The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The King’s Law

The young man before her appeared to be fifteen or sixteen, with eyes as bright as summer stars, and features so delicately drawn that his face was even more charming than many beautiful girls.

In her moment of distraction, another equally remarkable youth appeared before her. Slightly taller and older, seventeen or eighteen years old, he stood with a graceful posture. Though dressed in ordinary clothes, his exceptional demeanor, noble and distant, made him stand out like a crane among chickens.

When did Yuqing County produce such outstanding young men?

How could it be that she had never seen them before?

Noticing her mistress staring at Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin in a daze, the maid Xiao Hong, who understood her mistress’s thoughts best, quickly rolled her eyes and shouted, ”Do you know who my mistress is? Offending her won’t end well for you!”

Huangfu Jingchen glanced at Wang Wan’er and said coldly, ”Your carriage moves down the street without restraint, demanding pedestrians to make way, such arrogance! When someone unintentionally collides with you, you respond with such cruelty? Is there no justice?”

Wang Wan’er’s face darkened slightly. These words were unpleasant; when had she ever been reprimanded like this? But considering Huangfu Jingchen’s handsome appearance, she didn’t lose her temper. The maid immediately replied arrogantly, ”When our lady’s carriage passes, there are already servants clearing the way. Those who collide are disrespecting her! Besides, it’s just a commoner, daring to bump into her carriage. What’s wrong with our lady whipping him a few times?”

Wang Wan’er was quite satisfied with her maid’s words; that’s exactly what she thought.

Huangfu Jingchen’s face turned somber, exuding an air of coldness as he shouted, ”How impudent!”

Such a presence left the arrogant maid stunned, but remembering her lady’s status, she regained her confidence and yelled at Huangfu Jingchen, ”What are you glaring at? Am I not right?”

Wang Wan’er gave a light cough.

The maid noticed her mistress’s cue and knew it was time to perform. She loudly declared, ”You dared to collide with our lady, this is serious! Our lady is gentle and kind, not holding it against you. Shouldn’t you apologize to our lady properly?”

Gentle and kind? Do these words have anything to do with Wang Wan’er?

If it weren’t for the earlier scene of whipping, these words might have deceived someone. Huangfu Jingchen, disdainful of quarreling with a maid, merely snorted coldly.

Wang Wan’er indeed put on a gentle and kind appearance, saying calmly, ”Forget it, Qiao Xi, they didn’t do it on purpose. Everyone was agitated just now, and I too was at fault.”

”My lady, you did nothing wrong. Your status is so noble; if you don’t deal with it harshly, anyone would dare to challenge your carriage. What would happen to the law?”

Everyone: ”...”

The word ”law” from their mouths sounded so awkward. Did it mean what they thought it did?

Wang Wan’er said, ”Alright, Qiao Xi, these young men are clearly outsiders; don’t frighten them. Today’s matter was my fault. Qiao Xi, as an apology, invite the young gentlemen to visit our residence!”

Her words were reasonable, though spoken to the maid, were clearly directed at Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin.

Just a moment ago, she was fierce and menacing, and now she was suddenly gentle, graceful, and modest. Huangfu Jingchen thought that she and the young Xia Wenjin were quite a match, changing their expressions so quickly.

Xia Wenjin walked forward with a cheeky smile, saying, ”Is this sister inviting us as guests? How could we dare? Ah, sister, you look so pretty in that outfit!”

Dressed as a young man, innocent and naive, with a pure and bright smile, she seemed as refreshing as a breeze.

Wang Wan’er beamed at being complimented by the stunning young man, unable to suppress a shy smile, ”Really?”

Xia Wenjin nodded repeatedly, adding, ”These accessories, this outfit, and this carriage all look so luxurious. They must have cost a fortune, right? Sister, you’re so wealthy!”

Seeing the handsome youth’s eyes sparkling as he looked at her, with a smile bright as the spring sun, Wang Wan’er’s mood greatly improved.

The small matter of the carriage collision seemed trivial now.

The maid Qiao Xi immediately said, ”Young gentlemen, our lady has said she won’t hold the carriage collision against you. Additionally, our lady is most hospitable. Please visit our residence!”

The onlookers looked at Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin with sympathy, but when their gaze was met, they quickly avoided eye contact and quietly walked away.

This situation clearly hinted at a problem.

Just as Huangfu Jingchen was about to refuse, Xia Wenjin quietly tugged on his sleeve and whispered, ”Don’t speak; we’ve got a chance for free food now!”

Huangfu Jingchen murmured, ”What are you planning?”

Xia Wenjin replied, ”The small restaurants have a hard time operating. Do you really want a free meal and then leave? Besides, today is the third day; do you want me to repay the silver? If you mess it up, the bet won’t count! Say nothing, I’ll handle this!”

Huangfu Jingchen: ”...”

He sensed the Prefectural Governor’s daughter was problematic, suspecting Xia Wenjin had some plan, but was confident the cunning youth wouldn’t suffer a loss.

He decided to simply watch. Besides, Xia Wenjin was right; he didn’t want to dine and dash anymore.

Xia Wenjin lifted his face with a bright smile, saying, ”This lady is so gentle and hospitable, and I am deeply touched by her not holding my foolishness against me. Generally, when such a gracious invitation is extended, we brothers would be delighted to accept, but...”

Wang Wan’er couldn’t resist asking, ”But what?”

Xia Wenjin hesitated a little, ”It’s just us being careless; our money pouch was stolen as soon as we got here, and we’re quite low on funds now. How can we visit empty-handed?”

Qiao Xi and Wang Wan’er exchanged a glance, then Qiao Xi said proudly, ”Our lady has everything she desires; young gentlemen don’t need to bring gifts!”

Xia Wenjin still looked embarrassed, ”Not only that, but we’re not exactly free, are we?”

Huangfu Jingchen listened nonchalantly, noting the youth’s bright, innocent appearance, a smile as radiant as the sun, with a hint of awkwardness, two parts shyness, one part embarrassment, and five parts pure sincerity. This was the perfect image of a young man embarrassed by being pickpocketed, valuing face yet genuinely innocent—not too overdone, nor lacking impact.

If he hadn’t gained some insight into the youth over the past few days, he might have believed it.

He continued observing Xia Wenjin’s performance!

As for the Prefectural Governor’s daughter’s noble status, while it might be esteemed in others’ eyes like a princess, he was unimpressed.

Those words, ”not exactly free,” left Wang Wan’er and Qiao Xi puzzled: ”What do you mean, ’not exactly free’?”