The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 134

Chapter 134: Taken Home by the Princess Part 22

Tao Ning then pointed at the silent swordsman in gray: “Slap him too.”

Guard Li backhanded him across the face, sending his head spinning, a tooth flying from his mouth. He protested, “I didn’t say anything, why are you hitting me?”

The interrogator stood up, yielding his seat to Tao Ning, bowing before retreating.

Tao Ning casually flipped through the documents on the table, then looked up, her expression cold and ruthless, like a cruel official: “I didn’t like your face, so I hit you, any questions?”

Swordsman in Gray: “…”

Having interrogated them all morning and getting nothing was within Tao Ning’s expectations.

Tossing the useless papers aside, Tao Ning smiled, her eyes cold.

She said, “Like you, I don’t believe in ‘an eye for an eye,’ I only believe in the sword in my hand. Jianghu rules, you came to assassinate the princess for revenge, but you failed, now it’s my turn to kill you, perfectly normal.”

The swordsman in gray was speechless. He wanted to argue, but seeing Guard Li cracking her knuckles, her hand radiating internal energy, he wisely remained silent.

Discretion was the better part of valor.

He regretted agreeing to his brother’s request to assassinate the princess, thinking he could escape unscathed and even gain fame in the Jianghu.

Now, however, he was in the Dali Temple prison.

Since Guard Li’s arrival, the swordsman in black had stopped his shouting, realizing the Dali Temple officials wouldn’t kill him, but Li Ji might.

Tao Ning sat at the head of the table, glancing to the side: “Shi Qing, entertain our guests.”

The two swordsmen looked at the seemingly timid and delicate Shi Qing, wondering what she could possibly do.

Shi Qing nodded, opening the box and revealing its contents: “This is Ascension Incense.”

Hearing those words, their faces changed, clearly recognizing it.

Shi Qing continued, “As the name suggests, those who inhale its smoke feel like they’re ascending to the heavens, experiencing their deepest desires.”

“An hour later, their martial arts skills will be completely gone, and they’ll be willing to reveal anything, even the most steadfast warriors will be unable to resist, trapped in this state of euphoria, a fate worse than death.”

“Unfortunately, I’m not very talented, only finding the antidote formula in an incomplete manual, and I’m still working on it.” She smiled faintly.

So, there was no antidote.

The two swordsmen, sworn brothers of Xie Baiyi, knew he possessed a secret manual containing various strange formulas, Ascension Incense being one of them, although it was incomplete, only Xie Baiyi could understand it.

Unexpectedly, this woman had deciphered it and even recreated it in such a short time.

Judging by her innocent smile, no one would guess she was capable of such a feat.

Tao Ning didn’t give them a chance to speak, ordering, “You were given a chance to atone for your crimes, but you chose the path to hell. Separate them and place them in sealed rooms, we have plenty of Ascension Incense in the Dali Temple.”

Guard Li cupped her hands, ready to drag them away, when one of them quickly shouted, “Wait, wait! I confess! I confess!”

The swordsman in black glared at him: “Brother, you’re so spineless!”

The swordsman in gray, missing a tooth, kicked him: “You might be willing to lose your martial arts for brotherhood, but I’m not! I barely know Xie Baiyi, I just joined for the fun.”

The swordsman in black, caught off guard, stumbled backward. He was about to attack his brother when Guard Li grabbed them both by the collars, giving each a punch.

With a black eye each, they finally calmed down.

Tao Ning, who had been observing coldly, said, “Don’t bother pretending, you can’t escape the Dali Temple.”

Their intentions exposed, their faces paled, their shoulders slumping in defeat.

An hour later, Tao Ning, having washed her hands, emerged from the dungeon.

She had learned something else from the two swordsmen.

Her earlier guess was correct, Xie Baiyi did have a younger half-brother, only a year older than Chongxi.

The twin swordsmen had met Xie Baiyi shortly after completing their training and, sharing similar ideals, became sworn brothers, therefore knowing more about him than others.

They didn’t know he was a descendant of the previous dynasty, only that he wanted to create a new Jianghu, free from the control of the court.

This ideology attracted many followers, forming a considerable force, almost establishing a new sect.

As for the unnamed young master, the swordsman in black said he was the son of Xie Baiyi’s father and a concubine. The concubine, unwilling to endure the loneliness of the valley, escaped one night, unaware she was pregnant.

For some reason, she still chose to give birth, supporting herself with small businesses. Years later, she fell ill, worried about her child ending up on the streets, and wrote to the valley.

By then, Xie Baiyi’s father had passed away, and Xie Baiyi decided to bring the child back. However, due to malnutrition in the womb, the child was frail and rarely seen in public.

After Xie Baiyi’s death, his followers, wanting to restore the previous dynasty, naturally thought of the frail young master, placing all their hopes on him.

The two assassins had come to avenge their sworn brother, assuming the princess’s residence was poorly defended, that they could escape easily.

Even if they couldn’t kill the princess, causing panic in the residence, and even the capital, would be considered a victory.

They hadn’t expected the princess’s residence to not only have Li Ji, the “Slashing Wave Saber,” who had disappeared from the Jianghu for years, but also a hidden swordsmanship expert, who captured them both.

But everything ended with Xie Baiyi’s death, his followers scattered, and those remaining in the valley, with their limited knowledge of the outside world, had little chance of overthrowing the current dynasty.

Unless Chongxi was foolish enough to let them in.

As night fell, Tao Ning returned to the princess’s residence. Meng Chun, who had been waiting anxiously, saw her and her eyes lit up.

Meng Chun tossed aside the flower she had been picking petals from and hurried forward: “Junior Minister, you’re finally back!”

Tao Ning, carrying a small cloth bag, entered: “Sister Meng Chun, why are you looking for me so urgently?”

She closed the door behind her, picking up a windproof lantern from the ground, illuminating the path ahead.

“After you left for the Dali Temple today, His Majesty came and bestowed some gifts, then left.” Meng Chun said as they walked. “This afternoon, Her Highness has been drinking in the lakeside pavilion, Grand Historian Cui attempted to dissuade her, but she refused, even dismissing everyone.”

Tao Ning had initially thought Chongxi wouldn’t give Qin Yang a day off, but the second part made her pause.

She turned around in surprise: “Drinking all afternoon? Has she returned?”

Meng Chun shook her head, her voice filled with worry: “No, Grand Historian Cui wanted to summon you back, but Her Highness refused, dismissing everyone. But it’s windy by the lake, and the water is cold, Her Highness has been there all this time, I’m worried she’ll catch a cold.”

The lakeside pavilion was lit, its lights reflected on the water’s surface, the sky dark with only a few stars visible.

Several maids waited at the entrance of the winding corridor leading to the pavilion, where a lone figure sat, dressed in wide robes, with no attendants.

Seeing Tao Ning approach, they didn’t stop her, just curtseying: “Junior Minister.” Then they continued to stand guard.

Tao Ning stepped onto the corridor, then turned around as if sensing something, spotting a faint figure on the roof, bowing respectfully. It was Li Ji, enjoying some peace and quiet with her wine.

Turning back, she continued towards the pavilion, the gauze curtains obscuring the figure inside.

Nearing the entrance, Tao Ning paused, hesitant about how to persuade Qin Yang to return.

Just as she was about to step forward, she heard a slightly hoarse voice from inside: “Why are you standing there? Come in.”

Hearing this voice, Tao Ning immediately knew Qin Yang had been drinking.

Lifting the curtain, the figure leaning against the table became clearer. She poured herself a cup of wine and finished it in one gulp, her eyes glancing at Tao Ning: “Are you here to persuade me to go back? Or to tell me drinking is bad for my health?”

Qin Yang’s appearance was elegant and delicate, like a night-blooming cereus. She always wore high-collared robes, the buttons fastened to the top, her long, pale neck hidden beneath layers of fabric, concealing her emotions, her smiles never reaching her eyes.

She always appeared composed and reserved, like a lady from an ancient painting, or a beautiful lamp standing in a corner.

But her actions were often unconventional, a powerful princess wielding immense authority, the stark contrast creating the current Qin Yang.

When she let loose, however, she bloomed like a night-blooming cereus, her brilliance captivating.

Tao Ning strode forward, like a moth to a flame, grabbed a wine pot, and took a large gulp: “Neither, I’m here to drink with Your Highness.”

Qin Yang’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at this unexpected answer, then quickly returned to their usual unreadable state, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Qin Yang rested her chin on her hand: “Then how long do you plan to drink with me?”

Tao Ning wiped the wine from her lips, licking them, and smiled: “As long as Your Highness wants.”

To prove her sincerity, Tao Ning finished the wine pot, a faint blush appearing on her fair face, like a dusting of rouge, making her even more alluring.

Qin Yang was still somewhat restrained, the wine not very strong, but she had drunk quite a bit, slightly tipsy.

Her smile widened, however, as she pointed at Tao Ning: “If Cui Hong heard you, she would regret wanting to summon you back this afternoon.”

Tao Ning blinked, saying seriously, “As long as Your Highness is happy, I don’t care what others think.”

These words were sincere, and Qin Yang stared at her for a long moment, unable to detect any deception.

“I don’t know if it’s because you’re flawless, or because my heart is full of flaws,” Qin Yang murmured.

Her voice was so low that Tao Ning couldn’t hear her, and she leaned closer, her eyes slightly watery: “Your Highness, what did you say? I didn’t hear you.”

“Getting involved with me won’t end well.” Qin Yang’s fingertip traced Tao Ning’s cheek. “Why did you approach me initially?”

Hearing this clearly, Tao Ning stood up, knelt before Qin Yang, and boldly took her hands: “Your Highness saved me, I’m willing to do anything for you.”

Such a grand promise often sounded insincere, but Tao Ning’s sincerity was convincing.

It was impossible not to be moved, Qin Yang’s heart had already been stirred, her feelings growing stronger with each passing day.

But she didn’t reveal anything, simply glancing down indifferently, like an impassive Guanyin, cool and composed.

Qin Yang: “What kind of person do you think I am?”

What kind of person was the princess?

Tao Ning hadn’t really thought about it. She didn’t know when it started, but she had developed feelings for Qin Yang, and now, looking back, she was deeply in love.

Hearing this question, she didn’t think of Qin Yang’s power or the heavy burden she carried, but of their first meeting in the rain garden.

Qin Yang, dressed in light blue, sitting under the shade of the trees, her voice like a cool spring, had called out to her.

The garden, filled with falling petals, a beautiful spring scene, yet overshadowed by Qin Yang’s presence, the seeds of love unknowingly planted, quietly sprouting.

Tao Ning replied, “Your Highness is like the bright moon, cool and aloof, dignified and austere.”

So that’s how she sees me, even if it disappoints her.

Qin Yang suddenly smiled faintly: “I’m not cool and aloof, nor austere.”

Tao Ning: “…”

Qin Yang, who usually had no particular fondness for alcohol, had finally had enough. She couldn’t taste anything, and the more she drank, the emptier she felt, like a hole in her heart that couldn’t be filled.

Tao Ning, seeing her flushed cheeks and the wine staining her clothes, a tempting glimpse of white beneath the thin fabric, forced her gaze away, her heart aching with sympathy.

Looking at Qin Yang, she saw her former self, the first sense she lost being taste.

Since birth, she had been diagnosed with a “deficient constitution,” destined to lose all five senses and become crippled, despite her innate talent.

Her parents, refusing to believe it, searched for all kinds of rare treasures, vowing to cure her, even if it meant reducing her to an ordinary mortal.

At the age of twelve, Tao Ning realized she could no longer taste the sweetness of pastries, assuming the cook had simply used less honey.

From then on, everything tasted bland, like chewing wax, and to avoid worrying others, she relied on her cultivation, no longer eating.

Only occasionally, late at night, would she buy food from the street vendors, trying to recapture the lost sensations.

She even ate dried chili peppers raw, her throat burning, unable to speak, resorting to medicinal pills to soothe the pain, lest she be discovered.

No taste, no matter what she ate or drank, it was all tasteless.

The second sense she lost was smell, not as abruptly as taste, but gradually fading, too late when she finally noticed.

But even if she had noticed earlier, it wouldn’t have changed anything, it was inevitable.

She had thought it would be better if it disappeared completely like her sense of taste, the gradual loss, the constant worry of waking up one day unable to smell anything, was like a slow torture.

Later, Tao Ning became more carefree, no longer caring what others thought, accepting the inevitable.

Unable to bear it any longer, she grabbed Qin Yang’s hand, pulling her closer, and said, “Stop drinking, Your Highness, let’s go back, it’s getting windy.”

Qin Yang refused to stop, looking up to dismiss her, but meeting Tao Ning’s concerned gaze, her heart softened, and she remained silent.

Tao Ning said again, “Let’s go back, Your Highness.”

I’ve experienced what you’ve endured, and having experienced it myself, I understand your pain even more.