Untouchable Lovers-Chapter 206 - 186 Rong Zhi Returns

Chapter 206: Chapter 186 Rong Zhi Returns

Chapter 206 -186 Rong Zhi Returns

After delaying the project for half a day, Chu Yu summoned Amman and Liu Sang the next day, telling them to continue with the excavation work.

During the day, Amman played the role of a mole, while Liu Sang hoisted the dug-up soil out bucket by bucket with a rope and transferred it to the ground. Once night fell and the surroundings were silent, they took advantage of the darkness to spread the excavated soil around the large pits dug for the new ponds. Since constructing ponds also produces a significant amount of soil, a little more or less would not be too conspicuous.

To avoid the two running around after their work was done, Chu Yu simply let them stay in her own compound, which also prevented them from being seen too often and arousing suspicion. However, this arrangement gave rise to a fresh batch of rumors within the Princess Mansion.

After several consecutive days of excavation, even someone with Innate Divine Strength like Amman began to feel the burden. Chu Yu, on the other hand, did not lift a finger, merely nitpicking the construction of the water ponds around the courtyard each day. She would first demand a square pond, then a round one, then a triangular one, and again a gourd-shaped one; her indecisiveness and meddling served to extend the construction time as much as possible, thereby securing more cover for Amman.

By day, Chu Yu was fussy and critical, but at night she would sleep normally in the side house. However, Amman and Liu Sang, aside from digging the hole, also had to dispose of the dug-up soil under cover of darkness, which led to their lack of sleep. Their occasional appearances in front of others were marked by signs of fatigue.

Combined with the sight of Tian Rujing, who had looked soulless and disheartened on his way back to the East Upper Pavilion earlier, the rumors morphed into beliefs that the Princess had learned a spell of replenishment from Lord Heavenly Master and was draining Liu Sang and Amman daily. Although Liu Sang was young, he regularly practiced martial arts and had a robust physique, and Amman possessed Innate Divine Strength. With such capital, to be drained to such an extent indicated just how sinister the replenishment technique was.

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Within the Princess Mansion, the way people looked at Chu Yu gradually began to mirror the reverence they had previously held for Tian Rujing.

No matter what she did behind the scenes, Chu Yu at least kept up appearances, frequently inviting Tian Rujing over as a guest and occasionally picking at the construction defects of the water ponds. Her movements were confined solely to the Inner Garden. He Ji, seeing her this compliant, gradually let his guard down as well. During the first few days, he himself stood guard outside the Princess Mansion’s outer garden, but later he delegated the task to his subordinates and went about his usual business.

That went on until the tenth day.

Essentially, everyone at court with a keen sense of news knew the Princess had fallen out with the Emperor and was under house arrest. Consequently, the entryway of the Princess Mansion, which was typically desolate and rarely trodden, was now even more deserted. Some people would rather take several extra streets than pass by the Mansion’s vicinity.

However, on this day, an unexpected visitor arrived at the gate.

It was a young man dressed in white. His white garments were somewhat worn and not particularly fine material, but as they fluttered lightly in the bleak autumn wind, they lent him an air of unruffled grace and poise.

The young man stood in front of the gate for quite some time, his expression a mix of a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, gazing at the plaque hanging above the entrance to the Princess Mansion.

A patrol of guards spotted him, his unfamiliar and suspicious appearance prompting the leader to step forward and scold, “Who are you… This is the Princess Mansion, not a place you should come to…” Due to He Ji taking over the complete defense of the Mansion, almost all the old staff had been replaced, and the newcomers did not recognize the former residents of the Mansion.

Before he could finish speaking, he abruptly choked on his words, because the young man glanced at him.

The look in his eyes was not fierce, nor did it seem particularly intimidating; it was merely an ordinary and bland look, devoid of joy or anger, impenetrable.

That gaze made one involuntarily submit, not due to imposing authority, but as if it were a natural question of rebuke from a close acquaintance: How could you act like this?

A sense of guilt and awe spontaneously arose.

The young man’s gaze was graceful and peaceful, like snow atop a mountain peak, unapproachable. He spoke gently, “My name is Rong Zhi. I used to be part of the Inner Garden. I got separated from the Princess some days ago, and I would appreciate it if you could send word to the Inner Garden on my behalf.”

Upon hearing his words, the guard captain was taken aback and couldn’t help but think inwardly that there was actually someone who voluntarily returned to be a concubine. Unsure if the young man was genuine, he intended to send someone to convey the message to He Ji for instructions. However, before he could call someone over, a person from inside the Princess Mansion came out, took hold of the captain, and whispered, “What this person said is true.”

That person had previously been in charge of food management in the outer garden of the Princess Mansion, his surname was Huang. He was an old-timer who had surrendered to He Ji under duress, so he had a bit more freedom. He recognized Rong Zhi and knew of the high esteem in which Rong Zhi was held in the Mansion previously. If possible, it was best not to offend him. Moreover, by letting Rong Zhi in, he would incidentally do a favor for the Princess. If she were to regain her standing in the future, he could also claim that while serving under Cao, his heart remained with Han.

As for whether Rong Zhi’s return would cause trouble for the Prince Consort, Housekeeper Huang chose to ignore that.

When working for others, one’s priority should always be self-preservation. There was no need to risk life and limb getting involved in the strife between a married couple; it was sufficient to be like the grass on the top of a wall, bending in whatever direction the wind blows.

Everyone has his own thoughts and concerns for self-preservation.

Once a few people from within the mansion confirmed that Rong Zhi indeed belonged to the Princess Mansion’s Inner Garden, the guard captain had no reason to block the way any longer and opened the gates to let Rong Zhi enter.

*************************************

The news of Rong Zhi’s return swiftly spread through the entire Inner and outer gardens, and within less than a quarter of an hour, people streamed towards Muxue Garden. These were all the Princess’s loyal followers inside the Princess Mansion. Although He Ji had placed Chu Yu under house arrest, he couldn’t dismiss the old loyalists in the Princess Mansion who still sided with the Princess without any reason, to avoid accusations of excluding dissidents. Yet, these people’s days were far from easy; they had suffered much frustration from the Prince Consort Faction.

With Rong Zhi’s return, they saw hope.

Although they came under various pretexts, everyone had the same aim, which was to implore Rong Zhi to take action. It had been a while since Rong Zhi had dealt with the affairs, and Huan Yuan had previously taken over control of the mansion’s authority. However, the astute ones knew it was because Rong Zhi allowed it. If Rong Zhi didn’t wish it, Huan Yuan couldn’t take away even the slightest bit of power.

At that moment, Chu Yu was observing Amman and Liu Sang digging a hole when she heard the urgent knocking at the door. She couldn’t help but frown. Hadn’t she ordered that unless it was mealtime, she was not to be disturbed?

The next moment, You Lan’s urgent voice turned Chu Yu into stone, “Young Master Rong has returned!”

In an instant, an extreme silence enveloped her. Chu Yu couldn’t hear Amman’s digging underneath the ground or Liu Sang’s worried inquiries beside her. Her mind continuously echoed with that phrase:

Rong Zhi, Rong Zhi had returned.

These days, apart from secretly digging a tunnel, she often worried about how to rescue Rong Zhi. Since Liu Ziyue had turned against her, Chu Yu was at her wits’ end.

On the surface, she appeared calm, but every time she thought of Rong Zhi, her heart would sink into an unknown abyss.

At times, she feared he would never return, and when she felt that way, the token he had entrusted to her burned like fire.

Finally realizing what those words meant, Chu Yu stood up abruptly. She rushed to the door, flusteredly opened it, then grabbed You Lan by the collar, “What did you just say?” her voice trembling slightly.

You Lan almost choked on her breath. She looked at Chu Yu with a bit of fear, stuttering, “Young Master Rong, he’s back, he’s… right now, in Muxue Garden.”

Chu Yu, without a second thought, let go of You Lan and walked briskly outside. She almost instinctively made her way toward Muxue Garden, only regaining her composure and stopping when she was nearby.

Outside Muxue Garden, where it was usually tranquil, people were now coming and going. The Princess Mansion’s stewards were lined up outside the door in an orderly manner, split into two rows, with respectful expressions as they waited to be received by Rong Zhi.

Every so often, one person would be called inside, and at the same time, another would back out from inside the door, retreating backwards while bowing respectfully towards the inside.

Those still waiting in line showed no sign of displeasure, some merely with anticipation and hope.

It was almost as if they were paying homage to a king.

For some reason, four words unexpectedly emerged in Chu Yu’s mind. These words, when applied to Rong Zhi at this moment, felt rather odd, and yet they seemed very fitting to her:

The King has returned.