Chapter 59 I will continue to like Your Highness

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Chi Ying felt a chill run down her spine. When she saw the woman's face, she was even more shocked and froze on the spot, unsure of how to respond.

She recognized the person.

And there's also a very unpleasant memory.

Three years ago, her mother fell seriously ill. She sought medical treatment everywhere and earned money by doing needlework and collecting herbs and mushrooms in the mountains.

During that time, she often carried the mountain produce and wild vegetables she had gathered to sell in town. At that time, an aunt from the Liu family came and kindly patronized her business, but spread the news that her mother was seriously ill. As the news spread, it became that she was going to "sell herself to save her mother." A butcher's wife from a neighboring town heard the news and came to see her. She said she was willing to pay for her mother's treatment and medicine, as long as she agreed to the marriage and become her son's wife.

Not to mention that this butcher weighed over 200 pounds and had the mind of a three-year-old child, she was only twelve or thirteen years old at the time. How could she possibly marry him?

Chi Ying resolutely refused, and afterwards, to avoid being harassed by the butcher's family, she rarely dared to come to town.

Fortunately, my mother survived that time; otherwise, who knows how long she would have been harassed by the butcher's wife.

Although she hadn't seen her for a long time, Chi Ying recognized her at a glance; she was Aunt Liu, the matchmaker for the butcher's family.

She belatedly realized that this place was not far from the village where she and her mother lived; it was a nearby town. She had sought doctors in the surrounding villages and towns before, so she was somewhat familiar with it.

She just didn't expect that the hot spring resort was so close to the estate where she was staying!

Aunt Liu looked her up and down. "You must be Xiaoying. Where have you and your mother been? I haven't seen you for a while. You... got married?"

Chi Ying suppressed her surging emotions, suppressed her trembling voice, and calmly forced a smile: "You've mistaken me for someone else."

Hearing her say that, Aunt Liu became a little uncertain. After all, in her memory, Chi Ying was a delicate and slender beauty who lived a simple life and supported her seriously ill mother on her own. Although the person in front of her had not changed much in terms of facial features, her bright, dazzling and radiant temperament was completely different from before.

Could it be that she returned to the capital and found a good family to marry into?

Aunt Liu then secretly sized up the man beside her. His appearance and demeanor were unlike anything she had ever seen before. He was handsome, tall and straight, and his robes were embroidered with gold thread. He wore a jade pendant at his waist and exuded a natural nobility. He looked even more imposing than an official.

Compared to that butcher's son, one was like a mud pig or a mangy dog, while the other was like a god descended to earth.

Aunt Liu still thought it looked like her, "You're really not Xiao Ying? You guys..."

Chi Ying was unwilling to say more, fearing that her voice would sound similar to before, and she didn't know how to extricate herself. Her palms were already soaked with cold sweat.

Just as she was pondering how to start the conversation, a hand suddenly gripped her tightly, and someone whispered in her ear, "Since we don't know each other, let's go."

Yan Xue placed a gold ingot on the counter as payment for the silver hairpin, and said, "Keep the change," before leading Chi Ying out of the shop.

Everyone stared in disbelief, exchanging bewildered glances. Who would use gold ingots to buy a silver hairpin? That was truly extravagant!

Back in the carriage, Chi Ying held the hairpin in her hand, her heart still filled with unease.

Yan Xuecui asked, "Would you like to go anywhere else?"

Chi Ying snapped out of her daze and quickly shook her head: "No...no, the hairpin has already been bought, let's go back."

This place is so close to the village. If you go further east, more and more people will have seen her. She has lived here for seven years, and all the neighbors can recognize her.

Yan Xuecui stared at her expression and suddenly asked, "You really don't recognize that person from just now?"

Chi Ying clenched her fingers and shook her head, saying, "I don't know her."

Yan Xuecui: "But you look strange?"

Chi Ying pursed her lips: "It's just... a bit sudden, I was stunned for a moment."

A barely perceptible hint of self-mockery flickered across Yan Xue's lips: "Mm."

Back at the hot spring resort, Chi Ying was still preoccupied. She had originally planned to take one last stroll around the resort on her last day, but ultimately decided against it.

Chi Ying had already comforted herself, thinking that things might not be as bad as she thought. The Chi family valued their lives, and Chi Yingyue had climbed the social ladder. Both sides would try to cover it up and prevent it from escalating to the point where the whole family would be punished.

But Aunt Liu's sudden appearance shattered the original peace and tranquility, and reminded her that she was not a glamorous princess, but a concubine's daughter who had once made a living on the streets and almost married the mentally challenged son of a butcher, and a swindler.

Chi Ying was in low spirits all day and didn't notice the subtle change in the atmosphere between the two of them until she realized that his silence tonight had caused her a lot of suffering.

Chi Ying was in a daze, having never seen him like this before. She was drenched in sweat and didn't even have a chance to speak. In the end, she completely lost her strength.

Before she could even catch her breath, she felt another sharp pain as he bit her hard.

Chi Ying trembled in pain and couldn't help but push him away, "Your Highness!"

The man's hot breath sprayed in front of her, and it took him a long time to calm his breathing before he chuckled and said, "You're calling me 'Your Highness' again?"

Chi Ying's eyes reddened. Hearing the sound of the water clock inside the room, she reminded him, "Your Highness, it's midnight."

Their month at the hot spring resort has come to a complete end.

Yan Xuecui's face was somewhat gloomy, and her gray eyes were like bottomless abysses, so cold that they made people tremble.

After saying this, Chi Ying saw his expression and thought he had misunderstood her as meaning that she no longer wanted to be close to him, so she was at a loss for words.

She struggled to sit up and wiped the water off his face. "Your Highness, that's not what I meant."

Seeing him purse his lips and remain silent, his face unusually cold, Chi Ying held back her tears and hugged him, gently resting her chin on his shoulder. A tear slipped from her eye and fell onto his shoulder.

Yan Xue frowned, as if she had been burned.

Chi Ying said softly, her voice choked with emotion, "I didn't say I wanted to become estranged from Your Highness... I will continue to like Your Highness until Your Highness stops liking me."

Feeling the man calm down slightly and his palm tighten around her again, Chi Ying breathed a sigh of relief. Looking down at the bite mark, she complained softly, "You bit me so hard just now..."

Yan Xuecui was indeed angry with her.

He had been giving her chances for the past month and had said long ago that he would not blame her for anything she said or did, but to this day, she still hadn't told a single truth.

She was still afraid of him, and perhaps she never truly believed him.

He closed his eyes, still lost in the embrace, and after a long while, he whispered, "I'll let you bite back, okay?"

Chi Ying: "..."

She pursed her lips. "So, shall I really bite it?"

Yan Xuecui's voice was low and deep: "Mm."

At this point, it's best to obey him; otherwise, if he senses that she's intentionally distancing herself and that she feels more awe than affection for him, he'll become even more angry.

Chi Ying opened her mouth and bit his shoulder lightly.

Yan Xuecui closed his eyes, feeling her soft lips pressed against his, her teeth slowly sinking into his flesh. He clenched his fists, his breath trembling uncontrollably.

...

Back at Prince Zhao's residence, Yan Xuecui had a backlog of official duties that needed to be dealt with, making her even busier than when she first took office.

But he still treated her very well. No matter how busy he was, he would come back to be with her, bring her some trendy local food and trinkets, and hold her in his arms every night as if he could never get enough of being close to her.

Chi Ying slowly emerged from her pessimistic thoughts, realizing that living in the present moment was the most important thing.

She wasn't idle either; she took the opportunity to sneak out and visit Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue was in much better spirits and had gained some weight. She was no longer the sickly girl she used to be. Every day, she could bask in the sun and take a few steps in the courtyard, where flowers had been planted.

However, she didn't dare to go too often. She usually stayed in her room, doing needlework, and went to Consort Zhuang's side every day to show her filial piety.

The Prince Zhao's residence was peaceful and quiet, but the situation outside was quite different.

The collapse of the Shangyang Palace tower was due to the machinations of Prince Rong, but Emperor Yongcheng was still uneasy about the quality of the construction. After all, it was the palace he was about to move into, so it was better to be safe. Therefore, he ordered the Censorate to send several censors to inspect the site.

Sure enough, half a month later, an imperial censor discovered strange runes covered in vermilion lacquer behind the plaque inscribed with "Tianbao Jiuru" in the imperial palace's sleeping quarters.

The censor knew this was no small matter and immediately reported it.

Emperor Yongcheng immediately summoned the Imperial Preceptor Dongyangzi and the Director of the Imperial Observatory. After carefully examining the inscription and deliberating, the two concluded that the inscription represented the celestial phenomenon of "Mars entering the Dipper".

Mars is considered an ominous star, while the Southern Dipper governs the emperor's position. There is an ancient prophecy that "when Mars enters the Southern Dipper, the emperor will leave the palace," indicating that the emperor will face difficulties, the regime will change, and the country will be overthrown.

Upon hearing this explanation, Emperor Yongcheng was immediately enraged and summoned Prince Xuan to the palace for an audience.

As soon as Prince Xuan stepped into the hall, before he could even pay his respects, Emperor Yongcheng threw a bamboo tablet engraved with runes at his head. The sharp edge of the tablet wounded his forehead, and blood immediately flowed freely.

King Xuan was in excruciating pain, and after seeing the talisman, he broke out in a cold sweat. He vehemently denied it, saying, "Your subject knew nothing about it. Someone must have deliberately framed me. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"

Emperor Yongcheng coldly pointed at him: "I will naturally continue to investigate this rune thoroughly, but the Ministry of Works has repeatedly made mistakes, and you cannot escape heavy responsibility!"

King Xuan knelt on the ground, trembling, blood dripping down his forehead. "It was indeed your fault, Your Majesty. I beg for your punishment..."

Emperor Yongcheng: "From this day forward, you shall remain in your residence and reflect on your mistakes. Once I have investigated the facts, I will settle accounts with you then!"

King Xuan was covered in cold sweat and knelt down to accept the order.

Upon returning to the residence, Princess Xuan saw that his face was covered in blood and quickly went to help him up, asking, "What happened?"

King Xuan brushed her hand away and said coldly, "Let me have some peace and quiet. Don't follow me."

Princess Xuan wanted to ask more questions, but all she saw was his cold, indifferent back. Feeling a chill in her heart, she had no choice but to send someone to fetch a doctor.

King Xuan went to the study, wiped the blood from his face, and summoned the guards beside him, "Where is Master Yuan?"

The guard hesitated, then said, "Master Yuanzhen has gone on a pilgrimage, and my men couldn't keep up..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the teacup on the table was smashed to the ground with a "crack." Still not satisfied with his anger, King Xuan swept all the writing brushes, ink, and documents on the table to the ground.

He was not unaware of the talisman he saw today; it was Yuanzhen Daoist, a advisor in his household, who suggested that carving the talisman on the back of the plaque could help shift the stars and change the emperor's throne. He could take advantage of his father's fortune and be in accordance with the will of Heaven, and at that time, he could also use this celestial phenomenon to create momentum for himself.

His father had been in the position for too long and had not yet appointed an heir, which made him anxious and led him to consider this idea.

He never expected that the runes behind the plaque, which were clearly extremely well hidden, would be discovered by a mere censor! And Yuanzhen Daoist had disappeared at this time, so the Prince Xuan would never believe that the two of them had ever colluded in secret.

This Daoist Yuanzhen, who had been behind him for three years, turned out to be a spy sent by someone else! He was made to commit this heinous act, and he was to be made to die without a burial place!

Unfortunately, he couldn't defend himself in this matter and could only pretend to be unaware of it. Otherwise, he would be admitting that he had listened to the words of the sorcerer, intended to curse his father, plot to usurp the throne, and take his place. His father was such a person who believed in feng shui and geomancy, how could he tolerate that!

King Xuan sent people to secretly search for the whereabouts of Daoist Yuanzhen. A few days later, the Censorate discovered the words "Changing the world and creating a new universe" carved behind the door piers outside the palace, which were used to ward off evil spirits.

The news spread like wildfire, and the Ministry of Works was in a state of panic. Although the matter was still under investigation and the charges against the King had not yet been settled, everyone in the court knew of the Emperor's fury. Within a few days, dozens of officials and craftsmen from the Ministry of Works had been imprisoned.

The Earl of Changyuan sighed deeply at night, and unable to resist Lady Yin's persistent questioning, he finally lowered his voice and revealed to her the recent situation of King Xuan.

Madam Yin turned deathly pale with fright. "Wouldn't that be... treason?"

The fate of Prince Rong is still fresh in our minds. Treason is no small matter; if not executed, he will be imprisoned for life.

Lady Yin's voice trembled, "Even the Prince of Xuan is hopeless, what should we, Yingyue, do?"

-----------------------

Author's Note: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!!! 50 red envelopes will be randomly given away in the comments section [heart]