The Shadowy Princess's Husband-Slave Consort (Transmigration) - Chapter 3

As dawn broke and the morning mist gradually dissipated, the pavilions and towers of the bustling capital city slowly unfurled like a scroll, revealing the splendor of the Wangchao Dynasty.

The night fires in Wenbin Garden had been extinguished by the imperial guards, leaving the corridors of the right-wing residence in disarray, charred and blackened by the flames.

My lord, how are we going to explain this to His Majesty?

Why are you panicking? This wasn’t due to our negligence. It was the Young Master of Marquis Xizhou who acted madly, defying the imperial decree and setting the fire!

One official, his face pale, could only nod in agreement, though he suspected the fire had been fueled by something more than ordinary candles—perhaps someone had thrown oil to make it burn so fiercely.

The officials knew they needed a scapegoat for the night’s fire. Otherwise, the officials and guards responsible for overseeing the Princesses’ matchmaking banquet would face dismissal and execution for negligence.

With the Marquis of Xizhou’s influence waning and Yin Xing’s whereabouts unknown, he seemed the perfect scapegoat.

Suddenly, a guard rushed forward to report, Your Excellency, Princess Zhanghua’s escort has returned the Marquis of Xizhou’s son to the garden and awaits your audience.

The officials fell silent, their hearts pounding with dread over their earlier conversation.

They had assumed they could easily find a scapegoat with few connections in the Capital. Little did they know, the Young Master of Marquis Xizhou was far more influential than they imagined!

The Chief Official in charge of Wenbin Garden affairs was equally terrified. He hurried to greet the young master, secretly relieved he hadn’t yet issued any official documents. Otherwise, he might have met an untimely end!

Throughout the years of Princesses’ matchmaking banquets, Princess Zhanghua had never shown her face or intervened. This was unprecedented!

Clouds parted, the sun emerged, and the sky cleared. Golden sunlight streamed through the lattice windows, shifting and swirling across the room. Yin Xing awoke groggily, his gaze falling upon ancient wooden beams. The soothing scent of medicinal herbs wafted from an incense burner on the table, calming his mind.

Yin Xing startled awake and hurriedly checked his clothes, relieved to find them intact. His gaze drifted to a bronze mirror nearby, where he noticed a medicinal patch on his forehead, the grayish-white gauze replaced with a water-blue headband embroidered with silver patterns.

This elegant, understated luxury reminded Yin Xing of Xuan Yizhen’s refined aesthetic, leading him to believe he was still in her flower-filled garden.

However, two officials in azure court robes entered the room, their faces etched with concern. They bowed respectfully and said, Young Master, you were startled last night. The fire was caused by a candle blown over by the wind. We’ve arranged for you to recuperate in a private courtyard. Please don’t hesitate to request anything you need.

Yin Xing nodded blankly, avoiding further conversation to conceal his complete lack of understanding of the plot.

Strange… why is my unauthorized escape being treated like nothing happened?!

After the officials withdrew, Yin Xing pushed open the window to confirm his location he was back in the luxurious inn.

Or rather, his prison.

Yin Xing sighed, frowning and puffing out his cheeks. He felt his efforts had been wasted, and his headache seemed even worse now.

As Yin Xing’s gaze fell upon the fire-scorched area of the garden, he abruptly stopped. It was the building where he had originally resided, and his heart lurched with shock.

If I hadn’t escaped by chance, I would have perished in that inferno!

The wind rustled through the branches and leaves in Wenbin Garden. In the corridor, two officials reported to the Chief Official with visible relief Your Excellency, Young Master Yin’s headache has subsided, and he has regained consciousness. He should be out of danger.

Good. Double the guards outside his courtyard. We cannot afford another mistake.

As you command!

As their voices faded, the branches outside the corridor swayed, adorned with clusters of vibrant blossoms that swayed gracefully, enticing bees and butterflies.

Within the vast inner city of the Capital, another garden mirrored this scene of spring’s splendor. Countless vibrant flowers bloomed in profusion, while verdant vines climbed the pillars and eaves, creating a secluded paradise reminiscent of a pastoral haven.

In the stillness, the sound of water gradually rose. Within the Glazed Wall, faint ripples stirred as Golden Carp leaped and swam, their scales shimmering with the liuli’s pale blue radiance. The light distorted the slender, elegant figure within the hall, blurring its features.

A pair of jade-white, slender hands dipped into a basin filled with flower petals. Though the few drops of bl00d had long been washed away, the lingering metallic scent still lingered, unsettlingly.

In the hall stood another figure an elderly female official with slightly graying hair. Though her posture was unsteady, she maintained a dignified bearing. Her robes were impeccably arranged, save for a few bloodstains at the hem of her skirt. She spoke respectfully, Your Majesty, the Young Master of Marquis Xizhou has been safely returned to Wenbin Garden. Last night’s incident was truly exceptional and has been handled appropriately.

All the guards and secret agents stationed within the garden were elite experts, capable of detecting the slightest disturbance.

Yet, the Young Master of Marquis Xizhou, weakened by his injuries and barely clinging to life, had been concealed in a flower-laden carriage. By sheer coincidence, this carriage had slipped through the layers of tight security and entered the inner garden undetected.

Aunt Ji, you’re being too cautious. Last night was merely an accident, Xuan Yizhen said gently, setting aside the silk handkerchief she had been using to wipe her hands. With a graceful step, she moved to the Glazed Wall, silently watching the Golden Carp. Her jade-like hand held a silver spoon, scattering fish food into the water. The ethereal beauty of her eyes, reflected in the clear blue liuli, seemed even more distant and unfocused.

The Golden Carp, suspended as if floating in mid-air, seemed to avoid the reflection of Xuan Yizhen’s beautiful yet impassive face in the Glazed Wall, turning instead to chase after the scattered food.

Seeing this, Lady Ji dared not speak rashly. Her gaze followed the tall, aloof figure standing before the Glazed Wall, unable to fully grasp Princess Zhanghua’s intentions.

Last night, as the flower carts were being unloaded, they had discovered the Young Master of Marquis Xizhou hiding inside one. Lady Ji had been prepared to apprehend and interrogate him directly.

But Princess Zhanghua had stopped her.

In the dim moonlight, as the flower carts came to a halt, a maid had reported in alarm. Lady Ji had spotted the figure concealed within the cart, nearly unconscious, and immediately ordered his capture and disposal.

No one had ever infiltrated the inner garden undetected. The Young Master of Marquis Xizhou was the first—a grave offense.

Seize him!

Aunt Ji, why rush to dispose of him? He might amuse us for a while.

The night breeze rustled through the leaves, its whisper masking the soft, gentle voice. The lantern light high above cast a glow on Princess Zhanghua’s luminous skin, highlighting her exquisite features and gentle demeanor. Yet the light failed to penetrate the dark depths of her eyes, inspiring both fear and reverence.

Lady Ji’s attempts to dissuade her faltered as she met those abyss-like, cold, and empty eyes. Overwhelmed by dread, she dared not disobey.

As a noble lady of the imperial family, Princess Zhanghua naturally possessed an extraordinary aura. Even with her gentle demeanor, she brooked no disobedience.

Lady Ji understood this perfectly, harboring no doubts.

Accordingly, Lady Ji dismissed all the maids and guards from the inner garden, leaving only the Princess’s personal shadow guards at her disposal.

She had assumed that once Princess Zhanghua had finished observing the Night-blooming Cereus, the young master would lose his value. To her surprise, he was safely escorted out of the garden early this morning.

The intruders who had broken in last night had all come for the Young Master of Marquis Xizhou, clearly causing considerable chaos.

Behind the glazed wall, the muffled sound of water echoed as countless small bubbles gurgled and surged upward. Aunt Ji steadied her composure and turned her gaze to Princess Zhanghua, who remained focused on feeding the fish. Though the Princess’s expression was serene and peaceful, Aunt Ji sensed a turbulent undercurrent beneath the surface. Her heart filled with caution, she replied, This old servant thanks Your Highness for your kindness, but I dare not relax my vigilance.

Having witnessed the events of that year firsthand, Lady Ji naturally dared not take any chances.

Hearing this, Xuan Yizhen fell silent. She reached out to touch the cold, smooth liuli before her, the pale blue light casting shifting patterns across her jade-white fingertips. Her gaze remained fixed on the Golden Carp swimming into the maze, yet her deep, dark eyes reflected the image of Yin Xing, who had mistakenly wandered in last night.

In the dead of night, when all was silent, a slender figure emerged from the flower-laden carriage. Vibrant petals clung to their robes and hair, their fair cheeks and luminous eyes resembling a beautiful little fish swimming into a deep, dark pond, curiously observing everything around them.

The moment Xuan Yizhen first saw Yin Xing in that secluded spot, she sensed something peculiar. This person seemed to exist in a state of transition between childishness and maturity, blurring the lines between male and female. Their youthful aura was almost too pristine, like that of an innocent child, yet they already possessed a considerable stature.

Thus, Xuan Yizhen observed Yin Xing’s every move with the same calm detachment she would use to watch a Golden Carp, passing the time while waiting for the Night-blooming Cereus to bloom.

She watched as Yin Xing carefully navigated through the verdant landscape, moving clumsily along the corridor cluttered with potted plants. They didn’t even touch the rooms blocked by trailing vines, as if casually wandering through without any particular interest, yet they handled everything with meticulous care and reverence.

Espionage or investigation might require caution, but there was no need for such deliberate dawdling.

After a long while, Xuan Yizhen saw Yin Xing finish their meandering and step into the main hall. She assumed they were finally about to take action.

A sudden thump echoed in the darkness. Xuan Yizhen tilted her head, her gaze fixed on Yin Xing’s clumsy movements. She suppressed a smile, inwardly sighing, What a clumsy fish.

Moments later, she heard Yin Xing’s youthful, light voice murmuring to the Golden Carp in the darkness. Still uncertain of his intentions, Xuan Yizhen finally revealed herself.

Soon, Yin Xing explained that he had stumbled into the garden while fleeing pursuers. Xuan Yizhen felt a flicker of disappointment, though she remained skeptical of such a convenient coincidence.

Yet, as it turned out, Yin Xing truly was just a coincidence.

With another thump, the Golden Carp surged within the glazed wall, the water swirling slightly faster. Xuan Yizhen focused her mind, her beautiful eyes blinking softly as she watched the carp circle in the maze. A hint of anticipation gleamed in her gaze as she asked, Did the imperial guards’ morning patrol stir up any other activity?

Your Majesty, two separate groups followed them to Wenbin Garden. They’ll likely discover soon that the Young Master of Marquis Xizhou entered and left the garden last night.

Xuan Yizhen’s jade-white fingertip gently touched the clumsy, exhausted Golden Carp through the glazed wall. Her luminous eyes, reflecting the water patterns, glowed with a clear, ethereal light like polished gemstones. She murmured with amusement, I wonder what kind of amusement you’ll bring this time.

Lady Ji, puzzled, pondered silently. Countless eyes outside the garden were scrutinizing Princess Zhanghua’s every move.

Even if the Young Master of Marquis Xizhou survives today, he’ll likely struggle to survive long in the Capital, where wolves and tigers vie for power.

Could Princess Zhanghua be using him as bait?

Xuan Yizhen gazed at the Golden Carp behind the Glazed Wall, which remained unresponsive to her fingertip guidance. With a hint of boredom, she withdrew her hand. Hopefully, Yin Xing will prove more interesting.

Inside the hall, silence reigned, deep and profound. Outside, the sun blazed brightly, its light shifting and swirling. Within the vast, azure Glazed Wall, the water stilled, leaving only a deathly calm.

Meanwhile, in his secluded courtyard at Wenbin Garden, Yin Xing suddenly felt a chill run down his back. He quietly shifted closer to the sunlight, cradling a jade pendant carved with a nine-headed phoenix in his palm. His face lit up with undisguised delight as he murmured to himself, Giving me such a precious gift on our first meeting… I’ll have to prepare a proper return gift for Yizhen next time.

But Xuan Yizhen was so wealthy… What kind of gift would be appropriate?

Yin Xing’s head began to ache. If only I had the internet to search for ideas!