Chapter 53: Treacherous Intentions

What did an ordinary married couple look like?

Among Fanluo City’s most prosperous restaurants, Yuhua Lou reigned supreme. Normally, securing a table required reservations days in advance, yet today the entire establishment had been privately booked.

The proprietress, Rui Ji, bustled about personally overseeing preparations, her gaze frequently drifting toward the main entrance.

When a waiter rushed over to announce the guests’ arrival, she hastily straightened her attire and went out to greet them personally.

It was a rare fine day, the clear skies framing a soft sedan chair approaching at a leisurely pace.

The curtain bore the emblem of the Zhenbei Army, with military personnel closely flanking it for protection.

Just as Rui Ji was speculating about the identity of the woman inside, Yuchi Meng, who served by General Xuan’s side, rode forward and asked, “Is everything prepared?”

Rui Ji bowed respectfully and replied, “The private room and dishes have long been ready, awaiting only General Xuan’s arrival.”

As she spoke, she discreetly glanced at the sedan chair.

Liu Shi lifted the curtain and assisted Li Youqing out, whispering softly, “Madam, we’ve arrived at Yuhua Lou.”

A petite figure emerged from the sedan, her face entirely concealed by a veiled hat. Yet, from the graceful elegance in her every movement, it was evident she was a woman of extraordinary beauty.

Just as Rui Ji was about to follow them inside, she heard Yuchi Meng’s gruff command: “You two, head to the kitchen. Remember, inspect every dish meticulously.”

Her steps faltered, and her expression turned somewhat awkward. “Lord Meng, is that really necessary?” she protested. Having run her business for over a decade and hosted numerous distinguished guests, she had never encountered any mishaps.

But Yuchi Meng was a man who never minced words. He retorted bluntly, “No one’s asking you to inspect them yourself. Why concern yourself with matters beyond your duties?”

Rui Ji’s face flushed with embarrassment, but she couldn’t resist asking, “Might I inquire who that young lady is to General Xuan, that you would personally escort her, Lord Meng?”

Yuchi Meng shot her a sharp glance. “Proprietress Rui, remember your place. The General’s affairs are none of your concern.”

Thoroughly chastised, Rui Ji dared not pry further and turned away to assist with the arrangements.

In the most luxurious private room on the second floor, Li Youqing removed her veiled hat and sat by the window, leisurely sipping tea.

She had merely wanted some fresh air, never expecting him to grow so anxious, assigning both overt and covert guards for her protection.

Yet, according to Liu Shi, Fanluo City was an impenetrable fortress of the Zhenbei Army, virtually unassailable. This left her puzzled—what exactly was he so uneasy about?

Once the dishes were served, her eyes immediately fell upon the emerald tofu. Taking a bite, she found its color, aroma, and taste indistinguishable from what she had once enjoyed in the palace. Curiosity piqued, she asked, “Where is the owner of Yuhua Lou from?”

Liu Shi replied, “Fanluo City flourished under the General’s influence. Most thriving businesses here are, in fact, his enterprises.”

So he was this wealthy? Li Youqing suddenly recalled something and asked, “Did he pay the reward from that night?”

At this, Liu Shi smiled, holding up all ten fingers. “The General would never renege on your word, Madam. He paid this much.”

“Hmph—” Li Youqing was moderately satisfied and continued eating slowly and deliberately.

Having grown up in the military camp, Liu Shi knew many amusing anecdotes about the Zhenbei Army soldiers and shared a few with Li Youqing.

Noting her lack of interest, Liu Shi resorted to recounting some old stories about General Xuan that she had heard from her mother, treating them as mere tales.

The dishes prepared today suited her taste perfectly. Li Youqing ate with great relish while asking Liu Shi, “So those rumors were all spread on his orders?”

“Exactly. Back when the General made his name in a single battle, he was the ideal husband countless women dreamed of day and night.” Liu Shi added another piece of tender stewed beef to her bowl and chuckled, “If not for rumors being fiercer than tigers, those women would probably still be pestering him endlessly.”

“With so many beauties among the northwestern tribes, was there really not one who could capture his heart?” Recalling his familiarity in matters between men and women, Li Youqing found it hard to believe he had never been with a woman before.

Even refined gentlemen like Jin Cheng had maidservants attending to their needs, let alone princes who would have instructing matrons teaching them about intimate matters by age sixteen.

Xuan Rui was already twenty-two this year. At that age, ordinary men would likely have several children by now. No matter how you looked at it, he shouldn’t still be inexperienced.

But thinking back carefully, he had indeed been quite clumsy at the beginning, almost like a big clumsy bear.

“To my knowledge, madam is the only woman the General has ever been close to.” Liu Shi lowered her gaze in thought before continuing, “If I had to name another, it would be my mother. Since she’s always been responsible for the General’s daily meals and daily life, she’s closer to him than most.”

Li Youqing couldn’t help but laugh, knowing she was deliberately teasing. Propping her snow-white cheek with one hand, she raised an eyebrow and said, “Speaking up for him so much today – did he bribe you somehow?”

“The General’s feelings for you don’t need me to explain.” Liu Shi seriously pointed out: “Just look at how many pearl black chickens have been raised in the military camp recently, and how many dairy cows have been brought in. The General even told my mother that you have a weak constitution and suffer abdominal pain during your monthly courses. If you don’t believe me, check the small kitchen – my mother makes angelica paste for you every day.”

Li Youqing hadn’t expected him to share such private matters. Her face flushed instantly, and she could only stare out the window in silence.

Seeing their sweet relationship daily brought Liu Shi joy. She continued with more pleasantries, coaxing Li Youqing to eat more.

Then she served a bowl of black chicken soup, saying, “The ingredients for this meal all came from the military camp, but we had an outside chef prepare them to give you a change of taste. Try this soup and see if it’s really better than my mother’s version.”

Li Youqing had never liked the taste of gastrodia and black chicken soup. She was pushing the bowl away and preparing to stand when sudden commotion erupted downstairs. A familiar female voice could be faintly heard calling “Thirteenth Young Miss.”

Looking down again, Li Youqing saw a waiter being dragged out of the restaurant by two guards.

Just as she found the figure somewhat familiar, the “waiter” turned around and met her gaze.

“Stop.” She suddenly stood up and ordered coldly, “Bring that person upstairs. I have questions for her.”

Liu Shi’s expression changed as she advised from the side, “Madam, it’s better not to meet with those unsavory characters.”

“Your input isn’t needed.” Li Youqing recalled the face she’d just seen, confirming it was Bai Yao’er whom she’d met before in Wu City.

This person was indeed no good, but there were still some matters she needed to clarify face to face.

After a long while, Yuchi Meng knocked on the door from outside and said, “It was my negligence that allowed unauthorized people to sneak in. I will report to the General for punishment upon our return. I have already ordered the person from earlier to be escorted back to the camp to await the General’s judgment. For your safety, madam, it would be best not to see her again.”

As soon as his words fell, a crisp sound came from the door panel, followed by the shattering of porcelain from a table.

Yuchi Meng stood stiffly in place. When the door opened, Li Youqing had already put on her veil and hat again, not even glancing at him as she walked out and headed downstairs.

Liu Shi exchanged a look with Yuchi Meng and hurried after her.

But outside the tavern, there was no trace of Bai Yao’er to be found.

Li Youqing knew these people would not listen to her and saw no point in wasting her breath. However, after the disruption caused by Bai Yao’er, she had even less desire to continue sightseeing.

She merely wandered around the city briefly before returning listlessly.

She had been waiting for Xuan Rui to return so she could interrogate Bai Yao’er, but he did not come back even by evening.

Liu Shi came to attend to her washing up and, seeing her slumped over the table with a pale complexion, advised, “Madam, I’ve heard that woman is no good. Why must you insist on seeing her?”

“Do you think ordinary couples should be honest with each other?” Li Youqing sat up, her gaze fixed blankly on the door.

Having waited all evening for someone who had yet to return, she had already imagined several versions of the entire incident in her mind.

Recalling the words he had once spoken to her, her heart ached with bitterness.

Wasn’t it him who proposed they live as an ordinary couple?

She had compromised time and again, setting aside her identity as a princess for his sake, yet when had he ever shown sincerity?

“Don’t overthink it, madam. You know Yuchi’s temperament—he’s stubborn and single-minded. Without the General’s approval, he naturally wouldn’t dare let you take any risks,” Liu Shi patiently consoled.

At the same time, she was deeply puzzled. They had been dining peacefully outside—how had that woman found them?

Could it be that the General had truly done something outside—

No, she would have to question her own husband about this when they returned.

As night deepened, Liu Shi attended to Li Youqing until she lay down to rest, then withdrew.

She had not gone far when she happened to encounter the General returning to camp. Judging by his hurried steps, he likely had no idea about the day’s events.

Hesitating for a moment, she stepped forward and reported the entire incident from beginning to end.

Remembering how aggrieved her mistress had been all day, she couldn’t help adding, “Earlier, madam asked me whether ordinary couples should be honest with each other. It’s clear she’s truly heartbroken. Even if you’ve become involved with someone else, General, you should discuss it openly with her. Keeping secrets like this will only drive you further apart.”

Xuan Rui’s expression darkened. Faced with Liu Shi’s questioning, he turned away without a word and left.

Liu Shi shook her head and went to vent her frustrations to her own husband.

Inside the tent, the lamps had been extinguished, but it was evident the little one was still awake.

Xuan Rui felt his way to the bedside and reached a large hand under the covers.

He found her limbs icy cold, her body curled up, with no warmth at all in the bedding.

When he touched her, she flinched slightly, then lay still as if it no longer mattered.

Without a word, Xuan Rui got up and summoned someone.

Soon, Yuchi Meng’s booming voice came from outside the tent, carrying a hint of simple-minded bluntness: “I feared that woman might be an assassin who could harm my lady, so I took her away directly. My apologies! From now on, my lady’s commands are military orders—this general will obey without question!”

Li Youqing poked her head out from under the quilt, glaring at the man guarding her bedside, and muttered sullenly: “Who gave him orders? Tell him not to interfere with me from now on. I’ll see whoever I want, and even if I die, it’s none of your concern.”

“Dismissed,” Xuan Rui commanded outwardly before turning back, climbing onto the bed, and seizing her by the waist. He first punished her with a fierce, grinding kiss on her lips.

Then, holding her in his arms, he rubbed her hands to warm them: “What’s going on? You’re so cold.”

Upon hearing the announcement that Bai Yao’er had been brought over, Li Youqing struggled even more violently, biting his lip hard before she could stop, panting slightly.

A moment later, the tent flap was lifted.

Xuan Rui casually let the bed curtains fall. From behind the screen came Bai Yao’er’s tentative inquiry: “Princess, is that you?”

Xuan Rui remained silent, signaling with his eyes that she could ask whatever she wished now.

Li Youqing cleared her throat and tried to get off the bed, but was immediately restrained by his grip on her knees.

The warmth under the covers gradually intensified. Held tightly in the man’s embrace, she dared not move a muscle.

“Head Priestess Bai, it’s been a long time,” she said, her breath slightly heavy, trying her best to ignore the man’s hand on her waist.

But his arm felt like forged iron, heating her entire body until she grew weak, unconsciously leaning against him.

“Third Princess, it really is you! This servant has been searching for you for so long. Have you been imprisoned by General Xuan? Has he… has he been harboring ill intentions toward you?” Bai Yao’er chose her words carefully, worried about upsetting the princess.

“Yes,” Li Youqing sighed softly, turning to look at the man beside her.

In the darkness, she couldn’t make out his features clearly, but she could distinctly sense a predatory wolf lurking nearby.

“If he has ill intentions toward this princess, so be it,” she shifted her tone, reaching out to pinch his face with her delicate hand.

Xuan Rui caught her hand, feeling somewhat soothed.

“In the palace, there are those with even more despicable methods than his,” Li Youqing’s voice turned cold as she asked: “Since you left the capital, you’ve been working for Zhenbei Wang. You must know who I’m referring to.”