Chapter 5 [TCFCPC 5]

Although the four male protagonists were all handsome men of peerless sophistication, Jian Yu Yan held the reputation of being the number one gentleman in the capital.

His family background and talent were impeccable, and his appearance was excellent. However, unlike the others, he was constantly surrounded by ambiguous traces of peach blushes. He was as elegant as he was flirtatious.

Although he held his ‘sister’, Jian Yu’er, in the deepest parts of his heart, he was not indifferent to beauties like the rest. He would not give them a cold shoulder, let alone when the beauty was heartbroken and weeping. 

Especially a beauty like Yan Yi Ming.

He did not leave Jian Yu’er to give chase to Yan Yi Ming because she held a more important spot. No one in this world could replace Yu’er’s position in his heart. It was because Nangong Xuan was there at the moment to watch over Yu’er, therefore it was fine. 

However, Yan Yi Ming’s situation was different. She was such a strong-tempered and affectionate woman. With today’s stimulation, who knew what drastic measures she would take? As a man that was experienced in matters of romance, Jian Yu Yan had seen many women demean themselves in the name of love. 

After all, Yan Yi Ming was a woman. Her speed was inferior to Jian Yu Yan, and in a short moment, he had already caught up to her.

Before Yan Yi Ming had time to react, Lu Mei, the little maidservant who was following behind, had already taken action to protect her mistress. She stood in front of Yan Yi Ming like a mother hen defending her chick, glaring fiercely at Jian Yu Yan.

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Jian Yu Yan straightened his wrinkleless cuffs and gave Nangong Xuan a smile, “Young Lady Yan was not in the best of moods today. I accompanied her to view the peach blossoms.”

“As expected of the number one gentleman of the capital…” Nangong Xuan knew how Jian Yu Yan usually treated women but he had never minded it before. However, he had long arrived back at the Eastern Palace but Jian Yu Yan had spent all his time with Yan Yi Ming up till now. Recalling how Jian Yu Yan usually dealt with the ladies, Nangong Xuan felt inexplicably irritated and wanted to mock him. Yet, a rare moment of self-awareness made him realize that he was the main reason why Yan Yi Ming was feeling this way, and the words that reached his lips were swallowed back.

Jian Yu Yan had heard the underlying sarcasm in Nangong Xuan’s words but had pretended not to have caught on. “We have indeed wronged Young Lady Yan today. If Your Highness is free, you should seek her out to accompany her and have a chat.” 

Hearing Jian Yu Yan’s words, Nangong Xuan’s brows furrowed slightly but he did not disagree. He hummed before asking in a low voice, “What did she say?”

“She said that Your Highness had never smiled like that in front of her before.”

====

“His Highness has never smiled like this in front of me before,” Yan Yi Ming told Jian Yu Yan. “I’ve only assumed that he didn’t know how to smile. Hence, even if he didn’t like me, he didn’t fancy anyone else either. That was how I was able to console myself. But who would’ve thought that he could smile so unreservedly in front of another lady.”

Yan Yi Ming’s serenity far exceeded Jian Yu Yan’s expectations. She was so calm as though she had finally understood everything. 

She had said that after hanging on for so many years, it was time she let go.

She even questioned, “Why am I telling you all this? You’re Jian Yu’er’s brother. If Young Master Jian has nothing else to say, you should head back. I don’t wish to see you any longer.” 

====

Nangong Xuan was silent for a bit, then he asked Jian Yu Yan, “Zi An, do you think she’s really letting go? Or is she just pretending while scheming something else behind?” 

Maybe it was in a fit of anger that she had uttered those words. Jian Yu Yan did not believe that a love that ran so deep could be so easily given up on. Yan Yi Ming had most probably said it in the heat of the moment, yet… 

Jian Yu Yan recalled what Yan Yi Ming said when he sent her off, “Many thanks to Young Master Jian today. Thank you for escorting me, and also for… the southern pearls.”

Jian Yu Yan’s head jerked up immediately. But before he could question her, Yan Yi Ming had already walked away, leaving only a faint silhouette disappearing into the darkness.

She had thanked him for the southern pearls.

Yan Yi Ming had long known that it was his intention to have the pearls delivered today. In the fading light of day, that smile was like a feather, gently hooking onto Jian Yu Yan’s thoughts. 

Because of this sentence, Jian Yu Yan was shaken once again. It seemed that Yan Yi Ming was not as simple as he had thought. However, he decided not to inform Nangong Xuan about this.

“Young Lady Yan said that since Your Highness doesn’t have her in your heart, she will not continue bothering Your Highness. I assume she has probably decided to let go,” Jian Yu Yan said.

“If she really gives up then it’s for the best. But if she has some other ulterior motives then Gu would be thoroughly disappointed.” Nangong Xuan suddenly did not want to hear such words. Deciding not to mention Yan Yi Ming further, he turned the conversation to Jian Yu’er, “Yu’er has also suffered a fright today. You should go back and console her. Gu will visit her when Gu has time.” 

Mentioning Jian Yu’er, Jian Yu Yan’s smile immediately receded. He gave a simple agreement before leaving the Eastern Palace.

Currently, Yan Yi Ming, who was back at Duke Ding’s manor, was leisurely leaning against the couch, chatting with Little Apple about her thoughts on today’s happenings. Just now, after she had ruthlessly bit her tongue, she was currently still feeling pain whenever she opened her mouth to talk, let alone attempt the act of eating. 

Little Apple admired his host’s movie empress acting skills. She even went as far as to bite her own tongue in the name of acting. The only thing he did not quite understand was, “Host, why did you tell Jian Yu Yan about knowing that he was the one that sent the southern pearls? Wouldn’t this reveal that you’re not as sad as you portrayed yourself to be?”

Yan Yi Ming had Lu Mei massage her eyes with hard-boiled eggs, while she answered Little Apple, “Of course, it wouldn’t.”

“Jian Yu Yan likes Jian Yu’er, so the scenario of Nangong Xuan liking Jian Yu’er is definitely something he doesn’t want to see. Therefore, for the sake of Jian Yu’er and himself, Jian Yu Yan would want me to divert Nangong Xuan’s attention. Having known Nangong Xuan for so many years, he knows Nangong Xuan’s character very well. He would never expose me to deliberately provoke Nangong Xuan’s interest.”

“All the male protagonists have different personalities, so we need to utilize different approaches when capturing them. Nangong Xuan is the embodiment of male chauvinism at its finest and is also extremely conceited. He’s only amenable to being coaxed and not coercion. He enjoys being in control of everything and when it comes to women, he prefers the gentle and obedient type. On the other hand, Jian Yu Yan is completely different. He has seen too many women, and women that are too delicate would only ignite his sympathy and nothing else. Thus, it’s very important to note that only by doing so can it trigger his interest.”

Little Apple nodded ignorantly, “So Host is planning to kill two birds with one stone by capturing two male protagonists directly?” 

“Of course not,” Yan Yi Ming scoffed, “My goal is only to capture Nangong Xuan. Why would I waste my time doing more than needed?” 

Little Apple could not quite comprehend, “Then why did you flirt with Jian Yu Yan?” 

Yan Yi Ming covered her face and chuckled, “I just casually mentioned it, how can that be considered flirting?”

Little Apple dazedly ‘oh’-ed before he quickly changed the topic, “Because of Host’s arrival today, the female protagonist, Jian Yu’er had suffered a great fright. Based on what Jian Yu Yan said just now, Jian Yu’er will most likely be coming to find you tomorrow to continue your superficial sisterhood…”

This was the content of the first episode, following the plot that Yan Yi Ming knew. In the original game, after Jian Yu’er was viciously scolded by Yan Yi Ming, she still came to Duke Ding’s manor the next day to apologize and explain that there was nothing going on between her and the Crown Prince. However, Young Lady Yan was still at the height of her fury. So, exceeding Little White Lotus Jian’s expectations, the conflict escalated and intensified.

There was no cure for Jian Yu’er’s Holy Mother personality.

Despite being insulted so horribly in the game setting, she still went to apologize. So it was safe to say that this time around, Jian Yu’er would definitely come tomorrow. 

“Oh right,” Little Apple suddenly recalled and reminded Yan Yi Ming, “Don’t forget the matters regarding the Fifth Prince.” 

Yan Yi Ming sighed in resignation, “You guys sure know how to create obstacles for me.”

Yan Yi Ming’s current identity might have been a cannon fodder female character, but she was, after all, a beautiful lady with a prominent background. Even though Nangong Xuan did not like her, there were still many that did.

In the end, Young Lady Yan did not marry the Crown Prince, but the current Fifth Prince, Nangong Ye.

According to the development of the original plot, Young Lady Yan had her heart completely broken by Nangong Xuan. She then got together with Nangong Ye, who looked seven to eight points similar to Nangong Xuan as they were biological brothers. Nangong Ye had long fancied Young Lady Yan and later on, the two lived in perfect harmony.

Now that Yan Yi Ming had directly taken over the identity of Young Lady Yan. In the words of Little Apple, since she had seized the person’s body, then she must help them finish their fated path in life. 

In short, Yan Yi Ming must complete the task of marrying Nangong Ye while simultaneously capturing Nangong Xuan.

Juggling between the two brothers, Yan Yi Ming felt that she was going to have a headache. But according to Little Apple, if she could not complete her task, then she was doomed to remain in the game forever and could never return to her world.

No matter how bad things were in the real world, there were many things she loved and could not abandon behind. So being able to return back to her own world was of utmost importance.

The maidservant came into the room carrying a tray of dishes. The scent of food whiffed in the air and Yan Yi Ming rolled off the couch.

The dishes were all excellently prepared. However, due to her injured tongue, she barely managed to eat a few mouthfuls before having the servants clear them away. 

What the eyes don’t see, the heart wouldn’t miss; and what is out of sight, the stomach wouldn’t crave. 

As a result, when this fell into the eyes of Lu Mei, it became that her young lady was too upset and had lost her appetite.

With Jian Yu Yan accompanying them just now, Lu Mei dare not speak. Now that they were back in Duke Ding’s manor and seeing that her young lady barely touched her food, Lu Mei started crying before Yan Yi Ming did.   

Seeing the weeping little maidservant, Yan Yi Ming wanted to laugh. She rubbed Lu Mei’s head while teasing, “What are you crying for?”

“I’m crying because of My Lady’s plight,” Lu Mei rubbed her walnut-shaped eyes and ranted, “People say that even a word of the Emperor is worth nine sacred tripods¹Words that held enormous weight.. Even if the Crown Prince’s words aren’t worth nine sacred tripods, they should still amount to eight sacred tripods. Yet, His Highness had lied! And that Young Lady Jian too! My Lady treated her so well last time but she had tried to ruin My Lady’s fated marriage. My Lady is every bit comparable to Young Lady Jian and His Highness must’ve been blind to like her instead of you!”

Yan Yi Ming nodded in complete agreement, “I also believe that I was blind back then.”

“That’s right, that’s right! My Lady has so many suitors that they nearly crush our manor’s gate. Even the Second and Fifth Prince…” Lu Mei nodded vigorously like she was pounding garlic. She only belatedly processed what her mistress had said. She jerked her head in Yan Yi Ming’s direction in horror, “My Lady, what did you just say?” 

“I said that you’re very right.” Yan Yi Ming took a sip of tea before instructing, “Jian Yu’er will definitely come to our manor tomorrow. I’ll task you to chase her out when she does.” 

Lu Mei agreed invigoratingly. 

The next day, Jian Yu’er really turned up at Duke Ding’s manor. However, she was stopped at the gates as Yan Yi Ming refused to meet her. According to the servants, their young lady went out yesterday and caught a chill, and today, she fell so ill to the point that she could not even leave her bed.

Jian Yu’er could only return to the Prime Minister’s Manor in despair.