Chapter 18: Protecting Each Other

“Yes!”

Shi Yuning replied without a second’s hesitation, so quickly it was as if she feared Xie Zhaoran might change her mind at any moment.

The speed of her response startled them both.

Shi Yuning glanced sheepishly at Xie Zhaoran and gave an awkward grin. She couldn’t help it—this was a secret, more tantalizing than the juiciest gossip.

How could she resist that kind of temptation?

Xie Zhaoran let out a light laugh. She had initially been surprised, thinking Shi Yuning’s eagerness stemmed from some special regard for her. But now, seeing the young woman’s embarrassed expression, she realized she’d misunderstood.

Anyone else offering her a secret would get the exact same reaction from Shi Yuning.

Ears perked up and eyes sparkling, just like a little donkey spotting a crisp carrot.

It was strangely adorable…

Xie Zhaoran averted her gaze awkwardly. She was about to invite Shi Yuning to sit in the nearby chair when a knock sounded at the door.

Her smile faded as she called for the visitor to enter.

Qiangdi stepped inside, her expression grave. She bowed and reported, “Mistress, a message from the princess’s people in the garden. There’s some trouble by the lake. They ask you to come at once.”

Qiangdi didn’t know the details. The Eldest Princess’s servants hadn’t elaborated, only insisting that Xie Zhaoran hurry over, so Qiangdi had no choice but to interrupt.

Xie Zhaoran nodded. “I understand. You may go.”

Once Qiangdi had withdrawn, Xie Zhaoran turned apologetically to Shi Yuning, who was watching her with wide, expectant eyes.

Before she could speak, Shi Yuning beat her to it. “Why not cut to the chase?”

Shi Yuning felt like someone had dangled a delicious treat right in front of her mouth and then snatched it away. Who could stand that? It was pure torture!

After a moment of surprise, Xie Zhaoran broke into a sudden smile. She’d never met a girl quite so lively and entertaining.

Unfortunately, she would have to disappoint her. A summons from the princess meant trouble.

“Later, once I’ve handled things in the garden,” Xie Zhaoran said coaxingly, her tone gentle for the first time.

“Can’t you just sum it up in one sentence?” Shi Yuning pleaded. It wouldn’t take much of Xie Zhaoran’s time.

“No,” Xie Zhaoran replied earnestly.

Though disappointed, Shi Yuning knew she couldn’t blame Xie Zhaoran for the interruption. The mishap had come too suddenly.

She hurried after Xie Zhaoran to the garden, where a crowd had gathered by the lake, buzzing with noisy arguments.

As they drew closer, a familiar arrogant male voice rang out.

“Is Imperial Sister dead set on making trouble for your brother?”

Prince Yu’s face was dark with fury, his threatening gaze fixed coldly on Xiao Liju, who stood blocking his path. His eyes were sharp as knives, as if he meant to bore holes through her and slit her throat.

Xiao Liju had clawed her way through the army, surviving barrages of blades and arrows. A mere glare held no terror for her.

Unfazed, she held her ground firmly, barring Prince Yu’s way.

Not far ahead stood the high platform erected especially for overseeing the boat races.

By Dragon Boat Festival tradition, the emperor and empress presided personally. This year, with the emperor unwell and the empress tending him, the Crown Prince had stepped in.

But now even the Crown Prince was too ill to appear. Prince Yu’s sudden arrival—likely upon hearing the news—suggested he aimed to take his place.

That was precisely Prince Yu’s intent. With a wave of his hand, his guards drew their swords in unison and closed in around Xiao Liju, awaiting his order to seize her.

“You dare?!” Xiao Liju demanded coolly, looking down imperiously at Prince Yu in his shoulder carriage.

Prince Yu sneered with utter disdain. “What wouldn’t this prince dare? I have every right to be here. As for you, Imperial Sister, blocking my path and delaying the boat races—what crime is that?!”

Xiao Liju refused to yield an inch. “The Crown Prince is hosting the banquet. With him indisposed, the Crown Princess will stand in for him. Where do you get this ‘right’ of yours? It’s pure fantasy!”

Prince Yu gripped his throbbing right foot, his face twisting savagely.

“With the Crown Prince unwell, it’s this prince—his brother—who should take his place. What business does some Crown Princess have meddling?!”

“A mere woman, overstepping her bounds with such insolence. This prince shows mercy by not ordering her away!”

“And you, Imperial Sister—a woman parading about the barracks, consorting with rough soldiers and losing all royal dignity. Tsk tsk. Even Imperial Father refuses to see you now. How do you have the face to play the princess here—”

“Shut your mouth!”

Before Prince Yu could finish, a clear female voice cut him off.

Shi Yuning shoved past the obstructing guards and squeezed through, panting as she jabbed a finger at him indignantly. “Everyone knows the princess’s heroic deeds. She once led three thousand soldiers deep into the heart of the Desert North—”

She caught her breath and barreled on: “—winning eternal fame in a single battle, reclaiming lost borderlands and keeping the Desert North invaders at bay!”

“She’s a hero of our age, the guardian spirit of Great Ye!”

Shi Yuning exhaled heavily. Xie Zhaoran had walked quickly, forcing her into a jog just to keep up, leaving her breathless already.

Hearing Prince Yu’s insults had nearly choked her with rage.

Blazing with fury, she’d surged ahead of Xie Zhaoran to defend Xiao Liju.

Shi Yuning glanced back at Xiao Liju. The princess’s face was solemn, betraying no hurt, but Shi Yuning declared loudly anyway: “Princess, you are Great Ye’s pride!”

Her words rang out clearly, stunning the onlookers. Their earlier smirks vanished, replaced by various shades of shame.

Tu Chunhua knew Prince Yu had spoken out of turn. Even in the countryside, tales abounded of the princess’s bloody battles for Great Ye, risking life and limb to reclaim lost territory.

But Prince Yu was a prince, and with the Crown Prince ailing, he was the obvious heir. Who dared cross him?

When Prince Yu had taken a fancy to Shi Yuning, Old Marquis Shi had warned them to evade, never confront.

Seeing her daughter charge at Prince Yu so recklessly, Tu Chunhua panicked and tried to push through, desperate to shield her.

Before she could breach the guards’ circle, a tall, sturdy figure appeared—like a flourishing pine tree—planting itself firmly before her daughter.

Xie Zhaoran shot Qiangdi a look. Qiangdi understood at once and pulled Shi Yuning back from behind. “Miss Shi, please step back.”

Just in case her mistress lost her temper and struck out, injuring Miss Shi by accident.

Prince Yu, already fuming from Shi Yuning’s interruption mid-sentence, grew even angrier at her countering words.

He was about to order her seized when he spotted his most hated foe, Xie Zhaoran, blocking her.

Excellent. Prince Yu clenched his injured right leg in fury, heedless of the pain, glaring at Xie Zhaoran as if flames might shoot from his eyes.

Pondering his injury, he suspected only the Crown Prince. And the Crown Prince’s household was all managed by Xie Zhaoran.

She had to be involved!

Old grudges and new fueling his rage, Prince Yu immediately ordered his guards to take her down.

Xie Zhaoran was prepared. En route, she’d summoned the imperial guards. At her command, they subdued Prince Yu’s men entirely.

With so many eyes in the garden, any brawl—regardless of cause—would mean charges of harming imperial kin before His Majesty.

Xie Zhaoran bore no Xiao surname.

With Prince Yu’s guards secured, Xie Zhaoran smiled faintly and strolled leisurely to the shoulder carriage where he sat.

In a tone of casual concern, she remarked, “Your Highness Prince Yu, why aren’t you resting that leg injury at home instead of wandering the garden? Does it not hurt anymore?”

Each word stabbed at Prince Yu’s heart. He glanced at his right leg, bound tight and immobile, a metallic tang flooding his mouth.

He knew the Crown Prince was behind it—and Xie Zhaoran’s mocking look confirmed she knew too.

Prince Yu ground his teeth in hatred until blood filled his mouth.

“This prince has leads on the assassins. I’ve already informed Imperial Father in the palace. Soon, we’ll round up those audacious villains!”

He glared daggers at Xie Zhaoran, spitting the words through clenched teeth, flecks of saliva flying like embers.

Xie Zhaoran remained unperturbed. “In that case, until you’ve caught your attackers, Your Highness, best stay put. Wouldn’t want another mishap.”

She smiled lightly. “If Your Highness wouldn’t mind stepping aside? You’re delaying the boat races.”

Prince Yu sneered coldly. “The Crown Prince is unwell today. This prince will host in his stead.”

Xie Zhaoran replied, “No need to trouble yourself. He’s entrusted it to me.”

“That was when this prince was absent. Now that I’m here, it falls to me—not some mere woman!”

Neither yielded. As the auspicious hour approached—missing it would be inauspicious—Xiao Liju grew impatient with words and moved to haul Prince Yu aside herself. But a hand gently grasped hers.

She looked down to see a skeletal hand, skin stretched taut over bone.

Following it up, she found its owner smiling at her mildly.

“Crown Prince…”

At her call, all eyes turned. There stood the Crown Prince in his ceremonial robes, supported by a young eunuch. Despite his sickly pallor, his spirits seemed good.

He smiled warmly at the crowd. “This prince is a bit late. What’s all this gathering for? The boat races are about to begin.”

The onlookers snapped to attention and dispersed.

Yet their curious stares lingered on the Crown Prince.

Rumors swirled in the capital that he wouldn’t survive past twenty—just a year left. Seeing him now, emaciated beyond recognition, his custom robes hung like sacks on a bamboo frame, empty inside.

The Crown Prince met their scrutiny with calm openness.

His gentle gaze settled on Prince Yu. “Brother, you came to the festival despite your injury. Commendable. Join this prince to watch.”

He turned to Xie Zhaoran. “We’ll still trouble the Crown Princess today.”

With the Crown Prince himself mandating the Crown Princess host—and present—who dared object? Prince Yu seethed inwardly but had no grounds to argue.

He declined the invitation, rooted to the spot.

The Crown Prince didn’t press, leading the crowd lakeside.

As Shi Yuning passed Prince Yu, he called out.

“Miss Shi, this prince has words for you.”

Shi Yuning inwardly groaned. He surely meant to settle the score for her earlier insolence. She had no desire to stay, yet no excuse to refuse.

She halted reluctantly, opening her mouth to speak, when warmth bloomed at her waist. A hand pressed against her back, guiding her forward.

Shi Yuning looked up. Xie Zhaoran’s face was taut, her jawline sharper than usual.

Shi Yuning fell silent and walked on with her.

Prince Yu’s attendant eunuch bowed his head nervously. “Your Highness… shall this servant stop Miss Shi?”

Prince Yu’s gaze hardened, watching Xie Zhaoran whisk away the woman he’d claimed without a care for him.

He laughed in cold fury. “No need.”

Let Xie Zhaoran gloat a little longer. After the banquet, once Shi Yuning was his, he’d see if she had any right to compete for her!

The sun blazed overhead, heat waves shimmering upward. Even by the lake, no breeze stirred, the air thick with stifling tension.

Xiao Liju eyed Prince Yu, whose glare cut vicious even in the harsh light. Leaning toward Xie Zhaoran, she murmured, “Be careful. Prince Yu’s too quiet—likely plotting something.”

Amid the drumming, Xie Zhaoran smoothed her sleeves, straightened her posture, and fixed her resolute gaze ahead. As cheers rose from the crowd, she ascended the platform and said coolly,

“Then I’ll be waiting.”