Chapter 25 - Too Used to Scheming

"Looks like she fell asleep," Yun Ling stated. He let out a smile as he observed his daughter who was currently sleeping in his arms.

"She had a long day," Yue Dongmei softly said. This was one of the few times Yun Ling had seen her with emotion on her face.

The three of them were sitting inside Yun Ling's carriage in relative silence. The banquet ended not long ago and so, they were currently on their way home. Although the banquet had just ended, there were still many people in the Rose Garden who remained behind, chatting with the new acquaintances that they made. Yun Ling and Yu Shan weren't interested in any of that though and left right away as soon as the program ended. The crown prince, however, stayed. He was a prince after all. These kinds of things were quite important for them to build up connections and the likes.

Yun Ling adjusted Yun Xia's position so she could sleep properly. He moved her very carefully and attentively so as to not wake the little girl up. After that, he used his divine sense and spoke to his servant driving the carriage outside telepathically, "Slow down a bit. My daughter is sleeping."

The coachman who had originally been feeling a little tired instantly went alert upon hearing his young master's command. He nodded and quickly did what he was told without further ado. Towards Yun Ling, this kind of young master, no servant dares to slack off once he gave his command.

Yun Xia's head was resting on his lap serving as a makeshift pillow. Yun Ling leaned back on his seat and relaxed as his hand gently combed Yun Xia's hair.

Once Yun Ling was done with adjusting Yun Xia's position, Yue Dongmei looked at him and said, "Isn't it about time you explain something to me?"

Yun Ling gave her a lazy glance and asked, "Explain what?"

"Don't fool around. You know what I mean," Yue Dongmei coldly said.

He thought for a moment before realization dawned on him.

"Oh, is this about why I brought you along to the banquet? I thought you were Yun Xia's caretaker? What's the problem with that?" Yun Ling asked her with a mocking smile, making her secretly annoyed.

"Protecting Young Miss is my duty. Even if you didn't ask me to, I would've followed you two to the banquet in secrecy," Yue Dongmei's expression went even colder as she answered.

"Then what's the problem? You already said it yourself that you would've followed us regardless. I don't understand what you're trying to ask," He shook his head, sighing.

The irritation that Yue Dongmei felt showed a little on her face. She kept her emotions in check as she lowly said, "The fact that you told me to come with you to the banquet on your own initiative is already suspicious as it is. I thought it was strange but the way you acted while we were in there proved that you're on into something."

Yun Ling's face went serious as he gazed at her thoughtfully.

"I don't really care what you do as long as it doesn't involve either Young Miss or me. But if it does, don't think for a second that I'll just let you be. Which is why—"

"Alright, I get it. I'll explain it to you," before Yue Dongmei finished what she wanted to say, Yun Ling interrupted her.

She would've gotten angry but upon hearing his words she let it go since she already got what she wanted from him. That was for him to explain things to her. She hated being used without knowing anything.

"I'm listening," Yue Dongmei coldly said.

"It's about Yun Xia," Yun Ling sighed as he began. Yue Dongmei's brows furrowed when she heard that but she didn't say anything, instead, opting to listen to him. "Only you and Yun Xia knows who her mother is, the rest, including us, can only speculate regarding her identity. Because of this, Yun Xia might be targeted by our political enemies just to stain the name of our clan. I doubt they could do much, at most, they could only cause us minor annoyances. Still, I would rather not have that annoyance at all if I could help it."

"So?"

Yun Ling's eyebrow twitched as he continued, "Instead of letting people guess who Yun Xia's mother is, why don't we give them an answer despite that answer being false? The reason why I acted the way I did in the banquet was to make everyone think that you are Yun Xia's mother when in fact, you're not. With this, they'll have to lay off Yun Xia for a while and focus more on you. Although not everyone will believe my bluff, some people will. As long as I can divide the public's opinion, that's enough."

"I see, so this is all for Young Miss?" Yue Dongmei asked carefully.

"It is," Yun Ling nodded.

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Yue Dongmei gave him a sharp look.

Yun Ling frowned at her.

"Instead of scheming around like this, why didn't you let me know? If it is for the young miss' sake, I'll even lay down my life. If you just told me this, I would've cooperated and acted as Young Miss' mother myself. That would've been more believable than the spectacle earlier. Have you ever considered asking me?" Yue Dongmei said as she gave him a cold look. She didn't say anything after as she went silent, ignoring Yun Ling.

Yun Ling didn't show it but he was shocked after hearing her words. He thought back to his previous actions and realized that he could've done much better. He had to admit that his method wasn't the best way to go about that situation.

'Even though I did it for my daughter, I didn't even hesitate to use her caretaker, Yue Dongmei. It's exactly as she said, I could've just asked her and that would've made things easier but I didn't. Could it be that I've gotten too used to scheming to the point that I didn't consider thinking another way to go about this situation?' Yun Ling frowned as he thought.