Chapter 10: The Prince Sends an Escort

“What is it?”

“Father, I have heard of a concept called ‘over-treatment.’ The Crown Prince undergoes acupuncture periodically, but I fear too much of it may hinder his own recovery.

For example, if we accidentally cut our hand, it often heals on its own without any treatment—that is the body’s natural ability to regenerate.

Yet, if we fuss over it excessively—cleaning and applying medicine constantly—it may actually slow the healing process.

Therefore, I dare to suggest that we pause treatment for a while and observe his condition before proceeding.”

Yuan Zheng spoke earnestly.

Her intention was, of course, to prevent Doctor Gu from continuing treatments that might be causing harm to the Crown Prince.

The Prince and Princess listened thoughtfully.

Since the Crown Prince’s fall from the horse, they had never ceased treatment.

This was the first time they had heard of over-treatment.

Perhaps it was indeed a possibility.

They exchanged a glance.

“Very well, no doctor for now. We shall observe for a time and decide later,” the Prince resolved.

He also understood in his heart that whether treated or not, the outcome might be the same. It was worth trying, perhaps there was hope.

This was his only legitimate son.

How could he not be heartbroken over his condition?

And today, Doctor Gu had made it clear—the chance of the eldest son awakening was almost none.

He had to prepare for the next step.

The Prince clapped his hands a few times, and the study door opened as Qingfeng led three young attendants named Mingyue inside.

At the same time, six men descended from the beams of the study ceiling.

“Ziqi’s wife, these ten men are the covert guards and escorts I have arranged for Ziqi’s protection.

You have already met four of them—they have always stayed close to Ziqi—but these six are newly assigned to you today.

How you use them from now on is up to you.

Their martial skills may not be invincible, but they are formidable fighters.

I hope, under your care, Ziqi may one day awaken.”

The Prince spoke solemnly.

All ten knelt on one knee before Yuan Zheng.

“Greetings, Crown Princess.”

Yuan Zheng was taken aback by the Prince’s consideration for her and the Crown Prince.

Having just married into the family for two days, she had already gained the Prince’s approval, confirming that revealing her true nature was the right choice.

These ten men were clearly no ordinary guards but specially trained.

“Please rise,” Yuan Zheng said, surprised by the formality.

Ancient people valued loyalty highly; these ten would soon become her and the Crown Prince’s greatest allies.

---

“Thank you, Father. I will take good care of the Crown Prince,” Yuan Zheng replied, delighted. Having ten men at her disposal meant she need not worry about life in the Prince’s mansion.

“Hm.”

“Father, do the others in the household know these six men?”

“Yes, they usually accompany me personally.”

“Then, since you have assigned them to me, won’t the Second Prince and his wife object?”

Yuan Zheng was subtly probing whether similar escorts would be given to them.

“Zishu currently lacks the ability; I will continue to teach him. Later, he will be assigned his own.”

So, not now, but eventually. That was fine. If the Second Prince and his wife wanted to cause trouble, they would have no allies.

But if she wanted to cause mischief, having help was excellent.

Yuan Zheng was very satisfied with the Prince’s arrangement.

“Father, I intend to have these ten men serve openly. Otherwise, it would be inconvenient to conduct affairs. Tomorrow, when I return to my natal home, I plan to bring two of them for support,” Yuan Zheng said with a playful smile.

The Prince and Princess looked on with approval.

This young woman showed a good disposition—not meek or easily bullied, but aware of how to protect herself.

Yuan Zheng was naturally cheerful. Although advanced in age, she never felt old. She still felt like a woman in her early twenties, full of energy and vitality, which was why she dared to work overtime for more than twenty hours straight.

“As you wish.”

Yuan Zheng left the study with the ten men.

“May I know your names?” she asked the six men she was meeting for the first time.

“Please, Crown Princess, bestow names upon us,” the six men bowed.

Change masters, change names as well?

She thought for a moment.

“Well, line up by age.”

The six immediately complied.

“From eldest to youngest: Spring Thunder, Summer Rain, Autumn Wind, Winter Frost, Cloud Chaser, Moon Pursuer.”

“Thank you, Crown Princess, for the names,” they said in unison with smiles—which was unusual for covert guards.

“Do you like the names?” Yuan Zheng asked casually.

“The names you gave are beautiful. The ones the Prince gave us were just numbers,” Spring Thunder, the eldest, replied on behalf of the group.

To Yuan Zheng, these ten men were all about twenty years old, brimming with masculine vigor and vitality.

They were not the cold-faced covert guards she had imagined, merely executing orders.

“Very well. Tomorrow I will return to my natal home. Spring Thunder and Summer Rain, ask the steward to prepare two horse-drawn carriages. From now on, Spring Thunder will be your captain. Follow all orders.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

---

The next day, the two daughters-in-law of the Yu family returned to the Yong’an Marquis’s estate.

The Princess had prepared identical gifts for both daughters-in-law.

Early in the morning, Yu Chaoyang had already woken Shangguan Zishu, as she wanted to leave early.

She had been very happy these past few days. She had finally escaped the fate of widowhood, shared marital bliss with her husband, and found the pleasures of intimacy irresistible.

In a few days, it would be the Crown Princess’s turn.

This was the life she had dreamed of in her previous life.

She was eager to share this happiness with her mother.

Shangguan Zishu’s eyes were darkened with fatigue as he wished to sleep more.

He had exerted himself greatly these past three days, nearly drained.

Only after the couple had left did Yuan Zheng leisurely rise and freshen herself.

Taking the gifts prepared by the Princess, she boarded the carriage bound for the Yong’an Marquis’s estate.

“Miss, the eldest miss left early as well. Will Master and Madam be upset that we are late returning?” Ziyue asked anxiously.

“It’s all right,” Yuan Zheng replied indifferently. The original owner’s parents were virtually invisible in the Marquis’s estate.

She lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. The Prince’s mansion was close to the Imperial City, a district densely populated by nobility.

The streets had little commerce.

They were lined with this Prince’s mansion, that Marquis’s residence, or the Princess’s palace.

There was no spectacle to behold.

The Marquis’s estate was not qualified to reside in such an area.

After about forty-five minutes, the carriage stopped.

“Crown Princess, we have arrived,” Spring Thunder’s voice came from outside.

Two maids stepped down first, then helped Yuan Zheng alight.

To her surprise, no one was at the gate of the Yong’an Marquis’s estate.

Only two large stone lions, still adorned with red ribbons, gazed upward into the distance.

By all rights, her parents should have been waiting at the gate.

News of her remarriage could not have failed to reach the Marquis’s estate.

As the Crown Princess, her father should have been personally waiting at the gate.

Yet not only was the gate empty, it was closed.

“Miss, what is going on?” Jiang Hua stared incredulously at the tightly shut gate.

“It’s nothing. Knock on the door,” Yuan Zheng said calmly.

Did they think she wouldn’t return because she no longer had a man with her?