The Princess Who Marry The Crown Prince - Chapter 6

Su Qiuqiu cautiously played the role of an innocent nobody, following behind Lu Mingxi as they walked out together.

She quietly observed the people around her — the Sixth Miss, Fifth Miss, and a cousin from another family. Each of them had airtight alibis, and even their maids were unfamiliar to Su Qiuqiu. From their expressions, one couldn’t discern a thing; all looked like perfect noble ladies, the very image of refined elegance.

Madam Wang questioned everyone but learned nothing. One inattentive maid was punished for dereliction of duty. The so-called “gathering” finally came to an end. As for how Madam Wang would handle the Third Young Master, Su Qiuqiu had no power to interfere, nor any intention to. Once dismissed, she returned to her own Qinglan Courtyard.

This incident, however, put her on high alert. The person who had lured the Duke of Anguo’s Third Young Master into the manor had done so without leaving even a trace — not the slightest misstep. To be this flawless required deep connections within the An Ning Marquis’s residence and a mind full of scheming. Su Qiuqiu had no idea when she would be able to marry into the Prince of Zhen’nan’s household, but until then, she had to protect herself.

She couldn’t do it alone — she needed allies. Right now, the only ones she could rely on were her trusted maids and in her memory, the one she had trusted the most was Zi Rui.

Before the Seventh Miss had been promoted to her current status as a “legitimate daughter,” her maids had all been reassigned or driven away. Only Zi Rui had stayed the longest — from when Su Qiuqiu was seven or eight years old until she was fifteen or sixteen.

Getting Zi Rui back wouldn’t be easy. From the way Madam Zhang had behaved earlier, her attitude was downright malicious — and it clearly reflected the will of the official mother (Madam Wang). Even Su Qiuqiu’s fall into the pond had been blamed on Zi Rui.

The only one with more authority than Madam Zhang or the legitimate mother… was the Marquis of An Ning himself — her biological father.

The Seventh Miss had once been timid and fearful, always shrinking in the presence of the Marquis. She’d never been likable. But now, Su Qiuqiu decided: without breaking her current persona, she would play the pitiful daughter in front of her father, to see if she could gain some advantage…

Just as she was pondering how to approach him—

“Miss, Yunxiang has come to bid farewell…” Lingxiang suddenly reported.

“Farewell? Where is she going?” Su Qiuqiu snapped out of her thoughts.

“She’s climbing up the ranks. She’s going to serve Second Master now…” Lingxiang’s voice was flat, but carried a faint trace of disdain.

“Second Master?” Su Qiuqiu was speechless. The Second Master was the younger brother of the Marquis — a notorious rake, even more dissolute than the Marquis himself. That he would actually take a junior maid from her courtyard… he really was something else.

“Miss, forgive me. This servant has failed you…” Yunxiang knelt before her with a small bundle in her arms, kowtowing.

“…Very well. Go on, then.” Su Qiuqiu paused before responding. She knew Yunxiang had never been content here, but to leave by attaching herself to Second Master… That was beyond what she’d expected.

In this household, maids who were part of a bride’s dowry often ended up as concubines. To think that even the servants looked down on the future Princess Consort of Zhen’nan…

Su Qiuqiu couldn’t help but feel a flicker of sympathy for the poor “persimmon” — meaning the young heir, the one everyone now seemed to be underrating.

Fortunately, Su Qiuqiu wasn’t a true ancient woman — or she might’ve died from sheer rage.

People had the right to choose their own paths. As for whether that path was good or bad, time would tell. Su Qiuqiu, ever soft-hearted, let her go without making things difficult.

“Lingxiang, do you want to leave too?” After Yunxiang left, Su Qiuqiu turned to ask Lingxiang.

“Miss, this servant is willing to serve you loyally. I will not leave.” Lingxiang bowed respectfully.

“If you’re loyal, I’ll never treat you unfairly. You saw it today — I got close to that Lu girl. You’re smart. I’m sure you understand why she wants to befriend me. The Prince of Zhen’nan’s status still counts for something — even a dying camel is bigger than a horse. I don’t have much to give right now, but take this hairpin as a token. If you stay loyal, once I rise, you’ll rise with me.” Su Qiuqiu handed her a silver hairpin inlaid with jade.

“Miss, this is…” Lingxiang hesitated, not taking it.

“Take it. It’s my sincerity. But it’s not free — I’ll need your help with a few things. Things Madam Zhang mustn’t know.” Su Qiuqiu stared at her, taking a gamble. She was truly alone now and could only hope Lingxiang was as trustworthy as she seemed.

“Whatever Miss needs, I’ll do my best.” Lingxiang looked at her earnestly.

Su Qiuqiu whispered her instructions and handed over the few taels of silver she had saved as expenses for the investigation.

Her maid staffing should have included two personal senior maids, four second-rank maids, four labor maids, and two matrons. Right now, aside from Lingxiang and Madam Zhang, everyone else was either missing or not yet assigned.

With Yunxiang gone, another spot was opened — and Su Qiuqiu didn’t want her maids to be people planted by the legitimate mother.

One of the things she asked Lingxiang to investigate was the Marquis of An Ning’s schedule — where and how she could “accidentally” run into him.

Su Qiuqiu racked her brains while plotting this out, and by the end her head throbbed and she felt like she’d shed a few strands of hair. After loosening her hair to relax, she suddenly remembered—there was still something important she hadn’t done today.

She hadn’t looked at her own face yet!

She asked Lingxiang to bring a basin of water. While there was still daylight and the room was bright, she positioned herself carefully and took a good look at herself being transmigrated as the Seventh Lady of this world.

Just one glance—and Su Qiuqiu was stunned and speechless.

Her inner fangirl went into overdrive.

The girl in the water’s reflection had jet-black hair parted down the middle, falling straight and smooth. Her skin was flawless, porcelain white—several shades fairer than any of the sisters Su Qiuqiu had seen. Her features were delicately exquisite, as if painted — naturally arched “Lin Daiyu”(it means precious or artistic beauty), long and fine, gently curved brows. Her eyes were shimmering peach blossoms, soft and alluring, framed by long lashes and shaped with perfect arcs, dreamy and misty like she was born with an Instagram filter.

Below a dainty nose were plush, pink lips — thinner on top, fuller on the bottom. The elegant curve of her mouth gave her an air of gentleness and sweetness. When slightly parted, they were downright sultry.

Though her face still held a trace of youthful innocence, it already bloomed with a stunning beauty that left Su Qiuqiu breathless.

It wasn’t that Su Qiuqiu hadn’t seen beauty before — but this? This wasn’t human. This was a celestial goddess!

None of the celebrities from her past life — with all their makeup, filters, and Photoshop — could match this face.

“Miss, the water is getting cold… Are you feeling unwell? Miss?” Lingxiang finally spoke up, seeing Su Qiuqiu completely entranced. When she still didn’t respond, Lingxiang had to nudge her gently.

“Oh…” Su Qiuqiu snapped out of her trance, splashing some water on her face to clear her head.

With this kind of face, she could totally live off her looks! She silently gave thanks that she wouldn’t have to see this face all day — otherwise, she’d be swooning nonstop.

No matter how bitter the days ahead might be, just knowing she had this face to rely on made her want to laugh in her sleep.

With joy bubbling inside her, Su Qiuqiu fell asleep that night with a silly grin, lovingly cupping her face.

*****

The next day, while Madam Zhang went off to Madam Wang’s courtyard to deliver her “little report,” Lingxiang quietly snuck Su Qiuqiu out.

“Miss, the Marquis usually takes this path to his study. I asked Xiao Yu, one of the maids who handles cleaning, and she confirmed it. We won’t miss him.” Lingxiang whispered.

“Not bad, Lingxiang. You’re quite capable.” Su Qiuqiu praised.

Hearing the compliment, Lingxiang blushed slightly. After all, she was still just a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.

Together, they waited near the pavilion — and soon enough, the Marquis of An Ning appeared.