H! GVCP Chapter 17

 Chapter 17: Changing Name

"Lighter, lighter! Ow, ow, ow..."

Yu Xunyang was sprawled on a military cot, howling at the top of his lungs. 

To him, Guan Xiao wasn't rubbing out the bruises; he was clearly adding injury to injury!

Hearing her third brother's screams from inside the room, Yu Lingzhao shook her head with a smile, tossed the apple in her hand, and sauntered away.

Guan Xiao heard the sound of the County Princess’s departing footsteps and lowered his voice slightly: "Third Young Master, why don't you save the energy you’re using for screaming and use it in your matches against the County Princess instead? It’s already the third day..."

Yu Xunyang twisted his head to glare fiercely at Guan Xiao: "Did you secretly teach Zhaozhao some ultimate martial arts behind my back? She was never this formidable before!"

Guan Xiao remained silent. Well, in the past, Third Young Master, you still practiced diligently under the supervision of the First and Second Young Masters.

Besides, in the past, when you sparred with the County Princess, you still lost more often than you won...

Guan Xiao’s silence made Yu Xunyang even more furious: "Guan Xiao, what is that supposed to mean!"

Guan Xiao said helplessly, "You didn't exactly win much in the past either."

Yu Xunyang shut his mouth. 

He shouldn't have asked Guan Xiao; Guan Xiao had long since defected to Zhaozhao’s side!

"The County Princess wants you to resume the martial arts routine you had back at the Prince’s Mansion. If you are unwilling, she will come to supervise you personally."

Guan Xiao announced this heartbreaking news just as Yu Xunyang cried out in pain once more. 

Yu Xunyang no longer had the strength to argue; since he had handed the decision-making power over to Zhaozhao, he had to obey her.

...

When Yu Lingzhao returned to Chaoyang Residence, she found a letter lying quietly on her desk.

With a wave of her hand, she signaled Huaping, Fei wu, and the others to remain outside. 

After she entered, they thoughtfully closed the door.

Yu Lingzhao picked up the letter. Judging by the style, it was likely sent by the Zhiyu Guards.

The contents of the letter detailed which manors the people monitoring the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion from the outside belonged to.

As Yu Lingzhao looked it over, she realized she was quite the center of attention; almost all of Emperor Jianyuan's princes were on the list. 

She was truly a sought-after prize.

She casually held the letter over the charcoal fire until it ignited, and only after it had burned to ashes did she call Feiwu inside.

"How many days has it been since we closed the manor doors?" Yu Lingzhao asked.

Feiwu replied, "Exactly the tenth day."

"It is time. Send someone to deliver a formal notice: say that I have mostly recovered and will enter the palace tomorrow to pay my respects and give thanks to His Majesty."

Yu Lingzhao had waited quietly all these days; it was time to meet Emperor Jianyuan.

This old Emperor was incredibly deep and calculating. 

He had specifically granted her the privilege of not kneeling just to test her depth.

Yu Lingzhao, naturally, was not afraid. Since Emperor Jianyuan dared to give it, she, Yu Lingzhao, dared to use it.

When a decree is announced to the whole world, it must be put to good use.

Feiwu understood the County Princess’s meaning and immediately went to make the arrangements.

Huaping and Caiji entered, intending to select the outfit for the County Princess’s palace visit tomorrow.

Yu Lingzhao leaned against the chaise longue, looking at the two lazily with a smile. 

"No need to fuss. I will just wear my formal rank robes to the palace."

Tomorrow’s visit required thanking the Empress in addition to Emperor Jianyuan, as the Empress had also bestowed many gifts upon her. This was the standard protocol for an audience.

Since she had to go to the inner palace to give thanks, wearing her formal rank robes would be more appropriate.

"Will the County Princess wear the purple set or the red one?" Caiji was in charge of the County Princess's clothing and jewelry and knew her wardrobe best.

Yu Lingzhao twirled her finger in the air and chose the purple set. Caiji complied and went to prepare the attire for tomorrow's palace visit.

Huaping ordered the servants to prepare water for the County Princess’s bath; since the Princess had just sparred with the Third Young Master, she was surely tired and would want to relieve her fatigue.

Yu Lingzhao was very fond of Huaping’s thoughtfulness. 

Looking at the two maids busy in the room, she recalled the malice directed toward the original 'Yu Lingzhao' in the book, naturally, these three maids had not met good ends either.

Yu Lingzhao disliked this feeling; she intended to change the ill-omened names of the three maids.

Just then, Feiwu returned, so Yu Lingzhao called all three of them before her and said softly, "I plan to change your names."

The three were somewhat puzzled, but upon hearing this, they bowed and said, "We await the County Princess’s command."

"Huaping is renamed Huayue, meaning bright and pure like the moon."

"Feiwu is renamed Feiyu; 'Fei' already carries the meaning of jade."

"Caiji is renamed Zhaixing, meaning to pluck the stars, a sign of brightness."

"Huayue/Feiyu/Zhaixing kowtow in thanks to the County Princess for bestowing these names."

Though the three did not know why the County Princess wanted to change their names, the meanings behind the new names were enough to show that she valued them greatly.

Seeing the smiles on the three girls' faces, Yu Lingzhao felt much more cheerful.

Feiyu and Huayue rose to serve Yu Lingzhao as she went to bathe, and Zhaixing followed behind them with the prepared clothes and attendants.

Yu Lingzhao had been sparring with Yu Xunyang for several days; while Yu Xunyang had been pummeled quite badly, she also had some marks on her.

Seeing the purple bruises on the County Princess, Huayue immediately felt distressed. 

"The Third Young Master was too heavy-handed."

Yu Lingzhao chuckled and flicked some water, splashing it onto Huayue's face. She laughed with Feiyu and Zhaixing.

"Look at our Huayue’s biased heart. The marks on my Third Brother are only going to be much heavier than mine."

Huayue pouted, unconcerned: "The Third Young Master is a man, but the County Princess is a lady."

Yu Lingzhao was in a very good mood. Hearing Huayue’s words, she leaned back into the tub and smiled, "In truth, there is no difference between men and women. What men can do, women can do just as well."

"My Third Brother received the same education as I did, yet he was still beaten until he howled. In the future, the tasks I arrange for you will not be lesser simply because you are women, so do not harbor such thoughts yourselves."

"In my eyes, the three of you and Guan Xiao are all equally useful to me."

"Yes, we shall keep the County Princess’s teachings in mind; we have noted it down."

These words quietly took root in the hearts of the three girls, and they understood more and more how much the County Princess valued them.

Seeing the brightness in their eyes, Yu Lingzhao’s lips curled upward, and she felt happy in her heart.

Most of the tasks lately had been assigned to Guan Xiao. While Feiyu and Zhaixing were fine, the young girl Huayue had genuinely felt a bit dejected, feeling she wasn't as useful as Guan Xiao.

What a silly girl.

Yu Lingzhao’s affection for the three girls was equal, so naturally, she comforted them all together.

After serving Yu Lingzhao as she lay down to sleep, Feiyu led Huayue and Zhaixing out.

Once at the door, Feiyu looked at Huayue with a serious expression and said in a low voice, "The County Princess pities and cherishes us, but we cannot lose our sense of propriety just because of her kindness."

Among the three girls, Feiyu was the most steady, and she was the tacit leader.

Feiyu could tell that because Huayue had been feeling lost and envious of Guard Guan being able to handle important matters for the County Princess, the County Princess had specifically said those words today to comfort them.

Huayue bit her lip, her eyes turning red as she nodded. 

"Huayue understands."

Feiyu patted Huayue’s head to soothe the younger girl, thinking to herself that the County Princess was becoming more different by the day.

She was even more someone people would follow without hesitation than before.