Chapter 112: The Night Brings Peace
The night grew darker, and the lights in the princess’s sleeping quarters were extinguished one by one.
Princess Pingcheng sat on the edge of the bed, watching the palace maids extinguish the lights. When they reached near the bedhead, she suddenly spoke up.
“No need to extinguish this one.”
The palace maids exchanged a glance. The princess always ensured no lights inside the bed curtains for good sleep. What was this today…
Princess Pingcheng picked up the book by the bed.
“I’ll read for a bit before sleeping.”
Oh, like that. The palace maids understood.
“Princess, although the exam is approaching, you can’t stay up late.” One palace maid advised softly.
Princess Pingcheng nodded: “I know. You all may go.”
The princess always had her own ideas, so the palace maids said no more, paid respects, lowered the bed curtains, and withdrew.
Princess Pingcheng lifted her hand to her right face and gently rubbed it. When she withdrew her hand, bright red bloodstains met her eyes. She trembled violently, opened her eyes, and saw the canopy top. Her gaze was blurry.
Had she unknowingly fallen asleep?
Princess Pingcheng took a deep breath, slowly lifted her hand to touch her right cheek—smooth, clean, and unblemished, no blood, no wound.
She did not get up to extinguish the light. With her hand against her face, she turned sideways and gently exhaled.
How frightening.
How could such a terrifying thing exist in the world.
……
…….
The night was deep and still; in the courtyard, the stove fire flickered.
Mo Zheng examined her unwrapped hand by the firelight.
“It’ll leave a scar,” Tao Hua said, looking at Mo Zheng, then snatched over the words, “Anyway, there are already plenty of scars on your body.”
Mo Zheng, who had just opened her mouth, burst out laughing: “Sister Tao Hua is right.”
Tao Hua gave her a reproachful glance, took her hand, took out medicinal powder and sprinkled it on: “If it can be avoided, better not leave it. Use the medicinal powder for a few more days.”
Mo Zheng let her tend the wound and asked Zhang Sheng You: “Has everyone arrived?”
Zhang Sheng You nodded with a cheerful smile: “All arrived, just waiting for the young master’s arrangements.”
Mo Zheng followed Zhang Sheng You out of the alley to an inn located at the West City gate entrance.
It had a large storeroom and livestock sheds, specially prepared for long-distance traveling merchants.
The night was already deep, but those who had rushed on the road and those preparing for long journeys had not yet rested. The inn was brightly lit, with people moving about from time to time, and the kitchen still busy, delivering the customers’ late-night snacks one by one.
“Young master!”
Seeing the youth who entered carrying a food box, dressed in shop assistant clothes, the three men who had been sitting or lying on the large communal bunk immediately got up.
“Uncle Hong.” Mo Zheng greeted with a smile, handing the food box to a thin tall man like a bamboo pole, “A Qi, set out the wine and dishes.”
The man called A Qi set the wine and meat from the food box on the long table, and everyone sat around it.
Hong Lin, dressed as a traveling merchant, looked at the youth before him and sighed: “Young master has gotten thinner again.”
Mo Zheng hurriedly gestured at her own height: “It’s because I’ve grown taller.” Then she looked expectantly at another man with a red-black face and a scar across it, “Uncle Hei, you have a sharp eye. I’ve grown taller, right?”
The man called Uncle Hei laughed; the scar on his face was ferocious, but his eyes were full of affection: “Young master is still young, no rush to grow tall.”
Mo Zheng rolled her eyes and sat down, tossing the wine pot to pour herself a bowl of wine, then looked at the three: “How are the people arranged?”
A Qi and Uncle Hei immediately put away their smiles, their expressions turning solemn.
“The fifteen men I brought are escorting goods as bodyguards, staying at the Swift Escort Security Agency outside the city.”
“Another ten entered the city, scattered working at restaurants, teahouses, and general stores.”
“The children are placed among the beggars.”
“Arranged five women as matchmakers, going door-to-door.”
“These days we’ll buy a restaurant inside the city and a carriage rental company outside.”
As he spoke, Hong Lin spread a blueprint on the table, marking the personnel distribution positions.
“As per your request, young master, we’ve placed men and eyes at the four corner city gates, the four main city roads, Duke Ding’an’s Mansion, Marquis Yichun’s Mansion, Duke Yongwu’s Mansion, and near the Imperial City,” he said.
Mo Zheng nodded and pointed to another location: “Add the residence of Grand Master of Deliberation Li Clan.”
She had not paid attention to this Imperial Consort Li before.
In this academy incident, Imperial Consort Li was gentle and kind, even sacrificing herself to block a staff blow for “Yang Luo.”
But that did not mean she harbored goodwill toward “Yang Luo.”
Since she had seen this person, they should also keep an eye on her and watch closely.
Hong Lin acknowledged and put away the blueprint.
“Ji Ying was also brought back and settled outside the city,” he said. “Does the Young Master want to see him?”
Mo Zheng shook her head: “Seeing him now is useless. Wait until the person behind the scenes takes the initiative to jump out and use him.” After saying that, she instructed again, “Let everyone recognize Miss Yang Luo’s appearance. Also, Liu Chan’s father and senior brother.”
At this point, Mo Zheng felt somewhat apologetic.
Yang Luo felt guilty for making her bear the danger in her place.
But in fact, Yang Luo also had to bear the danger she brought.
Moreover, she was still keeping it from her.
“Last time, the person behind the scenes suffered a big loss and absolutely won’t let it go easily. Although I have Miss Yang’s identity as cover, I can’t guarantee it’s foolproof.” Mo Zheng looked at Hong Lin. “They will definitely come again.”
Hong Lin clenched his hand: “Young Master, rest assured. We’re just afraid they won’t come!”
This time, it was no longer just the Young Master and Zhang Sheng You dealing with it alone.
Mo Zheng stood up, walked to the windowside, and looked at the inn that was still lively at midnight.
“Uncle Hong, this is much livelier than the mountain forest.” She said softly, “Since everyone is here, we should take the chance to enjoy the prosperity of the mortal world.”
Although Zhang the Eunuch said he wanted to live well, living in seclusion in the deep mountains and old forests was their norm, and occasional trips to towns were always in a hurry.
So although under heaven had been peaceful for more than ten years, they still could not enjoy the fireworks of the mortal world.
Hopefully, they could enjoy more of this bustling mortal world next.
……
…….
But enjoying the prosperity of the mortal world did not mean they could sleep carelessly.
“A Luo, A Luo.”
Liu Chan nervously and gently pushed the person beside her.
Mo Zheng turned her neck and lifted her head. The book covering her face slid off, and she saw Princess Pingcheng standing beside her, as well as the young ladies around with complicated expressions.
The morning class had already ended. The instructor let them go to the library to browse freely. This time slot was exclusively open for the young ladies.
The companion reader young ladies were all very happy.
The library was where the Emperor stored the previous dynasty imperial family’s national treasury and collected rare ancient books from under heaven.
Some ancient books could be copied as family heirlooms.
The young ladies happily looked at everything but couldn’t get enough, wanted to see everything. The princess was the same. Everyone selected books and discussed enthusiastically. As a result, passing by the corner of this bookshelf, they actually saw someone covering their face sleeping.
How could she sleep in a precious place like the library! If the Libationer found out, it would be so embarrassing!
Some young ladies were about to scold immediately, but recognizing it was “Yang Luo,” the words on the tip of their tongues were swallowed back. Their gazes turned to Princess Pingcheng.
“Yang Luo” was now the princess’s meritorious official.
“Miss Yang, are you alright?” Princess Pingcheng asked softly.
“Thank you, Princess.” Mo Zheng said, with apology, “I didn’t sleep well last night and kept having nightmares.”
Actually, after seeing Hong Lin and the others last night, they talked too late and she had hardly slept all night.
She managed to stay awake through class, and after coming to the library, she planned to nap a bit while pretending to read, but she was discovered so quickly.
Fortunately, she had a perfectly justifiable excuse.
Sure enough, hearing her say that, the young ladies around were relieved. They hadn’t been injured but were still afraid at night and couldn’t sleep well. This Miss Yang even had bandages on her hands, so it was normal for her not to sleep well.
So she was afraid too. Princess Pingcheng thought to herself, and for some reason, felt a bit happy. Her expression became even more concerned: “I see…”
This guy, relying on her merit, could say anything. Yang Hui, standing beside her, felt both jealous and angry, and couldn’t help but speak up.
“If you’re tired, you should go back to the academy first.”
But this time, she had learned to be smart and pretended to be concerned.
“No matter what, you can’t sleep in the library. This is disrespectful to the Sage.”
Princess Pingcheng hesitated. Yang Luo had merit, and the rewards had already been given. If she indulged her sleeping in the library again, it wouldn’t look good if word got out. It would be better to let her leave early to rest.
She had just opened her mouth when a scolding voice came from above.
“What are you making noise for! Can’t people sleep anymore!”
The male voice was sharp, like fingernails scraping the eardrum. The young ladies present instinctively covered their ears and looked up simultaneously. A fair and pretty face entered their sight, and the pain on the young ladies’ faces instantly faded.
“A Jiao!”
“Wei Jiao!”
The voices of Princess Wuyang and Princess Nangong, who were watching the excitement from the side, also rang out at the same time.
“When did you get back?”
