Volume 1 Сhаpter 17: Yun Jiаo Bеlоngs tо Нim Аlоne, Nо Оnе Еlse Mаy Covet
Insidе Jin Сui Pаlасе.
А womаn оf nоble elеgаncе reclined hаlf-lying оn a chaisе loungе, her роsture graсeful and dignified. Shе роssеssed a bеаutiful fасe that shоwed nо tracе of the уears’ рassage.
Веnеath hеr willоw-leaf eуebrоws wеre pеach blоssom еуеs that bоre an еighty pеrсеnt resemblance to Yan Shi’s. She lоwеred her head, idlу tоying with her nails.
Sоng Мomo bowed slightly and said, “Your Highness, the Prince has already entered the palace. He should reach the palace gates in about half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”
She glanced at Consort Ying’s expression before continuing, “There is indeed a woman accompanying the Prince. It is likely the Princess Consort Yan that everyone is talking about.”
Snap.
A nail broke off under her tug. In an instant, her previously calm eyes turned fierce and ruthless.
She had sent so many women into Yan Royal Palace, and he had killed every single one of them without exception. Yet now, he was keeping someone by his side.
How dare that freak defy her!
And how dare someone stay by his side!
Song Momo reminded softly, “Your Highness, that woman is the young lady the Yun Manor brought back three years ago.”
“Oh?” Consort Ying narrowed her eyes. “Wasn’t she being raised for Yan Cheng?”
The Fourth Prince, Yan Cheng, was born to the Empress. Consort Ying was the Emperor’s most favored consort. After her arrival, she caused the Empress to fall out of favor and had always harbored resentment toward Yan Shi.
Thus, taking advantage of the fact that Yan Shi had no father or mother to dote on him, Yan Cheng had always overshadowed Yan Shi in everything since childhood.
From minor things like snatching his food and forcing him to eat spoiled leftovers, to major incidents like leading everyone to bully and humiliate him—even a stray cat he had touched would be taken away and killed.
“Upon reaching the palace gates, people should dismount from their carriages, right?” Consort Ying murmured softly.
The reason the Emperor had summoned him was merely because a minister had reported that the freak had held another funeral for himself yesterday and seemed to have taken a Princess Consort.
This lunatic.
“What would the Fourth Prince do if he found out?” Consort Ying chuckled softly a couple of times.
She beckoned Song Momo over, whispered a few instructions, then slowly left the room and headed toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
…
“Master, we have reached the palace gates,” Chu Yi lifted the carriage curtain.
Carriages were not permitted inside the palace. Upon reaching the gates, eunuchs would arrive with sedan chairs.
Without a summons, Chu Yi and Chu Er could only wait outside the palace gates.
Before getting off the carriage, Yun Jiao examined herself in a bronze mirror for a long time. Yan Shi lazily propped up his cheek with one hand, his legs crossed, waiting for her.
Only after confirming that there wasn’t a single flaw on her face did Yun Jiao obediently allow Yan Shi to lead her out of the carriage.
“This servant pays respects to the Prince,” the head eunuch approached, leading a group of junior eunuchs carrying a sedan chair.
The slight upward curve of Yan Shi’s lips instantly turned cold the moment he saw the sedan chair. His gaze swept icily toward the head eunuch.
His eyes were like sharp blades of ice, piercing straight to the bone. The head eunuch trembled under his stare, forcing himself to steady his shaking legs as cold sweat broke out on his back.
Ever since Prince Yan returned to the capital, from the imperial palace down to the common streets, everyone knew he was a ruthless, murderous demon—unpredictable, with no regard for joy or anger.
On his very first day back in the capital, he had entered the palace and slaughtered every palace maid and eunuch who had accompanied him in his childhood.
Such a person—no, such a demon—was terrifying just to hear about.
Originally, two sedan chairs had been prepared. But for some reason, Consort Ying had made a fuss at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, insisting that the Emperor withdraw one.
With only one sedan chair for the journey from the palace gates to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it was enough to announce to everyone that the royal family did not acknowledge this Princess Consort Yan. Wasn’t this trampling on Prince Yan’s dignity?This dreadful task had unfortunately fallen upon him. The chief eunuch barely restrained the urge to wipe his sweat, praying fervently for himself a thousand times in his heart.
Sensing the chilling aura beside her dropping to freezing point, Yun Jiao glanced at the sedan chair. Even with her carefree nature, she should understand what was happening by now.
Yan Shi took a deep breath, veins bulging on the back of his hand as he suppressed his fury, admonishing himself over and over in his heart.
She cries easily. Don’t frighten her.
“Jiao Jiao, get in,” Yan Shi gently nudged Yun Jiao.
His tone carried a coaxing softness—was this still the same living King of Hell who had killed upon entering the palace?
The chief eunoch looked up at Yun Jiao in astonishment, only to be stunned by her face.
Her delicate face was graced with starry, sparkling eyes, the outer corners traced with a fine, seductive yet pure line. In all his years in the palace, he had never seen such a beautiful face.
Yan Shi narrowed his eyes as he watched the chief eunuch, only to feel his sleeve gently tugged.
Yun Jiao lifted her small face, her little canine teeth faintly visible. “Your Highness, I’m a bit tired from sitting. Could we walk instead?”
Yan Shi pressed his lips tightly together. “The palace gate is quite far from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”
“Then if I get tired, will you carry me, Your Highness?” Yun Jiao hooked his little finger, swaying it gently.
Yan Shi could no longer utter a single word of resistance.
How could he not know? She was protecting him. The little girl might seem foolish and heartless, yet she had safeguarded his dignity, which no one else cared about.
Yan Shi’s voice was somewhat low. “Alright.”
His large hand enveloped Yun Jiao’s small one as they strode leisurely toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
As they passed the sedan chair, Yan Shi fell half a step behind Yun Jiao, his wide sleeve suddenly lifting.
A flash of silver light.
“Ah!!!” A sharp cry of pain rang out as Yan Shi gouged out the chief eunuch’s eyes.
Yun Jiao was startled, instinctively turning to look.
Yan Shi released her hand, cupping the side of her face and pressing her against himself.
“Be good. It’s filthy. Don’t look.”
Yun Jiao was his alone.
No one was allowed to covet what belonged to him.
As they approached the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the chief steward by the Emperor’s side was already waiting from afar.
The chief steward stepped forward, holding a horsetail whisk. “This servant greets Your Highness and the Princess Consort. Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting inside.”
Yun Jiao lifted her foot to step inside, but the chief steward bowed and stopped her. “Your Highness, His Majesty has just issued an order to summon only you. Please ask the Princess Consort Yan to remain here.”
Yun Jiao withdrew her foot, standing obediently outside the door. She squeezed Yan Shi’s hand. “Your Highness, I’ll wait here obediently for you.”
Yan Shi frowned, his lips moving slightly.
“Shi’er.” The Emperor’s resonant voice echoed from within the hall.
Yan Shi remained unmoved.
Yun Jiao clung to his hands, rising on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips.
“Your Highness, go in quickly.”
Yan Shi gazed at her intently for a few moments before furrowing his brows and speaking in a low, serious tone. “Then be good and wait for me.”
“Alright.” Yun Jiao hooked his little finger, whispering softly, “Pinky promise.”
Only then did Yan Shi step inside.
The chief steward kept his head bowed. Although he hadn’t seen Yun Jiao clinging to Yan Shi, coaxing and acting spoiled, her sweet, coquettish voice still astonished him.
What was unbelievable was that His Highness actually fell for this!
Something as childish as a pinky promise seemed utterly incongruous with Prince Yan.
The heavy hall doors closed.
Song Momo emerged from behind a pillar, offering Yun Jiao a slight bow. “Miss, this servant is a momo serving Consort Ying. My mistress invites you to her palace for a conversation.”The chief steward said with a smile, “Song Momo, His Majesty is inside discussing matters with the Prince.”
Song Momo glanced at him sideways. “Chief Steward, this is Her Ladyship’s wish.”
The chief steward’s expression stiffened slightly, and he cast an apologetic glance at Yun Jiao.
The small bell at Song Momo’s waist swayed, and Yun Jiao’s gaze suddenly grew vacant.
Immediately, several palace maids stepped forward from behind. “Please come with us, miss.”
Yun Jiao took a step forward, her eyes blank as she followed Song Momo away.