Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

22. Another Tent

Translator: Antonia

“You’re so right, Your Highness.” Du Chuxuan arched his lips. He didn’t know why but he was uncomfortable at the moment when Yuxing Tianrui said that.

But on a second thought. that seemed to be the case. Yuxing Tianrui had expected to marry his sister, while he was merely a fake one in replace of her. And they were on an innocent term all the time. Hence, there was nothing wrong with his thought.

However, Du Chuxuan wasn’t a fool. He fully understood that he and even his whole family couldn’t survive if Yuxing Tianrui’s words were known to others. Thinking it through, he stood up in a respectful posture and said to Yuxing Tianrui, “After all, I’m just an intimate guard in the barracks. I believe we should observe the rules so as not to bring shame on the imperial family. Therefore, I’m having another tent prepared tonight. Of course, I’ll still be on guard as I’m supposed to.”

After saying this, he turned to leave without looking at Yuxing Tianrui’s expression. Dongxiang heard it and stood trembling outside. In the barracks, even his Highness’s tent was made of the same cloth as ordinary soldiers, which wasn’t soundproof at all, so he had heard their conversation clearly.

In the eyes of ordinary soldiers, his Highness was so noble that they didn’t even dare to breathe too loud in his presence. Yet, her Highness chose to say those hurtful words. He worried that his Highness would feel too hurt to fall asleep. Meanwhile, Du Chuxuan lifted up the curtain and came out.

Dongxiang stood there, watching Du Chuxuan walking outwards furiously. At a time, he wanted to chase up, but his Highness was alone in the tent and needed people to serve him. His feet planted in the earth and not daring to move, Dongxiang was anxious and didn’t know what to do.

Yuxing Tianrui stared blankly at the tent door and didn’t understood what was going on after a long while. His hands slowly clenched into fists, but his steps trying to get her back suddenly stopped.

No way. The woman was playing hard-to-get. These days, he was too busy, so she felt being ignored and tried to attract his attention.

He used this excuse and struggled to calm down his flustered heart, sitting back into the chair. His movement shocked Ada, who was in the dark. What was wrong with His Highness? Why didn’t he go to comfort Her Highness after she became so angry? He might lose her in this way.

However, he dared not to say it. He, as the real intimate guard of Yuxing Tianrui, only listened to Yuxing Tianrui’s orders for his entire life. Now, without any order from him, he wouldn’t stand out from his hiding place.

Du Chuxuan walked all the way to the edge of the barracks and was depressed that no one followed to get him back. He kicked the tree with anger, and many annoying leaves were shaken off.

“Why is your Highness here alone at this time?” When he was about to turn around and prepared himself a tent, he heard the voice from behind. Du Chuxuan turned around and saw a man he didn’t know. Judging from his uniform, he should have certain rank in the barracks. But he never met him before.

“I’m Yang Guan, the deputy general under General Leng. I happen to pass by here. Did I interrupt Your Highness?” The deputy general was funny. He was an officer but talked and greeted Du Chuxuan in the manner of an official. For a time, Du Chuxuan didn’t know how to react.

He motioned to let this General Yang stand up. Although Yuxing Tianrui had just mentioned his suspicion against him because of General Leng, Du Chuxuan wasn’t one of those muddle-headed people that tended to shift all the blames on others. Besides, General Leng had given him a hare, for which he must pay back.

“Don’t say that. I know General Leng. I’m going to the office of provisions. Could you lead the way for me?” In the barracks, he had just hung around at his tent. Now, having walked so far away, he didn’t know where he should get a new tent.

Yang Guang was surprised at his destination but nodded quickly, “My pleasure. General Leng’s tent happens to be there too. I’m showing you the way.”

When Dongxiang came, he happened to witness this scene where Yang Guang and Du Chuxuan walked away chatting and smiling. He had wanted to stop Du Chuxuan, but it was too late.

“Where is she?” Seeing Dongxiang come back alone, Yuxing Tianrui slightly frowned, not in a mood for the dishes on the table. He had planned to celebrate with this woman, because the spies in the barracks were mostly pulled out. But now how could he celebrate without her?

Dongxiang stood there hesitant, thinking for a way to put it, and finally replied, “Her Highness said she was unwell and went to the toilet.” After saying it, he wished to dig a hole and slid in.

What craps! Could Her Highness tell him, a man, that she went to the toilet? That was so unruly! Would His Highness be pissed off and kill him?

In Dongxiang’s mind, a conspiracy drama was on play, while on the other side, the person he said to go to the toilet was starring in another drama of the year.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness.” A gray-bearded elder was sitting at the account books and struggling to do the work with his poor sight. Seeing him, he trembled to get on his feet and bowed to Du Chuxuan.

Du Chuxuan was stunned for a second, cursing in secrecy Yuxing Tianrui a man without conscience or empathy. How could he let such an old man suffer the exhaustion of long traveling to get here?

Yet, he didn’t spell it out and smiled at the elder, “Don’t be too polite. Now, we’re all equal in the barracks. No one has special identity. I’m here because I wish to have an independent tent. I don’t want to be the special one.”

In fact, before he arrived, Du Chuxuan had pictured a perfect future for himself. Now, his identity was Yuxing Tianrui’s intimate guard, a title neither too humble in that he was intimate to the Crown Prince and would probably be an important figure around the Emperor in the future nor too honorable in that he might not be eligible to join the training.

He didn’t need to take the trouble to do all sorts of trainings everyday, as long as he stayed around the Crown Prince to protect him. How perfect that was for him, a lazy person!