Upon hearing Princess Roujia’s words, Chu Shao furrowed her brows slightly and asked, “What’s the matter?”
Princess Roujia pursed her lips, her expression suddenly becoming somewhat dim. “I know that those black-clothed mens on that day were actually trying to abduct you.”
Chu Shao looked at Princess Roujia with great interest, as if she had heard something extremely amusing. “So, what difference does it make whether they were planning to abduct me or you, Sister Roujia?”
“Of course, it’s different,” Princess Roujia shook her head, sighing softly. “If they hadn’t mistaken me for you back then and abducted me from under the Prince Yan’s grasp, the one who would be by the Crown Prince of Qi now would be you, not me.”
Chu Shao was slightly taken aback and seriously pondered Princess Roujia’s words. Then she couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Sister, is that what you’re talking about?”
Princess Roujia nodded.
“Well then, I really have to thank you,” Chu Shao said with a smile as she sat on her horse. “Thank you for falsely claiming to be me when Shen Lan came to rob the carriage.”
Princess Roujia obviously had no idea that Chu Shao was aware of the whole situation, and she asked incredulously, “You knew that Shen Lan intended to abduct you… and that I pretended to be you?”
“I knew,” Chu Shao replied.
“Then why didn’t you expose me at that time?”
A faint smile curled up on Chu Shao’s lips as she asked in return, “Why should I expose you?”
Princess Roujia frowned, “Don’t you know that the Prince Yan has a capricious and extremely cruel nature? If I fell into the hands of such a person, I would undoubtedly suffer humiliation and be better off dead.”
“Suffering humiliation and being better off dead?” Chu Shao chuckled lightly and casually looked at Princess Roujia. “It’s just suffering humiliation. Why should I escape?”
With each word spoken by Chu Shao, Princess Roujia’s expression became more complex.
Looking into Chu Shao’s eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of guilt. “Sister Shao, I truly apologize to you. I was scared at that time, and I didn’t want to be humiliated. Instead of being escorted to the Qi Country like a prisoner, I would rather fall into the hands of the Blood Rain Pavilion, at least I could die a swift death.”
Chu Shao smiled and remained silent, just staring at Princess Roujia. It seemed like she had seen through everything.
Princess Roujia paused for a moment and continued, “But I didn’t expect that Shen Lan and Shen Lang actually defected to the Crown Prince of Qi… and Xiao Yu, who clearly abducted the wrong person, didn’t kill me either.”
“Because you still have some value to them,” Chu Shao gently stroked the mane of her horse, lowered her eyelashes, and looked at Princess Roujia, smiling. “There’s something they want from you, so they won’t kill you for now.”
Princess Roujia remained silent.
In fact, she knew that Xiao Yu kept her by his side like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. When the time was ripe, the sword hanging over her head would fall.
But she had no choice. She was just a princess who lost her country, powerless to protect herself. What could she change?
Chu Shao also understood this, so she didn’t understand why Princess Roujia approached her during the hunt.
However, all of this was not important.
Chu Shao extended her fingertip and lightly touched the cypress wood bow, recalling the person who handed her the bow. A smile curved on her lips, resembling a slender crescent moon.
She was truly grateful to Princess Roujia.
If it weren’t for Princess Roujia, she probably would never have met such a person.
Chu Shao dismounted from her horse. The silver armor sparkled under the sunlight, while her words were exceptionally soft and slow. “Since you’ve chosen your path, why are you still standing in front of me, telling me all this?”
Princess Roujia moved her lips, about to speak, but was interrupted by Chu Shao’s cheerful words. “Don’t you think this is somewhat foolish?”
Chu Shao took a few steps closer, gently looking at Princess Roujia. “Even if you’ve defected to the Crown Prince now, you’re still the princess of Yao Country. Therefore, the Crown Prince will undoubtedly send people to keep an eye on you during this hunting trip. Coming to find me is nothing but trouble for yourself.”
For a long time, Princess Roujia remained silent.
Until Chu Shao lost her patience and was about to turn around, Princess Roujia suddenly called out to her.
“Sister Shao.”
Chu Shao turned around, lightly gazing at Princess Roujia, her lips still carrying a smile.
Princess Roujia approached and whispered, “The road ahead is not easy to travel. It’s muddy and may dirty your shoes and socks.”
Chu Shao stared into Princess Roujia’s watery eyes, slightly surprised.
“Sister Shao, I feel guilty towards you, and I know I can never repay it,” Princess Roujia looked at Chu Shao with pity, but her words suddenly changed. “I can’t help you escape, but it’s a pity that my beautiful sister has married the Prince Yan, who has lost the use of her legs.”
The smile on Chu Shao’s lips deepened. “Is that so?”
Regarding Xiao Jin, Princess Roujia didn’t answer Chu Shao’s question. Instead, she furrowed her brows slightly, seeming somewhat puzzled. “Sister Shao, during the years I spent in the Qi Country, everyone told me that it was because of the rain on that day that the Prince Yan lost the use of her legs. But somehow, I feel… maybe it wasn’t the rain that obstructed her vision?”
Chu Shao asked, “Then what was it?”
Princess Roujia raised her head, squinted her eyes, and looked at the scorching sun overhead.
She said softly, “Actually, it might have been the sun.”
….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Translator’s note: Don’t feel guilty, Princess Roujia. I think Chu Shao found his match because of you. But, I believe you’re the unlucky one to have fallen for the Crown Prince’s hands. 😌
TO BE CONTINUE…
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