The Seventh Princess Insists on Making Me Live Off Her - Chapter 10

“But Your Highness still has not told me who the assassin was.”

“Princess Consort, if I died, who would benefit?”

At those words, Lian Liejin slowly quickened her pace to catch up with Gao Jingxi. She truly did not know much about the factions within the imperial court. However, if the highly favored Seventh Princess Gao Jingxi were to die unexpectedly, no one would be happier than the other imperial princes and princesses.

Still, for an imperial prince or princess to dare openly assassinate their own sister beneath the Emperor’s nose required an extraordinary amount of courage.

Lian Liejin stopped and thought for a while. Only then did she realize that Gao Jingxi had already walked far ahead. She hurried after her and continued alongside the princess, remaining half a step behind.

After walking for one shichen, the two finally circled halfway around the city and arrived at the northern gate.

To avoid alerting the guards, Gao Jingxi grabbed the back of Lian Liejin’s collar as though carrying a chick. The two leaped into the air and flew over the walls into Changyong.

It was already the third watch of the night. Because it was the Lantern Festival, the curfew had been temporarily lifted. On the main street nearby, many people were still wandering about in groups of two or three.

Only then did Gao Jingxi’s tightly wound nerves finally relax.

“Your Highness, could you release me now?”

A gloomy voice came from behind her.

Only then did Gao Jingxi realize that she had been dragging Lian Liejin forward by the collar the entire time.

She quickly released her hand. Lian Liejin’s outer robe had nearly been pulled halfway off her body.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Lian Liejin’s clothes were disheveled and her hair was in complete disorder. It inevitably inspired certain assumptions—

After all, people were permitted to abduct someone into marriage during the Lantern Festival.

To prevent any misunderstanding, Gao Jingxi stepped over and helped straighten Lian Liejin’s clothes. She first retied her sash, then smoothed down her tangled hair.

However, Lian Liejin’s clumsy attempts to help only earned twice as much disdain from Gao Jingxi.

She slapped Lian Liejin’s hand away.

“You left home at such a young age. Did you never learn to take care of yourself? How could you make such a mess of your clothes?”

Lian Liejin: “…”

Was this the imperial art that members of the royal family studied from childhood—blaming the victim?

Seeing Lian Liejin staring blankly without speaking, Gao Jingxi attempted to ease the awkwardness.

“This time, I could be considered to have saved you as well. How do you intend to repay me?”

Could members of the imperial family truly not tolerate suffering even the slightest loss?

Lian Liejin shuddered from head to toe.

Surely the princess was not asking her to offer herself in marriage?

After all, ancient people loved this sort of thing. Presumably, Gao Jingxi would be no exception.

For a moment, Lian Liejin became completely rigid.

Gao Jingxi did not understand why the woman suddenly looked so dazed, but she found it amusing. She also remained silent and continued staring at Lian Liejin.

However, when this scene fell into the eyes of those who had been anxiously searching for Gao Jingxi, it did not appear nearly so innocent.

A-You was the first to see them.

She cried excitedly, “They are here!”

She was about to rush toward Gao Jingxi when she noticed that the princess seemed to be embracing someone in the middle of the street.

It even appeared that the princess had taken the initiative!

When she moved closer, she discovered that the person in the princess’s arms was actually the Princess Consort.

At that moment, A-You remembered how the princess had suddenly announced at Tianyuan Residence that she wanted to step outside for some air.

So this was what she meant by “getting some air”?

However, it was perfectly natural for the princess and her consort to be together. Why did they need to sneak around?

A-You’s loud voice startled Gao Jingxi, who was already injured and physically weak.

Only then did she realize how easily her current position with Lian Liejin could be misunderstood.

What was that idiom again?

Secretly advancing through Chencang.

That must be exactly what everyone thought she had been doing.

The guards from the Princess’s Residence quickly surrounded them.

Chen Yu, who had followed behind A-You, became so furious that her teeth itched when she clearly saw Lian Liejin’s face.

How could this pretty-faced weakling be together with the princess?

“Your Highness, where exactly did you go?”

A-You approached Gao Jingxi, bowed, and asked softly,

“This servant was worried to death. Fortunately, Your Highness is safe. Otherwise, how could this servant continue living?”

“A-You, I am unharmed. I merely walked too far and lost my way.”

Whatever one’s master said was the truth.

A-You understood this principle perfectly and did not ask further questions. She instructed the guards to bring the carriage and take Gao Jingxi back to the residence.

“I have caused everyone to worry.”

Before boarding the carriage, Gao Jingxi smiled faintly at the people standing nearby.

“I failed to entertain you properly this time. I will certainly make amends on another occasion.”

Chen Li hurriedly grabbed Chen Yu and made her bow together with him.

“Your Highness, there is no need to say such a thing. We are simply relieved that you are safe.”

“Since Your Highness is returning to the Princess’s Residence, this humble subject should also return to the Princess Consort’s Residence.”

Lian Liejin outwardly cupped her hands with carefree elegance, though her voice was slightly hoarse.

Whether it was because her clothes had choked her earlier or because Gao Jingxi’s request for repayment had frightened her, even she did not know.

Gao Jingxi had intended to send a squad of guards to escort Lian Liejin home. Unexpectedly, the woman fled with remarkable speed.

She could only smile and enter the carriage.

Once the carriage began moving, Gao Jingxi finally stopped pretending that nothing was wrong.

Although most of her internal injuries had healed, she had only just been wounded and remained physically weak.

“Your Highness, what exactly happened to you?”

“Keep this safe.”

Gao Jingxi shook her head, her expression grave.

“Let us return to the residence first. This time, I encountered the same group from half a year ago.”

That group had severely injured Gao Jingxi six months earlier.

A-You’s heart immediately leaped into her throat.

“Your Highness, were you injured?”

“I have already taken medicine. Keep this safe!”

Only then did A-You notice that her princess had been holding a white object the entire time.

It looked somewhat battered and was covered in mud and sand.

“Your Highness, what is this?”

“A radish lantern.”

A-You was utterly confused.

She had never heard of such a thing as a radish lantern.

“Your Highness… radishes spoil easily. It will be difficult to preserve.”

“Mm, I know.”

Gao Jingxi nodded thoughtfully and said nothing more.

The night finally passed without further danger.

Late at night one day later, Lian Liejin was still lying beneath her blankets when someone knocked on the door.

“Princess Consort, A-You has come under Her Highness’s orders to escort you to the Princess’s Residence.”

“Hmm? I remember that the day after tomorrow is when the princess and I are supposed to meet.”

According to the rules, they were only obligated to see each other once every ten days.

“Princess Consort, the matter is extremely urgent. Please dress quickly.”

Lian Liejin threw on an outer robe and emerged while rubbing her sleepy eyes.

“Sister A-You, what urgent matter could there be so late at night?”

“Princess Consort, do you not remember?”

Seeing Lian Liejin’s hair hanging half loose, A-You had to admit that she looked attractive. However, she was hardly in a presentable condition.

A-You therefore entered the room and gathered several sets of Lian Liejin’s clothes.

“Please follow this servant to the Princess’s Residence first.”

Inside the Princess’s Residence, Gao Jingxi was seated before a bronze mirror while two young maids combed her hair with fine-toothed combs.

Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, resembling the finest black satin and gleaming with a lustrous sheen.

When the red candle beside her had burned down by a third, A-You knocked on the door.

“Your Highness, the Princess Consort is waiting outside, though she has not yet washed or groomed herself.”

“Never mind. You may enter.”

The familiar, subtle fragrance drifted through the room.

The moment Lian Liejin entered, she bowed to Gao Jingxi.

“Your Highness, may this humble subject ask what matter required you to summon me here in the middle of the night?”

Surely Gao Jingxi had not brought her here to demand repayment for saving her life…

“The Poetry and Literature Gathering is today. You promised that you would attend with me. Have you forgotten?”

“I remember now.”

Lian Liejin breathed a sigh of relief, though she simultaneously felt slightly disappointed.

She had no desire whatsoever to participate in some Poetry and Literature Gathering.

Gao Jingxi did not become angry at her answer. She merely smiled faintly.

“Go wash and prepare yourself.”

The sky had only just begun to brighten when the maids and servants hurriedly brought in tea and breakfast.

Others repeatedly reported from outside that the ceremonial procession and carriage canopy were ready.

Only after the sky had grown fully bright did Gao Jingxi leave the Princess’s Residence with Lian Liejin.

They boarded an ornate carriage with a kingfisher-green canopy and jeweled roof, while an imposing procession of attendants followed them out.

The gathering was being held at Youlan Waterside Pavilion, the most prosperous location in Changyong.

It had originally been a royal retreat built during the previous dynasty. In the current dynasty, it had become an elegant social venue. Families of dukes and marquises frequently held grand banquets there.

Inside the carriage, Gao Jingxi and Lian Liejin seemed to have suddenly become mute.

One would glance at the other, then the other would glance back, yet neither spoke for a long time.

In the end, A-You was the one who smiled and broke the silence.

“Your Highness, which family’s scholar do you think will take first place at this year’s Poetry and Literature Gathering?”

“Last year, it was the eldest daughter of the Lian family. I expect this year will not be much different.”

Gao Jingxi sounded somewhat distracted.

After a while, she smiled gently and asked Lian Liejin,

“Princess Consort, have you ever studied poetry?”

She still remembered the excellent verse Lian Liejin had recited at the previous banquet.