Chapter 99: His Highness Truly Admires the Young Lady (5000)

Page (1/3)

“When did anyone in your palace start playing tunes with a leaf?” Zimou looked toward the source of the sound, his interest piqued.

Moyan was somewhat surprised as well and shook his head. “I don’t know.” Though he said he didn’t know, he couldn’t help but think of Jin’er.

He had never heard anyone in his palace play music with a leaf before; it had to be her. Yet, why did the melody carry a hint of sadness and melancholy? Did she have something troubling her?

At the thought, Moyan’s brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of worry crept into his heart.

“Is it her?” Seeing Moyan distracted, Zimou raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile.

Moyan turned back and smiled softly, “Perhaps.”

“Shouldn’t you introduce me to her sometime?”

“Another day. Come, there’s something important I need to discuss with you in my study.” Moyan stood up.

Zimou smiled lightly and followed him toward the study.

After the burning of an incense stick, inside the study—

“What?? You want to...” Zimou gasped, but caught himself mid-sentence and cautiously glanced toward the door.

“Help me.” Moyan leaned back in his chair, his expression calm and composed, but Zimou could see a seriousness in his eyes.

“Why? This is not like you at all.” Zimou was puzzled. He remembered how he had once strongly advised Moyan, but Moyan had never listened before. Why the sudden change? “Could it be because of her?”

Moyan frowned, looking up at the ceiling, whispering, “Don’t ask so much. I’ve made up my mind. Will you help me or not?”

Zimou raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Is that even a question? Though I’m a bit disappointed by your reasoning, for the sake of the people who may soon be spared from suffering, I’ll overlook it.”

“All right, act quickly—the sooner, the better.” Moyan placed his hands on the armrests, his fingers tapping rhythmically.

“So urgent? Fine, I’ll do my best.” A spark of excitement glimmered in Zimou’s eyes.

Perhaps because of his name, though Zimou was born into a family of military generals, he had no interest in battlefield glory. Instead, he preferred literary arts, wine, and poetry. Yet his love for the country and its people remained steadfast.

After discussing the general plan, Zimou stood to take his leave. Moyan accompanied him out of the study and, after seeing him off a short distance, turned toward Jin’er’s direction.

At this moment, Jin’er had stopped playing the leaf and was now practicing swordplay on a patch of grass in the courtyard.

The moonlight was hazy, reflecting a cold radiance on the blade, tracing beautiful, ever-changing arcs through the night.

Her graceful and agile figure would leap and spin; the sword moves appeared delicate, yet every strike was laden with lethal intent. Her exquisite face bore no smile, only a serene, focused coldness.

It had been some time since she last practiced swordplay. Feeling restless earlier, she decided to vent by practicing a few moves. Unexpectedly, as she trained, new insights came to her. Seizing this feeling, she focused completely, losing track of time and forgetting that her shoulder injury had not yet healed.

After a long while, she finally stopped, a faint smile appearing on her face. Raising her hand to wipe sweat from her brow, she suddenly felt a sharp pain where her wound was torn and frowned, softly gasping.

“What’s wrong? The wound hurt?” A concerned voice came from behind. Turning, she saw Moyan approaching briskly, worry and tenderness etched across his face.

“It’s nothing, just a superficial scrape. Has your friend left?” Jin’er smiled, turning around to lower her half-raised hand.

“Yes. I watched you for a long time from the side, afraid to disturb you. Watching you practice swordplay was a pleasure—it made me forget you were injured.” Moyan said apologetically, pulling a pure white silk handkerchief from his pocket to gently wipe the sweat from her brow.

“But after more than two years apart, you truly make me look at you with new eyes.” He smiled at Jin’er with admiration and disbelief.

In just two or three years, she had gone from no skill at all to formidable prowess — it was hard for him to believe. He recalled her late nights reading in the Imperial Medical Hall and could imagine how hard she must have worked at her martial training, filling him with a sudden pang of tenderness.

“I’ll make you admire me even more in the future,” Jin’er said proudly, snatching the handkerchief from his hand to wipe her own sweat.

“Oh?” Moyan raised an eyebrow and smiled, then grew serious. “But with me protecting you, you don’t have to train so hard anymore. Few can challenge your current skills, and I don’t want you to suffer so much.”

Jin’er smiled but said nothing in protest. “It’s late. You should rest early too.” With that, she turned toward her room but felt a sudden tug on her arm as Moyan’s large hand caught hers.

“Sit with me for a while.” He smiled and pulled her gently to a nearby stone bench, leaving no room for refusal.

“Were you the one playing the leaf earlier?” He turned to look at her with a smile.

“You heard it?” Jin’er smiled faintly and glanced at him.

“Mm. It was beautiful, but I felt you were unhappy.” Moyan’s smile faded, replaced by a worried expression.

Jin’er raised an eyebrow. “Was I?” She leaned back on the bench, looking up at the crescent moon above.

“Are you worried about the Fire Eye Stone?” Moyan said, taking her small hand in his and tightening his grip to prevent her from pulling away. “I’ve said everything is in my hands. Trust me.”

“I’m not worried about that, just thinking about some past memories.” Jin’er couldn’t break free, feeling the warmth of his palm spreading to her face, burning slightly.

“Past memories?” Moyan lowered his gaze, recalling the hardships she had endured, his brow tightening.

Page (2/3)

Suddenly, his hand loosened. Jin’er silently exhaled in relief and quickly withdrew her hand, only to be pulled into his embrace the next moment.

“Let the past be past. From now on, I will not let anyone hurt you again.” His voice was gentle yet resolute, and Jin’er stopped struggling.

Listening to the steady beat of his heart and his promise, Jin’er was briefly entranced.

But after a moment, she regained her composure.

Such sweet promises could be heard and felt for a time, but one must not lose oneself in them. In the 21st century, whether in films, television, or real life, betrayal was everywhere. In this ancient world dominated by male superiority, pure, lifelong love was probably even rarer.

Especially among royalty and nobles—what man didn’t have many wives and concubines, constantly discarding the old for the new? Even her own father had once professed undying love for her mother, showering her with sweet words and solemn vows. In the end, he watched her die without shedding a tear and even harmed their children.

Suppressing the sharp sting of bitterness and despair rising within her, Jin’er suddenly felt weak.

Though she wanted to leave his embrace, she couldn’t help but cling to it. After a long internal struggle, she decided to indulge herself just this once.

Just for a little while.

Closing her eyes, she leaned quietly against him, savoring the peace and comfort he gave her.

Noticing Jin’er’s quiet surrender, Moyan felt an indescribable joy. He tightened his arms slightly and said nothing more, silently savoring the happiness and fulfillment of the moment.

He didn’t know how long passed before he snapped back from his wandering thoughts. Looking down, he realized she had fallen asleep in his arms.

Seeing her nestled against him, her face peaceful and sweet, his heart softened as if melting into water.

Carefully, he lifted her in his arms and headed toward her room.

Xiaodie saw them and was about to speak, but the Second Prince shook his head at her, prompting her to quietly retreat. When she returned with a basin of water, Moyan had already laid Jin’er on the bed.

“You may leave. I’ll take care of her.” Moyan spoke softly as he wrung out the washcloth and turned to the bedside.

Xiaodie paused, surprised to see him personally wiping Jin’er’s forehead. She quickly withdrew, filled with admiration and envy.

She never imagined the Second Prince could be so gentle and considerate. If the young ladies infatuated with him saw this, their hearts would surely shatter.

The door closed softly. After setting the washcloth aside, Moyan fetched clean bandages and medicine bottles, carefully sitting Jin’er up and leaning her against him.

He gently loosened her clothing, pulling it down just below her shoulders. His eyes met the snow-white skin above her chest, the faintly visible allure there choking his throat.

Composing himself, he began removing the bandages around the wound.

This girl—still practicing swordplay before her injury had healed, causing the wound to rupture again.

As he unwound the blood-stained bandages, revealing the long scar beneath, his heart tightened.

With one hand holding the medicine bottle, the other resting Jin’er’s body on his arm, he began applying ointment.

First, he sprinkled golden wound powder into the split, then used his fingertip to gently spread cream along the edges of the injury.

Jin’er, asleep, twitched slightly, murmuring softly, disturbed by the itching sensation.

Moyan paused, seeing she had not awakened, then resumed with a tender, doting smile.

After bandaging her, he carefully straightened her clothes, laid her back down, and covered her with a quilt. Seeing her still peacefully asleep, he smiled and reached out to gently caress her smooth face.

The touch was indescribably delightful, making him reluctant to pull away. His thumb stroked her cheek twice. Jin’er’s brows furrowed slightly in sleep, and she reached up to grasp his hand, pulling it closer.

Moyan was about to withdraw but she suddenly gripped one finger tightly, refusing to let go. After two attempts to free his hand failed, he gave up.

He let her hold his index finger quietly, gazing at her for a long time.

Eventually, drowsiness overtook him. He shifted her closer and lay down beside her.

His free arm wrapped gently around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. After planting a soft kiss on her forehead, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The next morning, Jin’er woke early. Moyan had already left.

She was accustomed to rising early but, knowing her injury had not healed and she couldn’t practice swordplay, she lingered in bed. Yet she felt no more sleepiness and stared blankly at the canopy above.

Wait—last night, hadn’t she been in the courtyard with Moyan? Blinking a few times, she guessed she must have fallen asleep and he had carried her back.

Relieved, she hurriedly pulled back the covers to check herself. Her clothes were intact, and she relaxed—thankfully, he was no scoundrel taking advantage.

Suddenly recalling the dream of sleeping with him, wrapped in his arms, she blushed deeply.

Could it be that she secretly desired him?

Annoyed at her own wandering thoughts, she tapped her forehead and scolded herself. Yet her cheeks remained tinged with a rosy flush.

After lying there a while longer, unable to stay still, she rose. With Xiaodie’s help, she washed and dressed before stepping outside.

After breathing in the fresh air for a while, breakfast arrived.

Page (3/3)

“So much?” Jin’er looked at the unusually abundant breakfast spread with curiosity.

“My portion is included.” Moyan entered cheerfully.

Today he wore a white robe embroidered with golden flames, his black hair tied up with a red jade and gold crown. His handsome features were dignified and restrained, vastly different from his usual carefree elegance.

Jin’er stared at this transformed Moyan, her cherry lips parted in surprise, forgetting to close them for a long moment.

Seeing her dazed expression, Moyan’s eyes twinkled as he raised an eyebrow and smiled.

He approached her side, noticing she hadn’t fully recovered her composure. Leaning down, he gently pinched her chin and smiled enticingly. “Welcome back to the living.”

Jin’er snapped back to reality, blushing as she swatted his hand away.

Damn it, could she stop being so emotionally vulnerable?

“Looks like you like my new look?” Moyan smiled and sat opposite her.

“Stop flattering yourself.” Jin’er replied sourly but was still embarrassed and avoided his gaze.

Moyan chuckled quietly, pleased with her reaction.

They each picked up their chopsticks and began eating, the atmosphere strangely awkward.

“Did you sleep well last night?” Moyan asked casually.

“Not bad.” Jin’er’s flushed face warmed again. Why the sudden question?

“Only ‘not bad’? I thought it would be great.” Moyan smirked. She had snuggled up to him many times during the night, keeping him awake.

“Why?” Jin’er asked, puzzled.

“Nothing. When I carried you back to your room, you were sleeping soundly with a smile on your face. I wondered what sweet dream you were having.” He dared not mention the night’s events, lest she get embarrassed.

Unaware, Jin’er’s eye twitched. She hurriedly lowered her head to pretend to eat seriously. How annoying—had she smiled in her dream while with him?

Seeing her silent, Moyan stopped teasing her. After finishing breakfast, he stood and said, “I have to go out. Stay in the palace and don’t wander.”

So that’s why he had changed his attire.

“Be good. I’ll be back soon.” Moyan affectionately patted Jin’er’s head and left.

Jin’er sat there, her mouth twitching slightly. “Hey, do you take me for a dog?!” she grumbled unhappily.

Moyan, already outside the door, turned and smiled ambiguously at her before continuing on.

Nearby, Xiaodie chuckled softly. “The prince really dotes on the young lady.”

“Dotes?” Jin’er glanced at her, blinking twice before pouting and whispering, “Who asked for his doting?”

Xiaodie smiled, then grew serious. “The prince truly likes you. Before you came, he was gloomy all day. We servants felt heartbroken seeing it. Now, he’s happy again—it’s wonderful.”

Jin’er was momentarily at a loss for words. After a moment, she suddenly smiled brightly. “Xiaodie, can you tell me about him?”

Seeing her curious, like a child waiting for a story, Xiaodie nodded cheerfully, feeling closer to her usually unpretentious mistress.

“Miss, please wait a moment. I’ll clear the table first.”

Jin’er smiled and nodded, secretly looking forward to it.

Once Xiaodie finished tidying up, Jin’er insisted on pulling her to sit at the table despite her protests.

“It’s all right. Don’t be too nervous. When no one else is around, just relax.” Jin’er said sincerely.

“All right then.” Xiaodie nodded reluctantly, still a little anxious but knowing escape was impossible.

“How old are you? How long have you been in this palace?” Jin’er asked curiously.

“I’m seventeen this year. When I was eleven, a famine hit my hometown and my parents starved to death. The Second Prince saved me when I was near death and brought me here.” Xiaodie’s eyes shone with gratitude.

Jin’er nodded in understanding. This man had a kind heart after all.

Speaking of lifesaving kindness, she owed him as well. Back in the Imperial Medical Hall, if not for his help suppressing the poison, she would have long since met the King of Hell.