Chapter 94: Don’t Follow in His Footsteps

After saying this, she turned and left.

“Pingyao!” Ling Fengyang saw that she was leaving and instinctively stood up, but the sharp pain from his legs instantly caused him to fall clumsily to the side, “Pingyao, don’t go, don’t go!”

Princess Pingyao walked to the outside of the prison cell and turned to look at him, her eyes revealing an unprecedented coldness and disgust, “Being with someone like you makes even the air feel dirty.”

Ling Fengyang lay on the ground like a dying trapped beast. It took a long time before he slowly got up from the ground and shuffled to the corner to lean against the wall, surrounded by an aura of hopeless desolation.

Leaving the Ministry of Justice’s prison, Princess Pingyao went straight back to her residence by carriage.

After their marriage, Qin Yumo had always lived in the Moyao Hall. It wasn’t called that before, the name was changed after their marriage.

Qin Yumo had stared at the plaque for a long time, always feeling that the name of the hall wasn’t very smooth, but since Princess Pingyao insisted, he couldn’t say anything.

Princess Pingyao had also set aside a study in the side hall specifically for him to read and write.

The study was decorated warmly, and Qin Yumo enjoyed staying there. The rich scent of pine and ink was intoxicating, mixed with the faint fragrance of tea, creating an atmosphere that felt distant from the troubles of the world, a tranquil haven of scholarly peace.

When Princess Pingyao lifted the embroidered curtain and entered, she saw Qin Yumo sitting behind the desk in the side hall, engrossed in a book. However, if one looked closely, they would notice that he was actually lost in thought, unrelated to reading.

Princess Pingyao leaned against the doorway without making a sound, quietly watching Qin Yumo’s furrowed brow, not missing the worried creases in his eyes.

Even after she had stood by the door for a long time, he hadn’t noticed her.

So Princess Pingyao walked in, bent down to take the book from his hands, and then very naturally lifted his chin, leaning down to kiss his lips, “What are you thinking about so intently?”

Qin Yumo stood up, “Your Highness is back?”

“Sit down.” Princess Pingyao pressed his shoulders. “If there’s anything troubling you, you can tell me about it.”

Qin Yumo sat down nervously, “Actually, it’s not a big deal…”

Princess Pingyao didn’t speak, resting her chin on her hand, just watching him quietly.

Qin Yumo pressed his lips together and said in a low voice, “I heard that Princess Jiahe beat her husband, Prince Shen, again last night.”

Princess Pingyao raised an eyebrow, “Are you worried that I might use violence on you like Princess Jiahe?”

“No.” Qin Yumo quickly shook his head. “I… I just feel sorry for Prince Shen. He’s related to the Regent’s wife, and I heard that Princess Jiahe beat him because he shares the same surname with the Regent’s wife, taking it out on him for no reason…”

Princess Pingyao glanced at him sideways, “I didn’t realize you had such a compassionate heart.”

Qin Yumo wasn’t sure if this was a sarcastic remark and fell silent for a moment before explaining, “Prince Shen is a man of great talent. To escape the control of his father and brothers, he has been studying hard all these years. He originally wanted to pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom, but he didn’t expect to catch the eye of Princess Jiahe…”

“What about you?” Princess Pingyao suddenly asked.

“Me?” Qin Yumo looked up, puzzled. “What about me?”

Princess Pingyao’s tone was calm, “Do you also resent me for forcing you into this marriage?”

Qin Yumo slowly shook his head, “I’m different from Prince Shen.”

“How are you different?”

Qin Yumo lowered his eyes, “Even if I entered officialdom, I couldn’t escape the control of my family. Instead, Your Highness has given me special privileges, freeing me from the suppression of my stepmother. I’m very grateful to you.”

Prince Shen’s father was only a fifth-rank official, and surpassing him wouldn’t be difficult. Even if it was temporarily impossible, with Prince Shen’s exceptional talent, as long as he had the opportunity to enter officialdom, he would be the only one in his family who could bring honor, and his status would change in the future.

However, once he was noticed by Princess Jiahe, not only was his hope of entering officialdom completely cut off, but he also had to endure the beatings and abuse from Princess Jiahe. Prince Shen’s life was truly miserable.

Qin Yumo, on the other hand, was different.

Qin Guoju is the brother of the current Empress Dowager, and the Qin family is already at the pinnacle among the imperial relatives. To what extent would Qin Yumo have to go to surpass them?

Unless he held supreme power and actual authority in the court.

But Qin Yumo knew his own capabilities. He couldn’t achieve that. Instead, it was by becoming the princess’s husband that he was freed from having to endure the faces of his family.

“So you’re saying that not only do you not resent me, but you actually thank me?” Princess Pingyao’s eyebrows rose, and the corners of her mouth curved into a pleased smile. “You know how to please me.”

Qin Yumo lowered his eyes, wanting to say that he wasn’t intentionally trying to please her.

He was speaking from the heart.

“If you truly pity him, you might as well do something for him.” Princess Pingyao lay on the couch, resting her long legs on his. “Massage my legs for me.”

Qin Yumo was about to ask her what he could do when he saw her posture and had to massage her legs first. Then he asked, “What do you think I can do, Your Highness?”

“You can host some poetry gatherings at the Princess’s estate and invite those young masters you think are outstanding.” Princess Pingyao said. “This way, you can also find ways to pass your time, and it can give Prince Shen a good reason to come out and relax, which is better than being cooped up in that house all day, isn’t it?”

Qin Yumo frowned, “But this isn’t a long-term solution.”

“People will get sick if they’re depressed for too long. Problems need to be solved step by step. Don’t expect to become fat by eating everything in one bite.”

Qin Yumo responded with a sound of agreement, “What if Princess Jiahe doesn’t allow him to go out?”

Princess Pingyao scoffed, “Who would dare not come when an invitation is sent by my husband, my Prince Consort?”

Qin Yumo was slightly taken aback. It wasn’t the first time he had seen such a strong and domineering princess, but this time, the feeling she gave him was different from every other time before.

As Qin Yumo massaged her legs, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so good to me, Your Highness?”

“I find you tolerable for the time being.” Princess Pingyao said indifferently. “When I like someone, I treat them very well, but when I turn against them, I won’t hesitate to be ruthless.”

With that, she snorted coldly, “The one in prison, Ling Fengyang, is the best example. Qin Yumo, don’t follow in his footsteps.”

Qin Yumo quickly raised his hand to swear, “I won’t. Please rest assured, Your Highness.”