My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 76: Pearl In The Palm (Part 2)

　　After a summer rain, Xiao Mingrong returned to the Xiao family.

　　Having spent some time cultivating herself at the Guanyun Temple, she had become much more docile.

　　After paying her respects to her grandfather and grandmother upon her return to the manor, she went to Yun Ling's courtyard.

　　But for some reason, when she reached the courtyard, she hesitated.

　　Her small hands clenched tightly.

　　She had been blinded by jealousy, seeing Yun Ling's brilliance and fearing she would steal her own affection. But thinking back, Yun Ling had actually been very kind to her after returning to the Xiao manor.

　　Fearing she might feel left out, Yun Ling would constantly ask her grandmother to pay extra attention to her. Whenever she received something, Yun Ling would send her a similar gift.

　　She should have been grateful for the extra affection.

　　But she had been blinded at the time, thinking Yun Ling was simply showing off.

　　Later, when she went to Guanyun Temple, she couldn't stand the austere life at first. Her brother came to visit her and told her that the hardship she was enduring was nothing compared to what Yun Ling had suffered.

　　But Xiao Mingrong still refused to accept it. “Her suffering wasn't caused by me, what does it have to do with me?”

　　“Yes, it wasn't caused by you,” Xiao Qibai said. “You think it has nothing to do with you, but then why do you feel it has something to do with you when she returns to the Xiao family?”

　　Xiao Mingrong was speechless.

　　Xiao Qibai continued, “How can you calmly accept that she saved your life after you caused such a huge disaster?”

　　Her brother spoke earnestly, “We are blood-related family. Xiao Mingrong, if something were to happen to you, others would only watch coldly. Only your sister would go to any lengths to save you.”

　　“I've said all I need to say. Think about it carefully.”

　　Later, her mother came to the mountain to keep her company, whispering many bad things about Yun Ling in her ear.

　　But Xiao Mingrong found her mother's words increasingly jarring. She loudly declared to her mother, “But Sister Yun Ling has never said such things.”

　　In every difficult night that followed, she would remember those words she had spoken.

　　She knew her mother was acting out of concern for her.

　　But she no longer believed her mother was right.

　　Xiao Mingrong was a very intelligent person, knowing that when one makes a mistake, one must sincerely apologize. Therefore, after seeing her grandfather and grandmother, she went to her sister's courtyard.

　　But upon arriving, she suddenly became hesitant and shy.

　　She was afraid of not seeing her sister, and also afraid that her sister still didn't want to see her because of what happened before.

　　After hesitating outside for a while, Lǜshuǐ came out of the room. Seeing Xiao Mingrong, she quickly went over to greet her, “Miss Mingrong, are you here to see the Eldest Miss?”

　　Xiao Mingrong nodded. “Is my sister in?”

　　Lǜshuǐ smiled. “Yes, I'll go inform her. Please wait a moment.”

　　Yun Ling was embroidering something in her room. Hearing this, she put down the large piece of red cloth in her hands and paused, surprised.

　　For a moment, she didn't know what Xiao Mingrong wanted.

　　But she still nodded. “Let her in.”

　　Lǜshuǐ hurried away, and after a short while, Xiao Mingrong, led by Lǜshuǐ, slowly walked in, holding something in her hand.

　　“What do you want to talk to me about?” Yun Ling asked calmly.

　　Xiao Mingrong immediately became nervous, unconsciously fidgeting with her fingers, not daring to look at her sister's expression.

　　“It's nothing,” she heard herself say this.

　　Realizing she had misspoken, Xiao Mingrong quickly added, her face turning red, “I returned from Guanyun Temple, and after greeting Grandfather and Grandmother, I thought... I would also come to see you.”

　　Once she started, her words flowed more smoothly. “Actually, during my time at Guanyun Temple, I've reflected a lot, realizing what I've done and how narrow-minded I've been.”

　　“But what's done is done, and I don't want to make excuses for myself, nor do I dare to expect your forgiveness.” By the end, Xiao Mingrong's voice became hesitant. “I just... when I had nothing to do at Guanyun Temple, I made a sachet…”

　　She held out her hand, revealing a light yellow sachet with a vividly embroidered butterfly. It was obvious that it was embroidered with great care. She pursed her lips, lowered her head further, and spoke even more softly, “I wanted to give this to you.”

　　Xiao Mingrong felt a little anxious. She didn't know if her sister would accept it. Even if she didn't, it was only right that she offered it.

　　The room was quiet, so quiet that even their breaths were audible.

　　Xiao Mingrong felt her heart pounding in her ears.

　　Yun Ling looked at the downcast Xiao Mingrong for a long moment, somewhat surprised.

　　So Xiao Mingrong had come to apologize, and had even made her a sachet.

　　Yun Ling wasn't sure what she was thinking. Actually, forgiveness or lack thereof didn't really matter. When she first returned to the Xiao manor, she and Xiao Mingrong hadn't had much of a sisterly relationship, so she couldn't say she harbored much resentment.

　　She had even understood the reasons behind Xiao Mingrong's actions at a glance. She was still young, and it was understandable that she hadn't thought things through and had been somewhat narrow-minded. That's why Yun Ling had spoken to her grandmother, asking her to pay extra attention to Xiao Mingrong.

　　It wasn't a big deal.

　　Nothing insurmountable.

　　Yun Ling didn't want to dwell on it. It wasn't forgiveness, exactly; she just felt that letting go wasn't a bad thing.

　　Xiao Mingrong hadn't committed any heinous crimes.

　　For some reason, Yun Ling suddenly remembered, at that moment, that they were blood relatives, and they often showed affection by giving sachets.

　　Xiao Mingrong felt her heart might stop, yet she still hadn't heard her sister's response.

　　Her head was lowered, her lips pressed together tightly.

　　She told herself it was alright; even if her sister didn't forgive her, it was only to be expected. She would try harder in the future.

　　But there was still a little disappointment, deep down.

　　Her fingers curled involuntarily. Then, a soft voice came from above, and she heard her sister say,

　　“Okay, thank you, Mingrong.”

　　In an instant, Xiao Mingrong felt a surge of emotion, and then, inexplicably, her eyes felt a little watery.

　　Her brother had told her long ago that her sister was a very gentle and forgiving person, and didn't hold grudges. But she hadn't listened.

　　It was she who had been narrow-minded.

　　It was she who had been blind.

　　It was she who had been wrong.

　　Quietly wiping away her tears, Xiao Mingrong looked up at Yun Ling. Seeing her sister's gentle expression, she broke into a happy smile, nodding vigorously, “Mm!”

　　She skipped over and placed the sachet in her sister's hand. “For you.”

　　Then, excitedly and eagerly, she said, “I heard the maids downstairs say there might be a lantern festival outside today, Sister. Shall we go see it?”

　　Yun Ling blinked. “A lantern festival?”

　　She turned to Lǜshuǐ. “It's not a holiday today. Why would there be a lantern festival?”

　　Lǜshuǐ shook her head. “I don't know the specifics, but I heard about it too. It must be true; maybe some wealthy family is holding it.”

　　Lantern festivals weren't something that could be easily organized, even with money. Official permission was required. And this was in the Capital! Which Noble family could suddenly and easily hold a lantern festival?

　　Yun Ling pondered, but couldn't think of anyone. It was probably just some powerful family's offspring.

　　But since it was real, there was no harm in going.

　　She nodded in agreement.

　　Seeing this, Xiao Mingrong immediately said happily, “Then I'll go back to my room and change into a pretty dress. Let's go together later!”

　　Watching her skip away,

　　Yun Ling lowered her head and looked at the sachet in her hand.

　　Smiling faintly, she shook her head.

　　——

　　The Mansion of Duke Chen.

　　Duke Chen sat in a vermilion-lacquered armchair, holding a celadon teacup with a winding floral pattern. He had just taken a sip when, suddenly, the usually composed Duke Chen choked on his tea.

　　He quickly placed the cup heavily on the table, his eyes wide as copper bells, his beard trembling. “What? Your Highness is going to marry?”

　　The Crown Prince had been in the East Palace for over four years. Memorial after memorial urging him to take a consort had been submitted by officials, piling up to mountain-like proportions, yet he hadn't shown any inclination to do so.

　　Duke Chen had initially urged the matter, even arranging for Mu Lanru to participate in the selection of consorts, but nothing came of it.

　　After that, the Crown Prince took control of the government, his word law, and never again showed any desire to take a consort, and the officials dared not speak out. Even if they did, he forcefully suppressed them.

　　No one dared to mention it again.

　　For these past years, no one dared to bring up the matter of the Crown Prince taking a consort in his presence.

　　They were afraid of touching his sore point.

　　Duke Chen had almost given up hope, resigned himself to the fact that it would never happen. Unexpectedly, a twist of fate—the Crown Prince was going to marry!

　　“Good, good,” Duke Chen said repeatedly, overjoyed. “Which family's daughter is it? Your uncle will certainly help you get this done!”

　　The Crown Prince clearly considered this very important; otherwise, he wouldn't have come to the Duke's Mansion to ask for his help.

　　As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Chen Zhan's nonchalant voice, “Who else could it be? Xiao Yun Ling, the eldest daughter of the Xiao family, the granddaughter that Grand Tutor Xiao found.”

　　Xiao Yun Ling?

　　Duke Chen pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something. “If I'm not mistaken, wasn't this Xiao Yun Ling once a lady-in-waiting to His Highness?”

　　She had been away from the Capital for three years, and upon her return, she had miraculously become the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Xiao.

　　Chen Zhan chimed in again, “That's right.”

　　Duke Chen wasn't a fool. There were no such coincidences in the world. Xiao Yun Ling disappeared for three years, and the Crown Prince didn't take a consort for three years. Now that she's back, the Crown Prince suddenly wants to take a consort.

　　It seemed likely that the Crown Prince had harbored feelings for Xiao Yun Ling for some time.

　　Having figured this out, Duke Chen didn't say anything more.

　　As long as His Highness was willing to take a consort, everything was fine.

　　Duke Chen nodded. “Good, good. This identity is suitable to be the Crown Princess.”

　　He was extremely excited. “Since Your Highness is willing to take a consort, in addition to the Crown Princess, let's select two concubines and several lesser consorts. That way, we can have a grandson sooner.”

　　Since the founding of the Great Jin Dynasty, when a Crown Prince married, in addition to the Crown Princess, concubines and lesser consorts were also chosen at the same time to ensure the early birth of heirs.

　　Chen Zhan remained silent this time.

　　Xie Jue took a sip of tea, not lifting his head. “Uncle, you only need to go to the Xiao residence to propose marriage and finalize the arrangements.”

　　“I will not take concubines or lesser consorts.”

　　Duke Chen was taken aback, his brows furrowing. He asked, “Your Highness, do you mean not now, or never?”

　　“I will only marry one.”

　　Xie Jue's calm voice fell, and he looked directly at Duke Chen.

　　After hearing this, Duke Chen immediately bristled, his eyes wide. He stood up and paced angrily. “Your Highness is the Crown Prince, the future Emperor! Since the founding of the Great Jin Dynasty, there has never been a Crown Prince who only married one woman!”

　　“Your Highness is the Crown Prince, how can you only marry one woman?! It's absurd!”

　　Duke Chen was so angry that his voice rose.

　　Chen Zhan stood to the side, trying his best to remain inconspicuous, afraid the fire would spread to him.

　　Xie Jue finished his tea before slowly setting down the cup.

　　His handsome brows furrowed slightly.

　　“Uncle, are you interrogating me?”

　　Duke Chen paused, immediately realizing his previous outburst.

　　The prince was swift and resolute, and no one dared to question his decision.

　　He had simply been too hasty.

　　Taking a deep breath, Duke Chen said, “It's not that I'm questioning Your Highness, but throughout history, there has never been such a thing. It's also not conducive to having heirs, and I truly don't understand…”

　　“Regarding heirs, quality is more important than quantity. Without the struggles of the harem, my sons will grow up safely. How is it detrimental to having heirs?”

　　Throughout history, how many princes have died due to harem intrigues?

　　The Crown Prince spoke lightly and calmly, without concealing his feelings.

　　“Most importantly, she is the pearl in my hand, the flesh of my heart.”

　　“I am hopelessly infatuated with her, and I will only marry her in this life. Uncle, do I make myself clear?”

　　Duke Chen stared, mouth agape, unable to recover for a long time.

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T/N: This title continues from Chapter 60: Pearl. Chapter 60 describes Yun Ling as a cherished member of her family, except for her father. This chapter focuses on her becoming precious in Xie Jue's eyes. It's a sweet moment; after much hardship, she finally finds happiness. 

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