Chapter 44: Getting What One Wished For

Chapter 44: Getting What One Wishes

Not long after Chief Constable Zhou left, a plump and beautiful woman stepped out from behind the screen—it was none other than the Princess herself. It turned out she had been eavesdropping on their conversation all along. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes held a shy, bashful look, and she glanced at Yu Xian with a hint of feigned reproach.

"Supervisor Yu, what kind of nonsense were you spouting to Chief Constable Zhou just now? Do you not care about my reputation at all?"

"My Lady, when did you arrive?" Yu Xian asked, feigning "great shock."

The Princess snorted coldly. "If I hadn't come, how would I have known that Supervisor Yu harbored such improper thoughts about me?"

Yu Xian's face went slightly pale. He quickly bowed to apologize. "Chief Constable Zhou is not one to wag his tongue; he would never speak of this recklessly. I was flustered just now and accidentally... spoke the truth. If you wish to punish me, My Lady, I am willing to accept it. But these were my heartfelt words, and even if you punish me, I will not take them back."

Seeing this reaction from Yu Xian—which served as a clear affirmation of her own charm—the corners of the Princess's mouth curled upward. "Alright, alright. I am not truly blaming you. Just make sure not to say such things in front of others in the future."

Yu Xian was stunned for a moment, then feigned pleasant surprise. "You aren't blaming me, My Lady?"

The Princess hummed, "When have I ever blamed you? In the future, both Heng'er and I will still need to rely on you, Supervisor." She cast a sidelong glance at him, filled with a coquettish allure that was truly captivating.

This display made Yu Xian’s heart flutter. He knew their relationship had taken another step forward; the day he would fully embrace the role of the "usurper" was not far off. But he knew not to be too hasty, so he cleared his throat and asked about official business.

"My Lady, how is the packing coming along?"

In truth, the moment Zhou Bo had arrived to request an audience, Yu Xian had urged the Princess to start packing her belongings and leave, which was why he had initially refused to let her meet with the Chief Constable. He hadn't expected her to be so worried about the people of the city that she would come to eavesdrop, only to "accidentally" overhear words that left her both embarrassed and delighted.

The Princess did not answer, her face clouded with worry. "Yu Xian, must we really leave? Perhaps the imperial reinforcements will arrive soon. If we leave, the sky over this city will truly collapse."

As Yu Xian had noted, she was a sentimental woman; Zhou Bo's words earlier had stirred her compassion. Yet, without realizing it, she had begun to call him by his given name rather than his title.

Yu Xian gave a bitter smile. "My Lady, even if we stay, what can we change? The Prince passed away too suddenly, and nothing was arranged. The Prince’s manor’s intelligence network and military power have yet to be consolidated. As it stands, the manor is like a blind and crippled man, while the decades of accumulated wealth have become a piece of fat waiting to be carved. Right now, the lingering prestige of the Imperial Court keeps the chaos in the city at bay, but once the rebels truly attack, our manor will be the thorn in their side. Even if you don't care for yourself, My Lady, you must think of Heng'er."

"Heng'er..."

Her child was her weakness. At the mention of him, the Princess set aside her pity. "I have already had Eunuch Li pack the items; it will all be finished by tomorrow at the latest. By the way, I think I have found the Prince's secret chamber."

Yu Xian’s face lit up, and he couldn't help but step forward. "Really?"

The Princess suddenly smelled the rich, masculine scent radiating from him, and her legs instinctively pressed together. "Yes, really." With a great effort of will, she staggered back two steps. "I will take you to see it."

"Good."

Yu Xian’s attention was captured by the prospect of the late Prince's secret chamber, so he failed to notice the Princess's strange behavior.

...

In the late Prince's study.

*Click, click!*

The Princess turned a candlestick. Behind the bookshelf came the sound of sliding gears, and the shelf moved aside to reveal a solid stone wall, appearing as if it were embedded into the structure.

"Ever since you said the Prince left a secret room in the manor, I have often searched the places he frequented. I actually found it." There was a hint of pride in the Princess's voice.

"Your powers of observation are truly remarkable, My Lady. I am in awe."

Yu Xian’s praise was effortless. At the same time, he attempted to send his spiritual sense through the stone wall to see what lay behind it. To his surprise, he found his sense blocked by the stone; had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have detected the wall at all. No wonder he had visited this study several times and found nothing. He silently reminded himself: spiritual sense is not omnipotent. Even the late Prince had ways to conceal it, let alone the various methods that existed in the world of cultivators.

"My Lady, let me go in first. If there is no danger, you can follow." Yu Xian pushed the stone wall open.

The Princess hurried to say, "Be careful."

"Rest assured, My Lady." Yu Xian flashed a grin. Once the wall was pushed aside, his spiritual sense was no longer obstructed; it was merely a tunnel leading downward, equipped with a few clever mechanisms. He walked through with ease, dismantling the traps one by one.

"My Lady, you may come in now."

With a few flicks of his fingers, sparks flew, igniting the oil lamps left inside the passage. Hearing his voice and seeing the light, the Princess plucked up her courage and lifted her skirt to step down. Perhaps it was due to her nerves, but she slipped on the stairs.

"Ah!"

The Princess braced herself for the sight of her own undignified fall, but a pair of broad, strong arms caught her. She looked up to see Yu Xian’s eyes, filled with concern, shimmering in the lamplight.

"My Lady, are you alright?"

The hot breath from his lips made the Princess tighten her grip on his arms. He had held her just like this last time, and she couldn't help but wonder if the words he had spoken to the Chief Constable earlier were truly meant. Her heart began to race.

"I... I am fine."

Yu Xian, oblivious to the mood, straightened her up and said with a hint of reproach, "Be more careful next time."

"Oh." The Princess lowered her head, acting like a shy young bride.

The moment the words left his mouth, Yu Xian felt he had been too harsh, but before he could correct himself, he saw the look of blossoming infatuation on her face. He pulled her into his arms, and she let out a soft cry as she collapsed against him. Looking down, he could see a patch of snow-white skin beneath her neckline.

"My Lady..." Yu Xian’s voice lowered, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"You still call me My Lady?"

The Princess did not push him away; the dim environment seemed to have bolstered her courage. Hearing this, Yu Xian gave no further thought to the late Prince’s treasures—the greatest treasure was already in his arms.

"Xin'er..."

The Princess’s given name was Ning Xin. The name "Xin'er" had previously been used only by the late Prince and her parents, but now there was one more.

Accompanied by a flurry of rustling sounds, the two lingered at the entrance of the secret chamber for a full hour.

"Xin'er, I am not your enemy; you bit a little too hard just now."

Yu Xian straightened his clothes, revealing a row of neat, fine tooth marks on his shoulder. Fortunately, his physical body had been tempered by magic, making his skin as tough as leather, or the Princess might have actually drawn blood.

The Princess’s face was as red as blood, her eyes brimming with passion, and she huffed, "It’s all your fault."

"I will go up first; you may look around here slowly."

The Princess fled in a mix of shame and anger, thinking to herself that she must have truly lost her mind.