Chapter 24: The Grand Princess Returns to the Capital

"It was naturally for your Highness."

Sheng Mingyue’s expression was earnest, lacking any pretense.

Rong Zhao’s slightly furrowed brow relaxed, the gloom in his eyes dissipating, and he appeared to be in high spirits. "In the future, my benefactor need not always rush to the front. Should you encounter danger again, I shall find a way to ensure your safety myself."

Sheng Mingyue lowered her head, her tone humble. "To me, your Highness has shown the grace of a second life; doing anything for you is only right."

"You have saved me once again, benefactor; you deserve a reward." Rong Zhao’s gaze was gentle, his voice low and pleasant. "Is there anything you desire?"

Sheng Mingyue lowered her eyes, pondering for a moment before speaking. "I dare to be bold and ask your Highness for a favor."

Seeing her seriousness, Rong Zhao adjusted his demeanor and asked in a low voice, "What is it?"

Sheng Mingyue’s eyelashes fluttered gently. She gripped her skirt tightly with her left hand and whispered, "I... I would like to ask your Highness to help me uncover the truth of my parentage..."

Rong Zhao raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with astonishment. He asked in a deep voice, "That day outside the gates... were those not your parents?"

Sheng Mingyue shook her head, her face pale as she explained, "The man your Highness saw that day was indeed my father, but my mother..."

Sheng Mingyue buried her face, pouring out all her suspicions.

Listening to her past, Rong Zhao’s expression grew increasingly dark. After a long silence, he said, "Benefactor, do you believe you were swapped at birth?"

Sheng Mingyue nodded gently, her face candid. "I was the first child in the family. My mother abandoned me seven times in total, back before she had even conceived my younger brother..."

"It is common in the village to favor boys, but even with a disregard for daughters, no other family would so easily abandon their firstborn."

Sheng Mingyue bit her lower lip, tears shimmering in her eyes. "I heard from the villagers that when I was first discarded, I was still in swaddling clothes. At that time, Auntie Lan’s son had died only two or three days prior."

Rong Zhao’s face was grim. His hands rested on his knees, his knuckles white from the pressure. Watching her bloodless face, he said softly, "I have heard what you said, benefactor. Upon returning to the manor, I will send men to investigate. We shall have news soon."

Hearing this, Sheng Mingyue felt a sense of peace, and the pain in her palm seemed to lessen. "Thank you, your Highness."

Upon returning to the Prince’s manor, Song Guo heard the commotion in the garden and ran out to greet them. She exclaimed, "Miss, you’ve finally returned—Miss, what happened to you!"

Seeing the dried bloodstains on Sheng Mingyue’s dress, Song Guo felt a wave of darkness, wishing it were all a hallucination. "Heaven help us! The previous knife wound hasn't even healed, why is your hand bandaged again?"

Meeting her gaze, Sheng Mingyue lowered her head, feeling a bit guilty. She whispered, "Sister Song, this is..."

"Miss has been playing the beauty saving the hero again, I understand," Song Guo said, casting her a sharp look. "If you can't bear to be away from me, Miss, you could just say so; I would keep you company. There is no need to add more injuries."

Sheng Mingyue shrank her neck, cautiously following behind her, and whispered coaxingly, "Sister Song... Song Guo... I didn't mean to."

Song Guo couldn't withstand her pestering, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth despite herself. She whispered, "This time, let it be. But next time, you must not add any more injuries. You haven't even married yet; what will you do if you are left with scars?"

Sheng Mingyue nodded repeatedly and said earnestly, "I promise you, I will be careful and cautious from now on."

Only then did Song Guo feel at ease, calling her over to reapply the medicine.

The next morning, as the rooster crowed, the sky was exceptionally overcast, with the threat of rain.

Yunlai sat with his legs crossed, his head leaning against a pillar, eyes closed for a quick nap. His master usually didn't rise until well after dawn, so there was no rush to serve him yet.

"Yunlai."

A breeze brushed past his ear. In his haze, he seemed to hear the Prince's voice.

"Impossible. How could his Highness be awake so early?" Yunlai muttered, his eyelids not even fluttering as he turned over to continue sleeping.

"Yunlai."

The second voice was noticeably louder.

Yunlai furrowed his brow, looking aggrieved. "Why is his Highness scolding me even in my dreams?"

"If you don't wake up, go sweep the stables."

Yunlai’s body jolted violently. He opened his eyes instinctively, his gaze filled with terror and lingering sleepiness. He turned his head and met a cold, grim face.

To hell with the dream... the Prince was really here!

"Your... your Highness!" Yunlai rolled off the porch and immediately knelt before Rong Zhao, rushing to explain, "Your Highness, I deserve to die. I didn't know you were awake..."

"No matter." Rong Zhao squatted down, looking him in the eye, a faint, indiscernible smile touching his lips. "Are you willing to teach me martial arts?"

A roaring sound filled Yunlai’s ears. His pupils trembled violently. He opened his mouth, but not a single sound emerged.

[I can't stop laughing, can someone save Yunlai?]

[A sickly person practicing martial arts is like a mute learning to speak or a deaf person taking a hearing test!]

[A death trap early in the morning; it feels like Yunlai is about to shatter.]

[One wrong move and it's the end of his entire clan!]

"Your... your Highness..." Yunlai was on the verge of tears. He murmured, "Please spare me, your Highness. I have an eighty-year-old mother and a ninety-year-old grandmother..."

Rong Zhao slowly furrowed his brow, looking completely bewildered. "You have good skills. I only want you to teach me martial arts, not take your family’s lives."

That would be better than ending his life right now!

Yunlai’s body shook violently. He whispered, "Your Highness... just kill me. Since disaster is at the door, I only ask for a quick end!"

Rong Zhao frowned deeply and let out a cold hum. "Are you determined not to teach me?"

Rarely did his master look so dark. With the refusal stuck in his throat, Yunlai lost the courage to speak it. "Your Highness, it is not that I am unwilling to teach you, but rather... you must first nourish your health, eat and take medicine on time, and listen to Mingyue by exercising more. Only when your physique is strong can you practice martial arts."

"Is it that troublesome?" Rong Zhao pondered for a moment before saying in a low voice, "Then tell the kitchen to prepare breakfast quickly. Oh, and don't forget to send a portion to Juxin Garden."

"...Yes." As if granted a reprieve, Yunlai breathed a sigh of relief, quickly agreeing before scrambling out of the courtyard.

The Prince has gone mad... The Prince must have gone mad!

In the morning, Sheng Mingyue sat at the table eating with Song Guo. On the table sat the osmanthus shark fin soup she had mentioned the day before.

[Little cannon fodder, treasure your remaining time; the Eldest Princess is coming back soon!]

Sheng Mingyue’s hand, holding the chopsticks, paused, confusion flashing in her eyes. The Eldest Princess?

"Song Guo, Mingyue, news has arrived from outside: the Eldest Princess is returning to the capital today."

Before she could think it through, Yunlai rushed into Juxin Garden and announced loudly, "The Eldest Princess dotes on our Prince the most. She will likely come to our manor immediately after leaving the palace. No one is allowed in the front courtyard today; you two must stay honestly in this garden."

Sheng Mingyue tightened her grip on her chopsticks. The words she had just glimpsed were burned into her heart, stirring up a sense of unease. Seeing Yunlai turn to leave, she quickly asked, "Brother Yunlai, who is... that Eldest Princess?"