Chapter Seventy-Five: A Rather Serious Misunderstanding
In the original course of history, the death of Princess Taiping’s first husband, Xue Shao, followed swiftly by her forced marriage into the Wu family, marked a profound turning point in her life. At the very least, this episode revealed to the royal maiden, so lavishly indulged by the matriarch of the Wu clan, the peril inherent in being of imperial blood—and the critical importance of wielding real power.
As the kinship with the Li clan grew distant and the cold, ruthless currents of the court repeatedly tore her from her ordinary path, she ultimately became that infamous woman, consumed by intrigue and indulgence. Perhaps, after all, there was reason behind the transformation.
At this moment, Taiping may not realize that Wu Ning’s intervention is not merely a rescue for the moment, but a salvation for her entire life.
Yet at least, as she sits now amidst the snow outside a humble thatched cottage, sipping sweet, tangy milk in small sips, her brows and eyes revealing a trace of girlish coyness—this life is one she would never have possessed in the original history.
...
———
Wu Ning returned home as dusk began to fall. The new charcoal from the kiln had been on the market for less than three days. Though it was not as hot a commodity as he had hoped, it was still acceptable.
Wu Ning was not overly concerned. The newly produced black bamboo charcoal was pressed, so a hundred pounds of it appeared much less than the lump charcoal sold elsewhere. The common folk had yet to learn its benefits, and seeing less for their money, they were naturally less eager to buy. This was only to be expected.
In time, they would discover its value.
He was thinking that he ought to follow Old Ancestor into the city tomorrow to sell charcoal, or else the old man would surely scold him for neglecting his proper duties.
He shook his head and smiled wryly, “Here I am selling cabbages and charcoal, living in a villa, sleeping on a heated kang, eating fine food and drinking spicy liquor, and if luck is on my side, perhaps I’ll win a lovely maiden to marry. Isn’t such a life, free of courtly intrigue and danger, a fine thing? Only a fool would go to court to watch your faces.”
“If luck fails, and the old Wu matriarch is in a bad mood one day, one slash and my head is off.”
“Then, meeting Tang the Mad and Qi the Stone, if I’ve lived two lifetimes and am still a bachelor, how could I face anyone?”
“No, no—I won’t go. All those emperors of the Great Tang, each one more treacherous than the last, not to be provoked!”
He was savoring these thoughts, when he looked up and saw Du Gu Ao, Lei Ji, and the two guests from the guest rooms standing outside the courtyard, their heads drooping.
“What are you all doing out here?”
Du Gu Ao, seeing Wu Ning return, immediately took on a posture of despair.
“Ninth Lord, please save us! Tonight we’ll have to sleep in the snow!”
Wu Ning was puzzled. Why sleep in the snow? I haven’t driven you out.
No sooner had he thought it, than he saw a burly, armored guard emerge from the courtyard, carrying a pile of cotton quilts and brocade bedding, flinging them outside.
Heavens!
Wu Ning lost his composure at once—it was she who was driving them out.
“Stop! What are you doing?!”
He recognized the bedding—it was from his own guest rooms, all fine things. How dare this fellow toss it out!
The guard, seeing a rough-clad youth approach and dare to shout at him, was incensed.
He glared, “Where did this bumpkin come from? Get out!”
“Damn you!”
Wu Ning was furious—how dare he insult him?
“You’re the bumpkin! Your whole family are bumpkins!”
He strode forward, shoved the guard aside, and rushed in.
This was intolerable—not only was the guard shocked, but the palace attendants and guards inside, seeing a village youth burst in, drew their weapons with a clang.
—
“Bold! How dare you tres—”
The script was unfinished; Wu Ning, glaring at Taiping, who was enjoying yogurt under the porch, cut in first: “Why are you still here?”
Taiping, startled to see Wu Ning, blurted out, “Why are you here?”
“I’m asking you!” Wu Ning was exasperated. “It’s late—hurry back to the city!”
“Waiting for me is pointless—I’m not going with you.”
“Who’s waiting for you?” Taiping laughed and cried at once. “I’m just staying here.”
Wu Ning was even less pleased. “Why are you staying at my house?”
“My house?” Taiping was dumbfounded. What a coincidence!
The palace attendants and guards were equally stunned. What was going on? They couldn’t make sense of it.
Meanwhile, the guard who had flung out the bedding was sweating—it felt ... a bit awkward.
Waiting for him ... staying here ... my house ...
Connecting these keywords, the guard thought, could it be ... could it be the Princess has taken a liking to this fellow?
But that couldn’t be right.
He sized up Wu Ning: decent looks, tall and lean, youthful enough. But a bit rustic, and dirty besides—could the Princess prefer this sort?
Forget it, best not to provoke!
With that thought, he hurriedly sheathed his blade, and called to his companions, “Pack up, pack up—what are you all standing here for? Move, move, out!”
In the blink of an eye, only Taiping and Wu Ning remained in the courtyard—even Li Wenbo and Chef Luo had retreated to the kitchen.
“What’s going on?” Luo Li hadn’t figured it out yet.
“That’s the Princess—the master’s got some nerve!”
“You know nothing!” Li Wenbo retorted, sneaking glances outside.
“Our Ninth Lord is impressive—serving as the Princess’s consort ...”
“This is it—he’s made it!”
...
Outside, Du Gu Ao and Lei Ji were peering through the fence, jaws nearly dropping.
Lei Ji looked at Du Gu Ao in bewilderment, “Wu Ning is something else!”
Du Gu Ao pounded his chest and wailed, “The Princess is so extraordinary—how could she fall for Wu Lao Jiu, that scoundrel!”
...
Inside, Chen Ziang and Ugly Uncle were stunned.
“No, I have to go out!” Chen Ziang couldn’t sit still.
“They’re siblings ...”
Alright, Chen Boyu had misunderstood ...
“Come back!” Ugly Uncle barked.
—
“Let’s keep watching.”
...
———
“Is this your inn?” Taiping recovered from her daze.
“It is.”
“No wonder,” Taiping smiled lightly. “To open such a refined little inn in the wilds of the mountains—only you could manage such a thing.”
(Li Wenbo: Listen, listen—she’s calling him ‘sir’!)
(Du Gu Ao: He’s just a scoundrel—how does he deserve the title ‘sir’?!)
Taiping continued, “The other lodgings were noisy. My steward recommended this place to me—I had no idea it belonged to you.”
“Oh.”
Wu Ning felt his face flush—it was all by chance.
“This place is small, not fit for a Princess. Better go back to the city.”
“I find it quite pleasant.”
Though Wu Ning’s casual manner was irksome, it had to be admitted—it was down-to-earth, a flavor of ordinary life Taiping had never tasted. Now, she felt herself relax.
“I’ve lived in the palace since childhood,” she said, surveying Wu Ning’s small courtyard. “I’ve never experienced life among the common folk—indeed, I’ve long looked forward to it.”
Wu Ning was speechless—so you’ve come to my place to experience life?
“How many days does the Princess plan to stay?”
If she couldn’t be driven out, he could only hope this honored guest would leave soon of her own accord.
Taiping frowned, “You truly are different from others.”
“Princess flatters me—I’m quite ordinary.”
“Not so,” Taiping smiled. “When ordinary people meet me, they flatter and fawn, even if they don’t dare approach. You, however, not only refuse my invitation, but go out of your way to avoid me. Why?”
Wu Ning thought, I lack the skill to play along with your family. Isn’t that reason enough?
But he couldn’t say it.
He sighed—if he didn’t give Taiping a reasonable explanation, she might keep pestering him. Better to spend a few more words today and send her on her way.
He walked over and sat calmly opposite Taiping.
“Let me tell you a story, Your Highness.”
...