The Princess Cannot Escape: The Cunning Prince Is Not to Be Messed With

Chapter 290 The Emperor's Death

Yin Quan slept very well and felt very refreshed. She didn't even know how she fell asleep. Suddenly, the unreliable Gu Lounan flashed through her mind. She wondered if he had rested well. She glanced at the darkening sky outside, slipped on her shoes, and got out of bed to stretch her muscles.

Just then, a guard rushed in from outside the door to report, "Something terrible has happened to Your Highness!" Yin Quan hurriedly pushed open the door and saw the guard heading straight for the study. Yin Quan chased after him and heard the guard trembling as he said at the door, "Your Highness... Your Highness has been in grave danger."

Xiahou Ying was looking at the approval document, and without even looking up, he frowned and said, "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

"The Emperor is dead... The news is currently at the capital's post station and will arrive soon. The entire country will observe three days of mourning. The Crown Prince... the Crown Prince has ascended the throne."

The study fell silent. Everyone stood up, and the document in Xiahou Ying's hand fell to the table with a thud. Everyone's gazes were locked on each other, finally turning to Xiahou Ying. Yin Quan's hand gripped the door frame tightly; she didn't know whether to go in or back out.

Xiahou Ying lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes obscuring his vision, making it impossible to discern his emotions. The military general seemed unable to bear such a suffocating atmosphere. Just as he was about to speak, Wei Jun glared at him so fiercely that he could only scratch his head and sit down.

"How are the evil Buddha and his group?" To everyone's surprise, Xiahou Ying didn't ask about the Emperor, which left them somewhat astonished.

"The Evil Buddha... The Evil Buddha was attacked the day before yesterday and his whereabouts are still unknown. The Evil Buddha's false identity has been exposed. Now the new emperor is furious, but out of consideration for brotherhood, he has given the prince five days to return to the capital, otherwise he will be punished for treason."

Now everyone present was in an uproar, especially the group of military generals who had accompanied Xiahou Ying in conquering the world. They couldn't stand this insult. They were already furious at being suppressed in the capital, and now they were being accused of treason. It was clear that they were being forced to take desperate measures.

"Stay calm, now is not the time to rush. The Crown Prince is the rightful heir, so it is only natural that he summoned me back to the capital. Besides, with the Emperor's passing, all the princes must return to observe mourning. Wei Jun, prepare to return to the capital."

Yin Quan composed herself and walked in, bowing respectfully to everyone. "Your Highness, please hear my words. Now is definitely not a good time to return to the capital. The capital is a trap. We cannot go there without absolute certainty. Besides, before we left the mountain, the Tianji Sect made a promise. Does Your Highness still remember it?"

Everyone knows that the Heavenly Mystery Sect is an extremely sacred place, and even Qin Nian is revered as a god. It is said that the Heavenly Mystery Sect holds the mandate of heaven of the imperial court, and can know the past and predict the future.

"Princess, please speak."

"The leader of the Tianji Sect once said that the world was about to change hands, and strange phenomena were suddenly appearing, which was an ominous sign. Therefore, all disciples of the three sects should go down the mountain to assist the new master. The new master chosen by the Tianji Sect is none other than His Highness Prince Duan."

After speaking, Yin Quanfu performed a grand kowtow to the emperor, which undoubtedly reassured everyone and stirred the emotions of the soldiers.

"This shows that our Prince is the rightful ruler of the land! Your Highness, we must not return to the capital; that would be like lambs to the slaughter! We must storm the capital, capture that traitor, and install a new king!"

"Support the new king! Support the new king!" In an instant, the indignation spread throughout the entire manor. The guards' faces were all filled with passion. The soldiers who had fought alongside Xiahou Ying were naturally extraordinary and had no disloyalty to him. Moreover, the reputation of Prince Duan had long been widely known.

With a few insightful words from Yin Quan, the previously unstable morale of the troops was instantly rallied. Gu Lounan looked at Yin Quan meaningfully from outside the door.

He had always known this woman was incredibly clever, but he never expected her to turn the situation around so easily. Had he underestimated her? Or was she simply unwilling to show her wisdom and happy to play the fool?

Xiahou Ying glanced at the crowd and waved his hand gently. "I understand what you all mean, but with my father's passing, as a prince, I have the responsibility and obligation to return and observe mourning." Gu Lounan straightened his clothes; it seemed it was his turn to make his appearance.

He stepped through the door and helped Yin Quan, who was kneeling on the ground, to her feet. He also respectfully performed a courtier's salute. "Your Highness's filial piety is evident to all, but the mourning period for a prince is one year. Your Highness need not rush. Why don't we return to Tianji Mountain first, incorporate the disciples of the three sects into our ranks, and make thorough preparations before heading to the capital?"

Everyone nodded in agreement with the Grand Preceptor's suggestion. Wei Jun cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, the Grand Preceptor is right. Our forces are currently scattered, and we must have the strength to protect ourselves before entering the capital. Why don't we take advantage of this month to organize our forces and make full preparations before entering the capital?"

Yin Quan bowed her head respectfully, but she knew perfectly well what was going on in her heart. Xiahou Ying couldn't say these things, nor could he say them, but he needed someone to say them, and Gu Lounan and Yin Quan were the best candidates. She couldn't help but feel a little sad. She was the one who least wanted Xiahou Ying to go down this path, but now she had personally pushed him to this point.

"Since all the ministers agree, I have decided to return to Tianji Mountain first. Wei Jun will gather all available troops at the foot of Tianji Mountain, and we will officially return to the capital from Tianji Mountain in ten days."

The crowd dispersed, and Xiahou Ying walked to Yin Quan's side and led her to the main seat, ignoring Gu Lounan. "Why did you run out instead of resting properly? Although this manor is now full of my people, it's always unsafe to risk that Mingyue and Chongyang might suddenly appear."

"What do you plan to do? Are you really going to go head-to-head with the Crown Prince?" Xiahou Ying looked at Gu Lounan, his eyes piercing.

"The Crown Prince is, after all, the former master of the Imperial Advisor. What are the Imperial Advisor's plans?" Gu Lounan bowed and knelt down calmly. "A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and I am no exception. I will follow a wise ruler. The Crown Prince is cruel and favors treacherous ministers. He even harbored rebellious intentions. I was ignorant of the ways of the world back then, which is why I chose the wrong ruler. Now, Prince Duan is the true hope of the people. I will wholeheartedly assist Prince Duan. I hope Prince Duan will understand my loyal heart."

Xiahou Ying silently watched Gu Lounan kneeling without saying a word. The only sound in the air was the crackling of the burning candle. Yin Quan knew that this was a psychological battle, and that Xiahou Ying's ultimate goal was simply to conquer Gu Lounan.

Seeing Gu Lounan kneeling in obeisance, his sleeves gradually stained red with blood, Yin Quan felt a pang of pity for him, remembering the serious injuries he had just sustained that day. She coughed lightly and gave Xiahou Ying a meaningful look.

"Grand Preceptor, please rise. It's not that I don't trust you, but knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory. You know the Crown Prince very well and should know his next move. Discuss with Wei Jun what to do and make sure everything is done perfectly."

Gu Lounan bowed his head and respectfully replied, "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will make all necessary preparations."

"If there's nothing else, you can go now." After Gu Lounan left, Yin Quan looked at Xiahou Ying and said, "Gu Lounan just cut off some flesh from his burned arm today. Even though you have doubts about him, you shouldn't treat him like that."

Xiahou Ying sighed and pulled Yin Quan into his arms. "Don't speak, let me hold you quietly for a while." Yin Quan frowned. They were in such dire straits, why was he trying to be romantic?

"Now is not the time to be sentimental. Your injuries can only be treated when you return to Tianji Mountain. You absolutely cannot go back to the capital now," Xiahou Ying said slowly, taking a deep breath.

“You know, although he has never held me, never taken me horseback riding or archery, and never taught me poetry and classical Chinese, he is still my father. Even though he dotes on me in front of the world, he has never fulfilled his duties as a father.”

Yin Quan stiffened. It was the first time she had heard Xiahou Ying recount his past. His voice was like a pastoral song under the night sky, filled with vicissitudes and a touch of helplessness.

“Xiahou Ying…”

“But when I was little, he was still my hero, as brave and domineering as my father. But that little bit of admiration was shattered when he made him crown prince. He said he would never let me ascend the throne in this lifetime.” Yin Quan’s heart skipped a beat. Xiahou Ying didn’t know the reason, but she knew that the emperor’s ultimate taboo was the man that Xiahou Ying’s mother truly loved.

Yin Quan gently stroked his back, "Don't worry, I'll still be here for you. If no one loves you, let me love you. If no one reads books or rides horses with you, I'll ride with you and sing." Xiahou Ying's eyes shone brightly, and his slender fingers traced her cheek as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world.

"Even so, I still regret not being able to see him one last time. I still can't wait to return to the capital to see him one last time before his burial. Ah Quan, as someone who is going to become an emperor, isn't it ridiculous that you can't get rid of this obsession?"

That helplessness gripped Yin Quan's heart tightly, as if someone was slowly torturing her heart with a knife. She couldn't imagine how such a young boy had managed to endure until now alone. He was clearly a kind and righteous person, yet he forced himself to become a heartless and ruthless one.

She shielded Xiahou Ying's face with her body, saying, "No one can see Prince Duan here, so you can be the real Xiahou Ying for a while."

Xiahou Ying's body trembled slightly, and Yin Quan felt a warmth on her chest. The two embraced quietly until the candle burned out and the moonlight cast their shadows together, creating a scene so ethereal that it seemed as if it might vanish with the wind at any moment.

Early the next morning, Gu Lounan took Chu Fenghua out of the dungeon. Although she had committed many evil deeds, in order to avoid leaving any room for gossip, Xiahou Ying still ordered that she be treated well. Apart from looking a little haggard, there were no other visible injuries.

Gu Lounan walked to her side and whispered.

"Feng Hua, don't mind. Qifeng Manor is still yours. We're just borrowing the Ancient Spirit Pearl for a few days. Also, if you want to keep your position as the manor lord, don't tell anyone about this. Otherwise, your deceitful and treacherous deeds will be exposed to the world."

Chu Fenghua glared fiercely at Gu Lounan, "Senior brother, I hate you! If I could, I would rather have never met you in this life!" Gu Lounan smoothed her hair and said with a hint of pity.

"Junior Sister, I'm heartbroken to hear you say that. I've gone to great lengths to help you become the head of the manor." Wei Jun looked at the two of them with displeasure.

"Why aren't you paying your respects to the Prince? What are you dawdling around here for?"