Even if Yan Yi Ming harbored many unanswered doubts in her heart, she knew that this question could not be asked.
Whether it be Jian Yu’er or Jian Yu Yan, one of these two individuals undoubtedly had an identity that could not be trifled with. A crucial identity that could possibly make Jian Yu Yan harbor murderous intentions towards her.
Yan Yi Ming was not afraid of death, but bringing disaster upon Duke Ding’s Residence would be a sin worthy of a thousand deaths.
Even without asking the latter part, with just the first sentence alone, it was enough to make Jian Yu Yan retract all his previous mockery and haughtiness, causing his breath to falter.
Those peach blossom eyes, which usually had a smile, suddenly contracted, revealing only a chilling gleam. In an instant, they locked onto Yan Yi Ming. Yet, just as swiftly as it appeared, those eyes returned to their usual tranquility.
“What is Young Lady Yan driving at?” Jian Yu Yan asked.
“What makes you think I’m driving at something?”
Yan Yi Ming could not help but marvel at how quickly this man changed his expression. The brief moment their eyes met just now left Yan Yi Ming with a lingering sense of fear. “I just want to say, since both Young Master Jian and I have our own secrets, can’t we help keep each other’s secrets?”
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Brsd alvwadkdt vs Kkyd’p Slpkeldnl, Kkyd Zw’la bye clld xlzydnbszkn alnldvzu ewl vs vbl ldtytlxldv clvolld vbl Uasod Vakdnl yde Zyd Zk Ykdt. Kkyd Zw Zyd qlzv wdlypl kd bkp blyav cwv xykdvykdle bkp dsaxyz elxlydsa. Gqvla yehkpkdt Kkyd Zw’la qsa y obkzl, pbl pweeldzu xwaxwale, “Zyd Kkl-fkl pyhle xl, yde R pbswze cl tayvlqwz vs bla, cwv… R alyzzu esd’v oydv vs vbydj bla yv yzz.”
Kkyd Zw Zyd’p pxkzl qyzvlale. Gp kq dsv qwzzu tayprkdt obyv pbl pyke, bl iwlpvksdle, “Zw’la, obyv yal usw pyukdt?”
Jian Yu’er looked up at her brother. In this world, this person was the one who loved her the most. Even her parents did not dote on her as much as he did. Finally, she could not hold back her emotions any longer and threw herself into Jian Yu Yan’s arms, she sobbed, “I really don’t want to thank her. If she hadn’t saved me, then wouldn’t the person Crown Prince Ge-ge saved that day be me…?”
Jian Yu Yan’s arms around Jian Yu’er tightened. A cold glint flickered in his eyes.
Nangong Xuan…
In this world, no one’s heart is completely pure. Prejudice could arise from the collapse of a love that could no longer be obtained. When she realized that there was no more chance to be together, Jian Yu’er finally began to harbor resentment.
She resented Yan Yi Ming for intervening unnecessarily by pulling her away.
She begrudged that when the Empress had the intentions, why did her brother and father prohibit her from getting closer to the Crown Prince?
Why did the people she cared about the most keep obstructing her from being with the one she liked?
Little Apple was currently discussing with Yan Yi Ming what alternative identities could be used for their next capture target when a slight disturbance disrupted its conversation with her.
Yan Yi Ming casually asked, “What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing,” Little Apple shook its head.
For some reason, just now it felt like the main system was a bit off.
Nangong Xuan’s favorability increased more smoothly than expected, much to Yan Yi Ming’s surprise. Since the bestowment of their marriage, it had been steadily rising. The morning after the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, Nangong Xuan woke up from a night of drinking. He heard from the servants that Yan Yi Ming had taken care of him for the whole night and this resulted in the increase of his fondness towards her. As a result, his favorability increased by a few more percent.
The day of the Crown Prince’s grand wedding was slowly approaching. His favorability had been steadily rising during these days, and if Yan Yi Ming actively showed care or intimacy, the rate of increase would be even greater.
Now, it has already reached 98%.
As for the remaining two percent, what would it take to get them?
If she needed to wait until it was after the wedding ceremony, or even after the wedding night for it to reach 100% then the plotline regarding Nangong Ye would be considered null and void. Nullification of the storyline implied that she would need to restart this storyline all over again.
Yan Yi Ming did not have the patience to go through all these once more.
She asked Little Apple if there was anything that could be done but even Little Apple did not know. This caused Yan Yi Ming to furrow her brows in contemplation.
This marriage, she cannot complete.
So, if this remaining two percent could only be achieved after the wedding ceremony, Yan Yi Ming must find a way to stimulate Nangong Xuan and secure this two percent ahead of time.
On the auspicious date that the Emperor personally selected for the Crown Prince’s grand wedding, Duke Ding’s residence sent the bridal trousseau and dowry to the Eastern Palace. Yan Yi Ming was dressed in a beautiful bridal gown and adorned with a phoenix crown, while the Crown Prince was dressed in his official robes. The two of them knelt three times and kowtowed nine times to the Empress Dowager, Emperor, and Empress in the traditional rite.
The common people were not allowed to step out of their houses, and the road leading from Duke Ding’s residence to the Eastern Palace was cleaned meticulously. The imperial ceremonial guards prepared a red satin-covered eight-person carried sedan chair to be brought to the front gates of Duke Ding’s Manor.
Yan Yi Ming sat in the red sedan chair, and Little Apple, who was on the side, excitedly rubbed its hands together, “This is the first time I’m doing something so thrilling. I can’t help but feel a bit nervous!”
“You just need to give a slight twig to the original plot. What’s there to be nervous about?”
Yan Yi Ming also instructed Little Apple once more to give her a countdown of one hour.
Earlier on, when asked what would happen once the favorability reached 100%, Little Apple informed her that if she could not terminate from the plotline herself, the system would self-destruct.
If it truly required her to complete the wedding ceremony or even after the wedding night for the favorability to reach 100%, Yan Yi Ming could not help but consider the prospect of self-destructing in front of Nangong Xuan. This would most probably traumatize him for life.
However, Yan Yi Ming found it to be quite exhilarating.
The Crown Prince’s wedding ceremony was extremely elaborate, everything in Yan Yi Ming’s view was a sea of red. She could only see the tips of her shoes moving forward step by step until Nangong Xuan firmly gripped her hand.
After bowing at the ceremonial altar, they stepped into the bridal chamber, where the red veil that covered her beautiful face was lifted with the wedding rod. Unsurprisingly, a series of gasps erupted from the onlookers.
Nangong Xuan’s gaze lingered on Yan Yi Ming’s face for a long time. He was unable to look away, completely enamored by the sight before him, until the First Princess Consort teased him which prompted him to finally shift his gaze away.
When Nangong Xuan thought about his Father Emperor, imperial brothers, and guests outside, eagerly awaiting to get him drunk, he reluctantly gave Yan Yi Ming one last glance before lifting his foot to leave. The First Princess Consort and a few other ladies playfully commented that the Crown Prince seemed to be deeply in love with his consort, judging by the way he took three glances back with each step he took forward.
Yan Yi Ming smiled without saying a word. A hint of gloom fleetingly passed through her eyes.
Nangong Xuan’s favorability was still stuck at 98%.
It was still lacking that last two percent.
On the other side…
Today was the auspicious day for the Crown Prince and Yan Yi Ming to get married. As the Crown Prince’s biological younger brother, no matter how reluctant Nangong Ye was in his heart, he still had to attend the event.
He watched as the bright red sedan chair entered the Eastern Palace in a grand procession. Unable to see her face or figure, all he could perceive was the overwhelming fiery red that stung his eyes, almost bringing tears to them.
Although the imperial princes were usually rigid and stiff, today each of them seemed lively and spirited. Nangong Ye overheard the Third Prince gritting through his teeth, saying that the Crown Prince had married the most beautiful woman in the capital, so today they must make him drink heartily.
The Crown Prince was not fond of drinking, but today’s wine, he would surely be willing to drink.
The ceremonial wine…
He had also wondered whether the wine today would taste different from usual.
Especially when drinking it with Yan Yi Ming.
Today, the Imperial Palace was bustling and chaotic. Eunuchs and palace maids were running back and forth, and with just a casual inquiry, one could easily learn about the ongoing festivities.
The sky had completely darkened, but the lights in the Eastern Palace were still brightly lit. Nangong Ye, using the excuse of not feeling well, left the scene earlier. Leaving behind the other princes and sons of aristocratic families who had entered the palace today, still reveling in merriment.
In another half an hour, the imperial princes would gradually leave. After that, the wedding night would commence in the bridal chambers and the wedding ceremony would be completely and thoroughly concluded.
He still remembered the day he returned to the capital city, and Yan Yi Ming told him that she would not marry the crown prince.
He had never believed it, but he also never stopped hoping.
However, as the days passed, what she promised did not happen and everything became a complete joke.
Prince Yue’s residence had been fully constructed, and Nangong Ye no longer stayed in the palace. There were not many restrictions in his own residence, but it felt lonelier than in the palace. Perhaps feeling too distraught, he drank quite a bit at the banquet. But when he returned to Prince Yue’s residence, he found himself unable to sleep and decided to drown his sorrows in another jar of wine, drinking himself into a stupor.
After getting intoxicated, the ache in his chest had probably numbed, and it gradually did not hurt as much anymore. His eyes were a bit unfocused to the point where he seemed to be hallucinating.
He actually saw Yan Yi Ming.
He saw Yan Yi Ming in a phoenix crown and red bridal attire, stunningly beautiful beyond description. She did things he could not comprehend and spoke words he did not understand.
He asked her what was she doing there.
Yan Yi Ming looked at him attentively and replied, “Your Highness, I promised you that I would only marry you.”
Nangong Ye chuckled bitterly as a sense of sorrow filled his heart. He had thought he loved Yan Yi Ming through and through, and even hated her completely. Yet, in reality, he still could not forget her. Otherwise, how come she was appearing before him again?
She looked more beautiful than he could ever imagine when dressed in her bridal dress. Yet, ultimately, she did not wear it for him.
Nangong Ye turned his head away. “But you’ve already married Royal Brother.”
“Without exchanging ceremonial wine and the consummation of marriage, how can it be considered as marrying him?” Yan Yi Ming spoke words he could not understand once more. Nangong Ye, somewhat puzzled, turned his head to look at her and gave a bitter grin, “It’s just a matter of time.”
“So, we should exchange the ceremonial wine first,” Yan Yi Ming told him, producing a jug of wine and two cups from somewhere. She poured two cups of wine earnestly, looked into Nangong Ye’s clean eyes, and reached out to straighten the slightly loose hairpin in his hair.
“I don’t want to marry the Crown Prince, I only want to marry you. I want to exchange cups with Your Highness only.”
She handed the wine to Nangong Ye, softly asking if he was willing to drink this cup with her.
Even if it was a dream, it left him completely bewitched.
Nangong Ye took the wine cup, and the two of them, with arms interlocked, drank the wine together. Yan Yi Ming’s beautiful eyes were filled with delight as she reached out, encircling his neck, “Your Highness, tell me that I am the only one who will be your wife in this lifetime.”
Nangong Ye held her tightly in his arms as if wanting to meld her into his very being. This dream was truly wonderful, so much so that he had no desire to wake up.
“Ah Ming, only you,” Nangong Ye declared, “My one and only wife.”
Yan Yi Ming’s body froze slightly, then she released a sweet laugh.
“Yes, only you,” she promised, reaching out to caress Nangong Ye’s cheek. She looked up at the full moon in the sky and softly said, “Now, it’s finally complete.”
“Are you leaving?” Nangong Ye asked her.
“Yes, I need to leave now,” Yan Yi Ming told him. “We will definitely meet again in the future, but by then you probably won’t recognize me anymore.”
“Silly, that’s impossible,” Nangong Ye smiled.
Yan Yi Ming fell silent for a moment. She treated this as a game, but unexpectedly, even in a game, there were moments that moved her. She sighed with a hint of helplessness, “You are the silly one. I really need to go now.”
Having said that, Yan Yi Ming somehow produced a few candies from somewhere and slowly unwrapped one. “I remembered you once said that there’s no candy better than candied chestnut.”
Nangong Ye replied, “There really isn’t.”
Yan Yi Ming chuckled and pressed the unwrapped candy to Nangong Ye’s lips, “Then have a taste of this.”
“What is it?”
“This is my favorite candy.”
Nangong Ye recalled that Yan Yi Ming once said she did not like candied chestnut and if given the chance, she would let him have a taste of her favorite candy.
Putting the small candy into his mouth, the delicate and rich flavor melted on his tongue. Yan Yi Ming asked, “Is it sweet?”
In a daze, Nangong Ye nodded.
“That’s good,” Yan Yi Ming grinned, “In the future, if you ever feel bitter, just have one of these.”
“Okay.”
“I promise I won’t marry the Crown Prince.”
“Okay.”
“We’re now formally married.”
“Okay.”
“…”
“Then, I’m leaving.”
“Okay.”
The autumn night wind blew, and a hint of chill gradually set in. Nangong Ye woke up with a start, and when he looked around, Yan Yi Ming’s figure was nowhere to be seen. However, the unprecedented sweetness still lingered in his mouth.
‘What an unbelievably realistic dream.’ Nangong Ye chuckled ironically as he propped himself up on the stone table, preparing to stand up. However, he suddenly came in contact with a few small, pebble-like objects.
Looking down, the small candies that appeared in his dream were quietly placed on the table, alongside the familiar wine jug and cups, all neatly arranged beside each other.
Nangong Ye’s hands trembled, and his eyes suddenly reddened. In an instant, he was completely sober. He looked around frantically but could not find any trace of Yan Yi Ming.
Hearing the commotion, the servants rushed over. Nangong Ye grabbed one urgently and asked in a hurried voice if anyone had come by just now.
“Replying to My Lord, no one came by,” the servant answered.
“How is that possible…”
“My Lord!”
The sound of horse hooves shattered the silence of the late night in Jin Ling Captial. Nangong Ye looked up at the guards who stumbled into Prince Yue’s residence and in a somewhat bewildered state of mind, asked, “What’s going on?”
“There’s trouble at the Eastern Palace…”
“There was an assassination attempt… The Crown Princess Consort is dead.”
Translator Blistz has something to say:
Belated Xmas and a Happy New Year to all my lovely readers! May 2024 treat everyone kindly and those who set goals and resolutions be able to achieve them!
I’ll see y’all next year with a brand new chapter commencing the next arc!~
(ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧
Happy new years and a belated merry x-mas. Thank you for the chapter and I can’t wait for the next arc.