three or four meters high, casting flickering light and shadow across Xiao Weilan’s stunning face, obscuring her true expression.

 

Yuwen Qing led her fifty cavalrymen eastward, quickly reaching the outskirts of the Dongling camp. Inside, cheers erupted continuously, as if the soldiers were celebrating. The cavalry charged in without hesitation, instantly turning the festive atmosphere into a scene of chaotic defense.

 

Yuwen Qing, spear in hand, stormed into the main tent. The enemy commander, Chu Fei, was drinking merrily with his men. Seeing a woman on horseback suddenly appear, he grabbed the greatsword leaning against the table and engaged her in combat.

 

Chu Fei was a formidable general, his strength rivaling Yuwen Qing’s. After exchanging several blows, Yuwen Qing found herself struggling. If she were asked to surrender now, she would naturally refuse.

 

Taking a desperate gamble, she leaped from her horse to engage Chu Fei. Their blades clashed, and Yuwen Qing’s forehead broke into a fine sweat. Seeing herself at a disadvantage, she suddenly struck the spear shaft with her palm. With a sharp *crack*, the shaft snapped.

 

Chu Fei’s expression froze. He tightened his grip, but Yuwen Qing stepped back. As he pressed forward, she seized the broken spear shaft and thrust it into his chest. Chu Fei, unable to dodge, was impaled by the jagged end.

 

His eyes widened in disbelief.

 

“How could this…” With a heavy thud, he collapsed.

 

Her vengeance finally achieved, Yuwen Qing exhaled in relief. She leaned against the desk to catch her breath, then severed Chu Fei’s head. She mounted her horse, charged out of the Commander’s Tent, and hurled his head onto the ground. Seeing their commander slain, the Dongling soldiers, now leaderless, fell into a panicked retreat.

 

Yuwen Qing seized the opportunity to lead her fifty cavalrymen out of the enemy camp, vanishing into the night.

 

When the fifty cavalrymen returned to their own camp and reported the Dongling Commander’s death, the soldiers’ faces paled. Qiushui frowned. “Where is that young woman? Why are you the only ones who returned?”

 

The lead soldier replied, “The woman left immediately after emerging from the Dongling camp.”

 

*Left?*

 

Another wave of commotion broke out as the men murmured in confusion. This was a major victory—how could she just leave?

 

Yuwen Qing rushed back to her manor under the cover of night, planning to sneak in through the back gate. The back gate was usually unguarded and reserved for servants. Before leaving, she had specifically instructed Xiao Xizi to leave it unlocked for her.

 

With no one around, Yuwen Qing took a deep breath, pushed open the gate, and tiptoed inside.

 

Not far away, at the entrance of the alley, two figures emerged: one dressed in luxurious robes and the other in coarse linen, clearly a master and his servant.

 

“Who was that woman who just went in?” the luxuriously dressed man asked, stroking his chin.

 

“Your servant doesn’t know, sir,” the servant replied, glancing at the back gate.

 

“Do you think it could be Yuwen Qing’s little lover? Meeting secretly in the middle of the night…”

 

“Your servant doesn’t know, sir.”

 

The luxuriously dressed man raised the folding fan in his hand and whacked the servant on the head. “You don’t know anything! What use is a servant who knows nothing?” He then glanced toward the gate. “Let’s go take a look.”

 

“Young Master, it’s almost dawn. If we don’t go back now, I’m afraid the Master will find out and punish you again,” the servant pleaded, his face twisted with worry as he followed behind.

 

“What do you know? I can’t let Yuwen Qing get away with beating me up back then. Now that I’ve finally caught her in a compromising position, how could I possibly give up?” The two reached the back gate. “Go open it.”

 

The servant glanced at his Young Master, then steeled himself and pushed the door.

 

“What’s wrong? Push it open!”

 

“It’s locked.”

 

*Locked?*

 

The young man froze. *Yuwen Qing is meeting her lover in secret, and she even locked the door from the inside.*

 

The servant looked at his master and whispered, “Young Master, we might be overthinking this. It could just be a maid from the Yuwen household.”

 

“A maid, my ass!” The young master was now convinced it was Yuwen Qing’s lover. Since they couldn’t get in, he snapped, “Let’s go wait over there.”

 

The servant sighed and followed his master into the alley. They waited until dawn, but no one ever emerged. Reluctantly, they finally left.

 

***

 

The oppressive heat of May had gradually set in. The courtyard was lush and green, and whenever a breeze stirred, the faint fragrance of the lotus pond wafted through the entire space.

 

Yuwen Qing sat in a circular armchair. She had specially ordered the desk to be moved beneath the window, allowing her to see the scenery outside with a single glance.

 

Beside the desk stood a maid, around sixteen years old with regular features. As she ground the ink, she recounted a story she had heard from A’fu, the servant responsible for buying groceries.

 

“They say Baisheng’s swift victory was all thanks to a single woman. Her skills were so extraordinary that she infiltrated the Dongling army camp at night and slew the Commander. I never imagined such a formidable woman could exist in this world. Yet, for some reason, she vanished after killing the enemy Commander. The Eldest Princess has sent people to search everywhere, nearly turning Luo’an Prefecture upside down.”

 

*At that time, with her enemy avenged, there was no need for her to stay. She had simply spurred her horse and departed. It so happened that her grandmother was observing the Buddha during those two days and hadn’t noticed her absence. Thus, aside from her two personal maids, no one knew she had ever left.*

 

The maids in the courtyard knew she had been secretly practicing martial arts. Yuwen Qing set down her wolf-hair brush and smiled faintly. “What do you think of my skills compared to that young woman’s?”

 

The maid considered the question seriously before replying, “Your skills are indeed impressive, Young Master, but…”

 

She carefully gauged her master’s reaction before boldly adding, “I believe that young woman is still a cut above.”

 

Yuwen Qing smiled slightly but said nothing more, continuing to write on the paper. *If even the maids in my own courtyard think I’m no match for her, then no one else will ever suspect me.*

 

Besides, they had never seen her face, and she was now disguised as a man.

 

What did it matter if the Eldest Princess searched every inch of Luo’an Prefecture?

 

Yuwen Qing looked up at the sky. The sun was at its zenith, and its glare was blinding.

 

Seeing her gaze upward, the maid set down the inkstick, went to the round table, poured a cup of tea, and brought it over. “It’s getting late, Young Master. Shall I have the meal served?”

 

Yuwen Qing felt a bit tired. She set down her brush and stretched.

 

“Will you be dining in the dining hall, or shall I have the meal brought here?” the maid asked.

 

Yuwen Qing rose and stretched her back, deciding to go to the dining hall to eat with her grandmother. Just as she stepped out of the courtyard, she ran into a middle-aged man. He wore a long grey cloth robe and was of average height, just slightly taller than her. Seeing her, he raised a hand to wipe sweat from his brow.

 

Noticing his hurried demeanor, Yuwen Qing asked casually, “Steward Zhao, what’s the rush?”

 

“The Xu family is here,” the steward replied. “The Old Madam wants you to join her in the front hall to receive them.”

 

The Xu family?

 

The Yuwen and Xu families had always been on good terms. After a moment’s thought, Yuwen Qing asked as they walked, “Why has the Xu family visited so unexpectedly?”

 

“It’s likely about the harvest.”

 

Yuwen Qing nodded. Her grandmother had always handled such matters in the past, so she knew little about them. Before she knew it, they had reached the front hall.

 

The Old Madam smiled and waved at her the moment she saw her. “Come quickly and greet your Uncle Xu. His son is here as well—you two used to play together when you were children.”

 

Yuwen Qing looked up. Xu Dashan was nearly fifty, slightly plump, and his face was crinkled with a smile. “It’s been several years, and my dear niece has already grown so much.”

 

Yuwen Qing cupped her hands in a formal bow.

 

“This is Xu Ye. He’s two years older than you. You two used to play together all the time when you were little,” Xu Dashan said, introducing his son with a smile.

 

Yuwen Qing nodded. *Isn’t this Xu Ye the same Young Master Xu I ran into at the teahouse a few days ago?* She really couldn’t remember him at all.

 

“Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s eat and talk,” Old Madam said.

 

“Yes, yes,” Xu Dashan replied.

 

Yuwen Qing stepped forward to support Old Madam, and the four of them headed to the dining hall together.

 

On the way, Xu Ye suddenly said he needed to use the restroom. Xu Dashan glared at him and said irritably, “Hurry back. Don’t be rude.”

 

Xu Ye quickly offered a forced smile and slipped away with his servant.

 

Yuwen Qing frowned as she watched him leave, but didn’t think much of it.

 

The kitchen had prepared several extra dishes today for the guests. Yuwen Qing glanced at the spread and helped her grandmother to a seat.

 

“Dashan, don’t be a stranger,” Old Madam said. “We’re all family here.”

 

Xu Dashan smiled and took a seat below Old Madam.

 

“Hmm? Why is that boy taking so long?”

 

Xu Dashan looked a bit awkward. “Old Madam, let’s start eating. Don’t worry about him.”

 

“It’s no matter,” Old Madam said, waving a hand. “Qing’er, go check on your Brother Xu. Why hasn’t he come back yet?”

 

Yuwen Qing rose, bowed, and then turned to leave the dining hall. She stopped a servant on her way out. “Go check the latrines.”

 

The servant hurried off and returned a moment later. “Young Master, there’s no one in the latrines.”

 

No one?

 

Stunned, Yuwen Qing summoned the household servants for questioning.

 

A maidservant reported, “I just saw Young Master Xu heading toward the Young Master’s courtyard. When I tried to stop him, he said he had business with the Young Master, so I didn’t think much of it.”

 

*He went to my courtyard?* Yuwen Qing’s frown deepened. She hurried back, nearly running. Two young maids were cleaning the courtyard. Seeing their master return, they smiled and asked, “Young Master, why are you back so soon?”

 

“Have you seen Xu Ye?” Yuwen Qing asked.

 

“No,” the maids replied, shaking their heads.

 

Yuwen Qing’s heart sank. She strode forward, pushing open the door to her inner chamber. A loud *thud* echoed from inside.

 

She entered with a grim expression. Xu Ye was standing by a cabinet, clutching a pile of white cloth strips. Seeing her, his expression turned awkward. “Yuwen Qing, what is all this stuff you’ve got here?” He threw the cloth strips back into the cabinet.

 

“I didn’t know Young Master Xu had a taste for playing the cat burglar,” Yuwen Qing said, her face darkening as she stared at him.

 

Xu Ye’s heart pounded. He had only meant to find some evidence, but he never expected Yuwen Qing to catch him red-handed.

 

“Someone, escort Young Master Xu to the dining hall,” Yuwen Qing said in a low voice.

 

As soon as she spoke, two young maids glared fiercely at Xu Ye. Knowing he had been caught, Xu Ye had nothing to say. He flicked his sleeve and left.

 

After he was gone, Xiao Anzi asked, “Young Master, should I…?” She made a gesture of silencing someone permanently.

 

“Send someone to keep an eye on him first.” Yuwen Qing’s gaze fell on the white cloth strip. Judging by Xu Ye’s reaction, he probably hadn’t connected it to anything yet. The Xu and Yuwen families had been close for many years; as long as Xu Ye behaved, she didn’t want to push things to the extreme.

 

Xiao Anzi glanced at her master. “I’ll send someone to watch him right away.”

 

Yuwen Qing’s eyes darkened as she raised a hand to massage her temples.

 

Over the next few days, Xu Ye remained remarkably quiet, and Yuwen Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

 

She had thought the matter was finally over, but to her surprise, Xu Ye suddenly asked to meet her at a restaurant.

 

Yuwen Qing pursed her lips. After all this time, why would Xu Ye suddenly want to see her? Had he discovered something?

 

“Go reply to him. I will definitely attend the appointment tomorrow,” Yuwen Qing said.

 

The servant took the order and turned to leave.

 

Xiao Xizi said with some concern, “Young Master, are you really going tomorrow? If you can’t, let A’da go deal with him.”

 

Yuwen Qing pondered for a moment: “Let’s see tomorrow first.”

 

“But…” Xiao Xizi sighed and secretly clenched her teeth.

 

Seeing her protective manner, Yuwen Qing’s lips curved slightly, and she comforted her, “If he knew, he would have said it long ago, not dragged it out for so many days.”

 

Xiao Xizi pursed her lips in disagreement: “Young Master, you’re just too soft-hearted.” After saying that, she secretly sighed again.

 

Yuwen Qing smiled and continued reading the book in her hand, but her mind couldn’t help but drift to tomorrow’s meeting.

 

Yuwen Qing’s grandfather was a general, a man of straightforward and generous nature. While traveling, he met Xu Ye’s grandfather. The Xu family was a merchant family, but the two hit it off immediately, thus forging a bond of friendship.

 

If Xu Ye really found out about her identity, no matter how deep their friendship was, for the sake of the Yuwen family, Xu Ye could not be spared.

 

Early the next morning, Yuwen Qing left with her maid from the back.

 

The meeting place was not far from the Yuwen residence, about a fifteen-minute walk.

 

Yuwen Qing entered the restaurant, and as she reached the second floor, she heard a soft, melodic tune drifting from a private room. Frowning, she pushed open the door.

 

Xu Ye was seated at the main table, with a servant standing behind him. Yuwen Qing glanced at the young woman beside him, who was strumming a pipa and singing.

 

“All of you, leave,” Xu Ye waved his hand. The pipa music ceased, and the woman rose, curtsied, and withdrew from the room.

 

Yuwen Qing walked to the table, sat down, and got straight to the point: “What is it you want to see me for?”

 

“Nothing much.” Xu Ye burst into laughter, looking at Yuwen Qing triumphantly. “The young master of the General’s Mansion is so refined and noble, yet it turns out he’s a romantic at heart.”

 

What is he talking about?

 

Yuwen Qing frowned at Xu Ye, confused by his words.

 

Seeing her bewilderment, Xu Ye continued, “Stop pretending. This Young Master saw you meeting your lover at night, and a woman’s hairpin was left in the room.” As he spoke, he pulled a golden phoenix hairpin from his robes and waved it in the air.

 

Yuwen Qing’s expression darkened. That hairpin was a memento from her mother. She hadn’t realized Xu Ye had stolen it that night.

 

“Don’t you dare deny it! I found this in your room. How could a man like you possibly use something like this? It must belong to some woman. Believe it or not, I’ll tell everyone right now and let them see what kind of person Young Master Yuwen really is behind closed doors.”

 

From his words, Yuwen Qing could tell he didn’t know her true identity. She breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze fixed on the hairpin as she said in a low voice, “Xu Ye, I advise you to know when to stop.”

 

“Hah! What are you going to do about it, you sickling?” Xu Ye sneered, spitting the word “sickling” with particular venom.

 

Yuwen Qing pressed her lips together. Only she and the servant were in the room. “Xiao Xizi, close the door.”

 

At her command, Xiao Xizi quickly complied, shutting the door and then turning to watch the master and servant with a faint, knowing smile.

 

Xu Ye froze, staring at the closed door. A sudden sense of dread washed over him, but he forced himself to remain calm. “What are you planning? I’m telling you, you sickling, I’m not afraid of you!”

 

*That’s right, she’s just a sickling. What do I have to fear from her?*

 

Yuwen Qing let out a cold snort and stopped holding back. She shot to her feet, but before she could reach him, Xu Ye had already scrambled to the window. He stammered loudly, “I-if you dare come any closer, I’ll throw it out!”

 

This was the second floor, overlooking the street. If he threw it down, someone would likely pick it up in the next instant. Yuwen Qing frowned, her eyes darkening as she watched him hold the hairpin aloft.

 

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted in the street below. Xu Ye instinctively turned to look. Seizing the opportunity, Yuwen Qing strode forward and snatched the hairpin from his hand. Her gaze darted out the window: several men in black were swarming a carriage, locked in a fierce brawl.

 

An assault in broad daylight.

 

Seeing the attackers gaining the upper hand, one of them raised a long blade and swung it toward the carriage. Yuwen Qing swiftly pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve to cover her face. As she leaped from the window, she grabbed Xu Ye and hurled him toward the men in black without a second thought.

 

Xu Ye: “…”

 

Caught off guard, the attackers were blindsided by the sudden human projectile.

 

Yuwen Qing seized the moment to leap onto the carriage, quickly driving it away from the street.

 

After an indefinite amount of time, once she was certain the attackers weren’t in pursuit, Yuwen Qing pulled the reins. “Whoa!” The carriage came to a halt.

 

She turned and glanced inside. The passenger had remained remarkably calm throughout the ordeal. “You’re safe now,” Yuwen Qing said, clearing her throat.

 

Hearing the voice, the person inside the carriage tensed. *This voice…*

 

Xiao Weilan lifted the curtain, and a pair of peach-blossom eyes met her gaze. It’s her!

 

Though dressed in men’s clothing today, Xiao Weilan could never mistake those eyes or that voice.

 

Yuwen Qing froze as she recognized the woman in the carriage. The Eldest Princess? Shouldn’t she be at the military camp right now?

 

“Who are you, really?” Xiao Weilan demanded. *Once is a coincidence. Twice? What are the odds? Surely not fate.*

 

Xiao Weilan didn’t believe in fate. Only her closest confidants knew she was entering the city today, yet she had still been ambushed. Could this woman be sent by that “dear brother” of hers? An assassin who failed, now trying to win her trust?

 

Feeling Xiao Weilan’s intense gaze, Yuwen Qing turned her head away awkwardly. After a moment, she said, “I was just passing by and happened to save you. If you’re alright, I’ll be going now.” With that, she jumped down from the carriage. They were far enough from the ambush site that the assassins shouldn’t be able to catch up. With the carriage, as long as she knew the way, she could drive it back herself.

 

As Yuwen Qing turned to leave, Xiao Weilan instinctively called out, “You’re just leaving like this?”

 

“Yes,” Yuwen Qing replied, pursing her lips. “I have things to attend to.” Without waiting for another word, she hurried away.

 

That was way too close, she thought, her heart still racing.

 

After walking for a while, Yuwen Qing raised a hand to pat her chest. The Eldest Princess’s gaze had felt as if it were seeing right through her. Fortunately, I left quickly, she thought. Otherwise, she really would have recognized me.

 

Xiao Weilan bit her lip, watching the receding figure. She clenched her sleeve tightly. That bastard actually dared to leave me here alone!

 

Just wait until I uncover the truth. I’ll tear her to pieces!

 

When Yuwen Qing returned to the restaurant, everyone had already left. The moment Xiao Xizi saw her, she ran over with reddened eyes, grabbed Yuwen Qing’s arm, and choked out, “Young Master, you scared me to death! Please don’t be so impulsive next time. If something happened to you, how could I ever face the Old Madam?”

 

Yuwen Qing smiled, feeling a pang of guilt as she looked at the young maid. “Where is Xu Ye?”

 

Xiao Xizi sniffed. “After you threw him down, he was so scared he pissed his pants. He fainted the moment he saw the men in black. His servant has already carried him back.”

 

Yuwen Qing nodded. In the urgency of the moment, she hadn’t thought twice and had simply thrown him out.

 

Now, she felt a twinge of guilt.

 

“Young Master, since everything’s settled, let’s head back,” Xiao Xizi said.

 

Yuwen Qing nodded. The two of them had slipped out through the back gate, and now that the matter was resolved, there was no need to linger outside. Just the thought of Xiao Weilan’s stunningly beautiful yet imposing face made her heart race with trepidation.

 

They retraced their steps back through the back gate.

 

Xiao Anzi, seeing them, quickly came out of the room. “Is it settled?”

 

Xiao Xizi patted her chest. “Finally! If he dared to come back, I would have beaten him so hard his teeth would be scattered all over the floor.”

 

The two young maids burst into laughter.

 

Yuwen Qing sighed, shaking her head as she walked into the room.

 

“Young Master, Young Master! The Old Madam asks you to come to the front hall,” Steward Zhao panted, running in.

 

“What is it about?” Yuwen Qing asked.

 

Steward Zhao’s tone was urgent. “The Eldest Princess has arrived at the manor. The Old Madam wants you to meet her in the front hall.” With that, he stepped aside and urged Yuwen Qing to hurry.