Running into the courtyard, she stood by the flower bushes, gazing at the flower buds that were swelling with the first signs of spring, on the verge of blooming.
Princess Xinyue's mind, however, was not on these buds. Instead, she was recalling the incident of her hands being spanked earlier, filled with both anger and indignation.
"Chu Chen is truly becoming more audacious. When I first met him, he was so cautious and subservient. Now, he even dares to bully this princess."
"Using Mother's disciplinary ruler to spank my hands, and with imperial permission, bah! It's clearly him relying on his position to bully others!"
"Mother is also truly something, giving him the ruler. Isn't she afraid of injuring my palms irreparably!"
As Princess Xinyue was thinking furiously, her thoughts suddenly veered off course, and she found herself recalling the imposing manner Chu Chen had displayed earlier as a teacher.
It seemed every girl yearned for her husband to be somewhat dominant, while she herself was more submissive.
She was no exception. The way Chu Chen had been earlier struck her as full of presence and charm.
As she thought, her face began to blush.
"Hmph, this princess ran out, and he didn't even chase after me to comfort me. That damned scoundrel!"
"Or perhaps I should find some guards later to capture this bad guy, and in front of all the court officials, have him beaten thirty times in the imperial court?"
She fantasized in her mind, picturing Chu Chen shouting for mercy and other such words, being dragged away and laid on a long bench, then severely beaten by guards holding imperial rods, feeling both pain and humiliation.
"That seems a bit excessive? I recall that thirty strokes would incapacitate most people, and fifty could kill someone."
"Then, how about... ten strokes?"
After her excitement subsided, Princess Xinyue hesitantly asked herself.
"Princess Xinyue! Where are you? It's getting late, get some rest early. You have to inspect the villages tomorrow."
Suddenly, she heard a voice calling out. Princess Xinyue's lips curved slightly upwards.
She thought triumphantly, "Chu Chen has indeed come to find me. He has some conscience."
"This princess is here!"
Princess Xinyue waved her hand.
Soon, Chu Chen arrived beside her and smiled, "So you ran over here to look at the flowers. However, the flowers will take a few more days to bloom, there's nothing much to see now. It's best to get some rest early, you must be tired from the journey."
"I know that without you telling me," Princess Xinyue replied, tilting her head up.
"Then I won't say anymore. If you're not going back to rest, I will."
After Chu Chen spoke, he made as if to leave.
Princess Xinyue pouted and followed him.
Arriving at the door of the room, Chu Chen stood at the entrance and said gently, "Although it's not dark yet, you still need to rest. I'm going back to my room to sleep."
"Okay." Princess Xinyue nodded. At this moment, she did feel quite weary.
Ancient carriages, while much faster than traveling on foot, were incredibly bumpy inside. This was because there were no springs for shock absorption, and springs were difficult to produce, so Chu Chen hadn't prepared any.
Last time, he had relied on his cultivation to improvise them. This time, Princess Xinyue had only joined them when they were about to depart, leaving no time to modify the carriage.
Closing the door, Princess Xinyue returned to her previous spot. Suddenly, she thought of the scene from earlier and quickly shook her head, as if trying to cast the thoughts from her mind.
"Ugh~ Honestly, why am I thinking about these things? It's all your fault, damn Chu Chen!"
"I haven't even agreed to marry you yet, and you dare to make me call you husband."
"Shameless, despicable, and utterly wicked! You bad thing, hmph!"
Princess Xinyue lay on the bed, full of grievances, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her mind still denouncing Chu Chen's wickedness.
Before long, unable to resist the fatigue of her body, she slowly drifted off to sleep.
In the Qingling Pavilion, Li Shouyi asked with a puzzled expression, "His Highness the Fifth Prince and Lord Chu both refuse to come?"
"Yes, your subordinate has inquired about both."
"Very well then." Li Shouyi felt a bit annoyed, wondering what was going on with those two.
After a moment, he spoke, "Don't forget the matters I instructed you on earlier. Since they aren't coming, we'll just eat and drink amongst ourselves."
"Don't worry, Prefect. Your subordinate has warned and cautioned the influential and wealthy families in the city. During this period, there will absolutely be no reckless individuals on the streets looking for trouble with those two."
"All the beggars have also been rounded up and taken elsewhere by my subordinates." The Chief Clerk, who had sobered up and returned to attend the banquet, replied with full confidence.
"I hope so. Alright, that's enough. I won't say more." Li Shouyi waved his hand and raised his wine cup, "Come, let's have a toast!"
"Cheers!"
The next morning.
"Princess Xinyue, wake up!"
"Princess Xinyue? Your Highness?!"
Chu Chen called out several times at the door, but there was no movement from inside. His expression immediately turned cold, and with a hint of murderous intent in his gaze, he pushed open the door.
"Thump~"
"Ouch, that hurts! This princess!"
Princess Xinyue, who was at the door and about to open it, was hit on the forehead by the suddenly opened door. She clutched her injured spot and half-crouched on the ground.
Her eyes, teary and glistening, glared at Chu Chen, as if blaming him.
"Uh, I didn't expect you to be by the door. I'm sorry I hurt you." Chu Chen's heart ached, and he reached out to gently caress the injured spot on Princess Xinyue's forehead.
After a moment, Princess Xinyue, having recovered, slapped Chu Chen's hand away and said irritably, "How long are you going to keep touching my forehead? This princess doesn't hurt at all."
As she spoke, to prove her point, she deliberately rubbed her injured forehead with a little force, causing her to grit her teeth in pain but not cry out.
"Alright, stop pretending. I heard the sound of you getting hurt. What's the point of being tough in front of me?" Chu Chen embraced her with concern and blew on her forehead.
The warm air brushed over the injured spot, and Princess Xinyue felt a sweetness in her heart.
"What were you rushing for just now?" After enjoying the moment for a bit, Princess Xinyue struggled slightly, breaking free from Chu Chen's embrace, and asked.
"Naturally, to wake you up, you little lazy pig!"
"This princess is not a little lazy pig!" Princess Xinyue pointed at Chu Chen indignantly, "And it's all your fault for setting the departure time so early."
"The morning court starts much earlier than this. If you can get rid of your habit of sleeping in, you might have a chance to ascend the throne as empress in the future. Sleeping in isn't good." Chu Chen comforted her, while also offering some guidance.
"What ascending the throne? This princess is the youngest princess. With four older sisters above me, there's no way the throne would fall to me," Princess Xinyue said with a carefree attitude, waving her hand dismissively. "Since this princess is already out, let's depart. The guards can buy some food and provisions along the way."
"Alright, so be it." Chu Chen nodded in agreement. He then left fifty guards behind and led the rest of the people towards a nearby village.
There were many barren lands there.