Chapter 056: Princess, Is It Really You?!

“Jin’er, Jin’er? Are you up yet?” After getting up and washing, Xiao Jiu went straight downstairs to look for Jin’er. But no matter how many times he called out, there was not a sound from inside.

“Jin’er? If you don’t answer, I’m coming in.” With that, Xiao Jiu pressed his ear against the door, listening intently, but still heard nothing.

What’s going on? She never slept in before.

Suddenly, a sense of foreboding rose in his heart. He hurriedly reached out to push the door. Sure enough, the door was unlocked and swung open with a light push.

His heart tightened. Xiao Jiu quickly stepped inside, his eyes darting to the bed—where the quilt had been neatly folded. “Jin’er?!” he cried out in panic, looking around the small room.

But in this tiny space, a single glance took everything in—there was no sign of her.

Then he saw two sheets of paper weighed down on the desk. He strode forward and picked one up. It was addressed to Master.

“Master, I’m sorry, but I have to leave. Thank you for taking me in and teaching me so much, but now I must go. There’s no place for me here. I will forever remember your kindness. If fate allows, I’ll come back to see you.”

By the time Xiao Jiu finished reading, his hands were trembling. Frantically, he grabbed the other sheet—this one addressed to him—and his heart leapt to his throat.

“Xiao Jiu, haha, I’ve always called you this in my heart—I hope you don’t mind? Thank you for your care and concern all this time. Because of me, you haven’t been happy lately, and I’m sorry for that. It’s not that I dislike you, it’s just that, for certain reasons, I’ve kept my distance. But even so, nothing has changed. After I leave, you should be happy—just like you were before I appeared. Don’t look for me, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Xiao Jiu gritted his teeth, his brow knitted tight as he stared at the last few words, his hands trembling uncontrollably. Suddenly, he crumpled the letter in his fist and rushed out.

“Senior Brother, what’s wrong? Where are you going?” Qin’er had just come downstairs when she saw Xiao Jiu charging out from Jin’er’s room, his face twisted with an indescribable expression. She hurried over to grab his arm.

“Let go!” Xiao Jiu growled, shoving Qin’er aside and striding away.

He pushed her so hard that she fell to the ground, sitting down heavily with tears springing to her eyes.

“Senior Brother! Are you out of your mind?!” Qin’er shouted through her tears, feeling deeply wronged. He was getting worse and worse! Yelling at her was one thing, but now he dared push her to the ground?

Doctor Chen, who had just entered, witnessed this scene. He frowned, calling out sternly, “What are you doing so early in the morning? How can you bully Qin’er like that?”

Xiao Jiu, hearing this, finally stopped in his tracks, shot Qin’er a resentful glare, then stepped forward to hand Doctor Chen the letter Jin’er had written to Master. Struggling to control his emotions, he said through gritted teeth, “Master, Jin’er is gone!”

“What?!” Doctor Chen was aghast, snatching the letter and reading it quickly.

Qin’er, too, was stunned by the news, but then a secret delight flickered in her eyes. Hmph, finally, she knows her place. She should have left long ago!

“How could this be? She said there’s no place for her here—when was that ever the case? Xiao Jiu, what on earth happened?” Doctor Chen, eyes reddening, asked anxiously.

Xiao Jiu sighed, frowning helplessly and turning away, at a loss for words.

Seeing Xiao Jiu remain silent, Doctor Chen grew even more agitated. “Enough, enough, we’ll sort this out later! Go! All of you, go look for her! She’s just a young girl, with no one to rely on—where can she go? Go! Go find her!”

“Don’t worry, Master, I’ll go right now!” Without saying another word, Xiao Jiu rushed outside. I hope she hasn’t gone far. I hope there’s still time.

Doctor Chen took a deep breath, rubbing his forehead as he sat down, his heart filled with inexplicable anxiety.

Though the master-disciple bond between him and Jin’er had only just begun, he already regarded her as his most beloved pupil and had showered her with care. The bond between them had already run deep. But now...

Child, oh child, what could possibly be so dire that you couldn’t tell your master? I could help you. Leaving like this—how can I ever be at ease?

“Master...” Qin’er, seeing him sighing and fretting, couldn’t help but approach and call softly.

Doctor Chen looked up at her, frustrated. “Why are you still here? Go look for her!”

“Oh, yes, I—I’ll go right away.” It was the first time Qin’er had ever seen her master so angry. Flustered, she quickly ran outside.

Jin’er left without a word and Master is this anxious. If he ever found out what I did to her, then... Qin’er dared not think further. A wave of fear rose within her.

No, no, he won’t find out. There’s no evidence. No one can do anything to me! It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine... Comforting herself, Qin’er slowed her pace, wandering aimlessly along the street.

—

Jin’er walked through the city, asking for directions as she went, winding her way through Junzhou. At last, she was close to her destination. The matron she’d just spoken to said that if she crossed this street and turned right, she’d be there.

Strangely, the closer she got, the more uneasy she felt.

Nangong Che was from the Jin Kingdom, and by all appearances, held high office. He was probably staying at the general’s residence, but after more than two months, perhaps he’d already left.

Jin’er’s mind was tangled with uncertainty as she walked, completely unaware of the figure trailing her—a shadow that had been following her for some time.

As the crowd thinned nearby, that figure suddenly darted forward and yanked Jin’er into a deserted alley.

“Ah!” she gasped, but before she could call out, a hand covered her mouth.

“Mmm! Mmm!” Jin’er flailed her arms in panic, struggling desperately.

“Princess? Princess, is it you?” A voice, trembling with suppressed excitement, reached her ears. Jin’er froze, stunned.

The other person slowly released her, and Jin’er turned, hesitant—only to see a face she hadn’t seen in so long. Her lovely almond eyes widened in astonishment and, overcome with emotion, she flung herself into the woman’s arms.

“Nanny!” Jin’er sobbed, clinging to her, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Princess, it’s really you... Princess...” Nanny Lin wept with joy, hugging Jin’er tightly.

It was unbelievable—she was alive! When she first caught sight of her, she’d thought it was a trick of the eyes. She’d followed for quite a while before daring to approach. She never imagined—never dared hope—it could truly be the princess.

Like family reunited after a long separation, the two clung to each other, weeping with mingled joy and sorrow.

It was a long time before they could bear to part.

“Princess, you’ve grown so much in these two years, and you’re still as beautiful as ever—no, even more beautiful...” Nanny Lin caressed Jin’er’s face fondly, her joy beyond words.

“I thought I’d never see you again... I have no family left in this world, but to see you again... it’s such a gift...” Jin’er choked out, tears welling up anew.

“My poor child... I feel the same.” Nanny Lin gathered her in her arms again, comforting her. “Don’t be afraid, Princess. With me here, I’ll protect you and care for you. Don’t be afraid.”

Jin’er clung to her, nodding desperately, clinging to this familiar warmth.

Nanny Lin had been her mother’s loyal servant. Even when her mother was banished to the cold palace, she had chosen to follow, caring for both mother and daughter. The four years Jin’er spent in the cold palace, she’d regarded Nanny Lin as half a mother. In the whole palace, aside from her mother, Nanny Lin had loved and cared for her the most.

“Princess, where have you been these past two years? You must have suffered greatly.” Nanny Lin wiped the tears from Jin’er’s face, her heart aching with pity.

Jin’er bit her lip and bowed her head. “It’s a long story. In any case, I’m homeless again.”

Nanny Lin frowned, gently patting her. “No place to go? Then come with me. I’m working at a wealthy household in the city. I’ll say you’re my distant niece; the master and mistress will surely let you stay.”

Jin’er looked up, worried. “Will that cause you trouble?”

“What are you saying? If the princess needs me, I’d give my life, let alone do something so small! If you act like a stranger, you’ll break my heart.” Nanny Lin looked genuinely upset.

Jin’er was deeply moved, so she said no more, simply grasped her hand and nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s go home, Jin’er. We’ll talk more there,” Nanny Lin said with a smile, taking Jin’er’s small hand and turning to lead her away.

“Nanny, please don’t call me princess anymore. The Princess Jin’er you knew is long gone, and so is the Mu Kingdom. If anyone hears, it could bring trouble. Just call me Jin’er.”

Nanny Lin considered this. “Then... may I call you Jin’er?” It felt strange to change the way she addressed her, almost like overstepping her place.

“And I should call you Aunt now, right? I’m your distant niece, after all,” Jin’er replied with a smile.

“Aunt? Oh, what a blessing for me!” Nanny Lin laughed and cried at once, overflowing with happiness. “Very well, I’ll be bold and be Jin’er’s aunt. From now on, we’ll rely on each other, all right?”

“Yes!” Jin’er nodded vigorously, a radiant smile lighting her face—one she hadn’t worn in a long, long time.

She finally had family again...