Chapter Twenty-Three: Princess Changning

To Chen Kan’s explanation, the young woman was stunned for a moment before retorting with disdain, "Do you really think I’m going to believe that?"

Chen Kan scratched his head and replied, "I suppose... you probably wouldn't, would you?"

"Hmph! Do you take me for a fool? Tell me, who exactly are you, and what are you doing here? If you don't speak up, I’m going to call for help!"

The woman let out a cold snort, her clear eyes filled with a sharp, guarded intelligence that suggested she was not so easily deceived.

"Oh, I see! You’re a thief, aren't you? How bold you must be to break into the Imperial Palace to steal!"

A look of realization dawned on her face, and she opened her mouth to scream.

"Grab—mmph!"

Fortunately, Chen Kan was quick. He clamped a hand over her mouth and pinned her against the wall in a classic "kabedon" stance.

The woman’s attempt to cry out failed.

"Don't shout, or don't blame me if I decide to silence you permanently!"

Chen Kan was panicking. If he were caught alone in a room with one of Zhu Di’s women, given the Emperor’s volatile temper, wouldn't he be as good as dead?

"Mmph..."

The woman's large eyes were filled with panic, but with Chen Kan’s hand over her mouth, she dared not struggle too much. After all, anyone brazen enough to steal from the Imperial Palace had to be a cold-blooded, notorious criminal.

He was done for!

"Listen, if we’re discovered, neither of us will have a good ending. After all, you wouldn't want to be branded with the label of illicit relations and then hacked to pieces by His Majesty, would you?" Chen Kan threatened viciously.

But as soon as the words left his lips, the panic in her eyes turned to shock, followed immediately by fury.

"Mmph..."

The woman suddenly began to struggle.

"Be quiet!"

Chen Kan lost his temper and, with his free hand, delivered a sharp slap to the woman’s rounded backside.

Her eyes widened in absolute disbelief.

A moment later, her eyes blinked rapidly, and large, bean-sized tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Huh?"

"Why are you crying?"

"Don't cry!"

Chen Kan panicked. Was this woman made of water? He hadn't even used that much force, yet she was already sobbing. Her tears flowed more and more, eventually dripping onto his arm.

Out of options, Chen Kan whispered, "I can let you go, but you must promise not to make a sound. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to knock you unconscious!"

"Mmph... mmm..."

The woman nodded, though her tears continued to fall like a broken kite, impossible to stop.

"I’m going to count to three, and then I’ll release you. But remember, no screaming, understand?"

Chen Kan repeated the warning, not entirely reassured, and the woman nodded once more.

"One, two, three."

As he finished the count, Chen Kan removed his hand from her mouth. He cursed his luck silently—how had he ended up crossing paths with one of Zhu Di’s women?

Wait.

Something wasn't right.

Why would one of Zhu Di’s women be here? Shouldn't she be hidden away in the inner palace, never stepping beyond the gates, waiting quietly for the Emperor’s favor? Why would she be alone in a small, dark room belonging to the Ministry of Rites?

This was all wrong—completely wrong!

Chen Kan suddenly realized that if the woman before him were indeed one of Zhu Di’s consorts, her presence here made no sense.

Could it be?

Realizing his mistake, Chen Kan hurriedly asked, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The woman only continued to weep, perhaps overwhelmed by her grievances, occasionally letting out a sob. But, intimidated by Chen Kan’s earlier aggression, she dared not make too much noise.

Annoyed by her incessant crying, Chen Kan hissed, "Stop that."

"Hmph... hmph..."

The woman shuddered at his tone, let out two more sniffles, and forced herself to stop. Her face remained puffed up, looking like a disgruntled little victim.

"Now, I ask, you answer. But keep your voice down, or I’ll knock you out. Do you understand?"

Chen Kan’s threat worked; the woman nodded timidly.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" he asked.

The woman replied in a low, honest voice, "My name is Zhu Yuelan. I am the Princess of Changning, personally titled by the Emperor’s grandfather. My jade pendant was lost, so I came here to find a replacement."

Chen Kan: "???"

You’re a Princess?

Why the hell didn't you say so earlier?

Chen Kan felt his world collapsing.

He had actually offended a Princess? He had offended Zhu Di’s daughter? And he had slapped her on the backside!!!

This was a disaster!

How could he have lost control over a mere bout of hunger? Now, after barely escaping the dungeons with his life, he had gone and offended Zhu Di’s own daughter.

Heaven, don't do this to me!

My house isn't even renovated yet, and I haven't even heard a peep from the one thousand taels of gold I spent. I haven't even taken a wife yet.

Help!

Knowing her identity, Chen Kan felt a bitter ache in his heart.

"Thump..."

His legs gave way, and he collapsed onto the floor. A moment later, his face was streaming with tears.

"Your Highness, please spare me!"

Chen Kan let out a sudden wail that left Zhu Yuelan frozen in shock.

"Princess, I didn't mean to offend you! I was just so hungry I couldn't bear it anymore, that’s why I was looking for something to eat!"

Chen Kan bawled, leaving Zhu Yuelan completely bewildered. What was going on? Was this "notorious criminal" out of his mind?

"It was your father! It was him! He summoned me to the palace but wouldn't see me. They didn't provide any food in the palace, and I wanted to go home to eat, but the guards at the Hongwu Gate wouldn't let me leave. That’s why I came here looking for food! Your Highness, please see the truth—I truly did not mean to offend you!"

Chen Kan rambled incoherently, stealing glances at Zhu Yuelan’s face. Seeing her stunned expression, he opened his mouth wide and started howling again.

Zhu Yuelan’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean... it was my father who summoned you? You aren't some notorious thief?"

Chen Kan nodded, continuing his wailing, "Yes... please spare me, Princess."

"Stop crying!"

Zhu Yuelan, having never encountered such a situation, cried out helplessly, "Stop it!"

But Chen Kan ignored her, acting as if he wouldn't stop until she forgave him.

"Ah!"

Chen Kan’s howling was like a demonic sound piercing her ears. Zhu Yuelan couldn't take it anymore and shrieked, "I said, stop crying!"

Seeing her anger, Chen Kan’s wails stuttered to a halt. With the noise gone, the room fell silent.

Zhu Yuelan clutched her dress and crouched down, looking at Chen Kan with a furious expression. "Now, I ask, you answer. No howling, or I’ll have my father cut off your head. Do you understand?"

In an instant, the roles had reversed.

Chen Kan nodded like a chicken pecking at grain: "Yes!"

Zhu Yuelan asked, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

Chen Kan replied, "My name is Chen Kan. My teacher is Fang Xiaoru. This morning, His Majesty ordered me to join the procession to pay respects to the Grand Progenitor at the East Suburbs. After we returned, they just dumped me in the plaza outside the Fengtian Hall. I was hungry, so I came here looking for food."