Chapter 140: Side Story of the Crown Princess

 

To others, the days might seem enticing, but to Qin Yi, they were full of suffering.

 

In these past few days, Qin Yi finally confirmed the identity of the family he was staying with: the family of General Chu Jing, stationed in Taiyuan, under the Changxing Marquisate. The elder Chu had once been somewhat well-known in the capital, but he was never part of the true upper echelons of power. Now, with the entire family relocated to their ancestral home in Taiyuan, they had fallen into decline. Qin Yi vaguely remembered that the Changxing Marquisate was nearing its end. Given their current situation, even if they submitted a petition for reinstatement of the title, the cabinet would most likely reject it. The capital was full of marquis families, and a second-rate, out-of-town marquis like the Changxing Marquis had no chance of competing with the more prominent families in the capital.

 

Of course, Qin Yi understood this well enough and saw no need to voice it aloud.

 

Each morning, Qin Yi followed Chu Jinyao’s routine. He would instinctively close his eyes and turn away whenever she changed her clothes. Once she finished and spent some time in front of the dressing mirror, they would head out together. Qin Yi had already memorized the layout of the Changxing Marquisate. Chu Jinyao would first go to greet the lady of the house, Madam Zhao, whom they had met on the first day, and then go to pay respects to her grandmother, the old Madam Chu. By the time she finished with these tasks, half the day would be over. After lunch with either her mother or grandmother, Chu Jinyao would return to her quarters to pass the time in the afternoon.

 

In the past few days, Qin Yi had learned quite a bit about Chu Jinyao’s situation. For instance, Chu Jinyao was indeed a legitimate young lady of the Marquisate, but she had been mistakenly swapped at birth. She had only recently been found and returned to her rightful family. Moreover, her previous life hadn’t been easy, and now that she had come back to her real family, she was working hard to fit in with her relatives and sisters, though with limited success.

 

Qin Yi, having observed Chu Jinyao closely for these past few days, couldn’t help but feel sympathy for her. He genuinely thought that Chu Jinyao must have done something terribly wrong in her previous life, like burning down a temple, to be so unfortunate in this one. Not only had she been taken away from her true family and suffered hardships, but now that she was finally back, she had to endure the attitudes of those less noble than herself.

 

Qin Yi had always despised seeing others put on airs. Whenever someone directed such attitudes toward Chu Jinyao, it felt as though they were doing it to him as well. If he weren’t constrained by his current situation and unable to speak out, those people would be lucky to walk out of the courtyard on their own feet.

 

However, while Qin Yi felt sorry for Chu Jinyao, he also understood that he couldn’t get involved. The world was full of people suffering; he couldn’t possibly save them all. The gap between his status and Chu Jinyao’s was too great. His rare act of kindness was simply not interfering or disturbing her life.

 

Today, Chu Jinyao went to pay her respects to Madam Zhao and, as usual, received a cold reception. Qin Yi was angry but held back his temper. Before long, Chu Jinyao and her mother, elder sister, half-sisters, and that arrogant farm girl went to see the old Madam Chu. The sight of the old lady’s face was unpleasant to Qin Yi, but fortunately, it didn’t last long before the old Madam sent Chu Jinyao to another room to choose some fabric.

 

Qin Yi glanced at the fabric—just cloud brocade, the most ordinary material used in the palace to make clothes for mid-ranking concubines. For Qin Yi, even his casual outfits were far more refined than this. He couldn’t understand why Chu Jinyao seemed so pleased.

 

However, her joy was quickly cut short, and Qin Yi coldly watched the other girls. Normally, he didn’t mind the delicate airs of noble ladies, but today, for the first time, he felt a deep sense of displeasure toward them.

 

If Qin Yi were still in his own body, these girls would have been in serious trouble already. They should count themselves lucky that Qin Yi was currently immobile and without his usual entourage.

 

Later, back in her room, Qin Yi watched as Chu Jinyao leaned against the bedpost, her tears falling silently. The sight made Qin Yi’s skin crawl. As her sobs grew more pitiful, Qin Yi couldn’t stand it anymore. Finally, he blurted out, “Stop crying.”

 

For the first time in his seventeen years, Qin Yi had acted against his usual rationality. At the time, he didn’t realize that once you break a rule, it’s hard to stop. What seemed like a minor deviation would later grow, like a line drifting further and further from its original path, eventually leading to chaos.

 

Qin Yi’s life, once steady and predictable, began to change at that moment. It was as though thunder had rolled across the skies, signaling a turning point in his destiny. At the time, it seemed trivial, just two simple words. But in the future, when great events unfolded, it would be clear that this was the moment when everything began to shift.

 

After that, Qin Yi experienced firsthand what it felt like to be unappreciated. Here he was, the Crown Prince himself, trying to comfort her, and not only did Chu Jinyao not appreciate it, but she also had the audacity to threaten him!

 

Well, Qin Yi was truly amazed. There really was someone who didn’t care about their own life.

 

After discovering that the jade pendant could talk, Chu Jinyao couldn’t stop chattering. She rambled on excitedly for a while before finally asking, “What’s your name?”

 

Qin Yi thought it best not to reveal his real name, so he casually responded, “You can call me Qi Ze.”

 

“Qi Ze… that’s a nice name,” Chu Jinyao said with a smile.

 

Qin Yi nodded as if it were obvious. “Of course.”

 

Chu Jinyao pouted slightly, thinking she had hidden it well, but Qin Yi saw it all. He couldn’t even be bothered to argue—let her be naive, he thought.

 

Then, Chu Jinyao finally seemed to realize something important. “When did you start appearing in my jade pendant?”

 

…

 

Qin Yi’s expression remained unchanged, but his ears turned slightly red. He mumbled, “Not long ago, just a few days.”

 

Chu Jinyao sighed in relief and, surprisingly, believed him. While Qin Yi was glad she trusted him, he felt a strange discomfort. What if it hadn’t been him, but someone without his self-restraint and integrity? Would Chu Jinyao have trusted them just as easily?

 

As Qin Yi’s mind grew more muddled, Chu Jinyao’s words only made things more complicated. He had witnessed firsthand how little attention Chu Jinyao received, and because of that, he found it increasingly difficult to remain indifferent.

 

So, Qin Yi said something that went against both his reason and principles: “I understand the rules of noble households. I’ll teach you.”

 

It turned out that once something began, it couldn’t be stopped. From that point on, Chu Jinyao called out to “Qi Ze” constantly, and Qin Yi barely had a moment of peace. Gradually, Qin Yi grew used to discussing everything with Chu Jinyao, something he had never done before.

 

As the Crown Prince, his words were always commands, not topics for discussion.

 

One day, the Changxing Marquis mentioned something about the capital, and for some reason, Qin Yi couldn’t hold back and asked Chu Jinyao, “What kind of person do you think the Crown Prince is?”

 

“If he dared to act like that, he must be an upright and open-hearted person,” Chu Jinyao replied confidently.

 

Qin Yi found it amusing and childish. “He’s neither upright nor open-hearted. He just couldn’t stand by and watch.”

 

He acted out of spite, and it backfired.

 

But Chu Jinyao wasn’t convinced and argued back, throwing out her own opinions. Qin Yi listened idly but couldn’t help thinking that he had revealed so many obvious clues, yet Chu Jinyao still hadn’t figured it out. How clueless could she be?

 

Later, she returned to her room, clutching a few silver coins, her eyes shining brightly. She said to Qin Yi, “Qi Ze, you see? There are still good people in the Changxing Marquisate. Our lives will definitely get better in the future.”

 

These words might have seemed naive and ridiculous to the Crown Prince, who had grown up surrounded by intrigue and schemes, but for some reason, at that moment, Qin Yi said to Chu Jinyao, “It will.”

 

Your life in the future will be very, very good. I promise.

 

…

 

“Qi Ze, I’m lost again. Which way should I go next?”

 

“Head north.”

 

“Which way is north?”

 

Perhaps because it had happened too many times, Qin Yi didn’t even feel annoyed anymore. He said to Chu Jinyao, “See that crooked tree over there? Go in that direction.”

 

…

 

Time passed little by little like this. Although Qin Yi was anxious about reclaiming his identity, for some reason, he felt that if life continued like this, it wouldn’t be so bad.

 

Until later, when Qin Yi watched as Chu Jinyao had an unexpected encounter with Lin Xiyuan. When she jumped down from the tree, Lin Xiyuan’s eyes clearly brightened. Qin Yi coldly observed all of this. He understood the meaning behind Lin Xiyuan’s gaze, and he even thought sarcastically that he was witnessing the beginning of a beautiful love story, a tale to be told.

 

Qin Yi suddenly remembered the drama stages in the capital, where year after year, they endlessly sang stories of talented scholars and beautiful women. In the end, it was always about two people, a perfect match in both talent and appearance, who met and fell in love because of a legendary encounter, and after overcoming obstacles, became a couple. Chu Jinyao and Lin Xiyuan didn’t even have any family barriers, making this a perfect beginning for a love story. Qin Yi watched with cold detachment as Chu Jinyao was recognized, then went from resisting Lin Xiyuan’s approach to slowly accepting it. A cousin brother and a cousin sister, childhood sweethearts, reading books together under the small window—every scene told Qin Yi that a beautiful story was unfolding right before his eyes.

 

In a way, Qin Yi had even contributed to this. After all, it was he who had suggested that Chu Jinyao go to the outer courtyard.

 

For a moment, Qin Yi almost felt like he was just a bystander in the story, a supporting character watching from the sidelines.

 

Later, without any warning, he returned to his own body. He regained his power and status, but he never saw Chu Jinyao again.

 

Qin Yi thought to himself, it must be over now. In no time, he would probably hear about a marriage between the Marquis Changxing’s family and the Prince Huailing’s family. But what did that have to do with him?

 

He was the Crown Prince. The marriage affairs of the Prince Huailing’s family were nothing that would even reach his ears. Besides, Chu Jinyao was willing.

 

That was the type of person she longed for. It would be foolish and unseemly for Qin Yi to involve himself further. So, Qin Yi sent a fortune to Chu Jinyao, enough to ensure her comfort for the rest of her life, but he refused to go to Taiyuan in person, not even to catch a glimpse of her. With wealth to her name and the possibility of marrying the one she desired, this was the dream of many women. Qin Yi had promised Chu Jinyao that her future would be good, and he intended to keep that promise.

 

Once the inexplicable discomfort in Qin Yi’s heart had faded, and he regained his usual composure, he went to the Prince Huailing’s residence. From a corner of the tower, Qin Yi saw Chu Jinyao walking in circles, unable to find her way out.

 

With one hand resting on the window frame, Qin Yi chuckled softly. She was still the same—clearly living comfortably. That was good.

 

Qin Yi thought he had adjusted his mentality perfectly, and he didn’t even realize that the distance between him and Chu Jinyao had become unusually close again. So, when Lin Xiyuan made his request, saying, “Please grant us marriage, Your Highness,” Qin Yi’s fury was unprecedented.

 

Who was Lin Xiyuan to speak to him like that? Who did Lin Xiyuan think he was? Qin Yi had searched for many reasons, but in the end, he couldn’t deceive himself. The reason he was so angry wasn’t Lin Xiyuan’s attitude—it was that request.

 

Grant a marriage? He was merely a non-imperial prince; where did he get the audacity to request a marriage decree? Qin Yi wanted to see who would dare approve such an absurd request.

 

Furious, Qin Yi stormed off, and that day, outside the courtyard of the Old Princess Consort, he saw Chu Jinyao standing beneath a blooming crabapple tree, almost blending into the background, her beauty so striking that it hurt.

 

He walked slowly toward her, and Chu Jinyao greeted him formally, every movement impeccable, as though she had been trained to perfection: “Your Highness.”

 

That one “Your Highness” was respectful and distant. Once upon a time, she hadn’t spoken to him like that.

 

Qin Yi stopped in front of her, and sensing his presence, Chu Jinyao lowered her head even more. Qin Yi was overwhelmed with an indescribable sadness. Perhaps this was the distance that would remain between them for the rest of their lives. She was the wife of his subject; he was the Crown Prince. That one “Your Highness” would forever define their relationship.

 

Qin Yi’s gaze lingered too long, and even Chu Jinyao’s maid sensed something was wrong. Forcing himself to look away, Qin Yi used his willpower—something he had always prided himself on—and left without saying a word.

 

At that moment, Qin Yi truly believed that this farewell would be the last. He never imagined that in the next thousand-plus days and nights, he would hear Chu Jinyao call him “Your Highness” over and over again.

 

In all kinds of situations, with all kinds of tones—sometimes playfully, sometimes angrily, sometimes with unbearable sweetness—she would call him “Your Highness,” and it would echo in his ears, over and over again.

 

Just a few months later, while stationed at the Datong border, Qin Yi received a letter from Wei Wu.

 

“Crown Prince, the Huailing Prince’s family intends to take the Fifth Young Lady as a secondary consort.”

 

A secondary consort?

 

The fact that Qin Yi had left the Prince’s residence without doing anything had already been a massive concession, and now the Lin family had the nerve to propose making her a secondary consort?

 

At that moment, Qin Yi felt an almost petty surge of joy, because he had finally found the opportunity and the excuse to take back what had always belonged to him.

 

“I hereby decree that the fifth daughter of the Marquis Changxing’s family, Lady Chu Jinyao, be officially named the Crown Princess.”

 

She was the one and only, his unparalleled Crown Princess.

 

—End of the story—

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Translator’s Note:- Anddd its the END !!!!

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