Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

195. Volunteer

Translator: Bryan

Due to the horrifying experience last night, Du Chuyue didn’t dare say anything. The two of them just stood there, both looking uptight. Having noticed their facial expresion, Du Chuxuan said, “You guys haven’t had breakfast yet, right? Sit down and eat with me.”

Du Chuyue glanced at the man beside her and then gingerly pulled up a chair, “Your Highness.” After uttering those two words, she didn’t know what to say. She had been thinking about what Yuxing Tianrui told her last night ever since she had woken up earlier this morning. The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt.

When running out on her wedding, she had thought of what kind of consequences the Du family might have to take because of her actions, but considering how wealthy the Du family was, she had believed that the emperor would only be angry and wouldn’t mete out any punishment to the Du family. However, it had never crossed her mind that her little brother would be dragged into it.

The imperial seraglio was a very treacherous place, where even she didn’t want to go. Worse still, Du Chuxuan would be at the mercy of a man, living under a cover identity, which would be tantamount to effacing the existence of Du Chuxuan from this world.

“Let’s eat first.” Du Chuxuan could tell that Du Chuyue was nervous, but when being out of the palace, he always let Yuxing Tianrui control everything. This was the kind of dignity that the crown prince should have. He wouldn’t deprive Yuxing Tianrui of it just because the latter wouldn’t mind.

It was after they all had their fill that Yuxing Tianrui gave a little cough and said, “Actually, what you need to do to get me to let you off the hook is very simple. From this day onwards, you are no longer a member of the Du family, and neither are you Du Chuyue any longer. You are not to mention this name or the Du family to anybody ever again. Can you do that?”

Du Chuyue gritted her teeth and glanced at Du Chuxuan. “I understand. I’m still in this city because I want to find out what happened in the capital city. Now that I know my father and the Du family are fine, I have nothing to worry about now. I will go to a remote place if that’s what it takes to set Your Highness’ mind at ease.”

Du Chuxuan kept his head down and didn’t look at either of the two people sitting opposite him, as if he had nothing to do with the whole thing. Just as Yuxing Tianrui was about to give his consent, the man standing beside Du Chuyue suddenly said, “Don’t you think you’re being a bit unreasonable, Your Highness? I mean, Chuyue just wants a life she finds worth living.”

The two of them both shifted their gaze to the man. This was the first time Du Chuxuan had looked carefully at the man whom his sister had eloped with. “I heard your name is Cheng Xuan?”

Cheng Xuan calmly looked back at the two of them. “Although she did the wrong thing by running out on her wedding, as far as I know, both the situation in the court and the one in Turk are very unfavorable for Your Highness. Would Your Highness let Chuyue off the hook if I can extricate you from the trouble you’re in?”

A look of interest finally appeared in Yuxing Tianrui’s eyes. “Your words are pretty interesting. You’re just a commoner. What kind of help can you possibly offer to a prince?”

Du Chuyue was a little anxious. She reached out her hand and tugged at Cheng Xuan’s sleeves, but he shook his head and didn’t seem to care. “That’s not true. There are things that a gentleman would scorn to do. Likewise, there are things that you, the crown prince, cannot intervene personally, but I can be the one to handle those things for you.”

Du Chuxuan glanced at Cheng Xuan, feeling rather surprised. They had all said that it was a recommendation, but he hadn’t bargained on Cheng Xuan using a method like this. Although there were many things that he could have Sect Luo handle for him, he did need someone to mediate between them and the courtiers on behalf of him.

This man, who had coveted this position and made such a request was either someone with great wisdom or a daredevil. He had seen an opportunity unseen by most, but there was no telling what else he was capable of.

“How do I know I can trust you?” Yuxing Tianrui rested his chin on his hand and looked at Cheng Xuan with an amused look on his face. “A college student who failed to pass the first round of selection?”

“The final examination will be held in two months. Your Highness may wait until after that to make a decision,” Cheng Xuan said confidently. He didn’t look like a liar. However, no liar would ever have the word “liar” written on their faces.

The two of them exchanged a smile. Du Chuxuan finally spoke. “That is a good idea. There are still two months left. Leaving aside the results of the final examination, this year is coming to an end. Maybe you also want Du Chuyue to return to the Du family for New Year and even acknowledge your official identity?”

It was not that the two of them wanted to tease Cheng Xuan, but the time he had chosen to make this request was too suspicious. It almost made the two of them wonder if Cheng Xuan and Du Chuyue had let Sect Luo find them on purpose.

“Your Highness have every reason to worry about that,” Cheng Xuan smiled. “But if I really can predict when I can see Your Highness, it would mean I’m a rare talent whom Your Highness should recruit, don’t you think?”

Du Chuxuan sneered. It struck him that this man had divined what they were thinking, which was something that not many people could do.

He turned to cast an it’s-your-call look at Yuxing Tianrui. The latter cleared his throat and said, “Luo Yi will be keeping a close watch on them for some time, but the two of you need to remember that this is just a one-time opportunity. Whether you can seize it will solely depend on you.”

“Luo Yi,” Du Chuxuan said as Yuxing Tianrui finished speaking. “Find them a house. I want them under constant watch. If you see anyone nose around, arrest them immediately. You may kill them and report later if necessary. Also, you’re to take care of all their needs. Don’t let them leave the house.”

After saying that, Du Chuxuan stood up and was astonished to find that he was taller than Du Chuyue now.

“Zizheng wasn’t lying to you when saying that. Although I don’t hate you, I can’t say I have no grudge against you. Still, the fact is that the outcome is favorable for both of us, so I won’t mention it again. However, from now on, you are no longer Du Chuyue.”

Du Chuyue lowered her head. There was no telling if she was crying. Cheng Xuan swept her into his embrace and said, “Thank you, Your Highnesses. We will not step out of line.”

When the two of them were gone, Yuxing Tianrui chuckled softly, “That Cheng Xuan guy strikes me as a talented man. There’s no harm in recruiting him in advance.”

“If he’s indeed as capable as he says he is, it would be the best outcome we can expect to see.” Standing beside the window of the private room, the two of them looked from the stream of pedestrains down below to the palace in the distance, as if seeing the uphill battles they would have to fight in the future.

They hoped that the outcome wouldn’t disappoint them.