Resplendent – Chapter 446

Chapter 446: Passing by Each Other

“Did they perhaps enter through Guanghua Gate?” Gu Ye sighed.

Guanghua Gate was in the East District. If they really came through that gate, wouldn’t that mean they were going against the current of the crowd the entire way? Heavens, would she even make it to the Pharmacists’ Gathering today?

Princess Anya sighed. “It really is through Guanghua Gate. How about we take a detour and go through the south of the city?”

Gu Ye was about to agree when suddenly a surge of people rushed ahead, and someone shouted, “They’re here! They’re here!”

The streets became even more crowded, and their carriage got trapped in the middle of the throng, unable to move.

Chu Mushan jumped off his horse and comforted his anxious sister, “Don’t worry, it’s still early. The carriage can’t get through. How about we leave it and I protect you as we move through the crowd?”

Gu Ye nodded and jumped down from the carriage. Today, she was still wearing the outfit issued for the Apothecary Guild, layered over her light blue narrow-sleeved riding attire. On her feet were pale blue satin boots inlaid with pearls, and her half-bun hairstyle was adorned with pearls, giving her a look that was both delicate and playful.

“Princess, you should wait in a teahouse until the crowd clears before heading to the Apothecary Guild,” Gu Ye said, no longer paying any attention to the clingy princess tagging along. She was barely managing to take care of herself, for goodness’ sake!

Princess Anya nodded but ungratefully said, “You’d better just mind yourself.”

Gu Ye knew the princess had an unpleasant mouth and didn’t bother arguing.

Chu Xiaoliu, the overprotective brother, glared fiercely at her and muttered, “Biting the hand that feeds you, ungrateful.”

With her two brothers clearing the way on either side, Gu Ye slowly weaved through the crowd. The closer they got to the East District, the denser the crowd became. Two lines of soldiers kept the onlookers on either side of the road, while a procession of mounted men slowly passed from east to west in the center.

“They’re here! The emissaries of Yan Kingdom are here!” the people beside Gu Ye exclaimed. She was swept along uncontrollably by the crowd; if it weren’t for her two brothers protecting her, she might have ended up at the center of a stampede.

“They’re here, so what? What’s so interesting about them? Yan Kingdom people have two eyes and a mouth too,” Gu Ye muttered irritably.

A young man beside her, looking like a scholar, heard her impatient complaint and smiled, saying, “There’s really nothing special about the people of Yan Kingdom. But Yan Kingdom does have a War God Grand King General, a true war hero. That’s why everyone’s a little curious about them.”

“Grand King General?” She frowned. Wasn’t he Brother Chen? Gu Ye asked unhappily, “The Grand King General has come? Why haven’t I heard about it?”

Just the day before yesterday, she had received a letter from Brother Chen.  The letter made no mention at all of him coming to Dongling Kingdom. If he dared to sneak here without telling her, she’d show him exactly how she would deal with him! Hmph!

Ling Juechen who was sitting in the carriage with the Fourth Prince suddenly felt his nose itch and let out a big sneeze. 

The Fourth Prince, his slightly pale face curling into a smile, asked, “What’s the matter? Even the so-called War God of Yan Kingdom, strong as an ox, can catch a cold and sneeze?”

“I’m perfectly fine!” Ling Juechen touched his chin.

Could it be that his little lady was thinking of him? That must be it! After being apart for several months, he missed her too!

The Fourth Prince teased, “Cousin, don’t give me that lovesick expression. People might start thinking you’re interested in me! Do you know what they’re saying outside?  They say that even at your age, you haven’t married because you don’t like women!”

He finished with a mock-shy demeanor, shifting slightly to the side. In his eyes, there was a hint of appraisal: Here you are, a formidable general, choosing not to ride outside but to squeeze into a carriage with me. What’s your intention? Could it be that you’re irresistibly drawn by my handsome face?

Ling Juechen cast him a cold, indifferent glance. “Your Highness, you’re overthinking it.” He simply didn’t want to be ogled like some rare spectacle by a crowd of citizens. Besides, he wanted to give that little lady a surprise and didn’t want to reveal himself too early.

“I see. You’re hiding your extraordinary good looks because you’re afraid the young ladies of Dongling Kingdom will be so captivated by your charm that they’ll cry and beg to marry you. That’s why you conceal your beauty, right?” the Fourth Prince said, stifling a laugh.

The Fourth Prince’s personal steward, standing nearby, was filled with worry: Everyone in Shengjing knew that the Grand King General hated having his appearance joked about. Your Highness,  you’re playing with fire!

Unexpectedly, Ling Juechen calmly accepted the ‘compliment.’ And whether the Fourth Prince said it or not, it was true: he did think that way. He already had a girlfriend now; less trouble was better than more. If that little girl got jealous, he would be the one to suffer.

“Eh? Having someone you like really is different, isn’t it? I’m so curious. What kind of woman has captured Cousin’s heart?” The Fourth Prince had originally prepared to defend himself from a sharp critic, but was instead surprised at how calm Ling Juechen seemed. He was genuinely curious: what kind of extraordinary woman could tame the fierce Grand King General?

“You… You will find out!” Ling Juechen’s icy eyes now carried a trace of warm tenderness. The Fourth Prince clicked his tongue in astonishment, his curiosity reaching its peak.

The envoy’s procession from Yan Kingdom slowly passed through Gu Ye’s line of sight. She was surprised to see a familiar figure sitting straight atop a horse, passing right before her eyes.

“Dapeng? Why is he here?” Gu Ye quickly stood on tiptoe, scanning the rows of Yan Kingdom guards, but her hopes sank as she lowered her gaze. 

Sure enough, there was no sign of Brother Chen. He had just returned victorious from a battle; he probably wouldn’t be sent on another mission so soon, right?

As for Dapeng… he had probably received a promotion after returning. When he wasn’t acting foolish, he was actually quite capable. Dapeng had been personally promoted by Brother Chen; he wasn’t meant to remain just a shadow of him forever. Thinking this, Gu Ye felt relieved.

“The Fourth Prince! The Fourth Prince of Yan!” A gust of wind blew, lifting the curtain of the carriage and revealing the handsome man inside. The crowd around Gu Ye erupted in excitement.

She glanced over and pursed her lips: the Fourth Prince of Yan was nothing special. Compared to her Brother Chen, he was far inferior!

“It should be Prince Ning, right? I heard the Fourth Prince of Yan is a sickly sort. He forced himself to come this time, probably to seek medicine from the great physicians. Those doctors are all very proud. Let’s see if the Fourth Prince gets what he wants!” The few commoners around Gu Ye eagerly whispered about the prince of Yan.

Another commoner sighed and said, “This time, Yan has sent the newly titled Prince Ning to escort the Fourth Prince! Along with them are people from various places seeking medical help or medicine. They all have the same intentions as the Fourth Prince… Sigh, it’s not easy at all!”

Gu Ye raised an eyebrow. 

The Fourth Prince of Yan Kingdom? The poison he contracted should have already been mostly cured. Why was he coming here to join the commotion? Could it be that he has some other complicated illness after all?