ASTRP -Chapter 226 They Are About to Marry

Xiao Jinghan narrowed his eyes. “If we don’t deal with him, he’ll still be handed over to the Emperor.”

“As for informing Eunuch Hai, just say that the princess simply refuses to eat or drink anything he sends.”

“And tell everyone in the residence to stay on guard against him.”

“Yue’er, arrange it immediately.”

Soon after, a personal maid entered with a sealed document.

She reported that Fang Dijun’s maid had delivered a message that morning.

Two things had been discovered.

First, it was impossible to win over Eunuch Hai and turn him to their side.

“Princess, please burn this after reading it.”

Xi Liyue unfolded the document.

Good heavens—Eunuch Hai actually harbored unusual feelings toward the Emperor.

Calling it “brotherly affection” was already an understatement.

It was likely the kind of disturbing relationship often seen in the palace.

Eunuch Hai had grown up alongside the Emperor, like a brother… even like a companion.

Just like some male servants develop feelings for the masters they serve.

Eunuchs were no different.

Second, A Cai had finally been found by Fang Dijun’s younger brother, who was serving in the court.

A Cai and his family had been hiding in a distant province.

It was only because Fang Dijun’s brother had gone there on official business, and noticed a royal bracelet at an auction house, that he traced the lead back to A Cai.

“Princess, A Cai said all those jade items were gifts from the Emperor.”

Of course, Fang Dijun’s brother had not revealed his identity.

What they learned was that the former Emperor had not harmed Xi Liyue’s imperial uncle.

It was the current Emperor who, out of jealousy that the former Emperor had favored Xi Qing Rende, had decided to strike first.

“No… that’s not right.”

“There was no need for that…”

The maid interjected, “Princess, whether there was a need or not, this is all A Cai knows.”

“Our people haven’t found anything beyond this.”

Xi Liyue exhaled softly.

She felt slightly relieved.

At least it wasn’t the former Emperor.

When she was young, the former Emperor had treated her quite well.

In truth, she had always harbored doubts before.

Even on her imperial uncle’s memorial rites, the Emperor had shown little care.

“As long as it wasn’t the former Emperor who harmed my imperial uncle…”

Prince Yu gave a low “Mm.” “What do you mean by that?”

The maid quickly explained, “Ah… it’s just that speaking of the dead doesn’t feel appropriate.”

After that, Liu Rujun never succeeded even once.

His anxiety was visible to the naked eye.

Later, Xi Liyue and Prince Yu followed him out several times late at night.

He was always meeting Eunuch Hai.

After repeated failures, Liu Rujun began to suspect that Xi Liyue and Prince Yu had discovered something.

Eunuch Hai told him not to overthink it. Since poisoning had failed, he should simply continue being an instructor.

At the same time, in court, the Emperor began making things difficult for Xi Liyue.

Even outsiders could easily see it.

Afterward, Xi Liyue pretended to be ill and stayed in the princess’s residence.

She discussed strategies with Feng Jingge and Xiao Jinghan—they had to deal with the Emperor quickly.

The Emperor was not stupid; he would not be able to maintain this state for long.

And so time passed, until Xi Liyue and Prince Yu’s wedding drew near.

Two days before the wedding, Prince Yu leaned close to her ear and said something.

Xi Liyue froze.

At first she was delighted, then slightly embarrassed.

“I…”

Prince Yu tapped her. “Are you backing out?!”

“We’ve been through so much together. You used to cling to me every day in my residence, even insisting on sleeping with me.”

“What? Now that it’s really happening, you’re scared?”

“I… I’m not…”

“If you’re scared, I might just go find that instructor Liu Rujun instead.”

“…”

Xi Liyue quickly grabbed his hand.

“I’m not scared!”

She shyly leaned into his arms.

“Your Highness, in two more days, I’ll be yours.”

Prince Yu looked down at her, feeling both tenderness and excitement.

On the day before the wedding, the princess’s residence was bustling nonstop.

That night, she was also supposed to complete a “minor coming-of-age ceremony” with the instructor.

Tomorrow, she would complete the “major ceremony” with Prince Yu.

To make it more festive, everyone in the residence wore new clothes.

Even Feng Jingge and Xiao Jinghan changed into fresh attire.

As the imperial uncle and aunt of Prince Yu, they were required to attend the wedding.

But Prince Yu himself was uneasy in his room.

Liu Rujun would be wearing pale pink today, and at night he would serve as the instructor for the ceremony.

Prince Yu felt uneasy.

In her room, Xi Liyue sat holding a book, flipping it back and forth.

Maid Shan Yue entered, glanced at the book, and blushed deeply.

Ironically, she was the one who had found the book for Xi Liyue.

“Princess, don’t just read—have something to eat.”

“If I don’t read… how will I manage tonight?”

“I’m not actually going to learn from a real instructor, but I still need to read before the final step.”

Shan Yue placed down a tray of pastries. “Sometimes, these things don’t need learning.”

“You must not go hungry.”

“Tomorrow morning and noon you won’t be allowed to eat—only water.”

“If you don’t eat today, tomorrow will be unbearable.”

“Alright, I know you’re busy. Go on.”

And so night fell.

Shan Yue returned again.

“Princess, everything is prepared.”

“The instructor will soon be carried into your courtyard in a pink sedan chair.”

“But as you instructed, his drink has been drugged.”

“When he wakes tomorrow, he will be under guard.”

“His handling will wait until after you pass these two nights.”

She added that even if Liu Rujun tried to make trouble, no one would respond to his calls.

Xi Liyue nodded, her heart both nervous and excited.

“Oh right, don’t mistreat Liu Rujun.”

“Although he is the Emperor’s man, I’ve overheard him speaking with Eunuch Hai—he seems to have been threatened by Hai the entire time.”

“Princess is truly kind-hearted.”

And so Liu Rujun fell asleep inside the pink sedan chair.

At a small road, Shan Yue secretly moved him out and replaced him with Prince Yu.

The reason for this arrangement was that the sedan would circle around the outer perimeter of the residence.

The outside was not as safe as inside the estate.

If Eunuch Hai’s people were watching, it would be troublesome.

So someone had to be inside the sedan.

Thus, the pink sedan entered the residence, and everyone finally relaxed.

Shan Yue called out loudly:

“Instructor has entered the chamber!”

The sedan was set down in the courtyard, and everyone withdrew.

Prince Yu felt the surrounding silence.

He lifted the curtain and quickly ran into Xi Liyue’s room.

Once inside, he complained:

“Of all things, I had to wear pale pink today. As a prince, wearing pink—it feels like I’ve lowered my status.”

Xi Liyue said nothing.

Prince Yu still felt a bit uneasy.

He turned around—and saw Xi Liyue sitting at the table in a simple dress, resting her chin on her hands.

Her eyes were fixed on him.

From head to toe, left to right.

“You… what are you looking at?”

“Looking at how handsome Your Highness is!”

“Your Highness looks really good in pink.”

“…” Prince Yu scoffed. “Nonsense. I’ll look better in red tomorrow.”