The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 128p2

Chapter 128: Taken Home by the Princess Part 16(2)

When mentioning this, Meng Chun had thought He Yue simply had a sweet tooth, as food and clothing were abundant in the princess’s residence, and no one would compete with her for pastries.

He Yue’s expression turned somber: “…Yes.”

Guard Li, who had been listening, couldn’t help but look at her. This maid named He Yue, always by the princess’s side, always confident and proud, the princess’s favorite incense maker, whose skills were imitated but never matched by countless perfumeries, was now disheveled and defeated.

One wondered what she had been thinking when the princess’s carriage departed.

He Yue said, “Since I’m about to die anyway, what difference does it make?”

This made Guard Li frown.

Tao Ning, however, wasn’t surprised. She pulled out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve, removed the stopper, and poured out a pill.

The black pill rolled in her pale palm, emitting a strong medicinal scent.

The familiar scent made He Yue’s expression change drastically, and she looked up sharply: “The antidote? How did you get this? Where did you get it?”

Tao Ning pulled her hand back, closing it around the pill: “Did you think you could assassinate the princess alone? I got it from your accomplice, of course.”

“My accomplice?” He Yue’s mouth opened slightly. She didn’t know there was another accomplice in the retreat.

Tao Ning opened her hand, revealing the antidote.

“Now, Miss He Yue, are you willing to tell us what you know?”

Instead of swallowing it with water or hiding it in a pastry, He Yue swallowed the incredibly bitter pill, then exhaled slowly.

After midnight, she wouldn’t die a gruesome death.

Although her life was only extended by a month, who would choose death if they could live?

He Yue licked her dry lips: “I was born for this, to restore the Young Master’s kingdom.”

Tao Ning: “Who is the Young Master?”

He Yue: “A descendant of Xie, the last emperor of the Liang Dynasty, his name is Xie Baiyi.”

This was like a bombshell, and the guard recording everything’s hand trembled.

A remnant of the previous dynasty?

And after so many years, they were still plotting to restore their kingdom?

Countless questions arose, and he could only imagine the chaos this record would cause.

Tao Ning, considering He Yue’s age, asked, “Since when?”

This question made He Yue’s mind wander for a moment. She recalled, “Probably when the late emperor was ill, before the crown prince’s death. Everyone in the valley said the fourth prince was incompetent, that he had… the appearance of a doomed ruler.”

He Yue pursed her lips, swallowing the rest of the sentence.

The fourth prince was the current Emperor Chongxi.

But she couldn’t say that. She had overheard it from the adults and never forgotten it.

She was still young and mischievous then, always running around.

One day, she heard an uncle who had been away for a long time return and report to her great-grandfather that the task was complete, the second and third princes were dead, enough for the old emperor to endure.

He also said that the eldest prince had been named crown prince, but he was weak and wouldn’t live long, unable to bear the burden of the throne.

The year the crown prince died, He Yue was taken out of the valley and pushed into the mortal world.

“Go, don’t forget your mission.”

He Yue wasn’t her original name, but she didn’t have one. She was born in a secluded valley and, according to their custom, she should have been called Sixteenth Sister.

Cui Hong was the one who gave her the name He Yue.

By now, what He Yue had revealed was shocking enough, remnants of the previous dynasty plotting in secret for years.

If the Princess Regent’s residence had been infiltrated, what about the palace?

The guard, recording everything, felt a chill run down his spine.

Tao Ning asked, “Where is this valley?”

That was probably where the descendants of the previous dynasty, including Xie Baiyi, were hiding.

And they needed money for their daily expenses, Xie Baiyi’s rebellion wasn’t just about spreading poison, it required substantial financial support.

The three essentials for rebellion: money, troops, and food, none could be lacking.

Historical records stated that the last emperor of the Liang Dynasty had ordered his empress and son to escape, the hidden treasure map lost, some claiming it was destroyed in the war, others dismissing it as a legend.

But now it seemed to be true, the hidden treasure did exist.

He Yue, tears streaming down her face, shook her head: “I don’t know, my eyes were covered when they took me out.”

He Yue had revealed a lot, even mentioning the Jingzhe Incident, but she knew nothing about the current state of the remnants of the previous dynasty.

Her life had been a journey from one cage to another, willingly confining herself, living a life of self-deception until now.

Until she received the pastry with the hidden message, she had hesitated, then created the seemingly harmless incense formula.

Thinking of Chen Lin, much older and having served in the retreat for years, he had infiltrated the palace before the plan even began.

The guard was hopeful, wondering what he would reveal.

But he was disappointed. Chen Lin was a tough nut to crack, refusing to speak, no matter the threats or promises.

Whether he was truly loyal or simply stubborn, this kind of person wasn’t afraid of death, adhering to his own code, and killing him would only make him a martyr.

Tao Ning, seemingly running out of options, said, “If you confess, reveal everything you know about the remnants of the previous dynasty, their hiding place, their plans, I’ll spare your life, give you money, and even have the Imperial Hospital prepare the antidote, so you won’t have to worry about that gruesome death.”

Chen Lin finally reacted, his tone mocking: “I tried to kill you, and you’re willing to spare me?”

Tao Ning’s gaze was unreadable: “I have no choice, Her Highness, to uncover the truth, has granted you a chance to live.”

“But you’re right, I don’t want to spare you, I want you to die here.”

Chen Lin chuckled, as if mocking Tao Ning’s hypocrisy.

Guard Li, standing beside them, her expression resolute, seemed to believe Tao Ning’s words, as if the princess had truly said so.

Tao Ning smoothed her sleeves: “Once midnight passes, He Yue’s poison will act up. Oh, you might not know who He Yue is, she’s a descendant of Gong Seventeen.”

The last emperor of the Liang Dynasty had a group of secret guards, granted the surname Gong, sworn to protect the Xie family, who escorted the empress and her son to safety, preserving their bloodline.

Although Chen Lin used the surname Chen, he was actually a Gong, Chen Lin just a fake identity he used in the palace.

Chen Lin’s expression stiffened before returning to its usual numbness, seemingly unfazed.

After a while, he shook his head, saying firmly, “She knows nothing, that’s why you came to me.”

He slapped his thigh and laughed loudly: “You haven’t found anything, so you’re trying to trick me! Useless, all of you are useless! You usurpers will all die a horrible death! Your founding emperor was just a stable boy in our Liang Dynasty, such a lowly person, how dare he covet the throne?!”

His hoarse voice echoed throughout the dungeon, his treasonous words making the guards draw their swords, shouting at him to be silent.

Tao Ning waited for him to finish laughing: “The last emperor of the Liang Dynasty was a depraved ruler, indulging his corrupt officials, imposing heavy taxes, and fearing General Qin’s growing influence from his victories at the border, withholding supplies, even at the risk of the entire army being annihilated, just to protect the people of the city.”

“After that, the last emperor accused General Qin of defying imperial orders and summoned him back to the capital for execution. Winning battles, sacrificing so many men, only to be labeled a criminal, your founding emperor had no choice but to rebel. It was the last emperor of the Liang Dynasty who caused the kingdom’s downfall.”

Chen Lin’s eyes widened: “He was a subject, rebelling against his ruler is treason! What I did was simply following the will of heaven, restoring order!”

Tao Ning chuckled, glancing to the side, “It seems your godfather doesn’t care about your life very much.”

The eunuch who had been gagged immediately shouted, “I’ll talk! I’ll talk! As long as Her Highness spares my life, I’ll tell you everything! I was the one who fetched the medicine for Godfather, and he’s old and can’t travel, so I handled many things for him, I know more than he does!”

“I was the one who told you about the antidote! He Yue took it and hasn’t died yet, that proves my loyalty!”

The young eunuch said fiercely, “That old fool Chen Lin is tired of living, but I still want to live! Don’t listen to him!”

Hearing this, Chen Lin stopped laughing, glaring at the young eunuch, who instinctively recoiled, hiding behind the guards.

Tao Ning nodded, as if willing to negotiate: “Since you’re willing to cooperate, Her Highness will grant you your wish.”

The young eunuch was overjoyed, wanting to kowtow in gratitude, but restrained by the guards, he could only give up.

Since someone was willing to confess, Tao Ning didn’t waste any more time and turned to leave.

Chen Lin was left behind in his cell, his gaze burning with hatred, wishing he could kill Tao Ning with his eyes.

After taking a few steps, Tao Ning suddenly turned around: “Oh, I just remembered something.”

Chen Lin looked at her warily, and Tao Ning continued, “The person you serve is dead, yet you still speak of restoring his kingdom. You must have another, younger master, your last hope.”

“…”

While her previous words hadn’t moved him, this made him react violently, his hands gripping the bars: “No! An Ning, come back! Come back!!!”

The departing figure didn’t stop, and with a bang, the dungeon door closed, shutting off his cries.

When Tao Ning emerged, dawn was breaking, and she practically stumbled back to Linlang Palace with her eyes half-closed.

Guard Li, admiring her intelligence but unable to bear seeing her exhausted state, grabbed her arm and helped her back.

But everyone in Linlang Palace was already awake, seemingly packing their belongings.

Tao Ning forced herself to open her eyes, seeing the commotion: “What’s happening?”

A passing maid replied, “Oh, Miss An, you’re back! His Majesty has issued a decree, we’re returning to the capital as soon as the road is cleared.”

Returning to the capital already?

Tao Ning was now fully awake: “When are we leaving?”

The maid smiled: “As soon as we’re ready, probably around the beginning of the Rabbit hour(5:00 AM to 7:00 AM).”

Tao Ning was completely awake: “That’s very soon! I have to see the princess, is she awake?”

The maid replied, “She should be, Grand Historian Cui just took hot water in.”

Without hesitation, Tao Ning went to find the princess.

The maid was right, Qin Yang was already awake, dressed and her hair styled, sitting at the table, eating.

The maids behind her, directed by Cui Hong, were packing for their return to the capital.

Seeing Tao Ning’s hurried return, Qin Yang put down her bowl and chopsticks: “Why are you in such a hurry? Have you had breakfast? Do you want to eat something before we leave?”

Tao Ning, tempted by the aroma of food, swallowed and said, “I want to take someone with me, Your Highness, if you’ll allow it.”

Qin Yang raised an eyebrow, her expression subtle: “You want someone?”