Chapter 26 (2/2): Soft Everywhere, Hot Everywhere

After a long moment, his voice came out hoarse.

“What book were you reading?”

Yun Ran: “What I just mentioned is from the Harmony of Yin and Yang Formula. Your Highness haven’t read it?”

Sima Jing: “…”

Indeed, he hadn’t.

But just the title…

He frowned.

“Who told you to read that book?”

Yun Ran: “I read it myself. What’s wrong?”

Her innocent expression paired with her self-righteous tone made Sima Jing suddenly feel a headache coming.

Seeing him silent, she assumed the hugging hadn’t worked well.

After a moment of thought, she said, “The book must be right.

Maybe it’s only the first time today, so the effect isn’t obvious.

I’ll try more in the coming days.

Over time, you’ll naturally get used to it. What do you think, Your Highness?”

What did he think…

Sima Jing lowered his eyes, looking at the small delicate person in front of him, his throat tightening unexpectedly.

After a long moment, he murmured, “Mm.”

With today’s matters done, Yun Ran didn’t linger.

She said, “See you tomorrow night,” then hummed a little tune as she walked back to Zhanlu Hall.

The night was dark and deep, without stars or moon.

Qingling held a lantern and walked beside Yun Ran, confused by her mistress’s cheerfulness.

They had arrived at Deep Willow Hall but still hadn’t stayed overnight.

Shouldn’t she be sad?

Not only Qingling felt this way.

Langui Mama saw the sky darken and the wind blowing outside.

Princess Consort should have naturally stayed at Deep Willow Hall tonight.

Just as she prepared to soak her feet and rest, she heard a commotion outside the courtyard—the Princess Consort had returned.

Startled, Langui Mama quickly put on her socks again, wrapped herself in a navy blue long jacket, and went out.

“Princess Consort, why are you coming back so late?”

Langui Mama saw Yun Ran’s nose was red from the cold.

She hurried to send a maid to fetch hot water and fragrant balm, then helped Yun Ran inside the Warm Pavilion.

“Look at your little face, all red from the cold.”

“It’s fine.

I ate too much tonight, so walking a bit is good for digestion,” Yun Ran smiled with lowered eyes.

Once inside the Warm Pavilion, she took off her heavy cloak and sat on the heated couch.

She looked at Langui Mama’s attire.

“Have you rested already, Mama? If so, there’s no need to come greet me personally.

It’s so cold, sitting together would easily catch a chill, especially for the elderly.

My master always catches colds in winter… ah, let’s not talk about that unpleasant matter.”

“Anyway, you don’t have to get up during the day.

Qingling is here to take care of me.”

Hearing her concern, Langui Mama felt warm inside and spoke more kindly.

“I’m just a servant; nothing so precious about me.

But why are you back so late in this cold?

Did His Highness… not let you stay?”

“My clothes and belongings are all at Zhanlu Hall; why would he keep me here?”

Yun Ran accepted the hot tea the maid handed her, taking a big sip to warm her stomach.

She continued, “Besides, he said that during the day, we…”

She stopped herself immediately.

That ‘living separate lives without interference’ was a private agreement between her and Sima Jing and must not be spoken aloud.

Langui Mama frowned.

“And during the day, what?”

“N-nothing.” Yun Ran smiled awkwardly, pretending to sip tea.

Langui Mama sensed something was wrong, but before she could ask, Yun Ran lazily yawned.

“Mama, I’m a bit tired.

You said you would take me to the treasury tomorrow, so please rest early.”

Seeing the Princess Consort clearly hiding something, Langui Mama was curious but remembered her place and didn’t press further.

She nodded.

“Then rest well, Princess Consort.

I will take my leave now.”

She turned and left, reminding Qingling and the others, “The night is cold and dewy.

Stay alert on watch and don’t let the Princess Consort catch a chill.”

Qingling and the others bowed in agreement.

When that steady navy blue figure disappeared inside the chamber, Yun Ran exhaled deeply.

That was close— she nearly slipped up.

***

The night was quiet and still, clouds thick and frozen, the crimson palace walls even more silent.

Tonight, Emperor Wenxuan was staying at Fengyi Palace with the Empress Dowager.

Inside the dark purple canopy embroidered with golden phoenix wings, Emperor Wenxuan held Empress Zheng close, his jaw gently resting against her forehead.

Empress Zheng closed her eyes, drowsy in her husband’s warm embrace.

Suddenly, the man’s gentle voice sounded overhead.

“I heard that Mother Empress has assigned Langui Mama to the Jing Prince’s Manor.”

Empress Zheng’s eyes snapped open, sleep completely gone.

“Yes, it is true.” She replied softly.

After a moment of silence under the canopy, the Emperor’s warm chuckle came.

“Mother Empress truly dotes on A Jing.”

“Langui Mama has served him for almost thirty years.

She is the most trusted and closest person to him.

Would she readily be sent away to serve that Yun family girl?”

Emperor Wenxuan chuckled again, patting the Empress Dowager’s back.

“When you married me, you never had her favor.

Now that your distant cousin from the countryside has gained this grace, do you feel a bit unfair?”

Empress Zheng quickly sat up.

“I dare not…”

Just as she was half-rising, Emperor Wenxuan pressed her back down.

His broad, warm palm patted her gently.

“It’s just a private matter between us husband and wife at night.

No need to be so tense.”

Empress Zheng lay back down and was embraced again.

His jaw rested on her forehead as he murmured reassuringly.

“Don’t take it to heart.

A Jing suffered much hardship in the past.

Now that the bitterness has passed, Mother Empress naturally wishes for his early success.”

Empress Zheng whispered softly.

“Yes.”

“And that person is strange and cold.

If I don’t send someone to push him forward, who knows when there will be good news.

Because of the three marriage proposals, he has wasted several years in vain.

If this drags on, outsiders might think I am treating my brother harshly and suppressing him intentionally.”

“Sigh, being this elder brother of mine is really difficult.”

Emperor Wenxuan lowered his head.

“Others don’t understand.

Yanyan, as my partner, should be more considerate of me, shouldn’t she?”

In the dark, Empress Zheng’s lips curved.

“Yes, Your Majesty.

I understand your difficulties and will not take that matter to heart.”

“That’s my good Empress.”

Emperor Wenxuan touched her face fondly.

Empress Zheng was silent, but her heart raced wildly.

Especially feeling the hand at her waist tightening.

She nearly cried out in pain.

“Your Majesty.”

She turned, trembling, and embraced Emperor Wenxuan.

“Your Majesty, it’s late at night.

You have court early tomorrow.

Please rest.”

The hand at her waist paused.

“Yes, there is court early tomorrow.”

The Emperor held her close with a soft laugh.

“Sleep now.”

***

The next day was another gloomy morning.

The weather grew colder, but the snow still hadn’t fallen.

Langui Mama said, “Looks like a heavy snow is coming.”

Yun Ran was filled with anticipation.

She had only seen light snow in Yangzhou before, never thick, feather-like flakes.

That day, she accompanied Langui Mama to inventory the treasury, gaining a clearer understanding of the wealth in Jing King Mansion and just how wasteful Sima Jing was.

So many precious ornaments, silks, and teas piled in the warehouse, gathering dust, never used!

Such a waste!

It was enough to make one want to drag him out and strike him with lightning.

That evening, over dinner with Sima Jing, she boldly expressed that such waste was shameful.

If he didn’t start using the items, the brocade would mildew and fade, tea would become damp and lose flavor, and antiques would decay from neglect — bringing misfortune and damaging blessings.

To this, Sima Jing only raised an eyelid and glanced at her.

“Then you use them.”

Just a moment ago, Yun Ran had been righteously indignant, but his casual “you use them” silenced her.

After a moment, she shyly rubbed her hands.

“Can I… really use them?”

Sima Jing said, “Mm.”

He had very little desire.

Those items, once brought into the mansion, were useless to him, so naturally they gathered dust.

Since she was interested, it was up to her to handle them.

Yun Ran: “Can I just use whatever I want?”

“…”

Sima Jing frowned and shot her a glance.

“Mm.”

At these words, her eyes gleamed with light and her smile couldn’t be suppressed.

She looked like a mouse that had fallen into a rice jar.

Was she really that happy?

If Yun Ran could hear his thoughts, she would certainly nod emphatically.

Yes, she was delighted.

Having a whole warehouse of treasures at her disposal meant she could live in luxury at her little temple forever.

Such a windfall—who wouldn’t be happy?

Of course, she didn’t need money now.

The dowry from the Marquis’s mansion alone could clothe and feed her for many lifetimes.

But who ever says no to more money?

“Thank you very much, Your Highness.”

Yun Ran’s eyes curved in a smile.

For the first time, she found the cold man before her quite pleasing.

This wasn’t a god of death, but clearly a god of wealth.

Sima Jing looked at her overly ingratiating smile and was at a loss for words.

It is said that cultivators are supposed to be pure and desireless.

But she was not only so greedy when it came to money, she even read that ‘Yin and Yang Union’ book in secret…

Was the Daoist temple she came from really a proper temple?

“It’s getting late.”

Yun Ran glanced at the dark sky outside.

As yesterday, she had the table cleared again, then looked at the man by the couch.

“Your Highness, shall we begin?”

Sima Jing was speechless.

Seeing her so serious and focused on completing the task, his thin lips moved, hesitating between speaking and silence.

In the end, he stood up.

Yun Ran confidently walked to him and, as yesterday, opened her arms to embrace him.

The man’s broad chest and narrow waist made him easy to hug, and the scent of Longan Incense on him was quite pleasant.

She really liked the smell.

What surprised her most was that, except for a moment of stiffness when she first hugged him, his body soon relaxed noticeably.

Far less tense and resistant than the day before.

This was enough proof that her method was effective!

Yun Ran hugged the man happily.

If things continued like this, it wouldn’t take many days to fulfill his big request.

It wasn’t so difficult after all.

Sima Jing lowered his head, looking at the small head naturally resting against his chest—round and furry, looking very squeezable.

His long fingers at the hem of his robe twitched, and he slowly lifted—

“All done!”

Yun Ran felt the man fully relax and promptly released him, ending today’s embrace.

Sima Jing’s fingers froze mid-air, his pale face showing a barely noticeable stiffness.

Lost in the pride of being so clever, Yun Ran didn’t notice this.

She smiled up at him.

“It’s late.

I have to get up early tomorrow to see my second brother and sister-in-law off, so I’ll head back now.”

She politely bowed to Sima Jing.

“Your Highness, have a good rest.

See you tomorrow night.”

Watching her slender figure fade away like a butterfly freed from its cage, Sima Jing stood rooted in place.

He inexplicably felt the colors in the room seemed to dim, as if she had taken them away.

After a long while, he turned his face and looked out the carved window at the flickering candlelight.

In his dark eyes, a faint hope appeared — one even he had not noticed before.