My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 62: Thought About It.

　　The burnt wick of the lamp gave a soft ‘pop,’ which was particularly noticeable in the quiet room.

　　Yun Ling didn't react or answer for a while, and felt his arms tightening around her from behind in dissatisfaction.

　　He was always so possessive and strong. He poured his whole heart into it, and he wanted her to focus all her attention on him.

　　Yun Ling tried to tiptoe and gently punched his chest, complaining, “I miss you.”

　　“You're hurting me, let go.”

　　When she returned to the Xiao family, some nights she couldn't sleep and would unconsciously recall his domineering words. Thinking about it, she felt like nothing was a big deal anymore.

　　He could solve anything.

　　Although the next day she would still try her best to face everything.

　　Xie Jue's eyes and brows were filled with joy. He lowered his head, cupped her chin, and kissed her without hesitation.

　　He captured her lips and sucked them deeply and indulgently.

　　He missed her so much that even a few days apart felt like torture. How could she not miss him?

　　He should have married her back to the Eastern Palace sooner, so they could be together forever.

　　The room echoed with the sticky, intimate sound of water merging. Yun Ling wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He was so tall that she couldn't stay on her tiptoes for long. The next moment, he suddenly lifted her by the waist, holding her face-to-face.

　　In an instant, she went from looking up at him to looking down at him.

　　Yun Ling tightly wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned down to kiss him, her freshly washed hair cascading down and intertwining with him closely.

　　The sound of their kisses spilled from their lips, and they kissed for an unknown amount of time. Yun Ling was breathless, her delicate face turning a rosy shade, before she finally pushed against his chest, urging him to put her down.

　　This was the Xiao residence, and she was now the eldest miss of the Xiao family. For the sake of the family's reputation, they couldn't continue like this.

　　The softness within reach was frustratingly unattainable, and Xie Jue frowned in dissatisfaction.

　　He set her down but tilted his head to bite her tender, fair neck, saying, “I want you to stay at the Xiao residence a little longer, but it’s so difficult for me to even find an opportunity to see you.”

　　“When will I be able to marry you back to the Eastern Palace?”

　　Right now, he was willing to do everything according to her wishes. If she disagreed, he wouldn’t make a move.

　　Yun Ling soothingly took his hand, “It hasn't been long since I returned to the Xiao family.”

　　She felt that her stepmother, Lady Liu, wasn't easy to get along with. From what Xie Jinjia had said, her brother also kept a cool distance from their stepmother, maintaining only a superficial harmony.

　　Something felt amiss to her.

　　Besides, she still needed to visit her biological mother's grave; there was no way she could rush things.

　　She spoke softly, her apricot eyes filled with the utmost tenderness as she looked at him, “Can we wait a little longer?”

　　How could Xie Jue possibly say no? He simply grabbed her and kissed her for a long time.

　　“Then I don't want to return to the Eastern Palace for now.”

　　Yun Ling's eyes widened immediately. “But how can that be?”

　　Xie Jue said with a smile, “I injured myself after drinking too much, so I'll recuperate at the Grand Tutor's house for two days. What's wrong with that?”

　　His decisions were not to be questioned, and staying for two days wasn't impossible.

　　Yun Ling remained silent.

　　……

　　Xiao Mingrong was persuaded by Lady Liu. Taking advantage of the opportunity that the Crown Prince was resting at their house due to being drunk, she was urged to deliver him some hangover soup, hoping to catch his eye.

　　Xiao Mingrong thought to herself, even the most glamorous young ladies in the Capital were no match for the Crown Princess. The Crown Prince hadn't taken a concubine yet, so if she went there, there was a chance the Crown Prince might take a liking to her... it was a rare opportunity.

　　Even if she were rejected, she wouldn't lose anything.

　　So Xiao Mingrong changed into a beautiful dress, had someone prepare hangover soup, and came alone to the courtyard where the Crown Prince was staying late at night.

　　However, before she got close to the room, she was driven away by a fierce-looking guard. “No one is allowed near the Crown Prince's bedroom.”

　　Xiao Mingrong forced a smile and tried to ingratiate herself. “I'm Miss Xiao from the Xiao residence. I'm here to deliver hangover soup to His Highness—”

　　Before she could finish her sentence, the guard interrupted her mercilessly. “It doesn't matter who you are. Leave quickly, or don't blame me for being rude.”

　　Hearing such harsh and unpleasant words for the first time, the young lady felt extremely embarrassed, her face turning pale. Biting her lip, she prepared to leave.

　　Just as she stepped out of the courtyard, she suddenly heard the creaking sound of a door opening. Xiao Mingrong quickly hid behind the wall to peek.

　　At that moment, in the hazy moonlight, a graceful and elegant figure stepped out. With a slender waist and captivating charm, it was none other than Yun Ling!

　　In the next instant, Xiao Mingrong saw the Crown Prince's Chief Eunuch respectfully handing her a lantern, speaking to her with an air of caution, as if advising her to be careful.

　　Yun Ling smiled as she accepted the lantern, its bright light illuminating her face, allowing Xiao Mingrong to see her unusually red lips clearly.

　　Seeing Yun Ling emerge from the Crown Prince's room so late, her lips still so red... Xiao Mingrong took a moment to think and was shocked to arrive at a conclusion:

　　Yun Ling must be secretly involved with the Crown Prince!

　　Everything suddenly made sense. No wonder the Crown Prince had come to the Xiao residence so suddenly. He had publicly praised Yun Ling in front of everyone, and then, conveniently, he got drunk and stayed at the Xiao residence! All of this was clearly aimed at Yun Ling!

　　Her mother had said it was out of respect for their grandfather and brother, but why hadn’t the Crown Prince ever attended her coming-of-age ceremony before?

　　Everything was clearly for Yun Ling!

　　As Xiao Mingrong thought about these things, she suddenly realized something else. If Yun Ling and the Crown Prince had been secretly involved, then with the Crown Prince going to such lengths for her, it wouldn’t be long before he would make her the Crown Princess!

　　She began to suspect that Yun Ling hadn't been punished and exiled from the Palace for the past three years, but rather, the Crown Prince had been keeping her hidden away in a golden house!

　　Why did all the good fortune and attention fall upon Yun Ling? As soon as she returned to the Xiao residence, everyone's focus was on her. Before she arrived, Xiao Mingrong had been the only young lady of the Xiao family!

　　Her brother had always cared for her, but now that Yun Ling was back, even he hardly came to see her anymore and had even scolded her a couple of times. Was it such a big deal that she had sarcastically commented on Yun Ling? She hadn't said anything wrong!

　　Yes, as siblings from the same mother, they were naturally closer than she was. Now, she felt like an outsider!

　　The more Xiao Mingrong thought about it, the angrier she became, her fingernails digging into her palm until they bled.

　　……

　　The next morning, Yun Ling woke up early, greeted her grandmother, and then went to Xie Jinjia's courtyard. She had personally embroidered two small bellybands for Xie Jinjia's baby and was preparing to show them to her. She also wanted to ask about Lady Liu.

　　She only knew a little about Lady Liu. Her grandfather and grandmother had only mentioned that she was the legitimate second daughter of the Yongzhong Marquis' Mansion, and that she had married into the Xiao family later in life as a second wife. Over the years, she had given birth to Xiao Mingrong and managed the household affairs, so she had her share of hardships.

　　Therefore, Yun Ling had initially wanted to get along well with her, but she hadn't expected Lady Liu to be so hostile towards her.

　　Xiao Mingrong was only fifteen years old. While her temperament was somewhat spoiled and narrow-minded, it wasn't likely she would have spoken so rudely and insultingly without Lady Liu's instigation.

　　Just as she passed the back garden, she saw Xiao Mingrong walking out. Xiao Mingrong's gaze fell directly on her face, as if trying to scrutinize every detail.

　　After a long moment, she reluctantly curtsied.

　　Yun Ling had no intention of causing her any trouble, so she nodded and turned to leave.

　　She had only taken a couple of steps when Xiao Mingrong spoke again from behind her, triumphantly and sarcastically, “Sister, I saw everything last night.”

　　“You're behaving so shamelessly. If word gets out, won't it bring shame to our Xiao family?”

　　Yun Ling stopped and slowly turned around, gazing calmly at Xiao Mingrong.

　　Then she walked towards her step by step.

　　Yun Ling was a very gentle person; she appeared soft and without much of a temper. That's why Xiao Mingrong wasn't afraid of her elder sister at all and had repeatedly targeted her.

　　But she forgot that Yun Ling, who had once managed the entire Palace and its Six Bureaus, might have a gentle temper, but she was undoubtedly capable and resourceful to have controlled the Six Bureaus.

　　Seeing Yun Ling approach, Xiao Mingrong unconsciously took a step back.

　　Yun Ling stopped in front of her, looking at Xiao Mingrong with a calm tone, “Xiao Mingrong, I pity your youth, which is why I have tolerated you repeatedly.”

　　“There are some things I don't want to spell out. Sneaking into the Crown Prince's courtyard late at night and behaving so shamelessly—who exactly is behaving in such a manner?”

　　Xiao Mingrong's face turned pale, and she bit her lip, unconvinced. “I did go to the Crown Prince's courtyard, but you went into the Crown Prince's room! If I spread this, let's see if your reputation will remain intact!”

　　Compared to Xiao Mingrong's anger, Yun Ling suddenly smiled lightly. “Although I've only met you a few times, I can see that you're quite intelligent.”

　　After a pause, she continued, speaking slowly and deliberately,

　　“Since you're so intelligent, couldn't you guess who the Crown Prince came for this time?”

　　Instead of answering directly, she lightly tossed the question back to Xiao Mingrong.

　　Seeing Xiao Mingrong's expression change, she knew the girl had guessed the truth.

　　With that pointed remark, Yun Ling withdrew her gaze, turned, and left with a final sentence,

　　“Since you know, then you don't need me to remind you what to do. Even if you spread it, it won't affect me. Furthermore, His Highness's temper isn't very good; don't provoke him.”

　　“Otherwise, I can't guarantee what he might do.”

　　With those words, she left without lingering.

　　Xiao Mingrong stood alone where she was, almost biting through her lip.

　　Xiao Yun Ling was truly about to become a Crown Princess and soar to great heights!

　　The Crown Prince was clearly fond of Xiao Yun Ling and protected her at every turn; even if she had seen something, she wouldn't dare say anything more.

　　It was just that she couldn't swallow this injustice. Why did Yun Ling receive the Crown Prince's favor? She had only tried to make a few sarcastic remarks out of frustration.

　　She hadn't expected Yun Ling to completely ignore her.

　　Ultimately, it was all because of the Crown Prince's favor!

　　……

　　Xiao Mingrong was furious. After breakfast, she found an excuse to leave the residence.

　　Her close friend was her aunt's daughter, her cousin Gao Ruoyan. The two had been close since childhood and shared everything.

　　After listening to Xiao Mingrong's woes, Gao Ruoyan thought for a moment and comforted her, “I feel like your sister is actually quite tolerant of you. It wasn't right of you to deliberately provoke her.”

　　Seeing that her cousin wasn't taking her side, Xiao Mingrong immediately flew into a rage. “Whose side are you on?!”

　“It’s her! She came back and took everything from me—my family’s affection, the spotlight! Grandfather, Grandmother, and even my brother originally all doted on me alone! Would I target her if she hadn't come back?”

　　“She's been wandering outside for more than ten years. Why did she come back?! Who knows what her motives are!”

　　Gao Ruoyan touched her nose. “That's true.”

　　Then she comforted her, “But don't be angry. Although she holds the title of eldest Miss, how can she compare to you? You've been raised in luxury since childhood, while she, I heard, was sold into the Palace as a palace maid when she was young. She's been doing menial work since she was little, completely incomparable to you.” Gao Ruoyan whispered, “And you don't know this, but I heard that before she became a Shanggong (high-ranking palace official), she was even a lowly cleaning maid!”

　　Xiao Mingrong didn't know this.

　　But she knew how much the Crown Prince favored her, and it must have been him who promoted her to Shanggong.

　　Thinking about it made her feel stifled.

　　“But how did she get the Crown Prince's promotion? Because of her beauty?”

　　Gao Ruoyan widened her eyes. “Ah, you don't know?”

　　Xiao Mingrong shook her head. She wasn't very clear on these matters.

　　Gao Ruoyan had overheard her mother mention it once. Seeing no one around, she leaned close to Xiao Mingrong's ear and whispered, “I heard that when the Crown Prince was still the Sixth Prince, he was confined to the Cold Palace. Of all the palace maids who served him, only your sister survived. I heard she even volunteered to go to the Cold Palace.”

　　“So, after he became the Crown Prince, he made her a Shanggong!”

　　Xiao Mingrong was stunned. So that's how it was.

　　……

　　After chatting with her cousin for a while, Xiao Mingrong felt much better.

　　So what if Xiao Yun Ling was glorious now? Wasn't she just a lowly palace maid before?

　　It's just that she still resented it. Now everyone in the capital was fawning over her, she was very glorious, and even the Crown Prince was captivated by her. It was likely she would soon be made Crown Princess!

　　At that time, not only would all the noble ladies in the capital try to curry favor with her, but the entire Xiao family would also be proud of her!

　　Crown Princess, the future Empress!

　　She was truly lucky! It's just because she has a pretty face!

　　Xiao Mingrong returned to the residence resentfully, intending to seek comfort from her mother. As soon as she entered her mother's courtyard, she faintly heard her mother talking to her father inside the room.

　　Even stranger, all the servants had been sent away.

　　What were they talking about so secretly, not wanting anyone to know?

　　Thinking this, Xiao Mingrong quietly and subtly approached.

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T/N: OMG, I've been sick for the past few days. I've heard many people around the world have similar symptoms: a slight, intermittent fever, nausea, headache, flu, and cough. Could this be a lingering effect of COVID-19? Ugh 😫

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