Behind them was a red-lacquered carriage with a canopy, followed by several blue cloth-covered carriages packed with Return Home gifts.
This was the Jing Wang Residence’s procession.
Just thinking about the red-lacquered carriage in the center carrying the infamous Heavenly Curse Wangye, the crowd dared not breathe.
Only a few young children, amused by the excitement, clapped their hands loudly, immediately hushed by nearby adults. “Shush, be quiet, or Jing Wang will catch you and feed you to the snakes!”
The children turned pale and fell silent.
Yun Ran inside the carriage also sensed something odd—
Before reaching the ward gate, she had heard much noise outside, but now as they neared, everything fell completely silent.
She lifted a corner of the curtain to glance outside and frowned.
The streets on both sides were packed with townsfolk, but they were all as if silenced by a spell, not uttering a word, only staring wide-eyed at the procession.
The bright morning sun shone sharply on Xuanhua Ward, but this eerie silence made Yun Ran’s scalp tingle.
She turned back. “Why is no one outside speaking?”
Sima Jing lifted his eyelids, saying nothing, but his eyes held a faint mocking glint.
Yun Ran instantly understood: “Because… they’re afraid of you?”
“You haven’t done anything to them. It’s just a Return Home Ceremony, a customary visit. Why would they be afraid?”
“Or did some townsfolk speak ill of you outside the carriage before, and you gave them trouble?”
Sima Jing didn’t bother to explain. “Don’t ask about things that don’t concern you.”
Yun Ran: “……”
She was about to say that sitting inside a carriage was hardly unrelated, when the carriage slowly came to a stop.
Outside, the voice of the eunuch steward Chang Chun called out, “Wangye, Wangfei, the Marquis Manor has arrived.”
Hearing this, Yun Ran immediately dismissed her concerns and lifted her skirts, preparing to get out. Suddenly, her arm was grabbed.
She paused and looked back along the slender fingers holding her arm, only to hear Sima Jing’s cool voice: “Wait until the Wangye arrives, then get down.”
“……”
Fine, he was the Wangye and therefore the biggest authority. Wait it was, wait it was.
She was magnanimous and wouldn’t quibble with him.
But why was he holding her hand now?
Wasn’t he just the night before arrogantly telling her “Don’t touch me”? Hmph, double standards — only the state official can set fires, the common people can’t light lamps. He was just a strange, overbearing man.
Just as she was thinking this, two crisp knocks sounded on the carriage door.
Yun Ran suddenly realized Sima Jing had already gotten down.
“Here they come!”
She brushed her hai back and straightened her dress. After ensuring everything was in place, she lifted the carriage curtain.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she leaned out, she saw the man in smoky ink-colored brocade standing quietly beside the carriage.
Seeing her emerge, his pale red lips pressed into a straight line, then he extended his hand.
Yun Ran: “……?!”
Was he going to help her down?
Her heart trembled, while the entire household of the Marquis of Changxin, who had been waiting early in the front hall to welcome the royal carriage, were again stunned, eyes wide.
The reason it was a “second” shock was that they had just witnessed the arrival of the Jing Wang, and he was not the terrifying monster many imagined.
Instead, his brocade robe and jade belt, his handsome features, completely overturned most people’s expectations.
They had already been stunned once.
As for this second shock, it was the revelation that the cold, ruthless, and unapproachable Jing Wang had actually taken the initiative to help his Great Aunt down from the carriage.
Where was the cruelty and heartlessness?
He was clearly a refined gentleman, elegant and gentle— a worthy husband!
Under the gazes of all, Yun Ran forced herself to appear calm, naturally placing her hand into the man’s broad palm.
Sima Jing grasped it and helped her down.
Feeling the warmth radiating from his hand wrapped around hers, Yun Ran was still a little dazed.
So his hand wasn’t cold as a snake’s venom— it was warm.
Well, of course he was still a human.
Yun Ran smiled softly, then glanced at the man beside her who was still holding her hand, seemingly reluctant to let go. A strange feeling blossomed deep within her.
One thing she was sure of: after feeling his warmth, she was no longer so afraid of him.
It seemed holding hands was a good thing.
With that thought, she squeezed his hand in return.
Sima Jing’s fingers stiffened suddenly.
But only for a moment, before he frowned and looked at her.
Yun Ran, oblivious, looked ahead and smiled brightly: “Father, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, I’m home!”
The Marquis of Changxin and the four brothers were about to respond cheerfully as usual, but today they all stood straight, sober and dignified, bowing in salute: “We respectfully welcome the Wangye and Wangfei. May the Wangye and Wangfei be blessed with longevity and happiness.”
Yun Ran blinked in surprise and instinctively stepped forward to help.
Her hand was firmly gripped by the man. She looked back and saw Sima Jing’s cold expression. “Father-in-law and brothers-in-law, no need for formalities. Let’s enter the manor.”
Without waiting for the Marquis and others to rise, he pulled Yun Ran and strode inside.
“Eh, Your Highness—”
Yun Ran called as he dragged her away, “Don’t walk so fast! Father and the others haven’t caught up yet…”
Sima Jing ignored her.
He detested crowds.
A swarm of people at the entrance made him uneasy.
If not for a moment of weakness yesterday agreeing to her, he wouldn’t have stayed an instant longer.
Only when Sima Jing brought Yun Ran into the main hall did the Marquis suddenly snap out of it. “Hurry, hurry, catch up!”
The four Yun brothers exchanged glances, their expressions complicated.
Their brother-in-law was far too forward and familiar. Anyone else would think this was the Jing Wang Residence.
Soon, in the second hall, the anxious Lady of the Marquis of Changxin, Zheng Shi, and the sisters-in-law caught sight of the much-anticipated figures—
Only now the slender figure in pink was accompanied by a tall and imposing smoky ink-colored presence.
Zheng Shi’s smile stiffened slightly.
Li Wanrong and the others stared at the handsome young lord, a flash of admiration in their eyes.
When their gaze fell on the pair’s tightly held hands, all of them smiled knowingly.
Even the usually antagonistic Li Wanrong and Qian Sijin exchanged a glance: “Look, they’re perfectly matched.”
Caught in the middle, Lu Lingzhen muttered, “…I envy Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Brother’s wife’s tacit understanding.”
“Mother! Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law!”
Having been dragged all the way by Sima Jing’s long strides, Yun Ran panted behind him, wanting to ask if some ghost was chasing him to walk so fast.
So, with a touch of revenge, she took the initiative, tugging Sima Jing forward: “Let me introduce — this is my husband, Prince Jing.”
Afraid he might bolt, Yun Ran clung tightly to the man’s arm. “Your Highness, this is my mother, this is Eldest Sister-in-law, Fourth Lady of the Li family, Second Sister-in-law, Second Lady of the Lu family, and Third Sister-in-law, Madam Qian…”
She introduced each in turn, and Zheng Shi and the sisters-in-law all respectfully greeted him.
Sima Jing only nodded once in response to Zheng Shi, “Mother-in-law, please no need for formalities.”
He didn’t even glance at the other sisters-in-law, only frowning as his gaze fixed on the arm Yun Ran was clutching tightly.
She held on so tightly that even through her thin jacket, he could tell the warmth against his hand wasn’t just the fabric.
His breathing grew a bit rapid.
He was annoyed by her overstepping, her reckless disregard of his warnings.
But for the sake of the occasion, he tolerated the warmth flowing from her close touch, restraining himself from pushing her away.
Fortunately, before long, the Marquis and his sons, slightly out of breath, caught up.
Together, they entered the front hall.
Though Sima Jing was a son-in-law, he was a first-rank prince.
Zheng Shi tactfully left a seat of honor for him.
But Sima Jing took Yun Ran’s hand and sat down directly at a side seat.
Zheng Shi was slightly taken aback and exchanged a glance with the Marquis.
He pondered briefly and shook his head.
Zheng Shi understood and quietly took the main seat, though inwardly she was surprised.
She had seen this prince in the palace before; he had been unruly and disobedient, even disregarding the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
And now he gave up the main seat, humbling himself to sit beside them—
That was the status of the son-in-law outweighing the prince’s rank.
For the Marquis and his wife, having their son-in-law respect them and give them face was undoubtedly a good thing… but why did it feel so unreal?
Like a strange dream.
Although only two days had passed, Yun Ran had already accumulated a bellyful of things she wanted to share with her family, but she also noticed how Sima Jing sat like a fierce god of calamity, exuding an unapproachable chill that made everyone hesitant to speak.
This wouldn’t do.
“There’s still some time before lunch. Brothers, why not take this chance to show the prince around the manor?”
Yun Ran didn’t hesitate to sell out her brothers.
As for herself—
“Mother, sisters-in-law, let’s go to the backyard. I have so many things to tell you!”
Zheng Shi and the three sisters-in-law naturally welcomed the suggestion eagerly.
“Alright, we’ll follow Ranran’s lead. Eldest Brother, brothers, take good care of the Wangye.”
“Yes, husband, go quickly.”
The four Yun brothers: “……”
Did she really not care about their feelings? They wanted to chat leisurely with their sister too.
Sima Jing glanced at the various expressions among the Yun family before returning his gaze to Yun Ran’s smiling, delicate face, his eyes darkening.
She could smile even after giving him up?
Feeling her back chill, Yun Ran turned to meet his shadowed, inscrutable gaze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Without bothering with formalities, she walked to his side and leaned in close to whisper, “I know Your Highness likes quiet and dislikes formalities. After the garden tour, if you feel tired, my Eldest Brother is very clever — he’ll arrange a room for you to rest immediately.”
“But during lunch, I’ll need to trouble Your Highness to come out and make an appearance. After eating, you can return to the room and no one will disturb you.”
“I know it’s hard for you today, but… but in consideration of the three demands I made, please bear with me a little…”
Her soft breath, accompanied by the sweet scent of a young lady, tickled his ear like a little cat, warm and teasing.
Sima Jing only heard “three demands,” and the rest of her words seemed to be drowned out by the warmth.
His long fingers hidden in his sleeve clenched tightly.
How presumptuous.
He thought, today she repeatedly crossed his bottom line with close contact.
If it were anyone else, they’d be taken away and have their hands and tongues chopped off to quell his anxiety.
But her…
She.
He blamed himself.
He’d been stupid to agree to her demands, giving her the opportunity.
Now all he wanted was to figure out how to punish her for those three demands, which explained his restless irritation throughout the day.
At the very front were two chestnut horses, proud and tall, their golden saddles swaying with gleaming tassels.