Eternal Night - Chapter 70
A satisfied smile bloomed on Prince Duan's face: "I said the same thing twenty years ago. Look, Yongye said the same thing!"
“But, I’ll be away from home for several months…” Princess Duan was reluctant to part with him, looking at Prince Duan with the hope that he would go to the palace to talk to the Emperor and Empress Dowager and make it clear that Yongye was not the heir apparent, so why should she make such a great sacrifice for Anguo! She was already eighteen years old, what princess was still unmarried at eighteen?
“Perfect timing! I’ve only been to Kyoto and never been anywhere else except for Youli Valley. Prepare plenty of money. At home, you rely on your parents; when you’re out, you rely on money!” Yongye interrupted Princess Duan, beaming as she looked at Prince Duan.
Yongye's words were exactly what Prince Duan wanted to hear. He put his arm around the princess's shoulder and said softly, "Yongye is different from other princesses. It would be wonderful if she had the chance to travel and see the world. Do you remember when we went to the Western Barbarian Kingdom in the north? How excited you were! I remember you said that you would definitely travel the world someday, and you even said that if you had a child, you would take her with you. You said..."
Prince Duan's voice was like a lullaby. Yongye saw the princess's eyes slowly become hazy, a faint blush rising from her snow-white skin, and she slumped into Prince Duan's arms. She shook her head. It's true what they say about women being easily coaxed. What would she do if someone coaxed her like that in the future? At this thought, a layer of tiny bumps appeared on Yongye's arm—it was so cheesy!
He stood up from the table, quickly exchanged a glance with Prince Duan, and then tiptoed away.
I let out a breath as I stepped out of the room. Tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, I will definitely leave.
Yuepo needed to blend into her entourage; Prince Duan didn't want Li Tianyou to discover she was a woman. Today, Li Tianyou seemed suspicious, and Yongye didn't want to risk staying any longer.
After the imperial edict was issued, the Prince of Chen had already begun preparations and was able to leave swiftly and decisively.
When Yongye woke up, she saw that Yihong was also carrying a bundle. She asked in surprise, "You're going too?"
Yi Hong smiled, a teasing look on her face: "Wherever the young master goes, Yi Hong will naturally go too. The prince and princess specifically instructed Yi Hong to take good care of the young master."
Yongye was utterly bewildered by her gaze, and a surge of grief and indignation welled up within her. So Yihong was planted by her father, no wonder she had refused to marry. What about Yin'er and Lancui? And none of the three knew martial arts, which was why they had managed to deceive her and Li Yannian. In terms of cunning, she was far inferior to Prince Duan! This realization further diminished Yongye's confidence in her disguise as a man.
She smiled, stood on tiptoe, cupped Yihong's face in her hands, and said softly, "It's so kind of Yihong to be so devoted to Yongye and remain chaste and unmarried. Even if the princess enters the family in the future, I will make sure she calls you 'elder sister' properly."
Yi Hong was stunned for a moment, but Yong Ye had already twisted her arm and walked away laughing: "That's right, Father is not only shameless, but also incredibly cunning. I never expected him to have this trick up his sleeve. I can't refuse to take you in!"
"Young Master is so irresponsible!" Yi Hong spat and happily went to move her luggage.
Inside Prince Duan's study, Yongye respectfully offered him a cup of tea. Prince Duan accepted it and savored it, his brows furrowed with the contentment of enjoying family life.
"Eternal Night, how many assassins from the Valley of Wandering do you know?"
“One, Moon Soul.” Yongye remained calm. Staying in the inner courtyard of Prince Duan was when she was most relaxed. After washing off her disguise, her jade-like face was revealed.
Prince Duan took a sip of tea, looking at him with admiration. Yongye, dressed in a light purple robe, was captivatingly elegant, and he felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. How could any parent not be proud to have such an outstanding child? Moreover, she was so intelligent and sensible.
"Have you ever heard of Xinghun? Legend has it that Xinghun is skilled in light-footed martial arts and hidden weapons, and is also cunning and ruthless. Even Feng Yangxi fell to his hands. In recent years, people in the capital have turned pale at the mention of Little Li's Flying Dagger. I wonder if he is really surnamed Li?"
Yongye frowned. What did that mean? She sipped her tea, her eyelashes remaining perfectly still. Was her father testing her? Or did he already know? Yongye quickly dismissed the thought. Youli Valley would never let her be exposed. "What is Father trying to say?"
Prince Duan said slowly, "Since you don't know him, why did you let him save Yuepo?"
Yongye's mouth dropped open. Someone was actually framing her right in front of her? "I didn't!"
Prince Duan then showed surprise. Not Xinghun? Yongye didn't recognize this assassin either. He frowned: "Didn't you rescue Yuepo? You were in such a hurry to go to Chen today, weren't you trying to take him out of the capital?"
"I had someone rescue him, but it wasn't Xinghun."
Prince Duan handed Yongye a piece of paper with a drawing of a masked man and a portrait of Yuepo on it. It also stated that Prince You was offering a reward of ten thousand taels of silver for his capture.
Yongye gave a bitter smile: "I don't know."
"It's good that it's not you. We absolutely cannot let the Emperor know that you have such a close connection with Youli Valley." When Prince Duan mentioned the Emperor, his voice was as soft as the mist rising from tea leaves.
The Emperor knows I am a woman, and he also knows that I switched places with the Prince of Youli Valley. The Emperor even decreed that I marry the princess. But I cannot let the Emperor know that I have close ties with Youli Valley. Yongye's heart suddenly turned heavy.
It must be that Prince Duan said she was young and naive, and was accidentally sent back, but she had kept too much from the Emperor. She suddenly felt a little fortunate that she hadn't told Prince Duan that she was Xinghun. Perhaps, one day, she could make that name disappear completely.
When did Yihong find out?
“Ever since we acknowledged you.”
Yongye stood up and laughed, "Father's actions are unfathomable, I admire them! However, I really dislike them! I dislike them!" After saying that, he turned around and left in annoyance.
Even if I treat her well, the feeling of keeping it from her still doesn't feel good.
"Are you angry that you didn't see it? No one... no one can calculate everything. Haven't you ever surprised me?" Duan Wang's calm voice came from behind, and Yongye was stunned.
She was indeed arrogant. With memories of her past life, extensive experience in killing, and a meticulous mind, she looked down on everyone in this world. However, Prince Duan taught her a lesson, delivering a brutal blow that left her utterly humiliated. She arrogantly assumed Yihong and the others were unaware of the situation, and presumptuously felt sorry for Lancui. She thought of Yuepo, Li Tianyou's gaze, Feng Yangxi's martial arts, and Li Yannian's cunning. Could she truly have planned everything perfectly?
Seeing her head bowed in silence, Prince Duan felt a pang of heartache and softened his voice, saying, "You have always done a wonderful job, even your father is impressed. There is no need to blame yourself. If I hadn't acknowledged you, your father wouldn't have noticed anything amiss."
"Isn't this like slapping someone and then giving them a treat?" Yongye was still angry.
Prince Duan smiled and said, "If you like, your father will give you candy every day."
Yongye muttered, "What if you sell me out one day and I don't even know it?"
"I might even sell my daughter for personal gain, so you should be prepared!"
Yongye covered her ears and stormed off: "Watch out, or I'll run away from home and never acknowledge you again!"
Prince Duan remained silent, gazing tenderly at Yongye, thinking that he should find her a place to stay after running away from home. But where could he find a place that would satisfy her, himself, and the Princess? Prince Duan was troubled.
A large peach blossom flew by
The motorcade proceeded straight along West Corner Tower Street. Upon learning that the Marquis of Yong'an was on a mission to the State of Chen, and out of respect for Prince Duan and curiosity about the Marquis's appearance, the streets were packed with onlookers. They pointed and whispered among themselves about the motorcade.
Yongye rode alone in a carriage, ignoring the clamor outside.
Ten carriages were involved; she rode in one, Yihong rode in another, three carriages carried luggage, and five carriages carried gifts. One hundred elite Leopard Cavalrymen accompanied the procession. The convoy was a grand and imposing sight. Many people gathered to see them off. The convoy departed at Chenshi (7-9 AM) and did not reach Zhuque Gate until Jishi (9-11 AM).
"Stop!" a voice rang out at the city gate.
Lin Honglin, who had been promoted from General of the Cavalry to Commandant of Zhaowu, urged his horse to the carriage and reported: "My lord, His Highness has come to see you off!"
Seeing me off at the city gate? They're probably here to see if I've brought Yue Po out of the city, aren't they? Yongye smiled, lifted the sedan curtain, and stepped down from the carriage. Sure enough, she saw Li Tianyou, dressed in princely attire, standing handsomely at the city gate.