Chapter Fifty-Three: Admitting Defeat with Grace

Yu Yang had to admit that she was deeply envious. Wherever this princess went, she was cherished and protected by everyone around her, oblivious to the dangers of the world, ignorant of its complexities, always clear in her loves and hates, able to express joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness without a trace of restraint.

She was happy, and deserved to be envied by all.

The conversation ended there.

That night, Gu Li still couldn’t sleep soundly; her heart was burdened with secrets. In her mind, sometimes it was Jin An, sometimes Yu Yang, and in the end, they all turned into Lie Chang’an, into that candied hawthorn she’d swallowed, sweet and sour, just like her feelings now.

It wasn’t until dawn was near that Gu Li, finally unable to hold on, drifted into sleep.

When she awoke, she found herself already in the carriage.

Though Yu Yang’s wounds hadn’t healed, she was never accustomed to riding in a carriage, so today she chose to ride a horse alongside them, leaving Gu Li alone inside.

Jasmine, hearing movement outside the curtain, quickly lifted it and asked, “Princess, you’re awake?”

Gu Li, rubbing her groggy head, frowned and asked, “How did I end up in the carriage?”

Jasmine replied, “Early this morning, His Highness the Crown Prince saw you sleeping deeply and couldn’t bear to wake you, so he carried you into the carriage to let you continue resting.”

After speaking, she asked, “Princess, would you like something to eat?”

Gu Li shook her head; her stomach still felt full, and she wasn’t hungry. “Bring me the water flask.”

Jasmine hurried to hand her the flask. After taking a sip, Gu Li said, “Call His Highness the Crown Prince here. I have something to tell him.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Jasmine lowered the curtain. Soon, the sound of hoofbeats approached.

The Crown Prince’s voice was gentle and warm as he smiled, “My dear sister, have you finally awakened?”

Gu Li had no mood for playfulness or jest; she hurried to tell the Crown Prince about Yu Yang discovering their identities last night.

He listened, and after a moment of contemplation said, “Miss Yu has already taken the initiative to confess this matter to me and General Lie Chang’an.”

“What?” Gu Li hadn’t expected Yu Yang to be so cunning. To avoid suspicion from the Crown Prince and Lie Chang’an, she chose to confess herself, dispelling their doubts.

Gu Li was no match for such intrigue and could only admit defeat.

After passing through that small town, they journeyed for several more days, finally arriving at a tiny village. Once they left this village, only one final checkpoint remained, and then Li Huai County would be near.

Sitting in the carriage, Gu Li suddenly heard a commotion outside. She quickly lifted the curtain and asked, “What’s happening?”

Looking out, she saw not far from the convoy a small boy in coarse, tattered clothes kneeling at the gates of an imposing mansion. Opposite him stood a portly, greasy-faced middle-aged man, clad in silks and gold chains, pointing at the boy and cursing furiously.

The distance was too great to hear the words, but after his tirade, the man gave a signal to his servants, stormed into the mansion, and slammed the gates shut. The servants then swarmed over the boy, raining blows and kicks upon him.

Villagers stood nearby, murmuring among themselves, but none dared intervene. All watched the battered boy with pity.

Gu Li couldn’t bear the sight. The boy looked so frail—if this continued, he’d surely be beaten to death.

She stepped out of the carriage, about to cry out for them to stop, but the servants had already finished. The leader delivered a final vicious kick to the boy curled on the ground, then led his men back into the mansion, slamming the gates shut without the slightest mercy.