Please Call Me Your Highness (GL) - Chapter 17

“You must leave—immediately.”

As soon as Han Congxuan returned to the cabin, she urgently relayed what she had seen in Xiangbang Prefecture. “The soldiers have arrived. They’re moving fast, and it’s only a matter of time before they find this place. If you take the mountain paths, you might still avoid them.”

Dong Xiaoning frowned in concern. If a mule can traverse those paths, so can warhorses. A mule could never outrun cavalry. Traveling now risked running directly into them. She didn’t voice her doubts, but her worry deepened.

Xiao Fu, however, after a brief pause, spoke the thought aloud: “They say it’s darkest under the lamp. If we stay hidden here in the mountains, we might avoid discovery altogether. Soldiers won’t remain here forever. Once they leave, the storm will pass, and we’ll be free to go.”

Because of the angle, Dong Xiaoning couldn’t see Xiao Fu’s expression as she spoke.

Opposite them, Han Congxuan was momentarily stunned, then calmly concealed her emotions. “You’re right. I was too hasty and overlooked that.”

The three reached a consensus—they would stay, for now.

“But since someone already came along the path once, this place isn’t completely safe. You should move higher up the mountain. Even if someone comes, you can hide in the forest—they won’t find you easily.”

Both Dong Xiaoning and Xiao Fu agreed with Han Congxuan’s proposal.

But that very afternoon, trouble struck.

A group of riders approached along the path. Dong Xiaoning and Xiao Fu, hearing them, immediately hid in the forest. Han Congxuan, believing she had nothing to fear, stayed behind to handle it. But this time, they were here for her.

“Doctor Han, we are here under Her Majesty the Empress’s orders to escort you to the capital,” said the leader politely, though with a tone that brooked no refusal.

“I’m just a commoner. What business do I have with the Empress? I must decline,” Han Congxuan replied firmly.

“We’ve been ordered to bring you—one way or another.” The man bowed respectfully, but the soldiers behind him were already tense, hands on their hilts.

It was clear—if she refused, they would use force.

“Allow me a moment to gather my things.”

Han Congxuan quickly realized resistance was futile. She had no choice but to comply.

“You’re leaving the mule behind?” one of them asked.

“I recently took on an apprentice who’s gathering herbs on the mountain. Since we’re leaving in haste, I’ve left her a letter. The mule will help her manage without me.”

Her fabricated explanation was smooth, convincing the soldiers easily. Her ability to lie on the spot was truly impressive.

“Then please, this way.”

They did not suspect her, escorting her away from the cabin.

Hiding in the forest, Dong Xiaoning watched through the leaves as Han Congxuan was taken away. Unease gnawed at her. Things had escalated far beyond anything she had anticipated.

“It’ll be alright. They’re likely seeking Doctor Han’s help,” Xiao Fu said reassuringly.

Dong Xiaoning glanced at her. Even after all their intimacy, she could still feel a distance between them—something suffocating.

And it was getting worse.

Xiao Fu, sensing Dong Xiaoning’s unease, avoided her gaze, instead looking at the narrow path beyond the cabin. From there, only a short stretch of road was visible. This once secluded place had now seen two groups of strangers in a matter of days.

Estimating that the soldiers wouldn’t return soon, Dong Xiaoning stood slowly, parting the grass, preparing to return to the cabin. Suddenly, hoofbeats rang out again—she quickly dropped back, continuing to hide.

This time, the visitors were familiar.

Dong Yanning herself led the group that surrounded the cabin and began a thorough search. They soon found what Han Congxuan had left behind.

“Your Highness, we found a letter.”

Dong Yanning immediately opened it, frowning deeply. More talk of traveling, more mention of a little apprentice gathering herbs? How convenient.

Already frustrated from failing to intercept the earlier group, her suspicions surged. Everything now seemed to warrant investigation.

Then she noticed trampled vegetation behind the cabin.

There was no path there—these had to be traces left by someone. With a single glance from Dong Yanning, the soldiers fanned out, beginning a search of the mountain.

Dong Xiaoning silently cursed. They weren’t far from the cabin—any noise could draw attention. But staying still would only lead to discovery once the soldiers got close.

No! I won’t give in!

She and Xiao Fu exchanged a look—they both understood what needed to be done.

Gritting her teeth, Dong Xiaoning picked up a rock and hurled it in the opposite direction. The sound immediately drew the soldiers’ attention, and she regretted it instantly.

What have I done? Now they know someone’s here!

It was time to prepare for the worst.

“Over there—go check!”

The soldiers moved.

Grabbing Xiao Fu’s hand, Dong Xiaoning whispered, “Run. We split up—run as far as you can!”

As soon as the words left her lips, Dong Xiaoning released Xiao Fu’s hand and sprinted up the mountain. She knew Xiao Fu was agile—these woods wouldn’t pose a challenge to her. But Dong Xiaoning herself wasn’t the same. Together, they would only slow each other down.

In that moment, Dong Xiaoning didn’t know what possessed her—she had simply acted on impulse.

Xiao Fu watched Dong Xiaoning’s retreating figure, a faint light flickering in her eyes. Moments later, she too disappeared into the dense forest, moving much faster than Dong Xiaoning.

“There! Someone’s there!”

“After her!”

“Bring the bows—quick!”

Just as suddenly as the noise had arisen, Xiao Fu vanished into the woods. Meanwhile, Dong Xiaoning’s movements were far less graceful. The shaking branches exposed her, making her a prime target for the archers.

Thwack!

An arrow whistled through the air. Dong Xiaoning suddenly felt all strength drain from her body—then came the pain. She instinctively clutched at the wound; hot bl00d gushed over her hand, and her body collapsed uncontrollably.

“Got her! Go check!”

“Yes!”

“Your Highness, she’s alive!”

“Oh no—Your Highness, it looks like it’s the Fourth Princess!”

“What?!”

After the brief unrest, the court was still reeling. Perhaps in an effort to stabilize the situation, the Emperor remained at Changyi Garden, instead of returning to the palace as some had hoped.

The aristocracy, who had residences near Changyi Garden, and court officials living in government-assigned lodgings, took full advantage of this period—visiting and socializing frequently.

Princess Ancheng, favored since the late emperor’s reign, had been granted one of the finest mansions. Now that proposals to support her daughter, Ming Zhexiu, as Crown Princess had surfaced, even more visitors came to call.

Entertaining guests was exhausting. Yet certain visitors demanded personal attention—otherwise, it would be deemed disrespectful. That evening, Princess Ancheng returned to her chambers, weary from the day.

Her consort, Ming Yuzhou, helped her in. “There’s a lot of talk lately. The two princesses have gone out personally in search of someone. But this fuss over Zhexiu is absurd—it risks arousing His Majesty’s suspicion.”

Princess Ancheng shot him a sideways glance. “What do you know? The Fourth Princess vanished without a trace—neither dead nor alive. We must make a grand display of the search to offer the realm a believable result. No matter how capable the Empress is, she can’t change the fact that she has no biological daughters. Naturally, she must choose someone with bl00d ties to nurture and trust.”

Ming Yuzhou replied, “The Emperor and the Empress may not desire the same outcome. Forgive my boldness, but the Dong family and the Ming family—they’re not the same. Why should they be treated as one? Not long ago, a collateral branch of the imperial family cursed Zhexiu in public. And the Emperor only offered a few soft rebukes—nothing more. Isn’t that a clear message?”

Princess Ancheng’s face darkened. “You think Zhexiu isn’t worthy?”

Avoiding her gaze, Ming Yuzhou finally mustered the courage to speak. “I know what this is really about—you’re fighting for yourself. In common households, both Qianyuan and Kunze can inherit. But in the imperial family, only a Qianyuan can claim the throne. You were the late emperor’s precious jewel, beloved beyond measure. Naturally, you can’t accept being nothing more than a noble princess.”

He paused, gauging her reaction. Seeing her silent, he continued, “You were favored precisely because you couldn’t inherit. If the late emperor had truly intended otherwise, he could have issued a decree allowing our child to bear your surname—then she would have a rightful claim to succession. But he didn’t. In fact, he forbade it. Isn’t that enough of a message?”

Princess Ancheng, of course, understood. But the more pampered one is, the more they believe certain things are theirs by right. If she could resolve her youthful regrets now, in middle age—why shouldn’t she try?

Ming Yuzhou saw her lingering ambition and sighed. “The Emperor is putting our family under unbearable pressure. If Zhexiu can’t enter the Eastern Palace, what future awaits her? What future awaits us?”

Finally, Princess Ancheng softened. “I understand. It won’t come to that.”

Hearing her relent, Ming Yuzhou pressed on, “Then why not submit a petition to the Emperor—ask him to appoint the Crown Princess quickly, before things spiral further?”

Princess Ancheng hesitated. In her heart, she couldn’t let go. In fact, she was beginning to consider a desperate gamble—especially now, with the Fourth Princess missing.

What if she could set a new precedent?

As she pondered, the steward burst in, panic-stricken. “Your Highness, Consort—something terrible has happened! The Fifth Lady was ambushed by assassins on her way home!”

“What?! Where did they come from?!”

“What happened to her?!”

The “Fifth Lady” referred to Ming Zhexiu, fifth among Princess Ancheng and Ming Yuzhou’s many daughters.