"What did the Empress do this afternoon?" Yun Shu sat on the dragon throne in the Imperial Study with a gloomy expression, listening to Han Guang, who was now a first-class palace guard, reply.
Han Guang felt a chill run down his spine. Reporting on the Empress's actions, though simple, was far from thankless. Especially since the Emperor's face would turn ashen every time he replied. "Your Majesty, after Her Majesty woke up from her afternoon nap, she first spent some time with her son, the First Prince, and then sat by the window watching the snow for an hour and a half."
With a "snap," a fine blue-and-white porcelain brush with scrolling grass patterns was broken in two by Yun Shusheng.
Tan Lang, who was also in the Imperial Study, felt immense pressure. However, he was puzzled. He had witnessed the affection between the Emperor and Empress. After Yun Shu ascended the throne, she gave up her three thousand concubines for Xiao Jin. If it were anyone else, they would have been overjoyed. Why was Xiao Jin becoming more and more depressed?
After her anger subsided, a deep sense of despondency and helplessness nearly overwhelmed Yun Shu. Since entering the palace, Xiao Jin's expression had become increasingly gloomy. He thought she was worried that there would be other people in their relationship. Yun Shu had stated early on that she would not appoint any other concubines besides the Empress, and all the beauties sent from various places would be returned.
Every day after returning home, Yun Shu would spend a lot of time with her, telling her her feelings. Although Xiao Jin would nod in agreement each time, he could always detect the melancholy in her eyes and faint smile; Xiao Jin was not truly happy.
"Your Majesty, you need not worry." Yun Shu's face was cold, and Tan Lang, as a subject, had no choice but to reassure her, "Perhaps Her Highness is simply not used to life in the palace—"
"I don't know where I haven't done enough." Yun Shu suddenly stood up, walked to the window with her hands behind her back, and looked at the white mess on the floor. Her tone had never sounded so insecure. "Where did things go wrong that makes her unable to rest easy every day?"
Yun Shu's rare display of weakness left Tan Lang speechless.
"I'll summon the Empress in a moment. Just say that Princess Yunyang asked you to deliver a message." Yun Shu looked at Tan Lang with displeasure. "Try to ask her indirectly."
The ways of fate in this world are truly unpredictable. Xiao Jin, wanting to elevate Ning Huiyun's status, asked Yun Shu to bestow upon her the title of Princess Yunyang, hoping to find her a suitable husband. Unexpectedly, Tan Lang proposed marriage. Xiao Jin was surprised and asked Ning Huiyun's opinion, to which she was surprisingly satisfied!
Tan Lang came from a humble background, but now he is a close advisor to the emperor, so the Marquis of Ningyuan has nothing to object to.
Although the couple's marriage has not yet been announced to the public, everyone around them knows that their wedding is imminent, which is the only thing that can arouse Xiao Jin's interest.
Tan Lang inwardly groaned. It would be better if he didn't get any information; if the Empress actually told him, that would truly be the end of him. He had already experienced the Emperor's jealousy back in Yucheng. He didn't want to experience that again.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best."
******
When Xiao Jin, wrapped in a thick fox fur coat, was carried into the outer hall of the Imperial Study in a sedan chair, he was still somewhat uneasy.
She breathed a slight sigh of relief when she saw that only Tan Lang was there.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject greets you." Tan Lang bowed respectfully to Xiao Jin before slowly recounting the reason he had just prepared. "The princess misses Your Majesty very much. She said that the plum blossoms at Huguo Temple are in bloom, and asked me to inquire whether Your Majesty is feeling better and wishes to invite you to go see them together."
Yun Shu, standing behind the black lacquered stained glass window, was not happy about it. Xiao Jin was in a weak state, so how could he go to such a cold and freezing place!
Indeed, Yun Shu's idea of eavesdropping surprised Tan Lang greatly. To be honest, an emperor who could go to such lengths was unprecedented in history.
Xiao Jin smiled and nodded, saying, "That's a good idea. I'll consult the Emperor before making any plans."
The moment she mentioned Yun Shu, her expression darkened noticeably. At the same time, Tan Lang was already drenched in cold sweat. The emperor's sharp gaze through the lattice window made him feel like he was being pricked by needles, unsure of what wrong word he might say that would lead to dire consequences.
"Your Majesty, is there some unpleasantness between you and the Emperor?" After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xiao Jin, Tan Lang had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask the crucial question. "The Princess said that when she saw Your Majesty last time, Your Majesty seemed quite depressed. Since the Emperor was present, she didn't dare to ask. Today, upon learning that I had entered the palace, she asked me to inquire about Your Majesty no matter what."
Tan Lang's words were full of holes, but Xiao Jin, who had been distracted lately, didn't notice anything amiss. She had been holding back some things for too long and wanted to talk to someone. And the only person who could keep it a secret and not reveal anything was Tan Lang.
"When the Emperor was in distress in the palace, I followed him in and was granted the title of Princess overnight. Do you find that strange?" Xiao Jin pondered for a moment before uttering this seemingly unrelated sentence.
Tan Lang's eyes showed doubt. This had almost become a taboo subject for them, something they could never mention. Rumors in the capital said that Xiao Jin had slept with Yun Xu, and although they absolutely trusted Xiao Jin's character, it wasn't impossible that she might have done so in her haste to save Yun Shu—
"The rumors circulating in the capital are incorrect," Xiao Jin chuckled. "Given my status back then, even if I were truly so shameless as to climb into Yun Xu's bed, would I have been so easily bestowed the title of Princess?"
"And when I offered Yunxu my advice, he really didn't suspect anything, which you all find strange!"
Not only did Tan Lang become serious, but Yun Shu also secretly focused her attention and listened carefully.
“Because I don’t belong here.” Xiao Jin sighed softly, her eyes empty and unfocused. “I came from another world. My body is Xiao Jin’s, but the soul inside is someone else’s.”
Xiao Jin's two casual words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding in Tan Lang and Yun Shu's ears.
"Why would Yunxu believe me unconditionally?" Xiao Jin decided to speak frankly and reveal everything. "The soul in Yunxu's body has long since been replaced. He and I come from the same world. A song lyric I wrote for Mo once exposed my identity. In order to prevent Yunxu from taking me into his harem, I had to scheme to get him to make me the eldest princess."
"The rest is easy to explain."
Tan Lang was no ordinary man; even faced with such shocking words, he remained calm, though his gaze grew increasingly complex. He wanted to ask many questions, but didn't know where to begin. Xiao Jin, however, hadn't finished speaking.
"The reason I came into this world is because of the Emperor. Master Huizong told me that I am the one who helps the Emperor gather the three stars of Killing, Breaking, and Wolf. When the three stars are gathered, the world will change hands. And at that time, I will have the opportunity to go home."
If the previous words had struck Yun Shu's heart like blows, this one was the fatal one.
Going home... He felt a terrible panic. This place was where he and their newborn son were, but for her, it wasn't even home?
“I dare not ask Master Huizong how to get back.” Xiao Jin’s face was pale, and her eyes were empty and bewildered, which was heartbreaking. “I’m afraid he will answer me, and I’m also afraid there will be no answer.”
On one side is the home she's lived in for over twenty years and longed for for four years; on the other is the home she and Yun Shu have just built. And their home is so unusual. It's true that Yun Shu respects and loves her, but who can guarantee that things will never change? She'll have to weigh more and more factors. If she hadn't fallen for him, she could try to be a virtuous empress; but once she's invested her feelings, she won't be so magnanimous.
Just like when she first married Yun Shu, she spent her days trying to find Yun Shu a "true love" so that he would be less disgusted with her.
Xiao Jin slowly smiled, but the bitterness within was impossible to conceal. All of this was just an excuse for her selfishness. If she could use the excuse that Yun Shu would change her mind, she probably wouldn't feel so guilty if she left!
"Please don't tell the Emperor about this." Xiao Jin sighed deeply. She tilted her head, her eyes glistening with tears, and gave a strange smile. "Actually, it might be better if I weren't here. The Emperor would have a full harem, and he could have a virtuous empress to manage the entire harem for him. He would have many children and grandchildren, and he would have been able to keep the court in check. He wouldn't be in such a predicament because of me like he is today."
How could she not know how much pressure Yun Shu had shouldered for her? But the more she thought about it, the more rational she felt that the two of them should separate.
Tan Lang didn't dare to answer. The Emperor was standing right behind him, and he didn't know what the Emperor was thinking.
"Please give my regards to Yunniang." Xiao Jin straightened up, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and said with composure and grace, "If she has time, she can come to the palace."
"Yes," Tan Lang replied, forcing himself to agree.
Xiao Jin nodded slightly, turned and went out the door. Her long, bright red dress trailed on the ground, making her figure appear somewhat frail.
Just as Xiao Jin's figure disappeared, Tan Lang suddenly heard the sound of shattering glass. He turned around and saw that the stained glass on the partition was broken into pieces. Yun Shu's face was grim, as if she was brewing a storm.
******