Ye Ningjie took a sip of the hot tea that Zhou Lin served. The tea had a fragrant aroma that seemed to swirl in her nostrils.
"You have to be careful, Ye Ningjie. What you face may not be just one person. Don't easily trust anyone you meet. Life is indeed cruel. You may be flattered today, but a second later they can stab you with cold swords."
"Auntie, I will take your advice." Ye Ningjie replied with a nod.
"Emperor Feiyu is quite a mysterious person. In the past, he was more involved in managing the Imperial Academy than being the crown prince taking part in the political assembly. The officials may not be very familiar with him," said Zhou Lin.
"I don't know what his character is like," the woman continued.
"He doesn't take part in politics?" Ye Ningjie asked in a mocking tone. "No wonder he easily ordered troops to massacre Xianqi Palace."
Ye Ningjie felt that she hated Huang Feiyu even more. In her eyes, the man was just an emperor who was stupid and didn't understand how imperial politics worked. Even that man might just be an emperor who would go along with the will of an official without considering matters any further.
"Even so, you shouldn't underestimate him. The Imperial Academy is a place where imperial examinations are conducted. One who wants to become an official must first pass the imperial examination. For many years he has been the administrator of the place. Doesn't that mean he is quite a smart person? "
Ye Ningjie was silent. She wanted to deny it, but what Aunt Zhou said did make sense.
"Alright. Then I—"
"Madam, there is a large army of soldiers arriving outside the pavilion!" Zhou Lin's maid's voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.
Zhou Lin raised the corners of her eyebrows. Then she glanced at Ye Ningjie. The girl was starting to look worried, perhaps afraid that her whereabouts would be discovered by the troops.
Zhou Lin smiled faintly. "When was the last time you returned to Xianqi Palace?"
Ye Ningjie tried to remember. In fact, she had only returned a few times to the royal palace. Instead, it was her father who more often secretly visited the mountains where she lived.
The relationship between her and her father is indeed unique. Even though her mother was only a concubine, Ye Tian doted on her very much, and that's why Ye Tian was happier when she wasn't in the palace.
Her father wanted her to live happily by being a free human being. Her father also did not want her to attract jealousy or malice from his main wife and offspring.
Ye Tian's main wife was named Wan Xue. That woman is a jealous person. If it wasn't for political matters, perhaps Ye Tian would not have married a woman of such character.
When in the past Ye Ningjie decided to stay in the mountains with Duan Feng, Ye Tian did not refuse at all. He really supports her. Not because he didn't see Ye Ningjie as a daughter, but because he didn't want her to get into the complicated conflicts of court life.
During Ye Ningjie stay with Duan Feng, she never openly returned to the palace. Only her family knows. Perhaps the Xianqi people had even forgotten her existence.
To them, Ye Ningjie was just a princess with insignificant status and didn't have any influence. They admired the other descendants of King Ye Tian even more.
"It seems they don't know who I am," Ye Ningjie said later.
Zhou Lin nodded. "Exactly. Your father is very good at managing you outside the palace. He seems to have thought of things this far as well."
Ye Ningjie suppressed her smile. "So are we going to meet those troops?"
"Of course. Let's go." Zhou Lin stood up and then stepped towards the exit. Ye Ningjie followed closely behind.
It was almost morning. The Pavilion was not as crowded as before. There were a lot of drunk people there. The smell of wine spreads in many places.
The soldiers had already entered the pavilion. They immediately turned their heads to look at Zhou Lin and Ye Ning Jie. The appearance of the two women left them slightly stunned.
One is a beautiful veiled woman with a graceful and mature body and aura. The other was a young girl of pure beauty who was cold and aloof.
The two of them have different temperaments, and their ages seem different. However, when they are side by side they somehow match, they complement each other.
"Gentlemen, is there anything I can help you with?" Zhou Lin asked as she stepped down the stairs. Ye Ningjie just silently followed her.
The warrior leader cleared his throat. "We're here to find someone."
"Who?"
"King Ye Tian's daughter, Princess Ye Ningjie," replied the leader of the soldiers.
Ye Ningjie clenched her fists. She tried to remain calm and unaffected. She is currently playing the role of a girl named Ning Jie'er. So, Ye Ning Jie had absolutely nothing to do with her.
"You mean the daughter of Concubine Rong? I heard she is a girl who lives in a secluded place. I have no idea what she looks like," said Zhou Lin pretending not to know. Ordinary people really shouldn't know what Ye Ningjie is like.
The soldiers looked at each other. Then their leader took out a roll of paper which when opened showed a painting of a girl. Ye Ningjie felt a little tense. It's a face painting. However, luckily it was a face when she was only 8 years old.
Zhou Lin chuckled. "My Lord, no kidding. Isn't this a portrait of a little girl?"
"This is indeed quite difficult. We only have a painting of her childhood. She grew up far from the royal palace so no one knows what she will look like when she grows up."
Then Zhou Lin sighed. "Then it's a shame I can't help. Pardon my incompetence."
"Chairman, let us check!" asked one of the soldiers there.
"How about it, Miss? We want to check this place out."
Zhou Lin turned her head to look at Ye Ningjie, then looked back at the leader of the soldiers. She shooked slowly. "It's getting late. Isn't it a little rude to search those who are resting?"
The leader snorted. His face turned unfriendly. He was silent for a few moments before finally turning to leave. "We willl postpone it until tomorrow," he said to his subordinates.
Finally, they exited the pavilion without making any further fuss. Ye Ningjie could sigh after confirming that they were really gone.
Zhou Lin smiled slightly. "Look, those idiots only have the painting. How do you think they're going to find you? If you're still unsure, you might consider impersonating someone else."
Ye Ningjie frowned in thought. Maybe going undercover isn't such a bad idea. She will consider it.
"Now go rest. Tomorrow you can start your journey."
"Alright."
***
Meanwhile, in another place, a man was sitting with his head supported. His dark black hair was left loose, falling and spreading over his shoulders. His eyes were closed, looking like he was asleep.
"Your Imperial Majesty…," called out an old eunuch in a low voice.
"Hmm?"
"There is new news from Xianqi."
"Say it."
The eunuch gulped. He timidly said, "The troops assigned to search for King Ye's fifth daughter have not found results."
Huang Feiyu opened his eyes. His dark eyes stared at the old eunuch lazily. "Even looking for a girl is so slow?"
"Your Imperial Majesty …." The eunuch immediately knelt on the floor in fear. "Perhaps… perhaps there is very little information about the princess. The soldiers must be having a hard time finding her."
"Ye Tian is indeed Ye Tian…. No wonder my father likes him very much," said Huang Feiyu as he stood up. He snorted, then stepped onto the bed.
"I want to see how far that girl will hide."