Resplendent – Chapter 601

Chapter 601: Pitiable and Pathetic

Ling Juechen’s face grew icy as his aura surged. With a mere flick of his sleeve, he sent the person staggering back three steps.

Princess Heyang staggered to her feet, her eyes brimming with sorrow. “Grand Pharmacist Chu, you have all the fine men in the world at your disposal. Please, don’t compete with me for Prince Ning. The Capital’s Twin Heroes… are handsome and brilliant. You’d surely admire them. And then there’s your Senior Brother Baili. You trained under the same master, and are both Grand Apothecaries. You share common interests and understanding…I apologize for what happened earlier in Kunning Palace! My jealousy made me lash out with harsh words. Please, just let me have Prince Ning, okay?”

A princess of a great nation was groveling over a man; how pitiful and pathetic.

Gu Ye gently patted Ling Juechen’s tightly clenched hand, offering a reassuring smile as she spoke slowly: “Your Highness, you are mistaken! First, Prince Ning is a person with his own feelings and will. It’s not as if I can simply give him up to you!

Second, I knew Prince Ning before you did. At that time, I didn’t know his true identity, and he never imagined I would rise to my current position. This bond formed from humble beginnings is the truest, purest, and most precious kind of affection. If I were to step aside merely because of Your Highness’s plea, it would be profoundly unfair to both this pharmacist and Prince Ning.

Furthermore, His Highness Prince Ning… both in appearance and disposition, perfectly matches the type this pharmacist finds appealing. The ‘Two Heroes of the Capital’ you speak of, along with my Senior Brother, are all outstanding individuals, yet they may not be the destined one for me. Therefore, I refuse to yield him to you—and I never will!”

Ling Juechen’s icy-hued, handsome features instantly warmed at Gu Ye’s words. His clear eyes thawed like spring springs, and his peach-blossom complexion bloomed with the vibrant radiance of spring’s awakening.

Princess Heyang gazed dreamily, her eyes glistening with crystalline tears. The fleeting beauty of Prince Ning had not blossomed for her sake.

If Pharmacist Chu had no feelings for him, perhaps she might cling to a sliver of pitiful hope. However, this Grand Pharmacist had already made it clear she harbored affection for him, while she was nothing more than an intruder who had barged in midway…

A delicate young girl wept uncontrollably before her, yet Gu Ye felt not a shred of pity or compassion. Any other thing, no matter how precious, she could relinquish without hesitation.

Except for Brother Chen. He was the anchor of her soul. Without him, she would be like a lost child, utterly lost and directionless… Only him did she cling to desperately, never wanting to let go!

“Princess, in youth, one inevitably becomes fixated on beautiful dreams. But dreams are but illusions. When you awaken, you must look ahead with practicality!”

Gu Ye sighed softly, offering a few words of consolation after all. Whether she heeded them or not was no longer her concern.

A beautiful dream? Could her feelings for Prince Ning truly be nothing more than a one-sided fantasy? Now that she had awakened, he would never belong to her! Princess Heyang stumbled back two steps, steadied by the palace maid beside her.

She lifted tear-filled eyes. Through the blur of her tears, his flawless, perfect features remained before her. Yet the displeasure in those cold eyes, the disdain on his handsome face, the impatience between his brows—all gradually expanded and sharpened in her vision…

Yes! Love involved two people. Her profound affection was likely nothing but a joke in his eyes. No, perhaps she had never truly existed in his gaze at all. All his attention was fixed on the person standing beside him, the warmth in his eyes reserved solely for her…

Princess Heyang heard the sound of her own heart slowly dying. She turned away, wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief, straightened her spine, and walked away slowly.

Today, she had brought utter shame upon the Dongling imperial family. Her father must surely be disappointed in her. She had buried her first stirrings of affection, but she would preserve her last shred of dignity!

Gu Ye watched Princess Heyang’s retreating figure in silence before letting out a slow sigh. “Brother Chen, do you think Princess Heyang will ever come to terms with it?”

“Whether she does or not, what does it matter to us?” Ling Juechen’s heart could be quite cold at times.

Gu Ye shot him a fierce glare. “It’s all your fault! You have a face that invites trouble! From now on, cover your face whenever you go out. That way, you won’t keep bringing home one unwanted romantic entanglement after another!”

“Fine… I’ll get a mask as soon as I get back. I’ll only show my true face when I’m with you. Is that acceptable?” In front of his Xiao Ye, Ling Juechen instantly transformed into a well-behaved loyal dog.

Gu Ye snorted. “Make sure the mask is ugly too, so you don’t tempt any princesses or noble ladies again…”

“Well… Why don’t you marry me sooner? Tie me down, and then you won’t have to worry about all this nonsense every day!” Ling Juechen couldn’t help but blurt out.

“Ahem…” Lady Jun’s voice drifted from the flowerbed. She had followed after seeing Princess Heyang storming this way, fearing her daughter might be at a disadvantage.

Little did she expect to overhear her daughter’s utterly shocking words. So, her daughter and Prince Ning had known each other all along. So, Prince Ning had harbored feelings for her daughter since she was young and innocent, and had won her affection. It turned out that in her daughter’s heart, Prince Ning was not someone easily dismissed. It turned out that her daughter had feelings for Prince Ning…

Truthfully, she hadn’t intended to eavesdrop. Perhaps too stunned by what she’d heard, she hadn’t left immediately after Princess Heyang departed. Thus, Lady Jun witnessed her daughter acting stubbornly and unreasonable before Prince Ning. 

And Prince Ning? He merely endured it all, treating her with patience no matter how capricious she became.

If Prince Ning could treat her Bao’er this way for the rest of his life, ensuring she remained forever happy and carefree, then her daughter’s marriage far away might not be so hard to accept. 

Lady Jun’s heart softened slightly. A man with looks, power, and who doted on her daughter like this: such a good man would be hard to find again, wouldn’t he?

But when Prince Ning tried to persuade her to marry him off sooner, Lady Jun balked. Her precious daughter was only thirteen, still two years away from coming of age! She had just gotten her beloved Bao’er back and hadn’t even had enough time to savor her company. How could she possibly bear to give her away?

At the very least, her daughter would stay with her for another five years. Eighteen would be just the right age to marry her off. The only question was, could Prince Ning wait that long? Lady Jun’s brow furrowed. 

Prince Ning seemed over a decade older than her daughter. In five more years, he’d be nearly thirty. Even if he could wait, would his family allow him to continue this reckless behavior?

Lady Jun was suddenly torn. On one hand, she couldn’t bear to see her daughter married so young. On the other, she feared her daughter might miss out on true love. Alas! Children are truly a debt to bear!

Carrying this conflict, she deliberately cleared her throat a few times and said softly, “Bao’er, it’s getting late. It’s time to leave the palace and head home!”

Gu Ye scrunched up her little nose at Ling Juechen and made a funny face. “Okay, I’m coming!”

With that, she strode briskly toward her mother’s voice and arrived at her side. She wrapped her arms around Lady Jun’s arm, nestling her little head against her shoulder, and couldn’t help but start acting spoiled again.

Lady Jun tapped her little nose and laughed, “You’re acting like a three-year-old! Aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?”

“People? Where? There’s no one else here! Who would laugh at me? Prince Ning, would you?” Gu Ye turned her head and glared at Ling Juechen, who was walking slowly behind them, baring her teeth menacingly.

Ling Juechen naturally sought to make a good impression before his future mother-in-law: “Madam, you and Xiao Ye’er share such a deep mother-daughter bond. Xiao Ye’er’s affection is so pure and sincere. How could anyone possibly laugh at her?”

“Mother, see? Prince Ning said so too. Your daughter acting spoiled in front of you just shows how close we are, how deep our bond is!” Gu Ye’s eyes crinkled into slits as she smiled, like a cat basking in its owner’s affection.

Envoys from the Yan Kingdom were permitted to ride in palanquins within the palace grounds. The Jun family, however, enjoyed no such privilege. Yet Ling Juechen, determined to win his future mother-in-law’s favor, offered earnestly, “Madam, your health has only just recovered. It would be unwise to tire yourself. Please take the palanquin.”

Gu Ye glanced at the palanquin. It was quite spacious with plenty of room for her and her mother. Without hesitation, she helped her mother up into the palanquin and, giving Ling Juechen a quick approving look, shot him a little appreciative glance. “Thanks—”

Having been pulled up by her daughter, Lady Jun shook her head helplessly at her before formally thanking Prince Ning. 

Ling Juechen’s lips curved into a faint smile as he replied modestly, “No need for formalities, Madam. It’s only right.”

Lady Jun had met Prince Ning several times and knew his aloof nature. Yet when this reserved man smiled, his icy gaze transformed into a dazzling radiance like the midday sun. His smile radiated an irresistible charm, a unique allure. No wonder her young daughter had developed such affection for him. Even she, a woman past her prime, found herself momentarily dazzled by that smile!

Yet she wondered—was such striking beauty a blessing or a curse? If Prince Ning remained steadfast toward her daughter, it might be manageable. But what if his affections shifted? How would her daughter handle the women he inevitably attracted?

Her inner turmoil deepened. Even after leaving the palace gates and returning to the Duke’s Manor, her brows remained furrowed. The Duke, recuperating at home from his hand injury, rushed over to inquire after her well-being.

His hand injury was an old wound. The tendons in his wrist had just been surgically stitched by Gu Ye. The journey from surgery to rehabilitation and full recovery demanded a lengthy process. Thus, the Duke resigned his post at the Xishan Garrison to focus on recuperating at home.

The Emperor granted him extended leave, yet disguised as a commoner, personally visited the residence to coax Old General Chu out of retirement. The Emperor appointed him as training instructor for the Xishan Garrison. 

Old General Chu’s reputation within the military was one of absolute authority. To learn even a fraction of his military experience and strategic acumen would be invaluable! Word spread among martial families, prompting many to send their sons to train under him.

The Old General, accompanied by Gu Xiao, took up his new post. They spent only half a day each session, devising training plans, while the commander led drills during the remaining hours. The two old men then hurried back to their distillery to tend to their business.

Having spent most of their lives in military camps, returning to the barracks seemed to invigorate the two whose age combined reached over a hundred. They appeared more spirited than before. Meanwhile, the cadets at the Xishan Garrison were being pushed to their limits, wailing and crying out in agony—a scene of quite the spectacle.