Chapter 193: Emergency Measures

Chapter 193: Emergency Measures

Upon reaching the edge of the woods, Xiao Yuchen and Princess Jianing didn't immediately board the carriage. Instead, they waited for the fight inside to conclude and for all their people to return. Only after counting and confirming everyone's presence did they board the carriage.

Two of Xiao Yuchen's guards were injured, but not critically. On Princess Jianing's side, one guard had perished. She ordered that the fallen guard's body be taken for cremation, intending to bring his ashes back to his family.

The carriage rattled along for half an hour before reaching the county yamen. Magistrate Shen had rooms prepared in advance, offering Xiao Yuchen and Princess Jianing a place to rest. Upon entering his room, Xiao Yuchen immediately went to bathe.

Meanwhile, Princess Jianing was in conversation with her brother. Li Jinghao stood before her, his face creased with guilt as he said, "If it weren't for me, sister, you wouldn't have had to make the arduous journey to the capital, nor would you have been captured by bandits."

Princess Jianing wiped her hands with a damp cloth, replying, "Don't speak such words again. We are one and the same. Traveling to the capital is to carve out a path for you, and for myself. If you fare poorly, how can I be well?"

Li Jinghao, lips pursed, bowed his head in silence. Princess Jianing reached out to touch his head, saying, "Once we arrive in the capital, don't strive to be the strongest or the best. It's sufficient to appear mediocre before the Emperor."

Li Jinghao nodded. He understood; as the legitimate eldest son of Prince Duan, he must appear ordinary if he wished for the Emperor's decree to appoint him as the heir. No emperor desires a powerful prince within his realm.

"I need to freshen up; you should get some rest," Princess Jianing told Li Jinghao.

But Li Jinghao stood there hesitantly, as if he had something on his mind. Noticing this, Princess Jianing urged, "If there's something you want to say, just say it."

"It's just... when you were trapped with the Marquis of Yongning’s heir, did you two..."

He had even seen them holding hands while running.

Princess Jianing’s face stiffened slightly upon hearing this, then she replied, “I believe that the Marquis of Yongning’s heir won’t speak of things that should not be mentioned.”

"But did you two..."

"Nothing happened, and you needn't worry about my affairs. Go and get some rest," Princess Jianing insisted, gently pushing him towards the door. Left with no choice, Li Jinghao exited the room.

Upon opening the door, he saw Princess Jianing's two personal maids waiting outside. As Li Jinghao stepped out, the maids entered to assist Princess Jianing with her bath.

"Have either of you been injured?" Princess Jianing inquired.

Both maids shook their heads. Yunqing wiped away her tears and said, "If the Princess Mother were still alive, knowing the hardships you’ve endured, she would be heartbroken."

Princess Jianing walked towards the cleansing chamber, remarking, "What hardship? If I hadn't taken this step, greater hardships would await Jinghao and me."

"The Prince was so kind to you and the young master before. How could he..." Yunhua's tears began to flow as well.

A cold smile appeared on Princess Jianing's face. "Haven’t you heard? With a new mother comes a new father. He no longer cares whether we live or die. Enough crying, we will find justice," she said.

The maids wiped their tears and began to assist her with her bath.

Meanwhile, after bathing, Xiao Yuchen had a light meal and started writing a letter home. He decided not to mention the recent danger, to avoid worrying his family.

After finishing the letter, he prepared to go to bed. Changfeng came over to make the bed, asking, "What do you plan to do about those bandits?"

As he unbuttoned his shirt, Xiao Yuchen replied, "Magistrate Shen must have already reported the incident to the Military Commissioner. They won’t ignore it."

Apart from his own status, Princess Jianing was a bona fide royal, captured by bandits in this jurisdiction. It was a lapse in the Military Commissioner’s oversight, and they would surely send troops to quell the bandits.

After making the bed, Changfeng sneaked a glance at Xiao Yuchen and whispered, "I saw you holding hands with Princess Jianing."

Xiao Yuchen: "..." Quite the sharp eyes you have.

"It was an emergency measure," Xiao Yuchen retorted, glaring at Changfeng.

Changfeng hummed in acknowledgment, "This servant understands."

"Not a word of this, a lady's reputation is of utmost importance," Xiao Yuchen added sternly.

Changfeng hurriedly assured, "This servant will never speak of it."

Xiao Yuchen hummed in response, "You should get some rest as well."

With a nod, Changfeng left, and Xiao Yuchen retired to bed.

After breakfast the next day, Magistrate Shen invited them to the front hall. When Xiao Yuchen and Guan Yinan arrived, they found Li Jinghao and Magistrate Shen already present. After exchanging greetings and sitting down, Magistrate Shen said, "I sent a message to the Military Commissioner at full speed yesterday. They should arrive today, and I hope you can wait for them."

If the Military Commissioner was to dispatch troops to suppress the bandits, they would likely want to inquire about the bandits from Xiao Yuchen, Li Jinghao, and the others, who had no objections.

Li Jinghao added, "Yesterday, we sent people to the capital to arrange for someone to pick us up, my sister and I will have to impose on you for a few more days."

Magistrate Shen promptly replied that it was no trouble at all, and they were more than welcome.

After discussing the matters, as the three men left the hall, Li Jinghao asked Xiao Yuchen, "Will the young master be returning to the capital afterwards?"

"No, I still have matters to attend to," Xiao Yuchen replied.

Li Jinghao nodded, "Does the young master have any items to be sent back to the capital? I can bring them for you."

"That would be great," Xiao Yuchen responded, "I'll organize my things later and trouble you to bring them back."

"It's no trouble at all."

Li Jinghao glanced at Xiao Yuchen; he had seen him in a disheveled state the day before and hadn’t noticed his appearance. Seeing Xiao Yuchen again today, he thought him to be one of the most handsome men he had ever encountered.

He then thought of his sister and sighed inwardly.

After parting ways, Xiao Yuchen and Guan Yinan didn't return to their rooms; instead, they went straight to the market to shop. The items Xiao Yuchen had previously bought for Tang Shuyi and the others had been stolen by the bandits, so he had to repurchase them.

Guan Yinan also made some purchases. The Guan family, not only managed the Hou estate's western manor but had also bought a considerable amount of land and shops over the years, making them quite wealthy. Guan Yinan wasn't short of money.

By the time they returned from shopping, the Military Commissioner had already arrived. Xiao Yuchen placed his purchases in his room and then, accompanied by Changfeng, headed to the hall.

On the way, they encountered Princess Jianing, who was also heading to the hall, exchanged courtesies, and went together. Due to the "intimate" encounter the day before, both Xiao Yuchen and Princess Jianing felt a bit awkward upon meeting again and thus remained silent throughout their journey.

"Indeed, the Prefect of Military Supplies came to inquire about the bandits. The three of us relayed what we had witnessed and heard," said Fang Daru with a chuckle. "To have banditry within my jurisdiction reflects a failure in my duties. I shall mobilize troops to eradicate these bandits posthaste," he declared after listening to their account.

Neither Xiao Yuchen nor Princess Jianing offered any reaction. Suppressing bandits was within his remit; success might preserve his position, while failure could result in his dismissal.

After leaving the hall, the group made their way back to where they were staying, this time with less awkwardness. On the road, Xiao Yuchen asked Princess Jianing, "Has the emperor sent someone to collect the princess and Master Li?"

"We mustn't alarm the imperial uncle with this matter; I have already sent a message to my maternal grandmother," replied Princess Jianing.

Xiao Yuchen pondered for a moment. Princess Jianing's maternal family was the Duke of Li Nation. However, since the duke's passing, none of his descendants had distinguished themselves, and the household was visibly in decline.

"May I trouble the princess to carry something back to the capital for me?" Xiao Yuchen asked politely.

"It's but a trivial matter, no need for such courtesy," Princess Jianing replied with equal politeness.

After exchanging a few courteous words, they each retired to their respective rooms.

PS: I had intended to describe their encounter with the bandits, but as I wrote, I realized it was unnecessary. You could probably imagine it just fine, so I decided to skip it.