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Chapter 56: Taken Away
A night of fierce wind and rain left Yu Lingxi’s sleep restless. Half in a dream, she sensed a familiar but dim figure sitting at the bedside, gazing at her with interest.
“Be a good girl, I’ll come to fetch you in a couple of days,” the person whispered extremely lightly, as if murmuring.
Her lips felt warm and slightly itchy. Yu Lingxi frowned, humming softly. In a daze, she opened her eyes to find the curtain gently swaying, with no one in sight. Turning over, she continued to sleep.
After a night of rain, the water puddles in the courtyard were clear, reflecting the dense green shadows of trees. Receiving an unexpected summons from the Empress early in the morning, Yu Lingxi was somewhat surprised.
She didn’t have a deep impression of Empress Feng, having only seen her once in this life and the previous one during the Spring Banquet. It was hard to gauge her temperament.
The only certainty was that being summoned by the Empress was not as simple as having tea and chatting. Behind it were complex interests, and the outcomes were unpredictable.
After grooming herself, Yu Lingxi saw Qingxiao standing by the carriage and was momentarily puzzled. It was usually Ning Yin who accompanied her, but he was nowhere to be seen today.
Yu Yuan personally saw his daughter off. Wanting to say something but hesitating, he finally sighed heavily, earnestly advising, “My good daughter, your sister will accompany you to the palace. Remember to be cautious and prioritize the overall situation.”
“I understand, Father.”
Yu Lingxi glanced in the direction of the corner gate, then regained her composure and joined Yu Xinyi in the carriage.
The Empress’s Palace was solemn and majestic.
Hearing that Empress Feng was devoted to Buddhism, even the palace maids in front of the hall seemed as still as sculptures, creating a quiet and orderly atmosphere. After the female official announced their arrival, Yu Lingxi followed her sister into the hall. When she saw Lady Xue by the Empress’s side, her heart skipped a beat, feeling even more uneasy.
“You may all rise.” The Empress reclined on a couch, hand on the table, slowly turning a string of Buddhist beads.
Her gaze swept up and down the two daughters of the Yu family, settling on Yu Lingxi. “It is said that General Yu’s two daughters are like fire and water, akin to flames in springwater. Today, upon close inspection, the reputation is well-deserved.”
Yu Lingxi and Yu Xinyi responded in unison, “Your Majesty’s praise is too kind.”
The Empress continued, “Especially the second Miss Yu, gentle and graceful, dignified and quiet, is a perfect match for the gentle and jade-like Second Lord Xue. It is heard that the two have been childhood sweethearts, both descendants of important ministers in civil and military positions. No wonder His Majesty is so concerned, instructing this palace to carefully arrange this marriage.”
Yu Lingxi pursed her lips, and Yu Xinyi discreetly tugged at her sleeve.
Indicating she should refrain from rash actions, the Empress slightly raised herself and looked towards Lady Xue, who was sitting quietly on the side.
“Lady Xue, are you satisfied with this young daughter-in-law?” The Empress asked, addressing Lady Xue.
Lady Xue, with kindness in her eyes, replied with a smile, “Your Majesty and Empress Mother have shown great compassion, facilitating this auspicious union. I am grateful beyond words; how could I have any objections?”
“In that case, I will personally oversee this match. Once His Majesty issues the marriage decree, the wedding between the two families can proceed,” declared the Empress.
Looking at Yu Lingxi, the Empress inquired, “Miss Yu, what are your thoughts on this matter?”
Yu Lingxi certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to think that the Empress was genuinely seeking her opinion. Suppressing her turbulent heartbeat, she cooled her fingers, and in a gentle tone, she replied, “In response to Empress Mother, the significant matter of a daughter’s marriage naturally should follow the wishes of her parents.”
The only authority above imperial power was propriety and righteousness. This was the most perfect response Yu Lingxi could think of—not outright acceptance, yet avoiding offense to the Empress.
“Very well,” said the Empress.
She gave a subtle signal to a palace maid beside her, who promptly presented a jade ruyi that had been prepared earlier, handing it to Yu Lingxi.
In that moment of conflicting thoughts, Yu Lingxi took a deep breath. She then knelt, lifting the heavy jade ruyi over her head with her palms spread.
With a composed expression, she said, “I, your servant, express gratitude for Empress Mother’s favor.”
After Lady Xue and the Yu sisters withdrew, the palace maid closed the hall doors. From behind the screen emerged a figure—Cui An, the eunuch in vermilion attire.
“Congratulations, Your Highness! General Yu’s military power is divided into three parts. I receive one share, and the Xue family receives another,” Cui An said leisurely. “If the Crown Prince can be more competent and marry Miss Yu as his princess, then all military power would be in Your Highness’s hands, making you the first in history.”
The Empress, with vacant eyes, spoke lightly, “I am just a woman in the deep palace. What use do I have for military power? It is merely planning for the Crown Prince.”
Cui An, who knew all the inside information, twitched the corners of his mouth, bowed respectfully, and said, “Your Highness is wise.”
The carriage outside jolted, shaking off the worries along the way.
In the carriage, Yu Xinyi breathed a sigh of relief, gripping Yu Lingxi’s icy fingers. “Sui Sui, are you alright?”
In those brief two moments of meeting the Empress, she was constantly worried about her sister’s reaction. Cold sweat permeated through her crimson military uniform.
“I’m fine,” replied Yu Lingxi, shaking her head. She smiled gently, portraying an obedient and clever demeanor. “The Empress’s intentions are also the emperor’s intentions. They want to divide Father’s power, and agreeing to the marriage is the only way to show sincerity and alleviate the emperor’s concerns… I know what to do, sister.”
Her only relief was that there was still half a year before Ning Yin took control in her previous life. There was still time to change things.
I just want to see Ning Yin as soon as possible. Yu Lingxi took a deep breath, tightened her fingers, and at no other moment had she felt such an urgent desire to see Ning Yin.
As the carriage returned to the Yu Mansion, before it completely stopped, Yu Lingxi couldn’t wait. She bent down, squeezed out of the carriage, and jumped down.
Today, entering the palace, she tied up a small bun, adorned with golden hairpins, and her apricot-colored skirt blossomed like a lotus. She lifted her skirt and, disregarding the damp wind after the rain, ran towards the back courtyard.
Pushing open the door, the back courtyard was empty, and Ning Yin was not in sight.
She steadied herself, went to the Lotus Pond Pavilion, went to the Water Pavilion, but there was no sign of Ning Yin.
Did he leave?
In the midst of hesitation, a steady footstep approached from behind. Yu Lingxi’s heart leaped with joy, and she quickly turned around…
The smile faltered as she called out somewhat disappointed, “Elder Brother?”
“Are you so unhappy to see your brother?” Yu Huanchen raised his elegant eyebrows, displaying a hint of reproach.
“Of course not.” Yu Lingxi regulated her rapid breathing, then couldn’t resist asking, “Where is… His Highness Wei?”
Yu Huanchen remained silent. Yu Lingxi guessed it right away, and her heart sank like a stone dropped into a pool, gradually sinking.
“Where did he go?” she asked softly.
Did he leave without even having a chance to say goodbye to her?
“I don’t know. Sui Sui, the current situation is urgent, and the Yu family cannot hide him forever,” Yu Huanchen explained. “However, he has some influence outside the palace. It’s just that this influence doesn’t reach the core of the court. Although he may have an easy time outside the palace, entering it will be difficult. Father agreed to transfer power, abandoning the power to pacify the Emperor. With the Yu family now at the center of the storm, the farther he stays away from us, the safer he’ll be.”
The current situation was such that it wasn’t Ning Yin who would implicate the Yu family, but the Yu family that would implicate Ning Yin.
“I understand, Elder Brother,” Yu Lingxi said with lowered eyelashes, speaking softly. “If the Emperor catches any evidence of his friendship with the Yu family, he will suspect that he holds the military power of the Yu family. Dealing with the Yu family will inevitably involve him.”
She was just a bit disappointed. The other day, he was sitting on the bed, smiling and appreciating her tired sleeping face, and today, he was nowhere to be found. After going through so many ups and downs together, they shouldn’t hastily bid farewell.
“Today, when I met the Empress in the palace, Yu Xinyi explained everything carefully to me,” Yu Lingxi tried to change the subject. “Endurance is crucial in planning major strategies, especially in such times. You’re doing well.”
Rainwater accumulated on the lotus leaves, rolling twice before dripping into the water.
“I know it’s a temporary measure, but, Elder Brother, I don’t want to marry Xue Cen,” Yu Lingxi said earnestly.
Yu Huanchen was surprised but quickly composed himself, furrowing his brows. “Because of… him?”
Yu Lingxi nodded, “Yes, because of him.”
“People say that I and Xue Cen are a perfect match, childhood sweethearts meant for each other. Indeed, Xue Erlang was a rare solace in my heart for a long time, but I am well aware that it’s not a romantic affection between a man and a woman.”
Yu Lingxi’s eyes held a gentle light, devoid of worldly bitterness or melodrama. She quietly and firmly told her brother, “I value my life the most. Regardless of the dire circumstances, I will live well. Although I saved Xue Erlang, I never thought of dying with him. Only with Ning Yin, I am willing to entrust my life…”
Yu Huanchen’s eyes widened suddenly.
“Sui Sui! You cannot do something foolish,” Yu Huanchen’s rarely stern expression appeared, and he held Yu Lingxi’s shoulders, restraining her dangerous thoughts. “Moreover, the marriage decree is the Emperor’s decision. Whether it’s real death or feigned death, it will be opposing the imperial edict. Do you understand?”
“I know,” Yu Lingxi smiled and reassured, “So, we haven’t reached that desperate point yet, right?”
Yu Huanchen looked at his sister in silence for a while.
Yu Lingxi went alone to the chamber where Ning Yin had stayed.
The rain was faint, and her slender fingertips slowly brushed over the windowsill and desk, finally resting on the neatly arranged sleeping pallet. The room appeared unchanged, with the untouched cold tea still on the table. Yu Lingxi couldn’t discern what Ning Yin might have taken with him.
He had promised that she could give him something to take with him, a token for farewell. A sour and heavy feeling lingered in her heart, like a thick cotton ball blocking her emotions.
While Ning Yin was present, she didn’t feel much, but it wasn’t until he left that she gradually sensed the lingering bitterness in her heart.
Closing her eyes, thoughts of him filled her mind.
For two consecutive days, Yu Lingxi would come alone to the chamber, as if sitting there could help her calm her mind and prepare for the impending marriage. Since feigned death was a means to resist the imperial decree, there must be other ways to delay the wedding.
As she contemplated this, she suddenly froze.
A large red lacquer-gilded box appeared in the chamber today, conspicuously placed in front of Ning Yin’s bed. Yu Lingxi distinctly remembered that the box wasn’t there when she visited yesterday. Also, she had instructed the servants not to touch anything in Ning Yin’s room. It was unlikely that someone else moved it.
Could it be that Ning Yin came back to retrieve something he forgot?
Yu Lingxi’s heart pounded with excitement. She hurriedly entered the room, looked around, and suppressed her joy as she called out, “Wei Qi?”
No response.
She cleared her throat and called again, “Ning Yin?”
“Do you miss me that much?”
A very low chuckle came from behind, causing Yu Lingxi’s heart to tremble. She turned around.
When she woke up, Yu Lingxi found herself lying in a narrow and dark enclosed space.
She blinked in confusion, recalling the scene before she fell asleep. She remembered hearing Ning Yin’s faint laughter, turning her head back in surprise, only to see a shadow descending. Then, a faint tingling sensation behind her ears, and she softly fell into a wide and firm embrace.
Afterward, she found herself lying here.
Underneath her was a smooth and delicate Shu embroidery mattress, and a soft pillow was carefully placed. There was a ventilated cavity on the side…
If she guessed correctly, she was currently lying inside that beautiful red lacquer-gilded box.
Yu Lingxi didn’t know where she was, only hearing a slight jolt after a while, and the box was gently placed on the ground. Then, the familiar and steady footsteps approached.
Yu Lingxi bit her lip, holding her breath. After a slight rustling sound, the box opened, and a bright light poured in. Sure enough, Ning Yin’s handsome and pale face appeared above the box, locking eyes with hers.
His ink-black eyes held a faint smile, and when he leaned down, his ink-black hair fell, almost brushing Yu Lingxi’s nose. He admired Yu Lingxi’s graceful posture as she lay there.
Then, Ning Yin blinked slowly, carrying a teasing smile. “Avoiding those troublesome nuisances took some time. Apologies for the inconvenience, Miss.”
“…”
Yu Lingxi glared at him, utterly devoid of any patience.
She raised her hand to brush away his beautiful hair, and with an annoyed tone, she said, “Wei Qi, what exactly are you up to?”
“Miss promised to let me take something from the Yu Mansion, didn’t you?” Ning Yin stroked the face of the beauty inside the box, with a sense of treasuring, and spoke slowly, “What I want to take is only you, Miss.”
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