The Foolish Agent

Chapter 53

Chapter Eighty-Eight: Moving into the Prince's Mansion

The people waiting on the cliff grew increasingly anxious as they watched the divine physician and Prince Ying descend without any further movement. Everyone vied to go down, but the prince had given an order: no one was allowed to go down without his signal to ring the bell three times. They anxiously watched the sun move from east to its zenith, then back to the west.

"Ding-dong! Ding-dong!......"

The bell finally rang, and it kept ringing. This meant they had found someone climbing up, and everyone spontaneously cheered in unison.

After the bell rang continuously for half an hour, their fairy-like three sect leaders were the first to fly up. Following them were the sect leader, the divine physician, and the Prince of Ying—all arrived intact. The crowd once again shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"

The shout of "Long live the Emperor!" nearly sent them tumbling down again. Those who had just landed exchanged bewildered glances. They'd thought the court officials had stormed over! A quick scan revealed only people from the Dragon Gate and the Prince's Mansion, and they breathed a sigh of relief.

Shi Yu's irrefutable invitation:

"I have already arranged rooms for you all at the Prince's residence. How can I not show you hospitality now that you've come to Jianzhou? Anyway, the whole world knows that the Prince of Ying collected ropes from all over the city to save the two leaders of the Dragon Gate. The two leaders no longer need to avoid suspicion, right?"

Qingfeng and Xuanyuan both looked at Leng Jie, who shrugged to indicate that she didn't care.

What do you mean "it doesn't matter"? They're clearly after you!

Although Qingfeng and Xuanyuan knew the truth, they couldn't say it outright, so they could only nod in agreement helplessly.

Inside the main hall of the Prince's Palace, beauty remained unchanged. The old princess, dressed in a magnificent fox fur coat, beamed from ear to ear as she looked at the radiant Leng Jie. Completely disregarding her image, she immediately pulled Leng Jie aside and bombarded her with questions, chatting endlessly about everyday matters.

Needless to say, just looking at her son's eyes, she knew that this stunningly beautiful Third Sect Master was his future wife. She couldn't help but admire her son's discerning eye, just like his father's. Back then, she too was such a radiant and captivating young woman, so endearing and pitiful!

…‥

"How old is Miss Leng this year?"

"Your Highness, my daughter is sixteen this year," Leng Jie replied politely.

The princess deliberately put on a stern face and said, "I've already told you, you're Yu'er's friend. Just call me Auntie, why are you still calling me Princess?"

Leng Jie replied, half-laughing and half-crying, "Yes, Auntie, but you didn't call me Xiao Jie!"

"Hehe! Look at how senile I am!" The princess clapped her hands and laughed heartily. Then, she spoke kindly and gently to Leng Jie:

“Miss, please don’t be so polite with your aunt. Make yourself at home here. If you want anything or anything to eat, just tell Shi Xiu to make it for you. Shi Xiu is my maid, and she’s very clever. I’ll give her to you.”

Upon hearing this, the three men, who had been completely ignored by the two women engrossed in their conversation, were all taken aback. Once bitten, twice shy. Hadn't Shi Fang's lesson been enough? But they didn't dare interrupt, so they all looked at Leng Jie, hoping she wouldn't accept it.

Another maidservant has arrived! Thinking of Shi Fang, Leng Jie broke out in a cold sweat and quickly replied tactfully:

"Thank you for your kindness, Auntie! But how can you just send your people away like that? If Xiaojie's arrival disturbs you, it will be inconvenient for you. How can Xiaojie stay here then? Besides, Xiaojie grew up in the mountains with her master since she was a child, and she is used to doing things on her own. It's really inconvenient for her to always have someone with her. So, I appreciate your kindness, Auntie, but I absolutely dare not accept this person."

After a cold and tactful reply, the three men simultaneously raised their cups to sip their tea.

"Excellent! Miss, you are truly a rare and wonderful girl. You possess both the chivalrous spirit of a wandering heroine and the refined elegance of a lady from a noble family. Whoever marries you will be blessed with good fortune for many lifetimes!"

As she spoke, she gave her slow-witted son a meaningful look.

Everyone here is a shrewd and cunning person; who wouldn't see through the old princess's intentions?

Xuanyuan and Qingfeng simultaneously glared angrily at Shi Yu. "Do you want your mother to help you pursue Xiaojie?"

"I didn't! It was my mother who wanted Xiaojie to be her daughter-in-law, it has nothing to do with me!" Shi Yu replied with an innocent look.

Xuanyuan and Qingfeng returned the look with warning glances: "You better not try anything funny! Otherwise, we'll take Xiaojie away immediately."

In a flash, Leng Jie had easily subdued the princess. She replied with a charming smile:

"Auntie, you really love to joke! The so-called predestined relationship means that it takes a hundred years of cultivation to share a boat ride and a thousand years to share a pillow. Since you are destined to be together, it must have been a thousand years of cultivation!"

The old princess paused for a moment after hearing this, then burst into laughter:

"Haha... Xiaojie, you're so good with words! Well said, 'It takes a thousand years of cultivation to share a pillow!' Aren't Yu'er's father and I a match made in heaven?"

Judging from the adoring look in the old princess's eyes whenever she mentioned her husband, Leng Jie guessed that their life must be very happy. She sincerely praised, "Uncle and Aunt are truly a loving couple that the world admires and envies."

The two maids standing outside the door were discussing in hushed tones:

"Miss Leng is such a joy! She's only been here a short while and she's already made our Princess laugh several times."

"Isn't that right? I heard from the old steward that the old princess used to be a very cheerful person. But ever since the old prince passed away, she has become a different person, and we have never seen her face again."

The princess's greatest wish was for someone to remember her late husband. For six years, she had felt that she was the only one who missed him, the only one who remembered him. Her son was always busy with chores and never mentioned his father. The servants in the manor acted as if he never existed. (In reality, everyone was afraid that mentioning him would hurt her more, so they deliberately kept silent in front of her.) Today, upon hearing Leng Jie's words of praise, she was overjoyed beyond words. She excitedly hugged Leng Jie tightly, her eyes brimming with tears as she choked out:

"Really? Does Xiaojie really envy me and the old prince? I didn't expect Xiaojie to still remember the old prince!"

The princess's actions not only terrified the three unsuspecting guests, but also her son. Shi Yu hadn't expected his mother to still miss his father so much, to the point of near madness. Just as he was about to offer some words of comfort, the old princess said again, her voice trembling with emotion:

"Xiaojie, will you be our daughter? If we had a daughter as lovely as you, we'd definitely be together again in the next life!"

The hall fell silent instantly upon hearing this! No one had expected the princess's thinking to change so quickly. Just moments ago she wanted a daughter-in-law, and now she wanted to adopt her as a daughter. Everyone seemed to be a beat behind. After a moment of stunned silence, Leng Jie was about to nod in agreement when she was interrupted by Shi Yu, who suddenly appeared.

Shi Yu suddenly pulled away from the cold-faced princess. He held her tightly in his arms and said solemnly:

"Mother! What nonsense are you talking about! Didn't you and Father already have a three-lifetime bond? What does this have to do with Xiaojie!"

Reminded by her son, the princess finally emerged from the prince's shadow. She realized she had almost ruined a promising marriage for her son. She immediately changed her tune:

"Hehe, I just like Xiaojie too much! Since you don't want to acknowledge Xiaojie as your sister, fine, you have to leave Xiaojie here to keep me company."

Leng Jie was unaware that Jinghe's laws prohibited siblings from marrying, regardless of whether they were biological siblings. Therefore, she looked at Qingfeng and Xuanyuan with bewilderment, wondering what the mother and son were up to.

Xuanyuan and Qingfeng were well aware that they shared a common thought: they could no longer stay in the Prince's mansion, otherwise Xiaojie would be kidnapped by this mother and son sooner or later.

At this moment, Shi Wu rushed over to report.

"Your Highness! The Shangguan father and son have committed suicide in prison!"

Everyone was stunned!

"What's going on?" Shi Yu asked angrily.

Xuanyuan said coldly, "Take us to see this."

The group got up at the same time and headed towards the prison.

Leng Jie had just taken a step when the princess stopped her.

"Xiao Jie, that kind of place isn't suitable for you. Come on, I'll show you around the Prince's Mansion."

The three men turned around simultaneously and saw that the princess was holding Leng Jie tightly. They could only nod in agreement:

"Xiao Jie, you shouldn't go."

"Yes, that place is indeed not suitable for you."

"Mom, I'm entrusting Xiaojie to you."

“You…” You’re really not being a good friend! Seeing the princess’s expectant gaze, Leng Jie involuntarily swallowed back the words that were about to come out and changed her words to “Go and come back quickly.”

Seeing Leng Jie, who was fearless and never listened to anyone, obediently listening to his mother, Shi Yu's anger at Shangguan and his son was instantly replaced by joy. A smile involuntarily tugged at his lips. Qingfeng and Xuanyuan glared at him fiercely before turning and leaving.

Leng Jie reluctantly followed the princess to tour the Prince's mansion. Last time she came at night, she was too busy looking for the ancestral hall, and since it was nighttime, she only thought the mansion was huge. Now, after touring it, she realized that the Prince Ying's mansion truly lived up to its name—magnificent and imposing.

Countless pavilions and artificial hills, towers like clouds, and winding corridors stretch endlessly. The rooftops are covered with translucent glazed tiles, with soaring eaves and exquisite galleries facing each other, creating a scene of profound grandeur, elegance, solemnity, and majesty.

The sheer grandeur of this palace alone is enough to prove how much the emperor valued that founding hero, the first prince of a different surname. Apart from being smaller than the imperial palace and having less greenery due to the different terrain and climate, this palace is not much different from the imperial palace.

They chatted as they walked, stopping at the main gate of the Prince's residence. The Princess warmly took Leng Jie's hand and said:

"Xiao Jie, I see you're tired too. I had someone prepare some hot water for you; go wash up and relax. I originally wanted to arrange for you to stay in my courtyard, but Yu'er said you and your senior brother can't live separately. He insisted on arranging for you to stay in his courtyard. If you find that inconvenient, I'll find someone else..."

“Auntie, there’s no need to trouble yourself! Just give me a private room. It won’t be inconvenient at all,” Leng Jie quickly interrupted the princess.

Although the princess felt it was inappropriate for a young woman to live in the same courtyard as so many men, she knew that people in the martial arts world had their own set of rules, so she didn't say much. Besides, the girl hadn't even officially joined the family yet, so it wasn't her place as the mother-in-law to interfere.

"Then let Shi Xiu take you in! I won't go in. Just tell Shi Xiu if you need anything. I'll wait for you in the dining room." After saying that, the princess turned to a chubby girl beside her and instructed, "Shi Xiu, take Miss Leng in. Stay here and listen to Miss's instructions. Bring Miss to the dining room later."

"Yes, this servant remembers," Shi Xiu replied humbly, bowing her head.

Leng Jie exchanged pleasantries with the princess for a while before finally seeing her off.

"Miss Leng, please follow me." Shi Xiu politely led the way for Leng Jie.

The courtyard was large and very clean. There were five main rooms and four side rooms on each side. Perhaps because it was winter, it felt somewhat desolate. Shi Xiu led Leng Jie to the first room on the left side of the main house. Pushing open the door…

"This is the room, please come in, Miss. There are clothes prepared for you on the bed, and hot water for washing up is behind the screen. I will wait outside the door. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything."

Leng Jie had already entered the house and casually replied, "Okay! Thank you!"

Shi Xiu was stunned for a moment before she reacted. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she replied, "This is what I should do; Xiao Jie, how can you thank me like this!"

This chubby Shi Xiu was the second most adorable maid Leng Jie had ever seen in this world, besides Qing'er. She couldn't help but smile at her and said gently, "It's alright, you go ahead and get busy! I won't be there that quickly."

Shi Xiu was captivated by that warm smile, as gentle as spring sunshine, and remained lost in thought for a long time. Even after the door had closed from the inside, she was still muttering to herself, "So beautiful, so warm! If only she could be a princess. Then the prince wouldn't be so terribly cold."

Having not showered for days, Leng Jie was terrified of hot water! She quickly stripped off her clothes and eagerly jumped into the large wooden tub, big enough for three people to bathe in, for a thorough wash. She figured Xuan Yuan and the others wouldn't be back anytime soon, and dinner wouldn't be ready anytime soon either. So, she confidently soaked in the water, taking her time. But she had only been washing for less than twenty minutes when there was a noise at the window. Even when she was asleep, she was alert, let alone while she was bathing. She grabbed her recently removed outer garment, put it on, and submerged herself in the water.

With a soft creak, the window opened. A small, slender figure dressed in black leaped in, landing directly beside the bathtub. The moment her head touched the water, a cold dagger was pressed against her neck. Her small body trembled involuntarily, and she hurriedly said:

"Sister, you'd better hold on tight."

"Xingyue? How did you get in like this?" Leng Jie sheathed her dagger and said calmly, "Luckily, I only had a dagger on me. If I had had the silver needles, you would have been dead when you opened the window just now."

Suddenly, a chill ran down Xingyue's spine. In the dead of winter, she realized her clothes were soaked with sweat. She couldn't help but shiver. She murmured softly:

"It's all my brother's fault. He was too scared to come in himself and made me come. He must have done it on purpose."

Leng Jie thought her pouting face was adorable, and knew that what she had just said had genuinely frightened her. She smiled and said to her:

"You must have been terrified! Remember to knock before entering your sister's room next time."

Xingyue nodded quickly.

Leng Jie then asked, "Would you like to come down and shower together?"

Xingyue immediately shook her head like a pendulum.

"Miss, are you talking to Shi Xiu?"

Shi Xiu's voice suddenly came from outside the door, startling Xingyue so much that she almost fell headfirst into the bucket of water. This made Leng Jie unable to suppress her laughter. To prevent Shi Xiu from rushing in, she quickly stifled her laughter and called out towards the door:

"Shi Xiu, go and get me some more hot water."

"Yes, Miss, please wait a moment. I will be right back."

Only after Shi Xiu's footsteps had faded into the distance did Xingyue say coquettishly:

"Sister Leng is just like my brother; she bullies people the moment they meet. I knew I shouldn't have given you food and clothes."

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you!" With that, Leng Jie suddenly stood up from the water.

"Ah!" Xingyue, who was standing by the bucket, suddenly covered her face with her hands and screamed.

Leng Jie, both amused and annoyed, smacked her head and scolded with a laugh, "Hey girl, what are you yelling for! You're the one looking at me, the one who's getting the better deal, aren't you? And you're still yelling! Anyone who didn't know better would think I did something to you!"