Despite my curiosity, I refrained from seeking clarification, more concerned about my sister’s situation.
The number of girls in Yan Feng City dreaming of marrying the Crown Prince was likely similar to those dreaming of marrying An Jin. However, An Jin already had a wife, while the Crown Prince did not. Despite his many concubines in Qifeng Palace, more girls hoped to marry the Crown Prince and gain his affection. This desire was likely fueled by vanity, as the Crown Prince was noble, handsome, and charming. Winning his complete devotion would feel more satisfying than winning the admiration of other men. However, young girls lost in romantic fantasies often dismiss the saying, “rivers and mountains are easy to change, but nature is hard to move.”
While this fascination might seem harmless, I worried about my younger sister. An Jin was once a notorious romantic himself, but the Crown Prince’s capricious nature could lead my sister to suffer if she fell into his hands. This concern was rooted in the Crown Prince’s treatment of Fei Wu at White Crane Plain. An Jin interacted with women while maintaining propriety and respect, whereas the Crown Prince showed none, viewing his concubines merely as slaves to manipulate.
Someone who could elevate you when happy and throw you to the ground when displeased was certainly not a good match. Yet my younger sister displayed her stubborn attitude, scheming ways to get close to the Crown Prince, eventually seeking help from me and An Jin. Surprisingly, our mother did not object this time, thinking liking the Crown Prince was better than being attracted to some social-climbing pretty boy.
An Jin and I refused to give her any opportunity to approach the Crown Prince. Finding no success with us, she turned to Song Sitian for help. Song Sitian’s older brother was a personal attendant of the Crown Prince, and he arranged a meeting between my sister and the Crown Prince. I learned these details later. The Crown Prince’s ambiguous attitude made my sister increasingly invested, and one day, while walking Yuan Xiang out, I encountered the Crown Prince Xia Zhiyuan’s carriage sending my sister home.
His complexion turned cold. “I haven’t provoked her; she came to me on her own.”
Indeed, a venomous beauty with a serpent’s heart. I tried to compromise again. “My younger sister is young and naive. Please, Your Highness, spare her.”
“What, being my woman is suffering?” He frowned. “How can we talk about sparing her?”
“Your Highness!”
“I said sternly, ‘My husband’s old grievances with Your Highness—if you have any anger, direct it at us as a couple. Involving family members is hardly honorable.’
‘Old grievances?’ Xia Zhiyuan pondered. ‘So that’s what he told you. Has my lady considered the matter I discussed earlier?’
I paused, recalling his offer to come to his side. ‘No discussion. I won’t leave An Jin.’
His expression showed slight regret. ‘My lady, have you considered that perhaps your husband isn’t quite what you imagine? His kindness to you might have other motives.’
I scorned him. That tactic had long ceased to work on me.
Seeing I was unmoved, Xia Zhiyuan smiled. ‘My lady will understand someday. As for your sister—’ he suddenly looked in my direction and said loudly, ‘Is my lady preventing me from associating with her sister out of jealousy? I sense my lady’s feelings. But since you’re married to An Shilang, why prevent your sister’s happiness?’
I was stunned into silence by his shameless words. The movement behind me caught me off guard—my younger sister stood nearby, eyes wide with surprise.
The Eastern Palace had clearly mastered the art of sowing discord. Having failed with me, he now succeeded with my sister. Satisfied, he mounted his carriage and left me facing my sister, who looked tense and broke out in cold sweat.”
“Second Sister, how could you—no wonder you never agreed to my associating with His Highness,” she accused.
“I—” I was burning with anger and at a loss for words. “He’s slandering me!”
My sister looked angry. “How can you face your brother-in-law? How can you face me?”
I was desperate. “Xiao Ya! Think carefully. An Jin is far better than him. How could I possibly like him?”
My sister was stunned. “Second Sister…”
I was still furious: “I only love An Jin, An Jin!”
She raised her right hand and pointed.
I saw An Jin standing nearby, his deep ink-colored eyes curved in a smile, causing my heart to flutter.
“Well said,” he said.
Yuan Fang let out a whimper, covering its head with its paw. I understood its sentiment perfectly. How utterly embarrassing.
Chapter Seventeen: A Glance from My Husband
Though my sister was naive, she wasn’t stupid. Once she calmed down, An Jin and I explained the situation, revealing the origin of An Jin’s feud with the Eastern Palace and his intentions. Gradually, she understood the entire affair.
However, the fact that the Eastern Palace, whom she had been infatuated with, engaged in divisive tactics left a painful wound on her easily hurt young heart. Having experienced two heartbreaks in a short time, she felt disheartened, believing that all the good men belonged to someone else—like her brother-in-law, elder brother, and father—while the rest were either useless hypocrites or true villains.
To comfort her, I brought out my treasured possession: a meticulously compiled album of beautiful people from Yan Feng City, collected over years of painting.
These are undoubtedly tragedies. Among these beauties, almost everyone has had an unpleasant memory, including the gloomy Eastern Palace. My younger sister listened carefully. The people in this album possessed extraordinary beauty, yet no one had a smooth life. I hugged my sister’s shoulders, our heads touching. “What Second Sister wants to say is that pursuing the one you love is not wrong in itself. But you must first determine if he is worth it. Once you decide, don’t regret it. Even if you’re truly wrong, you must be able to pick up and let go.” My younger sister said nothing, seeming to think. She flipped through the album and softly exclaimed, “Is this my brother-in-law?”
I leaned over to look and saw written under An Jin’s name: “A single glance from An Lang captivates souls.” This was the evaluation by people of Yan Feng. He may not have been the most beautiful, but he possessed a unique charm that made one unable to look away. I used to disagree with this, but now—
I raised my head and looked at An Jin in the distance. He was half-leaning on a bamboo chair, drinking tea and holding a historical scroll. Wearing a light blue long robe, the fabric subtly outlined his tall, slender figure, adding elegance.
Probably feeling my gaze, he looked up and smiled gently, like jade in a clear pond—pure and clean.
My sister leaned close and whispered, “Second Sister, your face is red.” I lowered my head and glared at her. “You little brat.”
“Embarrassed and angry,” my sister pouted. “Second Sister, what’s the story of my brother-in-law?”
His story? Probably a tale of childhood sweethearts confessing and being rejected, ultimately ending up with the girl who was going to marry a rich man. It was a bumpy process, but the ending was satisfactory.
My sister sighed. “Second Sister, you’re even less ambitious.”
My brother-in-law is indeed very handsome, but who would stare at their own husband so dreamily?” She rolled her eyes and teased, “Is he worth it for you?”
I couldn’t help but steal another glance at An Jin. This time he didn’t look up; from my angle, I could only see his serene side face, half-lit in the lamplight.
“You should ask him this question.”
I wanted to ask An Jin: from childhood, always protecting me and marrying me, was it truly worth it?
