Chapter 147
Chapter 147: Forceful Coercion
Fearing that Yun Wan Yao might order the guards to break down the door at any moment, Mo Zhao Zhao quickly spoke up, intending to calm her: “Alright, Princess, you should get dressed first, I’ll wait for you outside.”
Outside, hearing Mo Zhao Zhao’s voice, Yun Wan Yao felt a touch of relief. Fortunately, nothing serious had happened—it seemed the princess had only been sleeping too deeply to respond.
[Huh, why do I feel like the princess’s voice sounds a little guilty?]
Tilting her little head, Yun Wan Ning looked thoughtful, and the more she pondered, the more certain she became that Mo Zhao Zhao was hiding something.
[Curiosity is one thing, but this is none of my business. Besides, who doesn’t have secrets?]
[Yun Wan Ning, you must hold yourself back. No using spiritual power to pry into other people’s affairs—spying on others is wrong!]
After firmly drilling this into her own mind a few times, she finally suppressed her curiosity and lazily leaned into Little Tao’s arms.
Yun Wan Yao: “…”
It was the first time she’d heard her little sister call her name in her heart and so seriously warn herself not to intrude upon others’ secrets. It seemed the child really did have principles.
But… was the princess truly guilty just now? She had been too busy pounding on the door to notice.
Suddenly, Nanny Zhou smiled and said, “Her Highness is awake. Miss Yun, we have you to thank for this.”
Hearing her, Yun Wan Yao turned toward her: “You are too polite, Nanny. Since the princess is awake, please have someone prepare a meal for her—she must be quite hungry.”
“Indeed, Miss Yun, I’ll have the order given at once.”
“Good.”
Then Yun Wan Yao asked to be taken to a side room to wait for Mo Zhao Zhao. Since there was some hidden matter in the princess’s chambers, it was best to avoid stumbling upon anything she should not see. Besides, her little sister would need to be fed soon.
After sending someone to pass the meal order, Nanny Zhou remained outside, patiently awaiting Mo Zhao Zhao’s command. She thought the princess, now awake, would quickly summon maids to help her wash and dress—but no such call came, even after a long wait.
This left Nanny Zhou puzzled, her brows knitting tightly. Something about the princess seemed off today, though she could not guess why. Still, she dared not ask outright and could only continue to wait.
“Nanny?”
Mo Zhao Zhao’s chief maid looked at her with a hint of question in her eyes, clearly sensing something was amiss and seeking Nanny Zhou’s guidance.
Keeping her face composed, Nanny Zhou whispered, “No rush. Without the princess’s word, we shall keep waiting.”
Inside the hall, Mo Zhao Zhao glared at the youth in only his inner garments, her voice edged with frustration: “What should I do? If I don’t call someone in soon, Nanny and Jin Zhi will grow suspicious.”
“What has that to do with me?”
Yun Wan Ye pulled the quilt over himself, lay down, and shut his eyes, making it clear he had no intention of involving himself.
Seeing him like that, Mo Zhao Zhao’s eyes widened in disbelief before filling with fury: “Get up, you are not allowed to sleep!”
She grabbed his clothes, trying to yank him upright: “How can you say this has nothing to do with you? You sneaked into my room, ruining my reputation. Believe it or not, I’ll have my imperial brother cut off your hea—ah!”
Her wrist was seized, and in the next instant she was pulled onto his chest by a strong force.
With both hands on her shoulders, he looked at her with a half-smile: “The Princess manor is heavily guarded. Do you really think anyone will believe you if you claim I sneaked in? Don’t be foolish. No one will. Everyone will simply think you summoned me in private—and as for why…”
“Heh, I imagine the maids and nanny who come in to help you dress will see quite clearly.”
Mo Zhao Zhao: “…”
Grinding her teeth, she demanded, “How did you get into my quarters? Did you bribe my shadow guards?”
“That’s not something you need to know. Even if you ask, I won’t tell you.” If he told her the truth, how could he freely come and go in the future as though walking into an empty courtyard?
This wretched man! Mo Zhao Zhao felt dizzy with anger—and worse, she was starving.
“What do you want?”
Hearing this, Yun Wan Ye’s eyes brightened. This was the question he had been waiting for, and he barely restrained his satisfaction. Without preamble, he said, “Break off your engagement with Lu Huai Jin.”
That man had already been fed medicine by both of them and would never again be whole. Surely she wouldn’t still marry him and spend her life in a living widowhood?
Mo Zhao Zhao’s pupils shrank as if struck by lightning. “What… what did you say?”
“Didn’t hear me?” he sneered. “Then I’ll say it again—listen carefully. I want you to break off your engagement with Lu Huai Jin!”
This time she was certain she had not misheard. But why?
Although she had forced that medicine on Lu Huai Jin, she had not yet decided how to handle their engagement. The whole empire knew they were soon to be married. If she suddenly broke it off, what would the court and the people think of her?
Seeing her hesitate, Yun Wan Ye’s eyes cooled. He smiled thinly, his voice carrying dangerous threat: “If the princess will not agree, I can always call someone in to see exactly what you’ve been doing with me…”
Before he could finish, her hand clamped over his mouth. She knew he was the sort to act on any threat he voiced, and if someone saw them now, her reputation would be ruined—along with his.
Yet he only raised his brows, looking utterly unconcerned. His reputation was already far from spotless in Haojing—what was one more stain?
“I’ll consider it,” she said. “But this is no small matter. It must be handled carefully.” At the very least, she would have to speak with her imperial brother first.
The thought of telling Mo Yuan Lin made her head ache. He had vehemently opposed her match with Lu Huai Jin, but she had ignored his advice. In the end, she was back where he’d warned she would be.
“Not consider—agree. You must,” Yun Wan Ye said darkly, his voice like a warning growl.
Her stomach was growling so badly she felt faint, so she nodded hastily: “Fine, I must. Satisfied?”
Of course, she was only humoring him to get rid of him for now; the real decision could wait until she saw her brother.
“Do you mean it?” His black eyes bored into her.
Forcing herself to look earnest, she said, “I mean it. Now will you leave? I’m starving.”
“You’d better be telling the truth, Mo Zhao Zhao. If you dare deceive me, you’ll regret it.” His words were a wolf cub’s snarl, and she shivered, nerves taut. She hardly noticed him go, only that before leaving, he brushed her forehead with a kiss and whispered in her ear, “Then I’ll be going, Princess~”
For a long moment she touched her forehead, feeling the lingering warmth and softness. Her face flushed. “What on earth… does he mean by that?”
No one was there to answer.
Once she had checked the chamber and confirmed that all his soiled clothes and shoes were gone, she summoned the maids.
Dressing, washing, brushing teeth, hair pinned, makeup applied, dishes set—Nanny Zhou and four maids each went about their work. Mo Zhao Zhao moved through it all in a daze, until seated at the table she suddenly thought of Yun Wan Yao.
“Nanny, where is A’Yao?”
“Miss Yun is in the side room. Shall I bring her?”
Mo Zhao Zhao nodded quickly: “Yes, fetch her. It’s dull eating alone—A’Yao can keep me company.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Soon Nanny Zhou returned with Yun Wan Yao, who carried a swaddled bundle in her arms. Little Tao had stayed behind in the side room.
When Mo Zhao Zhao saw what Yun Wan Yao was holding, her eyes lit up. She set down her chopsticks and came forward: “A’Yao, you brought the little one? Let me see her!”
“She’s been cooped up at home every day, so I thought I’d take her out for a bit of fresh air,” Yun Wan Yao replied with a gentle smile, her gaze discreetly studying Mo Zhao Zhao’s face. The princess looked well enough—clearly, she had not suffered any great blow.
[Wow, the smell of wine is strong… did the princess drink all night? No wonder she slept until now.]
[Wait… besides the wine, there’s another familiar scent in here…]