A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 20:46:22 on August 7, 2022 and 22:28:07 on August 8, 2022!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the rocket: 77 Not Grumpy Y1;
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Ju Jingyi's wife (18 bottles); Not awake (2 bottles); Siyue Si (1 bottle);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 96 Crazy Maid X Arrogant Princess 4
Life within the palace was inherently dull, and any disturbances in the various palaces were impossible to conceal. Luan Yenan's intimidation of Granny Hui and Junior Supervisor Rong was no secret, and it quickly spread.
The days that followed in Penglai Palace were much quieter. Apart from the eunuchs and maids who came to set up the palace, no one dared to disturb it.
Even some of the palace maids in Penglai Palace, thinking that the princess might take them away on the day of the marriage, those with connections had already escaped under the protection of their families.
Luan Yenan did not force them to stay. Instead, he took advantage of his position as Shanggong (a high-ranking palace maid) to select several newly arrived, powerless palace maids who volunteered to enter Penglai Palace and accompany the princess on her marriage alliance.
The other palace maids in Penglai Palace were secretly very grateful for Luan Yenan's decision.
Zuo Baixuan thus spent the most comfortable period of her life since her mother's passing in her own palace.
Until the auspicious day for the marriage alliance arrived.
Surrounded by people, Zuo Baixuan put on a magnificent shawl and a phoenix crown.
The glittering gold and dazzling gems under the sunlight did not bring Zuo Baixuan any joy.
These things don't represent love or the demeanor of a great power; they're just packaging her as an exquisite gift.
All morning, only when Luan Yenan walked in from outside did a glimmer of light appear in Zuo Baixuan's eyes.
"The auspicious time has arrived, so hurry up and get moving," Luan Yennan urged.
The palace maids quickly sped up their work and left the room as soon as they were done.
Zuo Baixuan's eyes darkened, and a bitter smile appeared on her face: "For me, no time is auspicious."
"Doesn't the princess want to leave here?" Luan Yenan approached Zuo Baixuan, took her hand, and asked.
Zuo Baixuan felt warmth in Luan Yenan's icy hand: "I've wanted to leave ever since my mother left. Luckily, Sister Nan is with me."
"How could I not want to leave the palace?" Luan Yenan helped Zuo Baixuan walk out. "Alright, let's get on the carriage for the marriage alliance soon, then you can take off this heavy phoenix crown."
In Luan Yenan's view, gold and jewels, like the palace, are just constraints. What is the point of even the most beautiful golden cage?
Zuo Baixuan stood there blankly as Luan Yenan supported her, pondering Luan Yenan's words, "How could I not want to leave the palace?"
Sister Nan was forced to stay here by me; this place never belonged to her.
Sister Nan, who always sneaks out of the palace to bring herself some novelties from outside, is a bird that has been locked up by herself.
Zuo Baixuan was lost in thought, her eyes, which were filled with sadness, now showing a hint of determination. She was calculating her plans, but she didn't notice Luan Yenan's unusual behavior beside her.
Several unfamiliar palace maids approached Luan Yennan and bowed: "Lady Luan, everything is ready."
Luan Yenan gave them a deep look, nodded and said, "Let's go, see the princess onto the carriage."
After seeing Zuo Baixuan off into the carriage, Luan Yenan followed beside the imperial carriage.
Those few palace maids also inconspicuously blended into the marriage procession and disappeared without a trace.
The imperial carriage sent to Zuo Baixuan and her husband was of the highest standard and used five horses.
However, Emperor Li does not intend to meet Zuo Baixuan during today's wedding procession.
As the imperial carriage passed by Hanyuan Hall, Emperor Li waved his hand, signifying the end of the ceremony.
In contrast, the prince of the Northern High Kingdom was granted special permission to ride a tall horse in the inner courtyard of the palace, and he was beaming with joy.
Luan Yenan only glanced at him once, not taking him seriously.
The Northern Gao Kingdom and the Southern Gao Kingdom originally belonged to the Gao Kingdom. A hundred years ago, Emperor Gao wanted to reduce the power of the vassal states, which aroused the dissatisfaction of many vassal kings. The Zhenbei King, who was stationed in the northern border, had long harbored rebellious intentions and immediately raised an army to establish his own independent state.
The two sides fought for several years before finally seeking mediation from the then-powerful Dali Kingdom.
A century later, times have changed.
The Dali Kingdom was weak.
Meanwhile, the Northern Gao Kingdom, which was born out of rebellion and was unpopular with the people, became the strongest of the three kingdoms.
But precisely because of this, Emperor Gaozu of the Northern Gao Kingdom was well aware of the dangers of vassal kings and mercenaries, so he established a national policy that princes would not be granted land after they came of age, but would only receive a salary.
This decision also strained the relationship between the princes.
When Emperor Gao ascended the throne, a shocking incident occurred: a bloody struggle between brothers. His sons were all ambitious.
The only one sent to Dali Kingdom for a marriage alliance was the sixth prince, Dan, who was uneducated and incompetent from a young age, had no interest in the throne, and was best at taking advantage of his brothers' misfortunes. He thus landed this coveted marriage alliance.
The moment Prince Dan saw Luan Yenan, his eyes lit up.
She had only heard that Princess Penglai was as beautiful as a fairy, but she never imagined that even her maid was so beautiful...
The prince of Dan drew closer and closer.
"Sister Nan." Zuo Baixuan's voice came from behind the curtain.
The valley is secluded and serene.
Upon hearing this, Prince Dan snapped out of his reverie at Luan Yenan's beauty and hurriedly turned his gaze to the imperial carriage, attempting to lift the curtain and speak with Zuo Baixuan.
Luan Yenan blocked Prince Dan's intention with his hand: "Your Highness, this is against the rules."
The cold statement only made Prince Dan laugh even harder: "If the princess comes back to the country with me for a political marriage, we will be husband and wife. How is that against the rules?"
“Before the wedding ceremony is completed, we are not husband and wife,” Luan Yenan replied.
Prince Dan, holding a fan, smiled and extended it towards Luan Yenan's face: "And who are you to the princess?"
"Sister Nan, we're leaving the palace. Why don't you sit with me in the carriage? It's so boring being alone." Zuo Baixuan's voice came from under the curtain again.
Neither of the two beauties wanted to acknowledge Prince Dan, but instead of being annoyed, he smiled and asked, "Sister, is it proper for you to ride with the princess?"
His tone was so frivolous that he was nothing like a prince of a great nation; he sounded more like a rogue from a brothel.
A flash of murderous intent crossed Luan Yenan's eyes, but he didn't speak, pretending not to have heard the Prince of Dan's voice at all. He turned over and got into the carriage.
Prince Dan subconsciously touched the back of his neck, wondering why it had suddenly felt so cold.
He thought it was just his imagination and didn't care. Instead, he grinned and was very satisfied with the buy-one-get-one-free deal.
...
The procession for the marriage alliance would circle the imperial city once, receiving blessings from the people.
While on the phoenix carriage, Luan Yenan secretly helped Zuo Baixuan remove her heavy phoenix crown.
After her body had been stiff for a while, Zuo Baixuan lowered her voice and said, "Sister Nan, my body is so sore."
After saying that, she leaned against Luan Yenan's shoulder as if she were boneless.
Luan Yenan merely smiled and casually put his arm around Zuo Baixuan's waist.
Zuo Baixuan was clearly startled by Luan Yenan's natural response, biting her lip to prevent herself from doing anything strange.
It's common for close female friends to hug and cuddle; there's nothing to be surprised about.
She tried her best to enjoy these last happy moments.
squeak--
After circling more than half of the imperial city, the imperial carriage suddenly came to a stop.
Luan Yenan tightened his grip on Zuo Baixuan's hand.
After Zuo Baixuan was seated, she lifted a crack in the side curtain and asked the accompanying palace maid, "What happened?"
The palace maid replied, "There should be two merchants fighting up ahead."
Luan Yenan stared at the palace maid for a while.
The palace maid shook her head slightly.
Luan Yenan finally breathed a sigh of relief and pressed on, "A merchant? Causing trouble on this auspicious day of the princess's marriage? Are you courting death?"
Another young palace maid, emboldened, stepped forward: "They really are courting death. I heard people on the street say that this has been going on for several days. It's because a female merchant from the Western Regions redeemed the courtesan from Zuiyun Tower, and... and they were all lovey-dovey. Her former customers weren't happy about it, so..."
Zuo Baixuan gripped Luan Yenan's hand tightly, then suddenly tightened her grip.
Luan Yenan, however, was not interested in these rumors. He simply nodded and closed the curtain again.
The chatter of the palace maids outside still managed to leak in: "Women liking women, it's really strange and odd."
Zuo Baixuan gripped the hem of her skirt without saying a word.
Luan Yenan turned to look at her and reassured her, "It's just a small matter, it will be cleared up soon, and it won't affect our leaving the city."
As expected, none of these things could attract Nan-jie's attention.
Zuo Baixuan pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and then boldly said, "The most beautiful courtesan must be seven or eight parts as beautiful as Sister Nan, otherwise how could she attract the favor of other women?"
Luan Yenan was amused: "Even the courtesan's redemption depends on her willingness. I imagine that the businesswoman must have five or six points of the princess's beauty to win over the courtesan."
Zuo Baixuan pursed her lips and whispered, "Then, then I can also attract women's favor."
"Of course," Luan Yenan replied frankly.
Does Sister Nan also favor me?
Zuo Baixuan looked at Luan Yenan, unable to bring herself to ask the question.
Once this question is asked, her relationship with Sister Nan will undergo a dramatic change.
She had decided to grant Nan-jie her freedom; it was the only thing she could do for Nan-jie.
Zuo Baixuan withdrew her gaze, staring at the empty space ahead, and said nothing more.
Although Luan Yenan had some doubts, he did not ask further.
The procession moved at a fast pace, leaving the imperial city before noon.
Luan Yenan embraced the drowsy, half-asleep Zuo Baixuan and said, "The coachman told me that we'll be spending the night in the mountains. I'll have the coachman stop the imperial carriage near the cliff, and I'll take the princess to watch the sunrise tomorrow morning, okay?"