Chapter 171: Escape

Chapter 171: Escape

"When I first came to Xiuyong, I didn’t find it interesting at all, but after living here for a while, I’ve grown to like it."

Inside the Tui Chen Villa, under the Wisteria Gate, Miss Sui and several other young ladies were accompanying the princesses on the swing, chatting and laughing about amusing stories.

"Why?"

Princess Huaiqing, who was playing with the rope swing with her, asked curiously.

"Because if I didn’t start liking it here, I’d be miserable living in this place!" Miss Sui joked, eliciting smiles from everyone present.

Beaming, Miss Sui said, "Not to hide from the princess, what I love most about Xiuyong are its gourd lanterns. During the Dragon Boat Festival, apart from dragon boat races, the people of Xiuyong County carve gourds out of wood, put candles and zongzi inside, along with a written wish, and then let them float in the water. In the evening, everyone gathers by the river to fish for these lanterns. Whichever you catch is seen as a blessing from Qu Yuan. It's so much fun!"

"Yes, yes! The release of the gourd lanterns is fun, but fishing for them is even better!" Another girl chimed in, clearly enthusiastic about the event.

"The Dragon Boat Festival?" Princess Huaiqing said regretfully, "Then I might not see it. Father is leaving tomorrow."

Even the usually quiet Second Princess showed a look of regret in her eyes, clearly keen to witness Xiuyong County's gourd lanterns.

Miss Sui then said, "I still have gourd lanterns from last year at home. After I return, I’ll send them over, hoping the princesses won't mind."

"Really? Thank you, Sister Sui!" Princess Huaiqing immediately brightened, deftly catching the rope from Miss Sui and casually asking, "By the way, why didn’t Princess Guiren come today?"

The Second Princess, seated beside her, glanced briefly at her before returning her gaze to the rope in her hands, appearing as if she hadn’t heard anything.

"Princess Guiren? I heard she’s ill, but I’m not very sure," Miss Sui answered.

"I see…" Princess Huaiqing nodded, not pursuing the topic further.

While Miss Sui was entertaining the noble guests, Young Master Sui personally drove a carriage towards Jin Xian Street.

Inside the carriage sat a girl dressed as a young lady, her expression anxious. She leaned close to the curtain, whispering, "Young Master, if your father and mother find out about this…"

"Father, mother, and sister are not at home, so how would they find out? Just go in for a while. If the princess is indeed fine, then come out. Even if my parents find out, I’ll protect you. Just say I forced you to do this," Young Master Sui reassured, parking the carriage outside the Song residence on Jin Xian Street and turning back to speak softly.

"But…" the girl bit her lip, clearly frightened, "…what if the people of the Song residence discover I’m not really a young lady?"

"Your stature is similar to my sister’s. Wear a veil, and they won’t recognize you," Young Master Sui insisted.

"Then, Young Master, remember, I’m only going in to check on Princess Guiren for you. If she's fine, I’ll come right out."

"Yes, thank you, Huangli. You’ve helped me a great deal. I won’t forget this and will make it up to you in the future," Young Master Sui said, his gaze drifting but his tone firm, speaking through the curtain.

"Okay," Huangli replied, donning her veil, and softly said, "Young Master, I’m ready."

Young Master Sui nodded, jumped off the carriage, and approached the main gate of the Song residence. He knocked and handed over a visiting card, saying, "Princess Guiren invited my sister to enjoy the flowers some days ago. Please inform her of our arrival."

Recognizing Young Master Sui, the gatekeeper smiled and said, "Please wait a moment," before hurrying inside.

After a short while, the side gate of the Song residence opened, and Lady Liu came out smiling, "Young Master Sui, Miss Sui, please come in."

Young Master Sui said, "I'm just escorting my sister here; I won’t enter."

Since Princess Guiren was a sheltered young lady, it was indeed inappropriate for him to visit inside the residence. In the past, if Miss Sui visited, he would also wait outside the door, so this was not out of the ordinary.

Young Master Sui turned to assist the “Miss Sui” off the carriage and watched her follow Lady Liu into the Song residence.

He waited outside for about half an hour before seeing “Miss Sui” come out. He quickly helped her onto the carriage and drove away from Jin Xian Street.

The carriage wheels rolled faster over the cobblestones, not heading towards the county office but towards the outskirts of the city.

Young Master Sui's heart pounded as they left the city gate. He dared to turn back and ask in a low voice, "Princess, is what you wrote in your letter true?"

Lifting the carriage curtain, Song Ran looked at Young Master Sui with earnest eyes, saying bitterly, “Young Master Sui, at this point, why would I deceive you? The medicine residue Xiaoxing gave you, you must have had it examined by a doctor. The medicine they prescribed me was poisonous!

“I now realize that after visiting Mount Wutai, my appearance drew attention, and I inadvertently incurred Empress Shunyi’s jealousy. She fears me... and intentionally wants to take my life…”

Young Master Sui, feeling both sympathetic and afraid of bringing trouble to his family, worriedly said, “If that empress finds out the Sui family helped you…”

Song Ran interrupted him gently, "Don’t worry, Young Master Sui. Your father is an imperial official. Even if the empress is favored, she cannot reach into these matters. If you don’t believe me, you can leave me here now, to avoid bringing disaster upon yourself."

Seeing her frail appearance, Young Master Sui's heart ached. How could he leave such a delicate woman outside the city?

He immediately said, “Princess, in that case, we should inform His Majesty and ask him to intervene on your behalf!”

“Young Master Sui, although I am the Emperor’s adopted sister, I have been in Xiuyong for a long time and am not as important as the nobles in the palace. If I rashly go there, I probably won’t even see His Majesty, and it might cost me my life,” Song Ran reasoned, observing his expression and continuing, “You’ve already helped me escape, for which I’m extremely grateful. But now, being alone, you are the only one I can trust. Please take me to the Tui Chen Villa.”

“If it’s not advisable to go rashly, why go to Tui Chen Villa?” Young Master Sui asked, puzzled.

“Young Master Sui, our ruse surely won’t fool the people in the Song residence for long. If they search for me, they’ll hardly guess that I’m right under Empress Shunyi’s nose. By hiding in Tui Chen Villa as a maid, I can wait for an opportunity to seek an audience with His Majesty, avoiding Empress Shunyi’s interference.”

Pausing, Song Ran added, “If I can plead my case to His Majesty, I’m sure he will look favorably upon you, Young Master Sui, for aiding my escape from the Song residence.”

Young Master Sui was so overwhelmed by her words that he couldn’t think of any rebuttal to his beloved's pleas.

He whispered, “Princess, there are clothes of a Sui family servant in the carriage. Please change into them for now.”

“Alright,” Song Ran softly agreed, giving Young Master Sui a glance before lowering the carriage curtain.

That look sent Young Master Sui's heart racing, and he whipped the horses, driving the carriage swiftly.

Upon reaching Tui Chen Villa, he pretended to be welcoming his mother and sister, discreetly bringing Song Ran, now disguised as a maid with her face covered, through the main gate.