RPAGF Chapter 276 The Prince An's Mansion is even harder to enter than the Imperial Palace
Chapter 276 The Prince An's Mansion is even harder to enter than the Imperial Palace
Chapter 276, The Prince An's Mansion is even harder to enter than the Imperial Palace.
The next day, Tian Xiang woke up before dawn.
She gently pushed open the window; the morning breeze was cool, carrying a hint of the fresh scent unique to spring.
She stood by the window, gazing at the flowers and plants in the courtyard that were gradually awakening, thinking about her plans for the day.
Today's occasion was unusual; she had to dress appropriately, but not too conspicuously.
"Ying'er," she called softly.
A series of light footsteps came from outside the door, and a maid entered.
"County Lady."
"I'm going to a banquet at Prince An's mansion today. Ying'er, can you help me choose an outfit?" Tian Xiang turned around and went to the wardrobe. "I need to be low-key, but I can't lose face."
Ying'er nodded slightly and replied respectfully, "Princess, rest assured, this servant understands."
She came from the palace and was more familiar with all the intricacies of the court than Tian Xiang.
She walked to the wardrobe and gently opened the door.
The large wardrobe was neatly filled with all kinds of clothes.
She looked through them carefully and took out three sets of clothes from the closet.
Compare the three outfits again...
She quickly discarded another set.
Finally, I chose a light blue dress.
"Princess, what do you think of this outfit?" Ying'er presented the clothes to Tian Xiang.
"The colors of this outfit aren't too bright, and the cut isn't too simple either; it's the latest style after the Lunar New Year."
"The color is understated, and the style is appropriate, which perfectly complements the county princess's temperament."
"That's good, let's take this one." Tian Xiang looked up and her gaze lingered on the garment for a moment.
Ying'er helped Tian Xiang change her clothes. The clothes were made of soft and comfortable fabric, and they made her look both dignified and elegant, yet light and graceful.
Tian Xiang sat in front of the dressing table, letting Ying'er help her comb her hair.
Finally, she selected a pair of white jade earrings and a hairpin inlaid with pearls from the jewelry box.
The earrings were crystal clear, and the pearls on the hairpin were round and lustrous, which were neither too extravagant nor too luxurious, but perfectly complemented Tian Xiang's noble temperament.
"Princess, what do you think of these?" Shi Ying'er handed the earrings and hairpins to Tian Xiang.
Tian Xiang took the earrings, put them on gently, and then picked up the hairpin and inserted it into her hair bun.
She immediately appeared more dignified and elegant in the mirror, her eyes and brows exuding composure and confidence.
“Very good,” she said softly, her tone carrying a hint of approval.
Seeing that she was satisfied, Ying'er also showed a relaxed smile.
She knew that Tian Xiang was usually gentle and kind, but today's occasion did not allow for any carelessness.
"Princess, although today is the spring banquet of Prince An's mansion, if you are not feeling well, you can inform the host and leave first," Ying'er whispered to her.
Tian Xiang nodded. "Okay, I understand."
After breakfast, Tian Xiang took Ying'er out together.
*
Upon arriving at the gate of Prince An's residence, Tian Xiang and Ying'er alighted from the carriage.
Guests streamed in and out of the Prince An's mansion, and the servants at the gate were busy greeting them, accepting gifts, and registering their names.
Tian Xiang straightened her clothes and walked forward calmly, while Ying'er followed behind, carrying a large gift box.
Princess An was a famous noblewoman in the capital. Tian Xiang prepared a set of cosmetics for her from Jiaoyan Pavilion. This complete set of cosmetics would cost several thousand taels of silver to buy at Jiaoyan Pavilion.
As she reached the door, a servant came forward and said, "Young lady, please hand over the gift to me for registration."
Tian Xiang nodded, gesturing for Ying'er to hand over the gift box.
Ying'er held the gift box in both hands, "This is a gift that Princess Qingping specially prepared for Princess An."
The servant took the gift box and turned to register it...
At this moment, the butler-like man standing to the side noticed the name card affixed to the gift box, and his expression changed slightly.
He looked at the name card carefully again, then looked up at Tian Xiang.
"Is it Princess Qingping?"
Tian Xiang had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
Ying'er said, "My mistress is Princess Qingping."
The steward of Prince An's mansion snorted, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, but loud enough for everyone around to hear.
“Princess Qingping, you are a divorced woman. I’m afraid this gift of yours will spoil the joy of today.”
He turned to the stunned servants and said, "Hurry up and move Princess Qingping's gift aside, lest it defile the gifts of the other guests."
Upon hearing this, the previously noisy crowd immediately fell silent.
Many guests stopped and turned their gazes toward Tian Xiang, whispering among themselves.
"So Princess Qingping was a divorced woman!"
"Gifts for divorced women are indeed unlucky, and the steward of the Prince An's mansion is right."
"But she is, after all, the Princess of Qingping County. This servant is being far too disrespectful."
“That’s the steward of the Prince An’s mansion, not an ordinary servant.”
Tian Xiang felt a sharp pain in her heart upon hearing the housekeeper's words.
Her first instinct was to run away...
But she also knew that if she ran away without saying anything today, who knew how much gossip would follow her in the future.
"How dare you..." Ying'er was so anxious that she wanted to step forward and argue.
Tian Xiang grabbed her and straightened her back to look at the housekeeper.
"So what if I am a divorced woman?"
Tian Xiang snorted coldly, mimicking Tian Tian's manner, "Since I came to the capital, I have been to the palace more than ten times, and I don't know how many gifts I have given to the Emperor and Empress."
"The Emperor and Empress don't seem to mind the conflict, but the Prince An's residence is actually considered more noble than the Emperor and Empress?!"
The butler was taken aback, realizing something was wrong.
"That's enough!" Tian Xiang looked at Ying'er. "Ying'er, take the gift back."
"It's all thanks to my thoughtfulness. I've been in the capital for so long, and I never knew that the Prince An's residence was even harder to enter than the imperial palace."
"Let's go."
Tian Xiang turned around.
Ying'er angrily went to retrieve the gift and followed Tian Xiang.
"Princess, please wait." Suddenly, a deep and gentle male voice sounded from behind.
Tian Xiang didn't want to stop, not even enter the Prince An's residence, and instead shift the blame onto the Prince An's residence. She couldn't wait to leave.
But the other person took a step and stood in front of her.
Tian Xiang looked up and saw a man wearing a dark blue robe with a faint smile on his lips.
“Princess, today is the spring banquet at the Prince An’s residence. Since you’re here, why leave in such a hurry over such a trivial matter?”
"If this gets out, it will make you, the county magistrate, seem guilty."
Upon hearing this, Tian Xiang slightly raised her chin, "Who are you?"
"My name is Xie Kang."
Tian Xiang remained silent; she didn't recognize this person.
But what he just said displeased her.
“Princess, you are of noble status, why bother with a servant?”
Tian Xiang glanced back at the butler and could tell that he was very worried.
If what Tian Xiang just said gets out...
Even if the Emperor doesn't pursue the matter, Prince An will definitely have to keep a low profile in the future to avoid arousing suspicion.
Tian Xiang withdrew her gaze and retorted directly, "Does a mere steward dare to say such a thing?"
Without waiting for Xie Kang's reply, she continued walking forward and quickly boarded the carriage.
Ying'er followed along and instructed the coachman, "Return to the manor."
The guests at the entrance of Prince An's mansion looked at each other in bewilderment...
Princess Qingping has left just like that?
They looked at the butler, who was hurrying into the courtyard...
Xie Kang watched as Tian Xiang's carriage left the Prince An's residence.
Inside the carriage, Tian Xiang clutched her chest and exhaled a breath of stale air.
Ying'er praised from the side, "Princess, you were really amazing just now."
Tian Xiang smiled awkwardly. "What's so great about it? She learned it all from Tian Tian."
They were met with disdain by the butler at the door, making it impossible to get in.
Contrary to what Xie Kang said, if she were to go in, it would truly give others grounds for gossip.
"Who is this Xie Kang?" Tian Xiang asked.
Ying'er really knew, "He is a mighty general, stationed in the western border, with many military exploits."
“Last year after the Spring Festival, he returned to the capital to report on his duties. His wife suddenly fell ill and passed away. The emperor, mindful that he had a young son at home, decided to keep him in the capital.”
"I've heard that he's always wanted to remarry so he can return to the Western Frontier as soon as possible."
"But everyone in the capital knows that becoming his second wife is almost like living as a widow, and you'll also have to take care of his young child. No one in the capital is willing to do that."
"I don't know why he's speaking up for the Prince An's mansion today."
Tian Xiang didn't care about the intricacies of the situation; she simply remembered that if she ever encountered Xie Kang again, she would turn away.
Not a good person!!
*
Sometimes, what you fear most will come to pass.
The next day, Tian Xiang was about to go to Cha Xiang Zhai when she found an unfamiliar carriage parked at the gate of the mansion as soon as she stepped out of the shop.
The carriage was ornately decorated, with exquisite patterns embroidered on the curtains.
Tian Xiang frowned slightly.
"Princess Qingping." Xie Kang poked his head out of the carriage and looked at her with a smile.
"General Xie, what brings you here?" Tian Xiang asked in a cold tone, her eyes filled with a hint of wariness.
Xie Kang jumped down from the carriage and walked to Tian Xiang with a nonchalant air. "Where are you going, Princess? How about I give you a ride?"
Tian Xiang took a step back to keep her distance from him, her tone still indifferent, "No need, I have my own carriage, General Xie need not trouble yourself."
Xie Kang, however, persisted, saying with a smile, "Why be so formal, Princess? We've been acquainted for a while now."
Old acquaintance?
Tian Xiang frowned slightly, feeling somewhat displeased. "General Xie, we have no prior relationship. Please show some respect."
Upon hearing this, Xie Kang's smile did not diminish; instead, it became even more unrestrained. "Why is the county princess so cold? It's not safe for a woman like you to travel alone. Why don't I escort you for a while?"
Tian Xiang didn't want to waste any more words with him, so she turned to leave.
However, Xie Kang stepped in front of her and blocked her way.
"Princess, why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Xie Kang still smiled, but his tone carried an air of undeniable authority.
Tian Xiang stopped and looked at him coldly. "General Xie, what exactly do you want to do?"
“Your Highness, I am a newly widowed man, and Your Highness is also divorced. I sincerely wish to get to know Your Highness…” Xie Kang’s tone was flippant.
Upon hearing this, Tian Xiang's face immediately darkened.
She looked at Xie Kang coldly, her gaze like a knife. "General Xie, please have some self-respect."
"Princess..."
Xie Kang reached out his hand, as if to pull Tian Xiang.
Just as Xie Kang reached out to grab Tian Xiang, a stone suddenly flew from the corner and hit Xie Kang's wrist precisely.
Xie Kang winced in pain, abruptly pulling his hand back, his face instantly turning ashen.
"Who! Who dares to ambush this general!" Xie Kang roared, clutching his aching wrist and glaring fiercely at his surroundings.
However, before he could finish speaking, another stone flew from the shadows, this time hitting him right at his feet, startling him so much that he retreated several steps.
Immediately afterwards, stones flew out from the corner one after another. Although none of them hit Xie Kang directly, each one landed precisely at his feet, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.
"Who is it! Get out here!" Xie Kang was so angry that his face turned pale.
He dodged and roared, but the stone's attack showed no sign of stopping.
Tian Xiang stood aside, looking at Xie Kang's disheveled appearance, feeling both relieved and somewhat puzzled.
These stones were clearly placed intentionally, but who was secretly helping her?
Could it be...
A name suddenly flashed through her mind—Qin Qingyun.
Thinking of this, Tian Xiang couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
Forced to retreat by the stones, Xie Kang eventually had to flee back to the carriage in a sorry state.
He glared at Tian Xiang through gritted teeth, then jumped onto the carriage and urged the driver to leave quickly.
The carriage hurriedly drove away, and Xie Kang's roar gradually faded into the distance, finally allowing Tian Xiang to breathe a sigh of relief.
She stood there, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
"Princess, are you alright?" Ying'er hurriedly stepped forward and asked with concern.
Tian Xiang looked up in the direction from which the stone had come and vaguely saw a figure flash by in the corner before disappearing.
She was slightly taken aback...
He left? He's not coming out?
Ying'er also looked in the direction from which the stone had flown and asked in confusion, "Princess, who do you think is helping us?"
Tian Xiang looked away, her expression forlorn. "I don't know either."
Ying'er looked at her worriedly, "Princess, shall we... still go to the shop?"
Tian Xiang shook her head, "I'm not going, let's go back to the manor first."
Ying'er quickly agreed and helped Tian Xiang back to the mansion.
Tian Xiang sat in the room, still feeling somewhat uneasy.
"Has Xie Kang gone mad?" Ying'er asked, puzzled.
Why was he blocking the county princess's gate?
"Could it be..."
Ying'er stared wide-eyed at Tian Xiang in disbelief. "Princess, he wouldn't be thinking of... making you his second wife, would he?!"
Thinking of this possibility, Ying'er was so angry she jumped up and down, "He!! He's gone too far!!"
"No way...no way!!"
Tian Xiang leaned back in her chair and sighed softly.
Xie Kang must have been so dismissive of her because she was a divorced woman.
"Princess, would you like to rest for a while?" Ying'er asked with concern when she saw that Tian Xiang looked tired.
Tian Xiang nodded and said softly, "Alright, I'll go rest for a while. Ying'er, you go ahead and do your work, don't worry about me."
"Don't tell my mother or Aunt Liu about what happened today."
Ying'er responded and quietly withdrew.
Tian Xiang sat alone in the room, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
The image of Qin Qingyun involuntarily appeared in her mind.
A free-spirited swordsman, however, stayed by her side because she had once been kind enough to let Tian Tian save him...
He protected her both openly and secretly for more than two years.
She didn't understand why he had come to the capital but didn't show up to see her.
"Qin Qingyun..." Tian Xiang murmured the name softly... her mind was in turmoil.