Cui Hao went to fetch the princess, and when he returned, the princess naturally returned as well.
So when the people guarding the camp entrance saw him, the news spread throughout the camp immediately, and the entire camp became noisy.
Despite the commotion, there were still rules. They each had their own responsibilities, and even if there was no fighting today, they were not allowed to run around the camp.
Besides, the person who came was the princess, the prince's wife, so how could they dare to rush up to the entrance and crowd around to watch?
Even if the prince isn't here, if Lord Cui sees this, he'll still be severely punished!
The noise remained within the camp and did not frighten Yao Youqing, who had just arrived.
"Your Highness, this way please. I've had the Prince's tents prepared. You can rest there for a while and have some tea before you come to inspect the camp."
"I will send someone to take you to the nearest town by evening, where the local magistrate's wife will take care of you. You can stay as long as you like, or go back as soon as you feel bored. After all, this is not a place for you to stay for long."
Yao Youqing nodded: "I just came to take a look. I'll leave in a couple of days. I won't cause Lord Cui any trouble."
Cui Hao laughed and said, "There's no trouble at all. You came here out of good intentions, and I'm sure even if the prince knew, he wouldn't blame you."
"Although the situation here is temporarily stable, I cannot guarantee that there will be no unexpected changes. If there is any urgent military situation later, I am afraid I will not be able to take care of you."
“Yes, I know,” Yao Youqing said. “I don’t plan to stay long. I’ll just take a look and leave.”
Cui Hao was very pleased with her understanding and sensible nature. He personally escorted her to her tent, had tea served to her, and when she rested for a while and said she wanted to take a walk around the camp, he personally accompanied her for a stroll.
The soldiers who were curious about what kind of person the princess was finally able to see her in person. They greeted her happily and watched her leave before their eyes, heading to other places. Wherever she went, there was a lively atmosphere.
Someone in the crowd recognized her face and mustered up the courage to step forward, asking, "Your Highness, my brother Liu was sent to Cangcheng a few days ago. How... how is he now?"
Immediately, someone tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "What nonsense are you asking? So many wounded soldiers were sent to Cangcheng, how could the princess possibly remember them all?"
It's already quite good if they can help with proper resettlement; who can take care of each one personally?
Yao Youqing frowned upon hearing this, but did not leave immediately, or perhaps she simply didn't remember. Instead, she asked, "I know of several wounded soldiers with the surname Liu. Which one are you referring to?"
The man, who had already been pulled back by his companion and dared not ask any more questions, stammered when she turned around and asked him again, "It's...it's the one whose arm was cut off cleanly at the root and who has this big pockmark on his face."
Upon hearing this, Yao Youqing suddenly remembered and exclaimed, "You mean Liu Sanlang? His injury is mostly healed, but... his broken arm definitely won't grow back."
"However, I don't think he gave up on himself because of this. He even joked that it was a good thing he was left-handed and that it was his right hand that was broken, otherwise he would have to get used to washing and eating with his other hand all over again."
"When I left, he was already able to go out and walk around. I guess he will be able to go home soon."
When the man heard him not only use the name Liu Sanlang but also knew that he was left-handed, he knew that she was not lying to him. He was incredulous and excited at the same time, and his eyes instantly turned red.
"Thank you... thank you, Your Highness! Brother Liu is a very kind person; he only did this to save me..."
He lowered his head to wipe away his tears, and choked out, "I'm relieved to know he's alright."
Yao Youqing smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, the people sent to Cangcheng are all very good, and they will be well taken care of."
The person gave a mumbled "hmm," not daring to speak again, afraid that if they did, they would burst into tears.
People around her respected her even more when they saw that she actually remembered an ordinary wounded soldier, and more and more people dared to speak to her.
It was two hours later when she returned to the camp after walking around all around. It was only because Cui Hao was worried that her throat would hurt from standing and talking for so long that he signaled everyone to stop talking so that she could go back to rest.
Even though they had entered the tent, the chatter outside continued unabated. Someone whispered, "The princess looks so young, maybe fourteen or fifteen? Anyone who didn't know better would think she was the prince's daughter!"
"Pah! If the prince hears this, he'll beat you to death!"
The person next to him chuckled in a low voice.
"The princess was about fourteen or fifteen when she married the prince, so she should be sixteen or seventeen now."
"Huh? It doesn't look like it."
…………
While everyone was whispering among themselves, Yao Youqing, who was inside the tent, did not let Cui Hao leave immediately. Instead, she stopped him and said, "Lord Cui, I have something I want to say to you. Do you have time now?"
Cui Hao nodded: "When you have time, Your Highness, please speak."
Yao Youqing asked Zhou's mother to bring him a stool before saying, "You might not believe it, but the reason I came here is because I had a bad dream a few days ago."
"...What did the princess dream about?"
Cui Hao asked.
“I dreamt that the prince was surrounded and in danger of losing his life. When I woke up, I wanted to ask someone about the prince’s situation, but the prince’s whereabouts are hidden. The stewards and guards in Cangcheng do not know where he is. After thinking it over, I can only ask Lord Cui.”
"But I was afraid that the letters would be intercepted and that the prince was not in Shangchuan, so I ignored all advice and ran over here."
Cui Hao suddenly realized that the princess should not be the kind of person who acts on a whim, and that her sudden decision to come to the border was too unexpected.
This is different from her previous trip to Cangcheng.
Cangcheng is at least some distance from the border, so it's impossible to directly attack it without breaking through the defenses ahead.
But this camp could be dangerous at any moment. As a woman, she would not only be of no help here, but would also distract them from protecting her. Coming here rashly would not be a wise move, even if she meant well.
But this dream...
“What a coincidence,” he said. “The prince did encounter some danger a few days ago, but he has now returned safely to Shuozhou and will likely be back soon.”
Yao Youqing's emotions fluctuated with his words. She widened her eyes at the first half of the sentence, but breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the second half, and her tense shoulders relaxed.
"That's good."
That's good……
She had only made up a lie, but unexpectedly, the prince had actually encountered danger...
Cui Hao chuckled: "The Princess and the Prince are husband and wife, and they are of one mind. As his subordinate, I am truly happy for him."
Yao Youqing lowered her head, pursed her lips, and gently rubbed the cup in her hand.
"There's no such thing as telepathy; it's just a coincidence."
These words sounded as if there was some problem between her and Wei Hong. Cui Hao couldn't help but frown. Just as he was wondering, he heard her continue, "If we were truly telepathic, I would have known long ago what kind of grudge he had with my father. Why would I still be separated from the prince and worry every day about what I would do if I were caught in the middle when I met my father in the future?"
After speaking, she looked at Cui Hao with red eyes and asked, "Lord Cui, could you tell me why the Prince and my father have become enemies?"
Chapter 101 Old Stories [Part Two]
Cui Hao was surprised that Yao Youqing would suddenly ask this question. He was speechless for a long time, not knowing how to answer or whether he should answer at all.
Although it wasn't a secret—those trusted confidants who had accompanied the prince to the capital knew—he wasn't sure if he should tell the princess.
Seeing that he remained silent, Yao Youqing lowered her eyes and said, "I know this is putting Lord Cui in a difficult position. If the Prince tells you something he didn't tell me, he will definitely be unhappy if he finds out."
She paused as she spoke, then looked up again.
"Then, Lord Cui, could you answer just one question for me? Is the reason why the Prince and my father are at odds... related to the death of the Imperial Concubine?"
Even though Cui Hao had cultivated his composure for many years and could remain calm and composed in many situations without revealing any emotion, he couldn't help but change his expression at this moment, his lips stiffening and his face showing shock.
If the prince hadn't mentioned the events of that year to the princess, then he certainly wouldn't have mentioned them at all.
If it were mentioned, it would not simply be told that it was related to the death of the Imperial Concubine, leaving her to speculate and become increasingly uneasy.
The same applies to Lord Yao.
How could the princess know all this? Who told her to be so talkative?
Seeing his reaction, Yao Youqing's reddened eyes welled up with tears, and she murmured softly, "It seems it's true..."
After receiving the letter, she prepared to return to Beijing. To persuade her, Zhou's mother told her about the poisonous pills that Wei Chi had given her.
"His Majesty is narrow-minded. He wanted to harm you back then simply because you were betrothed to a prince. If you go back this time... he will definitely not let you off!"
“It’s alright,” Yao Youqing cried after suddenly learning that Ling Shuang had been killed by Wei Chi, but her expression became blank when she talked about her own situation. “I never intended to come back alive, it’s just a pity about Ling Shuang…”
Ling Shuang, who had been with her since childhood, was intelligent, calm, and capable.
"But...but doesn't Your Highness think about Master? If you return to the capital and don't do as His Majesty says, what will happen to Master?"
"Father will be alright."
Yao Youqing said.
“I am a married woman and have long since taken my husband’s surname. My father is a veteran of three reigns, the Grand Tutor of His Majesty, with students all over the world, and he is quite prestigious in the court.”
“If I don’t go, His Majesty might kill him in secret out of anger. If I go, he will have to be careful to ensure that nothing happens to Father, otherwise everyone will immediately suspect that he was the one who did it.”
“As long as he wants to secure his throne, he cannot take his anger out on Father because of me, otherwise… before the prince even enters the capital, he will have lost all popular support and will have already suffered a setback.”
Zhou's mother felt a lump in her throat and her eyes reddened.
"But if something happens to you, how can the master go on living?"
The master never took a concubine in his life, only had one wife, with whom he had a harmonious relationship. They had two sons and a daughter, and their life should have been very happy.
Unfortunately, fate seemed to be against him; his wife and children passed away one after another, and now he only has his daughter, the princess, left.
If it were the princess...
Tears welled up in Yao Youqing's eyes, but she quickly wiped them away.
"Just as Madam Zhou said, the late emperor wanted to kill me simply because he betrothed me to the prince. Even if I do as he says now that I've returned to the capital, do you think he'll let me go?"
"Besides, Father is an upright man. If he knew that I had done something against my conscience to protect him, he would not be able to live with me."
As she spoke, she tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a smile.
“I did the right thing. I have done right by my father, the prince, and all the people of the world. My father will surely be happy for me.”
Zhou's mother silently shed tears. Seeing that her mind was made up and there was no way to change her mind, she decided to go back with her and told her about the feud between Wei Hong and Yao Yuzhi that she had learned from Ding Shou.
Yao Youqing thus learned that Wei Hong had once visited the Yao residence and even wanted to kill Yao Yuzhi, but was ultimately stopped by Cui Hao.
Of course, Wei Hong knew that she had changed the Wangfu Garden to resemble the Yao Family Garden, but he was not angry. He also changed the garden of the Cangcheng Mansion in the same way.
However, Yao Yuzhi only told Ding Shou that Wei Hong resented him because of the death of the Imperial Concubine, but did not tell him the details. Therefore, Yao Youqing only knew that her father was related to the death of the Imperial Concubine, but she did not know what the connection was.
The Imperial Concubine died in the palace, so this incident must have also happened in the palace. Apart from Yao Yuzhi, who personally experienced it, it is likely that only Wei Hong and the others know about it.
Before going to the capital, she wanted to clarify this matter, so she brought it up in front of Cui Hao.
But she also knew in her heart that this was indeed asking too much of her.
She asked Zhou Mama to pour Cui Hao a cup of tea and said, "My lord, there is no need to worry that someone let it slip to me. I have just been feeling uneasy lately, so I have been thinking about it more and I feel that... the prince is not an unreasonable person. If it were really just some political disputes, he would not hold a grudge against my father for so many years."
"What could make him hold a grudge for so long must be some deep-seated hatred. Considering the time when they became enemies... I really can't think of anything other than the death of the Imperial Concubine."