The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 117

Chapter 117: Taken Home by the Princess Part 5

After the meal, Emperor Chongxi couldn’t sit still any longer. He stood up excitedly, pulling at his robes: “Elder Sister, just sitting here is so boring, I want to go for a walk.”

Qin Yang also stood up: “Does Your Majesty remember our agreement?”

Chongxi’s excitement faltered, and he said with a frown, “I remember. Before coming here, I promised Elder Sister that after this visit, I would diligently attend to state affairs and not slack off. And during our stay here, I wouldn’t neglect my studies, one hour of lessons with my tutor, and one hour reviewing memorials.”

Hidden behind the others, Tao Ning observed Chongxi up close. He had ascended the throne at twelve and was now only fifteen, still a boy.

Standing together, one could see a slight resemblance between him and Qin Yang.

After all, they were half-siblings, sharing some similarities was normal.

But the resemblance was only in their appearance, in other aspects, Chongxi was completely different from Qin Yang.

After giving Qin Yang his assurance, Chongxi was about to leave when a thought occurred to him, and he tugged on her sleeve: “It will be boring for Elder Sister to stay here alone while I’m out playing, why don’t we go together?”

Qin Yang remained unmoved: “Is Your Majesty worried that I’ll assign you more lessons if I have nothing to do?”

His thoughts exposed, Chongxi smiled and tugged on her sleeve again: “That’s not it, I was thinking Elder Sister is always busy with state affairs and rarely has time for leisure, it must be boring.”

Qin Yang sighed, unable to refuse, and agreed to go with him, also wanting to take a walk after the meal.

Tao Ning, not dismissed by Qin Yang, had to follow. The group strolled through the imperial retreat.

In the peacock garden, Qin Yang and Chongxi stood watching the peacocks display their feathers, chatting and laughing, the attendants also expressing their admiration.

It was clear Chongxi was very attached to his elder sister, acting like a child despite being of marriageable age.

Being playful and carefree wasn’t a fault for ordinary people, but for an emperor, it only burdened others.

Tao Ning glanced at the flamboyant peacocks, then turned around as if sensing something.

In the distance, two figures stood in the shadows under the corridor, looking in their direction.

One of them was tall and slender, dressed in the uniform of a palace eunuch, but his face was ordinary, easily lost in a crowd.

The other eunuch wore the clothes commonly worn by eunuchs in the imperial retreat, the difference in fabric and patterns evident.

Eunuchs usually walked with hunched backs as a sign of respect, but this one stood tall and straight, his bearing dignified.

He made the other eunuch beside him look like his attendant.

If someone said he was a scholar who had mistakenly put on a eunuch’s uniform, people would believe it.

This time, Tao Ning didn’t look away, returning their gaze, certain they were looking at her.

Missing memories was troublesome, she didn’t know who this was, nor if they had any grudges.

But she was certain the original host didn’t know this person.

After a brief standoff, the two figures left.

Tao Ning turned back, rubbing her eyes, which were slightly dry from staring for too long.

But still, she said, “I won.”

520 wanted to say, Don’t you think you’re being childish?

Then it remembered the host was currently sixteen, according to herself.

Sixteen was the age of being competitive, this was normal.

It was that tall eunuch’s fault, acting like a child and competing with its host, showing no respect for elders.

In terms of actual age, the host was probably several times older than him, but mentally, she was much younger.

No matter how you looked at it, it was the other person’s fault.

The two eunuchs left the corridor and walked towards the Chuihua Gate.

(“Chuihua Gate” or “Drooping Flower Gate,” is a traditional architectural feature in Chinese palaces, typically separating the inner and outer courtyards.)

The one with the straight back said, “Your godfather told me she was definitely dead, blood everywhere, he even watched her die. Then who was that person today?”

“Standing there under the sun, alive and well, she even glared at me, was that a ghost?”

The other eunuch said, “Please calm down, Young Master, you don’t understand. That girl is known for her resilience, she even outlived her entire family, becoming a criminal’s descendant, with no hope of ever rising again…”

Young Master: “Spare me the nonsense.”

The eunuch bowed even lower: “Yes, yes, Godfather put in a lot of effort to fulfill your request. Unexpectedly, she didn’t die after taking the poison you provided, just coughed like a consumptive for days before being moved to that dilapidated shed. We thought the cold would kill her, or the fever.”

The Young Master said coldly, “But she’s still alive. She even showed her face before the Princess Regent.” This last part was what truly unsettled him.

A strange premonition was coming true, making him believe it.

Seeing An Ning among the princess’s entourage, the Young Master’s first reaction was also disbelief. How could a mere serving maid be kept by the princess?

The eunuch was also puzzled, frowning: “Godfather is also confused. That day, when Steward Tang brought her out and assigned her to serve dishes, Godfather almost thought he was seeing a ghost.”

Young Master: “Since he knew something was wrong, why did he let her serve the princess?”

“Young Master, you don’t understand, Godfather is in charge of the kitchen, that old fool is responsible for personnel arrangements.” The eunuch looked aggrieved. “Even if Godfather wanted to intervene, he couldn’t.”

The Young Master, hearing this, also felt something was amiss. This girl’s resilience only strengthened his resolve to kill her.

Young Master: “This is unusual, there must be something supernatural at play. If that’s the case, she can’t be allowed to live.”

The eunuch wondered what the Young Master planned to do. After all, she had been seen by the princess, and her sudden death would definitely arouse suspicion.

If the princess suspected an assassin and launched a thorough investigation, it would be a disaster.

The eunuch hesitated: “What if the princess finds her useful and takes her away from the retreat?”

The Young Master waved his sleeve, his ordinary face full of seriousness: “No need for such complications, tomorrow will do. Isn’t she eager to show her face before the princess? Let’s give her the opportunity.”

“Tomorrow…” The eunuch’s eyes widened. “Young Master, this plan is brilliant, killing two birds with one stone.”

The Young Master wasn’t complacent. He looked at the sky and said, “It’s getting late, it’s almost time for His Majesty’s study session, I have to attend to him.”

The eunuch bowed, saying softly, “Yes, Young Master, please take your leave.”

Tao Ning felt the princess had other reasons for keeping her, not just because of her deft movements.

But after the peacock display, the princess took Chongxi to the study, the emperor, who wilted at the mention of state affairs, following like a reluctant monkey.

The princess and Grand Historian Cui Hong went together, meaning Qin Yang wouldn’t return to her bedchamber until nightfall.

Looking at their backs, Tao Ning couldn’t tell if Chongxi was going to a study session or an execution.

As night fell and the lamps were lit, Qin Yang still hadn’t returned.

The maids, seeing Tao Ning counting ants in the courtyard flowerbed, didn’t know what to do.

Since the princess hadn’t dismissed her, they didn’t dare overstep.

What if the princess returned and asked about her?

But leaving her here also seemed awkward.

They were in a dilemma.

Tao Ning, unconcerned, continued counting ants, flicking them away one by one.

The flowerbed, filled with precious flowers for the princess’s arrival, still had fresh soil, emitting an earthy scent.

It seemed the princess was truly busy, juggling state affairs, the emperor’s education, and dealing with court officials.

With Chongxi’s seemingly simple-minded nature, the princess wouldn’t be back anytime soon, and even if she did, she wouldn’t be in the mood for questions.

Perhaps she should slip away.

The current Tao Ning didn’t have her future self’s resilience, able to endure hardships with a smile. After all, she had been raised with a silver spoon in her mouth and couldn’t tolerate any discomfort.

A maid approached, observing the figure with her back turned.

She sneered, crossing her arms, and stood before Tao Ning.

Tao Ning turned around, puzzled, and recognized the maid who had scolded her earlier for being insolent.

She didn’t speak, her dark eyes clearly asking, What do you want?

How can she still act so high and mighty in this forsaken place?

The maid took a few steps back, her chin raised: “Why are you still here?”

Tao Ning finally spoke, her tone laced with impatience: “Are you saying I can leave?”

The maid sneered, “Don’t tell me you want to stay with the princess?”

Tao Ning thought, There’s no place for me to bathe or sleep here, and I even need permission to eat, what’s the point of staying?

Even for the mission, the princess was the priority.

These people weren’t important.

Thinking this, Tao Ning smiled: “Since you’ve said so, I’ll be going then, see you tomorrow.”

After this nonsensical exchange, the maid didn’t understand what Tao Ning meant, smiling and saying “see you tomorrow.”

Is she mocking me?

The maid was stunned, then asked loudly, “What do you mean?”

Tao Ning gave her a look of pity, politely bid farewell to the others, and turned to leave.

This attitude infuriated the maid, who placed her hands on her hips: “Don’t think you’ve gained the princess’s favor. I’ve been serving the princess for years, she loves the incense I blend.”

Tao Ning, walking out the gate without looking back, gave her a thumbs-up, her voice lazy: “Good for you.”

Maid: “…”

What’s wrong with this person?

But her words only made her angrier!

After Tao Ning left, the maid suddenly realized something, her face turning pale.

She grabbed a passing maid and asked, “She just left like that, what if the princess asks about her?”

The maid tried to comfort her, “She probably won’t ask.” But she wasn’t sure.

The only person who truly understood the princess was Grand Historian Cui.

But if the princess asked, they would have to answer truthfully. The Princess Regent’s residence didn’t tolerate deceit.

At night, after washing up, Tao Ning lay in bed. Rou Rou, her roommate, was already asleep.

While An Ning was sick, Rou Rou had shared a bed with the other palace maids, but now she was back.

Lying in bed, Tao Ning thought about the princess and the mission.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and called out 520 for company.

Tao Ning hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Do you think… I knew Qin Yang before?”

520 stopped watching its drama and came online immediately, then paused, sensing something in her tone: [Why do you ask? What makes you say that?]

Honestly, 520 was quite excited, unexpectedly having a heart-to-heart with Tao Ning.

It was indeed easier to deceive her when she was young, before she learned to hide her emotions.

Tao Ning couldn’t describe the feeling, she rarely felt such an instant connection with someone: “Today, when the princess called me An Ning, it sounded very familiar, as if I… I used to have that name.”

Countless people in the retreat called her An Ning, but only the princess’s voice felt familiar.

520 pondered her words.

I think you’re just smitten, but this approach is very cliché, I advise against using it, it’s as bad as “I have a friend.”

Would it be too harsh to discourage the host like that? Better ask first.

520, although finding it strange, played along: [Where did you use that name before?]

Tao Ning thought for a moment, then shook her head: “I don’t remember.”

Her memories were incomplete, she only remembered things up to the age of sixteen.

520 thought, I knew it: [Then you didn’t.]

Tao Ning: “…”

520, surprisingly tactful, said, [Oh, right, right, you used to be called An Ning. It’s the same name as one of our outstanding employees in the original world, all their missions have S-rank ratings, maybe some of their luck will rub off on us.]

Tao Ning finally spoke: “What’s the original world?”

520 seized the opportunity: [You’ll know when you complete the mission and return.]

Back to square one, she still had to complete the mission.

Seeing Tao Ning fall silent again, 520 continued, [You studied for three years to get here, and now you’ve lost your memories, you’re already doing great.]

In the darkness, Tao Ning’s eyes widened: “You’re saying I… studied for three years to pass the test?”

520 offered comforting words: [It’s alright, three times is still good, even if you barely passed, you still made it, didn’t you?]

Tao Ning somehow understood the meaning of “barely passing,” probably just above failing.

This silence, however, finally made 520 realize something was wrong. Could its host be a case of “a child prodigy who lost their talent”?

It asked cautiously, [Were you… very capable before?]

Tao Ning said dejectedly, “Not exactly a genius, but I could memorize anything after hearing it once. I could even recite the entire collection of over one hundred thousand books in our family library.”

520 gasped. By human standards, that was indeed impressive.

520 asked again, [Shouldn’t it be ‘reading’ instead of ‘hearing’? One hundred thousand books, how many people would it take to read them all to you?]

Tao Ning recalled her past, her eyes dimming slightly: “That’s because at that time…” I was blind. I read those one hundred thousand books before losing my sight.

[What happened at that time?] 520 was curious about the host’s childhood, urging her to elaborate, [Tell me more about your childhood, and I’ll tell you about your experiences these past few years, let’s exchange information.]

I don’t want to hear it anymore, the more I hear, the more pathetic I feel.

Tao Ning turned over, covering her ears and falling asleep.

520, finally learning its lesson, didn’t mention that it was inside her consciousness, remaining silent.

Damn it, what kind of poison did that attacker use? It made my host stupid!

Don’t worry, host, I won’t give up on you.

Even if I have to trick you, I’ll bring you back to the original world and cure you.