Jiang Yunshu belatedly realized that Xie Lin's mood was off.
Though Xie Lin usually wore a gloomy expression, his smiles often cold and mocking, she could still discern his emotions from subtle clues.
When Xie Lin was unhappy, he developed an unusual craving for sweets.
With the New Year approaching, the imperial kitchen had prepared an abundance of candies. Knowing Jiang Yunshu’s fondness for them, the kitchen staff sent her new flavors as soon as they were made. Yet, in the end, she barely tasted any—plate after plate ended up devoured by Xie Lin.
Aside from his increased sweet tooth, there was another noticeable change: Xie Lin grew…exceptionally fierce at night.
Jiang Yunshu couldn’t understand it. Consort Wu had just given birth to the Little Prince, and the Young Emperor, still nursing, was entirely under Xie Lin’s control. By all accounts, this should have been a cause for celebration for him.
So why was Xie Lin displeased?
Was it because, no matter how much power he wielded, he could never sit on the throne himself?
Had Xie Lin grown dissatisfied with merely pulling the strings behind the emperor? Jiang Yunshu shuddered, not daring to dwell on the thought any further.
She instructed the palace maids around her to wipe the smiles from their faces.
"From now on, in the Chief Steward’s presence, do not smile. Keep your heads down and focus on your duties."
The maids, heeding Jiang Yunshu’s warning, became extra cautious around Xie Lin.
Lichun, who attended to Xie Lin daily, noticed nothing amiss.
The Chief Steward ate and slept as usual… Why was Jiang Yunshu being so careful around him, even going so far as to rein in her maids?
Lichun couldn’t fathom it, but then again, Xie Lin clearly favored Jiang Yunshu’s service—even the dipping sauce she prepared could make him eat an extra half bowl of rice…
Perhaps Jiang Yunshu possessed some insight he lacked.
If she sensed Xie Lin’s displeasure, even if he couldn’t see it, it was better to err on the side of caution.
So Lichun followed her lead, ordering the servants of Weiyang Palace to suppress any cheerfulness and keep their heads down around the Chief Steward.
With the entire palace staff tiptoeing around him, Xie Lin found no opportunity to vent his temper.
The longer his frustration festered, the more unbearable it became.
And so, his outlets for release grew fewer and fewer.
Jiang Yunshu never anticipated that her warning to the maids—and Lichun’s subsequent imitation—would backfire on her.
"Chief Steward… Chief Steward…"
Eventually, she abandoned the title altogether, calling him by name instead.
"Xie Lin… Xie Lin!"
Annoyed by her pleas, Xie Lin clamped a hand over her mouth and nose.
Jiang Yunshu fell silent instantly.
Not only was she unable to speak, but she could barely breathe.
When Xie Lin finally released her, she gasped for air, never before finding it so sweet and intoxicating.
Furious, she refused to acknowledge him. For a moment, she had truly believed she was seconds—maybe even one second—away from suffocating.
If this happened again, she wasn’t sure she’d survive.
Jiang Yunshu locked eyes with Xie Lin. "Enough."
All this time, she had been accommodating him, yielding to him… But tonight’s brutality made her realize she couldn’t let this continue.
Xie Lin watched as anger ignited in Jiang Yunshu’s eyes.
They burned like gemstones forged in fire, bright enough to scorch.
He reached out, gently covering her eyes with his palm. "I’ll carry you to the bath."
Jiang Yunshu wanted to refuse, to walk on her own, but her limbs were weak and limp. In the end, Xie Lin carried her to the bathing pool.
By the time they returned to bed, she fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.
But instead of curling up in her usual spot, she huddled in the farthest corner of the bed, as far from Xie Lin as possible.
He moved closer.
Still asleep, Jiang Yunshu instinctively shrank away from the warmth beside her—only to bump her head against the carved bed frame with a dull thud.
Too exhausted to wake, she let out a faint whimper of discomfort.
Xie Lin slipped his hand between her head and the hard wood, cushioning the impact.
The softness of his palm replaced the unyielding frame, and Jiang Yunshu relaxed, nuzzling unconsciously in her sleep, her expression easing.
Xie Lin gazed down at her, his eyes betraying a rare flicker of tenderness in the quiet darkness.
"Sleep. It won’t happen again."
Tonight, he had lost control. He would make it up to her.
The next morning, Jiang Yunshu awoke to find Xie Lin already gone.
She exhaled in quiet relief. After last night, she wasn’t ready to face him just yet.
Freshly bathed and halfway through breakfast, Lichun entered, carrying two scrolls.
"Lady Jiang, these are the names proposed by the Ministry of Rites for the Young Emperor."
"And these are the suggested era names."
"The Chief Steward wishes for you to review them and choose one you prefer."
"If none suit your taste… you may also propose your own."
Lichun delivered the message with trepidation.
Jiang Yunshu listened in horror.
"Naming the emperor… choosing an era name…" She pointed at herself. "And he wants me to do it?!"
