Chapter Eleven: My Princess, Whom Do You Long For?

The room fell silent in an instant. Just as Yin Jiaojiao was about to react, Xiao Yuanchi and Gu Xuezhi had already stepped out.

“Princess?” Gu Xuezhi looked at her in surprise. “When did you arrive? How long have you been here?”

With tears still unwashed from the corner of her eye, Yin Jiaojiao lowered her eyelids. “Madam Sun is the one I saved. When you save a life, you should see it through to the end and pay a visit. Since the Prince is here, it means all is well. I won’t disturb you.”

With that, she turned and left.

“Wait.” Xiao Yuanchi said, “I’ll go with you.”

“No need. The Prince can talk with Madam Sun at leisure. I’ll wait for you in the Buddha hall.”

Yin Jiaojiao spoke quickly, not daring to stop as she hurried ahead, leaving the two maids far behind. Still feeling it wasn’t enough, she lifted her skirt and began to run. Whether the Buddha hall was ahead didn’t matter; as long as she put some distance between herself and those two—or rather, between herself and Xiao Yuanchi—that was enough.

Unfortunately, Xiao Yuanchi did not allow it.

“Yin Jiaojiao!”

He followed effortlessly and grabbed her wrist with ease.

“Why are you running?”

Yin Jiaojiao had no choice but to stop. She sighed toward no particular place. “Didn’t the Prince want me to meet you in the Buddha hall? I’m going there.”

“The Buddha hall isn’t in that direction.”

“Oh.” Yin Jiaojiao finally looked back. “I’m not familiar with Qingning Palace. Please forgive me, Prince.”

“Just now, what did you overhear outside?”

“Nothing.”

“Really?”

Yin Jiaojiao choked on her breath. “What else? Do you want me to say I heard something? You don’t believe me, only Madam Sun.”

Xiao Yuanchi’s eyes darkened. “When did I ever say I trust her?”

“You didn’t say it, but I know very well who your heart favors. I just came back from the brink of death, and you want to see me. Frankly, isn’t this just an interrogation?”

“Are you guilty?”

“Of course not!”

“Yesterday’s incident had nothing to do with you?”

“Jumping in to save someone in distress—does that count? If it does, then yes, it’s related.” Yin Jiaojiao threw her head back defiantly. “Believe it or not, Prince!”

Her provocative posture was all there, yet Xiao Yuanchi smiled, a trace of amusement in his expression.

“That’s not quite right. If it were before, you wouldn’t have reacted like this. What has changed you?”

Just as Yin Jiaojiao was about to retort, she suddenly froze. Damn! If she wasn’t careful, a murderous aura would slip out. This wasn’t right. In her previous life, at moments like this, she’d still be chasing after Xiao Yuanchi, unable to pull herself away. Now, whether crying, throwing tantrums, or acting coquettishly would be fine, but not this deadpan, indifferent attitude.

Lying flat and letting him accuse her meant she no longer cared for him?

Xiao Yuanchi wasn’t a fool. If she changed so drastically overnight, wouldn’t he be wary? How could she then carry out her assassination plan?

Yin Jiaojiao hurriedly adjusted her expression and said mournfully, “I endured before, hoping one day the Prince would see my true heart. But... waiting and waiting, all I received were misunderstandings. I’m tired too.”

She sniffled and pretended to snuggle into Xiao Yuanchi’s arms.

“Prince, believe me. I’m your legitimate princess consort. I wouldn’t deceive you.”

Xiao Yuanchi neither dodged nor moved, silent. Yin Jiaojiao leaned further against his chest, acting coquettishly.

“Prince, you hurried out after me—isn’t that proof you’ve begun to care about me?”

Such a self-indulgent line was still so piercing. Xiao Yuanchi smoothly sidestepped her lean, as expected. Yin Jiaojiao swayed and steadied herself, blinking up at him.

Though he dodged, Xiao Yuanchi still held her wrist tightly. Without realizing it, he squeezed harder, then suddenly said, “Yin Jiaojiao, do you want to kill me?”

She nearly blurted out the word “want,” but forced it back. Alarms rang loudly in her head. Why would he ask that? What had he discovered?

She pressed her lips tightly, forcing out an innocent smile under Xiao Yuanchi’s gaze.

“What? No way. I’m just praying you live a long life.”

Xiao Yuanchi looked at her, his gaze flickering with something Yin Jiaojiao couldn’t understand—part scrutiny, part mockery. After a moment, he let out a light chuckle and released her hand.

Not far off, Su Zhengqing hurried over.

“Prince, Princess, Consort Shu has summoned you.”

...

Consort Shu’s face darkened the moment she saw Yin Jiaojiao.

“Ah, you should have sent palace maids to rescue her. You had a fever and still jumped in. What if something happened?”

Rarely did this stepmother show concern. Yin Jiaojiao quickly replied, “I can swim a bit. I was too anxious to think clearly. The imperial physician checked me and said it’s nothing serious. Don’t worry, Your Highness.”

“That won’t do. You got wet in front of everyone and lost your composure. What if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince saw? How disgraceful!”

Alright, it wasn’t concern for her, but for the family’s reputation.

“Mother, everything’s fine. Nothing serious happened.”

Xiao Yuanchi cut in just in time. Consort Shu took the hint, sensing his reluctance to discuss it further, and changed her tone.

“Thank heaven both are safe. That’s enough. I won’t keep you. Return to the manor and settle down early.”

“No!”

The reply was too quick and resolute. Both Xiao Yuanchi, who was about to rise, and Consort Shu, preparing to take leave, froze.

Yin Jiaojiao cleared her throat, stammering, “Your Highness, um... the Interpreter Flower... you said before I should wait, didn’t you...?”

Consort Shu took a long moment to recover.

In her memories, Yin Jiaojiao only had eyes for Xiao Yuanchi, lacking the bearing and dignity of a mistress of the household. She obsessed daily over trivial loves. Not only women, even a single mosquito near Xiao Yuanchi would be swatted away immediately. Who could have imagined? She had transformed completely, now chasing after him, urging him to find a woman.

“Jiaojiao, you just went through a dangerous ordeal. How about resting first and discussing this another day?”

Yin Jiaojiao said firmly, “Consort Shu, precisely because I faced danger do I feel more strongly that I need some sisters to help.”

Consort Shu sighed in admiration. “That’s very good. Yuanchi, Jiaojiao has grown up. You should be pleased.”

Xiao Yuanchi stood with arms folded, cool and indifferent: “Very pleased.”

The Prince of Qin had no objections. The Princess of Qin welcomed warmly. Consort Shu no longer hesitated and generously assigned four beauties—all from the palace music bureau, each skilled in music and dance, all exquisitely beautiful. Yin Jiaojiao looked over them one by one, recognizing familiar faces.

In her previous life, there were two assassins: one was cut down by Su Zhengqing before she reached her, and the other, agile, made it close enough to strike her. She took the blade herself, the face etched deeply in her memory.

Now, that face was among them. She smiled with relief.

“What are you so happy about?”

“Of course, the beauties...” Yin Jiaojiao paused and glanced sideways at Xiao Yuanchi, who sat upright in the carriage. Clearing her throat, she added, “That line—‘Beauties, like flowers, separated by clouds’—is truly lovely.”

At that moment, they sat together in the carriage heading back to the manor. Gu Xuezhi came along too, but due to the presence of others, Xiao Yuanchi had no choice but to share the carriage with this princess consort.

Yin Jiaojiao curled into a corner, trying to keep her distance. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yuanchi was utterly unreserved, leaning boldly against the carriage, leaving her no room to move and making her very uncomfortable.

“This poem, ‘Longing for Each Other,’ is indeed beautiful,” Xiao Yuanchi raised an eyebrow. “But I’m right here. My princess consort, who are you longing for?”

Yin Jiaojiao’s mouth parted slightly, speechless for a moment before replying, “Who says you can’t long for someone even when they’re right in front of you?”

She squeezed closer and threw a flirtatious glance.

“Prince, even if you’re in front of me every day, I still think of you!”

“Oh?”

Xiao Yuanchi suddenly pulled back. Yin Jiaojiao was pressing forward but lost her balance when he withdrew, falling straight onto the man’s thigh, fully surrendering in a warm embrace.

Xiao Yuanchi laughed. “Your devotion moves me deeply, Princess. This carriage is spacious and sturdy. How about we do something to make you happy?”