Chapter 381

The princess's jade carriage continued forward on the main street; along the way civilians made way, and the carriages of officials and nobles also pulled aside.

And the news that Princess Taiping's prince consort had entered the capital spread like wings, flying in all directions.

But inside the jade carriage, their interaction was beyond control.

Ji Yaoyue sat properly upright on one side, her eyes soft as she looked at Heng Xian.

Heng Xian, meanwhile, sat cross-legged, eating grapes, and said: "Your title is Princess Taiping?"

Ji Yaoyue lightly laughed and said: "Yes, I was born in the ninth year of my father's personal rule; the mess left by the previous emperor had already been completely resolved; my father's greatest wish was for the world to be peaceful, with no more war, so he gave me the title Princess Taiping!"

"Taiping is actually also an ancient state, a bit smaller than your homeland Chu, but very prosperous; that is my fief. How about it? Don't you like this title?"

Heng Xian nodded: "I just feel this title is not very auspicious!"

Ji Yaoyue said indifferently: "Then at that time, I'll submit a memorial to ask my father to change my title!"

"At that time?" Heng Xian exclaimed in surprise.

Ji Yaoyue said openly: "Wait until our wedding!"

The wedding!

Heng Xian drifted off slightly, thought, and said: "We haven't married yet, so you probably can't call me prince consort, right? Just now you weren't afraid..."

Ji Yaoyue waved her sleeves and said: "I did it on purpose; you entering the capital can't be hidden from them. Rather than let them secretly and openly deal with you, I might as well show more strength and be more rude—this is the first time I've acted so willfully and capriciously since I grew up!"

"If you don't want to provoke my and my mother's wrath, I'm sure they wouldn't dare provoke you again!"

"Who are they?" Heng Xian asked.

Ji Yaoyue thought, then waved her hand and cast a few talismans to prevent eavesdropping, then transmitted mentally: "The waters of the Great Zhou are deep and unfathomable; imperial and military power have already split into six; the Holy Grace Heavenly Empress, my father the emperor, the Qin Prince, Chang Gongzhu, the elder brother crown prince—each has their own thoughts, and those who follow them naturally act according to their wishes."

"The reason I invited you this time is: first, my grandmother the Holy Grace Heavenly Empress's birthday is coming soon; second, my father and mother want to see you; third, I want my husband to be known throughout the Great Zhou!"

"I hope you won't blame me!"

Heng Xian remained silent for a moment, then likewise transmitted mentally: "I should have come, but you'd better not get involved in these people's affairs; it's better to stick to sect cultivation!"

"Mm!" Ji Yaoyue nodded, this sentence was not transmitted mentally.

Heng Xian glanced outside and said: "After the birthday celebrations, come with me; I'll take you on a wandering tour of the cultivation world in Dongyu!"

Ji Yaoyue's face was full of smiles: "Good!"

As they spoke, the jade carriage suddenly stopped.

The palace lady reported: "Your Highness, we've arrived at the princess's mansion, but Su Mamu and Jia Gonggong have brought people to block the gate!"

"Pfft—" Ji Yaoyue suddenly burst out laughing.

Heng Xian couldn't help but ask: "What are you laughing at?"

Ji Yaoyue said: "Su Mamu and Jia Gonggong are people of my mother and father; they've definitely come to watch us!"

"Watching us?" Heng Xian said.

Ji Yaoyue gave him a sideways glance: "After all, we haven't had the wedding yet; I'm guarding against you bullying me at night, or else a bad reputation would spread!"

That glance couldn't be described as having myriad charms.

Heng Xian leaned back carelessly: "Saying that, I can't not try going tonight!"

"Nice dream!" Ji Yaoyue instinctively kicked him with her toe.

Just then, a soft, yin-like voice came from outside: "Princess Taiping and Master Heng, please dismount!"

Another warm yet dignified middle-aged woman's voice also said: "Exactly! Please, Your Highness and Master, mind your manners and boundaries!"

"Understood!"

Ji Yaoyue regained her princess's dignity.

Heng Xian also rose to his feet.

The two walked out together.

As he stepped out of the jade carriage, Heng Xian glanced around, and instantly his eyes were dazzled by the luxurious mansion before him.

This is a top‑tier mansion; even if you added together the former palaces, Hengdian sets, and all the great gardens from his past life, nothing could match its splendor.

Whether the towering gatehouse, the jade‑green walls, the white marble steps, or the fierce pixiu, every detail was meticulous and beautiful.

Even the plaque bearing the five characters "Taiping Princess Manor" was the work of a master calligrapher, its surface of lustrous gold‑inlaid jade.

At that moment, before the gate, luxury slaves, palace maids, and eunuchs lay everywhere, all kneeling in homage.

The nearest were an elderly eunuch in his sixties and a palace lady‑official who looked about forty.

They must be Jia Gonggong and Su Po Po.

Ji Yaoyue glanced lightly at the two: "Su Po Po, Jia Gonggong, why have you come?"

The old eunuch bowed and said, "Your servant obeys the Emperor's decree and has come to attend to Young Master Heng."

Su Po Po also said, "Your servant follows the decree of Consort De and has come to attend to the Princess."

Without waiting for Heng Xian and Ji Yaoyue to answer, Jia Gonggong first gestured an invitation: "Young Master Heng, please follow this old servant."

Heng Xian had no choice but to look at Ji Yaoyue.

Ji Yaoyue blinked at him, giving him a meaningful look.

Heng Xian actually understood, and gave a slight nod.

Thus the two parted.

The Taiping Princess Manor was so vast that after walking around a bit, Heng Xian felt a bit confused.

Fortunately, the guide Jia Gonggong, like a loyal old servant, turned and explained: "The Princess Manor is divided into east and west mansions; after Young Master Heng and the Princess are wed, you couples will live in the west mansion, while the east mansion is reserved for your future son."

Heng Xian nodded: "Understood!"

Jia Gonggong then asked: "Is this your first time coming to our Great Zhou capital?"

Heng Xian replied: "Exactly!"

Jia Gonggong chuckled: "How does it feel?"

Heng Xian thought for a moment and said, "Magnificent! Mighty! I feel an urge to live here!"

Jia Gonggong smiled even happier: "You, young master, are engaged to Princess Taiping, and the princess herself chose you as her consort; barring any surprise, in the Great Zhou capital you can stay as long as you like, but there's a condition!"

"Oh?" Heng Xian said, "Just say it, Gonggong, no problem."

Jia Gonggong said offhandedly, "You must be obedient, be sensible, and not stir up trouble."

Heng Xian said, "What if I'm disobedient, insensible, and still love to stir up trouble?"

Jia Gonggong obviously hadn't expected Heng Xian to answer that way; after a moment's thought he said, "Then there will be trouble!"

Heng Xian said indifferently, "How big of trouble?"

"Death!" Jia Gonggong's body suddenly emanated a thick aura, enough to be at the post‑Elixir stage, and he said softly, "Our humble old Tàijiān has the power to kill you, young master; what about others, what do you say?"

After he spoke, not only Jia Gonggong himself, but even the group of Tàijiān and palace maids following around him had their auras turn cold, seemingly intending to give Heng Xian a show of force.

However, behind him there was no answer for a long time.

Jia Gonggong turned around in surprise and saw Heng Xian looking at him with astonishment.

"What do you mean, young master?" Jia Gonggong frowned.

Heng Xian pointed at his heart and said, "You practiced Yin cultivation in your youth, and these past years you've also cultivated Yang arts; I don't know if you intended to interchange Yin and Yang, but unfortunately your Yin is excessive and Yang deficient; at your heart, the three apertures converge, the seven qi leak outward, intake less than output—you won't live much longer, poor old Tàijiān!"

Having said that, he shook his head, patted Jia Gonggong on the shoulder, and walked on by himself.

Behind him, Jia Gonggong's face showed astonishment; he quickly took a few steps, trembling all over, and stammered, "Young... young master, how did you see that? You, you're right—I've sought famous doctors everywhere, but hardly anyone could tell; young master, you're an expert?? Please, save this old servant!"

"We'll see how you behave!" Heng Xian strode forward with head held high.

"Old servant, old servant will obey you from now on!" Jia Gonggong hurried after him, panting.

Behind them, a group of palace maids and Tàijiān exchanged glances and hurriedly followed as well.

……

The princess's eastern palace bedroom was especially luxurious and overly large.

The rules were numerous to the point of death.

For example, Tàijiān and palace maids were always in attendance on either side.

At night, a group of palace maids insisted on serving Heng Xian's bath, and not doing so seemed like an insult to the princess's mansion.

Jia Gonggong's attitude did a complete 180‑degree turn; he followed behind, constantly turning about.

Only after finally shaking them off did Heng Xian have time to sit down, circulate his cultivation technique, and run the heavenly circuit.

Just as he was entering deep focus, a faint footstep sounded behind him; Heng Xian opened his eyes, a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth, then closed them again.

A pair of hands suddenly covered his eyes, and a deliberately rough voice said, "Sir, can you guess who I am?"

(End of chapter)