Chapter 47: Accident

“After I left, the more I thought about it, the more I felt something was wrong. I was worried about Her Highness and decided to turn back and take a look.”

Liu Baiwei’s voice sounded dull, and it was unclear who he was upset with. “Who knew I would see him swaggering out of your room!”

Thinking back to the faint noises in the tent, he felt like he was about to burst!

If it weren’t for Liu Ying’s timely appearance pulling him back, and his ankle was really hurting badly, he would have rushed up to ask clearly. 

Zhao Yan looked at Liu Baiwei’s angrily departing figure, feeling a bit complicated.

Liu Baiwei was the most trusted ally of his elder brother and also the first outsider to recognize her true identity, like a bond connecting all her memories related to Zhao Yan.

After hesitating for a while, she chose to be honest, lowered her eyelashes, and said softly, “I always regarded you as my elder brother. Not telling you about Wen Renlin’s matter was because I was afraid you would be disappointed if you found out.”

Her words were already an indirect admission, and Liu Baiwei turned around in astonishment.

“His Highness and him… didn’t start recently?”

Liu Baiwei was a smart person. Thinking of the time when Zhao Yan was as desolate as a closed shell, he suddenly felt a pang in his chest. “Was it during the Hairpin Banquet? His Highness was not well then?”

Zhao Yan nodded.

“Then His Highness let me do his makeup… also for him?”

Before Zhao Yan could answer, Liu Baiwei was already shocked and stepped back in disbelief. “So, I wasn’t the first man to see His Highness as a girl?”

Keeping this from Liu Baiwei for so long, Zhao Yan felt uneasy.

Now that she confessed, she felt a kind of relief, explaining softly, “During the Hairpin Banquet, I was ambushed by Zhao Yuanyu. It was just… an accident.”

There was a thunderous roar in Liu Baiwei’s mind, and he gasped, clutching his shattered heart.

Liu Baiwei had always been outgoing and passionate. Zhao Yan had never seen him so struck that he couldn’t speak. She couldn’t help feeling sorry and sighed softly, “Sorry.”

“Sorry? Why should Her Highness say ‘sorry’?”

Liu Baiwei’s spirit was jolted back by these two words, his cheeks flushing with anger. “The one who should kneel and apologize, the shameless one who acts superior, shouldn’t it be him?”

Zhao Yan blinked, thinking to herself: Who in this world could make Wen Renlin kneel and apologize? It seemed that person hadn’t appeared yet.

“Did he force Her Highness? Did he threaten Her Highness?”

Liu Baiwei paced back and forth, asking again.

“No.”

Zhao Yan smiled helplessly. Strictly speaking, that time, she forced Wen Renlin.

“How can Her Highness still laugh?” Liu Baiwei was more indignant than being humiliated himself.

Zhao Yan pointed her finger to her chin, her long eyelashes drooping to cover the crimson mole at the corner of her eye, and said softly, “I just think that emperors often favor noble ladies of various clans to balance the court, ultimately for political gains. If that’s the case, why can’t I?”

After saying that, she was startled by her own words. The long-standing secret knot in her heart seemed to have been washed away like a clear spring, suddenly enlightened.

In terms of power and interests, who in the world could compare to the Prince Su? How many people wanted to seek his favor but couldn’t even get close to him? If she could make him her subject, wouldn’t that be triumphant?

“But it can’t be him!” Liu Baiwei rolled up his sleeves. “This person is dangerous and cunning to the extreme. Looking at all the young talents and civil and military officials in the Five Ridges, who isn’t more obedient and suitable than him? Even me…”

The only sister of the Crown Prince, the unrivaled Princess Changfeng, how could she, Xiao Zhao Yan, be tainted by someone like Wen Renlin?!

Liu Baiwei felt choked with anger, but more regretful.

If he had confessed his identity as a man earlier, if he had guarded Princess Changfeng day and night, could he have protected her from being tarnished? Wouldn’t these unfortunate entanglements have happened?

Liu Baiwei slumped against a pillar, feeling dejected. “How am I going to explain to Zhao Yan when I see him in the future…”

Unlike Zhao Yan’s gentle and tolerant nature, Liu Baiwei would explode with anger after a few words. He seemed arrogant and aggressive, but in fact, every word he said was to protect her, truly a sharp-tongued person with a tender heart.

The wind passed through the thousand mountains, and the clouds dispersed.

Warmth filled Zhao Yan’s eyes, and she said earnestly, “Don’t worry, when I see Zhao Yan in the future, I’ll explain it to him myself.”

In the cool pavilion, Cai Tian, who had been listening to the conversation by the corridor, reported every detail back.

“Really? Just an accident.”

Wen Renlin listened to Zhao Yan’s conversation just now, his face pale and handsome, showing no emotion. “The little princess wants to emulate the emperors, using me as a bargaining chip for her own gain…”

He chuckled to himself, the bamboo curtains swaying gently in the breeze of the solitary pavilion, and the distant mountains painted in indigo blur.

Wen Renlin couldn’t help but recall the relaxed and charming atmosphere between them just now, a smile so bright and easy, one that she had never shown in front of him before.

Even holding hands now, very good.

Without even looking back, he followed the person surnamed Liu as they left. It had been a quarter of an hour, and she hadn’t come back to apologize yet. She must have grown wings.

With so many butterflies and bees around her, it’s no wonder she said “first choice” instead of “only choice.”

Wen Renlin toyed with the jade ring on his index finger, a familiar pang in his chest suddenly spreading like ripples.

Is the poison acting up again?

He pressed his hand against his chest, feeling the fleeting remnants of discomfort, his thin lips almost devoid of color. For the time it took to finish a cup of tea, Wen Renlin’s gaze wandered to the empty corridor below. Very well, he had given her a chance.

After a while, Wen Renlin turned around slowly and said, “We will return to the palace the day after tomorrow. There’s no need for the person surnamed Liu to stay.”

Seeing the faint, stunning color in his eyes, Cai Tian was surprised.

It’s been nearly a month since the poison flared up again, but why does the prince’s complexion… look so pale and terrifying?

…

The weather was clear when they returned to the palace, with blue skies and wisps of clouds.

Although Zhao Yan had only stayed in Yuquan Palace for a short twenty days, the events of these twenty days had surpassed those of the past half year. It was like climbing from the foot of the mountain to the waist, no longer obstructed by a single leaf. Despite the fog, what she saw was deeper and broader.

Now she had to return to the imperial city, living the monotonous days between Chongwen Hall and the Eastern Palace, and she truly felt reluctant.

“Where’s Liu Ji?” Zhao Yan glanced around at the neatly arranged palace attendants and the carriages, but she didn’t see Liu Baiwei.

Could it be that the blow was so great that she’s still sulking after staying in seclusion for a day?

Liu Ying stepped forward, fanning herself, and replied, “Just now, Li Fu was sent to ask for preparations. They said it’s not yet tidied up. The sun is getting hotter, Your Highness, please board the carriage first.”

Zhao Yan nodded in agreement. Just as she was about to board the carriage to the Eastern Palace, she saw Cai Tian rushing over with another, more spacious carriage and bowing to her. “Please, Your Highness, ride in this one.”

Zhao Yan recognized this as Wen Renlin’s carriage, so she instructed Liu Ying, “Leave my carriage for Liu Ji. Her foot is still injured, and mine is more comfortable.”

Liu Ying complied and helped Zhao Yan into the carriage of the Prince Su’s residence.

The interior of the carriage was adorned with plush embroidered cushions, and the brocade curtains emitted a faint gleam. On the long table were placed incense burners and ice mirrors, the light fragrance mixed with a trace of coolness, incredibly pleasant.

But Wen Renlin was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Your Highness?” Zhao Yan felt puzzled, lifting the curtain and asking.

With Cai Tian driving the carriage and guards protecting the sides, he respectfully replied, “His Highness has urgent matters to attend to and cannot free himself. He has instructed me to escort Your Highness back to the palace.”

Zhao Yan remembered that Zhang Cang was responsible for the daily security of the prince’s mansion, and this Cai Tian, who appeared and disappeared like a dragon, was usually tasked with capturing spies and other important missions… Why did Wen Renlin send him?

Although puzzled, Zhao Yan didn’t dwell on it and ordered the carriage to set off.

As they descended the mountain road, the green shade receded, and the dappled sunlight seeped through the leaf gaps, making Zhao Yan drowsy.

Perhaps it was the faint scent of incense and the coolness of the surrounding in the carriage, even Liu Ying’s fan slowed down. Zhao Yan found a comfortable position, resting her cheek against her elbow, and closed her eyes.

She hadn’t slept for long when she suddenly heard a chaotic sound of hooves accompanied by cries of alarm.

The carriage abruptly stopped, and Zhao Yan immediately became alert, rubbing her eyes and asking, “What’s going on?”

Could it be that someone else daring enough to attempt an assassination?

Just as she was about to lift the curtain to inquire, she saw Gu Xing galloping towards them from the back of the convoy, his face solemn. “Your Highness, Miss Liu’s carriage suddenly toppled and plunged off the cliff.”

The fan paused in her hand, her eyes filled with shock.

Zhao Yan doubted whether she was still dreaming or if she had misheard, sitting still for a moment before asking, “Whose carriage?”

“Miss Liu’s.”

Gu Xing’s voice lowered, dismounting and apologizing, “We were unable to intercept in time and couldn’t save her…”

Zhao Yan suddenly bent down and jumped out of the carriage, hurriedly crossing the caravan, passing by the startled or silent palace attendants, and rushing towards the point of the incident at the end of the procession.

Liu Ying followed closely behind, gesturing quietly to Gu Xing, “Please, reinforce the guard and protect Your Highness.”

This mountain road led directly to Yuquan Palace, and to ensure the safety of the royal nobles, the roadside was reinforced with railing. But now, there was a gap where the railing had been smashed open, with several chaotic skid marks on the ground leading forward from the wheel tracks—a deep abyss in front…

Cai Tian and his men cordoned off the scene. From the scattered wooden debris and carriage curtains left at the scene, it was indeed the carriage Zhao Yan had intended for Liu Baiwei to ride.

Her chest tightened, imagining how perilous and desperate the moment must have been when the carriage went over the edge.

“Send people down to search! We must find her!” Zhao Yan’s voice was hoarse, urging, “Quickly!”

However, on such a high cliff, with the torrential stream in summer, everyone knew the hope was slim.

For a full four hours, from morning until sunset, the guards and palace attendants went down three times, only to retrieve some wooden debris from the carriage and a light blue summer robe soaked with mud—the one Liu Baiwei loved to wear when dressed as a woman.

Without finding a body, Zhao Yan calmed down instead and asked, “Who was with Liu Ji when the accident happened?”

Gu Xing replied, “When I arrived, Vice Marshal Cai was already there.”

Zhao Yan’s brows furrowed, looking towards Cai Tian, whose expression remained unchanged not far away.

Calmly thinking back, Cai Tian’s insistence on letting her ride in the Prince Su’s carriage did seem somewhat deliberate and suspicious. She left, and immediately after, Liu Baiwei had an accident. Could everything really be just a coincidence?

Recalling the day before when Liu Baiwei dragged her away from Wen Renlin and the heavy, unfathomable gaze behind her, a bold speculation arose in Zhao Yan’s heart.

She said to Gu Xing, “Continue searching along the water flow and report immediately if there’s any news.”

Then she lifted the curtain and said to Cai Tian, who was driving the carriage alongside the guards, “I want to see your master. Please lead the way, Vice Marshal Cai.”

With the horses urged on, by nightfall, the carriage stopped at the main gate of the Prince Su’s residence. This was Zhao Yan’s first time truly entering Wen Renlin’s territory. The mansion was neat and quiet, but she had no mind to appreciate the scenery here.

Clutching the mud-stained sleeve of Liu Baiwei’s robe, her small face white, she walked fast and anxiously, so fast that even Cai Tian, accustomed to swift movements, struggled to keep up. He had to quicken his pace to lead her to the towering three-story pavilion.

Cai Tian stepped forward to knock on the door, and soon a familiar deep voice came from inside, “Come in.”

Without waiting for Cai Tian to open the door, Zhao Yan barged in.

Instantly, the spacious and dimly lit book pavilion unfolded before her eyes.

Zhao Yan’s gaze first fell on the three-sided bookshelf that reached the ceiling, then on the pair of singing crane-headed bronze lamps in the loft, and in the halo of the lamp’s candlelight, there was a long desk.

Wen Renlin was dressed in a dark blue robe, sitting behind the desk, his brows slightly furrowed as he dipped his brush in ink.

Seemingly anticipating Zhao Yan’s arrival, he didn’t even raise his eyes as he said, “Your Highness returned three hours late.”

Without catching her breath, Zhao Yan got straight to the point, “Where is Liu Ji?”

Wen Renlin’s brush didn’t pause, showing an indifferent demeanor, “Who?”

“Liu Ji, she fell off the cliff today, I know it wasn’t an accident.”

Zhao Yan seemed to grasp a faint glimmer of hope and took a step forward, “If she’s still alive, please return her to me, Grand Tutor, would you?”

Wen Renlin finally stopped writing, looking up at her.

His eyes were pitch black and deep, reflecting a gentle warmth in the candlelight.

Looking at the dirty fabric clenched in Zhao Yan’s hand, he smiled suddenly, saying softly, “Is Your Highness questioning me for an outsider?”

The tone was completely different from his gentle demeanor, bearing a daunting pressure in his eyes.

“He’s my brother’s best ally, not an outsider.”

The people by Zhao Yan’s side either died or left, leaving only this Liu Baiwei. Zhao Yan just felt that she couldn’t even protect her brother’s last ally.

She cleared her throat and said, “I only have two trustworthy people by my side. Even if they make countless mistakes, I am willing to take the blame for them. Please return her to me, Prime Minister.”

“Trustworthy people?”

Wen Renlin repeated softly, a sudden pain spreading in his chest, both dull and cold.

He almost indulged in this strange, dull pain, then looked at Zhao Yan with hopeful eyes, getting up and walking slowly to her.

He wiped away the cinnabar ink on his hand and said, “Liu Ji is dead. There will be no Liu Ji by Your Highness’s side. Are you satisfied with this answer?”

Zhao Yan widened her eyes, looking at him in disbelief.

“Are you angry, Your Highness?”

Wen Renlin’s expression remained unchanged as he gently touched the corners of her wet eyes, saying softly, “Before Your Highness came, didn’t you already conclude that it was me who killed him? I’m just admitting to the accusation already put on me. Why is Your Highness angry now?”

His tone was gentle, but his words were cruel.

Zhao Yan’s eyes flickered, as if hearing a faint, shattered sound from deep within her heart.

She stood there blankly, her breath trembling, “Why do you have to do this, Prince Su?”

“Your Highness is only softening now, too late.”

Wen Renlin’s face was as cold as frost, staring at her calmly, “Falling from such a height, someone surnamed Liu is probably beyond recognition. It’s good that Your Highness brought her clothes.”

He then instructed Cai Tian, “Go bring Liu Ji’s elder brother to claim the belongings.”

He actually detained Liu Baiwei’s family!?

With a buzzing in her mind, Zhao Yan regained her senses and tremblingly gripped the short knife in her sleeve.

Cai Tian quickly brought the person up, a young man wearing a snow-colored Confucian robe, staggering forward with his head bowed, his figure somewhat familiar.

The more turbulent Wen Renlin’s chest felt, the more calm and indifferent his face became, “Take the clothes and make a grave for your sister.”

After several breaths, the young man finally raised a flushed face, abandoning his lifelong gentlemanly demeanor and shouted loudly, “My sister’s grave!”

The familiar assertive voice confirmed Zhao Yan’s suspicion—this was Liu Baiwei, dressed as a man again.

Her tightly wound heart instantly relaxed back into her chest, and Zhao Yan suddenly turned to look at the pale and handsome Wen Renlin.

Then, slowly, mists filled her eyes.

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