Chapter 131: Are You Willing to Come with Me?

Though fully aware that Ling’er was teasing her, Yun Yun took no offense. After all, it was her own fault for hiding her identity; a few jabs from Ling’er were hardly worth fussing over.

“Hehe, Sister Ling’er, please forgive me! I have my own reasons I can’t speak of. It’s better not to talk about it, as it only brings sorrow. In a few days, I’ll be returning to my country, and I was hoping you could do me a favor,” Yun Yun said humbly, especially after her earlier clumsy attempts at humor nearly made Ling’er laugh.

“Such a distinguished princess asking for a favor—what could it be? But I must warn you, if I can’t help, don’t blame me,” Ling’er replied cautiously. She wasn’t one to promise things lightly, especially when a prince was involved. This favor was unlikely to be simple.

Yun Yun smiled faintly. “Maybe this favor seems difficult to others, but for Sister Ling’er, it’s just a matter of a single word. I want to ask for someone from your hand. I hope you’d be willing to part with her for me.”

Hearing this, Ling’er’s heart skipped a beat, alert immediately. A princess asking for a person? It would never be an ordinary servant, especially from the Wise Prince’s estate. Surely, there was more to this than met the eye.

To be honest, on Yunfeng Continent, it was common for masters to buy and sell slaves or give away servants. But Ling’er detested such practices deeply. If not for the sake of her own image, she would have cursed loudly. What kind of barbarity was this? It was a blatant disregard for human rights and a trampling of dignity. Servants were people too, after all.

So when Yun Yun asked for someone, Ling’er frowned sharply. “You’d better be straightforward. Who exactly do you want? I can’t promise anything. Even if I agree, if that person refuses, I won’t let her go with you.”

“Of course,” Yun Yun said, hesitating suddenly, her face flushing with a rosy hue—whether from embarrassment or nerves, it was hard to tell.

Ling’er’s curiosity was piqued. “Yun Yun, everyone knows you’re a man with quite a feminine air, but I didn’t expect you to be this timid. Stammering like that is just wasting time. If you don’t speak up, I’m leaving!”

She rose abruptly, deliberately pressing the point. She doubted Yun Yun could stay calm under such pressure.

As expected, Yun Yun glanced nervously at the maids and guards around them, hesitated, and bit her lip. But with Ling’er clearly about to leave, she had no choice but to speak. “Sister Ling’er, actually, the person I want to ask for is my cousin, Xiao Tao.”

“What? Xiao Tao?” Ling’er jumped to her feet, suddenly unsettled. Xiao Tao was her closest personal maid, practically a best friend in the modern sense. For Yun Yun to ask for her was nothing short of undermining her trust.

Ling’er studied Yun Yun carefully, noting the sincerity in her expression. “Yun Yun, you are a prince of a great nation and surely have many people at your disposal. Why insist on asking me for Xiao Tao?”

“Well...” Yun Yun fidgeted nervously with her sleeves, cheeks flushed. “I’ve liked her since childhood. Partly, I’ve come out to find medicine for my mother, but I also want to find Xiao Tao to marry her as crown princess.”

If Yun Yun wasn’t currently dressed as a woman, Ling’er might have kicked her out of the estate then and there. But at least now she understood her intentions.

To be honest, Ling’er didn’t want to give Xiao Tao away—not because she feared Yun Yun would mistreat her, but because Xiao Tao had been her trusted confidante for so long. Besides, Xiao Tao was Yun Yun’s cousin, making their union a close kin marriage.

Perhaps in ancient times, marrying close relatives wasn’t unusual—some even saw it as strengthening family ties. But Ling’er, being a modern-minded person, knew better. Though such marriages weren’t openly condemned, they often led to serious health issues for offspring, the risks multiplying exponentially.

Seeing the eager hope in Yun Yun’s eyes, Ling’er sighed. “Alright. I can’t decide for Xiao Tao. I’ll call her here. You can speak to her directly. If she agrees to go with you, I can only wish her happiness.”

Yun Yun nodded anxiously. Soon, Xiao Tao was summoned. Yun Yun grasped her hand eagerly. “Cousin, will you come with me?”

Xiao Tao looked confused, her face clouded with bewilderment. Ling’er, growing irritated, slapped Yun Yun’s hand away, shooting her a stern glare. She pulled Xiao Tao aside and explained Yun Yun’s request.

After hearing it, Xiao Tao trembled, tears streaming down her face. Yun Yun comforted her, “Xiao Tao, don’t worry. I will treat you well. You won’t suffer any grievances.”

But Xiao Tao seemed not to hear her. Instead, she dropped to her knees before Ling’er. “Mistress, are you trying to send me away? What have I done wrong? If you tell me, I will change immediately!”

Yun Yun was stunned, mouth agape, unable to find words to console her. It turned out Xiao Tao did not want to leave with her. Yun Yun’s hopes were shattered, leaving her utterly embarrassed and ashamed.