Chapter 115

Xie Yunjian, wrapped in a brocade white cloak, stepped over the threshold. He was tall and lean; even winter clothes couldn’t hide his graceful and composed demeanor. As soon as he stepped in, Yuan Ziying spread her arms and rushed over like a butterfly, “Husband—”

Xie Yunjian shivered and swiftly dodged to the side, avoiding her embrace.

Yuan Ziying missed and almost fell flat on her face. At the critical moment, Xie Yunjian hooked her unbalanced body with his foot, preventing her from falling embarrassingly in public.

Yuan Ziying steadied herself, turned around, and looked at Xie Yunjian with dissatisfaction, “It’s been so long, can’t you let me hug you?”

Xie Yunjian frowned, “I can’t.”

“Hugging won’t cost you anything.”

“Indeed, it won’t cost me anything, but it will mean listening to you for seven days straight.” Xie Yunjian said irritably, “I warn you, don’t use poison recklessly in the Grand Princess’s residence, or don’t blame me for sending you back where you came from, never to see me again.”

Yuan Ziying clung to his arm coquettishly, “Then I won’t use poison anymore, okay?”

“Take your hand off.” Xie Yunjian slapped her hand away, “Your lies only fool yourself.”

Yuan Ziying’s almond eyes widened in displeasure, “You’re such a coward!”

Yan Donghuang watched this scene without expression, probably guessing why Xie Yunjian disliked Yuan Ziying. However, judging by their interaction, Xie Yunjian didn’t seem to truly hate her.

“Your Highness.” Xie Yunjian saluted Yan Donghuang, “Yuan Ziying has been neglected since childhood, making her rather willful and immature. If she does anything wrong in the future, please feel free to punish her severely so she understands the law.”

Yan Donghuang’s expression was subtle.

“Xie Yunjian, do you have a grudge against me?” Yuan Ziying’s cheeks flushed with anger, “You wrote to me to come, and now you’re kicking me when I’m down, wanting the Crown Princess to punish me. I can’t help but suspect you’re taking personal revenge. You grudge-holding selfish jerk!”

Xie Yunjian smiled slightly, “So you know we have a personal grudge.”

Yuan Ziying was so angry she wanted to bite him.

Yan Donghuang, sitting aside, finally confirmed that this girl’s docile and harmless demeanor was an act… or rather, it wasn’t an act, just not her true nature. Outsiders were easily deceived by her appearance.

“Enough.” Xie Yunjian raised his hand and patted Yuan Ziying’s head, “Since you’re in the Grand Princess’s residence, behave yourself and don’t cause trouble. After a while, I’ll take you around—”

“I want to go boating.”

Xie Yunjian paused, then nodded, “Fine, as long as you behave.”

Yuan Ziying’s anger came quickly and went quickly.

Xie Yunjian’s simple head pat and a few words calmed her down.

“Let her stay by Your Highness’s side from now on.” Xie Yunjian looked at Yan Donghuang, “Ziying is skilled in various poisons and has a keen nose. Even colorless and tasteless poisons can be easily detected by her. With her around, no one can poison Your Highness.”

Yuan Ziying nodded repeatedly like a praised child.

Yan Donghuang responded, “On one condition.”

“Please, Your Highness.”

“Don’t use poison on people casually.” Understanding her nature, Yan Donghuang set three rules, “You can’t use poison freely in the Grand Princess’s residence or outside unless I permit it.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness.” Yuan Ziying nodded vigorously, “I’ll be good and won’t poison people randomly.”

Yan Donghuang said no more, “Xie Yunjian, since she is your fiancée, arrange a place for her to stay.”

Fiancée?

Xie Yunjian clearly didn’t expect Yuan Ziying to introduce their relationship this way. His face changed, and he belatedly realized that she had called him husband earlier?

He looked at Yuan Ziying unhappily, wanting to ask when he agreed to marry her. However, considering her temper, Xie Yunjian suppressed his question for now.

Yuan Ziying politely bid farewell to Yan Donghuang and then left with Xie Yunjian.

“A girl who grew up in the mountains has surprisingly good manners.” Chang Lan mused, “Could she have received special training?”

“She looks good, too, and her demeanor doesn’t resemble a mountain girl.” Chang Yue also found it strange, “How is General Xie so familiar with a mountain girl?”

Yan Donghuang turned to look out the window.

Xie Yunjian and Yuan Ziying walked towards the courtyard gate, one after the other. Yuan Ziying tried to hook Xie Yunjian’s arm twice, but he mercilessly slapped her hand away each time. His actions showed a clear desire to avoid her.

Her voice was calm, “No matter her background, I trust Xie Yunjian, so I will trust Yuan Ziying. Her presence should be an asset, not a hindrance.”

Chang Lan and Chang Yue nodded, “Yes.”

…

“I won’t drug you anymore, okay?” Yuan Ziying pouted, not giving up on getting close to Xie Yunjian, “Aren’t I in the Grand Princess’s residence now? If you find me drugging again, let the Crown Princess punish me.”

Xie Yunjian frowned, looking at her with displeasure, “When did you become my fiancée?”

“When you wrote to me, it was already decided.” Yuan Ziying raised her eyebrows slightly, smiling with a hint of pride, “Didn’t you leave a promise when you left Qingmang Mountain?”

Xie Yunjian was momentarily speechless.

“You said yourself if you ever needed my help, I could handle everything as I wished.” Yuan Ziying said calmly, “I don’t want to handle you. My only condition is that you marry me.”

Xie Yunjian said nothing.

Yuan Ziying followed him, negotiating slowly, “Since you invited me here, you must need my help. But you know my temper, I get upset and want to test poisons on people. So you need to keep me happy.”

“If you agree to my condition, I will be absolutely loyal to the Crown Princess. If she asks me to climb a mountain of swords, I’ll do it. If she asks me to plunge into a sea of fire, I’ll do it without hesitation.”

“Even if you want me to serve her twelve hours a day, I’ll do it willingly.”

“But you can’t turn your back on me.”

Xie Yunjian stopped and looked at her, “I used to like you.”

Yuan Ziying was stunned.

Xie Yunjian said coldly, “But you repeatedly destroyed that affection.”

Yuan Ziying pursed her red lips, “I was immature back then.”

“We’re still young, so there’s time to change.” Xie Yunjian’s tone was indifferent, “You want me to marry you, but I have conditions too.”

Yuan Ziying’s eyes lit up, “Tell me.”

Xie Yunjian said, “No more testing poisons on people.”

Yuan Ziying frowned, “Not even on bad people?”

Xie Yunjian said coldly, “Who defines good and bad?”

Yuan Ziying pouted, “What if someone tries to poison the Crown Princess?”

Xie Yunjian was silent for a moment, “That would be an exception.”

Yuan Ziying immediately brightened up, “Deal.”

“No poisoning people casually.”

“Not even bad people?” Yuan Ziying blurted out, then added, “If someone poisons the Crown Princess, can’t I poison them back?”

Xie Yunjian looked displeased but couldn’t refute, “Before poisoning them back, you must ask the Crown Princess.”

Yuan Ziying thought for a moment and reluctantly agreed, “Fine. Any other conditions?”

“Not for now.” Xie Yunjian decided to stop while ahead, “I’ll arrange your accommodation first. Tomorrow morning, you’ll go to the Crown Princess.”

“Kiss me.” Yuan Ziying looked up at him, “Kiss me, and I’ll go guard her tonight.”

Chapter 116

Xie Yunjian stared at her expectant face, and his first reaction wasn’t that she wanted to take advantage of him but rather that she might have applied poison to her lips in advance. Too many past experiences had left deep shadows, and he had no trust in her at all. He raised his hand and knocked her on the head, annoyed, “A young lady being so shameless, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”

Yuan Ziying frowned, “Why should I be afraid of being laughed at?”

Xie Yunjian fell silent, not knowing how to explain this to her. A girl who grew up in the deep mountains didn’t have strict notions about the separation of men and women, yet she had received some education and understood that men and women should keep their distance. She was somewhat naive and only half-understood. She knew some things, but not completely. If he were to explain it in detail, it would only make her more curious and lead to more questions.

Xie Yunjian smartly changed the topic, “I’ll have someone prepare hot water for you. Take a hot bath. If you’re hungry, you can ask the kitchen to prepare some food for you later.”

Yuan Ziying responded, “Can you watch over me while I bathe?”

Xie Yunjian squinted and looked at her.

“I’m afraid of encountering a flower thief.” Yuan Ziying explained innocently, “I’m so beautiful, aren’t you worried at all?”

Xie Yunjian replied calmly, “First, the Grand Princess’s residence is heavily guarded. No flower thief would appear; second, even if there were a flower thief, encountering you would be his bad luck.”

Yuan Ziying laughed happily, “You think I’m very powerful?”

Xie Yunjian: “…”

Yuan Ziying was overjoyed, thinking that Xie Yunjian still cared about her but just liked to say the opposite of what he meant.

Xie Yunjian couldn’t be bothered with her self-delusion. On the way, he met the stewardess, Madam Cui, and quickly entrusted Yuan Ziying to her, giving a few instructions before leaving on the pretext of official duties.

Yuan Ziying snorted at his back, calling him a coward, and followed Madam Cui.

Madam Cui arranged a quiet courtyard for Yuan Ziying and assigned two maids to attend to her, “If Miss Yuan needs anything, just instruct them.”

Yuan Ziying bowed slightly, “Thank you, Madam.”

“Don’t mention it.” Madam Cui quickly returned the courtesy, “This is our duty. Miss Yuan doesn’t need to be formal.”

The two maids quickly prepared hot water.

Yuan Ziying sprinkled some flower powder she carried into the water, dismissed the maids, undressed, and bathed, washing herself thoroughly before drying off and changing into clean clothes. After tidying up, she wrapped herself in a cloak and stepped out, heading towards Yan Donghuang’s Qingluan Courtyard.

An unexpected guest arrived at Qingluan Hall.

Prince An, Yan Ling.

For Yan Donghuang, who had lived another life, all nominal relatives were no longer family. Those who visited the Grand Princess’s residence were either guests or enemies.

Yan Ling, dressed in a white cloak with embroidered edges, had gentle and elegant features, exuding a sense of detachment and melancholy.
After sitting down, he held a teacup and looked at Yan Donghuang hesitantly, “Donghuang, the court has been unstable recently. The poisoning incident involving Marquis Pingyang was unexpected for me, and there are also rampant rumors outside. Are you under a lot of pressure?”

“Pressure?” Yan Donghuang took a sip of tea, looking indifferent, “I have no pressure at all.”

Yan Ling paused, lowering his eyes, “What do you plan to do with the second prince?”

“What?” Yan Donghuang raised an eyebrow, “Are you here to plead for him?”

Yan Ling pursed his lips, “We are siblings. The second prince used to be closest to you, I—”

“He won’t die for now.” Yan Donghuang interrupted him, “Even if he has to die, it will be after he sees me ascend the throne.”

Yan Ling’s hand tightened around the teacup, and his expression darkened. “How did we siblings come to this?”

“Because I am ambitious and ruthless.” Yan Donghuang’s lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “Being ruthless for the throne is a common understanding among royal offspring. Is it hard for you to understand, Seventh Prince?”

Yan Ling pressed his lips together, silent for a long time before slowly shaking his head, “It’s not hard to understand, but I never thought it would happen to you, so—”

“Your Highness, I have arrived—” Yuan Ziying burst through the door, her voice catching when she saw others present. She looked at Yan Ling with some embarrassment, “Greetings, sir.”

Yan Ling glanced at Yuan Ziying, finding her unfamiliar, and looked at Yan Donghuang in confusion, “Who is this young lady?”

“I am Xie Yunjian, General Xie’s fiancée.” Yuan Ziying took off her cloak and bowed politely, her eyes falling on the teacup in his hand, “Greetings, sir.”

Yan Donghuang said, “This is Prince An, Yan Ling.”

Yuan Ziying responded, “Greetings, Prince An.”

“No need for formalities.” Yan Ling’s eyes showed deep thought, “General Xie’s fiancée? You don’t seem to be from the capital.”

Yuan Ziying nodded, “Indeed, I’m not.”

“Then you—”

“Your Highness, I just took a bath.” Yuan Ziying turned to Yan Donghuang, twirling her skirt, “How does this dress look?”

As she twirled, the blue skirt embroidered with butterflies fluttered in the air, and the freshly bathed girl exuded a pleasant fragrance, like the scent of flowers.

Yan Ling found the fragrance refreshing but couldn’t recall what flower it was.

“Beautiful.” Yan Donghuang nodded, “But aren’t you cold in such light clothing?”

Yuan Ziying walked over and poured tea for Yan Donghuang, “I just took a hot bath, so I’m warm. It’s cold outside, but not in Your Highness’s room.”

Yan Ling observed Yuan Ziying quietly, finding her different from ordinary girls. Although she seemed to lack proper manners, her eyes showed no fear or timidity of someone who had never seen the world. She didn’t seem to match her “commoner” identity.

Suppressing his strange feeling, Yan Ling turned to Yan Donghuang, “You don’t need to worry too much about the rumors outside. Time will cool them down—”

“What rumors?” Yuan Ziying looked at Yan Donghuang, surprised, “Is it about the female official that everyone is talking about?”

Yan Donghuang nodded slightly, “Yes.”

“Since ancient times, the first to break the rules always face criticism. What’s the big deal?” Yuan Ziying dismissed it, “These arrogant men are used to looking down on women. The less capable they are, the more they like to suppress women. Your Highness shouldn’t care about their opinions; they’re not saints.”

Yan Donghuang’s lips curled into a smile, her eyes showing interest, “You’re right.”

“A great woman should achieve great things and be remembered for generations, praised by future generations.” Yuan Ziying’s eyes showed admiration, “I believe many women in the world hope that Your Highness will become a wise empress.”

Yan Ling frowned, “Matters of the state are not for a young girl to discuss lightly. Be careful of what you say.”

“What is there to fear?” Yuan Ziying frowned, “Who hasn’t died since ancient times?”

Yan Ling was somewhat helpless, “Aren’t you afraid of implicating your family?”

“Not at all.” Yuan Ziying’s tone was calm, “If my family were implicated, it would be my fortune.”

Yan Ling was stunned. What did she mean by that?