Сhаpter 16: Anсiеnt Men Аre Evеn Wоrsе
Веfоre fаlling аslеeр, Ning Hеng recаllеd how Нeliаn Qingуаo hаd сonfidеntlу dесlаrеd during thе daу that Lu Yun Juе аlready had sоmeоne in his hеаrt.
Неr fingertips unсonsciоuslу tарpеd lightly оn the edgе оf thе bеd, hеr brow slightlу furrowed.
This wаs а bit triсkу…
Аt first, the marriagе аrrаngemеnt had bеen oрtiоnаl fоr her. Hе nеeded it tо prolоng his lifе thrоugh а “joуоus event,” while she merely sоught a quiеt rеsidеnсе awаy from the turmоil of thе Mаrquis’s estаte, along with a handsome man to admire.
Each taking what they needed, without interfering in each other’s affairs—it seemed perfect.
Now that the imperial decree had been issued and the wedding date set, the whole world knew she, Ning Heng, was to marry into the Rui Prince’s estate. Yet, Lu Yun Jue had somehow produced an old flame out of nowhere?
Was he toying with her?
If she had known he was such a wishy-washy man, she wouldn’t have agreed so hastily back then.
It would have been better to find a way to take her child and move somewhere else to live freely.
From a very young age, Ning Heng had often heard Ning Jiao “impart” life lessons.
“Men are just for fun. Don’t take them seriously… hic…”
Ning Jiao, drunk and bleary-eyed, spoke in a mocking tone tinged with a barely perceptible sadness. “Men in this world fall into three categories: those who want to cheat but lack the guts, those who cheat and haven’t been caught, and those who cheat openly and shamelessly… Ancient men are even worse.”
“…Forget it, Heng’er. When you get married in the future, keep your eyes wide open. Don’t end up with a scumbag, or else I… I’ll break his legs!”
Back then, Ning Heng was too young to understand the deep-seated pain and sorrow hidden in Ning Jiao’s eyes.
But she could still clearly sense the intense mix of love and hatred in her emotions.
She knew her mother had once had someone she cherished deeply, but for some reason, they had parted ways, leaving her alone to raise her child, cursing and complaining yet living with remarkable resilience.
Now, this Lu Yun Jue… He appeared noble, gentle, and frail. Could it be that deep down, he was also the type to cling to a past love, unable to let go?
If that were truly the case, her mother would probably come and smash his head in if she found out.
Ning Heng gazed at the intricate embroidery on the canopy above her bed and sighed softly.
Then she turned over, pulling the blanket over her head.
Forget it, she wouldn’t dwell on it.
Who knows? Maybe Lu Yun Jue would be gone by tomorrow.
…
Rui Prince’s Estate, Study.
The candlelight flickered as Lu Yun Jue drank a large bowl of bitter medicine. Suddenly, he covered his mouth and coughed violently.
“Cough… cough…”
Finally managing to stop coughing, he was about to catch his breath when he sneezed abruptly, “Achoo—”
Butler Wang, who had served him since childhood, hurried forward to pat his back and help him breathe easier. He then carefully draped a thick cloak over Lu Yun Jue’s thin shoulders.
“Your Highness, have you caught a chill?”
Butler Wang’s voice was full of concern. “The wind has picked up tonight, and the window frames are rattling loudly. It might rain soon…”
Lu Yun Jue’s face looked even more haggard under the candlelight, his lips pale. His wrist, exposed from his wide sleeve, was as thin and fragile as cold jade that could snap with the slightest pressure.
“…Has the rear courtyard been prepared?”
Butler Wang quickly replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness. It was tidied up long ago… As per your instructions, midwives and wet nurses have also been arranged, all the most experienced and of the cleanest backgrounds.”
Lu Yun Jue listened quietly, catching his breath slowly. “Mm.”
It seemed as though arranging these matters had drained much of his energy.
Seeing his master in such a state, Butler Wang felt a pang of sorrow and remarked with emotion, “You truly care deeply for your future princess consort.”Even though that princess consort was carrying another man’s child, the prince considered everything thoroughly, fearing the slightest impropriety.
How could heaven be so blind to such a good man as their prince, not granting him a long life?
…
Accompanying Old Madam at Yun Jing Temple for a few days was rather peaceful, listening to the morning bells and evening drums each day, eating vegetarian meals.
Ning Heng enjoyed several rare days undisturbed.
She had thought that after the ninth princess fainted from the snake scare, she would surely raise hell upon waking to cause trouble for her. Yet, the next day, she heard the princess had returned to the palace to recuperate.
Thus, Ning Heng had peace and quiet, sleeping well for several days.
After returning from Yun Jing Temple to the marquis’s estate, she didn’t delay and went straight to Rui Prince’s mansion.
Ning Heng disliked beating around the bush; if something was on her mind, she had to clarify it.
If Lu Yun Jue truly had some unspeakable difficulty and was forced to accept a marriage to ward off misfortune, she could help him, assisting him and his “beloved” to be together.
But if he had other intentions, wanting to play some game of having multiple women, or using her to cover up something, then he might as well forget it.
If he tried to scheme against her, it was hard to say who would end up worse off.
“Miss Ning, this way please.” Butler Wang led the way, his tone sorrowful.
“These past few days, the rain has been continuous, the weather unpredictable… our prince’s condition has worsened again, drifting in and out of consciousness.”
Ning Heng glanced at the drizzling rain outside the window. “What do the imperial physicians say?”
Butler Wang shook his head and sighed heavily. “The physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau have nearly worn out the threshold, but the prince’s illness is an old affliction, his foundation weakened. No matter how many good medicines are administered, it’s like throwing stones into the sea… sigh.”
“I’ll go in and see him,” Ning Heng said.
The inner chamber smelled even more strongly of medicine. Lu Yun Jue was still asleep, eyes tightly shut, long lashes casting shadows beneath them, his breathing so faint it was almost inaudible.
Ning Heng herself was a severe sufferer of difficulty waking up and knew the pain of being disturbed, so she didn’t call him.
Instead, she sat gently by the bedside, quietly observing.
Even though illness had left him emaciated and gaunt, his appearance was still flawless, carrying a fragile, delicate beauty.
As she looked, she suddenly felt that his features seemed vaguely similar to that wild man she had slept with last time, whose face she could hardly remember now.
…Probably all handsome men in the world share some common traits.
Ning Heng didn’t dwell on it, simply finding the sight pleasing and worth looking at.
After an unknown length of time, Lu Yun Jue’s lashes fluttered, and he slowly woke up.
Seeing Ning Heng sitting by the bed, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, quickly replaced by gentle apology. He tried to sit up. “A Heng… when did you arrive? Why didn’t you wake me?”
He adjusted his collar. “I’m improperly dressed, truly discourteous… I’m embarrassed for you to see me like this…”
“It’s fine.” Ning Heng casually took a soft pillow nearby and placed it behind him, joking, “Your Highness is so exceptionally handsome, even without clothes, you’d still be a pleasure to behold.”
Her bold and direct words left the usually gentle and proper Lu Yun Jue momentarily stunned.
A faint blush actually appeared on his pale face, and he was at a loss for how to respond.
Ning Heng didn’t beat around the bush either and got straight to the point. “I came today because I heard a rumor about Your Highness from Princess of the Rising Sun. It left me doubtful, so I wanted to seek confirmation from you.”
Lu Yun Jue leaned against the headboard, his voice still weak but gentle. “Ask away. I will hold nothing back.””I heard that Your Highness already has someone in your heart. If that’s the case, why not marry her earlier, instead of agreeing to this marriage for dispelling misfortune?”
Ning Heng looked at him, her gaze clear and penetrating. “Let me make this clear first—I will not share anything with anyone, not even a husband in name only.”
“If this is true, it would be better to annul the marriage.”
Lu Yun Jue found this rather strange upon hearing it. He furrowed his brows slightly, appearing quite puzzled. “Someone in my heart? Who?”
How could he not know when he had developed feelings for someone?