Du Juan listened to Chen Xiaobei’s words, her eyes widening in surprise at first. “Young Master, are you trying to send me away?”
Xiaobei looked at her with a hint of pity. He reached out and gently patted her hair.
“How could I possibly send you away? Seeing you reminds me of Huang Ying. But you know you don’t have many friends in Hetou Village, and Qiao Er can’t spend much time with you due to school. If you stay with Princess Ning, you might feel better. Besides, it’s only a few dozen miles from Hetou Village; you can visit Huang Ying anytime.”
After a long silence, Du Juan tentatively said, “Then I’ll have to ask if Senior Sister is willing to take me in.”
Chen Xiaobei let out a long sigh of relief. If he could persuade Du Juan, persuading Princess Zhaoning would be much easier, perhaps even unnecessary. Princess Zhaoning would likely agree to his request without much persuasion.
When Princess Zhaoning heard that Chen Xiaobei had arrived again, she still appeared very respectful and personally welcomed him to the entrance of the main stronghold. Upon seeing Du Juan, she beckoned her closer. “Little Junior Sister, why have you come too?”
Du Juan glanced at Chen Xiaobei and remained silent. Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped forward to explain, “It’s like this, I brought her here. I’d like her to stay for a while.”
Princess Zhaoning’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and she nodded repeatedly. “That’s wonderful, you can stay with me then.”
She then turned to Chen Xiaobei and said, “Brother Xiaobei, let’s go in for tea.”
Inside the council hall, it had been transformed to the point where its original appearance was barely recognizable. It truly was a maiden's heart at work. Not only was it much more meticulously decorated than before, but some areas were adorned with colorful fine threads.
Furthermore, a faint fragrance permeated the air, a vast improvement compared to the fishy and foul odor during Da Lahei’s time.
After a few pleasantries, Chen Xiaobei got straight to the point. “Your Highness, I have a favor to ask of you this time.”
Princess Zhaoning smiled. “Brother Xiaobei, you jest. Just tell me directly what you need, and I will certainly comply.”
“It’s this: in a couple of days, I need to go to the capital to marry Miss Liu Rumei, as arranged by the Emperor.”
“I’d like you to tell me about the customs and protocols involved.”
Princess Zhaoning frowned and thought for a moment.
“By rights, you should be holding the imperial decree at the front, with gongs and drums, making it known throughout the city.”
“Yes, but the Emperor only gave me an oral command, not an imperial decree,” Chen Xiaobei voiced his confusion.
Princess Zhaoning chuckled. “That’s simple enough. At the time, you can send two people to beat gongs in front, and as they beat them, they can loudly proclaim that you are marrying Miss Liu by imperial decree.”
Chen Xiaobei inwardly marveled, thinking, *Can it be done like this?* It was fortunate he came to ask; otherwise, he wouldn’t have thought of such a method.
“What about the rest? Are there any other customs to be aware of?”
Princess Zhaoning nodded. “Just remember to offer your thanks to my father, the Emperor.”
“However, under normal circumstances, the Emperor will not grant you an audience. He will send someone to deliver some congratulatory gifts, and you can take them home then.”
Chen Xiaobei agreed to everything.
“I’ve noted it all down. Thank you for your guidance, Princess.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. By the way, let me know when you plan to depart, and I’ll inform my elder brother to arrange for someone to meet you halfway.”
“No, no, thank you for your kindness, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I can manage on my own.”
As they were speaking, Chun Hua rushed in, holding a small rolled-up piece of paper.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei present, Chun Hua hesitated to speak.
Chen Xiaobei stood up. “Your Highness, I shall take my leave then.”
Princess Zhaoning, however, waved her hand. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Chun Hua, just say what you need to say. Brother Xiaobei is not an outsider.”
Chun Hua then bowed. “Reporting to Your Highness, just now the Crown Prince sent a secret letter from the capital, requesting your personal attention.”
The Princess reached out and took the scroll. After reading it, her expression changed slightly.
“Idiot, fool! Two people watched, and they still lost the spy. Really, it makes me so angry.”
She then turned to Chun Hua and Qiu Yue beside her. “Do you two remember the details of the interrogation of the spy that day? Write them all down for me later; my elder brother needs them.”
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei’s heart skipped a beat. He remembered what Yang Chun had told him – that the spy was snatched away while two officers were fighting.
*Could it be that the Princess sent someone to Wannian City?*
But he couldn’t ask now, as it would make it seem as though he had something to hide.
After complaining a few times, Princess Zhaoning regained her composure and offered Chen Xiaobei a slightly awkward smile. “My subordinates were inefficient, making Brother Xiaobei laugh.”
Xiaobei waved his hand. “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Then I’ll be going back now.”
“Oh, and when you finish the cabbage, let me know. I have plenty in my fields.”
Chen Xiaobei drove the horse carriage back to Hetou Village alone, pondering as he went.
*If this spy is that spy, then Yang Chun has gotten himself into a big mess. This is someone the Crown Prince wants!*
*What excuse should I use to help Yang Chun cover this up, and yet still manage to get this spy to the Crown Prince? Saying he found him halfway wouldn’t work.*
After much thought, he finally decided that the best course of action was to tell the truth. He would bring Yang Chun to see the Crown Prince and plead for mercy.
Upon returning to Hetou Village, Chen Xiaobei shared his plan with Yang Chun. Yang Chun was greatly alarmed.
“I was worried that the two officers were outnumbered and that the spy would be taken away, which is why I…”
Chen Xiaobei nodded. “Yes, tell that to the Crown Prince when you see him. Say that you didn’t know the identity of the two officers, and only after interrogating him did you realize he was a spy from Da Lin. Therefore, you’ve come to present him to the Crown Prince.”
Hearing this, Yang Chun looked worried. “What if the Crown Prince doesn’t accept our explanation…”
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly. “That’s simple too. We’ll stick to our story. I believe even if the Crown Prince wants to save face, he will give you a symbolic reward.”
With their plan settled, Chen Xiaobei returned home and discussed the personnel list for the trip to Wannian City to marry Liu Rumei with Cui Hongyu.
Now that Yang Chun was here, his safety was no longer a major concern.
He would only need to bring three or four village guards with him.
As they were talking, they heard hurried footsteps. Chen Qiao’er ran in breathlessly. “Brother, Brother, Teacher is here.”
Turning to look, he saw Fang Jun and the little girl already at the courtyard entrance.
Chen Xiaobei quickly got up to greet them, cupping his fists.
“Brother, Little Girl, what brings you…”
“Brother Xiaobei, the journey to Wannian City is long, and you are carrying so much wealth. I’m worried, so I want Little Girl to accompany you,” Fang Jun said, cupping his fists.
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand. “There’s no need to worry about that. Yang Chun is enough.” Su Dan Novel Network
The little girl pouted. “Brother Xiaobei, are you looking down on me? Let me tell you, my skills…”
Before she could finish, Cui Hongyu quickly stepped forward and took her hand. “Sister, I know you are skilled in martial arts.”