Chapter 38: The Princess's Plea

Chapter 38: The Princess's Plea

In the back courtyard of the Prince’s estate.

"Your Highness, these are the memorials for today. Chief Official Cui says these matters can no longer be delayed and urges you to make a decision as soon as possible."

Two female officials of the estate, dressed in uniforms and possessing a capable air, carried a basket of scrolls and placed them before the Princess.

After the death of Prince Fu, the decision-making for all matters concerning the estate fell upon the Princess—or, to be precise, the young heir. However, as the heir was still a child, the Princess had to act as regent.

Prince Fu was not a mere figurehead; he was a powerful vassal with a fiefdom that functioned like a state within a state. The weight of his authority was beyond ordinary comprehension. Yet, his power could only govern ordinary people. And so, he died.

Facing such a situation, an average person might have been thrilled to hold such power. But the Princess did not care for power; on the contrary, she was weary of political affairs. Faced with the basket of scrolls, she merely waved her hand.

"Tell Chief Official Cui not to send these over next time. Let him handle these matters himself; I do not understand such things."

Chief Official Cui, the administrator of the estate, managed many of its affairs and had long been the Prince’s right-hand man. Although his official rank was not particularly high, his actual power was almost equivalent to that of a Prime Minister, and even the Prefect had to show him respect.

The Princess was no ignorant woman; she had read history and knew the dangers of eunuchs or officials overstepping their bounds. But she feared even more that she would mismanage things, tarnish the Prince’s reputation, and be reviled by the people. Her logic was simple: no matter how much power Chief Official Cui consolidated, he would not dare to offend her and her son. The governance of Changning Prefecture still relied on him, and with the rebel army pressing in, it was not the right time to replace key personnel.

She and her son would just live a few quiet years, and when the heir grew up, they would take the power back. If they were truly pushed to the brink, she could always pack her bags, take the heir, and head to the capital. While that would certainly mean the end of their political influence, it would at least ensure a lifetime of wealth.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The two officials seemed to have expected this. They bowed respectfully and withdrew, though they could not help but glance curiously at the woman standing behind the Princess. Who was this young lady, to be so intimate with the Princess?

"Yulan, you’ve seen it too. Ever since the Prince passed, everything has been pressed upon me. I barely have a moment to breathe, and I’m even starting to show wrinkles at the corners of my eyes."

The Princess looked at Yulan, who was glowing with vitality and becoming increasingly beautiful. She thought of Yu Xian’s gentle and handsome face, and could not help but feel a pang of envy.

"Wasn't it agreed that you would be back in a month? Why did it take so long? Did that Chen Xiao use some secret tactic against you?"

"This, this..."

Yulan stammered, not knowing how to respond. She was not a natural liar, but she could not simply tell the Princess that Yu Xian had taken her to his hometown for several months and nothing at all had happened. Especially now that the Prince was dead, it made Yu Xian look even more like he had been derelict in his duties.

The Princess waited for a long time, but Yulan offered no coherent explanation. She could not help but tap Yulan on the forehead, laughing and chiding:

"You haven't been away from me for long, and you already refuse to tell me the truth? Men are not good things. You protect this retainer Yu so fiercely now—be careful that he doesn't throw you away later."

Hearing the Princess tease her, Yulan summoned her courage and dared to retort, "He wouldn't. My husband would never throw me away."

"You call him husband?" The Princess looked puzzled.

Yulan wore a blissful smile. "My husband has formally taken me in, and he has already accompanied me to meet my parents."

The Princess laughed in surprise. "No wonder you wouldn't tell me the truth. So that’s what happened. It seems you two were quite busy these past few months."

Yulan’s face turned pale. How had she so foolishly sold her husband out? But then she thought, she was no longer the Princess’s maid. Her husband had said she would never be anyone’s servant again, and with him by her side, she had nothing to fear. Taking a deep breath, the fear in her heart gradually dissipated.

The Princess watched this, feeling even more favorably disposed toward Yu Xian.

"It is good that he has given you a status, but as someone who has been through it, I must give you a piece of advice."

"What is it?" Yulan asked, confused.

"Have a child early. A woman’s charm fades, and affection with it. Only a child is your true security." The Princess spoke with deep emotion.

Back then, she was the daughter of a Minister of Rites. Prince Fu had encountered her by chance and been unable to forget her. To marry her, he had been willing to give up the throne, petitioning the former Emperor for a marriage decree and moving to Changning Prefecture early. The Prince’s choice of love over the empire had moved her deeply. Yet, only two years after entering the estate, the Prince’s interest in her had waned significantly. It was only after she bore him the heir that his attitude improved; though he never showered her with the same intense devotion as before, they remained respectful to one another.

Yulan instinctively touched her stomach, feeling secretly distressed. She knew the importance of having a child, but her belly had not been cooperative, wasting so many opportunities in vain.

Just as the atmosphere grew somber, the Princess suddenly thought of something and asked, "Yulan, can you promise me one thing?"

Without realizing it, the Princess had changed her tone.

Yulan replied quickly, "Please, Your Highness, just tell me. If it is within my power, I will surely do it." The Princess had been a great benefactor to her, and she had long wished to repay her.

The Princess smiled faintly. "It is a very simple matter. I want retainer Yu to stay in the estate and protect Heng’er until he grows up. I can have Heng’er take him as a master, and I will appoint him as the Chief of Internal Affairs, in charge of all the estate's domestic matters."

To be a master for a day is to be a father for life. For the heir to take a master was a significant gesture.

"Ah?" Yulan was stunned. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "Your Highness, I cannot make decisions for my husband, but I can promise you that I will certainly persuade him to agree."

Just then, a maid’s voice came from outside the door.

"Your Highness, Retainer Yu is here to see you. Will you receive him?"

"Let him come in," the Princess ordered, turning to smile at Yulan. "What a coincidence. We can ask him ourselves. Yulan, you must help me."

Yulan nodded helplessly.

A short while later, guided by the maid, Yu Xian arrived. The door remained open. After all, the Princess was a lady of the court, and being alone in a room with a man would be improper.

"Your Highness, I have returned late," Yu Xian said, bowing in apology.

The Princess gave a bitter smile. "It is fate, and there is no need for you to blame yourself. Since you have returned, I have a request, and I hope you will agree."

Without waiting for Yu Xian to refuse, the Princess repeated her proposal and gave Yulan a look. Yulan had to bite the bullet and chime in:

"Husband, the Princess is working so hard all by herself in the estate. Let us help her. If it weren't for the Princess, I wouldn't be where I am today, and I wouldn't have met you."

Yu Xian did not answer directly, but instead asked, "Why did you choose me, Your Highness? With the prestige of the Prince’s estate, there are many martial arts masters and grandmasters who would be willing to take this job. After all, my reputation has never been very good."

The Princess thought for a moment and replied, "Perhaps it is just a feeling."

"A feeling?" It was an answer Yu Xian had not expected.

The Princess seemed to enjoy the look of bewilderment on his face and said, with a hint of playfulness, "I feel that you are a good man, so I want to try."

In any case, the results couldn't get much worse. She did not ask for much—only that her son grow up safely. Yu Xian, who was unattached, powerful, and free from the constraints of any major faction, was the perfect candidate. Furthermore, that day he had saved her, he had left a unique impression in her heart.

Yu Xian paused, then nodded. "I can agree to your request, Your Highness. But in return, I want you to grant me one condition."

"What is it?"

"I want all the inheritances related to immortal cultivators held within Prince Fu’s estate!"

Yu Xian had finally revealed his true intentions.