My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 90: If Line 3 - Don’t You Miss Me, My Husband?

　　Since Xie Jue ascended to the position of Crown Prince, the National Master had retreated to Dongcheng Mountain, leaving his position to his eldest disciple and withdrawing from worldly affairs. 

　　The reasons for his withdrawal were varied. Some said he was old and couldn't decipher the stars and fate any longer. Others said he had become increasingly erratic and was finally dismissed by the Crown Prince. 

　　Emperor Jingning was obsessed with alchemy and greatly trusted and relied on the National Master, Gu Zi'weng. 

　　The National Master had once been a top confidant of Emperor Jingning. 

　　However, the current Crown Prince was not as easily deceived as Emperor Jingning. He wasn't obsessed with alchemy, nor did he value so-called fate and the stars. 

　　Therefore, the National Master's dismissal after the Crown Prince took over the regency was seen as natural by the court officials. 

　　But what no one knew was that Emperor Jingning's ‘malady’ was actually caused by the medicine administered by his confidant, the National Master. 

　　The National Master, seen by outsiders as erratic and dismissed by the Crown Prince, was actually the Crown Prince's secret teacher.

　　The National Master's retreat was partly due to achieving his goals and retiring, and partly because he had committed a great sin, feeling guilty and apprehensive as an aging man nearing the end of his life. 

　　Administering medicine to the Emperor of a country was a grave crime. 

　　He decided to hide in the deep mountains and forests to find peace. 

　　Moreover, his Crown Prince disciple treated him very well. Although he had returned to the mountains, the disciple sent people to take care of everything for him. His life on Dongcheng Mountain was carefree and comfortable. 

　　Plus, his new disciple was obedient and well-behaved, so the National Master was essentially enjoying his retirement. 

　　But one day, early in the morning, an unexpected visitor arrived.

　　His young disciple, Xiao Ba, rushed over and said, “Master, it's not good! Someone has come up the mountain with a group of soldiers!” 

　　The National Master glared, “Who? Who is so bold as to besiege my Dongcheng Mountain? Don't they know that I am the teacher of the current Crown Prince?” 

　　Xiao Ba rolled his eyes. 

　　Sigh, why was his Master bragging again? An old man with no merits who only swindled and boasted—how could he possibly be the Crown Prince's teacher? 

　　But just as Xiao Ba finished his inner thoughts, he saw a young man in dark-colored brocade, looking incredibly noble, ascending the mountain with a company of soldiers. 

　　The soldiers stood neatly behind the man in dark clothes. 

　　The young man, with a cool and composed expression, walked calmly to the Master and bowed deeply with great respect, “Master.”

　　The National Master chuckled, “My good disciple, why have you come to see your Master?” 

　　Xiao Ba stood aside, dumbfounded. 

　　This young man clearly had an extraordinary bearing and an air of nobility. He was also protected by so many soldiers. Could it be that Master wasn't bragging, and he really was the teacher of the current Crown Prince? 

　　No one answered Xiao Ba's question. Because the National Master took the young man to the pavilion, Xiao Ba was stopped and not allowed to follow.

    ……

　　A gentle breeze blew through the mountains, the atmosphere serene and quiet. 

　　Inside an octagonal pavilion, a stone table held a chessboard, with a white-haired old man and a young man in dark clothes sitting opposite each other. 

　　The National Master, holding the white pieces, pondered for a long time before making a move. Xie Jue then placed a piece, connecting the traps he had set earlier, leaving the white pieces with no way to survive. 

　　The National Master threw down the chess pieces in exasperation, “No more, no more, I can't beat you.” 

　　Not only could he not beat him, but his good disciple, who used to let him win when he was in a good mood, was now playing aggressively, leaving him no room to maneuver. 

　　His disciple's killing intent was too strong. 

　　And he couldn't resolve it.

　　“You wouldn't come all this way without a reason. Tell me, what brings you here?” 

　　Xie Jue lowered his head, his drooping eyelashes concealing his emotions. 

　　A gentle mountain breeze swept past. 

　　After a long pause, 

　　Xie Jue moved his long fingers, dropping the black piece into the chess canister, and suddenly spoke, “Master, do you believe in past lives and reincarnation?” 

　　The National Master's hand, which had been stroking his beard, paused. His expression immediately turned serious. “Why do you ask?” 

　　Xie Jue's gaze fixed on the smooth black piece. “I've recently met someone... she's very strange.” 

　　The National Master: “Oh?”

　　Xie Jue: “She's clearly never met me before, yet she's incredibly familiar with me. She knows my preferences, discerns right from wrong for me, and can easily calm my anger.” 

　　“She knows me too well, as if…” Xie Jue's thin lips moved slowly, “...she's the other half of my soul.” 

　　The National Master looked at Xie Jue quietly and asked, “Who is she?” 

　　The National Master was also very curious. There was actually such a person in the world. 

　　“My wife, Xiao Jujian's eldest daughter, Xiao Yun Ling.” 

　　Xiao Yun Ling...　　 

　　The National Master silently repeated the name in his heart. 

　　The Crown Prince's wedding, marrying the Xiao family's daughter as his Crown Princess, was celebrated throughout the land.

　　So the person the Crown Prince was talking about was his Crown Princess.

　　This is interesting. 

　　“Past lives and reincarnation…” The National Master stroked his beard. “Your Highness, why do you believe you and the Crown Princess have a past life connection?” 

　　So this was the purpose of his visit to the mountain. 

　　The Crown Prince had always been decisive. Why would he be troubled by something so mystical? 

　　Or, the National Master changed his question, “Your Highness, why are you so perplexed?”

　　Xie Jue's deep eyes flickered. 

　　His sharp brow bones were as imposing as ever, his aura cold and distant, but his thin lips parted, expressing puzzled confusion in a single sentence, “We've barely met a few times, yet she's…”

　　“What?” 

　　“She... likes me very much,” Xie Jue said. (T/N: “... Are you bragging, you brat?!” 🙂)

　　The National Master: “...” 

　　“She is Your Highness's wife; it's natural for her to like you.” 

　　But inwardly, he thought, no wonder His Highness is suspicious. 

　　A woman who had never met him before, yet knew him intimately and was fond of him—this was truly strange. 

　　The National Master continued, “Your Highness, since you are suspicious, why not ask her directly?”

　　With the Crown Prince's methods, getting an answer from a woman would be easy. 

　　“I wanted to ask.” Xie Jue's brows furrowed. “But she was crying…” 

　　“I hate her tears.” 

　　The National Master was silent for a moment. 

　　“Is it that you hate her tears, or that you don't want her to cry?” 

　　Xie Jue's long fingers, resting on the stone table, suddenly curled up. 

　　After a moment, he said indifferently, “It's that I don't want her to cry.” 

　　The National Master smiled and stood up from the stone bench. “Past lives or this life, what does it matter?”

　　“Your Highness's true confusion is that you easily fell for her. Isn't that right?” 

　　The National Master narrowed his eyes and sighed, “Actually, Your Highness, you truly like the Crown Princess…”

    ……

　　The soldiers left the mountain, and Dongcheng Mountain returned to its usual tranquility. 

　　Xiao Ba trotted to the National Master's side, pursing his lips and saying, “Master, you're swindling and deceiving again.” 

　　He was just spouting nonsense; Xiao Ba didn't understand a word. 

　　The National Master patted Xiao Ba's head, “You little child, what do you know? When you grow up, you'll understand that every word your Master says is a golden saying.” 

　　Xiao Ba rubbed his head, unconvinced, “Okay, then Master, answer me definitively: do people really have past lives and reincarnations?” 

　　The National Master smiled mysteriously, stroking his beard, “I can't say, I can't say.” 

　　“You just need to know that some answers aren't important; it all depends on where one's heart lies.” 

　　Xiao Ba: “Tch.”

　　He knew that Master was playing tricks again. 

　　How could His Highness the Crown Prince be so easily dismissed by Master's nonsense?

    ——

　　The Crown Prince went to Dongcheng Mountain. 

　　No one knew why he went to Dongcheng Mountain at this time. 

　　Yun Ling didn't ask much. After returning to the East Palace and finishing her palace duties, she prepared to make a few sets of casual clothes for the Crown Prince. 

　　He should be leaving for Qingzhou soon, but this time, she probably couldn't go with him. 

　　Just as she was selecting fabrics, she suddenly heard a young eunuch hurrying over. “Reporting to Her Highness the Crown Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince has returned.” 

　　Yun Ling responded, “I understand.”

　　The sun set in the west, painting the sky with brilliant crimson clouds. The setting sun cast its light into the grand hall, inexplicably creating a sense of loneliness. 

　　Yun Ling had just returned to her chambers when he arrived. 

　　Yun Ling instructed the Palace servants to serve dinner. 

　　The servants brought in one exquisite dish after another. Xie Jue glanced over and saw that they were all his favorite dishes. 

　　Not to mention someone who had just been married for a few days, even his cousin Chen Zhan, who had been by his side for many years, couldn't possibly know his preferences this well. 

　　Yun Ling picked up a piece of food and placed it in his bowl. 

　　Xie Jue ate it expressionlessly.

　　Other than that, there was no other sound. 

　　The palace servants waited quietly outside. Xie Jue put down his chopsticks and suddenly asked, “Don't you want to know what I did on Dongcheng Mountain?” 

　　Yun Ling was startled. 

　　Then she gently shook her head. “If Your Highness wants to tell me, you will naturally tell me.” 

　　Xie Jue's thin lips twitched, and he said nothing more. 

　　After finishing dinner, the servants cleared everything away. 

　　Xie Jue got up and prepared to leave. 

　　Before stepping out of the hall, he suddenly stopped. “I have something to do in Qingzhou. You don't have to wait for me.”

　　Yun Ling was a little surprised. “When will Your Highness leave?” 

　　Xie Jue: “I'll leave tonight.” 

　　Much sooner than she had expected. She probably wouldn't have time to finish his casual clothes. 

　　Yun Ling subconsciously said, “So soon?” 

　　Xie Jue didn't turn his head, his voice cold and unwilling to say more, “Mm.” 

　　Footsteps came from behind. It seemed she wanted to step forward to say something, her voice soft, “Husband…” 

　　He seemed to smell her scent again. 

　　Husband.

　　Xie Jue seemed to have a worse headache. He closed his eyes, his voice colder than before. “Stop, don't come near me.”

　　With that, he quickly left without hesitation. 

　　In the dark night, Xie Jue, accompanied by Pei Yuan, Fei Ying, and other Jinyiwei, rode swiftly out of the city. 

　　Their trip to Qingzhou was to obtain evidence of King Dingyang's rebellion from Zhang Huanglin. 

　　That night, a group of ‘assassins’ appeared in the East Palace, and the Crown Prince was stabbed and seriously injured; no one except the Crown Princess was allowed to see him. 

　　It was another ‘luring the enemy into an ambush’ and ‘cutting off the enemy's supply line’ strategy. 

　　Yun Ling stood on the city wall, watching his figure disappear into the distance. Only then did she turn back to the East Palace.

　　Yun Ling wasn't worried; she knew he would succeed. 

　　She only needed to maintain the illusion that he was recuperating in the East Palace. 

　　Time flew by like water. 

　　Half a month passed in a flash, and the Crown Prince indeed obtained evidence of King Dingyang's rebellion and arrested him. 

　　A message was sent back saying he would return today. 

　　Yun Ling waited for a long time, but until sunset, she still hadn't seen him. 

　　Just as she was hesitant and puzzled, she saw the young eunuch she had sent out return to report, “Reporting to Her Highness the Crown Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince has returned and is currently in the study.” 

　　“What is he doing in the study?” 

　　“This…” 

　　Yun Ling: “Just speak.”

　　The young eunuch lowered his head, shrinking slightly, “It seems that a high-ranking official from the Jinyiwei made a mistake, and His Highness is furious and is punishing him.” 

　　A mistake...? 

　　Pei Yuan and Fei Ying, who went to Qingzhou with the Crown Prince, were capable people. Last time, after returning from Qingzhou, Pei Yuan was highly valued by the Crown Prince and was promoted twice. How could they have made a mistake? 

　　Yun Ling was puzzled. She dismissed the young eunuch and, after thinking for a moment, decided to go there herself.

    ——

　　Outside the study, Grand Eunuch An said, “Your Highness, Her Highness the Crown Princess seeks an audience.” 

　　Xie Jue paused in his review of the memorials. “Let her in.” 

　　He added, “Clean up everything outside.” 

　　Grand Eunuch An: “Yes.” 

　　But Yun Ling arrived a little too quickly. As she approached, she saw Pei Yuan, sweating profusely and weak, being dragged away. 

　　His back was covered with horrific whip wounds. There were also bloodstains on the ground that hadn't been cleaned up. 

　　It was clear that severe punishment had been inflicted. 

　　Pei Yuan, as Xie Jue's confidant, had never received such severe punishment before.

　　What exactly happened in Qingzhou? 

　　Following Grand Eunuch An's guidance, Yun Ling entered the study. Seeing him, she composed herself. “Your Highness.” 

　　Xie Jue was facing away from her, his fingers holding a memorial. His voice sounded emotionless. “What are you doing here so late?” 

　　“I haven't seen you for half a month, and I miss you very much. Hearing that Your Highness has returned, I couldn't wait to see you.” Yun Ling said softly behind him. 

　　There was a ‘snap’, the sound of a memorial closing. 

　　Then, there was a long silence. He didn't answer, nor did he turn around to look at her. 

　　The study was silent.

　　Yun Ling sighed softly, thinking of the scene she had just witnessed. She asked, “Your Highness, why did you punish Lord Pei? Did Lord Pei commit some kind of mistake?” 

　　Xie Jue threw the memorial back onto the desk. “He acted without my orders, taking matters into his own hands.” 

　　“If it weren't for his father, the punishment I would have given him today wouldn't have been just this.” 

　　Pei Yuan was highly skilled in martial arts and was utterly loyal. He was a capable subordinate. 

　　Yun Ling didn't understand what had happened in Qingzhou. The King of Dingyang had been captured, and everything seemed settled. How could Pei Yuan have made a mistake on this trip? 

　　But Yun Ling understood his temperament best. 

　　Because of this incident, Pei Yuan's future career would likely be hindered.

　　For the Crown Prince, it also meant losing a valuable aide. Although she didn't need to worry about such things now, she couldn't just stand by and watch. 

　　Thinking of this, Yun Ling tried to intercede. “Lord Pei is a rare individual, skilled in martial arts and upright and capable. I also believe he is quite talented and doesn't deserve this punishment.” 

　　“A small punishment should suffice. Your Highness, why not show leniency and give him a chance?” 

　　Her words fell silent. 

　　For some reason, the study became even quieter. 

　　After a long time. 

　　Xie Jue finally turned around and walked towards her step by step. His heavy footsteps felt like they were stepping on her heart. 

　　“Is that so?”

　　He stood before her, slowly bending down. His deep, dark eyes seemed veiled in a layer of gloom. “So you came for him. It seems you know him well, everything about him.” 

　　Yun Ling's lips parted slightly, her eyes lost as she looked up at him. 

　　In his eyes was an expression she knew all too well. 

　　Before she could answer, his face descended, his nose almost touching hers. His voice was low, laced with threat and barely suppressed anger. 

　　“I can let him go. But as my Crown Princess, you cannot intercede for any other man again. Otherwise—”

　　Yun Ling's eyelashes trembled. 

　　When did his possessiveness resurface? 

　　“My intercession for Lord Pei has nothing to do with anyone else. It's simply for Your Highness's sake. I came here so quickly because I missed you,” Yun Ling's eyes suddenly curved into a smile as she looked straight at him. “But...Your Highness, are you jealous?” 

　　“Nonsense,” Xie Jue immediately straightened up, his brows furrowed, a flash of embarrassment crossing his handsome face. “When did I get jealous? You—” 

　　His words trailed off. 

　　Looking down, he saw Yun Ling rise on tiptoe, her eyes curved as she threw herself into his arms, her voice soft, “What about you?” 

　　“I haven't seen my husband for half a month. Don't you miss me?” 

　　Xie Jue's body froze, his heart seemingly skipping a beat.

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