Chapter 67 She is not like Ah Ying, much less Ah Ying…

Several arrows flew in succession. Yan Xue spun around and dodged quickly. The assassins saw that he seemed to be seriously injured, but he still risked picking up the purse that had fallen to the ground. As their eyes met, the group all drew their swords and attacked him.

Yan Xue struggled to withstand several blows, and once the sharp pain in her chest subsided slightly, she seized the opportunity and snatched the purse back from the chaos of swords.

The purse was stained with blood, and a sense of unease welled up in Yan Xue's heart. Her sword strikes became increasingly fierce and sharp, like lightning piercing the sky. Her killing intent surged, and she swiftly and ruthlessly broke through the attacks from all directions. Her long sword sliced ​​through the assassin's body, instantly creating a cloud of blood mist.

Cheng Huai arrived with reinforcements, and the two sides were once again locked in a chaotic battle. The assassins were quickly overwhelmed and were all killed in a short time, leaving only two survivors who were subdued by Cheng Huai and his men.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

Qin Zheng had just noticed that his prince was injured on the chest. In order to pick up something, he was caught in a hail of swords, and his entire arm was soaked in blood.

Yan Xuecui seemed not to hear, and lowered her head to stroke the bloodstains on the purse. Fortunately, she retrieved it in time, and the contents inside were unharmed.

The assassin was taken back for interrogation. Yan Xuecui, clutching her purse, suddenly asked Qin Zheng, "Has anything unusual happened at your residence today?"

Qin Zheng shook his head, "It's the same news as last time. It says that the Princess Consort will stay at the Chi residence for a few days and will return after the Marquis of Changyuan's birthday celebration."

He calculated the date and suddenly realized: "Today happens to be the birthday of the Marquis of Changyuan."

When the secret guards informed him of this matter earlier, Yan Xuecui guessed that her birthday celebration for the Marquis of Changyuan was just a pretext to spend more time with Aunt Xue. However, the sudden suffocating pain he felt earlier made him feel extremely uneasy, as if something was about to happen.

He gripped the purse in his hand, pondered for a moment, and said, "Send more people to keep an eye on the Prince's residence and the Chi residence. Report any unusual activity immediately. The Princess must not be harmed in the slightest."

Qin Zheng immediately bowed and accepted the order.

Early the next morning.

Chi Yingyue finally got her wish and boarded the carriage to Prince Zhao's residence. The carriage was covered with soft wool blankets, and the cushions and pillows were all made of Shu embroidery, making it more comfortable than any carriage she had ever ridden in before.

The wheels rolled eastward, on a smooth road, carrying her toward the long-overdue wealth and glory that rightfully belonged to her.

Passing by Ruyi Zhai, she specially got out of the carriage and bought some pastries for Consort Zhuang to take back.

As the carriage arrived at the gate of Prince Zhao's residence, Chi Yingyue felt an overwhelming surge of excitement and anticipation. However, she could only try her best to keep her composure and pretend to be familiar with the place. With Xiangqin's help, she headed towards Shuyu Zhai.

The Prince Zhao's mansion was indeed magnificent, with its exquisite buildings, carved beams and painted rafters, exuding the splendor and solemnity of a royal residence. Upon arriving at Shuyuzhai, one found the courtyard filled with lush flowers and beautiful trees, a verdant and fragrant scene at every turn.

Knowing that the princess was returning to the mansion today, the servants had already prepared a heater, hot tea, and snacks in the room.

Aunt Fangchun greeted her with a smile and took off her cloak.

Chi Yingyue guessed that this was Fang Chun, the head of Shuyu Zhai, who was also very popular with Consort Zhuang. So she was very polite and said, "Auntie, don't bother. I'm going to Shouchun Hall to visit my mother later. Oh, and please take these pastries and distribute them."

Aunt Fangchun accepted the food box from Xiangqin, thanked her, but her gaze lingered on the princess for a fleeting moment without being noticed.

Although she was as gentle and kind as usual, she felt that something was different.

She seems to have become more radiant and elegant than before.

It must be because she was returning home to reunite with her family and it was also the Earl's birthday that the Princess was so happy.

Fangchun didn't think much of it and went downstairs with the food box.

With only Xiangqin remaining, Chi Yingyue got up and carefully examined the bedroom.

The huanghuali wood bed was covered with brocade bedding, and in front of the gilded and carved mirror stand were a red gold begonia-inlaid jewel box and a cloisonné enamel hand warmer, a rosewood screen, a white jade incense burner, and a blue and white porcelain tea set. Everywhere you looked was exquisite luxury.

Thinking back, she has been incredibly foolish this past year, abandoning her position as the dignified Princess Zhao to become someone's mistress. After all that fuss, she has finally returned here.

However, it's not too late to come back now. She still has plenty of time in her life to enjoy this life of luxury.

Xiangqin then went on to describe Chi Ying's daily habits and preferences in more detail. Since Chi Ying had just arrived at the beginning of the month, it was not appropriate to drastically erase the traces of Chi Ying's life there. She could only wait until she had established herself in the Prince's Mansion before slowly changing her preferences.

After tidying herself up slightly, Chi Yingyue went to Shouchun Hall to pay her respects to Consort Zhuang.

Compared to the magnificent Prince's Mansion, Consort Zhuang's courtyard seemed far too simple. Chi Yingyue, not wanting to look around, concealed her surprise and entered to pay her respects without making a sound.

Consort Zhuang was resting on the couch when she saw her arrive, and she quickly called someone over to talk to her.

When asked about the health of the Earl of Changyuan and his wife and the affairs of the household, Chi Yingyue answered respectfully, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Everything is fine at home."

Consort Zhuang nodded: "When Qilang returns to the capital, I will make sure he prepares generous gifts to accompany you back to your residence during the New Year. After all, he is your in-laws, and proper etiquette cannot be neglected."

Chi Yingyue hurriedly said, "Your Highness's eye condition is inconvenient, and your parents would never dare to ask Your Highness for the empty formalities of an ordinary family. Your mother is kind and considerate, and Your Highness is gentle and considerate. This is already a blessing that Yingyue and the Chi family have accumulated over many lifetimes."

Consort Zhuang smiled and said, "You've always been a sensible person. Never mind, we'll discuss everything when Qilang returns to the capital."

Chi Yingyue responded obediently.

After the person left, Consort Zhuang ate the pastries that she had brought, but put them down after a couple of bites.

Qionglin asked, "Is it not to your liking?"

Consort Zhuang sighed with a smile: "Having gotten used to Yingyue's cooking, eating outside, even Ruyi Zhai, always feels like something is missing."

Qionglin smiled and said, "That's no problem at all. I'll have the Princess make you a few dishes tomorrow."

Consort Zhuang looked towards the door, lost in thought.

My daughter-in-law is usually respectful and gentle, but when I met her just now, she seemed more polite than usual. This politeness was tinged with a sense of unfamiliarity and distance. Although she spoke softly, she seemed... too sharp-tongued and shrewd, unlike her usual approachable self.

Perhaps it was because she went back home and was reminded of some rules by her family, but the daughter-in-law was still the same daughter-in-law, yet something was different.

...

Hejian.

Yan Xuecui is secretly interrogating the two assassins captured yesterday.

Qin Zheng came to report that news had come from the capital: "The Princess Consort has returned safely to the residence, and everything is as usual."

Since the excruciating pain she felt yesterday, Yan Xuecui had been experiencing unbearable chest pain.

I can't quite explain why, but I have a vague feeling that something is wrong.

Perhaps it was because I had been away from her for too long, but the skin irritation returned like a persistent, intractable disease.

To speed up the search, he only slept for two hours a day, but he still tossed and turned every night. Only by pressing the purse tightly to his heart and imagining her beside him, her soft body nestled close to him, could he find a moment of peace.

He no longer intended to proceed slowly; the matter in Hejian needed to be resolved as soon as possible.

After lying in wait for many days, the spies sent to the Prince of Hejian's mansion finally found the ledgers that recorded the mansion's private purchase of pig iron and the secret hiring of blacksmiths over the past three months.

Based on the intercepted secret letter from the Prince's Mansion, Yan Xuecui immediately sent men to secretly surround the hill where the guards were training and where weapons were being privately forged. That night, hundreds of rockets were launched, forcing out all the blacksmiths inside. Under torture, they all confessed without hesitation.

At the same time, the Tianjin Garrison and the Cangzhou Garrison Command dispatched troops to surround the Prince of Hejian's residence from both sides, capturing the Prince of Hejian in one fell swoop. His soldiers who intended to rebel were also beheaded on the spot.

In just over twenty days, Yan Xuecui rode swiftly back to the capital, followed closely by the Imperial Guards escorting the Prince of Hejian. However, the prison carts traveled slowly and it would take about three days to return to the capital. Therefore, Yan Xuecui's official return date was also three days later.

No one knew that tonight he concealed his whereabouts and returned to the capital masked as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In the dead of night, the Zhao Prince's mansion was quiet and heavily guarded. The guards outside the gate were his trusted confidants. Upon seeing him secretly return to the capital, they immediately bowed and quietly withdrew.

Yan Xuecui leaped over the courtyard wall and secretly gave a hand signal, causing the alerted sentries to retreat.

As they walked down the corridor and looked at the warm yellow light inside the house, Yan Xuecui's frosty body seemed to melt away.

Twenty days have passed since we parted, and my longing for her is piercing to the bone. I see her smiling and hear her crying in my dreams; she is always on my mind. Today, as I ride my horse along this road, her image is still the only thing on my mind.

Returning to Shuyu Zhai now, she no longer felt the initial urgency; after all, she was here anyway.

He wondered if she missed him; she probably did. The way she held him tightly with tears in her eyes before leaving, so reluctant to part, still made his throat tighten and his heart soften when he thought about it.

I wonder what she wants to say to him. Is she ready to confess to him?

If she's willing to be honest, what can't he forgive?

Thinking this, Yan Xuecui quietly pushed open the door and entered.

It was very late at night, and everyone inside was already asleep, with only the sound of even breathing coming from behind the curtains.

He might not wake her or try to do anything with her; just watching her quietly and holding her in his arms would be enough to soothe his longing over the past two weeks.

But when he lifted the curtain, his fingertips suddenly stopped, and he couldn't help but frown.

A slightly pungent incense scent wafts towards you.

It has a nice orange blossom scent, but it doesn't smell like her natural, sweet fragrance. It's more like it was specially made with floral powders.

By the dim light, he saw the princess sleeping peacefully on the bed. After many days apart, the strange feeling brought by the incense quickly dissipated, and he could only see her.

But when he leaned down and carefully examined her features, he sensed a cold, unfamiliar feeling in her languid sleeping face.

He knew her too well, even better than he knew himself.

Even when he was blind, he could still clearly see the outline of her face by tracing it with his fingertips. After he regained his sight, they spent every day together, and he would gaze at her every night. Whether she was happy or angry, coquettish or sleeping peacefully, he saw it all clearly and remembered it in his heart.

Therefore, one can almost immediately see the subtle changes in the person in front of them compared to before.

Ah Ying has delicate and gentle features, and even when she sleeps, she usually curls up obediently.

The one in front of me had thick eyebrows and slightly upturned eyes. Even when he was asleep, his eyes and brows exuded a subtle arrogance.

Ah Ying has a delicate nose and cherry lips. Her nose tip is small and rounded, her lips are soft and full, and she has no aggressive features whatsoever.

But the nose bridge in front of me is sharper, the cupid's bow is more prominent, and the lips are thinner.

In fact, these are all very subtle changes, and perhaps during the day, with the help of makeup, the difference is almost imperceptible.

But in his eyes, every little detail was magnified infinitely.

Just like a meticulously copied masterpiece, a forgery can imitate it to the extreme, but it is ultimately not the original. A few strokes can make a huge difference, and it lacks all the spirit of the original.

She is not like Ah Ying, much less Ah Ying.

The light crackled and sparks flew everywhere.

Yan Xue's restless heart cooled down completely. Her face, hidden under her veil, was ashen. Looking at the face that resembled hers by eight parts, a chilling killing intent surged in her gray eyes.

If she is not A-Ying, then why is she at Prince Zhao's residence?

Where is his Ah Ying?

Just then, Chi Yingyue seemed to be awakened by the sound of the candlelight. With her eyelids closed, she vaguely noticed that the light had dimmed considerably.

She fluttered her eyelashes, opened her eyes, and was caught off guard to find a masked man in black sitting beside her bed like a ghost. She was so frightened that she trembled and screamed.

Yan Xuecui saw her fear and calmly asked tentatively, "It's me."

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Author's note: Seemingly calm, but actually a bit crazy [melted]