Nangong Ye’s obsession with Yan Yi Ming exceeded the Empress’s expectations. Her well-behaved and obedient youngest son, who had always listened to her since he was young, displayed an astoundingly stubborn persistence when it came to matters concerning Yan Yi Ming.
The Empress could even sense a trace of reluctance in Nangong Ye’s pitiful words. How could she bear to see her child, who she held dearly in her heart, subject himself to such suffering for the sake of a woman!
As long as Yan Yi Ming was willing to marry him, he did not mind that the one residing in Yan Yi Ming’s heart was not himself and could disregard what others thought?
Was this something a prince should say? To demean himself in such a manner for a woman?
Since he was young, Nangong Ye was quick-witted and intelligent. But maybe due to his young age, and in addition to his unwavering trust and affection towards his Mother Empress, he never took into consideration that his unrelenting stance in defending Yan Yi Ming and constant defiance against the Empress’s words would do more harm than good. In reality, not only did he not manage to make the Empress see Yan Yi Ming in a better light, it made the Empress feel that Yan Yi Ming’s thoughts ran deeper than she portrayed outwardly.
On the contrary, his unwavering determination only strengthened the Empress’s objection to letting Yan Yi Ming marry Nangong Ye. Even at Nangong Xuan’s end, with the inextricable relationship between Yan Yi Ming and Nangong Xuan previously, the Empress had started to form an aversion to Yan Yi Ming marrying into the Eastern Palace.
She was an Empress. All her efforts and schemes were to win the support of major influential noble families in order to stabilize the position of the crown prince. Whereas not allowing Yan Yi Ming to have any more interaction with Nangong Ye was taking into consideration of her younger son’s reputation and future. She never once considered how her actions might harm Yan Yi Ming. All she knew was that Nangong Ye’s current obsession was utterly absurd.
Compared to Nangong Ye, who was a teenager that did not guard against people he was close to, the Empress was a person of profound political acumen. She never revealed a hint of displeasure throughout their conversation and even admitted to her faults. Nangong Ye mistakenly believed he had finally persuaded the Empress to no longer intervene in his relationship. So he quit while he was ahead and changed the topic to discuss recent court affairs instead and how the Emperor had praised him today.
The Empress gazed affectionately at her son, who had a radiant expression. Her heart stirred slightly as she recalled the words the Emperor had spoken to her in private a few days prior. In her heart, she began to seriously contemplate what the Emperor shared with her.
A few days later, the Emperor issued a decree appointing the Fifth Prince, Nangong Ye, as a special envoy to thoroughly investigate the corruption case involving the governor of Fu Jian and Zhe Jiang provinces. He was to depart from the capital in three days’ time.
Ever since the Emperor started relying on the Fifth Prince several years ago, the ministers knew that the Emperor had the intention of finding a suitable opportunity to bestow reward on Nangong Ye. However, they did not anticipate that the Emperor would not assign Nangong Ye a task that was readily solvable and assigned this troubling matter that had been postponed for a long time to Nangong Ye instead.
Nangong Ye was only seventeen years old, and although there were voices of opposition in the imperial court, the Emperor and Crown Prince managed to suppress them all. The Empress and Crown Prince’s faction were delighted to see that Nangong Ye had the opportunity to showcase his abilities. After receiving the imperial edict, the Empress summoned Nangong Ye to the Kunning Palace to meticulously arranged everything for him before his departure.
Nangong Ye smiled and said, “Mother Empress, you need not worry. Fu Jian and Zhe Jiang provinces are not far from Jin Ling Captial. If all goes well, I’ll be able to return to the capital in no more than two months. I might even be able to make it back in time for your birthday celebration.”
The surrounding palace maids sang praises of how filial the Fifth Prince was. Upon hearing such words, the Empress was extremely pleased as she told Nangong Ye, “Birthdays come every year, and we can’t let such trivialities delay my son’s official matters. Although Fu Jian and Zhe Jiang provinces are not far, the corrupt officials are running rampant. This is also your first time leaving the capital, so you must be cautious in everything you do. As long as you return safely and in one piece, Mother Empress will be gratified…”
Nangong Ye assured the Empress. He would certainly return safely and intact. After his return, it would be about time for his brother’s coronation ceremony and marriage. Following that, it would also be his turn to marry Yan Yi Ming.
It would be a double celebration together with when his Father Emperor conferred him his fiefdom and bestowment of his title.
Perhaps due to how smoothly everything was going on in his life; from the Empress no longer interfering with his relationship with Yan Yi Ming to Duke Ding’s Manor absence of opposition in his relationship with her to how the Crown Prince did not seem to be finding faults with him, Nangong Ye was in an excellent mood. As he was leaving the palace, he encountered Nangong Xuan, who was about to enter. Nangong Ye did not maintain his stoic expression as before; instead, he took the initiative to greet his Crown Prince Brother. Find the original chapter at g.com.
After Nangong Xuan briefly gave him a few pointers to take note of on leaving the Captial on an official assignment, Nangong Ye hastily left. He did not notice Nangong Xuan’s gaze lingering on his departing figure, Nangong Xuan’s eyes were filled with unconcealable hesitation and gloom.
He had not seen Yan Yi Ming for over a month already.
The silhouette that constantly appeared in front of him suddenly no longer existed. From being unaccustomed to it at first, Nangong Xuan also gradually got used to it. However, whenever he received information from the hidden guards about Nangong Ye’s whereabouts and daily activities, he would not be able to suppress his irascibility.
Nangong Ye thought that he was being discreet, but what he did not know was that Nangong Xuan was privy to his every move and every word he said. On Nangong Xuan’s desk, there lay a small piece of paper he recently received. It simply stated when and where Nangong Ye had verbally promised Yan Yi Ming that he would only marry her and never take in any concubines.
Nangong Xuan wanted to laugh at how young and naive Nangong Ye was to make such extravagant promises. However, at the same time, he found it ironic and sorrowful because regardless of whether those words held any truth, Yan Yi Ming foolishly believed them.
She actually believed those words?
She was simply being unfathomably foolish!
The more he learned, the more empty and stifled he felt in his heart. He would constantly think of Yan Yi Ming’s expression when she was completely infatuated with him. In these past few days, Nangong Xuan had lost count of the number of times he had thought of Yan Yi Ming as she vowed to marry him and no other in her lifetime. Her carefully spoken words, hoping that it would earn one of his smiles.
Why did he not give some attention to her back then?
With such beautiful features, no matter what expression she had, she would never fail to memorize others.
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These few days, Fifth Prince, Nangong Ye, had become a frequent guest at Duke Ding’s Manor. At first, when Madame Yan learned that the bracelet Yan Yi Ming was wearing was gifted to her by Nangong Ye, Madame Yan suffered a fright and lectured her daughter for the entire night. However, the very next day, Old Madame Yan called her daughter-in-law over, and who knew what Old Madame Yan said to her, but afterwards, whenever Madame Yan saw the Fifth Prince, it was as if she was looking at her own biological son.
Nangong Ye only had Yan Yi Ming on his mind as he looked for her, and the Yan family members had allowed it to slide with one eye closed. But recently, Madame Yan had heard some unfavorable rumors and felt somewhat uneasy. She had anxiously sought her mother-in-law’s opinion on the matter.
‘If Yi Ming’s reputation was ruined, and the Fifth Prince believed in the rumors and abandoned her, what should they do then?’
With a head full of silver hair, Old Madame Yan was not as mobile as she once used to be, but her eyes remained as resolute and fierce as ever. She lightly thumbed the ring on her finger and said, “Duke Ding’s Manor is not a place where anyone can simply trifle with as they please. If anyone dared to delay my darling granddaughter’s matters, I would personally seek an audience with the Emperor to demand an explanation!”
Madame Yan deeply admired her mother-in-law as she sang her praises. Afterwards, when she spoke with the other noble ladies, her backbone was much straighter[1]. Since they did not have the ability to latch themselves to the imperial family and were unable to give birth to a daughter as beautiful and as talented as her Yi Ming, they should just keep quiet and stand to one side!
Over the past few days, news came from the palace that the Emperor had issued an imperial edict for the Fifth Prince to go to Fu Jian and Zhe Jiang provinces to settle an official matter. From her husband, Madame Yan understood that this was a sign of the Emperor bestowing his favor on Nangong Ye. Thus, when Nangong Ye came to the Yan residence that evening, Madame Yan especially met up with him and gave him a blessed talisman, saying that she obtained it from Fuyu Temple for his protection.
Nangong Ye carefully kept the small yellow talisman safely in his purse that was hanging from his waist. When Nangong Ye met Yan Yi Ming, he took it out to show her. Read this novel at novelping(.)com for the best experience.
According to the storyline, Nangong Ye would still be making an appearance in the future so on this trip, he would definitely not encounter any life-threatening situations.
When she saw the talisman, Yan Yi Ming grinned and joked, “Don’t let Qi’er see it.”
Just a few days ago, Yan Yi Qi complained to her saying that Madame Yan treated Nangong Ye more like a son than she did him.
Upon hearing this, Nangong Ye laughed even more exuberantly and his eyes sparkled. Not sparing a thought to his close friend’s plight, he told Yan Yi Ming, “In a while more, it wouldn’t just be ‘like’ anymore.”
It was obvious what he meant. When he becomes Yan Yi Ming’s husband in the future, he would officially become Madame Yan’s son-in-law. Yan Yi Ming smiled without denying it. Seeing that she was happy, Nangong Ye was equally delighted. He held her hand and they strolled together under the moonlight.
“When I return from Fu Jian and Zhe Jiang province, I’ll be conferred a title and be able to leave the imperial palace to establish my own residence. By then, I’ll have Mother Empress send someone to Duke Ding’s Manor to propose marriage.”
At this moment, the moon was hanging above the treetops and tranquility surrounded them. With only the moonlight illuminating Yan Yi Ming’s fair and enchanting features, Nangong Ye stared at her face, captivated by her unwavering gaze. He chuckled and asked her what was wrong.
To which she replied, “nothing.”
Yan Yi Ming reached out and gently caressed Nangong Ye’s cheek before covering his eyes. “Have a safe trip, I’ll be waiting for your return.”
Nangong Ye gently reached up and brought her hand down, taking advantage of the fact that her defenses were down, he lightly kissed the corner of her lips.
Yan Yi Ming immediately withdrew her hand and retreated a couple of steps. Her widened eyes looked more captivating under the moonlight as they fluttered between indignation and shock, but it was definitely not aversion.
Perhaps the moonlight basked them in a beautiful ambiance. The youth pulled her back into his embrace. Completely caught off-guard, Yan Yi Ming fell heavily into his arms and before she could utter a single word, he captured her chin and kissed her once more.
Gah… Single dog Blistz has just been stuffed with dog food whilst translating… But shouu sweettt, me love it!
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[1] To straighten one’s backbone meant that one became more self-confident and had more inner strength to persevere in difficult situations.