Seducing the Heart - Chapter 3

The Forbidden Capital remained a scene of bustling prosperity. The endless cries of street vendors and the sounds of haggling added a touch of earthly life to the seemingly magnificent and solemn capital. Here, one could occasionally see faint smiles on the faces of the passing commoners.

A simply decorated carriage traveled steadily through the wide streets. Passersby could only see its external simplicity, unaware of the exquisite craftsmanship within, and had no way of guessing the identity of the person sitting inside.

After the grand wedding, it was natural to choose a day to personally visit the Emperor and pay respects. Yun Jin and Qin Zhanluo, sitting in the same carriage, shared a few brief words of advice. From the methods Qin Zhanluo had used in her plan to marry her, Yun Jin knew that the other woman was clever. She liked dealing with smart people; meeting a worthy opponent was always better than being burdened by a fool.

However, Yun Jin’s identity was extraordinary. If the Princess Consort were too clever, it would pose an invisible threat to her. Yun Jin’s attitude toward her Consort was contradictory; although they were temporarily on the same side, she still maintained seven parts of caution.

“Your Highness, we have arrived.”

The remaining path into the palace required walking. After Yun Jin stepped out of the carriage, she considerately reached out her hand to help Qin Zhanluo down. Although Yun Jin had a smile on her face, when their hands overlapped, Qin Zhanluo could still feel a sense of awkwardness from her.

This husband of hers was skilled at acting; even though she was actually quite resistant to physical contact, she still considerately put on a display of deep marital affection. Qin Zhanluo remained noncommittal in her heart, intentionally maintaining a distance from Yun Jin that was close yet impossible for others to find fault with.

In the end, it was Yun Jin who first admitted defeat, quietly pulling a bit of distance away with a gentle gaze. “Princess Consort, watch the steps.”

Since the last time they had both clarified that they already had someone in their hearts, their interactions had become subtle. They were neither too far nor too close, cautious and probing yet harmonious and intimate. Regardless, it was much better than the various scenarios Yun Jin had once imagined.

After the wedding, Qin Zhanluo indeed no longer wore her mask. The beauty hidden beneath it stunned many people. Some Princes even felt deep regret, though they could do nothing about it. Yun Jin felt she had reason to believe that Qin Zhanluo’s initial refusal to show her face was part of a plan to ensure the person she married fell within her intended scope.

One did not need to perform formal bows before the Emperor; this was a special privilege the Sovereign had given to Yun Jin. However, she was never willing to actually follow through with it, acting as if the grace did not exist. To survive in the Imperial Palace, one had to be cautious at all times. Yun Jin did not want a moment of paralysis or carelessness to become a target for future gossip or a fatal weakness. Therefore, every time Yun Jin bowed, she did so with total sincerity, without the slightest thought of taking shortcuts.

Yun Mosheng admired the cautious words and deeds of his young Prince. In his heart, he felt more and more that it was a pity that “heaven was jealous of talent,” regretting that the heir apparent he valued so much was so frail and sickly. However, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. At a sudden thought, a sharp light flashed in Yun Mosheng’s eyes. If Yun Jin were this excellent and also physically strong, he feared he would have to harden his heart and harm his own flesh and blood.

“Jin’er, Princess Consort Jin, you may rise.” Yun Mosheng drank the tea offered by the couple and waved his hand to signal they were excused from further ceremony.

Qin Zhanluo stood by Yun Jin’s side. The faint pressure that could be felt even when she wore the mask was now more obvious; it was the innate aura of an Eldest Princess. Even though the Emperor had seen countless beauties, he offered a small compliment. “I did not expect Zhaoning to be so beautiful. She is a perfect match for my young son. I hope you two live in harmony and soon add descendants to the Imperial Family.”

This was an urge for Yun Jin to produce an Imperial Grandson. Yun Jin wondered how much true sincerity was in this urging, feeling a touch of irony in her heart. Yet, her face remained gentle and humble. “Thank you, Imperial Father.”

Yun Mosheng spoke lightly, but it was undoubtedly a test. For years, Yun Jin had seemingly enjoyed the Emperor’s deep favor, but in reality, he was equally cold-blooded toward all his children. It was only because Yun Jin was sickly and had no competitive power over the throne that he felt more at ease with her. The image of a loving father that Yun Mosheng tried so hard to portray was nothing but a joke, yet Yun Jin had no choice but to play along.

This was why Consort Mu had sighed when Yun Jin was a child: Yun Jin’s constitution was both a blessing and a curse. It was a curse because she wished for her to be healthy, but a blessing because it could shield her from many conspiracies and schemes. Now, while several Princes were secretly competing, they had unanimously excluded Yun Jin from the list of rivals, only seeking to win her over. This was the benefit of being sickly.

Even though Yun Jin was weary of these back-and-forth tests and struggles, she had to immerse herself in them for self-preservation. Yun Mosheng chatted with Yun Jin for a while, his words containing several more rounds of probing and suppression. Even though Yun Jin acted harmless, the Emperor’s suspicion was so deep it was frustrating.

The Emperor first asked simply about Yun Jin’s health, taking the opportunity to drop subtle hints without leaving a trace, and did not pay much attention to Qin Zhanluo. Qin Zhanluo stood aside with a calm expression, carelessly listening to the sharp exchanges hidden in their words. Watching Yun Jin handle it with ease, she figured that such “family chats” must have happened more than once.

It wasn’t until Yun Jin began to cough uncontrollably that Yun Mosheng frowned. “Jin’er, take care of your health. We shall stop here for today. I will have someone send the bird’s nest and tonics contributed by the neighboring state to your manor.”

“Thank you, Father. This son… cough, cough… this son takes his leave.” Yun Jin bowed again and left the palace with Qin Zhanluo.

Inside the carriage on the way back, Yun Jin did not cough again. Qin Zhanluo understood perfectly.

“Is Your Highness’s body still well?” Qin Zhanluo asked pointedly.

“An old ailment, it is nothing serious. Thank you for your concern, Princess Consort.” Regarding Qin Zhanluo’s obvious question, Yun Jin still answered patiently.

Qin Zhanluo said thoughtfully, “I presume Your Highness’s old ailment must act up quite often when speaking with the Emperor?”

Yun Jin actually thought about it seriously. “Hmm. Not just in front of Father, but also the Crown Prince, Prince Shen, Prince Duan, Prince Kang…”

This was Yun Jin’s habitual tactic. Whenever she became impatient with handling someone, she would timely cough or become dizzy sometimes it was real, sometimes fake. But the effect was always pleasing.

A light laugh came from within the carriage. Qin Zhanluo felt that when Yun Jin dealt with her teasing so solemnly, she was truly seriously interesting.

“The Princess Consort is very beautiful when she smiles,” Yun Jin complimented in a plain voice.

Qin Zhanluo narrowed her eyes, unable to tell the truth of the words. She leaned in close. “Is that so? Then I wonder if I can be compared to the person in Your Highness’s heart?”

Although the Prince’s carriage was spacious, the space was ultimately limited. Under Qin Zhanluo’s intentional approach, their breaths intertwined, and the atmosphere gained a touch of romantic charm.

“Your Highness…” Ah Ning’s voice came from outside. Yun Jin shifted her body slightly, bypassing Qin Zhanluo’s confinement, and lifted the carriage curtain. Only then did she feel her breathing become smoother.

Yun Jin felt helpless. Why did the Princess Consort enjoy being so excessively close to her?

Nangong Ning had been waiting at the manor for half the day. Deducing that Yun Jin was about to return, she immediately came out to greet her. Normally, she could follow Yun Jin everywhere except when entering the palace; therefore, she was always fearful during those times. Fortunately, Yun Jin returned safely every time.

Yun Jin helped Qin Zhanluo down from the carriage as usual. “Please return to the manor on your own, Princess Consort. I have some business and will return later.”

“Going to see the person in your heart?” Qin Zhanluo looked at the manor’s plaque shining in the light and asked casually with a calm expression.

“Perhaps…” Yun Jin smiled gently, not offering a rebuttal.

Qin Zhanluo did not reply further. She only gave a very light, indifferent glance at Nangong Ning as she passed by, then walked into the manor. As she stepped through the gate, Qin Zhanluo smiled slightly, her eyes flickering.

She wondered if Yun Jin knew that the guard by her side… actually harbored some other thoughts toward her. Although Nangong Ning hid it well, the moment Qin Zhanluo stepped off the carriage, she had captured a series of complex emotions in the other’s eyes: envy, unwillingness, and more.

Was she regretting that the person being helped down the carriage by Yun Jin was not herself? Qin Zhanluo thought with amusement. So, what is Yun Jin off to do? Surely, she isn’t really going to see a lover? Qin Zhanluo withdrew her smile and fell into deep thought as she walked.

Qin Zhanluo did not know enough about certain matters regarding Yun Jin, making it impossible for her to guess whether the “person in her heart” Yun Jin mentioned was a random lie or a real person. If there was someone, who would it be?

Qin Zhanluo’s expression turned cold again. she dismissed her attendants and went to the study to rest.

Yun Jin played with the folding fan in her hand and slowly drank a cup of tea. The streets were noisy with people coming and going. Occasionally, a young lady would inadvertently catch sight of Yun Jin and find it difficult to look away. To this, Yun Jin only responded with an apologetic smile, then turned her soft gaze toward Nangong Ning, the meaning being self-evident.

Nangong Ning was helpless. “The Prince always uses me as a shield.”

“It can’t be helped. Who told our Ah Ning to be born so beautiful that she can help block the gazes of these ladies?” Yun Jin teased solemnly.

Yun Jin placed a bit of silver on the table and stood up. With a “swish,” she snapped open her folding fan, her eyes full of smiles. “Let’s go, Ah Ning. We are going to buy newly made rouge.”

“Prince, do you intend to go to ‘Envyless Immortal’?” Nangong Ning reacted quickly, but she couldn’t guess Yun Jin’s purpose for doing so. Yun Jin had only been married for five days; going to a flower house again might be improper if word got out.

“Correct, but there is no prize.” Yun Jin naturally had her reasons. Since she didn’t want to say, Nangong Ning considerately did not ask. In most cases, Nangong Ning’s task was to ensure Yun Jin’s safety; nothing else was within her concern.

“Oh, Master Yun is here again! What a coincidence! Just in time to show you the rouge that just came in…” The owner of the rouge shop saw a regular customer and ignored the other ladies to walk straight over. “Here, it’s very popular. I figured you might come soon, so I specifically kept a box for you.”

Yun Jin signaled Nangong Ning to pick a bit up on her hand. Seeing the quality was good, she was satisfied. Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. “Only one box?” This owner was like a fox; he naturally wouldn’t have kept only one box for her.

The owner narrowed his eyes, appearing like a profiteer even to someone like Nangong Ning who didn’t shop often. He held up two fingers. “Two boxes!”

Yun Jin looked at the owner, smiling without saying a word.

“Oh, three boxes, three boxes! Truly, I only hid three.” The owner finally admitted defeat to Yun Jin.

Yun Jin closed her fan and said with a smile, “Good. I want two boxes. Ah Ning, pay him.”

“Hey, Master Yun, you…” The owner now couldn’t tell which of them was more cunning. Since she only wanted two boxes, why did she have to force him to reveal his hidden stock?

Nangong Ning took the silver and gave it to the owner. Seeing his sighing appearance, she couldn’t help but find it funny. How many times had this happened, yet he was still always led by the nose by her Prince?

“Is the Prince going to ‘Envyless Immortal’ tonight?” Every time Yun Jin bought rouge or jewelry, it wasn’t for her own use, but a sign that she was about to enter “Envyless Immortal.” Nangong Ning had understood this long ago.

“No, tomorrow night.” Yun Jin smiled mysteriously. “Now, we return to the manor.”

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