Chapter 7

Yan Yiming, the unparalleled beauty of the capital and the daughter of the Yan family, had always been the object of admiration among the noble young masters of the city. Unfortunately, Lady Yan had long declared that she would marry only the Crown Prince in this lifetime.
If it were anyone else, it would be one thing, but that person was the Crown Prince. Who could possibly surpass his noble status?
Some envied, some resented, and Nan Gongye was no exception.
They were both born of the Empress, equally noble in status, and their appearances were strikingly similar. Yet, Yan Yiming’s eyes held only the Crown Prince. To her, he was nothing more than a younger brother, just like Yan Yiqi.
He had envied, even resented, but that was all.
But now, what had he heard? Despite already having Yan Yiming, the Crown Prince was secretly meeting with Jian Yu’er.
Nan Gongye couldn’t suppress his anger, even though it was his own elder brother.
Why did some pour out their hearts and receive nothing in return? Why did some, already possessing so much, still fail to be content? Why did some take things for granted while others continued to think of them selflessly, asking for nothing in return?
He certainly recognized the young lady from earlier, the legitimate daughter of Chancellor Jian, whose status was just as illustrious as Yan Yiming’s.
The Crown Prince grew closer to her, even gifting her the finest South Sea pearls, while giving Yan Yiming nothing more than ordinary pearls. The distinction was clear, and it was precisely this that fueled Nan Gongye’s anger even more.
Could it be that he intended to keep both of them by his side?
Then who would hold the higher position?
The answer was obvious, which was why Yan Yiming had spoken those words.
How could one not be enraged when the person held dearest in one’s heart was cast aside like worthless trash? But amid his anger, Nan Gongye sensed something else, was Yan Yiming implying that she intended to give up on the Crown Prince?
If she could let go of the Crown Prince, he was confident he could compete for her heart.
But the moment he met Yan Yiming’s gaze, Nan Gongye suddenly understood, whether she was preparing to give up or not, her heart still belonged only to the Crown Prince.
She had never looked at him with such an expression. That single glance held him captive, unable to look away. Only when she snapped back to reality and quickly changed her expression did Nan Gongye realize that, just moments before, Yan Yiming had mistaken him for someone else.
He and his own elder brother, the Crown Prince Nan Gongxuan, bore a striking resemblance, nine parts out of ten alike.
Even this fleeting moment of heart-pounding intensity was because of Nan Gongxuan. How utterly absurd.
He recalled their earlier conversation, how the Crown Prince had cast her aside for that woman surnamed Jian, how she had sighed softly, saying that no matter how many grievances she endured, it was only to avoid making the Crown Prince resent her even more.
Perhaps her talk of giving up was nothing more than self-consolation.
While Nan Gongye’s thoughts were tangled and complex, Young Master Yan, with his fiery temper, couldn’t hold back his fury and burst out, “I knew it! She must have done something to wrong you! And you’re still covering for her! When did you become so spineless?”
“I just want a clean break without any more entanglement,” Yan Yiming said helplessly. “Children shouldn't get involved. Go play somewhere else.”
The term “children” not only encompassed Young Master Yan but also swept Fifth Prince into this category with one stroke. Nan Gongye's eyelid twitched as he cast a complicated glance at Yan Yiming before suddenly saying,
“Can it really be that clean?”
Both siblings fell silent simultaneously. Yan Yiming's eyes flickered as she remained quiet for a moment, then turned to signal Young Master Yan to go play elsewhere. “Don't let anyone else in. I need to speak with His Highness for a while.”
Young Master Yan looked at Yan Yiming, then at Nan Gongye, finally understanding the situation and turning to leave. Before departing, he even dragged away the dazed Lu Mei along with him.
“The tea has gone cold, so I won't offer Your Highness any,” Yan Yiming smiled as she sat back on the stone stool. “Please make yourself comfortable.”
Nan Gongye took the seat opposite Yan Yiming. He had no appetite for tea that Jian Yu'er had drunk, nor had he stayed for tea anyway. His gaze remained fixed on Yan Yiming, watching her serene appearance as if nothing had just happened.
“Your Highness hasn't visited the Yan residence for quite some time.”
If this were before, Nan Gongye would have concealed all his thoughts to spare her embarrassment. But now that the shield of the Crown Prince was gone, he saw no need to continue hiding anything. He stared directly into Yan Yiming's eyes and said, “Indeed, it has been many days since we last parted.”
The last time was precisely when Nan Gongye had accidentally revealed his inner thoughts and been discovered by Yan Yiming.
Sure enough, he saw Yan Yiming's smile falter slightly before she sighed and raised her head, finally shedding her feigned casual demeanor. “Your Highness,” she said helplessly, “this isn't worth it.”
Without waiting for Nan Gongye to respond, Yan Yiming continued, “I never expected Your Highness to visit the residence today, nor that you would accidentally overhear everything between me and Jian Yu'er. I've been keeping this matter secret, not even telling my mother.”
“So I don't understand why you need to keep hiding it,” Nan Gongye said with inexplicable complexity in his heart, recalling Yan Yiming's earlier words. “Are you afraid this matter will leak out and ruin Jian Yu'er's reputation, making the Crown Prince dislike you even more? You say I'm not worth it, but the way they treat you, is everything you're doing really worth it?”
Yan Yiming remained silent.
Having blocked Yan Yiming's words, Nan Gongye didn't feel any better.
No matter how much you like the Crown Prince, he has already chosen to abandon you, hasn't he?
Since Yan Yiming didn't wish to speak, Nan Gongye didn't press her. After a long while, he asked as if it had just occurred to him, “The Crown Prince and I, are we really that similar?”
Yan Yiming's eyes flickered. “Both Your Highness and the Crown Prince were born from the Empress, so naturally there is some resemblance.”
“Just some resemblance?” Nan Gongye said. “If it were only some resemblance, how could you have mistaken me for him?”
“I didn't,” Yan Yiming replied quickly, then seemed to realize her answer came too fast to be convincing, adding, “I was just surprised because I didn't expect Your Highness to be here, that's all.”
Nan Gongye looked at this clearly stubborn woman before him and continued pressing relentlessly without showing any emotion, “You didn't expect me to appear, but were you hoping the Crown Prince would appear here instead?”
Yan Yiming lifted her head to glance at Nan Gongye, her eyes flashing with suppressed anger as she forced a smile. “Since Your Highness has already guessed everything, why must you mock me like this? What does it matter if I hope? The Crown Prince would never appear here anyway.”
“Yes, you clearly know he won't come, yet you still hope he might. Is he truly that remarkable?” Nan Gongye pressed closer, his voice edged with barely restrained fury. “Is he so exceptional that you endure his repeated disregard while remaining wholly devoted to him? So exceptional that even now, when he has another woman in his heart, you still refuse to let go?”
With each word, Yan Yiming's face grew paler, as if provoked by his aggressive tone. The composure she had struggled to maintain began to fracture piece by piece.
She raised her head and glared at him angrily, suddenly standing up in agitation. “No matter what he does or what I do, what does it have to do with Your Highness? If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave...”
Nan Gongye felt rage surge to his head. He stood up immediately, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. “Are you angry because I've struck a nerve? A year ago, when Father and Mother personally proposed your marriage, he still didn't marry you. Now that he has Jian Yu'er, he certainly won't. Do you understand your status? You are the eldest daughter of the Duke of Ding's household. Even as an empress, you would be worthy. But now, are you going to wait until the Crown Prince marries Jian Yu'er and then be taken into the Eastern Palace as a concubine?”
“Let go of me,” Yan Yiming said, struggling weakly to break free, but Nan Gongye only tightened his grip.
Her face was so close that he could almost catch the faint fragrance of her scent. His hand slid slightly upward from her wrist to hold her hand, his anger subsiding a little as he spoke in a low, earnest voice.
“Even if you were truly willing, your grandfather would never agree. The Duke of Ding's household cannot afford such shame. A'Ming, you and the Crown Prince have no future. He no longer cares for you, but there are others who will. I can accompany you to see every peach blossom on Fuyu Mountain, help you select every pearl. I would never let you suffer like this. Can't you just turn around and look at me?”
Yan Yiming stood frozen in place, staring at him in stunned silence, as if shocked by his words. Unable to hold back any longer, she began to cry.
Nan Gongye's heart softened. Gently, he lifted her face and wiped away her tears with his thumb. “You have no idea how long I've loved you.”
Yan Yiming looked up at him steadily, tears once again streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. But suddenly, she took a few steps back, wiped her face clean, and shook her head. “This cannot be.”
“Why?” Nan Gongye couldn't help feeling hurt. He had clearly seen the hesitation in her eyes.
“Because it wouldn't be fair to you.”
Yan Yiming said, “Your Highness, I could be with anyone, but that person could never be you. Let me finish, it's not because you're lacking, but because you are too much alike.”
“Isn't this good? I thought you'd like it.”
“But you wouldn't,” Yan Yiming said. “You're too much alike. Just seeing you makes me think of him. You wouldn't like it if I looked at you while thinking of someone else.”
It took Nan Gongye a while to grasp Yan Yiming's meaning. He chuckled, “As long as I'm willing, there's no unfairness. I believe that one day, even if you see his face, you'll only recall my name.”