Chapter 13- Romance is Unnecessary 1
1301 Words
Inside the grand audience hall, sunlight filtered through the high lattice windows, casting long golden beams upon the polished jade floor. Court officials stood in their ranks, voices hushed as Ji Xingling entered, robes of crimson and black flowing behind him. His expression was calm, almost serene, but his steps carried the unshakable authority of the Crown Prince.
“His Majesty has entrusted today’s matters to me,” Xingling announced, his voice ringing clear, controlled, and without hesitation. “We will proceed.”
The officials bowed low.
Scrolls were brought forward—requests from provincial governors, reports of border tensions, matters of taxation. Xingling listened attentively, occasionally lifting his hand to silence quarrelsome ministers, his sharp gaze reminding them that he tolerated no disorder.
“The Emperor’s health demands rest,” one of the ministers ventured carefully. “Your Highness, will you continue to preside in the coming weeks as well?”
Xingling allowed a pause, his face unreadable. “If my father requires it, then yes. My duty is to the empire before all else.”
The hall grew still at his words.
Yet, beneath that collected exterior, Xingling’s thoughts drifted. His brother’s wedding had been the talk of the court, though Ji Ling himself remained as distant as ever. The new princess… the daughter of Jianghu… what role would she play in the shifting balance of power? Would she temper Ji Ling’s coldness, or bring only further complication?
“Crown Prince,” an official interrupted his thoughts with a bow, “regarding the Jiangnan border patrols…reports have reached us of unrest. Bandits are growing bolder.”
Xingling’s sharp gaze shifted to the official. The easy calm he wore a moment ago hardened into authority. “Has the governor not dispatched troops?”
“He has, Your Highness. But…” The official hesitated, beads of sweat glistening at his temple. “The governor’s men are insufficient. Reinforcements from the imperial army may be required.”
At that, Xingling’s own assistant, Wei Zhang, stepped forward. “That would mean pulling soldiers away from the northern defenses. It would expose us to risk.”
Xingling tapped a finger against the armrest of his seat, deep in thought. “Unrest at the border… so soon after my brother’s marriage?” His tone was quiet, but heavy with implication. “Interesting timing.”
The official quickly bowed again. “What are your orders, Your Highness?”
Xingling rose from his seat, his robes flowing like dark water around him. He took a slow step forward, his expression unreadable. “Deploy a small unit. Enough to remind Jiangnan that the empire is watching, but not so many that the north grows restless. I will draft the order myself.”
“Yes, Crown Prince!” The official hurried out, relief washing over him.
When the hall was empty again, Xingling stood in silence. Then, almost to himself, he murmured, “Father worries about the empire. I… worry about the cracks forming within it.”
Wei Zhang tilted his head. “Do you suspect foul play, Your Highness?”
Xingling’s lips curved, not quite a smile, not quite a frown. “When one celebrates a wedding in the east, it is often in the west that enemies strike. Keep your eyes open, Zhang. For my brother… and his new princess may be more entangled in this than either of them realizes.”
Meanwhile,
Li Tian burst into the chamber, her voice breathless. "Princess, wake up!”
Ling Yu’er groaned, burying her head under the silk pillow.
“What is it now? It’s barely morning…”
Li Tian tugged at the quilt. “The second prince is waiting for you in his chamber.”
Ling Yu’er shot upright. “What? Why?”
“I don’t know,” Li Tian shrugged, “but he won’t eat until you show up.”
“What?” Yu’er repeated, her eyes wide.
“Hurry. Take a bath and change quickly. Don’t keep him waiting.”
Ling Yu’er nodded slowly, still half asleep, half confused. After a rushed bath, Li Tian helped her into a soft silk hanfu of light pink, embroidered with delicate plum blossoms along the sleeves. A silver ribbon tied neatly at her waist accentuated her slender frame, while her long dark hair was fastened into a simple half-up style, held by a jade pin.
When she arrived at Ji Ling’s chamber, her steps slowed.
He sat there at a low table, dressed in a dark blue robe lined with silver threads, the morning light catching on the fine patterns of dragons woven into the fabric. His posture was straight, his features sharp and unreadable. As always, he looked impossibly handsome—though not once did he raise his eyes to acknowledge her.
“Sit,” he said calmly, not bothering to look up.
Ling Yu’er swallowed and obeyed, sitting stiffly across from him.
“Let’s eat.”
Her eyes darted to Li Tian in disbelief. Her maid gave her an encouraging look, but Yu’er hesitated, hand hovering awkwardly above the chopsticks before finally picking them up.
“Do you know why you’re here?” Ji Ling asked suddenly.
“No… why?” she murmured.
“This is a morning routine. None of us is allowed to eat breakfast without the other person.”
Ling Yu’er blinked. That’s why he called me here?
“That’s all I have to say,” Ji Ling continued, his voice as calm as ever. “You can leave once you’re done eating.”
Her chopsticks clattered against the bowl as she dropped them, staring at him in disbelief. “That’s why you called me here? You’re unbelievable. You scared the hell out of me!”
Scoffing, she pushed the food toward him. “Eat it all. I’m done.” She stood abruptly, tugging Li Tian’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”
“Stop.” Ji Ling’s voice cut through the air like a blade.
Ling Yu’er froze.
“You can’t leave until I’m done.”
“What?!” she snapped, her voice rising. “Why?”
“Because I say so.” His tone was firm, unwavering. He finally lifted his gaze, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “If you leave, you’ll definitely regret it. I promise you.”
Her fists clenched at her sides as she glared at him, but after a deep breath, she sat back down with a dramatic huff.
What a jerk, she thought bitterly, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
Ling Yu’er picked up a dumpling with exaggerated care, staring at it as though it held the secrets of the universe.
She leaned closer to Li Tian and whispered loudly on purpose, “What if it’s poisoned?”
Ji Ling’s chopsticks paused midair. “It isn’t.”
“Oh, so you tasted them all yourself?” She raised a brow, eyes sparkling with mischief. “How noble of you.”
Li Tian choked back a laugh, covering her mouth with her sleeve.
Ji Ling gave them both a flat look. “Eat.”
Ling Yu’er sighed dramatically and popped the dumpling into her mouth, chewing slowly. Then she leaned her cheek into her palm, gazing at him. “Do you always eat like this? So serious… It’s just food, not a battlefield.”
“It requires discipline,” Ji Ling replied, taking a measured sip of tea.
She gasped softly, pretending to be scandalized. “Then I must be a disgrace to the royal table. I eat like a hungry ghost set free.”
Li Tian snorted. Ji Ling’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly, but he quickly masked it by focusing on his bowl.
Ling Yu’er grinned at the tiny c***k in his armor. “Ah, so you can smile! I thought your face was carved from stone.”
- Writer
