Chapter 39: Two Imperial Edicts

ged their horses forward, galloping out as swiftly as arrows from a bow. As soon as they started, Li Yun regretted it. No matter how good her horsemanship skills were, she still didn't recognize the w...Chapter 39: Two Imperial Decrees

She didn't expect that Rong Jing brought her here today to ask Master Pushan for help in recovering her memories, nor did she expect that losing her memory was because her mother gave her the Phoenix Curse before dying. These two things came too suddenly. But no matter how sudden they were, she could instantly find what she thought.

Unraveling the Phoenix Curse and regaining her memories, she didn't want to! At least not currently.

"Little girl, why is that" Master Pushan looked at Yun Qianyue in puzzlement. "Do you not believe that I can help you unravel it"

"No!" Yun Qianyue shook her head.

"Then what's the reason You should know that the Phoenix Curse can only be solved by the supreme scriptures of Shaolin Temple. Now, looking at the whole world, only I alone am proficient in them. The medicine I have here is the Seal Dissolving Pill; there's only one in the entire world. Otherwise, how could Prince Jing, this little boy who never asks for help from others, indirectly lure me to help you solve the seal today If you miss this chance, you won't be able to unravel your seal again easily! After all, it will cost me at least half of my power." Master Pushan said.

"Then forget it then! It's difficult for a master like you to accumulate such strength," Yun Qianyue firmly stated her stance.

"It seems that Prince Jing wasted his efforts in vain!" Master Pushan smiled and looked at Rong Jing.

"If so, then let it be. Master, put the medicine away! When she wants to resolve it one day, we'll do it then." Rong Jing slowly stood up, gave a faint smile to Master Pushan, and walked towards Yun Qianyue.

"Alright then! Today this old monk earned something too, drinking wine and eating fish. Little girl, if you want to change your mind, you need to come up with a reason that moves me again. Otherwise, I won't resolve it for you!" Master Pushan also stood up and put the medicine into his chest.

"Alright." Yun Qianyue responded in one word and no longer spoke as she turned around and walked forward.

Rong Jing gave a brief farewell to Master Pushan, did not speak either, but followed after Yun Qianyue.

The two of them left Xiangquan Mountain, walking down the mountain. Without using any light-footed movements, their figures formed a straight line.

Master Pushan watched until they were far away before he looked back at the Seven Prince who had just walked out from behind the mountain and said, "You've seen it too! You came to me as well as Prince Jing. Unfortunately, this little girl doesn't want to unravel her own Phoenix Curse herself. That's why I won’t agree with your two requests!"

After Master Pushan spoke, Night Tianyi appeared from behind the mountain slowly, looking at where Yun Qianyue and Rong Jing had left without speaking as his lips were tightly pressed together.

Master Pushan looked at Night Tianyi and shook his head. He bent down to pick up two empty wine jars and walked towards the Scripture Pavilion with them in hand.

"I didn't know that just within two months, she was already like this for Rong Jing. Even unwilling to unravel her Phoenix Curse and recover her memories because of him Then what about the past ten years I spent with her" Night Tianyi looked down at the barbecue marks on the ground as his handsome face flickered under the light of Lingtai Temple.

Master Pushan glanced back at Night Tianyi once, then at the sky. He sighed and said, "Fate!"

Beneath Xiangquan Mountain, String Song was already waiting with a carriage.

Yun Qianyue did not look behind her but climbed into the carriage without turning around. Rong Jing also got in after her. Neither of them spoke.

String Song was somewhat confused; Yun Qianyue and Prince Jing's expressions didn't seem like they had an argument, yet it felt a bit off due to their silence. He knew that this wasn't the time for him to ask questions, so he immediately whipped his whip, drove the carriage away from Xiangquan Mountain.

The moment she got in the carriage, Yun Qianyue pulled over her cushion and lay down inside with her eyes closed, sleeping right away.

Rong Jing sat by the side of the carriage and looked at Yun Qianyue. He took off a thin blanket from inside and covered her up. However, he didn't lie down himself but closed his eyes instead. He had already prepared to let her remember everything; he could clearly sense her frustration each time she encountered something without memories of him. He also knew that while she pretended to be indifferent and go with the flow on the surface, deep in her heart, she might want to regain her memories so as not to be passive anymore. He thought about a lot, including whether she would still treat Night Tianyi with such coldness after remembering their entanglements once she regained her memories or if she would stay firm towards him as she was now. However, he didn't expect that she wouldn't want to unravel the Phoenix Curse.

This world, there's one person who he can never fathom—her!

She always surprises him.

When he thought he had no hope in this life, she unexpectedly cured her frost poison for him. When he thought Night Tianyi would send a message to make her agree with him, she pulled him back instead. He believed that after seeing Night Tianyi on Dong Mountain today, she would be kind towards him once again; however, it didn't happen—she was extremely cold-hearted. And he thought she would accept his arrangement to recover her memories today, but everything turned out not as he had expected.

Not getting what he wanted made him feel incredibly delighted!

Rong Jing suddenly chuckled softly; the sound of laughter contained extreme joy from within.

"Why are you laughing" Yun Qianyue, who was just about to fall asleep, woke up due to his chuckle.

"Why don't you want to recover your memories" Rong Jing stopped smiling and asked softly.

"To follow my mother's wishes, of course! She must have had a reason for setting the Phoenix Curse on me. If I unravel it, wouldn't that be ruining her intentions Her spirit in heaven would not be pleased with me." Yun Qianyue said drowsily as if indifferent to what she was saying.

Rong Jing chuckled softly and suddenly leaned down to look at Yun Qianyue's dazed face, "Are you sure"

"Hmm!" Yun Qianyue responded.

I thought it was because of me, Rong Jing said in a soft voice.

Yun Qianyue’s long eyelashes trembled slightly. "Stop being so full of yourself! Who do you think you are"

Rong Jing lowered his head to kiss Yun Qianyue's eyelashes and smiled, saying, "Your eyes betrayed you; you were lying!"

Young Master Rong, you also know mind-reading techniques now Tomorrow I'll see if fortune-telling brings in money! Countless beauties will come for your fortunes. Even without the title of Prince or any wealth, with such a skill, you won't have to worry about food and clothing anymore!" Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes and stretched out her voice.

"Hmm, what you said is right. Even if I don’t have anything, I can still support the two of us," Rong Jing chuckled softly.

Yun Qianyue was disturbed by his near breath, so she pushed him away with her hand. "Move a little; I’m sleepy!"

Rong Jing順勢lay down and said, "I'm also very tired!"

"Then go to sleep then!" Yun Qianyue turned her head to look at Rong Jing and saw his eyes were still bright. She huffed; she had never seen someone who was so wide awake even when they claimed to be sleepy!

"But I can't fall asleep," Rong Jing said.

Close your eyes if you can’t sleep, don’t disturb me! Yun Qianyue warned. This person is clearly overly happy!

"Hmm!" Rong Jing obediently responded.

Yun Qianyue was indeed sleepy; she had been busy all day with many shocks to her nerves, and she fell asleep quickly.

Rong Jing looked at the roof of the carriage, thinking that he finally entered her heart! He took ten years for this step! Heavenly gods must favor him! Night Tianyi, are you more lucky than me, or less lucky In ten years, I can wait until she likes me; naturally, I don’t fear her recovering her memory!

After an hour, the carriage entered the city without any obstacles.

When they reached where the roads to Prince Rong's and Yun’s mansions branched off, Xuan Ge whispered, "Young Master, should we take Miss Qianyue back to Yun Manor or follow us back to Prince Rong's mansion"

"Take her back to Yun Manor!" Rong Jing instructed.

Xuan Ge didn’t speak anymore and turned the carriage toward Yun Manor!

It was now five in the morning, and there were few people on the streets. The carriage had a smooth ride, and they quickly arrived at Yun Manor.

The moment the carriage stopped, Yun Meng's voice sounded from outside, "Young Master Rong and Miss Qianyue finally returned!"

"I’ve finally waited for Young Master Rong and Miss Qianyue to return; I can go back to court now and complete my mission," Wen Lai’s voice followed.

Hearing Yun Meng's voice, Yun Qianyue was still sleeping with her eyes closed. Hearing Wen Lai's voice, she instantly woke up and opened her eyes, looking at Rong Jing. Wen Lai was the chief eunuch of the old emperor; she didn’t know what task he had to complete here!

Rong Jing glanced at Yun Qianyue with a gentle expression, then sat up from his lying position and reached out to lift the curtain.

"I pay my respects to Young Master Rong and Miss Qianyue! I was sent by His Majesty to deliver an imperial edict," Wen Lai hurriedly approached when he saw Rong Jing appear and bowed respectfully in front of the carriage.

"Hmm!" Rong Jing looked at Wen Lai and answered softly.

Yun Qianyue sat up as well, looking at Wen Lai. She wondered what the old emperor’s edict was about; it certainly wouldn’t be to grant her a marriage with Rong Jing, right The probability of that happening was almost zero; she didn't believe that the old emperor would have such good intentions.

The imperial decree states: Young Master Rong is talented and has surpassed his coming-of-age age. Today's Heavenly Saint needs people to serve him, so even though you haven’t inherited the title of Prince Rong, your talents are well-known nationwide and can be used beyond your current position; starting tomorrow, you will take office as the Left Minister under the Chancellor Feng in assisting His Majesty with state affairs. So be it!

Yun Qianyue was stunned; the old emperor wanted Rong Jing to enter court earlier Not long ago, her father mentioned that only after a grand wedding can the successors of the Four Great Manors inherit their titles and participate in politics. Nigth Qingran had been sent out for seven years of training without getting married and thus couldn't inherit his position, instead being dispatched to the Western Mountain Military Camp, which was not considered political participation. The old emperor’s actions now were to have Rong Jing participate in politics not as Prince Rong! Moreover, it would be a temporary appointment as Left Minister under the Chancellor Feng, usually a stepping stone for future Chancellors. Why did he issue such an edict after yesterday’s angry departure She looked at Rong Jing.

Rong Jing's expression didn't change; he even showed no surprise or shock. After Wen Lai finished reading the imperial decree, he slowly bent down and got out of the carriage, slightly bowed his head, and said in a light tone, "Rong Jing receives the edict, may His Majesty live for ten thousand years!"

"Congratulations to Young Master Rong!" Wen Lai handed the imperial decree to Rong Jing with both hands.

Rong Jing stood still, and Xiang Ge immediately stepped forward to take the scroll.

Wen Lai was probably aware of Rong Jing's personal space bubble, so he didn't get annoyed. Instead, he handed over the imperial edict to Xiang Ge and took out another one from his sleeve. He looked at Yun Qianyue, "Miss Yun Qianyue, receive the imperial edict!"

Yun Qianyue sat in the carriage without moving. She wondered how Emperor Wen planned to arrange for her after he had instructed Rong Jing to enter court early. She looked at Wen Lai.

Wen Lai didn't get annoyed when she didn’t kneel; instead, he opened up the imperial edict and read aloud, "The emperor has decreed that Yun Qianyue of the main Yun family in Yun王府 is a wastrel who lacks discipline and behaves improperly. His heart is full of worries. The Yun royal clan has been around for a hundred years and has produced several empresses who ruled the nation with virtue. They can't let one girl ruin their reputation. The spirits of past emperors would not be at ease if they knew this was happening. From today on, she will enter the palace to receive training from his Majesty personally so as to comfort Empress Zhenjing and other previous empresses. This edict is decreed!"

Yun Qianyue was taken aback. Did that mean His Majesty wanted her by his side She looked at Rong Jing.

Rong Jing’s eyes flickered but he didn't say anything.

Frowning, Yun Qianyue felt uneasy. Not receiving the imperial edict meant going against it. The old emperor would probably have a reason to deal with her right away! If she did receive it, wouldn’t that mean having to face him every day She thought about what he intended to do by putting her under his supervision. Was he going to keep an eye on her

"Miss Yun Qianyue" Wen Lai saw that Yun Qianyue had been silent for a long time, so he called out.

Yun Qianyue looked at the imperial edict and thought about whether to accept it or not. What would happen if she did And what if she didn't

"The emperor has never kept any princesses by his side for training, but you are a first in history. This should be an honor!" Rong Jing said calmly.

Yun Qianyue suddenly smiled and jumped off the carriage. She walked up to Wen Lai and stretched out her hand to take the imperial edict. Smiling brightly at him, she said, "Thank you for your hard work, Grand Eunuch!"

"Congratulations, Miss Yun Qianyue!" Wen Lai flashed his tiger teeth and handed over the imperial edict to Yun Qianyue. A smile spread across his delicate face as he said, "From now on, you will be under the emperor’s care for training. I’ll see you every day. You don’t need to be polite with me!"

"Indeed! We'll have plenty of dealings in the future! The days ahead are long!" Yun Qianyue patted Wen Lai on his shoulder, but her heart was cold despite her smile. No matter what schemes the old emperor had up his sleeve, she would deal with them accordingly. He couldn’t cripple her upbringing—she wasn't a weakling anymore! She wanted to see what he planned to do!

Wen Lai lowered himself and said in distress, "Miss Yun Qianyue, you are skilled in martial arts. My skills can't compare with yours, so I can’t take this pat!"

"This is just to connect us," Yun Qianyue withdrew her hand, smiled genuinely at Wen Lai's distressed look, and raised an eyebrow toward Rong Jing, "Is that a good thing It’s like my Uncle the Emperor approving of our marriage. He will personally train me; who would dare say I don’t match you"

"Indeed! So you must study hard while accompanying His Majesty so as not to disappoint him!" Rong Jing nodded with a smile.

Yun Qianyue nodded. The old emperor was becoming more and more interesting! She would definitely work hard! Glancing at the group of people kneeling at the gate, she saw that Yun Xianghe was leading the concubines, minor wives, and illegitimate daughters in their bows. It seemed that everyone had gathered here today except for the elderly王爺and Yun Muhuan. The colors drained from Yun Wang’s face, as if he had been struck by lightning. He looked much older than yesterday; she guessed it was because he hadn’t anticipated the edict's content. She turned and asked Yun Meng beside her, "Where is my grandfather"

"The elderly王爺hasn't been feeling well in recent days and has been staying at home," replied Yun Meng.

Yun Qianyue nodded and said, "Alright, I'll go see my grandfather!" She took the edict and walked into the compound. After a few steps, she looked back at Rong Jing, "Do you want to come with me to visit my grandfather"

Rong Jing nodded. "Since Grandfather Yun feels unwell again, I should go see him." He then stepped forward.

"Miss Yun Qianyue, please wait a moment; the emperor has something else he wants to tell you!" Wen Lai called out.

Yun Qianyue paused and raised an eyebrow. "Something else"

"Yes! The emperor instructed that once you receive this imperial edict, you should pack your belongings immediately for the palace. He has already informed Empress Dowager in Ronghua Palace to prepare a room for you. From today on, you will be staying in the palace," Wen Lai said respectfully.

"So I'll be living in Aunt’s Ronghua Palace" Yun Qianyue was surprised and raised her eyebrows.

“Yes! The emperor plans to personally instruct you during the day, and Empress Dowager will guide and teach you at night,” Wen Lai nodded.

This means he's keeping me in the palace Yun Qianyue narrowed her eyes slightly. She nodded and said, "Alright, I understand. Please wait a moment while I visit my grandfather; then I'll follow you to the palace."

“Yes!” Wen Lai answered respectfully without further ado.

"Uncle Meng, go inform Shallow Moon Pavilion to pack up everything for me. After visiting Grandfather Yun, I’ll head straight to the palace with Wen Gong!" Yun Qianyue turned and continued walking inwardly while giving instructions to Yun Meng.

“Yes! Old servant will do it right away!” Yun Meng immediately responded and rushed ahead of Yun Qianyue towards Shallow Moon Pavilion.

Rong Jing followed closely behind Yun Qianyue.

The two quickly passed through the courtyard.

"What did you mean by the old emperor" Yun Qianyue turned to ask Rong Jing. He didn’t grant their request for a royal decree of marriage, yet now he had arranged tasks for them both. One was placed under Feng Chuxiang’s tutelage in politics, and the other was personally kept close at hand. This made her feel as though the old emperor was planning to break them apart! Yonghua Palace, the queen's residence—ordinary women naturally wouldn’t be allowed in there! And now, the old emperor had let her stay there under the pretense of having her aunt teach her manners. It seemed that he had another scheme up his sleeve!

After all, to her, Yonghua Palace wasn't a good place at all!

"What it means isn’t important. What’s important is that you must always think of me," Rong Jing’s eyes flashed for an instant before he said softly.

"Can thinking about you feed my belly" Yun Qianyue rebuked him and turned her head to avoid looking at him.

"Yes!" Rong Jing replied.

"Then I can live in the palace and eat lotus flower stewed fish every day. Can you manage that If you can, then I’ll think about you," Yun Qianyue saw a pebble ahead and kicked it with her foot. Her ankle was quite skilled; with each kick, the pebble would bounce several times on the ground, making a ringing sound.

"If you think of me every day, I can manage that," Rong Jing said.

"Alright! Then I decide to think about you every day!" Yun Qianyue stopped and turned to look at him. She extended her finger. "Pinkie swear!"

Rong Jing chuckled and put out his finger, saying gently, "Okay, pinkie swear!"

With their fingers intertwined, they shook hands firmly. The sensation of fingertips touching seemed to reach their hearts, causing a shiver in both of them. It was like an agreement, or perhaps it meant that their minds were connected. Regardless of what storms lay ahead, the two would bear them together!

Yun Qianyue’s lips curved into a smile as she warned him, "You’re not allowed to court other women!"

"Neither are you!" Rong Jing smiled faintly.

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes. In the palace, there was only one elderly man—the old emperor—and a bunch of young princes who had already left the palace and established their own residences. Where could she go to court women She withdrew her finger and stretched out her voice, saying, "Young Master Rong needn’t worry so much; there’s no peach blossom grove in the imperial palace. This little girl can’t even manage to attract a man if she wanted to."

"That’s not necessarily true. You’d do well to behave yourself! Even if you don’t seek out women, perhaps women might come seeking you," Rong Jing also withdrew his hand.ao, Tingyu, Tingxue, and all those people serving in our Yun Qianyue’s residence have stopped smiling.""What can I do" Yun Qianyue slumped back into her chair with a gloomy expression."Moreover, tomor...