My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 68: Soft-hearted.

　　This concerns a secret of the Lin family, naturally it cannot be revealed to others.

　　Yun Ling, a young lady from a noble family, could not be alone in a room with Lin Jiandong.

　　Therefore, before Lin Jiandong left, he wrote down the dream prophecy of the Lin family on paper and gave it to Yun Ling.

　　……

　　Time flew by, and before they knew it, a month had passed. The Crown Prince had gone to the Dongpan military camp and hadn't returned yet.

　　The continuous spring rain that had lasted for a month finally stopped.

　　Yun Ling finished her tasks and also sorted through the family property and belongings brought by the Head of the Lin family.

　　Her brother said these were left to their mother by their maternal grandfather. Now that their mother was gone, he left them all to her. He was already married and had an official position, so he didn't need them.

　　It's always better for a woman to have some silver on hand.

　　Her grandmother told her to keep these, as a dowry from her mother.

　　Dowry... but who would she ever marry in this lifetime?

　　Yun Ling stared blankly at the silver notes, then closed the box, locked it, and put it away.

　　She had lived a cautious life, enduring countless hardships in the cruel Palace. Finally, she had escaped and lived the life she had always strived for.

　　She craved freedom so much that she would do anything to reject him. His possessiveness and his status were nothing but a cage to her.

　　This harsh, cold man had repeatedly compromised for her, yet she, lost in her stubborn desire to escape, could no longer see clearly.

　　But…

　　Her eyelashes fluttered. Looking up, her gaze drifted to the pomegranate tree outside the window. Spring was almost over, and flower buds were gradually appearing on its branches.

　　Those branches, which had not lost their vitality even under the snow, stubbornly and tenaciously pushed out new growth.

　　She stared for a long while, then suddenly there was a knock on the door.

　　Xie Jinjia walked in carrying two strings of candied haws, smiling sweetly. “Ah Ling, want some candied haws? My husband bought them, one for each of us.”

　　Yun Ling snapped back to reality, noticing Xie Jinjia's pregnant belly and feeling concerned. She quickly went over to support her. “How did you get here? Be careful.”

　　“I was bored, so I came to chat with you,” Xie Jinjia pouted. “At home, only you can always keep me company. It's good you're back.”

　　Grandmother is old, and she couldn't constantly bother her.

　　Yun Ling and two maids helped Xie Jinjia sit down on the chaise lounge before taking the candied haws from her hand. “Isn't my brother at home?”

　　Xie Jinjia happily took a bite of the candied haw. “He's in his study, very busy. I can't interrupt him.”

　　Yun Ling nodded, taking a bite of the candied haw. The sweet and sour taste filled her mouth.

　　It tasted pretty good.

　　“I saw you spacing out just now,” Xie Jinjia asked. “What were you thinking about?”

　　It was rare to see her so absent-minded.

　　Yun Ling paused, then said, “I saw the pomegranate blossoms outside the window seem to be blooming.”

　　Xie Jinjia also glanced outside. “Hmm, they are blooming a little. Every year at the end of spring, this pomegranate tree blooms. What's wrong?”

　　Yun Ling: “There was also a pomegranate tree in the Jingxiang Palace. I picked and ate the pomegranates; they were very sweet.”

　　Back then, she also made candied pomegranate blossoms to win his favor.

　　Her beginning with him was all carefully calculated.

　　Later, she embroidered a pomegranate blossom sachet, again tricking him into letting her go to Guanyun Temple.

　　He said, “Time and again, you tricked me, but you weren't wrong.”

　　Xie Jinjia hesitated before tentatively saying, “Actually, I've always wanted to say, Ah Ling, I think you have feelings for Sixth Brother.”

　　“Sixth Brother is away training in the military camp, and you must be worried, right?”

　　Yun Ling pursed her lips, not denying it. “I am a little worried.”

　　Although she didn't want to enter the Palace, her feelings for him were never merely a pretense; how could she not worry?

　　He said he was confident in handling everything within a month, the shortest possible time. But a month has passed, and he hasn't returned, meaning something must be keeping him.

　　What could it be?

　　……

　　Dongpan Military Camp.

　　The Prince personally came to the camp to inspect the training, rectify military discipline, and within three days of arriving, he uncovered numerous people who were shirking their duties.

　　The Dongpan military camp is an important force guarding the Capital, yet it repeatedly caused disturbances. This was because the Dongpan camp was the most stubborn and contained the most sons of royal families and nobles. Originally, Old General Gu was in charge and nothing major happened. After his retirement, successive changes in commanders failed to bring about effective control. No one expected the Crown Prince to personally arrive.

　　This young Crown Prince's methods were truly ruthless. Unlike other commanders, if there were those who disobeyed or caused trouble, he wouldn't hesitate to kill them.

　　Upon arrival, he immediately purged many commanders who had embezzled funds, executing some and demoting others, showcasing his ruthless methods to all the soldiers. Then he strictly examined military affairs, rewarding merit and promoting those deserving, regardless of their background or status.

　　Under his harsh and bloody suppression, even the most rebellious soldiers submitted.

　　Moreover, the Crown Prince personally trained the troops during this trip. In less than a month, the Dongpan military camp transformed from a disorganized mess into a disciplined force.

　　He should have returned to the Capital long ago, but unexpectedly, a disturbance occurred.

　　After the training, a bandit stronghold, located a hundred miles outside the Capital, was discovered. This group had been entrenched in the mountains for many years, harming the people.

　　Xie Jue ordered a small team from the army to go into the mountains to suppress the bandits; it seemed like a minor task.

　　The Dongpan military camp housed many sons of noble families, which was the biggest reason for the camp's difficulty to control. Everyone had connections and backgrounds. If Xie Jue hadn't personally intervened, it's likely that order couldn't have been restored.

　　After killing several of the ringleaders and most culpable, the rest were sent back to the Capital. A certain Vice Minister's son, who had initially shown himself to be diligent and hardworking, was kept in the camp. During this bandit suppression, he volunteered, eager to earn merit. However, at the critical moment, he suddenly panicked and fled. An arrow from the bandit leader grazed the Crown Prince's arm.

　　The Crown Prince was furious and immediately punished this cowardly deserter according to military law.

　　Because of this incident, the ministers of the noble families who had previously criticized the Crown Prince's harsh methods in suppressing the noble sons in the Dongpan camp were now trembling with fear, no longer daring to voice any objections.

　　Unexpectedly, this seemingly insignificant bandit stronghold, entrenched for many years, used poison on their arrows.

　　Although the poison wasn't strong, after treatment by the military doctor, he remained unconscious for most of a day before finally waking up.

　　His body is extremely weak, and he is currently recovering from his injuries in the military camp.

　　——

　　As dusk settled.

　　A lamp was lit in the room, and Yun Ling was looking over accounts. This month's household expenses were significantly lower than last month's, with many unnecessary expenditures eliminated.

　　Yun Ling donated all the saved money to a charity.

　　Suddenly remembering that she hadn't yet given her grandmother the embroidered handkerchief she made, she got up and left the courtyard. As soon as she stepped out, she saw her brother, Xiao Qibai, rushing in.

　　His expression was serious.

　　Something must have happened.

　　This thought flashed through Yun Ling's mind, and for some reason, her heart began to beat rapidly and anxiously.

　　After he entered the study, Yun Ling turned and went to her grandmother's courtyard.

　　By the time she returned, it was raining outside.

　　Yun Ling hadn't brought an umbrella, and her clothes were somewhat damp by the time she reached the courtyard.

　　She had just changed into dry clothes when she saw Lǜyī hurrying towards her, with someone behind him.

　　It was Grand Eunuch An.

　　Grand Eunuch An approached Yun Ling anxiously, “Eldest Miss Xiao, the Crown Prince is seriously injured and is recovering in the Dongpan military camp.”

　　A bolt of lightning illuminated the sky, turning Yun Ling's face pale.

　　After a moment, she managed to squeeze out the words, “What happened?”

　　An Zhong then recounted the whole story of the bandit suppression, adding, “The Crown Prince is very weak now.” His gaze was intense as he looked at Yun Ling.

　　Yun Ling's fingers tightened.

　　He hasn't returned for a month; he was injured.

　　And the arrow was poisoned.

　　Regarding the bandit suppression... Yun Ling, after a moment's thought, understood. He knew the character of the Minister's son, yet he still took him along on the bandit suppression. It was a calculated move to quell the dissatisfaction and resistance of the noble families.

　　Xie Jue's harsh punishment of the noble sons in the military camp naturally caused discontent and opposition. But if these noble sons had deserted in battle, and the Crown Prince had been injured because of it, they wouldn't dare, and would have no reason to complain.

　　The arrow was poisoned! How is he now?

　　Yun Ling's mind was in chaos, and she was struggling to remain calm.

　　Grand Eunuch An said, “The carriage is waiting outside. Eldest Miss Xiao, will you come with me now?”

　　To see him? Yun Ling struggled with the thought. If she went to see him, they would return to how things were before, and she would have no reason to refuse.

　　He was surrounded by masters and guarded by the Jinyiwei; how could he be injured by mere bandits? Even if he hadn't been injured, the desertion of those noble sons was enough of a crime. He must have done it on purpose; he must have deliberately allowed himself to be injured.

　　He has military doctors attending to him, so he should be fine.

　　She thought.

　　But…

　　But, she still couldn't help but worry.

　　No one knew him better than she did.

　　Those years they spent together, from humble beginnings to facing life and death, he wouldn't forget, and neither would she. Their youth, shared with hatred, pain, and interwoven love and affection…

　　It couldn't have been all a pretense.

　　Yun Ling closed her eyes tightly, clenching her fists.

　　She saw through everything, yet she was still soft-hearted.

　　Turning back to her room, Yun Ling packed her things and followed Grand Eunuch An into the carriage.

　　After a night's journey, the carriage arrived outside the military camp in the morning of the following day.

　　Yun Ling got out of the carriage, looked at the majestic and imposing military camp, paused for a moment, and then walked forward.

　　With An Zhong leading the way, their entry into the camp was unimpeded.

　　But as they approached the Crown Prince's quarters, they were stopped by two stern-faced generals.

　　One of them said, “Halt! The Crown Prince is resting inside. Without a summons, no one is allowed to enter.”

　　An Zhong's eyes widened. “I am An Zhong, the Chief Eunuch of the inner court!”

　　The other general immediately bowed. “Eunuch An, please forgive us. It's not that we want to stop you, but this is a military camp, and we have military regulations. The Crown Prince is furious and recovering; no one is allowed to see him. None of us dare let anyone in; if we do, we risk our lives! We beg you, Eunuch An, and this... lady, to wait. Wait until the Crown Prince's anger subsides and he recovers before entering.”

　　For some reason, after waking up, the Crown Prince's anger has only intensified day by day, and he has been furious, making it so that no one in the military camp dares to approach.

　　Grand Eunuch An was just about to say, “Do you know—”

　　At that moment, Yun Ling quietly took out a dark red object from her sleeve. “I ask both generals to let us pass.”

　　The two generals looked at the characters on the seal, their pupils trembling. This... this was actually the Crown Prince's personal seal!

　　They dared not obstruct her any longer and quickly allowed her to pass.

　　However, only Yun Ling was allowed to enter; even An Zhong was stopped outside.

　　When Yun Ling entered, military reports were scattered on the ground, and a group of people knelt there, trembling.

　　No wonder those two generals didn't dare to report or let anyone in.

　　When Chen Zhan saw her, he was startled for a moment, then quickly had someone lead her into the inner chamber.

　　The inner chamber was filled with a strong, pungent smell of medicine. After passing a screen, Yun Ling finally saw his face—grim and severe, colder than winter frost.

　　His thin lips were pale from his injury.

　　Veins bulged at his temples, and his whole being radiated a terrifying ferocity.

　　He glared at the several people kneeling behind him, saying, “Get out! All of you, get out!”

　　Those few people, drenched in sweat and trembling, their legs unsteady, quickly retreated.

　　Even the military doctor was driven out.

　　The Crown Prince's anger these past two days had chilled everyone in the army to the bone.

　　After everyone left, the room fell instantly silent.

　　The pain in his arm throbbed, a dense, agonizing ache that seemed to pierce his very organs, yet it was nothing compared to the icy coldness of his expression.

　　Xie Jue's hands were braced against the corner of the table, the knuckles stark white with the force of his grip.

　　A soft voice, gentle and laced with concern, suddenly came from behind him, “Your Highness.”

　　Xie Jue froze.

　　Her voice, to him,

　　was a bone-chilling tenderness.

　　Turning around, he saw her walking towards him step by step. Perhaps from traveling all night, her fair face was a little pale.

　　Her rosy lips moved, forming words—mostly expressions of concern for him.

　　But Xie Jue seemed to hear nothing. He lowered his head and pulled her forcefully into his embrace.

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