Mercenary Princess - Chapter 69
Several hours later, the horses' hooves trod into the royal court of the Southern Kingdom—Ziye.
The Second Prince traveled incognito this time, traveling light and with few entourage, so not many people knew about it, and he did not make a fuss when he returned to the city.
Tuoba Chen tightened the reins, slowing the horse down. He turned back to Rong Yue and smiled, "Never been to the capital before, have you? How does it feel? Aren't you grateful to me for bringing you here? It's broadened your horizons and expanded your knowledge."
Towering wooden pavilions with upturned eaves and ridges stood one after another, and opulent teahouses and taverns lined the streets. On the wide, well-maintained roads, carriages flowed like water and horses like dragons, and crowds thronged, shoulder to shoulder, their voices filling the air. Street vendors lined the alleyways, their cries rising and falling in a lively chorus… Ziye was undoubtedly prosperous and wealthy. From a country's economic situation, one can glean some insight into its political landscape; thus, it's likely that the ruler of Nancha Kingdom is a wise and capable monarch…
"What's wrong, are you stunned? Hehe, you're such a naive kid! This is just a very ordinary corner of Ziye, and you're already so surprised! If you saw the most luxurious place in Ziye, wouldn't your eyes pop out?"
The most luxurious place? He must be referring to the palace! Ha, if he knew she had miraculously escaped from the palace, he'd probably be the one with his eyes bulging out!
After reaching adulthood, princes of the Southern Kingdom are allowed to build their own residences outside the palace. After walking north through Yongming Street for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Second Prince's residence, located in the most prosperous area of the imperial city, came into view.
The tall guards at the gate, swords at their sides, immediately knelt and bowed to their master upon his return. After the ceremony, one of the guards strode forward and kowtowed to the chief minister, shouting, "His Highness the Second Prince has returned!"
The vermilion gate creaked open from the middle to both sides, and as the doors opened, rows of magnificent buildings caught people's attention.
Once inside the mansion, Tuoba Chen tightened the reins, stopped the horse, and then gracefully dismounted. After regaining his footing, he reached out his well-groomed hand and naturally lifted Rongyue from the horse.
"Husband?" Yu Yan poked her head out from the carriage, turning her head anxiously to find Rong Yue's figure.
Responding to the call, Rongyue saw Yuyan looking flustered and uneasy. She forcefully broke free from Tuoba Chen's support and ran to the carriage in three steps: "Yuyan, I'm here! Come on, give me your hand, I'll help you down!"
Upon seeing Rongyue, Yuyan's anxious heart finally settled down. Smiling, she offered her hand to Rongyue, and with Rongyue's help, she gracefully descended from the carriage.
Supporting Yu Yan, Rong Yue and the other woman walked towards Tuoba Chen, whose face was sullen and whose thoughts were unknown.
"Your Highness, we've traveled a long and arduous journey, and my wife and I are exhausted. How about we rest for a day and resume our duties tomorrow?" We need to find an inn to rest properly and get a good night's sleep. We haven't slept much for seven days; we're so tired! But… I wonder how expensive the inns are here; it seems we're almost out of money…
Looking at Rongyue's pale and weary face, Tuoba Chen felt a pang of self-reproach. He nodded in agreement and was about to have someone take them to a side room to rest when, before he could speak, Rongyue cupped her hands in thanks, turned around, and, with Yu Yan in tow, headed out of the mansion.
Seeing Rongyue's eager departure, Tuoba Chen's face flashed with anger: "Did I say you were free to leave?"
A shout stopped Rongyue in her tracks. Turning her head, Rongyue shrugged innocently: "His Highness the Second Prince clearly nodded in agreement just now, so why are you going back on your word now?"
With a raised eyebrow, he said, "I grant you permission to rest, but I do not permit you to leave!"
Rest doesn't mean leaving? So what he's implying is...
"Sha Ye, take them to the west wing bedroom of Hebi Residence."
"Yes, gentlemen. This way, please." Sha Ye stretched out his large hand slightly to the left, pointing Rong Yue and the others in a general direction, before taking the lead and stepping towards a building in the distance.
As expected… But this isn't bad either; at least it saves a considerable amount on accommodation fees. Chong Yuyan smiled to indicate it was alright, and Rongyue put her arm around her and followed Sha Ye…
The prince's quarters were certainly superior; even a servant's side room was far more comfortable than a luxurious inn. After sleeping for a full hour and a half, Rongyue finally recovered. She stretched lazily, rubbed her still slightly sleepy eyes, glanced with a smile at the soundly sleeping Yuyan, lifted the covers, grabbed her clothes, and quietly got out of bed.
After dressing, Rongyue gently pushed open the two tightly closed wooden doors. The soft light of dawn rushed in, gently kissing her cheeks and temples. The earthy scent, mixed with the fragrance of flowers and grass, filled her nostrils, prompting her to take a deep breath.
With arms outstretched, facing the morning light, Rongyue half-closed her eyes, sighed softly, and said, "The early bird catches the worm! The ancients were right!"
A soft chuckle startled Rongyue, who was still basking in the morning light. Lowering her arms, Rongyue looked in the direction of the sound and saw Tuoba Chen, wearing a golden crown and a pale yellow court robe, leaning against the wall by the door with his arms crossed, looking at the bewildered Rongyue with a smile in his eyes.
Composing herself, Rongyue asked in confusion, "What are you doing here?"
"How did I end up here?" Tuoba Chen raised an eyebrow and said teasingly, "That's a question for you! The sun is already high in the sky outside, and you, as my personal attendant, have kept me waiting and waiting. I had no choice but to come and 'invite' you myself, didn't I? Little San, you really have quite the nerve!"
"Don't tease me!" Rongyue pouted and retorted, "If you hadn't dragged me onto the horse and made me suffer on horseback for several days, would I be this tired? Besides, how late did I get up? Look, the sun has only just risen!"
"Ha, do you know when the servants in this manor get up?"
"How should I know! I just arrived."
Holding up two fingers, Tuoba Chen waved his long index and middle fingers in front of Rong Yue: "When the rooster crows for the second time at dawn, the servants in the manor must get up and begin their day's work..."
"Are you kidding me?" Rongyue's eyes widened in disbelief. A second morning call? That would be around three in the morning! Getting up to serve someone when they're sound asleep—isn't that just abuse?! It's like they're not even treating people like human beings!
"This prince has no interest in joking. However, considering that you once saved this prince's life, this prince will grant you special favor and allow you to delay your wake-up time a little. Hmm... how about before 5 a.m.? Anyway, once 5 a.m. has passed, this prince will definitely have to see you."
"Mao Shi (5-7 AM)? Second Prince, that's so early. Can you even get up?" Aren't princes and princesses supposed to be pampered and spoiled? Is it even possible for them to get up so early?
Catching a glimpse of Rongyue's suspicious gaze, Tuoba Chen chuckled and stepped forward to flick her cheek: "Little Third, do you think being a prince is so easy? To do whatever you want and sleep until whatever time you want? Except for the days off from court, every day after Chenshi (7-9 AM), we princes have to attend court and listen to government affairs! If you're late, hehe, then you'll be scolded, penalized, and forced to write a self-criticism!"
Ah? So princes are all this pitiful! No wonder he went out incognito to travel; he must have been unable to bear this oppressive policy and fled the city to relieve the pressure!
She gave him an understanding look, secretly relieved—thankfully, she hadn't transmigrated into the body of a prince. Getting up early wasn't a problem, but if she had to listen to endless, tedious lectures on court politics and state affairs first thing in the morning, she'd go crazy!
Feeling bewildered by Rongyue's glance, Tuoba Chen shook his head and smiled, then grabbed her arm and pulled her outside: "Alright, stop dawdling. If you keep dragging this out, I'll really be punished by having my salary deducted! If I'm punished by having my salary deducted, then I can forget about getting my wages this month!"
Upon hearing the word "wages," Rongyue's mind went blank; she suddenly remembered that she hadn't yet discussed her wages with him!
How much do I earn in a month?
"Heh, so how much do you want?"
How much does she want? She wants a lot!
With a fawning smile, she said, "You're a prince! In His Highness's residence, the wages are definitely much higher than elsewhere..."
"So? How much?"
She bit her lower lip and thought for a while, then raised her head and held up two fingers to him.
"Twenty taels? Ha, not greedy at all. I thought you would hold up five fingers!" Tuoba Chen nodded approvingly and smiled.
Rongyue's face instantly fell: "A prince's residence, you can't even afford twenty taels?"
Sensing something amiss in Rongyue's tone, Tuoba Chen lowered his head in confusion and asked, "But didn't you just ask for twenty taels yourself?"