The Princess Who Marry The Crown Prince - Chapter 5

Suddenly, she found herself suspended more than three meters off the ground. Su Qiuqiu was momentarily stunned, then her heart pounded wildly. If not for the hand gripping her shoulder, she would’ve fallen headfirst—this was more thrilling than any roller coaster!

What’s going on? Who’s beside her? A martial arts expert, perhaps? Carrying someone and still able to leap over three meters without breaking a sweat—her breathing and heartbeat hadn’t even changed!

Su Qiuqiu had no time to think. She heard footsteps from the outside and immediately held her breath. She watched as the two maidservants lifted the curtain. One of them spotted the unconscious third young master of Duke Anguo’s household on the ground and shouted.

“What are you making a fuss about?” came a cold, authoritative voice. The Princess Consort of Zhen’nan and the Marchioness of An Ning entered the room.

“What is going on here?! Why is there a strange man here? Your Grace, this is absolutely disgraceful! Zixuan, escort the Princess Consort to the Ning Shuang Pavilion. Ziyu, go fetch two matron servants—quickly!” Though her face darkened, the Marchioness of An Ning maintained her composure. She directed a maid to take the Princess Consort elsewhere and had two strong servant women drag the unconscious young master out to the outer courtyard.

Su Qiuqiu broke out in a cold sweat, her heart still thudding in fear. If that person behind her hadn’t pulled her away in time, and the Princess Consort had seen her alone with a man in such a compromising position—embraced and harassed—she would’ve been doomed! According to the rules here, she would’ve had only two choices: marry that young master as a concubine… or die!

She wasn’t familiar with this place. The original Seventh Miss had always been neglected and had little experience. She barely knew anyone in the residence—she’d clearly fallen into a trap.

Only after the sounds outside faded did Su Qiuqiu finally let out the breath she’d been holding. Just as she began to breathe again, a sudden drop sent her heart lurching once more.

The person who’d brought her up was now bringing her back down. This time, Su Qiuqiu finally saw clearly—it hadn’t been a straight jump up or down. There had been a table, and a hanging lantern was used to push off and support the leap.

Even so, to move with such speed and ease…it was truly impressive. Su Qiuqiu was in awe.

Once back on the ground, she was released. After steadying herself, she looked up and saw a tall, straight figure squinting slightly. The girl’s face bore a dusting of freckles—it was none other than the “supermodel” maid who had accompanied the Princess Consort of Zhen’nan earlier. The Prince’s manor really was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!

“I owe you my life—I’ll repay this kindness one day! May I know your name, sister?” Su Qiuqiu bowed in gratitude.

“I’m just a maid, Miss. No need to remember me.” The maid’s voice was low and slightly hoarse, her eyes flashing strangely as she asked, “You call it saving your life—are you saying you’d rather die than become that young master’s concubine?”

“Of course I wouldn’t!” Su Qiuqiu said, her expression tightening.

“And how do you know the Heir of Zhen’nan is any better than the Duke’s third son?”

“He’s a thousand times cleaner than that degenerate,” Su Qiuqiu replied flatly.

“Oh? They say he’s got a hidden illness—incapable of intimacy. You don’t mind that?”

“Plenty of healthy men are no good either. Even if we are unable to become husband and wife, we can still maintain our friendship, right? Su Qiuqiu paused, then added optimistically, “Ideally, if the Heir of Zhen’nan is easy to get along with and can’t… you know… then it’s perfect. No need for all that… It would be peaceful and harmonious.”

“Best friends?” The maid echoed the term, seemingly shocked by it.

“Ahem… just good companions, that’s all. With such an amazing maid like you by his side, the heir must be a wonderful person. Sister, could you maybe put in a few good words for me with the Princess Consort? Please don’t let her choose someone else…” Su Qiuqiu tugged the maid’s arm pleadingly. The maid froze—clearly unused to such physical affection.

“I—I’m not shameless or anything… It’s just that in this Marquis’ residence, I’ve been bullied constantly. I don’t even know who tried to harm me earlier… I’m really scared—scared things will escalate and something terrible will happen…” Realizing she may have spoken too bluntly, Su Qiuqiu quickly lowered her head and pretend to sob, her naturally soft voice turning pitiful.

“This place isn’t safe. Come with me.” The maid paused for a few seconds, then turned and headed out.

Su Qiuqiu didn’t know if the maid would really speak on her behalf, but anyone willing to save her like that couldn’t be a bad person.

She followed the maid closely, noting that she didn’t take the main road. Instead, they exited through a side door, winding around several paths, eventually arriving at a loft near the warm pavilion.

“This is Miss Lu Mingxi, second young lady of the Zhen’nan Prince’s household. Stay here for now. If anyone asks, say you’ve been with Miss Lu this whole time. I’ll explain things to her.” The maid led Su Qiuqiu to the door, knocked, then whispered a few words to the young lady inside before slipping away.

“I’m allergic to pollen, so I can’t enjoy the flower viewing. It was getting boring—your visit came just in time. Your dress—was it torn by a branch? If you don’t mind my sewing, I can patch it up for you,” Miss Lu Mingxi said, smiling warmly as she pulled Su Qiuqiu to sit beside her.

Lu Mingxi, daughter of the Zhen’nan Prince’s younger brother, was sixteen years old, delicate, and refined—like a classical beauty. She was easy on the eyes and had a soothing presence.

“Thank you so much, Sister!” Su Qiuqiu was moved. She hadn’t even noticed her torn dress, but the young lady had—and helped her fix it. If someone used that tiny flaw against her later, it could’ve been disastrous.

Lu Mingxi brought out her own needle and thread. Her embroidery was deft and fine. When she was done, the damage was nearly invisible. Just then, someone knocked on the door—it was Lingxiang.

Lingxiang had been called away earlier and didn’t know what had happened. She apologized as soon as she entered.

“My sister has been chatting with me since she left the warm pavilion, and you’ve been here serving her this whole time. What is there to apologize for?” Lu Mingxi said gently, there’s a smile in her voice.

Su Qiuqiu was impressed. Miss Lu was playing the role to perfection. Those who had tried to expose her surely wouldn’t dare speak now. As long as they stuck to their story and stayed out of trouble, this would be the best outcome.

“Understood. I’ve been here with my mistress the whole time,” Lingxiang said after a pause, bowing politely.

Su Qiuqiu glanced at Lingxiang with newfound appreciation. She’d chosen her over Yunxiang for this very reason—Lingxiang seemed sharper. Yunxiang, though lovely and lively, often looked distracted and sorrowful, as if burdened by something.

“Ladies, the Marchioness has requested your presence at the Ning Shuang Pavilion,” a maid announced shortly after.

They followed the summons to the hall, where the Marchioness of An Ning questioned them all. Outwardly, she acted concerned about their enjoyment, but in truth, she was probing—trying to find out where everyone had been.

A strange man entering the inner quarters was no small matter. However, publicizing it was also out of the question. Su Qiuqiu was uncertain about the Marchioness’s investigation plans or the information she would share with the Princess Consort, but she was certain that she and Lu Mingxi needed to support each other and maintain a close friendship. As long as they kept up the act, they could stay out of trouble.

Su Qiuqiu couldn’t help but suspect the Sixth Miss. After all, it was she who originally tried to introduce that third young master to her. But without evidence, all Su Qiuqiu could do was tread even more carefully from now on.