~ COLD-FACED CLINGY PERSON ~
Mu Yunyao flashed a radiant smile, leaning into Yue Wang’s embrace, with Yue Wang’s strength supporting her. “Fourth Master, a human life spans but a mere few decades. Living joyfully is what truly matters. No matter what decision you ultimately make, I will walk beside you.”
Yue Wang held her close, the confusion and loss in his eyes gradually fading. “Yaoyao, I didn’t sleep at all last night. I thought long and hard. I never had much ambition. My efforts to build power were only to gain the means to uncover the true cause of my mother’s death. Now, even that obsession has vanished. It feels as if a pillar has been torn from my heart, leaving me hollow and empty.” Fortunately, I still have you, Yao’er. Will you become the new pillar in my heart?”
Having lived in the Cold Palace since childhood, he developed an extremely solitary nature and grew accustomed to the fickleness of human relationships. Were it not for the diligent efforts of Grand Princess Yi De to correct him, he likely would have become an outcast in the eyes of others long ago. Later, he learned to wear masks, knowing when to display which emotions. Yet to him, those so-called feelings all wore the same cold, hollow mask. He cared little for whether he felt them or not, for it made no difference.
It wasn’t until he fell for Mu Yunyao that his heart gradually became occupied by another. His thoughts began to stir because of her, and his eyes slowly took on a different hue. Only then did he understand how profoundly essential emotions could be to a person.
Mu Yunyao gazed into Yue Wang’s eyes, her thoughts churning. His gaze was too intense and solemn, making her suddenly realize that the “pillar” he spoke of wasn’t just empty words—he truly intended to make her his reason for living, his driving force.
“Fourth Master, don’t you feel constrained by tying your life to another?”
Seeing the complexity in Mu Yunyao’s gaze, Yue Wang knew she understood his meaning, and his heart swelled with joy: “If it’s you, everything is worth it.”
Mu Yunyao suddenly broke into a smile, brighter and more radiant than ever before. “Very well, then let me be the pillar in Your Royal Highness’s heart. I can protect myself and won’t be easily driven away by persecution. I also possess considerable wealth, allowing me to accompany Your Highness in pursuing whatever you desire. Most importantly, I cherish Your Royal Highness and wish to spend my life with you.”
Yue Wang blinked, struggling to suppress the bitter ache in his heart, yet his eyes still welled up. “Yao’er, am I the most important person to you?”
“If I had to rank them, Mother and Grandmother would come first. You’d probably be second.”
Yue Wang felt a pang of hurt, but the thought of Lady Huiyi and Grand Princess Yi De made him sigh in resignation. He honestly couldn’t compete with those two. Second place was second place—it was still the most important position, after all. Even so, he couldn’t shake the lingering sense of dissatisfaction. He pulled Mu Yunyao into his arms and rubbed her cheek firmly.
“Yao’er, you hold the most important place in my heart. No one can compare.”
Mu Yunyao curved her lips. “Mm.”
Yue Wang held her tightly, feeling the soft, fragrant warmth against him, and couldn’t help but pull her closer. “Yao’er, what are your plans from here on?”
“Fourth Master should see clearly now. The Li family’s schemes target not only Yu Wang, but also include my maternal grandmother and us. Their ambitions run deep—they seek to place Ling Wang on the throne while eliminating the Grand Princess, whose influence over the Dalì Dynasty is too great to tolerate. Thus, our paths with the Li family can never coexist.”
Yue Wang lowered his gaze, concealing the icy murderous intent in his eyes. “Very well. I know what must be done.”
After accompanying Yue Wang through breakfast, Mu Yunyao gathered the food boxes and prepared to depart.
“Your Royal Highness will be leaving the Palace shortly. Once outside, please remember to visit Ni Yun Fang to check on the progress of our wedding attire.”
“Very well.”
“Then, Your Royal Highness, I shall take my leave?”
“Mhm.”
Mu Yunyao turned back, looking at Yue Wang with a helpless expression. “Didn’t Your Royal Highness just agree? Why won’t you let go?”
Yue Wang, who had been holding her sleeve, now took her wrist into his palm and stroked it tenderly. “Yao’er, I’ll speak with Imperial Father shortly. I still feel rather low and need to stay in the Palace a few more days to recover.”
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “Very well, then. Your Royal Highness may wallow in your sorrow.”
Fourth Master still didn’t let go. “I want to eat qiaomo buns. They must be shaped like rabbits—with long ears, bright red eyes, and steamed until plump and white.”
Mu Yunyao smiled at him. “Is there anything else Your Royal Highness desires?”
Yue Wang pulled her into his embrace and gently rubbed her. “I haven’t decided on dinner yet. After you accompany me through the afternoon snacks, I should have settled on something. Don’t worry, Yao’er.”
Mu Yunyao could only force a wry smile. “Then take your time deciding.”
Yue Wang helped adjust Mu Yunyao’s sleeves and skirt hem before reluctantly letting her go. “Remember to come by at noon, Yao’er.”
“Understood.”
On the way back to the Yuhua Palace, the smile never left Mu Yunyao’s lips.
Jin Lan smiled and remarked beside her, “Miss seems to be in an excellent mood today.”
Mu Yunyao’s smile deepened. “Indeed. I’ll have the kitchen prepared—I’ll personally make the pastries for lunch.”
“Then this servant dares to ask for some, hoping to indulge my palate.”
“Of course. You won’t be left out.”
“This servant thanks you, Miss.”
After Mu Yunyao departed, Yue Wang remained silent for a long while before instructing Yu Heng to fetch food from the kitchen.
“Your Royal Highness, did you not just finish the breakfast the Princess sent?” Could it be he hadn’t eaten enough?
“Who says? I didn’t eat what the Princess sent, and I won’t eat what you bring either.”
Yu Heng’s mind raced, then suddenly understood: “Your Royal Highness, are you planning another hunger strike?”
“Yes, a hunger strike.”
Over the next two days, Mu Yunyao delivered meals and pastries to Yue Wang three times daily without fail, while Yu Heng fetched food from the kitchen at the exact times each day. Mu Yunyao used food boxes whose contents were unknown. Yu Heng, however, brought back exactly what he had taken. Within two days, rumors of Yue Wang’s hunger strike spread throughout the Palace once more.
The Emperor already harbored feelings of guilt. Seeing Yue Wang in this state only deepened his concern. He couldn’t help but summon him: “Fourth Prince, I hear you haven’t been eating properly these past few days?”
Yue Wang’s voice was low and heavy: “Imperial Father, my heart is heavy. When it is heavy, I cannot eat anything.”
The Emperor sighed: “You... are you still thinking about your Imperial Mother?”
“Yes and no.” Yue Wang looked up at the Emperor. “Imperial Father, after the banquet, you told me that Imperial Mother was the best mother in the world, the only wife in your heart. I thought about it for a long time after hearing that. In the Cold Palace, countless times, resentment welled up within me. I resented Imperial Mother for leaving me so early, resented Your Majesty’s indifference for leaving me in the harem for years without a care. But later, every time I saw Your Majesty, I realized that beneath Your coldness lay a quiet concern for me. It was I who was unfilial, misunderstanding Your Majesty all along.”
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