Volume One, Chapter 19: Companions Play in the Capital (Part One)

“Princess, noble and delicate, you’ve suffered this time. Chengdu merely gave a simple treatment, but when you return, you must have the imperial physician examine you to prevent infection,” Yu Wen Chengdu said with concern.

Yang Xiangning nodded slightly. A servant nearby was wiping the cold sweat from her forehead.

“Given your condition today, Princess, it’s best if you go back and rest well,” Yu Wen Chengdu urged kindly.

“I thank you, Chengdu. Once I’ve healed, I will come to see you again,” Yang Xiangning replied softly.

Her arm still ached fiercely, making it difficult to speak. After briefly bidding farewell to Yu Wen Chengdu, she returned to the Morning Glory Palace.

Upon arrival, she found Yang Guang waiting inside the hall.

“Brother?” Yang Xiangning asked, puzzled.

“After the morning court and a few days apart, I came to check on you,” Yang Guang said, rising slowly and gazing at her. “Where have you been running off to play again?”

Fearing the truth, Yang Xiangning offered a vague excuse. “The palace feels stifling, so I just went out for a walk.”

“Really?” Yang Guang doubted her. “I heard you’ve been spending all your time at the military camp.”

Nothing escaped Yang Guang’s notice, so she finally confessed, “Alright, Brother, you see through everything. I’ve been practicing martial arts at the camp these past two days.”

“Why train in martial arts when everything is fine?” Yang Guang asked, confused.

Yang Xiangning had her reasons. “Brother, I need to gain some skills so that I can protect myself when I’m alone outside.”

“That may be true, but you’re still young. Aren’t you afraid of injuring yourself learning combat?” Yang Guang worried.

“I remember, Brother, you also trained in martial arts when you were young. That’s why you excel in both civil and military affairs now. I am not too young to learn either,” Yang Xiangning said earnestly, hoping to be like Yang Guang and Yu Wen Chengdu—if not masters, at least capable of self-defense.

“Very well, Brother is convinced. Go ahead and learn, but be careful,” Yang Guang finally agreed. “I’ll inform Yu Wen Chengdu to look after you.”

“Thank you, Brother!” Yang Xiangning was pleased but didn’t dare tell him about her injury, fearing he’d worry.

“Well, I came just to see you. Now that you’re well, I’ll take my leave,” Yang Guang said, rising to depart.

“Farewell, Brother,” Yang Xiangning bowed slightly.

After Yang Guang’s figure disappeared, Xiao Qi hurried to Yang Xiangning’s side. “Princess, we really should summon the imperial physician to examine your arm. We cannot let the wound worsen.”

“No need. I’ll see Chengdu for treatment another day,” Yang Xiangning declined firmly. “If Mother finds out we called the imperial physician, she might blame me and even implicate Chengdu. It’s better not to.”

“Very well,” Xiao Qi nodded, knowing she couldn’t persuade the Princess.

Meanwhile, Yang Guang went to the training camp to visit Yu Wen Chengdu. From afar, he saw the young general exuding confidence, commanding many soldiers at such a youthful age—a truly heroic sight.

“General Yu Wen, you look so imposing,” Yang Guang said, approaching from behind.

Yu Wen Chengdu turned quickly and saluted. “Your Highness, Prince Jin.”

“No need for formalities. I’m just here to see how your training is progressing. Carry on with your work; don’t mind me.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Yu Wen Chengdu replied and resumed training, eager to show off his efforts.

“Oh, by the way,” Yang Guang suddenly remembered something and approached Yu Wen Chengdu. “I heard Xiang’er has been learning martial arts with you recently. She is, after all, a girl. Please take good care of her.”

“Yes,” Yu Wen Chengdu immediately understood. “It was my failure to let the Princess get hurt.”

“An injury? Xiang’er never mentioned this to me,” Yang Guang said, puzzled.

Yu Wen Chengdu recounted the entire incident. After hearing it, Yang Guang said calmly, “Injuries during martial arts practice are inevitable. Don’t blame yourself; it’s no fault of yours.”

Yu Wen Chengdu nodded silently, saying no more.

After a short while, Yang Guang left.

For several days, Yu Wen Chengdu did not see Yang Xiangning again. He attended court in the mornings and spent the rest of his time training soldiers, leaving no time for rest.

Finally, on a rare day off, Yu Wen Chengdu was reading at home. Deep in concentration, he heard a knock at the door.

“General Yu Wen?” A woman’s voice, unfamiliar and unusual since no one in the household ever addressed him so formally, made him curious.

He rose to open the door.

“Xiao Qi?” Surprised to see the Princess’s personal attendant, he glanced behind her to find a cloaked woman standing there.

In an instant, Yu Wen Chengdu recognized her as the Princess.

“Princess, what brings you here?” he asked, astonished, quickly leading them inside.

Yang Xiangning removed her hood. “Chengdu, how did you recognize me?”

“Well, Xiao Qi was here, and your attire clearly suits a princess,” Yu Wen Chengdu replied uncertainly. He couldn’t explain why he recognized her immediately—it was an instinct he couldn’t articulate.

Yang Xiangning smiled sweetly, like honey. Watching her grin, Yu Wen Chengdu felt a gentle stirring in his heart and couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“I came to have you change my dressing,” Yang Xiangning said directly.

Yu Wen Chengdu invited her to sit. “I’m at your service, Princess. But why haven’t you seen the imperial physician?”

“I didn’t want Mother to find out, so I didn’t summon the imperial physician,” Yang Xiangning admitted honestly.

Yu Wen Chengdu took out the medicine pouch and prepared to change her bandages.

The process would surely hurt, so to distract her, he asked, “How did you get in?”

The Prime Minister’s residence was guarded day and night, making entry difficult, let alone coming to his room.

“We bribed the guards to let us in,” Xiao Qi answered.

Yu Wen Chengdu smiled. It seemed he’d have to supervise his guards more closely, though without their leniency, he wouldn’t be meeting the Princess today.

His hands were deft and swift. The dressing change was done quickly. Yang Xiangning felt only minor pain, well within her tolerance, and didn’t utter a sound.

Afterward, both remained seated, facing each other, unsure what to say.

Xiao Qi broke the silence first. “Princess, didn’t you say you wanted to stroll through the streets? Shall we be going?”

Hearing this, Yang Xiangning nodded but hesitated to leave. Finally, she spoke softly, “Chengdu, since you have the day off, why not come with us?”