Read Novel Full CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 11
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Xiao Yanfei said with a soft laugh as she opened the oiled paper package.
Inside was a fluffy, snow-white steamed bun, still steaming hot and its tempting aroma of wheat wafting up immediately.
Right in front of Princess Ning Shu, Xiao Yanfei took a bite. The bun’s skin was soft and delicate, and the unique salty fragrance of pickled vegetables and bamboo shoots lingered on her palate, incredibly flavorful.
“Delicious.” Xiao Yanfei said, her mouth full of lingering aroma as her eyes sparkling with genuine delight.
“When I say it’s good, there’s no way it wouldn’t be!” Princess Ning Shu tilted her small face proudly, her crisp voice carrying a hint of smugness as her cheeks dimpled slightly, revealing a pair of faint dimples.
She waved her hand dismissively, calling out. “Let’s go.”
Once they exited the Sutra Library, the outside was even quieter.
There was no trace of the Crown Prince or the imperial guards anywhere, just a vast, empty stillness.
Xiao Yanfei took small, deliberate bites of her bun but she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her from behind.
With a silent sigh in her heart she couldn’t help but think how eerily accurate the divination she’d drawn at Xilin Temple had been.
Xiao Yanfei casually reached into her pocket and touched the safety charm hidden there, a sense of lingering fear washing over her. It seemed that the charm was indeed effective, she’d have to keep it safe from now on.
From the back temple to the front temple, they hadn’t encountered anyone until they reached the area near the Mahavira Hall where the number of pilgrims gradually increased.
The pilgrims were clustered in small groups chatting loudly causing a ruckus, their eyes mostly fixed on the imperial guards stationed at the temple gate.
The mountain breeze blew gently carrying snippets of anxious conversation from the pilgrims:
“What’s the meaning of the imperial guards stopping us from leaving?”
“We’re all honest, law-abiding citizens!”
“Hey, do any of you know what the imperial guards are even searching for in the temple?”
“How would I know?”
“Let’s wait a bit longer. The master in the temple said that once the imperial guards are done searching, we’ll be free to go.”
“…”
The nearby pilgrims were as restless as ants on a hot pan, their unease palpable.
Everyone had been stopped by the imperial guards inside the temple, unable to leave. The imperial guards were unyielding and indifferent, not giving face to anyone trying to plead, not even to Princess Ning Shu.
Princess Ning Shu, accustomed to living a pampered life where everything went her way, felt deeply offended by the imperial guards’ treatment, this made her brimmed with indignation.
Her cheeks puffed out like steamed buns as she sulked, drawing circles on the ground with her toes, one after another.
When she grew bored of drawing circles, she began sketching rabbits with her toes making simple outlines of them that looked clumsy yet endearing, looking quite cute.
Xiao Yanfei having nothing else to do continued nibbling on her bun while watching Princess Ning Shu’s random sketches.
When Ning Shu noticed that Xiao Yanfei was looking at her, she tilted her face slightly feeling a little more relaxed.
Alright, let’s draw a cat for her to see.
With a few quick strokes, Princess Ning Shu sketched a plump little cat, growing more and more skilled with each line.
By the time she finished drawing the cat and Xiao Yanfei had finished her second bun, the pilgrims nearby started to stir as someone called out in awe. “Is that… is that the Crown Prince?”
The man’s voice was filled with both reverence and excitement.
Xiao Yanfei finally lifted her head, not needing to ask. She simply followed the gazes of the surrounding people.
Several dozen feet away, a group of people walked toward them.
The imperial guards were empty handed and there was a heavy cloud-like aura surrounding them. It was clear to anyone watching that they hadn’t found the person or item they were looking for.
The Crown Prince, dressed in a golden yellow dragon robe walked leisurely at the front while his hands clasped behind his back. His face was as cold as water but with every step he carried an air of extraordinary nobility making him the undisputed focus of the crowd.
His gaze casually swept over the Bodhi tree, and when his eyes landed on Xiao Luanfei, they suddenly brightened, his expression softening.
He raised his hand and gestured for the imperial guards to stop while the surrounding pilgrims who were wary of the imperial guards cautiously stepped back as far away as they could.
Whether it was the Crown Prince or the imperial guards, they were figures no commoner could afford to provoke.
With long strides, the Crown Prince made his way toward Xiao Luanfei beneath the Bodhi tree.
“Luán’er,” the Crown Prince said, his eyes burning with intensity as he gazed at Xiao Luanfei’s bright, beautiful face, and with a softened voice said. “What brings you here?”
Xiao Luanfei’s eyes fluttered, her lips curving into a smile like blooming spring flowers. “We came to ask for a peace talisman.”
“Big Cousin.” Princess Ning Shu stopped drawing and pouted, her voice filled with displeasure. “What are you searching for with the imperial guards, and why are you stopping us from leaving?”
Her words carried a mix of complaint and questioning, and she displayed the delicate demeanor typical of a young woman.
Prince Yi was the emperor’s younger brother from the same mother while Princess Ning Shu was Prince Yi’s legitimate daughter and an imperial princess personally titled by the emperor. Having been raised with access to the palace from a young age, she was also quite familiar with the crown prince, her cousin.
The Crown Prince’s gaze grew stern, and he replied coldly. “Ning Shu, mind your own business.”
Princess Ning Shu immediately sulked, her face falling as she pouted unhappily.
Seeing her discontent, Xiao Luanfei silently nudged the Crown Prince with her elbow, giving him a playful look as if asking if he was really not going to explain.
The Crown Prince met her gaze, his narrow eyes filled with tenderness.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t explain.
He cleared his throat gently before responding. “Xie Wuduan.”
Princess Ning Shu was still processing the information while Xiao Luanfei who was already deep in thought said. “Wasn’t Xie Wuduan supposed to be escorted to the capital this morning?”
The announcement that Xie Wuduan was to be brought to the capital for trial had already been publicly posted, proclaiming it to the entire nation.
“Big cousi, you’re searching for Cousin Duan… did he run away?!” Princess Ning Shu exclaimed as her mouth opening slightly in shock.
Xie Wuduan was the of Xie Yimo, the grand marshal of the Jinlin Army, and his mother was Princess Zhaoming.
Once, the Xie family had been full of heroic figures with Xie Yimo and his son enjoying the favor and trust of both the late and current emperors. For many years, they had been stationed at the northern border achieving remarkable military feats.
However, last year in the twelfth month Xie Yimo and his son plotted rebellion. They secretly allied with the northern barbarians, leading to the fall of three cities in the northern border, the annihilation of the 100,000 loyal soldiers of the Jinlin Army, and the deaths of countless civilians.
The emperor was furious and ordered the Xie family’s entire clan to be executed. Princess Zhaoming deeply ashamed took her own life in the Princess’s residence, her blood staining the floors.
The imperial guards captured Xie Wuduan in the northern border and, after a long journey, brought him to the capital for trial.
Xiao Yanfei: “…”
Even though she hadn’t looked up in the scripture library she had more or less guessed that the person hidden in the rafters who was still dripping with blood was Xie Wuduan.
She truly had narrowly escaped death today!
Third Miss Lu swallowed hard. “Someone actually dared to rob a prisoner under the emperor’s nose!”
Xie Wuduan holds a unique identity, and since he had committed the grave crime of treason by colluding with the enemy, if he escapes it would be a huge scandal and the emperor would undoubtedly be furious.
The Crown Prince didn’t say much about Xie Wuduan and instead turned to Xiao Luanfei with a gentle smile, his affection clearly evident. “Luan’er, I’ll have someone escort you down the mountain.”
“No need.” Xiao Luanfei replied gracefully, shaking her head. “The princess and I still want to enjoy the temple fair.”
“That’s right!” Princess Ning Shu nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling. “I’ve been looking forward to it for so long!”
The Crown Prince didn’t insist and personally saw them off out of Xilin Temple. He then turned to the imperial guards and ordered. “Question all the monks and pilgrims here again.”
The imperial guards continued to patrol around the temple while the young ladies left the mountain, full of excitement.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, however, it was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over them.
The foot of the mountain was empty. According to the passersby, the temple fair had been shut down half an hour earlier due to the imperial guards’ search.
With the fair gone and their mood dampened, they could only return to the capital early.
Princess Ning Shu reluctantly climbed into her carriage with her mood soured.
To cheer her up, Xiao Luanfei invited Xiao Yanfei and Third Miss Lu to join them in the carriage, suggesting they play a game of “Yezi Pai” (a card game) on the way.
Though Princess Ning Shu was somewhat downcast, she perked up immediately when she heard Xiao Yanfei say she didn’t know how to play, her excitement growing. “I’ll teach you!” she exclaimed eagerly.
Afraid Xiao Yanfei might refuse, she patted her chest proudly and quickly added. “If you lose, I’ll take the loss for you.”
The game was most fun with four players, so Third Miss Lu also joined in, coaxing. “Come on, let’s play. You’ll get the hang of it in no time.”
Princess Ning Shu fixed her gaze on Xiao Yanfei looking like she wouldn’t forgive her if she didn’t play.
Who could resist such a look? Certainly not Xiao Yanfei.
“Alright!” she agreed.
“Great, let me teach you the cards first!” Princess Ning Shu’s mood instantly lifted as she eagerly took on the role of a strict teacher, guiding Xiao Yanfei through the rules.
However, her student quickly proved to be a disappointment. After just one round, Xiao Yanfei played competently, and by the second round, she was already getting into the rhythm of the game.
“Huh? Xiao Yanfei, you’re lucky! You won!”
“How is it that you won again?”
“I don’t care, let’s play another round!”
“…”
Princess Ning Shu lost almost every round, but her gambler’s spirit never wavered and by the time they reached the west gate of the capital, she had lost an entire box of silk flowers.
Pouting, she pushed the cards away in frustration making both Xiao Luanfei and Third Miss Lu burst into laughter.
This time, she had lost her favorite hairpin.
“You have to wear it every day, understand?!”
As Xiao Yanfei was getting off the carriage, Princess Ning Shu reluctantly pressed the hairpin into her hand, her voice full of playful complaint. “Next time, we’ll play again!”
Before Xiao Yanfei could respond, the wheels of the carriage spun, and it sped off.
Xiao Yanfei followed Xiao Luanfei into the Marquis’s carriage. By the time the two sisters arrived back at the mansion, she had not only won the silk flowers and the hairpin, but also a few medical books she had purchased from a bookstore, returning fully loaded.
It was approaching the hour of Shen, and the sun was gradually sinking in the west.
The two sisters went to the main courtyard together to greet Madam Yin, and only then did Xiao Yanfei leisurely return to her courtyard, her hand occasionally fiddling with the butterfly hairpin she had won.
The butterfly hairpin was exquisitely crafted, adorned with red coral beads and wrapped in golden threads, shimmering in the sunlight.
As soon as she stepped through the courtyard gate, she heard Ding Xiang’s cheerful voice announcing. “Miss, your mother has arrived.”
Xiao Yanfei’s smile instantly faded, and she casually set the hairpin down following Ding Xiang into the room.
Concubine Cui was sitting on the luohan bed against the east wall, slowly flipping through a Buddhist scripture.
She appeared to be only about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, dressed in a cyan-colored robe embroidered with hibiscus flowers. Her delicate, porcelain-like skin was so pale it seemed to glow, giving her an appearance of fragility, as though she could be blown away by a gust of wind.
Upon hearing the noise, Concubine Cui set down the Buddhist scripture in her hand, raised her head, and looked at Xiao Yanfei, revealing a face as beautiful as a painting.
Her willow-shaped eyes seemed to speak without words, and her arched eyebrows furrowed slightly, exuding a gentle and delicate charm.
Yet, at that moment, the image that flashed through Xiao Yanfei’s mind was one of the original owner, beaten mercilessly with a whip by Marquis Wu’an on that stormy night, while Concubine Cui stood by, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, her face filled with sorrow, but her lips twisted into a cruel smile.
Xiao Yanfei couldn’t help but shiver.
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