My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 35: Jealousy. 

　　She had been running a fever for two days, and Yun Ling's body still hadn't recovered. Even after taking medicine, she still had a cough.

　　So she took two days off and stayed in her room to rest.

　　With the window open halfway, she sat by the window, and with a glance upwards, she could see a clear blue sky, with soft clouds and a gentle breeze.

　　Even to glimpse the sun, one had to lift their head high above the tall walls.

　　Yun Ling, having grown up in the palace, first as a palace maid and later as a Shanggong, rarely had such leisure. To do nothing, to think of nothing, and simply sit idly watching the scenery for a day or two was a novelty.

　　The flowers in the corner of the wall were blooming profusely; clusters of blossoms trembled on the branches, almost reaching over the wall.

　　Just then, a call from outside announced, “Princess Chang Le has arrived!” Immediately afterward, the door swung open, and Xie Jinjia, like a swiftly flying swallow, hurried in, anxiously asking, “Yun Ling, are you feeling any better?”

　　Yun Ling rose to her feet, about to curtsy, but Xie Jinjia stopped her. “Oh, please, no need for formalities with me.”

　　“My mother has kept me confined to the palace studying these past few days, not allowing me a moment to leave. I didn't even know you were ill. I only just heard from a eunuch and hurried over to see you. I completely forgot to bring a gift; please don't mind.”

　　Yun Ling smiled. “Just your visit, Princess, makes me very happy.”

　　“That's good, that's good,” Xie Jinjia said, smiling brightly.

　　Seeing the lack of color in her face, she said softly, “You've been through a lot.”

　　Indeed, working under her unpredictable and terrifying sixth brother was certainly arduous. It was a constant state of anxiety, always fearing that a single misstep might incur his displeasure.

　　The thought crossed her mind: if she were enduring such hardship, a swift end might be preferable to the relentless suffering.

　　But those are treasonous words. She's learned to be more careful and wouldn't dare say such a thing, especially not in front of the Crown Prince's lady-in-waiting.

　　The high walls of the palace were stifling and monotonous; she was never allowed to do as she pleased. Xie Jinjia rarely had anyone she could truly talk to, so she often sought out Yun Ling's company.

　　Xie Jinjia was also aware that Yun Ling was a Lady-in-waiting to the Crown Prince, making a close friendship somewhat inappropriate.

　　But while Yun Ling might appear distant and reserved, her heart was actually quite gentle, and she found it difficult to refuse people.

　　Sure enough, the next moment, she heard Yun Ling's concerned question, “Why did Yu Fei suddenly punish you?”

　　Xie Jinjia pouted. “It's because she says I've disgraced her. I was chasing after Xiao Qibai, but not only did he ignore me, he's going to marry the Minister of Rites' daughter! I cried for two days, and my mother thought I was embarrassing, so she put me under house arrest.”

　　"If it were anyone else, it wouldn't matter so much,” the princess mumbled, her voice trailing off. “But I just don't understand. How is Li Xintang any better than me? Why would Xiao Qibai marry her rather than me...?” Her voice dropped, filled with despair. “But it doesn't matter anymore. Xiao Qibai... he's marrying someone else.”

　　Xiao Qibai's arranged marriage…

　　The details of the situation flashed through Yun Ling's mind; she knew the underlying reasons.

　　The Crown Prince's new policies faced considerable opposition in court, primarily from the conservative faction led by the Minister of Rites and General Shen.

　　These veteran officials, unfortunately, held significant influence and couldn't be simply eliminated or punished. The only solution was to divide and weaken them.

　　Within the imperial hunting lodge, acting on the Crown Prince's orders, she had stirred up conflict between the daughters of the two families, widening the rift between them. Combined with Shen Chunxiang's advice, General Shen had ceased his opposition to the new policies, leaving only the Minister of Rites.

　　Originally, the plan was to marry Xiao Qibai to the Minister of Rites' daughter—a union between the old and new factions—to facilitate the implementation of the new policies. However, to Yun Ling's knowledge, the Crown Prince had other arrangements for the new policies, and Xiao Qibai would not be marrying Li Xintang.

　　Even so, Xiao Qibai, as a high-ranking official under the Crown Prince, was a political pawn. His marriage was a matter of political strategy, and under no circumstances could he marry a princess.

　　Therefore, Yun Ling decided not to tell the princess about Xiao Qibai's decision not to marry the Minister Li’s daughter.

　　Ultimately, it wouldn't work.

　　The princess was innocent and naive, unaware of the treacherous currents and shifting tides of court politics.

　　Why bother telling her, only to raise her hopes and dash them again?

　　……

　　After two days of rest, Yun Ling's illness had mostly subsided, and she returned to the Shanggong Bureau.

　　A mountain of palace affairs awaited her. She worked from morning until dusk before finally stopping.

　　Leaving the Shanggong Bureau, the setting sun cast a golden glow on the clouds, bathing the entire palace in a warm, tranquil light.

　　Emerging from the palace gates and walking down a long, winding path, she saw a tall figure approaching, one that seemed familiar.

　　As he drew closer, she realized it was Pei Yuan, the commander of the Jinyiwei.

　　No, he should be addressed as the Deputy Commander now.

　　Since returning from Qingzhou, Pei Yuan had been promoted two ranks by the crown prince for his outstanding achievements.

　　They had become acquainted during their time in Qingzhou, forging a degree of friendship.

　　Yun Ling smiled slightly and bowed, addressing him formally, “Deputy Commander Pei.”

　　Pei Yuan quickly returned the greeting, “Yun Gugu, have you just left the Shanggong Bureau?”

　　“There's been a backlog of matters these past few days. And you, Deputy Commander?”

　　Strictly speaking, a court official like him shouldn't be in the palace at this hour.

　　Pei Yuan replied, “His Highness summoned me; there are a few matters to attend to.”

　　It's best not to go into details.

　　Yun Ling naturally understood.

　　Although Pei Yuan was a military officer, he was also a thoughtful man. “Yun Gugu, you seem to have become quite thin. It's been raining a lot lately; you must take care of yourself. If you need any help, please let me know at any time.”

　　Yun Ling expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Deputy Commander Pei.”

　　As they spoke, two young maidservants approached along the palace path. Upon seeing Yun Ling and Pei Yuan, they both curtsied.

　　As they walked, they kept glancing back, their gazes lingering on Yun Ling and Pei Yuan with a knowing look.

　　Although Pei Yuan was a military officer, with a somewhat stern appearance, he was considered young and promising, and unmarried. The two of them standing together possessed a certain…compatibility.

　　No wonder they attracted so much attention.

　　Pei Yuan, feeling a little uncomfortable under their scrutiny, said goodbye to Yun Ling and quickly left.

　　This was originally a trivial matter, but somehow it reached the Crown Prince's ears.

　　Xie Jue asked, “Oh? What did they say?”

　　Grand Eunuch An replied, “Actually, they didn't say much. Yun Gugu just happened to meet Deputy Commander Pei and exchanged a few words. To avoid any misunderstandings, Deputy Commander Pei left quickly. It's just some gossiping palace servants spreading rumors.”

　　Xie Jue, of course, knew that Pei Yuan was a military fanatic and had no such intentions.

　　The rumors were utterly absurd.

　　Grand Eunuch An suggested that the palace servants lacked discipline and should be properly reprimanded.

　　Xie Jue neither agreed nor disagreed, lowering his head to continue reviewing the memorials.

　　He seemed unconcerned.

　　The next day, the Crown Prince returned from court and passed by the Xi Hua Palace.

　　From a distance, a conversation could be heard. A guard was seen handing a small package of something to a female official. He then shyly scratched his head, his smile bright and cheerful.

　　Yun Ling smiled at the guard and accepted the package.

　　Grand Eunuch An observed the Crown Prince, whose expression remained unchanged, giving away no hint of his feelings.

　　Upon returning to the East Palace, just before entering his study, the Crown Prince suddenly said, “Deal with that guard.”

　　An Zhong was momentarily taken aback before understanding who His Highness was referring to. He quickly replied, “Yes, I will immediately have him transferred.”

　　At least he was only being transferred, not killed.

　　Then the Crown Prince asked, “Is Yun Ling recovered?”

　　“Reporting to Your Highness, Yun Shanggong recovered yesterday.”

　　Xie Jue nodded, pausing for a moment. “Summon her to the East Palace.”

　　Grand Eunuch An wanted to say something, but dared not speak.

　　“Yes.”

　　……

　　Yun Ling received An Zhong's message just as she was about to go to bed.

　　She was somewhat puzzled. Why would the Crown Prince summon her at this hour?

　　Though puzzled, she didn't dare delay. She quickly dressed and followed the young eunuch who delivered the message to the East Palace.

　　The moon hung high in the sky, and an unknown bird croaked raucously in the branches—a terribly unpleasant sound.

　　She soon arrived at the entrance to the Crown Prince's sleeping quarters. The vermilion doors were tightly closed under the moonlight. Seeing her arrival, two eunuchs silently opened the doors and invited her inside.

　　A lamp was lit inside, but the room still felt empty and vast, stretching into the distance, hinting at unknown dangers within.

　　Yun Ling took a deep breath and entered.

　　As soon as she stepped inside, the two eunuchs closed the door with a soft ‘bang.’

　　Yun Ling stood there for a moment before walking through the screen and into the inner room.

　　The deeper she went, the brighter the candlelight became.

　　Finally, she saw the tall and slender figure seated on a wide, dragon-carved zitan wood bed.

　　Beneath the bed lay a soft, dark red carpet. A faint, pleasant fragrance drifted from a nearby bronze incense burner.

　　Within the beaded curtains…

　　The Crown Prince was dressed in moon-white sleeping attire. Beneath his long, dark hair were thick, dark lashes and pale, delicate lips.

　　His deep, profound phoenix eyes, lowered, were veiled in the candlelight, concealing his usual aura of ruthlessness.

　　He sat there idly holding a copy of Che Luo Guo Tu Zhi (The Cartography of Che Luo), appearing aloof and cold.

　　Yunling bowed. “Your Highness, what are your commands at this late hour?”

　　As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Jue lifted his head and looked down at her.

　　Yun Ling strove to maintain a calm expression.

　　So, why had he summoned her so late? If it was about the affairs of the Six Bureaus, she thought, nothing seemed significant enough to warrant his attention at this hour.

　　Except for the time he returned from Jiangzhou, the Crown Prince had never summoned her at night.

　　After all, she was a female official, and he was the Crown Prince. They could discuss official matters during the day, but at night, in his sleeping quarters… if word got out, who knew what rumors would spread.

　　With a ‘pop,’ he tossed the book carelessly onto the bed.

　　Then, he stood up and walked down towards her, step by step.

　　His tall figure in the night seemed like a lurking beast, inching closer to engulf her.

　　Yun Ling's heart skipped a beat.

　　Involuntarily, she took a step back. Realizing this, she dared not retreat further, forcing herself to stand still, staring as he approached.

　　“Your Highness.”

　　She calmed herself, took a robe from a nearby rack, and draped it over his shoulders. “It's cool tonight.”

　　Xie Jue didn't seem to care about the robe, his gaze sweeping down from above, pausing on her flushed cheeks. He suddenly spoke, “My Yun Shanggong, what have you been doing these past few days?”

　　The moment the words left his lips, Yun Ling's heart trembled.

　　His words... his tone…

　　Her throat dry, Yun Ling replied meticulously and respectfully, “For the past two days I was recuperating from an illness and did not go out. Yesterday, after recovering, I returned to the Shanggong Bureau, dealt with some accumulated official matters, and delivered newly made clothes to the ladies of the palace.”

　　“Mm,” he responded indifferently. “Anything else?”

　　Anything else…?

　　Yun Ling didn't understand what he meant. If he was referring to palace affairs, that was essentially all she had done. Most of it was insignificant, things he wouldn't be interested in.

　　She paused,

　　“Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

　　After a moment of silence, Xie Jue pressed his thin lips together and said coldly, “Today, what did you say to that guard?”

　　So it was about that.

　　It was nothing really. After her illness, Yun Ling's appetite wasn't good; nothing tastes right. Yáo Nǚshǐ said there was a pastry shop outside the palace where an old master made incredibly delicious pastries that were known to stimulate the appetite. When she mentioned it, a guard overheard. He'd been on duty in the palace and had interacted with Yun Ling a few times, so they were somewhat acquainted. He volunteered to buy them for her, saying he knew the shop and that the old master only made ten portions a day, making it difficult to buy. Since he lived nearby, it would be more convenient for him.

　　It was a kind gesture, so naturally she accepted. When Yun Ling offered to pay him, he refused, so she let it be.

　　Actually, nothing much was said.

　　“It was just asking him to buy some pastries for me.”

　　He asked, clearly having seen something, as if he was probing for answers.

　　As she thought about it, Yun Ling suddenly realized why he was concerned enough to summon her late at night.

　　When General Xiong had gifted her a jeweled hairpin, it had caused quite a stir. She didn’t want to involve a well-meaning guard in any trouble.

　　“Actually, the pastries were just average, not as delicious as Yáo Nǚshǐ claimed. They couldn't compare to what the imperial chefs made. It seems Yáo Nǚshǐ exaggerated; I won't take her word for it next time.”

　　Xie Jue naturally knew she had nothing to do with that guard; she had always been by his side and wouldn't look twice at a mere guard.

　　But the smile in her eyes as she received the pastry from the guard was incredibly jarring to him.

　　And those unfounded rumors spread by the palace servants were also extremely unpleasant for him to hear.

　　The silence stretched on, leaving her wondering what he was thinking.

　　Yun Ling pursed her lips, then softly said, “It was just a trivial matter, Your Highness. I'd almost forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it.”

　　After a moment,

　　Finally, Xie Jue, in an act of great benevolence, uttered a single, “Mm.”

　　“Forget it. The Che Luo Kingdom presented a night pearl as tribute. I have no use for it, so you may take it.”

　　Yun Ling was momentarily stunned. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

　　“Since Your Highness has no further needs, and it's getting late, I shall take my leave.”

　　She bowed and prepared to leave.

　　Just as she turned around,

　　“It truly was a trivial matter,” Xie Jue's voice, devoid of any discernible emotion, suddenly rang out from behind her. “I've been so overwhelmed with work that I haven't had the time to concern myself with such trifles.” (T/N: Yeah, sure. We understand. 😑)

　　He spoke each word slowly and deliberately,

　　“Therefore, Yun Shanggong, don't make me worry.”

　　Yun Ling paused, then replied, “Yes.”

　　She lifted her head and walked towards the entrance, closing the door softly as she exited.

　　Shutting out the candlelight from within, the stiffness finally eased from her back. Taking advantage of the darkness, she quickly departed.

　　It was so late; if anyone saw her leaving the Crown Prince's chambers, she wouldn't be able to explain herself, even if she tried.

　　She truly hadn't expected him to act like that so suddenly.

　　……

　　Xie Jue hadn't expected it either.

　　It was just a few words exchanged with a guard; what was he even doing?

　　The door, which had just been closed, suddenly swung open, a gust of icy night air rushing in and causing the door to clatter.

　　Xie Jue sat astride the bed, the hair at his temples blown loose, rising and falling in the dim light.

　　The candle flickered.

　　The flickering candlelight made the room feel even colder.

　　The palace servant, trembling, quickly closed the door, and the room fell silent once more.

　　Xie Jue propped his fingers against his temples, his eyes cast down, their dark depths like an endless night.

　　He sat there in silence.

　　Time ticked by, and the image of her slender figure lingered before his eyes.

　　She was so obedient, yet she constantly tormented and challenged him.

　　Xie Jue felt a growing headache, a throbbing behind his eyes that threatened to explode, his knuckles tightening against his temples.

　　He felt like he could barely tolerate her any longer.

　　——

　　Within the Imperial Prison.

　　In the grim, dark prison cell, the torture instruments were stained with blood, and cries of pain and anguish echoed from all directions.

　　The sound of whips cracking was incessant; the flying blood spattered even the candlelight crimson.

　　The man before him was being tortured, his body already a bloody mess.

　　Xie Jue was in no good mood. He watched the scene coldly, his face betraying no emotion whatsoever.

　　Xiao Qibai, tasked with investigating the distant relatives of the late Empress's escaped maidservant, finally had a breakthrough.

　　His vigorous pursuit, however, had seemingly alerted the culprit. He'd followed the trail all the way to Huai Zhou, only to find the person had vanished without a trace.

　　After days of painstaking investigation, this man, implicated in a murder case and apprehended by the authorities, presented a curious detail that caught Xiao Qibai's attention.

　　Xiao Qibai said, “By the time we reached Huai Zhou, the maidservant's distant relatives, having likely heard rumors, had left overnight and disappeared. However, while reviewing Huai Zhou's case files, I discovered a connection between this man, accused of murder, and the relative's daughter. We might be able to extract their whereabouts through interrogation.”

　　He had investigated thoroughly. It turned out the man and the relative's daughter had secretly developed feelings for each other. After being conscripted and away for several years, the man returned to find the woman behaving intimately with another man in the street. In a fit of rage, he beat the man, resulting in his death. He was subsequently arrested and sentenced to death after autumn.

　　Xiao Qibai, having uncovered this case, followed the trail to the relative's family.

　　“However, this man is proving quite stubborn, and we haven't been able to extract the whereabouts of the mother and daughter.”

　　Xie Jue looked at the man, scarred and battered, his expression unchanging. He twitched his lips. “Stubborn?”

　　He said, “Then increase the pressure. Under severe torture, no one can keep their mouth shut.”

　　Compared to the chilling instruments of torture, his cold visage was even more terrifying, like a demon from hell.

　　With that, he rose and left.

　　Exiting the Imperial Prison, Chen Zhan, seeking to avoid work, caught up with him, sighing, “It's fortunate we managed to find this man. Once he talks and we locate the mother and daughter, the matter concerning my aunt should finally be resolved.”

　　And it would also settle a score and resolve a matter weighing on his heart.

　　Looking at the darkening sky, Chen Zhan added, “Now that we're out, let's go to the Duke's manor. My father says he has something to discuss with you. If you don't go, he'll come to the palace in a few days.”

　　Xie Jue pondered for a moment, already having a guess at what his uncle wanted to discuss. He nodded. “Let's go.”

　　The carriage moved slowly along the road, the lively sounds of street vendors constantly reaching their ears.

　　Suddenly, a commotion and excited shouts erupted from the upper right. A teahouse was having its grand opening, complete with a hired opera performance.

　　And the opera, coincidentally, was a play about ‘jealousy’.

　　A victorious general, returning from a campaign, saw his beloved lady speaking with another man. Consumed by jealousy, he immediately had the man seized and sent someone to her family to demand her hand in marriage.

　　Chen Zhan listened for a while, then lowered the carriage curtain, leisurely tapping his fan, appearing thoughtful.

　　“Men, you see,” Chen Zhan mused, “when they love a woman, they want to possess her entirely. Naturally, they can't bear to see her involved with anyone else.”

　　Turning to the Crown Prince, he suddenly asked, “Don't you think so?”

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter