In the midst of the uneasy silence enveloping them, Li Jie, rather than acknowledging the awkwardness, chuckled lightly, as if oblivious to the tension. “I simply meant that having someone who truly understands you is crucial, isn’t it? Though, getting to know each other is a process so prior knowledge about them doesn’t top my priorities.”
Huang Yiming cleared his throat, nodding in agreement while avoiding direct eye contact with Li Jie. “I suppose…”
Experiencing a wave of exasperation, Huang Baozhai couldn’t help but facepalm mentally, sensing a moment of defeat. “It’s as if my efforts were in vain.”
Li Jie regarded her with feigned confusion, while Huang Yiming shot her a stern glare.
Deep down, Li Jie cherished Huang Baozhai; there was no denying that. Yet, at times, her oblivious nature could prove irksome. Despite occasional irritation, he recognized her as his dearest friend, someone who genuinely cared for him, and reciprocated that affection wholeheartedly.
“Anyway,” Huang Baozhai swiftly diverted the conversation, sensing the tension lingering in the air. “I also wanted to share something else. I bumped into the brooding counselor on my way here.”
“Brooding counselor?” Li Jie tilted his head, the realization slowly dawning on him. “Are you referring to Shi He?”
“Uh-huh,” Huang Baozhai confirmed, rolling her eyes. “I’m indeed talking about that little shi—uh, person. Always glaring at me as if I’m the cause of his mother’s demise!”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Before Huang Baozhai could retort, a knock on the door interrupted them.
“Your Highness?” Han Yasheng’s composed voice emanated from beyond the door. “The emperor has requested your presence in the main palace’s garden.”
Li Jie’s body momentarily froze, his breath catching in his throat, but he swiftly regained his composure. He forced a bright smile, concealing the multitude of dark thoughts flooding his mind. “Alright, thank you for notifying me,” he replied cheerfully.
That piece of trash, what does he want now?
“Li Jie…” Huang Yiming cast him a worried glance, prompting Huang Baozhai to furrow her brow in confusion, unaware of the discussions that had transpired during the last hours of Huang Yiming’s confinement. “I can accompany you if you’d like.”
“There’s no need to trouble yourself,” Li Jie reassured him, expressing gratitude with a pat on Huang Yiming’s shoulder and a reassuring smile. “But could both of you help me fix my hair?”
Huang Yiming remained silent as he took the jade hairpin, while Li Jie settled back on the bed, his back turned to them, preparing for the impending meeting with his father, the emperor.
It wasn’t widely known, but Huang Baozhai, Li Jie, and Han Yasheng were the sole individuals privy to Huang Yiming’s concealed talent for hairstyling.
As Huang Yiming delicately brushed Li Jie’s hair, the crown prince’s smile persisted, exuding genuine happiness, despite every fiber in his being urging him to take a dagger and abandon his plans—simply ending the life of that trashy emperor.
Li Jie bid his farewells promptly, eager to conclude the grooming session after Huang Yiming finished arranging his hair. However, there was a swift dismissal in his demeanor that caught Huang Baozhai’s attention, leaving a lingering unease in the air.
“He appeared different,” she observed, her brow knit with curiosity. “I’ve never witnessed Li Jie wearing such a… bright smile before.”
Choosing the path of discretion, Huang Yiming held back from revealing the true reasons behind Li Jie’s changed demeanor. Instead, his gaze fixated on the vacated seat, his mind absorbed in contemplation.
Noticing her brother’s reflective countenance, Huang Baozhai seized the opportunity of their solitude to broach a topic she had been itching to explore: Huang Yiming’s romantic inclinations.
“You harbor feelings for Li Jie, don’t you?” she playfully teased, a mischievous grin adorning her face. “In fact, no, you’re in love with him! It’s like a dream come true!”
Caught off guard by his sister’s directness, Huang Yiming found himself taken aback. While her words didn’t come as a surprise, hearing her articulate what he had concealed for so long felt somewhat startling. In the past few days, he had pondered whether she had discerned his feelings or not, given her unmistakable behavior.
He sighed, a blend of resignation and affection coloring his voice. “Yes, I do love Li Jie. And… and I’ve harbored these feelings for quite some time now…”
Almost immediately, Huang Baozhai’s playful demeanor melted away, replaced by a more empathetic and understanding expression. She extended a comforting hand, gently placing it on her brother’s arm.
“I had my suspicions,” she confessed gently, her eyes reflecting sisterly affection. “I realize now that I may have been insensitive about this information in the past few days. I’m sorry if I put you in a difficult situation…”
A surge of gratitude washed over Huang Yiming, and he responded with a rare, heartfelt smile.
“Thank you, jie,” he whispered, his voice carrying a depth of emotion.
In that instant, the connection between them deepened, solidified by a mutual understanding. They recognized that confronting the intricacies of love and yearning would be more bearable with each other’s steadfast support. Brimming with readiness, they stood prepared to traverse the path that lay ahead.
Thanks for the chapters
WAAAAAAAAAAHH~!!
Thank you for the chapters! <3