My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 36: Big Mistake. 

　　Xie Jue lifted his eyes and said with a bad temper, “You talk a lot, don't you?”

　　“Since you enjoy speculating on others' feelings so much, I think my uncle should find you a wife first.”

　　Chen Zhan shrugged, immediately ceasing his words and stopping the conversation.

　　If Xie Jue doesn't say it, no one can guess his thoughts.

　　It's just that this matter of choosing a concubine... the crown prince hasn't chosen one yet, and his father is also very worried about it.

　　As the crown prince, he shoulders the responsibility of the entire Great Jin Dynasty, and there are many more things he needs to consider.

　　Xie Jue, who had closed his eyes, suddenly opened them, got up, lifted the carriage curtain, and asked An Zhong outside, “Have the night pearls been delivered?”

　　Grand Eunuch An was startled for a moment, then quickly said, “Your Highness's instructions were not forgotten. I arranged for someone to deliver them to the Yun Gugu's room early this morning.”

　　Xie Jue didn't say anything.

　　An Zhong pondered for a moment, then, taking the initiative, added, “Yun Gugu said thank you to His Highness, she likes them very much.”

　　The previous sentence was indeed said, but the latter part was something he added on his own.

　　But regardless, it's only proper to feel honored and joyful at the Crown Prince's gift.

　　He wasn't entirely fabricating it, then.

　　Xie Jue nodded in response and sat back down.

　　Chen Zhan looked on, and this time, he wisely refrained from speaking.

　　……

　　As dusk settled, Yun Ling returned to the Shanggong Bureau. Only after a busy day did she finally have the leisure to sit down and reflect.

　　Turning her head, she saw the night pearl sitting on the table. Perfectly round and translucent, it emitted a soft glow in the twilight. Night pearls weren't uncommon, but one this large—she'd never seen anything like it in the whole empire.

　　The Che Luo Kingdom, a vassal state of the Great Jin Dynasty, presented it as a tribute—a unique and singular gem.

　　And yet, he turned around and bestowed it upon her.

　　After staring for a long time, Yun Ling suddenly turned her head.

　　The scene from last night flashed through her mind. The Crown Prince's behavior made her wary. He was displeased even when she spoke to others, yet he bestowed such a generous gift… it made her think deeply about his motives.

　　If this continues, the longer it goes on, the more trouble she'll be in.

　　Lowering her head in thought, she knew she had to quickly devise a plan to leave.

　　She didn't know how long she'd been sitting there, but when about half the lamp oil had been consumed, a knock suddenly sounded from outside.

　　Yun Ling came back to herself. “Come in,” she said.

　　A palace servant entered to deliver a message. “The Princess says she has a gift for you and invites you to meet tomorrow.”

　　Yun Ling saw at a glance that this palace servant was unfamiliar; she wasn't one of the maids usually attending Princess Chang Le.

　　“This servant was recently transferred to the Princess's side by Yu Fei,” explained Qing Cai, bowing her head. “I'm here to ensure the Princess's words and actions are proper, to prevent any further incidents.”

　　Ah, that's why.

　　Last time, Princess Chang Le caused a huge scene at the Li residence, making a spectacle of herself. Yu Fei was furious and confined her to the palace for reflection. Now that she's been released, they've also placed a spy to watch her every move.

　　Yun Ling understands this.

　　But, there's one thing that puzzled her. She saw it clearly: while Princess Chang Le remained hopelessly infatuated with Xiao Qibai, Yu Fei herself had previously shown considerable favor towards Xiao Qibai; otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed Xie Jinjia to act so recklessly.

　　Could it be that Yu Fei now realizes that forming an alliance with the Xiao family is hopeless and has given up?

　　Yun Ling nodded. “Where?”

　　Qing Cai replied, “By the lotus pond next to the Xi Hua Palace.”

　　Xi Hua Palace?

　　That place is very close to the Eastern Palace. You can see the Eastern Palace from there, just across a palace wall.

　　Choosing that location, she's probably still hoping for a chance encounter with Xiao Qibai, isn't she?

　　This princess is truly a devoted one.

　　But Xiao Qibai might not show up.

　　Sighing, Yun Ling nodded, indicating she understood. “I will go to the appointment tomorrow.”

　　If possible, she still intends to talk some sense into the princess and make her give up on this hopeless pursuit.

　　After Qing Cai left, Yun Ling sat lost in thought, pondering for a long time in the candlelight.

　　……

　　The next day, after finishing her affairs at the Shanggong Bureau, Yun Ling got up to keep her appointment with Princess Chang Le. Just as she was leaving, Yáo Nǚshǐ approached. “The supervisor from the Shangfu Bureau said that in an hour, they'll be presenting the selected embroidery patterns for your selection, Yun Gugu. Where are you going?”

　　“Some small things,” Yun Ling pondered. “Is it very urgent?”

　　Yáo Nǚshǐ nodded. “Yes, it can't be delayed.”

　　Yun Ling nodded. “If it's urgent, have them come to Xi Hua Palace to find me.”

　　Yáo Nǚshǐ: “Yes.”

　　Leaving the Shanggong Bureau, she passed by the East Palace and happened to meet Xiao Xiangzi on guard outside the gate.

　　Seeing Yun Ling, he immediately beamed, excitedly running over to ask, “Yun Gugu, are you here to see His Highness? Unfortunately, His Highness isn't in the East Palace right now.”

　　Yun Ling was just passing by, so she asked, “Not here? Where has His Highness gone?”

　　No wonder even Grand Eunuch An isn't here.

　　Xiao Xiangzi glanced around cautiously before whispering, “His Highness seems to have gone to the Imperial Prison.”

　　The Imperial Prison…

　　Yun Ling frowned at the words. Those two words represented a living hell. Why would the Crown Prince suddenly go to such a place?

　　It's good he's not here. If he's not here, Xiao Qibai won't come to the East Palace either. That's convenient; it saves someone's heart from being broken. 

　　The sky, which had been clear a moment ago, was now overcast and looked as if it might rain.

　　After bidding farewell to Xiao Xiangzi, Yun Ling hurried towards the lotus pond next to Xi Hua Palace, fearing she would be late.

　　The lotus flowers weren't in bloom yet at this time of year, but the endless expanse of green lotus leaves was a sight in itself.

　　She had just passed through the palace walls and reached the edge of the lotus pond when, suddenly, a brightly colored object darted out and blocked her view.

　　Xie Jinjia jumped out happily, moving the kite to show it off. “Look, Yun Ling, do you like this kite? I made it myself! I even drew the pictures on it. It took me ages! Do you like it?”

　　Yun Ling took the kite and looked at it. Although the corners weren't perfectly smooth and the geese weren't exquisitely drawn, it was clear a lot of effort had been put into it.

　　The lines were smooth and flowing, without a single smudge. She wondered how long it must have taken to achieve such skill.

　　“I like it,” Yun Ling smiled, saying, “Thank you, Princess. You've put a lot of thought into it. But... Why did you suddenly give me a kite?”

　　Xie Jinjia smiled and fiddled with the string. “Nothing really. I just heard you were sick, and I wanted to give you a gift. But everything else seemed unoriginal or insincere, so I made this kite myself.”

　　“I thought you would like it,” she looked up at the sky, “I remember you and Shen Chunxiang talking about how birds can fly freely in the vast sky, right?”

　　Yun Ling looked at the kite of a wild goose, slightly moved. “You heard that?”

　　Those were words she had used to praise Miss Shen; it was surprising that Xie Jinjia had overheard them.

　　Xie Jinjia stuck out her tongue. “Don't blame me, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was coming back to find you to eat together that time, and I overheard your conversation with Shen Chunxiang. Knowing you had things to do, I didn't interrupt, but I still heard what you said. Even though you were talking about Shen Chunxiang, I think you were also envious.”

　　Growing up in this deep palace, with such high walls, besides birds, who else could fly away?

　　She lovingly played with the wild goose kite, “Then let it fly away for us, shall we? Yun Ling, let's fly the kite together?”

　　……

　　Yun Ling, a dignified and serious court official, how could she possibly frolic in the palace like an ordinary lady? Wouldn't it be unbecoming of her status?

　　If other palace servants saw, it would also be beneath her dignity.

　　Therefore, in the end, only Princess Chang Le enjoyed flying the kite.

　　Watching the colorful kite soar high into the sky, Xie Jinjia happily exclaimed, “Look, even this wild goose can be colorful and fly high!”

　　After running back and forth along the lotus pond twice, Xie Jinjia was finally tired.

　　Pulling the kite to Yun Ling's side, she let it fly in the sky, adding a splash of color to the gray sky.

　　Seeing Yun Ling beside her, she suddenly said dejectedly, “I said it was a gift for you, but in the end, I was the only one playing with it. It seems like I can't do anything well.”

　　Yun Ling shook her head. “It's alright. I really like this gift, and I'll treasure it.”

　　Glancing at Qing Cai, who was ten or so steps away from them, she asked, “Did the Princess think of bringing me here to fly kites herself?”

　　Xie Jinjia immediately shook her head. “No.”

　　“I was troubled about what gift to give you, and my mother suggested I invite you to fly kites by the lotus pond.”

　　Indeed.

　　Yun Ling understood in her heart.

　　“But actually, I wanted to come too,” Xie Jinjia glanced towards the direction of the East Palace, “And I was thinking, it would be nice if I could meet Xiao Qibai.”

　　Hearing this, Yun Ling sighed, “Princess, why bother? Some things can't be forced.”

　　Xie Jinjia looked even more dejected. “Yun Ling, do you think so too?”

　　Yun Ling spoke earnestly, trying to persuade her, “The world is so vast, Princess, your choices are countless. There are countless outstanding young men, why be so single-minded and heartbroken over one person? It's not worth it.”

　　“This Princess knows it's not worth it, but I can't control it! If one's feelings could be controlled so easily, if they could disappear at will, that would be great,” Xie Jinjia looked up, staring blankly at her, “Yun Ling, you haven't experienced the feeling of being worried sick about someone, of being unable to sleep at night because of someone, have you?”

　　Yun Ling didn't speak.

　　Xie Jinjia continued, “I also know you all think I'm foolish, that I can't see the intricacies of the court. Actually, I know all of this. I know Xiao Qibai can't marry me, so I even thought... I'm willing to be a co-wife with Li Xintang. That way, it won't affect him marrying others.”

　　Yun Ling pursed her lips: “Princess, why do you do this to yourself?”

　　A princess becoming a co-wife? Where would that leave the Royal family's face?

　　But seeing her like this, Yun Ling still couldn't bear it, and finally asked her one more time, “Princess, do you truly like him that much? Even to the point of sacrificing everything?”

　　Xie Jinjia solemnly replied, “Truly. If I weren't born into royalty, if I could choose my own life, if I weren't confined within these palace walls, if I could choose the person I love... I would willingly give up all this glory and wealth, even if it meant living a simple life.”

　　Then she shook her head again. “But what's the use? Xiao Qibai is going to marry someone else.”

　　As soon as she finished speaking, Qing Cai suddenly cried out, “Princess, the kite string broke! It fell over the palace wall!”

　　Xie Jinjia immediately turned her head. Seeing the empty sky, devoid of any sign of the kite, she anxiously said, “How could the string be so weak? Qing Cai, quickly go and retrieve it for me!”

　　This was a gift she had spent two days making for Yun Ling. What if someone else found it?

　　But Qing Cai hesitated and didn't move. “Princess, I've been ordered by Yu Fei to stay by your side and not leave.”

　　“I'm right here! I'm not going anywhere!”

　　“Forget it,” Yun Ling said suddenly, “It's my kite after all. I'll go get it.”

　　Xie Jinjia blinked. “Then I'll wait for you here.”

　　“Good.”

　　Yun Ling nodded, walked to the Moonlit Gate, glanced back at her one last time, and then walked out.

　　……

　　The kite had fallen quite far, on the other side of the palace wall. Yun Ling spent quite a bit of time looking for it, finally finding the colorful kite in a corner of the wall.

　　A section of the string was broken at the top, but the break was very clean. It didn't look like it had broken on its own; rather, it looked like it had been deliberately cut.

　　Just as she was thinking this, a sharp, terrified cry suddenly came from inside the palace walls: “Help…”

　　Accompanied by the sound of splashing water.

　　“Qing Cai… save… me…”

　　It's Xie Jinjia!

　　She's fallen into the water!

　　To avoid being disturbed, Xie Jinjia only brought Qing Cai with her today; the other palace servants weren't around.

　　Yun Ling, holding the kite, forgot all about her dignity as a court official and ran back quickly.

　　Reaching the Moonlit Gate, she immediately saw Xie Jinjia struggling and splashing in the lotus pond. She wanted to say something, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she gasped a huge mouthful of water. Xie Jinjia looked weak and was about to sink.

　　Qing Cai was anxiously wringing her hands by the pond. “Princess! Princess! I can't swim!”

　　“Wait there, Princess! I'll go get someone to save you!”

　　But Xie Jinjia wouldn't be able to wait for her to get help. She had swallowed so much water, her body was limp, and she was sinking silently without a struggle.

　　Yun Ling was running towards them, breathing heavily, when suddenly there was a ‘splash!’ A figure in deep blue jumped into the lake.

　　Yun Ling couldn't be mistaken about that figure.

　　It was Xiao Qibai.

　　She stopped in her tracks, standing outside the Moonlit Gate, watching the scene in the lotus pond.

　　Xiao Qibai jumped into the water and soon brought the drowning Xie Jinjia to the surface.

　　Both of them were soaked to the bone. Xiao Qibai, in his haste to save her, didn't pay attention to anything else, and the two were tightly embraced.

　　Xie Jinjia, however, remained unconscious from the near-drowning.

　　Yun Ling watched the scene unfold, realizing that Xiao Qibai shouldn't have been in the Eastern Palace today, yet here he was.

　　Suddenly, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps behind her.

　　It was Yu Fei, her attendants, and a patrol of guards.

　　If they were to enter and see the scene before them, with everyone around, and witness the physical contact between them, then Xiao Qibai would have no choice but to marry the princess.

　　In the blink of an eye, Yu Fei and her entourage were almost upon them. Seeing Yun Ling, she said anxiously, “I heard a noise just now, I fear there might be thieves. The Imperial Guards are nearby; let's have them investigate.”

　　Yun Ling stepped forward, extending her arm to stop them. “What if I said there was nothing?”

　　Seeing this, the Imperial Guards hesitated. This was the Crown Prince's attendant; if Yun Shanggong insisted on stopping them, they wouldn't dare force their way in.

　　Yu Fei approached Yun Ling. “Yun Shanggong, why are you doing this? What crime will we be committing if we let the thieves escape?”

　　Yun Ling looked at Yu Fei's elegantly beautiful face and whispered in her ear, “Niangniang, do you not even care about your own daughter's reputation?”

　　A strained smile touched Yu Fei's lips before she composed herself.

　　“My daughter will one day understand the sacrifices I've made for her.”

　　Yun Ling looked at her, and slowly lowered her hand.

　　She allowed Yu Fei and her entourage to hurry inside.

　　Just as they entered, Yáo Nǚshǐ and two palace seamstresses arrived. They witnessed Yun Ling raise her hand to stop them, then lower it again.

　　Upon reaching the Moonlit Gate, they were instantly shocked by the scene before them.

　　Yáo Nǚshǐ rushed back, seizing Yun Ling's arm with force. Her pupils dilated in terror, and her voice trembled. “Yun Gugu, have you gone mad?!”

　　“That was Lord Xiao, a close confidant of His Highness the Crown Prince! Why didn't you stop them!!!”

　　With Yu Fei and her group having entered and witnessed that scene, Lord Xiao will have no choice but to marry the princess!

　　But everyone in the palace knows the Crown Prince and the Fifth Princess aren't close. Furthermore, Lord Xiao was arranged by the Crown Prince to marry another high official's daughter! He absolutely cannot marry the Princess!

　　How could Yun Shanggong not know? She didn't stop them, ruining His Highness's plans. Even if the Crown Prince favors her greatly, he will never forgive this!

　　Yun Ling glanced back inside. Xie Jinjia had already awakened and, seeing so many people, instantly jumped up trying to distance herself from Xiao Qibai to avoid suspicion.

　　But it was too late.

　　The Fifth Princess's fall into the water and rescue by Xiao Qibai, including their physical contact, has become known to everyone.

　　She repeatedly asked Xie Jinjia why she did this.

　　Did she really have to have Xiao Qibai?

　　That wasn't a good match for her.

　　Yun Ling had wanted to advise her, but the princess looked at her with such desolate eyes, forlornly asking if she knew the feeling of being constantly worried about someone. Fighting back tears, she said that if she weren't a princess trapped in the palace, things would be different. Suddenly, Yun Ling didn't know what to say.

　　The spoiled and willful Fifth Princess.

　　The innocent and adorable Xie Jinjia.

　　She tried her best to help this young princess.

　　Besides, it wasn't clear that Xiao Qibai was without feeling for the princess.

　　After staring blankly for a while, Yun Ling turned her head and calmly said, “It's alright, I will take responsibility for this before His Highness.”

　　Yáo Nǚshǐ stood where she was, looking at the scene by the pond, then at Yun Ling's departing back.

　　Ultimately, it was beyond saving.

　　She stamped her foot and quickly followed.

　　She treated Yun Ling like her own younger sister, and now she was so worried she didn't know what to do! She was like an ant on a hot pot, her heart pounding, fear threatening to spill out. Tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head in despair. “Ah Ling, this is a terrible mistake! If His Highness finds out, you might lose your position as Head Palace Maid! (Shanggong)”

　　Yun Ling stopped and turned to Yáo Nǚshǐ. “I know.”

　　“Then why did you do this?!”

　　She had gone through so much hardship to reach the position of Shanggong. Yao Qingling watched with her own eyes how difficult it was for Yun Ling to obtain this position, how much effort and energy she had expended.

　　For a princess, was she going to ruin her own future?

　　Yun Ling took out a handkerchief and wiped Yáo Nǚshǐ's tears, repeating herself, “Sister Yao, I know.”

　　“Don't worry about me. If anything happens to me, please take my place and manage the Six Bureaus well.”

　　She knew perfectly well that she might lose her position as Shanggong.

　　Having made such a grave mistake, even the Crown Prince would have no choice but to punish her.

　　It didn't matter where she was punished, as long as she was out of his sight. Anywhere would be better than the East Palace's inescapable net; she had ways of escaping from anywhere.

　　The Crown Prince's possessiveness towards her grew stronger each day. She couldn't remain as a Shanggong, constantly under his gaze.

　　Her future… was already gone.

　　She did this to help the princess, but also for herself.

　　She knew full well the consequences of angering the Crown Prince; she knew it was a grave offense.

　　It was a matter of risking death for a chance at life.

　　But she couldn't tell Sister Yao any of this. The fewer people involved, the better.

　　Yáo Nǚshǐ was terribly anxious, but there was nothing she could do.

　　They had just arrived at the Shanggong Bureau when Xiao Xiangzi rushed in, breathlessly reporting, “Yun Gugu, Yun Gugu, His Highness the Crown Prince has returned from the Imperial Prison!”

　　“He says you are to go to the East Palace immediately!”

　　Yáo Nǚshǐ's face went pale instantly. She quickly asked, “Does His Highness know already?”

　　Xiao Xiangzi stammered for a few moments, then gritted his teeth and said resolutely,

　　“Yes. Yun Gugu, please.”

________________

GLOSSARY:

East Palace / Eastern Palace (東宮, Dōnggōng):
Refers to the Crown Prince’s official residence and administrative court. The term was established as early as the Han dynasty and continued through the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

Both “East Palace” and “Eastern Palace” are simply different English translations of 東宮 and mean the same thing. They do not represent separate places.

In the imperial palace, the East Palace symbolized the heir’s status and authority. While the Crown Prince lived there, he also managed his own staff and political affairs within the complex.

Note: In this novel, “East Palace” and “Eastern Palace” will be used interchangeably.

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