Seducing the Heart - Chapter 18

Xingnan had been incredibly reckless in her youth. She always felt that as long as she liked something, she should strive to obtain it by any means necessary.

If one were to discuss her greatest desire, it was undoubtedly her Royal Brother, Yun Jin.

Yun Jin had been frail and sickly since childhood. In private, other siblings would mockingly refer to him as a little medicine pot. Whenever Xingnan overheard this, she would always stand up for him.

In the eyes of the young Xingnan, this person possessed unparalleled grace. The gentle aura surrounding Yun Jin was something she could not help but drown in.

Such a wonderful Royal Brother deserved to become her husband.

Xingnan desperately wanted to marry Yun Jin, so she did not hesitate to use some despicable means. However, it was on that day that she discovered the secret regarding the identity of this Royal Brother.

“Royal Brother does not know how much Xingnan likes you.” Xingnan had leaned over and stroked Yun Jin’s face with satisfaction, tracing the contours of the brows. She felt that the more she looked, the more she fell in love.

At that time, Yun Jin lacked sufficient wariness toward Xingnan and was caught off guard. The medicine was potent, leaving Yun Jin with only a shred of consciousness to struggle against the effects.

In a haze of clouded logic, Yun Jin felt strange waves of numbness rising from within. That unfamiliar sensation was extremely uncomfortable.

It was then that Xingnan began to gently loosen Yun Jin’s robes. She paused when reaching the inner garments and shyly moved her hands to untie the waistband.

What appeared before her eyes was entirely unexpected. Her Royal Brother, the first person she had loved for so many years, was actually a woman.

How could she be a woman? Why would she be a woman?

Xingnan felt moisture on her own face and guessed it must be tears.

Confused as she was, Xingnan still leaned down and brushed a light touch against the other person’s lips with an indescribable sense of finality. She fed Yun Jin the antidote, hurriedly dressed herself, and fled the scene.

Yun Jin’s consciousness had been sinking as if floating on a lonely boat with nothing to hold onto. Just as the boat seemed ready to capsize, Yun Jin gasped and snapped eyes open.

Upon waking, Yun Jin rubbed a forehead that was still filled with chaos. It felt like a disaster was imminent because the secret identity had likely been exposed to that headstrong little Royal Sister.

“Royal Brother, are you preparing to silence me?” Xingnan had been placed under soft house arrest within the Prince’s manor. These were the first words she spoke upon seeing Yun Jin.

The youth before her remained the same as always, composed and steady, showing not a single trace of panic.

Xingnan thought to herself that perhaps what she had fallen for was exactly this quality of Yun Jin remaining calm and indifferent regardless of the circumstances.

“Xingnan, you are a sister I like very much. I do not wish to hurt you.” Yun Jin looked at Xingnan and noted that the laughter was gone from her eyes. Yun Jin’s voice carried a hint of apology.

“I simply have no choice in the matter.”

Xingnan remained silent for a long time before suddenly laughing. “You are also my favorite Royal Brother. You were in the past and you are now. Although I do not know if you will be in the future, I will give you a promise.”

Her tone lightened as she made the vow. “I will not harm you.”

Yun Jin felt a sense of relief and stepped away from the door to indicate that Xingnan was free to leave. “Please, Royal Sister.”

As the memory ended, Yun Jin placed the specially requested pastries in front of Xingnan.

Emerald Bamboo Cake was the treat Xingnan had loved most when she used to linger at the manor. It was soft to the bite and not overly sweet.

Even after many years, Xingnan found the taste exactly as she remembered. However, she only ate a few pieces before stopping.

“Is Royal Sister-in-Law not in the manor today?” Xingnan watched as Yun Jin considerately poured another cup of tea. She asked the question with a touch of indifference. “I have not seen her.”

“She is indeed not here today.” Yun Jin smiled and shook the head slightly with a bit of helplessness. “The Princess Consort’s movements are always unpredictable.”

Recalling the cold and elegant woman seen at the banquet that day, Xingnan fell silent for a moment. She eventually lowered her voice to a whisper. “Does that Royal Sister-in-Law know your true identity?”

Yun Jin’s hand paused briefly while pouring the tea. The response was calm. “Naturally, she does not.”

“Then Royal Brother must remember to be careful at all times.”

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