Chapter 9: Good-Looking, but Sharp-Tongued
Shangguan Bai’s arrival was not unexpected; Yu Lingzhao understood his current mindset very well.
He was like someone who had been drowning for a long time and was on the verge of death; even if he had doubts about a life-saving straw, he would still grasp it tightly.
Yu Lingzhao accompanied Yu Xunyang to meet the mother and son. Their intention was very clear: to express their gratitude for saving a life.
Shangguan Bai knew very well that while he had some ability to earn a little money, it was far from enough to cover his mother’s medical treatments and recuperation.
However, with the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion stepping in, he gained a breathing spell, and his mother gained a chance to prolong her life.
This was the favor of saving a life, not just his mother’s life, but his own as well.
Yu Xunyang did not take the matter to heart, claiming it was done to pray for his younger sister’s blessings.
Shangguan Qingshuang was not a calculating person; seeing that the noble person was calm and truly didn't seem to mind, she felt even more strongly that she must repay them.
After seeing off the Shangguan mother and son, the siblings, Yu Xunyang and Yu Lingzhao, sat down to have a proper talk.
“The person Zhaozhao wanted to save was him?”
Although Yu Xunyang didn't know exactly what his sister intended to do, her motive for wanting to save him was far too obvious.
Yu Lingzhao smiled, neither admitting nor denying it: “Just doing a good deed daily.” Since his sister didn't want to say, Yu Xunyang didn't ask further, only mentioning that since they had arrived at Huguo Temple, perhaps they should send word home.
Hearing this, Yu Lingzhao raised her eyes slightly to look at Guan Xiao. “Guan Xiao, is your letter about to reach home at this very moment?”
Guan Xiao’s heart shuddered, and he immediately knelt to ask for forgiveness: “This subordinate acted on his own initiative; I ask the County Princess for punishment.”
Yu Lingzhao picked up her cup, took a small sip of tea, and said with a slight smile, “Since Father gave you to me, you must recognize who your master is. If you cannot distinguish it, it would be better to return to my father’s side; he still thinks highly of you.”
Guan Xiao was indeed a useful person, but Yu Lingzhao discovered that his level of obedience toward her was not that high.
Even though Guan Xiao was clever and reliable in his work, the person he remained loyal to in his heart was her father, the Prince of Zhennan, Yu Shao, and not her, the County Princess Mingzhu.
All of her commands to Guan Xiao were based on the premise that her father was the Prince of Zhennan.
Kneeling on the ground, Guan Xiao abruptly kowtowed after hearing Yu Lingzhao’s words.
“This subordinate would not dare.”
Yu Lingzhao twitched the corner of her mouth into a smile and placed the teacup back on the table.
Every move she made was slow and extremely elegant.
“This County Princess does not doubt your loyalty to the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion. On the contrary, I especially believe in your determination to die for the mansion if necessary. But what I want is loyalty to me, the County Princess Mingzhu, Yu Lingzhao.”
Actually, Yu Lingzhao understood very well why this was. The Zhennan Prince’s Mansion was famous and powerful; staying in the Southern Border would lead to a much smoother career path than following a County Princess to the capital.
Guan Xiao was sent to the daughter’s side precisely because he was loyal enough.
She just hadn't expected that Guan Xiao would misunderstand and treat himself like a spy.
Therefore, Yu Lingzhao had to remind him what should be done and what should not.
He could do the things she ordered, he could even do more of them, but for things she hadn't mentioned, he should act as if he didn't know, rather than making decisions on his own.
For example, regarding the matter of her being injured in the capital, Guan Xiao sending word back to the Southern Border would only cause the family in the Prince’s Mansion to worry.
Yu Lingzhao, however, knew very well that she was the winner in this matter. With one move, she had suppressed Princess Qing’an and caused several major noble families in the capital to fall into disfavor.
Now, people in the capital dared not lightly provoke the two young masters of the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion.
With the same news, different points of emphasis provide different signals.
The points Guan Xiao conveyed were not necessarily the meanings Yu Lingzhao wanted to express.
Upon hearing Yu Lingzhao’s words, Guan Xiao fell silent, knowing he had overstepped.
Observing his expression, Yu Lingzhao knew he understood where the crux of the problem lay, so she spoke again,
“This County Princess is not short of people to use. If Guard Guan has thought it through, you may give me your answer tomorrow. It’s just that I have a rule now...”
Yu Lingzhao leaned forward slightly, staring at Guan Xiao.
“To be my person, you must be able to distinguish who to put first. Nothing else matters.”
Yu Lingzhao did not want to make any promises to Guan Xiao. He was indeed a talent; it would be best if he could stay, but if not, she naturally had the ability to find others.
The more her father, the Prince of Zhennan, doted on her, the more right she had to be willful.
“Go then. The capital isn't a place just anyone can stay.”
Yu Lingzhao let fall this sentence lightly, sending another shock through Guan Xiao’s heart.
Understanding that the County Princess had given him enough guidance for today, he said no more, rose, performed a salute, and withdrew.
Having watched this lecture from the side, Yu Xunyang felt more and more that his sister had become decisive and resolute.
“Zhaozhao’s appearance just now actually resembled Father a bit.”
Yu Lingzhao gave a brilliant smile, her eyes shining slightly: “Of course, I am Father’s daughter.”
Yu Xunyang also smiled, his trust in his sister growing even deeper.
The mission of the trip to Huguo Temple was complete. Yu Lingzhao was in no hurry to return to the mansion and planned to tour the surroundings of the temple.
Unsurprisingly, Guan Xiao came in person today to lead Yu Lingzhao’s horse, clearly signaling his determination to follow her properly.
Guan Xiao was a clever man to begin with; the County Princess’s reminder yesterday had made him realize that the Prince sending him to her side was, in fact, intended for him to acknowledge her as his sole master.
He had been self-righteous and had almost tried to make decisions for the County Princess, overstepping his bounds.
Yu Lingzhao gave Guan Xiao a half-smile and reminded him, "Guan Xiao, today I am a female guard."
Guan Xiao froze for a moment, then immediately released the reins of Yu Lingzhao’s horse and walked to the side to mount his own.
Yu Lingzhao spoke again, "Stay with Third Brother. I’m going to look around the perimeter. There are hidden guards; no need to follow."
Guan Xiao instinctively wanted to follow, but then remembered something; he silently dismounted and led his horse back to the stables.
Yu Lingzhao rode alone toward the back mountain of Huguo Temple.
To her surprise, just as she reached the area, a sudden torrential rain broke out. Seeing a rain shelter, she urged her horse toward it.
After dismounting, she discovered that this shelter seemed to be something special. Gauze curtains hung around the perimeter, and she could vaguely see a human figure.
It looked like a private pavilion, but since the rain was so heavy, she had no choice but to take a step closer inside. "Pardon the intrusion. The rain is too heavy, I’ve come to seek shelter."
From behind the gauze came a single word: "Granted."
Yu Lingzhao was startled.
A man?
The rain grew heavier, accompanied by wild winds. Yu Lingzhao took another step inward just as the wind rose, blowing aside the gauze curtains.
A young man sat on a stone stool; with just a lift of his hand to pour tea, his posture was like that of a banished immortal.
Yu Lingzhao was stunned. She wanted to get a clearer look, but the wind acted up again, causing the multiple layers of gauze to fold over, making it even harder to see what he looked like.
Only a graceful shadow remained, though his peerless elegance was still evident.
The rain did not subside but increased instead, forcing Yu Lingzhao to walk a few more steps inside.
She happened to meet the young man's gaze and froze again.
How could someone be this handsome?
His features were as handsome as a painting, yet as cool and clear as peach blossoms. He had a high bridge to his nose and slightly red, thin lips; his features were so exquisite they were almost androgynous.
Amidst the wind and rain, his flying hair did not diminish his cold, arrogant temperament in the least.
His bearing was calm and elegant; even a side-long glance was moving. He just sat there nonchalantly, dressed in white, looking as ethereal as an immortal.
"Get out."
Yu Lingzhao froze for the third time. What? In such heavy rain, he wanted her to get out?
How could someone look so good, yet have such a sharp tongue?
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