THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 42: The Messenger's Daughter

Princess Duanmu, the daughter of Emperor Xiaxi's emissary came to the Ling imperial palace three weeks after the arrival of the peace agreement letter. The daughter of Emperor Xiaxi came with four other envoys to discuss the peace treaty.

As soon as the princess entered the palace, she was already greeted with all sorts of praise from the ministers and princes who happened to be in the banquet hall. Princess Duanmu was very beautiful and dignified. That charm was poking out from within her graceful self.

In Shen Yanzhia's eyes, Princess Duanmu was the same as the other princesses, although her heart acknowledged that she admired her beauty. Shen Yanzhia had already gone through many things in this world. He already knew who was truly sincere and who was just acting gentle to seek people's attention.

The banquet to greet the Xiaxi envoys made Shen Yanzhia uncomfortable. He was forced to be kind as a obedient baby because the Queen Mother said, this agreement is very important for the survival of the people of Ling and Xiaxi. This was a hard-earned treaty after sacrificing hundreds of thousands of soldiers' lives over decades.

At the request of Consort Duan as Grand Concubine, Princess Duanmu was welcome to stay in the residence belonging to Prince Qin. The request was also approved by the palace ministers as they considered that this marriage to peace should be done after the Emperor was cured. Princess Duanmu was not allowed to stay in the palace to avoid public suspicion.

The days that Shen Yanzhia was living had become even more difficult because Princess Duanmu had always bothered her. Shen Yanzhia could still understand if Princess Duanmu asked her to accompany her for a walk through the hustle and bustle of Rouwu city. Something that made Shen Yanzhia very upset was Princess Duanmu's beauty and elegance which left the princes on the Ling mainland spellbound. Every day, the princes often come one to two times.

Fortunately, the concubines of Lin Zian in this residence did not act out and did not cause him any hassles. The three concubines seemed to know themselves to understand the situation. None of the three concubines came or appeared.

"I really want to be a nun!"

Shen Yanzhia complained almost every night. His body became thinner because of the time spent a lot to help prepare all the needs of Princess Duanmu. Tan'er has always been faithful to accompany him. Occasionally the servant girl would massage her shoulders and head to make Shen Yanzhia feel calmer.

"Where is Lin Zian?"

"Wangye went to the palace since this afternoon."

Lin Zian became busier than usual. During the day, the man spent time inside the palace court and in the evening, he locked himself inside the East Pavilion. Did the man not have time to meet or speak a word to her?

Ever since the incident when Shen Yanzhia knew Lin Zian was at Consort Yu's residence that night, Lin Zian acted as if she was away from him. Although her actions were nothing suspicious, Shen Yanzhia was sure that the man was indeed keeping a distance with her.

Shen Yanzhia did not care. He just tried to comfort himself and ignore it. The woman did not want to dissolve in prejudice. He guessed Lin Zian must be planning something.

The blood letter she found out about a few weeks ago is still stored in her bedroom drawer. Shen Yanzhia deliberately did not return the letter to Tang Yin as she had to make sure of the contents many times. He will return it the day after tomorrow when he comes out of the Qin residence.

That late night he spent looking at the phoenix jade hanger. That beautiful jade had always kept Shen Yanzhia close to the late Crown Prince. Little by little, the clues to the truth were revealed and found a bright spot.

Shen Yanzhia had already vowed that she would not rely completely on Lin Zian. He would find out for himself the truth behind this phoenix jade. Shen Yanzhia planned to go to the residence of Prince Yun in a few days. Incidentally, she got word that her first brother, Shen Jin, was coming with her husband, Prince Duke Wu of Baindu. Shen Yanzhia was closest to her first brother. He wants all of you to miss his beloved sister.

...***...

"Jie-jie wangfei!"

Princess Duanmu barged in while carrying a book. Shen Yanzhia who had just finished changing clothes just glanced at him with the corner of her eyes. Princess Duanmu was too diligent until she came very early in the morning.

"I'm very interested in this book. I heard, there are a lot of rare flowers in this country. Can you accompany me in search of those beautiful flowers?"

Shen Yanzhia agreed to accompany Princess Duanmu. The two set off after the sun began to rise as a piece of the head. The two of them walked through Rouwu city without being accompanied by bodyguards. Only Tan'er and a personal servant of Princess Duanmu followed them to help.

The flowers Princess Duanmu bought were exotic flowers that only grew on the mainland of the Ling empire. Here, the flowers are priced at five silver taels per stem. Princess Duanmu's interest in flowers turned out to be quite great. Shen Yanzhia patiently told and explained whenever the princess asked about the flowers she saw.

On the way, Shen Yanzhia passed Tang Yin. The talented young detective seems to be on vacation because he is not wearing official Bureau of Investigation clothes. As soon as they faced each other, Tang Yin lowered her head in salute.

"Wangfei jie-jie, who is this handsome brother?" ask Princess Duanmu.

"Ah, he is Detective Tang, trust detective Lin Zian of the Bureau of Investigation. Detective Tang, this is Princess Duanmu, the daughter of Emperor Xiaxi's envoy."

Tang Yin immediately lowered her head in salute as soon as she knew the woman beside Shen Yanzhia was the daughter of Xiaxi's envoy.

"Wangfei, you left without an escort. This is inappropriate, let alone beside you is the messenger's daughter."

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

The two princesses from the two different kingdoms walked towards Lingxiang Pavilion. There, Mo Ran was already waiting for them. This was the first time Princess Duanmu had come to a building that was not a brothel but the facilities and service were excellent.

"It turns out, Princess Xiaxi is indeed very beautiful and graceful," Mo Ran praised as he looked at Princess Duanmu.

The owner of the Lingxiang Pavilion brought Shen Yanzhia and Princess Duanmu upstairs. A variety of delicious food has been served on the table. Princess Duanmu's eyes lit up brightly when she saw a roasted chicken soy sauce.

"Where do you know my favorite food?"

"I asked your attendant at the palace a few days ago."

Shen Yanzhia smiled to see Princess Duanmu eating the dishes of the Lingxiang Pavilion. Not in vain he spent a lot of money to please the messenger's daughter. The Queen Mother had indeed asked him to do all this. The noble lady also asked Shen Yanzhia to always be patient with this one princess.

Within Shen Yanzhia's heart, the ugly look towards her slowly changed direction. Her dislike and her sense of unease evaporated when she saw the beautiful face smiling with bright twinkle of eyes.

An Emperor's daughter who was sent to marry into another land for reasons of peace must have been a princess who was not very well liked. If the princess was indeed dear, the Emperor of the land would definitely not be willing to throw his own daughter into another land.

"You don't miss your family?"

Princess Duanmu's mouthful came to a halt. The beautiful woman put down her chopsticks and looked at Shen Yanzhia. Those eyes were implying a deep sadness. Princess Duanmu's face turned moody.

"I deliberately went to this country."

"You mean?"

"I volunteered to go as the princess of peace."

Princess Duanmu told me that she was the eldest daughter of Emperor Xiaxi. Her mother was a concubine who died when she was two years old. In that magnificent palace, Princess Duanmu was treated well by the palace servants. She's a smart girl. He mastered various kinds of science when he was eight years old.

Princess Duanmu's childhood was spent with luxury. But he is not blind. Princess Duanmu always remembered studying. At night, he rarely sleeps because he is always busy reading books. The lessons of the imperial teacher were well mastered.

Over time he realized that he was just a bird in a golden cage. He wanted to get out of the golden cage and flap his wings in the free world. Ever since her mother died, her father never met her or took the time to play with her. The person who should be his companion and guide is a stranger who only gives him wealth and success.

Princess Duanmu really did not expect to return to Xiaxi. He has long dreamed of freedom. That is why, when two captive generals who had survived the war came to make an offer of peace, he volunteered to leave.

"But, won't the end be the same? You'll remain locked up in the palace after marrying the Crown Prince."

"I'm sure the people in this country are open-minded."

Shen Yanzhia finally understood Princess Duanmu's wish. He did not come to marry, but to seek freedom. A bird confined in a golden cage needs open space to breathe fresh air before being confined back for eternity.

"May be hard to avoid. At least, I can see with my eyes how vast this land is. My view is no longer blurry because of the palace's high walls."

The reason Princess Duanmu accepted happily when she was ordered not to stay in the palace was probably because of this. In the palace, he was unable to enter and roam around freely. Whereas if he stayed in the Qin residence, he could freely ask Shen Yanzhia to go with him wherever he wanted.

"Wangfei jie-jie, sorry to bother you."

"It's okay. I get it."

The two princesses had only come out of the Lingxiang Pavilion after the sun had almost set. A horse-drawn carriage came to pick them up. After today, Princess Duanmu had someone who understood her predicament.

Shen Yanzhia felt like she had a new brother.

...***...