Chapter 108 The Abandoned Eldest Daughter Makes a Comeback (32 chapters)
"Yunzhen, you don't need to worry. No matter what the final outcome is, I will not give up. Besides, the result is still unknown, and I may not necessarily lose."
Shen Yunzhen was a little helpless. She had already said so much, why didn't she give up the idea?
She lost patience and said bluntly, "Why do you insist on fighting for it? If you feel that your actions are being restricted, I can tell Xiao Yuheng to stop controlling you. As for me, I don't need you to do anything."
Xiao Chengze's heart sank lower and lower.
Why? She should be free and unrestrained, so why is she now willing to be trapped in this strict and oppressive harem?
Does she still have feelings for Xiao Chengxu and want to do something for him?
Xiao Chengze didn't want to believe it, yet all signs pointed to this cruel possibility.
Is Xiao Chengxu really that important? That she should be allowed to debase herself like this.
Xiao Chengze's breathing became rapid and heavy, each breath feeling like a biting cold wind, piercing his lungs.
He stared blankly at Shen Yunzhen for a long while, then slowly lowered his head, his voice trembling and choked with sobs.
“I’m sorry, Yunzhen, I can’t agree to that. I don’t want you to be trapped in this deep palace, and I don’t want to watch you be… be… by Father Emperor…”
Shen Yunzhen suddenly realized: "Do you think I was forcibly brought into the palace by Xiao Yuheng?"
Xiao Chengze suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief and anticipation: "Yun Zhen, what do you mean by that?"
“I came here voluntarily; I was not coerced.”
Shen Yunzhen was both amused and exasperated. It turned out that all her efforts had been in vain; it was all just a misunderstanding.
Are you telling the truth?
After he was imprisoned, he lost all sources of information. In addition, Xiao Yuheng deliberately kept him silent. He only knew that Shen Yunzhen had been brought into the palace, but he did not know the specific details of her life, so he felt that she had suffered a great injustice.
Shen Yunzhen nodded: "Of course it's true. I'm just staying here for a short time and don't plan to stay here for long."
Xiao Chengze murmured, "That's great, that's really great..."
It's so good that Yunzhen wasn't wronged or bullied.
Seeing his expression, Shen Yunzhen had a sudden thought, "So, are you still going to fight for it?"
Knowing that Shen Yunzhen was safe and sound, Xiao Chengze softened completely, and most of his anger dissipated.
But when it came to this, he still hesitated a little.
The period of being trapped has ultimately left him with a shadow.
The days without seeing Yunzhen were truly unbearable.
If he remains as he was before, without any means or power, I'm afraid this situation will continue, and he will still be unable to see Yunzhen again.
Having identified the root of the problem, Shen Yunzhen understood how to completely dispel his idea.
"Alright, what I said earlier wasn't a lie. Even if you try to fight for it, the chances of success are slim. It's better to maintain the status quo. Besides, weren't you my servant before? I didn't let you go. You're still my servant. In that case, you can come back and continue being my servant."
It's good to keep him under our noses, so he won't suddenly have any whims and want to do something.
Compared to Xiao Chengze, Shen Yunzhen was more satisfied with Xiao Chengxu and naturally preferred to let Xiao Chengxu ascend the throne.
Xiao Chengze could hardly believe his ears, his face filled with disbelief. "Yun Zhen, what did you say?"
“I’m telling you, I’m asking you to come back and continue working. You’ve already given yourself to me before.”
Shen Yunzhen teased Lu: "But now we shouldn't call him a servant anymore, we should call him a little eunuch."
Upon receiving another affirmative answer, Xiao Chengze was overjoyed. He stared blankly at Shen Yunzhen, completely overwhelmed with happiness.
Shen Yunzhen looked at him suspiciously, her eyebrows furrowing. "What? You don't want to?"
Xiao Chengze snapped out of his daze, shook his head quickly, and a bright smile involuntarily bloomed on his face.
"Yes, I'm willing, Yunzhen, I'm willing!"
He would do anything to see Yun Zhen, let alone be by her side to take care of her and spend every day with her. That would be the greatest blessing for him.
In that instant, all thoughts of power struggles and factionalism were forgotten by Xiao Chengze.
After all, compared to that, being able to stay by Yunzhen's side at this moment is an immense happiness.
Given his current predicament, he is highly likely to fail miserably in his struggle for power. In that case, he and Yunzhen will be separated by death. Even if he succeeds by chance, he will not be able to stay by Yunzhen's side for a while. It's not as good as now, where he can see her all the time.
Shen Yunzhen nodded in satisfaction, "Then let's go back to Lanyue Palace with me."
"Okay." Xiao Chengze happily agreed, following Shen Yunzhen around like a silly deer.
Logically speaking, adult princes should not be allowed to move freely in the inner palace, let alone stay overnight.
However, Shen Yun was used to acting recklessly, and with Xiao Yuheng willingly backing her up, Xiao Chengze's heart was now completely filled with his beloved, and he could no longer hold anyone else.
Upon returning to Lanyue Palace, Shen Yunzhen had just stepped through the palace gates when she saw Xiao Yuheng sitting inside, holding a scroll in his hands, his expression calm and composed.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his gaze gentle as he looked at Shen Yunzhen, a slight smile playing on his lips: "You're back?"
Shen Yunzhen casually replied, "What brings you here?"
Xiao Yuheng put down the book in his hand, stood up and walked to her, saying gently, "I didn't have much official business today, so I thought I'd come and see you."
Shen Yunzhen walked to the table and sat down, casually picking up a piece of pastry and taking a bite.
"You seem to have a lot of free time. Haven't any of the ministers in the court given you any trouble?"
Xiao Yuheng smiled and sat down beside her. "They're certainly looking for trouble, but I'm too lazy to bother with them. As for you, how was your outing today? Did you have a good time?"
Shen Yunzhen shrugged and said indifferently, "It's alright, the flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming quite nicely."
"Since you like them, then let the Shanghua Bureau send some more flowers to Lanyue Palace."
"Let's forget it. The Moon Embracing Palace is just fine as it is. If we send more over, it will be crowded together and lose its charm."
Shen Yunzhen is quite satisfied with the current layout and decoration of Lanyue Palace and has no plans to change it for the time being.
"Alright, whatever you say." Xiao Yuheng said gently, "If you need anything else, just give the order."
Xiao Chengze stood there blankly.
He never expected that his father would appear here, and that his interaction with Yun Zhen would be so natural.
This scene almost shattered Xiao Chengze's perception of him.
In his memory, the relationship between his father and mother was always distant and hierarchical, and they rarely communicated. However, he was unexpected to be so talkative in front of Yunzhen.
What an old man who never fixes things!
At his advanced age, he still falls for a woman so much younger than himself and even lures her back to the palace. It's utterly disgusting!
Xiao Chengze did not ask Shen Yunzhen why she voluntarily entered the palace, presumably because she had some unspeakable grievances. Now, seeing Xiao Yuheng's earnest attitude, he was even more certain of her decision.
This is Yun Zhen's palace! How dare they come in without even saying hello when she wasn't here!
Judging from his nonchalant attitude, he probably has other, even more outrageous behaviors.
A fierce rage ignited in Xiao Chengze's eyes, and recalling his imprisonment, he finally could not suppress his resentment.
"Father, why are you here?!"
Xiao Yuheng seemed to only notice him at this moment, giving him a casual glance.
"What, do I need to ask your permission to move around in this inner palace?"
Xiao Chengze felt a lump in his throat, but the inherent difference in their social status prevented him from offering a sharp rebuttal.
Feeling aggrieved, they could only feign obedience.
“Father, I have no intention of offending you. However, Yunzhen is not one of your concubines. Your harem is full of beauties, and you can spend your leisure time with them. It would be better to be more discreet when interacting with Yunzhen, so as not to cause unnecessary gossip or be misunderstood.”
Xiao Yuheng's eyes suddenly darkened, and he said indifferently, "Now that you have come out, behave yourself and do your job well. If you still want to go back, then just tell me directly."
Xiao Chengze's face immediately turned bright red. He clenched his teeth, and the taste of rust spread across his tongue.
“Father, I am only worried that Yunzhen’s reputation will be damaged. If my frankness has displeased you, please forgive me. But I really cannot bear to see Yunzhen needlessly involved in the intrigues and conflicts of the harem.”
Xiao Yuheng glanced at him and said in a light tone, "You seem to care quite a bit about my harem."
What kind of talk is that!
It was as if he were saying that he was a disrespectful lecher.
Xiao Chengze didn't want Shen Yunzhen to misunderstand, so he hurriedly retorted, "That's not what I meant, Your Majesty..."
Xiao Yuheng stopped looking at him and continued to look at Shen Yunzhen.
Seeing that she was still munching on her pastries, her eyes constantly darting between the two of them, he couldn't help but chuckle, a hint of doting affection flashing in his eyes.
"You like this? I'll have someone prepare more and send it to your palace."
Shen Yunzhen waved her hand, "No need, it'll be too greasy if I eat too much."
Xiao Chengze suddenly realized that he had made another big mistake.
How could he possibly bring his disagreements with his father to Yunzhen's attention?
He was so impatient; wouldn't Yunzhen think he was impulsive and immature?
In particular, he was completely overwhelmed by his father, the emperor, which made him appear even more incompetent and vulnerable.
As expected, he was still too weak, and it was useless for him to try to use his words.
However, his status was vastly different from that of his father, the emperor, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not break free from the situation of being suppressed.
So... all he can do now is to do everything in his power to please Yun Zhen, win her favor, and thus completely despise his father!
Thinking of this, Xiao Chengze swallowed his words and retreated behind Shen Yunzhen with high spirits.
Xiao Yuheng was unaware of Xiao Chengze's thoughts, and he didn't care or pay attention to them. All his attention was currently focused on Shen Yunzhen.
He had very few moments alone with Yunzhen, so he cherished every single one of them. Even simple conversations were something he would savor and treasure for a long time.
"Then let's change things up. Besides these pastries, the Imperial Kitchen can also make other snacks. Just tell them what to do."
"I know." Shen Yunzhen naturally didn't stand on ceremony; she was quite comfortable in the palace.
Xiao Yuheng smiled and then changed the subject: "I found a musical score from the previous dynasty the other day and have had it played. The melody is melodious and quite pleasant to listen to. Would you be interested in hearing it?"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let them play!"
There are only so many entertainment options in this era, so Shen Yunzhen is still very interested in listening to new songs.
Xiao Yuheng called out loudly, "Someone come here—"
Li Degui ran out from the corner and quickly made the arrangements.
Soon, a melodious and leisurely tune flowed out, spreading out in layers, bringing a sense of tranquility to the room.
...
The two listened to a tune and chatted occasionally, creating a very harmonious atmosphere, with Xiao Chengze unable to get a word in edgewise.
Only when the sun had set and the warm sunlight bathed the palace in a golden glow did Xiao Yuheng reluctantly get up.
"It's getting late, I should head back."
Shen Yunzhen nodded, remaining seated calmly: "Okay, take care."
Xiao Yuheng gazed at Shen Yunzhen with eyes full of longing and reluctance, his feet seemingly bound tightly by invisible threads, unable to move an inch.
The time they spent together was too short, and Xiao Yuheng was reluctant to leave. He wanted to stay a little longer, to see her face a little longer, and to hear her voice a little longer.
After a long pause, Xiao Yuheng finally said, "Yunzhen, could you see me off?"
Shen Yunzhen was not surprised at all upon hearing this.
These days, Xiao Yuheng often comes over to sit and chat with her, but every time he leaves, he has to do this sticky thing, even though he has never said that he wants to stay overnight.
Of course, even if he wanted to stay, Shen Yunzhen wouldn't allow it.
Shen Yunzhen thought about it and did not refuse.
My body was getting a bit stiff from sitting, so I got up and moved around.
"Let's go."
Xiao Yuheng's face broke into a bright smile, his joy beyond measure.
The two strolled slowly out of the hall.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Chengze quickly followed.
He couldn't get a word in edgewise during their conversation, which annoyed him, but even so, he refused to leave and insisted on staying by Shen Yunzhen's side.
Xiao Yuheng's eyes flashed sharply, "You stay here and don't come with us!"
Xiao Yuheng had already reached the limit of his tolerance by allowing Xiao Chengze to share a room with him. Now that Yun Zhen had specially sent him this time, which was exclusively for the two of them, he would never allow Xiao Chengze to interfere.
"Based on..."
Xiao Chengze was about to speak subconsciously.
Having spent so much time as a background character, Xiao Chengze could only watch helplessly as the other party tried to please Yun Zhen, and he was filled with resentment.
Before he could even voice his question, Xiao Chengze's mind raced. He looked at Shen Yunzhen, blinked, and said pitifully:
"Yunzhen, I've been standing for a long time, and my legs are a bit stiff. I'd like to stretch them out. May I walk with you and Father?"
A handsome young man showing such vulnerability, his brows and eyes full of expectation, his gaze revealing a pitiful tenderness, softens one's heart.
Xiao Yuheng frowned deeply, and before Shen Yunzhen could speak, he said coldly:
"You've only been standing for a short while and you're already feeling unwell. You're so young, yet your body is so weak. Where is the robust spirit of a man? In my opinion, you should go to the martial arts arena tomorrow and train hard to strengthen your physique, so you won't be so frail!"
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