Ch 20: When the Wild Goose Returns

Qing Yan wished she could be standing at the city gates right now, cheering and waving to welcome Prince Min into the capital.

But alas, sitting across from her was still that towering monk.

Her eyes darted about, quickly trying to come up with an excuse to leave.

She glanced up at Duan Wucuo across from her—and was suddenly startled by the dark, unreadable look in his eyes. It felt like a bucket of cold water poured over her head.

For a split second, Qing Yan genuinely reflected on all her actions over the past few days.

“Dishes are here!”

Two waiters came in carrying two dishes each and laid them down on the slightly worn wooden table.

Qing Yan twitched her nose, glanced down at the fragrant, colorful dishes, and—without hesitation—pushed Prince Min to the back of her mind. She picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of spicy fermented black bean pork rib, and popped it in her mouth.

Crisp.

Crispy on the tongue, the kind of crisp that made her soul want to do a happy little dance.

Her eyes curved into crescents. She was clearly delighted.

The pork ribs were very spicy. By the time she reached her second bite, her cheeks were already flushed.

Her face was pink like it had been glazed with honey. Her lips, already small and plump, now red from the spice, looked like moist rose petals softly rubbing together.

The mockery and gossip from the room next door had never stopped, but Qing Yan focused on her ribs, completely ignoring them.

Duan Wucuo slowly spun the lid of his teacup between long fingers. Just one glance at Qing Yan eating had captured his full attention.

He had never seen a young woman eat with such focus and genuine joy. The kind of joy that spilled naturally from the heart—neither forced nor concealed.

Not even a child given their favorite candy could look this gleeful.

Wen Xi noticed the change in Duan Wucuo’s expression and felt a subtle jolt. She coughed lightly.

Qing Yan stopped chewing by instinct, still holding half a rib in her hand.

She licked her tingling lips and asked, “Your Highness isn’t eating?”

Duan Wucuo took a sip of tea and replied casually, “I’m vegetarian.”

Qing Yan suddenly recalled the faint scent of sweet-and-sour fish on his kasaya that day at Yongzhou Temple.

She shot him a peculiar look but didn’t say anything. She turned her attention to the tea-infused chicken.

As she ate, she suddenly went “huh?”—why had the voices from the next room gone silent?

Heaven knew how pleased she had been to hear those girls say Prince Zhan would never marry her. It made her meal taste even better.

Then it hit her—if she could hear them, they must’ve heard her talking with Duan Wucuo too…

“Knock knock…”

Wen Xi went to open the door. Sure enough, someone from next door, clearly having heard Qing Yan and Duan Wucuo’s voices, had come over nervously to confirm.

In addition to Cheng Mujin, Tao Ningxin, and Dan Qian Yue, there was also County Princess Su Ruche and another unfamiliar girl.

Su Ruche had barely spoken earlier.

Qing Yan waved her chicken leg and smiled, “Want to join us?”

These were all noble daughters of powerful families in the capital. To be caught gossiping and mocking someone, only to discover the target had heard everything—embarrassment flooded their faces.

Faced with Qing Yan’s cheerful invitation, they wanted to sink into the floor.

Surprisingly, the youngest, Su Ruche, remained calm.

She glanced at Duan Wucuo with thinly veiled admiration and said softly, “We were just gathering for fun. Didn’t expect to run into Prince Zhan and Her Highness.”

“What a coincidence,” Qing Yan said sweetly.

Cheng Mujin didn’t want to linger and said, “We won’t bother you two any longer.”

Tao Ningxin quickly added, “Yes, yes—we’ll be on our way!”

Qing Yan nodded, not caring much.

Dan Qianyue’s eyes landed on Qing Yan and asked in surprise, “Isn’t that my outfit?”

Qing Yan didn’t recognize her or know where the pale apricot ruqun came from, so she just smiled politely.

Cheng Mujin tugged Dan Qianyue back. She quickly recovered and said, “My mistake.”

The girls turned to leave. Su Ruche, however, hesitated—then stepped inside.

Wearing a bright, charming smile, she affectionately placed a hand on Qing Yan’s shoulder.

She said, “Sister Lingwu, I was thinking of visiting you at the other palace later today to chat.”

Qing Yan’s mind sparked.

She hadn’t wanted to eat with Duan Wucuo at all. Now she had the perfect excuse. “I was just about to invite you over. I have something really important to tell you!”

She stood up and naturally took Su Ruche’s hand.

Then she looked apologetically at Duan Wucuo and said, “Your Highness, I must excuse myself. It’s a pressing matter. I’ll treat you to the rest of the places on the list another day.”

Duan Wucuo pursed his lips slightly, then made a gesture: “Please.”

Qing Yan, as if receiving a royal pardon, grabbed her draped hat and happily left with Su Ruche.

As she reached the door, she looked back—only to see Duan Wucuo calmly pick up his chopsticks and help himself to a piece of osmanthus yam.

Her heart sank a little.

There had been four dishes. She’d only had time to taste three.

That last one—the osmanthus yam—looked so good. She wondered, was it sweet?

Outside Shuiyun Pavilion, Qing Yan suddenly remembered something and told Wen Xi, “Settle the bill.”

Wen Xi gave her a surprised look, then silently returned to do so.

Upstairs, Duan Wucuo stood by the window, his expression unreadable as he watched Wen Xi return to the counter.

When he saw her settling the account, he blinked slowly. Once he understood what she was doing, he walked toward the second-floor corridor window and looked down.

Qing Yan and Su Ruche were heading to the carriage, holding hands.

As she walked, the tassels at her waist swayed gently.

Duan Wucuo could almost hear the delicate chime of jade pendants.

He removed the prayer beads from his wrist and slowly began to roll each one between his fingers.

At the other palace, Su Ruche immediately teared up and began crying about Su Ruqing’s misfortune—

“…My sister was only worried about Your Highness, so she waited nearby. We never thought… never thought His Majesty would…”

She lowered her head, overcome with sorrow.

Qing Yan gently coaxed her:
“Don’t be sad.
There’s nothing bad about Ruqing entering the palace as a consort. Who knows? She might live a blessed life.”

Su Ruche stole a glance at Qing Yan’s expression and, seeing her look so innocent and sincere, guessed she must’ve believed it. That gave her some relief. She sighed and asked:
“Then what about you, Princess? Will you still enter the palace?”

“I don’t want to enter the palace anymore.”
Qing Yan shook her head like a little rattle-drum.

Su Ruche felt a cold chill in her heart.

But Qing Yan curved her eyes like crescent moons and grasped Su Ruche’s hand, her rosy little face full of honesty:
“Princess, I want to marry Prince Min. Can you help me?”

Su Ruche was so startled that she nearly jumped. She said quickly:
“Don’t take those girls’ gossip to heart! You’re doing just fine, Princess!”

“It’s not because of them. I’ve thought it through.
I think the inner palace is terrifying, and I don’t want to go. I’m scared the Empress will harm me!”
Qing Yan’s almond eyes widened in fear.

“And Prince Zhan is scary too. Not only is he fierce, he’s completely no fun! He’s a monk! What if he starts chanting scriptures on our wedding night?
I thought about it very carefully—Prince Min is simple, kind, and a good man!
If I had to choose from three, I’d definitely choose Prince Min!”

Su Ruche could hardly believe what she was hearing.
She struggled to keep her gaze from treating Qing Yan like a complete fool.

But doubts still lingered. She suspected Qing Yan might not be speaking the truth.

She probed gently: “I don’t have that kind of power to influence your marriage.”

Qing Yan cupped her cheeks with both hands, smiling like a blooming flower:
“Do you know when Prince Min will return to the capital?
And which route he’ll take?
Just take me to welcome him, that’s all I need!”

Su Ruche scrutinized Qing Yan’s eyes, trying not to miss a single flicker of emotion.
She even replayed all their past interactions in her mind.

At last, she reluctantly came to a conclusion—this Princess Huachao was really just… dumb.

Then again, it was just escorting the princess to welcome Prince Min.
Not a big deal.

So Su Ruche finally smiled and said:
“Such a small thing? Of course.
I don’t know yet, but I’ll ask my father once I return.”

“Princess is so kind!”
Qing Yan’s pale purple eyes were brimming with gratitude.

Su Ruche made a show of persuasion:
“It’s just that Prince Min’s situation… perhaps you should think it over more carefully.”

“Mhm!”
Qing Yan nodded hard.
“I’ve thought it through thoroughly. So what if he’s a little dumb?
Still better than that cold monk.
At least he’s safe!”

Su Ruche felt deeply uneasy.

Even after leaving the palace, her thoughts were still a mess.
It felt like she had just taken a big step forward on the path toward marrying Duan Wucuo.
Everything had gone so smoothly, it didn’t even feel real.

Could she really be this lucky, to meet a foolish princess sent to help her?

Didn’t this prove that she and Duan Wucuo were fated?

She decided to offer incense and thank the Emperor of Tao for sending such a clueless princess her way.

After Su Ruche left, Wen Xi said coldly:
“That princess is ruthless and rotten to the core. Stay far away from her.”

“If I avoid her, she might cling harder.
Better to make her ignore me and leave on her own.”

Qing Yan answered offhandedly.

She picked up an apple and crunched into it with delight.

Wen Xi glanced at her, thinking: This fake princess might not be good at anything else, but she’s frighteningly skilled at playing dumb.
Even after spending every day at her side, Wen Xi sometimes couldn’t tell if Qing Yan was genuinely simple or just pretending.

…

Five days later, Prince Min returned to the capital.

Su Ruche had sent word to Qing Yan early and even came personally to pick her up. The two shared a carriage and rushed toward the road where Prince Min’s caravan would pass.

Su Ruche had carried doubts with her, but when she saw Qing Yan’s face alight with joy and eagerness, some of those doubts faded.

She took Qing Yan to Yinxiang Tower.
“Yinxiang Tower has a wide view. From the third-floor window, we’ll be able to spot Prince Min’s entourage from afar as it comes down the main road.”

“Princess is so good to me.”
Qing Yan thanked her sweetly.

She pulled over a stool to sit near the window, munching on sunflower seeds and watching the road with sparkling eyes.

The longer Su Ruche observed her, the more her suspicions melted.

She sat quietly at the side, sipping tea and finally showing a few signs of genuine cheer.

Time passed, but there was still no sign of Prince Min’s convoy.

Su Ruche probably drank too much tea, and went downstairs to relieve herself.

Qing Yan finished the handful of seeds in her palm and grabbed another. Her slender legs swayed under her skirt.

When she heard footsteps, she casually said,
“You’re back?”

No response.

She paused, listening closely—then suddenly realized the footsteps weren’t Su Ruche’s.

She turned quickly—only to be met with a wall of dark blue fabric.

She looked up, and locked eyes with Duan Wucuo’s calm, unfathomable gaze.

Qing Yan’s hand trembled, and half the seeds spilled from her palm.

Duan Wucuo narrowed his eyes and looked toward the far end of the road, speaking slowly: “So it seems the princess has already fallen for someone else.”

He hadn’t expected her to actually show up today.

His eyes darkened slightly.

Then he gave a soft laugh, lowered his gaze to her, and spoke gently:
“So in the princess’s eyes, this humble monk is no match for a blind and foolish second prince?”

The remaining seeds in Qing Yan’s hand slipped away, scattering across her clothes.

Her heart turned over a thousand times. Then, steeling herself, she looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes and said pitifully:
“Yan’er has her reasons…”

“Let’s hear them.”

The more casual his tone, the more panicked Qing Yan became.

“…I’ve already given myself to another. I’m not worthy of Your Highness!
I knew I couldn’t hide the truth from others, but I selfishly tried to deceive the Second Prince!”

Their eyes met—Qing Yan full of sincere conviction.

“Oh—”

Perhaps staring down at her was tiring, because Duan Wucuo suddenly grabbed Qing Yan by the waist and lifted her easily, setting her atop the windowsill.

Qing Yan’s toes went completely stiff.

Only then did Duan Wucuo meet her gaze at eye level.

He slowly rolled up his sleeves and said:
“Let this humble monk verify for himself.”

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