Chapter 24 She slept so peacefully, her head resting on his body…

Xiao Yuzhen brought Xiao Chongheng's cat to chat and eat with her girlfriends. In a moment of inattention, the cat ran away, and now a group of people are searching for it all over the building.

A guard came to report that the Princess of Yongtai County had come to borrow people to find her cat.

Pei Xuanlin frowned at the mention of the word "cat" and waved his hand, saying, "The Duke of Yan values ​​that cat the most. Have the guards help look for it, lest it get lost."

Ling Zhenli was a little worried. Baiyun was originally given to her to raise, and she loved the cat that accompanied her and helped her through lonely and difficult days.

"Sanlang, I also want to help Yongtai and the others..."

Before the words were finished, a cat meowed.

It poked its head in from outside the door, and when it saw Ling Zhenli, its amber eyes lit up. It stood up, its tail held high, and went towards Ling Zhenli.

The cat ran happily and pounced on Lingzhenli.

Ling Zhenli hurriedly reached out to catch it, and the fluffy head bumped directly into her arms.

Ling Zhenli pinched the back of its neck, and the cat lay in her arms, cuddling and rolling around, which stunned Pei Xuanlin.

Well, cats are indeed very cute, no wonder everyone likes them.

Xiao Yuzhen downstairs was getting anxious because she couldn't find her cat. When she heard that someone had seen the cat running upstairs, she quickly lifted her skirt and ran upstairs.

This cat is her second brother's precious treasure; if she loses it, they're doomed.

"Minmin, isn't His Highness the Crown Prince upstairs?" Lu Xin was a little scared and didn't dare to go up.

"It's alright, Ah Xin. My cousin won't blame me. But if we hadn't found the cat, my second brother would have skinned me alive."

Xiao Yuzhen ran ahead, with Lu Xin following behind. Only after entering the private room did they discover that the cat was lying comfortably in the Crown Princess's arms.

Lu Xin quickly knelt down to pay her respects: "Greetings, Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort, and Lord Xie."

Xiao Yuzhen was stunned. Lu Xin wondered if she knew that the original owner of this cat was the Crown Princess "Xue Yingyue" in front of her. She didn't know what to say for a moment until Lu Xin tugged at her skirt and she realized that she had forgotten to curtsy.

"Ah, greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess... I've come to find the cat... Oh, so the cat is here... Haha, it seems to get along quite well with the Crown Princess... Oh dear, it's so cute, I love it so much, and the Crown Princess seems to like it too, doesn't she?"

Xiao Yuzhen laughed awkwardly, not even knowing what she was saying, just rambling on and on.

Ling Zhenli could see Xiao Yuzhen's current embarrassment. Xiao Yuzhen must know about her relationship with Xiao Chongheng, but she was keeping it a secret for her.

Thinking of this, Ling Zhenli smiled slightly and stroked the cat: "Your Highness must be worried because you can't find it. Look at all the sweat on its head. I only stayed for a while because I love it. Now that you're here, take it back."

"Ah...no need, if the Crown Princess likes it, please keep it." Xiao Yuzhen smiled innocently. "My second brother would definitely be willing to give it to the Crown Princess as well."

Others might not understand what he was saying, but Ling Zhenli knew perfectly well. When Xiao Chongheng brought the cat to the other courtyard today, she knew he wanted to use the little creature to please her.

However, when it came time to do business, fearing the cat might cause trouble, he had a guard take it away and give it to Xiao Yuzhen to keep an eye on. Xiao Yuzhen knew all of this.

"You certainly know how to use someone else's flowers to present to Buddha, aren't you afraid your second brother will say something about you?"

Pei Xuanlin smiled, thinking that Xiao Yuzhen was trying to please the Crown Princess. Despite Princess Wuyang's domineering and greedy nature, her daughter was pure and lovely, with no ill intentions.

"Since it's a gift for the Crown Princess, Second Brother certainly won't say anything to me. Second Brother and Crown Prince are the closest of friends, so giving the Crown Princess a cat to make her happy is certainly no problem. I wonder if the Crown Princess would be willing to accept it?"

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer." Ling Zhenli smiled and agreed.

Today was quite fruitful. The cat came back and I also ran into Xie Daojian. Although I didn't get to talk to Xie Daojian, at least I saw him.

When I'm in a good mood, even the wind on the way home tastes sweet.

Seeing that she was happy, Pei Xuanlin returned to his palace and prepared to put in extra effort on the bed to make her even happier.

He fumbled to untie Ling Zhenli's sash and pressed his whole body against her.

Somewhat suddenly, before Ling Zhenli could react, Pei Xuanlin's lips were already pressed against her neck, tickling her.

"Sanlang, what happened... Ouch, that hurts."

Before she could finish asking him why he was acting so suddenly today, Ling Zhenli felt a sharp pain on the side of her neck.

Pei Xuanlin stood up in a panic. In the dim candlelight, he could see the red marks on the woman's skin, which looked like she was injured. But he had only sucked on it once, so it shouldn't be that serious, right?

Ling Zhenli knew that the marks were made by Xiao Chongheng during the day, and she felt a little guilty and made an excuse: "I was bitten by a mosquito there during the day, and it hurt a lot when I scratched it."

"so……"

A fleeting, unreadable emotion flashed in Pei Xuanlin's eyes, unnoticed by Ling Zhenli.

Ling Zhenli was a little tired and didn't want to continue, so she said directly, "Sanlang, I'm sleepy. Hold me while we sleep."

"Okay." Pei Xuanlin listened to her as before.

After blowing out the candles, Pei Xuanlin went to bed and embraced Ling Zhenli, but a faint doubt arose in his heart.

Although his crown princess would occasionally show a spoiled and arrogant demeanor in front of him, she was always gentle and respectful to him, even to the point of being fearful and ingratiating.

She's acting really strange today.

Through observation, the Crown Princess is the kind of person who becomes even softer when you're soft and even harder when you're hard. Normally, when he questions her with a cold face, she would have already been unhappy and sulking because she was suspected for no reason. But today, she actually smiled and explained to him.

That's strange, so very strange.

Although Pei Chanlian was suspicious, what she said might not necessarily be false. After all, she wasn't crazy enough to dare to spread rumors about the Crown Princess and sow discord between the future Emperor and Empress.

Moreover, Xue Yingyue had told him many times that she had admired him since she was a young woman and hoped to marry him, but she had never even seen him, so how could she admire him?

At that time, she was to marry the Crown Prince Yang Chengxiu. In comparison, Yang Chengxiu was not much worse than her. She had a virtuous and excellent fiancé but did not love him. Instead, she fell in love with a down-on-his-luck prince who was being targeted by the emperor and whose future was uncertain.

The soft moonlight shone into the room and fell on Ling Zhenli's face. By the moonlight, Pei Xuanlin gazed at Ling Zhenli's sleeping face and pondered for a long time.

She slept so peacefully, without a trace of wariness as she lay beside him.

Afterwards, he sighed inwardly.

It's because he's too insecure deep down that he started to doubt himself after hearing a few rumors, even after meeting someone who truly cared for him. It's his fault.

He's no less capable than Yang Chengxiu, so what if Xue Yingyue admires him?

Feeling much better with this thought, Pei Xuanlin slowly drifted off to sleep...

***

It was late at night, but the Zhaohua Palace in Princess Jin'an's residence was still lit with palace lanterns.

Pei Shang'er leaned against the headboard, watching the bright moon gradually climb up the eaves outside the window.

Yang Chengxiu changed into a moon-white nightgown and was sitting on the edge of the bed massaging her calves.

Pei Shang'er has been experiencing leg pain lately. The imperial physician left some ointment, saying that applying the ointment and gently massaging it with her fingertips regularly can relieve the pain.

Yang Chengxiu chatted and laughed with her for a while before getting down to business.

"Shang'er, it has been raining continuously in Jiangnan lately, and the Yellow River is threatening to flood. Father has granted me permission to go and repair the river. The journey is long and arduous, and I am afraid it will take me nearly two months to return."

"What?!" Pei Shang'er, who had just been happy, suddenly couldn't sit still anymore, both angry and anxious. "I'm pregnant! Who was so blind as to transfer you away from me at such a crucial time?!"

Yang Chengxiu quickly reassured him: "Don't get agitated. I took the initiative to ask the Emperor for permission. Recently, the court has been discussing the matter of Emperor Wen being enshrined in the ancestral temple. I need to stay away from the court to avoid suspicion."

“I want to go with you,” Pei Shang’er said unhappily.

“That won’t do. The journey has been arduous, and now that you’re pregnant, you need to be careful. We can’t afford for anything to happen on the way. Besides, with your father and mother protecting you in the capital, I can work with peace of mind. When I return, my father will also have a reason to promote me.”

Yang Chengxiu knew perfectly well that he was the former crown prince and posed a great threat to the throne, so no matter what he did, it would not be taken seriously.

However, after Pei Shang'er became a princess, she became extravagant and reckless. But Yang Chengxiu had seen the grievances she had suffered since childhood and couldn't bear to blame her, so he could only do more good deeds for her.

After much persuasion, Pei Shang'er reluctantly nodded in agreement, but then she felt sad again, her eyes filled with worry.

"Chengxiu, we've never been apart for so long... You must be careful and come back soon."

"Don't worry, I will definitely come back soon. You stay in the capital by yourself and don't argue with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. Spend more time with your father and mother."

"Speaking of that Crown Princess, she hasn't known Pei Xuanlin for very long. Why would she offend me for Pei Xuanlin's sake? Is it worth it?"

Pei Chang'er twirled a strand of Yang Chengxiu's hair between her fingers, a sly glint in her eyes.

Yang Chengxiu was still worried about Pei Shang'er and continued to instruct her: "No matter what, she is the daughter of the Prime Minister, from a prestigious family, backed by the five great clans. Don't argue with her, lest you suffer more losses than gains."

"Of course I know, Seung-soo, don't worry."

Pei Shang'er smiled sweetly.

***

The biggest event that has happened in the past two months is the posthumous conferment of the temple name Shizong upon Emperor Wen.

Although Pei Xuanlin was dissatisfied with his grandmother Yang Mingkong's persecution of his parents, he also acknowledged her achievements. Just as the officials in the court said, there have been many emperors throughout history who killed their sons, so who would dare to cover up their achievements because of this?

While Yang Chengxiu was away on disaster relief missions to avoid suspicion, the Emperor and Empress had Pei Shang'er move back to the palace so that they could personally take care of their daughter.

During this time, Yang Chengxiu went down to meet someone he had been searching for for a long time and finally managed to find.

...

The dark tiles hang like pearls, and raindrops weave obliquely into a curtain.

The distant mountains floated in the mist, and cooking smoke mingled with the fog. A figure could be vaguely seen on the arch of the stone bridge outside the window, holding an oil-paper umbrella, before disappearing into the mist in an instant.

The woman lightly touched the rim of the cup with her slender fingers and blew away the steam inside.

"I really didn't expect that you would be the first one to find me... Seung-soo, you've really impressed me."

Yang Chengxiu remained calm and expressionless as he picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

"I was genuinely startled when I saw her."

The woman's eyes were like apricot blossoms glistening with raindrops. Leaning against the window, she picked up her teacup and swirled it a few times: "So who exactly is she? I haven't heard anything about my death..."

“Well, you weren’t actually dead.” Yang Chengxiu forced a smile. “So she is Xue Yingyue.”

"Then what are you going to do with me? There can't be two crown princesses in one dynasty, can there?"

Yang Chengxiu looked up and met Xue Xianzhu's slightly provocative eyes.

"Everyone says that you, Xue Yingyue, were born with the destiny of a phoenix and are destined to become an empress."

Yang Chengxiu carefully observed her expression as he said this, but she didn't seem to care at all, and even found it funny, shaking her head and laughing.

"But I don't believe it."

“Yes, your fate is in your own hands.” Yang Chengxiu nodded slightly, then smiled. “However, she is now Xue Yingyue, the Crown Princess, while you are Xue Xianzhu. It is clear that Xue Yingyue was born with a phoenix destiny.”

"That's ridiculous. So why did you come to me? Could it be that Princess Jin'an couldn't defeat the Crown Prince, and you're going to help her threaten the Crown Princess?" Xue Xianzhu said with a mocking expression.

Yang Chengxiu retorted calmly, "Do you usually talk to that man waiting for you at the door like this? Should I consider telling him your true colors?"

He won't believe you.

"Shall we give it a try?" Yang Chengxiu smiled, a rare occurrence for him.

"Then give it a try." Xue Xianzhu was not afraid at all. "I know you are just an empty shell now. Pei Le is just a princess. Once Pei Zhen ascends the throne, she will be nothing and won't even be able to save her life."

"Whether Chang'er's life can be saved depends on my abilities; you don't need to worry about that."

Yang Chengxiu was displeased, but outwardly she remained polite and poured her another cup of tea. "As for you, is this the life you wanted?"

"I believe that people can only know what kind of life they want after experiencing it."

When Xue Xianzhu said this, she was no longer cynical, but instead had a tired yet serious attitude. She held her forehead and smiled faintly.

"The first thing I did after fleeing the capital was to change my name. I didn't like the name Xue Yingyue. She was a crown princess, a woman who lived to become empress... Anyway, she wasn't me."

Yang Chengxiu quietly observed Xue Xianzhu's reaction. She was very prone to anxiety, and her heart was in turmoil. She was used to a life of nobility and luxury, but now, following a man and traveling all over the country, although she had seen the world, she could no longer have the same fine silks, satins, gold and silver jewelry to choose from as before.

“I’ve always been confused because there was nothing in the past that I could cherish… But now I have it, and all I need is it; I don’t need anything else.”

When she mentioned that man, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up, a visible and genuine joy.

This is also what Yang Chengxiu hoped for.

Although the two had never met before, they had been engaged. After Yang Chengxiu became certain that he would marry no one but Pei Shang'er, he climbed over the wall at night to visit the Prime Minister's residence to find her and explain the situation to her.

It was that intimate conversation that made Yang Chengxiu realize at first glance that the woman was not the real Xue Yingyue.

Even if the Crown Princess's true identity is discovered, so what? The Crown Prince likes her very much and will definitely protect her. Perhaps even the Crown Prince himself doesn't realize how much he cares about his Crown Princess.

It's not surprising, Pei Zhen lacks love.

"The Prime Minister and Madam Cui are still looking for you."

“I know that…” Xue Xianzhu returned to her anxious and agitated state. “There are clearly people who are already acting as my daughters for them. Xue Run is no longer me. Why are they still looking for me!”

Seeing that she was upset, Yang Chengxiu didn't provoke her further and her attitude became gentler: "Because they are your parents."

Upon hearing this, Xue Xianzhu became even more agitated. Her brows furrowed, her breathing became short and heavy, and she clenched the cup in her hand so tightly it made a cracking sound.

In her mind, her parents only used her and didn't love her. She had run away and was no longer of any use to them, so why would they call her back?

She couldn't believe that her parents actually loved her.

After struggling with her thoughts, Xue Xianzhu regained her senses: "I will not go back, not even if I die. If you want to deal with Pei Zhen, don't even think about doing it through me."

Yang Chengxiu said indifferently, "Do as you please, but if you're tired of being a country bumpkin, you can consider returning to the capital. The Prime Minister and Madam Cui... they miss you very much."

Upon hearing this, Xue Xianzhu's tears, which she had been holding back, welled up again: "I've already said I won't go back. There's already someone else who will be their daughter, so there's no need for me to go back."

Seeing her weakness, Yang Chengxiu pressed her advantage and said what Xue Xianzhu cared about most: "The Prime Minister and Madam Cui do not associate with the Crown Princess at all, as if she does not exist."

Seeing Xue Xianzhu's astonishment, he continued, "You've experienced a life of changing your name and living a nomadic existence. Are you sure this is what you want? Whether it's Yingyue or Xianzhu... you should consider it yourself. Although both lifestyles have their drawbacks, I hope you won't make a decision you'll regret."

Yang Chengxiu was very accurate in exploiting people's weaknesses. Even though Xue Xianzhu knew it was his scheme, she couldn't help but fall into his trap.

"You said all this today just to provoke me into returning to the capital and causing chaos in the Eastern Palace and the Prime Minister's residence, didn't you?"

“If you really do that, it will indeed benefit Chang’er. Anything that benefits Chang’er is my goal, but the choice is in your hands… Yingyue, you and I understand each other. I know you won’t go back to be the Crown Princess, but I hope that you will have no regrets about your relationship with the Prime Minister and Madam Cui.”

After Yang Chengxiu left, Xue Xianzhu could no longer control her emotions and cried silently in sorrow.

She had always worked so hard, doing her best to meet all her parents' expectations. In order to become the perfect crown princess, she had exhausted all the time and energy in her life, just to make her parents happy. She hoped that after she became the crown princess, they would love her and cherish her as their daughter.

They will love her as long as she becomes the crown princess.

As a result, Yang Chengxiu told her that they did not love the Crown Princess either.

Because the Crown Princess was not their biological daughter.

They love their own daughter, they love her.

Xue Xianzhu wavered; she missed her parents.

The man who had been waiting outside for a long time couldn't bear to see her like this: "Xianzhu, let's go back."

"Going home..." Xue Xianzhu was still stunned.

"No, back to the capital," the man said calmly.

Xue Xianzhu slowly raised her head, her tearful eyes meeting the man's firm gaze.

"No, Zhaoye, we're not going back." Xue Xianzhu suddenly came to her senses and said seriously, "Since someone is willing to risk the crime of deceiving the emperor to marry in her place, if I go back, wouldn't I be harming her?"

"I know you miss your parents a lot. Are you really okay with not seeing them?"

"It's alright, I have a way." Xue Xianzhu's eyes lit up, and she immediately came up with an idea.