Chapter 69: What If She Tries To Steal A Woman From Your Highness?
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Turning his head to follow the laughter, Yu Jin noticed the woman in brocade clothing.
In the territory of Yuzhou, the only woman who is worthy of calling Her Highness, "Imperial Sister" and is an old acquaintance who is surrounded by officials is probably Li Xinyi, the only legitimate daughter of the Prince of Yu.
Though it had been many years since they last met, when Yu Jin saw Li Xinyi again, he could still find a faint sense of familiarity in her face.
What Li Xinyi said was indeed correct. Without the Princess' permission, how could a mere minor commander like him dare to openly slight them in front of so many officials?
However, some matters, regardless of the truth, are better left as unspoken understandings in officialdom. To state them openly in public would be a heart-condemning accusation.
After hearing Li Xinyi's remarks, Yu Jin's expression grew even darker. He could afford to disregard the dignity of those Yuzhou officials, as his rank as a capital official was not much worse than theirs. Some things could be brushed over as long as they were not taken too far, and it would not matter much.
However, now that he was facing the deliberate difficulty posed by this Princess, he could no longer remain indifferent and dismissive as before.
By the time Yu Jin dismounted from his horse, Li Xinyi had already approached him, holding her sword.
"This humble officer greets Your Highness."
Li Xinyi curled her lips in disdain. She merely glanced at Commander Yu, who was feigning respect and performing his salute with rigid propriety. Seeing that he intentionally avoided answering her earlier question, she did not press him further. With a casual wave of her hand to signal Yu Jin to rise, Li Xinyi gave a faint smile.
"It is rare for Imperial Sister to visit Yuzhou. As her cousin, it is only right for me to fulfill the duties of a proper host."
With that, Li Xinyi walked boldly toward the carriage where Li Qiubai was seated.
Before Li Xinyi could approach the Princess, Yu Jin had already stepped forward to block her path. He said, “Her Highness* is unwell and unable to receive visitors. I ask for Your Highness’** understanding.”
*殿下 (diàn xià) - Li Qiubai’s title which translates to His/Her Highness, addressed to direct imperial lineage like the offspring of the Emperor.
**郡主 (jùnzhǔ) - county princess, title given to daughters of princes (emperor's brothers) or imperial relatives.
I don't know if there's an equivalent translation for that so I’ll stick to ‘Highness’ for both, and Princess for Li Qiubai and princess or County Princess for Li Xinyi in narrations.
“Unwell?”
Li Xinyi stopped in her tracks and pretended to be surprised. “Could it be true, as Lord Guo said, that Imperial Sister was startled during the journey? If that is the case, then I must personally check on her! As it happens, my residence houses several skilled physicians. I can summon them to examine Imperial Sister, so she does not suffer any grievances while outside. After all, we would not want to upset our Emperor Uncle, would we?”
Li Xinyi spoke lightly, but there was no trace of concern in her eyes. Before Yu Jin could speak again, she narrowed her gaze and coldly sneered, “What is it, Commander Yu? What is your true intention in blocking me like this? If anything were to happen to Imperial Sister under your care, can you bear the consequences?”
With this accusation, even Yu Jin could not help but break into a cold sweat.
Seeing that Li Xinyi was clearly determined not to leave without meeting the Princess, He Changping, who had been watching from the back of the group, reluctantly stepped forward.
"Your Highness, you speak too seriously. Her Highness encountered assassins on the road and sustained grave injuries. She remains unconscious to this day, and thus, it is impossible for her to meet with you. We hope you will not be upset. Once Her Highness wakes, we will certainly pass on your message."
"Unconscious."
Li Xinyi smiled playfully as she looked at He Changping, her gaze sweeping back and forth over the scars on his face. Knowing how exhausting the journey must have been for him, she smiled a bit more cheerfully.
But in no time at all, Li Xinyi had wiped away the trace of coldness in her eyes. She took a few steps closer to He Changping, rising on her toes to lean in near his shoulder. In a lowered voice, she chuckled and said, "Why does the Prince Consort still seem so indifferent? Could it be that you are playing a joke on me?"
Although there was no physical contact between the two at that moment, the distance was still too close for He Changping's comfort.
After subtly shifting to the side to create some space between them, He Changping lowered his voice and replied, "Whether it is true or not, Your Highness should be the one who knows best."
Li Xinyi's smile froze for a moment, and she immediately darkened her expression. With displeasure, she asked, "What does the Prince Consort mean by that?"
He Changping smiled nonchalantly and also lowered his voice in response, "I do not mean anything. Your Highness should not overthink it. As long as you know that Her Highness is indeed not in a position to receive visitors, that is enough. I hope Your Highness will not persist and will take your leave."
With the conversation having reached this point, how could Li Xinyi not understand the deeper meaning behind He Changping's words?
He was clearly showing his disdain for her.
Li Xinyi had no intention of explaining anything. She merely narrowed her eyes and stared intently at He Changping, then sneered and said, "Young Master He, you really are heartless. No matter what, the two of us can at least be considered old lovers, yet you treat me with such disdain. What is it? Are you so eager to send me away because you are afraid the Princess might grow jealous if she learns about our past?"
Although no one could hear the whispered exchange between the two, their seemingly cheerful demeanor appeared to others as carrying an inexplicable air of intimacy.
Yuzhou was home to many people of the Jianghu. Even those waiting in line to enter the city were often wandering martial artists from various paths.
Martial artists, after all, loved nothing more than a lively spectacle. It was rare to witness the affairs of the imperial family, so naturally, no one would want to waste such a golden opportunity.
Thus, when the crowd witnessed such an ambiguous scene, they instinctively stopped to observe.
Though people from the Jianghu were naturally free-spirited and paid little heed to strict gender boundaries, it was unsurprising for the princess, who had grown up in Yuzhou, to have picked up a bit of that unrestrained demeanor. Her carefree behavior was hardly unusual.
However, those who frequently traveled through Yuzhou and had heard of some past entanglements between the princess and He Changping could not help but let their thoughts wander upon seeing them whispering so casually in public.
At a tea stall outside the city gates, many people were also seated, sipping tea and resting while enjoying the spectacle.
At one of the tables sat a veiled female swordsman. After observing the scene on the main road, she casually joked with her companions, “I heard that back then, the matchmakers from the Prince of Yu’s residence went to Qingyang Clan several times to propose a marriage between their princess and the Young Master of the He family. It was already a marriage where they humbled themselves, yet each time, that boy He dared to refuse. One would have thought the He family would eventually pay for this insolence, but who would have expected that brat to have such good fortune? He climbed the social ladder, married Her Highness, and even became that princess' brother-in-law. How amusing.”
Her voice was not quiet, so anyone sitting at the tea stall with decent hearing could hear her words clearly.
As soon as this was mentioned, many curious bystanders eagerly joined the conversation.
“With all of them gathered here now, does that not mean there will be something good to watch?”
“What fun show could there be? Did you not hear? Her Highness was ambushed by assassins on the road and is now unconscious.”
“Well, so the brother-in-law and the cousin can openly flirt like this?”
It was not only the onlookers scattered about who made such teasing remarks. Even Young Master Meng, who had already woken up inside the carriage, could not help but let out a cold snort upon seeing their overly intimate actions.
“This is outrageous. Behaving so intimately in broad daylight, what kind of decorum is this? Anyone unaware might think…”
Just as she was about to blurt out her grievances, Meng Chang'an abruptly stopped herself, forcibly swallowing the rest of her words. Resolving to avoid further irritation, she slammed shut the small viewing panel on the carriage wall that allowed her to spy on the scene outside, fuming as she did so.
Seeing her displeasure, the Princess could not help but feel exasperated. She immediately leaned in, smiling as she looked at the Young Master's sulking expression, and gently pinched her puffed-up cheeks.
“What is there to be upset about? What, is our Young Master Meng concerned about what others might think?”
Compared to the Princess' nonchalant attitude, the Young Master felt her own concern seemed a bit ridiculous. She could not help but let out a cold snort, her tone laced with mockery.
“Am I not just worried that others might think Your Highness cannot keep her husband in line, letting another woman provoke you and openly challenge you by trying to steal your man? And yet, Your Highness does not even dare to say a word about it.”
Seeing her sarcasm and mocking tone, Li Qiubai's smile deepened.
“Stealing a man? If she wants to steal, let her try.” She leaned into the Young Master's arms, adopting the boneless posture of a delicate woman. After settling into the embrace, the Princess caressed the Young Master's cheek and, with an undertone of meaning, added, “As long as she does not try to steal a woman from me, it is fine.”
Hearing the deeper implication in the Princess' words, Meng Chang'an's face instantly flushed. Unable to bring herself to push away the seemingly boneless Princess nestled against her, she reluctantly wrapped an arm around the clingy woman's shoulder. She coughed lightly, feigning indifference as she casually asked,
“What if she tries to steal a woman from Your Highness? What would you do then?”
The Princess narrowed her eyes, turning toward the direction Meng Chang’an had just been spying on, as though looking past the carriage toward Li Xinyi outside. With a faint smile, she replied, “Then... I would make her experience what it truly means to live a fate worse than death.”
Unfortunately, the embrace between them obscured the Princess’ eyes, preventing the Young Master from seeing the fleeting ruthlessness within them.
Even so, a faint sweetness rose to Meng Chang’an’s tongue, dispelling the inexplicable irritation and annoyance that had lingered in her heart moments before.
The Young Master only assumed that the Princess' words were nothing more than a casual joke. She did not take them seriously and merely huffed, saying, “The dignified Princess, always relying on her slick tongue to spout sweet words and deceive young ladies. Do you not feel any shame? I truly wonder how many young ladies you have charmed with that mouth of yours.”
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Seeing the Young Master's lips curl slightly, unable to suppress her smile, the Princess' smile grew even more jubilant. She raised her hand and playfully poked the Young Master’s cheek, lightly scolding, “Other than you, when have I ever sweet-talked another young lady?”
Meng Chang’an seemed to catch the key point in the Princess' words. She immediately arched a brow and, gritting her teeth, asked, “Oh? So Your Highness has only been deceiving me all along, is that it?”
Li Qiubai’s smile froze for a moment.
