Chapter 101: A Heart Poundingly Terrifying Experience

The next day.

When Gu Li opened her eyes, she was greeted by a waft of fragrant aroma.

Jasmine approached carrying a bowl of hot porridge, smiling gently. “Princess, you’re awake.”

After setting the porridge down, she took the damp cloth handed over by a nearby maid and carefully wiped Gu Li’s face clean.

Gu Li sat up, still feeling a bit groggy, frowning as she asked, “What time is it?”

“Princess, it’s still early. It’s the hour of the dragon.”

The hour of the dragon?

For the past two days, her heart had been heavy with thoughts of General Lie Chang’an, as if a great stone pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe. She hadn’t rested well at all. Last night, she simply couldn’t keep going and fell asleep before the hour of the pig.

She hadn’t expected to sleep so deeply and for so long.

“Princess, I have good news.”

Gu Li looked up at Jasmine’s beaming face, still too foggy-headed to immediately grasp the meaning. “What good news?”

Jasmine leaned close and whispered a few words mysteriously into Gu Li’s ear.

“Really?” Gu Li exclaimed in delight, her eyes shining.

“Yes,” Jasmine nodded, but hesitant to say more, she glanced at the other maids still standing nearby.

Gu Li understood and quickly sent them away.

Once the room was quiet, just the two of them left, Gu Li could no longer contain herself. She stood up, gripping Jasmine’s hand tightly, asking eagerly, “Is it true? Has Crown Prince really brought Lie Chang’an here?”

“Would I lie to you about something like this?” Jasmine replied. Fearful that the princess might be overwhelmed with joy, she explained everything in detail. “After you fell asleep last night, the Emperor sent gifts. The Crown Prince was incredibly clever—he placed General Chang’an inside a wooden box and brought him into the palace along with the gifts.”

Still, Jasmine recalled the fear she felt the previous night.

“But His Highness was quite bold. In front of so many palace maids and eunuchs, when I heard from Little Ji that one of the boxes actually contained General Chang’an, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.”

“And where is he now?”

“Don’t worry, Princess. With Little Ji’s help, I arranged for General Chang’an to stay in the side chamber of the western wing. I sent Xiao Qiu and Xiao Yan to attend to him, and I instructed everyone else that the side chamber is under their care for now—no one else is to enter.”

Jasmine continued, “To avoid suspicion, I had those boxes with the gifts brought into that side chamber as well. So if anyone sees you going there, they’ll just think you’re picking out some of the gifts to enjoy.”

Gu Li was deeply moved.

The Crown Prince and Jasmine had thought of everything for her.

Her eyes grew moist as she sincerely thanked her, “Jasmine, thank you.”

Jasmine’s nose twitched, but she shook her head. “Princess, don’t say such foolish things. It’s my duty.”

“I want to see him now.”

Gu Li slipped on her shoes and was about to rush out.

“Princess.”

Jasmine, knowing her heart was already with General Lie Chang’an, gently stopped her. “Princess, you can’t go now. It’s this hour, and soon the Empress will finish greeting the ladies who came to pay respects and will come see you as usual. If you go now, it simply won’t do.”

Gu Li knew Jasmine spoke the truth. With so many people in her chambers, she longed to fly to his side immediately, her heart aching with urgency, but hearing Jasmine’s words, she forced herself to hold back.