“Have you forgotten?”
Xiao Jin was silent for a moment. What the System did probably had nothing to do with her.
And that famous “love equals nation-destroying” statement—anyone with a shred of dignity couldn’t say it.
System: “…”
Meeting Chu Shao’s smiling eyes, unable to tell the truth, Xiao Jin could only steel herself and say: “This Prince has not forgotten.”
“Oh, is that so? But whether My Prince remembers or forgets, it ultimately makes no difference. Just like this box of Spring Mountain Void, or the rain that Miss Bai resents—they are all matters of bygone days.”
Chu Shao closed the box of Spring Mountain Void.
The lingering fragrance of rain mist within the bamboo blinds instantly dissipated, leaving only the light that faintly filtered through the gaps in the bamboo strips.
Chu Shao’s tone remained calm, her tail notes languid, even tinged with a bit of weariness.
Regarding this sentiment, Xiao Jin deeply agreed.
After all, these matters were all messes the original host dumped on her after going cold. She was merely an innocent victim.
Unexpectedly, Chu Shao slowly drew closer and took her hand. Her cool fingertips brushed over the red marks on Xiao Jin’s wrist as she smiled and said: “You may forget all matters of the past, but you cannot forget your Alliance Vow with this humble wife.”
“Because we are accomplices. Therefore, now, you must remember this humble wife.”
Xiao Jin looked into Chu Shao’s eyes and froze for a moment.
The force of Chu Shao’s touch on her was very light, yet somewhat ticklish, making Xiao Jin instinctively want to pull her hand back. But in the end, she didn’t.
Because Chu Shao’s eyes were very beautiful. When they curved, they were like bamboo blinds slightly rolling up, letting slip a sliver of moonlight.
Bewitched by that gaze, it was a long moment before Xiao Jin withdrew her hand and nodded faintly.
Of course, the main reason was… she knew Chu Shao was very abnormal. So going along with the other’s words was undoubtedly the best choice.
Moreover, remembering Chu Shao’s face was quite easy, and it wasn’t a forced lie.
Though Xiao Jin pulling her hand back slightly dampened Chu Shao’s pleasant mood, after hearing the other’s words, she raised a satisfied smile again.
“Having received My Prince’s answer, now this humble wife can focus on listening to the drama.”
The drama on the main floor was still playing, but what components it contained—neither those inside nor outside the play could quite tell.
When Bai Zheng brought up the baleful star Prince Yan, the Fourth Prince’s expression inevitably became extremely unsightly.
What should he thank Xiao Jin for? The grace of snatching his wife?
In truth, the Fourth Prince did not like Chu Shao.
The Emperor of Qi stuffing the woman the Crown Prince didn’t want onto him to appease the remnants of Yao already infuriated him, making him feel humiliated.
And then, halfway through, Xiao Jin had to appear out of nowhere and publicly snatch his bride—adding humiliation upon humiliation.
The Crown Prince knew the Fourth Prince’s temperament well. But he felt the other had been acting more and more wildly lately, and it was time to suppress him a bit.
So he said to the Fourth Prince: “Fourth Brother, apologize to Miss Bai and then return to the palace with Gu. Consort Mu has been rather concerned about you lately. Moreover, Aunt Zhaoyang is also about to return to the capital. Do not let her worry.”
Although the Crown Prince’s words were gentle, after bringing up Consort Mu and the Eldest Princess Zhaoyang, the Fourth Prince’s arrogance instantly deflated.
Considering that person was returning soon, the Fourth Prince gritted his teeth and, very unwillingly, cupped his hands to Bai Zheng, saying: “Miss Bai, today’s matters all arose from This Palace. I have offended you greatly.”
When the chance arises, take it and move on. Bai Zheng also said cheerfully: “It was originally this commoner woman’s poor hospitality. I hope the Fourth Prince will be magnanimous.”
The matter was thus considered settled. Watching the drama from upstairs, Xiao Jin was somewhat surprised.
She merely knew that the Eldest Princess Zhaoyang wielded monstrous power in the original novel, but hadn’t known the name itself was this effective. Even the usually arrogant Fourth Prince could only take a step back now.
And the Crown Prince’s meaning in that sentence was clear: Aunt Zhaoyang is returning to the capital. If you cause trouble everywhere, it will inevitably displease her.
Just “displease” alone, yet the Crown Prince made the consequences sound so severe.
It showed that the Eldest Princess Zhaoyang truly lived up to her title as Lord of the Seven Cities. Her status was so high it was even more of a deterrent than the Emperor’s. No wonder that after she snatched the bride, the Emperor of Qi only gave a few painless reprimands.
Xiao Jin secretly lamented: What virtue or ability did the original host possess to latch onto such a thick, sturdy thigh?
At the same time, she was also somewhat puzzled, not quite understanding why the two Eldest Princesses, Zhaohua and Zhaoyang, wanted to protect the original host.
But regardless, the result was ultimately good.
The farce drew its curtains. The Fourth Prince, leading his squad of guards, left with a dark expression.
In the main hall, although Su Tan was already doing her utmost to minimize her presence…
Before the Crown Prince departed, he swept his gaze around the Misty Rain Pavilion one last time, then landed his sights on Su Tan. He stared thoughtfully for a moment.
Perhaps feeling it impolite to stare at a young woman for too long, the Crown Prince then withdrew his gaze. He exchanged some polite words with Bai Zheng before leaving with his guards.
Only, as the Crown Prince brushed past Su Tan, she caught a faint whiff of mint from him.
Instantly, she recalled the dozens of mint pots Xiao Jin had placed at the entrance of the medicine shop and couldn’t help narrowing her eyes.
On the surface, however, Su Tan still had to set aside her thoughts and shout along with the crowd: “Respectful farewell to His Highness the Crown Prince!”
After the Crown Prince left, Bai Zheng’s smile gradually cooled.
She turned around, her gaze sweeping over every chamber on every floor, as well as the bamboo blinds hanging in front of the corridors. She sighed almost imperceptibly.
Bai Zheng looked toward Su Tan, who sat in the wheelchair, and locked eyes with her for a long moment. Finally, she slowly said: “Today’s weather is very fine. It is not raining outside. You may leave with peace of mind.”
Su Tan was slightly taken aback, then cupped her hands. “Many thanks, Miss Bai.”
…
Goat Horn Alley, south side of Beam Bridge Street.
Rumor had it this alley was haunted in earlier years, so compared to other streets, it was a bit more desolate.
Su Tan slowly wheeled her chair here.
She spotted Chu Shao standing under the shade of a tree, and the sight of Xiao Jin being carried sideways in her arms didn’t surprise her in the slightest.
If Xiao Jin dared to appear in such a posture at the bustling market on the north side of Beam Bridge Street, that would be the real surprise.
Seeing the rightful owner of the wheelchair arrive, Su Tan no longer pretended to be disabled. She very straightforwardly rose from the chair and gave the seat to Xiao Jin.
To Su Tan, this action was completely proper.
Only the scholar selling calligraphy and paintings was stunned, rubbing his eyes subconsciously, thinking he must be seeing things.
Xiao Jin left Chu Shao’s embrace and sat back down in her own wheelchair. Instantly, she felt her entire being become utterly comfortable.
Su Tan pondered the events just past, momentarily unable to sort out her thoughts.
There were too many doubts and puzzles. Not to mention that phrase, “the most noble person in Great Qi,” was profoundly meaningful. If the Emperor of Qi wanted to assassinate his own son, that would be far too absurd.
After mulling it over, Su Tan realized that all this didn’t really have much to do with her anyway. She was only thinking more deeply because Chu Shao was now Xiao Jin’s Princess Consort.
Still, she also wanted to know Xiao Jin’s take. She couldn’t help asking: “Prince Yan, what do you plan to do next?”
Because Xiao Jin’s clothes were stained with some wine, and considering the capital’s cold weather and this person’s severe illness…
Chu Shao was currently holding a moon-white outer robe she had procured from who-knows-where and was very considerately draping it over Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin didn’t answer immediately. She spread her hands and leaned back in her wheelchair, letting Chu Shao dress her. Watching this, even Su Tan couldn’t help falling silent.
For a moment, Su Tan didn’t know whether to pity Xiao Jin’s legs or to admire this person’s formidable mental fortitude.
Ever since witnessing Chu Shao blast open a door with a fan at the Misty Rain Pavilion, Su Tan had felt that Xiao Jin was truly impressive.
Xiao Jin had destroyed Yao Kingdom, making her Yao’s greatest enemy. And Chu Shao, as a princess of Yao, possessed such high martial arts and stayed by her side. Yet Xiao Jin remained as steady as Mount Tai. Indeed, admirable.
Only after Chu Shao straightened Xiao Jin’s collar, covering the dark wine stains on the white robe, did Xiao Jin answer: “Next, let’s go eat.”
Su Tan almost thought she had misheard.
Yet Xiao Jin’s tone was very serious.
She glanced at the darkening sky and figured that eating at this hour meant lunch and dinner together.
Then she raised her head, only to find Su Tan staring at her with an extremely complicated expression.
Meeting Su Tan’s gaze, Xiao Jin was inwardly puzzled.
No way.
Are paper people not susceptible to hunger?
…
It turned out, paper people did get hungry.
Only, Su Tan never imagined that after half a day of thrilling peril, Xiao Jin would still be in the mood to eat.
If it were her, she’d have turned that box of Spring Mountain Void Bai Zheng gave them over and investigated it countless times already. And look into the guards involved, and who exactly tipped off the Fourth Prince.
However, Xiao Jin’s mentality was very good. She felt these matters couldn’t be figured out in a short time anyway, so she grew increasingly unflappable.
So unflappable that she threw on an outer robe and went to Goat Horn Alley in her wine-stained white robe to find food.
Fortunately, common folk rarely saw Prince Yan’s true face in daily life. And even if they had the chance, they dared not look closely.
Otherwise, if recognized right now, it would be extremely awkward for Xiao Jin.
The three traveled for quite a stretch.
The wheels crushed the thin snow on the ground. Chu Shao slowly pushed the wheelchair forward, feeling that the further they went toward the alley’s end, the darker the sky became.
It wasn’t until she saw the row of lanterns propped up on bamboo poles outside a food stall that Chu Shao paused slightly, finally realizing it wasn’t that she had gone far, but that they had been traveling long.
