Chapter 22: Disguised as a Man for an Outing

Li Ning’an, after greeting her mother, said, “Father, your words have really wronged me.”

“Can’t I come for something good?”

The Mingde Emperor knew her character well. If she wasn’t seeking a favor, she was avoiding a scolding. On normal days, she wouldn’t show such filial behavior.

The Emperor sat at the low couch table. “Your mother hardly sees you as it is. It’s rare to see you display such filial piety.”

Su Jin brought over a cup of tea and withdrew to the side, while the Empress sat down again, with Li Ning’an by her side.

The Mingde Emperor continued, “If I’m wrong, I’ll owe you an apology. There’s a hot spring villa in the southern part of the city, and I’ll give it to you.”

Li Ning’an’s eyes lit up for a moment but then she composed herself and responded obediently, “I didn’t come for that, of course.”

In her previous life, she had only cared for others’ mothers, which led to her tragic end. Those who truly cared for her, she had ignored.

Thankfully, the heavens had given her another chance.

Li Ning’an had come specifically to show her filial devotion, but just as she was massaging her mother’s legs, her father had arrived.

Earlier, at the Xiangguo Duke’s residence, she had been arguing with Yan Ziqi. No matter how much she explained, Yan Ziqi was convinced that she still harbored deep feelings for Fu Minglang.

Li Ning’an almost wanted to knock some sense into him.

Fortunately, the housekeeper arrived in time and handed the keys to the estate to Princess Ning’an.

Only then did Li Ning’an return to her palace and instruct Xing’e and Hongxiu to pack some things, as she planned to stay at the estate for a few days.

Being loved by both the Emperor and Empress, it was no issue for her to occasionally spend the night outside the palace.

The two palace maids busied themselves, writing down the items they needed to bring over, and would soon have the eunuchs transport everything to Yong’an Square.

The princess had ordered it to be a grand affair so that everyone would know.

Princess Ning’an was moving into Yan Ziqi’s estate.

That estate had been specifically prepared for Yan Ziqi’s mistresses.

At this moment, Li Ning’an was sitting by the window at a low couch table, pulling over ink, paper, and brushes to draw and write.

But after wasting several sheets, she remained unsatisfied.

She had to open a tavern, raise secret guards, find a doctor, and send Yan Ziqi to the border.

Yet, none of it was done.

She was severely short on people.

The most reliable ones at her side were just Hongxiu and Xing’e.

Li Ning’an glanced up and saw Hongxiu tilting her head, watching Xing’e as she wrote furiously.

Seeing that Xing’e even wrote down the sandalwood cabinet, Hongxiu couldn’t help but turn to the princess and say:

“Princess, it seems like she’s planning to move the entire palace.”

One couldn’t help but wonder if that small estate could fit everything.

Xing’e immediately retorted, “The princess is used to living in comfort. No matter where she stays, the place cannot appear shabby. This isn’t too much at all.”

In fact, she wanted to empty out the entire palace.

But there were some things that were exclusively for palace use.

Without permission from either the Emperor or Empress, they couldn’t be taken.

Yan Ziqi had only given them an estate, and it was doubtful that anything valuable was inside.

That sandalwood cabinet had two locked compartments at the bottom and two layers of carved shelves on top.

The shelves held the books the princess had been reading recently, while the cabinet contained treasures like brushes, paper, ink, and inkstones—each item worth a fortune.

Lakeside brushes, Xuan paper, Hui ink, and Duan inkstones.

These were items that could be purchased with a fortune.

How much of these could the Xiangguo Duke’s residence even have?

What if the princess couldn’t get used to using cheaper things?

Li Ning’an paused for a moment. In her past life, all these fine things had ended up in Fu Minglang’s study.

If not, they had been sent out as gifts by the Fu family.

She, on the other hand, had become the one who knew how to endure hardship.

Li Ning’an said, “Take them. Don’t let yourself be mistreated.”

She wouldn’t be so easily fooled this time.

It reminded her that in her past life, Fu Minglang had earned the admiration of Minister Wen and quickly transferred to the Secretariat.

This made the Fu family’s old residence think he was about to rise in rank, so they moved the entire third branch of the family to the capital.

Fu Mingying, who had been the second daughter, had to switch ranks within the family and became the third daughter.

During the flower-viewing banquet, there hadn’t been any mention of the name change.

That was likely because the old family had not yet arrived, and Fu Minglang, without Minister Wen’s support, didn’t have any prospects.

At this time in her previous life, she would have been sitting in the Fu residence, chatting with Lady Fu and giving Fu Mingying gold and silver jewelry.

Speaking of which, it had been quite a while since she visited her mother.

Li Ning’an acted on impulse, instructing Hongxiu and Xing’e to continue packing, while she made her way alone to Weiyang Palace.

Just as she was amusing her mother, her father arrived to join in the fun.

Mingde Emperor couldn’t help but laugh when he saw how much Li Ning’an wanted the hot spring villa, yet was trying so hard to hold back.

“Fine, consider it a reward for making the Empress happy.”

Li Ning’an immediately agreed, afraid her father might change his mind.

As she thought about moving out, she said to her father, “Yan Lang, the Duke’s heir, was thoughtful enough to gift me a residence.”

“He says it has great ventilation from north to south and beautiful scenery. He invited me to stay for a few days. I’ll come back to accompany Mother after a while.”

“Men and women are different. How can you stay in his residence?” The Empress scolded her with words, but her eyes were full of affection.

The Empress spoke to Mingde Emperor, “Look at her, she’s no longer a child, yet still playing around with Ziqi.”

“Mother, I truly have feelings for Duke Yan.”

Li Ning’an didn’t dare tell her mother that she was doing everything she could to become Yan Ziqi’s mistress.

Parents love their children and make plans for their futures.

In the harem, the Empress had to walk on thin ice, and Li Ning’an knew it was better to not upset her mother for now.

Even if Li Ning’an didn’t say it, the Empress already knew.

The Empress pitied Ning’an for not having an older brother to support her, and with her younger brother still too young, it would take several years before he could be of help.

The Empress was wholeheartedly trying to find Ning’an a good husband who could protect her for a lifetime.

But Ning’an first had feelings for Fu Minglang, and now she was infatuated with Yan Ziqi.

It truly gave the Empress a headache.

Mingde Emperor had also come today to discuss Yan Ziqi.

Though Ziqi was not his own son, Mingde Emperor treated him like half of one. He couldn’t allow Ning’an’s antics to delay him any further.

“He has yet to ask for an imperial decree to marry you, and he even submitted a memorial saying you were causing trouble. There’s no fate between you two, so why persist?”

Mingde Emperor treated Fu Minglang as a subject, but with Yan Ziqi, he felt guilt and affection.

If not for his duty to protect the empire, Ziqi would have been raised with the love and care of his parents and family.

Especially since Mingde Emperor had been close to the Duke of Xiangguo in their youth, he truly treated Yan Ziqi like a younger generation to be cherished.

“I’m doing it for his own good. If he doesn’t make a name for himself, how will he ever get married?”

Li Ning’an should have made sure to watch as Ziqi submitted the memorial himself.

To think he had the audacity to go through the motions without real intent.

Li Ning’an couldn’t resist pleading for Ziqi once more.

“Is there really no way to send him? Even if it’s just as a cook in the army.”

“He can’t cook, but he can at least light fires, right?”

Mingde Emperor would have rather she asked for jewelry, clothes, shops, or estates.

“The borders are still guarded by the Tong family. You and Ning Yisu enjoy playing around, but don’t overstep.”

Li Ning’an realized that getting her father to send Yan Ziqi to the border was impossible.

But stirring up the public and raising suspicion toward the Tong family would only make things worse.

After all, it was the Tong family who were enduring hardship at the border, and no one remembered their sacrifices—only the Duke of Xiangguo’s.

Who wouldn’t hold a grudge in their hearts?

Though Li Ning’an often seemed solely focused on romance, her political instincts were just as sharp.

Seeing that her father and mother had more to discuss, Li Ning’an left Weiyang Palace.

When she returned to her residence, she noticed Xing’e holding a set of men’s clothing, and a plan immediately formed in her mind.

“Xing’e, we’re going out of the palace.”

“Ah?” Xing’e was holding a set of men’s attire, which had been made last year at the princess’s request for her to dress as a man to avoid drawing attention.

“Bring the men’s clothes. We’re going to buy an inn.”

Li Ning’an remembered that she had also made sets for Hongxiu and Xing’e.

She never left without servants, maintaining the proper image of a princess.

Besides, when purchasing items, someone had to carry them.

This time, Li Ning’an had no intention of buying the location Fu Minglang had chosen in her previous life, to prevent him from figuring anything out.

If he was smart enough to pass the imperial exams and earn the top three titles, his mind was sharp.

Li Ning’an had to be careful.

For this outing, she deliberately darkened her complexion, stuck on a fake mustache, and removed her earrings.

Thus, a handsome and tanned young man appeared on the streets.