Chapter C32 – Engagement Keepsake

Proofread by Nie Qiao

“A few days ago, Yi’er sent me a piece of jade pendant. I gave it to Yan Ling yesterday. I wanted to use it as a token of affection to accomplish their marriage, but I didn’t expect it would be such a result.” The Emperor sighs, as if his good wish didn’t come true.

Hearing this, Yan Ling’s heart suddenly beats fast. If the jade pendant is an engagement keepsake given by the Emperor, it’s really terrible.

As expected, Concubine De then follows him: “His Majesty means well. But it’s really a pity. However, since it’s an engagement keepsake, and this marriage cannot be completed, then it’s not good to leave it with Miss Yan. “

The Queen obviously agrees with this idea. She nods and says: “All the people present are close friends, but as the saying goes, walls have cracks and partitions have ears. If this thing is spread, I’m afraid it’s not good for Miss Yan’s reputation. “

“That’s right. Miss Yan is still unmarried. It will have a bad influence on her reputation if she accepts the engagement keepsake.” Seeing the Emperor is still hesitant, Concubine De adds quickly.

“In that case, Yan Ling, you give back the jade pendant that I gave you yesterday. I will give you a better one as compensation.” The Emperor says lightly.

Yan Ling frowns and kneels on the ground suddenly. Her forehead is on the ground and she says, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty, My Queen and My Lady. It’s not that I don’t want to return the jade pendant, but…”

“What? Just say it.” The Emperor frowns. Today’s events have almost exhausted all his patience.

“I dare not lie, Your Majesty. The jade pendant was stolen last night.” Although Yan Ling’s voice is steady, cold sweat is all over her forehead.

“How dare you!” Concubine De suddenly scolds.

“You lost the gift by His Majesty. How dare you, Yan Ling? Prime Minister Yan, is that the way you discipline your daughters?” The Queen also frowns.

“Please forgive us, Your Majesty, My Queen and My Lady.” Other people of the Prime Minister’s House kneel down and turn pale.

At this time, the Emperor’s face is dark. However, before he scolds Yan Ling, he is interrupted.

“It is impossible!” In the main hall, Liang He, who has never spoken, suddenly cuts in and attracts the attention of all the people.

“What is impossible, Crown prince?” The Emperor seems to be dissatisfied with Liang He’s disrespect and his tone is a little chilly.

Liang He kneels down beside Yan Ling and explains, “I just feel that the jade is almost unlikely to be stolen.”

“Oh? Why would you say that?” The Emperor asks strangely.

“The guards of the capital have always been controlled by me, Father. I thinks I did a good job. In addition, the Prime Minister’s House is well guarded. How could a theft happen?” It seems that Liang He fails to perceive the mood of the Emperor and says this a little complacently.

Yan Ling pulls Liang He’s clothes quietly. She is a little worried, but she also feels that something is wrong.

In Yan Ling’s memory, Liang He is not eager for quick success and instant profit. At this time, the Emperor is obviously angry. How could he suddenly jump out to provoke the Emperor’s anger?

” Crown prince! The jade pendant has already been lost, but you are still so boastful in front of me. Is that what I have taught you for so many years?” When the Emperor hears this, he is really furious.

“Please forgive me, Father. It’s all my fault.” Liang He says with his head down.

“You need to take care of your body, Your Majesty! He’er is just careless. Please forgive him.” The Queen also hurriedly comforts.

For so many years, the Queen has always maintained the image of Mother of the world, and Liang He has not been very close to her. She is almost unable to figure out what kind of person her son is.

However, in any case, Liang He is her biological son. How could she not help him at such a time? What’s more, the Queen also knows the ambition of the Third Prince and Concubine De.

“Hum! Prince, since you are in charge of the security of the capital. If you really know your mistake, then you will find the jade pendant. Yan Ling, you can help him.” Says coldly the Emperor.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Two of them kneeling in the middle of the hall reply together.

“I’ll give you two one month. If you can’t find the thief or the jade pendant, you two will be punished together.” After saying this, the Emperor leaves angrily.

After leaving the Palace, Yan Ling who sitting in the carriage seems to be still nervous. Yan Ling didn’t expect that it will end so easily today. But, Liang He…

“My Lady, are you worried that the Crown Prince will be implicated because of this matter?” Qingyu who stays aside suddenly asks.

In fact, according to her identity, Qingyu cannot go to the inner hall. However, the news in the Imperial Palace spreads quickly. In addition to the indignant accusation of Mrs. Yan after they came out, Qingyu knows the things.

Yan Ling looks up at Qingyu with a slight surprise. Even if she has just been scolded by Mrs. Yan, Yan Ling is silent. How does Qingyu know what she is thinking about?

“I just think that it seems that the Crown Prince cares about you all the time, My Lady. I think you also feel the same way.” Qingyu says with a smile.

But Yan Ling feels that there is something else in her smile.

“Yeah, I’m worried. This person can take things from my warehouse without disturbing anyone. I’m afraid it’s not a simple person. We need to find out the truth in a month…” Yan Ling sighs.

After a while, Yan Ling continues: “It’s OK if it’s only about me. The Emperor seems to be very angry this time, and the Crown Prince is also involved. If he is punished for this, I will feel guilty. “

Yan Ling does mean that. Liang He was implicated by her in her previous life, and then he was framed by Liang Yi.

If this time Liang He is hurt because of her again, Yan Ling doesn’t know how to face him.

However, even Yan Ling herself cannot tell what feelings she has except for these. 

It’s similar to what she did in the inner hall. When she heard that the Emperor matched her and the Third Prince, Yan Ling still kept his head down. But subconsciously she looked to Liang He who stood aside.

Although, Yan Ling cannot see his expression, as long as she can see Liang He standing there, she seems to feel calmer.

Yan Ling asks the servant girls in her yard after she comes back home. But there is no result as expected. Although she expected that, Yan Ling still feels helpless and a little depressed.