Jade Ring
On this day, a banquet was held in the imperial palace.
At first, everyone was chatting and laughing, but then someone mentioned the urgency of the war in the north, which made the atmosphere increasingly tense. The pro-war and pro-peace factions argued fiercely, each sticking to their own arguments. All they said were empty platitudes, and the emperor's brow furrowed deeper and deeper as he listened.
Yan Shu sat quietly beside Ling Yuan, almost exactly as she had read in historical records. It was this endless bickering that led to the instability of the border situation and indirectly caused Ling Yuan's tragic fate.
We must not repeat the same mistakes.
Taking advantage of the moment when the maids were serving the food, she turned slightly to the side and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Your Highness, when Li Mu of the previous dynasty was in charge of Dai County, he guarded strategic locations such as Feihu Pass and Yanmen Pass, stationing elite troops there and simultaneously cultivating land in the valleys behind the passes to support himself. This saved on troop strength and solved the problem of food supply."
Ling Yuan paused, his hand holding the cup still, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment.
"Strengthen key positions with elite troops and cultivate the land to secure the borders." She spoke clearly, "This is a proven strategy throughout history."
At this moment, an old prince stood up again and began to talk at length about the benefits of peace talks. Ling Yuan suddenly stood up.
He incorporated Yan Shu's suggestions into his own insights, directly addressing the current predicament. The hall immediately fell silent, and the ministers who had been arguing earlier all fell into deep thought—this method had both ancient precedents to follow and was practically feasible.
The emperor's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands and laughed, "Brilliant! Lingyuan, I never imagined you were not only skilled in warfare, but also so knowledgeable in strategy, both ancient and modern!"
"Your Majesty flatters me," Ling Yuan said, stepping aside. "This strategy was just privately told to me by my wife, Yan Shu. She is well-versed in history and was inspired by the discussions you all have just heard."
All eyes instantly focused on Yan Shu.
She calmly rose and bowed, saying, "I merely enjoy reading history books in my spare time. It is my honor to learn from the wisdom of our predecessors and draw inspiration from them."
The emperor glanced at his composed younger brother, then at his learned sister-in-law, and was overjoyed: "Excellent! What a wise use of history as a mirror! Prince Duan and his wife, one a scholar and the other a warrior, are truly a match made in heaven!"
In high spirits, he ordered someone to bring him a sandalwood box. Upon opening it, he found a jade pendant with a dragon design; the jade was warm and lustrous, and the carving was simple and elegant.
"This object is called the 'Dragon Pattern Jade Ring,' a treasure from the previous dynasty, symbolizing eternal love and harmony." As the emperor spoke, he exerted force with both hands, and the jade ring split into two perfectly symmetrical halves.
When Yan Shu saw the unique dragon pattern on the jade pendant, her heart skipped a beat—it was exactly the same as the jade pendant she had studied in modern times, which was unearthed from the tomb of Prince Duan!
It is. Their keepsake, spanning a thousand years.
She suppressed her excitement and respectfully reached out to take it.
Just as my fingertips were about to touch the jade pendant—
An unusually blurry image flashed into her mind: dust flying everywhere, and in the chaos, she saw a figure fall down, and there seemed to be someone standing in front of him, holding something in his hand.
The sudden sight plunged her into an icy abyss. Her outstretched hand trembled uncontrollably, unable to touch the jade pendant so close to her.
"Princess Consort Duan?" the emperor asked, puzzled.
Ling Yuan, who had been watching her closely, took in all her emotional changes. Although he didn't understand the reason, her genuine fear was undeniable. He immediately stepped forward and steadily took the jade pendant.
"Your Majesty's generous gift has earned my deepest gratitude."
Turning around, under the watchful eyes of the entire hall, he personally tied half of the jade pendant around her waist. The movement was light, yet carried an undeniable firmness.
"His Majesty has high expectations, and we shall share them." His deep voice pulled her back from her terrible memories.
The jade pendant pressed against his clothes, slightly cool. Yan Shu lowered his head: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. Thank you... Your Highness."
Three days later, a message came from the Cui family saying that the lady was unwell and missed her daughter.
What's meant to happen will happen. Yan Shu knew this was her father testing her, but she still returned to the Prime Minister's residence as scheduled.
Her mother was indeed lying on the couch, looking haggard, and she held her hand, speaking many intimate words. Her words were full of concern, yet they always inadvertently revealed her worry that her daughter was "too sharp-tongued."
"Shu'er," her mother gently stroked her hand, "you stole the show at the palace banquet, and I was truly worried. The affairs of the court are far more complex than you think..."
"My daughter understands," Yan Shu replied.
After their conversation, Cui Chong indeed invited her to his study.
This time, he wasn't as harsh as before; instead, he was unusually gentle. He personally poured her tea and sighed deeply.
"Shu'er, I know that you are now the Princess Consort of Duan, with a noble status, and you have your own ideas." He said gently, "I am happy for you."
He abruptly changed the subject, his expression turning serious: "However, the court is a place of constant flux, where people's hearts are unpredictable. Although you are currently favored by His Majesty and share the imperial jade pendant with the prince, seemingly enjoying boundless glory, do you know how many dangers lurk behind this facade?"
Yan Shu held the teacup.
"Prince Duan's military achievements are outstanding, and his power is growing daily, which is a good thing in itself." Cui Chong leaned forward, lowering his voice, "But the bigger the tree, the more the wind blows! Now, countless eyes are watching Prince Duan's residence, watching the prince, and watching you! Although His Majesty trusts the prince, the mind of an emperor is the most unpredictable."
He looked at his daughter and said, "Although you are newly married, if you remain childless, your family will be your only permanent support."
Yan Shu raised her eyes, meeting her father's calculating gaze: "Father's teachings are etched in my memory."
"The Crown Prince is the heir apparent, his status already established," Cui Chong's voice was seductive. "Only with the unwavering support of Prince Duan, who holds military power, can the court remain stable, and our Cui family stand firm. And only then can you truly gain a foothold in Prince Duan's residence, untouchable by anyone!"
He stood up and paced around the study: "Shu'er, you are a smart child. You should understand how difficult it was for your father to rise from a son of a concubine to where he is today. Your elder sister, though the Empress, is not favored. We are closest to the Crown Prince. Only when the Cui family and the Crown Prince are on good terms can you truly be well. You must weigh the pros and cons for the Prince, and help him see who is the wise ruler worthy of your support."
He stopped in front of his daughter, and said earnestly, "This is the best choice for you, for the Prince, and for our Cui family!"
Yan Shu listened quietly, her heart turning cold. These words, compared to the previous blatant threats, seemed to carry a deeper meaning, tightly binding the family's interests with her personal safety and even Ling Yuan's future.
She put down her teacup, her face displaying just the right amount of feigned fear: "Father is right. I know that I share the same fate as the Cui family, bound by blood, how could I dare forget? But..."
She frowned slightly, a troubled look on her face: "The Prince is resolute and has his own opinions. He detests interference in military and political affairs and is particularly wary of sensitive matters like the succession. I am but a humble woman with little influence. If I were to speak rashly, not only would it not succeed, but I fear... it would only incur the Prince's displeasure."
She placed herself in a vulnerable position, attributing her refusal to "fear" of Lingyuan's temperament and "worry" about her own situation.
Cui Chong stared at her for a long time, his eyes shifting uncertainly.
"Are you trying to fob me off as your father?" His voice grew colder.
"Your daughter wouldn't dare," Cui Yanshu lowered her head. "Your daughter is just... just truly afraid. Father knows the Prince's temperament. If my loose tongue ruins Father's important plans and causes me to lose my place in the Prince's mansion, then that would truly be a loss."
Her tone was soft, but her eyes were firm.
Cui Chong remained silent for a long time, finally letting out a sigh that was difficult to decipher: "You... have grown up, and you have your own considerations now."
He returned to his desk, placing his hand on a brocade box. A secret letter from the Crown Prince arrived through the window, bearing only one line: "Prince Duan's military power is growing daily; his rear must be cut off."
"Very well, I won't force you." He turned around, a fatherly smile returning to his face. "Just remember, your father and your sister will always be your support. Whenever you understand, the doors of the Cui family will always be open for you."
Cui Yanshu respectfully replied, "Your daughter understands, and thanks Father for his understanding."
She knew this was only a temporary respite. Prime Minister Cui would never give up easily.
However, what she didn't know was that while she was having a private conversation with her father, behind the rockery in the Prime Minister's Garden, a mute servant responsible for sweeping was pressing his ear tightly against a crack in the wall.
Not long after she left the Cui residence, a gray carrier pigeon fluttered its wings and silently flew towards the Duan Prince's residence.
Inside the study of Prince Duan's residence.
Ling Yuan was hunched over his desk reviewing documents sent by the Ministry of War, his brow slightly furrowed. Three rhythmic bird calls drifted in from outside the window.
"Come in." He said without looking up.
A dark figure silently slid into the study, kneeling on one knee; it was Ling Ying.
"speak."
Ling Ying lowered her head, her voice flat and emotionless, yet she recounted the conversation in the Cui Prime Minister's study word for word. This included every word Cui Chong tried to say to win him over and exert pressure, as well as Cui Yanshu's clever refusal, citing "fear of the prince's temperament" and "fear of losing his livelihood."
When Ling Yuan heard Cui Yanshu say, "If we rashly offer our advice, not only will we fail to achieve our goal, but we may also incur the prince's displeasure and ruin Father's important plans," his hand, which was reviewing documents, paused slightly.
The room fell silent, with only the crackling of the candlelight.
After a long silence, Lingyuan finally put down his pen: "Understood. Continue to keep an eye on the Cui residence."
"Yes." Ling Ying's figure disappeared into the shadows.
The study returned to silence. Lingyuan leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the night outside the window.
Yan Shu's words were much smarter and more clear-headed than he had expected.
She was not swayed by Cui Chong's rhetoric about "family honor and disgrace," but instead clearly recognized her situation in the Prince's mansion—her very existence depended on his attitude.
This isn't loyalty, at least not entirely. It's more like a calculated, self-preservation based on weighing the pros and cons. But in any case, this choice, at present, is in his best interest.
Recalling her calm and intelligent demeanor when offering her advice at the palace banquet, her startled and bewildered expression when touching the jade pendant, and her composed and strategic manner during this secret intelligence exchange... this woman from the Cui family is becoming increasingly complex, and increasingly difficult to define simply as an "enemy."
A crack quietly appeared in the ice in his heart.
When he entered Lingxiao Pavilion that night, it was already late. Yan Shu was still sitting under the lamp doing needlework, sewing a summer undergarment for him.
When she saw him come in, she put down her work, got up and bowed as usual, and helped him change his clothes.
Everything seemed normal, yet something seemed different.
For the first time ever, Ling Yuan didn't immediately go to the bed, but instead sat down at the table, his gaze sweeping over the undergarments she had placed in the basket.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
Cui Yanshu paused slightly, then said, "The weather is getting warmer. Make a close-fitting undergarment for the Prince, using a breathable material."
"Hmm," he responded, but didn't say anything more or leave.
The candlelight cast a warm glow, illuminating their serene profiles. A subtle atmosphere, different from the usual pure indifference and wariness, flowed silently through the air.
Yan Shu keenly sensed this difference. Although she didn't understand why, the unease she felt from refusing her father's request during the day seemed to subside slightly.
He still didn't fully trust her, but at least, a faint ray of light seemed to seep through that door that had always been tightly closed.
For Ling Yuan, on this night, Cui Yanshu's definition in his heart began to waver in an extremely subtle way, one that even he himself might not have noticed.
The road ahead remains treacherous, but at least for this moment, two hearts have silently drawn closer.
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