Li Xueyue did not rush her footsteps. She did not flee from the scene like a scared little rabbit.
Li Xueyue walked at the same pace as she normally did, so that it would not arouse suspicion. If she ran out of here as if spirits were chasing her, then it would definitely arouse too much suspicion. She didn’t need lady Ge Beining to sniff her nose everywhere.
“Yu Zhen should hear about this,” she whispered to herself, thinking out loud. When she turned the corner, she hesitated. If she told him about this, surely, he would take matters into his own hands.
Li Xueyue didn’t want him to act on his own. He would not listen to her if she would tell him she wanted to handle it by herself.
She bit her bottom lip. Dread made her footsteps slower, heavier, until she came to a stop around the corner. She was torn about whether to tell him or not.
“I don’t like keeping secrets…” Li Xueyue mumbled, her voice so low, that no one was able to hear her. Her servants glanced at her, wondering if it was the wind that made the noise.
“Is everything alright, Crown Princess? Shall we fetch the Imperial Physician? There is a new one who was recently appointed. He is much younger and reliable. Supposedly, he passed the tests with flying colors…” Xiao Hua quietly remarked, not wanting to raise her voice and startle the Crown Princess.
“I am not made of glass,” Li Xueyue chuckled. Why did everyone seem to treat her that way? It was just one crying session…okay, well, more than one. But still.
“Crown Princess, you are precious to us all. When we worry about you, it’s not out of obligations, but because we’re truly concerned for you. You have been so kind to us,” Xiao Hua softly said whilst placing a tender hand upon her chest.
She glanced up at the Crown Princess with adoration in her eyes. The Crown Princess was not only kind and understanding…but thoughtful. Her contribution to this country would not be forgotten.
Many of the commoners were grateful to the Crown Princess for pushing the Round Table Council for tax relief that prevented a protest from erupting.
Additionally, the Crown Princess had helped Hanjian create alliances with Wuyi and Nanhui—two countries which Hanjian had always had conflict with. It was more than anyone could ever ask for of a Crown Princess during her first year in power.
“You are too kind…” Li Xueyue trailed off. She presented Xiao Hua with a tired smile before walking again.
“It is not kindness, but the truth, Crown Princess,” Xiao Hua thoughtfully said with an endearing smile. She had always known the Crown Princess was a gentle soul, but seeing her so humble…it was very inspiring.
Xiao Hua did not have a doubt in her heart that the Crown Princess would go on to do great things once she becomes Empress, and gains more powers.
“Your sweet words will give me a cavity,” Li Xueyue joked. She continued walking to Yu Zhen’s private study, deciding to see him. Even if she was getting cold feet about telling him about Marquis Qin, there was something else in mind that she wanted to discuss with him anyway.
Li Xueyue had come up with an idea to get funding to build more schools and orphanages for the children. The solution was so simple, she couldn’t believe it hadn’t crossed her mind.
Xiao Hua smiled at the ground, so wide that she had to contain herself from grinning. If only the Crown Princess knew…how much Xiao Hua loved and appreciated her.
Despite the punishments inflicted by the Crown Prince, the maidservants still respected the Crown Princess, for she was their saving grace. They were meant to kneel the entire day, but she cut their punishment short by pardoning them. It was more than the servants could ask for, especially when no one would defend them.
In some sort of way, the Crown Princess was a voice for the voiceless.
– – – – –
“A Marquis and a Minister?” Yu Zhen murmured.
Yu Zhen looked over the profiling presented to him. It was delivered a day ago, but he didn’t get the chance to look over it until the afternoon, when he was finally done with a meeting with the Ministers about the kingdom’s budget for next year. It was finalized, and Yu Zhen only needed to stamp the document with the Imperial Seal.
“Neither families are related though, Your Highness,” Hu Dengxiao said. He stood on the other side of the large mahogany table where the Crown Prince was seated. The windows of the private study were opened, letting in a gentle wind that fluttered the parchments.
“I thought they would be, Your Highness, since they shared the same surname, but I guessed not. It’s also not a surprise, given how large Hanjian is.”
“These are the Qins living in the Capital?” Yu Zhen asked.
“Yes—”
“Search the other towns and cities as well, we’ll comb the entire country for that man.”
Hu Dengxiao nearly cried at the impossible task. It would take at least months to gather the information, much less travel there for personal profiling! He bit back a complaint, but opened his mouth to offer a suggestion.
“What occupation did you mention Earl Qin had? Maybe we can narrow down the search that way, Crown Prince.”
“It has been years, surely, he would’ve retired the business to his heirs,” Yu Zhen said. “We will be thorough with this search.”
Before anyone could respond, a knock sounded throughout the private study, bouncing off the mahogany walls. He lifted his gaze from the parchment, not a second later his attention was back onto it.
“Tell the Eunuch to make them wait. I am busy.”
Hu Dengxiao nodded at the command. He hurriedly ran off, like an excited puppy eager to fulfill the commands of his master. He was hoping for another treat, in the form of Lu Tianbi being a companion on the mission…
Hu Dengxiao slipped outside and cleared his throat, ready to tell the guest to leave. But then he was shoved to the side. His lips parted in absolute shock. Who the hell had the strength to push him aside like this?!
“You can’t just trespass…” Hu Dengxiao paused. His eyes brightened upon seeing the Crown Princess.
“Come in, come in, dear Princess!” Hu Dengxiao excitedly said as he held the door open for her. She stepped inside, smiling in amusement.
Hu Dengxiao closed the doors behind him. He rubbed the spot that he was shoved at and eagerly called out, “Zhenzhen! Look who is here to see you!”
Yu Zhen gritted his teeth. This friend of his was as persistent as Xiao Juzi. Now that Xiao Juzi was no longer chained—under the command of Li Xueyue—the damn beast was roaming everywhere around the estate, giving everyone a fright. There were even reports of Eunuchs fainting in the hallway.
Yu Zhen would need to come up with a new solution. Collars didn’t work. Fences were useless. Hah. What a troublesome pet, much like its Master.
“Didn’t I tell you to tell them to scram?” Yu Zhen demanded, not lifting his head from the parchment. Hmmm…this Marquis, it seemed he was a merchant. Didn’t his Wangfei mention something like that?
“Well, that’s one way to greet your wife.”
Yu Zhen raised his gaze and chuckled upon seeing her smirk. His anger was washed away. “I know of another way, my little Wangfei.”
“Do I want to know?” she mused.
“You do.” Yu Zhen beckoned her to come closer with the wave of his hand. “Come, Sunshine. I will show you.”
Li Xueyue chuckled at his words, already knowing what was to come. She approached him and he instantly stood up, wrapping an arm around her waist. He pulled her close and leaned down.
Her eyes automatically closed, waiting eagerly for his kisses. But it never came. Her brows drew together in confusion. Before she could protest, he pressed a soft, tender kiss on her forehead. It lingered there, her heart swelling.
“You look lovely as always,” Yu Zhen murmured upon her forehead. He pressed his lips together, hiding an amused smirk. She was always expecting a kiss. It was fun teasing her.
“Well uhh… I’ll just, uhm, leave.” Hu Dengxiao nodded towards the door, silently taking steps backward.
“I-I think the kingdom would prefer if the future Princess or Prince was conceived in bed…but, no worries!” Hu Dengxiao exclaimed just as he reached the doors.
“But good luck!” Hu Dengxiao hurriedly dashed out of the door before Yu Zhen could murder him with a glare.
“How mean of them to rub their lovey dovey relationship in my face…” Hu Dengxiao grumbled. He quickly perked up upon seeing a familiar figure in the distance. And just like that, he ran for her, as he always did, chasing after a requited love that could never come true.
