The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 132P1

Chapter 132: Taken Home by the Princess Part 20(1)

After leaving the room, Guard Li saw another guard approach, holding the arrow, and call out, “Guard Li, look at this.”

Guard Li walked over. The guard held the arrow and an unopened note.

Such things should be presented to the princess directly, not opened without permission.

But inside…

The guard looked at Li, puzzled: “Guard Li, we should present this to Her Highness.”

I know, but the princess is currently engaged in a… delicate situation, and I don’t want to interrupt her mood and become a folded paper crane myself.

Guard Li hesitated for a moment, then knocked on the door.

“Knock, knock.” Guard Li’s voice came from outside, “Your Highness, there’s a note attached to the arrow left by the assassin.”

As the knocking sounded, Qin Yang’s hands on Tao Ning’s shoulders tightened slightly, her eyes shimmering, yet as unreadable as the deep sea.

Finally, Qin Yang released her, asking nothing, and walked back to her desk, sitting down and saying calmly, “Enter.”

For a moment, Tao Ning couldn’t understand what Qin Yang had been thinking.

Just like Qin Yang couldn’t understand the meaning of “that’s fine too.” Everyone desired wealth and long life, fearing old age and death.

But Tao Ning, facing the threat of execution, hadn’t shown any fear, simply replying with those words, her gaze calm and steady, as if willing to accept any consequence.

Qin Yang, however, had partially guessed correctly. Tao Ning’s “that’s fine too” truly meant anything was fine. She had come to this world because of Qin Yang and would stay because of her.

If Qin Yang was worried about her revealing secrets and wanted to execute her, that was fine too.

Tao Ning always believed in repaying kindness, willingly and without reservation. At worst, she would simply lock her heart away, remembering that the most beautiful women were often the most deceitful.

Outside, Guard Li replied with a “yes,” then slowly opened the door after a long pause, afraid of seeing something she shouldn’t.

Fortunately, there was nothing unusual this time.

One sitting, one standing, the princess behind her desk, and the Junior Minister, who had just been pressed against the bookshelf, picking up the sword from the floor and sheathing it.

Guard Li strode in, kneeling on one knee: “Your Highness, this is the arrow and the note left by the assassin.”

Qin Yang closed the document she had just finished writing: “Present them.”

With a soft clang, the sword was sheathed, and Tao Ning placed it back on the rack, glancing at it wistfully.

It was a good sword, a masterpiece crafted by a skilled swordsmith in this world without spiritual energy, reminding her of the days when she could wield a hammer and forge metal.

Guard Li hadn’t noticed the unsheathed sword on the floor earlier. This sword in the princess’s study was sharp, a true weapon.

So the question was, whose hand had been holding it just now?

A sword? Threatening with a sword?

That didn’t seem like the princess’s style.

Lost in thought, Guard Li stood up, her expression serious, and placed the arrow and note on the desk.

Qin Yang unfolded the note, her brows furrowing slightly, then she rubbed her temples and handed it to Tao Ning.

Tao Ning, pretending to be well-behaved, expecting to be dismissed, was surprised to receive the note.

She unfolded it and instinctively glanced at Qin Yang.

Qin Yang leaned back in her chair, her elbow resting on the armrest. Although her eyes were closed, she sensed Tao Ning’s gaze and tilted her chin slightly.

Tao Ning understood, handing the note to Guard Li.

Guard Li’s face paled after reading it, and Qin Yang, as if on cue, opened her eyes and asked, “What are your thoughts?”

Guard Li said, “A Jianghu Wanted Order? How audacious! This was clearly written by the person themselves. Brave enough to write it, but not brave enough to leave their name, claiming to be an anonymous ‘concerned citizen,’ more like a cowardly rat hiding in the shadows.”

Tao Ning, however, said, “It involves the Jianghu now, which means the remnants of the previous dynasty have deep roots, a potential threat to the nation’s stability.”

T/N: Jianghu:”rivers and lakes” : A realm of wandering warriors, martial artists, bandits, and sects operating outside government control.

This was the difference between them.

Qin Yang’s eyes opened, a thoughtful expression in her light-colored eyes: “Scholars use words to disrupt the law, while heroes use martial arts to defy it. Since our father’s later years, Chief Councilor Chen Ang gained favor, but he betrayed our father’s trust, abusing his power for personal gain, amassing wealth, and even allowing his servants to commit murder in broad daylight, defying our laws, ultimately returning to his hometown in disgrace, dying along the way.”

“His Majesty has been on the throne for three years, and I, unworthy, have served as regent, focusing on court affairs, neglecting the Jianghu, leading to an increase in lawlessness.”

“Now, even Jianghu wanderers dare to cause trouble at my residence, first Xie Baiyi, now this anonymous ‘concerned citizen.’ If this isn’t stopped, what will become of our laws and our authority?”

Looking at the figures in the study, Qin Yang said, “Li Ji.”

Guard Li’s expression turned serious, and she cupped her hands in a salute: “Your servant is here.”

Qin Yang tapped her fingers on the desk: “I want them alive, to show the world the consequences of defying our laws.”

Guard Li: “As Your Highness commands.”

While she might not be good at other things, she was skilled in combat and apprehending criminals. After a moment of thought, she turned and left to make arrangements.

The door closed again, leaving only the two of them in the study. Qin Yang stood up casually, as if she hadn’t just been pinning someone against a bookshelf.

But her gaze lingered on the bookshelf for a moment before she said, “It’s getting late, you should also return to your quarters.”

Tao Ning: “What about Your Highness?”

Qin Yang looked at her in surprise, her hair loose, without any ornaments, a strangely innocent look in her eyes.

Tao Ning said, “I’ll escort you back to your bedchamber.”

There were many guards outside, and maids waiting in the side hall. Escorting the princess back to her bedchamber wasn’t a task for the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple.

It would be a waste of talent, only the Princess Regent would be so extravagant.

But tonight, Qin Yang didn’t want to be extravagant. Seeing the dark circles under Tao Ning’s eyes, she shook her head: “No need, I have to change and prepare for court, you should go back and sleep.”

After all the commotion, it was almost time for her to leave for court.

Qin Yang called for her attendants, the maids who had just finished their shift looking refreshed, while the princess looked tired.

Now? Going to court?

Tao Ning glanced outside at the dark sky, still a long way from dawn: “But Your Highness, you haven’t slept all night, are you going to court now?”

People like Qin Yang had their own routines, and even if she went back to sleep now, she wouldn’t be able to.

At times like this, she would prioritize maintaining her schedule over rest.

Qin Yang said casually, “It’s just one day, I’ll return earlier today.”

The maids brought hot water and fresh clothes to the side room, then invited the princess in.

Qin Yang, seeing Tao Ning still standing there, didn’t urge her to leave again, walking towards the side room surrounded by maids.

After some time, the door opened, and Qin Yang emerged, dressed in her court attire, glancing towards the study.

She was dressed in elaborate robes, her black hair styled in a complicated updo, looking regal and dignified.

Qin Yang always gave people the impression that someone with such a face shouldn’t be involved in court politics, but rather worshipped as a goddess.

But she wasn’t some ethereal being, but a powerful and ruthless princess, her gentle appearance hiding a steely resolve.

A maid lit a lantern, leading the way, followed by two rows of attendants. This was the Qin Yang everyone knew.

Guards waited outside, the carriage prepared, awaiting their master.

Seeing her about to leave, Tao Ning hurried after her, calling out, “Your Highness, let me keep watch for you tonight.”

She wasn’t reassured leaving the princess alone, with the anonymous assassin still at large.

She wasn’t worried about the daytime court session, even a fool wouldn’t dare attack the palace.

The departing figure paused in the darkness.

Qin Yang turned slightly, not answering directly, but instead saying, “We’ll discuss it tonight.”

With that, the long procession departed, the attendants dispersing after seeing Qin Yang onto the carriage.

The residence, briefly lively because of her presence, quieted down again after she left.

With Qin Yang gone, Tao Ning also left the study.

Along the way, she ran into Guard Li, who was frowning. The guard nodded in greeting, then turned around in surprise: “Junior Minister, why are you still here?”

She had assumed Tao Ning had returned to her quarters, had she been alone in the princess’s study all this time?

Tao Ning asked in return, “I usually see you accompany the princess to the palace, why didn’t you go today?”

Guard Li sniffed the air, puzzled, wondering if someone was secretly eating sour apricots nearby.

Trying to forget the scene she had witnessed in the study, she replied seriously, “Her Highness instructed me to make arrangements in the residence, I’ll go to the palace later to find her. It’s getting late, Junior Minister, you should go back and rest.”

There were still many matters at the Dali Temple, and the emperor was waiting for the results of the investigation, so Tao Ning could only return to her quarters.

She had spent the entire day at the Dali Temple, also familiarizing Shi Qing with the environment, as she had been secluded in the retreat for too long, her medical skills intact, but her social skills rusty.

These things needed to be relearned, it would take time.

After a busy day, Tao Ning was still thinking about the anonymous assassin, but she was late in replying.

She found the back gate already open, a figure sitting on the doorstep, teasing a smoky-colored tortoiseshell cat with a blade of grass.

The cat, well-fed by the cook, was plump and sleek, lying on its back, indifferent to the blade of grass.

Smelling a familiar scent, it turned its head and meowed.

Tao Ning, finding it endearing, crouched down and petted its belly.

Meng Chun stood up, pointing the blade of grass at Tao Ning: “You returned early yesterday, and I was late. Today, I came early, and you’re late, but at least I finally caught you.”

Tao Ning’s hand froze, and she smiled: “Thank you for your trouble, Sister Meng Chun, opening the gate for me, such a large residence, making you run back and forth.”

Meng Chun shook her head: “It’s just opening a gate, it’s nothing. I’m not busy, unlike you at the Dali Temple, working as late as Her Highness.”

Tao Ning felt a pang of guilt: “Alright, alright, Sister Meng Chun, please stop, you’re making me regret my decision.”

Meng Chun covered her mouth with her sleeve, her eyes smiling: “Even if you wanted to now, His Majesty and Her Highness wouldn’t allow it.”