Chapter 24: The Captured Imperial Prince of the Enemy Country’s Canary 11

Liu Yu and Liu listened nervously, almost forgetting to inform the emperor about this matter. What should they do now?

The Empress Dowager was taken aback—did the girl not know?

With a sigh, she said, “Consort Chen has faced her retribution. It is—well, let me express my condolences.”

“…What do you mean by that?” Lin Muqing stood in a daze, her eyes stinging as tears fell like pearls.

The Empress Dowager’s tone was soft, but her words were sharp.

“I do not wish for anyone else to gain the emperor’s exclusive favor, Lin Shuyi, do you understand this?”

Lin Muqing stood vacantly, as if she had lost her soul. “…I understand.”

“I will go to Rong’an Temple to pray; you should accompany me, yes?” The Empress Dowager seemed to expect the emperor to return to a calm state.

Lin Muqing lowered her head, taking a few deep breaths before shaking it. “…No, I…”

After hesitating, she was clearly struggling to compose herself.

“If you don’t—then why cry?”

Just then, Jun Yuanming abruptly stepped into the hall, his dark eyes fixing on the Empress Dowager’s serene expression. He understood what was happening without needing to ask.

“He’s not in the palace right now.”

“Mother, I’ll take Qing’er back first.”

He wrapped an arm around Lin Muqing, who was hanging her head with a lost look, and at that moment, he felt an unexpected twinge of pain; she seemed so fragile, like a child.

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, “Go, go, we’ll talk later…”

“Okay.”

With Jun Yuanming supporting her shoulders, they left the Empress Dowager’s palace. After walking for a while, he was silent, seemingly trying to calm her down. Occasionally, he would stroke her cheek, comforting her.

“What’s wrong with your mother? Speak to me.”

When they reached the entrance of Shuyu Palace, she finally dared to raise her head, only to reveal a pale face and bloodless lips, silent tears streaming down.

The sight of her quiet sobbing caused him great distress.

Jun Yuanming swept her up in his arms, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her tear-streaked face into his broad chest.

As he carried her into the inner chamber, he gently placed her down and offered her a golden handkerchief to wipe her tears.

Lin Muqing looked up again, nestled into his embrace, and murmured, “Empress Dowager… said I can’t have… a baby…”

Jun Yuanming’s sharp, captivating eyes narrowed. He pulled her into his lap, stating, “The imperial physician said it’s not true; you might be okay.”

“I used to dream of how soft and tender your baby would be… but now…” Her composure broke, tears flowing like raindrops, her nose slightly reddened.

From the beginning to the end, there had been no sound of sobbing, yet the pain in his heart tightened painfully.

“Stop crying.” His gentle wiping caused her tears to flow even more.

He was accustomed to wielding weapons of war, but when it came to handling matters of the heart, he found himself at a loss, feeling entirely unprepared.

“It’s because I truly want a child. It doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or girl; it would be my blood relative in this world.”

Jun Yuanming thought of her humility, seeing the comparison between her suffering and his own experiences of cold indifference throughout his life.

He had never understood why her plea was so heartfelt.

“How do you know unless you try?”

Lin Muqing, still in a daze, tilted her head up, and before she could respond, Jun Yuanming had already lifted her back into his arms.

“W-where are we going?”

“To my palace.”

By the time Lin Muqing poked her head out of his embrace, they had arrived at a solemn yet opulent palace featuring a luxurious bathing area large enough for two.

Her damp eyes were misted with steam, a glow of warmth enveloping her.

Jun Yuanming placed her on a chair beside the bath, his warm palm enveloping her face.

“Is it your first time?”

His hoarse voice was enticing.

Lin Muqing understood he was addressing something intimate.

“I don’t have… any experience,” she murmured, biting her lip and looking down.

[This male lead is too repressively alluring; he refuses to make a move, and how could my host not have encountered such feelings before, experiencing more than he has!]

The system was already kneeling at this point; watching the scenario unfold had her lined up in queues that would take days to find respite from the emperor’s affections, often feeling like a mere replacement.