Chapter 9- Married...But Not Managed 2
1146 Words
"Yu'er greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress."
A hush swept the room as everyone waited for the emperor's reply.
Ling Yu'er's forehead brushed the cold marble floor as she finished her bow. Her pulse raced in her ears, but she forced herself to keep breathing steadily.
From the throne, Emperor Ji Chen's eyes rested on her. He neither frowned nor smiled—only watched. His silence carried more weight than a hundred words.
It was Empress Lu Yinger who finally spoke. Her tone was smooth, almost gentle, yet each word carried a sharp edge:
"So... this is the princess of Jianghu."
Yu'er raised her head slightly, only to meet the empress's cool gaze.
"You must have heard already," the empress continued, "that this empire is vast, and its court is not a place for the faint of heart. Tell me, Princess Yu'er, what do you bring to Tiandou besides your pretty face?"
The hall went silent.
Li Tian's voice whispered in her memory from that morning: 'Smile, laugh if you must. It's your greatest weapon.'
So Yu'er smiled faintly and answered, her voice steady despite the pounding in her chest:
"Mother Empress, I bring myself. Whether that is of worth or not... I suppose time will prove."
Her honesty rippled through the hall. Some officials exchanged startled glances. Ji Xingling, standing nearby, smirked faintly as though amused.
But Emperor Ji Chen only leaned back on his throne, still watching, still unreadable.
The empress's lips curved, not quite a smile, not quite disapproval. "We shall see."
The silence after the Empress's words stretched, heavy as stone. Ling Yu'er kept her eyes lowered, her heart thumping like a drum.
Then the sound of boots striking the polished floor echoed through the hall.
"Forgive my lateness."
Every head turned. Ji Ling strode in, his dark robes swaying, his expression cool as ever. He bowed to the emperor and empress before stepping closer.
Empress Lu Yinger's gaze softened slightly at her son. "Ling'er. You chose an interesting time to appear."
Ji Ling's eyes flicked to Yu'er, who still knelt with her head lowered. He paused, his lips pressing into a line.
"She is tired from yesterday's wedding," he said, his tone flat but clear. "If there are questions to be asked, ask them of me instead."
A ripple of whispers stirred through the hall. Yu'er blinked, startled, and for a moment forgot to breathe.
Emperor Ji Chen's eyes glinted faintly, though his face remained unreadable. The Empress arched one brow, studying her son.
And in that instant, Yu'er thought: So... he does notice, after all.
Empress Lu Yinger's painted lips curved, though her eyes were cold.
"How touching," she said, her voice smooth as silk but cutting beneath. "The prince speaks on his bride's behalf. Yet... one wonders, Ling'er—" her gaze sharpened, flicking between son and daughter-in-law, "is it because you wish to protect her... or because you already know she cannot withstand the weight of this palace?"
The words landed like a dagger.
Yu'er stiffened, her hands tightening against her knees. For once, her cheerful tongue found no reply.
Ji Ling's jaw twitched, though his expression remained unreadable. "That is none of your concern, Mother," he said at last, each word clipped, deliberate.
Gasps rippled quietly through the servants in the hall.
The emperor's eyes narrowed just slightly, but he remained silent—watching, weighing.
Yu'er felt her pulse hammer in her chest. Is he... defending me? Or defying her?
Before Ji Ling could say more, Emperor Ji Chen's voice rolled through the hall like distant thunder.
"Enough."
The single word silenced the room instantly. Even the rustle of silk robes stilled.
His gaze slid to his empress, steady and commanding. "This is neither the time nor the place for such words. The wedding has only just passed. Let the young couple find their footing before you burden them with doubt."
Lu Yinger lowered her head, the faintest flicker of satisfaction crossing her flawless features. "Yes, Your Majesty."
She was pleased.
The emperor's eyes then rested on Yu'er—gentler now, but still sharp. "Princess of Jianghu, this palace can be cold, but remember... you were chosen to stand here for a reason. Do not falter."
Yu'er bowed deeply, her voice soft yet firm. "Yes, Your Majesty."
From the corner of her eye, she saw Ji Ling—expression unreadable as always.
As soon as the audience was dismissed, Ji Ling stepped forward, his movements sharp and deliberate. Without a word, he reached for Yu'er's wrist—not rough, but firm enough to leave no room for protest.
"Come with me," he muttered, his voice low and clipped.
Li Tian opened her mouth to saysomething, but one look from the prince froze her in place. She lowered her gaze, biting back her protest.
Ji Ling led Yu'er out of the grand hall, down a quiet corridor where the marble floors echoed their footsteps. Only when the chatter of ministers and courtiers faded behind them did he stop.
Yu'er yanked her wrist free, glaring up at him. "What was that for? You nearly dragged me like a servant."
His cold eyes narrowed. "You think I'd let you stand there and be picked apart? My mother's tongue is sharper than any blade. You wouldn't last a moment if I didn't cut her short."
Yu'er blinked, taken aback. She had expected indifference, maybe even mockery—but not this. "So... you were protecting me?"
His jaw clenched. "Don't misunderstand. I don't care what you feel. But I won't have others meddling in what's mine."
Her heart skipped at the word mine, though his tone carried no warmth. He turned away before she could answer, his hands clasped behind his back as if he hadn't just left her confused and restless.
Yu'er folded her arms, her eyes narrowing into slits. "What's yours? Don't make me laugh, Your Highness. I'm not some trinket you can claim and toss aside when you're bored."
Ji Ling froze mid-step, the faintest twitch in his jaw betraying that her words had struck. Slowly, he turned, his gaze colder than steel.
"Careful, Princess. Not many would dare speak to me that way."
Instead of shrinking back, Yu'er tilted her head and gave a cheeky smile. "Well, perhaps not many, but I suppose that makes me special."
For the first time, his lips curved—not quite a smile, more like a shadow of amusement—before he straightened his robes. "Special... or foolish."
"Or both," she shot back. "Either way, you'll have to get used to me. After all, we're married now."
The tension between them snapped like a taut bowstring. Ji Ling gave a low, humorless chuckle, shaking his head as he turned to leave.
Yu'er huffed, muttering under her breath, "Arrogant jerk," before trailing after him, her stubborn spirit refusing to be dimmed.
"Sister princess!"
- Writer
