Unlike the common people who were just listening to gossip and excitement, the You father and son understood the great significance of the Imperial Crown Princess’s action. Before this, they had vaguely investigated that the Liaodong heir was following the Imperial Crown Princess, and the two had considerable private feelings. Many people in the court now knew about this matter. Previously, because of their opposing identities, both the Imperial Crown Princess and those around her had maintained an attitude of secrecy about this, since a Crown Princess of one nation falling in love with an heir of an enemy state was not only shocking to the world but also involved the relationship, situation, direction between the two countries, and the stability of the entire court—a matter of great importance.
According to the You father and son’s thinking, if the Imperial Crown Princess wanted to be with him, she should never make this public for her entire life. As long as that heir was willing, she could keep him as a hidden lover. But this matter had endless hidden dangers and would inevitably be used as ammunition by others. Don’t look at how those court ministers were all pretending not to know now—when certain critical moments came, this would be a powerful weapon that could be thrown out anytime to attack the heir apparent.
So You Jun had always firmly believed that between the Imperial Crown Princess and this heir, it was nothing more than casual play. The Imperial Crown Princess would absolutely not be willing to make enemies of all civil and military officials for this heir, affecting her great position; this heir also definitely wouldn’t be willing to abandon his emperor-like Liaodong princely position to become a woman’s forbidden plaything hidden from light.
Otherwise, why would the “Chronicles of Compassion” printed throughout the world not mention this person at all? From this one could deduce that whether it was that Master He or the imperial family, they all favored Da Qian’s youngest academy dean, Rong Pu.
You Jun had already guessed that those big shots in the court were probably keeping this matter as a secret weapon, waiting to deploy it at critical moments. For instance, when Yannan was recovered and the Imperial Crown Princess was at the height of her power.
But no one had expected that the Imperial Crown Princess would actually choose to publicly reveal her relationship with Murong Yi here in Yannan, at this moment under everyone’s gaze!
Wasn’t she afraid of subsequent attacks from the entire court? Wasn’t she afraid this would diminish her possible unprecedented achievement of recovering Yannan? Wasn’t she afraid Liaodong would take the opportunity to muddy the waters with divisive schemes? The great king of Liaodong now was not easy to deal with!
Although You Jun didn’t believe Tie Ci could smoothly recover Yannan, thinking from her perspective, now was definitely not a good time to announce this forbidden romance.
You Jun’s expression kept changing.
You Weixing snapped his folding fan shut with a “pop,” thinking of that black-clothed beauty’s sharp glance just now, wondering who exactly was whose forbidden plaything?
Before the carriage, Murong Yi quietly listened to Tie Ci’s narration, remembering their journey together, gradually smiling and gripping Tie Ci’s hand tighter.
Although he hadn’t expected Tie Ci would choose to make their relationship public at this moment, he was naturally happy to see it happen. After all, ever since his identity was exposed, Tie Ci had seemed full of concerns and had once been unwilling to get close to him. He understood in his heart that this wasn’t Tie Ci being angry about his concealment, nor entirely Tie Ci worrying about the impact on herself—it was more that she was thinking of him. After all, Tie Ci’s imperial father was very loving and wouldn’t make things difficult for him, but his old man was the iron-hearted Liaodong powerful prince with whom he had a terrible relationship.
But obviously she had thought it through now.
Murong Yi’s smile deepened.
Indeed, before life and death there were no great matters. Having a close brush with death once, gaining Tie Ci’s resolution of her inner conflicts and frank acceptance—it was worth it.
On the carriage, Tie Ci’s gaze swept over the people listening with great interest and the Yannan officials with complex expressions, finally saying with a smile: “Speaking of it, he and I have opposing identities, belonging to enemy sides. Along our journey, we’ve faced considerable difficulties…”
From outside the crowd, immediately someone who was listening entranced shouted loudly: “What’s there to fear about opposing identities? Having crossed so many life-and-death situations, what else can’t be let go?”
“Exactly! With such deep feelings and righteous bonds, trusting each other with life and death, what else matters? Just face it together. If they separated because of those unimportant reasons, that would truly be regrettable.”
Others shouted even louder: “Imperial Crown Princess, you said you admire our Yannan’s free customs—you must have felt something in your heart, right? Since you’ve come to our Yannan, learn from us. If you like someone, then like them! If you fancy them, drag them to your bamboo house—you can have a fat baby next year!”
“Right, right! When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Murong Yi’s eyes lit up and he immediately cupped his hands in thanks, causing a burst of laughter.
The atmosphere immediately became cheerful and lively.
You Jun sighed.
No matter whether the Imperial Crown Princess made her private feelings public at this time as a counterattack or for some other reason, ultimately she had won easily again.
Making private feelings public—in other places of Da Qian, this might not have such good effects and would inevitably be drowned by many people’s spittle. Only in Yannan was this the best method to be accepted by the people.
Yannan was inherently a lively, passionate, free land where love meant wishing life and hate meant wishing death.
Their resistance to the court was actually fear that the court with its strict rules, once it reclaimed Yannan, would place layer upon layer of shackles on Yannan, making them lose that freedom and joy.
Therefore, a natural, generous, frank Imperial Crown Princess who could disregard everything for love could very well dissolve Yannan people’s wariness and gain the greatest foundation of popular support.
It could be said this was more useful than all the previous series of tactics.
The Imperial Crown Princess adapted to local conditions, catering to preferences—a brilliant move. It both resolved current attacks and laid a good foundation of public opinion for possible future court backlash. Today’s speech, after being embellished and beautified by Yannan people who loved such love stories, would slowly spread to various places of Da Qian and gradually be accepted by Da Qian’s people. In the future, when court big shots wanted to use this to incite popular sentiment, it would be difficult.
You Jun took out a chess piece from his sleeve, held it for a long time, but never put it in his mouth.
Over there, someone in the crowd was about to say something when Murong Yi suddenly raised his hand. A sharp wind shot out and that person about to speak fell down, blood streaming from the corners of his mouth.
The people looked over in confusion. Murong Yi said blandly: “Knowing you were about to spout nonsense, I knocked out your teeth first.”
Before people could find this domineering, Tie Ci was already laughing: “In that case, I’ll answer the second accusation about the southern tour debauchery, jealousy leading to murder cases. I dare ask everyone, how could those powerless Qian Zhou officials curry favor and seek attention under the watchful eyes of this person beside me? And with him by my side, what spell would I be under to seek others, changing bridegrooms nightly? I ask you all, if you had him by your side and someone offered to trade him for a hundred others, would you trade?”
Roars of laughter, everyone shouted in unison: “No trade!”
“With such a fierce lion from Hedong beside you, if someone gave you a hundred beautiful men and told you to stray, would you dare?”
The laughter grew louder: “Wouldn’t dare!”
Murong Yi smiled.
Divine light scattered and gathered, bright and clear, dazzling everyone’s eyes.
All felt that the previous “no trade” and “wouldn’t dare” were truly the most honest words they’d ever spoken in their lives.
That business about the Crown Princess being debauched, nightly summoning officials, jealousy leading to murder—thinking about it now, it was so absurd as to be laughable.
With such a murderously beautiful person at her side, and with such deep feelings, the Imperial Crown Princess didn’t have the courage to stray, much less the heart to stray. If she wanted to stray, why would she let him accompany her? Did she really want to see her officials die in batches first?
Even thinking with one’s toes, it wouldn’t happen.
The people laughed and dispersed, some even giving Tie Ci thumbs up: “The Crown Princess can’t pass the beautiful man test!”
Tie Ci laughed loudly in response: “That’s right!”
The Yannan people liked this frankness, their gazes becoming even more gentle.
The Yannan officials were just the opposite, their expressions gloomy.
The crowd dispersed slightly. This time without much explanation, they naturally followed on both sides of the Crown Princess’s carriage, unwilling to leave. Tie Ci ordered the surrounding guards to withdraw. Bu Qing immediately waved his hand, withdrawing the archers occupying high ground. Wan Ji was unwilling, riding close and saying softly: “Your Highness, what if assassins are still hidden among these people… these young masters are still here.”
Tie Ci smiled and waved her hand. Wan Ji didn’t dare say more and ordered the guards to make way.
So children chased the carriage wheels running and laughing, young people walked beside the carriage stealing glances at the Imperial Crown Princess, and most bold were those girls in colorful skirts—flowers were constantly thrown into the carriage. Some were thrown toward Murong Yi’s side, but more were actually thrown toward Tie Ci’s side.
Tie Ci held the fresh flowers on her knees, glancing sideways at Murong Yi. She had wanted to tease him about having more flowers, but turning to see his slightly lowered gaze, she was startled, thinking this guy wouldn’t even be jealous of women’s flowers, right? She immediately didn’t dare provoke him and hurriedly gathered the flowers on her knees, pulled out a section from the ribbon binding her hair, bundled and tied the flowers, then held them up with both hands to give to Murong Yi: “Fresh flowers for a beauty!”
Murong Yi glanced at her and hooked his finger, drawing her along with the flowers into his embrace.
The golden silk bamboo curtain was hazy, vaguely reflecting the silhouettes of the two people. Outside immediately rang out various strange laughter and cheers, along with women’s giggling.
Tie Ci didn’t get up, pillowing her head on Murong Yi’s thigh and smiling leisurely: “I heard from my master that where she comes from, giving flowers is something men do for women—one of the essential heart-attacking weapons for pursuing women. There, men must rack their brains to pursue women. As long as it doesn’t involve privacy, doesn’t make people uncomfortable, and isn’t persistent harassment, it’s all allowed—moreover, it’s open and aboveboard, without fear.”
Murong Yi stroked her head, his five fingers scratching lightly through her satin-like hair, making Tie Ci hum comfortably and completely forget her dissatisfaction.
Murong Yi smiled lazily: “You speak as if I never pursued you. Though my original intention in going to Ziyang wasn’t for you, staying afterward was truly for you. As for the academy later, though I had to deal with Fourth Brother, I could actually deal with him anywhere. Choosing the academy—wasn’t it because you were at the academy? If this doesn’t count as pursuit, then the fish in Floating Yellow Flowing Ink and Lingering Fragrance Lake, and the chickens in the supervisor’s coop would all cry from injustice.”
“You still have the face to mention Floating Yellow Flowing Ink? I heard Teacher Zhu really shed tears when writing elegies for his beloved geese and fish. If he knew…”
“If he knew you ate them deliciously and even praised Floating Yellow’s meat flavor, I suppose by tomorrow there’d be a resignation letter on your desk and the Imperial Academy students would be staging a sit-in outside Ruixiang Hall.”
The two looked at each other and each chuckled mischievously. Tie Ci lifted the curtain and called to You Jun and others on horseback ahead: “Commander You, I hear that from the prince’s mansion down, Yannan has always cherished the people. I suppose at this moment you certainly wouldn’t mind celebrating with the people?”
You Jun turned and came before the carriage, smiling: “Your Highness speaks truly.”
Then he beckoned, and a group of high officials including the Yannan Administrative Commissioner hurriedly turned around to walk alongside the people on both sides of the carriage. Only You Jun’s expression looked good—the rest didn’t look pleased.
Tie Ci paid no attention to these people’s expressions, only thinking that You Jun was demonstrating his control over Yannan’s officialdom. She just smiled.
Anyway, since you’re all in this crowd, if there are assassins you’ll have to block them. How does it feel to hold your nose and help the enemy block bullets?
The carriage proceeded forward amid the escort, heading directly to the Yannan Prince’s mansion. When they were about to reach the main gate of the mansion, Tie Ci suddenly ordered the carriage to stop, got down and gazed at the vast Yannan Prince’s mansion that occupied a wide area like a small city, smiling: “The prince’s mansion has such grand bearing.”
At this time, the ceremonial gate of the Yannan Prince’s mansion opened, and two rows of servants hurried out to welcome them.
You Jun bowed slightly in invitation.
Tie Ci looked around but said: “I’ve come to the doorstep, yet the hosts don’t come to greet me?”
You Jun smiled: “I reported to Your Highness earlier that the female heir is about to marry and shouldn’t show herself in public…”
Tie Ci interrupted him: “If Weixuan can’t come, what about Weixing?”
Many Yannan officials’ expressions changed slightly. The Imperial Crown Princess addressed those two with such intimate and familiar tone.
Everyone had vaguely heard that the Imperial Crown Princess had been schoolmates with those two at the academy, but the academy had later experienced upheavals, replaced Xiao family personnel, students went on expeditions, then came under Rong Pu’s management. It had been cleaned and screened several rounds, so most information hadn’t leaked out, let alone to distant Yannan. Therefore, this side only knew about the schoolmate matter but felt that with over a thousand students at the academy and the Imperial Crown Princess’s brief time there, she might not even be familiar with these two, and even if she knew them, couldn’t possibly have developed any deep friendship.
Especially You Weixing—in everyone’s minds, he was just a fool. The Imperial Crown Princess went to the academy to recruit He Zi and win over literati—how could she possibly pay attention to a fool?