USWHC -Chapter 465 Escape (Part 5)

“Maybe they’re just worried about me!” Zhu Jie said with a cold sneer.

Yes—who had just calmly stepped out from behind the screen was none other than their Princess Lanqin, Zhu Jie!

Princess Lanyi still couldn’t believe it. “Y-you… didn’t you run away?”

“Run? Where would I run to?” Zhu Jie deliberately put on a sorrowful expression. “The outside world is so terrifying. It’s nothing like the happiness inside the palace. For the rest of my life… I won’t run again!”

Just then, a wail sounded from behind Princess Lanyi. “Princess!” Everyone turned to look, only to see Wan Yue tied up tightly like a dumpling.

Seeing her in that state, Zhu Jie frowned slightly. “What is the meaning of this, Sister?”

Being questioned like that, Princess Lanyi still had the nerve to answer righteously, “This girl was spouting nonsense and dared to deceive me, claiming that Sister Jinghan had been in the room the whole time. Such a shameless servant—I naturally had to deal with her on Sister Jinghan’s behalf!”

Hearing that she could still twist the truth at a time like this, Zhu Jie merely sneered. “You’re right to discipline her.” Then she raised her voice at Wan Yue. “You foolish servant! Didn’t I already tell you I came to see Fourth Sister for a chat? You were even the one who escorted me out earlier. What? Have you forgotten?”

“Oh! This servant is muddle-headed!” Wan Yue quickly slapped her forehead, looking full of regret. “Yes, I must have been startled awake just now and was still confused. Princess Lanyi arrived so suddenly that I was frightened and spoke without thinking!”

Did Princess Lanyi believe that? Of course not—not even a little. But she couldn’t refute a single word. After all, Princess Lanqin was standing right in front of her, perfectly fine!

Facts spoke louder than words. Princess Lanyi had no choice but to swallow the loss.

At that moment, Princess Lanxin’s weak voice sounded, “What’s going on outside? Why is it so chaotic?”

Princess Lanyi felt awkward and said, “The guards must have thought you were missing and are searching everywhere.”

Princess Lanxin snapped, “How ridiculous! Why haven’t they been told to stop?”

Zhu Jie smiled. “Even if Sister goes out now, it might not help. Let me go and show myself instead.”

Princess Lanxin sighed softly. “I’ll go with you.” The two of them walked out together. As they passed Princess Lanyi, Lanxin let out another sigh—one that was impossible to miss.

The moment the side room door opened, nearly everyone was stunned. The Princess Lanqin they had been desperately searching for was standing there perfectly fine beside Princess Lanxin!

What was the meaning of this? Wasn’t this all just a false alarm?

The guards shook their heads, angry but silent. A single command from a princess could send servants running themselves ragged.

Princess Lanqin kindly called into the room, “Thirteenth Sister, I’ll return to my quarters first. Let’s go down the mountain later—everyone can take a rest.”

Princess Lanyi hid inside the room, not even daring to step out. She felt utterly humiliated.

Yet even so, Zhu Jie still “kindly” added, “Would Sister like me to escort you back? Or perhaps come to my room for a chat?”

Was that an invitation—or supervision?

Princess Lanyi was practically fuming inside, but she forced a sweet smile. “Elder Sister must be tired. I won’t trouble you.”

“You’ve worked hard, Sister,” Zhu Jie replied with a mischievous grin before striding away.

Watching her smug retreating figure, Princess Lanyi nearly ground her teeth to dust in anger!

“Do you think she really didn’t run away?” Princess Lanyi asked Liu Rong in a low voice.

After a moment’s thought, Liu Rong shook her head. “Judging by Wan Yue’s reaction, things definitely aren’t as Princess Lanqin said.”

“I think so too,” Princess Lanyi said bitterly.

“Princess, when did Princess Lanqin arrive?” Xiang Lian asked in surprise.

“She’s been here for quite some time,” Princess Lanqin replied awkwardly.

Clearly, things were not quite as Zhu Jie had claimed.