Chapter 89 The Only Warmth
"You want a chance to leave Lin Suo City?"
Wei Jingchen sat sideways on the edge of the couch, his fingertips picking up a black piece that caught his eye from the chess box and placing it neatly on the chessboard. She raised an eyebrow, looking at the person in front of her.
New Year's Eve has just passed, and the festive season will continue for a while. The light snow that fell that day has already covered this northern land with another layer of cotton. People haven't quite recovered from that joyous atmosphere and still carry a faint sense of languor.
Although it wasn't exactly a perfect year, it was still a New Year at least.
"Yes." Lin Chengye looked up, the shadow of the withered tree's thin branches falling on the window, casting a gloom in her eyes. For many days, the sky had been gray, empty and devoid of light, just like her mood at this moment—somewhat empty, yet always feeling a vague unease of an impending storm.
"Not a good time right now, so keep your movements to a minimum."
Wei Jingchen rubbed his forehead in exasperation, picked up the hot tea beside him, and took a sip.
She had heard a rough outline of what happened after that night from Lin Chengye, and she didn't agree with his actions. Going to such lengths for a mere maid only made their already precarious situation even worse.
Dong Tang knows too much. If the news of the Crown Prince keeping a parasite gets out, it will surely shock the court and the public. Naturally, he cannot be allowed to live. In Wei Jingchen's view, after obtaining the information he wanted, he could simply get rid of the maid and leave her body in the cellar.
There was no worry that the maid might expose Lin Chengye's identity, and Wei Jingrui wouldn't be acting like a madman like he is now, flying into a rage. Before the year was even over, he almost turned the entire palace upside down just to find that maid, as if he could only feel at ease after seeing her dead.
She already had a strained relationship with that person, and since everything happened after she returned to the palace, she naturally became the prime suspect. Countless eyes were watching her Prince Su's residence, and secret guards followed everyone who came and went, all in an effort to find that maid.
"You're really something else, always causing me trouble." Wei Jingchen frowned.
"I only want to find the truth about all this, and I also want to tear it down. Does Your Highness not want to?"
Lin Chengye raised an eyebrow; she knew what Wei Jingchen was unhappy about. However, discussions between her and Wei Jingchen on such matters never ended well. She didn't want to talk to him about human life or principles; it was like casting pearls before swine.
For princes of such high status, it was hard to understand why the lives of those of lowly status were also important, and Lin Chengye didn't want to waste his breath explaining.
"You know what I mean, don't play dumb..."
Wei Jingchen slammed the chess piece down louder, clearly venting his anger.
Before he could make a move, Jiang Heng suddenly approached and whispered in Wei Jingchen's ear.
"Your Highness, the Second Prince's carriages are coming this way; they must be here to see you at the Prince Su's residence."
"Oh? Second Sister? Why did she suddenly come?"
Wei Jingchen's eyes flickered slightly. She pondered for a moment and tapped her fingers on the table.
"Then let Second Sister come in directly. It's too cold outside, and I'm too lazy to go to the door to greet her."
After about two incense sticks' worth of time, the game was halfway through. The black and white pieces were locked in a tense and unresolved struggle. Wei Jingchen pondered for a long time about where to place his piece when he suddenly saw a figure walking briskly outside the window. The figure was alone and had no guards with him.
Then, Wei Jingyu's voice rang out.
"No one came out to greet us. As expected, Chen'er has found a confidant and forgotten about his older sister."
Even so, she still pushed open the door of the bedchamber and waved her hand to exempt Lin Chengye from kneeling.
Wei Jingyu's hair was half-tied up today, with a sapphire blue hairpin tucked into it. She was dressed even more simply than at the New Year's Eve banquet. The white and blue were already cool enough, but today's blue was even more faded, like the color of that banquet, very elegant, and still adorned with her favorite water ripple embroidery.
Wei Jingyu sat down next to Wei Jingchen very affectionately, and when he saw the two of them playing chess, his eyes lit up and he looked at the half-finished chessboard with great interest.
"Where did Second Sister learn such jealous remarks?"
Wei Jingchen knew that Wei Jingyu always loved to tease people, but she just couldn't handle it, and was immediately at her wit's end. She could only give a sheepish reply and quickly placed a piece on the chessboard.
"Get out of the way, I'll take over. You lousy chess player, what are you playing?"
Unexpectedly, Wei Jingyu's smiling face suddenly darkened, he snatched her chess box, and rudely pushed Wei Jingchen aside.
The once-powerful Third Prince had no choice but to curl up into a ball, even turning over in a disheveled manner, submitting to the tyranny of his Second Sister.
Wei Jingyu looked at the chess piece Wei Jingchen had just placed, feeling extremely uncomfortable, a lump forming in his throat. His third sister was still the same as before, ruthless and decisive, but because of her obsession with "victory," she didn't know how to plan slowly. Her ambition and her anxiety were all too easy for others to see through.
"How about I take back her move for her?"
But her opponent… Wei Jingyu looked at Lin Chengye and curled his lips.
Judging solely from their chess skills, this retainer named A-Ye is more adept at forbearance, but somewhat lacking in ruthlessness. However, if the two of them were to conspire together, she would be perfect as an advisor to her third sister.
"Please make yourself at home, Your Highness."
Lin Chengye smiled faintly. This game of chess was just for amusement. Instead, he took the opportunity to observe the two sisters who were not his biological children.
Because of Wei Jingchen's background, the two are actually quite different, but when the two of them are together, her light amber eyes, which belong only to the royal family of Lai Kingdom, are particularly eye-catching, very clear and exquisite.
No matter how strong her appearance or personality was, it was all softened by her light-colored eyes, making her appear aloof.
Upon hearing this, Wei Jingyu quickly picked up the chess piece and placed it elsewhere.
Lin Chengye's eyes lit up, and he immediately sat up straight. His previous lazy mood was dispelled by this brilliant move.
This prince is much more difficult to deal with than Wei Jingchen. I should have known better than to let her take back her move. Lin Chengye regretted his actions.
"Second sister, when are you planning to return to your fiefdom? You've stayed longer this year than in previous years. In previous years, you were unwilling to go back, and sometimes you would find an excuse to go back even before leaving the fiefdom."
Wei Jingchen was forcibly deprived of his right to play chess and listlessly ate the plate of peanuts on the table. He could only move his lips to remind the two who were completely absorbed in the game that he still had breath to breathe.
"I'd like to go back sooner. What's so great about this imperial city? It's not even half as good as my Luoshui County. Besides, my husband is quite jealous. He's written five letters in half a month, talking about trivial things, but basically he just wants me to go back to him as soon as possible. He's afraid I'll offend some young master in Linsu City again. It's quite annoying."
Wei Jingyu glanced at Wei Jingchen, then reached out her hand, and Wei Jingchen quickly placed a handful of peanuts in her palm.
"But that's not the main thing. It's that my father wants me to stay a little longer. A few days ago, when I went to the palace, he said that since I came of age, I have been far away from Luoshui City. The two of us have hardly spoken to each other, and he is in poor health. He doesn't dare to think about how many days he has left."
"After hearing that, what could I do? Could I just leave? I could only quickly say that I would stay with you until after the spring hunt before returning."
Once this was brought up, Wei Jingyu immediately started rambling on and on, sighing repeatedly. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she stared intently at Wei Jingchen.
Oh no. Wei Jingchen's eyelids twitched; she had a gut feeling that her second sister was about to say something she didn't want to hear.
As expected, Wei Jingyu spoke up.
"Speaking of which, you're not young anymore. His Majesty's health isn't good, so he can't attend to your marriage arrangements. Didn't those old ministers seize the opportunity to introduce you to handsome and virtuous young men from their families? As their elder sister, I'm far away in my fiefdom, and I almost forgot..."
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving. You all focus on your game and don't think about anything else."
Seeing that things were going badly, Wei Jingchen immediately threw down the peanuts and got up to leave.
It wasn't just a matter of seizing every opportunity; those old ministers were practically like wolves and tigers. Perhaps their affection for her extended to this marriage arrangement, as they would inexplicably steer the conversation towards a certain virtuous and gentle young master after discussing state affairs.
"This child..."
Watching Wei Jingchen's hurried escape, Wei Jingyu smiled and shook his head.
"Your Highness, the game ends in a draw."
Lin Chengye gently placed her last piece and suddenly spoke. But before Wei Jingyu could respond, she bowed to him and said...
"Your Highness's chess skills are truly renowned. I have made a fool of myself in offering my own advice. If there are no other matters to attend to, I will take my leave."
"Oh? You're quite perceptive."
Wei Jingyu raised an eyebrow.
Lin Chengye smiled faintly and replied.
"I am well aware of my own worth. I believe Your Highness's trip is not merely for a game of chess."
...
Only Wei Jingyu and Wei Jingchen remained in the room.
“Your retainer is indeed a clever man.”
Wei Jingyu took a small sip of tea; the strong bitterness was not mellow, but rather somewhat harsh on her throat. She sighed softly and put the tea down.
Her younger sister had never paid much attention to the things of literati and scholars, and the tea in the mansion was also mediocre.
But these are ultimately external possessions; whether they are more or less valuable doesn't matter. In the palace, the most difficult thing is to survive. Wei Jingyu clenched his hands on his knees, his previous playful tone replaced by a deep voice.
“…Jingchen, although I am idle, I am not unaware of what has happened recently. Some things are too dangerous. Perhaps it will not do you any good to continue to insist on this.”
"So... did His Highness the Second Prince come this time out of concern for me, or to remind me not to compete with His Highness the Crown Prince again?"
Wei Jingchen's eyes turned cold.
"No." Wei Jingyu shook his head, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest beside him.
"What I meant was that you must take care of yourself, and..."
She looked at Wei Jingchen very seriously and said, word by word.
"I'm on your side."
...
Wei Jingyu acted like Wei Jingchen's real family member, and they chatted for a long time until the sun set. They then had a simple meal together before Wei Jingyu said it was getting late and got up to leave.
Wei Jingchen went to the door to see her off. As he watched Wei Jingyu's carriage drive away, he suddenly felt his face stiffen. When he touched the corner of his mouth, he realized that he had been wearing a faint smile when he saw Wei Jingyu.
Only when she heard Wei Jingyu's earnest reminder did she finally feel completely at ease. It turned out that there was still a sliver of warmth left in this palace for her.
After watching Wei Jingyu leave, Lin Chengye also came out of another room, leaned against the gate of the Prince Su's mansion, and looked at Wei Jingchen with a half-smile.
"Your Highness seems quite pleased, having long since forgotten the question I posed earlier, haven't you?"
"My second sister just reminded me that there really is an opportunity to leave Lin Su City openly and legitimately, and... at that time, it won't be far from Qingyun County, which you want to go to."
Wei Jingchen stroked his chin thoughtfully, exchanged a glance with Lin Chengye, and said in unison.
Spring hunt.
Author's Note: Ahhh [heartbroken] I rushed to update at 11:59, and I apologize again.
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