My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 94: If Line 7 - Ah Ling, Don't Cry.

　　Yun Ling's smile instantly froze on her face, and she fell silent. 

　　She hadn't expected him to say such a thing so suddenly, her fingers curling in her sleeves. 

　　When did he find out? 

　　“Is Ah Ling unable to do it?” Xie Jue's voice rang out again. 

　　Yun Ling's throat felt choked, unable to speak. 

　　After a long time, she managed to say with difficulty, “Xie Jue…” 

　　But Xie Jue didn't let her continue, hugging her tightly. “You can't do it, because you're going to leave, aren't you?” 

　　He knew everything.

　　Yun Ling closed her eyes tightly. 

　　How could it be? How could he know? 

　　Xie Jue's voice echoed in her ears: “Your behavior was so strange, I had already guessed. Actually, I asked the National Master a question in Dongcheng Mountain: do people have past and present lives? The National Master didn't give me an answer, but I already knew in my heart that, whether it's a past life or this life, you are my wife.” 

　　“You loved me so much as soon as you married me, you would be upset by my neglect, and sad by my coldness, unconsciously acting affectionately and intimately towards me. Such natural intimacy allows for no other explanation.” 

　　His calm words continuously flowed into Yun Ling's ears. 

　　He was incredibly perceptive. So early on, he had guessed most of it. Rebirth, such a strange occurrence, if it happened to someone else, would have been shocking. Yet he accepted it so calmly and naturally.

　　Actually, when Yun Ling first arrived here, she didn't know the reason. She thought she had simply returned to six years ago, but she didn't understand why everything here was different: her mother was still alive, and her brother and the Princess hadn't divorced. 

　　Later, a cold, emotionless voice kept appearing in her mind, telling her that she had to make Xie Jue fall in love with her in order to go back. It was like a death sentence. If she couldn't unravel this mystery, the real Xie Jue would be in danger, just like in her dream. 

　　Yun Ling could only follow the instructions. 

　　“Xie Jue…” Yun Ling opened her mouth to say something, then suddenly heard him ask calmly, “You love him very much, because of him you came here, and your love for me is also because of him. In your heart, we are just the same person. But Ah Ling, I don't know about your past, I don't know about everything you shared with him, and I don't know the meaning of the pomegranate flowers to you and him. The only thing he and I have in common is that we both fell in love with you.”

　　“And now, you're leaving.” 

　　Yun Ling's breath seemed to stop for a moment. 

　　Many things here were no different from the real world. In Yun Ling's heart, Xie Jue was simply that Xie Jue; she had never thought otherwise. 

　　But he... had actually said such words, as if he were trying to separate himself from the Xie Jue of the real world. 

　　That's right. For her, they were the same person, but for him, they weren't. 

　　The Xie Jue here wasn't actually the Xie Jue from the real world. Their experiences were completely different, with their own independent thoughts and lives. He had only guessed that she was originally his wife. 

　　They were the same person, yet they weren't.

　　Regardless of which world's Xie Jue he was, he was exceptionally intelligent and extremely proud. How could he, someone who always stood above others, tolerate being merely someone else's shadow? 

　　Even if that person was himself. 

　　How could Yun Ling tell him? How could she explain it? 

　　The person in front of her was undoubtedly Xie Jue without the memories. 

　　And she truly was leaving. 

　　The moment he admitted he loved her, her mission in this world was complete. 

　　“From beginning to end, in your heart, I'm just his shadow.” 

　　“No…” Yun Ling shook her head, wanting to say it wasn't like that, but her throat felt choked with emotion.

　　“Ah Ling,” Xie Jue hugged her tightly, his voice a low murmur in her ear, a tone she'd never heard before. “You made me fall in love with you, only to leave me. How cruel.” 

　　Yun Ling's heart trembled violently, but in the end, she could only close her eyes tightly. 

　　He had guessed everything. How could she deny it? Everything she had done was to make him admit his love for her—for the sake of the Xie Jue in the real world. 

　　But she hadn't expected him to be so intelligent, to see through everything. 

　　“Ah Ling, will you be sad and cry when you leave me?” 

　　Will you cry like you did in your dream, worrying about him? 

　　Before leaving, Xie Jue only left her with this question, leaving Yun Ling's heart aching as if it were being squeezed. 

　　Watching Xie Jue's departing figure disappear completely.

　　His words echoed in her mind, pulling at her. Although she had treated them as the same person from beginning to end, when he said those words, the pain in Yun Ling's chest became unbearable. 

　　A single tear rolled down her cheek. Yun Ling raised her hand to wipe it away, but suddenly, her body felt as if all its strength had been drained. Her arm fell limply, and she slowly closed her eyes, falling backward. 

　　The tears fell and shattered in the air. 

　　Yun Ling already sensed something. 

　　Her mission in this world was complete. This was probably their last meeting. 

　　She thought she still had some time, but she hadn't expected it to come so quickly.

　　She didn't even have time to say goodbye.

    ——

　　Xie Jue, feeling restless, went for a walk to the Military Camp. He knew Yun Ling would be leaving soon, but he didn't know how. 

　　He hadn't guessed her purpose from the beginning; only later, observing her actions, did he begin to understand. 

　　She wasn't someone who would take the initiative, yet she always deliberately said things to entice him. 

　　As soon as he admitted his love, she would leave... Xie Jue looked up at the clear blue sky and let out a cold laugh. He could have easily refused to admit it his whole life, preventing her from ever leaving. 

　　Where she came from didn't matter; he had countless ways to keep her. 

　　But... she was ill.

　　A sudden, inexplicable illness had even left the Imperial physician's baffled. 

　　Her body weakened day by day; her pale face and frail body were forcing him to compromise. 

　　He couldn't keep her; if he insisted, he would only watch her die. Xie Jue finally realized this fact. 

　　But he couldn't let her forget him. 

　　He had poured his whole heart into her, so he also needed to leave a mark on her heart. To make her remember him, even after she returned. 

　　Xie Jue had drawn his bow, the taut string seemingly about to snap. 

　　Then, he released his hand, and an arrow shot into the sky.

　　The officers in the Military Camp exchanged glances, sensing the furious energy radiating from the Crown Prince, yet unsure why he had aimed an arrow at the sky. 

　　Fortunately, the Crown Prince soon lowered his bow and began to inquire about military affairs. 

　　By the time Xie Jue returned to the East Palace, it was already dark. 

　　The setting sun hid behind the mountains, its last rays disappearing. The sky immediately darkened, clouds obscuring it, as if a storm were brewing. 

　　The howling wind rustled the branches, bringing a chilling emptiness. 

　　The moment Xie Jue stepped inside, the cries of the palace servants in the large hall ceased, and the servants on both sides knelt down in unison.

　　Grand Eunuch An prostrated himself on the ground, his forehead touching the floor, his voice trembling, “Your Highness…” 

　　Xie Jue's brows tightened, his chest feeling constricted, making it hard to breathe. “What is it?” 

　　Grand Eunuch An knocked his head heavily against the ground, his voice filled with fearful hesitation. “Her Highness the Crown Princess... passed away in the East Palace at Shen time (3:00 pm). This servant was just about to send someone to inform Your Highness.”

　　As soon as he finished speaking, the cries in the hall grew louder, everyone grieving the Crown Princess's death. 

　　Xie Jue remained silent for a long while, only staring at An Zhong and asking, “Where is she?” 

　　An Zhong quickly stood up to lead him, “Imperial Physician Zhang just examined her and said it was beyond recovery. Her Highness's body is still in the sleeping quarters.”

　　“She was fine at first. When Lǜyī came in to serve tea to the Crown Princess, she saw the Crown Princess lying on the ground, and she was…” Grand Eunuch An couldn't bear to continue, “...she was no longer breathing.” 

　　He immediately summoned the Imperial Physician, but it was already too late.

　　There was no pulse. 

　　The sudden news was unexpected, plunging the entire East Palace into panic and chaos. 

　　It was the Crown Princess!

　　The Crown Princess, whom His Highness the Crown Prince cherished above all else, was dead! 

　　An Zhong glanced at the Crown Prince, but noticed that, strangely, he was unusually calm after hearing the news. He hadn't shown any other emotion from beginning to end. 

　　The cries of the palace servants in the hall grew louder and more mournful, their grief for the deceased Crown Princess unrestrained.

　　The sounds of grief continued to assault Xie Jue's ears, until finally, he stopped, his expression turning cold. “Silence!” 

　　“Anyone who dares to cry again, I will kill them!” 

　　The hall fell instantly silent, the disturbing cries ceasing. Only then did Xie Jue step inside. 

　　The wind rushing in through the windows billowed the curtains and lifted the edges of his robes. 

　　The wind howled, as Xie Jue walked step by step, until he saw her. She lay peacefully on the bed, her eyes closed, as if asleep. 

　　After staring at her for a long time, Xie Jue sat down by the bed and gently touched her cold face. “I thought you would suddenly disappear without a trace, but I never imagined you would leave a corpse behind, allowing me to witness your death with my own eyes.”

　　Yun Ling was like a lifeless snow doll. 

　　Unknowing, unfeeling, without pain or suffering. Even the warmth of her body had dissipated; there was no response. 

　　Xie Jue, however, bent down and held her in his arms. “Do you want me to watch you lifeless day after day, suffering this heart-wrenching pain again and again?” 

　　His voice finally revealed a hint of pain. “Xiao Yun Ling, you are truly cruel to me.” 

　　As soon as he finished speaking, he could no longer hold back, a mouthful of blood spurting from his throat. 

　　A pool of crimson blood. 

　　The palace servants outside immediately knelt down in terror, “Your Highness, please take care of yourself!”

    ——

　　The sky was clear and bright, the spring sun warm. 

　　The cheerful chirping of birds could be heard from outside the window. 

　　The incense that had been burning inside the room had been extinguished at some point, the last wisp of smoke rising into the air and disappearing without a trace. 

　　The National Master was getting old and couldn't bear too much exertion; even a little tiredness made him want to sleep. After guarding for so long, he couldn't help but doze off, sitting there. He didn't even notice when the person on the bed woke up. 

　　Xie Jue was awakened by the annoying chirping of the birds outside the window. He slowly opened his eyes, letting in the daylight. 

　　Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, causing him to slowly furrowed his brows. Turning his head, he saw the National Master dozing off. 

　　His good master.

　　Three days ago, the National Master personally descended from Dongcheng Mountain, saying that Xie Jue bore the burden of the Palace coup and the sins of countless souls lost on the battlefield. He wished to perform a ritual to cleanse Xie Jue of his murderous aura and karmic debts. 

　　His master, though often eccentric, was never careless in important matters. He wouldn't personally come down the mountain unless absolutely necessary. 

　　But Xie Jue didn't know that his so-called cleansing ritual was to make him have this dream. 

　　Something suddenly shook outside the window, startling the National Master, who had been dozing off. He immediately opened his eyes, crouching down in a panic and covering his head. “There's an assassin! Someone, help! Protect me!” 

　　Xie Jue: “...”

　　He was truly foolish to believe that old man. 

　　The commotion quickly disappeared; it wasn't an assassin at all. The National Master immediately regained his composure, stroking his beard. Turning his head, he saw that Xie Jue was already awake and hurried over, smiling. “My good disciple, you're finally awake.” 

　　“That's wonderful! Haha, I knew it. As soon as the incense I used to induce the trance burned out, you would wake up within a quarter of an hour.” 

　　The National Master chuckled, “Since you're awake, it means your karmic debt is gone. It's gratifying and worth congratulating!” 

　　Compared to the National Master's joy, Xie Jue's face showed no happiness whatsoever. “What did you say before? This is your so-called ritual to cleanse me of my karmic debt?” Making her enter his dream, only to have her die within it. 

　　The National Master wasn't worried at all, leisurely pouring himself a cup of tea. “Well, of course.”

　　“This ordeal was to make you experience the pain of separation and death, to bear the sorrow of losing someone you love. To understand the preciousness of life and cherish all living beings. To cleanse you of your karmic debt and murderous aura.” 

　　“Tell me, did you feel pain?”  

　　Xie Jue frowned, not answering. 

　　The National Master laughed even harder. How could he not understand? Xie Jue was not just in pain; he was probably suffering immensely. Otherwise, the incense wouldn't have burned so quickly. 

　　It's done! 

　　“What about her?” Xie Jue simply asked.

　　The National Master deliberately chuckled, “Who are you asking about?” 

　　Xie Jue: “My wife.” 

　　“Oh, you mean Her Majesty the Empress,” the National Master said, feigning realization. “She should be at the Benevolent Heart Pavilion.” 

　　Xie Jue was silent for a moment, then asked, “Is she alright?” 

　　Before he woke from the dream, he had seen her tears fall in the East Palace. 

　　In that dream, she was initially so hesitant, and then so heartbroken. 

　　She knew nothing. It was because of him that the National Master made her suffer in his dream. And in this world, only she could make him suffer so much, to the point of wishing to be dead. 

　　His Master truly understood him well. 

　　“Next time, if you involve her again without my permission,” Xie Jue said gravely, “I'll burn down your Dongcheng Mountain.”

　　“Hey, hey, hey,” The National Master immediately became serious at the mention of burning down his mountain. “Alright, I did borrow the help of Her Majesty the Empress, but I didn't make her suffer. Not only did I fulfill her dream, but her death was painless. The one who made her sad and heartbroken is clearly you yourself!” 

　　“Her tears and sadness were all because of the things you said to her in the dream.” The National Master shook his head helplessly. “You, having lost your memories, were still so domineering and possessive in the dream, even jealous of yourself. Those words were like daggers to the Empress. There are two Xie Jues; how could she choose?” 

　　Xie Jue closed his eyes. 

　　He knew it all too well.

　　At that time, he had no memory and thought she was leaving. Those words were deliberately meant to cause her immense pain, to make her remember him. 

　　He was inherently selfish when it came to her. 

　　“Alright, go quickly and appease Her Majesty.” After this little incident, fearing Xie Jue would really burn down his Dongcheng Mountain, the National Master left those words and immediately slipped away.

    ——

　　Within the Benevolent Heart Pavilion. 

　　Yun Ling stared blankly at the lake, not knowing how long she had been sitting there. 

　　The Empress had been like this ever since she woke up. Lǜyī and Lǜshuǐ didn't know what had happened; they were anxious but didn't know what to do. 

　　A noble figure in dark-colored robes walked past, his voice indifferent, “Leave.” 

　　Lǜyī and Lǜshuǐ quickly replied, “Yes.” 

　　His Majesty had arrived. 

　　The fish in the lake leaped on the surface, creating circles and circles of ripples. 

　　Yun Ling remained motionless, watching, when suddenly someone knelt down in front of her, blocking her view. 

　　Her eyelashes had just lifted slightly when his fingers brushed against her red eyes, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

　　Yun Ling pursed her lips, silently gazing at him without speaking. The next moment, she was enveloped in his embrace, and she heard him sigh, “Ah Ling, don't cry.” 

　　“It's my fault.”

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