CH 47

T/N: Thank you for the ko-fi, Lutgarda! I’m sorry I couldn’t update last week due to some rl issues. Double update today. Next chapter will be up in a few minutes. Enjoy~ 

Opening his eyes, Yun Yanze looked around the quiet room. “Servants.”

“Your Highness.” A eunuch walked to the bedside. “You are awake?”

“Where is the Junwangfei?” He climbed out of bed with the help of the eunuch. Every step he took caused pain all over his body, but his self-control did not allow him to behave without grace or even frown.

“Junwangfei…” The eunuch hesitated, afraid to speak.

“What happened?” Yun Yanze put on his outer robe. “Did someone trouble her?”

“No.” He explained: “Just now, a maid from Lanxu Palace came to speak with the Junwangfei. After listening, her expression was not good. She has gone to meet His Highness Chen Wang.”

Why did Mother Consort’s maid come looking for Caiyao? And why did she go to find Yun Duqing?

“I’ll go take a look.” 

“Your Highness, your injuries haven’t healed yet. Moving around too much is not good for you.”

Yun Yanze coughed lightly. “It’s fine. Fifth brother has a hot temper. I’m afraid Caiyao and him won’t get along too well.”

The eunuch quickly helped him get dressed and, together with another eunuch, they walked out of the courtyard. Just as they reached outside Chen Wang’s courtyard, they heard her voice.

“I won’t leave unless fifth brother comes to meet me.”

The eunuchs quickly lowered their heads, afraid to meet Qi Junwang’s gaze.

Yun Yanze scanned Sun Caiyao’s figure calmly and let out a soft cough. “Caiyao.”

“Your Highness?” Upon hearing Yun Yanze’s voice, Sun Caiyao quickly regained her composure. She seemed a bit flustered. “Why are you here?”

He smiled faintly. “I woke up and didn’t see you in the room, so I came out to check and make sure you’re not being treated unfairly.”

Sun Caiyao’s heart ached. His Highness especially came to find her because he was worried that she might be mistreated.

Although the Department of the Palace dared not embezzle his food and clothing expenses, ever since His Highness became a Junwang, the gazes of the subordinates had become a bit strange. She had been concealing it well, afraid that he would feel uncomfortable if he knew it.

“You are a prince, and I am your consort. Who would dare to mistreat me?” Sun Caiyao walked to Yun Yanze’s side and spoke softly. “Your wound hasn’t healed yet, Your Highness. You shouldn’t come outside. Let’s go back.”

“Don’t you want to see fifth brother?” He grasped her hand: “I’ll take you to him.”

“It’s fine. There’s no need for that.” Sun Caiyao shook her head, afraid that he would get upset and worsen his injury if he knew about Ning Fei’s predicament. “Nothing is more important than Your Highness rest.”

“Is that so?” Yun Yanze smiled faintly. “Caiyao really treats me well.”

“I am Your Highness’ wife. If I don’t treat you well, who else would I treat well?” Her fingers intertwined with Yun Yanze’s, her eyes filled with tenderness.

“Then let’s go back.” He looked toward the courtyard gate and noticed a lantern swaying from the branch. He stopped walking. “What is that?”

“According to fifth brother, it is a shark gauze lantern.” Sun Caiyao lowered her eyes. “I heard it was specially prepared for Ming Xianzhu.”

“Does Caiyao like it too?” Yun Yanze looked at her.

“It is a waste of money. Moreover, it doesn’t serve any purpose other than looking good.” Sun Caiyao glanced at the lantern. “I don’t like it.”

Yun Yanze smiled without speaking.

“Your Highness, you’re still smiling.”

“Ben Wang is laughing at you, not smiling.”

“I’m really getting angry now. I won’t play with you anymore.”

“Ai, don’t go.” Chen Wang caught up to Jiuzhu, who was storming off while holding up her skirt. “You don’t want the shark gauze lantern ah?”

Jiuzhu stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the shark gauze lantern in Chen Wang’s hand without a word.

“Hmph!” She turned her head away.

“Why do the tempers of little guniangs these days keep getting worse?” Chen Wang walked up to her and opened her palm, placing the lantern handle in her hand. “Hold onto it properly, Ben Wang promises not to tease you anymore.”

No wonder people say that one shouldn’t spoil girls or else their tempers will worsen.

“That isn’t true.” Jiuzhu held the lantern and lowered her head with a guilty conscience.

“What isn’t?” Chen Wang asked.

That my… temper is getting worse. 

It should…not be true, right?

Jiuzhu carefully recalled the details of her interactions with Chen Wang and buried her head even more, unable to believe that she had actually gotten angry over such a trifle.

No wonder her masters said that the fengshui of the capital was not good. It seemed to be true, even her temper had gotten bad.

“Not angry anymore?” Chen Wang poked the little guniang’s lowered forehead.

“I was never angry.” Jiuzhu lightly kicked the dust with her toes, concealing her slight nervousness.

“If you’re not angry, give me a smile. I won’t believe it otherwise.” He bent down and met Jiuzhu’s gaze. “Come on, smile.”

Jiuzhu’s gaze fell straight into his deep and handsome eyes. There was only one thought in her mind.

His Highness’ eyes are really beautiful; and his nose too… It seems like everything about him is beautiful.

“Ming Xiaozhu?”

“En?”

“Lost again?” Chen Wang extended his finger and lightly tapped her forehead. “Come on, smile.”

Jiuzhu obediently raised the corners of her mouth and smiled.

He suddenly turned his head. Oh Heavens, how did the Ming family raise this silly little guniang?

So silly that one could only relax after putting her into a pouch and carrying her along.

He took a deep breath and took out something from his pouch. “Open your mouth.”

As soon as Jiuzhu did so, there was a piece of mint candy inside her mouth.

“Mint has a cooling effect, you will feel more comfortable if you keep it in your mouth for some time.” Chen Wang said, looking somewhat regretfully at Jiuzhu’s hair. Her flying immortal hairstyle today was too delicate, otherwise, he wanted to ruffle her head.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Jiuzhu became happy again.

Chen Wang secretly smiled in his heart; he knew that this little guniang was easy to please.

He turned his head and frowned when he saw Yun Yanze standing at the gate of the yard. How long had he been standing here?

What was wrong with him? He had his own Wangfei now so why was he standing at his courtyard gate and trying to see what he and his fiancée were doing?

“Fourth brother, fourth sister-in-law.” Chen Wang took a step forward, shielding Jiuzhu with his body. “Are the two of you standing here… to enjoy the view?”

“The view of fifth younger brother’s courtyard is really delightful so I gazed a bit longer than expected. Please forgive me, fifth younger brother.” Yun Yanze clenched his fist and pressed it against his lips as he coughed lightly.

He glanced at the bamboo green fabric peeking out from behind Yun Duqing and lowered his hand with a soft laugh.

Ever since Yun Duqing got betrothed to Ming Jiuzhu, his reputation among the court officials was no longer as bad as before. So much so that it seemed his luck had gotten much better.

The accounts of the overbearing prince had been taken to be true by many ordinary people of the capital. Now, whenever they mentioned Chen Wang, they believed he was just like the prince – bold and gifted, with a devoted beauty by his side.

“It’s fine. Ben Wang also thinks that the sight of his courtyard is good.” Chen Wang raised an eyebrow. “But fourth brother’s wound hasn’t healed yet. It is better for you to go back and take rest. After you’ve recovered, you can come and admire it at leisure.”

“Thank you for the reminder, fifth younger brother. I will surely take good care of my health.” Yun Yanze smiled lightly. “Ming Xianzhu, when did you enter the Palace?”

Sun Caiyao glanced at Yun Yanze. Even though the current Ming Jiuzhu was different from the one she saw in the dream and didn’t have any connection to His Highness, he always seemed to pay attention to her.

“Replying to Your Highness, chennu entered the Palace today.” Half of Jiuzhu’s body leaned out as she greeted Yun Yanze with a bow. After she finished, she retreated.

“Fourth brother,” Chen Wang put on an insincere smile, “you should go back to your own yard and recuperate.”

“Farewell.” Yun Yanze held Sun Caiyao’s hand: “Caiyao, let’s go.”

Sun Caiyao looked at Chen Wang, then at Yun Yanze, but in the end, she didn’t say anything and followed her husband out.

“Did Junwangfei have something to discuss?”

“Since she didn’t speak it out, it should not be something important.” Chen Wang glanced at Jiuzhu’s hand. His fingers moved, but eventually, he withdrew them into his sleeve.

“I had the kitchen prepare a mild dinner. After you finish eating, I will escort you back to the Mingyue Palace.” He handed Jiuzhu a small bottle of medicine. “Don’t forget to take a pill before you go to sleep tonight. The wound in your mouth will be completely healed by tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Jiuzhu held the medicine bottle, feeling increasingly guilty in her heart.

Ming Jiuzhu ah Ming Jiuzhu, His Highness Chen Wang had even thought about what you’ll eat for dinner tonight, and yet you’re angry with such a little fairy boy. Doesn’t your conscience ache?

Night had fallen by the time they finished dinner in Zhangliu Palace. Jiuzhu walked out and saw the brightly lit lanterns in the courtyard. She exclaimed in admiration. “So beautiful.”

“Let’s go, let’s go take a look at the outer courtyard.” Chen Wang held her shark gauze lantern and led her onto the stone path to the outer courtyard.

The dim light, the floating lanterns on the water, and the palace maids holding ceramic glaze lanterns in an orderly manner, everything was so beautiful she felt as if they had entered paradise.

Jiuzhu couldn’t bear to blink her eyes; she didn’t know where to look.

Chen Wang watched her under the candlelight and patiently stood beside her.

She had given him all her silver hidden at the bottom of the box but he could only offer her a view of the mortal world illuminated by lanterns.

“Does it look good?” He asked.

“It’s beautiful.” Jiuzhu nodded slowly, tugging at his sleeve. “Did Your Highness specially prepare this for me?”

Chen Wang fell silent for a moment and responded very softly: “En.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Jiuzhu looked up at the lantern hung from the tree branch. “This is the prettiest lantern I have ever seen.”

“Is it supposed to be the prettiest?” He laughed. “Ben Wang will give you an even prettier lantern in the future.”

Jiuzhu looked at him and smiled, all the stars in the universe seemed to have gathered in her eyes.

Chen Wang accompanied her for a long time. It wasn’t until the night wind gradually grew stronger that he told. “Let’s go, I’ll escort you back.”

Jiuzhu hurriedly followed him.

She did not hesitate to leave behind the myriad of bright lights.

Sun Caiyao stood in the shadows. After Chen Wang and Ming Jiuzhu left, she walked to the lanterns and said to the maid behind her: “Let’s go.”

No matter the reason, as the daughter-in-law, she had to go to Mingyue Palace and plead for mercy for Mother Consort. 

The path was silent, but not frightening. Instead, it had an indescribable tranquility. The palace lanterns cast long shadows as Jiuzhu walked behind him as if he had grown a little tail.

Suddenly, Chen Wang stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Jiuzhu: “It is dark ahead, hold onto my sleeve.”

“Oh.” She reached out and gently clutched his sleeve.

Their shadows extended together, finally merging into an indistinguishable black mass on the palace walls.

When they reached the entrance of the Mingyue Palace, Jiuzhu let go and tugged at his wrinkled sleeve. “Your Highness, I will leave.”

“En.” Chen Wang placed his hands behind his back. “You should go in now.”

Jiuzhu had barely stepped inside when she heard Xiangjuan gugu say, “It’s been so many years. I wonder if that little guniang from back then can be found or not.”

Jiuzhu turned to look behind her and found that Chen Wang hadn’t left yet. She suddenly turned around and walked to his side, grabbing onto his sleeve once again.

“Xiangjuan gugu, who are you looking for?” With her right hand tugging at Chen Wang’s sleeve and her left hand gripping the doorframe, she leaned in and asked Xiangjuan.

“Xianzhu has returned?” Xiangjuan walked up to Jiuzhu and only then did she see that Chen Wang was standing still behind her. She curtsied to the two and replied in a low voice: “Eight years ago, in Lingzhou, His Highness rescued a little guniang who fell into the water. Niangniang wants to find her.”

“Is it important for niangniang and His Highness to find her out?”

Xiangjuan nodded. “Niangniang has already beseeched His Majesty to send the Dragon Guards to Lingzhou and find her. Now we can only hope that niangniang’s wish is fulfilled.”

But in this vast world, who knew when they would find that little guniang?

Jiuzhu’s grip on Chen Wang’s sleeve tightened for a bit before it loosened. Her hand trembled slightly. “Actually, there’s no need to look for her.”

Chen Wang looked at her, holding her slightly trembling hand over the cloth.

“I know where she is.”

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