Chapter 35: The Cold-Hearted Prince with a White Moonlight 15

Hearing what Jing Yunluo said, Situ Che hesitated for a moment before speaking in a calm tone, "But you still shouldn't have humiliated her in public!"

"Situ Che!"

Jing Yunluo was truly angry this time. "If I hadn't exposed her today, what do you think would have happened? Would anyone still dare to come to my Huichun Clinic? What would you have me do about my staff? What about Elder Zhang? Or perhaps, should I just let myself be slandered every few days? Do you have any idea how important reputation is to a healer? I didn't go looking for trouble with Jin Yunlan, so why does she have the right to provoke me time and time again?"

Seeing Jing Yunluo’s eyes redden, as if she were on the verge of tears, Situ Che’s heart suddenly softened.

[Milady! The target's favorability has increased by 5%, currently at 10%. Please keep up the good work!]

"I didn't mean—"

"Isn't the Prince here to hold me accountable?"

For once, Jing Yunluo pressed him step by step.

Situ Che quickly shook his head. "No, no. I only wanted to ask if your Huichun Clinic needs to hire some bodyguards."

When Situ Che said this, he seemed to have forgotten that he had just asked Jing Yunluo why she had humiliated Jin Yunlan in public. However, given their current relationship, neither of them would bring up what he had just said. After all, Jing Yunluo knew very well that to handle a man, one sometimes cannot push too hard, or it would be counterproductive.

"No need, I can handle it myself." Jing Yunluo’s voice also calmed down.

Situ Che did not ask about Jin Yunlan again, merely comforting her, "If you need anything, just tell me, or tell Zhaoyun; it’s the same."

"Thank you, Your Highness. But Brother Yuan said he would find people to protect the clinic."

"Yuan Lu?"

This was not the first time Situ Che had heard this name from Jing Yunluo, and he could sense her trust in this man, which made him feel quite unhappy—after all, no man would be indifferent to such a thing.

Jing Yunluo nodded. "Yes, you should know him. Brother Yuan was previously the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard."

Hearing the tone of pride in Jing Yunluo’s voice, Situ Che was instantly incensed. "He is nothing but a fool who threw away a bright future!"

Jing Yunluo grew angry again upon hearing this. "Is that so? Does the Prince think it's a pity that Brother Yuan gave up his position as Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard?"

"It’s not a pity; it’s stupidity! To be a dignified Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard and end up as someone’s house guard—if that’s not stupidity, what is?"

Jing Yunluo’s expression instantly turned cold. "Is that so? Brother Yuan gave up his bright future to take care of me and repay a favor. So, in the Prince’s eyes, this is actually stupidity..."

Situ Che did not know why Yuan Lu had suddenly abandoned his position years ago. He had assumed it was due to some romantic entanglement, never expecting such a reason. But the words were already out, and he could not take them back. Watching Jing Yunluo bristle with anger, Situ Che only felt a headache coming on.

"No, that’s not what I meant..."

"It’s alright. Actually, the Prince is right." Jing Yunluo lowered her head slightly, staring at the teacup in her hands. "I have always felt that I was the one who dragged Brother Yuan down. He was once the top scholar in both civil and martial arts, hand-picked by the Emperor himself. He should have had a brilliant future. He could have been a Prime Minister in court and a commander on the battlefield. That should have been his life, not guarding my house..."

The more she spoke, the sadder she sounded, performing the role of a woman consumed by guilt and self-reproach with masterful precision. Watching her like this, Situ Che felt even more unsettled. A feeling called jealousy began to stir within him, though he did not yet understand why he felt so uncomfortable.

"Your Highness, it is getting late. Please return." Jing Yunluo suddenly began to show him out.

Situ Che knew he had spoken wrongly today, so he nodded and, after telling her to get some rest, he left.

"Miss, are you alright?" Mengyue entered only after seeing Situ Che depart.

Jing Yunluo shook her head. "I'm fine. Go get some rest. You will accompany me to the Huichun Clinic tomorrow."

"Yes, Miss!"

Mengyue was now utterly obedient to Jing Yunluo, acting as if she were her personal maid, having completely forgotten that she originally belonged to the Prince of Jin’s household. This was exactly what Jing Yunluo wanted; she needed her own people within this manor.

The next day, when Jing Yunluo went to deliver medicine to Situ Che, she inadvertently overheard a conversation between him and Zhaoyun.

"Your Highness, are these all to be sent to Lady Gu?"

"Yes, send them over as soon as possible."

"This... would that be appropriate? After all, these were meant for the Princess... oh, for Miss Jing."

Zhaoyun was obedient and called her Miss Jing instead of Princess, but Jing Yunluo could tell that Zhaoyun was clear-headed enough to know that Jin Yunlan was an outsider.

However, Situ Che did not seem to think there was any issue. "It’s fine. She won't be angry."

"That is correct. These belong to the Prince of Jin’s household, and the Prince has the right to distribute them as he sees fit." Jing Yunluo walked in with a smile, though even Zhaoyun could see that the smile on her face was deeply strained.

"Jing Yunluo..." Situ Che was not stupid; he could naturally sense that she was upset.

Jing Yunluo placed the medicine bottle on the table. "The medicine you requested. The instructions are the same as the previous cough medicine. I have provided the kitchen with a medicinal diet recipe; have them prepare your meals according to it."

Having said this, she turned and left. As for the items on the table that Situ Che intended for Jin Yunlan, she did not even glance at them.

"Your Highness, Miss Jing seems angry. You should..."

"It’s fine. She is very magnanimous."

Zhaoyun was confused. Magnanimous?

"But Your Highness, for a husband to give gifts meant for his own wife to another woman—shouldn't she be angry? If Miss Jing is so indifferent now, could it be... that she doesn't love you anymore?"

It must be said that Zhaoyun knew how to speak; as soon as these words left his lips, Situ Che’s brow furrowed instantly.

"Why would you say that?"

"Ah?" Zhaoyun was taken aback that Situ Che would ask him this. After a pause, he thought for a moment. "Look, before you and Miss Jing were married, she would get angry just hearing Lady Gu's name from us. Let alone giving her things to Lady Gu. If Miss Jing still cared for you, shouldn't she be angry?"

Zhaoyun did not understand the affairs of men and women, but at the very least, he understood what the old Jing Yunluo was like. But now...

Situ Che froze completely. He had to admit, Zhaoyun’s words made sense.

"She doesn't love me? How is that possible?"