CHAPTER 520: CHAPTER 381 CHEN YI’S HAREM_2

She arrived at the corridor intending to catch her breath, but her entire body trembled suddenly.

She saw Dong Gong Ruoshu dart out and rush toward Yin Weiyin.

"What now?"

The female crown’s heart jumped to her throat, fearing the East Palace might accidentally let something slip.

Although it wasn’t a major matter, if Chen Yi overheard after being affected by the Jade Spring Balm, she might not make it to the day after tomorrow’s sunrise.

Dong Gong Ruoshu scratched her head, recalling the bribe, and said, "You still owe me ten taels."

Yin Weiyin pulled out the ten taels from his chest and said:

"Here, take it."

Dong Gong Ruoshu cheerfully pocketed the silver and turned to leave.

Watching this silly girl, Yin Weiyin felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.

Forget it. At worst, after she marries in, I’ll plead for leniency. It’ll be like giving her a stick, then a candy.

If she remains respectful toward me as the principal wife, I could even let her rise along with her family in glory.

Chen Yi pushed open the door to Little Yin and the widow’s room. Upon entering, he saw the young widow lying face down on the tea table, her head buried deep, unwilling to rise.

Yin Tingxue’s words still echoed in her ears.

Her heart was in chaos.

The way Yin Tingxue was favored, her words must undoubtedly be true. Moreover, she had a kind heart and certainly wouldn’t deceive her.

If that were true, then... didn’t this mean he truly didn’t want her?

Her reputation preserved, she should have been rejoicing. But Lin Wanxiao felt an inexplicable panic. She tried to suppress these strange thoughts, yet no matter how she tried, she couldn’t.

If... if Chen Yizhen truly cared for her and chose to defy the Empress Dowager, abandoning her, what then?

And it wasn’t as if such actions were reprehensible; this would not be a case of promiscuity without responsibility, but rather the noble character of a gentleman—a love born of respect and ended with dignity...

... No, his gentlemanly nature ought to be a good thing. Henceforth abandoning the thought of revenge, he wouldn’t bother her, nor she him; they’d keep to their respective paths, untangled. That would indeed be ideal...

Lin Wanxiao, overwhelmed with emotions, had come to this private banquet thinking she could guard her chastity, patch up the defenses of her heart. But upon arriving, faced with one chaotic conflict after another, openly and covertly competing with other women, her heart’s emotions grew harder to suppress.

Such is the nature of women: if a desired man isn’t fought over by other women, then one doesn’t realize how much one likes him. But once fought over, one can no longer merely watch from the sidelines.

She was startled to find that she hadn’t thought of him much before, but now, she thought of him constantly. Could it be that, unbeknownst to her, she had been secretly thinking of him all along?

Lin Wanxiao hadn’t fully recovered from her chaotic thoughts when a familiar voice came from behind:

"Wanxiao."

Lin Wanxiao snapped awake in an instant and instinctively said:

"I am not a wanton woman; you must not call me in such a manner."

Chen Yi looked at her for a moment before approaching her, not only to see her but also to scout for support for Little Yin.

Seeing her resist so strongly, he dismissed the thought for now.

The young widow slowly gathered herself, studied him briefly, and asked:

"Why... why have you come?"

"I’ve spoken with the Empress Dowager, then came over."

Lin Wanxiao blurted out: "Spoken about me... no, what did you talk about?"

Chen Yi smiled and teased: "You’re concerned for me?"

"I am upright and innocent with you. Any wild thoughts are solely yours," Lin Wanxiao said, averting her gaze. Unintentionally, she glanced at Yin Tingxue, her voice softening, "If you don’t wish to speak, then don’t. Otherwise, later you’d accuse me of forcing you to say something, ruining my reputation is one thing; making your wife displeased... that’s another. Are you alright?"

Are you alright...

Yin Tingxue noticed that after Lin Wanxiao’s lengthy speech, she still couldn’t help but express concern.

At this point, the little fox spoke up: "I’m not dissatisfied at all."

Lin Wanxiao lowered her head, muttering, "Hypocritical."

Yin Tingxue, having heard this, pondered it and then replied with a subtly aggrieved tone:

"Alright, just don’t talk to her anymore. Lady Lin values her reputation; don’t ruin it for her. Oh... and keep your distance. Men and women should avoid undue intimacy. In the future, don’t disturb Lady Lin either."

Listening to these words, Lin Wanxiao felt slightly uneasy, but then recalling Chen Yi’s amorous tendencies, she inexplicably felt reassured. Yet when raising her head, she was met with Chen Yi gravely nodding.

He even reached into his robes and pulled out that blue sachet, seemingly intending to return it...

Lin Wanxiao panicked all at once, frantically exclaiming:

"You’ll inevitably need to socialize with nobles while in the Capital City. Not bothering me is fine, but as for the Cui family... you should visit often, interact with my elder brother. I often hear Father say that blending harmoniously is the way of the political world."

She thought that after such words, this rogue would stop pushing his luck.

Unexpectedly, he curled his lips again and said: "You truly care for me?"

Lin Wanxiao opened her mouth wide, unwilling to answer, only for him to push the sachet forward slightly.

This small gesture sent her heart racing. Lin Wanxiao anxiously responded:

"This sachet was requested of me by the Empress Dowager. I couldn’t refuse her command. If you discard it, she’ll surely come to settle accounts with you..." She observed Chen Yi closely, seeing no injuries, then added, "Forget it. As long as you’re unharmed, I won’t inquire further."

Chen Yi, hearing her words, realized she was thin-skinned. He chose not to press her further and withdrew the sachet, then turned to Yin Tingxue, saying:

"Let’s go."

Yin Tingxue nodded and rose.

Lin Wanxiao watched their departing silhouettes, suddenly feeling lost. She rested her face despairingly on the tea table.

It was deep winter, and she thought the cold should make her shiver.

Unexpectedly, her face had long warmed the tea table.

Watching his retreating figure, Lin Wanxiao stared blankly,

Unable to grow old together, I’d rather die guarding each other...

That night, she remained dazed, even as New Year’s firecrackers sounded.

............

Yin Tingxue followed Chen Yi outside.

She had observed each scene unfold and couldn’t help but say:

"Why does Lady Lin... why does she clearly fancy you but still reject you?"

If Chen Yi hadn’t mended his ways, Yin Tingxue thought her reaction would be reasonable. But now that Chen Yi had changed, and with Lin Wanxiao clearly unable to endure widowhood’s torment, why still refuse?

"She can’t bring herself to let go of her pride. Even if I were to wed her openly, she’d likely still face me with a cold demeanor."

Chen Yi chuckled and said lightly, "This is what they call being tsundere. Every woman has a bit of it."

Yin Tingxue wasn’t hearing this term for the first time; Chen Yi often spoke such new words during their pillow talk. At those times, he always seemed full of novel expressions she hadn’t heard before.

The little fox nodded, saying: "So it’s called tsundere? But I don’t have it."

Her tone carried a hint of childishness.

Chen Yi laughed and ruffled her head gently, replying: "And what did you say to her exactly?"

Yin Tingxue didn’t hide it, saying: "I used some reverse psychology to provoke her, letting her understand what she truly feels. That way, you could help her enter the house."

Chen Yi froze momentarily before saying: "Nosy."

Yin Tingxue frowned and asked: "Are you tsundere too?"

Chen Yi fell silent instantly.

Seeing her husband unresponsive beside her, Yin Tingxue panicked slightly, staring at him wide-eyed.

The man took a deep breath, then said fiercely:

"You’ve hit the softest part of my heart; tonight I won’t let you off easily!"

................

The phoenix-robed woman had already left the temple and was walking slowly toward her sleeping chamber.

Her attendant, Su Xin, followed closely behind.

When they reached the palace gates, the consort stopped briefly.

A maid approached in haste, speaking softly:

"Madam, the household commander’s condition worsens; he seems unlikely to last long."

"He hasn’t summoned maids or concubines?" the consort asked.

"He’s only been accompanied by two concubines," the maid replied truthfully.

"Being young and vigorous, that’s unlikely enough."

Smiling faintly, the consort replied without turning back:

"Have someone instruct the Korean woman to bathe and prepare herself. Dressed splendidly, lead him to the cold palace then."

Su Xin stirred slightly.

The consort noticed and said, "Speak openly."

"Madam, the Korean woman is alluring and cunning. She might resist compliance. If she harbors ill intent toward Chen Qianhu..."

Su Xin strategically left her sentence unfinished, avoiding direct accusations that might invite blame.

The consort, indifferent, replied: "She wouldn’t dare. I’ve already disciplined her, also granted her enough rewards in return. Su Xin, listen carefully now. After she spends the night, assign her trusted maids in that courtyard. From then on, her meals shall follow imperial concubine customs, and renovate her quarters appropriately. Later, give her an idle position in the Chief of Staff’s department.

These women sent to the palace were always meant to serve others anyway.

Her precious chastity, kept like a gem all these years, it’s time she relinquished it."

Seeing that her decision was final, Su Xin nodded respectfully, saying:

"Madam is wise."

Yet a thought emerged in Su Xin’s mind—a thought she dared not voice aloud.

Maidens aside, even the late Emperor’s concubines were given to him,

and they went so far as to bestow imperial consorts second only to the Empress upon him...

Was this Great Yu Imperial City’s harem,

truly Chen Zunming’s harem?