My Princess and Crown Prince Are Revived
Chapter 161 The Secret of Princess Residence

Chapter 161: Chapter 161 The Secret of Princess Residence

Yan Lian had a look of confusion, and he glanced at Yan Lin for answers.

"Eighth Brother, what does the Princess Consort mean by this?"

Although their relationship with their royal aunt was not close, there was no need to sneak into her estate like thieves.

He finally understood why, before departing, the Princess Consort instructed Wuji and others to load water onto the carriage.

However, he did not understand why the Princess Consort would enter the Princess Residence in such a manner.

The color in Yan Lin’s eyes deepened further.

"You just follow what she does, why so many questions?" he said coldly.

"Oh..." Yan Lian pursed his lips and spoke.

"Alas, with the Princess Consort around, Big Brother has started to dislike me," he muttered with pretended grievance.

As a result, Ziyi and Ziwu whispered in his ear, "Ninth Prince, you seem to be mistaken. Our master has always disliked you, regardless of whether the Princess Consort is there or not."

Yan Lian: "..."

What on earth did these two eat before leaving the house today? Their words are so unpleasant!

Chu Baihan had been observing closely ever since he walked in the door.

It was heard that Princess Chunjing’s mother was not favored by the Emperor, and she had no full brothers of the same mother.

Therefore, after the Emperor ascended to the throne, she married one of her guards and followed him back to Jiangnan.

The Emperor couldn’t wait to have these distant relatives leave, so he gave the guard a nominal official position and provided Princess Chunjing with a decent dowry, allowing her to marry into Jiangnan.

It was said that the Prince Consort had passed away two years ago, leaving the Princess Residence with only Princess Chunjing and her child.

"Do you feel there is anything amiss about this Princess Residence?"

Chu Baihan suddenly paused in his steps and then turned to ask Yan Lin and Yan Lian.

"This Princess Residence is rather dilapidated," Yan Lin spoke bluntly.

Hearing this, Chu Baihan nodded in agreement.

Indeed, it was dilapidated.

Although the estate was spacious and well-furnished, it was clearly decorated over a decade ago.

"This is normal. Since our uncle held a nominal official position, he wasn’t wealthy. Despite the sizeable dowry from years ago, it can’t sustain over so many years of spending. The Emperor won’t provide a stipend to a princess who has married far away. So, if our aunt cannot generate her own wealth, it is normal for the Princess Residence to fall into decay," Yan Lin explained in a solemn voice at that moment.

So that’s how it is, Chu Baihan nodded in understanding.

But speaking of it, the Emperor was indeed heartless.

How could a princess, sharing the same Imperial Family blood, be utterly abandoned? This would be unthinkable in other kingdoms’ royal families.

"Please wait here, everyone. Once the eldest princess awakens, I will report to her," the servant said politely.

"Alright."

Watching the servants leave, Chu Baihan withdrew his gaze.

They were now standing in a pavilion, but the surrounding pond had dried up, and the lotuses were withered and limp.

"This severe drought has really affected Jiangnan profoundly," Yan Lian remarked somberly.

But Chu Baihan was not in the mood to agree with him.

She walked out of the pavilion slowly and then gazed at the dawn sky not far away.

"Even here, at the Princess Residence, one can still see the tower peaks," she murmured softly.

Yan Lin rose and came to her side.

Looking up, he saw the tallest tower in Jiangnan standing in that direction.

"Does it remind you of the scene when we emerged from the secret passage?" he asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, where exactly is that place? And where does the other path lead?"

Chu Baihan shook her head and murmured lowly.

It seems she must take another trip to that dilapidated temple when she has the time.

"Hiss, this tea is so sweet and refreshing," Yan Lian said, taking a sip of the tea and couldn’t help but exclaim.

"Sweet and refreshing?"

Hearing this, Chu Baihan felt parched too, so she turned and went back to sit on the stone bench.

She picked up the teacup, examined it closely, and then drank it all in one go.

But after she finished the tea, a flicker of light involuntarily passed through her eyes.

"Indeed, this tea has a sweet taste that refreshes the heart," she nodded in agreement.

Hearing the two of them talk like this, Yan Lin also picked up his teacup.

"This tea, it’s like it’s brewed with mist water?"

After taking a sip, he looked down, his tone oddly perplexed.

"Eighth Brother, you really are muddled. With the great drought in Jiangnan, everything’s dried up, and the grass and trees are nearly dead. Where would the mist water come from?"

Yan Lian waved his hand, disagreeing as he spoke.

But even after saying that, the suspicion in Yan Lin’s eyes did not diminish.

Chu Baihan too picked up her teacup, her thoughts turning this way and that.

It was at this moment that a servant from the Princess Residence hurried over.

"I am truly sorry, but our Princess felt unwell upon rising today and thus is not suited for receiving guests. Please forgive us. This is the money for today’s water collection; the Princess asked me to give it to you."

A servant stepped forward, with a money pouch in hand.

"Wuming, take the money."

"Yes."

Seeing that Wuming had taken the money, Chu Baihan slowly spoke, "If that’s the case, we won’t overstay our welcome, so we’ll take our leave."

Ah?

They’re leaving just like that?

They came back in a hurry just for selling water?

And all that water, they nearly emptied the water reservoir of the Li Residence, leaving them running short on water as well.

When Chu Baihan led them out, Yan Lian was still perplexed.

"What’s going on? Not seeing the Imperial Aunt?" he muttered.

"It’s because your Imperial Aunt doesn’t wish to see us," said Chu Baihan softly.

"It must be because we haven’t revealed our identities yet. If she knew the true identities of you, Eighth Brother, and me, she should have met with us, regardless of how distant our relationship might be," Yan Lian contradicted, shaking his head.

Upon hearing this, Chu Baihan chuckled lightly and continued calmly, "Perhaps it’s precisely because the Imperial Aunt guessed it was us that she chose not to appear."

"What makes you think so?" Yan Lian pressed.

"The bucket you used to carry the water, did it come from the palace?" Yan Lin suddenly thought of something and immediately directed a question at Chu Baihan.

"That’s right. The items prepared by the eunuch for travel, as per our father the Emperor’s instructions, included wooden buckets to carry water on the road. Those buckets bear the Imperial Palace’s mark. Just now, when that servant hurried over, his sleeve was wet, and he carried a faint scent of a grassy herbal wash exclusive to noble families..."

"So, it’s quite possible that he had already brought water for the Imperial Aunt to wash up. The Imperial Aunt might have also seen the bucket. People of Imperial birth would recognize the Imperial Palace’s mark," Yan Lin immediately added.

"Exactly," Chu Baihan nodded.

"Ah? Eighth sister-in-law, did you specifically come today to test the Imperial Aunt?" Yan Lian asked, baffled.

"You could say that," Chu Baihan replied softly, looking back at the sign of the Princess Residence and adding another sentence, "What do you think is the reason our Imperial Aunt is avoiding meeting us?"

"This, this..." Yan Lian scratched his head, unable to think of a reason.

Yet it seemed Chu Baihan wasn’t expecting an answer. She withdrew her gaze, briskly boarded the carriage, and then dropped a sentence.

"Alright, it’s dawn. You are all tired, let’s head back and rest."