Chapter 63: So You Are the Eldest Princess

Seeing his own biological mother utter such disrespectful words right in front of the Grand Princess, Xie Feng felt a sudden chill run down his neck and his head feel rather light.

Daring not to remain stunned any longer, he quickly grabbed Aunt Li, pulled her down to kneel with him, and spoke with the utmost reverence:

"This humble subordinate's mother was unaware that Your Imperial Highness the Grand Princess had graced us with your presence. She spoke without thinking and committed a grave offense; I beg Your Highness to forgive her!"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Li, who had just been pulled down to her knees by Xie Feng and was still feeling somewhat bewildered, instantly froze. Her mind was struck by a shock beyond all measure.

What?!

The ethereal fairy-like young lady before her was actually the very same... Grand Princess who had come to Lingcheng not long ago to investigate the whereabouts of the First Imperial Prince?!

Goodness gracious!

Why on earth would she come to that fellow Wang Chu's shop!

Although Aunt Li had always felt that Wang Chu was no ordinary person, she never imagined he could be extraordinary to this extent!

At this moment, Jiang Wan was also somewhat surprised. She had not expected that someone would reveal her identity before she even had a chance to announce it herself. She glanced at Xie Feng, but could not find this face anywhere in her memory.

Feeling somewhat vigilant, her entire demeanor shifted drastically as she asked in a cold voice:

"Who are you?"

Xie Feng hurriedly stated his identity:

"This humble subordinate is a constable in the Lingcheng County Yamen. When Your Highness visited the yamen, this subordinate had the honor of meeting Your Highness briefly."

Jiang Wan nodded, relaxing slightly:

"So that's how it is. No wonder I didn't remember you."

To Jiang Wan, a mere petty constable was naturally not someone worth remembering.

At this point, Wang Chu chimed in. He looked at Jiang Wan, gave her a slight bow, and said:

"I never imagined this young lady was actually the Grand Princess of the current Great Rui. Forgive me for failing to recognize Your Highness."

Although Wang Chu's words were respectful, his tone was extremely flat, utterly devoid of the shock and reverence that such a revelation should have warranted.

This undoubtedly made Jiang Wan feel displeased.

Hey, big brother, she is the Grand Princess, you know.

Not kneeling to pay your respects is one thing, but shouldn't you at least look somewhat shocked?

What is the meaning of this "as I expected" expression of yours?

"I originally intended to tell you later, but it seems I overthought things. Did you figure it out long ago?"

Wang Chu flatly denied it:

"No, I only just found out."

Jiang Wan smiled.

Heh, does your expression look like you just found out?

"I am here to take you to Qianyuan."

Jiang Wan dropped another bombshell, eager to see how Wang Chu would react.

"Mm."

Wang Chu's reaction remained utterly devoid of ripples.

Jiang Wan rolled her eyes:

"Do you even know why I'm taking you to Qianyuan, and all you can say is 'mm'?"

Wang Chu replied calmly:

"Naturally I know. Your father has been here before, or rather..."

Wang Chu corrected himself:

"I should say the Emperor has been here before."

A sense of powerlessness welled up in the depths of Jiang Wan's heart.

Fine, fine, fine.

You know everything, don't you!

"You only just found out about that too?"

"No."

Wang Chu narrowed his eyes and said:

"I could tell right away back then. The imperial dragon Qi on the Emperor was far too strong; even though he constantly tried to suppress it, it was still very obvious."

Jiang Wan conceded in defeat:

"You win!"

Wang Chu said:

"You flatter me, Your Highness."

"Tell me honestly, just who on earth are you!"

The princess demanded, exasperated.

Wang Chu looked utterly innocent:

"A shopkeeper, of course."

The princess nodded repeatedly:

"Fine, fine, fine! Let's see how long you can keep up this act!"

In truth, when Jiang Wan came this time, she had already prepared herself to reveal her identity to Wang Chu; Xie Feng merely accelerated those plans.

This was not Jiang Wan's own idea, but rather an imperial decree from Jiang Cheng.

Otherwise, Jiang Cheng would not have invited Wang Chu to the imperial capital to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration.

As for the purpose behind this move, Jiang Wan did not know, nor could she guess.

In her view, once her identity was revealed to Wang Chu, wouldn't it become even harder to catch him slipping up?

Puting aside the thoughts in her mind, Jiang Wan continued:

"Do you have anything else to take care of? If not, let's get going."

Wang Chu said:

"Wait a moment."

With that, he took out a blank sheet of paper, picked up the brush from the counter, and after a few quick strokes, said to Aunt Li:

"Aunt Li, I've written the wedding date on this paper for you."

Dumbfounded, Aunt Li accepted the paper handed to her by Wang Chu. Glancing briefly at the date written upon it, she said with a trembling voice:

"Th... thank you."

Wang Chu shook his head:

"No need to thank me, it's only right."

Aunt Li nodded, trembling as she reached out to touch her son's shoulder, and said with great tact:

"Xi... Xiaofeng, let's go back."

Xie Feng did not immediately agree. Instead, he looked at the princess, and only after receiving a nod of permission from her did he cup his fists, support Aunt Li, and turn toward the exit.

Stepping out of the shop and walking along the bustling street, Aunt Li felt her head buzzing endlessly. She asked her son walking beside her:

"Xiaofeng, that Emperor Wang Chu mentioned, could he be referring to the current Emperor?"

"It... probably is..."

Xie Feng replied uncertainly, his own mind in a daze.

That legendary monarch who ended the fragmentation of the human race and unified the world had actually visited Wang Chu's shop...

If he were to tell this to others, would they think he had lost his mind?

"What kind of relationship do you suppose exists between the Grand Princess and Wang Chu?"

Aunt Li asked again.

Xie Feng looked blank and shook his head:

"I don't know."

He lowered his gaze to the piece of paper in Aunt Li's hand:

"Mother, you must keep the paper Mr. Wang gave you safe and sound. Don't lose it."

Aunt Li cradled the paper in her hands as if it were the most precious treasure:

"Never!"

She whispered with a sense of lingering fortune:

"Good thing I didn't listen to you."

Xie Feng remained silent without refuting her. After a moment, he instructed very solemnly:

"You had best not speak of this matter to anyone, otherwise asking Mr. Wang for favors in the future might become quite difficult."

Aunt Li quickly gave her assurance:

"Rest assured, your mother's lips are tightly sealed. I won't say a word to a soul."

Not long after Aunt Li and Xie Feng departed, Wang Chu and Jiang Wan emerged from the shop.

He stood at the threshold to lock the door, while Jiang Wan stood behind him waiting.

During this time, Wang Chu inquired:

"When is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet taking place?"

Jiang Wan replied:

"Three days from now."

Having secured the door latch, Wang Chu turned around and said:

"Then we can still spend at least a day having fun in Qianyuan."

Jiang Wan did not object, curling her lips as she said:

"As you like."

"Will Her Highness not accompany me as a tour guide?"

Wang Chu asked with immense audacity.

Jiang Wan's lovely little face grew cold, her demeanor contrasting rather sharply with the personality she had displayed before her identity was exposed:

"You have quite some nerve!"

Wang Chu reached out his hand, intending to "make amends."

However, Jiang Wan turned her head away, let out a dainty huff, and added:

"Hmph, we'll see how Her Highness's mood is."

Hearing this, Wang Chu changed his wording and cupped his fists:

"Then I shall have to trouble Your Highness."

Jiang Wan turned her head to cast a sideways glare at Wang Chu:

"Her Highness said it depends on my mood!"

Lowering his head, Wang Chu said with absolute certainty:

"Her Highness's mood will surely be very pleasant by then."

Jiang Wan's mouth twitched, but she made no further reply. Instead, she retrieved a white, glowing stream of light comb from her person and slashed it through the air across the deserted street.

A white line instantly materialized before them, at which point she commanded:

"Get in!"

With that, Jiang Wan stepped into the white line first.

Without any hesitation, Wang Chu followed her right in.