Chapter 89: Madam, the act must be complete. [One + two updates]

Chapter 89: My Lady, Play the Part to the Fullest. (First + Second Update)

Jiang Yunran was too thin-skinned.

There was no way she would cooperate with His Majesty’s daytime debauchery.

When her hand twisted against the man’s firm waist, he finally chuckled softly and released her.

“Angry?” Jing Huayan tilted his head, trying to meet her gaze.

That twist just now had been quite forceful.

She was clearly vexed.

“Your Majesty!” Jiang Yunran pressed her lips together, eyes downcast, her voice thick with emotion. “Is your humble servant so lowly that Your Majesty can toy with me at will?”

Jing Huayan was taken aback.

He was about to console her when, lowering his head, he saw the corners of her mouth curve into an irrepressible smile. He couldn’t help but tsk.

“My love,” Jing Huayan said, “your acting has slipped.”

“You used to be able to fool me.”

Now, she barely even bothered to pretend.

Jiang Yunran’s lips twitched slightly. She snorted and ignored him, turning her attention to her midday meal.

The man was far too perceptive; even if she put her heart into the performance, he would likely see through it.

A perfunctory effort would have to suffice.

After a morning of wandering, she was famished and had no mind for playful banter.

Seeing that she was ignoring him, Jing Huayan settled in comfortably and joined her in enjoying the exquisite meal.

How could she think he treated her lightly?

She never belittled herself. Regardless of her current status or who she faced, she always stood her ground, unswayed by external circumstances.

Her resolve was incredibly strong.

When it came to bedroom matters, she always followed her desires, free from rigid rules or concerns for propriety. Joy and pleasure were enough.

This was why Jing Huayan felt increasingly drawn to her.

In the bedchamber, they were the most perfectly matched pair.

Sometimes, her pleasure, her tears, her shyness, and her boldness captivated him, making it hard to pull away.

Jing Huayan had thousands of beauties in his harem and had seen all kinds of women, yet Jiang Yunran was the only one he truly couldn’t get enough of.

In the past, he never imagined he would one day indulge himself like this.

Now, he sometimes felt he was still too soft-hearted.

When she cried, he would immediately back down.

This was unlike him.

But hearing her kitten-like sobs and seeing the flushed corners of her eyes and shimmering tears always stirred compassion within him.

He didn’t care much for romantic love, but he clearly understood that a pure physical attraction existed between them.

It wasn’t just one-sided; they were mutually attracted, never tiring of it.

This was fine too. In this life, happiness was enough.

Thinking this, Jing Huayan chuckled to himself.

Jiang Yunran shot him a wary glance, always suspecting he had something mischievous in mind.

However, the chefs at Fanlou truly put their hearts into making delicious food, and this meal left Jiang Yunran very satisfied. Without realizing it, she finished a bowl of rice.

She ate more than she usually did in the palace.

At this time, the palace attendants were all resting and dining, leaving only the two of them in the private room.

Neither of them were the type to be waited on hand and foot; in such private moments, they could manage perfectly well on their own.

Jiang Yunran poured two cups of tea, while Jing Huayan fetched a handkerchief for them to wipe their hands, moving in perfect sync.

At times, Jing Huayan could be very particular.

For instance, his hands had to be impeccably clean, free from the slightest speck of dirt.

Remembering this, Jiang Yunran’s gaze inadvertently fell on Jing Huayan’s strong, defined fingers.

Suddenly, her face flushed.

Jing Huayan didn’t notice the blush on her face. He merely said, “I was fifteen when I left the palace for the first time.”

Jiang Yunran looked at him, pushing aside all distracting thoughts, and listened attentively.

The man’s gaze drifted through the blue gauze curtain, reaching all the way to the sunlit window frame.

Once the bamboo-patterned window was opened, the splendid landscape outside came into view.

The ancient capital, which had stood unshaken for centuries, had weathered numerous calamities yet remained perpetually prosperous.

This was the home and country that the young Jing Huayan was soon to command.

“Back then, I had just been made Crown Prince. For the first fifteen years of my life, I devoted myself solely to studying the ancient texts—and could only study them. I had no involvement whatsoever in state affairs or politics.”

“Truth be told, I was a little lost at that time.”

Jiang Yunran listened quietly, able to empathize completely.

When her mother first fell gravely ill, she was in agony, yet she couldn’t allow herself to be consumed by grief.

As she and Tingfang grew older, if they didn’t swiftly escape their life as courtesans, their future would be mired in misery.

Fortunately, while her mother was critically ill, Jiang Yunran had taken over much of the business. Her mother had always carefully taught them, so they weren’t completely unprepared. Even so, throughout that year, she often felt restless and worried.

There were nights when she couldn’t sleep at all.

In her youth, she didn’t know if her decisions were right or what the future held. Each day was filled with uncertainty and helplessness, for the shelter that had once protected her from hardship was gone forever.

She could only rely on herself.

That kind of bewilderment, Jiang Yunran could deeply understand.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but reach out and grasp his warm and strong hand.

Jing Huayan exhaled; these were heartfelt words he’d never shared before, not even with Liang Santai.

Now, the two of them were outside the palace, away from the hustle and bustle, yet they could calmly share stories from the past.

It felt good to have someone who would listen to his past.

Jing Huayan turned to look at her, his tone calm, with no trace of complaint or resentment in his voice.

“Don’t laugh, but the first time I attended court, facing all the civil and military officials, I didn’t even know what I should be listening to, what to say, or how to make decisions.”

“At that time, although my father occasionally suffered from illness, he could still handle state affairs as usual, but I couldn’t voice these doubts.”

“I needed to appear strong enough, stable enough, convincing enough, to prepare to inherit the throne.”

“It was at this moment that I suddenly thought of leaving the palace to see the outside world.”

Jing Huayan paused: “Actually, it wasn’t sudden; most likely, the Empress Dowager noticed my hesitation and gave Liang Santai a few pointers, and Liang Santai convinced me to get out of the palace for a while.”

Jiang Yunran was a little surprised: “The Empress Dowager?”

Jing Huayan nodded: “Yes, my birth mother passed away early, and I was raised by the Empress Dowager. She wasn’t very close to me, but she saw to my basic needs. Sometimes, she was very perceptive and caring.”

After all, they were not biological mother and son. Empress Dowager Renhui had her own biological children, and there was a natural power struggle between the two sides, making it impossible for them to be close.

Jing Huayan wouldn’t lie to Jiang Yunran about this.

That is to say, back then, Empress Dowager Renhui did notice Jing Huayan’s confusion from being thrust into court proceedings so suddenly, so she specifically instructed Liang Santai to arrange a trip outside the palace.

“That was the first time I left Changxin Palace and the first time I saw the world of mortals,” Jing Huayan looked at Jiang Yunran, his expression full of nostalgia. “At that moment, I understood that no matter what, I must preserve this dazzling prosperity.”

Great Chu could not decline under his rule.

Even though there were internal and external troubles, constant factional strife, and unceasing warfare, Jing Huayan remained resolute.

It seemed he could always achieve what he set out to do.

In that way, the two of them were very similar.

Jing Huayan continued: “At that time, I didn’t come to Qilin Alley; I just wandered around the city, exploring every street, not missing a single one, whether it was the grand mansions or the humble alleyway homes.”

“I walked from daytime straight into night.”

Jiang Yunran asked curiously: “Does Your Majesty find the world outside the palace more interesting, or is the palace more comfortable?”

Jing Huayan didn’t answer immediately.

He pondered for a moment before saying: “Both.”

“They are two different worlds, both unfolding in time, like an incense stick burning down.”

Jing Huayan said this and chuckled to himself: “That time helped settle my mind. I began to let go of all hesitation and seriously started learning to handle state affairs with my father.”

“A month after that, I left the palace again.”

“That time, I came to Qilin Alley.”

Jiang Yunran asked: “Was Qilin Alley as bustling back then as it is now?”

Jing Huayan smiled: “It was bustling.”

“However, at that time, Fan Tower wasn’t on the scale it is now; it only had the main building in the front. Because the head chef suddenly fell seriously ill and his apprentices weren’t skilled enough, the business gradually declined.”

Fan Tower has stood in Yujing for four hundred years, had dozens of owners over the years, and undergone countless changes in management and cuisine. Yet, no matter who became the new owner, the name Fan Tower remained unchanged.

Time passes, years fly by, and Fan Tower’s reputation spread throughout Great Chu. There were always people willing to travel thousands of miles to catch a glimpse of this earthly paradise.

Its fame was so great that no one was willing to change the name.

The words “Fan Tower” themselves were the brand.

“I was amazed by Fan Tower’s luxury and busyness. Even though business had declined significantly at the time, people still flocked there.”

“After returning to the palace, I thought about it day and night, feeling it would be a great pity if Fan Tower were to fade away like that.”

Jiang Yunran said: “So, Your Majesty became the new owner of Fan Tower?”

Jing Huayan shook his head.

“No, I went and asked the Empress Dowager.”

It was still Empress Dowager Renhui. Although Jing Huayan said their mother-son relationship was distant, Jiang Yunran sensed that he still held some trust in her.

Perhaps, during his difficult and lonely childhood, Empress Dowager Renhui had also given him care and attention.

Even protection.

“I told the Empress Dowager about my experiences outside the palace and thanked her for caring and for looking out for me,” Jing Huayan said. “At that time, after listening carefully, she asked me if I truly couldn’t bear to see Fan Tower decline and if I had the energy for it.”

Jiang Yunran listened very attentively.

Recalling it now, Jing Huayan felt that although those times were full of difficulties, there were also warm moments.

“Naturally, I answered yes. Then, the Empress Dowager suggested that I take over Fan Tower and manage it as my own business.”

The reason Jing Huayan became the new owner of Fan Tower was actually due to Empress Dowager Renhui’s suggestion.

This was something Jiang Yunran had never expected.

She thought thoughtfully: “Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. Even a simple restaurant isn’t something everyone can manage well. The Empress Dowager’s suggestion was truly brilliant.”

Back then, Jing Huayan was young and hesitant, somewhat restrained in handling state affairs. With the emperor above him, he couldn’t truly take charge. Even if he studied diligently, it was all just theory.

Fan Tower, however, happened to be the perfect thing for him to cut his teeth on.

By managing Fan Tower, he gradually calmed his mind and learned how to steer through transitions and revive declining enterprises.

Looking back now, Jing Huayan was truly a prodigy.

Not only was he a good emperor, but he was also an excellent business owner.

Seeing Fan Tower’s current scale, more prosperous than in any previous generation, one couldn’t help but marvel at Jing Huayan’s remarkable energy.

As he reached this point in the story, Jing Huayan noticed Jiang Yunran blinking up at him and couldn’t help but smile: “What? Surprised?”

Jiang Yunran was, of course, very good at singing his praises.

“No, I’m merely marveling at how Your Majesty is truly exceptional among men, with unparalleled natural brilliance—no one in the world can compare.”

Jing Huayan was taken aback for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

In excellent spirits, he lowered his head and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.

“My Beloved Concubine, you are truly adorable.”

Jiang Yunran was speechless.

Why was he suddenly so happy?

Jing Huayan slipped his arm around her shoulder, drawing her into his embrace, brimming with high spirits.

“In the future, when we leave the palace for excursions, my Beloved Concubine may dine at Fan Tower as you wish. The Number One Celestial Room will always be reserved for you.”

“How does that sound?”

Jiang Yunran couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Yet, she found herself smiling involuntarily.

“Then I thank Your Majesty for this generosity in advance.”

————

Qilin Alley crisscrossed; though called an alley, it included the surrounding markets and neighborhoods.

This area made up nearly a tenth of ancient Yujing.

Shops, warehouses, shipping services, and inns all converged here. Merchants conducted their business by day and returned to their quarters at night—Qilin Alley was where they made their living and built their lives.

The streets between the markets extended in all directions, with every storefront along the street housing a business.

If one truly wanted to explore Qilin Alley thoroughly, you’d need at least a day or two.

Today, with little time outside the palace, it was naturally impossible to cover all of Qilin Alley. So, after finishing lunch and resting briefly, the group left Fan Tower and continued exploring Qilin Alley.

Emerging from a gold and silver shop, Jiang Yunran watched as Jing Huayan waved his hand grandly, playing the part of a local tycoon, and couldn’t help but sigh.

“Sir, those gold and silver jewelry pieces will hardly be useful back home. Why must we be so extravagant?”

Jing Huayan guided her by the waist, leading her toward a dried fruit shop up ahead.

“If you can’t use them, there are always the servants who attend to you. It’s not like they can’t make use of them.”

Jing Huayan, with his handsome, refined features, gazed tenderly at his wife as he spoke. The two clearly resembled a young, newlywed couple, still in the honeymoon phase.

Moreover, Jing Huayan had the air of a wealthy merchant from out of town—the kind who seemed both inexperienced and extravagantly free with money, a persona he embodied perfectly.

“Then thank you, Sir, for considering these things on my behalf.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jing Huayan pulled her into the dried fruit shop.

“No need to thank me. It’s all what your husband ought to do.”

When they emerged from the shop, the group was once again loaded down with packages. Despite the chilly winter day, Liang Santai was sweating heavily from the exertion.

Jiang Yunran couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him.

“Steward Liang, why don’t you take a rest?”

Liang Santai wiped his sweat and gave an awkward smile. “No need, no need. Thank you for your concern, Madam. It’s just that this humble one’s stamina isn’t the best.”

As he spoke, Jing Huayan’s eyes lit up at the sight of a spice shop ahead.

Jiang Yunran: “…”

He claimed to be accompanying her on this outing, but it seemed Jing Huayan was even more excited himself, like a child.

Jiang Yunran had no choice but to go along with him, following Jing Huayan into the spice shop up ahead.

The shop was tucked into a corner, not in the best location, and its entrance seemed quiet. However, once inside, Jiang Yunran noticed quite a few visitors coming and going, bustling in and out—business here was clearly booming.

Clearly, this shop was doing very well.

The path meandered quietly, opening into a hidden world of its own.

In Qilin Alley, anything was possible.

Just as Jiang Yunran was about to remark on this to Jing Huayan, she noticed another group entering behind them. They were dressed practical and efficient, their faces weathered—likely seasoned escorts who had traveled extensively.

As soon as they entered, a steward hurried out to meet them. Without a word exchanged, the two groups communicated only through glances.

“Honored guests, please come inside. The goods are prepared.”

The steward smiled warmly and invited the group into the rear chambers.

Jiang Yunran furrowed her brow slightly, about to speak to Jing Huayan, when she saw him arch an eyebrow at her.

Something’s off here.

She tugged at Jing Huayan’s sleeve, pulling him closer, stood on her toes, and whispered in his ear, “Is there something wrong here?”

The subtle, pleasant scent of agarwood from the woman, mingled with her soft breath, was entrancing.

When he didn’t respond immediately, Jiang Yunran gave his sleeve another tug.

The motion was neither light nor heavy, like a cat padding softly and adorably upon one’s heart.

“Yes.”

Jing Huayan smiled and took her hand, helping her off with her wind cap and smoothing the stray hairs at her temples.

“Darling, don’t you love spices the most? Go ahead and pick out whatever you like—we’ll buy it all.”

Before Jiang Yunran could respond, Jing Huayan adopted a proud smile. “Our family has plenty of money. Spend as you please.”

He really had mastered the mannerisms of a local tycoon.

Jiang Yunran silently thought to herself but played along.

“Really?”

The young wife’s eyes shone, gazing at her husband with such joy and full of affection.

“Husband, you’re so wonderful.”

Jing Huayan felt a stir of desire in his heart, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

That “husband” was so sweetly called.

It was the first time hearing her call him that, and he wanted to hear it a few more times.

However, with business to attend to, Jing Huayan ultimately suppressed the urge in his heart and merely said haughtily, “Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?”

Jiang Yunran gave him a playful glare before turning around to seriously start selecting spices.

Just then, a shop attendant in her thirties came out from the back. She was clearly a seasoned pro and went straight to Jiang Yunran’s side to begin introductions.

“The guest clearly comes from a wealthy family, but with such bearing, if I had seen you before, I would surely remember. How come I’ve never seen you around Qilin Lane before?” the attendant asked with a smile.

Jiang Yunran replied naturally, “We’re not from Yujing. My husband just happened to come to Yujing on business, so we’re visiting Qilin Lane to see the sights.”

Her gentle and humble demeanor was certainly not that of someone from an ordinary family.

The attendant paused for a moment and tentatively asked, “From your accent, you must be from Ling'an Circuit, right? What a coincidence, so am I.”

Jiang Yunran beamed with joy. “What a nice coincidence! Then today, I must buy from a fellow local so you can earn a bit more silver.”

She played the part of a sheltered young wife from a wealthy family to perfection.

The attendant hurriedly expressed her gratitude, saying, “I wouldn’t want the guest to go overboard, but our shop has a lot of good stuff. Let me give you a proper introduction.”

And so, the two began selecting spices.

After Jiang Yunran had splurged, the attendant smiled and asked, “With so many items, it might be difficult to carry them. May I ask which inn you’re staying at today? We can have them delivered to your inn for you.”

At this, Jiang Yunran didn’t object right away.

She turned back, arching a brow to look at Jing Huayan.

The dutiful husband, who hadn't said a word the entire time, now spoke up: “Just deliver them to Qionglin Residence.”

The attendant’s eyes lit up. “Qionglin Residence is the nicest inn in our Qilin Lane. You have excellent taste, sir.”

The time spent in this spice shop, named Huanhua Pavilion, wasn’t long. Even with a few extra pleasantries, it only took fifteen minutes.

When they stepped out of Huanhua Pavilion, Jiang Yunran glanced back and noticed a small green leaf embroidered on a corner of the flag hanging on the second floor of the shop.

Her heart skipped a beat, and when she turned back, she smiled at Jing Huayan and asked, “You noticed it a while ago, my lord?”

Jing Huayan nodded. With a flick, he opened his folding fan, shielding both their faces, and whispered in her ear, “All thanks to your tip, my lady, the Imperial Guard picked up the trail in less than two months.”

“Is that leaf the symbol?” Jiang Yunran asked.

Jing Huayan smiled at her.

He retracted the fan and continued walking with Jiang Yunran. “Yes, but since we’re strangers, they won’t sell it to us immediately. We need to observe a bit more.”

Recalling the performance of playing the rich landowner that day, Jiang Yunran suddenly understood.

“You planned this, my lord?”

Jing Huayan gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You learn fast, my lady. You truly are something else.”

Knowing that Jing Huayan already had a plan and likely held the evidence in hand, waiting for the right moment to strike, Jiang Yunran felt reassured and no longer anxious.

As they continued their stroll, they were happy and relaxed.

The sun drifted among the clouds on the horizon, sometimes peeking out, sometimes hiding behind the cloud cover. The sky alternated between bright and dark, but it couldn’t dampen the visitors’ cheerful moods.

From early morning until afternoon, Jiang Yunran felt as if she had returned to the bustling human world.

All the noise faded from her ears, leaving only the sound of laughter and joy.

Children ran around looking for their parents, the elderly tapped their canes, and a wheelbarrow passed by, its pinwheels whirring as they spun.

Jiang Yunran had brought silver with her that day. As they walked down another street, she spotted an old woman selling tanghulu (candied hawthorn berries) by the roadside.

The wife of the rich landowner waved a hand generously and bought tanghulu for all the servants.

Jiang Yunran held a stick of tanghulu in her hand, biting into it with a crunch, while Jing Huayan watched her with an amused smile.

She never put on airs.

Even in front of him, she only put on a cute act when she wanted something.

Watching her gobble down the tanghulu one bite after another, crunching loudly, Jing Huayan couldn’t help but laugh.

“What?” Jiang Yunran asked, her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel’s. “Aren’t you going to eat, my lord? It’s really good.”

Jing Huayan gave a light cough and took a bite as well.

Tanghulu was pretty much all the same—no matter who made it or where it was from, it had that sweet and sour taste.

For thousands of years, it had never changed.

But this particular bite tasted somewhat different.

Jing Huayan couldn’t tell what was different, but he still took his time chewing and swallowing.

“It’s quite tasty,” he said.

Jiang Yunran smiled, her eyes narrowing.

Just then, the sun emerged from the clouds again, looking down upon the earth triumphantly.

Tiny specks of sunlight fell on her exquisite face like a lotus blossom, illuminating the starlight in her dark, almond-shaped eyes.

“I’ve loved this taste since I was young. Even after all these years, I still can’t forget it.”

The sweet and sour flavor always made her happy.

When she was young, whenever something good happened, her mother would buy a few sticks of tanghulu for the children to share.

So, eating tanghulu always meant something joyful was happening.

Seeing how happy she was as she ate, her whole face glowing, Jing Huayan couldn’t help but smile and take another bite.

Indeed.

It really did cheer you up.

Great food, beautiful views, and a pretty woman made for a perfect combination.

After visiting two more shops, Jiang Yunran glanced up at the sky.

They had been out for nearly the entire day, and now the sun was dipping westward, evening closing in.

Thick clouds on the horizon obscured the sun, and a purple-red glow spread across the sky. The last rays of sunlight before sunset, like the ribs of a folding fan made of purple bamboo, pierced through the clouds, scattering their last light in strands.

Twilight fell over the land, and the remaining sunset colors formed a gorgeous tapestry.

In this vast world, even the sunset was so spectacular.

It had been a long time since Jiang Yunran had admired such a sunset that lit up half the sky. She couldn't help but stop and gaze, forgetting what she was about to say.

Jing Huayan also stopped walking and looked up alongside her.

“Nature's beauty is so grand and majestic.”

Hearing her sigh, Jing Huayan said, “If there's a chance in the future, I'll take you to see the beautiful landscapes.”

This was absolutely impossible.

Not to mention her, even he was destined to be confined within the walls of Changxin Palace for life—how could they possibly roam freely across the beautiful landscapes?

Jiang Yunran didn't take it seriously but still nodded in agreement. “Alright, then I'll look forward to that day.”

After enjoying the scenery for a while, Jiang Yunran let go of her last bit of nostalgia and said with a smile, “Thank you, sir. I've really enjoyed myself today, but since it's getting late, it's time to go home.”

Jing Huayan gave the fan in his hand a flick and gave her a wink.

“Who said anything about going home?”

Jiang Yunran was stunned.

If they weren't returning to the palace, where were they going?

Were they going to stay at Prince Rong's residence for the night?

Jing Huayan remained enigmatic and didn't answer.

He took her hand and had Eunuch Little Liu lead the way, striding forward with purpose.

After winding through a few alleys, the two stopped in front of a three-story inn.

The last rays of the setting sun happened to fall on the inn's fluttering banner, illuminating the tender green sprout embroidered on it.

Jiang Yunran said, confused, “Qionglin Residence?”

Jing Huayan gave a soft chuckle and tapped her forehead lightly with his fan.

It wasn't hard, almost like a tickle.

“Of course, it's Qionglin Residence,” Jing Huayan said quietly in her ear. “Didn't I say earlier that we're staying here tonight?”

“Darling, if we're going to put on an act, we've got to go all the way with it.”