Chapter 14: The Madly Passionate Prince and the Pampered, Spoiled Princess (14)

“Princess, here are the household registration records for Canzhi.”

On the yellowed bamboo booklet, densely packed lines of characters were written. Canzhi’s household registration was easy to verify; the Ministry of Household had documented it. Two years ago, she was selected to enter the palace, and a year ago, Emperor Chu’an assigned her to monitor Princess Jianing.

Throughout the year, any harm that befell Princess Jianing was promptly reported to Emperor Chu’an. Concealing such incidents was met with severe punishment. This time was no different, and thanks to her efforts, Shuyao had knelt the entire night.

Though she lacked the original owner’s malice, she shared one trait: a relentless desire for revenge.

Having someone’s eyes constantly watching was uncomfortable; it was only satisfying to eliminate the source of irritation.

“Bring Canzhi in!”

“Princess...”

Canzhi hurried forward and knelt prostrate. Even if she were foolish, she understood that Princess Jianing was looking for trouble.

Shuyao reclined on the soft couch, lazily propping her cheek, her fair skin slightly puffed. She peeled a peach, the juice staining her fingers, which she delicately wiped away before lifting the crystal-clear flesh with a golden fork and placing it into Shuyao’s mouth.

As for Canzhi, without the princess’s permission, she remained kneeling, awaiting orders.

Her heart pounded fiercely; despite having prepared herself mentally before entering the hall, she still felt fear.

The princess’s temper was unpredictable, and the punishment could be harsh. She had braced for the worst.

The incense burned down swiftly, and the peach was replaced with a fresh one.

Outside the carved wooden window, dusk deepened, the vermilion eaves bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun.

Inside the hall, an eerie silence prevailed, broken only by the faint crackle of incense burning, which seemed to prickle the nerves and unsettle the mind.

Canzhi would rather have the princess burst into fury and lash her with a whip or punish her with a board.

Anything was better than this slow torment, like a hawk being starved to death.

The princess rarely showed such patience; at this moment, she must be at her limit.

Her knees ached terribly, but Canzhi dared not move. Sweat dampened her back, soaking through her inner garment, clinging unpleasantly to her skin.

The woman on the couch seemed asleep; from this angle, only her serene sleeping face was visible.

Quiet and still, like a porcelain doll.

Stripped of her usual fierce and sharp demeanor, she appeared gentler and kinder.

Canzhi reached out quietly, intending to rub her aching knees, but before she could move, a sound from the couch signaled the princess’s awakening.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly lowered her head in guilt, her breaths growing heavier.

Shuyao opened her eyes and stretched languidly, casting a cool glance at the kneeling figure on the floor.

“Are you comfortable kneeling?”

Canzhi’s heart pounded anxiously as she stammered, “Shu... comfortable.”

Shuyao curled her lips, reached around the golden gauze curtain, and slowly pulled it aside, her tone languid, “Canzhi, I have a question for you.”

Canzhi instinctively clenched the fabric on her legs, smoothed out the glaring creases.

“Why did you enter the palace?”

The woman’s voice carried a hoarse quality from just waking, her seaweed-like hair draped carelessly over her shoulders, each movement full of allure.

She evoked the image of a noble and beautiful Persian cat sent as tribute from a vassal state.

Canzhi trembled and replied in a quivering voice, “Your Highness, I was sent by His Majesty to care for the princess’s health.”

Shuyao found it amusing. “That’s quite the ‘care’—diligently reporting my every move to His Majesty, making me kneel the whole night. Are you satisfied with that?”

Cold sweat poured from Canzhi’s forehead as she kowtowed desperately. “Princess, have mercy! I am but a pawn.”

“Explain this ‘pawn’ business.”

Canzhi lay prone, pressing her nose to the soft carpet, banging her forehead hard on the floor.

“This is His Majesty’s order—I dare not disobey!”

Smack!

Shuyao snatched up a teacup and smashed it before Canzhi’s eyes. “So your father is your master, but I am not?!”

Canzhi trembled violently, stammering, “Your Highness’s status is exalted; naturally, you are Canzhi’s master.”

“Telling tales to your master—such a dog servant like you ought to be drowned in a pig cage, huh?”

“Princess, mercy!” Canzhi turned deathly pale. “Princess, mercy! I know my mistake!”

Shuyao stood and walked barefoot toward Canzhi. Her skin was dazzling white as snow.

She lightly lifted Canzhi’s chin with her toe, the soft arch of her foot drawing a perfect curve in the air, a scent of rose wafting.

“I recall you have a younger brother by the same mother?”

The woman’s smile was gentle and innocent, but her words were venomous.

Canzhi felt as if plunged into an ice pit; she grasped Shuyao’s skirt desperately, eyes reddened with tears, pleading, “Princess, mercy! My brother is innocent!”

“Punish me alone, please don’t harm my brother!”

“I confess—I beg you to kill me!”

Shuyao laughed, “Killing you would be too easy; killing your brother would hurt far more.”

“You make me suffer—how could I let you live comfortably?”

Tears she had held back spilled uncontrollably as a flood of terror swept over her.

“Your Highness, I truly repent.”

“I... my brother is young and knows nothing. You are kind-hearted—please spare him!”

“I will do whatever you ask, anything at all!”

She trembled, tilting her head upward, pointing at herself, hoping Shuyao would show mercy.

This was exactly what Shuyao wanted to hear.

“Anything at all?”

Canzhi nodded hastily. “Anything!”

Shuyao tilted her head, troubled. “Father punishes me daily over such matters; it pains me.”

“Rest assured, I will no longer report to His Majesty. Even if he inquires, I will only say the princess’s health is well.”

“How clever.”

Shuyao smiled and tapped Canzhi’s nose, leaving a faint, lingering scent.

She straightened, lifting her chin slightly.

“Now get out. If there’s a next time, I will not be so lenient.”

Canzhi scrambled out of the hall, while Shuyao returned to her couch.

Wangtao asked, “Princess, you’re letting her off just like that?”

“Much ado about nothing—that’s not like the princess.”

“Can’t press too hard. Even clay has some spirit; if pushed too far, she might bite back, and that would harm us both.”

“Besides... with a handle on her, I doubt she’d dare betray us.”

Wangtao listened with partial understanding.

She felt the princess had changed.

Though her words remained as harsh as before, her attitude toward servants and her methods had softened considerably.

Many servants had even begun to favor the princess, making Wangtao feel her own position was precarious.

Wangtao said, “It’s late; I’ve sent someone to heat water. Will the princess bathe?”

“The wolf fur collar we made is ready as well. You can try it later.”

Shuyao nodded slowly. “Yes.”

Weary all over, a cleansing bath would do some good.