Qiu Ying smiled, "If the princess likes it, this servant can learn more. I can cook many kinds of dishes. I'll cook them for the princess to try then."
Yun Chang nodded with a smile, "Yes, this princess is looking forward to it. I'll be waiting for your surprise."
"Yes, this servant will do her best to make the best food for the princess."
The midday meal was quite pleasant, and Yun Chang was in a very good mood. She spent the entire afternoon basking in the sun in the courtyard, occasionally taking a stroll in the garden.
"Princess, look, those peach blossoms over there are blooming beautifully," Qiu Ying said excitedly, pointing to a peach tree ahead.
Yun Chang followed Qiu Ying's gaze and indeed saw the peach blossoms in full bloom. The falling pink petals covered the branches, adorning the once withered flowers with a vibrant hue.
"How beautiful. These flowers must be ripe by now," Yun Chang turned her head and smiled at Qiu Ying.
Qiu Ying quickly nodded, "Yes, they should be. If the princess wishes to pick them, I'll have someone bring a basket right away. Where would the princess like to place them?"
Yun Chang pondered for a moment and then smiled, "Just on the windowsill."
"Yes, this servant understands," Qiu Ying replied and went to instruct the servants.
After the meal, they chatted for a long time. After finishing lunch, Yun Chang got up to leave. Qiu Ying watched her go, her eyes filled with a hint of disappointment. She had hoped that her diligent practice these past few days would allow her to spend more time with the princess. She hadn't expected to have to bid farewell so soon.
Yun Chang wandered around the courtyard for a while before returning to her room.
Back in her room, she felt a sense of unease. The image of the man she had met on the street earlier that day kept replaying in her mind. His handsome face, his stern brows. It seemed... as if she had seen him somewhere before.
Yun Chang frowned and thought for a moment, but she couldn't recall who his face resembled. The more she thought, the more agitated she became, so she shook her head, deciding to cast aside all her worries.
"Princess, what's wrong? You look so troubled," Qian Yin asked with concern as she entered the room and saw Yun Chang's dejected expression.
Yun Chang smiled and shook her head, "It's nothing. You two go rest."
"Yes," Qian Yin said and withdrew.
That night, Yun Chang tossed and turned in bed, her mind constantly replaying the image of the man she had met during the day. She wanted to recall his face, but try as she might, she couldn't.
Yun Chang turned over, her eyes open, staring blankly at the canopy.
Where had she seen this man before? Why couldn't she remember?
Yun Chang sighed, turned over, and tried to sleep.
The next morning, Yun Chang, with Qiu Ying, hurried to the imperial palace. Today, she was going to the Imperial Study to plead with the Emperor for the marriage of a daughter of the Liu family on behalf of her father. She had promised her father to find a good match for the Liu family's daughter.
The carriage stopped at the palace gate. As soon as it came to a halt, guards blocked their way. "Princess, the palace gates are closed. Entry is not permitted today."
"Oh, then may this princess request an audience with the Prince to be allowed inside?" Yun Chang raised an eyebrow.
The guard frowned, "Please forgive me, but I cannot relay such a message."
"Then please trouble the guard to pass on a message," Yun Chang said.
"Princess, please wait. I will go and ask," the guard bowed and ran towards another guard. After a brief exchange, he returned and bowed to Yun Chang, respectfully saying, "Reporting to the princess, the Emperor has decreed that no one is to be seen today."
Yun Chang frowned. Why was the Emperor acting so unusually? It was the Emperor's birthday today. If some ministers were entering the palace to offer congratulations, it would be understandable, but why was he refusing to see anyone?
"Princess, His Majesty is not seeing anyone today. We should return and come back another day," the guard reminded her again when Yun Chang remained silent.
Yun Chang nodded, "Since that is the case, this princess will take her leave."
Yun Chang jumped off the carriage and left with Qiu Ying.
Seeing Yun Chang's fluctuating expression, Qiu Ying felt uneasy.
"Princess, that... is that person the Emperor?" After a while, Qiu Ying couldn't help but ask tentatively.
Yun Chang nodded, "Yes. That day, you also saw it. That man was the Emperor."
Qiu Ying's eyes widened in disbelief, "Then, then he..."
"You also thought that person resembled a prince, didn't you?" Yun Chang smiled faintly.
Qiu Ying nodded blankly, "Yes."
"Then that's that. Don't you know what kind of person the Emperor is? Although the Emperor is gentle, he absolutely will not tolerate being threatened. If he saw you and me, he would surely be angered. If he knew that we were husband and wife, he would certainly take action against us," Yun Chang said slowly, her gaze becoming somewhat deep.
The person who most detested betrayal in this world was none other than the Emperor. Unless the betrayer was in love with the one being betrayed, and that person happened to be the one the Emperor detested most, then he would naturally not tolerate betrayal.
If she were to reveal her relationship with Feng Xuan to the Emperor, he would surely not spare her.
Yun Chang pondered to herself, how should she explain, how could she preserve her engagement? She couldn't let one person ruin the feelings that she and Feng Xuan had so painstakingly built. That would be too unfair to Feng Xuan.
Yun Chang pursed her lips and was about to ponder when the carriage suddenly bumped, causing Yun Chang to sway and nearly fall. She quickly reached out to steady herself against the carriage wall.
Yun Chang looked out the carriage window and saw many soldiers in front, searching everywhere for them.
Yun Chang frowned, "What should we do?"
"Princess, do not panic. The Prince has not yet left the mansion. Let's hide for now. Once the Prince comes out of the palace, we can escape the city," Qiu Ying said with a frown. She then lifted the curtain, slid out of the carriage, and jumped down.
Yun Chang also jumped off the carriage but did not follow. She stood still, observing. The soldiers had already surrounded them, closing in.
Qiu Ying turned to look at Yun Chang and saw that her expression was calm, showing no fear. Qiu Ying was surprised, "Princess, aren't you worried?"
Yun Chang smiled, "Worried? Why should I be worried? I trust Feng Xuan."
Hearing Yun Chang's words, Qiu Ying felt a pang of sadness. The Prince doted on the Princess in every way possible. Yet, the Princess trusted him so implicitly. The Prince would surely make sacrifices for the Princess, but the Princess chose to trust the Prince rather than herself.
"Princess, let's retreat for now. We can find a way to leave the capital when the Prince comes to pick you up," Qiu Ying sighed and advised Yun Chang.
Yun Chang nodded slightly, "Very well. However, Qiu Ying, remember this: no matter what happens, do not intervene. Do you understand?"
Qiu Ying quickly nodded, "This servant understands."
Reassured, Yun Chang then alighted from the carriage and walked towards the soldiers.
As the soldiers saw Yun Chang approaching, they drew their swords and pointed them at her, "Bold commoner, surrender immediately!"
Yun Chang scanned her surroundings, "This princess is the Consort of Prince Rui, ordered to see His Majesty the Emperor. If you dare to act rashly, do not blame this princess for being impolite."
The leader of the guards scoffed, "We only obey His Majesty the Emperor. Who are you to put on airs before us? Guards, seize this shrew!"
Yun Chang narrowed her eyes, "If this princess refuses to surrender, do you truly dare to lay a hand on me?"
The guard sneered, "Of course, we wouldn't dare. However, if the princess insists on fighting us, then you would be against the entire world. We are not afraid of the princess, but we fear His Majesty's repercussions."
Yun Chang curled her lips, "You intend to use His Majesty to pressure this princess?"
"Precisely!" the man admitted without hesitation.