The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 151

Chapter 151: Taken Home by the Princess Part 39

After eating, Qin Yang asked, “Do you know what’s happening outside? Has Li Ji found us?”

Tao Ning knew she would ask this, wanting to tell her to focus on resting, not worrying about such matters.

But she also understood Qin Yang’s feelings. The people in the Princess Regent’s residence depended on her, their lives intertwined with hers.

So they would be searching for her desperately.

Tao Ning held Qin Yang close, recounting everything she had heard these past few days, including how the charge of rebellion had been cleared, replaced with embezzlement of funds intended for Lianghe Lower County.

Qin Yang listened quietly, perhaps also wondering who had accused her of embezzlement.

After a while, she said, “If Li Ji hasn’t found us in two days, we’ll have to find a way to return to the capital.”

Tao Ning held Qin Yang’s hand, kissing her forehead: “Don’t worry, I’ll go to town tomorrow and gather more information, then we’ll figure out a way back.”

There was no other choice now, and Qin Yang nodded, burying her face in Tao Ning’s embrace, enjoying this moment of peace.

In the courtyard, Qiao Xin was massaging her grandmother’s legs when she heard the door open and looked up: “You’re almost out of medicine, tomorrow… Eh, Miss Tao, you’re awake?”

Both grandmother and granddaughter looked over, seeing Qin Yang, wrapped in a robe, being helped out, her face pale from her illness, her figure frail.

Tao Ning, supporting her, replied, “She was bored after being bedridden for days, so I took her out for a walk.”

Qiao Xin agreed wholeheartedly: “I can’t stand lying down for so long, my bones ache all over.”

Grandmother, after observing for a while, asked, “Miss, are you missing something?”

Qin Yang was taken aback: “I’m not missing anything, why do you ask?”

Grandmother, hard of hearing: “Huh?”

Qin Yang, too weak to speak loudly, could only look at Qiao Xin, who dutifully repeated, “Grandma, she said she’s not missing anything, why did you ask?!”

Grandmother looked at Qin Yang again, confused: “Not missing anything?”

Then she shook her head, her face wrinkled: “I must be getting old, my memory is failing me.”

For some reason, she felt this young woman should have a red mole between her eyebrows, like a Guanyin.

The three of them didn’t understand, assuming the old woman’s memory was failing her, perhaps mistaking Qin Yang for someone she knew.

The autumn air was chilly, and after sunset, Qin Yang went back inside, lest she catch a cold.

The next morning, Tao Ning went to town, bought more medicine, and then went to the inn for breakfast.

This time, she joined the other customers, chatting and gathering information.

There were three important things she learned.

First: Rumors of Princess Regent Qin Yang colluding with Prince Yong in his rebellion were widespread. Prince Yong’s family had been escorted back to the capital, stripped of their titles, and he was sentenced to death by a thousand cuts, his accomplices and their families executed.

Second: The Princess Regent wasn’t involved in the rebellion, but was accused of embezzling the funds intended for the Lianghe dam, causing widespread flooding and a devastating plague.

It all started with Prince Yong.

Before his execution, he denied colluding with Qin Yang, insisting until his last breath, “The Princess Regent didn’t rebel with me, she’s innocent.”

This wasn’t a sudden surge of conscience or brotherly affection, but rather a way to make Chongxi look bad.

Since he couldn’t escape his fate, his wife and children having already taken poison and waiting for him in the afterlife, he might as well cause trouble for Chongxi.

So he refused to confess, and the story somehow spread, reaching the court officials, who realized that if the princess had been involved, Prince Yong would have accused her, even facing such a gruesome death.

Moreover, they felt Chongxi’s decision to sentence him to death by a thousand cuts was too harsh, his first act as a ruler, not a clean and decisive move.

While Prince Yong’s crime warranted such a punishment, the way Chongxi handled it was messy.

With the princess missing, her fate unknown, and Prince Yong’s denial, it created an opportunity for rumors.

If these two things hadn’t happened, and the princess had indeed died, with Prince Yong dead and unable to testify, Chongxi would have consolidated his power.

As the rightful emperor, he held the moral high ground, but his actions had created chaos.

Public sympathy for the princess grew, with scholars staging a sit-in before the palace gates, demanding a thorough investigation, refusing to leave, even after being beaten.

Being beaten only fueled their resolve, willing to die for their cause, hoping to be remembered in history.

The princess’s faction, suppressed for so long, seized this opportunity, fanning the flames of dissent.

Chongxi, angered by the protests, cancelled court for three days.

A proper ruler, arguing with commoners and scholars.

Then, Fang Ying, the Vice Minister of Revenue, brought up an old case, accusing the princess of embezzling funds intended for disaster relief in Lianghe Lower County while Chongxi was still young, presenting evidence and witnesses.

The situation shifted again, the focus now on the princess’s alleged embezzlement, not her innocence.

The third incident happened yesterday. The Northern Rong tribe invaded, the Yu Dynasty losing two cities, then three more yesterday, the enemy finally stopped at the border.

Chongxi, facing his worried officials, said nonchalantly, “Our Yu Dynasty is vast and prosperous, what’s a few cities? It’s almost winter, it’s not worth fighting them.”

These words shocked the court.

By the time this news reached Lianghe Lower County, the Northern Rong tribe had probably already started mobilizing, coinciding with the princess’s disappearance.

It was autumn, winter approaching, and the Northern Rong tribe probably wasn’t looking for a full-scale war, just resources for the winter.

But come spring, believing they had assessed the Yu Dynasty’s strength and Chongxi’s attitude, they wouldn’t be satisfied with just three cities.

Tao Ning, her mind filled with information, left the town, and as she reached a less populated area, she suddenly stopped and shouted, “Who’s there? Show yourself!”

Someone had been following her, refusing to reveal themselves, who was it?

After waiting for a moment, Tao Ning continued walking, hearing a faint rustle in the trees as the figure retreated.

She didn’t give chase, confirming they had left before continuing on her way.

Both unsure of the other’s allegiance, they chose to avoid each other.

Returning to Qiao Family Village, Tao Ning told Qin Yang everything she had learned.

Qin Yang’s brows furrowed: “Fang Ying, the Vice Minister of Revenue, was one of my attendants when I supervised the dam construction, he was promoted after we returned to the capital.”

So this person was hand-picked by Qin Yang and involved in the dam project, his accusation carrying considerable weight.

Tao Ning added, “Someone followed me when I left town today.”

Qin Yang’s heart tightened, and she turned to examine Tao Ning: “Are you hurt?”

Tao Ning shook her head: “They didn’t show their face, but Changyi, we can’t stay here any longer.”

Qin Yang, after a moment of thought, agreed: “We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

During dinner, Tao Ning informed Qiao Xin of their departure.

Qiao Xin was surprised: “Why are you leaving so soon? She hasn’t fully recovered yet, what if she gets sick again on the road?”

Tao Ning couldn’t explain, just reiterating their decision, then adding, “If anyone comes asking after we leave, just tell them where we went, don’t hide anything, protect yourself.”

These serious words made Qiao Xin’s heart sink: “You…”

Tao Ning’s expression was solemn: “This is what Changyi and I have decided.”

So, no matter what happened, Qiao Xin shouldn’t feel any burden.

Qiao Xin frowned, hesitating for a moment before saying, “Are you still being pursued? If so, we have a cellar, you and Miss Changyi can hide there…”

She trailed off, Tao Ning’s gaze clearly indicating the situation was more complicated than just being pursued.

Qiao Xin could only say, “Then be careful.”

Tao Ning said seriously, “We will.”

The next morning, having arrived with nothing, they prepared for a simple departure, heading towards the capital.

Tao Ning packed their belongings, while Qin Yang was taken outside for a walk, to warm up.

The puppy from next door, having enjoyed the pheasant bones for days, had arrived before dawn again.

It crossed the threshold and, seeing a stranger in the courtyard, staring at it curiously, immediately wagged its tail and approached.

Qin Yang, always well-behaved, instinctively took a few steps back as the fluffy creature ran towards her.

The puppy was shocked. Everyone in Qiao Family Village would crouch down and pet it, but this person didn’t react even with its frantic tail-wagging?!

Puppy shocked, puppy disappointed, puppy’s tail drooping.

Who could resist such a cute, fluffy puppy, whimpering pitifully?

Qin Yang couldn’t either, so she crouched down and petted it, and the puppy, instantly revived, wagged its tail excitedly.

The puppy, enthusiastic, rolled onto its back, and Qin Yang, instinctively petting its belly, smiled faintly.

Such a carefree life.

Meanwhile, a carriage arrived at the entrance of Qiao Family Village, and an elegantly dressed middle-aged woman emerged.

She looked at the surroundings, a complicated expression in her eyes, then turned to the person beside her and asked, “Are you sure Her Highness is here?”

The person immediately replied, “Yes, Grand Historian, the princess is here.”

As they spoke, the village head approached, asking who they were and what they were doing here.

Cui Hong, not wanting to reveal their identities, said they were visiting relatives on their mother’s side, a distant family with the surname Qiao.

Village Head: “Almost everyone in our village has the surname Qiao.”

Cui Hong, realizing this, then said, “I remember my mother mentioning a child, a girl named Xin.”

The village head slapped his thigh: “Xin? I remember now, you’re talking about Qiao Yi’s family, their house is at the edge of the village, I’ll show you the way.”

Cui Hong, eager to find Qin Yang, readily agreed. As they approached the house, she gave the village head some money and dismissed him and the other villagers.

An attendant knocked on the door, and Qiao Xin came to answer: “Who is it?”

Opening the door, she saw an elegantly dressed woman with elaborate hair ornaments, followed by several attendants.

Qiao Xin was stunned, asking, “Who… who are you looking for?”

Qin Yang, inside, looked up, her hand freezing as she met the woman’s gaze.

Cui Hong’s body trembled, finally finding the person she had been searching for, tears streaming down her face as she knelt down: “Your Highness, I’ve come late—”

Qiao Xin jumped back in fright, then, hearing the woman’s words, her mind went blank, as if struck by lightning.

Princess?

Who?

Miss Changyi?

Qin Yang, who had been petting the puppy, stood up as she saw the group kneeling outside, and the puppy, confused, barked at her.

This time, Qin Yang didn’t respond, walking forward and helping Cui Hong up: “Grand Historian Cui, please rise, what are you doing here?”

Had something happened to the princess’s residence in the capital?

Cui Hong, pulled to her feet, wiped her tears with her sleeve and shook her head: “The princess’s residence in the capital has been sealed off by His Majesty’s order, but everyone is safe. I was worried about Your Highness’s safety after hearing you were missing, so I left secretly at night. Guard Li is waiting for you in Lianghe Lower County.”

Qin Yang nodded, this wasn’t good news, but not bad news either.

At least she had reunited with Cui Hong and the others, their return to the capital would be much smoother.

Tao Ning, hearing the commotion, came out, and Cui Hong, seeing her, exclaimed, “Junior Minister An, you’re here too! You and Her Highness have both lost weight.”

Qiao Xin’s dazed gaze shifted, she couldn’t understand what they were saying anymore.

Junior Minister?

Who?

Tao Ning?

Turning around, she saw Tao Ning standing at the door, greeted by the excited cries of the princess’s entourage.

This world was too strange, two such important figures in her small courtyard!

Tao Ning replied, “Grand Historian Cui, you must be tired from your journey.”

Cui Hong shook her head, her face still filled with guilt: “It’s my duty, Your Excellency, it’s nothing.”

They exchanged greetings, their excitement evident, while Qiao Xin, huddled in the corner with the equally stunned puppy, trembled.

Mother, Grandma, anyone, please save me!

Her legs were weak, she couldn’t even move.

Who would have thought that the people she had dinner with last night, chatting and laughing, were a high-ranking official and the princess?!

Fortunately, no one noticed her yet. Cui Hong, seeing their simple clothes, immediately had her attendants bring fresh clothes and hot water for them to wash and change.

The well-trained attendants quickly prepared everything, and Qiao Xin, still petting the puppy frantically, had never seen such a scene before in her life.

Soon, the door opened, and Tao Ning emerged, dressed in a new outfit.

She had changed out of her simple clothes, now wearing a green dress and her hair neatly styled with ornaments.

Qiao Xin’s hand froze.

The Tao Ning she had seen before was a weary traveler, her clothes torn and dirty, and although her elegant demeanor was still visible even in simple clothes, she had never imagined the real Tao Ning would be so… radiant.

A pearl, even covered in dust, would eventually reveal its brilliance.

Tao Ning, standing at the door, hadn’t even spoken yet, and everyone in the courtyard bowed, addressing her as “Junior Minister.”

Tao Ning’s gaze swept across them, her expression calm, exuding authority.

Then her gaze landed on Qiao Xin, a look she had never seen before, making her heart skip a beat.

Then she heard the familiar voice say, “This young lady helped my sister and me when we were in distress, if it weren’t for her, we might not have survived until you found us.”

This was an exaggeration, but Cui Hong immediately understood Tao Ning’s intention, declaring they would reward Qiao Xin handsomely later.

These solemn words made Qiao Xin nervous, and she quickly said it was just a small act of kindness.

Soon, Qin Yang also emerged, and Qiao Xin’s eyes lit up again, watching as she was escorted to the carriage, surrounded by attendants.

Tao Ning followed, the group arriving with a commotion and leaving silently, only Qiao Xin, holding the puppy and the pouch of coins, remaining.

Hearing a commotion outside, Qiao Xin instinctively hid the pouch of coins in a pile of firewood, then saw the village head and a group of villagers approaching.

They immediately asked, “Xin Niang, since when do you have such important relatives?”

Qiao Xin, still holding the puppy, shook her head in confusion: “They’re very important.”