Kunning Chapter 2: Yan Lin

Reincarnated.

Eighteen and a half years old.

Yet, not at the beginning, nor after everything unfolded.

Upon returning to Beijing at the age of fourteen, she assumed the guise of a man, playing the role of the young master from a distant cousin's mansion in Beijing, accompanying Yan Lin in their wild adventures throughout the city. At the age of eighteen, in September, she was summoned to the palace as the head of Leyang, accompanying the princess. In November of the same year, an incident occurred in the Yongyi Hou's mansion.

Jiang Xuening vaguely recalled that Yan Lin was there when she was truly young.

With Yan Lin, she feared nothing.

The young man, born as a general, had spent time at the frontier fortress. Possessing a spirited demeanor unlike most men in the capital, he strolled with a sword in crisp attire, exuding a passionate aura. He was always by her side, cherishing and safeguarding her.

If there were no unforeseen events, he would marry her and return home.

However, in that particular year, while accompanying Yan Lin, she encountered Shen Jie, the Prince of Linzi, who had come seeking Yan Lin.

At the time, she was unaware of Shen Jie's identity.

Yet, when Yan Lin laid eyes on this gentle and refined young man in traditional Chinese attire, his immediate reaction was, "Why did you come out?"

What was Yan Lin's status?

In the Yongyi Hou Mansion, comparable to the Xiao family, the eldest son handpicked by the Holy Majesty early on was highly esteemed in the palace. Everywhere he went, others respectfully addressed him as the "Little Marquis."

Few are worthy of eliciting the use of the word "you" from him.

In her previous life, Jiang Xuening harbored the desire to become a queen, leading her to secretly fall in love with Shen Jie. Upon discovering that Shen Jie was the Prince of Linzi and the emperor had no heirs, she aspired to position Shen Jie as the emperor's younger brother.

Thus, what initially began as unintentional contact transformed into a deliberate pursuit.

Subsequently, events unfolded at Yongyi Hou's mansion, and she successfully married Shen Jie as she had hoped. Within two years, the Holy Majesty succumbed to illness, passing the throne to Shen Jie, who ascended to become the queen.

However, despite growing up in the court, Shen Jie differed from his siblings. His benevolence and gentleness bordered on passivity, causing consternation among civil and military officials. Consequently, the new crown prince and grand teacher, Xie Wei, often had to handle matters on his behalf.

Ultimately, Shen Jie fell victim to poisoning orchestrated by others.

During that time, Jiang Xuening was already under house arrest by Yan Lin, unable to bid Shen Jie farewell.

A person too kind-hearted may not make a suitable emperor.

This was the sole lesson gleaned from Shen Jie's tragic fate in Jiang Xuening's previous life.

Now, having been recently reborn, she found herself at the initial encounter with Shen Jie, fortunately not deeply entangled in his affairs.

She resolved not to enter the palace again in this life.

Kunning Palace would be her tomb.

The rooms, though simple, exuded elegance.

In the slightly cool air of early autumn, a lingering scent of last night's alcohol lingered.

Beyond the closed windows, distant murmurs from the market could be heard.

Yan Lin still clutched a sword in his hand. Despite his youth, the curves of his waist and back were distinctly visible. The corners of his mouth were straightened, and even without a smile, he possessed a certain allure.

He temporarily disregarded Shen Jie.

Swiveling around, the chill in the corners of Yan Lin's brows persisted, and he inquired icily, "Which hand did he touch you?"

Jiang Xuening snapped out of her trance, realizing she had been reborn. The boy's bright brows and eyes, akin to morning stars, were close to her, untouched by the Yan family's hardships or tainted by the darkness of court battles.

Pure, bright, and dazzling.

Like a scorching sun hanging in the sky.

Yet, this question…

If she responded, he was poised to sever Shen Jie's presumptuous advances.

Cold sweat formed on Jiang Xuening's forehead as she hastily embraced him, "No, no, it's nothing! Just a misunderstanding. I had a nightmare earlier, blamed myself for being startled upon waking. I thought Mr. Shen was someone else, a villain, and in my panic, I swung the sword, thinking he was an intruder. Please, put down the sword quickly and be cautious not to harm anyone!"

Yan Lin furrowed his brows, "Really?"

Listening to Jiang Xuening's explanation, Shen Jie silently bemoaned his misfortune.

However, considering that Young Master Jiang was Yan Lin's friend, despite the vast disparity in their status, it seemed imprudent to engage in conflict over a mere slap.

It would be decidedly ungentlemanly.

Nevertheless, Yan Lin's skeptical expression left Shen Jie dumbfounded. "Can you still trust my character? Even if unintentional, if I had genuinely offended, would you really have severed my hand?"

After all, he was the Prince of Linzi.

A noble of Tianhuang.

Surprisingly, Yan Lin gazed at him silently for a moment, then swiftly sheathed his sword. However, he declared firmly, "I will."

Shen Jie's eyelids twitched, immediately lifting his gaze to meet Yan Lin's.

Yan Lin turned towards Jiang Xuening, and his previously chilly voice softened a touch, as if years of ice and snow had suddenly melted, "Are you okay? I unintentionally had a bit too much to drink last night. Shall I accompany you home?"

As Jiang Xuening heard his resolute declaration, "I will," memories from her previous life flooded back. After Yan Lin's return to the court, he sided with Xie Wei, and together, they marginalized Shen Jie. Subsequently, Shen Jie succumbed to poison.

In her previous life, she had suspected Xie Wei's involvement.

Now, with a fresh perspective, she considered that it might have been Yan Lin.

In her youth, she had perceived such sincerity as commonplace. However, reborn, she recognized its rarity.

The earnestness of the young, even if lacking in subtlety, should be cherished. If someone cares for you, they should express it openly, unwilling to let go even for a moment.

Regrettably, she felt unworthy of such affection.

Jiang Xuening stared at Yan Lin, momentarily at a loss for words.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Shen Jie interjected, "Mr. Xie is delivering a lecture at the Wenhua Palace today, and we are invited to attend. Yan Lin, it's about time for us to enter the palace together, isn't it?"

Only then did Jiang Xuening snap back to reality.

Certainly, she needed to return home.

However, amidst the sudden rebirth, her thoughts were in disarray, needing time to sort through, yet she didn't wish to be escorted back to the mansion by Yan Lin. Hence, she replied, "Of course, matters in the palace cannot be postponed. Yan Lin, I would prefer to return on my own today."

In the past, she had been notoriously indulged.

Part of it was due to her father, Jiang Shilang, harboring guilt and hesitating to assert control over his daughter upon their return to Beijing. The other part was a result of Yan Lin's tendencies.

Hence, she opted to return on her own without providing any specific reason.

As expected, Yan Lin didn't inquire about the reason, seemingly accustomed to her capriciousness and doting. After all, Ning Ning was someone he held in high regard, so he simply remarked, "Then I'll have Qing Feng discreetly follow you."

Qing Feng served as one of Yan Lin's two personal attendants.

Jiang Xuening understood that despite her inclination to decline, observing his expression led her to temporarily suppress that notion and nod obediently.

Shen Jie, on the other hand, increasingly sensed something amiss between these two individuals.

Naturally easygoing, he wasn't prone to anger.

Admittedly, he possessed an attractive appearance.

His eyes curved slightly when he smiled, exuding an elegance and gentleness akin to beautiful jade.

Since Jiang Xuening's marriage to him, not a single quarrel had ensued.

The reasons were straightforward—Shen Jie's excessively good temperament, a mutual lack of genuine affection, and her preference for the position over him. Consequently, nothing else could sway her heart.

For those unaware, their dynamic could be perceived as "a harmonious emperor-queen relationship," couldn't it?

Regardless, she had initiated the rudeness, prompting Jiang Xuening to express some apologetic sentiments: "I offended you earlier, even causing harm to Mr. Shen. I hope Mr. Shen won't hold it against me. I'll make amends by serving you some wine in the future and offering my apologies."

To be slapped without reason could understandably leave one breathless. Moreover, Yan Lin exuded a domineering aura.

However, when Jiang Xuening spoke, her voice softened, and as she gazed into his eyes, it seemed as if they had been immersed in spring water. A slender young man with a powdered visage, rosy lips, and white teeth—perhaps despite his age, the contours of his face still retained a softness, enhancing the delicate beauty of his features. Shen Jie couldn't pinpoint why, but he found it challenging to muster immediate anger.

Preferring not to make things difficult for others, Shen Jie smiled and replied, "Your apology suffices. Since you've mentioned serving wine, I won't be overly courteous. We can share a drink another day, Young Master Jiang."

Yan Lin, however, felt the urge to challenge him.

Turning cold, Yan Lin exchanged a few words with Qing Feng before departing the inn with Shen Jie.

On their way back to the palace, Shen Jie reflected on the inn's events, sensing that something was off, especially during the moment when Yan Lin defended the young master of the Jiang family who drew his sword and pressed it against Shen Jie's neck.

Upon reflection, that young man possesses a slender frame and an exceptional appearance…

Shen Jie furrowed his brows slightly, sensing that he was older than Yan Lin. Feeling the need to offer some advice, he raised the carriage curtain and remarked, "Hey, Yan Lin, while some intellectuals in Beijing may have a more masculine appearance, the young master of the Jiang family is indeed good-looking. However, you are the son of the Yongyi Hou family, and you will marry in the future…"

Seated within the carriage, Shen Jie spoke.

Yan Lin rode a horse, keeping pace with the carriage.

Yan Lin looked even more handsome.

Upon hearing Shen Jie's words, Yan Lin's face darkened: "Your Highness, I am not interested in men."

Now it was Shen Jie's turn to regard him with suspicion: "Then what about that young master of the Jiang family?"

"He is not just some young cousin of the Jiang family."

Yan Lin recalled the recent events, particularly the way Jiang Xuening had looked at Shen Jie. It left him feeling uneasy.

A notion flashed through his dark eyes.

Abruptly, the previously preoccupied young man turned to the side and stated seriously, "She is the second daughter of the Jiang family."

"Pfft! Cough, cough, cough…"

Shen Jie, who had just taken a sip of tea inside the carriage, choked, finding it hard to believe what he had just heard!

"You, you actually—"

Yan Lin remained nonchalant.

Perched on his horse, his stature appeared even taller and more upright in his black robe.

At this moment, he simply stated, "She cherishes prosperity and freedom, so I am taking her out to experience life. Your Highness treats me like a brother and friend. I disclosed her identity today because I want Your Highness to be aware that she is a daughter. Previously, Your Highness was unaware, so naturally, I don't hold any blame against her. In the future, once Your Highness is aware, you can exercise more caution and prevent a repeat of the morning's shock."

Shen Jie instinctively nodded.

Immediately after nodding, a realization struck him: "Shouldn't you be the one exercising more caution? If word gets out, it won't be easy for a girl to find a suitable match."

The young man's sharp eyebrows and eyes took on a slightly sharp edge as he merely smiled and responded, "I indulge her, and I will be the one to marry her."