Chapter 254: What If I Become a Puppy?

Around midday.

Because of the Wangchuan Ferry incident, the entire Tongqu Ward was in chaos. Dozens of people in the nearby Warm Fragrance Courtyard were implicated and taken into custody to await interrogation.

At the hour of the Rooster, Ding Suian finished giving his statement at the West Yamen. As he stepped out, he saw Eunuch He, a personal attendant to Princess Xingguo, waiting outside.

“Duke of Chu County, Your Highness requests your presence.”

On the way to the Princess’s Residence, Ding Suian was still speculating on the reason for Princess Xingguo’s summons. As a supervisor of the Patrol Inspection Office solely responsible for military discipline, his interference in a public security matter like the ‘Wangchuan Ferry’ clearly smacked of overstepping his authority.

Furthermore, this matter involved Han Jingru and Chen Hong, who was currently unscathed.

Princess Xingguo had made a passionate and righteous speech on the main street, but her true private attitude remained unknown.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Duke of Chu County, your primary duty is to inspect military discipline. Today’s matter was not within your purview; you have already overstepped your authority. Furthermore, as a dignified Duke of Chu County, you risked your life alone—this is not the caution a general should possess!”

As expected, Princess Xingguo began by pointing out Ding Suian’s mistake, but her tone was not severe. It sounded more like she was criticizing him for being reckless and taking personal risks rather than reprimanding him for overstepping.

“This subject knows his error.”

Her Highness’s attitude clearly showed she didn’t intend to hold it against him, so Ding Suian naturally tried his best to put on a well-behaved act.

He took the opportunity to admit an ‘error’ rather than a ‘crime’.

Admitting an error meant she could scold him a few times to vent her anger and it would be over; admitting a crime meant he would have to be punished.

This little bit of cleverness naturally couldn’t fool Princess Xingguo. She seemed almost amused to the point of anger and chided, “It seems that the three months’ salary I docked you last time was still too light! If everyone acted as recklessly as you, where would the majesty of the imperial court’s laws be? Even if you hear of illegal activities, you should report them to the relevant authorities to handle according to the law. You are an official of the imperial court, a Duke of Chu County appointed by the Emperor, not some reckless Jianghu braggart who draws his sword to fight whenever he sees injustice!”

Relevant authorities?

According to the law, for a security case like this in Central Heaven, he should have reported it to the prefecture office, followed the procedures, and let Chen Hong handle it?

But since Her Highness was already being very protective, Ding Suian naturally wouldn’t blurt out anything reckless. He only probed, “Your Highness, according to Han Sui’s confession, aside from the women and children they abducted being sold to brothels, most of the others were sent to the residences of certain noble figures. In my humble opinion, we could start the investigation with those who have close ties to Han Jingru…”

Who had the closest ties to Han Jingru? Princess Xingguo couldn’t possibly not know. Yet, without hesitation, she said, “You don’t need to worry about this matter.”

“.”

Was she ultimately going to let it go for the sake of the Royal Family’s face or the familial bond between aunt and nephew?

Standing above, Lin Hansu, who was waiting to the side, felt a bit worried, fearing that Ding Suian might say something inappropriate.

Unexpectedly, Princess Xingguo continued meaningfully, “Duke of Chu County, you fear no power and pity the weak; your sincerity is commendable. However, to accomplish great things, one needs extraordinary power. Relying on mere passion alone will never shake a deeply entrenched force. With your current low rank of the fifth grade, it is far from enough.”

“.”

Hearing this, Ding Suian looked up slightly, cast a quick glance, and seeing that Princess Xingguo was also looking at him with a gentle gaze, he lowered his head again.

It wasn’t just him who felt it was strange; even Lin Hansu felt it was very odd.

If Lin Hansu or even Lin Dafu had said these words, it would have been normal.

It was only strange coming from this Great Wu Princess who held absolute power.

It was common for superiors to encourage subordinates to risk their lives by dangling career prospects and wealth, but Her Highness’s tone was closer to the encouragement of someone intimate.

‘Gurgle~ Gurgle~’

The Wangqiu Hall fell silent, making the sudden rumbling of Ding Suian’s stomach sound exceptionally loud.

Princess Xingguo couldn’t help but be startled, then she lost her composure and laughed, “Hungry?”

“Uh, a little. I went out last night and haven’t eaten anything since.”

Ding Suian told the truth.

Princess Xingguo smiled and called out, “Eunuch He, order the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a few small dishes. Make it quick.”

“Yes.”

Less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a palace maid brought over four plates of dishes, a bowl of water shield soup, a bowl of Yongzhou purple rice, and a plate of snacks called crab roe pastry.

As for eating, he was quite practiced at it.

But would it be impolite to eat in front of the Princess?

“Your Highness, should I eat here?”

“Why? Does this Wangqiu Hall of mine affect your appetite?”

“That’s not it, it’s just that I’ve eaten quickly since I was a child. In my father’s words, it’s like a dog snatching food; it’s not very elegant.”

As soon as Ding Suian finished speaking, Princess Xingguo laughed for no reason. It was a smile far more genuine than usual, and her tone became even gentler, “Duke of Chu County, just eat. You won’t scare me.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

When he said he wouldn’t stand on ceremony, he really didn’t.

He picked up the rice bowl and ate extremely fast, yet he didn’t appear crude. Old Ding’s so-called ‘dog snatching food’ was slander.

Princess Xingguo sat upright above, holding a cup of clear tea, but her gaze fell on him as if it were there or not.

Shielded by the lid she used to skim the foam, she greedily stared at Ding Suian’s cheeks, which were slightly bulging from chewing, and his throat as he swallowed.

A faint yet gentle curve couldn’t help but appear on her lips.

Ding Suian indeed ate very quickly.

Not only did he finish the meal completely, but even the after-meal snack, the crab roe pastry, was not left with a single piece.

“Thank you for the meal, Your Highness.”

Ding Suian stood up to express his gratitude.

Princess Xingguo put down her teacup and laughed softly, “How was the taste?”

“The taste was not bad, it’s just that the portion was a little small.”

“Hahaha~”

Princess Xingguo was rarely this cheerful. She turned and said, “Eunuch He, have the Imperial Kitchen serve another set just like the original.”

“Your Highness, no need to trouble yourself. Eating until seven-tenths full is just right.”

“Oh? You really don’t want any more?”

“I really don’t.”

Having come to the Princess’s Residence, he had reported what needed to be reported and gauged the attitude that needed to be gauged. Seeing the sun sinking in the west, Ding Suian said, “Your Highness, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

Princess Xingguo pondered for a moment and said, “Alright, you may go. Hansu, see the Duke of Chu County off on my behalf.”

“Yes.”

Lin Hansu led Ding Suian out of Wangqiu Hall.

When the two left, they were very proper, but after rounding an osmanthus tree, Ding Suian, perhaps thinking Princess Xingguo couldn’t see, suddenly acted like a mischievous child, quickly reached out and poked Lin Hansu’s waist, then ran off.

Lin Hansu paused slightly, then stretched out her long legs and chased after him, seemingly intent on avenging this poke.

Princess Xingguo leaned her head on her hand, lying sideways on the Phoenix throne, watching their vaguely chasing figures, a smile appearing on her face unconsciously.

When the two lively figures disappeared around the corner of the second hall, the smile on her face gradually faded.

The setting sun shone in from the west window of Wangqiu Hall, casting a layer of nostalgic orange-yellow over the objects in the hall.

It was quiet.

Princess Xingguo sighed silently, but then, as if thinking of something, she sat up straight abruptly, “Eunuch He, pack two ready-made portions of crab roe pastry and have the Duke of Chu County take them back. Quickly!”

“Greetings, Princess Consort, greetings, Duke of Chu County.”

Lin Hansu had been chasing all the way and had just caught up to Ding Suian at the second corridor when two palace maids approached from the front.

She immediately stopped in her tracks, her slightly flushed face from running returning to its usual dignified state.

When the palace maids had walked away, Ding Suian and Lin Hansu walked side-by-side toward the exit, and he whispered, “Sister, are you still angry?”

Lin Hansu looked straight ahead, her hands tucked into her large sleeves, “If I were angry with you, I would have died of anger long ago.”

She paused slightly and continued, “Regarding Chen Hong, one cannot be impatient. He has deep ties to the State Religion behind him.”

“I know. Just now, I was only testing Her Highness’s attitude.”

“Your Highness~”

Lin Hansu remembered their conversation earlier that morning and lowered her voice, “Her Highness is more far-sighted than you or I imagine. However, this time you gave Her Highness a perfect excuse to take down Han Jingru. You must know that Han Jingru is the brains for the Prince of Linping. Without him, given Chen Hong’s lecherousness and lack of strategy, he will inevitably make one foolish move after another. You just need to wait and see.”

“Hmm, are you going back to the residence tonight, Sister?”

Ding Suian changed the subject a bit abruptly. Lin Hansu stopped, her phoenix eyes slightly slanted, looking both reproachful and coquettish, “No! Go find Sect Leader Xu!”

“Alright then.”

“What?!”

“Look, you told me to go find her, I listened to you, and now you’re upset.”

“If I told you to go kill her, would you go?”

“Then I’ll go kill her tonight.”

“I don’t believe a word you say!”

“Haha, I’m joking, Sister, don’t worry. If I go find Xu Jiuxi tonight, I’ll be a puppy!”

“Heh~ Not only are you not allowed to go tonight, but from now on…”

Lin Hansu gave a goddess-like cold laugh, but suddenly heard footsteps behind her.

Looking back, it was actually Eunuch He chasing after them, carrying a food box.

“Duke of Chu County, Duke of Chu County~ Please stop~”

Eunuch He panted as he reached them. Ding Suian stopped and looked back, “Eunuch He, what is this…”

Eunuch He panted for a few breaths before he could muster the strength, “Her Highness saw that the crab roe pastry suited your taste, so she specifically had this old servant bring it for you to take home and enjoy.”

“.”

Ding Suian and Lin Hansu looked at each other, both full of surprise.

Her Highness held great power and had her own set of rules for dealing with people; she couldn’t be too harsh and chill the hearts of her subjects, nor would she be too doting, lest her subjects become arrogant.

But today, first she kept Ding Suian for a meal, and then she gifted him snacks. This treatment was likely comparable to Chen Yi’s.

Very strange.

At night, at the end of the hour of the Dog, the lanterns were lit.

“Old Lin, haven’t you heard? My little Lord showed his Divine Might this morning, charging into the tiger’s den alone and killing four hundred and seventy-eight kidnappers, capturing nine hundred and twelve alive. It’s said that the passage was blocked by the corpses of those scoundrels. Tsk tsk tsk, it was truly miserable~”

Hu Couhe and the neighbor, Steward Lin, sat under a tree to enjoy the cool air. The former waved his arms, his expression exaggerated.

When he first moved to Suimian Street, Hu Couhe called Steward Lin “Uncle Lin”.

Later, when Ding Suian was ennobled, he called Steward Lin “Brother Lin”.

Now, Steward Lin had been demoted to “Old Lin” in Hu Couhe’s mouth.

He was bragging loudly when he saw Ding Suian, who had just bathed and changed his clothes, walk out of the residence.

“Yo, little Lord, what are you going to do?”

Hu Couhe, who had been acting all high and mighty in front of ‘Old Lin’, quickly stood up with a flattering smile.

Ding Suian waved his hand and said nonchalantly, “Going to be a puppy~”

“Ah?”

Old Xu had helped him build up poison resistance in advance when she learned he was going to investigate Wangchuan Ferry. He hadn’t thanked her, and he had even struck her with a palm.

This wasn’t right.

A real man should be even more ruthless when facing evil, but when facing kindness, he must at least say thank you in person and apologize.

As for the “I’ll be a puppy” part of not keeping his word, well, he would just be one.