webnovelfull Chapter 462
Chapter 462
Murong Jin's face darkened, and he remained silent, clearly hit where it hurt.
Chu Ruoyin pressed her lips together, nodded toward Chang Hua, who understood and withdrew, even closing the courtyard gate behind him.
Beneath the crabapple tree, fallen petals drifted in profusion.
Chu Ruoyin stepped around to stand before him, meeting those familiar starry eyes: "Your Highness, back when the emperor and Eldest Sister were absent from the palace and the envoys from the Western Frontier came to court, the situation was dire. You kidnapped me and nearly exposed the truth, yet the emperor never pursued the matter afterward. Why do you think that is?"
Murong Jin's eyes deepened: "Naturally, because of you. After all, you are the empress's younger sister."
Chu Ruoyin gave a slight nod: "True, but not entirely so. The emperor is a wise ruler. Though he seized the throne from the late emperor, he has also sought reconciliation with the previous court. Your Highness, think on it—Empress Pei, Prince Rui, and you yourself: has the emperor ever wantonly killed a single person since his ascension?"
The Prince of Qin furrowed his brow and did not speak, though his expression had begun to soften.
Chu Ruoyin pressed her advantage: "Moreover, since taking the throne, he has opened wide the channels of discourse and governed with diligence. I dare not say he rivals Yao and Shun, but in both civil and military achievements, he is an enlightened ruler for the ages! When he was still Grand Secretary, you yourself praised his abilities and talent. Now that he has become emperor, with clean governance and peace across the land, what grievance do you still hold?"
The knot in his heart crumbled inch by inch under the woman's gentle voice.
But then, as if thinking of something, the Prince of Qin narrowed his eyes dangerously: "Do you care for him that much?"
Every word and phrase had been nothing but praise for this emperor.
Chu Ruoyin choked on her words: "What I care about is..."
She bit her lower lip and suddenly turned to leave. "Forget it. You don't wish to go. I will go alone!"
Before she could take two steps, a hand seized her and pulled her into an embrace. "What did you say just now? Who is it you care about?"
His dangerous gaze bored into the woman in his arms.
She bristled and glared back without backing down: "Your Highness can believe whomever you like... Ah!"
She gasped as Murong Jin pushed her against the tree.
He cradled the back of her head and pressed his lips directly onto hers.
Chu Ruoyin's beautiful eyes flew wide open, and she bit down hard.
"Hiss!" The Prince of Qin was forced to pull back, reaching up to touch the corner of his mouth where she had bitten him. "A-Yin, I never knew you could bite people."
Seeing the trace of blood at his lips, Chu Ruoyin's heart trembled: "I-I didn't mean to... But this is a nunnery, you cannot, cannot..."
Taking in her terrified, doe-like face, the Prince of Qin curled his lips and asked wickedly: "Cannot what?"
Chu Ruoyin's face flushed as red as a peony. She reached to push him away, but he caught her wrist instead.
"A-Yin, I know. You're worried about me."
The deep, affectionate voice made her stop struggling.
She took a deep breath, lifted her head solemnly, and said: "Your Highness, it's true that I adore you. But before that, I also love my father and my eldest sister. I absolutely must attend this family banquet. If you truly cannot let go of the past, I won't force you. But... then you and I can only part ways and never see each other again."
Outside the door, Chang Hua was frantic.
No matter how soft and gentle Miss Chu the Second usually appeared, once she made a decision, not even eight hundred oxen could drag her back.
Why was his master being so stubborn? If he kept this up, he'd lose his bride!
Murong Jin's expression hardened, a storm brewing in his eyes. After a long moment, he suddenly growled, "Who wants to part ways forever with you!"
With that, he hoisted her into his arms horizontally. Amid Chu Ruoyin's startled cries, he kicked open the courtyard gate.
Chang Hua, standing outside, was struck squarely and yelped, clutching his nose. But his master didn't even notice him.
Pressing her voice down, Chu Ruoyin cried: "What are you doing? Put me down!"
The Prince of Qin was unmoved: "Didn't you say this is a nunnery and we can't? Then let's find someplace where we can!"
Face burning, Chu Ruoyin struggled, but heard him threaten: "A-Yin, don't move. If you want to meet your father and sister without a single bruise, then behave yourself!"
She froze: "You... you've agreed to go?"
He looked down at her, grinding his teeth: "Since you've put it that way, how could I dare not pay my respects to my future father-in-law and... your elder sister and her husband!"
Chu Ruoyin was overjoyed. Seeing the reluctant yet helpless look on his face, guilt rose in her heart. "Thank you, Your Highness. Then... find some quiet place..."
Her final words were as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Murong Jin realized she had consented, and his heart soared.
Heaven knew he had kept A-Yin hidden in this nunnery to keep her from the emperor, unable to touch her for over a month.
In a flash, all his temper vanished. "Chang Hua! Prepare the carriage! We return to the capital!"
His poor, bloodied subordinate scrambled to ready the carriage, but at least his heart was at ease.
Good—this future princess hadn't run off after all. Their days ahead would be much smoother...
Just before they left the nunnery, the nun Xue Ling, clad in black robes, came to see them off.
Chu Ruoyin lingered reluctantly: "Cousin, you truly won't return to the capital with us?"
Xue Ling smiled faintly: "No. This poor nun has already entered the gate of emptiness. I cannot meddle further in worldly family affairs. Besides..." She paused, her gaze growing distant. "I have already asked my master to shave my head tomorrow."
"What?!" Chu Ruoyin was stunned. Looking at her long hair, she cried: "Cousin, think carefully! Once your head is shaved, there is no turning back!"
"Why would I wish to turn back? Form is emptiness, emptiness is form; feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness are all the same. Amitabha. Lay benefactress Chu, Lay benefactor Murong, forgive this poor nun for not seeing you off any farther. May you have a good journey."
Xue Ling pressed her palms together and closed her eyes, her tranquil face as still as an ancient well.
Chu Ruoyin cried out "Cousin" mournfully, but there was no response. Murong Jin could only hold her shoulder and say: "Let's go first."
As they left the nunnery, they unsurprisingly ran into Xie Zhizhou.
The commander of the Five City Military Patrol, dressed in official uniform and wearing a saber, appeared to be on duty.
This was already the seventh time that month he had held "duties" nearby.
Seeing them, Xie Zhizhou flashed an awkward smile: "Your Highness the Prince of Qin, Miss Chu the Second. This humble official still has duties to attend to. I take my leave."
He turned to walk away, but Chu Ruoyin called out: "Cousin-in-law, wait!"
Xie Zhizhou's spine stiffened. He turned stiffly and said: "Miss Chu the Second has addressed me incorrectly. I am no longer..."
"Lady Xue is inside having her head shaved!"
The Prince of Qin said coolly. Xie Zhizhou's face twisted drastically, and he charged inside without a second thought.
"Hey, hey! Lay benefactor, you can't barge in! This is a nunnery!" The abbess's panicked voice echoed from within. Chu Ruoyin pursed her lips and asked: "Your Highness, why did you say my cousin is having her head shaved inside? Isn't her tonsure tomorrow?"
The Prince of Qin tapped her nose: "Would he have gone in to see her if I hadn't said that? If they keep waiting like this, they'll never make a move in a hundred years."
Chu Ruoyin let out an "oh," looking remarkably docile. He couldn't help leaning down to peck her cheek.
"Hey, you..."
Her face flushed scarlet, and the man lifted his hands in defense: "A-Yin, we're already outside the nunnery!"
Chu Ruoyin stamped her foot and fled. With a loud laugh, the Prince of Qin strode after her.
Three days later, Chu Huaishan and Lady Jiang the Younger arrived in the capital.
Five days later, the imperial family banquet was held in Zhongcui Palace.
Before the banquet, Grand Secretary Cao Yang privately met with the emperor and presented a generous gift.