Chapter 068
Chapter 68: Mother, Do I Look Like a Thief to You?
[Ahhh, why do I suddenly smell the scent of someone turning dark?]
[Could it be that the princess consort turned dark after hearing what Mother said? If that’s really the case, then that’s just too wonderful.]
[Now I’m suddenly quite excited to see what happens next.]
[Mother, if you hear any follow-up about this, you must tell me, okay? I want to know all about it.]
“…”
Little Fourth really was such a gossip! But what did “turning dark” even mean?
Madam Yun furrowed her brow, her eyes flashing with confusion.
After sending off Princess Consort Jing and her son, she returned to the room, only to find Yun Wan Yao had arrived at some unknown time and was playing with Yun Wan Ning in her arms.
“Little sister, why did the princess consort suddenly come visit our home today?”
She narrowed her eyes with suspicion. “Don’t tell me she still hasn’t given up and wants you to marry her son, so she brought the young prince here to build feelings between you two?”
She suddenly remembered that last time they’d left Prince Jing Manor, the princess consort had told Mother that they should visit more often.
But this was moving a little too fast, wasn’t it?
Her wide eyes were filled with disbelief, making Yun Wan Ning internally speechless.
[…]
[Elder sister, what are you thinking? Can you stop making wild guesses?]
[The princess consort came to see Mother, not me. And certainly not to make her little brat fall in love with me.]
[Here’s what really happened: Prince Jing has been keeping a mistress and even had a child with her. That child went missing, and the mistress panicked and came crying to Prince Jing. That’s how the princess consort found out about the whole affair.]
[She came today to pour her heart out to Mother.]
[So don’t say such things again, okay, Elder Sister?]
Yun Wan Yao: ???
So the princess consort already knows?
And the missing child that made the mistress rush to Prince Jing Manor—could that have been Father’s doing?
She had told Mother about the princess consort’s situation the other day. There was no way Mother would sit by and do nothing, which meant there was a good chance this was Father’s doing.
If that were true, then Father sure worked fast.
Even though her heart was filled with shock, Yun Wan Yao didn’t let a single trace show on her face. Instead, she deliberately followed the original topic and kept speaking as though nothing had happened.
“Aiya, even if that’s the case, it’s still understandable. Who wouldn’t love my little sister? The princess consort liking her is completely normal.”
Yun Wan Ning: […]
[Elder sister, you only got half of that right. I am adorable beyond belief, but the princess consort definitely did not come here because of me.]
[Ahhhh, if you keep misunderstanding like this, I’ll never be able to clear my name, even if I jump into the Yellow River!]
[Forget it, forget it, let her keep misunderstanding. She’s just talking nonsense anyway. It’s not like it’ll actually become true.]
Seeing her little sister shift from frustrated to resigned acceptance, Yun Wan Yao could barely hold back her laughter.
Hahaha, her little sister was just too funny!
“And what about you? Why are you here? You got up so late this morning you even skipped breakfast.”
Hearing the two sisters’ unique little exchange, Madam Yun walked over and took Yun Wan Ning into her arms, then turned to Yun Wan Yao with a question.
Yun Wan Yao immediately grew flustered. She swallowed and clung to Madam Yun’s arm, trying to act natural. “I just went to bed a little late last night. That’s all.”
“Stayed up late?” Madam Yun studied her carefully for a moment, then asked with a curious look, “Why did you stay up late for no reason? Were you out thieving?”
Yun Wan Yao: “…”
Haha, the thief isn’t me. The thief is your precious eldest son.
The moment she thought of that little aunt hidden away in Moon Seizing Pavilion, Yun Wan Yao’s head started to ache. She didn’t know how Big Brother planned to handle things, but she hoped he’d find a clean way to settle it without causing trouble.
“Of course not, Mother. Do I look like a thief to you? I can’t climb walls or pick locks. How would I go out stealing?”
“Then why did you stay up late?”
“Mother, can you stop asking already? I’m nearly of age—what’s wrong with staying up late now and then? I’ll probably stay up even later in the future. If I ever miss breakfast, just have Elder Sister Little Tao save me a plate, all right?”
Madam Yun: “…”
Staying up late was one thing, but skipping breakfast and still asking someone to save you food?
Was this how a future matriarch should behave?
What would become of her in the future?
This made her think again of Yun Wan Yao’s engagement to Prince Qi. Madam Yun’s headache instantly worsened.
The plot had already veered so wildly, the entire storyline between Prince Qi and the female lead had completely collapsed. Their fates were now uncertain, and yet in just a few short months, Yao’er would reach her coming-of-age ceremony.
If Prince Qi really came to propose again at that time, what would they do?
Say yes, and they risked future disaster. Refuse, and how would they explain it?
The engagement had been arranged by the late emperor. As long as Prince Qi hadn’t done anything wrong, Yao’er had no grounds to call it off herself.
Ugh, so frustrating!
That afternoon.
Yun Zheng returned from court, still dressed in his purple Qilin-patterned official robes, and headed straight for the Peace Keeping Courtyard.
“Where’s Little Fourth?”
He hadn’t even stepped fully inside when he began searching for Yun Wan Ning.
He had promised her that unless he was away, he would hold her every day. Today he hadn’t hugged her yet.
“She just finished nursing. She’s sleeping inside.”
Madam Yun gestured toward the inner room with a tilt of her chin.
Yun Zheng strode inside and found his little milk bun curled under the covers, her tiny hand gripping the blanket’s edge, cheeks rosy as she slept soundly.
He bent over and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead, then turned and walked back out to sit beside Madam Yun.
Without warning, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips—firmly, noisily.
“Why does it look like my wife has something heavy on her mind today? What are you thinking about?”
“A great deal.”
Madam Yun set aside her embroidery and let out a long sigh.
“The servants said Princess Consort Jing came by earlier. Are you still troubled about her situation?”
Yun Zheng looked puzzled. They had already done what needed to be done. What else was there to worry about?
Madam Yun frowned slightly at his question, then looked at him and asked in a hushed voice, “Husband, Princess Consort Jing said that the child of that mistress was abducted. Was that… your doing?”
“Yes. Why?”
Yun Zheng admitted it without hesitation, calm and unconcerned.
“Then… what happened to that child?”
“I already had them returned. Don’t worry, not a single hair was harmed.”
Madam Yun sighed softly and said, “Do you really think I’m worried about that child? I’m worried about you, husband.”
“No matter how despicable Prince Jing may be, he is still an imperial prince. If you truly stole away the child born of his beloved, and word of it leaks out, he will certainly bear a grudge. What then?”
She wished to help the princess consort, yes—but not at the cost of dragging the Yun family into the depths. She would help, but only if not a single thread of trouble fell upon them.
She had four children. She had to be selfish—for their sake.
Especially for Little Fourth, who was not yet even two months old. Unlike her elder siblings, she had no ability to protect herself. If calamity struck the Yun family, what would become of her?
Upon hearing this, Yun Zheng smiled and reached out, pulling her gently into his arms and onto his lap.
“Wife, you may rest easy. I have always been thorough in handling matters. There will be no trace left behind. This was not a rash decision—it is the only way.”
“Only by doing this can we force that woman to reveal herself to the princess consort. If I merely told her of the mistress’s existence, would she believe me? No. She shares a bed with Prince Jing; who do you think she would trust—her own husband or an outsider?”
“If we offer a kind warning, she may instead believe we’re sowing discord between husband and wife.”
“That’s why the truth must be laid bare, blood-stained and undeniable. Only then will she believe.”
“So, wife, don’t think about it anymore. Don’t dwell on the princess consort. She now knows the truth. How she chooses to act next is up to her.”
Madam Yun nodded quietly and nestled into his embrace. But then, a thought struck her, and her expression clouded with an unspoken grievance.
“I remember… that Second Miss Yin was assigned to the same military camp you once served in.”
“In those days, she was famed across Haojing for her beauty. Many noble young men held her in their hearts. Husband… did you?”
“Did you also once admire her?”
Yun Zheng: “……”
He gave a faint chuckle, then said teasingly, “Now that you mention it, it does stir up some old memories.”
“Second Miss Yin was indeed celebrated, and though her looks were slightly inferior to yours, she still outshone both you and the princess consort in reputation. Young lords across the capital went mad for her…”
Before he could finish, a sharp slap landed on his shoulder. The woman in his arms raised her head and glared at him with righteous fury.
“So you did like her! Were you with her at the camp? Tell me, what were your thoughts when you suddenly ran into her again?”
Seeing her increasingly indignant accusations, Yun Zheng no longer dared to bask in the pleasure of her jealousy. He quickly bent down and kissed her, silencing her lips with his own.
Madam Yun struggled furiously, refusing his kiss.
“My lady, even if she was admired far and wide, that doesn’t mean every man must have liked her.”
“If she were truly so captivating, wouldn’t the former emperor have taken her into the palace himself? Why would he exile her to a military camp, branded as a whore?”
“If I had fallen for her back then, would I have shown up with a firewood axe just to see you?”
“If I had wanted her, why would Zhang Ji—that old fool—have been the one to take her?”
“It’s true, I was stationed at Zhang Ji’s camp for quite some time. I saw her now and then, but I never spared her a second glance. My time was spent training, fighting… and sneaking off to see you.”
“Have you forgotten? I used to sneak out in the middle of the night to climb through your window. One time, your parents caught me and nearly beat me to death, thinking I was a flower thief…”
As he spoke of the past, his eyes glowed with fondness. His wife had been so soft and shy in her youth, her face blooming red at the slightest tease. He had longed to keep her at his side every moment.
Of course, she had grown since then. She had shed the naïveté of youth, but to him, she was still just as beautiful.
“Truly? You never once loved her?”
“Truly,” he said, firmly. “Wife, I will be good to you for all my life. Don’t let fear cloud your heart.”
She nodded. In this moment, she believed him. But the matter with the princess consort had left a strange unease clinging to her chest.
“Husband… if one day, you do fall for another woman, I only ask that you don’t hide it from me. Whatever you intend—whether you want me to step aside or otherwise—please just tell me.”
“After so many years together, I only ask not to be deceived like the princess consort was by the one she trusted most.”
His heart ached at her vulnerability. He reached out to caress her cheek.
“My lady, perhaps many men in the world are fickle. But there are a few… just a few who are steadfast.”
“I’m not saying this to praise myself. I say it because I truly want to grow old with you.”
“No one can predict the future. But no matter what lies ahead, remember this—my heart will always belong to you.”
His words soothed her fears, if only slightly. Yet her spirits remained low, and she nestled quietly in his arms, lost in thought.
Sensing this, Yun Zheng knew it was still the princess consort’s tragedy weighing on her heart. It would take time for the shadow to lift.
So, he changed the subject.
“My lady, do you know what our Chen’er did last night?”
As expected, her focus shifted. She looked up with weary curiosity, worry flitting through her gaze.
“What did he do?”
Yun Zheng straightened his expression, pretending to be furious. “In the middle of the night, he snuck into Su Jian’s side courtyard and stole away the concubine-born girl. He’s hiding her in his own chambers now.”
“What?” Madam Yun’s eyes flew wide open. She looked utterly shocked. “Chen’er… did such a thing? If Su Jian finds out, what shall we do?”
Her Chen’er had always been disciplined and upright. How could he do something so outrageous?
“You weren’t aware, were you?” Yun Zheng said with a chuckle. “Ever since Little Fourth’s full moon banquet, when that girl from the Su family was caught spying on Chen’er, he’s had people watch her.”
“He saw how skinny and sickly she was, so he had meals sent to her daily.”
“In just over twenty days, the girl’s appearance changed dramatically. Her complexion grew rosy and bright. Unfortunately, that Su family shrew happened to visit the side courtyard, and upon seeing the girl’s transformation, assumed she’d been sneaking food.”
“She flew into a rage and beat her savagely.”
“The girl was covered in wounds—horribly injured. Chen’er got word and immediately took Cang Yan to retrieve her under the cover of night…”
He told the whole tale, every detail. Madam Yun listened with a deepening frown.
“That Madam Su is too cruel. Even if she disliked the girl, how could she be so vicious to one so young?”
“If Chen’er brought her back in the dead of night, then he must be truly taken with her. I remember when I showed him the name list of capital noble ladies, he seemed… oddly affected when we reached her name.”
Yun Zheng’s brows shifted faintly. “And what is your view, my lady? If you disapprove, I can have the girl sent back at once.”