Chapter 449: The Clear-headed Girl

Chapter 449: The Awakened Girl

They played their roles—one as a pampered noblewoman, the other as a moneyed husband known for extravagant spending—and swiftly purchased the estate.

The identities of this couple weren’t fabricated but borrowed from a noble young lady and her newlywed husband.

Though the noble families supported the King of Qin, their unity wasn’t unbreakable.

Those lesser-born daughters who struggled to survive in the shadows of the women's quarters didn’t wish their families well.

Especially now that women’s status had risen, even the strictest household rules allowed them a measure of freedom.

More enlightened parents even permitted them to engage in their own pursuits.

Many awakened young women understood that if this first female crown prince in history were overthrown, the hard-won progress in women’s status would come crashing down.

Their future roles would be reduced to marriage alliances and bearing sons for their husbands.

Many noble young ladies had quietly sworn fealty to the Eastern Palace.

Bei Jingchu even suspected that more hadn’t lacked the connections to approach her discreetly, not because they were unwilling.

This estate purchase relied on the identity of one such lady.

Her own subordinates were easily watched, while those of lower status risked drawing unwanted attention and increasing exposure.

A noble family’s daughter, neither too high nor too low in status, was just right.

With the transaction completed, the seller left gleefully with his coin.

Bei Jingchu shot a meaningful look at her confidant, who nodded and departed.

He would send people to monitor the departing seller—any suspicious activity or spies would be eliminated immediately.

Once done, she resumed a sweetly vacant smile, her lively eyes making her seem like a love-struck young bride.

“Husband, let’s go home.”

Jiang Longshou paused, then nodded slowly.

He lingered, reluctant to depart.

Sigh—

The estate’s gates closed, the quiet doors appearing desolate, but behind them stood watchful sentries.

Every strategic position was guarded to ensure no outsiders could enter.

Outside, Jiang Longshou helped his “wife” into the carriage. Her coquettish mask slipped as she tore off her face covering.

One by one, the elaborate hair ornaments were tossed onto the carriage floor, like the day's fleeting pretense of affection dissipating.

A shadow of melancholy flickered in Jiang Longshou’s eyes.

A wayward hair ornament snagged in Bei Jingchu’s hair, tugging painfully at her scalp.

She glanced up and saw him sitting there dumbly, making no move to assist, and rolled her eyes slightly.

Such a blockhead~

Bei Jingchu slightly lowered her head and instructed, "Take my hair down."

He snapped back to attention, and his hand instinctively reached out as ordered, touching the cool strands of hair, yet it felt as if he had been scalded.

Was this too forward...

Jiang Longshou clenched his itching palm tightly—she looked unusually docile like this.

Biting his lip to steady his trembling hands, he removed the hairpin from her head.

It was his first time helping a girl undo her hair, and he fumbled clumsily, taking a long time to finally manage it.

Her neck felt stiff.

She rubbed her neck, then produced a bundle and said to Jiang Longshou, "Turn around."

He blinked in confusion, as if unsure what she meant.

Bei Jingchu: "..."

"I need to change clothes. Turn around."

Bei Jingchu's casual attire consisted of practical, narrow-sleeved martial robes, favoring function over looks.

Today, she had worn a full set of ruqun and pibo—beautiful, yes, but nothing like her usual style.

Going back like this would look strange, so she needed to change before heading back.

After she spoke, the young man's mind suddenly raced, his face and ears gradually turning red.

He looked bright red as a boiled lobster.

Clearing his throat lightly, he turned his back to her.

The rustle of fabric reached his ears, and his pulse refused to slow.

He kept his eyes shut but not his thoughts.

The more he tried not to think, the clearer the images became.

A sudden warmth at the tip of his nose made him curse under his breath.

His fingers came away bloody.

She mustn't see this...

Frantically dabbing at it with his sleeve, he hoped she wouldn't notice.

Thankfully, he was wearing black today.

Only when she said, "Done," did Jiang Longshou let out a long breath—his ordeal was over.

Just then, someone knocked on the carriage from outside and reported, "Your Highness, no one is following us."

Bei Jingchu then ordered, "Very well. Take us home."

After Qixi Festival, Bei Jingchu used poor health as an excuse to leave, withdrawing from court politics.

The Eastern Palace was fortified like a fortress, but movement in and out of the palace gates was restricted, hampering her movements.

This strategic retreat went largely unnoticed. Apart from her rebellion conspirators, even Changyan believed she was genuinely worn out and retreating to steer clear of trouble.