My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 106: Xie Jue Was Used To Serving Her.

　　After the children left, the guards outside were quick-witted enough to close the door. 

　　Xie Jue remained in his leaning-in position, waiting for her kiss. Yun Ling tilted her head and kissed him, looking into his eyes, her voice full of laughter, her tone lingering. “Since you like them, and the two children are growing up, shall I bear another child for my husband?”

　　“……”

　　Xie Jue's brow furrowed slightly. Looking down at the mischievous glint in her eyes, he gently cupped her face and playfully nipped at her lips. “That won't be necessary.” 

　　Two children were already enough to cause him headaches. 

　　Having a son and a daughter was already a perfect family. Moreover, childbirth was a dangerous undertaking, the difficulties of her last labor still fresh in his mind. Xie Jue didn't want to experience that terror again. “No more, absolutely no more.” 

　　“Mm.” Yun Ling snuggled close to his broad chest. “With Muyun and Zhiyu, I'm content.”

　　The weather outside was lovely. A gentle breeze carried the sounds of the bustling street, a scene of vibrant energy and prosperity. 

　　Yun Ling spoke to him about Yan Heng. “That child is rather stubborn. He doesn't want to go back. If we force him back to the north, he'll probably run away again.”

　　“He came to me for help. The child's situation…” Yun Ling looked up at him. “I truly felt some pity for him, so I gave him two choices, letting him decide for himself. No matter how much others say, it's useless. Only when he figures it out himself will he know which path to take.” 

　　Xie Jue didn't object. “Then let's wait a day, until he's made up his mind. Whether he retreats or goes back to reclaim what's his.” 

　　With the children off playing, Yun Ling relaxed, able to properly appreciate the scenery of Jinzhou. 

　　The streets were incredibly lively, bustling with crowds and constant calls of vendors, rivaling even the Capital. 

　　Yun Ling strolled along the streets, stopping here and there. As the sun climbed higher, the sunlight warmed her face, and the temperature rose. Xie Jue wasn't particularly interested in sightseeing, but since they were in Jinzhou, he decided to take a look at the local life as well.

　　Yun Ling bought some unique textiles. It wasn't too hot; Xie Jue was holding an umbrella over her. 

　　Yun Ling picked out a piece of fabric and showed it to him. “Do you like this pattern? Shall I make you a pouch?” 

　　Actually, she rarely made things for him. 

　　After the birth of their two children, she had focused most of her attention on them. Even Yun Ling had to admit that she had sometimes neglected him. 

　　But it wasn't too late to make amends. 

　　Xie Jue, naturally, had no objections. “Good.” 

　　After buying the fabric, Yun Ling took him to a local bookstore and chose several books, mostly strange stories and travel notes. 

　　After walking around the entire market, the sun had already begun to set. Their carriage waited for them at the side of the street.

　　“Tired?” Xie Jue came to her side, looking down at her. 

　　After walking for so long, Yun Ling was naturally tired, and nodded. Xie Jue took her wrist and led her towards the carriage. 

　　Passing a woman selling mulberry wine, the elderly woman with white hair kindly beckoned them. “Sir and Madam, would you like to buy some mulberry wine? It's homemade, very sweet and delicious.” 

　　It would have been fine otherwise, but Yun Ling had a very low tolerance for alcohol. Even fruit wine would make her drunk if she drank too much. 

　　So Xie Jue didn't plan to buy any. 

　　The old woman smiled. “You two look so much in love, the envy of others! Drink my wine, and you'll be destined for each other in your next life!” 

　　Xie Jue stopped, and waved his hand. “Buy all of her wine.”

　　Grand Eunuch An: “Yes.” 

　　Yun Ling couldn't help but laugh. 

　　Seriously, the old woman had only said one sentence, and he bought all her wine. If every vendor in Jinzhou said such nice words, he'd probably buy the entire city. 

　　“Yes.” As if he could read her mind, Xie Jue turned to her, his tone especially firm. “What does it matter if I buy the whole of Jinzhou?” 

　　Yun Ling looked at him, her smile widening. 

　　After getting into the carriage, Grand Eunuch An brought in a small pot of mulberry wine. Xie Jue poured a cup, tasted it, and finding the alcohol content mild, offered it to Yun Ling. 

　　Yun Ling drank two cups. It was sweet and sour, with a strong mulberry flavor; it was indeed quite good. 

　　“Do you want more?” Xie Jue was used to taking care of her.

　　Yun Ling, fearing she might get drunk, shook her head. “Let's drink later.” 

　　“Good.” 

　　“I'm a little tired, husband,” Yun Ling closed her eyes, leaning against Xie Jue's chest. “Let me sleep for a while. Wake me when the children are back.” 

　　Xie Jue took a thin blanket and wrapped her up, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Sleep.” 

　　The sun dipped below the horizon, the last rays of brilliant light disappearing. Night fell, and Jinzhou City gradually lit up with lanterns. 

　　Some vendors packed up their stalls and went home, the bustling activity slowly fading away. Yun Ling slept soundly in the carriage, undisturbed. 

　　Yan Heng, having spent the afternoon with the children, had never felt so tired. It felt more exhausting than a day of sword and spear practice. 

　　It was already dark; it was time to go home. Yan Heng had just caught the young Crown Prince when, in the blink of an eye, the troublesome little Princess ran off again.

　　Yan Heng felt that although he was only twelve years old, he was like a helpless old nanny. 

　　The key was that the guards just watched, not offering any help. When asked, they said they dared not stop the Crown Prince and Princess, only following orders. 

　　Hearing this, what could Yan Heng do? He had to do it himself. 

　　First, he used a book to coax the young Crown Prince to stand still, then quickly ran to catch the little Princess who wanted to play hide-and-seek. The little rascal had short legs and couldn't run fast; he caught up with her in a few steps. She even screamed with delight when caught. 

　　Yan Heng felt his ears were about to be deafened by her. For such a small child, she certainly had powerful lungs! 

　　He scooped up the little Princess and spanked her little bottom twice. “Are you going to run again? Are you going to run again?” 

　　The little rascal thought he was playing with her and laughed even harder. “Humph, Muyun will run, Muyun will run! Catch me if you can!”

　　By the time Yan Heng had caught both children, he felt at least ten years older. These children were really difficult! 

　　At only twelve years old, he had already experienced the hardships of childcare. 

　　However, it was already dark, and the two children, having played all afternoon, started looking for their father and mother. Seeing the familiar carriage in the distance, they ran towards it. 

　　Without waiting for Grand Eunuch An to stop them, they climbed into the carriage, the young Crown Prince calling out, “Mother—” 

　　His childish voice trailed off. His wet eyes blinked, and he saw his father making a silencing gesture. 

　　His mother was sleeping soundly in his father's arms.

　　The Crown Prince immediately covered his mouth, giggling. 

　　It seemed his mother and father had made up! 

　　How happy. 

　　This time, their quarrel didn't even last a day before Father had appeased Mother. 

　　Father's apologies and concessions were getting faster and faster these years. 

　　Heehee. 

　　Xie Muyun still wanted to get on the carriage, but the young Crown Prince covered her mouth and dragged her away.

    ——

　　After a long day, the children were served dinner by the palace servants and then went to play with Yan Heng, leaving Yun Ling alone. 

　　Finally, when they were having a lot of fun, Xie Muyun wanted to sleep over at Yan Heng's place, but the young Crown Prince coaxed her back. 

　　Yan Heng was afraid the little rascal would wet the bed, so he naturally refused. 

　　The sounds of laughter and play gradually faded into the thick night, until all was quiet and everyone fell asleep. 

　　Yun Ling, having found the mulberry wine quite delicious, drank a couple more cups after returning. Naturally, she got a little drunk and fell asleep tipsily. Xie Jue couldn't do anything about it.

    ……

　　The first rays of dawn filtered through the window, passing through layers of silk curtains and falling on the sleeping woman's face. 

　　Perhaps the light was a little too bright, even in her sleep, her brows furrowed slightly. She turned over, burying her face in the man's chest to escape the intrusion of light, and fell back into a peaceful slumber. 

　　Xie Jue wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. With his other arm, he gathered the bed curtains. 

　　Warmth and intimacy enveloped them. 

　　Holding her, he slept for another half hour before slowly opening his eyes. 

　　Turning to look at Yun Ling, who was still sleeping soundly, he realized that perhaps it was the wine, she was sleeping exceptionally deeply today. 

　　Usually, she would be awake by now, but today she was still sleeping peacefully. Her soft black hair spilled across his arm, her collar slightly loosened, revealing her delicate collarbone. Her face rested against his chest, her soft red lips like the fresh, alluring petals of a morning flower, tempting him to pick them.

　　After watching her for a while, Xie Jue reached out and woke her. Last night before falling asleep, she had said she wanted to wake up early, and he knew she would be unhappy if he didn't wake her. 

　　Yun Ling was very quiet when she slept, and waking up wouldn't make her angry. Xie Jue pinched her cheek, and Yun Ling slowly opened her eyes. Her clear apricot eyes were still a little hazy. “What time is it...?” 

　　“It's almost noon.” Xie Jue had a palace servant bring a cup of water and bring it to her lips. 

　　After drinking last night, her throat must be dry. 

　　Yun Ling subconsciously drank all the water from his hand. The clear water slid down her throat, moistening it. Perhaps because she had drunk quite a bit last night, Yun Ling wasn't fully awake yet. 

　　She closed her eyes again, and heard Xie Jue say, “Awake? Do you remember what you promised me yesterday?” 

　　“Promised…” Yun Ling repeated the two words vaguely, still a little dazed. Without thinking, she leaned over and kissed his lips.

　　Xie Jue rarely saw her so muddled. Her lips, wet from the water she'd just drunk, were soft and alluring. Even after all these years, her peaceful gentleness was still captivating. 

　　He was referring to the pouch she'd promised to make, but she'd forgotten. She thought he was asking for intimacy, as usual, which is why she'd kissed him. 

　　Enjoying her kiss, Xie Jue's lips curved into a slight smile, his voice a little husky. “And what else?” 

　　“Mmm... Husband…” Yun Ling rubbed her forehead. Before she could finish, he leaned down and kissed her.

    ——

　　Yun Ling woke up early today to make some snacks for Yan Heng, who was leaving. She also wanted to thank him for taking care of the child for her and Xie Jue for a day. 

　　Her cooking skills were average, so she rarely cooked. But while her food wasn't delicious, it wasn't inedible either. 

　　After finishing, she was about to call the children to try them when she saw only Xie Zhiyu enter. 

　　“Where's your sister?” Yun Ling asked. 

　　“Sister went to find her big brother,” Xie Zhiyu said with a hint of sourness in his voice. “These days, sister has forgotten about her own brother. She always goes to play with her big brother.” 

　　Yun Ling smiled and patted the child's head.

    ……

　　Xie Muyun entered Yan Heng's room again, this time with a swagger. 

　　The window let in a breeze carrying the dampness of the lake. A strand of the boy's hair floated in the wind, a few stray strands obscuring his dark, bright eyes and hiding his emotions. 

　　Light and shadow fell on his handsome, three-dimensional profile. His eyelashes were long and thick, a halo hovering over his high, straight nose. Although only twelve years old, and still possessing a touch of childishness, his features were already strikingly handsome and beautiful. 

　　No wonder even a little rascal like Xie Muyun, upon first seeing him, desperately wanted to bring him back to the Palace. 

　　Beautiful things and people are always admired. 

　　But he seemed preoccupied. Usually so perceptive, Xie Muyun had been in the room for quite a while before he noticed. His hand, holding a delicate short sword, seemed lost in thought, and it was unclear what he was thinking about.

　　This could have been a poignant scene, but Xie Muyun was too young to understand sadness. Thinking he was asleep, she rather unceremoniously ran over and shouted in his ear, “Big brother, what are you doing? Can you fall asleep even while sitting?” 

　　The little ghost's voice was really loud! 

　　Yan Heng rubbed his ears, snapping back to reality. Looking up, he saw the little rascal holding a string of candied haws. Without hesitation, he snatched them from her hand, biting into one, his words mumbled, “Kid, trying to bribe me again? I'm not going back to the Palace with you!” 

　　Xie Muyun angrily tried to get her candied haws back. “Muyun's! You can't eat it!” 

　　Meaning, these were her candied haws, and since he wouldn't go back to the Palace with her, he shouldn't eat them. 

　　As if he hadn't heard, Yan Heng reached out, using his hand to gently push her little head away. With a mischievous grin, he quickly devoured all the candied haws and then licked his lips. “Delicious!” 

　　“Humph!” Xie Muyun stamped her foot in anger. “I'll tell Father to punish you!”

　　Yan Heng said calmly, “Oh? And how are you going to punish me?” 

　　“I'll punish you…” She tilted her head, thinking for a moment. “...by making you come back to the Palace with me!” 

　　The little rascal was quite clever. For such a young child, she was surprisingly resourceful. Yan Heng couldn't help but laugh. He bent down, put his hands on her chubby little waist, and with all his might, lifted her up. 

　　Holding her up to look at the scenery outside the window, he said nonchalantly, “Thank you, little Princess.” 

　　“But I've already decided. I'm still not going back to the Palace with you.” 

　　Xie Muyun hugged his neck, pouting. “Okay.” 

　　“Did Big Brother just decide that?” 

　　“Mm.” Yan Heng looked at the calm lake, confiding his worries to a child. “When I ran away, it was because after my mother died, I felt neglected and mistreated. I felt so worn down, like I had no place in that home. So I thought, I'll run away. If I run away, I won't have to see my stepmother's cruel face, I won't have to endure my father's unfairness. There's a vast world out there for me to explore.”

　　Xie Muyun blinked. “Then why does Big Brother still want to go back?” 

　　Yan Heng chuckled self-deprecatingly. “Because I've realized I'm not as strong as I imagined. When I escaped from the north, I was drugged in Jinzhou shortly after arriving, proving I'm not perceptive enough to avoid all conspiracies. The world outside is vast, but I'm not sure I can survive.” 

　　“And, I thought I could be independent and strong, but it was just cowardly avoidance. If I can't even solve the problems at home, if I only think of running away when faced with difficulties, how can I defend my country and fight on the battlefield in the future?” 

　　Yan Heng gazed into the distance. “I've thought about it. The Empress is right. Everything about the Marquis of Dingbei Mansion also belongs to my mother half. If I give it away out of a moment's anger, how can I face my mother? I'm afraid she wouldn't rest easy in her grave. So, I plan to go back and reclaim what's rightfully mine! What's more, I now have the Empress as my backer.”

　　At this point, Xie Muyun patted her little chest. “Me, me, me! Mu Yun is also your backer!” 

　　Yan Heng looked away from the distance, his gaze falling on Xie Muyun's soft, chubby cheeks. He sighed with a smile. “Thank you.” 

　　“You're welcome.” Xie Muyun smiled, revealing her pearly white teeth, then asked expectantly, “Why did Big Brother sigh just now?” 

　　“Because…” Yan Heng grinned, sighed heavily, put her down immediately, and shook his sore arms. “You're so heavy, little pig!” 

　　He had only held her for a little while, and his arms were already aching. She was surprisingly heavy. 

　　Xie Muyun squealed, clenching her fists to hit him, her little face puffed up. “Muyun is not a little pig!” 

　　Yan Heng laughed, extending a finger to stop her forehead, preventing her from hitting him. 

　　Seeing her little face turn red with anger, Yan Heng said, “Okay, okay, Big Brother won't laugh at you anymore.” 

　　Yan Heng bent down, rubbing her soft little face. “Muyun is the prettiest.” 

　　The angry little pufferfish finally let out a heavy humph.

　　Yan Heng looked down at her chubby little face, now red from his pinching. His eyelashes drooped as he took the short sword from his waist and placed it before her. “You've always wanted this sword, haven't you? I'll give it to you. Do you want it?” 

　　The sword was still unsharpened, a tenth birthday gift from his mother. He cherished it more than anything, carrying it even when he fled the north. 

　　Xie Muyun immediately took it happily. “Yes!” Her eyes shone as she examined it closely. 

　　Yan Heng pinched her cheek again. “Hey, little rascal, one day I will stand on my own two feet, achieve great things, and return to the Capital to see you.” 

　　Xie Muyun pouted. “I'm not a little rascal!” 

　　Yan Heng smiled, lifting her up. “Anyway, you have to wait for me, little rascal.”

    ……

　　Yan Heng planned to return to the north, first by boat from Jinzhou, then by land. 

　　Boarding the boat that would take him away, Yan Heng turned and waved to the few people on the dock before entering the cabin without hesitation. 

　　A gust of wind swept across the lake, ruffling Xie Muyun's hair and obscuring her vision. She still waved her small hand. 

　　After a while, Xie Muyun lowered her hand. For the first time, the usual smile was gone from her face, replaced by a hint of sadness. The little girl seemed to understand the sorrow of parting. 

　　Even Xie Zhiyu's candied haws failed to cheer her up. 

　　Xie Muyun rubbed her eyes before turning to Yun Ling. “Mother, Big Brother is gone.”

　　Yun Ling patted the child's head. “Big Brother is going to do what he has to do. You'll have the chance to see each other again in the future.” 

　　“Mm-hmm.” The two children nodded repeatedly. 

　　Returning to their room with the children, Xie Jue emerged from the study. Seeing them, he asked, “Did you see him off?” 

　　Yun Ling nodded, smiling. “Your daughter is a little sad.” 

　　“Sad about what? He should go back. No one can help him but himself,” Xie Jue said. “One day, when he replaces the Marquis of Dingbei and controls the north, he will come to the Capital to find you.” 

　　Unfortunately, Xie Muyun was too young to understand this. She clung to her father's leg, her eyes filled with confusion.

　　Xie Jue didn't expect her to understand, turning his head to look at his son. “Xie Zhiyu, take your sister to read.” 

　　After playing for so many days, they should settle down. 

　　Hearing that they had to read, Xie Muyun's face immediately fell, and she was very reluctant to leave with her brother. 

　　With the children gone, the room fell silent. 

　　Yun Ling asked him, “How did you know that child would come back to see Muyun?” 

　　Xie Jue chuckled softly, taking a piece of the pastry she had made and feeding it to her. 

　　That brat's determined expression towards his daughter was very familiar to Xie Jue. 

　　Perhaps their feelings weren't romantic yet, but they would be when they grew up. 

　　Yun Ling ate the pastry, finally understanding.

　　She was always slow to understand matters of the heart, not as perceptive as he was. 

　　But he wouldn't be wrong. 

　　Because no one was more stubborn than him. Yun Ling's eyes curved into a smile as she hugged his waist. 

　　“Is it delicious?” Xie Jue asked softly. 

　　“Delicious.” 

　　“Let me try.” Xie Jue lifted her chin, about to kiss her, when the door was suddenly pushed open, and Xie Muyun's chattering voice rang out. “Father, can Muyun study tomorrow instead?” 

　　Followed by Xie Zhiyu's guilty voice, “Zhiyu couldn't stop sister, hehe.” 

　　“...” 

　　The veins on Xie Jue's forehead began to throb again.

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