Chapter 890 - 789: Gamble

Chapter 890: Chapter 789: Gamble

The Seventeenth Princess sighed melancholically, her expression somber: "Like means like, dislike means dislike, why speak falsehoods? However, I can lie to others, but somehow, I don’t want to lie to you!"

Perhaps her candor made the young girl laugh.

The Seventeenth Princess continued: "As a princess, until one is married, no one knows when that day might come. I have come of age a year ago, yet my marriage remains unsettled. I truly fear that father might have such intentions!"

Upon hearing this, the young girl playfully handed her a small bottle and laughed: "Although we haven’t known each other long, I quite like the princess’s temperament. The princess’s worries aren’t impossible. So, I’m giving the princess something — there are two pills in this bottle."

When Han Shao explained the purpose of the medicine, the Seventeenth Princess nearly knocked over the teacup in her hand.

Her heart was gripped with fear, dread, yet a hint of excitement.

But more than anything, she felt doubt.

Yet the young girl simply smiled, saying: "There is risk, if hope outweighs the fear in your heart, use it; if you’re afraid, don’t use it. The choice rests in the princess’s hands!"

In truth, she’s not too convinced about the medicine when she got it; how could there be such a magical medicine? If... if something went wrong, her whole life could be ruined, even at the cost of her life.

Three days later, her mother’s people indeed found out that the envoys from East Tang had come to celebrate her father’s birthday, unexpectedly with a marriage proposal, and currently, she’s the only eligible princess. Who else could it be but her?

The Seventeenth Princess was shocked, angry, and frightened. She saw her mother’s anxious gaze, thinking of marrying into East Tang and having to be far away from her mother, potentially never seeing her again in her lifetime; leaving familiar lands and friends, dying sorrowfully in a foreign place.

Just the thought made her tremble all over, making it difficult to suppress overwhelming fear.

At this moment, a face with a light smile and gentle words suddenly popped into her mind, the serene yet deep eyes. They had talked about this subject before, the medicine, yes, she had given her two pills.

Is it her fate to marry into East Tang, leaving her homeland, with joys and sorrows known only to herself?

Or should she take the medicine, gambling with her life and beauty?

Listening to her mother’s sobbing, she quietly made a decision.

She took the pill.

When she took it, she told no one; this risky act couldn’t be shared with anyone.

Because doing this is almost akin to defying her father; should her father learn she pulled this stunt out of reluctance to wed, her mother’s days in the palace might not fare well.

She had to bear it all alone.

It’s been a while, and the time Han Shao mentioned arrived, she should take the other pill.

Even though she was mentally prepared, upon seeing her face covered in sores, she was still shocked by herself.

Truly magical, she hadn’t expected such a good outcome.

Now another has been chosen for the marriage, and she’s safe. Reflecting on the past month feels like a dream; if she hadn’t taken the pill, the princess headed to East Tang would be her, right?

She was selfish, but for her mother, she had to be selfish this once.

Will she ever see that young girl again?

This is their secret, though she’ll be grateful to Han Shao forever.

She remembered, that young girl and Jingchen are close friends, right, she’s the niece of Prime Minister Xia.

The Seventeenth Princess plans to request her father to celebrate her recovery with a banquet in a few days; should the invitation be sent to Jingchen or to the Chancellor Xia Mansion?