Chapter 7: Indeed, She Is a Young Princess Unaware of the World…

Chapter 7: Indeed, a naive young royal...

The palace hall was warmed by heated floors, its doors and windows tightly shut. Despite the rain outside, the air inside felt stifling. No maids were in attendance, leaving the space feeling particularly vast and empty.

They sat in silence for a moment, caught in an awkward pause.

"I am Xiao Yanxing, of Cang County. I was suddenly attacked by bandits on the road and was fortunate to be rescued by you, my lady. This life debt is one I shall never forget," Xiao Yanxing said, his eyes previously lowered, now slowly lifting his head. His hair framed his face, softening his usual aloofness and making him appear more approachable and kind.

Especially as he spoke these words, he seemed polite and well-mannered.

Hearing him introduce himself—and with his real name—Xie Lingyu breathed easier.

It was clear that although Xiao Yanxing still harbored some caution toward her, he at least remembered the gratitude owed for saving his life.

She had no intention of letting him realize she had deliberately sent people to find him.

Xie Lingyu lifted her thick lashes, fluttered them once, then offered a small smile. "My name is Xie Lingyu."

Upon hearing this name, Xiao Yanxing's eyes flew open in shock, surprise evident on his face. Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out: "Prince Yongning."

The way he uttered "Prince Yongning" sounded strangely familiar, just like in his dream.

Could the figure from his dreams have become the person before him?

His words also caused Xie Lingyu a brief moment of surprise.

The young girl propped her chin in her hand, chuckling lightly. "So I'm really that famous? Just hearing my name tells you who I am?"

There was a playful thoughtfulness in her tone.

"The Prince of Yongning’s name is likely known throughout all of Great Zhou."

Xiao Yanxing’s throat worked subtly as he suppressed the turmoil within.

This was not empty praise from Xiao Yanxing. After all, in all of history, the person before him was the first woman ever granted a princedom.

When the Emperor bestowed the title upon Xie Lingyu, it caused an uproar across the land.

Countless self-proclaimed reclusive scholars came out of the woodwork to protest, loudly declaring that a woman could not hold the rank of prince.

Fortunately, since ascending the throne, the Emperor, though outwardly gentle, had always held firm control over court affairs and ruled with authority. Having promised his younger brother on his deathbed, he refused to go back on his word. Thus, even while bucking tradition, he proceeded with Xie Lingyu’s enfeoffment.

The common folk had never heard of a female prince before, so naturally, the topic stirred up endless discussion.

As a result, the name of the Prince of Yongning, Xie Lingyu, spread far and wide—even surpassing the fame of the Emperor’s own sons and daughters.

Over time, however, public discourse gradually faded.

It came to be seen as nothing more than an unprecedented exception in their dynasty.

Thankfully, Xie Lingyu was inherently discreet and never caused any real scandals. Gradually, even the most stubborn and conservative scholars who had initially opposed her began to accept the situation.

Yet, Xiao Yanxing’s heart grew heavier with each passing moment.

Before knowing her identity, he had merely speculated about her motives for rescuing him. Now, realizing she held such a lofty position, he was even more puzzled as to why she would save a down-and-out man like him.

What could she possibly want from him?

She had status and rank—was it really just because of his face?

Xie Lingyu’s lips quirked in a faint smirk. “But you look a little shocked. Did I let you down?”

“Your Highness jokes. I’d never presume such a thought,” Xiao Yanxing replied hastily, though his urgency tugged at his injuries, causing him to cough lightly.

Xie Lingyu stuck out her lip. “Don’t get so worked up. I was just messing with you. People probably think a prince like me should have three heads and six arms.”

Her playful tone somehow put people at ease.

Right then, the doors swung open again, and a pretty maid came in with a big red-and-gold tray holding a crackled-glaze celadon bowl, still steaming hot.

Xiao Yanxing looked up from the bed and noticed an assortment of bottles on the nearby round table—likely medicine. Obviously, they were all for him.

“Here’s your medicine. Take it first,” Xie Lingyu said, reaching to take the bowl from the tray.

Ting He, the maid with the medicine, warned quickly, “Your Highness, be careful—it’s hot.”

Xie Lingyu’s fingers brushed the bowl and jerked back from the burn, making Xiao Yanxing frown slightly.

Ting He quickly put the bowl down and fretted, “Your Highness, are your fingers alright? Were you burned?”

“It’s nothing,” Xie Lingyu replied calmly, appearing unharmed.

Ting He bowed in apology. “This servant’s to blame for the medicine being too hot.”

Xiao Yanxing’s eyes stayed on Xie Lingyu’s sleeve—she’d already hidden her fingers.

“Let the medicine cool before you drink it. Rest well afterward. The Medical Officer said you need to rest quietly. Don’t move around too soon, or you’ll pull your wounds,” Xie Lingyu advised before standing. “I’ll leave you be.”

Xiao Yanxing gave a slight nod. “Your Highness, take care. Pardon me for not walking you out.”

Xie Lingyu had already turned to leave but suddenly paused.

She unhooked a little pouch from her belt, walked back to the bedside, and pressed it into Xiao Yanxing’s hand. “Open this after you finish the medicine.”

Instantly, a flicker of gravity passed through Xiao Yanxing’s eyes as he clenched the pouch in his palm.

Was this pouch tied to why she’d saved him?

If she showed her hand now, he could plan ahead.

As he pondered, the girl’s light footsteps gradually faded, disappearing entirely beyond the chamber doors.

Only after Xiao Yanxing finished the medicine and dismissed the maids, leaving himself alone in the room, did he finally open the pouch.

It still smelled like Xie Lingyu—a sweet, girly scent that hit him right away.

When he emptied the pouch, a few round, oil-paper-wrapped lumps rolled into his hand.

With slender fingers, he carefully unfolded the paper, revealing sugar crystals inside—a snack young girls love.

He eyed the sugar for a beat before popping a piece in his mouth.

A sudden sweetness flooded his tongue.

The sweetness almost seemed to taunt his overthinking.

For all her noble standing, she was just a girl who kept sweets on hand.

*

After a night had passed, the rain cleared, and the entire Shangyang Palace, washed by the previous day's downpour, looked freshly scrubbed and gleaming. The glazed tiles shimmered with golden morning light, glittering brilliantly.

Xie Lingyu slumped wearily while her maid brushed her black hair, occasionally letting out a yawn.

Yesterday, she had both rescued someone and stood watch over them, leaving her thoroughly exhausted.

A good night's sleep had at least kept her from looking completely wrecked.

When Ting He entered, Xie Lingyu had just finished gargling and was about to call for breakfast.

Catching sight of Ting He, she immediately asked, "Didn’t I tell you to stay there?"

Ting He said with a helpless sigh, "Your Highness, that gentleman is impossibly stubborn. He refuses to let any maidservant attend to him. Even when drinking water, he insists on getting up himself to pour it—almost took a spill that would’ve made his injuries worse."

Xie Lingyu hadn’t expected such a situation.

She asked, "Why is that?"

"The gentleman simply said he isn’t used to being waited on by maidservants," Ting He replied honestly, not daring to complain.

As Xie Lingyu’s personal maid, Ting He held some status within Shangyang Palace, yet she'd been brushed off so dismissively by an outsider.

Ting He added, "Though the gentleman is indeed handsome, it’s not as if we maidservants would get any ideas."

Hearing this, Xie Lingyu almost snorted.

But considering Xiao Yanxing’s face, she wasn't exactly wrong.

Just then, Chun Xi entered with ginseng tea and chided, "What nonsense are you spouting in front of Her Highness?"

Though both were personal maids, Chun Xi outranked Ting He.

Realizing her slip, Ting He quickly fell silent. Though Great Zhou had an open-minded society, Her Highness was still a young lady.

"Let’s go take a look," Xie Lingyu stood up.

Chun Xi hurriedly dissuaded her. "Your Highness, there’s no need to rush. Drink your ginseng soup first and have some breakfast. You must take care of your health too."

Xie Lingyu had only recently recovered herself, and she wasn't about to risk her neck now.

Sitting back down, she took a sip of the ginseng brew and instructed Ting He, "Then find a male attendant to care for him and have the Medical Officer come check his pulse again."

After Ting He left, Chun Xi remarked, "That gentleman is truly fortunate to have been saved by Your Highness."

Xie Lingyu, still drinking her soup, quirked a smile.

She was no saint.

Her rescue had an angle.

Meanwhile, Ting He first sent for the Medical Officer, then personally selected a quick-witted attendant. By the time she arrived with him, she was behind the Medical Officer.

The Medical Officer had just finished taking Xiao Yanxing’s pulse. "You're tough as nails, sir. Despite the severe injuries you suffered yesterday, you’re already up and about today."

It turned out that Xiao Yanxing had suffered internal injuries from the black-clad bandit leader’s attack the day before.

Xie Lingyu and her retinue had swiftly brought him back to Shangyang Palace on horseback. Despite the carriage being spacious and comfortable, the journey was still bumpy.

By the time they reached Shangyang Palace, Xiao Yanxing was gasping for breath. His face, smeared with mud and water, was pale as paper.

"Thank you for your life-saving skills, sir," Xiao Yanxing said softly.

Though naturally distrustful of others, he couldn't deny this physician had saved his life.

The Medical Officer waved a hand. "You flatter me, young master. There's no need to thank me. If anyone deserves thanks, it's Her Highness. Without the thousand-year ginseng bestowed by the Emperor—which she used to keep you alive—you might not have made it here."

After the Medical Officer went to the outer chamber to prepare a prescription, he beckoned Maid Ting closer.

He asked, "Maid Ting, is there any of yesterday’s ginseng left? If so, it would be best to brew some ginseng soup for the young master to take with his medicine."

Maid Ting nearly scoffed and replied quietly, "Sir, you know that was imperial thousand-year ginseng. If not for Her Highness’s recent illness, when the Emperor specially sent it, we'd hardly be swimming in such treasures."

"After a severe injury, restoring vital energy is paramount. Only when qi and blood are replenished can the body recover quickly," the Medical Officer sighed deeply.

"There is," suddenly spoke a gentle girlish voice.

The two looked up to see Xie Lingyu sweeping into the room, clearly having overheard their conversation.

"Just write the prescription, sir," Xie Lingyu said gently, though there was steel beneath her soft tone.

After the Medical Officer departed, Xie Lingyu turned and entered the bedchamber.

Xiao Yanxing had already heard voices outside. At the sound of footsteps, he slightly turned his head and saw a willowy silhouette approach.

She wore an exquisite white fox fur coat, its fluffy collar framing her delicate, charming face. A delicate forehead adornment graced her brow, giving her a more mature beauty than the day before—no longer just a girl, but a rare bloom in a palace garden.

Compared to the striking, cold elegance she had shown in yesterday’s rain, she now exuded the refined splendor of noble grace.

"Greetings, Your Highness. Please forgive my inability to offer proper obeisance," Xiao Yanxing lifted his gaze to meet hers, speaking softly.

"Then it's best you don’t move," Xie Lingyu replied bluntly. "Unless you want to undo all the physician's work and suffer needlessly."

Xiao Yanxing’s eyes darkened slightly. He knew the maids must have told Xie Lingyu about his earlier difficulties.

Now that he owed his life to her, he had no right to be picky.

"If you're unaccustomed to female attendants, a manservant shall attend you these next few days. You must rest well, Your Highness," Xie Lingyu continued, noticing the unreadable stare fixed upon her.

With an arch look, she countered, "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you expect me to personally tend to you?"

She had expected him to resist, giving her cause to reprimand him and remind him of his place—or even press him to remember the life-debt he owed her.

After all, wasn’t that how nobles wielded both carrot and stick?

Especially where such a life-debt was concerned.

Yet, she did none of that.

"Your Highness jests. How could someone as lowly as Xiao Yanxing dare entertain such presumptuous thoughts?" Xiao Yanxing modestly averted his gaze, sitting upright on the bed with an air of studied meekness.

But in her past life, even Xie Lingyu—who had no ties to court politics—had heard of Lord Xiao’s ruthless tactics and cunning strategies.

She would never mistake the man before her for a docile youth.

Soon, a servant brought in the freshly brewed medicine.

Xie Lingyu sat quietly beside him, watching as he drank the entire bowl.

When they were alone again in the hall, Xiao Yanxing lowered his gaze slightly and softly asked, “Your Highness once spoke of wanting my loyalty. How exactly do you want me to prove it?”

Xie Lingyu hadn’t expected him to bring it up himself. She’d assumed a man like him would act only after careful planning—or perhaps this was a test.

A man like him wouldn’t fully trust her over one life debt.

In truth, she had been thinking about it since coming back to life.

Did she die in her past life because of who she was, or because of Pei Jing’an? It was hard to say.

Still, those who had wronged her deserved punishment.

“What do *you* think loyalty is, my lord?” Her soft voice drifted through the air.

Xiao Yanxing lifted his head. Their eyes met, and he studied her dark, glistening eyes—like autumn waters, shimmering, clear, and deep.

After a pause, he lightly curved his lips. “I’d appreciate Your Highness’s guidance.”

He hated being indebted to anyone. But since he had agreed that day, he would follow through.

Ever since waking, Xiao Yanxing had been considering this very thing. With her status and position, this young princess had no shortage of willing servants. She surely had an agenda for saving him.

If she truly meant to use him for something shady—

He would do it.

Just to clear his debt to her.

Then they’d be square.

Yet now, Xie Lingyu took a step closer to his bedside, leaning in slightly until her face was just inches from his. In that instant, the sweet, girlish scent returned—familiar and delicate.

The same as the sachet by his pillow.

“For me,” Xie Lingyu tilted her head, thinking hard, “I want you always on Xie Lingyu’s side.”

That’s it?

Xiao Yanxing hadn’t expected such a naïve, almost childish answer.

*Truly a sheltered little princess,* he mused silently.