My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 15: Rumor Has It, That I Want To Take You As My Concubine?

　　The whole palace is buzzing about this unknown little palace maid who has somehow caught the Crown Prince's eye and has been promoted to be his personal maid, attending to his writing and calligraphy.

　　The several head eunuchs in the Imperial Kitchen were filled with fear and anxiety. Especially Eunuch Huang and Eunuch Bao, were constantly on edge and uneasy.

　　Others may not know, but they are well aware.

　　The political landscape shifted dramatically in the previous dynasty, and now the Imperial Palace is in turmoil. Many high-ranking eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting who had been loyal to the Empress and Zhang Guifei have been demoted or even executed, causing widespread fear and uncertainty. Even the highest-ranking eunuchs lived in constant fear for their lives, and those with influence actively sought Yun Ling's assistance.

　　Even though Yun Ling currently holds no official rank.

　　Yun Ling, of course, refused to accept their gifts. After politely declining several times, she returned to her own room.

　　In her hand, she held a golden peach blossom hairpin, a gift casually bestowed upon her by the Crown Prince.

　　On the day of the rebellion, she spent a whole day and night hiding in a dry well, barely escaping the ruthless soldiers. When she heard that he had succeeded, she finally saw the newly crowned Crown Prince in the Imperial Garden, after much effort.

　　It had only been two days since the palace upheaval.

　　She hadn't had a chance to go out and tell Dongdong yet.

　　Fortunately, she was safe with the Fifth Princess.

　　Holding the golden hairpin and a bag of Dongdong's favorite candied fruits, Yun Ling set out for the Fifth Princess's residence.

　　She needed to tell Dongdong that she was fine, and that once everything had settled down, she would avenge her master.

　　She wanted to tell Dongdong that once they'd saved enough money while serving in the palace, and were old enough, they could leave the palace and live a good life, free from worry.

　　And finally, this bag of candied fruits was very sweet, Dongdong would definitely love it.

　　……

　　Two days after the rebellion, strangely, the Fifth Princess's palace was tightly shut.

　　Unsure if Dongdong was on duty today, Yun Ling decided to seek out Nanny Jin, the Fifth Princess's wet nurse, whom Dongdong had mentioned.

　　“Madame Jin,” Yun Ling greeted, bowing respectfully.

　　Nanny Jin was stunned for a moment, “Who are you?”

　　Yun Ling smiled, “I’m Yun Ling, Ru Dong's elder sister. I heard she's working under your care now. Would you please allow me to visit her?”

　　“Ru Dong's sister?” Nanny Jin scrutinized Yun Ling, likely remembering Ru Dong mentioning her sister. She relaxed, having heard of Yun Ling. But then, she sighed, “You're too late.”

　　Yun Ling was confused.

　　“She's dead,” Nanny Jin said.

　　The candied fruit in her hand dropped to the ground with a thud.

　　The sweet candied fruit rolled out, now covered in dust.

　　Dead……

　　Yun Ling's mind went blank, her pupils constricted.

　　This was impossible! Dongdong had just said she was serving the Fifth Princess well. How could she... be dead?

　　Thinking of her, Nanny Jin felt a deep sorrow; the little girl had been so lively and cute. “A few days ago, Ru Dong said that it was getting cold and she was afraid that you would get cold in the Cold Palace. She saved some money and wanted to find someone to buy some thick clothes for you. She didn't come back until dark. Later... someone found her body. She was covered with wounds. She was a good little girl, but I'm afraid she was tortured to death.”

　　“The Fifth Princess was heartbroken for a while. She even sent people to investigate who was responsible for Ru Dong's death, intending to avenge her. As a result, those people all claimed that Ru Dong hadn't been there that day.”

　　Nanny Jin looked up dejectedly and said, “Once someone is dead, they cannot come back to life. I just hope in the next life, she is born into a better fate.”

　　Yun Ling's lips trembled, feeling as cold as if she were submerged in an icy pool. She wanted to speak, but even opening her mouth felt difficult.

　　Nanny Jin sighed, “I'm sorry for your loss. The dead cannot be brought back to life.”

　　Yun Ling bit her lip hard, forcing herself to speak. “Madame Jin, do you know who killed her?”

　　……

　　There was an old eunuch who had learned a little bit about fortune-telling. When he saw her for the first time, he told her that she was destined to be lonely.

　　No parents, no siblings.

　　As long as she could remember, she had been in the hands of a human trafficker, who claimed she was ‘born a princess, but destined to be a servant.’

　　She didn't believe it. She hadn't believed it then, and she didn't believe it now.

　　Life is a hundred years long, how could one glance see through it all? Fate is in the hands of heaven, but also in one's own hands.

　　The night wind was icy and biting, the dark night pressed down like a heavy weight. The fog was thick and suffocating, making it hard to breathe.

　　She sat outside in the wind for a long time, her eyes dry and aching.

　　Her whole body was cold, her fingers stiff.

　　But she couldn't shed a single tear, as if her heart had been paralyzed.

　　She stared blankly into the distance for a long time.

　　She didn't believe in afterlife either. “Afterlife, afterlife,” she thought, “...no one knows whether there is an afterlife.”

　　Instead of pinning her hopes on the afterlife, it is better to send the people who hurt her to hell with her own hands.

　　——

　　Within the palace walls, there was nothing that could be hidden.

　　At first, everyone didn't know how a maidservant who was highly valued by the Crown Prince suddenly appeared beside him. Soon, it was learned that Yun Ling had been serving the Crown Prince since he was confined, attending to him during his most difficult times.

　　Everyone was envious. It was obvious that Yun Ling would rise to great heights.

　　Furthermore, Yun Ling's beauty was as radiant as the moon and flowers, as bright as a pearl. With such beauty, she couldn't possibly be just a lowly maid.

　　As a result, the palace eunuchs and maids became even more respectful and cautious towards Yun Ling. Rumors spread that she would be canonized by the Crown Prince soon.

　　But they didn't know what position it would be.

　　A group of young palace maids were whispering in a corner when a woman in a light pink dress with cloud-patterned lapels, a round-necked bodice, and a slender waist slowly approached. Though she wore no makeup, her black hair was like snow, her almond eyes sparkled like red plums, and her figure was as graceful as soft spring water, like dew on a rose. No one dared to look away from her.

　　The gossiping maids immediately bowed, “Yun Ling Gu-gu.”

　　Yun Ling had just responded when a slightly clumsy voice came from behind her, “Yun Ling, wait a moment.”

　　Turning around, she saw Xiong Ying striding towards her. Even without his armor, Xiong Ying remained broad-shouldered and imposing, but he didn't seem as intimidating. His skin looked even darker under his official uniform. He scratched his head, “Seeing that you're alright, Yun Ling, puts my mind at ease. I've been thinking about it for days, and I feel terrible about leaving you to fend for yourself that day. I'm truly ashamed.”

　　Yun Ling smiled, “There's no need for you to feel guilty, Sir. I understand how urgent the situation was that day. Matters of national importance cannot be neglected. It wasn't your fault.”

　　“While that's true, I should have at least pointed you towards a hiding place. You shouldn't have been left to run around helpless. It was my fault for not looking out for you.” Xiong Ying was a stubborn man, and this incident had been weighing heavily on his mind. “This is a small gift, a token of my apology. Please accept it.”

　　Yun Ling looked at the box he was offering, which seemed to contain a hairpin or some other kind of jewelry. She hesitated, “This…”

　　Xiong Ying said, “If you don't accept it, I won't be able to sleep tonight.”

　　He was a straightforward soldier, both in his actions and his words.

　　Since he had put it that way, Yun Ling couldn't refuse anymore. She took the box and said, “Thank you, Sir.”

　　Xiong Ying grinned sheepishly and waved his hand. His dark skin made his teeth look exceptionally white.

　　Yun Ling had other things to attend to, so after accepting the box of jewelry, she excused herself.

　　……

　　The Imperial Tailor's Bureau worked through the night to create several sets of the Crown Prince's regular clothing. The stitching was meticulous, the designs intricate, and they were presented before Yun Ling.

　　The palace servants standing guard outside the door stood with their heads bowed, their gazes fixed on the ground, not daring to make a sound.

　　Everyone knew that the Crown Prince had a violent temper and disliked noise when he was working. Even a small mistake could cost someone their head.

　　Yun Ling stood quietly beside the desk for half an incense stick's time before the person above finally lowered their pen.

　　The eunuch standing nearby, quick to sense the situation, brought forward a cup of tea.

　　Yun Ling stepped forward and reported, “The eunuchs and maidservants to guard the Emperor have been chosen.”

　　“All the gifts from the officials have been recorded and stored in Your Highness's treasury.”

　　“……”

　　Following the palace coup, the old emperor suddenly fell gravely ill, and the Empress was imprisoned. The palace was thrown into chaos for a time, with no one to lead the inner court. As the Crown Prince's personal maid, Yun Ling, in addition to managing the affairs of the Prince's residence, was also entrusted with some of the inner palace's affairs. Surprisingly, she handled everything very well, never making a mistake.

　　She was literate, well-versed in etiquette, and handled her duties with efficiency.

　　Many were astonished, unable to believe that she had once been nothing more than a lowly maid responsible for sweeping and cleaning.

　　Yun Ling simply said to them that her master was literate, and taught her many things while he was alive.

　　After her report, Yun Ling gestured for the palace maid carrying the robes to come forward. Taking a deep blue robe embroidered with white cranes, she approached Xie Jue and began to help him change. “The clothes that the Shangyijian (Imperial Tailor's Bureau) made overnight may not suit your Highness's taste. Please try them on. If anything doesn't fit, I will send them back to be altered.”

　　The only sound in the hall was the rustling of Yun Ling's hands as she adjusted the robes.

　　The other palace servants stood waiting, for only Yun Ling was allowed to approach the Crown Prince.

　　Helping him change clothes was something Yun Ling had been doing for a long time, and she did it exceptionally well. At least, he had never expressed any dissatisfaction.

　　Just as she stepped back after helping him dress, a voice, devoid of warmth, suddenly rang out above her head. “I hear you've been quite the powerful figure these past few days.”

　　Yun Ling's fingers, which had been smoothing his sleeves, paused for a moment, then continued as if nothing had happened.

　　“Your Highness is wise. I have always been a law-abiding servant and have never tried to show off.”

　　“No?”

　　“No, Your Highness.”

　　Xie Jue looked at her, her black hair bare, not even a single hairpin to adorn it. Her attire was simple and plain, her demeanor quiet and gentle, like a rosebud waiting to bloom.

　　Indeed, not the attire of someone ‘powerful’.

　　“Is that so?” Xie Jue looked down at her, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “The whole palace is abuzz with rumors that you've risen to great heights, that I'm going to take you as my concubine.”

　　Yun Ling's eyelashes fluttered.

　　The palace servants in the hall had already fallen to their knees in fear.

　　“The palace servants are spreading rumors, it's certainly not my intention. I've been so busy with the affairs of the six palaces that I haven't noticed such absurd rumors,” Yun Ling said, each word calm and clear. “Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

　　Xie Jue tugged at the corner of his mouth, his tone mocking. “You mean to say, for two days, you were completely oblivious?”

　　Yun Ling was definitely not blind or deaf. On the contrary, she was quick-witted and sharp. To say she was unaware of rumors that had been circulating for two days was hard to believe.

　　Yun Ling lowered her head, “I only just heard about it in the study, but I know my place and have no such aspirations. I have no background or rank, and while I have some small measures, how can I silence the gossip?”

　　The power in the Harem was currently vacant. The six bureaus and their chief ladies, the twelve supervisors and their officers, even the Crown Prince had not yet been appointed.

　　Although she was the head maid of the East Palace, she had no authority to manage the palace.

　　“So you're saying it's my fault? Are you blaming me?” Xie Jue's eyes narrowed, his voice growing colder.

　　The palace servants kneeling on the ground trembled even more, their cold sweat dripping down.

　　Yun Ling's palms clenched secretly, she didn't raise her head, “I wouldn't dare.”

　　She had experienced his terrifying tone countless times before. She should be calm.

　　No matter how much scheming and plotting she had, it was all worthless under the absolute pressure of power.

　　As she thought, trying to catch her breath, a wooden box in her sleeve suddenly rolled out, scattering on the ground. A jeweled hairpin fell out.

　　Xie Jue glanced at it casually, paused for a moment, and then suddenly became interested in the hairpin. “You've been putting all your effort into things like this?”

　　Yun Ling quickly picked it up and explained, “Your Highness, you're mistaken. I didn't buy this, Lord Xiong just gave it to me outside the palace.”

　　“You say Xiong Ying gave it to you?”

　　“Yes, he said it was an apology gift, so I had to accept it.”

　　She had accepted it without even opening it to look. She hadn't realized it was such a beautiful hairpin, it must have cost a lot. This Lord Xiong was truly sincere, she was just a servant in everyone's eyes, yet he put so much effort into this gift.

　　And besides, he didn't have any responsibility to look after her that day. Yet he sent such an expensive apology gift.

　　Yun Ling was just about to put the hairpin back in the box when a large hand with distinct knuckles suddenly reached in and took it.

　　Xie Jue picked it up and examined it casually. The high-quality South Pearl was quite valuable.

　　Seeing his interest, Yun Ling didn't know what he was thinking. She explained again earnestly, “I dare not blame Your Highness, but I beg Your Highness to investigate. The rumors in the palace are not of my own making. I will do my best to handle this matter, but my status is low and my words carry little weight, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it well.”

　　After she finished speaking, there was no response for a long time.

　　A long moment passed.

　　Xie Jue held the hairpin before her eyes, suddenly tugging at the corner of his lips and asking in an ambiguous tone, “Do you like it?”

　　Yun Ling was stunned for a moment, completely unsure what the unpredictable and inscrutable Crown Prince meant.

　　Hesitating for a moment, she said, “I…”

　　Such a valuable hairpin could be exchanged for a lot of silver, how could she not like it?

　　It was just that she didn't know why he suddenly asked that. She could tell that he wasn't in a happy mood, and there was even a sense of danger, though subtle, in his tone.

　　A thought flashed through her mind, like a warning bell. She was a member of the harem, and Lord Xiong was a minister of the court. The palace most strictly forbade private dealings between those in the palace and court officials.

　　Sure enough, the next moment Xie Jue's voice, cold as ice, rang out, slow and deliberate, “Private communication with court officials is a serious crime.”

　　The laughter was gone from his voice, replaced by a chilling coldness that felt like a sharp blade against the bone. “Deserving of death.”

　　Yun Ling was startled, immediately dropping to her knees.

　　He truly was cruel and merciless, one moment calm and collected, the next plunging her into the depths of hell.

　　A young eunuch kneeling in the distance was so frightened that he trembled, his legs buckling beneath him. He was quickly dragged away.

　　Yun Ling's palms were about to be pierced by her own fingernails.

　　She squeezed her hands tightly, then quietly released them, her spine stiff as a board.

　　 ‘Private communication with a court official,’ what a serious accusation! It was so easily pinned on her, when all she had done was accept a so-called ‘apology gift.’

　　If they want to frame you, they'll find a reason, no matter what.

　　But the one who condemned her wasn't just anyone, it was the Crown Prince himself.

　　She was just a palace maid, with no chance to defend herself.

　　She just didn't understand. She'd only accepted an apology gift, why was he giving her such a harsh punishment?

　　“Your Highness, please allow me to explain. The hairpin was a gift from Lord Xiong, an apology for not taking proper care of me that day. Aside from that, I have had no further contact with him. Your Highness can investigate if you wish!”

　　Her eyes lowered for a moment, then Yun Ling continued, “I don't like this hairpin, and I will never have anything to do with Lord Xiong again.”

　　The hall was silent. The Crown Prince didn't respond, his gaze cold and unmoved.

　　Even the air around him seemed to be a blade of frost, sharp and deadly, making people tremble with fear, suffocating them. The vast study was silent as a grave.

　　Xie Jue lowered his gaze, and Yun Ling looked down, her expression meek and submissive.

　　He sneered, a cold smile playing on his lips. “A heart that's not pure deserves a good lesson.”

　　A long moment passed.

　　The air in the hall felt as if it was about to freeze solid.

　　Xie Jue crouched down, placing the hairpin back in its box and closing the lid. He spoke without emotion, “My eyes cannot tolerate even a grain of sand. Do you understand what you need to do?”

　　Yun Ling bowed deeply. “I will return the hairpin to Lord Xiong tomorrow. My only desire is to serve Your Highness wholeheartedly.”

　　Xie Jue finally looked at her, his face obscured in the dim light, his expression unreadable.

　　After a long pause, he chuckled softly, “Very well.”

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