Chapter 21 [21] Your Highness, please, please...
【21】/First release
After Yun Ran had dressed up, she found out that the empress dowager had stayed at the prince's residence last night and had not returned to the palace.
Qingling said, "The Queen Mother really values His Royal Highness Prince Jing."
Otherwise, she wouldn't have come to the wedding in person with the emperor, let alone stayed at the palace.
Although she was King Jing's biological mother, before being a mother, she was the Queen Mother of the Jin Dynasty.
Staying overnight was already an overstepping of the bounds. There was no guarantee that some stubborn historian would not make a note of it, saying that the Queen Mother favored her youngest son, which was inappropriate.
Yun Ran thought of the Queen Mother Zhao whom she met on the day of the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet. She held her hand so gently and firmly. For a moment, she had the illusion that she was a life-saving straw in the hands of the Queen Mother.
In any case, the speed of the marriage, the exquisiteness of the wedding dress and flower crown, the grand scale of the ceremony and the generosity of the betrothal gifts all showed how much the Queen Mother Zhao valued King Jing.
It seems that the unofficial history told by my sisters-in-law was true. The late emperor and the empress dowager both favored the youngest son, and even wanted to depose the original crown prince and replace him with the youngest son... It is not impossible.
"Good boy, get up quickly."
Sitting on a black lacquer and mother-of-pearl cross-arm chair in the center of the flower hall, Queen Dowager Zhao, wearing a jeweled crown and a turquoise dress with a precious flower pattern, raised her hand and said with a smile, "We are all family. No need to be so polite."
Soon, a palace maid came forward to help Yun Ran. Yun Ran stood up gracefully, her bright eyes slightly curved, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Queen Dowager Zhao feigned anger and said, "You're still calling me Queen Dowager? You should change your words."
Yun Ran was startled, her face slightly reddened, and she called out uncomfortably, "Mother."
Queen Mother Zhao responded with a smile.
At this time, Nanny Lan Gui also walked out from the back hall. Looking at the pair of jade lovers standing in the hall, her eyes lit up.
Who doesn’t like to look at beautiful women, especially such a well-matched couple, it’s a pleasure to the eyes.
Nanny Lan Gui brought a cup of tea to Yun Ran and said, "Princess, it's time to serve tea to the Queen Mother."
Yun Ran nodded and gave Madam Lan Gui a confident look that said, "Madam, just watch me. I promise I won't make any mistakes."
Then, under the eyes of several pairs of people in the room, he completed the tea ceremony gracefully and dignifiedly.
Queen Mother Zhao smiled, took two sips of tea, and gave a generous gift.
Nanny Lan Gui also looked relieved. The boy was teachable and the teaching over the past two months had not been in vain.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got along well, and the tea ceremony ended very smoothly.
Queen Mother Zhao was preparing to return to the palace.
Yun Ran and Sima Jing, who were about to go to the palace to pay their respects, happened to be traveling with her.
All the way from the mansion to the carriage at the door, Queen Dowager Zhao held Yun Ran's hand and was very affectionate, just like a mother and daughter.
Sima Jing walked behind them with a calm expression, showing no emotion.
"Ah Jing, Ran Ran, both of you come aboard my carriage. It's rare for us to be together, so let's talk more."
When Queen Dowager Zhao said this, she held Yun Ran's hand, but her eyes were looking straight at Sima Jing.
Yun Ran also noticed this and felt an indescribable sense of strangeness in his heart.
But since the Queen Mother invited her, she couldn't refuse. But then she heard Sima Jing say, "No."
He raised his wrist slightly, and a small green snake was wrapped around it.
As if it was not used to the change in light, the little guy stretched its head forward and made a hissing sound with its red tongue.
Queen Mother Zhao's expression changed instantly, and she stepped back: "Nonsense! Why did you bring this into the palace?"
Sima Jing hummed, "Then I won't enter the palace."
After saying that, he turned around without any hesitation.
Queen Mother Zhao's expression darkened: "Stop! Come back!"
Sima Jing glanced sideways slightly.
"He is your royal brother, and he is also the current emperor."
The expression on Queen Mother Zhao's face changed several times, and her chest rose and fell violently for a while. Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she said solemnly, "Forget it. If you don't want to ride with me, I won't force you. Ranran, let's go."
Yun Ran was still a little confused.
I don't understand why the mother and son suddenly started arguing over such a trivial matter as riding in a carriage.
In her opinion, this is no big deal.
Just as Yun Ran was about to be led by Queen Dowager Zhao to the magnificent carriage with its emerald canopy and pearl tassels, Sima Jing suddenly spoke up, "Wait."
Queen Mother Zhao stopped.
Yun Ran also thought that he had changed his mind.
Unexpectedly, Sima Jing's eyes swept across the hand that Queen Mother Zhao was holding hers, and then he stared straight at her face: "Do you want to ride with her?"
Yun Ran frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled: "My mother has invited me, how can I refuse?"
It's just a carriage ride into the palace, why make such a clear distinction?
Besides, the Queen Mother was kind and gentle, and treated her warmly, while he was taciturn and cold. If she had to choose on her toes, she would definitely choose to ride with the Queen Mother.
Otherwise, if she rode in a carriage with him, she would probably have to talk to herself all the way.
Seeing that she still chose to ride with the Queen Mother, Sima Jing's eyes dimmed slightly: "It's up to you."
After saying that, he took the little green snake and turned around to get on the black lacquered flat-top carriage behind him.
What a strange person.
Yun Ran muttered in his heart.
"Good boy, don't take it to heart. He just has this weird temper."
Queen Mother Zhao looked at her sensible daughter-in-law and became more and more satisfied: "Let's go, follow mother to the carriage."
The Queen Mother was indeed the most noble woman in the world. Even the magnificent carriage with emerald canopy and pearl tassels that she rode in was the most gorgeous, spacious and comfortable carriage Yun Ran had ever ridden in.
The roof of the ebony carriage is decorated with intricate and gorgeous gilded scroll patterns, the walls are covered with moon-white brocade, the interior is covered with Persian carpets, the pillow at the back is made of peacock blue silk, and the surroundings are embellished with pearl ornaments, which are both exquisite and beautiful.
The carriage was large enough to easily accommodate ten people.
Nanny Lan Gui and another palace maid were serving in the carriage. One placed candied fruits and tea sets on the rosewood table, while the other added incense to the incense burner with peony branches and green leaves.
Yun Ran leaned on the pillow, lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out. He saw a dark and strong horse in front of him snorting, looking much more majestic than an ordinary horse.
"Is this carriage comfortable?"
Queen Mother Zhao's gentle voice rang out. Yun Ran lowered the curtain and saw her smiling face. He nodded quickly, "There's no better carriage than this."
Queen Mother Zhao smiled, then sighed with regret, "It's a pity that stubborn guy had to go against me. If only he could be half as sensible and considerate as you, that would be great."
Yun Ran hurriedly said, "Mother, you are too kind."
After a pause, noticing the Queen Mother still sighing, she hesitated and asked, "Is the Queen Mother afraid of snakes?"
Queen Mother Zhao looked at her and asked, "Aren't you afraid?"
"I'm afraid, of course I am."
Yun Ran said, "But the one Your Highness held in your hand just now, Your Majesty, don't be too afraid. It's a non-venomous emerald green snake. And I've seen it coil around Your Highness' wrist so obediently every time. It's obvious that it understands human nature and has spiritual energy. It won't bite anyone easily."
"Huihui?"
Queen Mother Zhao heard this and narrowed her eyes slightly: "Did he also bring it with him to the bridal chamber last night?"
Yun Ran's heart skipped a beat, thinking he was about to let slip what happened in the bamboo forest. But after hearing the Queen Mother's own explanation, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "...Yes, it is."
Never mind. The Queen Mother probably won’t interrogate Sima Jing about the details of last night, so let’s just blame it on him first.
I would rather die than let my friend die.
"Oh, I'm sorry for wronging you."
Queen Mother Zhao looked at Yun Ran with an increasingly loving gaze: "I will definitely teach him a lesson later. Never bring snakes into your yard again."
"No, absolutely not!"
"Um?"
Facing Queen Mother Zhao's inquiring gaze, Yun Ran's heart tightened. Forcing composure, he softly said, "I know your mother means well, but there's really no need to trouble you with such a small matter. Besides... I don't want His Highness and I to harbor any grudges over such a small matter."
She was afraid that her attempt to pass the buck would be exposed, so she quickly resorted to her usual method of acting like a spoiled child, which always worked for her elders. Her little face tilted upwards, her bright eyes twinkling, "Mother, could you please not blame His Highness for this? Just consider this a plea from Ranran."
Queen Mother Zhao only raised two sons in her life. Now, seeing her lovely daughter-in-law pleading in a soft voice, especially for the sake of her own son who was at fault first, she immediately lost her temper.
"Okay, I won't say anything about him this time." Queen Mother Zhao sighed.
"Your Majesty should be happy, why are you sighing?"
Nanny Lan Gui smiled and handed over a cup of freshly brewed Fengtuan Queshe Bud Tea. "It's only been one night, and the princess is already so protective of His Highness. It shows that the couple get along very well."
Queen Mother Zhao also laughed when she heard it: "You are right."
Nanny Lan Gui also handed Yun Ran a cup and said, "Princess, try this, too. This is the Phoenix Tuan Queshe, which is only available in the palace. We only pay half a pound as tribute every year."
Yun Ran took the teacup while thanking her, and he didn't dare to look into Nanny Lan Gui's eyes the whole time, for fear that his guilty conscience would be exposed.
Protecting King Jing? Getting along well with him?
If she really did this, the Thunder God would probably strike her with a bolt of lightning immediately.
Infinite Heavenly Venerable, well done, well done.
***
Although the second time he entered the palace was not as fresh as the first time, Yun Ran was still full of curiosity because he could enter the harem this time.
The carriage stopped directly at Queen Dowager Zhao's Shoukang Palace.
Although the palace is not particularly magnificent and spacious, it has a solemn and dignified air with its carved eaves and painted buildings, and its steep rafters and towering beams.
Yun Ran took a rough look at the direction and found that the feng shui of Shoukang Palace was very good, which was beneficial for girls, prosperous family and many offspring.
She shared her observations, causing Queen Mother Zhao to laugh out loud. "If it's true as you say, that having children is a blessing, then I'll move out today and let you and Ajing live here. I'll see if by this time next year I can become a grandmother and have a big, fat grandson."
After the Queen Mother said this, Nanny Lan Gui and the palace maids all laughed, and their eyes towards Yun Ran and Sima Jing became more ambiguous.
Yun Ran: “…”
That's not what she meant at all!
Sima Jing frowned and glanced sideways at the young lady in red dress sitting beside him.
Yun Ran happened to be looking at him.
Their eyes met, and they were all stunned.
Yun Ran was so embarrassed that he wanted to dig a hole in the ground and escape, while Sima Jing turned his eyes away silently.
Just when a sense of inexplicable awkwardness filled the air, the emperor and empress came with the three-year-old prince.
In an instant, everyone in the room except Queen Mother Zhao hurried to welcome him.
Yun Ran also stood up at the first moment, but he caught a glimpse of Sima Jing slowly putting the little green snake into his sleeve.
It was not until Emperor Wenxuan and Empress Zheng were about to reach him that he slowly stood up, his cold, pale face still expressionless.
Yun Ran couldn't help but wonder, could it be that the relationship between Prince Jing and the Emperor is not good either?
Everyone bowed: "Greetings to Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Queen."
"Everyone, get up."
Emperor Wenxuan was wearing a moon-white casual suit with dark patterns today, a jade crown on his head, a jade hairpin inserted horizontally, and a jade belt around his waist. This outfit from head to toe made his temperament even more gentle, giving people a feeling of closeness like a spring breeze.
Queen Zheng, who was walking beside him, had her hair combed in a Chaoyun Jinxiang bun, with a gold filigree hairpin inlaid with rubies and double phoenixes and kingfisher feathers inserted diagonally on her head. She was wearing a lilac-colored palace dress with a lotus pattern. She was gentle and dignified, yet retained the demeanor of a mother of the country.
As for the little prince, he was wearing a royal blue brocade robe and a gold necklace inlaid with gems around his neck. He looked rich and adorable.
When the family of three walked into the hall, Yun Ran felt a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Especially when he learned that His Majesty was very devoted to his cousin the Queen, and that for many years since he ascended the throne, there was only one woman in the harem, the Queen, and no other concubines, Yun Ran felt that this family of three was particularly loving.
While expressing their feelings, the Emperor and Empress also paid their respects to the Empress Dowager with the little prince.
Several people took their seats. The emperor and the empress dowager sat at the top, while Empress Zheng sat opposite Yun Ran and Sima Jing with the little prince.
Seeing Yun Ran looking up, Queen Zheng smiled and nodded at her, just like she did at the palace banquet.
Emperor Wenxuan took the white jade teacup handed to him by the palace maid, took a sip, and then looked at Queen Dowager Zhao with a smile, "What were you talking about with Ajing and his wife just now? The Empress and I heard laughter as we walked to the door."
Queen Mother Zhao shook her head and smiled. "Nothing much, just some random chatter. If I really had to repeat it, it would be boring."
As she spoke, she turned her head and said, "Ah Jing, why don't you take your new wife to greet your brother and his wife and offer them tea."
"Look how considerate your brother and sister-in-law are of you. They specially came to my Shoukang Palace, saving you two from having to go back and forth to Zichen Palace and Fengyi Palace."
When Yun Ran heard this, he immediately felt a lot more cheerful.
But if you really want to run like that, it’s not impossible. Just treat it as a half-day tour of the palace.
Sima Jing stood up without even looking at Yun Ran. Yun Ran stood up immediately and then followed him obediently.
The feeling of suddenly having a little tail beside him made Sima Jing feel indescribable.
Not used to it, but not disgusted either.
When he reached Emperor Wenxuan, Sima Jing stopped and lowered his eyes: "This is my new wife, Yun's Fifth Lady."
Yun Ran immediately took the teacup from the tray and half-knelt to salute: "Sister-in-law greets the emperor, please have some tea."
Although Emperor Wenxuan was not as handsome as Sima Jing, his temperament was a hundred times gentler than Sima Jing. When he took the teacup, he said kindly, "Thank you for the service, my sister-in-law."
He took a symbolic sip of tea, and immediately a eunuch brought him a gift.
On the red satin is a delicate jade statue of Zisun Baosheng Yuanjun, commonly known as the Goddess of Childbirth.
As soon as this statue appeared, everyone in the hall seemed to remember the joke just now, and the smiles on their faces deepened.
Yun Ran's face also turned slightly hot. While thanking Emperor Wenxuan, she thought to herself that she and King Jing had not yet had sexual intercourse, so it would be useless even if she had ten thousand fertility goddesses.
After offering tea to the emperor, Yun Ran walked over to Empress Zheng and said, "Sister-in-law, please have some tea."
Empress Zheng took it with a smile, and did not forget to say to the little prince: "Do you still remember the Aunt Yun that your mother told you about last time? Now she is married to your uncle Wang. Yu'er will change his name and call her Aunt Wang in the future."
Although the little prince was only three years old, he was born smart. He opened his big eyes, which clearly showed black and white, and called out obediently, "Aunt Wang."
When Yun Ran saw the little guy, he thought of his nephew A Zong, and his tone softened: "The little prince is so well-behaved."
She took out a gift she had prepared long ago from her sleeve, a longevity lock made of pure gold: "This is a gift from your aunt, may you live a long, auspicious, peaceful and happy life."
The young prince glanced at Queen Zheng, and after receiving her approval, he took it with both hands, bowing and thanking her: "Thank you, Aunt Wang."
The little guy, who was not even as tall as her legs, bowed politely, and Yun Ran's heart melted.
But she suddenly remembered what Nanny Lan Gui said, that when Prince Jing was a child, he was as delicate as a piece of jade, like the reincarnation of a fairy, and was more lovable than the little prince today.
Cuter than the little prince?
Yun Ran looked at the little prince's soft and tender face, and then inadvertently glanced at the man beside him with a deep and cold face.
Hiss, it’s hard to imagine.
When Queen Zheng gave back a green jade ruyi with the inscription "Three Beauties and Two Clears" as a gift, the ceremony of recognizing relatives and serving tea was completed.
Yun Ran sat down again with Sima Jing.
As soon as he sat down, the Emperor Wenxuan said, "Ajing, now that you're married, our mother and I have finally put our minds at ease. From now on, you should live a good life with your sister-in-law, and strive to give our mother another grandson soon, so that our brother can become the Emperor's uncle."
This is a very common courtesy, just a casual response.
Yun Ran had already begun to put herself in the shoes of a newlywed bride, ready to blush and pretend to be embarrassed, but she heard the man beside her say indifferently, "Righteous brother, instead of pushing me, it would be more practical for you and the Imperial Sister-in-law to give Mother another grandson."
As soon as these words were spoken, the originally harmonious atmosphere took a sharp turn for the worse.
Emperor Wenxuan's smile froze and his eyes dimmed.
Queen Zheng, who was sitting in the lower seat, also suppressed her smile and lowered her eyes in a secretive manner.
Queen Mother Zhao's expression naturally wasn't much better. She frowned and looked at Sima Jing unhappily: "Your brother meant well, why are you doing this?"
That’s right.
Yun Ran nodded inwardly, glancing at the man beside him.
Why does he have to pour cold water on everyone's happiness and make the atmosphere awkward?
Even if he wasn't embarrassed, she was embarrassed as a grasshopper tied to the same rope with him!
Yun Ran felt at a loss for what to do in this atmosphere, but Sima Jing was used to it.
"I mean well, too."
He lifted his eyelids and calmly glanced at the two people sitting at the top: "It's better to push yourself than to push others. I'm already married..."
Before he uttered the word "wife," he caught a glimpse of the petite figure beside him, pursed his lips, and said, "I have no interest in having children."
"My Royal Brother is a noble monarch. Propagating and expanding your family lineage is not only a personal matter for you, but also a matter of national importance. Yu'er is now three years old. My Royal Brother and His Majesty's wife may consider giving him a companion."
“…”
The hall was silent for a while, and finally the elder Queen Mother Zhao came out to smooth things over.
"What do you mean by having no interest in having children? That's nonsense."
She first scolded Sima Jing, "You are a young man full of energy and at the peak of your career, how could you not be interested!"
If it weren't for the presence of her daughters-in-law, Queen Mother Zhao would have wanted to prescribe him a lot of tonics directly from the Imperial Hospital.
Even if you have to make up for it, you have to make sure he is interested in it.
After taking a breath, Queen Mother Zhao looked at Emperor Wenxuan again: "Although Ajing's words may be unpleasant at times, what he said just now is quite reasonable. It has been ten years since you ascended the throne, and you only have Yu'er as your child. It is truly too little."
Queen Mother Zhao originally wanted to use the late emperor as an example. The old man was fifty years old and had a little prince. There were more than thirty princes and princesses in total.
As the words reached his lips, he thought of the late emperor's offspring, including the concubines who gave birth to them, who had been killed off by their mother and son, leaving only a few...
Forget it, let’s not talk about it.
She took a deep breath, pulled her thoughts back from the heavy and bloody past, and looked at Queen Zheng: "Queen, you must do your best."
Queen Zheng immediately stood up, knelt, and said, "My daughter-in-law is ashamed."
"Alright, alright. I don't mean to blame you. Get up quickly."
Queen Mother Zhao looked out the window at the light and told Nanny Lan Gui, "It's almost noon. Have the imperial kitchen deliver the meal."
Nanny Lan Gui retreated immediately.
Lunch was served in Shoukang Palace. The table was filled with delicacies and it was extremely sumptuous, but the meal was actually not pleasant.
Although Sima Jing didn't say anything harsh, the atmosphere around the table was filled with an indescribable weirdness.
For Yun Ran, who had experienced the joyful, lively and warm family banquet atmosphere at the Marquis of Changxin's Mansion, this royal "family banquet" really made her feel like sitting on pins and needles, like a thorn in the back, and her taste was like chewing wax.
When the banquet was over, she felt relieved and secretly rejoiced that she was reincarnated into the Yun family.
If she had been born into the royal family, no matter how noble she was, with fine clothes and delicious food, her personality would probably have made her depressed and sick.
However, after lunch, when she sat alone with the emperor's sister-in-law and cousin Zheng Yuyan to drink tea, the atmosphere was relatively relaxed.
Perhaps because they were related as cousins and both were young women, they were not afraid of having no topics to talk about. They talked about trivial matters of family life, jewelry and food, and a cup of tea passed quickly.
Before leaving, Empress Zheng was still reluctant to leave. She took Yun Ran's hand and said, "Sister, if you have time on weekdays, please come to the palace often to chat with me and mother, and add to the fun."
Yun Ran could see the sincerity of her words——
The eldest sister-in-law, Li Wanrong, was also the eldest daughter-in-law. At least she lived outside the palace, so it was convenient for her to go shopping in the east and west markets. Moreover, there was a third sister-in-law in the mansion who quarreled and competed with her from time to time.
But her cousin, the queen, lived deep in the harem, with no streets to stroll around. The only woman of equal status who could sit and chat with her was the empress dowager, who was a generation apart from her.
Yun Ran held Empress Zheng's hand in return: "Okay, I'll come and chat with you when I have time. If I see anything delicious or fun outside, I'll bring it to you."
Empress Zheng looked at the young lady in front of her, who was both her cousin and sister-in-law, and nodded with a smile: "Okay, I'll wait."
In early winter, the sun is shining brightly, the sky is clear and blue, and the clouds are floating lightly.
It was already noon when we left the palace.
Yun Ran was a little tired, but he still had to go to the Taimiao with Sima Jing to worship his ancestors and burn incense.
When we came back from this trip, it was already dusk, the setting sun dyed the mountains, and frost coated the steps.
When Yun Ran first rode in the same carriage with Sima Jing, he paid a little attention to his manners and sat upright.
After all, she is now the princess of this dynasty and a first-rank lady.
But I was exhausted both physically and mentally on the way back. I looked at the man sitting opposite me lazily, teasing a snake quietly... He didn't look very serious or dignified.
Since he, a prince, is so willful and casual, why should she be so pretentious?
After his thoughts became clear, Yun Ran felt at ease like a boneless fish, collapsing on the dark purple brocade cushion behind him.
His eyes were half-closed, but not closed, as he leisurely watched Sima Jing playing with the little green snake named Cui Baoer.
She thought this man was strange.
He is so handsome and tall, and according to unofficial history, he was rumored to be the reincarnation of Wen Quxing when he was young, which shows that he is also very intelligent.
Unless he was beaten to a pulp by the Rongdi people while he was there, with his superior talents, he would have been able to get a position in the court, bring some benefits to the common people, and contribute to the Sima family's country.
Even if he was such a lazy person, he couldn't be a wise prince, but being a leisurely prince who tended flowers and played with birds was not a bad idea. It was better than being the infamous "living devil", "big evil star", "reincarnation of evil spirit" that everyone talked about...
Yun Ran was immersed in her own thoughts and had no idea how long she had been staring at Sima Jing.
In fact, Sima Jing noticed it from the first moment she looked at him.
He just treated it as air and ignored it.
But she became more and more bold, and the carriage was still moving towards him even after it had passed two streets.
Too outrageous to ignore.
After letting out a deep breath, Sima Jing turned his head and looked back at her with a cold gaze.
But he saw the young lady, who was lying like a ball of paste, with her brows slightly furrowed. Although her eyes were looking at him, her soul had already flown away to the sky.
Sima Jing: “…”
"Cloud Five."
He knocked on the small sandalwood table on the carriage and said, "Come back to your senses."
Yun Ran was stunned for a moment, and when she realized what he was calling her, her eyebrows knitted slightly: "What's that for Yun Wu? It sounds so ugly."
Sima Jing: "That's how it's called in Chang'an. It's simple and clear."
After spending a day and a night together, Yun Ran was no longer so afraid of Sima Jing.
People's fear usually comes from the unknown.
But when you actually come into contact with this person, meet him and talk to him, you will find that rumors are scary, but in fact they are not that scary.
But he was not wrongly accused of having a strange, bad temper and being cold and indifferent.
"Do newlyweds in Chang'an also call their wives this way?"
Yun Ran said, "How come I've never heard my eldest brother call my eldest sister-in-law Li Si, or my third brother call my third sister-in-law Qian Da... Your Highness, please don't bully me because I'm from another place and lie to me."
As she said this, her bright eyes were slanted, her body still lazily leaning on the pillow, and her raven-black hair was slightly tilted.
But it was in a soft and sticky Jiangnan tune, talking about husband and wife, bullying and deceiving...
She had no idea how gentle and intimate such a casual, relaxed and unguarded posture would appear in the eyes of men.
Sima Jing's eyes flickered slightly.
Only after Cui Bao'er twisted her body several times in her palm did he turn his head away: "It's just a name, why bother with it?"
"Of course I have to care about it."
Yun Ran said sternly, "The name is very important. If someone I don't know suddenly calls me Ranran, I'll get goosebumps all over my body. But if someone close to me suddenly calls me by my full name, it means either something big has happened or the relationship is over."
"Well, for example, if I called you Sima Er, would you be happy with that?"
“…”
Sima Jing frowned slightly, and after a moment, he said, "If you want to call me that, I don't mind."
He no longer cared about titles, status, wealth, jewelry, or even his life.
Every day now is just a struggle to get by.
Yun Ran didn't expect that he didn't even care about such an ugly name as "Sima Er", and was suddenly speechless.
Looking at the man by the window, he was wearing a scarlet robe, his face was brilliant, yet he looked as cold as ice, which made her even more curious.
What on earth had he been through to become what he is now?
If he were to say that he had learned the Taoist attitude of tranquility and inaction, and detachment from the world, that would not be accurate. After all, there was another important ancestral precept of their Taoism:
The way of immortality values life.
It means that all life in the world is transformed from Tao. Respecting life is respecting the Tao in this world.
They don't kill easily, nor do they commit suicide easily.
But the person in front of him seemed to be indifferent to everything in this world, and was not afraid of being abandoned by everything in this world.
This state is really like a homeless ghost that cannot be reincarnated and has to continue wandering in the world.
But he has a home and relatives, so how could he be a lonely ghost?
"Why are you staring at me like this again?"
Sima Jing's face suddenly darkened, and for a moment, he wanted to destroy her overly clear and curious eyes.
Yun Ran also felt his sudden burst of coldness, and shuddered, and quickly sat up straight.
She seemed to have underestimated his terror and overestimated his patience.
"Don't misunderstand me, Your Highness. I'm just thinking about returning home tomorrow."
Yun Ran raised his hands and waved them quickly: "I mean no harm, really. I can swear to the Three Pure Ones."
The man's cold gaze roamed over her lightly made-up pale face inch by inch until he saw the trembling fear in her eyes, and then he withdrew his gaze.
"You can go back home tomorrow. I won't stop you."
Yun Ran was slightly surprised: "Your Highness, won't you go with me?"
Sima Jing: "That's your home, why would I go there?"
Yun Ran: "That being said, you and I are now husband and wife, and the Changxin Marquis Mansion is your in-laws' family after all. Don't you want to go and take a look?"
Sima Jing looked up at her, then lowered his head again: "I don't want to."
Yun Ran: “…”
I guessed that's it.
Although not every groom-in-law would accompany the bride on her third visit, and she actually didn't want Sima Jing to accompany her, but when she thought about the fact that he didn't go to the wedding yesterday, her father, mother, brothers and sisters-in-law were all very angry and felt sorry for her.
If I return home tomorrow morning, he still won't go...
Alas, she could imagine how many tears her mother would shed in private after she left tomorrow.
Her family members always think about her, fearing that she would be wronged. In return, she also wants to reassure them and stop worrying about her.
"Your Highness..."
Yun Ran pinched her palm with her slender fingers and took a deep breath. She finally mustered up the courage to look at the man in front of her. "Just consider it a favor. Would you mind going back with me tomorrow?"
Sima Jing looked at her serious expression and his eyes flickered.
After a while, he said, "Not good."
Yun Ran's expression almost turned pale, and his bright black eyes suddenly dimmed.
Sima Jing: “…”
His thin lips moved slightly, and the next moment he heard Yun Ran say, "My family was already worried when you failed to come to the wedding yesterday. If you don't go on such an important day as tomorrow, who knows how worried and sad they will be for me."
"Pity the love of parents in the world. Your Highness, please be kind and help me this time..."
"Just this once. I promise, as long as you show up tomorrow and show me some respect, so they know I'm doing well after marrying into the palace, I won't bother you again."
Yun Ran wanted to go up to him, grab his sleeve and shake it, and act coquettishly.
But there was a snake wrapped around his cold, white, slender hand, so she didn't dare to act rashly.
She could only clasp her hands together, blink her dark eyes, and pray devoutly: "Please, please, I really please, Your Highness..."
Seeing her so pitiful, Sima Jing's heart skipped a beat.
His intuition told him that she was probably acting like this on purpose in order to trick him into softening his heart.
but……
"If Your Highness can agree to my request, then in return, I can also agree to one of Your Highness's requests."
Yun Ran clearly noticed that the man's attitude had softened, and hurriedly added weight: "As long as it's within my ability, it's fine."
Sima Jing narrowed his eyes and said, "Any request is acceptable?"
Yun Ran felt a little uneasy when he looked at her with such a deep gaze. She swallowed her saliva and added, "On the premise of not hurting others."
Quite principled.
Sima Jing sneered, and his slender fingertips slowly stroked Cui Baoer's cold green scales.
Yun Ran was worried when she saw that he was silent again. Did he really want her to kill someone?
That's too cruel!
Suddenly, the man's voice rang out again in the quiet carriage: "Three."
Yun Ran was stunned.
"Three requests."
Sima Jing held the little green snake's round head and slowly raised his dark eyes: "If you agree, I will go back to the Marquis' Mansion with you tomorrow."
Yun Ran: “.........”
No, he's too dark.
She asked him for one favor, and he actually offered her three in return.
Why be a prince? Just be a profiteer.
"You'll have three breaths to make a decision. No more waiting."
Sima Jing leaned against the window, his narrow eyes squinting at her lazily: "One."
"two."
"three--"
"I promise!"
Yun Ran gritted his teeth, secretly cursing the profiteer, but forced a smile on his face: "Three requests, that's three requests. I agree to it, Your Highness."
After a pause, he said, "But Your Highness must also agree to a small request of mine."
Sima Jing frowned: "What?"
Yun Ran glanced at the little green snake in his hand and said, "Tomorrow, you are not allowed to bring any living creatures into the Marquis' Mansion except yourself."
Afraid that Sima Jing would misunderstand that she disliked his eccentricities, she added, "The truth is, my family is mostly made up of women and children, and none of them can stand being frightened."
After that, the carriage fell silent again.
Sima Jing lowered his thick eyelashes and looked at the little guy who was sleeping obediently wrapped around his wrist.
After a while, he raised his eyes and said, "Deal."
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Author's words: Ran Ran: Black-hearted profiteer Sima Er! [Angry]
Update the big fat chapter in advance today!
I have to post the clip tonight, so the next chapter will be postponed to tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 23:00.
Thank you for your waiting and support. This chapter will draw 66 red envelopes~~[Blue Heart]
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