Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 51

51: “Under the Majestic Imperial City, Is There Still Justice…”

Yin San led Yu Nanqing silently into the courtyard. The entire place was eerily quiet, devoid of any signs of life, hardly resembling the bustling backyard of a man with a harem of wives and concubines.

Yu Nanqing pushed open two windows but found no one inside. Just as she grew puzzled, Yin San pointed in a direction. “Princess, over there.”

Following her lead, Yu Nanqing approached a room in the southwest corner, where faint voices could be heard from within.

Fragmented sunlight filtered through the hibiscus-patterned windows, dancing on the face of a woman sitting behind a gauze curtain. She sat on a soft couch, hugging her knees, her hands trembling slightly as she held a teacup. “Sister Mei, have you heard? The one from Pearl Jade Pavilion… was carried out last night…”

The woman addressed, noticeably older, wore the most ornate hair accessories and clothing in the room. She leaned lazily against a table, one hand propping her up. At the mention, she opened her eyes languidly.

Lowering her hand, she casually adjusted her sleeve, concealing a freshly scabbed bl00d mark on her wrist. “Hmm, I saw it this morning.”

Another woman, pouring water, cautiously probed, “He was fine during dinner last night. Sister Mei, didn’t you say he resembled your younger brother, with a gentle and quiet temperament? I thought he’d be elevated to a concubine. Who would’ve thought… just one night, and he’s gone.”

In the backyards of other nobles, women vied fiercely for favor, with mistresses striving for the status of concubine and concubines aiming to become equal wives. But in this room, the women feared being noticed by Si Chengli.

The woman pouring water trembled as she spoke, a chill running down her spine. “He was a scholar from a good family. Didn’t the heir dislike men? Why would he…”

“Even if he doesn’t prefer men, he can still indulge in curiosity. Men have their own allure, don’t they? Do you think everyone in West Garden is a woman? Xiao Si was brought here from West Garden. If you’re so curious, why not ask her?”

All eyes turned to a corner of the room. The woman called Xiao Si slowly raised her head, let out a cold laugh as if recalling something, but said nothing.

The woman called Sister Mei rubbed her temples. “Enough. Today, Princess Rongxi is hosting a banquet in the front courtyard, and I hear the soon-to-be heiress is attending as well. The heir likely won’t bother with us. My room is closest to Pearl Jade Pavilion, and the noise kept me up all night. I’m going back to rest.”

The door swung open, and Yin San quickly pulled Yu Nanqing behind a corner, watching as the elegantly dressed woman stepped out gracefully.

The conversation inside continued. “What did she mean by that? When the one from Pearl Jade Pavilion was brought in, she was the most enthusiastic, saying he looked like her brother. I almost thought he was her lover.”

“Right? She’s never given me a kind look. I found it odd at first, but now that he’s dead, she’s back to her cold, indifferent self. Truly heartless.”

“That’s how she’s survived so long in this backyard with favor intact. I could never do that—pandering to others. If my gambling father hadn’t sold me, I wouldn’t have caught the heir’s eye and been brought here. Worst case, I’d just die!”

“Don’t talk big. If the heir visits your room, let’s see if you kneel or not!”

At that, the room fell silent for a moment before someone sighed, “Kneel? How could we not? Otherwise, we’d be beaten to death.”

“I heard the heiress comes from a century-old ducal family. Hopefully, she can clean up this backyard. I don’t want to compete for favor—just a place to survive.”

“Yes, yes. They say she’s from a prestigious clan. Surely she won’t let the heir bully her. If she could protect us even a little, that would be enough.”

At that moment, Yu Nanrou, who had been repeatedly blocked by guards, stormed toward the courtyard. Her voice was noticeably louder than usual, as if deliberately signaling Yu Nanqing. “Are you all lying to me? Where are the girls? Hurry up and bring them out to pay their respects!”

The guards beside her apologized profusely, but Yu Nanrou ignored them. Using her status as the soon-to-be heiress, she boldly pushed open the door and began searching.

Yu Nanrou wouldn’t be able to stall for long. Once she reached this side, there’d be no chance to ask questions. Yu Nanqing looked at Yin San with difficulty. “Can you tell which one is Xiao Si, the girl who came from West Garden?”

Yin San: …

Yin San had to admit, “Princess, I was outside the room earlier. I could only hear voices, not see the people inside.”

Yu Nanqing gave Yin San a disdainful glance, muttering, “You’ll need more training when we return to the manor.”

Weren’t martial artists in stories supposed to track people by their aura? Yin San had heard their voices and still couldn’t identify them?

How useless.

Yin San caught Yu Nanqing’s expression and instinctively touched the dagger hidden in her sleeve but didn’t draw it. She said stiffly, “Her Highness’s martial skills surpass mine. You could ask her next time.”

Yu Nanqing’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Her Highness trained with us, and her skills are above mine,” Yin San nodded solemnly. “So, it’s true.”

Her Highness was so formidable, even marrying a princess like this and sharing a room with her. What difficulty was there in tracking someone by sound?

As they spoke, Yu Nanrou was already entering the second room. Yin San was about to urge Yu Nanqing to decide when she noticed Yu Nanqing thoughtfully gazing in the direction Sister Mei had gone.

Yin San guessed Yu Nanqing’s intentions but felt it unwise. “Sister Mei seems aloof and has been in the princess’s manor for a long time. She might be accustomed to this life of wealth and luxury. If you approach her, it could cause trouble.”

Yu Nanqing shook her head, her gaze lingering on Sister Mei’s room with deep meaning. “Sister Mei’s attitude toward the deceased man changed overnight, which could suggest she’s greedy and fears death. But didn’t you notice her white jade hairpin and white flower don’t quite match her red dress?”

Yin San hadn’t noticed. Red dresses were typically paired with gold accessories to enhance their vibrancy. Sister Mei, with her status in the backyard, surely had gold ornaments, yet today she chose a simple white jade hairpin and a fresh white magnolia flower.

There was nothing inherently wrong with the outfit. The courtyard had magnolia trees, and it was common for girls to pluck a flower to adorn their hair.

But paired with Sister Mei’s white jade hairpin and red dress, Yu Nanqing couldn’t help but overthink.

Yin San still didn’t see the issue. “I think it looks quite nice.”

Yu Nanqing countered, “If Sister Mei were truly greedy and fearful, why wear a white flower after someone died in the manor? To please Si Chengli, she’d dress brightly to cover up the death. Yet she chose a white flower and hairpin. If Si Chengli grew suspicious, she’d face consequences.”

Yin San, enlightened by Yu Nanqing’s explanation, understood. “So, you think Sister Mei had a special connection to the deceased man?”

Yu Nanqing nodded, her lips curling as she pointed to Sister Mei’s room, speaking indulgently to Yin San. “Since you think Sister Mei is pretty, let’s go take another look at her.”

Yin San’s expression turned odd, but she numbly led Yu Nanqing, avoiding the guards’ sight, to Sister Mei’s room.

They slipped in through a side window.

Sister Mei sat with her back to them at a table, a cloth bundle open before her, revealing a glimpse of a white garment’s edge.

Sensing movement, Sister Mei was about to cry out when Yin San swiftly covered her mouth. “Don’t make a sound. We mean no harm.”

Sister Mei’s gaze lingered on Yu Nanqing, perhaps due to past experiences, showing little emotional fluctuation.

“If you want to avenge your brother, why not sit and hear me out?” Yu Nanqing took out a token from her sleeve, smiling gently at Sister Mei, stating her purpose directly. “You may not know me, but I am the Princess of Ning. The Ning Prince’s Manor stands opposed to Princess Rongxi. I’m here today to seek your guidance.”

Sister Mei’s lifeless eyes narrowed sharply. Yu Nanqing’s guess about the deceased man’s identity was now certain.

“If you’re willing to cooperate, nod once, and I’ll have her release you. Agreed?”

Sister Mei’s lashes trembled, her gaze probing and hesitant. Yu Nanqing wore an apricot-white embroidered dress, her waist adorned with minimal but priceless accessories. Sister Mei, no stranger to the world, began to believe in Yu Nanqing’s identity.

After a long pause, her eyes fell on the token Yu Nanqing still held. As if waging an internal battle, she nodded heavily.

Yin San released her at the same moment.

Yu Nanqing turned the Ning Prince’s token toward herself, raising a brow. This token was surprisingly useful.

As she tucked it back into her sleeve, Sister Mei suddenly knelt. “This commoner pays respects to Her Highness, the Princess of Ning.”

“No need for formalities.” Yu Nanqing helped her up, seating her in a chair. “Time is short, so I’ll be brief. You can likely guess why I’m here. I want to know where West Garden is. Can you help me?”

Sister Mei didn’t answer about West Garden or question Yu Nanqing’s identity. Instead, she asked probing, “No one in the princess’s manor knows of my relationship with my brother. How did you know the deceased was him? Did you investigate me beforehand?”

Before Yu Nanqing could respond, Sister Mei dismissed her own thought. “If you could investigate me, you’d already know about West Garden.”

“So, how did you know?”

Meeting Sister Mei’s probing gaze, Yu Nanqing smiled lightly. “I overheard the other girls praising you outside, suggesting your status here is high. But your white hairpin with a red dress and your chipped, stained nails don’t quite match your image.”

Sister Mei glanced at her hands, then touched the magnolia in her hair, smiling faintly. “The whole morning, none of those girls noticed what you did in a fleeting glance.”

Her thoughts drifted to the commotion in the neighboring room last night, her calm facade cracking, revealing a hint of anguish. “You’re right. The one who died last night was my brother, who I’ve depended on since childhood. Six months ago, I was taken to West Garden. Last month, my brother, searching for me, was brought to the princess’s manor by that beast Si Chengli.”

“Last night, Si Chengli was drunk. I heard the noise and tried to rush out, but the guards at the door stopped and tied me up.” She lifted her sleeve, revealing bloodied marks from struggling, her nails broken from the effort. “When the noise died down, I didn’t expect he was already…”

Sister Mei covered her face, sobbing quietly. “He was only thirteen. If not for searching for me, he wouldn’t have suffered this fate. I knew Si Chengli’s temperament was erratic, yet I clung to a shred of hope. I failed to protect him.”

She didn’t dare cry too loudly, but her suppressed sobs, filled with guilt over losing her kin, were heart-wrenching.

Yu Nanqing and Yin San exchanged a glance, both seeing the weight in each other’s eyes.

They had heard of Si Chengli’s ways but never witnessed them. Hearing Sister Mei’s tearful recounting of her suffering, Yin San slammed the table. “This is too much! Does he treat lives so carelessly?”

“You’re from the Ning Prince’s Manor, so I needn’t explain. Under the imperial city, with Princess Rongxi standing tall, which official dares to judge her?” Sister Mei gave a mocking laugh. “Once you enter the princess’s manor, named or not, concubine or otherwise, you’re her property. Dead or alive, it’s just a death. Even if judged, it’s lighter than killing a commoner on the street.”

Her words were undeniable. Like noble families preparing dowries for daughters, including coffins, a woman belonged entirely to her husband’s family after marriage. If respected, she could live well. If mistreated, even official complaints would only result in advice to endure, while the husband took new concubines, leaving no room for justice.

Wiping her tears, Sister Mei exhaled deeply, rose, and retrieved a booklet from under layers of bedding. She held it briefly before approaching Yu Nanqing.

She didn’t open it but gripped it tightly, her tear-filled eyes burning with resentment and unwillingness as she looked at Yu Nanqing.

“May I ask, Your Highness, under this majestic imperial city, is there still justice?”

Her words, laced with anguish, struck Yu Nanqing’s heart, carrying the weight of all the injustices Sister Mei had endured in West Garden and the princess’s manor.

Yu Nanqing’s hands clenched, veins bulging on her pale hands.

Her mind flashed to her past life, where famine and war ravaged Great Qi.

Weren’t the rebellions of that time a response to the court’s injustices?

Such a court… was it still salvageable?

Sitting upright by the window, Yu Nanqing felt a cool breeze blow through, stirring the white cloth on the table like a funeral banner. In the dim, unlit room, her shadow stretched long.

“There is,” Yu Nanqing heard herself say, meeting Sister Mei’s gaze firmly. “I believe there is.”

Sister Mei gave a faint smile, unsure if she believed it.

She handed the booklet to Yu Nanqing, her expression returning to its initial coldness. “Then I’ll believe it too.”

Yu Nanqing opened the booklet. The first page was a map of West Garden’s layout. The next listed names, addresses, and even handprints.

Yu Nanqing was stunned. “This is…?”

Sister Mei pointed at the text, explaining patiently, “A girl gave this to me before I left West Garden. It records the names and origins of everyone added to West Garden since her arrival, along with their relatives’ names and handprints to avoid confusion. I don’t read much, but you surely can.”

Yu Nanqing’s eyes narrowed, her mind racing. She looked at Sister Mei. “Why trust me?”

Was it just the possibly fake Ning Prince’s token? Or because she deduced Sister Mei’s connection to the deceased? In the oppressive princess’s manor, would Sister Mei so readily trust a stranger?

After a pause, Sister Mei said, “If you’re truly the Princess of Ning, I’ll entrust this booklet to you. If you’re from the princess’s manor, I no longer wish to live. This booklet is useless to me. Whether you find it now or after my death, it makes no difference.”

“I won’t betray your trust,” Yu Nanqing said, closing the booklet. But she had to be honest. “I can’t take you or the others away today. Until this is resolved, please take care of yourself.”

As Yu Nanqing accepted the booklet, Sister Mei seemed to lose all strength, collapsing into the chair. She waved a hand. “Saving me alone or saving countless others in the future—I know which matters more. Besides…”

She let out a sudden laugh, shaking her head.

A sharp crash of porcelain sounded outside, startling Sister Mei, who instinctively moved to shield Yu Nanqing.

Yu Nanqing’s throat tightened, the booklet in her hands feeling as heavy as gold.

Hoarsely, she said, “Don’t be alarmed. The commotion is from my sister, the soon-to-be heiress. She’s here to find evidence to bring down the princess’s manor—for the Ning Prince and to protect my unmarried sister.”

“Please stay safe and abandon any thoughts of assassination.”

Yu Nanqing carefully tucked the booklet into her chest, stepped forward, and gripped Sister Mei’s shoulders, staring into her eyes. “You must live to see them fall into hell with your own eyes.”