Although Hu Xiaotian had been fortunate enough to enter the inner compound, he discovered that no room had been prepared for him there. Like Wu Jingshan, he was quartered in the outer compound. It seemed Great Yong deliberately intended to separate the princess from them. After they helped the counterfeit princess settle in, Zijuan sent the newly arrived palace maids outside. Hu Xiaotian closed the door and respectfully said to her, "Your Highness, we've finally arrived. Have a good rest today."
Zijuan sighed softly. "We reached this place safe and sound, but Zijuan died such a horrible death."
Hu Xiaotian was taken aback. You're standing here alive and well. Why would you say that? Then another thought struck him. Could she mean Long Xiyue? He said respectfully, "Please don't grieve, Your Highness. Zijuan grew up with you, and you cared for her in every possible way. You were as close as sisters. Even if everyone else in this world betrayed you, Zijuan never would." His words dripped with mockery toward Zijuan.
Zijuan gave Hu Xiaotian a cold look. "But Zijuan has vanished without a trace-no living person, no dead body. How can you expect me to be at peace?"
"The odds are that Zijuan is dead," Hu Xiaotian said. "But she died for her princess. I imagine that even beneath the earth, she would have no regrets."
Zijuan nodded. "Perhaps Heaven watches over the fortunate, and she managed to escape with her life. Who can say?"
"Your Highness should rest without worrying," Hu Xiaotian said. "Today is already the twenty-third of the second month. Your wedding is on the sixteenth of next month."
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would almost have forgotten," Zijuan said. "That's right. Whatever happened, we reached the Yong Capital. Whatever we went through, at least