Chapter 63: Princess Shouyang

The prisoner transport cart was constructed with thick wooden bars nailed around all four sides, leaving only two small and one large holes on the top. After the prisoners were locked inside, their hands were extended out through the small holes and shackled, while their heads protruded through the larger hole and fastened with wooden cangues.

Depending on the severity of their crimes, the weight of the shackles and cangues would increase accordingly.

Wuer and his accomplices were convicted of intentional murder, naturally receiving the heaviest restraints.

Thus, their hands and heads were fixed outside the cage, making it almost impossible to move, forcing them to stand throughout the journey.

When the cart departed, crowds of commoners gathered around, shouting, “Such beasts don’t deserve to ride in a cart?”

“Pah! Exactly! Wasting animal power! How can they compare to donkeys, horses, or calves?”

Little did they know, the roads outside the city were far less smooth than those inside. The prisoner cart swayed violently while moving, and the prisoners, wearing only straw sandals, would soon feel numbness in their legs and feet after standing for a while, almost falling over, desperately wishing to walk barefoot on the ground.

However, their hands and heads were fixed in place, making escape impossible. Before long, their wrists, necks, chins, and other areas would be scraped and bruised from friction, and it was common for their prison clothes to be soaked in blood.

These injuries wouldn’t kill a person, but they were extremely painful, considered a form of punishment tacitly permitted within the legal framework.

Wuer and his group were originally minor ruffians from Donghe County, having committed only petty thefts before the murder. Since they weren’t caught in the act, the public could only suspect and curse them, unable to do anything.

Besides, they were just kids, and many people feared retaliation, so they mostly just accepted their misfortune.

Before departure, Wuer was still standing on the prisoner cart, smugly declaring, “What can these officials do? They’re still the ones pulling the cart for me!”

Everyone looked at him as if he were a fool.

Hmph, an ignorant brat who doesn’t know his place. He’ll soon find out what suffering is like in the coming days.

Xie Yu even ordered someone to gag him at the very beginning.

The sun was bright, and the weather was unbearably hot. The roadside leaves were curled from the scorching heat, and cicadas on the trees screamed desperately, “Hot! Hot!”

The officers wore light clothing and straw hats, unafraid of the sun. Even the animals were periodically doused with water to cool them down, feeling refreshingly comfortable.

As for the two murderers, well, who cares!

Less than an hour after setting off, the necks of the two young killers were already scraped raw by the heavy cangues, their faces sunburnt, red and swollen.

Thick, oily sweat dripped continuously from their hair, flowing into the wounds, causing both pain and itching. Soon, the areas became swollen and the friction worsened.

They wanted to move a bit, but their lower bodies were already numb, their entire bodies feeling as if swarmed by thousands of ants, unbearably tormented.

The accomplice began to cry quietly, his cracked lips bleeding, a pitiful sight.

After being threatened by a fierce-looking officer wielding a whip, he could only hunch his neck and sob.

Someone spat on the ground and scolded, “Now you know how to act pitiful, but where was your conscience when you killed people? Coward!”

The accomplice still felt wronged, sobbing, “I… I didn’t kill anyone. I… I just held their hands and feet. It… It was Wuer who did it…”

“Pah!” The officer spat fiercely onto the ground, “You’re even worse!”

At least Wuer admitted his guilt, but this kid tried to shift blame at the last moment, truly despicable.

Wuer had long lost his earlier arrogance. His forehead and neck bulged with veins, and he kept cursing all the way. If looks could kill, the entire group would have been left without a whole corpse.

However, Xie Yu was well-prepared, having ordered Wuer’s mouth gagged before departure. Thus, everyone happily watched him “mumble” with amusement, unable to utter a single clear word.

Originally, the Kaifeng Prefecture group had traveled day and night, reaching their destination in just a little over a day and a half. This time was different, however, as the prisoner cart couldn’t move quickly and would take at least three days.

Fortunately, there were either government stations or inns along the way, so they didn’t have to worry about where to rest.

That evening, the group arrived at a government station. Xie Yu and others entered to rest, while the two prisoners were lifted down and laid under the shade of a tree to drink water and eat food.

It wasn’t out of sympathy or pity, but rather out of concern that the excessive fatigue and heat might actually kill them.

Moreover, this brief respite would make them fear the upcoming torment even more. Through such repeated cycles, they would feel trapped between life and death, suffering worse than death itself.

The station staff still remembered Xie Yu and his group, and greeted them skillfully, “Sir, you’re back from an official mission? Travelling in heavy rain when you left, and now under the scorching sun. It’s truly tiring.”

The station attendants had meager incomes but heavy workloads. Xie Yu gave a subtle glance to Yuanpei, who immediately took out a banknote, saying, “My lord rewards you for tea.”

Grateful, the station attendant became even more diligent and even volunteered a bit of information:

“Lord Marquis, this morning a noble guest arrived, and, speaking of it, she might have some connection with you…”

“Oh?” Xie Yu looked over.

The station attendant approached, slightly lowering his voice, “It’s Princess Shouyang, who just had a tantrum, smashing plates and dishes all over the floor.”

“Princess Shouyang?” Yuanpei was momentarily puzzled but quickly realized, instinctively looking at Xie Yu, “Indeed, there’s a connection.”

Ma Bing didn’t know who Princess Shouyang was, but since she was a princess, she must be a member of the imperial family. She might be Xie Yu’s aunt, sister, or younger sister.

Xie Yu hummed in acknowledgment, slightly pondering, then said to Yuanpei, “You prepare, I’ll pay her a visit after dinner.”

After all, she was a senior relative. Since they had met and he knew she was here, it would be impolite not to go, or else it might be spoken of unfavorably in the capital later.

However, before Xie Yu could visit Princess Shouyang, she had already received the news and came first.

At that time, the group was having dinner when a commotion was heard outside, as if someone was trying to force their way in.

Yuanpei, A De, and others, still holding their bowls, instinctively drew their swords, protecting Xie Yu behind them, ready to break through at any moment.

“Who is it?”

“Who dares to intrude? Don’t you know the young marquis is inside!”

Then a woman’s voice shouted, “How dare you! Do you know who I am?”

Xie Yu quickly furrowed his brows, then soon relaxed, put down his bowl, and rinsed his mouth, “Let the princess in.”

Soon after, the door opened, and a woman dressed in purple finery strode in confidently.

She was younger than Princess Ningde, also very beautiful, but while Princess Ningde was passionate and flamboyant, like a peony blooming under the sun, this woman’s features were somewhat cramped, giving her a gloomy and sharp look.

Behind her followed a man dressed in the official robe of a fourth-grade civil servant, looking both exasperated and helpless, as if trying to dissuade her but failing.

Xie Yu stepped forward and bowed, “Auntie, Imperial Son-in-law.”

The visitors were none other than Princess Shouyang and her husband, Shen Xuan.

Princess Shouyang was the youngest daughter of the late emperor, and Xie Yu had played with her several times when he was a child, calling her “Auntie” back then.

However, later Princess Shouyang married and moved to a distant province, and Xie Yu never saw her again, only occasionally hearing fragments of news from his mother, saying that this aunt had not been living happily.

Princess Shouyang happily accepted the bow, but Shen Xuan sidestepped, accepting only half of it, “No, no, I dare not.”

Upon hearing this, Princess Shouyang frowned, turned her head to glare at him, clearly showing her displeasure at his lack of ambition.

Shen Xuan pretended not to notice, continuing to bow his head submissively.

Ma Bing found this amusing.

With just one glance, the power dynamics between the couple were clear.

But whether Shen Xuan had always been like this, or only in public, or was merely putting on a show for Xie Yu’s benefit, remained unclear.

Shen Xuan, surnamed Shen, had already reached the rank of fourth-grade official by his early thirties, an unusually rapid rise. Unless he was a prodigy, he must have come from a prominent family.

If Ma Bing recalled correctly, there was a prominent Shen family in Ludong, but they had backed the wrong side during the succession struggle, and their status and power had plummeted after the current emperor ascended the throne.

Years had passed, and the once little boy had grown into a tall young man. As Princess Shouyang looked at Xie Yu, memories long faded flickered in her mind, causing her to feel momentarily dazed.

“It’s been many years, and you’ve grown up,” she said, reaching out to touch his cheek, her tone complex with emotion. “I thought you wouldn’t recognize me anymore.”

Whether Xie Yu truly didn’t understand a woman’s heart, or simply didn’t bother to be polite, he replied very honestly, “When someone told me my aunt was here, I had planned to take a bath first and then visit you later.”

Meaning: It wasn’t that I recognized you, but that someone had told me in advance.

Perhaps, I really couldn’t recognize you anymore…

Ma Bing clearly saw Princess Shouyang’s face stiffen for a moment.

Some people are simply not naturally suited for maintaining familial bonds, like the young marquis.

Since it was a family reunion, it was inappropriate for outsiders to be present. Yuanpei gave everyone a signal, and they all quietly slipped away along the walls.

Proudly, seeing that Xie Yu was not angry, Shen Xuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and followed them out.

He was indeed the princess’s husband, and Xie Yu was the princess’s nephew. In terms of seniority, he could barely be considered Xie Yu’s elder, but…

Well, their princess wasn’t exactly in favor these days, was she?

The two groups stood in the courtyard, eyeing each other awkwardly. One group had been forced to come along, and the other had been “driven out” halfway through their meal. They all looked quite embarrassed when looking at each other.

Ma Bing couldn’t help but secretly observe Shen Xuan.

He had an average appearance, but probably came from a prominent family, with a gentle and outstanding demeanor that made him hard to dislike.

Shen Xuan, already a fourth-grade official, showed no arrogance. He first apologized to Yuanpei and others and even tried to cover for Princess Shouyang.

“My apologies. The princess is longing for her hometown. Upon hearing that the young marquis is here, she couldn’t help but come to recognize him first.”

The people from Kaifeng Prefecture all bowed in return, joining in the casual conversation.

Longing for her hometown?

Not likely?

Judging from Xie Yu’s reaction earlier, it was obvious that his relationship with his aunt wasn’t particularly close. Moreover, the way Princess Shouyang had stormed in, anyone who knew would say it was an aunt visiting her nephew, but someone who didn’t know might think she was here to cause trouble!

Shen Xuan stepped aside and invited, “Since it’s been a long time since relatives have met, we surely have much to catch up on. Why don’t you all come to my courtyard for some snacks and tea?”

Yuanpei and the others dared not get too close to him, shaking their heads vigorously, “No, no.”

Shen Xuan glanced at the row of shaking machines, not the least bit annoyed. With a faint smile, he bowed slightly before taking his leave.

How very dashing indeed.

Then as soon as Shen Xuan left, Yuanpei and Ma Bing exchanged glances, then stealthily crept close to the wall, beginning to gossip openly.

Ma Bing was new, so she asked first, “Is there a bad relationship between Princess Shouyang and Princess Ningde?”

Yuanpei gave her a thumbs-up, “Good job, Erlang. You hit the nail on the head with one question!”

Ma Bing proudly tossed her head, “Of course!”

Looking at Princess Shouyang’s age, how old was she when she got married? And how old was Xie Yu then? Could anyone hold a grudge against a child?

Thinking about it, it could only be that the princess sisters had been at odds with each other back then.

The moonlight was as smooth as water, the stars sparkled, the insects chirped, and not far away in the grass, there were flickering fireflies. The air was filled with the warm fragrance of flowers… truly a perfect season for gossip!

Yuanpei looked around suspiciously and signaled Ma Bing to come closer, “It’s not supposed to be our business to talk about this, but it’s not much of a secret. If you go back to the capital and ask around, you’ll probably get the gist…”

But the information gathered from the common people would have gone through countless imaginations and embellishments. Each spreader would add many dramatic elements based on their own needs and understanding, twisting the truth beyond recognition.

The original parties involved would probably not even recognize the stories as about themselves, so it was better to just listen to Yuanpei’s account.

“Back then, both were princesses, but Princess Ningde was greatly favored, while Princess Shouyang was like a shadow…” Yuanpei suddenly slapped his cheek, and when he moved his hand away, there was a large mosquito, its insides spilling out, smeared with blood.

Seeing this, everyone moved away from him a bit.

Yuanpei angrily said, “Hey!”

Do they have no conscience at all?

I’m risking great danger to tell you all the royal secrets, and you can’t even help me feed the mosquitoes?!

Everyone looked at each other, seeing the precarious state of their camaraderie on each other’s faces.

A few of them hypocritically chuckled a few times, then reluctantly moved back.

A De whispered softly, “It’s useless even if we get closer…”

Somehow, Yuanpei was particularly attractive to mosquitoes. This was truly incurable.

Yuanpei glared, gritting his teeth, “Then why did you run away?!”

Ma Bing felt guilty and took out her folding fan to fan him, “Master Yuan, please continue.”

“That’s better!” Yuanpei huffed, changing legs to support himself before continuing.

Seeing this, everyone even felt their legs going numb and their feet aching, following suit to change positions in an extremely synchronized manner.

The people outside the station, upon witnessing this, were deeply shocked:

Is this why the Kaifeng Prefecture is so capable? They don’t even forget to conduct secret training in the middle of the night!

But… aren’t those postures and movements a bit too vulgar?

People are prone to comparison. Even if there was no prior conflict, over time, Princess Shouyang couldn’t help but feel resentment:

We are both daughters of the emperor. Why are you the center of attention while I’m just an afterthought?

Princess Ningde knew her younger sister’s feelings but was too lazy to explain.

People in the royal family were like this. The so-called favor and happiness were all things one had to fight for oneself. What use was there in just sulking and lamenting?

A few years later, Princess Ningde chose her husband at the imperial examination, immediately setting her eyes on Xie Xian. She used both soft and hard tactics to force the late emperor to grant the marriage, which became a celebrated tale at the time. Princess Shouyang, however, was consumed with jealousy and vowed to find someone even better.

However, later on, the late emperor’s health gradually declined, and the conflicts among the princes intensified, becoming increasingly apparent. In order to gain the support of the scholar-official class, Princess Shouyang’s full brother forced her to marry into the Shen family of Ludong…

Ma Bing exclaimed, “Ah, she’s also a pitiful person.”

“Indeed,” Yuanpei nodded in agreement, “but to be honest, Princess Shouyang herself is somewhat stubborn.”

Initially, the resentful Princess Shouyang could not accept her husband at all. The couple had a very strained relationship. She even submitted several petitions requesting a divorce. Unfortunately, the late emperor didn’t value this daughter much and was preoccupied with prolonging his own life, so he ignored her pleas.

Later on, he simply stopped reading the memorials she sent.

At this point, Princess Shouyang lost all hope and became increasingly stubborn and dissatisfied with everyone.

This time returning to the capital was also because her only brother, the Prince Shun who had forced her into marriage years ago, was critically ill, so she was returning to prepare for his funeral.