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

Chapter 74 Personally Taught

Yin Quan's voice was steady, and her eyes, which were usually as bright as clouds, were now as deep as water, making her look like a completely different person.

He pursed his lips and fixed his gaze on her without blinking, the silver mask concealing her usual cold and indifferent expression.

After driving Jing Yu away, Yin Quan glanced at Long Jue, then turned away and walked to the vermilion pillars in the corridor before turning back to look at her.

“A-Jue, you’ve been in this Prince Duan’s mansion far longer than I have, you must understand why I did this…” As she spoke, she lowered her gaze to the back of her right hand, continuing as if talking to herself, “That kiss was a kiss of loyalty from the Pitian tribe, so… you are the one I should trust the most. Can I trust you?” As she spoke, she raised her gaze to look directly into the deep black eyes beneath the silver mask. Although Yin Quan was asking a question, her eyes held an unwavering light, nothing more.

His heart tightened, and Long Jue's already pursed lips became even more taut. A mix of emotions welled up in his chest, and he was unable to calm down.

Looking across the world, how many people have tried to win over the Pitian Clan, and how many have wanted to exterminate them? Even the Prince Duan, who picked her up from the roadside, did so because of her Pitian Clan bloodline. And now, there truly is such a woman, regardless of her past, relying solely on her sincere heart. How could she not waver, how could she… not be loyal!

Nodding emphatically, Long Jue grasped Yin Quan's hand, holding it tightly.

Despite the mask, Yin Quan could still sense the slightly agitated emotions of the woman in black before her.

She squeezed Long Jue's slightly trembling fingers, curled her lips, and said, "I need you to help me monitor someone. Just monitor them. Remember, no matter what happens to that person, just watch from the sidelines."

After hearing this, Long Jue nodded. At the same time, Yin Quan took her hand, turned her palm over, and wrote three words on it: Qin Chang'an.

Upon seeing this, Long Jue opened his eyes, somewhat surprised, but only for a brief moment.

Yin Quan tightened his grip on her wrist slightly, gazing into her deep black eyes as he whispered, "Report her daily whereabouts to me, that will suffice."

After saying that, she let go without the slightest hesitation, and the light in her eyes rekindled, as if they had never been as dim as before.

Watching Long Jue's dark figure disappear from sight, Yin Quan turned around, glanced in the direction of the training ground, then turned away and strode towards the inner courtyard.

Xiahou Ying returned much earlier than usual today, and not only that, he also brought back two unfamiliar faces.

Frowning, Yin Quan glanced at the two women, one old and one young, dressed in palace attire. She pouted, about to speak, but he beat her to it.

"Some things cannot be forced, and I will not force you, but you must learn this wedding ceremony."

“It’s not so nice to say ‘forcing,’ then what does ‘must learn’ even mean…” Yin Quan muttered under her breath, her bright and beautiful eyes narrowing as she glared at Xiahou Ying with undisguised disdain.

Hearing her undisguised rebuttal, both the old man and the young man stiffened, a hint of fear creeping into their respectful expressions. Meanwhile, Wei Jun's servants, waiting nearby, seemed completely unfazed, as if this was commonplace.

"There are some things I'd rather teach you myself..." Xiahou Ying said expressionlessly, seemingly not taking her rather unpleasant attitude to heart at all.

"Teach me personally? Is there anything else that needs your personal instruction? I can learn it myself." Blinking, Yin Quan tilted her head back to look into those deep, dark eyes, which were as dark as the night, and was puzzled for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Ying slowly lowered his clear, cool gaze upon her, his thin, rose-colored lips curving into a subtle, ambiguous smile, but he did not respond, only gazing at her in silence.

Staring intently at the meaningful smile on his lips, Yin Quan suddenly realized something, blushed, and punched him.

As if they had not expected such a scene at all, the two maids from the palace lowered their heads and looked somewhat embarrassed.

Wei Jun and the other servants, however, were already used to this and simply pretended not to see or hear it.

Grabbing Yin Quan's slender, fair wrist, Xiahou Ying raised an eyebrow, turned his gaze to the two palace maids, and said indifferently, "I will entrust her to you two."

After saying that, he tried to let go, but Yin Quan grabbed him.

"Are you just going to leave me here like this? Marriage is between the two of us. Why should I have to learn the rules here while you don't? That's not fair!"

Clinging tightly to Xiahou Ying's robes, the man displayed a shameless and persistent attitude.

She was practically hanging on his arm, shamelessly clinging to him as if no one else was around, leaving the two maids from the palace completely dumbfounded. In contrast, Wei Jun and his servants calmly turned their heads away, averting their eyes, ignoring everything without hesitation, treating themselves as mere decorations.

With an expressionless gaze, Xiahou Ying glanced at her, his expression indifferent. His dark pupils held a cool, clear halo like moonlight. Sunlight swept in, casting an arc in the rich, unyielding color of ink, like a hazy, silvery crescent moon, causing a momentary tremor in one's heart.

Subconsciously swallowing, Yin Quan moved her lips slightly, and her body, which was tightly clinging to Xiahou Ying's arm, stiffened inch by inch.

Are you angry?!

You're angry already?!

No, no, no, she absolutely could not compromise. This was a matter of great importance, concerning who would be in charge after the marriage, who would be in charge, and who would be subordinate! It was a matter of principle!

Absolutely no compromise!

The more Yin Quan thought about it, the tighter she gripped her hands, as if she was determined to fight to the death.

Looking at her without saying a word, Xiahou Ying's cold, clear eyes softened suddenly, but a barely perceptible hint of mockery appeared on his lips.

Noticing the rather strange and meaningful look in his expression, Yin Quan pursed her lips, inwardly grumbling. Just then, the pair of slightly pursed, rosy lips above her head suddenly parted into a barely visible narrow slit.

"I am experienced enough that I need not learn anything more."

"Huh?" Yin Quan opened her eyes and let out a low gasp that was neither loud nor soft, but loud enough for everyone in the inner hall to hear.

Experienced?!

What experience?!

experience……

Xiahou Ying spoke casually, but everyone else, including Yin Quan, was completely bewildered.

As he spoke, Xiahou Ying gently pulled the person who was lost in thought off his arm. He smoothed out his robes and walked past her without even glancing at her. But then, as if remembering something, he stopped at the threshold, turned his head and glanced at Yin Quan, who was still standing motionless in place. Then, he curled his lips into a half-smile and said, "Don't try to get away with this."

After saying that, he turned and left without the slightest hesitation, lifting the hem of his robe.

Suddenly snapping back to reality, Yin Quan rushed to the door and yelled at the snow-white figure that had already reached the corner of the corridor, "I have marriage experience too! Why should I have to learn it all over again?! You're just being unreasonable and making things difficult for me! Xiahou Ying! You big jerk!"

Behind him came a barrage of angry shouts. Wei Jun frowned and was about to speak when Xiahou Ying preemptively spoke first.

"Wei Jun, come with me to see Qin Chang'an."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jun was taken aback, but quickly nodded.

"Say what you have to say." Xiahou Ying stopped and turned to look at Wei Jun on his right, his brows remaining straight without the slightest ripple.

Upon hearing that clear, melodious voice, Wei Jun pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Master, Miss Yin instructed Jing Yu to compile a list of all the ministers in the court who are affiliated with the Crown Prince and to conduct a detailed background check."

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Ying remained unfazed, as if he were not surprised at all.

From the very beginning, he never underestimated Yin Quan.

Now, having learned these things from Wei Jun, he felt a subtle sense of relief.

Without making a sound, Xiahou Ying glanced at the white-clad guards behind him, remained silent for a while, then looked away and said casually, "In that case, it will save me a lot of time..." He paused, then continued, "Do as she says. Whatever she wants to know, you can do it."

Hearing his master say this, Wei Jun frowned, and almost subconsciously blurted out what was on his mind: "No matter what?"

Sensing the hesitation in the white-clad guard's words, Xiahou Ying turned his gaze to him and repeated what he had said: "No matter what."

“My lord, there is one more thing…” Bowing respectfully, Wei Jun lowered his gaze, then looked up again, gazing into Xiahou Ying’s cold, dark, slender eyes, and said in a deep voice, “On the day my lord returned to the capital, Yin Zhengting secretly met with the Crown Prince in the palace.”

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Ying's eyes flickered slightly, but his sharply defined features remained completely unmoved.

He pursed his lips, turned around with his hands behind his back, and after a moment of silence, slowly spoke, his voice low and deliberate, as if he were talking to himself as if no one else was around: "I remember that Yin Zhengting has two sons, one of whom is an Imperial Academician in the Imperial Forest Garden, and the other is in the Eastern Qi camp..."

As he spoke, Xiahou Ying suddenly stopped and did not continue.

Upon hearing this, Wei Jun moved his lips slightly, but ultimately only bowed his head in greeting, without saying another word.

The following day at noon, in the courtyard outside the west wing of the inner courtyard, an old and a young palace maid stood respectfully before Yin Quan.

"Miss Yin, have you memorized all the sacrificial rituals that I just taught you?"

A slightly husky voice came from beside her. Yin Quan, who had been lost in thought, chuckled twice, waved her hand dismissively, and said, "I've got it. I've got it."

She lazily propped her chin up and looked at the old woman standing to the side. She pursed her lips and yawned.

The old woman in front of her, Gui, was someone Xiahou Ying had invited from the palace to teach her manners. Accompanying Gui was a young palace maid.

"Granny Gui..." Yin Quan called out softly as she casually flipped through the thick book, "Sacrificial Rites," which was big enough to kill an adult male, her gaze fixed on the yellowed pages tinged with black.

"The rules of this wedding are so complicated and time-consuming. After a day of this, if someone with a weak constitution comes along, I think this happy occasion will probably turn into a funeral."

"Miss Yin, please don't say that!" Upon hearing this, Granny Gui's sallow face immediately turned pale, and she hurriedly tried to stop her.

“There are many rules, but they were all set by our ancestors. Just bear with it for now. Once you become a princess, you’ll be worry-free for life,” Granny Gui advised kindly, though her face remained pale, as if she hadn’t recovered from the shock. The maid beside her, however, seemed remarkably composed, remaining silent and showing no emotional fluctuations.

"Granny Gui, how long have you been in the palace?" After hearing the old nanny's words of comfort, Yin Quan did not express her opinion, but simply closed the heavy etiquette book with a "snap" and subtly changed the subject.

Upon hearing this, Granny Gui was taken aback at first, clearly finding the question rather strange, but she didn't think much of it and respectfully replied, "Forty years, three months, and twenty-eight days."

"Then you should be very clear about the affairs of the palace." Casually stroking the edge of the ceremonial document, Yin Quan smiled and spoke very slowly.