Chapter 27: The Cold-Hearted Prince with a White Moonlight in His Heart 7

The reason Jing Yunluo wanted to handle things personally was simple: she was worried that someone might be working in the shadows to frame her.

She had not expected that by pure coincidence, Situ Che would overhear her, and even mistake her words for a confession of love.

It did not matter, though. An increase in his favorability was a good thing, even if it was a happy accident.

However... this Situ Che, he did not seem repulsed by the fact that she liked him? In fact, after hearing what she said, his favorability had actually gone up!

What did this mean? It meant that Situ Che liked this sort of thing!

A secret crush? Very well. Since that was the case, Jing Yunluo would perform a grand and stirring secret crush for him.

"Yue'er, you must remember that in this world, not every sentiment can be reciprocated. Moreover... not everyone expects their feelings to be returned. I do not ask for anything in return for this hidden love; I only hope that he stays safe and healthy."

"But... Your Highness, you still argue with the Prince..." Meng Yue said cautiously.

Jing Yunluo sighed. "That was my... final shred of dignity, I suppose. After all, what woman could willingly watch her husband favor someone else? Yet I know that Situ Che’s heart holds only Jin Yunlan. That is a fact I cannot change, and even more so, a fact I cannot accept. I can only deceive myself and avoid everything related to Jin Yunlan."

"Your Highness, are you... going to live like this forever?"

"Otherwise? What else can I do?"

Jing Yunluo scattered the seeds and covered them with soil. "If before this, I treated my affection for Situ Che as my own private affair, now... this is a marriage decreed by the Emperor. Even if I wanted to go back on it, I have no way to do so. However, if that day ever truly comes where I regret this, I imagine... it will be because I no longer love Situ Che!"

Meng Yue pouted. "Looking at things now, I don't think that day will ever come, will it?"

"Who can say for sure with these things?"

After planting the herbs, Jing Yunluo did not mind the dirt on the ground and sat down beside it, beckoning Meng Yue to come and sit next to her.

"Yue'er, human love is indeed indelible, but... no matter how deep the love, there will come a day when it is completely worn away. What Situ Che is doing now is slowly wearing away the love I have for him. When the day comes that my love for him is completely extinguished, I suppose... I will leave."

Meng Yue did not notice anything else, hearing only that Jing Yunluo might one day leave. "Your Highness, if one day you decide to leave, can you take me with you?"

"Of course!"

Outside the door, Situ Che lowered his hand, which had been about to knock.

He did not entirely disregard Jing Yunluo; after all, they had grown up together. But he truly loved Jin Yunlan—a love that was etched into his bones. Even though Jin Yunlan was already married to another, he could not let go of these feelings. Rather than continue this entanglement, it would be better to... make Jing Yunluo understand that his heart would never have room for her.

[My Lady, the target's favorability has increased by 5%. Current favorability is -15%. Keep up the good work! Situ Che was listening outside the door just now, but he has already left.]

Jing Yunluo did not mind. Let him leave; if he hadn't, she would have had to keep acting.

"Let's go! It's very late. Let's sleep. We don't need to wake up so early tomorrow; we'll sleep until we wake up naturally!" Jing Yunluo pulled Meng Yue into the room.

"Your Highness, I will sleep in the outer chamber. If you need anything, please call me."

"Alright, I understand."

The next day, Situ Che had intended to have someone take Jing Yunluo out to buy things, as a form of compensation. However, Zhaoyun knocked on the door of Nianyun Courtyard for a long time without receiving an answer, so he had to return to report. Situ Che assumed Jing Yunluo was still angry and did not want to deal with anyone associated with him, so he did not send anyone else.

Jing Yunluo, meanwhile, slept until the sun was high before she and Meng Yue went out to purchase herbs to make medicinal pills.

"This one is for colds."

"This is for headaches."

"This is for stomach pain."

"And this one can relieve the pain from bruises and injuries."

"Wow! Your Highness, you are amazing!" Meng Yue stood by, her face full of admiration.

Jing Yunluo looked at the pills she had rolled, feeling a great sense of accomplishment. She attached labels to them one by one and handed them to Meng Yue.

"Yue'er, go out for a trip. Give these medicines to Doctor Zhang and tell him they were just made. I have written down what each one is for and how to take them."

"Yes! Don't worry, Your Highness, I will deliver them!"

After Meng Yue left, Jing Yunluo lay on the daybed in the courtyard to read.

"Your Highness, the Prince invites you to a banquet at Yunkelai." Zhaoyun bowed to Jing Yunluo.

"Yunkelai? What banquet?" Jing Yunluo hadn't slept well the night before and was currently drowsy; she had no desire to attend a banquet.

Zhaoyun looked at Jing Yunluo and said hesitantly, "It is... it is a welcome banquet for the young lady of the Jin family."

"What?"

Jing Yunluo exploded instantly. She sat up abruptly and glared at Zhaoyun. Zhaoyun felt that the Prince had gone a bit too far, but he was the Prince's guard, and he knew who his master was.

"Fine, fine, fine! Situ Che doesn't know when to quit, does he? A welcome banquet? Very well! I'll go!" Jing Yunluo turned to head back to her room, saying as she walked, "Wait for me. I'll change my clothes and be right out!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Zhaoyun had expected that it would take a long time for a lady to dress and apply makeup, but before long, Jing Yunluo emerged.

"Let's go! I really want to see exactly what Situ Che is trying to do!"

Jing Yunluo was dressed in a bright red outfit. While it looked a bit too formal, she had only recently married Situ Che, so it was not entirely out of place.

Inside a private room at Yunkelai:

"Many thanks to the Prince of Jin for holding this welcome banquet for me." Jin Yunlan stood up and toasted Situ Che.

Situ Che smiled gently. "Miss Jin is too polite. As old friends of many years, it is only right that I host a welcome for you."

Many of those attending the banquet were old acquaintances of Jin Yunlan, and everyone knew of the Prince of Jin's feelings for her. Of course, some were there simply to see the drama, as the situation between Jing Yunluo, Situ Che, and Jin Yunlan was known throughout the capital. Now that Jing Yunluo was married to Situ Che, yet he clearly still favored Jin Yunlan, they wondered if Jing Yunluo would show up. If she did... it would be very interesting.

"Apologies, I am late."

Jing Yunluo's voice rang out, and the eyes of everyone present instantly lit up.

Wasn't this where the drama was?

"Jing Yunluo?" Situ Che frowned as he saw her sudden appearance.

"Why are you surprised? Isn't this exactly what you invited me for, Your Highness?" Jing Yunluo smiled with gentle elegance, but the warmth did not reach her eyes.

"I invited you?" Situ Che looked at Zhaoyun behind her. Although he said nothing, the intent was clear: this was an interrogation.