Xiao Yanzi, separated by the palace wall of Shufangzhai, heard Ziwei's mournful laughter coming from inside, and quickened her pace to leave.
After Xiao Yanzi left, a woman dressed in green walked out from around the corner of the palace. She glanced at Ziwei, who was still laughing, and headed straight for Cining Palace.
*
Cining Palace
"Oh, that's all?" An Ke raised an eyebrow, her face full of disbelief. She had thought he would at least give Xiao Yanzi some advice, but Cheng Xiang was just trying to sow discord, and Xiao Yanzi wasn't falling for it.
"After Xiao Yanzi left, Princess Heshuo stood in the courtyard and laughed," Yueying reported what she had seen without expression.
"Okay, you can go now." After listening to Yueying's report, Anke waved her hand and told her to leave.
Xingxing watched as the princess listened to Yueying's report and chuckled softly as she hurried forward to ask, "Princess, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with Princess Heshuo?" Xingxing thought her princess had discovered something amiss with Ziwei.
"It's nothing, I just felt a little amused." An Ke stood up from the white plush recliner and casually placed the book in her hand on the table and chair next to her. "She wanted to sow discord between me and Xiao Yanzi before she left. After all, if she goes to Gaoyu, it's uncertain whether she can come back in this life. It can only be said that her apology was fake, and her real intention was to sow discord."
Xingxing was furious upon hearing Anke's words. "That Princess Heshuo is truly despicable. Even on her way out, she couldn't resist stirring up trouble. Is the princess going to speak to the Emperor?"
"There's no need for that. Going to talk to the Imperial Uncle now would only be giving her face. Anyway, Little Swallow didn't listen to her, did she? I just didn't expect that even after she's already stirred things up so many times, she still won't give up. She's really getting stronger with each setback." An Ke chuckled.
There's no need to discuss this with the Emperor, lest he visit her at Shufangzhai and give her face because of it.
"It's Princess. The carrier pigeons from the Prince's residence flew back early this morning. The Prince asked when you would be returning." Since An Ke had said this, Xingxing naturally wouldn't say anything more. She thought of the carrier pigeons that had flown back early that morning.
"Let's send a message by carrier pigeon tomorrow. After I send Xia Ziwei off, I'll return to my residence. I'm a little tired. Tell anyone who comes to see me that I'm resting." After saying this, An Ke yawned and went back to her inner palace to rest.
Xingxing quickly lit some calming incense and led all the palace maids out. She thoughtfully left a small ventilation opening for Anke, and then closed the rest of the doors.
When Xiao Yanzi returned to Baoyue Tower, she seemed quite distracted. Hanxiang looked at her anxiously and asked her what was wrong, but Xiao Yanzi only said that she was fine and just wanted to rest.
Seeing Xiao Yanzi like this, Hanxiang was also very anxious. Although Xiao Yanzi hadn't been at Baoyue Tower for long, Hanxiang had already considered her a friend. Hanxiang thought of Anke and decided to go to Cining Palace now.
Without a second thought, Hanxiang quickly packed her things and rushed to Cining Palace. However, Xingxing informed her that Princess Yong'an was already resting and refusing to see anyone. Hanxiang asked Xingxing if she could go and tell the princess now, but Xingxing explained that the princess was not seeing anyone during her rest period, and she couldn't inform her at this time.
Xingxing: If I wake the princess up, I'll have to bear her morning grumpiness all by myself. No way, absolutely not.
“If Your Highness has come for the sake of Shufangzhai, then Your Highness can go back with peace of mind.” Having been by Anke’s side for a long time, Xingxing has also learned to read people’s expressions.
Hanxiang's arrival at Cining Palace at this moment is certainly not for herself, but for Xiaoyanzi, who resides within her palace. And the princess's words just now have just awakened Xingxing, who is now merely awakening Hanxiang.
Hearing Xingxing's words, Hanxiang could only relax. After all, the princess had not yet woken up, and she could not disturb her without permission. So she left, looking back every few steps.
Watching Consort Xiang leave, Xingxing felt a moment of pride. Sure enough, she was the most capable one by the princess's side; after so many years, she had learned a few tricks of the trade.
Anke slept straight through until evening. When she woke up, she pulled the little bell hanging on her bed. Xingxing heard the noise and quickly came in to serve her.
While Anke was washing up, Xingxing told her about Hanxiang's recent visit.
"You're quite something. Now you know how to deal with these concubines in the palace." An Ke was looking at her face in front of the dressing mirror. After hearing Xingxing's words, she couldn't help but nod her head.
"Having followed the princess for so many years, I should have learned a little bit by now. Besides, the princess is still asleep. Before she went to sleep, she said not to let anyone disturb her. How could Xingxing dare to let anyone in?" Xingxing playfully stuck out her tongue and said slowly.
"Oh, so you're making fun of me now?" Anke narrowed her eyes and tickled Xingxing's skin.
"Good princess, Xingxing knows she was wrong." Xingxing laughed heartily as she was tickled, still begging for mercy.
"This is a one-time thing, and there won't be a next time," An Ke said, deliberately putting on a stern face.
*
Post station
The prince of the High Domain was already impatient, thinking that tomorrow he would not only marry the beauty he admired, but also return to the High Domain that he had begun to miss.
He couldn't wait for tomorrow to come. His things had already been packed by the servants, and he was now lying in bed, trying to fall asleep.
The servants left quietly, afraid of making the slightest noise that might wake the prince.
"How am I going to explain this to the King when I return home? There's been such a big difference in time."
"What's there to explain? After all, it was a prince who ran into someone's princess on the training ground. If she got angry, isn't it normal for her to be sent back?"
The events of today had already been spread by the emperor's eunuchs. As the rumors spread, they grew into a great deal of gossip, eventually reaching the Gaoyu Post Station.
"Alright, no matter what, we're going back to Gaoyu. Has everyone packed their luggage?" Lord Gao was sitting there listening to their conversation, but when he heard them almost start arguing, he had to step in and take charge.
"It's all packed up. I've been missing my family these past few days."
"Yes, I usually feel that there are too many troubles at home and I just want to come out for some fresh air, but after being away for a long time, I start to miss home."
"Then everyone should get some rest early tonight. We'll be setting off tomorrow, and there's still a long way to go."
Since the highly respected elder had said so, there was no need for further debate, and everyone dispersed.
The next morning, contrary to his usual self, the prince stood in the courtyard of the post station, full of energy, waiting for the ministers to get up.
For the past few days, the ministers had been waiting for the prince, but they had never been waited for by the prince. When they saw the prince, who had been waiting for a while, their hearts were filled with turmoil.
"Alright, alright, I was going to hold it against you, but today is my joyous day, so I'll let you off the hook." The prince of the High Domain listened impatiently to their pleas for mercy, but inwardly he was eager to go straight to the palace gate.
Seeing the prince's helplessness, Lord Gao told everyone to quickly grab their luggage so they could wait for the Qing princess at the palace gate. The others hurriedly instructed their servants to fetch it.
"Lord Gao, you have excellent judgment. No wonder my father values you so highly. When we return, I will certainly praise you to my father." With that, the prince patted his clothes and strode out with an air of grandeur.
Before the ministers could say anything more, Lord Gao raised his hand to stop them. They quickened their pace and caught up with the prince.
As expected, the emperor had already sent people to wait at the palace gate, but the emperor himself had not yet arrived.
The prince of the high realm looked at the wedding sedan chair, his face beaming with joy. He didn't mind waiting in the freezing snow.
The Emperor naturally didn't make them wait too long, as he wanted to send them all out as soon as possible.
"Alright, the envoys may return to the High Territory. By the way, please deliver this letter to your king on my behalf." The Emperor stood at the head of the table, facing the prince of the High Territory.
The prince of Gaoyu did not have the same imposing manner as the emperor. He simply cupped his hands and said, "This prince will certainly convey the emperor's good intentions to my father." He put on a good show, but it would have been even better if he hadn't kept glancing at the bridal sedan chair.
The Emperor noticed his absent-mindedness but didn't mind. He waved his hand and said, "Then you may set off. This Princess Heshuo is the apple of my eye. I hope the prince will cherish and love her."
Upon hearing this, the prince quickly expressed his stance, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will take good care of the princess." After saying this, he instructed his men to take over the bridal sedan chair.
The prince glanced at a palace maid standing beside the sedan chair. She didn't leave, frowned slightly, but then said nothing. What if she was the princess's personal maid? He simply ordered the sedan chair to be moved.
Then, under the watchful eyes of civil and military officials, they departed amidst music and fanfare.
The emperor and his high-ranking officials went up to the city wall to see him off. Prince Gao Yu glanced back casually and caught a glimpse of that beautiful figure that haunted his dreams.
He was about to lose his composure and was about to turn his horse back when he was stopped by the quick-witted and agile Master Gao.
"What is the prince doing? Aren't we supposed to be going back to the High Domain?" Lord Gao was a little confused. What was the prince up to?
"That's the one I'm going to marry! She didn't even get into the sedan chair!" the prince said, his eyes blazing with fury. "This Qing emperor has no integrity whatsoever! He clearly said that the princess would get into the sedan chair today. No, I have to go back and get the princess into the sedan chair."
Seeing that the prince was becoming somewhat delirious, Lord Gao quickly chopped the prince in the neck with a chop.
Then, he had the prince carried on horseback as they rode, watching the capital city recede into the distance. Lord Gao finally felt a sense of relief. After all, while in the capital, he had to be constantly on guard, not only against the Qing people but also against the prince causing trouble; it was truly exhausting.
It wasn't until they stopped at an inn around noon that the prince finally woke up on horseback. Looking at the inn, he was instantly enraged.
"Tell me, where is that old man Gao Zhong?" The prince touched his aching neck, dismounted, and grabbed a minister to ask.
Seeing the prince's aggressive demeanor, the minister couldn't help but feel a chill for Lord Gao. He then pointed in a direction with trembling hands, and the prince immediately threw the minister aside and headed straight in that direction.
Upon arriving at the room, Prince Gao kicked the door open and, looking at the frowning Lord Gao beside him, roared, "Why did you do this? The person I'm supposed to marry hasn't even gotten into the sedan chair yet, why won't you let me go back?"
If a glare could kill, Gao Daren would have been killed by the prince's glare long ago.
Seeing the prince's hurried appearance, Lord Gao sighed and said, "Prince, the one in the sedan chair is Princess Heshuo. As for the one standing on the city wall to see us off, she is Princess Yong'an of the Qing Dynasty, who has already been betrothed to General Fu of the Qing Dynasty."
Seeing the prince's incredulous and bewildered expression, Master Gao could only continue, "Besides, they would never allow us to marry Princess Yong'an. Princess Yong'an is the only child of the Emperor's younger brother, and Prince Rui is a brave and skilled warrior; how could he possibly allow his daughter to marry into our side?"
"No way! We were clearly in the Hall of Mental Cultivation of the Qing Emperor, where it was agreed that I would marry the princess. Besides, I was clearly with that woman that day, so how come she's been replaced now?" The prince said, utterly distraught, as if he still couldn't accept the scene before him.
“This Princess Heshuo is also the Emperor’s daughter. Prince, you should let it go as soon as possible. We are no match for the Qing Dynasty. Although the Qing Dynasty is currently recuperating, looking at their generals and their wealth, we know that we are definitely no match for them.” Lord Gao was also quite helpless. The Prince not only entrusted him with this matter, but also instructed him to find out the true strength of the Qing Dynasty.
Based on his observations over the past few days, he realized that the Qing army was strong and well-equipped, its soldiers were extremely brave, and its wealth was beyond question—just look at the magnificent Taiji Hall. So even if they knew that the Qing army had deliberately set a trap for the prince, they couldn't say anything and could only accept it reluctantly.
“Your Highness must be patient. Besides, you’ve never even met Princess Heshuo, so how can you be sure you won’t develop feelings for each other?” Master Gao continued to advise the prince.
The prince, however, shook off Lord Gao and ran to the spot where the Qing princess had just stopped her carriage. He looked at Ziwei, who had just entered another guest room.
The prince followed immediately, and Jin Suo screamed in alarm when she saw him, quickly trying to stop him. The young lady was about to go back to her room to rest; she couldn't let him barge in.
But the prince, without saying a word, was about to resort to force. Fortunately, a Qing Dynasty guard saw this and quickly stepped in to stop him. "Your Highness, it is not yet time for your ceremony. Is Your Highness going to be negligent? Is our Qing Dynasty princess not allowed?" The guard's words were firm and forceful.
Looking at the tall, imposing guard before him, the prince could only cower and walk away. After all, he didn't want to get punched, and besides, his father had instructed him to treat him with proper respect.
After this ordeal, the prince's impression of Ziwei had diminished considerably. He was still thinking that once they returned to the High Realm and held the ceremony, then...
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