Chapter 330: The Chamber Maid

Chang'an City became bustling in an instant with Chen Yan's grand wedding to Princess Changle.

A princess's marriage, especially one that counts as a royal political alliance, is quite a spectacle.

Although it hasn't reached the scale of the later ten‑mile bridal processions, in terms of festivity it is no less.

Every street and alley buzzed with talk, everyone marveling at the Marquis of Weinan's prowess—he married Princess Gao Yang in April and today took the famed Princess Changle.

How could anyone not be envious?

"Your…young miss, let's get back quickly; this place is too dangerous!"

Xiang Lan was on the verge of tears, watching the surroundings gingerly, fearing that anyone who hadn't opened their eyes might bump into Princess Gao Yang.

She didn't know what had happened to Princess Gao Yang, but after returning, the princess had dragged her out of the palace without explanation.

And she only brought three guards.

On the already bustling Zhuque Dajie, crowded with people due to Chen Yan and Princess Changle's wedding, if six‑month‑pregnant Princess Gao Yang were to stumble or be injured, she would be guilty of a crime beyond even her own life.

Xiang Lan understood that, despite Chen Yan's usually easygoing and unpretentious demeanor, when he gets angry he is harsher than anyone.

"What are you afraid of?"

Princess Gao Yang replied indifferently, "I just find staying in the palace boring and wanted to stroll out; what are you worried about?"

"Look, how lively!"

"We never see such scenes normally."

"Besides, isn't Commander Fang here? I trust he will protect me well."

The robust man known as Commander Fang wore a tense expression, his heart heavy with unsaid sorrow, and guarded Princess Gao Yang with two subordinates.

Xiang Lan couldn't help muttering, "But you're pregnant now; with so many people, how could a servant not be afraid?"

Princess Gao Yang ignored Xiang Lan, and, under the protection of three guards, walked forward through the crowd.

Suddenly, she saw a woman whose looks rivaled her own, dressed in a white dress of decent, albeit modest, material.

She stood behind the crowd, gazing toward the palace gates, her eyes swirling with emotions the princess could not decipher.

Princess Gao Yang had not taken it seriously at first, but suddenly recalled Li Lizhi's letter to her, which mentioned Xu Lianyue.

A thought sparked, and she changed direction, heading toward that woman.

Princess Gao Yang's approach immediately caught Xu Lianyue's attention; after all, Gao Yang truly stood out like a crane among chickens—her swollen belly, her aura, the calm and indifferent look in her eyes, and the surrounding Xiang Lan and guards made it hard to ignore.

When Xu Lianyue saw Princess Gao Yang, a flash of panic appeared on her face, and she instinctively stepped forward to leave.

But she ultimately stopped.

She didn't know why she met Princess Gao Yang here, but since she had, and seemed to be looking for her, she had no right to refuse.

"Xu Lianyue?"

Princess Gao Yang gave Xu Lianyue a quick up‑and‑down glance, her tone indifferent.

"Yes, Your Highness, I am Xu Lianyue, a commoner."

Xu Lianyue's palms sweated with nerves as she forced herself to lift her head, trying to meet Gao Yang's gaze.

However, under Gao Yang's eyes, she involuntarily lowered her head.

What kind of eyes were those?

Cold, distant, devoid of any feeling, as if a lofty deity had taken an interest and was looking down at ants beneath.

The pressure they exerted on her was overwhelming.

"I heard you work as a female accountant in your husband's tavern and handle the books well," Gao Yang withdrew her gaze from her and looked toward the Imperial Palace.

Xu Lianyue hesitated, nodded, then hurried, "If you mind, I can leave, even… leave Chang'an City."

Gao Yang snorted lightly, her face expressionless.

"Someone told me your family used to be merchants; would you be interested in going to Weinan County? My husband has many trades that need managing."

"Huh?"

Xu Lianyue looked up in astonishment.

She never expected this Princess Gao Yang, so different from Princess Changle, to say such a thing.

"…to go to Weinan County?"

"What? You don't want to?"

"No, not at all," Xu Lianyue said uneasily, "I don't mean that; I'm just worried my abilities are insufficient, I might not handle such responsibility, and besides… I'm only a woman."

"Being able to work as an accountant under Lord Bo's tavern is already a favor he shows you because of past goodwill; I dare not ask for more."

"I say you can, and you can!" Gao Yang declared resolutely.

"Next month, come to the County Magistrate's Office in Weinan County to find me; I will arrange everything for you!"

Xu Lianyue stood stunned, looking very at a loss.

After a while, she inhaled lightly, trying to calm herself, and asked, "Your Highness, since you know me, you should also know my past relationship with Lord Bo."

"Why do you insist I go to Weinan County?"

"I don't understand."

Gao Yang replied meaningfully, "I know you have always had Chen Yan in your heart, yet you are quite self‑aware, aren't you?"

"You realize the gap between you and Chen Yan is too great, preferring to marry a terminally ill sickly man, tarnishing your reputation rather than putting Chen Yan in a difficult position."

"Honestly, I don't really understand you; after all, I was born with a transcendent status, claiming to understand you would be too false."

"I won't judge whether your actions are right or wrong, because it doesn't concern me."

"But I do understand the feeling of loving someone; Chen Yan once told me a term, 'empathy.'"

"If I were you, I would certainly feel hurt; from now on we would simply go our separate ways, even a single meeting would be a luxury, having to stand among the crowd watching his happiness, the bitterness would be such that I couldn't even speak a word to anyone."

Xu Lianyue silently lowered her head, hiding her expression from Gao Yang.

Her hoarse voice said, "Princess, speak plainly; I am not worthy of pity."

Gao Yang agreed, "You truly are not worthy of pity; after all, back then, if you had been a bit more resolute, you would have been the lady of the Weinan Bo Fu, rising from a mere merchant to the Marquis of Weinan's wife—a step toward heaven."

"I've said it, I won't judge your conduct."

"Sending you to Weinan County isn't because I have no ulterior motives."

"Have you heard of a concubine maid?"

Gao Yang asked with a faint smile; Xu Lianyue suddenly lifted her head and stammered, "You…… you……."

"Don't misunderstand!" Gao Yang made a light gesture, signaling her to stay calm, "I'm not that generous; even Xiang Lan and Qing'er didn't get this chance, so you are even less likely."

"Think carefully: besides warming the bed when the master is indisposed, what other duties does a concubine maid have?"

"Your Xu family was once among the wealthiest in the region; I trust you understand all its ins and outs."

As Xu Lianyue was stunned, Gao Yang turned and left, and a sentence rode the noisy crowd into Xu Lianyue's ears.

"At the very least, I can make you see Chen Yan often!"

"......."