Volume One, Chapter 13: The Crown Prince, Please Take Your Leave
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The Prime Minister’s Residence, Rear Courtyard.
Xu Huaiyang handed his horse over to Ping An and climbed over the wall into the rear courtyard of the Prime Minister’s Residence.
Three years ago, he had inquired about the courtyard where Xie Jiaoyue lived, which was called Guanhe Courtyard. However, after wandering through all the small courtyards within the Prime Minister’s Residence, he had not found a single courtyard bearing the name “Guanhe Courtyard.”
He quickly flipped through the layout of the courtyards, grabbed Ping An by the collar, and ground his teeth in a low voice:
“You said Xie Jiaoyue lived in Guanhe Courtyard, yet I have searched every courtyard in the residence and found no sign of it. Why is that?”
Ping An led the horse with an innocent expression:
“Young Master, that information is from three years ago. Perhaps the courtyard has been renamed since then.”
Xu Huaiyang narrowed his eyes at him. “Do you believe I’ll rename you ‘Go to Hell’?”
“Young Master, changing my name now is pointless. Even if I did, you still wouldn’t know where Miss Xie lives.”
Ping An said, “Young Master, why don’t you let go of me first? I’ll go find someone to inquire about where Miss Xie lives right now.”
Xu Huaiyang released him and patted his chest a few times.
“If I can’t find out where she lives later, when I get back, I’ll chop off your head and use it as a stool.”
Ping An smiled awkwardly, “That won’t happen this time, for sure.”
Ping An had bribed a cook responsible for purchasing in the residence, who came back to tell Xu Huaiyang:
“That cook said Guanhe Courtyard was indeed renamed; it’s now called Shuying Pavilion.”
Xu Huaiyang remembered this name; Shuying Pavilion was the largest courtyard on the south side. That made sense—his beloved would have to live in a grand courtyard.
He clapped his hands, preparing to search the rear courtyard of the residence again.
Ping An, watching his movements, hurriedly said, “Wait, Young Master, I haven’t finished.”
Xu Huaiyang turned to look at him. “Is there something else?”
“Be careful, Young Master. The rear courtyard houses other unmarried young ladies. Don’t accidentally trespass into someone else’s courtyard. It would be one thing if you entered the courtyard of a young master, but if you break into a young lady’s courtyard—ah, Young Master, I’m not finished yet!”
Seeing his young master climb over the wall, Ping An hurriedly added, “It would be troublesome if you accidentally invaded another lady’s courtyard!”
Xu Huaiyang climbed into the rear courtyard and headed straight for Shuying Pavilion.
“Princess, the road is slippery; please be careful.”
On the other side of the street, a woman dressed in luxurious garments walked slowly toward Shuying Pavilion, followed by several maids.
“Who is that?”
A slightly pretty woman frowned as she looked at the male lead walking from the opposite direction.
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“How come I’ve never seen him before?”
A maid said, “Princess, shall I go and ask him to leave?”
Princess Wanyue nodded, “Go ahead.”
“My lady is behind me. Whoever is in front, please step aside.”
Xu Huaiyang ignored the words and strode past the maid without even casting a glance.
“You!”
The maid, flustered, hurried after him.
“Stop right there!”
Xu Huaiyang walked quickly; the maid in her long skirt couldn’t keep up until he reached Princess Wanyue, who was blocked by her attendants.
“How dare you! Do you know what crime it is to offend a princess?”
Xu Huaiyang half-lowered his eyelids, lazily glancing at the maid, then swept his gaze over Princess Wanyue standing to the side.
“Just an orphaned girl. Ungrateful to the emperor’s great kindness, yet she acts like a princess.”
Princess Wanyue was momentarily stunned, a trace of surprise in her eyes.
“You know me?”
Indeed, she was an orphan, not of royal blood, but the daughter of a commoner.
Years ago, when the emperor personally led a campaign, her father sacrificed his life to save the emperor’s. Out of gratitude, the emperor granted her the title of princess.
Xu Huaiyang was too lazy to engage further. “Tell your people to step aside.”
Princess Wanyue appraised Xu Huaiyang: sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, a high nose bridge, dressed in a red brocade robe that accentuated a statuesque figure, and an audacious personality.
She had a few suspicions about his identity. “Young Master Xu, are you headed to Shuying Pavilion?”
Xu Huaiyang glanced at her. “If you don’t clear the way, I’ll feed them all to the wolves.”
Princess Wanyue looked at him.
“Step back.”
Only after the others moved aside did Xu Huaiyang continue forward. Princess Wanyue quickly followed.
“Young Master Xu, are you going to find Ruyue? What is your relationship with her?”
The man ahead paused, slowly turning around with a frown.
“Who are you talking about?”
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Princess Wanyue hesitated for a moment, then looked toward the courtyard.
“Shuying Pavilion is Ruyue’s courtyard. Young Master, surely you know?”
“Shuying Pavilion belongs to Xie Ruyue?”
Xu Huaiyang certainly knew who Xie Ruyue was; he used to trail behind Xie Jiaoyue like a shadow.
His brows furrowed deeply. “Are you sure this is her courtyard?”
“Of course.”
A male voice slowly came from behind Xu Huaiyang. He turned to see Xie Chengzhu approaching them.
Xie Jiaoyue’s elder brother.
Xie Chengzhu stopped in front of them, glanced briefly at Princess Wanyue, then spoke gently:
“Princess Wanyue, long time no see. Ruyue has been waiting in the courtyard for some time. Please, princess, enter first.”
Princess Wanyue glanced at the sullen-looking Xu Huaiyang, then at Xie Chengzhu, nodded to acknowledge him, and turned to head toward the courtyard entrance.
After Princess Wanyue left, Xie Chengzhu looked at Xu Huaiyang.
“May I ask why Young Master Xu sneaked into the rear courtyard of my Prime Minister’s Residence without permission?”
Xu Huaiyang was not foolish enough to reveal his true purpose. If he did, Xie Chengzhu would scold him and use it as an excuse to blame Xie Jiaoyue.
Xu Huaiyang replied nonchalantly, “Just wandering around. This Prime Minister’s Residence is grand. I climbed over the wall to take a look and see which is better, this residence or our Marquis’s Mansion.”
“Did you make a comparison?”
“Of course.” Xu Huaiyang grinned, revealing a sharp tooth. “I think this Prime Minister’s Residence far surpasses our Marquis’s Mansion—beautiful flowers, lush grass, tall trees. Even the snow that falls inside seems whiter than outside.”
“Perhaps Elder Brother Xie could invite me to stay a few days, so I can truly admire the splendid scenery of this residence.”
Xu Huaiyang, having been arrogant in the capital for so long, was used to getting his way.
After spending three years among the southwestern barbarians with a bunch of old lords, his bandit spirit was impossible to hide.
As he spoke, his eyes locked on Xie Chengzhu, as if trying to bore holes into him.
Xie Chengzhu responded calmly and with dignity:
“The Prime Minister’s Residence is but a small place, hardly worth boasting about. Compared to the vast skies and distant roads you have seen, it is merely a speck.”
“My humble abode is simple and might not properly entertain you. Young Master, please take your leave.”
Xie Chengzhu found the demeanor of the man before him distasteful—a rogue’s attitude. Allowing him to stay would only bring trouble to the residence.