My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 1: Cold Palace

　　The summer heat was stifling. Yun Ling bent her head and meticulously swept the fallen leaves, unable to spare a moment. The work of three palace maids was thrust upon her alone, while the other two simply watched. If she failed to finish, she would be punished upon her return.

　　Sweat glistened on her smooth forehead, soaking her temples. Her palms were burning red, marked with deep crimson indentations and blisters. The pain made her barely able to grip the broom tightly as she continued to sweep.

　　When her shift ended and she returned to the dining room, the same scene awaited her as yesterday: a meager broth and a few wilted leaves. The other maids cast her sideways glances, stifling laughter behind their hands.

　　Yun Ling remained silent, pouring the last of the broth into her bowl and stirring it. At that moment, a palace maid in green approached and forcefully overturned her bowl, splashing the contents all over her. Rice grains splattered onto her face.

　　“Eunuch Wang said you're ungrateful and born lowly,” she sneered, “you don't deserve such fine food.”

　　“It's your good fortune that Eunuch Wang even noticed you. Don't push your luck,” another chimed in.

　　The group watched Yun Ling's humiliation, their laughter echoing through the room.

　　Yun Ling reached out and wiped away the scattered broth and rice grains from her face. Slowly, she lifted her head, her brows like distant ink, her long lashes as black as raven feathers, her nose delicate and small, her lips naturally red. Her beauty, like a delicate flower, stood out amongst the other palace maids.

　　Her soft, expressive eyes, like wispy clouds, seemed veiled in a light mist. Just looking at them could melt one's heart.

　　Despite the humiliation, she showed no anger. Instead, she looked at the green-clad maid and called out, “Sister Lu Zhu.”

　　“I know my lowly status doesn't allow me to accept Eunuch Wang's kindness. I understand that Sister Lu Zhu is simply blunt, but everyone knows you have a kind heart. I also know some things are unavoidable, so I've never resented you,” Yun Ling said softly.

　　“Sister Lu Zhu, you're kind,” Yun Ling called out again, her voice gentle. “Could you please speak to Eunuch Wang on my behalf?”

　　Even after the humiliation inflicted by Lu Zhu, she held no resentment or anger. Her eyes, like autumn water, held a naive and pitiful expression, tugging at the heartstrings of anyone who looked upon her.

　　Lu Zhu hesitated, taking an uneasy step backward. Her expression remained stiff, but her tone softened slightly. “I don't have that kind of power. I'm just following Eunuch Wang's orders. If you don't like it, go ask him yourself. It'll save you from daily humiliation.”

　　With that, she turned and left, the other palace maids trailing behind her.

　　Finally, the trouble was over.

　　Yun Ling picked up the remaining half-bowl of rice and ate it.

　　Returning to her quarters, she found the same situation as in the dining hall; even her bed had been splashed with water.

　　Yun Ling lowered her eyes and silently walked inside. She had long since given up on arguing with them.

　　Night had fallen, a full moon hanging high in the sky. The moonlight was faint, the night quiet.

　　Everyone was asleep, but Yun Ling sat outside, gazing at the moon.

　　Sunrise and sunset, the moon's waxing and waning—day after day, year after year, it was always the same. Even the sun and moon, so high and mighty, were confined to this small world.

　　“Sister,” a small voice called from behind her.

　　Turning around, Yun Ling saw the young girl Ru Dong sneaking over. From her bosom, she produced a small paper packet. Opening it, revealed half a steamed bun. “Sister Yun Ling, I secretly hid this, it's for you.”

　　Yun Ling, who had been hungry all day, looked at the half-bun and reached out to take it. “Thank you, Dongdong.”

　　“Go back quickly, be careful they don't see you,” she added softly.

　　“Okay,” Ru Dong whispered.

　　Ru Dong, obedient as always, quickly disappeared behind the door.

　　The palace maids and eunuchs, following Wang Dade's instructions, were isolating, tormenting, and bullying Yun Ling; no one dared to help her. Ru Dong, only thirteen years old, couldn't be burdened by her.

　　Wang Dade was the Deputy Supervisor of the Imperial Palace Attendants, and his godfather, Eunuch Li, was backed by the Empress; no one dared to offend him.

　　This Wang Dade had twisted and perverse desires; he delighted in tormenting lowly palace maids. Several maids had already been carried out, blood flowing from their lower bodies, only to die shortly afterward.

　　Life in the depths of the Palace was already precarious, but for lowly maids, it was even more so.

　　Those who died from beatings, those thrown into dry wells, those drowned—all were common occurrences.

　　Life is not one's own to decide.

　　And now, Wang Dade had set his sights on her.

　　Yun Ling had originally served in Liu Meiren's palace. Careful and meticulous, with a sweet tongue, she had been favored by Liu Meiren. However, because of her striking beauty, Liu Meiren kept her at a distance, unwilling to let a palace maid pose a threat to her position, despite Yun Ling's pleasant demeanor. Liu Meiren hadn't mistreated her, so her life had been relatively comfortable. But after Liu Meiren died in childbirth, Yun Ling was coerced by Wang Dade and transferred to the lowly position of a cleaning maid, subjected to various difficulties and pressures, forcing her to submit to becoming his concubine.

　　In a few days, Wang Dade would likely run out of patience.

　　And she, a lowly palace maid, with her Master dead and no one to rely on, was powerless to fight back, facing almost certain doom.

　　After wiping the water from her bed, Yun Ling climbed onto it and soon fell into a restless sleep.

　　In the dark night, fires raged, corpses lay scattered everywhere, the stench of blood filled the air, and a torrential rain poured down.

　　Palace maids and eunuchs screamed and scattered in terror.

　　Yun Ling wanted to run, but found her legs wouldn't move. She looked up, and an arrow, piercing the wind and rain, shot straight towards her, unstoppable, piercing through her body.

　　Rain fell from the eaves of the Palace, drop by drop, heavily striking the bluestone slabs.

　　Someone fell behind her.

　　Amidst the bloody chaos, a young man in armor, a blood-stained sword in his hand, walked towards her step by step. The closer he came, the clearer his face became.

　　The Sixth Prince, Xie Jue!

　　Someone nearby exclaimed, “Wasn't the Sixth Prince confined to the Cold Palace—” The sentence was cut short by a fatal blow.

　　Xie Jue, clad in cold iron armor, his pale face spattered with crimson blood, looked like a grim hellish demon. He raised his sword towards her, and then it passed right through her body.

　　Yun Ling's eyes flew open, and she gasped, realizing it had been a dream.

　　She coughed, trying to catch her breath, lying on the bed. Water droplets trickled down her forehead and along her hair, rolling down her delicate chin.

　　A palace maid, who had splashed water on her, stood with her hands on her hips, taunting her. “Oh, you think you're a noble lady in the Palace, sleeping until noon?”

　　At Wang Dade's behest, everyone seized every opportunity to humiliate her.

　　Yun Ling remained silent, her mind lingering on the dream.

　　The Sixth Prince... a figure rarely mentioned throughout the Palace, frail yet cruel, with a penchant for bloodshed. The Cold Palace? Remembering the eunuch's exclamation, Yun Ling found it puzzling. Wasn't the Sixth Prince residing in Qingyue Hall? How could he be in the Cold Palace?

　　And why would she have such a vivid dream about him?

　　She initially dismissed it as a coincidence, but for several days afterward, she continued to dream of that tyrannical Sixth Prince. The dreams were terrifying, and she would wake up each time with cold sweat beading on her forehead.

　　……

　　After her shift, lost in thought about her dreams, she walked towards the back mountain. Rounding a rockery, she suddenly heard a soft, cloying male voice and a woman's coquettish laughter.

　　Looking up, she saw Wang Dade, wearing a dark eunuch uniform, pale-faced and beardless, about thirty years old and corpulent, touching a palace maid's face.

　　His eyes were murky and lecherous, his demeanor vulgar.

　　Yun Ling didn't know if the maid was being forced by Wang Dade, but she was barely able to protect herself, let alone help her.

　　This was a secluded corner of the back garden, rarely visited. Yun Ling had chosen this path to avoid Wang Dade, but unexpectedly, she had encountered him.

　　Holding her breath, she quietly retreated, careful not to make a sound.

　　After taking a few steps back and turning to return the way she came, a sharp voice suddenly pierced her ears. “Oh, isn't this Yun Ling? Have you decided to come and find this old man?”

　　The voice, like a venomous snake, slithered into her ear, sending a chill down her spine.

　　Turning around, Wang Dade and the palace maid were right behind her.

　　He had clearly been waiting for her here.

　　Yun Ling curtsied, whispering, “Eunuch Wang.”

　　The palace maid beside him spoke first, “Such a beautiful little beauty. Eunuch Wang is truly fortunate. But don't forget the old for the new, now.”

　　“You little sweet-talker,” he said, his fat finger reaching for the maid. “Rest assured, I will always cherish you most.”

　　Yun Ling felt a wave of disgust.

　　Although Wang Dade was only a supervisor, he dared to be so brazen and debauched within the Palace. This was because he had the backing of the Empress and the powerful eunuchs.

　　His eyes, gleaming with lust, swept over Yun Ling's face and body.

　　Yun Ling immediately lowered her head, hunching her shoulders, silently thinking of a way out in her heart.

　　She said, “Eunuch Wang, I am foolish and unlucky, cursed with bad fortune. I served Che Meiren and Liu Meiren, and both of them passed away. I truly dare not serve you, Eunuch Wang. You are blessed with great fortune; please do not be implicated by me.”

　　In the Palace, a maid bringing bad luck and causing the death of her masters was a serious matter. Yun Ling had no other option but to hope this would dissuade Wang Dade.

　　At fifteen, Yun Ling's body had blossomed into womanhood; her breasts full, her waist slender, she was like a flower in full bloom, vibrant and lush.

　　Wang Dade leered at Yun Ling, “And what makes you think I'd be afraid of that? Isn't that just an excuse?”

　　The palace maid beside him said, “Wang ¹Jiancheng is a favorite of the Empress. If you follow him, you'll live in luxury, with gold, silver, and fine clothes. It's a blessing from a past life.” Seeing Yun Ling's lack of reaction, she sneered, “A lowly maid, putting on airs, thinking she can fly up to the branches and become a phoenix just because of her looks. Why bother being polite to her, Wang Jiancheng!”

　　Yun Ling took a step back. “I only wish to do my duty, I desire neither gold nor glory. Please, Eunuch Wang, understand.”

　　Pausing, she continued,

　　“Although I am the lowliest of maids, I am still a person. If Eunuch Wang forces me, I can only die and ask Ming ²Shanggong to seek justice for me.”

　　She had never dreamed of rising in rank, nor did she want to follow any powerful figures.

　　“Little bitch, you're asking for it! A mere Shanggong is nothing to me!” Rejected repeatedly, Wang Dade flew into a rage. He grabbed Yun Ling's arm, dragging her towards the bamboo grove, his intentions clear. “What does death matter? Before you die, you'll play with this old man first.”

　　Yun Ling struggled fiercely. Although she wasn't as strong as Wang Dade, she managed to break free. Just as she was about to scream, a hand clamped down hard over her mouth.

　　Looking up, she saw the palace maid.

　　Wang Dade's grotesque face loomed closer. His greasy hand roughly seized Yun Ling's slender arm, leering as he rubbed it before reaching for her collar. “Little bitch, scream all you want. See if anyone comes to save you. Oh, and I forgot to tell you something. That old geezer, your Master, tried to save you. We stabbed him a dozen times, but he wouldn't let go. We had no choice but to cut off his hands and feed them to the dogs.”

　　Yun Ling's eyes reddened as she stared at Wang Dade. It was him! He was the one who killed her master!

　　Suddenly, the sound of marching feet approached.

　　They'd arrived.

　　They had finally arrived.

　　Yun Ling had bought time, managing to wait until the Imperial Guards' patrol reached this area. Even though it was a secluded corner, any commotion would have drawn their attention.

　　Taking advantage of their distraction, Yun Ling viciously bit the palace maid's hand, eliciting a sharp cry of pain.

　　The Imperial Guards' footsteps immediately turned towards them.

　　Seizing the opportunity, Yun Ling pulled a silver hairpin from her sleeve and plunged it into Wang Dade's arm. Howling in pain, he released her, and she immediately fled towards the Imperial Guards.

　　“You bitch! You'll pay for this!” Wang Dade's furious threat echoed behind her.

　　……

　　Back in her quarters, Yun Ling hugged her knees, sitting on the edge of her bed.

　　Three months ago, her Master's body was pulled from the lotus pond, his corpse so decayed it was barely recognizable.

　　He was a kind man, he hadn't made any enemies in the Palace. Why would anyone throw him into the pond?

　　It was all because of her.

　　To save her, Wang Dade had stabbed him repeatedly, severed his arm, and thrown him into the lotus pond.

　　Her Master hadn't lived to see her save enough money to support him in his old age.

　　Tears streamed down her face, one after another. Yun Ling buried her face in her arms, weeping silently.

　　That beast, Wang Dade.

　　A hushed conversation drifted from the doorway.

　　Yun Ling quickly lowered her arms, wiped away her tears, and burrowed under the covers, pretending to sleep. A moment later, the door creaked open, and several palace maids entered. Seeing Yun Ling asleep, they didn't lower their voices.

　　“Did you hear? The Sixth Prince has been confined to the cold palace!”

________________

Glossary:

¹Jiancheng (监丞): This is a title, not a name. It means ‘Supervising Assistant’ or ‘Assistant Supervisor,’ indicating a government official with a supervisory role.

²Shanggong (尚宫): This term refers to a high-ranking female official in the imperial palace. They were typically responsible for managing the affairs of the palace women, including their daily routines, conduct, and even their education. Shanggong held a position of authority and was often entrusted with the delicate task of overseeing the women in the emperor's inner circle.

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