Childhood… promise? Where did this come from?

I suddenly remembered that line from the Tang Heart Record: “Big Brother left, and A’Tang waited for him under the maple tree for a whole day, but he still didn’t come. He didn’t keep his promise with A’Tang.”

Good heavens, could this Lu fellow be the Big Brother I’ve been thinking about?

At this moment, Song Langsheng asked: “What promise?”

Lu Lingjun snorted: “Why should I tell someone like you? I heard from Brother Bai that actually you…”

I immediately pushed open the door and appeared before them. Lu Lingjun stopped speaking and stared at me in bewilderment: “Brother Bai, how are you here…”

Just as I was about to answer, I heard him say with sudden realization: “You… could it be you’ve already been with the Princess…”

I wiped cold sweat: “Brother Lu, actually I am…”

Lu Lingjun pressed his long sword tightly against Song Langsheng’s neck, his eyes gleaming: “Brother Bai, rest assured, I absolutely won’t let the Prince Consort have any opportunity to harm you!”

Song Langsheng frowned: “Me? Why would I want to harm her?”

A cold laugh flew from Lu Lingjun’s throat: “You castrated all the Princess’s male favorites, yet you still want to deceive everyone?”

—

Second Update Dividing Line—

I was choked speechless by his words. The Prince Consort wasn’t one to be trifled with—these words hit me right in the spine. Song Langsheng turned his head to look at me, his face cold as ice like a well-worshipped deity: “She told you this?”

Seeing that Lu Lingjun, this big mouth, was about to say more shocking things, I waved my sleeve to cut off his words: “Brother Lu! You’ve been too rash today. Leave quickly.”

Lu Lingjun said: “I must rescue you, otherwise you too will find it hard to escape the Prince Consort’s poisonous hands.”

I didn’t dare look directly at Song Langsheng and earnestly persuaded: “The Prince, Prince Consort isn’t that kind of person. Earlier I was just joking with Brother Lu. In any case… before alarming more people, leave quickly. In the future…”

“What future is there!” Lu Lingjun’s eyes flickered: “Having threatened the Prince Consort like this, how could he possibly let the tiger return to the mountain?”

I said: “The Prince Consort is magnanimous and kind, and won’t hold your actions against you…”

Song Langsheng said coolly: “Who said that?”

When he said this, Lu Lingjun’s attention was focused on me, so when Song Langsheng’s elbow struck backward, Lu Lingjun instinctively dodged, while Song Langsheng effortlessly escaped the sword’s restraint. He untied his belt and said coldly: “Don’t think you can escape.”

Lu Lingjun hastily adjusted his robes: “What do you want to do to me…” After thinking for a moment, his expression relaxed slightly: “But there’s nothing you can do anyway…”

Me: “…”

With a flick of Song Langsheng’s wrist, as the silk strip fell, the belt had already become a soft sword. He held the sword in his right hand, arm extended straight forward in an attacking stance. Before I could voice any objection, the sword had already thrust out.

It was common knowledge that the current Prince Consort could match several martial arts champions and had studied advanced martial arts. Lu Lingjun, you really don’t know your own limitations. Just as I was about to rush forward to stop them, several clanging sounds of clashing blades rang out, and the two had already exchanged dozens of moves in an instant. I stared dumbfounded at Lu Lingjun’s fluid movements, deeply understanding the essence of “appearances can be deceiving.”

The two fought back and forth for about a hundred moves, both showing increasingly spirited expressions. Legend has it that when masters meet masters, they’ll fight for three days and three nights before developing mutual admiration. I was secretly wondering whether I should prepare food for them to share drinks and conversation when Song Langsheng suddenly leaped aside, calmly snapped his fingers, and in the next instant, hidden guards from the manor emerged strangely from rooftops, bushes, trees, and other corners, attacking Lu Lingjun in a group.

I grabbed the Prince Consort who was about to turn away: “Why did you stop fighting?”

Song Langsheng said: “It’s dinner time. I’m hungry.”

Me: “…” They say this person can’t be measured by ordinary standards. Why do I keep forgetting this?

Seeing Lu Lingjun trapped in a new battle circle, being captured was only a matter of time. I said: “Let him go.”

Song Langsheng said indifferently: “If the Princess orders them to stop, they’ll naturally stop.”

If that were the case, Lu Lingjun would question why the Princess Manor’s hidden guards would follow orders from a mere male favorite.

Although I had wanted to confess to Lu Lingjun earlier, at this moment I changed my mind.

I grabbed Song Langsheng and said: “Why don’t you let him take me away?”

Song Langsheng seemed not to have heard clearly: “What did you say?”

I cleared my throat: “Let him take me away first. I’ll explain to you later.”

Song Langsheng’s face darkened: “If you don’t explain clearly, why should I listen to you?”

I said: “Because I’m the Princess.”

Song Langsheng froze.

I said: “I’m the master of this manor. Isn’t that right?”

Song Langsheng probably hadn’t expected me to use my princess status to block him at such a moment. His expression changed, then he said: “This is the first time since your amnesia that you’ve spoken to me this way.”

I didn’t respond. He looked at Lu Lingjun, who was still dealing with the hidden guards: “Is it because of him? Or because of the promise he mentioned?”

I shook my head: “I have my reasons and can maintain proper limits, so… I hope the Prince Consort can trust me.”

Song Langsheng’s long eyebrows rose, something seemed to flash in his eyes, then he turned his head away, ordered the hidden guards to retreat, and waved at Lu Lingjun: “Since the Princess is willing to release you, I won’t go against her wishes. Do as you please.”

He was indeed sulking. After speaking, he didn’t linger, and left. His red robe hem was like a swimming fish—with a flick of its tail, it disappeared.

Lu Lingjun, somewhat breathless and supporting himself with his sword, stepped forward in surprise and asked me: “Did the Princess really say that?” He then peered into the room, saying somewhat disappointedly: “Since the Princess remembers me, why won’t she come out to see me?”

Afraid of being exposed, I quickly pulled him along: “Whatever you want to say to her, you’ll have other chances. Let’s go.”

So I inexplicably followed Lu Lingjun in eloping… cough, no, in running away.

He had already prepared a horse. After we rode together for a while, we dismounted. He used his horse whip to viciously strike the horse’s back until it bled, then let it run off by itself. Then he pulled me in the opposite direction at a quick pace, clearly fearing the Prince Consort might change his mind and follow the hoof prints to catch up.

Seeing him somewhat melancholy, I probed: “Brother Lu, how come I’ve never heard you mention having a childhood promise with the Princess?”

Lu Lingjun sighed: “Anyway, it concerns lifelong matters. In short, I was one step too late.”

I held my breath. The meaning in these words seemed to coincide with what was in the Tang Heart Record. “May I ask what year Brother Lu was born?”

Lu Lingjun asked strangely: “Why ask this?”

“Brother Lu risked danger to save me. From now on, you’re Brother Bai’s sworn brother. Thinking about it this way, I don’t even know which of us should be the elder brother. How can we speak of being close friends?”

Lu Lingjun said: “I was born at the end of the Renchen year, twenty-one years old.”

I said: “Your younger brother is slightly younger by one year.”

Lu Lingjun smiled: “If that’s the case, from now on I’ll call you worthy younger brother, and you can call me Big Brother Lu. I can still bear that title.”

I nodded while thinking—as a child, calling an equally childish and unreliable brat “Big Brother”? My brain must have been stung and swollen by bees.

I asked: “Then… when you made the promise with the Princess, about how young were you?”

“Hmm… I was about ten years old then.”

Ten years old? I married the Prince Consort when I was eighteen. Even if the Tang Heart Record’s mention of marriage referred to when I eloped with Han Fei, counting back four years, he should have been at least fourteen, right? So he really isn’t Big Brother. That’s right—if he were Big Brother, how could he not recognize my face when he saw me?

I breathed a sigh of relief, then while exhaling couldn’t help but wonder why I was relieved, and why I seemed to have been unwilling to believe he was Big Brother from the start. What would be wrong with Lu Lingjun being Big Brother? He’s handsome, humorous, passionate, accomplished in both literature and martial arts—quite an excellent young man. But speaking of which, what promise did I make with him when I was nine? And why does he think Princess Xiangyi would use this promise to exchange for Bai Yujing?

Lu Lingjun noticed I kept stealing glances at him, so he returned the look: “What? Are you discovering how handsome and suave I am and feeling incredibly jealous and regretful…”

“Why did you want to save me?” I asked. “Actually, Brother Lu and I are just chance acquaintances. There’s no need to use a promise you value to make this exchange. You… didn’t you always want to enter the Princess Manor as a male favorite?”

Lu Lingjun shook his head thoughtfully: “It’s a matter of life and death…”

“It’s not like I’d lose my life…”

“A man’s vital part is more important than his life… Besides,” Lu Lingjun smiled at me slightly, “Brother Bai is very different. I can’t say exactly how, but just thinking of you suffering that kind of torment makes me feel terrible. This is probably what they mean by ‘growing old together while barely knowing each other, yet feeling like old friends at first meeting.'”

I said: “What a fine ‘growing old together while barely knowing each other, yet feeling like old friends at first meeting.’ I wonder how Brother Lu plans to deal with this younger brother who feels like an old friend?”

Lu Lingjun stopped and pointed at the high tiles and red pillars ahead: “Here. Are you interested, younger brother?”

Sure enough, Lu Lingjun brought me here.

I controlled my face to keep from smiling and leisurely looked at those three large golden characters on the blue plaque—Imperial Academy—

Third Update Dividing Line—

Lu Lingjun had no relatives in the capital, and having impulsively come to rescue me, regardless of what he planned next, given his personality, he would treat the most dangerous place as the safest place.

So the Imperial Academy was the best place to hide from prying eyes.

The Imperial Academy had strict security, with rules governing halls, lodging, and meals. Since it was past the time for free entry and exit, Chengxian Street was quite deserted, and we didn’t attract much attention.

I asked: “Are we going in through the main gate?”

Lu Lingjun smiled: “Brother Bai, you’re too humorous.”

Humorous Brother Bai: “…”

So Lu Lingjun, whose qinggong was passable, took me over eaves and walls, through a small path around the Imperial Academy gate straight to the student dormitory building. Seeing how smoothly he managed this route, it wasn’t hard to imagine how much he normally disliked using the main entrance, enjoying this assassin-like experience.

What I found strange was that we encountered almost no one along the way. Logically, even if students were eating or resting on schedule, we shouldn’t see none of the doctors, assistant instructors, or teaching staff either.

Lu Lingjun brought me into his room, secured the door, and pulled out a set of student’s blue robes from the wardrobe. While changing, he said: “Tonight at xu hour there’s an auspicious ceremony in the Biyong Hall. Everyone’s gathered there. Stay here and don’t wander around. I’ll hurry over, and after the ceremony I’ll visit the Chancellor to explain your situation, then make further plans.”

I nodded. Lu Lingjun gave a few more brief instructions, put on his scholar’s cap, and rushed out.

I was about to secure the door when suddenly a black hand pressed against the door handle, stopping me. Well, actually the hand itself wasn’t black, but the sky was dim and shadows were heavy, so I couldn’t see the person clearly. I sighed: “Prince Consort, you arrived quite quickly…”

It goes without saying—he still couldn’t rest easy and followed. That Lu Lingjun hadn’t noticed at all along the way, which proved the Prince Consort’s qinggong skills were slightly superior.

Song Langsheng unceremoniously pulled me along. His action left me completely confused: “Hey?” Seeing he ignored me, I added: “You’re not thinking of taking me back, are you?”

Song Langsheng finally let go of my sleeve and stopped: “Has the Princess had enough of this farce?”

I said: “I’m not causing trouble.”

Song Langsheng sneered: “You don’t still want to spend the night sharing a room with that student, do you?”

“I’m telling you.” I pointed at his nose: “Don’t use that tone, expression, and manner to speak to me. It makes me think you’re jealous.”

Song Langsheng blurted out instinctively: “I am jeal…” Then he stopped himself, coughed lightly: “The Princess said you’d give me an explanation. Now that no one’s around, let’s hear it. Why did you come here?”

I said: “The Crown Prince hopes Han Fei can serve as surveillance commissioner for this Jiangsu-Zhejiang assignment, but he refused. He didn’t clearly state his reason for refusing, but it’s because of Fang Yachen, and Fang Yachen is a teaching doctor here at the Imperial Academy.”

A trace of doubt appeared in Song Langsheng’s expression: “If you want to approach this through Fang Yachen, you could meet him directly. Why go to such lengths?”

I shrugged: “I don’t understand Fang Yachen yet. What would I say when I meet him? If I ask too much, I’ll expose my amnesia, which would be counterproductive. Some things are better seen with your own eyes. Having a foundation in your heart allows you to plan before acting.”

Song Langsheng remained silent.

I pushed his arm: “Why do you always look so unwilling?”

Song Langsheng pressed his lips together, his tone as light as evening mist on a mountainside: “The Princess seems more willing to stay with them.”

Them? Does “them” refer to… my male favorites?

I bent down to glimpse his downcast expression and laughed: “You’re not really jealous, are you?”

Song Langsheng glared at me fiercely: “What’s wrong with me not wanting the Princess to associate with these people?”

Seeing him speak so seriously, I couldn’t help but find it amusing: “I’m doing this precisely because I don’t want to have any more entanglements with them.”

Song Langsheng turned his head: “Sophistry.”

Under the moonlight, Song Langsheng’s brow showed displeasure. Someone like him, independent and outstanding by nature, should be composed and unhurried. When had he ever been so unreasonable?

I reached out to turn his head so he’d look directly at me: “Prince Consort, from when you found me after my amnesia until now, it’s been three months, hasn’t it?”

Song Langsheng made a noncommittal “mm” sound.

“Do you know what my strongest feeling about my past self is?”

Song Langsheng looked puzzled.

I said: “Disgust.”

Song Langsheng was slightly startled.

I said earnestly: “I really, really hate Princess Xiangyi. I hate how she bullied others using her power, hate her terrible reputation, hate her crowd of male favorites. I completely refuse to, don’t dare to believe that I am her. When you told me I forced you to be Prince Consort and threatened you using your family, do you know what I was thinking? I wanted to leave, to run far away. I even thought it would be better to lose my memory forever and stay somewhere else rather than become her.”

“The Princess isn’t that kind of person.”

Song Langsheng looked at me, and I looked back into his clear eyes. For a moment, the feelings in my heart were hard to describe.

I said: “What kind of person I am—actually, you don’t understand either, do you?”

Song Langsheng was startled again.

I asked: “Everything you’ve told me about myself before—it’s all true, isn’t it? Although… mm, although you’ve indeed hidden quite a few things from me, perhaps… some unpleasant memories of how you treated me that you don’t want to mention. But at least I can feel your concern for me, which makes me think… I probably wasn’t as worthless as the rumors suggest. So I want to do my best to clean up all those male favorites and rumors in the manor. Do you understand now?”

Song Langsheng paused, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight: “Isn’t the Princess supposed to feel strange and wary toward everyone around her since losing her memory?”

I relaxed my brow: “Don’t all relationships between people start from being strangers? Just like how I don’t feel so unfamiliar or guarded with you now…”

Song Langsheng glanced at me: “So you’ve been guarded against me all along…”

I laughed awkwardly: “That’s not the point now. Certainly, compared to my past sorrows and joys, my future happiness and anger are more important. Since we have to stay together, we should…”

Song Langsheng interrupted: “What did you say?”

“What what?”

“You said…” Song Langsheng stammered slightly: “We stay together?”

I said strangely: “Of course. You’re the Prince Consort. If you don’t stay with the Princess, do you want to stay with the male favorites in the manor instead?”

Dark clouds like thick ink covered the crescent moon, and everything suddenly became pitch black. When the clouds drifted past, I saw that indifferent expression again. I said: “After saying so much, can you let me go now?”

Song Langsheng didn’t answer.

I called out several times before he said: “What does the Princess plan to do about court affairs while hiding in the Imperial Academy?”

I said: “It’s only half an hour’s ride from our manor. I’ll go back to check whenever I’m free. Just a few days—I should be able to manage.”

Song Langsheng said: “Since the Princess has decided, I won’t try to dissuade you further.”

After speaking, he leaped and disappeared into the dark night.

I stared stiffly at his departing figure, feeling an urge to scratch my head—what’s with this dejected manner? I don’t know the way back, and the Prince Consort might be in danger.

And indeed, something did happen.

Just as I was wandering around in confusion, taking seven turns and eight detours hoping to circle back to Lu Lingjun’s room, an ominous voice behind me said: “Which academy are you a student of? Why are you loitering here during the ceremony?”

I seemed to have run into an Imperial Academy patrol doctor.

My instinctive reaction was to run, and I ran for quite a distance, alarming everyone in the academy before realizing I could have simply revealed my identity to that person.

The end result was people everywhere carrying lanterns searching, constantly hearing people shout things like “An assassin has infiltrated the Imperial Academy” and “Investigate immediately.”

I barely managed to hide in an empty room, reflecting that a dignified princess brought to the Imperial Academy by an assassin who broke into the Princess Manor, then mistaken for an assassin herself—life truly is as varied and graceful as theater.

In plays, the protagonists always turn misfortune into fortune at critical moments. Just as I was wondering if I had that kind of luck, I suddenly heard someone outside say: “Chancellor, should we have someone search this room for assassins first?”

My heart tightened, but I heard a calm, quiet voice: “No need. If it were really an assassin, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to break into Jingyi Pavilion’s guest room. You may withdraw first.”

“Yes.”

I realized it was too late to hide and heard a creaking sound as someone entered, then… we stared directly at each other.

Strictly speaking, we were face to face—truly a precarious situation.

I carefully looked by moonlight and saw this person standing straight in the cool breeze, an air of refined elegance seeming to ward off the cold, serene as an immortal banished from heaven.

The immortal only paused for an instant before calmly securing the door and lighting the oil lamp in the room. He smiled at me, his voice as pure as orchids: “What wind has blown Princess Your Highness here?”

I swallowed and said uncertainly: “Wei… Qingheng?”

He laughed softly, kindly: “It’s only been a year since we met. Surely the Princess still recognizes me?”

A line from Lu Lingjun flashed through my mind: He served as the Princess’s junior tutor before her coming-of-age ceremony, staying at the Princess Manor for only half a year. After leaving, he went straight to serve as an Academician, and now also serves as Imperial Academy Chancellor.

Wei Qingheng—I never imagined he was such a person.

Author’s Note:

Heh… heh heh heh heh… I finally finished coding this chapter… it was so difficult… The plot so far has been quite peaceful and pleasant… everyone feels happy, right… heh heh heh heh… the abuse is coming soon… heh heh heh heh…

This Yi Shou Zhe Tian Yi Shou Chui Di – Chapter introduces Wei Qingheng. Hmm… I can clearly say he won’t be the final male lead, but he’s a very, very important character. Not scheming, intelligent, strong, calm, composed, excellent character, no danger to the Princess, a guiding light in darkness, blah blah blah…

Actually in my original conception, he was the male lead… then through various changes, I still left the beauty in heaven. A vulgar person like the Princess should still mix with vulgar people, blah blah blah… okay, no more spoilers…

I’ll try to update the next Yi Shou Zhe Tian Yi Shou Chui Di – Chapter in 3 days… everyone can comment freely, mwah mwah mwah…

(This author spent 2 days over the weekend holed up writing and got a bit delusional, so I hope everyone will be understanding…)