The revered Crown Prince is adorned in magnificent robes and wields immense power.
For Jiang Rongyin, the Eastern Palace was not only a nightmare but also a prison.
Because Jiang Yun is there.
A person who hates her and torments her.
At the entrance of the side hall of the East Palace, Bao Yin was stopped.
Jiang Rongyin gave a forced smile and shook her head at her.
As soon as I stepped into the hall, the misty fog almost blinded me.
In the bath, Jiang Yun sat with his back to the palace door, half of his body submerged in the water.
“Your Highness.”
Jiang Rongyin called out timidly, then leaned against the door and stopped walking.
“Do you think I would eat you?”
“come over.”
The sound of splashing water rang out, and Jiang Yun reached out and placed her hand on the edge of the bathtub.
His wheat-colored skin was covered with crisscrossing scars.
Wei’s uncle once said that Jiang Yun was feared on the battlefield because of his reckless fighting style.
Whether it’s venturing into enemy territory alone or displaying composure in the face of a hundred men, these are skills that others cannot learn.
For Jiang Yun, the scars were more like medals.
The bulging muscles, with visible veins, represent a burst of power and absolute control.
The oppressive aura emanating from those in power made Jiang Rongyin reluctant to move forward.
“I have little patience, Xiao Jiu.”
Not hearing Jiang Rongyin’s footsteps, Jiang Yun spoke again.
Jiang Rongyin then moved forward, and just as she reached the edge of the bath, Jiang Yun’s hand grasped Jiang Rongyin’s ankle.
Even through her clothes, Jiang Rongyin felt the hand holding her ankle was burning hot and uncomfortable.
“I, I’ll rub Your Highness’s back.”
Jiang Rongyin lifted her foot to walk back, but Jiang Yun did not let go.
“Do I need you?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Rongyin was pulled into the water by Jiang Yun, creating a large splash.
“Cough cough.”
Jiang Rongyin, who had choked on the water, suddenly popped her head up and coughed. When she opened her eyes, a pair of dark eyes came into view.
The water was warm, but for some reason, the fingers that landed on Jiang Rongyin felt cool.
“Since I haven’t returned for a month, Xiao Jiu has become even bolder.”
His fingertips slipped inside his clothes, which were now wet and floating on the water, making things easier for him.
Jiang Yun’s gaze shifted downwards, landing on the pendant hanging in front of her.
It was a gift from Qin Shiyan, and Jiang Rongyin cherished it dearly, never letting it out of her sight.
Indeed, the young master of the Qin family and the legitimate princess grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and everyone assumed that their marriage was inevitable.
But then Jiang Yun appeared.
“I asked Xiao Jiu before, if you are willing to marry into the Great Yue, I will not stop you.”
“Didn’t you say you were willing to serve me and repay the debts you owed me over the past ten years?”
His cool fingertips moved upwards and untied the belt of her undergarment. Jiang Rongyin trembled as she listened to his words.
Her wet hair clung to her cheeks, and the dripping sound made it hard to tell whether it was water or tears.
She opened her lips and gave a forced smile: “Rongyin is His Highness’s person, and dares not covet anything else. It is His Highness’s magnanimity that he did not mind that Rongyin occupied the identity for sixteen years and was able to stay in the palace to serve His Highness. Rongyin is extremely grateful.”
The words, spoken against my will, were somewhat hesitant and stumbling.
Hearing Jiang Rongyin’s words, Jiang Yun grabbed her waist from underwater and slammed her in front of him: “What are you trembling for? Afraid that if you lie, God will not forgive you?”
“That’s the truth.”
Jiang Rongyin lowered her head. What could she say?
When the envoy from Dayue came to the capital to ask for the princess’s hand in marriage, was she willing?
Or would she rather die if she knew that staying in the palace would make her a caged bird in Jiang Yun’s clutches?
Even under those circumstances, being able to go out for a political marriage was an honor for Jiang Rongyin.
It was Jiang Yun who prevented her from leaving the palace.
That day, the bright moon illuminated the floor of Guanghua Palace. Jiang Yun’s torn clothes were scattered all over the floor. He said that even if she died, she had to die by his side.
Why should he suffer sixteen years of hardship while Jiang Rongyin enjoys wealth and glory?
This is what Jiang Rongyin owes him.
At that time, Jiang Rongyin was so tormented by him that she was lying on the bed, and the torn gauze curtains bound her hands together, causing her delicate wrists to rub and bleed.
With red, swollen eyes and a hoarse voice, she could only repeat “I’m sorry” over and over again.
Even if it wasn’t her fault.
She said, “Your Highness, I’m sorry. I’m willing to leave the palace, even if it means becoming a nun for the rest of my life.”
It was Jiang Yun who never let her go.
“I can pretend that Qin Shiyan’s matter never happened.”
“Xiao Jiu, this is the last chance I’m giving you, understand?”
Jiang Yun lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
A gaze that was utterly aggressive and impossible to avoid.
“May I return to the Radiant Palace?”
Dizzy from his kisses, Jiang Rongyin could only cling to Jiang Yun’s arm and utter this one and only request.
There are classes at the Academy tomorrow, and Jiang Rongyin doesn’t want anyone to see her coming out of the East Palace.
Jiang Yun was the apple of Empress Wei’s eye and the pride of the Great Yong Dynasty.
She was merely a fake, kept in the palace because Jiang Yun was kind-hearted, and had no blood relation to her.
She seduced Jiang Yun, causing him to do something unethical; Empress Wei will not let her off the hook.
Once discovered, to protect the royal family’s reputation, Jiang Rongyin had no choice but to die.
“It depends on my mood.”
Jiang Yun only replied with this one sentence, then turned around, and Jiang Rongyin was pressed against the edge of the bathtub. The surface of the pebbles was uncomfortable and a little painful.
She bit her lip and remained silent, looking at the tightly closed doors and windows, which seemed like high, hopeless palace walls. Even if she turned into a bird and grew wings, she would not be able to fly out.
Jiang Rongyin felt like crying, but the tears that fell were wiped away by Jiang Yun’s fingertips.
He leaned down, his fingers squeezing into her palm, forcefully interlocking his fingers with hers.
“I really want to kill Qin Shiyan.”
“Only by keeping him alive can we remind my little Jiu what she should and shouldn’t do.”
Amidst the ebb and flow of life, Jiang Yun’s words fell into Jiang Rongyin’s ears, one by one.
Their hands were clasped so tightly that their knuckles cracked. Jiang Rongyin bent her fingers slightly, closed her eyes, and said, “I know I was wrong.”
Jiang Yun didn’t speak, but lifted her body with his hands. Ripples spread out in the bathwater, and she could only lean against him.
After an unknown amount of time, when Jiang Rongyin opened her eyes, the city lights were already on outside.
The palace lanterns swayed in the wind, and she huddled in a corner, clutching a quilt in her arms.
Jiang Yun sat at a desk not far away, wearing only a Shu brocade silk robe with a loosely tied belt, revealing scratch marks on her chest.
“woke up?”
Hearing the noise, Jiang Yun looked towards Jiang Rongyin, and then Jiang Rongyin saw him get up.
Jiang Yun pulled the blanket away, took off his shoes, got into bed, and pulled the person into his arms.
“Your Highness, I should return to Guanghua Palace.”
Jiang Yun’s palms were warm. Hearing Jiang Rongyin’s words, he wrapped his arms around her waist, his gaze shifting downwards, unfathomable: “You can leave?”
One sentence made Jiang Rongyin blush.
“There’s another class at Xuezhi Hall tomorrow, Master Sang’s class. If you’re late, you’ll get scolded.”
Jiang Rongyin added in a soft voice, then looked away from him.
When Jiang Yun stares at you, even if you’re wearing clothes, it’s as if you’re not.
The overwhelming aggression and overflowing lust seemed to be about to drown Jiang Rongyin.
“I didn’t know that Xiao Jiu loved going to school so much.”
“Get dressed, Xiangming will take you home.”
Jiang Yun stared at Jiang Rongyin for a while, almost staring a hole through her head, before finally letting go.
“After the banquet, once the Crown Princess is chosen, I will send you out of the palace.”
Hearing this, Jiang Rongyin, who was sitting there getting dressed, relaxed her brows. Was he tired of her?
However, Jiang Yun’s next sentence plunged Jiang Rongyin into hell.
“Since the Empress Dowager doesn’t like you, you can stay in the other courtyard as a concubine.”