Chapter 486

“Mingyue, what’s the rush?”

At the eastern side of Zhaixing Palace, the deputy attendant Han Shuang saw Mingyue sprinting across the suspension bridge and immediately called out to her with curiosity.

“Your servant greets Lady Han Shuang!”

Han Yue and Han Shuang held official positions as chief and deputy attendants—genuine fifth-rank posts in Great Xia—and the entire Zhaixing Palace had only thirty attendants, all under their command, so everyone bowed to them.

After bowing, Mingyue looked up and smiled: “The Young Master’s trial in Ruhu Forest has been moved to tonight. Lady Han Yue has gone with him—I’ve been sent to inform Lady.”

Hearing this, Han Shuang froze, then waved urgently: “Then go quickly!”

Mingyue nodded and hurried toward Zhaixing Terrace.

“Wasn’t it supposed to be the twenty-eighth? Why the early change?”

Han Shuang murmured to herself, then remembered something and rushed toward the back of the palace.

Soon she arrived at a quiet small chamber at the rear eastern side of Zhaixing Palace, knocked gently on the door, and softly said: “Your Highness, are you awake? Han Shuang has urgent news to report.”

“I’ve been awake for a while. Come in, Aunt Han Shuang!”

No sooner had she spoken than a girl’s voice came from inside.

Though the girl’s tone was slightly languid and carried a chill, her clear, melodious voice revealed she was young—no more than nine years old.

Han Shuang, receiving the reply, slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The room was not large—about eight meters square—but its furnishings were exquisitely refined: to the left upon entry stood a white jade washstand; further in was a redwood round table draped in blue brocade; six chairs encircled it, each made of high-grade beast bone in deep jade hue, their backs carved into distinct beast heads, their cushions lined with uniform blood-jade fox fur.

Against the southern wall stood a weapons rack holding five long swords, three long whips, two broadswords, two ceremonial knives, and over a dozen daggers and short blades—all made of silver, each uniquely elegant, inlaid with gems and jade pendants.

To the north stood a three-meter-tall shelf displaying over a hundred rare treasures, several of which emitted radiant spiritual light—ordinary people would not recognize them.

To the right upon entry stood a bookshelf filled with countless volumes, many yellowed with age, clearly well-read.

The bookshelf split the room in half, leaving a circular archway in the center, hung with hundreds of blue-jade wind chimes—decorative yet partially shielding the inner chamber.

Ding ling ling… ding ling ling…

As Han Shuang opened the door, a cold draft swept in, stirring the blue-jade pendants, filling the room with crisp, melodious chimes.

Han Shuang swiftly closed the door and walked with practiced ease toward the bookshelf, parting the blue-jade wind chime curtain—and her eyes brightened at once.

The outer chamber was already luxurious; the inner chamber was beyond compare. Behind the curtain, every object—small table, dressing stand, bed, gauze curtains, drapes, wardrobe—contained not a single ordinary item. Over ninety percent could not be obtained even from the Inner City Supply Bureau; the remaining ten percent, if available, cost at least 200,000 contribution points.

Yet none of these treasures held Han Shuang’s attention—first, because she knew every detail of this room too well to be impressed; second, because of the girl seated on the bed’s edge, reading a book.

The girl’s black hair was divided into strands, pinned atop her head with three jade hairpins, letting it fall naturally, then tied into a trailing tail hanging over her shoulders—the current most fashionable hairstyle for unmarried girls in Xia Cheng.

But unlike ordinary girls, she wore atop her head a small silver Xuanluan crown, adding further nobility.

Her skin was as white as snow, her eyes bright, her teeth gleaming; her face bore seven-tenths resemblance to Li Xuanling, with three-tenths more playfulness. Three water-blue sacred markings graced her forehead, enhancing her already exquisite features with divine grace—anyone who saw her would feel ashamed.

She wore a deep-blue Xia-style Liuxian brocade dress, embroidered with silver-threaded cloud patterns and phoenix motifs; at its hem hung five or six strands of water-blue tassels, radiating ethereal elegance—she seemed no mortal girl, but a celestial immortal.

“At just nine, she’s grown this beautiful. In a few years, when Your Highness turns fifteen, who could possibly be worthy of her…”

Han Shuang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. She had watched Xia Yuyao from birth, and served her intimately for four years before—she shouldn’t react so strongly.

Yet in truth, as Xia Yuyao matured over the past two years, her breathtaking beauty began to emerge, and Han Shuang found herself moved every time she saw her.

Han Shuang firmly believed the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen was Lady Li Xuanling—and she had once been certain no woman in Bingyuan could surpass her.

But watching Xia Yuyao grow, she was beginning to waver.

Beauty was only one aspect—her talent was even more terrifying.

Thinking of this, Han Shuang carefully studied Xia Yuyao—and after a moment, her face twisted in shock. She stepped forward quickly and asked in delight: “Your Highness, has your base strength already surpassed 270,000 jin?”

Han Shuang had broken through to the Yuhan Rank years ago, possessing superior battle-body potential, and now wielded 32 zong of strength—she could instantly perceive Xia Yuyao’s base strength.

Both princes trained daily with Lady Li Xuanling on Zhaixing Terrace, but the Young Master was restless and could stay no more than three hours a day; the First Princess, however, was naturally quiet and obedient, often remaining on the terrace for days on end, training in seclusion with Lady.

This time, Xia Yuyao had stayed on Zhaixing Terrace for five days—Han Shuang remembered clearly: five days ago, her base strength was only 267,000 jin.

Now, it had already surpassed 270,000 jin!

Xia Yuyao could guess Han Shuang’s astonishment, but her face showed no pride—only a slight nod in answer, followed by a faint smile: “Aunt, why did you come so suddenly?”

Han Shuang snapped back to herself and hurriedly said: “Your Highness, the Ruhu Forest trial has been moved to tonight. The Young Master has already gone with the Dragon Guard. Won’t you go see?”

Hearing this, Xia Yuyao’s eyes flickered with interest—but she quickly suppressed it, shaking her head gently: “No. If the Dragon Guard must mobilize for him alone, my going would only cause more trouble. Besides, Mother would be displeased.”

Han Shuang watched as Xia Yuyao returned to the bed’s edge and opened her book again—her eyes filled with pity.