Chapter 21: To Go or Not to Go

Beside Yin Mingyu’s seat was a cushioned chair, and as usual, Ning Zhaorou had just stepped forward when he pulled her directly into the seat before she could even finish her formal greeting.

The headache-inducing problem she’d been worrying about earlier was pushed aside with one sentence from Yin Mingyu.

“After the evening meal, I’ll have someone escort you back. Just say you got lost in the heavy rain, happened to run into someone from the Eldest Princess’s retinue, and she invited you to her tent to rest. Once the rain stopped, she sent someone to bring you home.”

“Do you understand?”
Seeing that Ning Zhaorou might be confused, Yin Mingyu made to explain further, but she quickly answered, flustered,
“I understand.”

Yin Mingyu let out a low chuckle.
“Good.”

He had always planned to bring her into the palace. But if word got out that an unmarried girl had enticed the Emperor even before entering the palace, it would ruin her reputation. She was already pitiable enough; he wouldn’t let her be slandered any further.

“In a few days, when we return to the capital, the Eldest Princess will occasionally send you invitations. Will you go or not?” Yin Mingyu asked again.

Ning Zhaorou looked at him, pressed her lips together, then nodded softly.
“I’ll go.”

How obedient.

“Just because I said so? Aren’t you afraid she’ll make things difficult for you?”
A flicker of amusement appeared in Yin Mingyu’s eyes.

The Eldest Princess’s residence was located within the imperial city. She was known to be strict and principled. Being the Emperor’s full sister, she had once declared she would never marry when he ascended the throne. She lived freely within her estate, and even the princes and princesses in the palace behaved with utmost decorum in her presence.

Ning Zhaorou had also heard of her fearsome reputation. Upon hearing this, she quickly changed her mind:
“Then I won’t go.”

Not go? How could that be allowed?

“You must go. Not even once are you allowed to skip,” Yin Mingyu said, tapping her forehead lightly as a gentle scolding.

Ning Zhaorou nodded so hard it looked like her head was on a spring, not daring to disobey.

When she returned from the imperial tent, Ning Zhaorou walked very slowly—because she had eaten too much.

Not long after the evening meal, it was time for her medicine. Right under Yin Mingyu’s watchful eyes, there was no escape. Though she hadn’t planned to avoid it anyway, his presence alone was so overwhelming—even when he was merely flipping through a book beside her, she found it hard to breathe.

She tilted her head back and gulped down the medicine in big mouthfuls, causing Yin Mingyu to chuckle.

“You like drinking medicine?” he teased.

Who could like drinking medicine?

Ning Zhaorou froze with her face taut, unsure whether to nod or shake her head. She ended up giving him a dry, awkward smile.

“All right, it’s getting late. I’ll have someone escort you back.” Yin Mingyu didn’t mind her silly little expression. He turned his head and instructed Zhou Lu to make arrangements.

When he turned back, he saw that Ning Zhaorou had already stood up on her own—her face looked like she couldn’t wait to leave.

He paused and reached out to pull her close.
“You’re that eager to leave? Is this place the underworld or something?”

“No, no underworld…” Ning Zhaorou hurriedly waved her hands, trying to explain.

No underworld—did she mean she didn’t want to leave?

Yin Mingyu teased her a little, gently pinching her palm, and nodded slightly.
“Don’t keep that face so tense. If something comes up, have one of your maids let me know. I won’t ignore you.”

These words made Ning Zhaorou’s ears burn. She knew His Majesty was probably just saying it casually, but… no one had ever said something like that to her before. It felt like—for once—she had someone backing her up.

And suddenly, there wasn’t so much to be afraid of anymore.

She instinctively curled her fingers in her palm and let out a muffled “mm” in response.

“Go on.” Yin Mingyu released her hand and instructed someone to drape a light cloak over her shoulders.

“Your servant takes her leave.”

By the time she returned to the tent, the sky had clearly darkened. Ning Wanqing had already sent someone to stand watch outside, waiting for her to return. The moment she did, a message was quickly relayed.

When Ning Wanqing came rushing over with her entourage, the palace maids from the Eldest Princess’s side hadn’t even left yet—it was clear they had been waiting for her.

“Miss Ning must be joking. His Highness has taken quite a liking to you after meeting you today. She even said that once we return to the capital, she’ll send an invitation to your residence to see you again,” the maid was saying—just as Ning Wanqing arrived and heard it loud and clear.

Her face was filled with suspicion. His Highness? Which Highness?

She didn’t respond immediately but looked Ning Zhaorou up and down. It was obvious that her younger sister had changed clothes, though who knew where she had gone to do that?

Ning Zhaorou’s lips curved into a faint smile, as if she’d just noticed her.
“Elder Sister, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you say anything?”

Ning Wanqing curled her lips and took two steps forward. With an anxious look, she grabbed Ning Zhaorou’s hand.
“A’Ruo, where on earth did you go? You’ve been gone for so long, Father was getting worried.”

Then she let out a sigh.
“Ah, good thing you’re back. At least nothing bad happened. Later, go explain to Father and admit your fault. He’s always doted on you.”

Ning Zhaorou quietly withdrew her hand without losing her smile and replied,
“Elder Sister must be mistaken. I truly don’t know what fault I’ve committed. Ah, earlier at the racetrack, I got caught in the rain and was fortunate enough to encounter the Eldest Princess. Her Highness kindly took me into her tent and chatted with me for a while, so I just returned now.”

She explained gently, then turned to the two palace maids who had accompanied her back and blinked in mock confusion.
“If Father was really worried, shouldn’t someone have come to the racetrack to look for me? But while I was in Her Highness’s tent, I never heard a word about anyone searching for me. Could it be… someone deliberately kept it from me to make Father and Elder Sister worry?”

Only now did Ning Wanqing realize whose people the two palace maids were. Her heart sank, tinged with irritation—how had Ning Zhaorou managed to make such a lucky connection with the Eldest Princess?

Before she could say anything, the two maids chimed in to support Ning Zhaorou’s story:
“Oh, how could that be? Her Highness really likes Miss Ning. If someone had come looking for her, Her Highness would’ve been informed. Maybe the rain was too heavy, and the search was simply sloppy.”

“Is that so? I thought Father only said he was worried, but perhaps he didn’t really care where I was.” Ning Zhaorou let out a faint breath, her bright eyes turning to Ning Wanqing.
“What do you think, Elder Sister?”

The question made Ning Wanqing take a step back. Four pairs of eyes were now fixed on her. She quickly collected herself and forced a reply:
“Of course we sent people to look for you—we just didn’t find you. Don’t worry, A’Ruo, I’ll explain to Father. You must be tired from today, so rest well. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

She had come in like a storm, but now she left with her tail between her legs.

Once they were out of sight, the two palace maids bowed and softly said to Ning Zhaorou,
“If that’s the case, we’ll take our leave too.”

Night had fallen completely.

When Ning Zhaorou entered the tent, she asked Shuangwu to light the candles. The warm glow lit up the canvas and the space around it, but the silence felt almost too still.

Why is it that His Majesty’s tent was so bright… and so warm?

“Miss, would you like to wash up now?” Shuangwu asked.

“No, I’ll read for a bit.”

As night deepened, Ning Zhaorou couldn’t help but wonder what Ning Wanqing had told their father. But no one came looking for her the entire night.

She didn’t mind. It meant she could rest in peace.

She went to bed early, but after the candle was extinguished and darkness suddenly took over the space, she couldn’t stop thinking about what His Majesty had said that day.

Her heart was uneasy… but also filled with nervous anticipation.

After all, His Majesty truly seemed different from everyone else.