Princess Anle: Just Dote on Him This Once

Li Yan hadn’t even managed to get out of Wanshou Lane before the local magistrate stopped him.

The Wuhou Guards were utterly arrogant.

They acted with impunity when handling cases.

Half the people in Wanshou Lane had seen it: Yang An was locked in a prison cart, being taken away by them. The magistrate, anxious, asked, “Li Buliang, what’s going on? Why do I see that boy Erlang being taken away by the Black Impermanence?!”

At this moment, Li Yan was already drenched in sweat from anxiety.

There was no time to explain to the magistrate.

He only said, “A sudden disaster has struck. I have to go find someone to rescue Erlang! I can’t explain to you now!”

But the magistrate said, “Running off to find someone won’t help; by the time you get there, it’ll be too late! Wait a moment! I’ll bring you a horse!”

Without waiting for Li Yan’s reply, he hurried back into the courtyard and led out a black horse from the stable. Just then, Old Lady Li, who had just woken up and was carrying a basin of water, stepped out. She was about to splash water when she saw the scene and immediately became alert. “Old man, what are you doing leading a horse out so early in the morning?”

The magistrate quickly explained the situation—that Yang An had been taken away by the Wuhou Guards.

Old Lady Li’s eyes widened.

She threw the basin down with a loud splash; the water spilled across the ground and quickly froze into a thin layer of frost.

She said firmly, “No borrowing!”

The magistrate snapped back, irritated, “This is a matter of life and death! Why can’t we borrow the horse for a while? It’s not like we’re going to ride it to death. Don’t be so petty!”

Old Lady Li was furious.

Grabbing the magistrate’s arm, she scolded, “That Yang Erlang is no better than his sister, a bad seed from the start!”

“They’ve all been taken by the Wuhou Guards, so they must have done something wrong!”

“Don’t you know Da Bao’s imperial exam is in just a few days? If you lend the horse to them and it brings trouble to Da Bao, what then? Any sensible person would avoid this kind of trouble, but you’re rushing headlong into it! Are you out of your mind?”

“As long as I’m here, this horse will not be lent out!”

Old Lady Li snatched the reins from the magistrate’s hand.

The magistrate’s temper flared. “I’ve watched Yang Erlang grow up. He’s always been a well-behaved and polite boy. What crime could he have possibly committed? Move aside!”

He straightened his neck, pushed her away, and led the horse out.

Old Lady Li refused to lend the horse at all costs. She chased after the magistrate to stop him, but in her haste, she stepped on the thin ice.

With a loud “thud,” she fell hard on her backside.

She cried out in pain.

The magistrate glanced back at her, then quickened his pace, taking advantage of the fact that Old Lady Li couldn’t catch up.

It was clear he wasn’t going to be stopped.

Old Lady Li sat on the ground, wailing, “You damn scoundrel! If you ruin my grandson’s imperial exam, I won’t let you off!”

Outside the gate, the magistrate handed the reins to Li Yan and urged, “Li Buliang, hurry up and go!”

Li Yan clasped his fists in gratitude. “Thank you, Magistrate! Our Li family will remember this kindness!”

The magistrate waved his hand. “Saving a life is more important—no need for formalities! Go quickly!”

Li Yan said no more. He swung himself onto the horse and cracked the whip sharply against its flank.

The steed neighed loudly.

Like a streak of black lightning, it galloped away.

The horse’s hooves struck the frozen earth, sending sprays of frost into the air.

……

Ever since Princess Anle arrived in Yunzhou,

the skies had been overcast every day, snow falling relentlessly.

Today was a rare bright and sunny day. The warm sunlight dispelled the winter’s chill, lifting everyone’s spirits. Qin Guo'er, in high spirits, eagerly pulled Lan and a group of maidservants into the garden to play shuttlecock kicking.

Though it was winter,

the garden of the princess’s residence remained a riot of blossoms, vibrant and colorful.

Flowers of every season vied to bloom.

Amidst the flowerbeds,

Princess Anle had changed into a flowing jasper-green silk skirt and jacket, her long, black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. At the ends, she had simply tied a small knot, with a bright red silk ribbon fastened at the tip.

As she played shuttlecock,

her hair swayed with her nimble movements like a deer’s tail flicking—graceful and lively, blending radiant beauty with youthful energy.

She was more captivating than the most breathtaking scenery in the world.

Mei kicked the shuttlecock toward her.

Qin Guo'er’s skirt fluttered lightly as she giggled and took a quick step forward.

Facing the flying shuttlecock,

her foot, clad in red-soled, gold-embroidered shoes, gently hooked the shuttlecock made from the feathers of a fifth-grade fierce beast. It landed steadily on her toes, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight!

“Lan, catch it next!”

Qin Guo'er was thoroughly enjoying herself.

She lifted her foot, sending the shuttlecock soaring high into the air toward Lan.

Playing shuttlecock with the princess left no room for carelessness.

Not only was the use of martial skills strictly ordered,

but if the shuttlecock ever fell to the ground beneath anyone’s feet, they would be fined their salary.

Lan, seeing the shuttlecock coming, nervously lifted her head, darting left and right. Her chest heaved with each breath, so full it looked like it might burst. Just before the shuttlecock hit the ground,

she steadied herself and skillfully caught it with her head.

Only after catching it did Lan relax, but still fearing the shuttlecock might fall,

she hurriedly kicked it to the sisters Qiu'er and Dong'er.

The shuttlecock had to make a full circle before returning to her feet.

Suddenly, Lan remembered something urgent and hurriedly reported, “Princess, yesterday Chun'er and Xia'er were helping the lord prepare materials for perfect foundation building when they discovered that the Lock Desire Gu stored in the warehouse has gone missing.”

“But Eunuch Wang is guarding the place.”

“No one in all of Yunzhou has the ability to steal from the princess’s residence. I suspect it’s an inside job. Such misconduct cannot be tolerated. I beg the princess to investigate thoroughly!”

They had been playing for quite a while.

Qin Guo'er was warmed up now.

Her already radiant face, glistening with fragrant sweat, shone even more brilliantly—more dazzling than peeled grapes.

Just as she raised her hand,

a maid quickly brought a silk cloth to wipe her face.

Princess Anle waved it off lightly, “It’s just the Lock Desire Gu. Although rare, it’s not something so important that losing it is a big deal.”

“Absolutely not, Princess!”

Lan urged anxiously, “That Lock Desire Gu doesn’t kill, but once infected, it severs all feelings of love and affection. Even if you develop feelings later, you will only be able to love the one who placed the Gu. What if someone uses it to harm you?”

Qin Guo'er smiled sweetly, “Don’t worry, no one can harm me.”

“But Princess—”

“I said it’s nothing!”

Princess Anle’s tone grew a little sharp. Lan wanted to argue more but dared not, meekly replying with a soft “Oh.”

At that moment, the shuttlecock came back toward Qin Guo'er.

Before it could land,

she lightly leapt into the air, her long skirt fluttering like a dancing butterfly, her graceful figure twisting like a swimming dragon. Beneath the snow-white undergarments, her long leg stretched backward.

Just a slight lift with her back foot.

Qin Guo'er swiftly stopped the shuttlecock steady.

Just as she was about to kick it out—

A streak of azure light descended from the clouds, shooting straight into the princess’s residence. It was unmistakably the Blue-Light Sparrow, the exclusive messenger beast of the Hundred Riders Guard.

Lan blew a sharp, clear whistle.

Raising her fingertip, the Blue-Light Sparrow skillfully perched on her index finger.

“Early in the morning, why is the Hundred Riders Guard sending news already?”

Lan curiously opened the message box attached to the Blue-Light Sparrow’s foot, pulling out a slender strip of paper. The moment she read it, her expression changed drastically.

The matter involved Yang An.

She dared not hesitate, quickly reporting to the princess: “Princess, there’s been an incident at the Wang family’s bank. Half an incense stick ago, the Martial Marquis Guard arrested the gentleman and locked him up in Yunzhou’s main prison.”

The good mood vanished instantly.

Qin Guo’er’s shuttlecock shot out like a thunderbolt, slicing through seven or eight zhang of the fake mountain with a sharp hiss, and struck the inner wall of the princess’s residence dead center!

Feeling the chill radiating from Qin Guo’er,

the palace maids nearby dared not even breathe.

The eight female officials—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum—ceased their smiles and lined up in two rows. Leading them, Lan cautiously said, “Princess, please calm down. I will immediately go and rescue the gentleman, and deal severely with those vermin from the Martial Marquis Guard.”

Lan had assumed

the princess would rush to save Yang An at once.

But instead, she turned her back, speaking calmly: “The waters of Yunzhou run deeper than they seem. This isn’t so simple. Rescuing that wretched man is easy, but once we do, everyone will know he belongs to me. Especially the Cui and Lin families—they will find out too.”

Lan hesitated for a moment before asking, “Princess, the gentleman was at Yunling Mountain on the day Lin Hao died. Are you worried that Lin Yeping will suspect the gentleman of killing Lin Hao once he knows the truth, and that it will bring him harm?”

“Smart,” the princess said. “That wretched man has figured that out too. That’s why he didn’t reveal me directly to scare off the Martial Marquis Guard.”

“So, Princess, are we not going to rescue the gentleman now?”

Princess Anle scolded, “Of course we will! The wretched man didn’t call me out immediately because he’s waiting for me to save him. Let’s indulge him just this once!”

“Hmph! Always scheming, never trustworthy at heart. I wonder when he’ll ever learn to behave!”

In the blink of an eye, Princess Anle had an idea.

She beckoned with her finger.

Lan obediently leaned in close. Qin Guo’er whispered softly into her ear.

Princess Anle’s beauty stirred the hearts of even the women around her.

Listening so closely, Lan’s ears flushed red.

After hearing Qin Guo’er’s instructions,

Lan’s eyes lit up. “Princess, a brilliant plan!”

……

At the Imperial Academy,

the highest institution in Great Xia,

there was only one academy in each prefecture besides the capital.

Li Yan galloped his horse fiercely as he approached. From afar, he saw the academy’s crimson walls and blue-green tiles shimmering under the sunlight.

The scenery here was strikingly different from the outside world.

Though Yunzhou city was frozen and snow-covered in the depths of winter, the Imperial Academy bathed in sunlight was like a scene from spring.

Fragrant grasses grew lush by the gates.

Flowers bloomed brilliantly on both sides.

And thousands of black bamboo stalks stood in elegant order.

Two majestic suanli—mythical beasts forged from gold and jade—stood guard before the grand gate, adding an air of solemn dignity. Even the jade steps leading up to the entrance towered higher than the eaves of ordinary houses, standing at an impressive six or seven meters!

It was as if this was the dwelling place of immortals.

And in fact, it truly was—the residence of the “immortals.”

As the highest academy in Great Xia,

to study at the Imperial Academy and become an enrolled scholar was equivalent to holding a half-official position. During their studies, students could serve as acting officials across the realm, and upon graduation, they would receive a genuine government rank.

This was no place for lowly clerks like Li Yan.

Here, students were bona fide officials, each holding a formal rank—no lower than the ninth grade, upper tier.

Between officials and commoners lay an insurmountable chasm.

To ordinary folk, what else could this be but a heavenly palace where immortals dwelled?

Not a single commoner lived in the neighborhoods surrounding the Imperial Academy.

On any given day, passersby would go out of their way to avoid this place.

If it weren’t for saving Yang An, Li Yan wouldn’t dare come here.

The day’s work begins at dawn.

Groups of Imperial Academy students strolled leisurely toward the great gate, dressed in spring attire, their steps unhurried—showing no sign of the cold winter they had just left behind.

Li Yan reached the jade steps of the Imperial Academy.

After tying up his horse, he suddenly broke out in a slight sweat.

Only then did he realize the surroundings of the Imperial Academy were warm as spring itself—

as if he had stepped into a spring day!

A few students noticed Li Yan’s coarse, homespun clothes and frowned, whispering in confusion, “Why would a commoner come here?”

“Who knows? Maybe he’s lost.”

“Why bother with this bumpkin? Snatching seats for class is what matters! I heard Chief Jiang will be staying in Yunzhou for a while and is personally teaching today. If we’re late, there won’t be any good seats left.”

“No wonder everyone came this early, yawning like this!”

“Let’s go, let’s go!”

Their sharp taunts brushed past his ears.

Li Yan kept his head down as if he hadn’t heard a thing, silently tying his horse in the stable outside the Imperial Academy and stepping into a place so utterly at odds with his own status.

His heart remained uneasy.

But with Yang An’s situation critical, there was no room for hesitation.

Steeling himself,

he skirted along the edge of the jade steps—six or seven meters high—deliberately avoiding the brightly dressed students, refusing to walk among them.

After climbing the towering jade steps,

he arrived at the grand gate of the Imperial Academy, where two golden jade suanli crouched on either side.

In an instant, the once lifeless mythical beasts seemed to come alive, simultaneously turning their heads to fix their gaze on him.

Their golden eyes flashed with a fierce light.

A terrifying aura suddenly erupted.

Li Yan broke out in cold sweat, his legs frozen in place—not because he couldn’t move, but because his instincts screamed that taking another step forward would mean certain death.

But if he didn’t go in, how could he find the woman to save Er Lang?

Biting his lip, ready to throw caution to the wind and charge forward, a guard clad in shining silver armor and wielding a steel whip strode up to him.

His eyes blazed like twin lanterns.

He glared at Li Yan with a fierce scowl and barked, “Who goes there? Sneaking around like this! What business do you have at the Imperial Academy?!”

……

……

Please, I beg you—

Brothers and sisters, send some energy my way—

The kid’s starving here—