«Achoo!»
«Are you sick?» Xin inquired, entering Yang Yulan's quarters early in the morning. The latter irritably rolled her eyes.
«You think? I spent the whole day in the rain.»
«Your own fault. You were ordered to kill Mei Baijie and return to the mistress immediately. But you decided to complicate everything.»
Xin closed the door behind her and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest. Her entire demeanor showed clear displeasure.
«I've told you more than once. Achoo! The Second Prince's guards caught me, and I couldn't leave. It's your mistress's fault she couldn't go on the outing with Yang Jinlong and save me at the right moment. And where were you anyway? Weren't you supposed to be watching me? I'm surrounded by traitors on all sides, yet somehow I'm the one to blame.»
«Don't talk nonsense. I lost sight of you immediately after the shot and had to retreat.»
«As if you could track me,» Yang Yulan gloated inwardly. «By the time you came to your senses, I was already in my pavilion. This garbage system can actually be useful sometimes.»
«See,» Yang Yulan feigned offense, «that's your mistake too.»
Xin wearily massaged her temples. She always felt mentally drained hearing the latest nonsense that flew out of this rude person's mouth. She was sure something was wrong with him but couldn't say exactly what. She was very troubled by the fact that her mistress had recently become much softer towards him. Even this morning, recovering from the recent explosion, she merely inquired about his well-being and continued working at her usual pace. Who knows what Her Highness is thinking, but this situation couldn't be left to chance. Xin had served her mistress long enough to trust her instincts, but she also had a good nose herself. If Shin Zuzhou wasn't making any attempts to get rid of this person anytime soon, then she herself needed to find a reason to eliminate him.
«Why didn't the guards kill you on the spot when they caught you? They should have tortured you, but they didn't even interrogate you. Do you even realize how suspicious your excuses sound?»
«You... You're asking me that?» Yang Yulan stammered, unexpectedly at a loss for words. «How should I know? I didn't get inside their heads. They were probably busy searching for Mei Baijie or something.»
«Hard to believe. You're hiding something, and I'm definitely not going to turn a blind eye to it.»
«As you wish. But I've already told you everything I know. Achoo! You've interrogated me twice today already. And it's still morning. Do you expect to hear different answers?»
«I don't know. Can you give me any?»
Yang Yulan smiled meekly.
«I might be able to come up with something after a good, hearty breakfast with lots of meat, greens, and hot pastries. And sweets. Can't do without them. You see, without food, my brain doesn't work well.»
«Why are you always hungry?» Xin snapped irritably and, without adding anything else, headed out of the room.
«Don't grumble!» Yang Yulan shouted after her. «Better bring me tea and a ton of napkins, or I'll flood this place with my snot.»
«I'll order the servants to add poison to your tea so you stop suffering.»
«Thanks!»
The door slammed loudly, and silence fell in the room. Only Xin's angry tirades could still be heard in the corridor for some time.
«This girl will come back to torment me,» Yang Yulan thought dejectedly. «It's not logical. Why isn't Shin Zuzhou visiting me? Isn't she the one who should suspect me first? Before, she was so angry at me she was ready to burn me alive, and now she doesn't even summon me to her study for interrogation? Such a complicated woman. I'll never understand what goes on in her head.»
Yang Yulan turned onto her stomach and scratched the back of her head.
«It's still strange. Maybe she's still sleeping or recovering from yesterday? Exactly! That must be it. After breakfast, she'll definitely summon me and glare at me maliciously, threatening to kill me and everyone I hold dear. And then maybe roll her eyes a couple of times, after which she'll sigh resignedly, realizing she can't do anything against me. Ha-ha.»
At these thoughts, Yang Yulan's mood suddenly lifted, and she began to wait for them to bring her tea so she could feel even better.
***
Yang Yulan was calmly stroking Little Bell's back, finishing her tea, when an unexpected thought came to her. Seeing the herb leaves in her cup, she suddenly remembered a problem that had arisen this morning. She had almost run out of the voice-changing herb. The remaining wet leaves didn't have the same effect as before, and she couldn't rely on them in the long term.
Yang Yulan didn't know how much longer she would be in Shin Zuzhou's palace, so she urgently needed to find her brother and wheedle another pouch out of him before the situation became critical.
«Well, tell me, Little Bell. Do I deserve all this?» Yang Yulan buried her nose in the little beast's fur. He stared back at her uncomprehendingly.
«Maybe just run away with you to the forest? Away from the palace and these people. The system probably wouldn't mind much. It doesn't care about my well-being at all.»
«Squee-»
«That's what I'm saying. I'm so angry at Yang Jinlong that I'm not sure I'll enjoy watching his romantic storyline with Mei Baijie. So what's keeping me here?»
«Squee-»
«You're right. If that scary woman finds out about my escape, she'll drag me out from under the ground. It's too risky. Better stay with her for now and decide what to do later.»
«Squee-»
«Glad you agree!» Yang Yulan smiled and got out of bed, getting ready to leave. «I need to inform Xin not to disturb me for a couple of hours. Help me sneak out of the palace unnoticed. You and I are going to visit a certain piece of trash.»
***
It was a restless morning. Despite the throne hall being unusually empty today, it was filled with the noise of a woman's tirade. There were only two people in the hall—the Empress and her first son, Yang Yusheng.
«What is going on! The Emperor still hasn't recovered from his illness, and chaos continues to reign in the palace. The nobility are pressuring me to marry my son to the Northern Princess as soon as possible, and my own son has decided to utterly disgrace me with his behavior.»
«Your Highness, you are worrying too much. Your health is no longer what it used to be.»
Yang Yusheng seemed genuinely saddened by the Empress's condition. He tried to sit his agitated mother on the throne, but she pushed his hands away and continued pacing the hall.
«Worrying too much!? How can I not worry in this situation? In all this time, I've only managed to drag my son out of the palace once to have breakfast with his wife, and even that one time, some blockhead envoy from Bei managed to ruin everything.»
«And that foreign general is of little use either. All he does is ask for favors and feed us empty promises.»
«And just when I thought that little wretch named Mei had perished in the forest, she returns and continues living in Yang Jinlong's palace as if nothing happened.»
«Oh, goddess, what am I to do?» The Empress heavily lowered herself onto the throne and pressed her palm to her cold, sweaty forehead.
«Your Highness. Believe me, that prince was never worthy of any trust. Have you heard the rumors going around? The Northern Princess has apparently taken a lover due to the lack of male attention. My brother is a worthless husband. If the wedding had been entrusted to me instead of him, I would have approached the matter with full responsibility.»
«Stop talking nonsense. You'll never be emperor,» the Empress interrupted him. «I didn't summon you for you to slander the hero. Better help me reason with my son. I don't know what I'll do if he continues to behave in the same manner.»
«Mother, I am also your son. You still have me.»
Hearing these words, the Empress cast a contemptuous glance at the prince and smirked.
«You are useless trash. The people will never accept you instead of Yang Jinlong. It's time you came to terms with that. Get out if you can't offer anything useful.»
Yang Yusheng was taken aback and wanted to say something in his defense, but changed his mind at the last moment. He had no desire to continue this argument. He hurried to leave the throne hall, but hadn't taken ten steps when he heard the Empress's voice addressing him.
«Oh yes. And don't call me mother anymore. Don't forget where we are. Address me properly, do you understand?»
«Yes, Your Highness the Empress.»
It was still morning when Yang Yusheng returned to his palace. He was about to cross the threshold of his domain when he noticed a familiar mask in the bushes. Just a second ago, he had been in such a terrible mood that he was ready to rage and fume, but now his whole face lit up with happiness.
«Little sister!»
Yang Yulan flinched in surprise. She cautiously looked around and came out of her hiding place.
Yang Yusheng immediately ran up to her and embraced her.
«Let me go! I'm suffocating.»
«I'm so happy you decided to visit me. Happy and simultaneously amazed at how skillfully you avoided the guards here.»
«I think I even know who helped you in this difficult task,» he said, trying to touch the hissing gray little beast.
Yang Yulan barely broke free from her brother's embrace and stepped back a considerable distance, making it clear she wasn't in the mood for idle chatter.
«Looks like someone's angry at me? And it's not even the little beast on your head. Is it because of that time I sent you to serve Shin Zuzhou? Or maybe because of the rumors about your relationship?»
«Both,» Yang Yulan answered gloomily.
«Oh, I'm so sorry.» Yang Yusheng dramatically grabbed his head. «I didn't think it would upset you so much.»
«I doubt you're capable of thinking at all,» flashed through Yang Yulan's mind.
«Please forgive me. I was wrong.» Yang Yusheng made another attempt to hug his sister, but she managed to dodge.
«You're not going to be angry at me for the rest of your days, are you?»
«...»
«What can I do to make amends to you?»
«Since you asked. I actually do have a request for you.»
«What is it? I'll do anything.»
«I need that voice-changing herb you gave me before. Mine has run out.»
«Is that so? I see you've found good use for it? Ha-ha.»
Yang Yulan got angry at his unserious attitude.
«So, will you help or not?»
«How rude, little sister. You know, you used to be much cuter.»
Yang Yulan crossed her arms over her chest, quickly losing patience.
«Got it, got it. That's not a problem. I'll give it to you.»
«Actually, you could have asked me for more. For example, to save you from the Northern Princess. I could try to negotiate with her.»
«Really?»
«Of course. For my beloved sister, I'm ready to do anything.»
«Is that why you used me twice for your own purposes?»
«That's long in the past.» Yang Yusheng waved his hands. «I suddenly realized today that you are my only family. Believe me, I won't betray you again.»
«Can you give your brother a second chance?»
Yang Yulan looked into her brother's eyes, full of pleading and tears, and sighed. Overall, she had no other choice.
«Fine.»
Yang Yusheng started smiling again.
«I won't let you down.»
«Sure.»
Yang Yusheng ignored his sister's sarcastic tone and just asked:
«So, should I still talk to the princess from Bei?»
«No need.»
«Why not? Didn't you want to escape from there as soon as possible?»
«I did.»
«Has something changed?»
«No... I don't know... Just not right now. Maybe a little later.»
Yang Yusheng squinted slyly. He was definitely thinking something stupid again.
«Well, as you say. But know, you can always ask me for this. At any time.»
«I'll keep that in mind.»
***
Yang Yusheng's study was unexpectedly cozy. Everything was in its place, a large coffee-colored carpet adorned the floor, and various handmade bows and tools for making them hung on the wall.
Yang Yusheng opened a large cabinet standing near the desk, took out a familiar pouch, and handed it to his sister. She took it with slight caution and thanked him, hiding the item in her clothes.
At that moment, a servant knocked on the door and reported that General Qing had arrived at the palace and requested an audience.
«Well, well. Interesting.»
«Let him in,» Yang Yusheng ordered, simultaneously watching his sister's reaction.
Yang Yulan was confused. She had completely forgotten about this person's existence. She had been serving in the Northern Princess's palace for some time now and had completely forgotten to warn anyone else so they wouldn't worry.
«He often came to the White Lotus Pavilion. Of course he noticed my disappearance.»
Qing Zixiao entered the first prince's study and immediately glanced at the person in the mask.
«My goodness! Who do we have here? The matchmaker general in person?» Yang Yusheng hastened to greet the guest.
«Your Highness, the First Prince,» Qing Zixiao bowed reluctantly.
Yang Yusheng heard notes of indignation in the general's voice, and it only egged him on further.
«Oh, great victorious general! Why are you spending your time here, in my humble abode, when such a serious responsibility rests upon you? Shouldn't you be tearing your hair out, figuring out ways to get the beautiful Northern Princess into my brother's bed?»
«With all due respect, Your Highness,» Qing Zixiao enunciated every word, «I am making every effort to fulfill the task set by the Empress. You have nothing to worry about.»
«Is that so?» the prince smiled. «In any case, you can always turn to me for help. I know a thousand and one ways to ruin someone's relationship.»
«I don't doubt it,» the general noted to himself sardonically.
«Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.»
«Oh, it's nothing. It's the least I can do for such a brave and valiant hero who has sacrificed his life many times for the well-being of our country.»
After these words, the general's eye began to twitch.
«Little pest. Doesn't watch his mouth at all.»
The more hidden insults flew from the prince's filthy mouth, the more the general glanced at Yang Yulan, hoping she would put an end to his suffering.
However, because of the mask, the general couldn't see the princess's expression at that moment.
Her face practically said:
«Sorry, my friend, but I'm not getting involved in this.»
«I need to speak with you, Your Highness,» he couldn't bear it and addressed the girl directly.
«With me? About what?»
Yang Yusheng suddenly interjected into the conversation.
«General Qing, you came to my palace to speak with my sister? I am extremely distressed by this news. Aren't you interested in how I'm doing and how I'm faring?»
«Your Highness, I couldn't find the princess for a long time. As soon as I learned she was in your palace, I hastened here. I need to speak with her.»
«You've been keeping surveillance on her? How interesting,» the prince smirked. «What's going on between you two?»
«Don't think anything inappropriate,» Yang Yulan warned.
«I was simply worried about your well-being,» the general hastened to justify himself. «I learned that you've been absent from the pavilion for some time and feared something might have happened to you.»
«After all, you certainly have a knack for getting into trouble.»
«The servants at the pavilion didn't explain anything properly to me. So I could only guess what happened to you and where you disappeared to.»
«How sweet of you,» Yang Yusheng again added his unwanted opinion. «I'm so touched that you worry about my sister. Should I award you a medal? Exactly! You probably already have shelves full of them at home. Didn't think of that.»
General Qing didn't react to the prince's latest jab. To him, all these words were merely childish teasing. However, Qing Zixiao had no choice but to endure them, because the person he had come here so early in the morning for stood aside all this time, playing with the little beast on her shoulder.
«May I speak with you in private, Your Highness?» the general tried to make contact again.
The girl finally turned her gaze to him and ordered her brother:
«Leave for a while.»
«What?! You're kicking me out of my own room? This is nonsense!»
«Stop whining. Just get out.»
«You've changed so much lately!» the first prince almost cried. «You don't appreciate your older brother at all.»
Yang Yusheng was against leaving the princess and general alone. He really wanted to know what they would talk about; he might miss something truly interesting. However, he was afraid to go against his sister's will, so he decided to yield this time.
«Fine. Just don't do anything fun without me, okay?»
«Close the door behind you.»
When silence finally fell in the room, General Qing breathed a sigh of relief.
«I thought it would never end.»
«Exactly. Once he starts spouting nonsense, you can't stop him.»
«Agreed. Only some kind of show can distract him.»
«Or praise.»
Qing Zixiao smiled and asked:
«Do you think if I accidentally called him the Crown Prince, he'd leave me alone?»
«I'm sure if you call him the Crown Prince, he might even manage to send you back to your homeland.»
The pair laughed in unison.
«So, what did you want to tell me?» Yang Yulan finally asked.
«Right. I wanted to share wonderful news. I recently had an audience with the Empress and begged her to forgive your close servant girl.»
«Chu Qi?»
«Correct. The Empress took pity on me and promised to return her to her position soon. So, Your Highness, please return home already. Don't put yourself in danger anymore.»
Yang Yulan was confused by this news. She didn't know whether to be happy or worried. She wasn't ready for her servant's return yet.
«Thank you,» she merely whispered, still lost in thought.
«Let me escort you back to the pavilion?» the general suggested and walked towards the exit. As soon as he opened the door, Yang Yusheng tumbled in and fell flat on his stomach. The pair exchanged glances and burst into laughter again.
«I heard you were saying nasty things about me,» the prince only managed to say before wheezing in pain.