Chapter 127.1

Yu Pin Yan led his army back to the capital without revealing himself. Furthermore, because Emperor Cheng Kang had deliberately sealed off the news, no one knew that the Western Barbarians were nearly exterminated by him.

The matter that the courtiers spent the most time thinking about on a daily basis was to choose sides ‒ today, you impeach me, tomorrow, I impeach you. They were all vying ceaselessly for the honour of being an aide to the Emperor. Emperor Cheng Kang looked elated to see this. In reality, the butcher’s knife in his hands was already raised up high.

There was a few more days before the army would reach the capital. In order to pull the wool over people’s eyes, Yu Pin Yan had to send his younger sister back first. As the two spoke, they kissed one another again. Just to bid farewell, it took them half a shichen (an hour), and that was only because Liu Lu risked her life to urge them to part.

As she was a girl, she could not keep staying in the temple. Hence, two months after she left, Shen Yuan Qi ordered a maidservant to dress up like her and took a carriage back to the Shen manor. Then, he announced that his younger sister fell seriously ill and refused to see any guests.

Yu Xiang surreptitiously entered the Shen manor and saw Shen Yuan Qi staring at herself with a dark and sullen expression.

“You are back?” He walked over, looking at his younger sister from top to bottom. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I couldn’t be any better.” Yu Xiang smiled with crescent eyes.

Shen Yuan Qi couldn’t bear to see her blissful appearance. He scolded her with a fierce expression, “Hurry up and get dressed. Go and meet the Ninth Princess.”

“Why is Little Jiu’er here? Didn’t you say I was seriously ill and refused to meet any visitors?”

“The Ninth Princess is of prestigious status. How can I stop her from coming in?” Shen Yuan Qi’s dark face revealed a hint of a smile and his tone softened. “The Ninth Princess is very affectionate and helped you to cover up when she found out the truth. Thanks to her frequent visits to you in recent months, other people did not suspect anything. Otherwise, your reputation would have been tarnished.”

“Let them say what they like, I won’t lose a piece of meat. Regardless of what people say, my elder brother won’t forsake me anyway.” Noticing her brother glaring at her, Yu Xiang hastily corrected herself, “But I have to thank Little Jiu’er. I will wash up and go out to meet her.”

Only then was Shen Yuan Qi satisfied and went to the side hall to report to the Ninth Princess. As the Ninth Princess came to visit the manor every three or five days and she could not be sitting alone because of his younger sister, Shen Yuan Qi was forced to disregard the great men-women taboo to talk with her. As the time went by, he had grown fond of the innocent Ninth Princess.

Time was limited, so Yu Xiang only washed her face and changed her clothes before hurrying to the side hall. Coincidentally, she heard the Ninth Princess’ giggles and joyful laughter. After leaving the hustle and bustle of the battlefield, this burst of laughter instantly caused her eyes to well up.

“Xiang’er, you’re back!” The Ninth Princess saw her best friend and immediately pounced on her. She squeezed her arm and said, “You’ve lost weight. Hurry, come over and eat something.”

With her pounce, Yu Xiang staggered. Only then did she realise that after not meeting for a few months she had put on a lot of weight. Her face was round. Her fair skin was very tender and as smooth as a crystal bun.

“The Ninth Princess is right. Why don’t you come and eat quickly? It’s been a long time since you’ve had a meal with a big bowl of rice, hasn’t it?” Shen Yuan Qi felt very distressed. He ordered someone to prepare food and wine while speaking. To avoid arousing suspicion, he excused himself after a few words.

“Don’t go…” Before the Ninth Princess’ words left her mouth, he had already left. His handsome, upright and cultivated bamboo-like back walked further and further away.

“Don’t bother looking. My big brother abides by the rules the most. It’s already his limit that he can find a few words to say to you every day.” Yu Xiang quirked an eyebrow and teased, “I’ve been gone for months, but you don’t seem to be worried about me at all. Look how fat you have become. You said that you are here to see me, yet in fact you are here to see my big brother, aren’t you?”

The Ninth Princess hurriedly glanced at the palace maids standing at the door and found that they didn’t hear Yu Xiang’s whispers. She let out a sigh and said with a blush, “You’re so clever. You have guessed it all. Lord Shen is so good-looking. He is the most handsome man in all of Han. I can’t get enough no matter how long I look at him. You know, he always waits for me to finish my pastries, and then sends me away right after. So, I eat as much as I can to stay a little longer. That’s why I’ve gained weight. I did worry about you too, but Father Emperor and Queen Mother said you were fine.”

Yu Xiang pinched her fleshy double chin and said while suppressing her laughter, “So you’ve worked so hard. Don’t worry. From now on, you can come and look as much as you like. I will never force you to eat. I’ll send you back when you’ve seen enough.”

“Father Emperor is right! Xiang’er, you are indeed righteous!” The Ninth Princess smiled and gave her a thumbs up as she continued, “Then how do you feel about me becoming your sister-in-law?”

Yu Xiang was drinking tea. When she heard what the Ninth Princess said, she almost choked to death. She managed to catch her breath and covered her mouth to warn her, “A princess’ marriage is not a trivial matter. Don’t say this in public. Or my elder brother will be roasted on the fire by others. Your marriage is up to your Father Emperor. You don’t have any say in this matter.”

The Ninth Princess was dejected and felt that the pastry she was eating became tasteless. She sat for a few moments then took her leave. Before she left, she awkwardly said that she would return tomorrow. Yu Xiang went back to her room and immediately took a fragrant bath of flower petals. She fiddled with her long-lost rouge and pearls in the mirror.

“Help me to apply nail polish.” She laid her hands on the dressing table.

Tao Hong and Liu Lu hurriedly took out their small bowls to make the Impatiens balsamina juice. The fragrant scent penetrated deep into their hearts, they suddenly felt that it was a lifetime ago. After applying the nail polish, Liu Lu, on a spur of the moment, helped comb her master’s hair into a very elaborate and intricate chaoyun jinxiang style[1]. Then, she especially picked a gorgeous pearl hairpin and inserted it in the bun. Then, she picked out a crimson red muslin and gold embroidered dress for her to change into.

Yu Xiang was properly dressed and looked into the mirror to draw her eyebrows and apply her lips. She grabbed a drawing brush made from fine sheep hair, dipped it in wax oil mixed with gold powder and drew a lotus flower in full bloom in the centre of her eyebrows.

She turned to Tao Hong with a slightly raised eyebrow and asked, “How is it? Is it beautiful? Your master’s beauty is gone after months of travel, right?”

“Not only have you not lost your beauty, but you are also much more beautiful! I’m dazzled!” Tao Hong gave two thumbs up.

Liu Lu pursed her lips and smiled.

“It’s a sin to be too beautiful. My legs must be good and bad at times. If not, I’ll attract trouble if I’m too eye-catching.” Yu Xiang said with a smile as she held onto her cheeks and let out a sigh.

The corner of Liu Lu’s curled lips twitched slightly.