My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 34: Your Highness once promised me a promise. 

　　Yun Ling remembered that in the first few years after she was sold into the palace, her health was very poor, and she would faint at the slightest breeze. Even her master said that he had never seen such a weak child, and wondered how much hardship she must have endured at home.

　　Later, after spending a long time in the palace, her health gradually improved. To the point that when Wang Dade was making things difficult for her, and she couldn't even eat enough, and the palace maids would occasionally pour water into her bedding, she still persevered.

　　She hadn't suffered from any serious illnesses for a very long time.

　　In her hazy dream, she saw a swing swaying in a courtyard, and the silvery laughter of a little girl echoed, endlessly in her dream.

　　The scene changed, shifting to a depiction of her life in the palace several years later.

　　It was blurry and indistinct.

　　Perhaps she was struggling too much in her dream; her whole body felt feverish, and a layer of sweat beaded on her smooth forehead.

　　Desperately wanting to escape this absurd dream, Yun Ling struggled with all her might, finally waking up.

　　Her chest heaved. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw the flickering oil lamp on the table.

　　Normally, as long as the lamp oil didn't run out, the flame should have been very steady. It was only because of the wind that it was flickering so much.

　　“Awake?” A low voice suddenly came from beside her.

　　Yun Ling turned her head sharply, and discovered that the Crown Prince was sitting beside her, at some point.

　　When did he arrive?

　　How long had she slept?

　　Two thoughts flashed through her mind, and Yun Ling quickly lifted the quilt to get up. “The servant pays her respects—”

　　She had just sat up when Xie Jue pressed down on her shoulders, pushing her back. “Alright, alright, forget the formalities. Do you want to get even sicker?”

　　Yun Ling pulled the covers back up. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

　　After lying back down, she realized that because of her fever, and to help her sweat, she was wearing very little clothing. At some point, her collar had come undone.

　　It was terribly uncomfortable.

　　Yun Ling figured he wouldn't notice, so she silently turned over and fastened her collar again.

　　Of course, Xie Jue saw the bit of fair skin exposed at her neckline.

　　“Covering what?”

　　He's seen her whole body before.

　　Yun Ling instantly understood what he meant, but said nothing, deciding to change the subject. “Your Highness came late at night, is something the matter? Did I not arrange something properly?”

　　She had delegated all the matters of the Shanggong Bureau, including the arrangements for the flower viewing banquet, so there shouldn't be any mistakes.

　　The candlewick sputtered and crackled; it needed trimming.

　　The shadows in the room stretched long, and for a moment, there was silence.

　　Xie Jue looked down. The woman sitting on the bed had a thin frame, as if a gust of wind could blow her away. Her small face was flushed with fever, and even her usually watery eyes were rimmed with red. Her long, soft black hair fell over her shoulders, partially concealing her slender jaw.

　　Usually, despite her young age, she adhered to the decorum of her position as Shanggong, her hair meticulously styled. While youthful, she projected an air of calm composure, a deliberate display of authority befitting her role.

　　He rarely saw her in such a vulnerable and defenseless state.

　　Because of a small flower-viewing banquet, she even managed to fall ill.

　　Xie Jue withdrew his gaze and asked instead, “Have you taken your medicine?”

　　Yun Ling replied, “The imperial physician prescribed medicine, and I drank it before sleeping. I feel much better now. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

　　If there was nothing else, he shouldn't stay long in the room of a female official. If others saw them, who knows what rumors would spread.

　　Yun Ling's heart stirred slightly as she considered the purpose of his visit.

　　She pondered, concluding that he likely came to question her about the incident in the water. After all, it involved his future consorts.

　　She had jumped into the water out of necessity. Mu Lanru had been so aggressive; if she hadn't acted first, she feared she would be constantly threatened and controlled.

　　Actually, she could be incredibly ruthless when necessary.

　　Therefore, she wasn't surprised at all that Xie Jue punished Mu Lanru. Pushing a female official into the water in broad daylight in the East Palace—even if Mu Lanru hadn't entered the palace yet, it would still have caused trouble once she did.

　　In this situation, how could the Crown Prince not punish her?

　　Seeing her brow furrowed in deep thought, she suddenly started coughing violently, clutching her chest and gasping for breath.

　　Xie Jue's brows furrowed. “Alright, what are you overthinking again? You still have a fever.

　　Mu Lanru, I have already punished her. I've also had people thoroughly investigate her actions. Someone so arrogant and with such improper intentions—I will not accept her as a consort.”

　　Yun Ling supported herself on the edge of the bed, her long hair falling down to obscure her eyes.

　　Will not accept her…

　　It seems he knows everything about Mu Lanru. But isn't she his rather favored cousin?

　　Has he become so cold-blooded as to sacrifice his own kin for the greater good?

　　She had thought that the incident in the water would be enough to punish Mu Lanru and make her stop her schemes, whether overt or covert. She never expected the consequences to be so severe.

　　But she couldn't be so self-important as to think the Crown Prince acted because of her.

　　Rather, it was because Mu Lanru's behavior and character were simply unsuitable for a concubine.

　　Yun Ling could only respectfully say, “Thank you, Your Highness. But... although I fell into the water, nothing serious happened to me. Why did Your Highness have to make such a fuss?”

　　Suddenly, the Crown Prince leaned down, his figure instantly looming over her, casting a shadow overhead.

　　He casually pulled up the blanket that was about to slip off her.

　　“It wasn't a big fuss. I summoned her to the palace originally because of the Duke of Chen's family. Even before entering my East Palace, she was already stirring up trouble, her mind so narrow. Moreover…”

　　His voice suddenly softened, and he spoke slowly, “Just a flower-viewing banquet, and she could force a Shanggong to jump into the lake. That's not a good thing, is it, my Yun Shanggong?” 

　　“Was the lake water still cold?”

　　The candle flame suddenly flickered and swayed violently to one side.

　　The flush on Yun Ling's face completely disappeared, leaving her pale. Her back stiffened, and her hands, braced on the edge of the bed, clenched tightly.

　　She had thought that punishing Mu Lanru meant he hadn't noticed, but it turned out otherwise.

　　What else could possibly be hidden from his eyes?

　　His visit today was originally to warn her…

　　Even if it was out of helplessness, she had still deceived him. The current Crown Prince holds immense power, brooking no deception or defiance, and tolerates no sand in his eyes.

　　Naturally, he wouldn't allow himself to be deceived.

　　She had just woken from a dream where she seemed to have seen herself as a child.

　　Actually, all these years since she was sold into the palace, she never once thought of searching for her family. She figured that the people who could so heartlessly sell a young child into the palace were probably not good parents. What would be the point of finding them? It would only add to her sorrow.

　　But in the dream just now, the scene she saw suddenly made her realize that she had been loved by her mother when she was a child.

　　And then there's the peace charm she found with her master, with her name written on it.

　　Parents who would pray for their daughter's safety must have cherished her. Perhaps being sold into the palace wasn't their wish?

　　For example... she was kidnapped?

　　After avenging her master and Ru Dong, she had fulfilled her wish and thought of settling down as a Shanggong in the palace, living peacefully until old age.

　　But now it seems she's found something else she wants to do.

　　Besides, even without Mu Lanru, there would be others.

　　As long as power remains, the struggles in the palace will never cease.

　　She's tired.

　　And she doesn't want to hurt her body because of such things anymore.

　　But she couldn't even refuse the flower viewing banquet back then. Will he agree if she applies for resignation?

　　The wind outside has stopped.

　　Yun Ling clenched her hands, slowly raising her head. Her reddened apricot eyes didn't avoid his gaze as she looked directly at him. “I jumped on purpose. Are you going to punish me, Your Highness?”

　　Her sudden question left Xie Jue momentarily stunned.

　　He realized that his usual intimidating tactics weren't meant to warn her.

　　He hadn't even considered punishing her.

　　“Although it was a flower viewing banquet, I am merely a lowly palace maid, of low status and position. It was only because Your Highness favored me that it caused the resentment of others. I was harassed by Anfu Junzhu, and relentlessly pressed by your cousin, constantly targeted. Finally, because of her threats, I had no choice but to jump into the lake and suffer. I endured great hardship. This was never my fault…”

　　Yun Ling pursed her lips, her eyes misty. “Now, even Your Highness wants to punish me?”

　　That hint of moisture, that mist in her eyes, fell directly into Xie Jue's gaze.

　　It struck him then, that a tiny drop of water falling into a vast expanse of water could actually create ripple after ripple.

　　A moment of silence.

　　“When did I ever say I would punish you?” Xie Jue's brows furrowed slightly, his tone neither light nor heavy. “Tell me, what do you want?”

　　She was so wronged.

　　So pitifully delicate.

　　It almost made him waver as well. (T/N: Author really knows how to pull at my heartstrings! 🙈)

　　Yun Ling unconsciously swallowed. “Because of Your Highness's future concubines, I suffered this unwarranted disaster. I dare to speak presumptuously, but half of my illness is because of what I suffered for Your Highness. I only hope Your Highness will show mercy.”

       Taking a shallow breath, she continued.

　　“Your Highness once made me a promise,” she said, “that you would grant any request I made, is that not so?”

　　Since he wasn't punishing her, then she knew the Crown Prince wasn't unmoved by her illness; otherwise, he wouldn't have come to see her in the dead of night.

　　With this double-edged bargaining chip, could she exchange it for a promise to leave the palace?

　　Xie Jue's phoenix eyes darkened, gazing at her for a moment,

　　“Have you decided what you want?”

　　“Yes.”

　　“Under the imperial city, within the East Palace, under my control,” Xie Jue's thin lips parted slightly, his voice devoid of any discernible emotion. “As long as it doesn't overstep boundaries, I will agree.”

　　Yun Ling's pupils flickered subtly, her heart sinking.

　　Within the East Palace, under his control... was this the Crown Prince's promise?

　　Under his control, how could she resign?

　　Pressing her lips together, Yun Ling spoke slowly, asking with a last glimmer of hope, “What if what I think, what I desire, what I seek... is not within Your Highness's boundaries?”

　　A moment of silence filled the room.

　　Xie Jue looked at her small face, flushed with fever. Beautiful, pitiful, and heart-wrenching. Unknowingly, she lured him deeper, bit by bit, eroding his bottom line.

　　He slowly bent down, his fingers brushing her cheek, gently stroking beneath her reddened, pitiful eyes. “Then I can only break my word.”

　　He stood up and turned around. “Don't do anything that harms your body again. Otherwise—”

　　“I will surely punish you severely.”

　　Yun Ling managed a weak, “Yes.”

　　The door opened and closed again, and even the slightly open window was carefully closed by a palace servant.

　　Blocking out the last wisp of wind.

　　After the Crown Prince left, the room fell silent again, the candlelight dim.

　　The warm tea on the table had long since lost its heat.

　　Yun Ling felt a cold sweat break out all over, yet her head grew even more dizzy.

　　She squeezed her eyes shut tight.

　　A sudden chill ran down her spine as she profoundly understood her own powerlessness against his omnipresent, net-like imperial authority.

　　——

　　The flower viewing banquet ended, and the noble ladies departed. The Crown Prince did not immediately bestow any of the ladies with a title or position.

　　But because no one had been chosen, it was said that the Crown Prince was still considering his options.

　　No one dared to speak out.

　　Since no one was chosen, it meant the Crown Prince didn't wish to choose anyone, and thus none of the noble ladies lost face.

　　The Imperial Palace seemed to return to its usual calm.

　　Yun Ling's illness lingered for several days. It seemed she hadn't been sick in a long time, and this illness stubbornly refused to leave her.

　　The Crown Prince's palace sent a continuous stream of rewards, all to commend the tireless efforts and great contributions of Lady Yun Ling, the Palace Attendant. (T/N: I didn't change to pinyin toned for her title because I think it perfectly fine in English)

　　A combination of reward and punishment were used. 

　　It was the way of those who held power.

　　Yáo Nǚshǐ, eyes wide, couldn't tear her gaze away from the glittering gold and jewels. “Your Highness's gifts... they're all jewelry and hair ornaments?” she exclaimed in surprise.

　　Yun Ling, wrapped in a thin velvet shawl, picked up one of the exquisite gold hairpins. If she remembered correctly, these were all from the Crown Prince's private treasury—items she had personally cataloged. And now, they were all being given to her.

　　Perhaps it was because she seemed to like these ornaments when she was in Qingzhou, so his gifts were all of this kind.

　　Actually, compared to these beautiful ornaments that could only be admired and not used, she preferred silver. (or money)

　　Yao Nǚshǐ couldn't help but exclaim, “This level of reward is unprecedented in the Shanggong Bureau. Yun Gugu is truly capable! Not only did you manage the Six Bureaus flawlessly, but you also flawlessly arranged the crucial selection of consorts. No wonder His Highness bestowed such generous rewards.”

　　Although Yun Ling fell ill on the third day and handed everything over to Wu Shangyi, all the arrangements were already in place. Wu Shangyi only needed to follow the established procedures.

　　Her intelligence and competence extended beyond palace affairs. She had repeatedly helped the Crown Prince achieve his goals, proving herself to be an indispensable asset, the sharpest tool in the Crown Prince's hand.

　　She solved many problems for him.

　　Yun Ling had initially strived for excellence to become a useful person to him, believing that only those with value would be valued and promoted. Therefore, she had worked tirelessly to learn palace affairs, enduring sleepless nights and suppressing her fears to stand by his side. She learned to win people over, to make examples of others, and to manage subordinates – mastering the necessary skills.

　　Step by step, she became the Yun Shanggong of today.

　　But now, she has had her revenge, Wang Dade is dead, and she no longer needs his power.

　　It's easy to wield a sharp blade, but difficult to retreat from the rushing current.

　　The Crown Prince of the Great Jin Dynasty wields immense power, possesses a sharp mind, and is deeply scheming. How can she fight for her own path to survival in his hands?

________________

Glossary:

While it’s similar to Shanggong and Shangyi in being a palace title, Nǚshǐ (女史) was not a low-ranking maid. Instead, it referred to female officials or attendants, often educated, who served important roles in the palace.

Here’s a quick comparison:

• Shanggong (尚宫): A high-ranking female official who managed the palace’s female staff and affairs.

• Shangyi (尚衣): A high-ranking female official responsible for the emperor and empress’s clothing.

• Nǚshǐ (女史): Female officials/attendants, often literate, who taught etiquette, recorded events, or assisted noblewomen. They were respected roles, distinct from general maids.

…..

T/N: If there's a mistake even in the glossary please tell me ok. 😘

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