Chapter 46 The Secret in the Portrait
Chu Yunjin and Yan Cang spent the entire afternoon chatting idly on the bed, talking about whatever came to mind.
She asked what she wanted to know, and Yan Cang answered her questions without the slightest impatience. When her stomach started growling with hunger, Yan Cang instructed A'dai to bring in water. He personally helped Chu Yunjin wash up, and then brought the meal to the inner room. Worried that Chu Yunjin might tire herself out, he even personally served her the food.
They practically treated Chu Yunjin like a useless person who couldn't take care of himself.
Chu Yunjin's waist and legs were still sore and weak. Sleeping for a few hours did not relieve her fatigue at all. She did not want to get up, nor did she want to go out. She did not want to go anywhere. She just wanted to lie on the bed and be a useless person, and then enjoy the service of Prince Yan with a clear conscience.
After lunch, she chatted casually with Yan Cang, who stayed with her the whole time and didn't go anywhere else.
Chu Yunjin keenly sensed that after a passionate sexual encounter, their relationship seemed to have taken a qualitative leap.
Although Yan Cang had always been accommodating to her requests, there always seemed to be something between them, which was completely different from today's feeling... Perhaps it was just as people used to say, that a man is the easiest to talk to after he has satisfied his desires.
Today, Yan Cang was gentler than ever before, so gentle that Chu Yunjin completely relaxed and fell asleep again without realizing it.
Unlike the characters in the book who became addicted to her after getting a taste of her sweetness and made endless demands, Yan Cang patiently massaged her and even lit calming incense in the evening, allowing her to sleep soundly until the next morning.
A whole day has passed just like that.
When Chu Yunjin woke up the next morning, she found that her physical discomfort had been greatly relieved. The soreness was gone, the fatigue was gone, and the only remaining feeling was... well, she was a little embarrassed to say.
After washing up and getting dressed in the morning, and having breakfast, Yan Cang handed the prepared birthday gift to Ade: "This is a birthday gift for the Princess. Take it with you later."
Chu Yunjin asked casually, "Aren't you going to the Princess's residence?"
“I stayed home all day yesterday, and I’m going to the military camp later.” Yan Cang patted her head. “Jin Yue will go with you. Don’t be shy when you get to the Princess’s residence. If anyone bothers you, just leave it to Jin Yue and Granny Zhou to handle.”
Chu Yunjin nodded: "Mm."
She looked up at Yan Cang, who was dressed in a long black brocade robe, and sure enough, he had returned to his usual cold and aloof demeanor.
Chu Yunjin reached out and hooked her arm around his neck, tilted her head back and planted a kiss on his lips. Just as Yan Cang was about to domineeringly pull her waist, she quickly pushed his shoulder away: "We need to hurry to the military camp, stop dawdling."
Yan Cang smiled almost imperceptibly, then turned and left.
Chu Yunjin watched him walk away until his figure disappeared from sight before turning to Ade and instructing, "Take the congratulatory gift to the carriage, and we'll set off now."
She needed to get to the Princess's residence early to meet Princess Ning'an and get to know her temperament. If everything went smoothly today, that would be good; otherwise...
wrong.
Chu Yunjin slowly shook her head. She couldn't always wait for others to make the first move before retaliating. Instead, she should take the initiative and try to gain some allies for herself.
Regardless of whether Yan Cang vies for the throne or not, she should ensure she has an alternative path.
After all, Yan Cang would have to go to the battlefield sooner or later. If she, a weak woman, stayed in the capital, she would have to deal with these royal relatives and noble ladies from time to time. The more friends she had, the more paths she could take. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Just then, Granny Zhou announced, "Your Highness, Princess Jinyue has arrived."
Chu Yunjin looked up.
Yan Jinyue arrived with two maids, wearing a bright sky-blue dress, with blue earrings and hairpins, looking radiant and full of vitality.
Yan Jinyue walked into Shuangxue Courtyard, looked at Chu Yunjin who was dressed neatly, and narrowed her eyes: "Where is my royal brother?"
"Yan Cang went to the military camp." Chu Yunjin felt a little guilty when she met her probing gaze. "Shall we set off now?"
Yan Jinyue hummed in agreement and turned to walk out of the courtyard: "Take my carriage."
Chu Yunjin then instructed Granny Zhou not to prepare another carriage, and told Adai to take the congratulatory gifts and head out of the Prince's mansion.
The two quickly boarded the carriage.
Yan Jinyue sat to one side, her gaze as sharp as a knife, fixed on Chu Yunjin's eyes and brows, as if trying to see through all the demons and monsters in her heart.
"Why is the Sixth Princess looking at me like that?" Chu Yunjin tried to calm herself down and sighed softly. "I am the real Chu Yunjin, there is no way I could have been switched with someone else."
Yan Jinyue sneered: "You'd better tell me obediently which country's spy you are and how you infiltrated the Prince's mansion?"
Chu Yunjin was taken aback: "A spy?"
Is this the conclusion Yan Jinyue reached?
She actually suspected her of being a spy...
Yan Jinyue coldly said, "You don't need to pretend. I will tell my brother the truth sooner or later."
Chu Yunjin was silent for a moment, then said in a subtle tone, "Yan Cang won't believe what you're saying."
"Are you provoking me?" Yan Jinyue narrowed her eyes. "Do you know what happens once a spy is discovered?"
Chu Yunjin moved closer to Yan Jinyue and brought her face closer.
"What are you doing?" Yan Jinyue backed away, staring at her warily. "Stay away from me."
"I'm showing you what makes me look like an imposter," Chu Yunjin said, raising her chin. "Look at my face, does it look like I'm in disguise?"
Yan Jinyue snorted coldly: "It's not necessarily a disguise. Maybe you actually look a lot like Chu Yunjin."
Chu Yunjin chuckled upon hearing this and was about to retort when she suddenly seemed to remember something and asked seriously, "Jinyue, in Father's palace, is there a concubine who looks a lot like me?"
This time it was Yan Jinyue's turn to be stunned. She stared wide-eyed and asked, "Are you sick?"
Chu Yunjin looked at her without saying a word.
Yan Jinyue stammered in shock, "You...you...you actually doubt that Father Emperor likes you?"
"Don't talk nonsense." Chu Yunjin's expression changed drastically, and she quickly covered her mouth. "What kind of nonsense are you thinking?"
Yan Jinyue removed her hand: "You're the one asking me—"
“If you’d like, I’d like to take you to see a portrait,” Chu Yunjin said calmly. “It was given to me by the Princess Consort of Jin. It’s a portrait that looks exactly like me. The woman in the painting looks a few years older than me and is dressed as a noble concubine in the palace.”
Yan Jinyue frowned: "Nonsense. The only one in the palace to be granted the title of Imperial Concubine is my mother. She is now in the Cold Palace, all thanks to you!"
Chu Yunjin pursed her lips: "I'm not lying to you, the portrait is still in my room."
Yan Jinyue frowned, seemingly sensing that this matter was not simple, and decided to go and see the portrait first before going to the Princess's residence.
So she got off the carriage and went to Shuangxue Courtyard with Chu Yunjin.
Back at Frosty Snow Courtyard, I went into my bedroom.
When Chu Yunjin took out the portrait and unfolded it in front of Yan Jinyue, she frowned and examined it for a long time before squinting and asking, "Was this really sent by the Princess Consort of Jin?"
"Um."
Why did she give this to you?
“She’s trying to sow discord between me and Yan Cang,” Chu Yunjin said. “I’ve looked at this portrait over and over again, and I still can’t be sure if it’s really me.”
Yan Jinyue's gaze fell on the portrait: "The seven-tailed phoenix hairpin she is wearing is in accordance with the regulations for the Crown Princess."
Chu Yunjin had a sudden thought: "Do you think it's possible that she deliberately used this portrait to frame me? Firstly, it could sow discord between me and Yan Cang, and secondly, if it's discovered, she might be able to accuse me of usurpation."
Yan Jinyue asked, "Have you shown this portrait to your elder brother?"
"No." Chu Yunjin shook her head, her gaze slightly deepening. "I always felt that Yan Cang was hiding some secret."
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