Chapter 12: I Will Prove It to Your Highness

Yan Qing came back to her senses, her gaze gradually cooling down.

In her past life, over those seven years, she lost most of her power due to the poison administered by Xiao Jinghan, her body already severely weakened, unable to continue wielding military power.

She was also well aware that once she handed over the insignia of the Qilin Guards, she would have no means of self-defense, and the Emperor could easily have her killed.

But for Wen Jin, she still handed over the insignia.

Yan Qing turned and sat on the couch, poured herself a glass of ice-cold tea, the bitter taste lingering in her mouth.

The sensation of an arrow piercing her heart was still fresh in her memory, the suffocating pain making her acutely aware of impending death. But in the end, why did he want her to know that all this was his design?

Yan Qing was not devoid of judgment. She knew not to fully believe in instigating words of division. However, having been by Wen Jin’s side for many years, she was acutely aware of his capabilities.

If he didn’t want to, no one could poison him, especially not with such a dirty and vile poison.

The room fell into a heavy silence, the oppressive atmosphere unsettling.

Wen Jin’s emotions had calmed down, his gaze slightly lifted as he looked at Yan Qing sitting in front of the couch, his brow furrowed, “Your Highness, don’t drink cold tea.”

Ignoring him, Yan Qing set down the teacup and stood up, walking towards the bed.

The two maids on duty in the chamber stood with lowered heads, a hint of fear in their expressions. “Shall we prepare tea for Your Highness?”

“No need.” Yan Qing’s voice was cold, “You may leave first.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The two maids respectfully withdrew.

Yan Qing leaned against the head of the bed, closed her eyes, the light in the inner chamber illuminating her stunning and flawless beauty, with her fair and flawless skin, breathtakingly beautiful.

Wen Jin gazed at her, his eyes hiding deep and persistent feelings.

That night, the lights never went out. Yan Qing dozed lightly against the head of the bed, while Wen Jin sat in a corner of the cage, reading through the night.

Unable to sleep, reading could calm him down.

The next morning, before dawn had fully broken, Yan Qing woke up.

Opening her eyes, she looked at Wen Jin reading in the cage, for a moment, memories seemed to return to their childhood.

In truth, Yan Qing and Wen Jin were not much different in age.

When they first met, she was eight, and he was ten. Now she was eighteen, just reaching adulthood, having entered officialdom.

Time passed quickly, so much so that every event in their lives seemed vividly engraved in her mind.

Clearly, they had once been the closest of companions.

Even though in her past life, Xiao Jinghan, her husband of seven years, never had the chance to enter her sleeping quarters or get close to her, apart from his title as her husband, they had no relationship.

It was Wen Jin.

No.

After Xiao Jinghan became her husband, Wen Jin’s visits to the princess’s mansion became rare. As he rose to become the Prime Minister and had his own mansion, the new Emperor sought his favor, and aside from a few who opposed him, many in the court gravitated towards him.

In order to gain the Emperor’s trust, Wen Jin no longer frequented her princess’s mansion.

Yan Qing once thought that the Wen Jin she had nurtured herself was untouchable by anyone, yet in the end, she was defeated by her own excessive self-assurance.

As Yan Qing came back to reality from her thoughts, she stood up to change her clothes.

Wen Jin set down the book, opened the door, and walked out, the heavy shackles making a soft clinking sound. Wen Jin spoke softly, “Is Your Highness feeling well?”

Yan Qing’s tone was indifferent, “No need.”

Wen Jin lowered his gaze dejectedly, stood there absentmindedly for a moment, then turned and silently walked back, leaning against the bed.

Yan Qing’s expression slightly hardened, then she calmly changed her clothes as if nothing had happened and walked out.

“Your Highness.” Shen Mo, the leader of the Qilin Guards, swiftly approached, holding a long sword at his waist, and knelt on one knee in the courtyard paved with blue stones. “Just now, news came from outside that Lu Guozhong, the chief commander of the Imperial Guards, has been beheaded.”

This was earth-shattering news, almost a direct challenge to the Emperor.

The palace was probably in an uproar by now.

Yan Qing remained silent for a moment, then turned to look at Wen Jin, “Did you do this?”

Wen Jin nodded, his tone casual, “He deserved it.”

Deserved or not, that was his fate.

Yan Qing withdrew her gaze and turned to Shen Mo, “If he’s dead, he’s dead. A eunuch of no importance, I have no interest in him.”

“Yes.” Shen Mo acknowledged and reported another matter, “General Xiao’s wife has come with some people, saying she wants to see her son.”

“Who did she bring?”

“She brought two palace maids from the Empress Dowager’s side.” Shen Mo replied, “They are all close to the Empress Dowager.”

Yan Qing’s lips curved slightly, “The Empress Dowager?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.” Yan Qing nodded, “Let them in.”

“Of course.”

After Shen Mo left, Yan Qing called a maid to assist with washing and grooming. Once she finished dressing up, the maid brought in breakfast.

“You may all leave.”

“Yes.”

Yan Qing sat down at the dining table, giving indifferent instructions, “Take a stick of incense’s time to freshen up, then come serve the meal.”

Wen Jin set down the book and walked out of the cage.

“The shackles can be removed.” Yan Qing drank some soup and directly ordered, “In half an hour.”

Wen Jin was momentarily stunned, a wave of bitterness and regret surged through him, almost overwhelming him.

With a hint of mist in his eyes, he tightened his lips, quietly acknowledging, blinking away the bitterness in his eyes. When he reached Yan Qing, he had composed his face back to its usual gentle smile, “Please help me remove these, Your Highness.”

Without a word, Yan Qing handed him the key.

Wen Jin’s gaze fell on the key, his eyes dimming slightly. He lowered his head, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Taking the key, he proceeded to unlock the shackles on his wrists by himself, leaving the ones on his feet untouched. He then turned to freshen up.

She still cared for him.

This thought revived Wen Jin’s once dormant heart, and he shuffled with the heavy shackles to freshen up. A quarter of an hour later, he returned, standing aside to serve the meal for Yan Qing.

There wasn’t much to serve for the meal.

The Princess’s breakfast was lavish, as it was every morning, yet Yan Qing’s taste had hardly changed over the years. Even with his eyes closed, Wen Jin knew exactly what foods she enjoyed.

Wen Jin, the Prime Minister who held power in court, was highly esteemed by the new Emperor, shining brightly in public. However, no one knew that in those seemingly glorious days, he was tormented by loneliness and longing day and night, never getting a peaceful night’s sleep.

If given a choice, he would even wish to stay here every day in the future. Even if it meant being a servant serving her meals, it would bring him more peace than standing above the court enjoying the admiration.

Yan Qing calmly finished her breakfast, dabbed at her lips, “I will go out to meet Mrs. Xiao. Do you have anything to say?”

Wen Jin hesitated for a moment, smiling faintly as he shook his head, “No.”

“As usual.” Yan Qing stood up, “I won’t mistreat you with meals three times a day. Eat when it’s time to eat, and go wherever you need to be after. No need for me to say more.”

Wen Jin lowered his eyes, “Yes.”

Yan Qing tilted her head, looking curious, “Why don’t you ask me why I treat you this way?”

With the experience of a rebirth, she held some resentment towards Wen Jin. However, from Wen Jin’s perspective, he couldn’t possibly understand why her attitude towards him had changed so drastically.

Wen Jin smiled and shook his head, his voice warm and pleasant, “There’s no need to ask. My life is given by Your Highness, and you have complete authority over me.”

Yan Qing looked at him in silence for a moment, then suddenly spoke, “Wen Jin, do you think you would betray me once you have grown too strong?”

The familiar sharp pain struck again.

Wen Jin’s face paled slightly, but he spoke softly yet firmly, “I won’t. Even in death, I won’t betray Your Highness.”

“But it seems like I can’t believe your promise.”

Wen Jin’s complexion grew even paler, as if he couldn’t bear to hear those words. He tightened his hands, “I will prove it to Your Highness.”

Yan Qing turned and walked out.

Wen Jin turned, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure without blinking, unwilling to look away for a moment. It was only when the slender figure in the deep red robe slowly disappeared from his sight that he slowly lowered his eyes, looking at his hands.

Outsiders often said that the Princess Chang, Yan Qing was a Lone Star of Calamity, devoid of emotions, cold and ruthless, and anyone who approached her would meet an unfortunate end.

But Wen Jin knew that those who truly got close to Yan Qing were all fortunate.

Over the years, the Ninth Princess who had been exiled by the late Emperor had secretly done countless good deeds, saved many unfortunate people, helped numerous impoverished students and frail women and children… Nobody knew.

They only knew the Ninth Princess as the Lone Star of Calamity, fearing and hating her. Only Wen Jin understood her the best and gained her trust the most.

However…

Wen Jin looked at his hands, knowing that he had destroyed that trust with his own hands.