Chapter 53 Do you regret it? You and she are actually quite a good match in terms of looks and age...
The three-day journey was not as long as Yu Nie had imagined.
Instead, time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, we arrived at Jian'an, the imperial capital that people describe as a place of jade-painted courtyards, winding golden shops, gleaming carriages and fine horses, thousands of families adorned in silk and brocade, city waters stained with rouge, and the fragrance of crabapple blossoms filling our sleeves.
Half a mile from the city gate, the long procession gradually came to a stop.
Sensing that the carriage had stopped moving forward, she lifted the curtain and peered out, looking around in confusion.
“Princess…” Her maidservant hurriedly called to her and quickly lowered the brocade curtain of the carriage window: “We are about to arrive in Jian’an. According to etiquette, royal women must not reveal their true faces when riding in the phoenix carriage. You must remember this.”
Reminded by this, Yu Nie then remembered her current identity, pulled her wide sleeves tighter, and helplessly fanned herself with a feather fan: "Can't I even take a look?"
The maid with her hair in two buns shook her head, her meaning clear.
It's not easy being away from home, and she couldn't make things difficult for a servant who was about her age, so she had no choice but to comply.
As early as when they descended Qiaoming Ridge, Gu Xiangzhi had already ordered his men to prepare everything.
He sent over the princess's attire, along with matching pearl and jade hairpins and a gold-threaded crown. The gemstones inlaid on the crown shimmered and sparkled in the candlelight, like the objects of a celestial maiden. He then ordered his maids to do her hair and makeup.
This maid was no ordinary person; she was a close attendant who had served Princess Shunhe in Shuoyang.
Zhao Huayan was able to escape from Shuoyang successfully thanks in no small part to this little maid, along with her wet nurse.
Seeing that Zhao Huayan's maid had arrived, and that there was more than one maid, the eunuchs and female officials who were to escort the princess back to the palace were also there.
Seeing this scene, Yu Nie secretly glanced at Gu Xiangzhi to the side, and already understood what was going on.
This person clearly had a plan in mind, intending to take the people directly back to the capital from Jingyuan. After all, he even brought the entire ceremonial guard, clearly not intending to waste time going back to Shuoyang Temple.
A manhunt is a fast-paced operation, and bringing an extra group of people would only create more burdens. Even if he didn't want to waste time, he didn't need to keep so many people with him.
The easiest way is to catch the person, send subordinates day and night back to Shuoyang to inform them, and then the two teams can agree on a meeting place.
His actions clearly indicated that he was certain he could catch Zhao Huayan and Nie Lanting, and he wasn't afraid of coming up empty-handed.
Yu Nie guessed in his heart that whether he caught the two or not, the "princess" would definitely return to Jian'an on time under his escort.
So... she gradually came to a conclusion. It seemed that no matter whether Zhao Huayan and Nie Lanting were dead or alive, captured or escaped, this team would pursue them relentlessly and then enter Jian'an City on the appointed day.
His ultimate goal in doing this was simply to ensure that Princess Shunhe would "return to the palace safely."
So... he had already planned to find someone to be his stand-in, it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Seemingly shocked by his own conclusion, Yu Nie suddenly looked at the person beside him, a bone-chilling cold rising from the soles of his feet.
"He dares to do something like exterminate nine generations of his family; he's got some nerve," she thought. She realized he wasn't really being kind or looking out for her.
Before she could ponder the deeper reasons why he had gone to such lengths to pursue her, and why he needed a substitute instead of Zhao Huayan, he ordered his men to take her to an empty carriage, where Zhao Huayan's former personal maid taught her palace etiquette.
The etiquette of the imperial family is complex and cannot be learned in a short time.
Fortunately, she had a good memory and remembered everything along the way, so she at least had a general impression of it.
However, since she hadn't grown up learning court etiquette, even with deliberate imitation, she would still inadvertently reveal her flaws. Just now, she carelessly lifted the carriage curtain.
It was stuffy inside the carriage, so she used a feather fan to fan the two of them.
The maidservant hurriedly declined, saying she dared not accept such preferential treatment.
Yu Nie said, "Anyway, it's just the two of us in this car, no one can see us, so don't be polite with me."
"But you are now..."
"Princess Shunhe..."
A deep, slow voice suddenly drifted from outside the carriage curtain, as soft yet cold as silk wrapped in ice, interrupting the maid's words: "The city gate is just ahead. At that time, the Imperial Household Department, the heads of various aristocratic families, civil and military officials, and even princes, dukes, and princesses will be waiting outside the city to welcome you."
His tone was respectful, without any hint of overstepping his bounds, and his words implied a degree of consideration for her: "I hope that the princess will always remember her current status. If she reveals any flaws in front of everyone, no one can bear the crime of deceiving the emperor."
After he finished speaking, there was no reply for a long time in the imperial carriage.
Gu Xiangzhi glanced sideways, coldly looking at the layers of curtains.
Seemingly not having time to waste with her, he raised his hand and lifted the embroidered curtain.
The person inside was biting their lower lip, their expression tense, looking extremely nervous.
“Princess…” he called out to her.
Yu Nie was flustered and hesitant. After a long while, her beautiful eyes, as bright as a thousand pearls, showed a hint of unease. She then looked at him pitifully and said, "Gu... Gu Xiangzhi, I... I'm a little scared..."
She felt a sense of helplessness, having grown accustomed to living in a small village and about to enter a big city. Not to mention having to engage in eloquent conversations with princes, ministers, and members of the royal family. Now she truly understood what it meant to risk one's life.
As the saying goes, "life hangs by a thread," and right now, her life is hanging by a thread. If people find out that she is an imposter and just a substitute, wouldn't she be dead on the spot?
Although he had told her on the way back that no one in the palace knew what Princess Shunhe looked like, nor had anyone had any contact with her, as long as she was careful, no one else would notice anything amiss.
But even though she said that, when the time actually came, she was still terrified and uneasy.
Gu Xiangzhi has always been good at recognizing people, and he could tell that she wasn't faking it.
He lowered the curtain and gazed at the city gate. He could vaguely see banners fluttering in the wind and canopies like clouds, a scene of dazzling splendor.
"The arrow is on the bowstring and must be released; only by adapting can we turn danger into safety."
After leaving those words, he rode his horse to the front of the group.
Upon hearing that he was leaving, Yu Nie reached out to stop him, but was stopped by the maid beside her, who reminded her of her current status once again.
She added, "Princess, rest assured, if you help my master, I will certainly help you as well."
Her eyes were firm, revealing a resolute determination to share her joys and sorrows, and to go through fire and water for her.
Looking at her, Yu Nie knew that he was carrying not only his own life on his shoulders when he entered Jian'an, but also the lives of many monks and palace maids.
Once the use of a body double is exposed, dozens or even hundreds of lives will be lost as a result. She must be fully prepared to face all of this.
"Cuiwei..." she called out the maid's name with deep gratitude, "Fortunately, you were here."
Although they had only known each other for less than two days, their interactions in those two days were already deeper than they had been together for two months.
When Cuiwei learned that it was she who helped her former master Zhao Huayan and Nie Lanting escape, she was even more grateful and kowtowed three times to her without being asked, vowing to protect her to the death.
Having someone you can trust by your side generally makes you feel much more at ease.
Yu Nie silently cheered himself up, and the group, which had stopped for a short while, continued to move slowly forward.
A gentle breeze blew, the procession hung low, and the sounds of the chime stones and elegant music became increasingly clear.
Civil and military officials lined both sides of the city gate, while princes and nobles stood at the forefront, each clad in fine robes, their jade pendants and rings jingling at their waists. The crowds of onlookers craned their necks, peering intently at the city gate.
Inside the carriage, Yu Nie's heart pounded like a drum, her chest heaving violently, as if her heart were about to burst out of her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but the tension only intensified.
"Which of your sisters is sitting in this carriage?" The speaker had a clear and melodious voice, and sat upright on his horse, standing behind the other members of the royal family.
He wore a crimson-purple round-necked casual suit with ring patterns, the cuffs edged with gold thread. Around his neck was a valuable Xiuyan jade pendant, and the metal ornaments on his waist belt were dazzling in the daytime. A short sword and a silk sachet hung on his right side. He stood with his arms crossed.
He was extremely handsome, with a dashing figure that was sure to catch the eye.
“Shunhe, named Huayan.” The person who answered him had an ordinary appearance, but his attire was unusual.
He wasn't supposed to come to greet people today, but staying at the Four Barbarian Residence was incredibly boring, so he figured he might as well come out and join in the fun.
"Hua Yan... that's a nice name," he casually remarked.
A man of similar age standing next to him said, "What a pity..."
"What's a pity?"
"I've heard that my younger sister is a great beauty, and she's of marriageable age. Grandmother wanted to choose a suitable princess for you to marry, but you said you didn't care about your background. Originally, she was thinking of marrying Hua Yan to you..."
The man said, "Who knew His Majesty would beat you to it? If His Majesty hadn't betrothed Hua Yan to the Jie people, you and she would actually be quite a good match in terms of appearance and age."
"Cheng Yan..." The person next to Xiao Cheng Yan nudged his arm and leaned closer to him, jokingly asking, "How are you... are you regretting it?"
Xiao Chengyan's smile was pure and heroic, and he spoke with a dashing and debonair manner: "I don't regret it, but it's a pity that this young lady is in the prime of her life, yet she has to marry that old man from the Jie tribe."
Upon hearing him say this, the person beside him changed his expression and quickly pressed down on his wrist, whispering, "Don't say that. A marriage alliance with the Jie people is His Majesty's grand plan. Be careful about your status. If others overhear this and exaggerate it to His Majesty's ears, what good will it do you?"
As Xiao Chengyan spoke, his eyes were clear and his brows were full of composure: "Yun Tuan, there is no need to worry. I have always acted uprightly and honestly. If Your Majesty asks, I am not afraid."
"Besides, I only feel sorry for him, I have no other thoughts."
Zhao Yuntuan sighed, as if he was used to his answer: "You are just too kind-hearted and lacks keen insight. You will suffer a great loss sooner or later."
“You’re just too cautious. I grew up with my maternal grandmother, and His Majesty has treated me well. We are cousins, after all. He wouldn’t suspect me like that,” Xiao Chengyan said, mimicking Zhao Yuntuan’s tone.
Zhao Yuntuan wanted to reply, but out of the corner of his eye he saw the carriage carrying the princess already stopped in the middle of the long road.
The Imperial Guards stood in formation, halberds in hand, while the officials, dressed in their finest attire and holding their jade tablets above their eyebrows, bowed deeply and shouted in unison:
"Welcome back to the capital, Princess Shunhe!"
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Author's Note: Holy crap, this activity update ranking is so cold it's terrifying!
So disappointing, it feels like the day when it will be available for purchase (or even a paid subscription) is a long, long time coming [laughing and crying emoji].
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