Chapter 65: The Whirlpool (Part 2)

The Crown Prince will always be the most important person to me.

Changxin Palace was brightly lit. Several palace maids emerged with basins of hot water, whispering among themselves: “His Highness is heavily intoxicated with no one close to attend to him. Shouldn’t we summon the imperial physician?”

“Look at Jin Shilang—he appears even more drunk than His Highness. Given the current atmosphere, we’d better not cause trouble. We must be careful not to incur the Crown Prince’s displeasure.”

As the two maids gradually disappeared into the distance, Li Youqing emerged from behind the curtain and gazed toward the depths of Changxin Palace, where the room lay shrouded in an unfathomable, warm glow.

In her childhood, she would always skip joyfully down this very corridor, filled with anticipation as she made her way to the Empress and Crown Prince’s quarters.

But never had this path felt so long. The surroundings were eerily silent, and every footstep she took echoed clearly.

The clatter of a wine cup hitting the floor, followed by a familiar low groan, heightened her anxiety. Lifting the hem of her skirt, she hurried forward at a light run.

Upon entering the inner chamber, she saw Jin Cheng slumped over the table, his cheeks flushed crimson and his eyes tightly shut in discomfort—clearly, he was dead drunk.

Li Youqing stared at the wine-stained hem of his bamboo-green robe, her hands clutching the sides of her own skirt tightly. Softly, she called out, “Imperial Brother, A Cheng is drunk. I’ve come to take him back.”

The deathly silence of Changxin Palace seemed disturbed by this address of “Imperial Brother.” Accompanied by a long exhale, the rustle of robes sounded as the man rose, as if all things had suddenly revived.

Li Jing lifted his gaze to her, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Having stayed near Ganhua Temple for a month, he had glimpsed her from afar a few times. She hadn’t changed much—still exuding that delicate, fragile air.

For the sake of future plans, he had restrained himself from revealing his presence.

He feared that once they met, all his self-control would crumble, and he would be unable to refuse anything she asked.

Now, seeing her concern solely focused on Jin Cheng’s condition, with no regard for him whatsoever, Li Jing let out a cold laugh. “Not even married yet, and you’re already so attentive to him.”

The object of his longing stood right before him. He couldn’t resist taking a few steps closer, his handsome face sharper and more imposing than ever. His tone was measured and unhurried: “I ought to be pleased. At least over this past year, you’ve forgotten that barbarian.”

“What barbarian? Imperial Brother, you’re drunk—” Li Youqing retreated a step, her eyes already reddening.

Li Jing shook his head. Even now, she still resorted to tears to manipulate him.

It seemed discussing such matters with her was utterly pointless.

This little deceiver held not an ounce of sincerity toward him.

Li Jing clenched his fists at his sides. Recalling his Father Emperor’s repeated admonishments over recent days, he gritted his teeth and said, “Indeed, I am drunk. In fact, I have never been sober for a single day!”

Li Youqing widened her eyes, a glimmer of hope shining in her expression. “Imperial Brother, has Father Emperor finally agreed to see me?”

Seeing her joyful demeanor, Li Jing’s eyes flashed with something peculiar, sharp as a venomous thorn. “So, little sister finally has the chance to see Father Emperor. What do you intend to say to him?”

Li Youqing looked up, meeting an overwhelmingly dominant face, its features shadowed with dark emotions, like an impending storm.

The noble, aloof moon hanging high in the sky had always been unpredictable in its phases, but now it seemed veiled by a thick, heavy night fog.

“Imperial Brother, is Father Emperor angry with me?” Li Youqing keenly sensed that this summons to the palace seemed not to be his wish, and thus tentatively inquired.

“Father Emperor has always cherished you like a precious jewel. How could he be angry with you?” Li Jing took another step forward, the palpable heartbeat making his entire body tremble.

Father Emperor was right—he truly had gone mad…

“I’m not Father Emperor’s—” Before Li Youqing could finish speaking, a teacup was swept off the table, shattering with a crisp clang.

Jin Cheng, who had been drunkenly unconscious, suddenly awoke. Struggling to his feet, he hurried toward Li Youqing: “Your Highness, don’t be afraid. His Majesty intends to restore your noble status and bestow upon you the Golden Scale Platform. No one will dare gossip recklessly anymore!”

The atmosphere grew cold and tense. Li Jing’s wide sleeves swept around, abruptly enveloping Li Youqing in his embrace.

Jin Cheng furrowed his brow tightly, rushing forward a few steps to intervene, but staggered and fell to the ground due to his previous heavy intoxication.

The familiar sandalwood scent suddenly reminded her of childhood—how she always slept peacefully in Crown Prince brother’s arms back then—

But now—

Crown Prince brother, what exactly was he doing?

A sharp pain on her lips, the taste of blood mingling with sweetness, further muddled Li Jing’s thoughts.

He knew well what the Emperor expected, what his own responsibilities entailed, and what it would mean to let her leave to meet Father Emperor.

“Be good, let your brother hold you one more time, just once—” Li Jing’s eyes reddened as countless memories flooded his mind, his heart aching over her displacement and blaming himself for failing to protect her.

Do you know how much I’ve always loved you?

The little one ceased struggling, as if sensing something from his words. Connecting it with what Jin Cheng had said earlier, she miraculously settled calmly in his embrace.

“Brother, we’ll always be together happily, won’t we?” Li Youqing whispered, her childish voice just like when she used to act spoiled in their youth.

Li Jing didn’t answer, merely curling his lips in a lonely smile as he released his restraining arms and gently patted her head.

Was this silent consent?

Li Youqing found it strange herself—how she had resisted Crown Prince brother so intensely before, detesting what he had done to her, yet now she felt somewhat sorry for him.

Rising on her toes, she reached up to pat the Crown Prince’s head in return: “Brother will always be the most important person to Youqing. No one can compare.”

Li Jing’s gaze held slight surprise as the shadows in his eyes gradually dispersed.

So it seemed—though they couldn’t be lovers, he remained her most important person.

His sister was so good, yet he had considered breaking her wings, confining her by his side forever as a secret paramour living in darkness.

These were Father Emperor’s exact words when scolding him. At the time, he absolutely refused to admit it, but now, looking into her eyes, he began to feel uncertain in his heart.

In the future when he became Emperor, even if he gave her the position of Empress, she would never again be Li Youqing in this lifetime…

She wouldn’t even elope with that scoundrel Xuan Rui—how could she possibly be willing to abandon her name and identity to follow him in darkness?

“You said it yourself—I’ll always be your most important person, irreplaceable by anyone.” Li Jing slowly released his hold, simultaneously feeling he was about to lose her while also feeling he had completely possessed her.

“If anyone ever becomes more important than me in the future, I’ll kill them.” He fully revealed the madness in his eyes, no longer pretending in front of her.

The moon suspended high in the sky had fallen into the mire, covered in filth.

The wise, benevolent, and radiant Crown Prince belongs to the people of Daliang, while this narrow-minded man fighting for status before her eyes belongs solely to Li Youqing.

“Brother must firmly secure the position of Crown Prince, so that in the future you can kill whomever you wish.” Her mind was clear, her gaze passing over him to rest upon the somewhat desolate figure of Jin Cheng behind him. She nodded at him in gratitude.

She had just declared that her Imperial Brother would be the most important person in her life, with even a lover ranking second—this was her sincere truth.

For no one could replace the status of the young Li Jing in the heart of the little princess who had been helpless and dependent in her childhood. Back then, her Imperial Brother was her entire world.

“This humble one understands.” Li Jing personally adjusted her attire, speaking gently, “Now go and meet Father Emperor. Do not be afraid—he will grant you what you desire.”

“Thank you, Imperial Brother, for making this possible.” Li Youqing smiled at him, her eyes narrowing slightly like two crescent moons.

It had been a year since her return, and she had thought her life would remain shrouded in endless darkness.

She believed she would have to survive by relying on Father Emperor’s favor, but only in this moment did she realize what truly allowed her to stand firm in the Great Liang Imperial Palace.

From childhood to adulthood, there had always been only one person who sheltered her.

[Author’s Note]

The male lead is about to make a powerful return.