The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 129

Chapter 129: Taken Home by the Princess Part 17

As fate would have it, Shi Qing found herself in the carriage heading back to the capital, unsure how it happened.

That morning, she had woken up, washed up, and prepared for work.

Just as she put on her apron, a commotion erupted outside. One of the maids on duty thought it was just another argument between the stewards.

But stepping outside, she realized the atmosphere was different, unusually solemn.

A female official in her thirties, dressed in official robes, stood there calmly, and the steward hurried forward to greet her.

Behind her were several maids in pink dresses, all elegant and refined, easily mistaken for young ladies from wealthy families.

The official introduced herself as Cui, sent by the Princess Regent to find someone. The steward, with a flattering smile, asked for the person’s name.

Shi Qing, hiding and watching with another maid, suddenly heard her own name and asked, puzzled, “Are you calling me?”

The maid’s eyes widened: “Not me, it’s Official Cui.”

As soon as she spoke, the official and the steward looked over.

Then Shi Qing was taken away by two maids, escorted to a carriage, where a group of beautiful maids from the princess’s residence looked at her curiously.

They didn’t seem surprised, as if expecting this, just observing her with curiosity, then exchanging glances and nodding knowingly.

They looked like celestial beings, while she was just a plain, ordinary maid…

Shi Qing, never having been looked at like this before, lowered her head shyly, her ears turning red.

She raised her voice slightly: “My name is Shi Qing.”

A kind-looking maid took her hand: “So you’re Shi Qing. Miss An spoke highly of you this morning, saying that without your help, the truth wouldn’t have been revealed so quickly. Her Highness, appreciating your talent, sent Grand Historian Cui to bring you back. You’re no longer a servant of the retreat.”

“My name is Meng Chun, I’m Her Highness’s personal maid. The journey back is long, let’s chat to pass the time.”

Shi Qing, stunned, could only let out a bewildered “Ah.”

With Meng Chun starting the conversation, the carriage quickly became lively, mostly them talking, Shi Qing listening, learning about what An Ning had done these past few days.

Shi Qing thought, surprised and enlightened, So the incense formula she recreated yesterday was actually His Majesty’s, I wonder where she is now.

Tao Ning, the person Shi Qing was thinking about, stood beside a large, luxurious carriage.

The procession was almost ready, the guards and officials going first, followed by the imperial guards escorting the emperor and princess’s carriages.

Tao Ning had intended to catch up on sleep, having already submitted her reports to the emperor and princess, leaving the rest to them.

Just as she stepped onto the carriage, she was pulled away by Cui Hong and brought to the princess’s carriage.

Looking at the large carriage, Tao Ning pointed at herself, puzzled: “Me?”

Cui Hong smiled: “Yes, unfortunately, Miss An, your seat was taken by Miss Shi Qing, and there’s no space left, so Her Highness has invited you to share her carriage.”

Tao Ning: “…”

What a great honor.

She tried to negotiate with Cui Hong, wanting to sleep, and it wouldn’t be good if the princess saw her sleeping in an unflattering position.

Disrespect wasn’t a concern, judging by how easily she ordered people around, she wasn’t the type to be easily offended.

But Cui Hong just smiled, determined to carry out the princess’s orders.

Tao Ning swallowed her words.

She thought, Forget it, I don’t know if the carriage is soundproof, what if the princess hears me and thinks I’m disgusted by her?

Resigned, she lifted her skirt and boarded the carriage.

The carriage, already looking large from the outside, was even more spacious inside. The princess sat behind a gauze curtain, reading, her figure graceful and composed.

There was a seat outside the curtain for Cui Hong, enough space for one or two people.

Tao Ning looked around, considering squeezing in with Cui Hong.

After all, she didn’t care if Cui Hong found her sleeping posture unflattering.

A voice came from behind the curtain: “Why are you standing there? Come in, we’re about to depart.”

At that moment, Tao Ning was prepared, even if it meant pinching her thigh, she would stay awake until they arrived.

If 520 knew her thoughts, it would definitely say she cared about her image.

#Even brats have their insecurities#

Lifting the curtain, the scent of tea greeted her. She saw a small brazier burning on the table.

The document in Qin Yang’s hand looked familiar, it was the report Tao Ning had submitted that morning, detailing the case. Unfamiliar with the Yu Dynasty’s official writing style, she had simply written everything as she saw it.

Unable to wait, Qin Yang was already reading it, having flipped through several pages.

“Your Highness,” Tao Ning said, glancing at the brazier, wondering if the tea could help her stay awake.

Qin Yang, seeing this, assumed she wanted some tea, turning another page: “Help yourself, there’s no need to be so formal.”

Cui Hong, worried about the long journey, had prepared food and drinks, filling the table.

The table, seemingly integrated with the carriage wall, was more than it appeared, each hidden compartment filled with dried fruits and small trinkets to pass the time.

Qin Yang meant what she said, there was no need for formality.

But if Tao Ning continued to be reserved, she wouldn’t mind either, simply assuming it was her preference.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Tao Ning, no longer holding back, carefully poured herself a cup of tea, refilling Qin Yang’s as well.

Qin Yang glanced at her, then took a sip of tea.

Tao Ning sniffed the air, realizing it was floral tea, no wonder there was a hint of flowers in the fragrance.

Holding the teacup, Tao Ning realized that the inner compartment was designed for only the princess, with only one large kang(heated bed-platform). With the carriage moving, it wouldn’t be stable to place stools or other furniture.

Kang(heated bed-platform):

So, there was nowhere for her to sit.

Tao Ning pursed her lips, about to suggest squeezing in with Cui Hong outside.

Qin Yang, still focused on the report, suddenly shifted, making space on the kang.

She didn’t speak, but her intention was clear.

Tao Ning, smelling the floral tea, suddenly wasn’t so keen on squeezing with Cui Hong anymore. Muttering an apology, she sat down beside Qin Yang.

Qin Yang didn’t seem to mind sharing the kang, moving closer as she reached for another document on the table.

Soon, Cui Hong entered, lowering the second layer of curtains, completely blocking the view from outside.

The tea seemed to have cooled down considerably, and Tao Ning, feeling parched, finished it in one gulp.

The next moment, the bitterness almost made her choke, and she coughed, looking at the remaining tea in the cup, taking another sip, confirming it was indeed bitter.

A pure, natural bitterness, the kind physicians praised as “good medicine,” exclaiming its efficacy.

Tao Ning: “Why isn’t there any honey in this tea? Doesn’t Your Highness find it bitter?”

Qin Yang’s hand paused, not looking up: “I don’t have a sweet tooth, the honey is in the second compartment on the left under the table, help yourself.”

Following her instructions, Tao Ning opened the compartment, which indeed contained several porcelain jars.

Taking one out and opening it, she added a spoonful of honey to her tea, then, remembering the princess’s words, added another, thinking perhaps her taste was simply light.

Pouring herself another cup to taste, Tao Ning was satisfied, but didn’t drink much, placing it aside.

Qin Yang observed everything but remained silent, continuing to read.

The situation was more serious than she had imagined. The remnants of the previous dynasty, after years of silence, had actually colluded with a eunuch in the retreat to assassinate her, and even infiltrated her residence.

He Yue, personally chosen by her and trusted for years, had turned against her.

Qin Yang made up her mind to thoroughly investigate her residence upon returning, not tolerating any traitors near her.

Reading in a moving carriage did make her dizzy, and Qin Yang blinked her dry eyes, putting the documents aside.

Looking at the quiet figure beside her, Qin Yang smiled knowingly.

She had fallen asleep.

After a sleepless night, it was only natural.

Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently, and Tao Ning, startled awake, lost her balance and fell against Qin Yang.

Their eyes met, Qin Yang lying on the kang, her light-colored eyes looking up, the cinnabar mole between her eyebrows prominent: “You…”

Tao Ning’s mind went blank, a little voice screaming inside—Disaster!

The princess looks angry, she can’t even speak properly!

“Forgive me, Your Highness, I didn’t mean to offend you.” Tao Ning instinctively tried to move away.

She didn’t know how many potholes there were on this road, but another jolt sent her back against Qin Yang, muffled cries coming from outside.

As Qin Yang turned her head, their lips brushed against each other, the fleeting warmth making them both freeze.

The commotion outside continued, but the carriage was so quiet that they could hear their own heartbeats.

While Cui Hong had secured the items on the table, she couldn’t secure the passengers.

If she could go back, Tao Ning would tie herself to the seat, even squeezing in with Cui Hong and risking being thrown to the floor would be better than this.

Their bodies, initially separated, were now pressed together, the thin spring clothes offering little barrier, Qin Yang even feeling the other person’s warmth and softness.

Tao Ning didn’t dare move, afraid of causing further trouble.

Cui Hong’s anxious voice came from outside: “The road has just been cleared, it’s quite bumpy, Your Highness, are you alright?”

The person on top of her immediately sat up, moving away, the strange restlessness in Qin Yang’s heart seemingly subsiding along with the warmth.

Qin Yang replied, “I’m fine.”

Then she looked to the side, only seeing the figure with her back turned, two red ears peeking out from her black hair.

Qin Yang’s anger instantly dissipated.

An Ning was just sitting in the carriage, how could she be blamed for the bumpy road?

The carriage continued its journey, passing the rough patch of road. The figure with her back turned touched her ears, then turned around and said, “Your Highness, I suspect the remnants of the previous dynasty aren’t just led by Xie Baiyi, there must be another, younger master.”

Qin Yang: “…”

She couldn’t keep up with Tao Ning’s train of thought, momentarily confused, then realizing what she had said, her expression turning serious: “What makes you say that?”

Anything I say now will be wrong, better to say something practical to distract the princess, Tao Ning thought.

So she explained her reasoning: “The Xie clan plotted for years to overthrow our dynasty, and with the mastermind dead, their efforts are in vain. But capturing the leader should have scattered his followers, they should either be easily defeated or go into hiding.”

“But Chen Lin is hiding something, refusing to speak, which means he still has hope.”

While the original world line didn’t mention this person’s existence, that was because Xie Baiyi was still alive, so this person wasn’t needed.

But now, the situation was different. Their leader was dead, his body couldn’t even be retrieved, yet Chen Lin remained defiant.

What reason did he have to be so determined?

Unless…

Tao Ning said firmly, “There must be someone they’re so devoted to protecting. Chen Lin was grooming his adopted son to serve them, so he knows quite a bit, but he’s not sure about this young master, as he only followed Chen Lin’s orders.”

Qin Yang considered this, recalling the young eunuch’s age, and said uncertainly, “His… child?”

A blood relative would indeed be worth protecting, even at the cost of one’s life.

Tao Ning, however, offered another possibility: “Perhaps a younger brother or cousin, Xie Baiyi being the elder, and him the younger, waiting to come of age…”

Qin Yang’s tone turned cold, her eyes narrowing: “Then they could make a comeback.”

The remnants of the Xie clan, after plotting for so long, wouldn’t give up as long as there was hope, and now, with the added motivation of revenge, they were even more determined.

Even if the young master wanted to give up, judging by his followers’ fervor, they wouldn’t allow it.

Qin Yang said sternly, “If that’s the case, we can’t tolerate it.”

Even traveling at full speed, it would take a day and a night to return to the capital, and following their original route, two days.

That night, they stopped at a nearby inn.

Shi Qing, surrounded by maids and overwhelmed by the scent of perfume, finally had a chance to breathe fresh air. Noticing a familiar figure walking past, stretching her limbs, she quickly caught up.

Tao Ning hadn’t been able to resist and had fallen asleep in the carriage, woken up by Qin Yang upon arrival.

Judging by Qin Yang’s expression, she didn’t seem to mind.

Tao Ning turned around, smiling: “Shi Qing, was the journey tiring?”

“I’m fine, not very tired.” Shi Qing looked at her face, puzzled, and asked, “Why is there rouge on your face?”

Tao Ning was confused: “Rouge? Where?”

Shi Qing pointed at her left cheek: “Here, where did you get it?”

Tao Ning touched her cheek, her fingertip indeed stained red, and thought, Where else? From the princess’s lips.

After chatting for a bit, Tao Ning went upstairs to her room. Having earned the princess’s favor, she was now given a separate room.

Hot water was already prepared, and food would be served soon.

Not long after she sat down, a knock came on the door, and a maid entered, carrying a jar of ointment: “Miss An, Her Highness has sent you the Jade Renewal Ointment.”

Tao Ning took the ointment: “Thank Her Highness for her kindness.”

The maid smiled and left.

After the carriages left the retreat, the messengers from the Dali Temple and the princess’s residence arrived, requesting an audience with the emperor and princess to apologize for their lateness.

It was said that the emperor was exhausted from the journey, and only Qin Yang met with Minister Dali.

Tao Ning casually placed the ointment on the table, unwrapping the bandages on her hand. The wounds had healed halfway, and Physician Xu was right, without the ointment, they would have left scars.

Scars on her hands would indeed be a pity, and Tao Ning wouldn’t refuse Qin Yang’s kindness.

Then she realized something was wrong.

Staring at the jar of ointment, then at the rouge stain on her fingertip, she finally remembered.

She had disembarked from the princess’s carriage in plain sight, how many people had seen the rouge on her face?