Qinghe was very strong, and Yan Mu couldn’t resist at all.
While holding her down, another palace maid came over and untied Yan Mu’s bandage.
Loop after loop of bandage unwrapped, as if uncovering a hidden secret.
When the last bit of bandage was removed, everyone in the palace hall gasped.
The skin of the young girl before them was like congealed fat1凝脂 (níng zhī) – fig. (said of a woman’s skin) smooth and soft, her eyes were like limpid autumn waters2秋水 (qiūshuǐ) – lit. autumn waters; traditional description of girl’s beautiful eyes, and every expression of hers3一颦一笑 (yīpínyīxiào) – every frown/twinkle and every smile; the slightest facial expression was full of grace4风情 (fēngqíng) – bearing; demeanor; elegance.
Now, she was biting her lip, looking extremely pitiful.
The Empress felt her blood pressure rise almost instantly.
“Miss Yan, is this the burn you were talking about?” Instead of getting angry the Empress just laughed, “Your burn is indeed serious!”
The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.
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Ykaynzl osajla? Fwrlac xleknyz pjkzzp?
Ebs kp vbkp Ykpp Zyd vaukdt vs elnlkhl?!
Mbl Oxralpp tsv lhld ydtakla.
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How could she tolerate it!
The Empress was dizzy from anger, and firmly believed that Yan Mu and the Noble Consort were birds of the same feather6一丘之貉 (yīqiūzhīhé) – jackals of the same tribe (idiom); be tarred with the same brush, skilled in using seduction techniques.
She waved her hand.
Several palace maids immediately understood her meaning and dragged Yan Mu out.
They shoved Yan Mu into a little black room.
“Miss Yan, the Second Prince is Her Majesty’s lifeblood7命根子 (mìnggēnzi) – lifeblood; lifeline. The thing that one cherishes the most in life. . How dare8不知好歹 (bù zhī hǎo-dǎi) – unable to differentiate good from bad (idiom) you touch Her Majesty’s bottom line!” Qinghe mocked.
“Second Prince?” Yan Mu was dumbfounded.
Good God, I was just saying that the Empress’s hostility towards me was baffling. It was actually because she thinks I like Chu Cong?
For a moment, Yan Mu felt complicated.
She carefully thought back to her interactions with Chu Cong.
It was ridiculous. The last time she met Chu Cong was even two months ago.
Yan Mu hurriedly explained, “Her Majesty the Empress has misunderstood. His Second Highness and I are innocent.”
Qinghe ignored her and locked the door of the little black room.
“It’s true! My lover is Bodyguard Yu!” Yan Mu anxiously cried.
Qinghe finally reacted.
Through the narrow slit in the door, Yan Mu saw Qinghe coldly raise her head.
“Since you’re a pair with Bodyguard Yu, why are you still entangled with His Second Highness? You’re really too fickle9水性杨花 (shuǐxìngyánghuā) – have a disposition as changeable as water (idiom); a woman of loose morals; a woman as unstable as water.” Qinghe seemed even angrier.
After speaking, she left without another word.
Yan Mu was completely dumbfounded.
Even if she was innocent, there seemed to be no way for her to prove herself.
Fortunately, she had just replenished her lifespan. Although the little black room was dark, Yan Mu could still clearly see her surroundings.
The room was filled with firewood and rice straw.
It looked like the firewood shed of a small kitchen.
Yan Mu sighed and sat down on a pile of rice straw.
She would like to escape, but unfortunately, this was the palace.
Where could she run to?
What if she escaped to some noble person’s hall but was mistaken for an assassin and killed directly? She would really be done for.
Anyhow, this matter had started because of Chu Cong, and she was still considered his subordinate. He wouldn’t really fold his hands and watch her die10见死不救 (jiànsǐ-bùjiù) – do nothing to save somebody from ruin; leave one to sink or swim; leave somebody in the lurch, right?
Yan Mu sighed and sat quietly on the rice straw, waiting for someone to rescue her.
********************
When Chu Cong heard Xiao Qing’s report, he thought he was hallucinating.
“Yan Mu was summoned by my Mother Empress?” Chu Cong was stunned.
“Eunuch Qin didn’t mention who it was, everything is just this subordinate’s speculation,” Xiao Qing said.
“You did very well.” Chu Cong was silent for a long time before saying, “Shenji Battalion only needs to pledge loyalty to me alone, there’s no need to obey the orders of others.”
“Yes.” Xiao Qing understood Chu Cong’s unspoken words.
It seems like His Second Highness is somewhat dissatisfied with the Empress.
However, that was to be expected.
Although His Second Highness was the son of the Empress, he didn’t receive much attention, because the Emperor favored the Noble Consort.
The Empress was the daughter of a general, and was proud and arrogant.
It was already a great humiliation to have the Noble Consort trample all over her, so how could she allow the Noble Consort’s son to be more outstanding than her own?
The Empress was too strict with Chu Cong, causing strain to their mother-son relationship.
Furthermore, what the Empress did today……
Xiao Qing softly sighed.
When he raised his head, he saw that Chu Cong had already ordered someone to ready his horse, and he was about to enter the palace.
Xiao Qing thought for a moment and asked, “Bodyguard Yu is handling palace affairs, do you want to call him to join?”
Chu Cong’s body froze. He was silent for a while before he said, “No need.”
*************************
When Chu Cong arrived at Fengyi Hall, he happened to bump into Yu Yuan.
Their eyes met, and the atmosphere seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
Yu Yuan lowered his eyes and took the lead by bowing his head and saluting Chu Cong.
Chu Cong tried his best to hide the unease in his eyes and asked, “What did Bodyguard Yu come to Fengyi Hall for?”
“There are several uncertainties on the gift list, so I came to ask Her Majesty the Empress to decide.” Yu Yuan changed the topic, “Did Your Second Highness come because of birthday affairs too?”
Chu Cong was silent for a moment, but in the end, he decided to tell the truth, “I came because of Yan Mu.”
Sure enough, Yu Yuan’s expression immediately changed.
“This morning, Yan Mu was called away by my Mother Empress and hasn’t returned yet,” Chu Cong sighed. “My Mother Empress has always been at odds with the Noble Consort, and because of this, she keeps a very close eye on the women around me.”
The underlying meaning of Chu Cong’s words was very obvious, the Empress misunderstood his relationship with Yan Mu.
“What has Your Second Highness decided to do?” Yu Yuan asked.
“She’s my Mother Empress. I’ll explain it to her clearly, and maybe she’ll let Yan Mu off.” Chu Cong was also a little distressed.
Although he’d had some thoughts, he never put them into action.
He and Yan Mu were indeed as innocent as they could be.
“Logically, Yan Mu has managed the bookstore well. Although Mother Empress will have suspicions, she won’t forcefully detain her.” Chu Cong felt a little strange.
His Mother Empress was indeed a little strict, but she wouldn’t be unreasonable11胡搅蛮缠 (hú jiǎo mán chán) – harass somebody with unreasonable demands; pester somebody endlessly.
However, her treatment towards Yan Mu was different from usual12一反常态 (yī fǎn cháng tài) – be out of character; depart from one’s normal behavior; be contrary to the way one usually behaves; change all of a sudden, which was worth considering.
Hearing this, Yu Yuan was stunned, and he suddenly remembered Yan Mu’s ability to prolong her lifespan with kisses.
Could the Empress have discovered something unusual with Yan Mu’s injury……
Thinking of this, Yu Yuan’s heart was suddenly restless.
Yu Yuan pretended to be calm and said to Chu Cong, “The situation is urgent, and I can’t quickly explain it, but I hope Your Highness can do me a favor.”
“I want to leave the palace immediately and invite Imperial Physician Xu over,” Yu Yuan said.
Although Chu Cong was surprised, he didn’t ask much, as Yan Mu’s life was currently at stake.
*********************
Yu Yuan invited Imperial Physician Xu over as quickly as possible, and also brought along the bookstore’s account books.
When he arrived at Fengyi Hall, the Empress was reprimanding the kneeling Chu Cong.
Seeing Yu Yuan arrive, Chu Cong immediately looked like he’d seen his savior, and even his eyes lit up.
The Empress saw through Chu Cong’s thoughts. She just coldly snorted and went back to sit on her throne.
Retracting his gaze, Yu Yuan presented the account books to the Empress.
“Here are the exact expenses and profits of the bookstore. Your Majesty, please refer to them,” Yu Yuan said in a deep and calm voice.
“What are you bringing these here for?” The Empress coldly said.
As she spoke, she flipped through the bookstore’s expenses and profits.
As she looked, the Empress’s expression turned to shock.
She even went through it again to confirm its authenticity.
Seeing that the Empress was almost finished, Yu Yuan then said, “This servant just wants to prove that Ah Mu isn’t just a pretty face.”
The Empress lifted her eyes and glanced at Yu Yuan, reluctantly acknowledging his words.
“What about Imperial Physician Xu?” the Empress asked.
“Your Majesty has always been fair and transparent in giving rewards and punishments, but this time you suddenly had Yan Mu detained. This servant boldly guesses that it’s because of Ah Mu’s injury,” Yu Yuan said.
“What do you mean?” Chu Cong couldn’t hold back anymore.
“No matter how serious the wounds are, Ah Mu has always recovered extremely fast since childhood, but she’s afraid of being treated as a demon, so she has never dared to reveal it publically.” Yu Yuan deliberately sighed, “It’s the same for her burns. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Imperial Physician Xu about the condition of her wounds back then.”
“Bodyguard Yu knows quite a lot,” the Empress faintly said.
She glanced at Chu Cong and said meaningfully, “You know much more than Cong’er.”
“……This servant and Ah Mu have known each other since childhood13青梅竹马 (qīngméi-zhúmǎ) – lit. green plums and hobby-horse (idiom); a girl and a boy playing innocently together; a man and a woman who had an innocent affection for each other in childhood; childhood sweethearts; a couple who grew up as childhood friends and admired each other for a long time.” Yu Yuan paused for a while and continued, “If Uncle Yan didn’t go to the south to look for flowers, I’m afraid Ah Mu and I would’ve already been engaged.”
This statement was partially true. Yu Yuan was testing Chu Cong, and indirectly dispelling the Empress’s hostility towards Yan Mu.
Yu Yuan’s face was calm, but his eyes nervously watched the Empress’s movements.
Sure enough, the Empress was stunned to hear this.
“Very well.” The Empress suddenly laughed.
“Mother Empress?” Chu Cong was confused by her actions.
“If so, I’ll do a good deed and bestow marriage to you and Yan Mu,” the Empress said lightly.
At her words, both Yu Yuan and Chu Cong were shocked.
Chu Cong was about to speak up and oppose, but Yu Yuan was one step ahead as he knelt down and thanked the Empress for her grace.
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.” Yu Yuan said this with extra emphasis.
Chu Cong’s words were then stuck in his throat.
Watching their reactions, The Empress felt even more certain that she had made the right decision.
After speaking, she asked the two to follow Qinghe to let Yan Mu out.
**********************
Yan Mu didn’t have much breakfast, and was locked up the whole morning, so her stomach was growling from hunger.
Fortunately, Eunuch Qin sent someone to sneak in some pastries. She was wolfing them down when she suddenly heard the sound of the door opening.
Yan Mu was startled and stuffed all the pastries into her mouth like a hamster.
Cheeks bulging, she desperately chewed, trying to swallow them down.
The pastries were dry, and there was no water here, so Yan Mu naturally choked.
She frantically patted her chest, and finally swallowed them down before someone came in.
Yan Mu quickly wiped the pastries’ crumbs off from the corners of her mouth.
She was apprehensive inside, not knowing whether she was about to welcome redemption…… or death.
Yan Mu’s heart beat wildly.
Finally, the door opened.
Bright sunshine poured in.
Seeing Qinghe come in first, Yan Mu’s heart jolted.
But soon after, Chu Cong and Yu Yuan’s figures came into sight.
Yan Mu was stunned.
After a long time, she let out a long sigh of relief.
She knew she had been saved.
While clearly nothing had happened, it seemed like everything had.
Yan Mu couldn’t help but have lingering fears. If Yu Yuan hadn’t found me, what would’ve happened to me?
She didn’t dare to think about it anymore.
It wasn’t until Yu Yuan led her out of the palace and she was sitting in a warm and comfortable horse carriage that Yan Mu came back to her senses.
Her clothes were stained with dirt, and Yu Yuan sat beside her, carefully wiping them with a handkerchief.
“Ah Mu has suffered,” Yu Yuan said gently.
If Yu Yuan hadn’t mentioned it, Yan Mu could’ve still held it in.
But as soon as he spoke, she couldn’t hold back anymore.
She jumped into Yu Yuan’s arms and buried her face in the teenager’s chest, feeling aggrieved.
“……What took you so long?” she coquettishly complained.
Yu Yuan lowered his head and kissed the young girl’s forehead.
“There won’t be a next time.” Yu Yuan’s eyes darkened, but his tone towards Yan Mu remained gentle.
Including that time in Qingshui Village, this was Yan Mu’s second time in danger.
Although he wasn’t as powerless as before, Yu Yuan still didn’t like that feeling of being at the mercy of others.
He wanted to climb to the highest peak step by step, so no one could control him.
Only this way could he protect Yan Mu fully.
In his arms, the young girl still lowered her head in grievance, and her usually white and clear small hands were also covered in a layer of black ash.
Yu Yuan’s heart throbbed a little with pain.
Lifting Yan Mu, he placed her on his thigh.
Yan Mu’s back was perfectly pressed against Yu Yuan’s chest, giving Yu Yuan’s heart a sense of fulfillment.
He took a breath and lightly whispered in the young girl’s ear.
“Let me tell Ah Mu some good news.” Yu Yuan affectionately nuzzled Yan Mu’s ear with the tip of his nose.
The smell on the young girl’s body was fragrant and sweet. As he inhaled her fragrance from his nose into his lungs, all the blood in his body began to boil.
Yu Yuan inhaled Yan Mu’s scent like an opium addict.
“What is it?”
Yu Yuan’s nuzzling tickled Yan Mu, and she couldn’t help but giggle.
Her crisp laughter instantly broke the heavy atmosphere.
Sunlight poured in through the windows, and the atmosphere in the carriage instantly became joyful.
Yu Yuan’s Adam’s apple slightly moved as he stared at the young girl’s lips.
He hugged Yan Mu a little tighter to bring her closer to him, as if he wanted to melt the young girl into his flesh and blood.
“Ah Mu, the Empress has bestowed marriage to us,” he hoarsely said.
Edited by: Gaze
Chu Cong: *silently eating dog food prepared by his mother*
I kinda feel sorry for him. It’s kinda rare for me to be sympathetic towards the second ML, so wish him find a good wife. If I remember correctly he has a fiancée… so go and cherish her! Don’t look for other people’s green plums, ah
And Yu Yuan, you are really smooth here, aren’t ya? “The marriage was bestowed, sorry, nothing can be done” – aha, aha, as if we believe that you aren’t happy as hell 😂
To be fair for him though, this is one of the easiest way for Yan Mu’s dad to accept Yu Yuan as son-in-law rather than as adopted son.