Seeing such a polite little one who wasn’t even as tall as her legs, Yun Ran’s heart melted.
She suddenly remembered Langui Mama had said that the Jing Prince was like a carved jade child in his youth— an immortal reincarnate— far more lovable than the little crown prince even.
More adorable than the crown prince?
Yun Ran glanced at the soft, plump little face of the crown prince, then casually at the deeply chiseled cold face of the man beside her—
Oof, she couldn’t even imagine.
After Empress Zheng presented a Three-Clean Jade Ruyi as a gift, the formal tea-offering and recognition ceremony concluded.
Yun Ran and Sima Jing resumed their seats.
No sooner had they sat than Emperor Wenxuan said, “Azong, now that you are married, Mother Empress and I have one thing settled in our hearts. From now on, live well with your wife and strive to give your mother grandchildren soon, so your elder brother can be an imperial uncle.”
Such was the most ordinary polite conversation, easily answered with a few casual words.
Yun Ran was already beginning to get into the role of a shy new bride, cheeks reddening.
Then the man beside her spoke coldly, “Instead of urging me, Elder Brother, you should talk with your wife and Mother Empress about having more children.”
In those words, the previously harmonious atmosphere plummeted.
Emperor Wenxuan’s smile froze, his gaze darkened.
Empress Zheng silently suppressed her smile, lowering her eyes with a mysterious expression.
Empress Zhao’s face also turned sour. She furrowed her brows and glared at Sima Jing.
“Your elder brother means well. Why must you be like this?”
Yun Ran’s mind instantly felt like it was being pounded with a mortar and pestle.
She glanced sideways at the man.
Why spoil the mood when the family was happily together? What was he up to?
Even if he wasn’t embarrassed, she as the tied grasshopper on the same string was certainly awkward.
Yun Ran was ill at ease with the atmosphere, but Sima Jing was already used to it.
“I mean well too.”
He lifted his eyes and calmly scanned the two at the head of the table.
“If you want to urge others, better to urge yourself. I have no interest in…”
He didn’t finish the word “wife,” instead glancing at the delicate figure beside him, lips pressed tight.
“I have no interest in having children.”
“Yet your elder brother, the noble ruler, spreading branches and leaves and continuing the lineage, is not only your personal matter but also the state’s important business.
Yu’er is already three years old. Elder Brother and Imperial Sister-in-law should consider giving him a playmate.”
“…”
The hall fell silent again.
Finally, Empress Zhao broke the silence.
“What do you mean by ‘no interest in having children’? Nonsense!”
She scolded Sima Jing.
“You’re a strong young man, full of vigor and vitality, how could you not be interested!”
If not for the wives being present, she might have sent him to the imperial physician to receive a bunch of tonics.
Even if it was to force him, she’d make sure he’d become interested.
After calming down, Empress Zhao looked at Emperor Wenxuan.
“Azong sometimes speaks bluntly, but he has a point. You have reigned for ten years and only have Yu’er. That’s too few.”
Empress Zhao almost cited the late emperor as an example— how he had children well into his fifties, with more than thirty princes and princesses in total.
But she thought about the late emperor’s offspring and the consorts who bore them, many of whom were purged by her and her son.
Better not mention it.
She took a deep breath, pushing aside the heavy and bloody past.
Turning to Empress Zheng, she said, “Imperial Consort, you must do your best.”
Empress Zheng immediately stood and knelt.
“Your daughter-in-law is ashamed.”
“Enough, enough. I do not blame you. Rise.”
Empress Zhao looked out the window.
“It’s nearly noon. Tell Langui Mama to have the Imperial Kitchen send the meal.”
Langui Mama responded and left.
Lunch was served at Shoukang Palace— a table full of delicacies, rich and sumptuous.
But in truth, the meal was unpleasant.
Though Sima Jing didn’t say anything cutting, the atmosphere around the table was permeated with an indescribable tension.
Having experienced the warm and lively family banquet at Changxin Marquis’s Mansion, Yun Ran felt like she was sitting on pins and needles at this royal “family banquet,” her mood prickly and her appetite dull.
When the meal ended, she breathed a sigh of relief and silently thanked her lucky stars she was born into the Yun family.
If she were born into the royal family— even with its unmatched honor and luxury— she feared she would have become mentally ill from the pressure.
However, after lunch, when she sat alone drinking tea with her Imperial Sister-in-law, who was also her cousin, Zheng Yuyan, the atmosphere lightened somewhat.
Perhaps bound by the in-law relationship and their youth, the two had no trouble finding topics— chatting about daily life, jewelry, food— passing the time of a cup of tea quickly.
When leaving, Empress Zheng still seemed reluctant to part.
Holding Yun Ran’s hand, she said, “If you have time, come often to the palace to accompany me and Mother Empress. It will add some liveliness.”
Yun Ran saw the sincerity in her words—
Sister-in-law Li Wanrong was the eldest daughter-in-law, living outside the palace, able to conveniently shop at the eastern market.
Besides, she had the fifth sister-in-law back at the manor who would quarrel and spar with her from time to time.
But this Imperial Consort cousin, deeply secluded in the palace with no streets to walk, could only chat with her and Mother Empress, the only other women of comparable status in the vast inner court— though separated by generations.
Yun Ran squeezed Empress Zheng’s hand in return.
“Alright, I’ll come find you to chat when I’m free. If I see anything tasty or interesting outside, I’ll bring it to you.”
Empress Zheng smiled and nodded.
“Good. I’ll be waiting.”
The early winter sunshine was bright, the sky clear blue, with wisps of cloud floating gently.
They left the palace at the hour of Wei.
Yun Ran was a little tired but still went with Sima Jing to Zisun Temple to pay respects and burn incense.
By the time they finished, it was evening, the setting sun painting the mountains red, frost gleaming on the steps.
At first, while sharing a carriage with Sima Jing, she maintained her posture properly— after all, she was now a first-rank lady, the Princess Consort of Jin.
But the journey was physically and mentally exhausting.
Seeing the man opposite her reclining lazily, quietly playing with the little snake, looking neither proper nor dignified—
Since even a prince could be so casual and relaxed, why should she keep up appearances?
With this thought, Yun Ran let herself go, melting like a boneless fish against the dark purple cloud brocade cushion.
Her eyes half-closed but not fully shut, idly watching Sima Jing entertain the little Emerald Green Snake named Cui Bao’er.
She found this man quite strange.
So handsome, so tall, and according to unofficial histories, reputed to be the reincarnation of the Star of Literature and Music.
Yet his mind was incredibly sharp.
Unless he had his brain damaged by the Rong and Di tribes, with such superior talent, he should have held some official post, helping the common people or adding strength to the Sima family’s realm.
Even if he was lazy and unmotivated, he could still be a leisurely prince who raised flowers and played with birds.
Better than now, when he had a notorious reputation as the “Living King of Hell,” “Spirit of Death,” and “Reincarnation of Evil” — everyone turned pale when they heard his name.
Yun Ran was lost in her thoughts, unaware of how long she had been staring at Sima Jing.
In fact, Sima Jing noticed the gaze the moment it landed on him.
He ignored it, pretending it was just air.
But she grew bolder, staring at him without moving for two blocks.
Such boldness was impossible to ignore.
Sighing deeply, Sima Jing turned his face, his cold eyes settling on her.
She furrowed her delicate brows slightly, looking at him, though her spirit was far away.
Sima Jing said, “Yun Wu.”
He knocked on the rosewood table inside the carriage.
“‘Yun Wu’— what kind of name is that? So hard to remember.”
“Everyone in Chang’an calls it that. Simple and clear.”
After a day and night together, Yun Ran was no longer afraid of Sima Jing.
Fear usually came from the unknown.
Once she met this man and spoke with him, she realized rumors were frightening but not truly so.
Though his strange, irritable, cold nature was indeed accurate.
“Do newlyweds in Chang’an usually address each other this way?” Yun Ran asked.
“I’ve never heard my second elder brother call his wife ‘Li Si,’ or my third elder brother call his wife ‘Qian San’… Your Highness shouldn’t bully me for being from out of town and confuse me with your words.”
She said this with soft southern inflections, reclining lazily against the pillow, raven-black hair slightly tilted.
Her gentle and unguarded demeanor was incredibly seductive to him.
Sima Jing’s eyes flickered.
Only after the snake in his palm twitched several times did he turn his face.
“A mere form of address, why make a fuss?”
“Of course it matters.”
Yun Ran put on a serious face.
“Names are important.
If someone unfamiliar suddenly calls me ‘Ranran,’ I get goosebumps.
If someone close suddenly calls me by my full name, it usually means something’s wrong and the relationship is ending.”
“Hm, for example, if I called you ‘Sima Er,’ would you like that?”
“…”
Sima Jing furrowed his brow and said after a moment, “If you want to call me that, I don’t mind.”
Titles, status, wealth, jewels, even life itself— he no longer cared.
Each day now was just about scraping by.
Yun Ran was speechless that he didn’t even mind the hard-to-pronounce “Sima Er.”
Glancing at the man by the window, dressed in crimson robes, his complexion dazzling yet icy cold, her curiosity grew.
What had he gone through to become like this?
If he followed their Taoist clan’s ideal of serene detachment, that wouldn’t be quite right.
After all, their Taoist ancestral teaching was to cherish life.
They believed all life was a manifestation of the Way and respected it.
They avoided killing or harming life lightly.
But this man seemed indifferent to everything in the world, unafraid of being abandoned by all.
His state resembled a homeless spirit, unable to reincarnate, wandering aimlessly.
Yet he had a family and kin— how could he be a lonely ghost?
“Why are you staring at the Prince so intently?”
Sima Jing’s expression suddenly darkened.
For a moment, he wanted to destroy those overly pure and curious eyes.
Yun Ran immediately felt the sudden chill radiating from him and straightened her crooked posture.
She had underestimated his fierceness and overestimated his patience.
“Your Highness, don’t misunderstand.
I was only thinking about tomorrow’s three-day departure ceremony.”
She raised both hands and quickly waved.
“I mean no harm, truly. I can swear to the Three Pure Ones.”
The man’s cold gaze slowly swept across her lightly made-up pale face.
When he saw the flicker of fear in her eyes, he withdrew his eyes.
“As for tomorrow’s departure, go yourself. I won’t stop you.”
Yun Ran was slightly surprised.
“You’re not coming with me?”
Sima Jing said, “That’s your family. Why should I go?”
Yun Ran said, “You say that, but now that we are married, the Changxin Marquis’s Mansion is also your home. Don’t you want to see it?”
Sima Jing glanced at her once, then lowered his gaze again.
“No.”
Yun Ran: “…”
Just as she expected.
Though brides aren’t always accompanied by their husbands during the three-day departure ceremony, and she wasn’t particularly eager for Sima Jing’s company, she remembered he didn’t come yesterday for the welcoming procession, which had upset her father, mother, and sisters-in-law.
They all felt unfair for her.
If he refused to go tomorrow…
She could already imagine how many tears her mother would shed in private.
Her family cared deeply about her, afraid she would suffer injustice.
She wanted to reassure them not to worry.
“Your Highness…”
She clenched her delicate fingers and took a deep breath, mustering the courage to look at the man before her.
“Please help me.
Will you go with me tomorrow to the departure ceremony?”
Sima Jing looked at her earnest, pleading expression.
His eyes flickered.
After a moment, he said, “No.”
Yun Ran’s expression nearly broke, her bright black eyes instantly dimming.
Sima Jing: “…”
His thin lips moved slightly.
Then he said to her, “You didn’t come to greet me yesterday; my family was already worried sick.
If you don’t go on such an important day tomorrow, they might worry and be sad.”
“Pitying parents’ hearts in the world, Your Highness, please be kind and help me this once…”
“Just this once.
I promise, as long as you show your face tomorrow and help me put on a good front, let them know I am doing well in the prince’s manor, I won’t trouble you again.”
Yun Ran wanted to reach out, grab his sleeve, shake it, and act spoiled.
But with the cold, slender hand wrapped by the snake, she dared not move rashly.
She could only put her hands together, blink her eyes sincerely, and beseech:
“Please, please, I really beg you, Your Highness…”
Seeing her pitiful look, Sima Jing’s forehead twitched twice.
His intuition told him she was deliberately putting on this act to soften him.
But…
“Should you agree, I will agree to one of your requests in return.”
Yun Ran saw his attitude soften and quickly added weight.
“Anything within my power.”
Sima Jing’s black eyes narrowed.
“Anything?”
Yun Ran was a little flustered under his deep gaze.
She swallowed and added, “As long as it doesn’t harm others.”
Quite principled.
Sima Jing sneered softly, his slender fingers slowly stroking Cui Bao’er’s cold green scales.
Yun Ran didn’t get a response and grew uneasy.
Had he just suggested she go kill someone?
That would be downright insane!
Suddenly, the quiet carriage was filled again by the man’s voice.
“Three.”
Yun Ran was stunned.
“Three requests.”
Sima Jing held the little snake’s round head, slowly lifting his dark eyes.
“If you agree, I will accompany you to the Marquis’s Mansion tomorrow.”
Yun Ran: “………”
No way, he must be joking.
She only asked for one favor, and he demanded three in exchange.
What kind of prince was this? More like a merchant.
“I’ll give you three breaths to decide. No extensions.”
Sima Jing leaned back against the window pillow, lazily squinting at her.
“One.”
“Two.”
“Three—”
“I agree!”
Yun Ran bit her lip, silently cursing the merchant, but forced a smile.
“Three requests it is. I agree, Your Highness.”
After a moment, “But you must agree to one small request of mine as well.”
Sima Jing frowned.
“What?”
Yun Ran glanced at the little green snake wrapped around his hand.
“Tomorrow, besides yourself, no living creatures are allowed into the Marquis’s Mansion.”
Fearing he might think she disliked his strange hobby, she added.
“It’s just that there are many servants and children at my home; they’d be frightened.”
After she spoke, the carriage fell silent again.
Sima Jing lowered his long eyelashes, looking at the little creature sleeping obediently on his wrist.
After a moment, he looked up.
“Deal.”