In recent days, the Ning Wang Manor had begun preparing gifts for the Emperor’s longevity celebration. This year marked the sixtieth year since His Majesty’s birth, and the court treated it with extraordinary importance. Needless to say, members of the imperial family, civil and military officials, and even foreign envoys sent to offer congratulations would attend.
Additionally, there were also acrobats and performers, as such festivities required a grand ceremony. As a result, the days were packed with rehearsals of the ceremony itself and various entertainment programs.
That wasn’t part of Ning Wang Manor’s responsibility, but they had already prepared an elephant and various rare items as gifts for the Emperor. For several days now, the sounds of training the elephant echoed through the manor.
Watching the bustling scene, Qingge felt rather irritated. She had no desire to go to the capital. Once there, she would have to face even more people, which would only deepen the entanglement between her and the identity of the Xiahou clan’s daughter, potentially causing future trouble.
Not to mention, she had to play two roles by herself, maintaining a precarious act that could collapse at any moment, taking her life with it.
She wished she could just escape. Why should she continue to bother with this charade? Even if she had to forgo the subsequent payment, it seemed better to completely get away from all this mess.
Unfortunately, if she ran without settling matters with the Xiahou clan first, her sudden disappearance as Ning Wangfei would undoubtedly cause a search, a matter that would inevitably alarm Ye Min. By then, Ye Min would know the Wangfei’s face, and there would be no hiding it anymore.
On the other hand, if the real Miss Xiahou returned and smoothly took over the identity of Ning Wangfei, even if Ye Min later saw the Wangfei who looked identical to her, he would think it was a mere coincidence.
This was a complication she couldn’t solve by simply running away. She even wished she could poison herself further, just enough to make it serious. But she had tried—Ye Min’s antidote pills worked too well, and she had been secretly channeling her internal aura daily. Now, 70-80% of the poison in her body was cleared, and the remaining portion would dissipate with time.
At this point, she almost wished for an attack to happen so she could add injuries to herself. But to her dismay, neither Xiyuan nor the three great clans, nor the princes, nor even the Yellow Sect, had come to Yuning to stir up trouble. Outside the city, peace reigned.
She couldn’t exactly make up a story about being attacked by bandits and getting injured, as it would only raise suspicions.
So here she was, sitting in the position of Ning Wangfei, fervently hoping for something—anything—to happen. Perhaps a group of bandits could come to assassinate either her or Ning Wang himself, or even wreak havoc in Yuning, anything to create an opportunity for her to get hurt—just enough for Ye Min to see clearly that she couldn’t protect the Wangfei anymore!
Of course, the injury couldn’t be too serious. As Ning Wangfei, she still had to deal with his demands in the bedchamber.
Unfortunately, no such opportunity arose. With a heavy heart akin to mourning, she forced a bright smile and prepared for the journey to the capital.
…
In the evening, Qingge secretly slipped out of the manor and headed to Qianying Pavilion to meet Ye Min. As she reached the third floor, she happened to see Baizhi coming down.
On the narrow wooden staircase, the two brushed past each other. Qingge paused and slightly turned her head. Baizhi also stopped but kept his eyes straight ahead.
Qingge mouthed silently, “Thank you.”
Baizhi didn’t even glance at her and continued downstairs.
Qingge knew that even though he didn’t look, he must have noticed. She said no more and proceeded upstairs, where she saw the windows tightly shut. She knew there was a guest inside and stood respectfully to the side without entering.
A voice from inside called out, “Come in.”
Qingge entered, keeping her head bowed. The moment she stepped inside, she immediately sensed that something was off—the guest Ye Min was receiving was none other than Ning Wang!
For a brief moment, Qingge wanted to flee. In her eighteen years of life, she had spent fourteen of them living under the shadow of two men: Ye Min, the Pavilion Master of Qianying Pavilion who had trained her, and His Highness Ning Wang, her lord and master.
Now, she had to face both of them at the same time. The last time she saw them together, it was only a brief greeting before she left, which was tolerable, but this time was different. She had been deceiving them, taking outrageous risks.
Anxiety churned within her. If they discovered the truth, she would be turned into minced meat on the spot!
She clenched her fists slightly to steady herself and mentally reassured herself. She was now wearing her cold and indifferent face; she was Qingge, not Ning Wangfei. All she had to do was play her role perfectly and without flaw. So she straightened her back, lowered her eyes slightly, and walked in.
The faint scent of wood greeted her as she entered. The floor was covered with a finely embroidered carpet, on which stood an intricately carved rosewood tea table. On the table sat a simple Jian ware black bowl, along with a partially completed chessboard. Ning Wang and Ye Min were seated on rosewood chairs, sipping tea and playing chess.
Qingge knelt on one knee and respectfully said, “Qingge greets Master.” Her voice was slightly hoarse, as it often was when she used this tone. This way, she would neither sound familiar to Ning Wang nor draw Ye Min’s suspicion.
Ning Wang, engrossed in his chess game with Ye Min, didn’t even glance at her. Qingge remained kneeling in silence, so unobtrusive that she seemed to blend into the background.
From her position, her gaze happened to fall on the hem of the prince’s robe. It was a crimson brocade robe, simple and unadorned except for gold and silver embroidery at the edges. The snow-white inner garment peeked out slightly, making the crimson outer robe appear even more vivid and luxurious.
Suddenly, she recalled the evening when this man had rushed back, pressing her onto the bed. He had worn a similar plain white inner robe back then. She could vividly remember the way he lifted it—still noble looking and yet, his usual composure clearly crumbled, overwhelmed with men’s primal desires.
Beneath those refined and luxurious robes, even Ning Wang was just an ordinary man.
“How is it?” After a while, Ye Min placed a chess piece on the board and finally asked.
Qingge understood his question and also knew the implications of Ning Wang’s presence. Bowing her head further, she carefully replied, “Thanks to Pavilion Master’s grace, this subordinate’s injuries have healed, and the poison has dissipated by seventy to eighty percent. My martial arts have also recovered. For now, there are no significant issues.”
Ye Min nodded and then said, “For this journey to the capital, you’ll accompany Her Highness as her personal guard.”
Qingge responded with a single word, “Understood.” She bowed even lower, exuding deference from every strand of hair.
Ye Min continued, “Go greet Her Highness first and make preparations. We’ll be departing soon.”
Qingge replied again, “As you command.”
At this, Ning Wang, who had been quietly listening, raised his gaze to look at Qingge and instructed, “Go and see the Wangfei in her courtyard this evening.”
With her head still lowered, Qingge replied, “Yes, Master.”
After she left, Ning Wang, playing with the chess piece in his hand, lifted his eyes and glanced at Ye Min. “Have you given any thought to my suggestion?” There was a hint of amusement in his tone.
Ye Min pressed his lips together slightly, silently gazing at the chessboard.
Ning Wang’s smile faded as he said, “I’m serious.”
Ye Min was no longer young, nearing thirty years of age, and still single. However, according to the rules of the Qianying Pavilion, Ye Min was prohibited from having any deeper relationship with Qingge. Thus, as their master, Ning Wang suggested that Qingge leave Qianying Pavilion and assume a new identity, allowing Ye Min to be with her.
“Your Highness, since when did you become a matchmaker?” Ye Min finally spoke. Just a month ago, you couldn’t have cared less about your own marriage.
Ning Wang looked nonchalant, “I suddenly realized that marriage isn’t so bad.”
Ye Min glanced at him, noting the obvious contentment in his expression. Clearly, Ning Wang couldn’t be more satisfied with his Wangfei.
“But I am not the same as Your Highness.”
“What’s different?” Ning Wang’s gaze fell on the older man’s slightly pale face.
In fact, Ye Min was undeniably handsome, though a bit frail-looking.
Holding a chess piece in his hand, Ning Wang recalled the secret guard just now. After a brief pause, he concluded, “She seems to rely on you quite a lot. She must admire you.”
Ye Min responded, “Your Highness, you’re overthinking it.”
Ning Wang paused briefly, raised an eyebrow, and then said, “Ye Min, this is an opportunity I’m giving you.”
His voice lost its casual tone, carrying a hint of authority.
Ye Min understood what Ning Wang meant. Qingge was a slave of Ning Wang Manor, and everything about her belonged to him. This was a chance he was offering him: to take Qingge out of Qianying Pavilion.
But it was only this one chance.
After this, there would be no exceptions, and the prince would treat everyone equally, showing no favoritism, even to him.
Ye Min lowered his eyes and remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “It’s okay, Your Highness. Let it be.”
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The one book I am conflicted between letting all parties remain blissfully unaware or be excited for the reveal and chaos that ensues.
Bastard!!! He had a chance to gain her freedom from enslavement and threw it away to keep her under his control! Disgusting. I’m looking forward more and more to her skedaddling, as high-drama as it will assuredly be.