Chapter 38: Deviating from the Plotline
Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t go to bed until late night and snoozed until daybreak. In a wonderful world without zombies, she felt every single day was peaceful.
Wang momo was still harping on the issue of the prince hostages. “All of the imperial concubines gathered at Morning Skies Palace. This servant feels nervous just at the thought. Princess, nothing will happen, right?” Wang momo had plenty of sisterly bonds within the palace, so she could dig out even more intel than Xiao Zhuang.
Meanwhile, Wei momo was standing by her side with Yu Ziyi in her arms. Currently, the little prince was white and chubby, his round face framing a pair of large, dark eyes. He showed no trace of the handsome man he’d be one day. Drool leaked from his lips as he stared at Yu Xiaoxiao stuffing her mouth. He opened his mouth, wanting to eat as well–it was obvious he was a foodie too.
Occasionally, Yu Xiaoxiao would feed Yu Ziyi bits of food while she ate. Although she knew he was a big-sis-killer, her thoughts towards him was simple: feed and raise her little brother well without doing anything cruel or savage. Would he still want to burn her to death then?
Wang momo sensed that the princess wasn’t even listening to her words and said, “Princess, aren’t you worried about His Seventh Highness at all?” If the women of the palace moved to protect their sons, then they were capable of doing anything.
Yu Xiaoxiao fed Yu Ziyi a mouthful of fragrant rice porridge. “Would my imperial father send away such a young son? He’s not so inhumane, right?”
Wang momo and Wei momo didn’t reply, because they couldn’t very well join her in cursing out the emperor. Instead, their gaze swept quickly around the courtyard and only relaxed when they saw no one else around.
Wei momo changed the subject. “Princess, you’ll be visiting the palace in two more days. Will you go with the royal son-in-law then?”
In Fengtian, new brides were required to pay a visit back home on their third day of marriage. Yu Xiaoxiao had heard of the custom from Wang momo and now nodded her head. “If he’s not feverish then, I’ll take him to the palace.”
Wang momo sighed as her heart ached. Although Yu Xiaoxiao said Gu Xinglang could recover, he was still lying useless on the bed right now. If esteemed empress was here, how sad she’d be to see the royal son-in-law carried into the palace because he couldn’t walk!
By now, Gu Xinglang was already awake and listening. Before he could speak, his visitor Gu Xingyan interjected, “Your Royal Highness, Xinglang has to come along when you go back to the palace. Otherwise, wouldn’t they all laugh at you?”
Gu Xingnuo was more prudent with his words and asked Yu Xiaoxiao, “Can Xinglang leave the house right now?”
Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t find the visit a big deal and asked Gu Xinglang, “Do you want to go?”
Gu Xinglang nodded. Any new bride who went back to visit her family alone would be considered unfavored by her husband. Even if she was an imperial princess, people would still ridicule her.
“Don’t your wounds still hurt a lot?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked. Judging by Gu Xinglang’s complexion, he’d need at least a year and a half to recover his former health.
“They don’t hurt anymore,” Gu Xinglang smiled at her. “No need to worry about me.”
“Won’t you want to thrash Jing Zhong when you see him?” Yu Xiaoxiao was more concerned about that. It was a painful feeling to see an enemy while being helpless to repay your grudge.
Gu Xinglang shook his head. “Don’t worry, princess. Even ten years is not too long for a gentleman to exact revenge. Moreover, he’s only an eunuch.” The true enemy was the Zhao Clan, so Jing Zhong really didn’t enter Gu Xinglang’s eyes.
“10 years is too long,” Yu Xiaoxiao remarked. “Once you’re well, we’ll get revenge right away.”
Gu Xinglang’s grin widened along with the curve of his handsome brows as he nodded at Yu Xiaoxiao. His two older brothers were almost blinded by his smile. When has this fellow ever flashed such a dazzling smile? Then they felt happy for him.
If he smiles so brightly when he sees the princess, that means he likes her as his wife, ah. What was happier than a blind wedding match that led to a harmonious union between husband and wife?
Two days passed by in a flash. When Yu Xiaoxiao made her way to the palace once again, Gu Xinglang was by her side. Xianzong expected her visit, so he’d gotten up extra early to wait in the imperial study. His expression towards her made even the unperceptive Yu Xiaoxiao sense that something was up.
Xianzong didn’t let Gu Xinglang pay his respects as he stated, “Royal Son-in-Law is heavily injured, so there’s no need for formalities.”
Before Gu Xinglang could express his thanks, Yu Xiaoiao was already asked, “Imperial father, has something happened?”
This time, she’d called him by protocol instead of blurting out “father,” but Xianzong wasn’t pleased. Instead, his face was full of guilt. Gu Xinglang saw Xianzong wavering multiple times before he spoke and sensed a bad premonition for the prince hostage situation. “Your Majesty,” he began, “Zhuri Country–”
“Today is Linglong’s return to the palace,” Xianzong cut him off immediately. “Let’s not talk of Zhuri Country. Linglong, has your first three days at your husband’s estate been well?”
Yu Xiaoxiao stared at him. “Something must have happened.”
A soft chuckle rose from outdoors. Yu Xiaoxiao turned and saw a young man in brocade robes. She’d recognize him even if he turned to ashes because he had been one of the cruel female emperor’s lovers–Zhuri’s eldest crown prince, Jing Mo!
Gu Xinglang creased his brows so hard they turned into wrinkles on his forehead. This was the Fengtian palace, but a Zhuri prince simply waltzed in unannounced. Was their nation still a nation of its own?
Jing Mo didn’t wait for Xianzong to speak, but entered the room and smiled at Yu Xiaoxiao. “Princess Linglong, this one is Jing Mo.” He wasn’t a gentle man, but his smile right now could be considered soft.
Well shoot, Yu Xiaoxiao thought as she stared at his face. Is this love at first sight after finding someone pleasing? Am I going to get an offer as his lover next?
Seeing Yu Xiaoxiao’s wooden expression and hearing her silence, Jing Mo tried again. “Princess Linglong?”
Yu Xiaoxiao reluctantly replied, “There, there. It’s our first time meeting, so please look after me.”
What kind of greeting was that? Jing Mo had seen his share of the world, but this caught him unawares.
Yu Xiaoxiao thought she’d done quite well. This was the most cultured greeting she knew. Although Gu Xinglang couldn’t understand his wife either, he was happy to see she’d left Eldest Prince Jing speechless. Since Xianzong remained mute as well, he played dead and didn’t pay any respects to the man.
“Jing Mo greets Your Majesty,” Jing Mo finally cupped a fist after a pause.
Xianzong was sitting stiffly in his seat as he waved a hand. “No need for extra formalities, Your Eldest Highness.”
Jing Mo said, “Your Majesty has already decided to give His Seventh Highness to Zhuri Country. I don’t know whether Your Majesty has clarified things with Her Royal Highness yet?”
What the heck?!
Yu Xiaoxiao was completely floored. What about Yu Ziqing? Deviating this much from the plotline is just cruel!
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