Alone, Beautifully – Chapter 132

by Little Panda

Bestowing Upon You the Realm (14)

“Sister… Yu.”

By the time Xu Jiao’s cold had almost recovered, her birthday had arrived.

On her birthday, Yu Ye gave her a very special gift—

She brought Xu Jiao to attend court and participate in state affairs.

Although Xu Jiao couldn’t fully understand many of the political matters presented by the ministers or the verbal sparring between Yu Ye and them, there was no doubt that her ability to sit there as the Crown Prince meant that Yu Ye was tacitly allowing her to enter this center of power.

During the time when Yu Ye had turned into a cat, those in the court whose loyalty wavered were no longer visible in the hall. Xu Jiao, looking through the pearl curtain at the standing ministers, could guess that the Jinyi Wei prison Yu Ye had casually mentioned before might now have some new prisoners to interrogate.

During the court discussion, she heard the Ministry of Revenue talking about a new type of rice they were researching. Xu Jiao almost fell asleep listening to these professional farming matters, but she knew these were important affairs of state and livelihood. She had to pinch her leg to stay alert, and couldn’t help but secretly glance at Yu Ye beside her, finding that she showed no signs of drowsiness at all.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xu Jiao didn’t dare to look at her for too long. She could only withdraw her gaze, focus on her own nose, and ponder deeply:

She must protect the female protagonist.

Otherwise, if Yu Ye were to “hang” (die), wouldn’t all these matters fall to her to decide?

That wouldn’t do, she only wanted to come for an internship, not to truly shoulder the responsibility of the realm. If there were any mistakes in decision-making, the price would be paid with the lives of the common people—too heavy a burden.

Thinking of this, Xu Jiao began to discuss the plot with the system in her mind, focusing on the original storyline, recalling the actions of the male and female protagonists to help Yu Ye avoid some fatal situations.

Chatting away, she passed through her first morning court session.

When the court adjourned, Xu Jiao’s bottom was almost numb from sitting on the hard chair, but Yu Ye still didn’t forget to test her: “What insights has Your Highness gained from today’s court session?”

Xu Jiao stood up with the help of a nearby attendant, adjusted the crown on her head, and replied solemnly: “There are still many things I don’t understand, and I need more guidance from Minister Yu and the other officials.”

Yu Ye frowned slightly.

Xu Jiao thought she had said something wrong and pondered if there was anything to correct in her previous statement. Unexpectedly, Yu Ye asked her: “What don’t you understand?”

Xu Jiao quickly said: “I couldn’t quite grasp the aspects of rice cultivation. I think I should read more books on agricultural irrigation.”

Yu Ye listened without comment, only staring into her eyes. When Xu Jiao began to feel uncomfortable under her gaze, Yu Ye softly said:

“These are all trivial matters.”

“As one in a high position, Your Highness should know how to use people, to entrust professional matters to professionals. The art of managing subordinates is what an emperor should do. If being an emperor required mastering all 360 trades, it would be too harsh.”

Xu Jiao lowered her head and replied: “Thank you for your guidance, Minister Yu.”

Yu Ye raised her hand to block Xu Jiao’s chin, preventing her from lowering her head: “Your Highness is the ruler, I am the subject. Whether you are right or wrong, never bow your head to a subject.”

Xu Jiao was still surprised by the change in her attitude when Yu Ye had already withdrawn her hand and changed the subject: “Today is Your Highness’s birthday. I promised earlier to take you out for a walk.”

Xu Jiao opened her eyes wide: “Today?”

Yu Ye led her to a side hall and ordered two sets of ordinary merchant women’s clothes to be brought in. Xu Jiao’s set was peach-red with pale floral patterns on the sash, exquisitely embroidered. Yu Ye’s set was a gradient deep blue with silver-threaded stars, very fitting for her profound aura.

When Xu Jiao took her clothes behind the screen, Yu Ye had already dismissed all the servants. So when Xu Jiao poked her head out to ask someone how to tie the sash, she found only herself and Yu Ye in the room.

Yu Ye’s waistband was already loosened, and her outer robe was open. Noticing Xu Jiao’s gaze, she raised an eyebrow and asked:

“What is it?”

Xu Jiao made a sound and raised the clothes in her hand: “I… don’t know how to tie this sash.”

But not wanting to trouble Yu Ye, she said: “After Minister Yu is done changing, please call Lan Yan in for me.”

She then withdrew her head behind the screen.

In the end, what she waited for was a figure in sapphire blue coming around the screen—

Xu Jiao looked at Yu Ye standing in front of her, a bit dazed, and raised her head to look at her: “Minister Yu, what are you doing?”

Yu Ye’s expression was very calm: “Coming to help you change clothes.”

Xu Jiao: “…?!”

You, the esteemed Regent, need not lower yourself to act as a palace maid.

She put on an expression of being overwhelmed by the favor, still wanting to refuse, but Yu Ye had already raised her hand to undo the sash of her Crown Prince’s outer robe. Xu Jiao, still holding the other set of clothes, was at a loss whether to let go or to continue allowing Yu Ye to undress her.

Finally, she could only step back and quickly say: “Minister Yu, changing clothes is such a small matter—”

Yu Ye’s lips curved in a half-smile as she looked down at her and said: “What are you nervous about?”

“With that expression, one might think I’m planning to force myself on you.”

Xu Jiao’s first reaction was to think her ears were playing tricks on her.

Then she realized how familiar that phrase sounded.

Xu Jiao had a good memory and almost instantly recalled what she had once said to that small white cat who had lost all martial arts skills and was at her mercy.

She took a deep breath, looking at Yu Ye who made no attempt to hide her little act, with words stuck in her throat, unable to go up or down. After a while, she could only put on a fake smile and say to Yu Ye:

“Minister Yu’s joke is not very funny.”

Yu Ye looked at her expression and responded with a noncommittal “Mm,” then said: “Raise your arms.”

Xu Jiao instinctively obeyed.

As she raised her arms, Yu Ye removed her outer garment, took the clothes from her hands, and after changing her into the new outer robe, reached around her waist to arrange the sash and waist belt. She then half-squatted to help her change the rest of her clothes.

Perhaps because she wasn’t cut out for serving others, although Yu Ye’s movements were skilled when helping her change, her fingertips would inadvertently brush against her waist when passing through, causing a ticklish sensation up and down…

Xu Jiao could only take a deep breath and suppress all the feelings.

After Yu Ye finished changing her clothes, prepared the fur coat and cloak for going out, made sure Xu Jiao’s boots were warm enough, put on rabbit fur gloves, and finally gave her a hand warmer, she voluntarily stepped back a bit. Xu Jiao couldn’t suspect her of ill intentions anymore and attributed the earlier sensations to Yu Ye’s lack of skill in serving others.

After they both changed clothes, they took a discreet small carriage and left through a side gate of the palace.

The capital of Da Yan was indeed prosperous.

Perhaps because the previous emperors had been rather cruel, the people of Yan seemed to have suddenly grasped the truth of life and death being predetermined. The streets were unexpectedly bustling, with taverns and brothels being the most numerous, everywhere embodying the spirit of “drink today for tomorrow we may die” to the extreme.

As if they didn’t know if they would see tomorrow’s sun.

Seeing Xu Jiao’s gaze constantly wandering to those red-light districts and taverns, Yu Ye frowned slightly. Ignoring the palace servants and guards disguised as household staff behind them, she raised her hand to cover Xu Jiao’s eyes and said:

“Don’t look at those places.”

But Xu Jiao pushed her hand away: “Why not look? This is also part of the people’s lives. Those in high positions should be able to see the most authentic part of the people’s conditions, so as not to be deceived by those who report to them.”

Yu Ye had to compromise: “Your High… you can look from the outside, but don’t be too curious. They’re not good places.”

Xu Jiao nodded: “I understand.”

Thinking of diverting her attention, Yu Ye coincidentally saw a famous tavern by the roadside and was about to lead Xu Jiao in. However, Xu Jiao’s gaze was attracted by the fresh flowers on the roadside. The flowers were all fresh, blooming brilliantly and grandly, as if they were the vigorous life sprouting from this revelry and decadent intoxication.

She unconsciously pulled on Yu Ye:

“Minister—”

The word “Yu” got stuck in her throat.

Remembering that her identity needed to be concealed, Xu Jiao changed her words: “Sister… Yu, wait a moment.”

Yu Ye’s breath caught for a moment at this address, a hint of smile appearing in her eyes. She said to her: “What did you just call me? Say it again…”

Looking towards where Xu Jiao was, she continued: “I’ll buy all those flowers for you.”

Xu Jiao: “…”

She didn’t want flowers.

Hearing Yu Ye’s words, she pretended nothing had happened and turned her gaze away, actively following the waiter upstairs. Hearing the menu items recited like a tongue twister, she didn’t hesitate and just said: “Just pick some of your signature dishes for two and send them up.”

Yu Ye let her make the decisions without comment, and even took the initiative to refill Xu Jiao’s tea cup.

At that time, Xu Jiao thought she was just joking about calling her sister.

She quickly put this matter out of her mind, focusing her attention on the dishes presented by the tavern. The first dish was “Wind and Snow Spare Ribs,” perfectly roasted ribs with a plum flavor, sprinkled with salt grains on a black plate for scenery, creating quite an artistic conception.

The roast duck that followed was similarly exquisite.

Every dish in the tavern was delicate, with a different flavor compared to the palace.

Xu Jiao ate to her heart’s content and wanted to walk and look around the streets more, but Yu Ye had already estimated the time and didn’t let her stay out in the wind for too long: “If you like it, I’ll bring you out often in the future. I can also take you to see the lanterns during the Lantern Festival, but we must go back today.”

“If you don’t behave, I won’t bring you out anymore.”

Those who overheard their conversation only thought it was an elder sister disciplining her disobedient younger sister.

Xu Jiao thought of her physical condition and nodded helplessly: “It’s a deal.”

She obediently followed Yu Ye back to the palace. Just before entering the palace, she was given a string of candied strawberries. Seeing that she had no interest in tanghulu, Yu Ye had specifically changed it to strawberries when reaching out.

This time, Xu Jiao became energetic in the carriage, nibbling carefully but still getting a bit of sugar syrup on the corner of her lips.

Yu Ye casually wiped away the mark on her lips.

Xu Jiao stiffened for a moment and looked up at her—

She found that this Minister Yu had been acting a bit strange since turning back from a cat.

Could it be that having once turned into an animal had changed something in her brain structure?

Xu Jiao couldn’t figure it out for a moment, but saw Yu Ye naturally withdraw her hand and say to her: “Today is Your Highness’s birthday, I have a gift for you.”

Xu Jiao saw her reach for a wooden box beside her. It had been there since they got into the carriage, but she hadn’t asked out of curiosity. She didn’t expect it to be a birthday gift prepared by Yu Ye for her.

Under Xu Jiao’s gaze, Yu Ye casually opened the box with her jade-white fingertips. Inside was a…

Very exquisite, with openwork gold patterns.

Bell.

Xu Jiao: “!”

She even forgot about eating the candied strawberries, widening her eyes to look at Yu Ye, forgetting to be polite: “I don’t particularly like fancy things, I appreciate Minister Yu’s kind intentions—”

Yu Ye narrowed her eyes and looked over, the corner of her lips curving dangerously: “Oh? You don’t like it?”

It was a simple sentence, but it made Xu Jiao’s hair stand on end.

She moved her lips, instinctively saying: “It depends…”

Yu Ye’s smile became a bit more pleasant, like a gentle spring breeze. She pulled Xu Jiao from across to her own embrace, not caring whether Xu Jiao was willing or not, and showed her the golden bell, letting her see the fine line of the bell. She said slowly next to her ear:

“If you like it, I’ll let you choose where to wear it.”

“If you don’t like it…”

She dragged out her voice.

Xu Jiao held her breath.

Then, Yu Ye’s latter half of the sentence came floating over with a hint of regret: “If you don’t like it, this grief-stricken subject can only follow my own wishes and hang this in a place I like.”

Xu Jiao swallowed and tried to ask: “Where is the place Minister Yu likes?”

Yu Ye smiled, her right fingertip brushing along the side of her leg, saying in a low voice: “The gold thread of this bell is very fine, it’s convenient to thread through any flower, right?”

Xu Jiao almost stood up and hit her head on the carriage roof!

Outrageous!

Vulgar!

Audacious!

Pervert!

A series of words flashed through her mind, but in the end, she was held in place by Yu Ye who had sensed her thoughts. She took a deep breath, mentally pounding Yu Ye a thousand times, while secretly thinking she shouldn’t have saved this bastard, it would have been better to let her die!

Chicken sh*t female lead!

Seeing that Xu Jiao was truly frightened, Yu Ye shook her head, took out a beautiful silk ribbon from the box beside her, threaded the fine gold line through the ribbon, weaving them together, and then said in a low voice:

“Alright, I was just scaring you.”

“Don’t be afraid, it’s an anklet for you. Wear it if you like it, if not, forget it.”

Xu Jiao looked at her half-believing, half-doubting.

Then she saw Yu Ye flash her snow-white teeth at her: “After all, you’re still so young, right?”

Xu Jiao: “…”

Does that mean she can do as she pleases when I grow up?

She didn’t say anything, as if in silent protest. She didn’t expect to be threatened by Yu Ye on her own birthday. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Yu Ye say, as if complaining, as if reminding:

“I remember Your Highness once kept a cat and liked to put bells on it. At that time, Your Highness didn’t seem to ask if the cat liked it, hmm?”

Xu Jiao: “…” Petty, really holds a grudge.

She endured the humiliation and pulled up her skirt, saying to Yu Ye: “Thank you for the birthday gift, Minister Yu. I like it very much.”

Yu Ye smiled with satisfaction: “I thought you would.”

At the same time, she caught Xu Jiao’s foot and put the golden bell on it. Xu Jiao found that this bell was actually hollow and didn’t make a sound when moved, so she relaxed and let Yu Ye do as she pleased.

Unexpectedly, Yu Ye stroked the delicate bones of her ankle, then measured the width of her ankle, and sighed softly:

“Still too thin.”

Listening to her words, Xu Jiao felt inexplicably nervous, always feeling as if Yu Ye was lamenting that she was somewhat fragile.

She turned her head to look at the dark sky outside the window, silently making her birthday wish for this year:

Grow slower, even slower—

After all, it seemed she had caught the eye of a beast!