Chapter 42 Save the beauty.
Continuing south, you'll reach the border between the governor of Shu Prefecture and the Song family's forces. Battles rage here every few days, making the journey much more dangerous.
They had passed through a battlefield, a small skirmish, where corpses littered the ground and no one had come to collect them.
They lay there haphazardly, some soldiers still breathing and groaning, but no one came to their aid.
Some bolder people came to "touch the corpse," silently and quickly taking valuables from it.
To avoid being drawn into the war, they chose to go into the mountains.
Thanks to the Fifteenth Princess's medical skills, the villagers in the mountains told them about an extremely hidden mountain path that led to the Song family's territory.
The three of them made preparations, thanked the mountain people, and set off. The mountains in the south are mostly beautiful, not as steep as those in the north, but they are rainy and humid. Despite their ample preparations, they still stumbled and suffered quite a bit.
Having finally reached the depths of the mountains, they were even more unlucky, encountering a clandestine army on a secret march.
They were caught off guard and brought before the general.
No matter how skillful the disguise technique is, it cannot change the physical differences between men and women. As soon as they met, they were exposed as being in disguise and were immediately mistaken for enemy spies.
He was about to die in this remote, dense forest.
Ling Yi made up her mind and said, "I am the Princess Consort of the Prince of Xianchao, and these two are my maids. Why don't you exchange me for gold and silver with the Prince of Xianchao? The Prince of Duan will certainly not be stingy."
The leader, clad in silver armor, with thick eyebrows and an imposing presence, scoffed, "Prince Duan, Qin Lie? Wasn't his wife forced to death by the Seventh Prince long ago? He even used that to his advantage. When did he acquire a new princess consort?"
Ling Yi said, "In the seventh month of the nineteenth year of Jiahe, Princess Yongjia was betrothed to Qin Lie of Jizhou, who was then the General Who Conquers the North. You can find out for yourself if you ask around. What I said is true."
The leader recalled and pondered.
A scholar-like man spoke up, "General, this is indeed true."
The general looked Lingyi up and down: "Even if that's true, what proof do you have that you claim to be a princess?"
Lingyi reached behind her neck with both hands and ripped off the human skin mask.
Her jet-black hair cascaded down, partially obscuring her fair face with its red lips and white teeth, making her appear like a spirit of plants and trees amidst the misty mountain air.
Such beauty and graceful bearing could only belong to a princess.
The general's breath hitched, his gaze hardening, but he quickly regained his composure and asked, "Even if you are truly a princess, having become the Princess Consort of the Xian Dynasty, why are you here?"
Lingyi said solemnly, "I am the princess of Dahan. How could I collude with treacherous officials? That's why I've traveled all this way to Zhuozhou to find the Empress Dowager and the young emperor."
Upon hearing this, the general's face lit up with satisfaction, and he ordered his subordinates, "Take him away and keep a close watch on him."
He glanced at Lingyi again and said, "Take good care of her and don't be rude!"
The three were taken to a cave, where two soldiers guarded the entrance.
Aunt Liu Cui was extremely anxious: "What should we do?"
Ling Yi said, "At least we are not in immediate danger. This group looks like an elite force. The general is dressed in noble clothes and his armor is also extraordinary. Moreover, they are secretly marching towards Shuzhou. If I'm not mistaken, we may have encountered the Song family army. If so, after they win and verify my identity, they will take us back to Zhuozhou."
What if I guess wrong?
“Even if we guess wrong, they’ll just send us back to exchange with Qin Lie. Or…” She recalled the general’s burning gaze just now, pursed her lips, and calmly said, “I’ll offer myself to him and find a way to get him to release you.”
“Princess…” The once innocent and carefree princess now spoke of giving herself to someone as if nothing had happened, and Aunt Liu Cui couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.
Lingyi smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, Auntie, I'm 80% sure I won't be wrong."
.
It was more than half a month later when they emerged from the cave.
Lingyi's guess was correct. These people were Song's army. They cut through the mountains and entered the heart of Shu Prefecture, launching a fierce attack from both sides. Shu Prefecture was completely routed. The governor of Shu Prefecture had not even had a year of imperial dreams before he surrendered the city, and his whole family became prisoners.
Lingyi was brought into the palace. The palace in Zhuozhou was originally just a prefectural government office, and it was incomparable to the imperial city where she had lived.
The four-year-old Emperor Chengtai had a face that resembled that of the former Crown Prince. He was led by the Empress Dowager and sat in the palace with a stern face.
The Empress Dowager—the former dignified and beautiful Crown Princess—had her temples turn white and deep vertical lines appear between her eyebrows after only four years, making her look both miserable and fierce.
Holding Lingyi's hand, she shed tears, but because there were spies all around, she dared not say a word.
Because Lingyi was the Princess Consort of the Prince of Duan of the Xian Dynasty, the Song family publicized her visit to Zhuozhou, using it to satirize the Qin family as treacherous officials who plotted to usurp the throne, and to claim that Emperor Chengtai was the true descendant of the late emperor and was the one destined by Heaven.
Therefore, Lingyi was granted the title of Princess Yongjia and was also bestowed with a princess's residence.
The sixteenth princess arrived at the princess's residence the next day with her three-year-old daughter to pay her respects.
Her eyes were lifeless, and her cheeks were sunken. She was a completely different person, not to mention when she was in the palace, even after leaving the capital.
Lingyi asked the Fifteenth Princess to take her pulse.
The sixteenth princess's maidservant stepped forward to stop them, saying, "Our lady's body is of noble birth; how can we allow an outsider to touch it?"
Because the Fifteenth Princess exposed the Seventh Prince's beastly behavior in the court, there are still stories and erotic songs about her circulating among the people. That's why Lingyi lied in the mountains that she was her maid and continued to let her show her face in public.
Lingyi didn't elaborate, only saying, "I've been out of the palace for several years, and I've even forgotten these rules. Bring me a handkerchief."
With a handkerchief draped over her wrist, the Fifteenth Princess carefully examined her pulse for a while and then wrote a prescription.
Lingyi looked at the sixteenth princess's maid who remained motionless and said coldly, "What? Does the princess need someone else to brew the medicine she takes?"
The maid pursed her lips and reluctantly left.
After she left, the Sixteenth Princess immediately grabbed Lingyi's hand and said urgently, "Sister, we can't stay here any longer, you must leave quickly!"
From her, Lingyi learned about Emperor Chengtai's current predicament.
When the Song family first arrived in Zhuozhou, they still showed some respect to Emperor Chengtai and his mother. However, as the Song family grew stronger, the old officials who had come with Emperor Chengtai were either killed or demoted. Most of the prefectures and counties that had respected Emperor Chengtai now submitted to the Song family. Especially after Qin Shiyan declared himself emperor, the Song family became even more arrogant and domineering. The old general Song even directly criticized the emperor several times in court.
The deposed emperor is now like a sword hanging over his neck, and no one knows when it will fall.
At that time, she, the eldest princess, might be in mortal danger.
Lingyi was no longer the ignorant princess in the palace she once was. She had read Qin Lie's books dozens of times, including stories about puppet emperors who used their power to control the lords. She naturally knew that those puppet emperors rarely had a good end.
But what she was concerned about now was that the Sixteenth Princess had become so thin, and the Fifteenth Princess had diagnosed it as being due to unresolved depression. But Xie Yu had treated her badly? Could it be that he was also afraid of the Song family's power and had allowed that Miss Song to mistreat her?
The Sixteenth Princess smiled bitterly: "He treated me extremely well. Even though he took a concubine, he treated me the same as always, never mistreating me in the slightest. In fact, out of guilt, he was even more considerate. But..." Tears welled up in her eyes, "I used to be delighted by his boundless kindness towards me, but now I realize he treats everyone else the same way. He was just as gentle and considerate to that Miss Song, leaving no room for complaint. Sister, given the dire situation, I can understand and accept that he took Miss Song as a concubine. I'm just unwilling... I thought he cared for me, but it turns out, it doesn't matter who he marries..."
She became more and more upset as she spoke, and tears streamed down her face.
Lingyi and the Fifteenth Princess exchanged a glance, both speechless.
Perhaps they've been away from these childish thoughts for too long, and they've both forgotten that their pent-up feelings can still be expressed simply through affection.
Come to think of it, isn't this a kind of naiveté that's enviable?
Lingyi didn't know how to comfort him for a moment, and after a long while she said, "No matter what your brother-in-law is like, you still have Tong'er. Look how innocent and carefree she is. For her sake, you should take care of your health. Why do you keep being so stubborn and agonizing? Otherwise, if something happens to her, can you bear to leave her alone in this world?"
When the children were mentioned, the Sixteenth Princess smiled and said, "Although Tong'er is young, she is very thoughtful. Although Yu Lang is busy with government affairs, he is very attentive to her and will spend time with her whenever he has free time."
Lingyi asked casually, "Brother-in-law is so busy, could it be that his position as prime minister is not just an empty title?"
The sixteenth princess explained, "The Song family is full of military officers, and they are not proficient in governing the country. Therefore, they value Yulang's talent very much, which is why they married their daughter to him. Although it is inevitable that a few of their adopted sons will not be happy about how much General Song values Yulang, at least they will not dare to act recklessly on the surface."
Lingyi then said, "In that case, please do me a favor, sister—have your brother-in-law send my two servants out."
"Princess!"
"Princess!"
The Fifteenth Princess and Aunt Liu Cui called out in unison.
Lingyi smiled and comforted them, then said to the Sixteenth Princess, "They came all the way here to see me off, but they already have relatives and friends in the north. As the Prime Minister, it should be no problem for my brother-in-law to send them away. Please go back and mention it to my brother-in-law, and arrange for the two of them to leave Zhuozhou as soon as possible."
After the Sixteenth Princess left, Aunt Liu Cui said angrily, "Are you trying to get rid of us?!"
Lingyi teased deliberately, "I've had enough of you guys on this trip."
The Fifteenth Princess sighed and looked at her intently, "Knowing that this place is a den of dragons and tigers, how do you plan to handle it on your own?"
"That's precisely why you should leave as soon as possible."
Before the Fifteenth Princess could continue, Lingyi said, "You are not familiar with the Crown Prince and the Sixteenth Sister, yet you traveled a long way just to bring me here. You are devoted to medicine, and practicing medicine to help the world is so fulfilling. How could I bear to confine you to this small courtyard?"
Moreover, if she stays here, she will inevitably have to show her true face, which may expose her identity. Rumors can not only kill but also destroy one's spirit. How could Lingyi bear to let her suffer criticism again?
Aunt Liu Cui asked, "Since this isn't a good place, why don't we leave together?"
Lingyi smiled bitterly: "The world is bound to be divided between Qin and Song in the future. I have fled twice, taking me with me. How can you be free?"
"Then let's find a place to live in seclusion. The world is so big, surely there's a place for us to go?"
"The world is vast, yet everywhere is scorched earth. Where can one find a place to stand? Everyone has their own destiny. You have your things to do, and I have mine. I cannot leave."
Aunt Liu Cui remained silent for a moment, then said, "I will stay here with you."
Lingyi smiled. She had been with Aunt Liucui for more than ten years, so how could she not understand her momentary silence?
Or perhaps when she went to the Fifteenth Princess's side, it was during the Fifteenth Princess's most vulnerable time, which made her feel extremely sorry for her.
Or perhaps it was the emotional bond formed through their shared experiences of relying on each other along the way.
Unbeknownst to her, Aunt Liu Cui's heart had already turned towards the Fifteenth Princess.
Lingyi was actually very afraid of being alone, so even though she knew that Mingzhu and Granny Zhao were just monitoring her, she never exposed them and tried her best to protect her.
The situation is now even more dangerous than it was then. She has been alone for too long and really wants someone to be with her.
But how could she bear to put Aunt Liu Cui in such a dilemma?
She smiled and said, "With Brother Xie Yu here, the worst that can happen to me is that I can stay in the Prime Minister's mansion and be protected by him. I am just a princess. Even if the Song family wants to depose the emperor, it is no threat to me. Who would care about me? Aunt, please don't blame me. It's just that I'm worried about Sister Fifteen being alone outside, so I wanted you to stay with her for me."
Aunt Liu Cui knew best about Lingyi and Xie Yu's past. When she heard Lingyi call him "Brother Xie Yu", and considering that Xie Yu was now the Prime Minister and was highly regarded, she naturally wouldn't let Lingyi be in danger. So she relaxed and said, "In that case, I'll listen to you."
The Fifteenth Princess gave Lingyi another deep look and said, "Since you have made up your mind, then let's wait for Xie Yu's news."
Three days later, Xie Yu sent someone to pick up the two of them.
Before leaving, Lingyi comforted Aunt Liucui, who was crying uncontrollably, saying, "Aunt, don't be so sad. As long as we are alive, we will meet again someday."
The fifteenth princess grasped her hand, "No matter what the circumstances, sister, never forget these words."
"As long as we live, we will meet again someday!"
After the two women left, Princess Lingyi, as the eldest princess, became very busy, having to go to the palace almost every day.
On one hand, she wanted to see Emperor Chengtai and the Empress Dowager more often, while on the other hand, the Song family wanted to dig out information about the Xian Dynasty from her.
However, she had never even been to the Prince's residence, so she had little to say about the Xian Dynasty. But as her visits to the palace increased, she gradually became familiar with Emperor Chengtai. She often brought him little trinkets to play with, and how could a four-year-old child, constantly forced to study by the Empress Dowager, not enjoy them? Every time Lingyi entered the palace, Emperor Chengtai's tense little face would be filled with smiles. If she didn't come one day, Emperor Chengtai would become restless and look for his imperial aunt.
Such a beautiful, delicate princess, who was clueless about politics and spent her days playing with children, could hardly cause any trouble.
The people in the palace gradually lost their guard against her, but the Empress Dowager had other ideas.
One day, while she was dining with Emperor Chengtai, the Empress Dowager secretly slipped her a list and asked her to secretly contact these people.
Lingyi advised her: "The Song family is powerful and holds military power. The Empress Dowager's move is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. It would be better to let go of your obsession and live a life of wealth and leisure."
The Empress Dowager angrily said, "As the eldest princess, you only know how to play and have fun with the Emperor all day long, never teaching him to study and make progress. So you just want to be a rich and idle person. Ask yourself, have you ever been worthy of the brotherly affection that the late Crown Prince once had for you?!"
Lingyi wanted to persuade her that the fate of the Great Han Dynasty was sealed, so why be so persistent?
She placed all her hopes on Emperor Chengtai, not only on his academic achievements but also on her anxious emotions and unrealistic expectations. Emperor Chengtai was only four years old, and whenever the Empress Dowager was mentioned, he only showed fear and trepidation, without a trace of affection or dependence.
However, if Emperor Chengtai were to be as brilliant and outstanding as the Empress Dowager hoped, he would be even less likely to be accepted by the Song family.
Lingyi has been frequently visiting the palace lately, and through what she has seen and heard, she is well aware that the Song family's trend of deposing the emperor is irreversible.
If he had behaved himself, he might have been able to save his life. The Empress Dowager's actions were tantamount to personally placing Emperor Chengtai on a hot coal fire.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's sorrowful expression and red eyes, Lingyi knew that persuasion was useless, so she could only say, "I will contact them. Sister-in-law, you must be even more careful in the palace. To lull them into a false sense of security, it would be better to let the Emperor have a few days of peace. You are the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's mother, so you can spend more time with him during this period. The Emperor is only four years old. Although he doesn't say it, he actually adores you the most."
The Empress Dowager softened her expression. "Hearing you call me sister-in-law reminds me of the days in the Eastern Palace... Lingyi, please don't take my words to heart, I was too hasty before. The Emperor likes you now, and once we succeed in our great undertaking and the Emperor holds real power, your position will be unmatched!"
Lingyi sighed helplessly in her heart, but still smiled on her face, "Lingyi will certainly do her best to serve the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."
Upon returning to her residence, she burned the note to ashes and never opened it to look at it again.
She was using delaying tactics, as networking with ministers was not something that could be done overnight. She thought she could stall for time, but things didn't go as planned. Just a few days later, at a palace banquet, she encountered her former fourteenth son-in-law, Geng Qing.
Geng Qing surrendered along with his patron, the governor of Shu Prefecture. The governor became a prisoner, but Geng Qing was still able to become a general.
Geng Qing was greedy for merit and lustful. The generals of the Song family originally despised him, but he was indeed brave. The old general Song's adopted sons were all good at fighting. The three of them fought Geng Qing and only managed to fight him to a draw.
Therefore, General Song gave him an important position after he surrendered.
Geng Qing, having drunk too much, stared unabashedly at Lingyi. He staggered to his feet, walked to her seat, and laughed, "Princess Yongjia, do you still remember me? I've missed you terribly since we parted in the back garden of the Minister's mansion!"
These words were so ambiguous that many people at the table looked over.
Lingyi ignored him and got up to leave, but he, emboldened by alcohol, leaned forward and started pulling at her.
The room was filled with distinguished guests who simply watched with smiles, and no one stepped forward to stop them.
Especially those adopted sons of General Song, their eyes even revealed lewd glints. — How could they not covet such a beauty? It was just that they hesitated to make a move because of her status as the eldest princess. They didn't even put the puppet emperor in their eyes, so the eldest princess was even less of a concern. They just didn't want to be the first to act.
With Geng Qing having broken the Princess's invincibility first, wouldn't they be able to take whatever they want from her in the future?
They can simply sit back and reap the benefits.
Seeing that no one stopped him, Geng Qing became even more unrestrained. Just as he was about to tear off Lingyi's outer robe, he suddenly cried out in pain, covered his eyes with his hands, and took two steps back. Everyone could see blood flowing from between his hands.
Then look at Princess Yongjia, who is holding a gold hairpin in her hand, with blood dripping down it.
—It was she who stabbed Geng Qing in the eye with a gold hairpin!
In the ensuing silence, Geng Qingxian snapped out of his pain and cried out, "You bitch! Today I will make you die beneath me!"
He lunged at her, and Lingyi couldn't dodge in time. If she were to be humiliated in public, she would rather commit suicide in front of everyone with her gold hairpin.
She had just raised her arm when someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her in front of them, shouting at Geng Qing, "How dare you be so insolent at a palace banquet?!"
Lingyi looked up. She saw a man with an imposing air of nobility, thick eyebrows that pressed down on his eyes; he was none other than Song Pingkou, the only son of General Song.
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