After Spending a Passionate Night with the Eldest Princess - Chapter 22

Xin Yuan abruptly widened her eyes. Clearly, no one had slapped her at this moment, yet her head was buzzing chaotically.

In her line of sight, the woman sitting in the carriage was still dressed in crimson, but it was no longer the simple ruqun from her memory. Instead, she had changed into an intricate palace dress, paired with a golden hair crown, noble and dignified.

That face, which had originally been bare of makeup, now bore a light layer of cosmetics, making her features appear even brighter and more otherworldly, almost beautiful to the extreme.

She raised her eyes slightly and parted her red lips. “You may rise.”

Just those two faint words seemed to carry the power to soothe people’s hearts.

Her aura was imposing, and even without anger, she inspired awe.

Xin Yuan stared blankly until the carriage had gone far away and the crowd had risen and dispersed. Even then, she still could not return to herself.

That woman… was the current dynasty’s Eldest Princess!

At the side, Guo Xiaowu coughed lightly. “You didn’t see wrong. That guard is Jiang Si. His master, Miss Qin, is none other than the current dynasty’s Eldest Princess, Qin Muqiu.”

Xin Yuan abruptly turned her head, her gaze growing deep. “You already knew.”

It was a statement.

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Guo Xiaowu’s face. “I only guessed it yesterday. Don’t blame me for not telling you. That was the Eldest Princess. Since she hadn’t revealed her identity, how would I dare speak recklessly?”

Although she said this, she still could not help feeling a little guilty.

Xin Yuan tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a hint of mockery, and remained silent.

No wonder that woman had said her status was low and that she could only become a concubine.

So it turned out the other party was a noble imperial princess, while she…

In the modern world, she had been an ordinary office worker. In ancient times, the original owner was a tenant farmer who could barely afford food and clothing, a homeless refugee.

Seeing that Xin Yuan did not speak, Guo Xiaowu felt even guiltier. “Actually, I did think about telling you, but we were under the Eldest Princess’s eyes the whole time…”

“I don’t blame you,” Xin Yuan interrupted her. “You promised before that you would help me unconditionally once. Does that still count?”

If it were only a matter of taking her as a concubine, then as long as the Eldest Princess wanted to, she could take eight or ten concubines without issue. She would not go out of her way to find Xin Yuan.

But between them, there was also that endless dream. If she were an ordinary official’s daughter, she might not be able to stir up much commotion.

But that woman was the current dynasty’s Eldest Princess. Finding someone in the capital would be as easy as turning her hand over.

So this capital was probably not a place she could stay.

Guo Xiaowu froze for a moment, then hurriedly nodded. “Of course it still counts. What do you want me to help you with?”

Xin Yuan leaned against the window, her eyes thoughtful. “Take me back to Yongzhou right now, and lend me some banknotes.”

Before that woman discovered it, she had to leave the city as soon as possible, and she also needed to carry more banknotes with her.

In short, she had to leave the capital first, then make other plans.

“You want to go back to Yongzhou?” Guo Xiaowu was surprised for a moment, then smiled. “Actually, as long as we’re careful, there’s no need to worry about being discovered by the Eldest Princess. Besides, the Eldest Princess might not necessarily look for you.”

What she wanted to say was that if the Eldest Princess extended an olive branch, who knew how many noble young ladies in the capital would willingly throw themselves at her?

With Xin Yuan’s status and appearance, there really was no need to keep running.

Xin Yuan slowly shook her head. “You don’t understand. She won’t let me go.”

Guo Xiaowu: “…”

There was no need to be this confident.

But looking at the somewhat complicated look in Xin Yuan’s eyes, she did not continue persuading her. Perhaps things were not as simple as she imagined.

This sister might not have told the whole truth. After all, Guo Xiaowu herself had also held things back.

And now that she had calmed down and thought about it, she also felt something was wrong.

If the Eldest Princess truly had those kinds of feelings for Xin Yuan, she should not have repeatedly ordered someone to slap Xin Yuan’s face.

Otherwise, that would be far too ridiculous!

Thinking this, Guo Xiaowu did not ask more. “All right. I’ll take you. If you change your mind, come back here to find me. I should be staying at this inn for the next while.”

“Okay.”

Xin Yuan did not say more either. The two of them left the capital together, then rushed back toward Yongzhou without stopping.

The sky had already darkened.

Guo Xiaowu led the horse to the city gate and took out her identity document for the gate soldiers to inspect. Just as she had when entering the capital, she said Xin Yuan was her maidservant.

The gate soldier stared at her strangely for a few moments, then glanced at Xin Yuan.

The identity document clearly stated that this person was the illegitimate daughter of Prince Chang Guo. With the document presented first, and looking at Guo Xiaowu again, she truly was a girl disguised as a man.

He did not make things difficult for them and directly raised his hand to let them pass.

After entering the city, the two found a nearby inn.

Once inside the room, Guo Xiaowu sat down and poured two cups of tea. “I won’t be able to go back tonight. I’ll return to the capital tomorrow morning. Do you plan to stay in Yongzhou from now on?”

This sister did not even have an identity document. It would be difficult for her to move an inch.

Xin Yuan ignored her probing gaze. “Just lend me some banknotes. As for the rest, I’ll figure it out myself.”

Her identity document was most likely in that woman’s hands, and she did not plan to use the original owner’s identity again. Otherwise, no matter where she went, she would leave traces.

Of course she would not stay in Yongzhou forever. At worst, she would temporarily avoid entering cities and only stop in villages and towns.

In the future, she would find a chance to get a new identity document.

Now that refugees were everywhere, local governments would not have an easy time checking identities. As long as she spent a little more silver, it should not be difficult.

Guo Xiaowu took a sip of tea, her gaze drifting a little. “How much do you plan to borrow, and when will you pay it back?”

Although they could be considered to have gone through hardship together, their relationship was only at that level. It had not yet reached the point where she could generously open her purse.

Helping with a task and directly handing over banknotes were not the same thing.

If this sister opened her mouth like a lion, even though Guo Xiaowu was not short of money, she could not be treated like a fool.

Xin Yuan said unhurriedly, “I won’t complain if it’s much, and I won’t complain if it’s little. To be honest with you, I don’t know when I can pay it back either. If you can’t lend it, then forget it.”

After a pause, she added, “If you can lend it, and if we still meet alive in the future, I’ll definitely pay you back if I can. If there’s no chance to meet again, then just treat it as if I died and you burned paper money for me.”

She could see Guo Xiaowu’s concerns and understood her thoughts. If Guo Xiaowu lent it, that would be a favor, and Xin Yuan could only keep it in her heart for now and repay it later.

If she did not lend it, Xin Yuan had no right to say anything.

Hearing Xin Yuan say this, Guo Xiaowu knew she had been petty-minded.

She took a sip of tea to cover it up, then took out two banknotes. “I might not even go home in the future, and there will be plenty of places where I need to spend silver. These two hundred taels can buy several rooms full of paper money.”

The meaning behind her words was that she did not expect Xin Yuan to repay these two hundred taels.

Xin Yuan calmly accepted the banknotes and raised her teacup. “I’ll use tea in place of wine. Thanks.”

Including the one hundred taels that woman had given her, three hundred taels was enough for her to find a place to settle down.

Night fell over the Eldest Princess’s residence in the capital.

After Qin Muqiu met with the emperor, attended the welcoming banquet, and went to the Empress Dowager to pay her respects, she finally returned to her residence.

Qiuyue had been waiting respectfully outside the door. Seeing Qin Muqiu return, she quickly supported her back to her room first. As usual, she first ordered people to serve her in bathing and changing clothes.

Afterward, she brought Jiang Si to the study to await orders.

The two looked at each other, and Jiang Si quietly told her what had happened after she left.

“You speak first later.” Qiuyue’s expression darkened. No wonder Tang Er had not returned. Damn him.

Jiang Si nodded. After Qin Muqiu arrived at the study, he lowered his head and watched that crimson skirt sweep past. He cupped his fists and said, “Your Highness, this subordinate has already checked the entry records. Prince Chang Guo’s residence did indeed have two groups enter the capital. The first to enter was Prince Chang Guo’s heir, Guo Qinghuai, with a party of seventeen. The one who entered later was Prince Chang Guo’s illegitimate daughter, Guo Qingwu, with a party of two.”

Clearly, Guo Qinghuai was the Young Master Guo who had been following behind them before, while Guo Qingwu should be Guo Xiaowu.

Qin Muqiu tapped her finger against the table and did not speak.

Jiang Si continued, “Guo Qingwu checked into Yuexiang Inn, but she is not there. The innkeeper said she paid a deposit for ten days. This subordinate has already ordered people to keep strict watch outside the inn. As soon as she appears, she will be secretly captured. Please give your instructions, Your Highness.”

Time was urgent, and he had only had time to track one group tonight. Without needing to think, he knew who the target was.

If he did not even have that much sense, then his time as temporary guard commander would be over.

Qin Muqiu said faintly, “There is nothing improper about your arrangements. Withdraw first.”

Compared to Xin Yuan’s whereabouts, what she cared about most right now was Qiuyue’s side.

Once Jiang Si left, Qiuyue walked behind Qin Muqiu. While massaging her shoulders, she reported every detail. “The people sent to Dingzhou returned and said there truly is such a person. They also brought back Xin Yuan’s parents. This servant has settled them in a separate residence on the outskirts of the capital. Imperial Physician Liu is currently in the princess residence and can examine Your Highness at any time.”

After hearing this, Qin Muqiu felt slightly reassured. “Invite Imperial Physician Liu over. For the next few days, let Xiangzhu serve me. You immediately take people to investigate Tang Er and the State Preceptor.”

“Yes.” Qiuyue withdrew as instructed.