Chapter 50: Not an Outsider, But My Consort

Who could have foreseen that, just as they were about to leave, they would discover that Xia Yue’er, not only departed herself, but had also taken all the carriages along with her? She, accompanied by only a single maid, had said farewell to Xia Jiujiang with all three carriages in tow.

Their plans to sample the limited pastries of the Ruyi Pavilion were dashed; they couldn’t even be sure if they would make it back to the Prince Jin’s residence before nightfall.

As Xia Jiujiang, Green Calyx, Youhua, and White Aster stood at the gates of the Great Li Temple, exchanging uncertain glances, the ground suddenly trembled with the sound of hooves and rhythmic marching. Xia Jiujiang looked up to see troops assembling outside the temple. At their head rode a figure who instantly rekindled hope in her heart.

There was Prince Jin himself, astride a white, spirited steed. His posture was as upright as a pine, his robe of dark silk embroidered with cloud patterns, and his waist cinched with a broad sash adorned with wild crane motifs. Against the light, he seemed almost to radiate golden brilliance, a striking vision as he entered Xia Jiujiang’s view.

Not far from the temple, on a low hill, an entirely different figure went unnoticed—a man with dust-streaked face and hair tangled with weeds, twigs, and dry branches. His simple, once-white shirt was now gray and tattered from darting through the forest. His facecloth had slipped away, revealing chiseled, exotic features—handsome yet cold, with an icy glint in his eyes as he watched Prince Jin and Xia Jiujiang at the temple entrance.

He started, surprised to see Xia Jiujiang alive. Hadn’t he set the insects on her? Without the antidote from a man, she should have perished for sure. How was she now so full of life? Had he been outwitted from the very start?

His gaze turned even colder. “Princess Anya, is it? Just you wait,” he muttered, turning to leave.

Meanwhile, at the temple gate, a voice called out, “Cousin… Cousin… Wait for me, wait for me!”

Seeing Prince Jin appear, Princess Anya dared not delay. She hastily made herself presentable and hurried to the temple gate. Yet, her rushed efforts made her look less pitiful and more alarming—a heavy layer of powder caked her face, two bright red circles sat unblended on her cheeks, and her hair flew wildly as she ran. Prince Jin looked up at this tragic sight and blurted out, “What on earth are you?”

Princess Anya stopped before him, her eyes brimming with infatuation, and said coquettishly, “Cousin, really now… How can there be ghosts in broad daylight? Don’t you recognize me? It’s me, Anya.”

Prince Jin replied coolly, “So Princess Anya is also at the Great Li Temple.”

She nodded eagerly. “You’ve come to escort me back to the palace, cousin.”

He retorted with undisguised scorn, “Does it take the Embroidered Guards to fetch you? You do overestimate yourself.”

Princess Anya’s face stiffened, but she refused to give in. “Then why have you returned here?”

Prince Jin’s tone was indifferent. “There was an assassination attempt in the palace last night. The Embroidered Guards tracked the suspect to the Great Li Temple. Concerned for my consort’s safety, I came here personally.”

Princess Anya shot a furious glare at Xia Jiujiang and then turned away, feigning grievance. “Cousin, you worry about the consort’s safety, but not mine?”

Prince Jin replied coldly, “His Majesty assigned you personal guards.”

Frustrated, Princess Anya clenched her fists, barely restraining her temper.

Seeing her agitation, Granny Chun stepped forward to help. “Your Highness, today marks the end of Princess Anya’s two months of reflection at the Great Li Temple. She is to return to the palace. Would you not escort her back, Your Highness?”

Prince Jin’s gaze was icy as he addressed Granny Chun, “Since when does a mere nursemaid presume to direct my actions?”

Granny Chun’s heart skipped a beat. She had intended to help Princess Anya get closer to the prince, but his frosty response left her face stiff and awkward. Wasn’t she, after all, Princess Anya’s attendant? Did the prince fear no offense with such rudeness?

Awkwardly, Granny Chun turned to Xia Jiujiang. “Consort, did you not share a pleasant talk with Princess Anya yesterday? It would be good to have company on the journey. Would you accompany her?”

Xia Jiujiang regarded Granny Chun’s overbearing manner, as if her agreement was a foregone conclusion, and gave a cold laugh. “Since when does a nursemaid command the consort? One might almost believe you outrank Princess Anya herself, or that even I must obey your orders.”

Granny Chun was immediately taken aback. She had expected Xia Jiujiang to submit as meekly as the day before, but today’s cold retort left her feeling she was facing a stranger. Clenching her fists, she blamed Prince Jin’s presence—without him, how could Xia Jiujiang dare such insolence?

But with Prince Jin right there, Granny Chun could only bow her head and swallow her anger at Xia Jiujiang’s mocking words.

Prince Jin said coolly, “Didn’t you want someone to escort you back?”

Princess Anya’s eyes sparkled with excitement and she nodded eagerly.

Prince Jin replied, “The Embroidered Guards will escort you to the palace and ensure your safety.”

But that was not what Princess Anya wanted; she wished for Prince Jin himself to escort her, not the guards. She pointed at Xia Jiujiang. “What about her?”

Prince Jin answered, “I will personally escort my consort home.”

Princess Anya grabbed Xia Jiujiang and insisted, “I don’t want that! I want her to accompany me!”

Unable to secure Prince Jin’s escort, she decided to drag Xia Jiujiang along and see if that would force his hand. But to her surprise, Prince Jin simply brushed her hand aside and, with a single motion, swept Xia Jiujiang into his arms.

Xia Jiujiang was puzzling over what this spoiled princess intended when, suddenly weightless, she found herself nestled in Prince Jin’s embrace. Instinctively, her arms wrapped around his neck.

Princess Anya shrieked in disbelief, “Cousin, why are you holding her? You—”

Prince Jin replied bluntly, “She is my consort. I’ll hold her if I wish. And stop calling her ‘her, her, her’—she’s your sister-in-law, the consort bestowed upon me by His Majesty. Next time, address her properly.”

With that, Prince Jin prepared to carry Xia Jiujiang to the carriage. Princess Anya cried out, “I want to ride too! I want to be with you!”

Prince Jin tossed back, “You know my rules—my carriage is not for outsiders. If you don’t want to be left behind, you’re welcome to get on your own.”

Princess Anya had been left behind by him before; the very thought made her backside ache, but she still pointed accusingly at Xia Jiujiang. “Didn’t you say outsiders aren’t allowed? Then why does she get to ride?”

Prince Jin looked back. “Pardon me, but she is not an outsider—she is my wife.”

Xia Jiujiang was left utterly stunned. Prince Jin was unexpectedly eager to play the role of a loving husband. Was he not being a bit too enthusiastic?