"Big brother, I want to transfer out of the manor." Aran looked at the man sitting opposite him, who was wiping his sword. "Give Third Brother Leng's assignment to me."
Since she was going to make a clean break with Xuan Manor, Aran's first step was to leave the Capital, get far away from Chu Hengyuan, and slowly slip out of his sight. When the time was right, she would find an excuse to fake her death, assume a new identity, and escape the imperial court. She would seek out a secluded place to live the life she desired, and never touch blood with her own hands again. Who wouldn't want to live a clean life?
"Why?" Leng Yi put down the sword in his hand. "Why would Xiao Jiu have such a thought?" Among the shadow guards, Aran was ranked ninth in age.
"Third Brother Leng has been in the Northwest for over two years, which is past his term. The Prince has not yet returned from his southern tour, so the transfer orders haven't been issued. One of us is bound to relieve Third Brother," Aran answered Leng Yi, feeling a twinge of guilt.
"Even so, it's not your turn, Xiao Jiu. Are we men just for show? The Northwest is bitterly cold, and you're a young woman—" Leng Yi hadn't finished.
"What's wrong with being a woman? Do our shadow guards make distinctions between men and women?" Aran interrupted Leng Yi.
Leng Yi furrowed his brows and stared at Gu Ranran. "Ajiu, you aren't telling the truth!"
Under Leng Yi's gaze, Aran gave an involuntary shudder, then quickly turned her mind and gave a bitter smile. "Ah, Big brother is truly big brother. You see right through me!"
"Tell the truth." Xiao Jiu was brought up by him personally; he could certainly tell whether she was being honest.
"The Prince will be back in the city tomorrow, and upon his return, he will request an imperial decree to betroth Eldest Miss Murong! Eldest Miss Murong dislikes female attendants serving the Prince. Rather than annoying the future mistress and incurring the Prince's displeasure, I'd rather go to the Northwest!" Aran wore an expression of intense discomfort.
Leng Yi pondered for a long while. "Go back for now. If this truly makes you so uncomfortable, I will speak to the Prince about it!"
Aran breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she stepped outside the courtyard of Chenyang Pavilion, she heard Grand Eunuch Bai hurrying over while shouting at the top of his lungs, "Hurry, hurry, hurry! Prepare yourselves! The Prince has already reached Ten-Mile Slope outside the city and will be back at the manor any moment! Get yourselves together and wait by the main entrance!"
"Grand Eunuch Bai, didn't they say the Prince wouldn't arrive in the Capital until tomorrow?" A little eunuch sweeping outside Chenyang Pavilion voiced the very question in Gu Ranran's mind. In her past life, hadn't Chu Hengyuan returned the next day? Why was things different from her previous life?
"Imperial Guard Cheng Qian, who accompanied the Prince on the southern tour, has already arrived at the manor, and the Prince has reached Ten-Mile Slope. You, you, and you—get a move on!" Grand Eunuch Bai pointed at the sweeping eunuchs. "If this isn't cleaned before the Prince returns, don't blame me for having you beaten with the paddle!"
After a flurry of activity, everyone gathered outside the main entrance. Gu Ranran looked around and slipped into a corner to stand there, trying to minimize her presence.
"He's here, he's here, the Prince is back!" Following Grand Eunuch Bai's shrill voice, Gu Ranran looked up. The first thing that met her eyes was Chu Hengyuan's stern and handsome face. He wore a golden crown, his dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, his skin was white as jade, and his eyes held a vast expanse of stars.
Chu Hengyuan reined in his white horse before the doors, and everyone immediately dropped to their knees in a bow. "This servant pays respects to the Prince!"
Handing the reins to the groom, Chu Hengyuan's gaze swept over the kneeling crowd. Without a word, his eyes finally found that familiar figure huddled in the corner!
"Rise," Chu Hengyuan said, his voice carrying a trace of hoarseness.
"Yes," the crowd chored as they stood and followed Chu Hengyuan into the manor. Only then did Gu Ranran slowly loosen her clenched fists, and the warmth gradually returned to her chilled fingertips.