Princess Anle: So Annoying~

Yang An had only just arrived at the princess’s residence when he saw Lan, frail and trembling, waiting there for him.

Yang An’s heart stirred.

The last time he had come to the princess’s residence, Lan had also come out to greet him in advance. And this time was the same…

Could that Dog Woman really possess the ability to see the future?

Or was someone secretly following him?

Just as Yang An was growing restless, wondering what was going on, Lan noticed that he was covered in filth and wrapped in a bear hide that had only just been stripped from the animal.

The stench of blood and the reek of the hide assaulted her nose.

Holding a jade-green handkerchief over her mouth and nose, she looked at him with undisguised distaste.

“My lord, you intend to meet the princess dressed like this?”

Only then did Yang An remember that Princess Anle had a cleanliness obsession.

Back at Snowridge Mountain, he had merely tackled that Dog Woman into the snow, splashing a little snow water onto her, and she had been so furious that she had nearly crushed his neck beneath her foot.

He had come to the princess’s residence this time to ask for an antidote.

If he somehow angered that Dog Woman, not only would he fail to obtain the antidote, he might even have to endure another vicious beating.

Yang An turned his head and said, “Thank you for reminding me, Miss Lan. I’ll go back and take a bath first. How about I come to the residence tomorrow instead?”

Lan rolled her eyes.

“The princess sent this servant to wait here because she already knew you had arrived. If you leave now, wouldn’t that only make the princess even more displeased?”

“This time, we’ll let it go.”

“But please take better care the next time you come to the princess’s residence.”

“And keep the princess more in your thoughts as well. There’s a bathing room inside the residence. You can wash there. Follow me.”

Lan was Princess Anle’s personal lady official and one of her most trusted confidantes.

After being lectured by her, Yang An did not dare talk back. He hurriedly apologized, admitted that he had failed to think things through, and followed Lan farther into the residence.

Princess Anle loved cleanliness.

She never allowed others to use her belongings.

Although Yang An had caught Princess Anle’s attention, Lan did not dare take him to the fragrant bathing pool used by the princess without first asking for permission.

Instead, she led him to the side courtyard where she lived.

Though Lan was merely a personal lady official of eighth rank, there was an old saying that even an eighth-rank official before a chancellor’s gate was still an important figure. With the incomparably wealthy Princess Anle supporting her, Lan had her own independent courtyard within the princess’s residence.

The same was true of the others.

Chun'er, Xia'er, Qiu'er, Dong'er, Mei'er, Lan'er, Zhu, and Ju'er—the eight lady officials of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum—all had courtyards of their own.

As the leader of the lady officials, however, Lan’s courtyard was larger and more luxurious than the others. There were even twenty or thirty servant girls waiting on her there.

Since she normally served Princess Anle, Lan disliked being served by others herself. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed several young maids who had come over to offer their greetings, then led Yang An to the bathhouse.

Turning to him, she said, “My lord, please go in. This servant will wait here. Once you’ve washed yourself clean, I’ll escort you to see the princess.”

Yang An thanked her again.

“Thank you, Miss Lan.”

With that, he pushed open the door and entered.

Apart from a few furnishings, the bathhouse contained a large pool in the center, about the size of a small swimming pool. It had been carved from white jade, and auspicious designs adorned its edges.

Unknown auspicious beasts had been carved on either side of the pool.

Scalding water poured steadily from their mouths, quickly filling the bath.

Yang An removed his clothes.

The moment he stepped into the pool, he sensed that the water was far from ordinary. Though it appeared crystal clear, it carried a faint, secluded fragrance.

As he lay in the water, he was astonished to discover that the fatigue he had accumulated during the journey back from Cloudridge Mountain was rapidly vanishing.

His entire body felt as though it were resting on a cloud of cotton, every pore relaxing and stretching open. It was indescribably comfortable.

Yang An said, “There must be medicinal herbs in this bath that nourish the body. That’s the only way it could have such an effect. The old society really was extravagant.”

He was eager to meet Princess Anle, so he did not have time to savor the experience. He was scrubbing himself from head to toe when Lan’s voice came from outside the door.

“My lord, would you like someone to attend to you?”

Yang An: !

Were they sending in a pretty young maid to massage him?!

They offered this kind of service too?!

Yang An’s heart began to race.

“That… wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?”

Lan laughed.

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. It’s only a simple massage and acupressure. Please rest assured, my lord.”

Yang An put on an affectedly hesitant expression.

“Then… all right.”

“My lord, please wait a moment.”

The sound of Lan’s departing footsteps came from outside.

Yang An lay in the bath and wondered who would come in to attend to him.

Would it be the cool and aloof twin sisters, Dong'er and Qiu'er?

Or the lively and sweet Chun'er and Xia'er?

Or perhaps Lan, whose every step trembled precariously?

As he pondered, the figure of Princess Anle appeared in his mind. The images of Qiu'er, Dong'er, and the others instantly faded away.

He had nearly died beneath that Dog Woman’s foot the first time they met.

The next two times, she had toyed with him as easily as if he were in the palm of her hand.

Yang An’s impression of Princess Anle was terrible, yet he could not deny that the Dog Woman was breathtakingly beautiful. Any one of the eight lady officials at her side would have been an unrivaled beauty if taken outside.

But in her presence, they seemed ordinary.

They were like green leaves whose only purpose was to set off a flower.

Yang An could not help feeling excited as he imagined what it would be like if that Dog Woman came to attend to him…

He imagined Princess Anle dressed only in a light, revealing gauze robe, holding a towel, and kneeling beside him with a shy expression as she helped wipe his body.

Yang An’s breathing grew heavy.

When he noticed his body beginning to react, he was startled. He hurriedly circulated the foundation-building technique that could move his blood qi, dispersing all the distracting thoughts in his mind.

The sound of Lan’s returning footsteps rang out.

She called from outside the door, “My lord, are you ready? The people who will attend to you have arrived.”

Which pretty young maid or lady official would it be?

Yang An suppressed his anticipation.

He tried to speak as calmly as possible.

“Let her in.”

The bathhouse door opened.

Yang An turned his head somewhat nervously, only to see two burly men, each over eight feet tall, stride through the mist.

Both men were completely naked, and each had a conspicuous tuft of black hair growing on his chest.

An overwhelming aura of masculinity surged toward him.

The two men cupped their fists and spoke in deep, booming voices.

“My lord, we brothers were ordered by Sister Lan to come and give you a massage.”

Yang An: Damn it!

A short while later, Yang An emerged from the bathhouse after washing himself clean and changing into a presentable outfit.

He had to admit that Qian Da and Qian Er possessed considerable strength in their hands, and they were extremely accurate when locating the acupoints. After their massage and treatment had loosened his muscles and circulated his limbs, the tension in his shoulders, waist, and back had eased considerably.

Lan had been waiting outside the bathhouse the entire time.

When Yang An emerged, she bowed to him.

She raised her eyes and saw that he had washed himself thoroughly and changed into a clean, elegant white robe. His appearance had become striking and radiant.

Lan stared at him in a daze.

Having spent years by Princess Anle’s side and gazed at the princess’s peerless beauty from such a close distance, Lan had long since become numb to beauty.

That was why she had been stunned.

It was not because of Yang An’s face.

Earlier, he had been covered in foul-smelling grime and wrapped in an animal hide, so she had not looked at him carefully. She had also failed to notice the strength of his blood qi.

Now that he had washed himself clean, Lan was astonished to discover that the blood qi within Yang An was nearly several times stronger than what she had observed before.

Her heart shook violently.

Could it be that my lord had already completed the First-Grade Foundation Building?

But only a day had passed!

Foundation Building had never been something that could be accomplished in a single step. It required a complete process of transformation.

The greater one’s innate talent, the faster that transformation would be.

But never had anyone heard of someone achieving a complete transformation overnight! Even when the princess completed her first - class foundation - building back then, it took her a full day and a half to fully transform successfully!

After the great shock.

Lan seemed to understand why the princess valued Yang An so much.

First of all, there was no need to say much about Yang An's face. Not to mention the entire Yunzhou, even among the well - known handsome men in the capital, few could rival his good looks.

Secondly, he had such astonishing talent. Just looking at the speed of his foundation - building transformation, even Eunuch Wang was optimistic. As long as he didn't die, he was bound to grow into a powerful figure in the future.

Moreover, Yang An was extremely affectionate. In this world, there were as many ambitious and self - serving people as there were carp crossing the river, but there were very few people like him who had a bottom line and were affectionate and righteous.

Lan smiled and said to Yang An, "My lord has astonishing talent. This humble maid congratulates you on achieving first - class foundation - building."

Yang An was slightly startled.

He didn't expect that there was no ordinary person in the princess's mansion.

Not only could Manman see his talent.

Even Lan could easily discern his cultivation!

Yang An, who was already on high alert in the princess's mansion, felt even more uncomfortable.

Seeing his slightly changed expression.

Lan said with a smile, "My lord doesn't need to be on guard against the princess's mansion. Although it's probably very difficult for you to let down your guard now, please believe that the princess values you highly. I hope you will continue to work hard on your cultivation in the future. Maybe you can help the princess later."

Yang An was skeptical about the so - called fact that the Dog Woman valued him.

But what Lan said about him being able to help the Dog Woman in the future piqued his curiosity, so he asked, "What can I do to help the princess?"

"You'll know later."

Lan didn't say more and led Yang An towards the garden where Princess Anle was.

Yang An followed closely behind her.

He thought to himself: When he came to the princess's mansion yesterday, Lan had said that the Dog Woman wasn't as carefree as she seemed on the surface. But what difficulties could she possibly have?

She was deeply favored by the current emperor, had power and influence, and also had a cultivation of unknown level. What could he, a tiny figure like an ant, do to help her?

He thought all the way.

Yang An didn't even pay much attention to the magnificent scenery of the princess's mansion and followed Lan into a elegant courtyard where Princess Anle was.

As soon as he entered, he heard the sounds of musical instruments such as the moon - shaped lute, leather drums, large and small gongs, and the singing of opera.

Yang An was immediately attracted.

He looked up.

In this small garden with strange rockeries, there was a theater stage. Several performers were singing an opera on the stage.

Since Yang An was reborn into this world.

Although his family was not wealthy, Li Yan was at least an official and had some spare money every month. In his leisure time, he accompanied Yang Ning to the teahouse to listen to some operas.

He recognized that the opera being sung on the stage was quite famous.

It was a tragic love story.

It was about a down - and - out scholar eloping with an official's daughter.

It was a bit like The Romance of the Western Chamber in his previous life, the story of Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng.

Yang An came back to his senses and looked around.

Soon he found Princess Anle sitting in a pavilion not far away, reclining on a soft chair covered with a snow - colored velvet blanket.

A group of female officials and young maids were bustling around her, pouring tea, feeding fruits, and bringing snacks.

Qin Guo'er was pretending to doze off with her eyes closed.

She was listening very attentively.

Sometimes she would even gently sway her feet in embroidered shoes following the rhythm of the drums on the stage. Seeing this, Yang An secretly smiled. He didn't expect that the Dog Woman had such a hobby.

Afraid of disturbing Princess Anle's mood while listening to the opera.

Lan asked Yang An to wait outside the pavilion and quickly walked into the pavilion to whisper a report in the princess's ear.

Hearing that Yang An had come.

Princess Anle, who was lying half - reclined on the couch, opened her eyes, clapped her hands, and immediately the performers and musicians on the stage stopped and bowed to take their leave.

In the blink of an eye, even the theater stage was removed.

Seeing this scene, Yang An sighed in his heart: Is this the life of the rich? They can just keep a whole theater troupe for listening to operas whenever they want. How simple and unpretentious...

After the people on the theater stage had all left.

Yang An was very observant.

He quickly walked into the pavilion and came to Princess Anle's side, bowing and saying, "Your subordinate pays respects to the princess."

Princess Anle didn't respond to him immediately.

She took a handkerchief woven with white silk threads from Zhu who was serving beside her, and then imitating the tone of the female performer on the stage, she theatrically accused him, "You came the day before yesterday, you came yesterday, and you come again today. How can there be such a persistent person?"

Qin Guo'er pinched the handkerchief.

She pretended to wipe the non - existent tears from the corners of her eyes and continued, "Why am I so unlucky? Why did heaven give me such a peerless appearance? Back in Chang'an, there were always suitors swarming around me every day.

"I thought I could have a few days of peace after coming to Yunzhou.

"Unexpectedly, I met you, a philanderer, who is even more outrageous than those men in Chang'an! Those men at least know to send visiting cards and gifts to seek my permission before they try to see me.

"But you? You keep pestering me without a clear explanation!"

Saying that, she pretended to sob twice and lightly punched Yang An on the chest with her raised hand, "Humph, you doggy thing is so annoying~"

Boom!

After Princess Anle finished this set of acting.

Yang An immediately felt a surge of anger. He gritted his teeth and forcefully resisted the urge to press this Dog Woman to the ground and...

He cursed in his heart.

Dog Woman! If it weren't for the Five - Day Intestine - Wrenching Poison!

Even if you begged me to come, I wouldn't!

Just as Yang An was thinking this.

Suddenly, he heard Qin Guo'er let out a cold "Humph". Sensing the murderous intent, he shivered.

Immediately, he wisely put on a smiling face.

Yang An continued the act following the princess's words, "Your Highness is as beautiful as a celestial being, with a fair complexion and natural charm. Your subordinate often misses you so much that he can't sleep at night.

"It's not that I intended to pester you. I just miss you too much, so I dared to come here without permission and offended you. I beg your highness to forgive my offensive behavior out of my sincere affection."

The eight female officials named Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum,

as well as a group of young maids who were pouring tea and water.

were so shocked that their eyes were almost popping out.

They who flattered the princess every day in different ways thought they were already good at it.

Unexpectedly, there was always someone better.

Yang An could say such a long and embarrassing speech without batting an eyelid. They couldn't help but admire him extremely.

Princess Anle suppressed the upward - curling corner of her mouth.

She deliberately put on a straight face and said, "I'm tired."

You just got up from the couch! What the hell are you tired for! Knowing what the Dog Woman meant, Yang An had no choice but to comply.

After Lan and the others courteously turned their backs.

He lay down humiliatingly.

Qin Guo'er lifted her skirt and sat on Yang An's chest. She pinched his cheeks on both sides contentedly and continued with what she had said just now, "So, you've deeply engraved my beauty in your heart?"

The delicate touch under the palace skirt was very alluring.

Yang An steadied himself and said, "I dare not forget a single bit of your highness's beauty."

"Then tell me, what's the difference between my makeup today and yesterday?"

With a clank.

Princess Anle drew out Yang An's dagger.

Smiling sweetly, she pressed against his neck and said, "If you can't tell or say it wrong, then you're deceiving me~"

Yang An: !!!

...

...

...

Thank you all, big brothers and sisters, for your gifts.

I've always forgotten to express my gratitude.

I'm so grateful. I'm so touched.

You actually sent me gifts.

Woohoo.

T_T