Fuzhu's Ballad

4

CHAPTER 4 His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan

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In the still night, the city gate protested loudly as it swung open. Lan Dan unconsciously cowered. The creaking noise in the empty space made the chilly night even bleaker.

This was her first time hearing such a sound. Growing up in the imperial palace, she had always followed the rules and never went out late at night. Lan Dan could not help speculating about the identity of her benefactor, who could easily enter and leave the city gate at this time of the night… A few people quickly flashed in her mind, including the elderly, dying Imperial Uncle. The wheels bumped onto small stones, jarring the carriage and Lan Dan’s heart.

How foolish. How could this world still belong to Da Min? Those people who came to her mind might not even be able to protect themselves, let alone allow her to enter the city late at night.

The person who rescued her… It was really impossible to figure out what he was doing. She was picked up from the graveyard in the middle of the night in order to avoid people’s eyes and ears, yet she was brought directly into the city, breaking curfew as if they wanted everyone to know.

True enough, someone from a distance barked an imposing order.

“Halt! Who goes there?”

The sounds of approaching hooves and metal armors stopped around the carriage. Lan Dan’s heart was hammering so violently that she sat stiffly in trepidation.

The leader of the guards escorting her greeted in a somewhat oily tone, “General Zhang, are you on duty today?”

“You are…” General Zhang inquired coldly, not recognizing the other party.

“Oh, I’m just a subordinate of the Prince of Yan,” the head of the guards cheerfully answered, not at all embarassed by the snub. “This trip is to escort a family member of His Highness to the city.”

Seeing the guard’s lightheartedness in dealing with the General, Lan Dan thought that he must have a plan. Her heart eased, but she couldn’t help furrowing her brows. Prince of Yan? Who was this Prince of Yan that had suddenly appeared?

“Prince of Yan…” General Zhang pondered for a moment, his tone relaxing as he hesitated. “Brother, you are putting this Elder Brother in a difficult spot. Nowadays, the curfew in the capital is very strict. What kind of important family member in His Highness’ mansion insists on entering the city in the middle of the night?” The sound of armor clanking indicated that General Zhang had dismounted from his horse.

The head of the guards smiled apologetically. He approached General Zhang, and said in a low voice, “His Highness met this lucky girl in the suburbs. There was a small accident on the way back to the capital, so we were delayed until now. It is not appropriate for young women to stay outside the city, and His Highness is also not at ease. Hence, we had to trouble our brothers to open the gate for us at night.”

General Zhang laughed dryly. “Nevertheless, this General is duty-bound to inspect the carriage according to protocol. I apologize to His Highness for the inconvenience.”

The head of the guard stopped him in a panic, “General, General! Perhaps…”

General Zhang ignored him and quickly lifted the curtain of the carriage.

Having braced herself, Lan Dan looked back at the General quietly. After all, she was born in the royal family. A distinguised bearing had long been deeply engraved in her bones.

General Zhang stood there in a daze, impolitely staring at her for so long that Lan Dan began to feel embarrassed.

Fortunately, her face was too stiff to reveal her panic. Lan Dan fought to keep her gaze steady without revealing her inner turmoil. This person could not possibly recognize her.