Chapter 15

Nan Gongye’s infatuation with Yan Yiming exceeded the Empress’s expectations. Her youngest son, who had always been obedient, showed an unusual stubbornness whenever the topic of Yan Yiming came up.
The Empress even detected a hint of pity and compassion in Nan Gongye’s words, pity that the child she had coddled and cherished could humble himself so much for a woman!
If Yan Yiming were willing to marry him, he would disregard who she loved in her heart and ignore all the slander from outsiders?
Was this the kind of talk befitting a prince, debasing himself for a woman?
Nan Gongye had been clever and studious since childhood, but he was still young. Trusting and close to the Empress, he never imagined that his unwavering defense of Yan Yiming, even to the point of contradicting the Empress, had done nothing to improve Yan Yiming’s standing or make the Empress reconsider her position.
Instead, it only solidified the Empress’s resolve to never let Yan Yiming marry her younger son. Even on Nan Gongxuan’s side, the entanglement between Yan Yiming and Nan Gongye made the Empress increasingly opposed to the idea of Yan Yiming entering the Eastern Palace.
She was the Empress. She had exhausted herself winning over influential noble families to secure the Crown Prince’s position, and she kept Yan Yiming away from Nan Gongye to protect her younger son’s reputation and future. She saw no need to consider how her actions might harm Yan Yiming. All she knew was that Nan Gongye’s current bewitched behavior was utterly absurd.
Compared to a teenager like Nan Gongye, who harbored no schemes against those close to him, the Empress was far more calculating. She showed no displeasure afterward and even admitted her own fault. Nan Gongye mistakenly believed he had persuaded the Empress to stop interfering, and so he tactfully dropped the subject, shifting the conversation to recent court affairs and the Emperor’s praise for him.
Watching her son’s spirited demeanor, the Empress’s expression softened with maternal affection. A thought stirred in her heart as she recalled the words the Emperor had shared with her some days earlier, and she began to form a plan.
A few days later, the Emperor issued an edict appointing the Fifth Prince, Nan Gongye, as Imperial Commissioner to thoroughly investigate the bribery case involving the Governor of Min and Zhe. He was to depart the capital in three days.
Since the Emperor had begun entrusting responsibilities to the Fifth Prince a few years prior, the court had largely discerned the Emperor’s intentions and anticipated that he would find a pretext to reward Nan Gongye handsomely. The only surprise was that the Emperor did not assign him a task where he could easily claim credit. This case had been shelved for some time, and no one expected it to eventually fall to Nan Gongye.
At just seventeen years old, Nan Gongye faced opposition in the court, but both the Emperor and the Crown Prince suppressed the dissenting voices. The Empress and the Crown Prince’s faction were delighted to see Nan Gongye display his talents. After receiving his orders, the Empress summoned Nan Gongye to the Kunning Palace, where she meticulously advised him on every detail. Nan Gongye smiled and said,
“There is no need for Mother to worry. Min and Zhe are not far from Jinling. If all goes smoothly, I can return to the capital in at most two months, in time for Mother’s birthday.”
The attending matrons praised the Fifth Prince’s filial piety in unison. The Empress, appearing greatly pleased, commended Nan Gongye before adding, “Birthdays come every year, but we must not let such a minor matter delay your important duties. Although the Min and Zhe regions are not distant, they are rife with corrupt officials. This is your first time leaving the capital, so you must act with caution. As long as you return safely and sound, your mother will be satisfied…”
Nan Gongye naturally agreed. He intended to return unharmed, not only for his mother’s birthday but also for his elder brother’s coming-of-age ceremony and wedding. Once his brother married, it would be his turn to wed Yan Yiming.
By then, with the Emperor granting him a residence and bestowing a princely title, it would be a double celebration.
Perhaps due to his recent streak of good fortune, the Empress no longer obstructed him, the Duke of Ding’s household did not overly interfere with his relationship with Yan Yiming, and even the Crown Prince had not caused trouble, Nan Gongye was in high spirits. As he left the palace, he encountered Nan Gongxuan, who was on his way in. Unlike before, Nan Gongye did not wear a stern expression but proactively paid his respects to the Crown Prince.
After Nan Gongxuan briefly advised him on matters to note while away from the capital, Nan Gongye hurried off with eager strides, unaware of the lingering gaze Nan Gongxuan fixed on his retreating figure, nor the unshakable hesitation and shadow in his eyes.
It had been over a month since he last saw Yan Yiming.
The presence that once constantly flitted before his eyes had abruptly vanished. Though Nan Gongxuan had gradually grown accustomed to the absence, he still could not suppress his agitation upon receiving daily reports from his hidden guards about Nan Gongye’s whereabouts.
Nan Gongye still thought his actions were covert, unaware that every move he made, even every word he spoke, was known in detail by Nan Gongxuan. On Nan Gongxuan's desk still lay a small slip of paper that had been delivered, succinctly noting the time and place where his own younger brother had personally promised Yan Yiming that he would marry her and never take a concubine.
Nan Gongxuan wanted to laugh at Nan Gongye's youthful arrogance in making such a bold statement, but upon second thought, he found it ironic and sorrowful. Whether those words were true or not, Yan Yiming had foolishly believed them.
How could she actually believe it?
Utterly foolish!
The more he learned, the more his heart ached with emptiness, and the more he recalled the times when Yan Yiming's heart had been full of him. These days, Nan Gongxuan had lost count of how many times he remembered Yan Yiming vowing she would marry no one but him, speaking so cautiously just to please him.
Why hadn't he noticed it back then?
Her features were so exquisite; no matter the expression, she was stunningly beautiful.
Lately, the Fifth Prince, Nan Gongye, had truly become a frequent visitor to the Ding Duchy. When Yan Yiming's mother found out that the bracelet on Yan Yiming's wrist was a gift from Nan Gongye, she scolded Yan Yiming all night in fear. Unexpectedly, the next day, the Dowager Duchess summoned her daughter-in-law and spoke to her privately. After that, whenever Yan Yiming's mother saw the Fifth Prince, she treated him as if he were her own son.
Nan Gongye was solely focused on seeking out Yan Yiming, and the Yan family turned a blind eye, pretending not to notice. Recently, Yan Yiming's mother had heard some unfavorable rumors and, feeling somewhat uneasy, consulted her mother-in-law, worried that if the Fifth Prince couldn't bear the gossip and abandoned Yan Yiming, what would they do?
The silver-haired Dowager Duchess, though frail in movement, had eyes that were resolute and sharp. She gently stroked the thumb ring on her hand and declared that the Ding Duchy was not some pushover that anyone could manipulate at will. If anyone dared to ruin her granddaughter's life, she would personally seek an audience with the emperor to demand an explanation.
Filled with admiration, Yan Yiming's mother praised her mother-in-law profusely. From then on, when speaking with other noblewomen, she carried herself with much more confidence. If they couldn't marry into the imperial family or bear a daughter as beautiful as Yan Yiming, they should keep quiet and not cause trouble.
In the past couple of days, news from the palace came that the emperor had assigned the Fifth Prince to handle a case in Minzhe. Yan Yiming's father explained to her that this was a sign of the emperor's trust in the Fifth Prince. That evening, when Nan Gongye visited the Yan residence again, Yan Yiming's mother specifically went to see him and gave him a protective talisman, saying she had specially gone to Fuyu Mountain to obtain it for his safety.
Nan Gongye carefully tucked the small yellow talisman into the pouch hanging at his waist and made sure to show it to Yan Yiming when he went to see her.
Since Nan Gongye would appear in future plotlines, this trip was bound to be perilous but ultimately safe. Hearing this, Yan Yiming smiled and said, “Just don't let Qi'er see it.”
A few days earlier, Yan Yiming's brother had complained that their mother treated Nan Gongye more like a son than him.
Nan Gongye laughed even more heartily at this, his eyes sparkling. Without minding his former close friend, he told Yan Yiming, “In a little while, it won't just be 'like' anymore.”
His meaning was clear: once he became her son-in-law, he would be a true son. Yan Yiming smiled charmingly without denying it. Seeing her happy, Nan Gongye grew even fonder and took her hand to stroll together under the moonlight.
“When I return to the capital from Fujian and Zhejiang, I’ll be able to establish my own residence outside the palace. By then, I can ask Mother to send someone to the Duke Ding’s residence to propose marriage.”
At that moment, the moon hung over the treetops, and the surroundings were silent. Only Yan Yiming’s fair face, clear and alluring under the moonlight, stood out. Nan Gongye gazed intently at Yan Yiming, who was staring back at him, and chuckled softly, asking her what was wrong.
“Nothing,” Yan Yiming reached out and gently brushed Nan Gongye’s cheek, slowly covering his eyes as she said, “Go safely, and I will wait for your return.”
Nan Gongye chuckled softly, pressed her hand against his, and then, catching her off guard, lightly kissed the corner of her lips.
Yan Yiming abruptly withdrew her hand and stepped back two paces. Her beautiful eyes, even more captivating under the moonlight, seemed both annoyed and not, but it was clear she wasn’t displeased.
Perhaps it was the enchanting moonlight, but the young man pulled her back into his arms. Yan Yiming stumbled heavily against Nan Gongye’s chest, and before she could speak, he cupped her chin and kissed her again.