Hong Gu was shocked. “Princess, what are you doing? This is too much for this servant.”

She quickly reached out to help Lian Xin up, but Lian Xin refused to rise. “Aunt Hong, I know you care for me most. Please help me.”

“Princess, get up quickly. Tell me what it is. As long as it’s not about leaving the palace to see that Wuqing, this servant will definitely—” Hong Gu knew her temperament well. Though she loved her dearly, she still made her position clear.

“I’m not asking to leave the palace, but requesting something else of you.” Lian Xin said quietly.

“Good, good. As long as it’s not that matter, tell me.”

“Aunt Hong, I will love no one but Wuqing in this lifetime. Could you please plead with Mother on my behalf to give him the position of Six Fan School commander? Wuqing is still so powerless – Chao Huang won’t let him go. I beg you.”

Hong Gu was greatly shocked, not expecting her to make such a request. This was a hundred times more difficult than leaving the palace. She forcibly pulled her up. “Princess, how can you be so confused? That Wuqing comes from a rough background and has close relations with Feng Suzhen. The Empress Dowager would never allow you to marry him. Forget about this position being impossible to obtain – even meeting him, your mother wouldn’t allow.”

“But he’s saved me twice, and Feng Suzhen wouldn’t harm Sixth Brother,” Lian Xin smiled bitterly. “I know what Mother thinks in her heart. Sixth Brother loves Susu, so Sister Qi will be neglected, the Lian-Murong alliance will be unstable, and her power won’t be as secure. But with or without Sister Qi, Sixth Brother treats her as a mother. And I shouldn’t be a tool she uses to win over some minister. I know she intends to bestow me upon Yan Da or some minister’s son from the Six Ministries. In her heart, is power really more important than her children’s happiness?”

“Aunt Hong, I know you care for me. You saw how Mother followed Father Emperor her whole life without happiness. Do you really hope I’ll obediently accept Mother’s arranged marriage and marry someone I don’t love? I won’t be happy, Aunt Hong. Please help me, alright? I’ll tell you quietly – if my future husband isn’t Wuqing, I absolutely won’t marry. At most I’ll take my own life.”

“Aunt Hong, I beg you. Wuqing has saved me twice. The last time he was even severely injured and captured. At that time he still disliked me, yet he protected me like that. Isn’t such a person worth my affection?”

“This…” Hong Gu saw her eyes completely red, but there was a resolute look between her brows, unlike her usual spoiled and willful appearance. She knew her words were not false. She had never imagined Lian Xin would develop such deep feelings for a man. Having no children herself, Lian Xin was like her own child. Back when Feng Suzhen had offended Lian Xin at the execution ground, it was she who handled it.

Now was the first time she spoke so softly and gently, with tears all over her face, pleading like this. How could she not be somewhat moved and softened? Thinking of Chao Huang’s vile behavior, this Wuqing was indeed much better, though he had close relations with Feng Suzhen. But how could her master be so easily persuaded? Moreover, she wasn’t certain whether this Wuqing was truly the princess’s good match.

So after she sent Lian Xin back to her sleeping quarters, she sat alone on the couch, lost in thought.

“Aunt Hong, Aunt Hong.”

Her mind was wandering, not knowing how much time had passed, until the person in front of her called her name several times before she came to her senses.

“Supervisor Xiao? Why are you here?” she asked, though she wasn’t particularly surprised. Whenever Supervisor Yu came up with some new delicacy, this Supervisor Xiao would bring the dishes over for her to taste first, as she was most familiar with Xiao An’s tastes. This Supervisor Xiao was also good with words, so over time, the two had become quite close privately.

Previously, when Feng Suzhen had returned from the dead and Xiao An had blamed the several female officials who had examined and prepared the body for burial, though everyone said it was the princess who had interfered midway, Xiao An still harbored anger, and it was she who had pleaded for them.

Sure enough, Supervisor Xiao smiled. “This servant has developed a new recipe and brought it for you to try first.”

She put down her food basket, then asked with some concern, “Does Aunt have something on her mind? You look troubled. Is there anything this servant can do to help ease your worries?”

Hong Gu sighed and told her in detail about Lian Xin’s request.

Supervisor Xiao exclaimed “Aiya” and said quietly, “This is truly thorny. How did the princess come to like such a rough man from the martial world?”

“Truly an ill-fated connection.” Hong Gu rubbed her temples and smiled bitterly. “What do you think? If I don’t help, she’ll certainly be heartbroken and dejected. How can I bear to see her like that? But if I do help, you know the Empress Dowager’s temperament – she’s not easily persuaded. If I speak up, she might even be angry with me. Moreover, I’m not certain whether this Wuqing saved the princess out of opportunism or genuine feeling.”

Supervisor Xiao nodded continuously. “I understand your difficulty, Aunt. This truly is a case of ‘speaking is wrong, not speaking is also wrong.’ What should we do?”

“Please sit.” Hong Gu picked up her chopsticks to try the food but clearly had no appetite, quickly setting them down. Supervisor Xiao frowned, apparently deep in thought. Suddenly she slapped the table. “I have an idea.”

“Oh?” Hong Gu was delighted. “What is it?”

“Aunt, this servant has heard from my elder brother Xiao Yue that Quan Feitong and our Great Zhou royal family will eventually have a battle. This servant suggests that you still make the proposal to the Empress Dowager, but you need the princess to cooperate, and then when the time comes…”

…

For the next several days, Lian Xin again had no appetite. It was said that during this period Feng Suzhen took her to Lian Yu’s palace for meals, but she only ate a few bites. It was also said that Murong Ding’s takeover of the Six Fan School wasn’t going smoothly – some constables didn’t respect him. With problems both inside and outside, Xiao An was both angry and anxious. She went to Lian Xin’s sleeping quarters and severely scolded her.

Lian Xin’s temperament had changed greatly this year – she no longer quarreled and fought with her as before, only saying to her, “I want to see Wuqing.”

“What’s so good about that boy? Falling for such a person – you’ll regret it sooner or later. Don’t come crying to me then!” Xiao An brought up old complaints again. In anger, she returned to her palace.

Over Wuqing’s matter, mother and daughter relations reached another impasse.

At noon, hearing the female attendant report that the food was again untouched, thinking of her daughter’s pale complexion and the Chao Huang incident, no matter how hard Xiao An’s heart was, it still softened. She knew this daughter’s temperament – the more forceful you were, the more she opposed you. Helplessly, she decided to go coax her, but as she was about to leave, Hong Gu stopped her and told her all about Lian Xin’s request.

“This girl’s courage is also too great, even wanting to seek power for that boy. Fine, if she won’t eat, she won’t eat. When she starves to death, I’ll just pretend I never had this daughter.”

After hearing this, Xiao An was so angry smoke came from all seven orifices, speaking harshly to Hong Gu.

But words aside, seeing her daughter’s haggard appearance, her heart still couldn’t bear it. Gritting her teeth, she still planned to go out and persuade her.

“Your Majesty, this servant has an idea – why don’t you agree to the princess first?” Hong Gu saw this and spoke quietly.

Xiao An couldn’t help but be furious. “Ah Hong, I know you love Lian Xin, but if she’s confused, that’s one thing – how can you also lose your sense of propriety? How can I casually give this power to an outsider, especially someone connected to Feng Suzhen?”

“No, Empress Dowager, please let this servant finish. This servant has had people inquire at the Six Fan School these past days. This Wuqing is quite popular there. He has deep fraternal feelings with Feng Suzhen, and now Feng Suzhen is the Emperor’s consort. Moreover, Chao Huang is his sworn enemy – he couldn’t possibly stay out of it. When the great battle erupts soon, Wuqing will definitely oppose Quan’s faction. Since he’s talented, why not lend him some power, let him fully subdue the Six Fan School constables, and become a force against the rebels? In the fighting between both sides, if he’s killed by Chao Huang, we will have made full use of him. If he survives by luck, when the war ends, we can secretly have him eliminated and make it appear as Chao Huang’s doing. This way, the princess will have to give up and stop pestering. Then we can arrange her marriage, wouldn’t that be much smoother?”

Xiao An had been frowning, but hearing this, she furrowed her brow in thought. After a long while, she nodded. “Currently Ding’er is commanding troops and has no spare time to manage too much Six Fan School business. Those constables come from the martial world – unlike soldiers who receive strict training upon entering camp, they have their own temperaments and aren’t easily tamed. Having Wuqing temporarily take charge and work for us, then eliminating him later, is indeed a good method.”

“This way, that foolish girl can also settle down and stop arguing with me. Two birds with one stone. Good, do as you say. Draft an edict for me to send to the Six Fan School, promoting Wuqing to Chief Commander, with Murong Ding no longer acting as manager.”

“Yes.” Hong Gu smiled and agreed, also relieved in her heart. This Supervisor Xiao had many years of palace experience – her methods and schemes were quite something.

That day, Hong Gu not only brought Xiao An’s edict but also conveyed Xiao An’s words, permitting Wuqing to meet Lian Xin once more. However, Wuqing must tell Lian Xin that after major affairs were settled, they could discuss personal feelings. Wuqing agreed, only saying he would not disappoint the Empress Dowager’s high expectations and would lead the Six Fan School to protect the princess and the royal family.

When Lian Yu learned of Xiao An’s edict, it was already evening. He immediately went to find Xiao An, but she was determined and seemed to have her own calculations. Frequent changes to edicts would also make the royal family appear untrustworthy, so he had to let it be.

Lian Xin was triumphant. Xiao An also lifted her confinement, and early the next morning, she left the palace for the Six Fan School.

Seeing her arrival, Wuqing set aside his official duties, went to the stables to get horses and took her out. Iron Hand and Life Chaser were both dumbfounded, never expecting that Wuqing’s true destiny would seemingly be this willful princess in the end.

Lian Xin was overjoyed. Wuqing shared a horse with her, galloping through the countryside. He encircled her from behind, his scent enveloping her. Around them were famous rivers and ancient temples, with monastery bell sounds. Though they encountered many devout men and women coming to burn incense and pray, it seemed they were far from worldly troubles, stealing half a day of leisure from floating life.

Lian Xin felt this was the happiest moment of her entire life.

Wuqing bought some simple dishes and steamed buns at a tea house along the way, and also bought a pot of tea. The two led their horses to stop by a small stream. Wuqing gave the food to Lian Xin. “Sorry to make you suffer – there’s only this kind of food here.”

Lian Xin ate a steamed bun in a few bites, her eyes slightly narrowing. “Delicious.”

Wuqing saw that she seemed to truly find it tasty, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. He casually broke off a piece of bun and slowly chewed it. There was some space between them – Lian Xin slowly moved closer and leaned against him. Wuqing didn’t push her away and spoke quietly, “Thank you for the Six Fan School matter.”

“I didn’t really do anything. You said to see if Aunt Hong’s affection for me might make her speak up, so I went to try. I didn’t expect it would really work.” She smiled happily and took another bite of the bun.

Wuqing naturally knew it wasn’t that simple behind the scenes, and the most crucial person was still her. He naturally wouldn’t say anything about it, only saying flatly, “Next, I need to focus on handling Six Fan School matters. We probably won’t be able to meet for a while. Otherwise, having just taken office and not attending to proper business, your mother will be unhappy. Don’t sneak out either…”

Before he finished speaking, she nodded repeatedly. “I understand. I’ll obediently stay in the palace during this period and wait until you achieve some results. Then Mother will change her opinion – she still loves me very much. Now she’s not as opposed as before and is giving you a chance.”

Wuqing sneered inwardly but remained calm on the surface, pulling her up. “It’s getting late. I’ll send you back to the palace.”

Lian Xin was reluctant to part, but she knew Wuqing was a disciplined person and she couldn’t delay him, so she smiled and nodded.

Wuqing went forward to untie the horse’s reins. Just as he was about to lead the horse over, he heard her say from behind, “Wuqing, why do you hardly ever smile? What would make you happy?”

No one had ever asked him this question. Hearing her ask so seriously, the coldness in Wuqing’s heart deepened. He slowly turned around. “You’ve probably heard about my background. My family died in martial world conflicts, and I myself was severely injured, beginning a completely different life. I don’t know what there is to be happy about in such experiences.”

Lian Xin stared blankly. She had heard his story from Life Chaser and the others. She could always sense that cold, deep melancholy about him, as if no one could enter, nothing could melt it.

“I used to think you liked Susu, but later I finally understood why you’re so good to her. She’s not only a good person – having suffered herself, she’s still willing to help others, sometimes even risking her life. And your backgrounds are similar. Seeing her, you must want to protect her.” She said softly. “But she can still smile, while you can no longer smile.”

Wuqing held the horse’s reins in his hand. Hearing this, he suddenly gave a somewhat mocking smile.

“Perhaps it’s because I’m a man and she’s a woman. When she’s tired, she can choose to let go, choose to forget. But I cannot. I carry responsibilities and never dare forget.”

“Wuqing, you hope to control the Six Fan School – besides wanting to protect Susu, do you also hope that someday you can return to where the hatred began and personally take revenge?”

In the hazy morning light, she smiled slightly as she asked, without a trace of blame on her face. She didn’t include herself among those he said he wanted to protect, as mentioned in his letter.

Wuqing was slightly surprised. After all, she was a child raised in the imperial palace – no matter how foolish, there was still a limit.

He didn’t hide it from her and slowly nodded. Lian Xin gazed at him. “I hope you can fulfill your heart’s desire.”

After saying this, she saw him in the distance smile slightly. “I accept the princess’s good wishes.”

Rarely seeing him smile, Lian Xin felt both heartache and great joy.

But what Wuqing was thinking at this moment was: If you knew what I truly desired, you would never dare mention those words again in this lifetime. Of course, he didn’t say this to her. Even if he had, she might have detected something else, but he was always cautious about revealing his emotions. His few words with her just now had already revealed much of his inner feelings. It was somewhat excessive.

“Let’s go.” He stroked the horse’s mane and reminded her again.

But Lian Xin’s gaze turned toward a place, saying, “Give me another half hour, please?”

A flash of predatory intent passed through his lowered eyes, but at this juncture, he couldn’t refuse her more, only saying, “Alright, but don’t delay too long. If you return late, your mother won’t be happy.”

Lian Xin smiled and came up to take his hand. “Let’s go to that temple. Since we won’t be able to meet for a long time, I want to pray for a peace amulet for you. I actually don’t know how to pray for such things, but I want to pray for one for you. I’ve seen palace maids sometimes go out and do this for… people they care about.”

Speaking of this, her voice grew quiet, showing some bashfulness.

Wuqing scoffed inwardly. Ordinary daughters often imitated noble ladies, from fashionable clothing and jewelry to makeup styles… He never expected that a princess of a nation would instead imitate common people, doing such a childish thing.

Fine, he only had to endure another half hour.

He was about to lift her onto the horse, but Lian Xin shook her head. “Let’s walk up. To pray to the gods and Buddha, we must walk up to be sincere enough.”

Wuqing watched her get into character, feeling even more absurd and mocking inwardly, but he only grasped her soft hand. “Let’s go.”

The mountain had long stairs, and many people climbed step by step. Seeing the two looking like a perfect couple in luxurious clothes, they curiously took extra looks.

The two reached the temple entrance and saw that this mountain temple had its own imposing dignity, with incense burning continuously. The devotion here was so strong that even those without faith in the divine could feel its presence. Lian Xin, alone, stepped inside.