《On Our Wedding Night, I Discovered the Crown Prince's Hidden Illness》


 Chapter 1: Stunning Return

    <h4>Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Stunning Return</h4>


    The man grabbed her slender neck, "Do you think I am blind?"


    Barely able to breathe, Leng Yu Yan awoke with a start.


    For two consecutive months, she had been having these outrageously shameful and heart-stopping dreams.


    In her dreams, a man with his eyes shielded by a white scarf had pinned her to the bed, entangling her wildly. After each encounter, he would chillingly choke her, barely exerting any force to break her neck.


    He was devilishly charming yet ruthlessly demonic.


    Every time, he remained silent, but this time he referred to himself as "I."


    In today''s world, only the Crown Prince self-referred as "I"!


    The dream and the information within it made Leng Yu Yan wake up in cold sweat, her awakening disturbing Miao Zhu, the maid also in the horse carriage.


    "Miss, another nightmare?"


    Leng Yu Yan shook her head, "It''s nothing."


    "The master really, tossing Miss into the gully for five years without care, and now suddenly remembers," Miao Zhu lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the slightly bright sky, "forcing Miss to rush to the capital, what exactly is it for?"


    Approaching the capital city, events from five years ago grew clearer in Leng Yu Yan''s mind.


    Back then, her elder brother from the same mother died on the battlefield, and their mother, upon hearing the news, fell into despair and soon also passed away.


    From then on, her originally stunning looks turned ugly, her face resembling a pig''s head, covered withrge blotches. Not only that, her skin darkened, and her figure became increasingly bloated.


    Less than a month into mourning, the house reced the white mourning silk with festive red silk; her father then promoted his mistress to his official wife.


    At the celebration, she intended to publicly question her father before all the guests¡ªhow could he, with her mother''s body still warm, calmly promote his mistress.


    But unexpectedly, before she could speak, the Young Master Wei, who was engaged to her since childhood, seeing her visage, broke off the engagement on the spot.


    The guestsughed at her as the ugliest woman in the world.


    Her father, disgusted by her, sent her out of the capital city on the same night, discarding her in the gully to fend for herself.


    It was on that night in the gully that she had perished.


    When she awoke, her inner essence had changed.


    At that time, she discovered that the body she upied was extremely weak, suffering from such a fierce poison that once triggered, it instantly threatened her life.


    Clearly, someone had intended for the original host of this body to die!


    This indicated that both her elder brother''s death and her mother''s demise were suspicious. Moreover, since her mother was her father''s official wife, the husband should have mourned for a year, but her father hastily promoted the mistress, clearly revealing his intentions.


    Five years had passed, the strange poison in her body was finally cleansed, and her appearance had recovered.


    This time entering the capital, regardless of her father''s intentions, she hade for revenge!


    Leng Yu Yan''s thoughts were interrupted by Miao Zhu''s ramblings, "Miss, sleep a little longer, the maid will watch over you. The carriage ride is bumpy, and you haven''t slept enough. Now that you''ve finally regained your looks, if dark circles form under your eyes, I won''t be able to exin to thete Madam."


    Miao Zhu was one of the maids her mother had chosen for her, and she had stayed with her when she was driven out of the house.


    "I won''t sleep."


    As daylight brightened, the carriage entered the bustling market of the capital city, the calls of vendors rising and falling inside the carriage.


    Miao Zhu''s stomach growled with hunger, and she apologetically said, "Miss, your maid..."


    Leng Yu Yan chuckled lightly, pulling out a light scarf to cover her face, "Let''s go, we''ll get off the carriage and buy some breakfast."


    "Alright!"


    Miao Zhu happily assisted her young mistress off the horse carriage.


    A street full of snack vendors dazzled the eyes.


    Following in another carriage, a servant woman of the Leng Family disdainfully watched the master and servant selecting breakfast.


    Having grown up in the mountains, without much nurturing, unaware of what dignity meant, they dared to buy their breakfast in such a public ce!


    At that time, Wei Ruili, who had juste out of the West Market''s Flower and Willow Lane, saw a young girl not far away and couldn''t help but brighten his eyes.


    She was dressed in a water-blue dress, her arms adorned with a white scarf, and as the gentle breeze blew, she seemed like a fairy descending to earth.


    Even though her face was covered by a light veil, her figure was exquisitely delicate, and her walking posture alone was enough to intoxicate him.


    He had initially nned to grab a bite here and bring some pastries back to appease the olddy at home, to avoid punishment for not returning all night. But now, he had forgotten his original purpose, and his feet unconsciously followed her.


    Leng Yu Yan bought some pastries and steamed buns and Miao Zhu paid with Silver Coins, preparing to eat them in the carriage.


    As the master and servant were leaving the store, a man blocked their way.


    Leng Yu Yan was stunned for a moment, the man in front of her had long, peach blossom eyes and a small mole at the corner of his left eye, which made him look both sentimental and conceited.


    With such distinctive features, she recognized him instantly as Wei Ruili, the man she had been betrothed to since childhood.


    Wei Ruili elegantly folded his fan, "I do not know which family''s little wife thisdy might be, do you have a match?"


    His eyes were flirtatious and his tone fairly greasy.


    Leng Yu Yan coldly nced at him, grabbed Miao Zhu''s arm, and brushed past him.


    Standing in ce, Wei Ruili silently marveled, the girl''s eyes were stunningly beautiful, soul-capturing; if she smiled at him, he felt his soul might be hooked away.


    Not only that, but look at her silhouette, that slender soft waist, moving so gracefully and alluringly, it was truly delightful to watch.


    As a breeze passed, her skirt clung to her body, entuating her figure even more, defining her waist and hips.


    He couldn''t help but lick his lips.


    When did such a lovely creature arrive in the capital, and he did not know?


    If the Leng Yu Yan he was betrothed to initially had this figure, even if her face looked like a pig''s head, he would never call off the engagement.


    Suddenly, he felt that all he had slept with before were nothing but vulgar and ordinary.


    Wei Ruili stylishly unfolded his fan, a smile curling at his lips.


    If he could find the Divine Doctor soon to cure the Ninth Princess''s leg ailment, when his efforts in finding the doctor prove sessful and he smoothly marries the princess, and then takes this enchanting person as a concubine, life would be most delightful!


    In the horse carriage.


    Miao Zhu gnawed fiercely on the bun, "Miss, was that person just now Young Master Wei?"


    "Did you recognize him too?"


    "Yes, his mole makes him look effeminate, it''s hard not to recognize."


    "Since the engagement is broken off, I have nothing to do with him."


    If they meet again and he acts untowardly, she won''t be polite.


    The horse carriage rattled towards the Leng Residence, slowlying to a stop.


    Getting off the carriage, the first thing she saw were the gilded ques hanging high above the residence''s gates, and two majestic stone lions, just as old, potent memories of the original owner, Leng Yu Yan, had recalled, she redirected her sight and secured her veil.


    A servant woman quickly led her into the residence.


    As they reached the front courtyard hall, Leng Yu Yan was somewhat surprised, her grandmother, father, his consort, her aunts, and all her supposed siblings and even her uncle''s family were present.


    Such a full gathering!


    Everyone was shocked by the girl they saw before them.


    They remembered when she was driven out, her body plump and her face ugly, a sight that used to make one feel sick.


    Yet thedy now, although veiled, had a slender figure and fair skin,pletely free of those ugly traces.


    This startled Mrs. Feng and her daughter Lai Manting inside.


    A nanny quietly stood next to Madam Lai, gently announced, "Old Madam, the Fifth Miss has returned!"


    @@novelbin@@


    Madam Lai, who had been resting her eyes, now opened them, and the sight of the slim, graceful girl startled her...


    The granddaughter seemedpletely transformed!

 Chapter 2 - 2 The Reason for the Marriage Grant

    <h4>Chapter 2: Chapter 2 The Reason for the Marriage Grant</h4>


    Leng Yu Yan took a step forward, performing a formal bow, "Granddaughter pays respects to Grandmother, daughter pays respects to Father."


    Madam Lai concealed the surprise in her eyes, "It''s good to have you back, Yu Yan, but why are you wearing a veil?"


    "The granddaughter had blemishes that couldn''t be removed from her face, ultimately I had no choice," she responded calmly, ignoring the looks from the people around her.


    Hearing this, Madam Lai sighed softly, about to offer a few words offort, when her eldest son, Leng Zongfa spoke, "No matter, no matter."


    Whether her looks were ruined or not, as long as she could serve as a pawn for the Leng Family, it was enough.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly.


    A few short words, all revealing cold detachment.


    "Feng Shi, with a smile, stepped forward, "You''re finally back, Yu Yan. When you have time, go offer incense to your mother at the ancestral hall."


    Leng Yu Yan nodded slightly, "Thank you for the reminder, Aunt Feng."


    Feng Shi had been elevated to a higher status, yet still, she didn''t change her expression when called in this manner.


    Leng Zongfa rebuked, "Show some respect, should you still call her Aunt Feng?"


    Feng Shi quickly pulled Leng Zongfa to calm him, "My lord, do not be angry. It''s understandable she hasn''t adapted to the change yet. I dare notpare myself with sister, I''ll be content if I could achieve one-tenth of what she did."


    Lai Manting stepped forward enthusiastically, taking Leng Yu Yan''s arm, "Sister, I''ve missed you day and night during these years you weren''t home. Seeing you looking well and your skin so fair, I don''t even know how to express my joy."


    People with different expressions echoed her sentiments in unison.


    Leng Yu Yan''s eyes smiled as she watched them y their parts.


    Just then, a eunuch''s loud voice announced, "Imperial decree arriving¡ª"


    Everyone knelt down.


    "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees, ''The Fifth Miss of Marquis Ningyuan''s Mansion, Leng Yu Yan, virtuous and well-mannered, is now bestowed in marriage to Crown Prince Ye Yiheng to be the Crown Princess Consort...''"


    Leng Yu Yan''s lips under the veil slightly curved, so these people were not only waiting for her but also for the imperial decree.


    Everyone in the capital knew she was the foremost ugly woman, how ironic for the Emperor to describe her as virtuous and well-mannered.


    Yet, to be bestowed as the Crown Princess Consort...


    How had this fallen to her?


    It seemed her dreams were not just mere flights of fancy.


    "Thus I decree!"


    Following the eunuch''s singing deration, Leng Zongfa epted the decree.


    The Imperial Decree Eunuch, with a smile stered on his face, said, "Marquis, please have Miss Lenge to the pceter to express her thanks."


    "Of course," Leng Zongfa nodded, slipping him a red envelope and gesturing for tea and refreshments to be brought forth.


    Shortly after, Leng Yu Yan returned to her bedroom to rest, and the other guests gradually left the hall, leaving the Marquis and Old Madam to chat idly with the Imperial Decree Eunuch.


    In the back courtyard, Lai Manting paced restlessly.


    Seeing her daughter''s trembling form, Feng Shi pulled her to a secluded ce and, ensuring no one was near, whispered, "Do you regret it, regret giving the position of Crown Princess Consort to that little girl?"


    "Mother, the Crown Prince is short-lived, blind, and a useless man, I do not regret it."


    "Then why are you so agitated?"


    "What makes me angry is that she has be so graceful?" Lai Manting''s eyes shed with jealousy.


    "But isn''t her face blemished? She certainly cannotpare to my dear daughter!" Feng Shi patted her daughter''s hand, "Besides, when the Crown Prince passes away, it remains to be seen whether that little girl will survive or not."


    Lai Manting''s eyes lit up, "Mother, what do you mean?"


    Mrs. Feng curved her lips into a sneer and whispered in her ear.


    "Die for love?" Lai Manting asked in confusion, "How would she agree?"


    "Silly girl, we''ll tell people it''s a love death, iming she was deeply in love with the Crown Prince. This will show that the daughters of the Leng Family value love and loyalty. It would be beneficial for your future, we can''t let her die in vain," Mrs. Feng said affectionately as she caressed her daughter''s cheek.


    How could the daughter of that woman everpare to her own?


    Elsewhere, Leng Yu Yan arrived at the Qingyu Residence, where the original owner had once lived.


    A familiar sensation as if she had truly lived here before.


    It felt as if the original owner was her, and she was the original owner.


    However, the courtyard was not as lively as in the past, and all her maids were nowhere to be seen, with only one old woman sweeping the floor.


    The arranged marriage was too sudden for her, and having just arrived in the capital city, now she had to enter the pce, there were some circumstances she urgently needed to understand. She had hoped to ask around in the dwelling, but things were not the same.


    No matter, it was worth asking whoever was avable. Thinking thus, Leng Yu Yan approached the old woman: "Do you know why the Emperor suddenly arranged a marriage with the Leng Residence?"


    As she spoke, she made a gesture, and Miao Zhu understood immediately, cing an ingot of silver on the stone table.


    The old woman nced at the silver but did not take it: "This matter is no secret, everyone in the capital knows it, but Miss has just returned and might not be aware."


    "How did you know I belong to this residence?"


    "Qingyu Residence normally has no visitors, and today''s cleaning was because the Miss was returning to the residence," the old woman slowly lifted her head, "The key point is, Miss, your eyes are strikingly simr to thete Madam''s."


    Leng Yu Yan eximed, "You are Mrs. Zhao?"


    Mrs. Zhao suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud: "After the young master and thedy passed away one after another, the Miss was driven out of the residence. I could only pretend to be deaf and dumb to stay till today and see the Miss!"


    @@novelbin@@


    While she had been sweeping, she had heard someoneing in, but out of habit, she pretended not to hear. Only when she heard a voice as pleasant as thete Madam in her youth did she realize that the Miss had returned!


    Leng Yu Yan personally helped her up: "Mrs. Zhao, you have suffered!"


    Mrs. Zhao shook her head and, taking a good look at her young mistress, lowered her voice: "Because the Crown Prince is blind, the Emperor intends to depose him. Topensate, he ns to find a wife for the Crown Prince, but which family would agree?"


    Miao Zhu blurted out, "Why? Even if the Crown Prince were blind and deposed, he is still a Prince. Why would no one agree to marry him?"


    Mrs. Zhao nced at the gate of the courtyard: "The Crown Prince is not only blind but also frail and not expected to live many years. It is said he has a hidden ailment."


    "A hidden ailment, what is it?" Miao Zhu frowned and inquired further.


    Mrs. Zhao quietly murmured, embarrassed: "He is impotent, under these circumstances, which family would willingly send their perfectly fine daughter into such a predicament?"


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan strangely recalled those dreams where he had a bandaged eye and imed solitude, reflecting the reality.


    But now, she heard that the Crown Prince had a hidden ailment while the man in her dreams...


    Could some information in the dreams be inurate?


    At that moment, Mrs. Zhao continued, "The Tian Family seeks a noble daughter from a noble family for a son''s bride, and specifically a legitimate daughter. Why wouldn''t a noble family bet on other Princes instead?"


    "Why did they choose our Miss then?" Miao Zhu was indignant.


    "Initially, they had their eyes on the Third Miss, but the master and madam were anxious, hence they went to the pce, not knowing what they told the Emperor, the Emperor actually agreed to let the Fifth Miss rece the Third Miss."


    Marquis Ningyuan''s daughter, Leng Zongfa, had many daughters, but the legitimate ones were only the Fifth Miss Leng Yu Yan, born to the principal wife, and the Third Miss Lai Manting, born to Mrs. Feng.


    Having heard this, Leng Yu Yan had Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao stay in the courtyard while she entered the bedroom.


    After several days of travel, the mask she had been wearing on her face had started to peel.


    Just in case, she carefully reapplied the mask.


    At this moment in the Eastern Pce, Ye Yiheng, his eyes covered by a white cloth, was ying a game of chess with Jian Lecheng, with a little eunuch singing the moves for the Crown Prince.

 Chapter 3: Refusing Marriage in the Court

    <h4>Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Refusing Marriage in the Court</h4>


    The eunuch by the Emperor''s side came over and bowed respectfully, "Crown Prince, the Emperor invites Your Highness over. Today, Lady Lai has entered the pce, and Your Highness shoulde and take a look."


    Realizing he had used the wrong wording, he quickly corrected himself, "Your Highness shoulde and listen. It is said that a woman''s voice is also very important."


    Jian Lecheng picked up a ck piece and yed with it, "Yes, let''s go and see. You use your ears, and I use my eyes. If that Lady Lai is really ugly, it''s never toote to refuse the marriage."


    The eunuch bowed again and said, "Young Master speaks truly, the Emperor is gravely concerned about Your Highness''s marriage!"


    "It''s unnecessary to go. Lady Lai''s reputation precedes her, how ugly can she be?" Ye Yiheng slightly furrowed his brows.


    "That''s also true, the title of the ugliest woman under the heavens is well known." Jian Lechengughed loudly and waved to the eunuch, "You may go first, I will stay here and speak for His Highness, we wille overter."


    Jian Lecheng, the Prince Consort of Duke Dingguo and known as Young Master, was the studypanion of the Crown Prince. The two of them grew up together and shared a deep bond.


    "Yes, thank you, Young Master!"


    Seeing the eunuch leave, Jian Lecheng dismissed the others around and whispered, "They say the Divine Doctor can rejuvenate. Many nobles have sent people to find him, hoping to be the Ninth Princess''s Prince Consort. Should we also send someone? Perhaps your eyes can still be cured."


    Ye Yiheng made a move on the board, "Fishing for fame!"


    --


    Two hourster, Leng Yu Yan and Leng Zongfa followed the Imperial Decree Eunuch into the pce to give thanks.


    In the Xiande Hall, the Emperor sat on the Dragon Chair with a consort beside him, and a folding screen was positioned off to one side beneath the chair.


    Leng Yu Yan bowed her head and when she lifted her eyes, she noticed the silhouette of three people behind the screen, one of them possibly the Crown Prince, as her infamous ugliness had made everyone curious about just how ugly she was.


    But if rumors of the Crown Prince''s blindness were true, how could he see?


    Or perhaps the others were describing her to him?


    At this moment, she felt a sharp pair of eyes staring at her from behind the screen. Curiosity piqued, she resolved to test this if an opportunity arose.


    Much like the Leng Family had just witnessed in Leng Yu Yan, the Emperor and his consort did not expect the so-called ugly woman to have such a graceful figure. They were simultaneously curious why she chose to wear a veil over her face.


    The Emperor cleared his throat, "Why does the little Laidy wear a veil?"


    "I reply to the Emperor, previously I developed some unknown spots on my face that have not yet faded, and I wore the veil fearing that I might frighten the Emperor and the Princess."


    "What kind of spots necessitate a veil?" the Consort inquired.


    To her, they seemed like mere freckles that should not need covering.


    The Emperorughed loudly, "A small blemish is nothing serious. Lady Lai, you may lower your veil."


    The one reputed to be the ugliest woman in the world, as far as Lady Lai was concerned, apart from her veiled appearance, bore no resemnce to an ugly woman. Even if indeed her face were ugly, she could just wear the veil all the time.


    Besides, the Crown Prince couldn''t see, a few spots were of no consequence.


    Leng Yu Yan hesitantly said, "The spots on my face are asrge as duck eggs, dark red, and truly frightening."


    Hearing this, the Emperor and his consort grew even more curious, insisting that she remove her veil.


    With no other choice, Leng Yu Yan removed the veil and bowed again, "I, the ugly woman known around the world, humbly state that I am no match for the Crown Prince, and I beseech the Emperor to retract the marriage decree."


    This statement took Leng Zongfa aback, who, after turning his head and seeing his daughter''s face, was shocked once more.


    The hideous spots on her face seemed to have tiny ck hairs faintly moving, which shocked him into immobility. After regaining hisposure, he immediately knelt down, "Emperor, my daughter is ignorant, please forgive her!"


    Seeing Lady Lai''s face, even the widely experienced Emperor was shocked by the horrifying spots, such was the ruination of a good girl into an ugly woman!


    The Emperor averted his gaze and covered it slightly, "Lady Lai, you should wear your veil again quickly! The marriage decree has been issued, how can I retract it?"


    He paused, feeling his implication was all too clear, and added, "From now on, you are my daughter-inw, and no one will dare tough at you."


    Leng Yu Yan reced her veil, her lip corners twitching slightly beneath it, her mind whispering critiques. The current Crown Prince was already the butt of jokes in secret, not to mention her?


    Fine, since the marriage decree could not be withdrawn, I had no choice but to make further ns.


    Behind the screen, Ye Yiheng raised his eyebrows. He had not yet refused the marriage, yet this woman dared to refuse before him.


    He stood up and bowed to the Emperor on the Dragon Chair, "I take my leave, Father."


    Jian Lecheng and the little eunuch followed suit, bowing as well, then led Ye Yiheng around the screen.


    Upon seeing the Crown Prince, Leng Zongfa hurried to bow, "This humble official greets Your Highness." As he bent over, he constantly signaled his daughter with his eyes, urging her to perform a bow as well. Her appearance was already unsightly; perhaps some literary grace could salvage her dignity.


    Yet she just lowered her gaze and stood still, as if she saw nothing.


    Leng Yu Yan was quietly distinguishing a faint medicinal scent that drifted her way.


    Even though the scent was masked by fragrant incense, she still recognized it as medicine for treating eye ailments.


    Ye Yiheng ignored Leng Zongfa and directly left the great hall under the guidance of the eunuch.


    For a moment, the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward.


    A concubine smiled and smoothed things over, reminding, "Emperor, weren''t you going to discuss the wedding date with Marquis Lai?"


    With a wave of his hand, the Emperor summoned Leng Zongfa to the Imperial Study to discuss the wedding date, leaving Leng Yu Yan to talk with the concubine.


    Fearing that his daughter raised in the mountains would be ignorant of propriety and lose her manners again, Leng Zongfa began, "This is Consort Xian."


    His gaze warned Leng Yu Yan to behave intelligently.


    Leng Yu Yan nodded and performed a bow, "Consort Xian."


    @@novelbin@@


    Consort Xian''s smile was gentle, "My mother and your grandmother were sisters, so technically, you should call me ''Aunt.''"


    Lately Yu Yan sensed that this so-called aunt had ulterior motives.


    Once the Emperor and Leng Zongfa walked away, Consort Xian''s smile faded and she pulled her aside, whispering, "You were only ten when you left the capital, too young to understand much. Now that you are grown, it is time you learned about the Leng Residence."


    "The Lai Family is vast and prominent, the most distinguished branch being the distant Prince Zhenbei Mansion, whereas your father''s branch is merely a coteral line. Fortunately, through your father''s decent schrly achievements and the rtionship between my mother and your grandmother, the Marquis Mansion was bestowed."


    "Don''t be nervous, I am just chatting idly with you. Seeing your articte speech earlier, ponder this conversation when you return."


    With that, she had a pce maid take Leng Yu Yan for a walk in the Imperial Garden.


    Leng Yu Yan expressed her thanks and followed the pce maid out of Xiande Hall.


    Essentially, Consort Xian''s words were to remind her of the Consort''s importance to the Lai Family, so crucial that she must obediently assist in her endeavors.


    Oh, the capital city, truly surrounded by foes!


    However, although surrounded by foes, one cannot deny the stunning beauty of the Imperial Garden within the Imperial Pce.


    Spring flowers blossomed extravagantly, with bees and butterflies fluttering lightly.


    Just so happened, quite ironically, to run into the Crown Prince.


    With no escape possible, Leng Yu Yan could only kneel and bow, "I greet Your Highness."


    Ye Yiheng remained expressionless, "No need for formalities."


    His voice was cold and distant.


    Like a block of solid ice atop an iceberg, emanating a chill.


    If the medicinal scent was meant to deceive, then his instinctive reaction...


    Suddenly, Leng Yu Yan stepped forward, tiptoed, and whispered in his ear, "Your Highness, you''ve stepped in dog poop."

 Chapter 4: Everyone Has Their Own Agenda

    <h4>Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Everyone Has Their Own Agenda</h4>


    The scent of a young girl assailed the senses...


    This woman actually dared to probe him and stand so close to him.


    Ye Yiheng''s form remained motionless, while the hand behind his back gathered Inner Strength.


    At that moment, the little eunuch became infuriated, "Miss Lai, watch your words. Where would there be dog shit in the Imperial Pce?"


    Leng Yu Yan retreated a few steps, pointed at two dogs frolicking not far away, and smiled without a word.


    The little eunuch''s face turned white then red, as he knelt down to carefully inspect the Crown Prince''s boots. Finding the brocade boots spotless, he wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.


    Leng Yu Yan''s gaze swept over Ye Yiheng.


    The man before her was cloaked in a white brocade robe, his eyes covered by a white veil. He had a high nose bridge, thin lips lightly pursed, and a finely sculpted jawline.


    He was extremely tall, his skin a cold white ¨C truly peerless in his handsomeness and noble aura. He appeared abstinent and refined, yet there was an inexplicably fragile beauty about him.


    In her dreams, she had never seen his face clearly.


    Now, before her, his eyes were covered by the veil, and she still could not behold his whole visage.


    Was it coincidence, or was it all just a dream?


    Not wanting to recall those dreams anymore, Leng Yu Yan curtsied and left.


    The little eunuch pointed at her retreating figure, trembling with rage, "Your Highness, she dares to fabricate such stories."


    Ye Yiheng said calmly, "Let''s return to the East Pce Study Room."


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    Back in the East Pce Study Room, Ye Yiheng removed the white veil covering his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.


    The little eunuch named Song Guo and Jian Lecheng had mentioned that the Leng Family girl was downright ugly. Had he not coincidentally suffered from an acute eye disease that rendered him temporarily blind today, seeing her repulsive features might have made him vomit continuously, just like Jian Lecheng.


    @@novelbin@@


    Just now, aftering out from Xiande Hall, Jian Lecheng had been suppressing the urge to vomit. Unable to hold it in any longer, he had found a secluded spot in the Imperial Garden to throw up. Ye Yiheng had been forced to keep his distance, only to unexpectedly encounter her.


    What a stroke of bad luck!


    At that moment, someone entered the study room and knelt on one knee, saying respectfully, "Your Highness, Madam Lai and Consort Xian''s mother are sisters. Consort Xian must be using this to deal with Your Highness. It''s one thing to offer you an ugly woman, but a spy, that truly cannot be tolerated!"


    "The Leng Family is Marquis Mansion, relying not only on Consort Xian whispering to the old Emperor, but the old man isn''t a fool. He values another branch of the Leng Family."


    "Your Highness means Prince Zhenbei Mansion?"


    "The old man seeks the Leng Family''s support to tell Prince Zhenbei that he can make him a Prince of Different Surname, and also promote another branch of the Leng Family. Without Prince Zhenbei, an offshoot of the Leng Family wouldn''t qualify to be ennobled."


    "Your Highness''s analysis is very sharp. What about the Lady Lai?"


    "Set her aside for now. If she doesn''t keep to her ce, we''ll just get rid of her," Ye Yiheng said with an air of nonchnce.


    "Yes!"


    --


    The Imperial Pce was vast, and Leng Yu Yan had only just exited the pce gate.


    Seeing Miao Zhu eagerly waving at her by the horse carriage, she quickened her steps and walked over.


    "Miss, you came out so soon?"


    "Yeah, let''s go. We''re heading to the tea house."


    The tea house was the best ce to gather information.


    "What about your father?"


    "My father is discussing matters with the Emperor. Let''s go ahead."


    They hade in two horse carriages, so leaving now was not a problem.


    In the morning, the streets were bustling with people, and the sides were lined with taverns, tea houses, and inns.


    The mistress and servant found an impressive tea house, entered, and took a seat in a private room.


    On stage, a storyteller was engaged in his craft, discussing the much-talked-about marriage of the Crown Prince.


    "They say a blind man to an ugly woman, a fitting match."


    From below someone cheered, "Because no matter how ugly, the blind man can''t see it."


    Laughter erupted.


    Someone elsemented, "However, I''ve heard Miss Lai isn''t just ugly, but she''s also built like a barrel. The moment that blind man hugs her, won''t the truthe out?"


    Theughter became even more unrestrained, "The blind man is frail and sickly, he probably can''t even lift her!"


    Miao Zhu trembled with anger, rolled up her sleeves wanting to rush over and argue, but was held back by Leng Yu Yan, "Just treat it as a y; I''ll buy you some candied fruit snackster."


    At the mention of food, Miao Zhu''s temper somewhat subsided.


    As the unbridled talk persisted both on and offstage, Miao Zhu began to harbor many doubts.


    The Imperial Hospital was filled with highly skilled physicians, and considering the Crown Prince''s status, those imperial physicians must be dedicating themselves to treating him entirely.


    The fact that the rumors of the Crown Prince''s frail health were not being suppressed by the court suggested that he really was weak.


    After all, they were in a teahouse with a cacophony of voices, so Miao Zhu lowered her voice to ask a most vital question, "To put it bluntly, if the youngdy marries over and that man kicks the bucket in a few years, what would the youngdy do?"


    With the jade token in hand, Leng Yu Yan responded indifferently, "Then I could inherit quite a substantial fortune."


    What''s wrong with being a wealthy widow?


    Who says women must have a man to live?


    --


    In the East Pce Study Room at this moment.


    Ye Yiheng was covering his eyes with a medicinal ster, resting with closed eyes when he heard some wobbly footsteps approaching and asked, "Have you vomited enough?"


    "Serve Young Master a cup of tea." This was directed at the little eunuch Song Guo.


    Jian Lecheng waved his hand, "No more tea for me, I''m afraid it will juste back up."


    In the midst of the conversation, he copsed onto the chair in front of the desk, "Let me tell you, it''s good that you didn''t see it. Even behind the screen, I could see everything clearly. Those spots on her face were as big as duck eggs, red with a hint of ck, and it seemed like there were even hairs growing on the ck, ugh¡ª"


    The little eunuch hastily served a cup of tea, "Young Master, please rinse your mouth."


    In the motion of raising his hand, a pce maid brought over a series of dishes and a handkerchief to attend to Jian Lecheng.


    "Is she really that ugly? I thought her voice was quite pleasant," Ye Yiheng teased as it was rare for him to do so.


    "Voice and appearance should not be conted," Jian Lecheng finally regained some strength, "Your Highness, let''s not talk about her anymore. Shall we go out for some fresh air?"


    Ye Yiheng adjusted the white gauze over his eyes and tied it behind his head with practiced ease, then rose to his feet, "Sounds good, let''s have lunch outside.


    "Right, to make up for what I''ve thrown up."


    --


    The weather in early spring was chill in the mornings and evenings, but the wind was mild at noon.


    In a private room on the second floor of the Zuixian Building, Ye Yiheng and Jian Lecheng sat by the window.


    "I''m not boasting, but the food here is extremely fresh. No wonder it''s called the Zuixian Building," Jian Lecheng said as he poured wine for both of them.


    Ye Yiheng nodded slightly, and the next moment, his ears perked up.


    "Is there a horse carriage speeding down the street below?"


    Jian Lecheng leaned out of the window and looked around, "No, there isn''t."


    After leaving the teahouse, Leng Yu Yan and Miao Zhu had bought quite a lot of candied fruit and pastries.


    The master and servant were just stepping out of the candied fruit shop when they caught Jian Lecheng''s eye.


    "Ah, it''s like a bad penny that keeps turning up!" Jian Lecheng quickly withdrew his body and drank some wine to soothe his shock.


    What was it that scared him so much?


    "What''s the matter?" Ye Yiheng turned his head slightly, hearing theughter of children and the increasingly near sounds of horse carriages from below.


    "Nothing, nothing," Jian Lecheng waved his hand. He couldn''t say it; saying it might spoil the mood for drinking.


    Just then, a horse carriage raced down the street, sending the children ying to scatter, leaving only a little girl standing bewildered and uncertain. As the carriage drew nearer, the little girl burst into tears.


    Ye Yiheng stood up, discerning the direction from the sound, his chopsticks ready in his hand to be thrown at a moment''s notice.


    Just then, a familiar voice rang out, "Don''t be afraid, little girl, look, the horse carriage has already gone far away."


    It was her!


    Ye Yiheng''s slender, jade-like fingers paused noticeably.

 Chapter 5 - 5 Pretentious

    <h4>Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Pretentious</h4>


    Themotion downstairs piqued Jian Lecheng''s curiosity.


    He stood up again and saw Leng Yu Yanforting a little girl who was crying her eyes out while the crowd around them apuded and cheered.


    Ye Yiheng returned to his seat and leisurely sipped his wine.


    Even if thedy of the Leng Family had a seemingly kind heart on the surface, it couldn''t change the fact that the Emperor had forced her on him, nor could it change the fact that she was Consort Xian''s spy!


    However, to be able to rescue someone from a speeding horse carriage so swiftly, it seemed she did have some skills.


    Ha, Consort Xian really was putting a lot of effort into this, sending someone skilled to be his spy as the Crown Princess Consort.


    At that moment, a woman, wiping away her tears, picked up the little girl and profusely thanked Leng Yu Yan, "Thank you so much, miss, for saving my child!"


    During the conversation, she insisted on taking Leng Yu Yan to her home for a meal.


    "There''s no need, it was just a helping hand," Leng Yu Yan nodded slightly and left the crowd.


    After the spectacle ended, Jian Lecheng took his seat again, muttering, "To be honest, the Leng Family''s daughter is not a bad person."


    Ye Yiheng replied, "Then I might as well bestow her to you, to be your Heir''s Wife. How about that?"


    His voice was calm, cold, and steady, as if he were speaking of someone insignificant.


    Knowing him well, Jian Lecheng shivered, sharply saying, "Please don''t!"


    --


    Leng Yu Yan returned to the Leng Residence, her steps halted by her father''s voice as she passed through the hall.


    "You know toe back? How is it that I arrived home before you even though you left the pce earlier?"


    "Master, please calm down. It''s only natural for a young girl to want to y around. I too enjoyed strolling on the streets when I was young," Mrs. Feng consoled, then turned to inquire, "Yu Yan, have you had lunch outside?"


    "Hmph, and you still speak in her defense! A girl of age to be married, strolling on the streets with pleasure?"


    "Master, it has been five years since Yu Yan has been in the capital. The city''s prosperity is naturally enticing."


    The corners of Leng Yu Yan''s lips twitched slightly. Although Mrs. Feng''s surface attempt was to console, she was actually insinuating that shecked experience and was far from a properdy of nobility.


    "Don''t defend her!" Leng Zongfa turned his face away, angrily questioning, "I''ll ask you, why did you refuse the marriage at the pce just now?"


    "Father also saw how unattractive his daughter''s face was. Even though the Crown Prince is blind, I knew I was not a match for him, so I asked the Emperor to retract the order."


    "The Emperor issues a decree, and you think it''s up for discussion? Once a gentleman speaks, even four horses cannot chase his words back. What you said just now was too rash, and as punishment, I order you to kneel in the ancestral hall for three days and three nights."


    @@novelbin@@


    "How this marriage came to be, father knows full well. It wasn''t meant to be mine, you had your daughter take her ce. I merely spoke the truth; how is there fault in that?"


    He must be afraid the Emperor will switch back to the original choice, Lai Manting, after all, she is his favorite.


    Leng Yu Yan could strongly sense the disappointment and despair that the original person must have felt when she was cast aside five years ago. Back then, the original person was poisoned. Despite her young age, the pain must have been excruciating.


    "Ridiculous child, off to the ancestral hall with you!" Leng Zongfa''s face went through several shades of anger, obviously very irritated, and he called loudly to someone outside the door, "Someone, take the Fifth Miss to the ancestral hall for me!"


    Robust maids immediately came over, attempting to take Leng Yu Yan away.


    Miao Zhu quickly stepped in front of her mistress to protect her.


    But what could Miao Zhu, with her small frame, do against those sturdy maids?


    Lightly patting her shoulder, Leng Yu Yan turned to face Leng Zongfa, her smile cold beneath the veil, "I can walk on my own."


    Her gaze swept past the pretentious Mrs. Feng. Leng Yu Yan lowered her eyshes, concealing the sh of cold light in her eyes.


    Mrs. Feng knew very well what Leng Yu Yan was like in the residence five years ago.


    She was soft-spoken and timid, and with a good-looking face, she was promised early in marriage to the Wei Family. One must know that five years ago, the Leng Family wasn''t yet a Marquis Mansion, whereas the Wei Family was already a Minister''s Mansion.


    The only time the little girl ever spoke harshly in my memory was the day she was driven out of the Marquis Mansion.


    Now that her good looks are gone, she has be defiant.


    Mrs. Feng''s eyebrows furrowed as Leng Zongfa returned to the residence, telling her how ugly her daughter''s face looked in the court.


    Could it be that her ruined appearance has emboldened her?


    Inside the ancestral hall, the elderly servants watched over the master and servant as they knelt properly before the tablet.


    It was not until dusk that the old women left.


    They hadn''t eaten lunch and by now it was past dinner time. Miao Zhu''s stomach rumbled ceaselessly.


    "Miss, are you hungry?" Miao Zhu unfolded her legs, which had been kneeling, and took out quite a bit of food from her wallet and pouch.


    "You''ve been carrying it all on you," Leng Yu Yan said with relievedughter.


    When they first arrived at the isted ravine, the two of them hardly had enough to eat. Since then, Miao Zhu had developed a habit of not letting her go hungry, always hiding some food on her person.


    "If thete Madam knew that Miss was bullied on her first day back in the capital, she surely would have been heartbroken," Miao Zhu said as she stuffed a piece of candied fruit into her mistress''s mouth and took only a small bite of cake for herself before putting it back.


    Leng Yu Yan put the cake back in her hand, "You eat more, I''m not very hungry."


    "Miss!" Miao Zhu cried out, tears suddenly falling. She quickly sniffed, "We might not get any meals delivered in the next three days, so I''ll just eat half."


    "Just eat. If no one lets us outter, I''ll take you out," Leng Yu Yan said and earnestly kneeled on the cushion, bowing her head several times towards her mother''s tablet.


    Seeing this, Miao Zhu followed suit and bowed her head as well.


    As it neared midnight, footsteps approached from outside the ancestral hall. In the deep silence of the night, the footsteps grew nearer.


    The master and servant hurriedly put away the food and knelt properly again.


    It turned out to be Lai Manting leading people over.


    "Little sister, please get up and return to your room to rest."


    The voice was soft and gentle.


    A maid by her side interjected, "It was our third youngdy who begged the master to let the Fifth Miss out. Because of this, the third youngdy was punished by the master."


    "None of your business," Lai Manting reproached the maid with a turn of her head, then turned to Leng Yu Yan with a precisely measured look of concern in her eyes.


    But the sh of spite in those eyes was caught in detail by Leng Yu Yan.


    If they were going to pretend, she could too.


    "Did third sister get hurt anywhere, or are you going to kneel for me?" With Miao Zhu''s assistance, Leng Yu Yan rose, both of them swaying in unison as if from kneeling for too long.


    Lai Manting smiled tenderly, "Not at all, father simply punished me to copy some writings."


    "How can I ept this?"


    "I practice calligraphy often, it''s no bother. Miss has disliked reading and writing since childhood, and after five years in the mountains, I''m afraid her studies have fallen behind. It''s good that I can shoulder some for her."


    As she spoke, Lai Manting''s "concerned" gaze stayed fixed on her face, as if trying to pierce through her veil.


    With a smile ying on her lips, Leng Yu Yan replied, "Thank you, third sister."


    After a few trivial exchanges, they went back to their respective courtyards.


    In the Qingyu Residence, Mrs. Zhao sympathetically urged her young miss and Miao Zhu to eat more.


    Leng Yu Yan ate some of the food, and then she softly said, "Mrs. Zhao, please do me a favor tomorrow morning and find someone in the East Pce Alley to have a chat and pass the time with, just mention that the Fifth Miss of Leng is delicate and weak, and couldn''t handle kneeling in the ancestral hall for a night."

 Chapter 6: Crown Prince鈥檚 Wife Passed Away

    <h4>Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Crown Prince''s Wife Passed Away</h4>


    Mrs. Zhao was extremely worried, "Miss, are you feeling unwell in any way?"


    "I''m not feeling unwell," Leng Yu Yan smiled gently, "Just remember not to let anyone know you are from the Leng Residence!"


    Today in the Imperial Garden, when she tested him, his figure did not move, coupled with the smell of medicine...


    Putting two and two together, he might really have a vision problem.


    Such a blind and frail man would only slow down her speed of taking revenge.


    Moreover, Lai Manting imposing an unwanted man on her really disgusted her.


    And Consort Xian fantasizing about using her as a pawn...


    She would avoid getting involved in this messy affair if she could!


    Mrs. Zhao was relieved, "I will go at 3 a.m., just when they are delivering food supplies to the Eastern Pce through the back alley. By dawn, I will return, making sure that no servant from the Leng Residence spots me."


    --


    The next morning, it was windy.


    The wind rustled through the bamboo leaves.


    Rumors were circting among the servants of the Leng Residence about how understanding and considerate the Third Miss was, how she thought of her sister.


    The word spread from one servant to five, and from five to ten, that for Fifth Miss''s sake, the Third Miss had not been made to kneel, but had instead copied scriptures all night long, her hands sore yet she did not stop until the early hours.


    Such deep sibling affection!


    In a huff, Miao Zhu ran back to Qingyu Residence and reported word for word to Leng Yu Yan what she had heard.


    "So hypocritical, too hypocritical! I don''t believe she wrote for that long!"


    "Don''t be angry, Miao Zhu! If you run into any idle servant again, just say, ''I caught a cold from kneeling yesterday, and if it were not for Third Sister, I fear it would have been much worse.''" Leng Yu Yan''s lips curled up slightly, "And also, make a trip to her courtyard to thank her for me."


    Hearing this, Miao Zhu reached out to check her mistress''s forehead to make sure it was not hot, and then she hazeily epted the order.


    Within less than two hours, everyone in the residence was praising Third Miss for her kind heart, and that Fifth Miss was also someone who understood gratitude.


    The words quickly reached Lai Manting''s ears.


    "What''s the use of understanding gratitude, anyone can do it," she sneered dismissively.


    How could her reputation for considering her sisters'' feelings be matched?


    Lai Manting lifted her bandaged right hand and carefully examined if it looked like it had been injured from writing. If Prince Liang could see it, her efforts would not have been in vain.


    --


    By the afternoon, the sky had grown overcast.


    The wind grew stronger, the bamboo leaves rustling rapidly, and the tassel on the side of the window swayed violently with the wind.


    A servant reported to Mrs. Feng that Fifth Miss had fainted and a doctor had been summoned.


    Hearing this, Mrs. Feng and Lai Manting exchanged nces. They had heard this morning about her catching a cold, and now she had fainted?


    The mother and daughter decided to go to Qingyu Residence to see what was really going on.


    By the time they arrived at Qingyu Residence, they ran into the doctor leaving under Miao Zhu''s lead.


    This doctor had some history with the Leng Family, and his diagnosis should not be wrong, Mrs. Feng thought, and feigned anxiety as she entered Qingyu Residence.


    Inside Qingyu Residence, Old Madam Leng pointed to a prescription on the table and said to Leng Zongfa, "Yu Yan has fainted. If something goes wrong, where can our family find another legitimate daughter to marry off to the Crown Prince?"


    @@novelbin@@


    Leng Zongfa remained silent; he wanted to keep Manting and marry her to the person most likely to be the Crown Prince.


    Seeing Mrs. Fenging, Old Madam Leng pped the table, "There are only two servants in this courtyard, and one of them is deaf-mute. If word gets out, people will say our Leng Family is mistreating the legitimate daughter."


    Mrs. Feng hurried forward, "Mother-inw, it''s all my fault. Although Yu Yan just returned yesterday, many things have yet to be arranged..."


    Old Madam Leng red at Mrs. Feng and interrupted her, "Never mind that for now. What''s important is for Yu Yan to wake up soon."


    Mrs. Feng nodded and quickly ordered her maid to grab the prescription to prepare and brew the medicine.


    Lai Manting walked up behind Old Madam Leng and massaged her shoulders, "Grandmother need not worry! Remember how frail my sister used to be, and now she has gotten better. This shows that Fifth Sister is blessed by fate."


    Madam Lai sighed, gently holding Lai Manting''s bandaged right hand: "You should really cherish yourself the most!"


    Lai Manting smiled tenderly: "Thank you for your sympathy, grandmother. I would like to visit Fifth Sister."


    "Go ahead," Madam Lai nodded affectionately.


    Mrs. Zhao, moving several flower pots from the yard to the corridor, clenched her teeth. These damn things.


    Ah, spit!


    Inside the room, Lai Manting, along with her maid Jinju, entered Leng Yu Yan''s room.


    She had been curious sincest night about what kind of spots had formed on Leng Yu Yan''s face.


    The opportunity hade, and she decided to take a look.


    "Jinju, go lift the veil."


    Jinju nodded, tiptoed to the bed, and lifted a corner of the veil on Leng Yu Yan''s face.


    Lai Manting leaned over to take a closer look, and the sight of therge ck and red spots frightened her, causing her legs to weaken and she fell to the floor with a thump.


    Jinju hurried over to help, but Lai Manting dodged her, afraid that Jinju''s hands that had touched the veil might touch her and cause spots to appear on her face too.


    Although Leng Yu Yan had her eyes closed, she could clearly sense Lai Manting''s fright and fall, and she couldn''t help but sneer in her heart.


    She overheard every word spoken in the outer room.


    It turns out grandmother thought the same as father!


    Indeed, if grandmother had cherished her, this granddaughter wouldn''t have been driven out of the residence those years ago.


    At this time, Madam Lai''s words to Mr. Leng Zongfa and his wife reached her again¡ª


    "If Ah Hao could find the Divine Doctor this time out, he will be matched with the Ninth Princess as the Prince Consort. By then, if Manting marries a capable Prince, our family could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, and boundless wealth awaits us. You as parents, must make a good outward show, and must not let people gossip about our Leng Family mistreating a legitimate daughter who lost her mother!"


    Ah Hao, that is, Lai Hao, born by Mrs. Feng, ranks second among his brothers.


    Leng Yu Yan snorted in her heart; dreaming of finding a Divine Doctor!


    --


    That night, the spring rain poured fiercely.


    Under the quiet of the night in Eastern Pce, the sound of rain was even more intense.


    "You can''t take kneeling for one night?"


    Ye Yiheng removed the eye-covering medicine pack, pinched his brow, but still couldn''t see anything.


    The little eunuch, Song Guo, said respectfully, "Yes, that''s what everyone''s saying outside."


    There had been discussions since morning, and he was afraid that hearing them would hurt His Highness, so he hadn''t mentioned it, not expecting the rumors to be even worse.


    At this moment, although Ye Yiheng couldn''t see, he caught the slight rustling sound of Song Guo''s sleeves and knew he had more to say but hesitated.


    "Speak."


    One word,pelling in its power.


    Song Guo hesitated and then replied, "People are saying Miss Lai is ugly, and how could such an ugly girl im to be frail and delicate? That part might be true, making her quite suited to the Crown Prince."


    "Is that all?"


    Ye Yiheng ced the medicine pack on the table, his movement firm but controlled, enough to make Song Guo shudder.


    "Your Highness..." Song Guo''s knees weakened, and he immediately knelt, "Rumors are spreading outside, saying Father Lai is heartless, and the Crown Prince brings bad luck to his wife!"


    "Ha!"


    "People say the Marquis Ningyuan has two legitimate daughters. It''s one thing to let the ugly one rece the pretty one, but they made the ugly girl kneel all night in the temple on the wedding day, too heartless." Song Guo knelt low, his head bowed even lower, "As for the im about bringing bad luck to his wife, they say ugly girls are usually strong and hardy, and kneeling for one night shouldn''t be a problem, but now the Leng family''s ugly girl is suffering, likely because the Crown Prince''s frailty brings bad luck to his wife."


    Ye Yiheng''s lips curled into a cold, mocking smile, and he spoke to the void, "Find out who''s spreading the rumor?"


    Was it Leng Yu Yan, or his so-called loving brothers?


    "Yes," a voice came from the shadows.

 Chapter 7: Divine Doctor in the Capital

    <h4>Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Divine Doctor in the Capital</h4>


    Leng Residence, Qingyu Residence.


    Mrs. Feng''s maid brought over the freshly brewed medicine, only to be stopped by Miao Zhu.


    "Let me do it." Miao Zhu took the tray. "This sister has worked hard boiling the medicine, you should go back and rest earlier."


    The maid nced at Leng Yu Yan, who was still unconscious on the bed, and nodded, "Alright then."


    After Mrs. Feng''s maid left, Miao Zhu set the medicine bowl on the table and walked over to the bed, whispering, "Miss, now there are only three of us in Qingyu Residence."


    Leng Yu Yan''s eyes snapped open, and she slowly sat up: "Pour the medicine away."


    "I''ll take care of it. If it rains, the water will wash it away. If not, we''ll need to find a hidden spot." Mrs. Zhao picked up the bowl, opened the window, and directly poured the liquid onto the muddy ground in the backyard.


    Leng Yu Yan, with her shoes slightly askew, walked over to the window: "Mrs. Zhao, is the doctor who came today the one who treated my mother five years ago?"


    "No," Mrs. Zhao shook her head, "not the same person, but they''re from the same house."


    Miao Zhu furrowed her brows: "Miss, could there be a problem with today''s medicine?"


    "The medicine today is fine. I was thinking about whether the medicine my mother had when she was ill was problematic," Leng Yu Yan extended her hand, the rain falling into her palm, cool to the touch.


    Mrs. Zhao murmured, "Miss, the Lady also suspected there was something wrong with the medicine, which is why more often than not, she poured it away instead of drinking..."


    Her voice faded towards the end.


    The mistress and servants fell into a spell of silence.


    Mrs. Zhao quietly wiped a tear away: "The rain is sweeping in, Miss, you shouldn''t stand by the window."


    "Okay," responded Leng Yu Yan softly.


    Seeing their mistress in low spirits, Miao Zhu recounted all the rumors she had heard outside that day.


    The speed at which rumors spread, together with the embellishments of the Capital City folk, had taken Leng Yu Yan by surprise.


    She thought again how recently the Crown Prince''s marriage had been causing an uproar; once there were rumors rted to it, the reach was extraordinary.


    --


    Rain fell all night. The next morning, dawn broke with a soft glow.


    Leng Yu Yan stood in the courtyard, gazing at the enchanting morning skies, pondering; surely, the rumors outside must impact her betrothal to the Crown Prince.


    If the Crown Prince had any shame at all, he would have proposed to the Emperor to cancel the betrothal.


    "Miss, a carrier pigeon has arrived," Miao Zhu approached holding a pigeon, removing the small bamboo tube from its leg and handing it to Leng Yu Yan.


    Leng Yu Yan took the bamboo tube, withdrawing the message and ncing over it.


    "Miss, the pigeon''s leg tag shows it''s from a nearby point, but the bamboo tube on its leg actuallyes from Linqing Pavilion." Miao Zhu sounded uneasy. "Is there trouble at Linqing Pavilion?"


    They needed to switch pigeons several times en route to keep theirmunication secret.


    "There''s no trouble at Linqing Pavilion," Leng Yu Yan said lightly as she set the message on fire with flint, "Many youths from noble families in the capital have gone to Linqing Pavilion seeking the Divine Doctor, hoping the doctor would emerge to cure the Ninth Princess'' leg injury."


    Miao Zhu chuckled lightly: "Then they''ve all made a wasted trip, because the Miss is already in the capital."


    --


    At that moment, Ye Yiheng, apanied by Song Guo, climbed up to the Observation tform of the Eastern Pce.


    The tform was tall, offering a view for several miles around.


    Ye Yiheng faced eastward, taking a deep breath; the freshness after rain lingered on his nose, it seemed the weather was good today.


    It was just a pity that his eyes still couldn''t see, wasting the splendid spring weather.


    Just then, like a gust of wind, Guard Ruofeng approached not far from Ye Yiheng and bowed: "Your Highness, the rumors from yesterday were indeed deliberately spread in the East Pce Alley. Initially, it was said that the Fifth Miss Lai spent a night kneeling in the ancestral hall and could no longer walk, but somehow it turned into what we''ve heard today."


    ```


    "When did the rumors first start?"


    "About the end of the yin hour," Ruofeng said with embarrassment. "It was still dark at that time, and I couldn''t see people''s faces clearly, which is why I haven''t been able to find out who was spreading the rumors. Please give me some more time, Your Highness, and I will definitely find out!"


    "No need for further investigation," Ye Yiheng raised his hand, signaling the guard to withdraw.


    Kneeling all night and spreading rumors by dawn, it was clear that the initiator of the rumors was someone from the Leng Family.


    As for the evolution of the rumor into harming his wife, his brothers must have had a significant hand in it.


    Leng Zongfa and his wife doted on their legitimate daughter Lai Manting, while the pushed forward Leng Yu Yan didn''t receive as much affection. Thus, the person who started the rumors must have done so with Leng Yu Yan''s consent.


    If she had the strength to direct others to spread messages, it was clear that she was in good health.


    Ruofeng bowed again and quietly backed away a few steps before leaving.


    Behind a thin white veil, Ye Yiheng gently pressed on his eye sockets.


    Seeing this, Song Guo took a few steps forward, "Your Highness, would you like to have the Imperial Physician examine your eyes again?"


    "No need to check them again."


    It had been checked for so long with no signs of improvement; on the contrary, it was getting worse.


    Ye Yiheng turned around and added, "Send the Imperial Physician to Marquis Ningyuan''s Mansion, to say that I am very concerned about Miss Lai''s condition."


    Regardless of whether Leng Yu Yan didn''t want to marry him or if she was trying to lower his guard to serve as Consort Xian''s spy, as her fianc¨¦, he should naturally show concern.


    "Yes, Your Highness," Song Guo immediately left the Observation tform to give orders.


    Listening to Song Guo''s footsteps fading away, Ye Yiheng sighed softly.


    Being unable to see was truly vexing.


    Perhaps, as Jian Lecheng had said, he should also send someone to seek out that so-called Divine Doctor.


    @@novelbin@@


    --


    Just as the Imperial Physician arrived at the Leng Residence, Leng Zongfa was thundering in rage in the front courtyard hall.


    Each manager in the house was being scolded with their heads hung low, not daring to make a sound.


    In Leng Zongfa''s view, the rumors had spread from his own house, after all, punishing his daughter was a family matter.


    There were only three servants in Qingyu Residence; Leng Yu Yan was unconscious, and Miao Zhu had knelt for a long time that night and likely didn''t have the energy to gossip. As for Mrs. Zhao, who was deaf and mute, that was even less likely.


    After a long scolding, still no one came forward to confess.


    At that moment, seeing an Imperial Physician apanied by a medical woman being led by the butler, he hurriedly went to greet them with a smile, bowing, "Grand Doctor Zeng."


    Grand Doctor Zeng returned the bow, "Marquis Lai, I have been ordered by the Crown Prince to take your daughter''s pulse to ensure her wellbeing."


    "Yu Yan just caught a slight cold, her health is nothing serious. It''s too kind of the Crown Prince to be concerned," said Leng Zongfa, then turning his head to the butler, hemanded, "Please fetch the Lady to Fifth Miss''s quarters."


    He himself led Grand Doctor Zeng towards Qingyu Residence.


    The butler waved for the managers to leave and then hurried to Mrs. Feng''s quarters at Lanxiang Court.


    By the time Mrs. Feng arrived at Qingyu Residence, Grand Doctor Zeng, apanied by the medical woman, was taking Leng Yu Yan''s pulse.


    A brocaded tent hung down, with a fair hand extended from inside the tent, a handkerchiefid over the wrist, and Grand Doctor Zeng was carefully discerning the pulse.


    Mrs. Feng, clutching the handkerchief, dabbed the corners of her eyes, forcing out a look of sorrow, and wept to Leng Zongfa beside her, "My Lord, Yu Yan has been unconscious since yesterday, and it truly pains my heart to see her like this, I wish I could take her ce."


    Hearing this, Grand Doctor Zeng''s brows twitched slightly.


    Leng Zongfa coughed lightly, "Say no more and let Grand Doctor Zeng concentrate on his examination."


    After Grand Doctor Zeng finished taking the pulse, the medical woman put away the silk handkerchief and pillow, and Miao Zhu, who stood by the bed, timely lifted and arranged the tent.


    Mrs. Feng stood there, stunned, to see that Leng Yu Yan, who was half reclining on a pillow, was calmly looking at her.


    ```

 Chapter 8 - 8 Golden Flower Postcard

    <h4>Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Golden Flower Postcard</h4>


    "Mother, why do you think Yu Yan has been unconscious all this time?"


    In the presence of outsiders and her father, Leng Yu Yan temporarily referred to Mrs. Feng as mother.


    Mrs. Feng''s feigned sorrow had not yet faded, and she could only force an awkward smile, "My child, why would mother think that?"


    Damned little girl, she really underestimated her.


    To be able to call her mother so deferentially.


    Yet, this address of ''mother'' always seemed chilling, making Mrs. Feng shiver uncontrobly.


    Leng Zongfa nced at Mrs. Feng and asked, "Grand Doctor Zeng, how is my daughter?"


    Grand Doctor Zeng pondered, "In the early spring, the mornings and evenings are chilly, easily leading to cold entering the body and causing unconsciousness."


    @@novelbin@@


    It was rumored that Fifth Miss of Lai had been punished by Father Lai to kneel in the ancestral hall, but as an outsider, it wasn''t appropriate for him to point this out; hence, he simply med the chilly weather.


    "How should we treat her?" Leng Zongfa asked again.


    "Take more walks outdoors to strengthen the body and improve the mood," Grand Doctor Zeng got up from his stool, walked to the table, and began to write a prescription, "I will prescribe something here, and she should take good care of herself."


    Leng Zongfa nodded, "Thank you, Grand Doctor Zeng!"


    Hearing the physician''s words, a slight smile tugged at the corner of Leng Yu Yan''s lips under her veil. Being able to walk more outdoors was exactly what she wanted, making her efforts in controlling her own pulse worthwhile earlier.


    However, the fact that Ye Yiheng sent an imperial physician instead of requesting the Emperor to cancel the marriage arrangement was exceedingly frustrating!


    --


    Two dayster, it was the holiday for the brothers Leng Zongfa and Lai Zonghui, and Old Madam proposed a family reunion meal since Leng Yu Yan had returned a few days ago.


    At noon, the reunion mealmenced in the dining hall.


    Before the meal, Leng family members gradually arrived, and Old Madam introduced with a smile, "Yu Yan,e and meet your uncle and aunt."


    Second Young Master Lai, Lai Zonghui, entered with his wife, Ms. He, followed by their children.


    Lai Zonghui, although somewhat resembling Leng Zongfa, was more refined and schrly; Ms. He had a round face and seemed gentler than Mrs. Feng.


    Leng Yu Yan rose to greet them, "Greetings, uncle, greetings, aunt."


    Lai Zonghui smiled and nodded, while Ms. He extended her hand to help Leng Yu Yan up, "You are too polite, child."


    During the conversation, Ms. He asked the children behind her to greet Leng Yu Yan.


    "Fifth Sister," the siblings from the second family branch greeted as equals.


    Leng Yu Yan shifted her gaze to behind Ms. He and responded, "Sixth Sister, Third Brother."


    There were a total of six daughters and three sons in Marquis Ningyuan''s Mansion, sorted separately by gender.


    Leng Zongfa had five daughters and two sons. The eldest and second daughters were already married. The eldest son, Leng Yi, was Leng Yu Yan''s full brother and had died on the battlefield five years ago.


    The pair of children from the second family branch were the youngest among all siblings.


    At that moment, another mother and daughter approached, and Old Madam pointed them out, "Yu Yan, this is your Aunt Hu and Fourth Sister."


    Mrs. Hu was an aunt; given the presence of Old Madam and the second family, she immediately took her daughter Li Lu to greet.


    "Your servant greets Fifth Miss."


    Li Lu reluctantly knelt in greeting, "Fifth Sister."


    Being born out of wedlock meant she had to greet her legitimate sister first.


    Leng Yu Yan gave a slight nod in return and smiled, "Second Sister is married, and Aunt Hu still looks so young. Fourth Sister is truly enviable to have such a mother."


    Aunt Hu had an oval face and willow-leaf eyebrows, still as enchanting as years ago.


    If she had given birth to a son instead of two daughters, she might have had the chance topete with Mrs. Feng five years ago.


    As Mrs. Feng stepped through the threshold, she heard Leng Yu Yan say that Mrs. Hu was young. She pinched her palm with her nails and quickly a smile surfaced on her face, "I arrivedte."


    Before long, the reunion dinner officially began.


    When they were almost done eating, Leng Zongfa pulled out a golden flower postcard, "Yu Yan, you will start school at Xinya Academy tomorrow."


    "Yes, Father," Leng Yu Yan epted the postcard with both hands and scrutinized it carefully.


    The golden flower postcard, made with in silk as the scroll and decorated with golden flowers, was simr to those used to announce the joy of new Advanced Schrs.


    Could Xinya Academy have some significant prestige?


    To use a golden flower postcard as an admission notice!


    When Lai Manting saw the golden flower postcard in Leng Yu Yan''s hand, her eyes narrowed sharply, "Father, isn''t Fifth Sister supposed to marry the Crown Prince? Why is she still going to academy?"


    "The wedding date I discussed with the Emperor was initially set for next month. Yesterday, the Crown Prince went to the pce to see the Emperor, saying that next month is his mother''s birthday," Leng Zongfa exined patiently, "It''s the month of the Late Empress'' birthday. The Crown Prince, being benevolent and filial, cherishes her memory, so the Emperor agreed to defer the wedding to after next month."


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan was somewhat surprised.


    Lai Manting was very displeased, as she had put much effort into obtaining the admission postcard for Xinya Academy. Leng Yu Yan did nothing and got it so easily.


    What upset her further was that there were rumors once the Crown Prince was married, he would officially be disqualified, and then it would be Prince Liang''s opportunity. Now, she had to wait another month.


    Leng Zongfa noticed his third daughter''s thoughts and turned his head to his fourth daughter, Li Lu, "Take Yu Yan to Xinya Academy tomorrow."


    Li Lu quietly nced at Lai Manting and nodded slowly, somewhat reluctantly, "Yes, Father."


    After dinner, everyone gradually left the dining hall.


    Lai Manting walked ahead, and Li Lu immediately followed, walking as if there was some friction between them.


    Leng Yu Yan slightly raised her eyebrows; Li Lu had apparently be Lai Manting''s follower.


    Not wanting to follow behind them, Leng Yu Yan turned and walked towards a side path.


    Before long, she heard a crisp voice from behind, "Fifth Sister!"


    Leng Yu Yan stopped and turned. It was her cousin Leng Jiajia.


    "Is there something, Sixth Sister?"


    Leng Jiajia stared at her face, batting her watery eyes, "I saw Sister lifting her veil while eating. I heard your facial spots are quite frightening, is it true?"


    Leng Jiajia familiarly changed her address from Fifth Sister to Sister.


    Looking at Leng Jiajia, who was only a year younger than her, Leng Yu Yan calmly said, "Do you want to see?"


    She shook her head, "I don''t want to. No woman wishes to have spots on her face; surely Sister doesn''t either. If I looked, and it hurt Sister''s feelings, that would be wrong."


    "Thank you for your consideration."


    Her voice was light but not distant.


    Leng Yu Yan turned back and continued walking.


    Leng Jiajia followed step by step, "Then, let''s go to the academy together."


    "Aren''t you going with Third Sister and Fourth Sister?"


    "They won''t let me follow."


    "Why?"


    "The academy is organizing apetition. The winning team will get to portray the Flower God and the flower fairy at the Flower Festival. When forming teams, they didn''t want me, so..."


    Leng Jiajia lowered her head and pinched her fingers; actually, they never really considered her, but she was too embarrassed to say it.


    Listening to her dejected speech, Leng Yu Yan softened her tone, "Tell me about Xinya Academy."


    Leng Jiajia''s voice brightened, "Sure, Xinya Academy was founded by the Late Empress..."


    She opened up like a chatterbox, talking nonstop as they walked.

 Chapter 9: Yu Yan Takes Action

    <h4>Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Yu Yan Takes Action</h4>


    Hearing her speak at length, Leng Yu Yan summarized that the Late Empress had founded Xinya Academy as a ce for girls to learn, not necessarily to achieve careers like men after their studies, but to excel in a skill.


    After the Late Empress passed away, over time, the academy''s purpose slowly evolved into a ce where daughters from noble families would seek to add a gildedyer to their reputations, in hopes of marrying a suitable husband.


    Moreover, since Xinya Academy was only separated by a wall from the Imperial College, countless young girls yearned to study there. Unfortunately, the limited spots avable made it inessible for everyone.


    "Sister, holding this golden flower postcard, you can go to the tailoring shop and collect a set of clothes to wear at the academy during holidays or festivals, which is considered a school uniform," Lai Jiajia added, "However, the outfit is simple in style. Many daughters of noble families often change into it in their horse carriages before entering the academy."


    "Was the school uniform also created by the Late Empress?"


    Lai Jiajia nodded vigorously, "Yes, it''s said that the Late Empress designed it herself."


    Leng Yu Yan was momentarily stunned. The Late Empress truly was an extraordinary woman with both founding the academy and designing the uniforms.


    As the two talked on their way to the gate, Lai Jiajia suggested, "Sister, let me apany you to the clothing shop; I''m familiar with it."


    "Thank you very much!"


    "Hehe, no need for thanks!"


    After Lai Jiajia had informed Ms. He, she and Leng Yu Yan exited the house together and headed straight for the tailoring shop.


    Leng Yu Yan felt somewhat thankful towards Ye Yiheng for the freedom to leave the house. It was because he had sent the Imperial Physician to take her pulse that her father agreed she coulde and go freely from the Leng Residence, without needing to report to Mrs. Feng.


    --


    Upon reaching thergest clothing store in the capital city, Huayang Hall, Lai Jiajia confidently led Leng Yu Yan to the section for school uniforms.


    Many young women were gathered in groups of two or three, picking out clothes.


    "Isn''t that Leng Family''s Sixth Miss?"


    "Yes, Man Ting''s younger cousin; she used to constantly follow Man Ting around, much to Man Ting''s annoyance." A young woman sneered, "Recently she hase to her senses and stopped following her."


    "Who is the veiled woman next to her?"


    As the question was asked, several girls turned their attention to Leng Yu Yan.


    The same young woman scoffed, "Who else can it be but the newly returned Leng Family member who has to cover her face with a veil?"


    The girls quickly realized.


    "Recing Man Ting to marry the Crown Prince, the country girl raised by the Leng Family in the middle of nowhere?"


    Someone whispered in a lower tone, "That''s the so-called ugliest woman in thend!"


    At that moment, they saw Leng Yu Yan showing her golden flower postcard to the female shopkeeper.


    "How does she have a golden flower postcard?"


    "Don''t tell me she is also going to Xinya Academy?"


    @@novelbin@@


    After the shopkeeper had seen the postcard, she warmly invited Leng Yu Yan to the fitting room to try on the uniform.


    Leng Yu Yan, oblivious to the nearby whispering, directly entered the fitting room.


    Lai Jiajia detested these people who gossiped needlessly, and a few of them had even bullied her in the academy. Anger built up, and she fiercely red at them.


    "Hey, did you see that? Lai Jiajia actually dared to re at us?"


    A few girls approached, positioning themselves opposite Lai Jiajia.


    The maid, Qinxian, quickly held onto Lai Jiajia, hoping her mistress would show some submission to avoid unnecessary trouble.


    Lai Jiajia shook off Qinxian''s hand and continued ring at them.


    "Feeling brave, daring to keep ring at us!" In the midst of talking, a girl in pink rushed forward and swung her hand toward Lai Jiajia''s face.


    In a split second¡ª


    "Craack¡ª"


    A crisp sound rang out.


    It was the sound of finger bones being dislocated.


    Those present followed the sound and saw a girl dressed in a Xinya Academy uniform, her face veiled with a white gauze, gently grasping another girl''s fingers in pink attire.


    "Ah, it hurts!" the girl in pink cried out in agony, "My hand is ruined, someone report this to the authorities."


    Another "crack" sounded.


    Leng Yu Yan said indifferently, "It''s not ruined!"


    With that, she turned nonchntly and said to the female shopkeeper, "This outfit fits perfectly, I''ll take it."


    Only then did the shopkeeper shift her gaze to Leng Yu Yan and was shocked beyond measure.


    In over twenty years since Xinya Academy was founded, no one had ever worn their uniform to such a stunning extent.


    "Miss has a graceful figure, and this size fits you just right, as if it was tailor-made for you," the shopkeeper couldn''t help but exim, "Out of the several thousand uniforms sold here, Miss is the first to showcase both the essence and outer beauty of the Late Empress''s school attire!"


    Those present nodded in agreement.


    Even those girls who gossiped about Leng Yu Yan and were at odds with Lai Jiajia had to admit that no one could match the poise of the Leng Yu Yan before them.


    No matter what she looked like under the veil, she was simply too beautiful.


    If they had such a figure, they would wear the school uniform out from the academy itself and wouldn''t need to change on the horse carriage.


    The girl in pink gaped, taking a long time before finally diverting her gaze from Leng Yu Yan and carefully examining her own fingers. After ensuring her fingers were fine, she suddenly broke into a cold sweat.


    What just happened?


    She distinctly felt her two fingers being pinched by that ugly girl, dislocating at the joints and causing unbearable pain. But they were quickly set right, and the pain vanished.


    What kind of technique was that?


    The shock made her feel as if she had lost half her soul.


    On the carriage ride back to the Leng Residence, Lai Jiajia gripped a handkerchief, "Sister, thanks to you just now, if it were not for you, I would surely have been pped."


    "They started the gossip about me, don''t take it to heart," Leng Yu Yan said lightly.


    At this point, Qinxian interjected, "Fifth Miss might not know, but our Miss often suffers bullying at the academy. If Miss resists, they bully her even more."


    Lai Jiajia shot a nce at Qinxian and turned to Leng Yu Yan, "Sister, how did you do that move just now? Teach me!"


    As she spoke, she tried to imitate Leng Yu Yan''s earlier action by grabbing Qinxian''s two fingers and swinging them vigorously.


    No matter how she swung, there was no "crack" sound.


    She swung again and again, repeatedly...


    Unable to watch any further, Miao Zhu spoke up, "Sixth Miss, this is not something ordinary people can learn."


    Hearing this, Lai Jiajia stopped her actions and stared nkly at Leng Yu Yan.


    Amused by her expression, Leng Yu Yan said warmly, "If at the academy you want me to swing someone''s fingers, just say the word."


    A spark of light instantly filled Lai Jiajia''s eyes, her gaze bing bright, "From now on, no one at the academy will dare to bully me!"


    Before she could finish speaking, she shifted closer to Leng Yu Yan.


    As Leng Yu Yan moved an inch to the side, she followed by moving an inch as well, not just that, she chattered incessantly on the way.


    "Sister may be wearing a veil, but she looks especially beautiful when sheughs. Even when not smiling, Sister''s eyes are also very attractive, as if they could speak..."


    At the clothing store, as soon as Leng Yu Yan and her party left, the female shopkeeper immediately wrote a note and sent someone to deliver it to the Eastern Pce.


    Song Guo presented the note to Ye Yiheng, "Your Highness, this note was sent from Huayang Hall. The suit of school attire personally designed by the Late Empress has been selected! The one who chose it seems to have some exquisite skills. The shopkeeper couldn''t make it out clearly, but it appears they are quite skilled."


    "Oh?" Ye Yiheng raised an eyebrow.

 Chapter 10 - 10 It鈥檚 Actually Her

    <h4>Chapter 10: Chapter 10 It''s Actually Her</h4>


    As he knew, when the Empress Dowager first became the Empress, she founded the Xinya Academy, and not only that, she also personally designed the school uniforms.


    However, the designs she made demanded an extremely high standard of figure.


    Over the many years that had passed, no one could showcase the exquisiteness of those uniforms.


    Thus, current uniforms had been considerably altered in size.


    Yet the set the Empress Dowager meticulously designed was still preserved!


    Unexpectedly, someone chose it today!


    Song Guo respectfully said, "Yes, Your Highness, it is written so on the paper."


    Ye Yiheng nodded in satisfaction, "Very good."


    No matter whose daughter she was, if the person wore it fittingly, it would also serve as a constion to the Empress Dowager.


    Song Guo unfolded the paper, "The paper also specifically mentions that thedy who chose this set of clothes is none other than the Fifth Miss of Lai."


    Ye Yiheng''s handsome brows slightly furrowed, it was her!


    --


    The next day was the eleventh, and Lai Jiajia hade to Qingyu Residence early to wait for Leng Yu Yan.


    Seeing Leng Yu Yane out from the inner room, even though she had seen her wear the uniform yesterday, seeing it again today still shocked Lai Jiajia''s eyes.


    It truly embodied the saying, her grace was like a gentle breeze upon ripples!


    This was indeed the figure of a gracefully demuredy!


    She could make even the simplest style of clothing look captivating and take one''s breath away.


    "My carriage is at your disposal, big sister."


    "What''s wrong?"


    The Leng Residence had different sses of horse carriages, and as Leng Yu Yan was the legitimate daughter, naturally, she had ess to high-standard carriages.


    Lai Jiajia was also a legitimate daughter, albeit from a secondary branch, and given that Second Young Master Lai had no title, their family''s carriages were slightly of lower rank.


    Yesterday, when they went out, Lai Jiajia shared a carriage with Leng Yu Yan.


    However, today that carriage was taken by Man Ting and Li Lu.


    "It''s just that third and fourth sister took the carriage early on."


    "No matter, it''s merely a means of transport," Leng Yu Yan proceeded to walk toward the courtyard.


    She still vividly remembered Man Ting''s disdainful attitude from yesterday; such people would definitely vie over trivial matters.


    The carriage stopped in front of Xinya Academy.


    Miao Zhu, attaching a small wallet to Leng Yu Yan''s waist, cautioned with concern, "Miss, I''ve put some candies and preserved fruits in the wallet, along with the jade token you often fiddle with. Eat the candies when you''re bored, and you can y with the jade token."


    "It sounds like you are sending a child to school with treats and toys."


    "Indeed not, as a maid, I haven''t been away from Miss for such a long time, today we will be apart for a whole day!"


    Miao Zhu raised her eyebrows proudly, as she was several months older than her mistress.


    While her mistress''s mother was alive, she had instructed her to take good care of her, and she always remembered that! If not for the academy''s rule that servants could not enter, she would definitely have apanied her.


    Leng Yu Yanughed out loud, tapping her on the forehead, "Yes, I''ve noted that."


    Seeing this, Lai Jiajia turned to her own maid, Qinxian, "Look at that, what if I crave something sweet?"


    Qinxian, quite sincere, lowered her head and softly said, "Then please share some with Fifth Miss."


    At this, all four of themughed.


    After the sisters entered the academy, Miao Zhu and Qinxian rode the carriage back to the residence, nning to return near the end of the school day to pick them up.


    Given that Leng Yu Yan didn''t know which ss she was assigned to, she followed Lai Jiajia to the academy, nning to ask the teacher along the way.


    As they walked, they passed several academic buildings from left to right.


    Many female students peeked out of the windows, whispering among themselves.


    The incident at Huayang Hall the day before had already spread within Xinya Academy. Seeing Leng Yu Yan in person, they were first shocked by her stunning appearance in the school uniform; second, they felt fortunate that her face was too ugly, needing a light veil to cover it, still not surpassing them.


    Besides that, there were discussions: "Which ss do you think she will be ced in?"


    "Those who enter without examination are surely ced in ss A."


    The female students of ss A whispered to Lai Manting, "Manting, will your fifth sister join our ss?"


    Lai Manting replied gently, "My fifth sister has never liked reading or writing; I''m afraid she would make youugh."


    "Is that so? Wouldn''t that embarrass Manting?"


    "Exactly, Manting is the talented girl of our ss. Having such a sister is really hard to describe!"


    Just then, a female teacher came out from Taoli Garden and addressed Leng Yu Yan, "Are you the new student enrolling today?"


    Lai Jiajia timely introduced, "This is Lady Cao, who specializes in dance."


    @@novelbin@@


    Leng Yu Yan nodded and greeted, "I have seen Lady Cao."


    Lady Cao sized up Leng Yu Yan from head to toe, finally pausing on her veil, then said, "You are assigned to ss D. Follow me to Taoli Garden to get a set of books."


    As soon as she spoke, the students from other sses all let out a sigh of relief, their faces simultaneously showing disdain.


    They had just worried that this ugly girl being in the same ss would disgrace them, but now it seems that their concerns were unnecessary.


    Lai Manting, with a hint of scorn in her eyes, moved gracefully to Leng Yu Yan''s side amidst all eyes, "Little sister, no need to be vexed. Diligence in studies can still lead to a change in sses."


    "Thank you for the encouragement, sister, but I really don''t need it!" Leng Yu Yan spoke indifferently.


    It was as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.


    After dropping that remark, Leng Yu Yan then left with Lady Cao.


    Entering Taoli Garden, Leng Yu Yan found that this ce was essentially the modern equivalent of a school''s staff room. Different cubicles housed teachers of various subjects, male and female, young and old.


    Following Lady Cao deeper inside, Leng Yu Yan noticed the teachers'' gazes briefly sweep over her face.


    Ever since she had applied patches to her face, she had prepared herself mentally.


    No matter how curious others'' looks were, she could calmly ignore them and remainposed.


    Moreover, those patches were originally part of a facial treatment she''d applied herself, thanks to her medical skills, or they would still be on her face.


    After fetching the books, Leng Yu Yan left Taoli Garden, immediately followed by the teachers'' discussions.


    "Is she the Fifth Miss of Lai, the future Crown Prince Consort?"


    "That is her!"


    "Such a pity about her figure and posture, too bad her face isn''t presentable."


    "Teachers, be cautious with your words! After all, we all work at an academy established by the Late Empress." The speaker bowed to the air, "For the sake of the Late Empress, we, as teachers, must set a good example."


    The previous speaker snorted, turning to ask, "Lady Cao, she''s in your ss. What do you think?"


    Lady Cao pondered for a moment, slightly moving her lips, then said, "She and the Crown Prince will be marrying soon, so she likely won''t stay at the academy long."


    What she implied was, discuss whatever you want, keep silent if you don''t want to. As long as that ugly girl from the Leng Family doesn''t cause trouble in her ss, it doesn''t concern her.


    As soon as Leng Yu Yan arrived at the ssroom, Lai Jiajia was very happy to wave her over to an empty seat next to herself.


    Mid-morning passed and came noon; the students had lunch, followed by a rest.


    During the break, Lai Jiajia quietly pulled Leng Yu Yan aside to a corner of the study.


    "Why don''t you join our team, sister?"


    As soon as she finished speaking, four people appeared from behind a bookcase, all staring keenly at Leng Yu Yan.

 Chapter 11: Just This One Piece

    <h4>Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Just This One Piece</h4>


    Lai Jiajia whispered in exnation, "Our group of five cannot form a team, we need six members to participate in the assessment, but we only have five people."


    "So you want me to join your team?" Leng Yu Yan got straight to the point.


    Lai Jiajia immediately nodded, "Honestly, when uncle said sister wasing to the academy, I harbored this thought."


    Leng Yu Yan''s eyes swept over the five girls in front of her; apart from Lai Jiajia who looked cheerful and upright, one was slightly overweight, another had e on her face, and the other two were so timid they virtually had no presence.


    "With so many students in the academy, why were you the only ones left out?"


    The slightly overweight girl answered, "We are the worst performers in ss D, so..."


    "And our talents truly are inferior," the girl with e added softly with her head bowed.


    She could not understand; she only had e, while it was said that the Fifth Miss of Lai had ugly blotches on her face. How could she still be so confident?


    Why couldn''t she be like that too?


    Lai Jiajia grabbed Leng Yu Yan''s arm, "We also want to take part in the assessment, even if it''s just for form''s sake, so our time at the academy isn''t wasted."


    Leng Yu Yan responded, "You might have heard that I wear a veil because I am ugly. Joining your team will only drag you down; do you still want me to join?"


    "Yes!" Lai Jiajia and the slightly overweight girl eximed in unison.


    "Why?"


    "We five are already scorned; we could say we share the same plight," Lai Jiajia answered as the slightly overweight girl nodded in agreement.


    However, the other three were not as optimistic as Lai Jiajia and herpanions; in their view, even if they could participate in the assessment, they had no chance of winning.


    Lai Jiajia noticed their thoughts and encouraged, "Being able to participate is a chance to prove ourselves; even if we lose, at least we''ve had the experience, without regrets!"


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan nodded, "I agree to join you."


    Lai Jiajia jumped up in excitement and, feeling it was not enough, threw her arms around Leng Yu Yan for a tight hug.


    Suddenly hugged, Leng Yu Yan felt ufortable all over and quickly pushed her away.


    Lai Jiajia shamelessly smiled, "Sister, you are so soft and smell so nice."


    Just then, a few people entered from the doorway, led by the pink-clothed girl from yesterday''s Huayang Hall.


    The slightly overweight girl recognized her and quietly introduced her to Leng Yu Yan, "She is Miss Xu, whose father is the Junior Minister of Taichang Temple."


    Miss Xu looked down scornfully and scoffed, "Getting into the assessment is not so easy; this time the assessment rtes to the Flower Festival, and participation must be approved by Lady Cao."


    Someone chimed in, "The Flower Festival is all about dance skills; with you lot?"


    Lai Jiajia red at them, then turned to Leng Yu Yan and said, "Sister, let''s go to the Dance Society and ask; Lady Cao likes to practice dancing there during her noon rest."


    The group left the study and headed straight for the Dance Society, unaware that more and more people were following them.


    "You need a Grade Dance Card from the Dance Society to participate."


    "Those who just joined the school today probably aren''t qualified."


    Leng Yu Yan paused, "What''s a Grade Dance Card?"


    Lai Jiajia also stopped, bit her lip, and touched her waist.


    "At Xinya Academy''s Dance Society, there are Grade Dance Cards; the entry-level card is an Iron Token, and above that are Copper, Silver, and Gold Tokens," Miss Xu sneered, "These worst performers from ss D probably only have Iron Tokens, and the neers don''t have even that."


    Today offered a good opportunity to get back for yesterday''s humiliation at Huayang Hall.


    With that thought, Miss Xu''s challenging gaze shifted to Leng Yu Yan and then to Lai Jiajia, "Show us the Iron Token you''re keeping by your waist."


    At thisment, everyone aroundughed.


    The female students each brought out their Grade Dance Card to show off.


    Those whoughed exaggeratedly mostly held gold medals, and at the very least silver medals, but Lai Jiajia and her group of five all had Iron Tokens.


    Leng Yu Yan looked at the patterns on these one-inch-wide, three-inch-long Grade Tokens and fell into deep thought.


    Seeing this, someone mocked, "Those who don''t even have an Iron Token should forget about taking the assessment!"


    "Exactly, even cramming at thest minute wouldn''t be enough."


    Leng Yu Yan asked, "Are these tokens issued by Lady Cao?"


    Lai Jiajia nodded, looking quite distressed, "Sister, should we just..."


    Leng Yu Yan gently patted her shoulder and said to her group of five, "Wait here for me, I''ll be back soon."


    The Dance Society was right in front of her, and Leng Yu Yan stepped inside after a few strides.


    @@novelbin@@


    The crowd watching the excitement grew, but respecting Lady Cao''s preference for quiet, they waited outside the Dance Society in a disciplined manner.


    Although they were well-behaved, they still asionally sneered, eagerly awaiting to see what a plight Leng Yu Yan would be in when she came out.


    Lady Cao had seen the dispute outside the Dance Society, and now seeing Leng Yu Yane in, she showed no pleasant expression, "It''s only because you are the Crown Prince Consort that you were exceptionally admitted to the academy and to take the assessment. There''s no need for this."


    Leng Yu Yan smiled lightly, "Has Lady Caoe to such a quick conclusion?"


    The Dance Society was her territory, Cao Shu''s domain, and in the absence of other teachers, she could speak her mind.


    "With the Crown Prince''s reputation already as it is, do you want to make it even worse?" While speaking, Cao Shu pointed towards the door, "If there''s nothing else, please leave!"


    Leng Yu Yan opened her waist pouch, took out a piece of candy, ced it in her mouth, and then started fiddling with a Jade Token.


    Seeing her daring to snack here, Cao Shu was about to get angry but was suddenly captivated by the Jade Token.


    "Where did you get this Jade Token?"


    Leng Yu Yan lightly pinched the Jade Token between two fingers and threw it up into the air.


    This action frightened Cao Shu so much her heart leapt into her throat, terrified the Jade Token might crash to the ground and shatter.


    Leng Yu Yan casually caught the Jade Token and spoke leisurely, "I am not sure what use this Jade Token has. I saw my ssmates with simr tokens, although different in material, yet the designs on them are identical."


    How could Cao Shu not recognize the Jade Token?


    It was hers to begin with!


    And it was the sole one in the world!


    Remembering a year ago, when she couldn''t make any breakthrough in dance, she traveled through mountains and rivers to clear her mind.


    One day, atop a mountain, she saw a fairy dancing in the air, performing a dance she had never seen before.


    As she ran over, the fairy had disappeared, leaving only her maids behind.


    Back then, eager to improve her dance skills, she wanted to seek mentorship and left her personal Jade Token as a sign of sincerity.


    The maids epted the Jade Token and passed on her request. Finally, an opportunity arrived, and the maids told her that the next day when the sun rose, their Mistress would return to perform another dance for her to learn well.


    Although she only learned one-tenth of the fairy''s dance then, it was enough for her to smoothly join the Xinya Academy as a teacher. Over this year, she had secured her position as the lead Dance Master of Xinya Academy and was revered as Lady Cao.


    Now seeing the Jade Token again, she was very excited, "Has my Mastere?"


    Leng Yu Yan nced again at the Jade Token she was casually ying with, "Your Master?"


    "Yes, although I only learned part of her dance, she is my Master in my heart."


    At this moment, Cao Shu''s eyes no longer showed any disrespect from earlier.

 Chapter 12 - 12 Edge of Falling Off the Horse

    <h4>Chapter 12: Chapter 12 Edge of Falling Off the Horse</h4>


    Leng Yu Yan''s lips curled into a slight smirk beneath her veil, "You needn''t concern yourself with how the Jade Token came into my possession; you only need to remember that it is in my hands."


    "Yes!" Cao Shu bowed respectfully in agreement.


    Could this young girl in front of her be a new apprentice recently taken in by her teacher?


    That her teacher gave her the Jade Token was a clear sign that her dance skills were exceptional.


    Thinking that she only managed to exchange the Jade Token for a single dance, it seemed the girl before her was even more favored by the teacher.


    With this thought, Cao Shu couldn''t help but ask, "What is your rtionship with my teacher?"


    Leng Yu Yan did not answer her but simply asked lightly, "Tell me, can I participate in the assessment or not?"


    "Of course, of course. When can I see our esteemed teacher again?"


    Back then, she was only able to watch from a distance and never got to see the teacher''s face. Now recalling that time, she regretted it deeply. Probably it was because her own learning was not exquisite enough to catch the teacher''s eye.


    Our esteemed teacher?


    Leng Yu Yan choked out a cough, "Ahem, ahem... I am unable to answer that question."


    Hearing this, Cao Shu immediately felt that the girl before her must be her junior sister and thus personally escorted her out of the Dance Society.


    Seeing Lady Cao and Leng Yu Yan exit together, the students all began to say, "Lady Cao, she can''t possibly be allowed to participate, right?"


    "She doesn''t have an Iron Token, so she definitely can''t!"


    Cao Shu cleared her throat and dered loudly, "Leng Yu Yan meets the requirements and can participate in the assessment!"


    At these words, everyone was shocked!


    They had worked so hard to earn their Grade Tokens, yet this in girl had none and was still allowed to participate in the assessment!


    "What?"


    "Why?"


    "Please, Lady Cao, you owe us an exnation!"


    "She has the only Jade Token in the Dance Society," Cao Shu disyed the Jade Token in Leng Yu Yan''s hand for everyone to see, "The Jade Token ranks higher than a gold medal!"


    Looking at the luminous Jade Token, exquisitely crafted and beautifully patterned, everyone was exchanging nces, speechless with astonishment.


    They clearly saw that the patterns on the Jade Token were consistent with those on their Grade Tokens, and the Jade Token possessed a luster that suggested it was very old, not something newly made.


    While they had struggled to earn their Grade Tokens, they had heard of the Jade Token, but no one had seen it; they all had thought that the gold medal was the highest rank.


    Now suddenly confronted with its existence, they werepletely dumbstruck.


    After a while, someone quietly raised a suspicion, "She just got here; how could she have a Jade Token?"


    Cao Shu naturally wouldn''t share her own experience from a year prior when she learned to dance, as that would diminish her prestige in the academy.


    "Let''s disperse," Cao Shu waved her hand, nodding slightly to Leng Yu Yan before swiftly entering the Dance Society.


    Lai Jiajia and her friends were quite delighted, examining Leng Yu Yan''s Jade Token over and over.


    Miss Xu snidely remarked, "It''s not surprising to have a Jade Token when you''ve got a golden flower postcard through the back door."


    The more these people were envious, the happier Lai Jiajia became.


    Nearby, Lai Manting and Li Lu looked displeased at this side and, seeing Leng Yu Yan''s gaze turn toward them, they came over to congratte her.


    "Congrattions, Fifth Sister," Lai Manting said with a smile, "We''ve never seen a Jade Token before, you''re really lucky!"


    Her implication was quite clear, prompting those around to echo in agreement, "Yes, it''s always been the gold medal that''s best."


    Leng Yu Yan casually tossed the Jade Token into her wallet, "It''s just a trinket."


    Then she walked towards the school building.


    Such an important Jade Token, and in her eyes, it was merely a trinket!


    Everyone was startled.


    However, even if she had the Jade Token, she still got into the academy because of the Crown Prince''s influence. This Jade Token might have been prepared by the Crown Prince in advance.


    While some envied Leng Yu Yan for having a Jade Token, Lai Manting was indifferent.


    In her eyes, Leng Yu Yan could hardly recognize a few big characters and was a total klutz in dancing. Even with the Jade Token allowing her to participate in the assessment, she would only make a fool of herself.


    As for Lai Jiajia with her odd-and-ends, holding an Iron Token, she was not worth mentioning.


    When the time came, if they only served to highlight her own excellence, that would be best!


    Just as Lai Manting thought, other students also considered this aspect. Either Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia were not pretty, or their posture was unsatisfactory; there were even some with e on their faces, and the rest were so lowly that they were beneath notice.


    While the students felt jealous and envious, they also had doubts about the origin of Leng Yu Yan''s Jade Token.


    Even Lai Jiajia curiously asked, "Sister, where did your Jade Tokene from?"


    "It was a chance find, just a coincidence," Leng Yu Yan said, taking out a handful of candies from her wallet and distributing them to her teammates.


    With candy stuffed in her mouth, Lai Jiajia smiled sweetly, "That''s excellent, it means we are destined."


    By the time their group arrived at the ssroom, a teacher sent Leng Yu Yan to the outside of the academy to buy the Four Treasures of the Study for the afternoon calligraphy ss.


    "Sister, I''ll go with you," Lai Jiajia said.


    Leng Yu Yan shook her head, "No need, you all can practice dancing."


    She had noticed a store called Mozhai by the academy''s entrance when she disembarked from the horse carriage in the early morning, which specialized in the Four Treasures of the Study.


    Once at Mozhai, Leng Yu Yan selected her brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. As she was paying, a greasy voice came from behind her.


    "What a coincidence, we meet again." The person unfurled his folding fan, feigning elegance as he fanned himself.


    Without turning her head, Leng Yu Yan knew it was Wei Ruili.


    Seeing her silent, Wei Ruili pressed on, "May I ask the youngdy''s name, and where does your family reside?"


    @@novelbin@@


    His gaze roamed over her, admiring how she wore the Xinya Academy uniform so charmingly¡ªit was truly a delightful sight!


    Leng Yu Yan paid for her items and, cradling the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, turned around and looked down, deliberately avoiding Wei Ruili''s gaze as she walked straight out.


    Wei Ruili took a step forward, blocking her path.


    Her dense and long eyshes slightly drooping, cast a shadow beneath her eyes, showing no signs of joy or anger, only a sense of indifference.


    Such a cold and beautiful woman made his heart flutter, anxious to see the face beneath the veil.


    Leng Yu Yan had no intention of entangling with him and stepped sideways to leave.


    But Wei Ruili moved with her, stepping in her way and reaching out to remove her veil.


    As her finger under the paper curled, ready to do something, an attractive hand quickly grasped Wei Ruili''s wrist.


    Before the veil could be touched, the wrist was mped, numbing his hand and losing sensation. Wei Ruili turned angrily to the taller young man next to him, "Don''t bully..."


    Before he could curse, he saw clearly that it was the Heir of Prince Zhenbei. Realizing he could not afford to provoke him, Wei Ruili hurriedly put on a sycophantic smile and apologized, "Your Highness, it was a misunderstanding!"


    The man then released him, and Wei Ruili fled Mozhai, rushing back to the Imperial College.


    Leng Yu Yan did not recognize the man before her, but since he had helped her out, she bowed slightly, "Thank you."


    "No need," the man said, gesturing with a light hand lift.


    Just at this moment, a horse carriage stopped outside Mozhai.


    Jian Lecheng, lifting the carriage curtain, narrated the scene to Ye Yiheng, "Why has the Heir of Prince Zhenbei interfered with Lai Wu?"


    Ye Yiheng shifted his gaze, only to see two vague silhouettes.


    His vision had improved today; though still unable to see clearly, he at least had light perception and could make out outlines.


    Considering his previous bouts of vision impairment, although the duration varied, this particr episodested longer, which made him think he might soon gopletely blind.

 Chapter 13: Don鈥檛 Want to See Her

    <h4>Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Don''t Want to See Her</h4>


    "Prince Zhenbei Mansion is the main branch of the Leng Family, and Marquis Ningyuan''s Mansion is a coteral branch, so Heir Lai is a n brother to Leng Yu Yan, I suppose. Their being together doesn''t seem odd," Jian Lecheng muttered softly.


    However, Ye Yiheng knew that it was Leng Zongfa and Prince Zhenbei who were actually n brothers, and that the Heir of Prince Zhenbei and Leng Yu Yan were already beyond the fifth degree of kinship, belonging to the sixth degree.


    Jian Lecheng talked to himself, "But what if it''s beyond the fifth degree?"


    "Hm?"


    His voice was clear and cold, with a considerable authority.


    Seeing Ye Yiheng''s gaze sweep over him, Jian Lecheng immediately shut his mouth.


    Knowing full well that he couldn''t be seen today, Jian Lecheng still felt as though there were knives in Ye Yiheng''s gaze.


    I''ve talked too much!


    Jian Lecheng pped his own mouth.


    The sound was crisp.


    Ye Yiheng withdrew his gaze. Even though marriage could take ce outside the fifth degree of kinship...


    Any self-respecting noble family wouldn''t marry someone sharing the same surname!


    "Back to the Eastern Pce," Ye Yiheng spoke again.


    Jian Lecheng was puzzled, "Your Highness, are we not going to Xinya Academy?"


    The calligraphy treasures of the Late Empress were to be sent to the academy to inspire the students. Why the sudden change of ns?


    "Next time," Ye Yiheng replied.


    "Why?" Jian Lecheng was very confused.


    The birth month of the Late Empress was approaching; as per tradition, Xinya Academy always held a calligraphypetition tomemorate the Late Empress at this time.


    Ye Yiheng nced at him and said nothing.


    Jian Lecheng hit his own forehead, "Could it be you don''t want to see Lai Wu? You can''t see today anyway. Besides, she''s wearing a veil."


    "Stop the noise!" Ye Yiheng uttered curtly with a cool tone and then closed his eyes to rest.


    Inside Mozhai, Leng Yu Yan saw a government-regted, broadly sized, and luxuriously decorated horse carriage stop and then go.


    Such a grand carriage was hard not to notice, and she couldn''t help but take a longer look.


    That single nce allowed her to see the namete hanging outside the carriage¡ª


    The Eastern Pce!


    Was Ye Yiheng inside?


    If it were not for an imperial decree marrying them, she would not want to have any contact with him.


    She had been having dreams for two months, and in each one, he strangled her.


    She valued her life greatly!


    The Heir of Prince Zhenbei also saw the Eastern Pce Carriage restart its journey, with a hint of a shallow smile forming on his lips. He then gave Leng Yu Yan a bow to say goodbye.


    As Leng Yu Yan''s gaze moved away from the departing carriage, the young man before her was saying a polite farewell, so she nodded in acknowledgment.


    The young man walking away had a tall figure and handsome features, exuding both elegance and an imposing presence. Wei Ruili had earlier addressed him as the Princely Heir, but she wondered who he truly was.


    Remembering how Wei Ruili acted around this man, like a mouse before a cat, she felt a little better from the annoyance of being pestered by Wei Ruili.


    --


    In the afternoon, the students of ss D attended their calligraphy lesson.


    The teacher instructed the students to write the basic four characters "ÓÀ·ç·É¼Ò," but only had Leng Yu Yan do tracing practice, tracing the character "Ò»."


    Although they were all ss D students, many looked down on their ssmates, always trying to curry favor with those from ss A.


    At this moment, hearing that Leng Yu Yan had to trace like a young child, many burst into sneers.


    Lai Jiajia turned her head, intending to offer constion, but she saw Leng Yu Yan earnestly tracing the character "Ò»."


    Witnessing her solemn and serious demeanor, Lai Jiajia couldn''t bear to interrupt and thus kept silent.


    After ss, the fact that Leng Yu Yan needed to start from tracing red characters in learning to write a single character spread like wildfire to other sses.


    Miss Xu found Lai Manting with a lightugh.


    "Manting, your Fifth Sister is truly making a spectacle of herself. Regardless of how she got that Jade Token, just her writing..." She shook her head and covered her lips with her hand, "It''s really surprising! She actually has to start from writing a single character, hahaha..."


    Lai Manting''s certain kind of smile faded as she pretended to be quite embarrassed, "Fifth Sister does not like reading or breaking down characters, and it''s given our father quite the headache, making us theughingstock."


    "It''s theughingstock of the century, Manting! You''re the talented girl of our ss, how could you have such a sister?"


    Lai Manting responded with grace, "Writing is extremely painful for her. Please, for my sake, keep yourments to a minimum."


    "You''re still protecting her. In my opinion, you''re just too kind." Miss Xu raised her voice, "Look at this, what a contrast! One is beautiful, one is not; one is a talented girl, the other is a dolt."


    "I''m ttered, but I wouldn''t dare to im the title of talented girl," Manting''s smile grew even warmer.


    With Leng Yu Yan as a foil, her reputation as a talented girl was growing louder.


    It seemed that this little girl could not only marry on her behalf to the sickly Crown Prince who was blind to her faults, but she could also pave the way for her. She was quite useful.


    When school was dismissed, Lai Manting went to ss D, wanting to show concern for Leng Yu Yan.


    Yet, to her surprise, she saw her practicing brushstrokes.


    A vertical hook.


    One vertical, one hook, finishing the stroke.


    The magical movement of the brush left Lai Manting utterly shocked.


    She couldn''t believe that just one lesson would allow her to write with such mastery; it must be a fluke.


    Leng Yu Yan looked it over for a moment, quickly crumpled the paper into a ball, and, looking up at the doorway where Lai Manting stood, asked, "Third Sister, what brings you here?"


    The surprise in Lai Manting''s eyes disappeared as she smiled, "Let us go home together."


    Leng Yu Yan tilted her head toward Lai Jiajia, who had just returned with the "Respectfully" sign, "No need, I will go with Sixth Sister."


    "That''s fine then." Lai Manting smiled again and turned to leave.


    She had intended to see a joke but, who would have thought, the students of ss D were not to be tamed. While other sses were still discussing academic matters, theirs had already dispersed.


    She didn''t get theugh she''d hoped for but instead witnessed the exquisite control of that vertical hook.


    Lai Manting couldn''t stop wondering how she might master that brush movement herself.


    Lai Jiajia, staring nkly at the departing figure of Lai Manting, furrowed her brows, "Why did shee here?"


    She had earlier suffered unbearable stomach pain and asked the teacher for a "Respectfully" sign to excuse herself. Returning from relieving herself, she found that the school day was over. Not only that, but she saw Lai Manting trying to cozy up to her.


    Fifth Sister was key to their group. Was Lai Manting trying to cause trouble for her?


    Truly annoying!


    "She suggested that I go home with her," Leng Yu Yan put away her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, "Let''s leave."


    Lai Jiajia hooked her arm in delight, "You''re so good to me, Sister, you wouldn''t just leave me behind."


    She used to sheepishly follow around the third and fourth, enduring ridicule while still keeping up a smile.


    That was over.


    She wouldn''t do it anymore!


    Fifth Sister might have spots on her face, but she had a kind heart.


    @@novelbin@@


    Some people had spots in their hearts, and that was too much!


    With the sisters exiting the academy, Miao Zhu and Qinxian were already at the horse carriage, eagerly awaiting them.


    Both were helped into the carriage by their maids, and just as the carriage started moving, Lai Jiajia noticed something through the window and hurriedly pulled Leng Yu Yan to look.


    "Sister, look!"


    Looking in the direction she pointed, Leng Yu Yan saw Li Lu shyly slipping a wallet into Wei Ruili''s hand just as he stepped out of the Imperial College gates.


    "They..."


    Before Leng Yu Yan could ask her question, Lai Jiajia snorted, "Sister, you''re not aware. Not long after Uncle sent you away to the mountains, Aunt Hu intended to have Fourth Sister marry into the Wei Family. Fourth Sister set her heart on Wei Ruili because he was handsome. The two of them have been secretly involved for more than a day or two."


    "Aunt Hu is charming, and Fourth Sister takes after her mother. It''s no wonder these two havee together," Leng Yu Yan remarked calmly.


    Lai Jiajia eximed in astonishment, "Sister, I truly admire that you can think this way!"

 Chapter 14: Meeting Face to Face

    <h4>Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Meeting Face to Face</h4>


    Upon returning to Qingyu Residence, Miao Zhu brought out some silver, indignantly saying, "Miss, in the afternoon the maids went to collect our monthly silver. You only received six taels, I''ve got one tael, and Mrs. Zhao also has one tael."


    Leng Yu Yan''s brows furrowed slightly, "Is that all?"


    "I felt it was too little at the time, but the ount office said that in the Leng Residence, the legitimate daughter gets six taels, a daughter born to a concubine gets four taels. The Chief Maid gets one tael, and although Mrs. Zhao originally got five hundred cents, because Qingyu Residence is short-staffed, they gave Mrs. Zhao one tael."


    Mrs. Zhao said softly, "That''s just the official amount. Those with living mothers receive extra allowances in private."


    She had originally been a maid to thete Madam, and after the Madam''s passing, she began to pretend to be deaf and mute. Her sry was decreased again and again, and she had long seen through this.


    Miao Zhu nodded, "I''ve secretly inquired, the third Miss also officially gets six taels, but in reality, she receives twenty taels each month."


    They were temporarily brought from the remote countryside and didn''t bring much in silver notes. If the Miss wanted to investigate the Lady and the eldest young master''s affairs, she would inevitably need to bribe people. With such a small monthly sry, what should they do?


    Leng Yu Yan saw her concern and said softly, "Don''t worry about the matter of silver."


    "Do you have a way, Miss?"


    "Tonight, I will go to collect some principal and interest." Leng Yu Yan smiled lightly.


    Meanwhile.


    After Lai Manting returned to the Leng Residence, she couldn''t wait to enter her own study and practiced the brush movements she had seen dozens of times.


    Despite it being just a vertical stroke and a hook, she simply couldn''t emte Leng Yu Yan''sposed and rxed finishing stroke.


    She was so frustrated that she threw her writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone all over the floor.


    Without a strong foundation, she realized she couldn''t produce that kind of state, and Lai Manting increasingly felt that Leng Yu Yan''s brushwork was just a fluke.


    With this thought, she felt somewhat better.


    --


    Into the night.


    The spring night was tranquil, and the evening breeze was gentle.


    Seeing that Leng Yu Yan had put on a male costume and tied up her hair, Miao Zhu excitedly said, "Miss, take me with you!"


    Leng Yu Yan reached out and touched her forehead, "Mrs. Zhao is guarding the yard, you just stay in the room and pretend to be me. If someonees, you can still handle it."


    "Rest assured, Miss!" Miao Zhu nodded vigorously and immediately brought over some warm water to help her Miss gently peel off the freckled mask she''d been wearing for several days.


    Even though the mask was part of her own skin, the area where it was attached still felt ufortable.


    Leng Yu Yan carefully washed her face, applied her homemade ointment, and then felt much better.


    "Miss... Miss..." Mrs. Zhao came in, and upon seeing her own Miss''s wless face, she was so shocked that she couldn''t utter a word.


    "In the Leng Residence, only the three of us know about this."


    Mrs. Zhao had been close to her mother, and Leng Yu Yan had never intended to keep it from her.


    "Understood, I am aware now!" While speaking, Mrs. Zhao became emotional, "Miss, with your Heavenly Immortal-like appearance, to be married to the Crown Prince... wouldn''t that be..."


    Miao Zhu giggled, "Like flowers stuck on cow dung?"


    Mrs. Zhao burst outughing, "You little slick one!"


    Leng Yu Yan gave a gentleugh, raised her hand to outline her originally soft eyebrows, and made up her face to appear more masculine, indeed looking like she had bold eyebrows and sparkling eyes, and her face was handsome.


    To investigate her brother''s cause of death, she needed to infiltrate the Ministry of War to examine the records of that military campaign. But infiltrating the Ministry of War was not so easy, so she nned to start with Li Yu.


    She was prepared to meet with him tonight.


    Furthermore, it was time for him to repay the silver he owed her.


    Having instructed Mrs. Zhao and Miao Zhu at length, Leng Yu Yan made her way to the courtyard. Seizing the cover of night, she tiptoed and leapt onto the rooftop, silently departing from the Leng Residence.


    Following the address Li Yu had once provided, Leng Yu Yan arrived at a tavern.


    Even though it was now 9 p.m., the tavern was bustling with activity.


    She asked a server for a private room, and as she was ascending towards the second floor, two men came down facing her.


    One was Ye Yiheng, and the other was the young man she had seen earlier in the pce.


    If Ye Yiheng were truly blind, he wouldn''t be able to recognize her, but she feared the man beside him might connect her current appearance with the one she had in the pce.


    Although confident in her male disguise, Leng Yu Yan instinctively unfolded her folding fan, coyly shielding her face.


    "I don''t know how the owner of this tavern conducts business. I find the dishes here not as good as the Zuixian Building next door, yet the guests still swarm in nonstop. Look, even at this hour, people areing." During his speech, Jian Lecheng inadvertently looked up and caught sight of a rather handsome young gentleman.


    Huh, this person looks somewhat familiar, but he couldn''t quite recall where he had seen him before.


    By the time he wanted to take another look, the young gentleman had already gone upstairs.


    Leng Yu Yan closed her folding fan, pondered for a moment, and felt something was amiss.


    If Ye Yiheng was truly blind, how could he navigate the stairs at this moment without someone to guide him?


    Slightly turning her head, she nced towards the staircase...


    Just then, Ye Yiheng, his eyes covered by a white silk cloth, happened to turn his head around.


    For some reason, the sight of Ye Yiheng with his eyes concealed made her nervous. Leng Yu Yan quickly hid her figure behind a pir.


    Once in the tavern''s main hall, Ye Yiheng mumbled to himself, "Is someone watching us from behind?"


    Only because of his quick attention to details, if he could observe more than just silhouettes, there would be no need for such uncertainty.


    Hearing his words, Jian Lecheng looked all around, up and down the stairs: "No, there isn''t anyone. Perhaps you''re feeling mistaken?"


    By now, Leng Yu Yan had already entered the private room. Calmly taking a seat, she said to the server, "Please trouble your manager toe out."


    "Young Master, is it that my service isn''t sufficient, and you find it difficult to order?"


    "Not at all, it''s just that I have an important matter to discuss, so please be so kind as to assist."


    The server, who had intended to scold the polite young master, found himself unable to produce the words he had in mind, and promptly summoned the shopkeeper.


    Leng Yu Yan nced at the shopkeeper and shook her head, "I wish to meet your real boss behind the scenes."


    The shopkeeper narrowed his eyes, suspecting that the person in front of him hade to cause trouble.


    upying a private room for no reason without ordering, and demanding to see the boss¡ªwhere did such things happen?


    Further, was the real boss someone he could simply summon upon request?


    @@novelbin@@


    "Young Master, if you''re neither drinking nor dining, then please leave. Don''t dy our business!" The shopkeeper haughtily gestured towards the door, "If you''re looking to swindle food or drinks, our establishment does not wee such behavior!"


    Leng Yu Yan''s lips curled into a slight smile; she took out a jade pendant and gently ced it on the table.


    The jade pendant''s contact with the table made a soft, yet clear sound.


    The young master in front of him remained calm and collected, and the shopkeeper couldn''t believe his eyes. He rubbed them and only then clearly recognized the jade pendant on the table.


    He quickly bowed and apologized, "This old man was blind and failed to recognize your greatness, my apologies, Young Master! I will fetch the boss immediately."


    "No need to be disturbed, it''s just a bit of a wait," Leng Yu Yan straightened her robe, still with an indifferent expression on her face.


    The shopkeeper''s forehead broke out in a thinyer of sweat, and to the server, he barked, "You shortsighted thing, quickly serve the noble guest some fine tea!"


    The server agreed verbally, but inwardly he sneered; to talk of shortsightedness, the shopkeeper was no better. Yet, why did the sight of a single jade pendant prompt such a drastic change from him?


    The shopkeeper, almost bumping into the door frame in his haste, stepped back, gave an awkward smile to Leng Yu Yan, and then left the private room.

 Chapter 15 - 15 Quirky Rules

    <h4>Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Quirky Rules</h4>


    ```


    After a short while, under the guidance of the shopkeeper, a tall and handsome young man appeared in the private room.


    "Youe to the capital and don''t even send a word to me, so I could havee to meet you earlier," Li Yu flicked his robe and sat down elegantly, then chuckled, "Is this disguise meant to fool fools?"


    The girl before him had an exceptionally beautiful face; having not seen her for half a year, she had be even more captivating. Such a bright and beautiful girl, yet dressed as a man, simply did not look like a youngd no matter how one looked.


    "What do you mean by that?"


    Leng Yu Yan looked up to see the man before her, with his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes under a pair of narrow, phoenix eyes¡ªtruly a figure graced with outstanding charm and ethereal elegance.


    Li Yu''s lips curved slightly, "Do you think everyone in the world is a fool, unable to distinguish whether your figure and face are that of a man or a woman?"


    "Should I stick on a couple of mustaches next time?" she lowered her head to look at her attire, finding nothing amiss.


    At that moment, Jian Lecheng inside the horse carriage sneezed several times in a row, nearly getting kicked out by the cleanliness-obsessed Ye Yiheng.


    "Your Highness, why do I feel like someone''s cursing me from behind?"


    Ye Yiheng ignored him, simply pressing his brow.


    Suddenly, the carriage shook, and a man fell to the ground beside the coachman¡ªit was Ruofeng.


    He turned his head to Ye Yiheng inside the carriage and said, "Your Highness, I have reached the Linqing Pavilion but did not find the Divine Doctor."


    Before Ye Yiheng could speak, Jian Lecheng sighed first, "If even Ruofeng cannot find him, then those noble family youngsters are even more hopeless."


    "I''ve discovered that the Divine Doctor has very peculiar rules for providing medical treatment. If he likes someone, he doesn''t charge a penny; if he doesn''t, even if they offer ten thousand gold, he will not deign to treat them."


    Jian Lecheng gasped, "What counts as likability?"


    The Crown Prince was nearly blind, how could he be concerned about likability?


    Likability...


    What the Crown Princecked were a pair of bright eyes!


    Such rules were simply outrageous! Angered, Jian Lecheng kicked the carriage.


    The strength of his kick didn''t shake the carriage in the slightest, but his toes hurt so much he nearly cried out loud. He bit his lip and forcibly held back the tears, but a drop still fell from the corner of his eye.


    It was then that Ye Yiheng spoke indifferently, "Go and inquire, how much must be offered as a consultation fee for him toe out of seclusion?"


    "Yes!" Ruofeng bowed to the inside of the carriage and promptly left using his Qinggong skills.


    Inside the tavern, Li Yu shifted his gaze, "Such a disguise is actually not a problem."


    If she were to revert to dressing as a daughter, her stunning appearance would attract no end of attention.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly, "Asking you to repay the silver is really difficult, these days debtors are all grandees."


    The shopkeeper, pretending to be invisible next to her, bowed his head very low. Upon hearing this, he hastened to exin, "This humble one has poor vision, I beg your esteemed forgiveness!"


    Thisdy dressed up as a young master had made his master rush over, her status must certainly be extraordinary.


    Thinking this, he felt cold sweat down his back, especially since his own master had not uttered a word, just nced at him, scaring him nearly to the point of kneeling and bowing his head.


    Had it not been for the presence of others, he would have kowtowed hundreds of times, hoping the master wouldn''t dismiss him.


    Li Yu already knew what had happened just before and sent an apologetic smile to Leng Yu Yan, then his cold gaze fell on the shopkeeper, "Now, scram!"


    "Yes, yes, yes," the shopkeeper scurried away immediately.


    Leng Yu Yan pushed the jade pendant toward Li Yu, "Returning it to its rightful owner!"


    Li Yu did not take the jade pendant, instead, he took out a silver note and ced it on the table, "Back then you lent me five hundred taels, today I''m repaying you two thousand taels."


    @@novelbin@@


    Half a year ago.


    That day, the winds were fierce, and the rain poured heavily; they had met by chance in a mountain inn.


    ```


    ```


    At that time, his left arm was broken, and he had been robbed of all his silver. He wanted to stay at an inn to shelter from the rain, but he was penniless.


    ```


    Acting on a healer''s instincts, Leng Yu Yan used a few chopsticks to secure his injured arm.


    ```


    The pain in his arm eased considerably, and Li Yu felt the girl before him was beautiful in appearance and kind at heart, so he unabashedly asked, "Could you lend me five hundred silver taels?"


    ```


    Miao Zhu immediately objected, "My youngdy has kindly treated you, and here you are asking for money with such audacity; do people like you actually exist in this world?"


    ```


    His gaze passed over Miao Zhu and looked straight at her, pulling out a jade pendant from his chest, "We''re in the wilderness with no pawnshops around. I can pledge my personal jade pendant as security. If the youngdy agrees, I will write down an addresster. Should we be so fortunate as to meet again, or if youe to the capital, with this jade pendant, I will repay you double the amount!"


    ```


    Leng Yu Yan caught sight of an official badge hanging from his waist that bore the inscription of the Ministry of Industry.


    ```


    Within the Imperial Pce''s Six Ministries, the Ministry of Industry is only separated from the Ministry of War by the Ministry of Justice.


    ```


    This man is from the Ministry of Industry, and given the valuable nature of his jade pendant, he must have some significance and likely has some understanding of the internal structure of the Ministry of War.


    ```


    Miao Zhu leaned into her ear and whispered, "Youngdy, this man may look the part, but he''s probably a swindler!"


    ```


    Leng Yu Yan smiled slightly and reached out to take the jade pendant from the man''s hand, "This jade is worth more than five hundred gold."


    ```


    Miao Zhu clicked her tongue in amazement. On one hand, there were five hundred silver taels, and on the other, five hundred gold coins. With that in mind, her youngdy was not at a loss.


    ```


    Li Yumented, "You have a good eye!"


    ```


    "This jade is only a pledge," Leng Yu Yan casually nced at the man, then handed the jade pendant to Miao Zhu, "Give him five hundred taels."


    ```


    Besides being valuable enough to serve as coteral, if the jade pendant were given as a gift, it would hold other implications. Thus, it was better to be clear about the terms.


    ```


    Li Yu picked up the implied message in her words, the corners of his lips curving slightly, "Of course!"


    ```


    Her thoughts returned from the memory, and Leng Yu Yan took out a silver note of one thousand taels, returning the remaining thousand to him, "We agreed on double, you''ve given too much."


    ```


    "Since that day we parted, I haven''t had the chance to thank you." Li Yu rotated his now fully recovered arm, seizing the opportunity to say, "The jade pendant has been with you for over half a year; it belongs to you now."


    ```


    When they parted at the inn, he asked for her name so that he could return the silver to her in time.


    ```


    She had said her name was Li Yu.


    ```


    Eager to make a connection, he said, "Your name is Li Yu, and my name is Li Yu. The connection between us..."


    ```


    His words trailed off, choked by the look in her eyes, which resembled someone staring at a fool.


    ```


    Seeing her again, Li Yu''s heart was brimming with much he wanted to say, yet he didn''t know how to begin.


    ```


    "The silver note will suffice," Leng Yu Yan said with a light smile.


    ```


    "I''d feel uneasy if you didn''t take the jade pendant."


    ```


    "If you truly wish to express your gratitude, you could do me a small favor," Leng Yu Yan found the right moment to speak up.


    ```


    "Do not mention one favor; I''m willing to do ten, even eight!" Li Yu cheerfully dered, "Have you had dinner yet? If not, let''s eat something here; if you have, then let''s head to the tea house across the street for a slow chat."


    ```


    "I''ve already eaten."


    ```


    Wanting to ask for help, Leng Yu Yan followed his lead to the tea house.


    ```


    Inside the tea house''s private room, Li Yu got straight to the point, "What do you need, please tell me!"


    ```


    Leng Yu Yan had no intention of revealing everything and simply said, "I have an older brother in the Ministry of War, and I would like to see him. How should I go about that?"


    ```


    "The Ministry of War is within the Imperial City Office. Just ask at the Imperial Pce Gate and you will find out."


    ```


    "I know that much," Leng Yu Yan pondered, "My brother is in the Archives Room. If I want to surprise him, how should I go about that?"


    ```


    If he were to ask for her brother''s name, she could simply make up someone from the Ministry of War. And if he questioned why their surnames were different, she could easily im that one followed the mother''s surname and the other the father''s, or they could be cousins.


    ```


    Li Yu fixed his gaze on her.


    ```


    Though he didn''t know what she intended to do at the Ministry of War, his intuition told him it was no simple matter.


    ```


    Moreover, she probably knew he wouldn''t inquire about her elder brother''s name and title. Should he ask, his own alias as Li Yu might be exposed.


    ```

 Chapter 16 - 16 Liu Yan is Very Good

    <h4>Chapter 16: Chapter 16 Liu Yan is Very Good</h4>


    Leng Yu Yan returned his gaze boldly, "If you think I have any designs, you might as well not say anything."


    The young girl in front of him was his benefactor, Li Yu understood that in that situation, once he had left that area to seek medical help, there was no possibility for his arm to recover.


    Although she used only simple bone-setting skills, how could one easily find another healer in the wilderness?


    Seeing him deep in thought, she continued, "I really want to meet my elder brother. It''s been a long time since he returned home. If you don''t believe me, just pretend I never mentioned it."


    With the archives, there surely were relics of her elder brother.


    Seeing the items was akin to meeting her brother.


    Leng Yu Yan stood up, "I shall take my leave."


    Since there was nothing left between them, there was no point in continuing the conversation.


    The Ministry of War, it didn''t just hold the soldiers'' records and archives but also military censuses, weapons, andmands, thus it was heavily guarded with many traps.


    If she wanted to move freely within the Ministry of War, she urgently needed a map of the terrain.


    If she couldn''t get it straight away, she might as well gather more information.


    Li Yu immediately called out to her, "Wait, I can tell you where the Archives Room is."


    "What''s the condition?"


    "Do you think I''m a person driven only by profit?" he said as he stood, "Such secrets should not be discussed in a private room, follow me."


    "Where to?"


    He had that kind of jade pendant. In the bustling areas of the capital city, there were restaurants and tea houses frequented either by scions of noble families or descendants of prominent ns. To her knowledge, there were no members of a noble family known as Li in the capital, so Li Yu was probably an alias.


    "I won''t sell you out." The man smiled warmly, "Hurry up!"


    Leng Yu Yan moved her steps, following him out of the private room.


    Meanwhile, the storyteller on stage was at the peak of his performance, and the audience''s apuse filled the air.


    "How about it, is the story captivating enough?" Li Yu asked with a smile.


    Leng Yu Yan''s eyes moved slightly, "Quite captivating. I''m just curious, the Crown Prince has not yet had his grand wedding, why is the storyteller so enthusiastic?"


    Even the intimate details of the Crown Prince''s wedding night were vividly described.


    "People are curious about the marriage of the Crown Prince and the Leng Family''s homely daughter. Unfortunately, the wedding was scheduled for next month but got changed. The business in the teahouse plummeted, so I just made something up."


    Noticing her displeased expression.


    He quickly asked, "What, you don''t like it?"


    She shook her head, "The story is novel, quite interesting."


    No wonder the Crown Prince''s rumors were getting worse, and no one interfered, showing this man must have some influence.


    "You also said it''s good, then it must be really good. Don''t worry, the story isn''t about our Tiancheng''s Crown Prince," Li Yu smiled, raising an eyebrow, "But in reality, I do think our Crown Prince is better off blind."


    "Why?" Leng Yu Yan raised an eyebrow.


    While it was said to be fiction, people weren''t fools and could easily tell it was about Tiancheng''s Crown Prince Ye Yiheng.


    He smiled lightly, "Our Tiancheng''s Crown Prince adores beautiful things, people are no exception. If he weren''t blind and married an ugly wife, wouldn''t he be disgusted to death?"


    Ugly wife...


    Leng Yu Yan choked.


    He asked, "What did I say wrong?"


    She forced a smile, "As long as you''re happy."


    Soon, they reached the third floor.


    A secret door was opened by him, "We can talk inside. People outside can''t hear us. If there''s anything difficult you need help with, just speak freely."


    The man gestured for her to sit down, "Actually, if you were truly looking for your brother in the Ministry of War, you could have just asked his colleagues. But instead, you asked me, obviously, there''s something else."


    Surprised by his shrewdness, Leng Yu Yan raised an eyebrow, then calmly sat across from him.


    "You said you were well-informed in the capital, so I''m asking for your help. Don''t overthink it, I don''t want anything from the Ministry of War, I just want to investigate an old matter."


    Hearing her candidness, Li Yu pondered for a moment, "You want to go to the Ministry of War, but it''s inconvenient for me to take you there."


    @@novelbin@@


    Given his identity, it wasn''t quite appropriate for him to show up at the Ministry of War.


    After a pause, he added, "However, I can provide you with a topographic map. If you want to investigate old matters, the distribution and mechanism settings of the Archives Room must be detailed. Allow me a few days, and then I will give it to you."


    "Thank you very much!" Leng Yu Yan stood up and sincerely bowed.


    Li Yu raised his hand in a supportive gesture, "There''s no need for thanks between us!"


    "It''s gettingte, I should head back."


    With no good excuse to keep him, Li Yu sighed softly, "Alright, be careful on your way!"


    Then he personally escorted him out of the teahouse.


    A servant came over, watching Leng Yu Yan''s retreating figure and asked curiously, "Master, who is that young master?"


    He even deserved our master''s personal escort.


    And quite handsome too, like a little girl.


    "I don''t know either."


    This was the truth; it seemed there was an unspoken agreement between them to not inquire about each other''s real identities.


    Li Yu, feeling very pleased, caressed the jade pendant and turned back to the teahouse.


    "Uh..." the servant hurried to follow.


    --


    In the Eastern Pce, the light was splendid.


    In the past few days, Ye Yiheng''s eyes had lightened, and he moved more smoothly than usual, even at night.


    Jian Lecheng moved his toes inside his brocade boots, still numb and throbbing with pain. Seeing Ye Yiheng walking faster than him, he hurried to catch up.


    "Your Highness, aren''t you angry about the nonsense heard today at the teahouse?"


    Ye Yiheng''s lips twitched slightly; he was well aware of who owned that teahouse.


    "The storyteller''s words are insignificant."


    Clearly stated as fiction, one shouldn''t take it personally; if he got angry, he''d only be ying into the schemer''s hands.


    "But I am angry!" Jian Lecheng said indignantly, "If I may say, Your Highness should refuse the marriage. There would be fewer rumors in the world!"


    "I, on the other hand, find the rumors quite useful."


    Jian Lecheng was perplexed, "Why would you say that, Your Highness?"


    "How many Abolished Crown Princes in history have met a good end?" Ye Yiheng countered.


    This rhetorical question left Jian Lecheng stunned in ce.


    He was the Crown Prince''s studypanion; if the Crown Prince met with ruin, what about him?


    Indeed!


    Ye Yiheng continued walking without stopping.


    Since being appointed Crown Prince, he had be the target of many. However, the situation in recent years was the most rxing andfortable.


    His brothers'' vignce towards him had also dropped to its lowest ever in history.


    Even if not dethroned, has there ever been a Crown Prince in history who managed to live afortable life without ascending the throne?


    Jian Lecheng realized and hurried to catch up, "Your Highness, if you can see clearly, wouldn''t you want to see the visage of the Leng family''s ugly girl, those facial blemishes are truly shocking!"


    Even if indifferent to the rumors, as a man, how could he not care about his wife''s appearance?


    Hearing this, Ye Yiheng remained silent.


    Jian Lecheng prattled on, "Your Highness, that ugly girl has a notorious reputation, not only is she ugly, but she''s also inept and an utter fool, unable to recognize even a single character. Now she''s enrolled in Xinya Academy, isn''t that tarnishing the reputation of the academy founded by the Empress?"


    Knowing that previously His Highness wanted to send a treasured gift from the Empress to Xinya Academy, he changed his mind at thest moment after seeing that ugly girl outside the academy.


    He presumed His Highness wouldn''t want to see the ugly girl.


    Ye Yiheng chuckled lightly, "The Lady of the Leng family is ugly and foolish, yet she dares to refuse marriage."


    Isn''t that a great insult to him?


    Upon thinking this, he changed his mind; he would personally deliver the treasure tomorrow and meet her himself.

 Chapter 17 - 17 All Kinds of Denigration

    <h4>Chapter 17: Chapter 17 All Kinds of Denigration</h4>


    The warm sunshine of spring was delightful, and the swaying flower branches were intoxicating.


    On days without school uniforms, the academy was awash with the charming colors of spring.


    The female students, dressed in reds and greens, each disyed their unique charm.


    Lai Manting had practiced calligraphy with a brush all night long. The vertical strokes and hooks she practiced throughout the night had shown no improvement. In the morning, her eyelids were dark, and she had toyer on several coats of face powder before she could leave the house.


    When she saw Leng Yu Yan passing outside the teaching house, she affectionately called out, "Fifth Sister."


    Leng Yu Yan responded with a smile, "Third Sister."


    Lai Jiajia pouted and quickly pulled Leng Yu Yan along, seemingly afraid others wouldn''t notice how exceptional her elder sister was.


    Having suffered quietly at the hands of Lai Manting before, Lai Jiajia especially despised such pretentiously affectionate actions. Inside the teaching house, she remained visibly upset.


    Leng Yu Yan teased her, "When you''re angry, your cheeks puff up, which is really cute."


    It was the first time someone had called her cute, and Lai Jiajia burst intoughter.


    Just as they reached the entrance to ss D''s teaching house, a girl with e on her face suddenly ran out of the teaching house, crying.


    Seeing this, Leng Yu Yan was clueless, "What happened to her?"


    Lai Jiajia didn''t know the reason either, and only said, "Her name is Mi Xinmei. Yesterday when Sister joined our group, I was so happy I forgot to introduce her. The e on Xinmei''s face has always been a huge issue for her, and despite trying many remedies and prescriptions, nothing has worked."


    Many students who had arrived early at the teaching house were huddled together, chatting, and asionally casting nces their way.


    This infuriated Lai Jiajia, who directly asked the slightly plump girl in her group, "Luo Meng''er, what happened?"


    Luo Meng''er pinched her plump arms and approached, speaking softly, "They were talking about Xinmei''s pustules on her face."


    Lai Jiajia frowned, "They''ve talked about it before, why is Xinmei crying so much this time?"


    "They say her fianc¨¦ took a concubinest night, and they mocked her, saying she can''t evenpare to a concubine," Luo Meng''er''s voice grew softer as she spoke.


    "That''s too much!" Lai Jiajia was furious.


    Leng Yu Yan asked calmly, "How did you find out about this?"


    In wealthy households, such matters were not umon, but generally, men with fianc¨¦es would secretly take concubines for fear of offending the bride''s family.


    Who would dare topare a concubine with someone''s daughter from a dignified household?


    Luo Meng''er anxiously exined, "The problem is that her fianc¨¦''s cousin is also in the academy, and that''s how the news spread. That person didn''t juste to humiliate Xinmei, she also brought ssmates to point fingers at our ss. Xinmei is introverted by nature, and with this, she just couldn''t take it and cried."


    Being demeaned not only in rank but also mocked, it was difficult to bear emotionally.


    Inside the teaching house, those whispering girls raised their voices, "We didn''t say anything wrong; her e disgusts everyone who sees it, let alone the men in her future!"


    "It''s all Mi Xinmei''s fault, because of her, our entire ss D is looked down upon."


    "If you ask me, your team of six should start a separate ss, the ugly with the ugly, the fat with the fat, not a single one of you looks decent!"


    "People like you deserve to be despised by men!"


    Hearing these words made Lai Jiajia''s nostrils re, "All of you are unmarried girls, yet you talk endlessly about men; are you obsessed with men?"


    A girl in pink dashed over, pointing and scolding, "Lai Jiajia, don''t think we don''t know, you can''t be Lai Manting''s little tail anymore, and now that you''ve found an ugly girl, you think you''re so much more superior?"


    Another person mocked in agreement, "Isn''t that what you think, finding someone even uglier than you among the Leng sisters?"


    "You''re all spouting filth!" Wave after wave of abuse targeted Lai Jiajia, causing her to be so angry that her chest heaved dramatically.


    Luo Meng''er, with her plump frame, trembled, having often faced such insults.


    The two others from their team were crouching in a corner of the teaching house, their heads lowered, terrified that the scolding would again fall upon them; otherwise, they would be the ones crying today.


    In such a scene, Leng Yu Yan could now handle herself with calm.


    Five years ago, in therge hall of the Leng Family, she still vividly remembered being humiliated by hundreds of guests, earning her the title of the ugliest woman in the world.


    Now, these were merely child''s y to her.


    She patted Lai Jiajia and Luo Meng''er on the shoulders, about to retort against those troublemakers, when unexpectedly, Miss Xu''s voice came through the window.


    "Lai Jiajia, although your father and Marquis Lai are brothers, your father is only recorded under your grandmother''s name. On the surface, you are the legitimate daughter, but in the end, your birth doesn''t even match that of Li Lu, the concubine daughter!"


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan was shocked beyond belief; she herself hadn''t known this¡ªhow could Miss Xu know?


    Thinking it over, the only possibility was that either Lai Manting or Li Lu had spread the word.


    Lai Jiajia had heard rumors, but this was the first time someone had said it so boldly.


    "Xu Yaxiang, you''re talking nonsense!"


    Xu Yaxiang sneered as she entered from the door, "It is said that your father crawled out from the belly of a lowly maid; Old Master Lai had few direct descendants, and that''s why your father was kept."


    These words, once spread, could not only damage her father''s reputation but also affect hers and her brother''s future lives. Lai Jiajia felt utterly chilled by these words, her body cold and trembling.


    Noticing her severe trembling, Leng Yu Yan squeezed her hand and stared coldly toward Miss Xu.


    "You should know that the affairs of those days were..." Xu Yaxiang suddenly felt the icy gaze of Leng Yu Yan, cold as frost and sharp as a knife, causing her to shiver and hurriedly shut her mouth.


    Leng Yu Yan quickly pulled candy from her wallet, her knuckles poised to strike¡ª


    It was at this moment that the teacher bellowed, "What is all this noise about? What kind of behavior is this?"


    Leng Yu Yan then held back.


    "Everyone proceed to the academy grounds; today the Crown Prince graces the academy, bringing with him thete Empress''s calligraphy. You may all witness his elegance," the teacher said sternly, his face ashen. "The atmosphere here is foul; do not lose your decorum in front of the Crown Prince!"


    The crowd nodded, "Yes, teacher."


    The teacher nced at Leng Yu Yan, this one who had entered the school on her status as the prospective Crown Princess Consort and had reportedly even refused marriage at court. Such a rule-breaker, he must indeed make a clear statement to her.


    "Leng Yu Yan, although you have been granted marriage to the Crown Prince, currently, you are a student of the academy. As a student, you ought to abide by the academy''s rules. Do you understand?"


    Those who had been mocking her earlier now snickered.


    Leng Yu Yan''s expression remained indifferent: "The student understands."


    --


    @@novelbin@@


    Springtime was brimming, and the spring flowers blushed.


    The academy grounds were filled with female students of various sorts.


    Ye Yiheng, apanied by Jian Lecheng, ascended the high tform.


    "Your Highness, I can''t understand how the ugly Leng girl could enter Xinya Academy?" He nced below, where among the many beautiful young girls, only the ugly Leng girl, wearing a veil, was noticeably out of ce.


    Truly a blight on thendscape!


    "Shut up!" Ye Yiheng''s handsome brows twitched.


    The Mountain Master of the academy hurried over, bowing respectfully, "Wee, Your Highness! Wee, Young Master!"


    Then, along with the teachers and students, they all bowed deeply, "We greet Your Highness!"


    Ye Yiheng slightly raised his hand, "Dispense with the formalities."


    The crowd rose.

 Chapter 18: Strikingly Slapping the Face

    <h4>Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Strikingly pping the Face</h4>


    The Mountain Master cleared his throat and announced in a clear voice, "Today, the academy is fortunate, and all students are fortunate, to have the Crown Prince personally deliver the Empress''s calligraphy treasure... "


    At that moment, Xu Yaxiang lowered her voice and said, "The Crown Prince is about to lose his position; who cares about the Late Empress''s calligraphy?"


    Her voice was soft, but she deliberately let Leng Yu Yan hear it.


    It is said that those who are blind have exceptionally good hearing, but Leng Yu Yan did not know whether Ye Yiheng had heard it.


    However, she had already been betrothed to him, and even if she herself did not wish to marry, under such circumstances, she would not allow anyone to speak those words in her presence.


    If she did not put a stop to it, others would only be more audacious, and even humiliate her in the process.


    Moreover, the anger stirred up by the scene in the teaching building just before was still burning within her.


    Two ounts to settle at once!


    Leng Yu Yan pinched her slender fingers, turned around, and swung her hand across Miss Xu''s face with a p.


    "Smack¡ª"


    The crisp sound of the p was particrly jarring while everyone was listening to the Mountain Master''s speech.


    For this p, Leng Yu Yan did not use her Inner Strength, yet blood already oozed from the corner of Miss Xu''s lips.


    She clutched her visibly swollen cheek, her voice shrill and on the brink of tearing, she screamed, "You dare to hit me?"


    "Indeed, I hit you! So what?"


    Xu Yaxiang raised her hand to strike back, but Leng Yu Yan grabbed her arm.


    Unable to break free, Xu Yaxiang was so enraged that she almost popped her eyes out of their sockets, "On what grounds do you hit me?"


    "Just now, you ndered my future husband right beside me, shall I repeat your audacious words for you?" Leng Yu Yan asked in a measured and steady pace, word by word.


    After speaking, she pped her again, leaving symmetrical rouge on both of her cheeks.


    Xu Yaxiang screamed in shock, "You hit me again?"


    "I did hit you, everyone saw it. If I was wrong to hit you, feel free to report me to the authorities and have me arrested!"


    Immediately after, Leng Yu Yan pped her once more, this time adding a thread of Inner Strength.


    Xu Yaxiang was struck so profoundly that by the time she came to her senses to spit out a mouthful of blood, there was a tooth ringly mixed in with the blood.


    Enraged, herplexion turned purple and her neck veins bulged, "You freak, I''ll make you realize that I''m not to be trifed with!"


    Ting Manting had mentioned that ugly women had terrifying blotches on their faces¡ªshe must tear off her veil to let everyone see, only then could she quell the rage in her heart.


    Leng Yu Yan offered a faint smile, "Speaking of ugly, at this moment, your appearance is even uglier!"


    Being called ugly by an ugly woman, Xu Yaxiang was so infuriated that her eyes reddened, and she moved forward a few steps intent on grabbing the veil, "I''m going to fight you!"


    She reached out to grab at Leng Yu Yan''s face.


    Leng Yu Yan deftly sidestepped and, raising her hand, pped her face yet again.


    "Just now in the teaching building, you disparaged my younger sister incessantly, must I teach you the manners that your parents failed to, huh? How to be a decent human being, how to respect others, and their fathers, hmm?"


    Xu Yaxiang had not anticipated that she would not only fail to touch the edge of the veil but be pped to the ground.


    This scene at the bottom of the stage didn''t disturb the tranquil Ye Yiheng above in the slightest.


    The Mountain Master was embarrassingly at a loss and loudly questioned, "Xu Yaxiang, what did you just say?"


    Xu Yaxiang, refusing to answer, scrambled up from the ground, her lips smeared with blood, her entire figure in disarray.


    The teacher was exceedingly exasperated with Leng Yu Yan, feeling his words were wasted as if spoken to dogs, and angrily said, "Leng Yu Yan, what are you doing?"


    A trace of mockery flickered through Leng Yu Yan''s luminous eyes, "Teacher, have you received some benefit from the Xu Family to ignore her and question me instead?"


    A simple inquiry, yetden with doubt and insult, the teacher''s face turned a sickly shade of green and white.


    "How could this unsightly, witless girl uncover his affair with the Xu Family?


    It must be a coincidence!


    Still, the girl behind the veil radiated a delicate grace, her spine ramrod straight, exuding an undeniable presence that filled him with dread.


    "Lai Jiajia finally found relief when Xu Yaxiang imed that the Crown Prince''s position was in jeopardy, and nobody cared about the Late Empress''s calligraphy anymore."


    Fifth Sister had avenged her so brilliantly that she vowed to cling to her ''mighty thigh'' from that day forward.


    At her words, a hushing silence enveloped the crowd.


    Xu Yaxiang nearly copsed, her voice firm despite her weakness, "It''s all nonsense you sisters have concocted, ganging up on me!"


    Leng Yu Yan nced at Xu Yaxiang with indifference, "The things you said earlier, many here have witnessed."


    Her voice clear and her tone gentle, she didn''te across as aggressive, yet Xu Yaxiang found herself speechless.


    The teacher felt a chill down his spine, deciding it best not to draw attention to himself at this time.


    Xu Yaxiang''s face turned a deathly pale; despite the Crown Prince''s waning influence, he was still the Crown Prince in name, and her open insult could not go unpunished. Realizing the consequences, fearing retribution from her own family, she closed her eyes and feigned fainting amidst her frantic thoughts.


    The girls who had gossiped in the academy began to tremble, their earlier bravado vanished.


    The Mountain Master quickly offered apologies on behalf of the teacher to Ye Yiheng, and immediately someone carried Xu Yaxiang away, sending her back to the Xu Family.


    After themotion, the calligraphy inspection ceremony proceeded.


    From beneath his veil, Ye Yiheng''s phoenix eyes turned towards Leng Yu Yan. He could only see a figure, her features obscured.


    But there she stood, her posture unwavering, herposure imposing.


    This woman was not to be underestimated. Despite her apparent loathing for him and her attempts to annul their arranged marriage, in public, she showed him respect.


    In turn, he decided he owed her a gesture.


    "The solitary prince, blind and ailing, is known to all," his voice smooth as jade, pleasantly cultivated, "Do not nder my Crown Princess Consort because of this."


    As he finished, a warm, tender smile graced his lips.


    They weren''t even married, and he was already her defender, causing a stir among the onlookers.


    Had the Crown Prince not only lost his vision but his senses too?


    Standing aside, Jian Lecheng was absolutely dumbfounded. Just yesterday, he didn''t even want to catch a glimpse of Lady Lai, and now he had changedpletely!


    Even addressing her with the title of Crown Princess Consort!


    Most surprised of all was Leng Yu Yan¡ªshe had underestimated Ye Yiheng.


    He carried himself with noble grace, yet she could see the chill and dispassion in his expression.


    Ignoring the varying murmurs from the crowd, Ye Yiheng gestured for Song Guo to hand the scroll to the Academy''s Mountain Master.


    With boundless joy, the Mountain Master received it with both hands, as the teacher hurriedly bowed and hunched over to help him unfurl the scroll.


    They took turns describing the Late Empress''s calligraphy with exuberant praise.


    The teacher went above and beyond, emphasizing the Late Empress''s contributions to Xinya Academy, fearful that his earlier behavior would earn him the Crown Prince''s grudge. He spoke on, all the while gauging the Crown Prince''s reaction, and only rxed upon seeing hisposed demeanor.


    Leng Yu Yan lifted her gaze to the calligraphy mounted on stage. The brushwork flowed like water, forceful and bold, at times vigorous, at times limpid, capable of piercing one''s soul.


    @@novelbin@@


    She smiled slightly¡ªindeed, the Late Empress was a remarkable woman.


    How could such an exceptional woman have borne such a cold and taciturn creature?


    Suddenly, unable to contain himself, Ye Yiheng sneezed.


    Startled, the teacher holding the scroll trembled uncontrobly.

 Chapter 19: Want to Marry the Solitary

    <h4>Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Want to Marry the Solitary</h4>


    The ceremony had concluded and the students dispersed.


    The Mountain Master, seeing that the Crown Prince and Fifth Miss of Lai had a good rtionship, wanted to give them a chance and thus called out to Leng Yu Yan.


    "Your Highness, would you and Miss Lai like to sit in my study?"


    To promote their affection.


    Leng Yu Yan paused in her steps, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Mountain Master, but it''s not necessary."


    Right then, the Mountain Master led Ye Yiheng and the man who had just been called Young Master towards them.


    "There are many treasures from the Late Empress in my study, Miss Lai could take a look."


    Leng Yu Yan was about to decline again when she heard Ye Yiheng''s faint, cool voice, "It''s hard to decline the Mountain Master''s generous offer."


    What he meant was that he was willing to go to the Mountain Master''s study to talk with Leng Yu Yan.


    Jian Lecheng could hardly believe his ears, nearly dropping his jaw to the ground¡ªhad the Crown Prince gone mad?


    The person before him clearly had eyes covered with a white veil, yet Leng Yu Yan always felt a gaze fixed on her.


    Suddenly, she felt sweaty; being looked at like this reminded her of how in her dreams, he seemed about to strangle her...


    She felt a chill on her neck.


    Her neck was slender, easily breakable.


    As she pondered, Ye Yiheng coughed lightly, "Then we shall trouble the Mountain Master."


    Unable to resist, Leng Yu Yan let Lai Jiajia and the others go back to the dorm first, while she followed Ye Yiheng.


    Many female students remained in the drill ground, all of them gazing as the Crown Prince and Leng Yu Yan walked together toward the Mountain Master''s study.


    Their eyes brimmed with jealousy.


    They had to admit, if the Crown Prince didn''t have any physical or hidden ailments, even if he were blind, they would still dly marry him.


    The man, even with a veil covering his face, was indeed a pleasing sight!


    The Mountain Master, seeing that they conversed little along the way, opened up, "Your Highness, although Miss Lai is new to the academy, she is quite diligent."


    "No need to worry, Mountain Master, teach as you normally would and do not consider my position," Ye Yiheng said, sounding as light as a breeze.


    Leng Yu Yan clenched her fists.


    @@novelbin@@


    Upon arriving in the study, the Mountain Master tactfully excused himself and also pulled Jian Lecheng out, carefully closing the door behind them.


    Leng Yu Yan didn''t want to stay in a confined space with him, for it easily reminded her of the dreams she had been having for two months.


    Eager to leave and also to prompt him to speak with the Emperor about calling off the arranged marriage, she spoke first, "Your Highness, do you think I am uneducated and need to study diligently at the academy?"


    "What makes you think it was I who arranged for you toe to this academy?"


    His voice entered her ears like the collision of jade¡ªbeautiful yet chilling, and cold as ice.


    She frowned, "Isn''t it?"


    "You must understand, the academy was established by the Empress Dowager. How could I bring you here? To tarnish the academy''s reputation!"


    Leng Yu Yan gave a self-deprecatingugh, "ording to Your Highness, I am unworthy then. If that''s so, why don''t you refuse the marriage?"


    "Do you want to hear the reason?" Ye Yiheng said with a smirk.


    "Please speak!"


    "What you most hope for is for me to refuse the marriage; if I were to do so, wouldn''t that be granting your wish?"


    His beautiful lips curved into a captivating smile.


    With a smile on his lips and a coldness in his brows, his face exhibited such a contradiction¡ªLeng Yu Yan suddenly found him unfathomable.


    "Hehehe... To think that the Crown Prince himself spouts such nonsense! If Your Highness truly wished to marry, why then use the Late Empress''s birth month as an excuse to dy the wedding?"


    Leng Yu Yan bluntly pierced through his true intentions without showing any mercy.


    "Seems you can''t wait to marry me," he said, then...


    Ye Yiheng took deliberate steps toward her.


    Ayer of malice quickly enveloped his ordinarily serene and handsome face.


    For a moment, Leng Yu Yan felt as if she were in a dream.


    In the dream, unspeakable and mad scenes began with his relentless approach.


    Every time, she would wake up in a cold sweat.


    Leng Yu Yan pinched her palm to prevent herself from losingposure in front of him.


    "You Highness misunderstands, as I stated that day in the pce, I am not worthy of you." She offered a slight smile to ease the mood, "Your Highness is the dragon among men, while I am but dust on the ground. Fellow students at the academy andmoners in the market can testify to my unsightly looks."


    ording to what Li Yu had said, Ye Yiheng was fond of beautiful things, including people.


    "If only Your Highness could see me clearly, if not for this, I would show myself to you in detail. Your Highness would then understand that while you are elegant and clear in conduct, I am ugly and worthless, truly not fit to be matched with you."


    Remembering that the Young Master who hade over with Ye Yiheng was outside the door, she added, "Perhaps the Young Master could have a look and tell Your Highness in detail about my ugliness."


    Hearing this from outside the door startled Jian Lecheng terribly.


    Ye Yihengughed heartily and then summoned Song Guo to leave.


    Leng Yu Yan felt as though she had punched cotton, exerting strength in vain.


    After leaving the academy, Jian Lecheng urgently asked Ye Yiheng, "You clearly don''t want to see her, so why did you?"


    If he looked at her blemishes one more time and vomited in front of her, what then?


    Ye Yiheng remained silent.


    Today, although he could not see her face clearly, he could see her silhouette.


    Among women, she was rather tall, but in front of him, her forehead reached only his chin, surprisingly courageous.


    Jian Lecheng repeatedly said, "Your Highness, please never make me look at her face again, the sensation of vomiting is truly ufortable."


    Supported by Song Guo, Ye Yiheng boarded the Eastern Pce Carriage, with Jian Lecheng following closely.


    "Where is Miss Xu''s father currently employed?"


    "Your Highness, Mr. Xu is currently the Junior Minister at the Taichang Temple," Song Guo replied respectfully.


    Ye Yiheng coldly ordered, "In half a month, transfer him to the Ministry of Personnel as the Assistant Minister of Personnel."


    Jian Lecheng quickly reminded him, "From Junior Minister to Assistant Minister, from the Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Personnel, this is a promotion, Your Highness!"


    Ye Yiheng, expressionless, continued, "In six months, send him to inspect the officials on behalf of the Emperor. If he encounters a mudslide on the way, it would be convenient for him; if not, expose all his corrupt activities."


    Jian Lecheng realized, "An official''s corruption punishment is upgraded by one level!"


    He sighed inwardly, marveling at the Crown Prince''s skillful methods.


    If things were handled now, everyone would know it was the Crown Prince''s doing.


    And Mr. Xu''s guilt would seem rtively lesser, but if it proceeded as the Crown Prince nned, the lightest penalty might be confiscation of property.


    Most importantly, after such scheming, no one would connect it back to the Crown Prince.


    Jian Lecheng praised inwardly, finding that the Crown Prince''s response was not in haste but was for the long term.


    He made up his mind that he must find the Divine Doctor, both for the sake of the Crown Prince and for his own.


    He had been tied to the Crown Prince since childhood; if the Crown Prince thrived, he lived, if the Crown Prince fell, he died.


    Only by finding the Divine Doctor to cure the Crown Prince''s eyesight could the Crown Prince have a chance to contest the session.


    With this thought, Jian Lecheng said, "Your Highness, it is said the Divine Doctor is an old man. Although Linqing Pavilion is his residence, he has no fixed abode and often travels. What could possibly attract such an old man''s interest?"


    Ye Yiheng snorted, "What could attract his interest? He''s just greedy for money!"


    Jian Lecheng nodded repeatedly, "Exactly as Your Highness says, a mountain of gold and silver would naturally attract his interest."

 Chapter 20 - 20 Be Diligent

    <h4>Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Be Diligent</h4>


    Ye Yiheng left, and Leng Yu Yan also wanted to leave.


    But the wall was hung with numerous calligraphies and paintings of great value, all stamped with the Empress''s seal, which caught her eye, so she unconsciously lingered for a moment longer.


    When the Mountain Master came in, he didn''t see Ye Yiheng and asked in surprise, "Where is the Crown Prince?"


    "The Crown Prince has left."


    The Mountain Master looked up, his gaze fixing on the calligraphies and paintings and murmuring, "In my old age, I have seen countless intelligent people, yet I have never seen someone as highly astute as the Crown Prince."


    Describing Ye Yiheng in such a way, Leng Yu Yan''s eyes shed with astonishment.


    The Mountain Master before her, with his white beard and likely over sixty years of age, was one of the few kindly elders she had met at the academy.


    "Back then, the Empress personally visited and asked me to leave my seclusion to be the academy''s Mountain Master. I will forever remember the Empress''s kindness and opportunity given. The Empress has a heart as splendid as a brocade, and her son, born of such brilliance, is bright as morning. It''s a pity that the Crown Prince now..."


    Blind and weak.


    After a long sigh, he added, "Now that you are the designated Crown Prince Consort, you should be diligent. Beauty and ugliness are just superficial; beneath the skin, three inches down are all white bones. Leng Yu Yan, do you understand what I mean?"


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan was moved and quickly bowed deeply, "This student thanks the Mountain Master for your guidance!"


    What the Mountain Master said warmed her heart.


    If the original owner from five years ago could hear such heartfelt words, she wouldn''t have felt so lonely back then.


    After bidding farewell to the Mountain Master, Leng Yu Yan returned to the teaching building.


    Lai Jiajia saw here back and whispered, "Xinmei took leave to go home; she will note back for several days."


    Leng Yu Yan remained silent; to not be bullied by others, one must be strong oneself.


    No matter how others try tofort, it''s mostly futile.


    --


    After sses dismissed, the sisters left the teaching building together.


    As they walked, the surrounding gossip had diminished significantly, yet some persisted.


    Passing by ss A''s building, Leng Yu Yan clearly heard a lot of idle talk.


    "Man Ting, this morning at the Mountain Master''s study, the Crown Prince left in a huff, leaving the ugly girl alone, and it is said that for this, the Mountain Master lectured her," said one person, covering their mouth with a lightugh, "If you were the designated Crown Prince Consort, the Crown Prince would certainly not treat you like this."


    Lai Manting''s aspiration was not just the empty title of being the designated Crown Prince Consort; she wanted to be the true wife of the Crown Prince. Ye Yiheng was not long for this world, and she had no regard for him.


    She found suchments particrly gratifying to hear at the moment.


    "Fifth Sister was extremely beautiful as a child, and it is indeed hard to ept her present appearance. For my sake, please refrain from mentioning ''ugly girl'' in front of my Fifth Sister in the future."


    "Man Ting, you really are foolish. You''re so considerate of her, but does she appreciate you? That day you advised her to study diligently to get out of ss D, she said she doesn''t need it."


    "I am her sister after all; even if she treats me coldly, I cannot harbor such disloyalty toward her."


    Lai Manting''s tone became even more graceful, and to the ignorant, it might sound like she was mindful of the bigger picture, the epitome of a noble family''s daughter.


    Martial arts practitioners, whose agility matched their hearing, could pick up on idle talk from within ss A''s building. While Lai Jiajia didn''t catch it clearly, Leng Yu Yan heard every single word without miss.


    Lai Manting''s character, she had long seen clearly, was the same as their grandmother''s, their father''s, and Mrs. Feng''s.


    "Little Sister, since ss has ended, why are there still quite a few students in ss A and ss B?"


    Lai Jiajia seemed somewhat distracted, "They just want to appear eager and studious."


    The usually chatty Lai Jiajia, now silent after ss dismissal, seemed deted.


    Returning to the Leng Residence, Leng Jiajia dashed straight to her parents'' courtyard.


    The grievances she had been holding back couldn''t be contained anymore upon seeing Ms. He, and tears fell like broken beads, pattering down.


    Ms. He was genuinely rmed by this sight, "What''s made you cry so? Who has bullied you?"


    Leng Jiajia smeared her tears and snot all over Ms. He, "Xu Yaxiang said my father is only registered under my grandmother''s name, that my father''s birth mother was a lowly servant woman..."


    Lai Zonghui, who had just returned from court, frowned deeply upon hearing this.


    Ms. He was shocked; although she had heard rumors, she had never confirmed them and she dared not ask her husband for fear of damaging his pride.


    While consoling her daughter, Ms. He caught sight of her husband''s return out of the corner of her eye, "Zonghui..."


    "It is indeed true."


    Others were already spreading the word; as a dignified man, he had nothing to be ashamed of to acknowledge it.


    After pulling her daughter to her feet, Ms. He stood up, "We need to think of something, for if this continues, it will certainly affect our children''s lifelong prospects."


    "The Crown Prince''s rumors are countless, have you seen him suppress them?" Lai Zonghui sat down opposite Leng Jiajia, "Stop crying now."


    "I''m not crying anymore." Leng Jiajia immediately wiped her tears away, "Today, Fifth Sister stood up for me. In front of all the teachers and students in the academy, in the presence of the Crown Prince and the Young Master, Fifth Sister pped Miss Xu four times."


    Lai Zonghui and Ms. He looked at each other, both seeing surprise in the other''s eyes.


    "Miss Xu''s mouth was bleeding, and she even lost a tooth. Fifth Sister truly avenged me; otherwise, I would have cried at the academy."


    She wouldn''t have waited to cry until she got home.


    Lai Zonghui pushed one of the two boxes of pastries he had bought on the way home from court in front of his daughter, "Take them to Yu Yan."


    "Okay!" Leng Jiajia sniffled happily, stood up, and hurried straight to Qingyu Residence with the pastries.


    Watching her daughter''s cheerful demeanor, Ms. He softly asked, "Husband, who do you think spread the word about your origins?"


    "My elder brother is ten years my senior; by the time I was born, he already understood how things worked." Lai Zonghui snorted softly, "The servant woman managing our household would never risk her livelihood in the Leng Residence by indulging in idle gossip. Who else do you think it could be?"


    Ms. He broke out in a cold sweat, "But why bring it up now when Jiajia is about to engage in marriage talks?"


    "The limited view of a woman!" Lai Zonghui sighed, "It''s been five years since Yi passed in battle. If Yi were still with us, such a secret might never have been revealed..."


    If Leng Yi were still alive, he would have been the heir to Marquis Ningyuan''s Mansion. Even if Lai Hao wished to rece him, his first target would have been Leng Yi, and they would not have turned their hostility towards the second branch of the family yet.


    Now that Leng Yi was gone, Lai Hao became Leng Zongfa''s only son, and his session to the title of Marquis Ningyuan was legitimate.


    But there would always be narrow-minded people who would expose Lai Zonghui''s origins so that even if Lai Haoter encountered problems, the title would definitely not fall into the hands of the second branch.


    They had effectively blocked off the second branch''s pathpletely.


    Ms. He, already astute, suddenly grasped the intricate implications upon this hint.


    "Husband, do you suspect foul y in Yi''s death on the battlefield?"


    "Do you mean to suggest that Mrs. Feng''s influence could extend to the battlefield?" Lai Zonghui shook his head, "Mrs. Feng doesn''t have that capacity."


    While the couple was deep in their astonishing conversation, Leng Jiajia, carrying the pastries, stepped into Qingyu Residence.


    "Sister, Father asked me to bring these pastries for you to try."


    Hearing the noise, Leng Yu Yan stepped out of the house and saw the shiny streaks beside Leng Jiajia''s nose.


    Despite her usual grace, she couldn''t help butugh, "Did a snail crawl across Little Sister''s face?"


    @@novelbin@@


    Realizing what she meant, Leng Jiajia wasn''t annoyed andughed heartily, before promptly shoving the pastries into Miao Zhu''s arms.


    "I need to wash my face here at Sister''s ce. No wonder I felt my face crinkling up when the breeze hit me on the way over."

 Chapter 21 - 21 Ten Thousand Gold

    <h4>Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Ten Thousand Gold</h4>


    After washing her face, Lai Jiajia insisted that Leng Yu Yan eat some pastries.


    Out of courtesy, Leng Yu Yan ate a piece and gave one each to Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao, leaving the rest for Lai Jiajia''s stomach.


    Not only that, but Lai Jiajia also had her dinner at Qingyu Residence before returning to her own courtyard.


    Miao Zhu tidied up the dishes and utensils, "The Sixth Miss is truly genuine."


    Leng Yu Yan smiled slightly. She had cried and hadn''t yet washed her face when she came to deliver the pastries.


    It showed that she didn''t regard her as an outsider.


    @@novelbin@@


    The Leng Family raised their daughters to be gentle and demure. Her older sisters, who had married early, were just like that. Now seeing Man Ting and Li Lu''s behavior outside, it was the same.


    Lai Jiajia''s disposition was quite good!


    --


    A few dayster, it was a holiday at the academy.


    While Leng Yu Yan was having her breakfast, Miao Zhu brought over a small bamboo tube, "Miss, another pigeon message has arrived, still from the Linqing Pavilion."


    Leng Yu Yan unfolded it, took a look, and handed the letter to Miao Zhu to dispose of.


    This time, the letter contained a set of codes, which Miao Zhu couldn''t understand, "What is it this time, Miss?"


    "Linqing Pavilion has received an order with an extraordinarily high offer, asking if I would go."


    "How much?" Miao Zhu couldn''t help but ask.


    Although her miss usually charged a high consultation fee or epted something valuable in exchange, or simply did it based on mood, it depended on the person.


    Such as for bad people, no matter how high the fee, it was useless.


    "The other party started with ten thousand gold and mentioned that the price was negotiable."


    In Tiancheng, one gold was equivalent to ten silver taels, so ten thousand gold was one hundred thousand silver taels. Such an offer made Leng Yu Yan suspect the other party''s intentions and even the origin of their wealth.


    The maid she left at Linqing Pavilion handled the consultation fees privately and varied them based on the individual to avoid exposing her whereabouts and unnecessary troubles.


    For those without money, one copper coin was enough.


    If the person had money from dubious sources, naturally, more would be collected and then distributed to the poor.


    "Are you going, Miss?"


    "Let''s see. For now, let Chun Liu handle it, and have Xia Tao check out the person''s background."


    Miao Zhu nodded and withdrew.


    At the same time.


    In the Eastern Pce, guard Mo Chen clutching an urgently delivered letter, hurried into Ye Yiheng''s study.


    "Your Highness, Ruofeng has sent a letter." Mo Chen kneeled on one knee and presented the letter, "In the letter, Ruofeng says that only when the offer reached ten thousand gold did the other side agree to consider whether the Divine Doctor woulde out of seclusion, and further negotiations are needed. He can''t return now, so he had to send the information urgently by fast horse."


    Song Guo took the letter and handed it to Ye Yiheng.


    Today, Ye Yiheng''s eyes were half-closed, able to see a little clearer.


    He immediately tore open the envelope, scanned the words on the letter, then violently pped it, shattering the paper into dust.


    Seeing the Crown Prince in great anger, Song Guo carefully reminded, "Your Highness, take care of your health!"


    Mo Chen''s brow furrowed deeply, "Your Highness!"


    "Swindling and deceiving, be sure to apprehend this so-called Divine Doctor to face justice. I want to see if his life is worth ten thousand gold!"


    Previously, he had heard from Ruofeng that the Divine Doctor scorned ten thousand gold, thinking it to be an exaggeration. He hadn''t expected the other side to be insatiably greedy.


    Mo Chen immediately bowed to receive his orders and left.


    --


    Leng Residence, Qingyu Residence.


    As Miao Zhu prepared the homing pigeon to fly away, the pce summoned Leng Yu Yan.


    Upon entering the pce, Leng Yu Yan asked the servant what urgent matter required her immediate presence.


    The eunuch simply said, "Miss Lai will know once she arrives¡ªit is an act of the Emperor''s grace."


    She hadn''t done anything to deserve a reward. Unable to specte, Leng Yu Yan decided not to think about it anymore.


    Arriving in the pce, the eunuch did not take her to the council hall, Xiande Hall, but instead to a side hall called Xingning Pce.


    Seeing Leng Yu Yan''s puzzled expression, the eunuch exined, "This is the Ninth Princess''s sleeping quarters."


    She had never met the Ninth Princess and could not fathom why she was brought here.


    Just then, Ye Yiheng, guided by a little eunuch, also arrived.


    The eunuch greeted, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince."


    The conversation they had days earlier in the study had slightly annoyed Leng Yu Yan, and now seeing him again, she did not feel inclined to greet him.


    As if he could see, his eyes, hidden behind a white gauze, seemed to stare directly at her, "Could it be that Miss Lai also is blind and cannot see me?"


    Helplessly, Leng Yu Yan slightly bowed, "Your Highness."


    "Ha," Ye Yiheng inexplicably felt very pleased and strode into the hall.


    Leng Yu Yan gritted her teeth, straightened up, and followed the eunuch inside Xingning Pce.


    Inside, the hall boasted beams of sandalwood andmps of pearls; white jade covered the floor, and crystal bead curtains served as screens, with Chaoxiao Silk Gauze fluttering in the wind like mists over clouded mountains¡ªa true epitome of luxury.


    Such a residence for the Ninth Princess undoubtedly showed the Emperor''s deep affection for her.


    No wonder countless opportunists drooled over the position of Prince Consort for the Ninth Princess.


    Suddenly,ughter from the Emperor resonated from within, "Does that mean there is hope for my daughter''s legs?"


    As Ye Yiheng approached, the stationed eunuch announced loudly, "His Highness, the Crown Prince has arrived¡ª"


    The pce maid lifted the Chaoxiao Silk Gauze, allowing Ye Yiheng and Leng Yu Yan, among others, to enter.


    As the Crown Prince entered, everyone inside bowed to him.


    "Let''s dispense with the formalities today," the Emperor said cheerfully, waving his hand and then gesturing for Ye Yiheng and Leng Yu Yan to sit down.


    Ye Yiheng settled next to a high table with the help of Song Guo.


    Leng Yu Yan looked around, noticing the spacious room had several empty chairs, yet only the one next to Ye Yiheng was avable.


    She slowly walked over and gently sat down.


    Simultaneously, she discreetly observed everyone in the room.


    On the beauty couchy a young girl in a crimson dress, her eyebrows arched beautifully, eyes bright and weing, her radiant face charming¡ªa delightful beauty.


    One had to admit, the Tian Family had excellent genes.


    By the couch, the Emperor sat on a rattan chair, his gaze moving about with several people standing by.


    Among them was Lai Hao, her so-called second brother, whom she had seen the day he returned to the capital.


    From memory, her eldest brother had a more handsome face; Lai Hao, slightly less so. Five yearster, Lai Hao had matured quite a bit but still didn''t surpass their eldest brother.


    Beside Lai Hao, there was a stool with an old man with a white beard sitting on it, and nearby stood a few imperial physicians.


    Among those physicians, Leng Yu Yan recognized Grand Doctor Zeng, whom Ye Yiheng had sent to check her pulse at the Leng Residence.


    In the entire room, aside from the Ninth Princess lying down, the only others seated were the Emperor, Ye Yiheng, herself, and the old man with the white beard.


    This scenario made Leng Yu Yan wonder if Lai Hao had found the "Divine Doctor" and was now seeking credit.


    At that moment, the Emperor said, "Divine Doctor, please examine the Crown Prince''s eyes, and afterward, check on the Crown Princess Consort''s facial spots to see if they can be removed."


    Leng Yu Yan''s lips curled beneath her veil¡ªindeed, the "Divine Doctor" had arrived, and she was curious to see what skills this Divine Doctor possessed.


    Ye Yiheng spoke indifferently, "Father, may I ask what the Divine Doctor has said about Ninth Sister''s legs?"


    The Emperor looked towards the "Divine Doctor," "Share with the Crown Prince what you just diagnosed."


    The "Divine Doctor" stroked his smoothly maintained white beard, "The Ninth Princess''s leg ailment requires only the finest Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus, rhino horn, and leopard bone as medicinal catalysts. Following my prescription, taking it for seven treatment courses will definitely cure her."

 Chapter 22: Exposing the Fake Scene

    <h4>Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Exposing the Fake Scene</h4>


    "This Divine Doctor," the voice was clear and cold, emanating authority, "has yet to hear your diagnosis. Do tell, what caused the Ninth Princess''s leg ailment?"


    "This..." The white-bearded old man was suddenly at a loss for words, as he had not actually diagnosed the condition.


    Lai Hao hadn''t mentioned it to him either.


    In an instant, the gaze of everyone in the room converged on him, as if roasting him over a fire, causing him to sweat profusely.


    With his experience wandering the Jianghu, the white-bearded old man swiftly regained hisposure: "Emperor, the Ninth Princess''s leg ailment is not congenital but acquired. If it were congenital, not even an immortal could cure it; but if it is acquired, it can be resolved as I just mentioned."


    The Emperor nodded and said, "Hang''er, all the Imperial Physicians are here, and none object to the Divine Doctor''s treatment, which shows his medical skill is superb. You should let the Divine Doctor look at your eyes soon."


    Ye Yiheng lightlyughed, "Father Emperor, I need not trouble this Divine Doctor with my eyes."


    "Why is that?"


    "I believe he is a chatan."


    Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus, Rhino Horn, and leopard bone are all precious medicinal materials.


    Precious medicinal materials should only be used as guides in prescriptions; this "Divine Doctor''s" recipe would require a veritable mountain of gold and silver.


    This "Divine Doctor" was even more outrageous than the one from Linqing Pavilion!


    And, in the world, only the Divine Doctor from Linqing Pavilion is so highly esteemed.


    Ruofeng has yet to invite that person out of recluse; how could the second son of Leng Family manage to do so?


    Upon hearing the Crown Prince''s words, the Imperial Physicians present all straightened up; they did not believe that anyone could cure the leg and eye ailments that even the Imperial Hospital had failed to heal.


    The "Divine Doctor''s" earlier speech was indeed impressive, and they were not in a position to judge his authenticity. But now, hearing what the Crown Prince had said, they were quite hopeful that this Divine Doctor was a fraud.


    In this way, the reputation of the Imperial Hospital would be preserved!


    The Emperor sighed with a hint of frustrated disappointment before turning to Leng Yu Yan: "Miss Leng, let the Divine Doctor have a look at the blemish on your face."


    Leng Yu Yan stood up and curtsied: "Emperor, please forgive my presumption, but I believe what Crown Prince has said is very true, this elderly man is likely a swindler."


    At this, Ye Yiheng''s elegant brows raised slightly.


    This woman''s opinion coincided with his own, a truly rare urrence.


    "Exin, how did youe to know?"


    His voice was resonant and pleasing, with a touch of nonchnce and the air of someone enjoying the show.


    As Leng Yu Yan was about to answer Ye Yiheng, Lai Hao spoke up: "Younger sister, this Divine Doctor was invited by me after great difficulty and many travels, do not throw a childish tantrum."


    In his words, there was a hint of a warning nce directed at her.


    "Brother, your words are mistaken," Leng Yu Yan said with a light smile. "I am no longer a child, how can I throw a childish tantrum?"


    Under the veil, the corners of her lips curled into a mocking smile, unseen by those present.


    However, the shimmering brilliance in her eyes caught the attention of the Ninth Princess, who had not spoken all day.


    "The eyes of the Crown Princess Consort are beautiful," said the Ninth Princess, straightening up on her beauty couch, with a pce maid quickly propping her up with two cushions.


    Finding afortable position to lean on, the Ninth Princess continued, "The voice of Crown Princess Consort is also lovely. I would like to hear why, in her eyes, this ''Divine Doctor'' is a fraud?"


    After the Crown Prince and the Ninth Princess asked in session, the Emperor frowned slightly and said, "Miss Leng, speak inly, I will not me you."


    Leng Yu Yan curtsied again: "If I imed to be a Divine Doctor, would anyone here believe me?"


    "Of course not, of course not," Grand Doctor Zeng was the first to wave his hand dismissively. "It''s said that our Heavenly Bright God Doctor is a white-bearded old man; Miss Lai is a young maiden, how could she be the Divine Doctor?"


    The other Imperial Physicians unanimously nodded in agreement.


    "This white-bearded elder, aside from having the same white beard as the legendary Divine Doctor, seems to me to be bluffing about being a Divine Doctor, which is equally untrustworthy."


    Leng Yu Yan slowly paced forward, stopping in front of the "Divine Doctor" and gently bent down.


    The "Divine Doctor" was as nervous as if he were sitting on pins and needles, the young girl in front of him staring at him as if she could see right through him.


    Her eyes, inherently radiant and bright, made his deceptive tricks seempletely transparent before her.


    Leng Yu Yan straightened up, "Could Grand Doctor Zeng please take the ''Divine Doctor''s'' pulse and see if his pulse is disordered and his heart rhythm irregr at this moment?"


    After Grand Doctor Zeng saluted the Emperor, and the Emperor nodded in agreement, Zeng grabbed the wrist of the white-bearded elder and held it down.


    After a moment, Grand Doctor Zeng spoke, "Just as Miss Lai has said, this man''s pulse is disordered and his heartbeat irregr, as if he is lying."


    Leng Hao grew anxious, "Fifth Sister, you mustn''t be disrespectful!"


    "Second Brother, no need to rush." Leng Yu Yan turned around indifferently and reached out to grab the "Divine Doctor''s" white beard and pulled hard, tearing off the entire beard cleanly.


    The "Divine Doctor" felt his bare chin where his beard once was and fell from the stool to the floor in fright, "I, I, I had a beard before, it''s just that... as one gets old, the beard falls out. I, I, I just stuck it back on."


    Leng Yu Yan threw the white beard to the ground and dusted off her hands, "Well, if the white beard is fake, can the identity of the Divine Doctor still be real?"


    If the Divine Doctor''s most characteristic white beard was fake, then naturally his identity must be too.


    The Emperor was furious, "Seize this man and throw him into the dungeon!"


    Leng Hao''s knees buckled, and he knelt down immediately, "Emperor, this subject admits his error, having searched for so long for the Divine Doctor only to find a fraud, this subject is at fault!"


    @@novelbin@@


    The Emperor rose from his rattan chair and raised an eyebrow slightly, "You cannot be med for this matter, just now I and the other Imperial Physicians were nearly deceived as well."


    Being so dull-witted, Leng Hao nearly caused me to lose my imperial dignity; this man must never be allowed to enter official service.


    And the Princesses who wished to marry him shouldn''t even think about it!


    Leng Hao kowtowed in thanks, and upon lowering his head, saw the old man being dragged away like a lump of mud, feeling a chill run down his spine.


    The Emperor left with a flick of his sleeve, and the other Imperial Physicians hurried to follow.


    Watching Leng Yu Yan''s figure preparing to leave, as if possessed by something, Ye Yiheng asked, "How could you tell the beard was fake?"


    "If the Crown Prince were not blind, you would be able to see," Leng Yu Yan dropped these words and left gracefully.


    Using her name to swindle and deceive was something she could not tolerate.


    With just one sentence, Ye Yiheng was left dumbfounded in his spot.


    From atop her luxurious couch, the Ninth Princess saw this andughed heartily, "Even Sixth Brother has such a day, how amusing!"


    Realizing there was still someone kneeling on the ground, Ye Yiheng gave him a kick.


    Song Guo immediately raised his voice, "Your Highness has poor sight and walks with difficulty, it''s really not appropriate for Leng Hao to still be kneeling here in the Ninth Princess''s pce."


    Being reminded by someone, Leng Hao scrambled up and retreated, nodding continuously, and fled from Xingning Pce as if escaping.


    Then the Ninth Princessughed again, "That someone even dares to dream about this Princess, truly a fool''s dream."


    Ignoring the Ninth Princess, Ye Yiheng leaned on Song Guo''s arm and walked out.


    "That trickster just now, was there something unusual about his facial beard?"


    How had Leng Yu Yan seen through the deception when so many other Imperial Physicians had not?


    Song Guo respectfully answered, "Your Highness, I have never grown a beard, so even if there were something unusual, I wouldn''t be able to tell."


    Ye Yiheng sighed, "I''ve asked too much of you."

 Chapter 23 - 23 Selfishness and Self-Interest

    <h4>Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Selfishness and Self-Interest</h4>


    Lai Hao had just left the pce and was about to mount his horse when Wei Ruili grabbed the bridle.


    "Thank you forpeting against me," he said. "If you hadn''t bid higher than me, the me for the impostor would have fallen on me."


    With that, Wei Ruili burst intoughter.


    A few days before, their men had almost found the old man at the same time, but unfortunately, the people sent by Wei Ruili did not have much silver on them.


    And Lai Hao had personally sought out the Divine Doctor, firstly, because he had brought quite a bit of money with him, and secondly, his personal involvement showed greater sincerity.


    Thus, the old man was persuaded by Lai Hao''s sincerity and wealth and apanied him to the capital.


    Wei Ruili did not expect to receive such good news today.


    Originally he hade to the pce gate wanting to take the opportunity to get closer to the Divine Doctor, thinking that if he offered a higher price than Lai Hao, the Divine Doctor might agree to go with him, and the credit would then be his.


    But he hadn''t expected that Lai Hao and the Divine Doctor had already entered the pce.


    Waiting as he was, he unexpectedly saw the "Divine Doctor" being dragged away by the Imperial Army.


    After questioning repeatedly, Wei Ruili finally learned that the Divine Doctor was a fake.


    Suddenly, he felt as if he had been saved by Lai Hao.


    Lai Hao knocked Wei Ruili''s hand from the bridle and lowered his voice, "You''re fond of my fourth sister, yet you also covet the position of the Ninth Princess''s Prince Consort. What are your true intentions?"


    "Do you think I could fancy your sister, who is but a concubine daughter?" Wei Ruili let go of the bridle and sneered with contempt, "The credit for introducing the Divine Doctor today is already a thing of the past. Who do you think people will believe, you or me?"


    "You!" Lai Hao was so angry that the bridle trembled in his grip.


    He had now lost silver and still could not find the real Divine Doctor, which further damaged his reputation in the Tian Family''s eyes.


    Like Wei Ruili, there were many noblemen with simr intentions of intercepting, and now they were allughing at Lai Hao.


    Lai Hao climbed onto his horse, dispirited, amid the jeers of the crowd, and left the pce gate in a daze.


    When he returned to the Leng Residence, Mrs. Feng asked eagerly, "Ah Hao, was it a sess?"


    If her son could marry the Princess, then she would be the Princess''s mother-inw. Among thedies of the capital, she would be able to hold her head high.


    Being a secondary wife, especially one promoted from concubine status, meant that her position was to some degree questionable. Therefore, Mrs. Feng greatly hoped for her two children to secure good marriage prospects.


    Looking at his mother''s excited expression, Lai Hao bowed his head, "Mother, the Divine Doctor was a fake."


    "A fake?" Mrs. Feng''s voice rose sharply. "Why fake?"


    "I was deceived by him too!" Lai Hao pulled out his wallet and turned it inside out.


    The wallet was empty, without even a single silver note.


    Mrs. Feng snatched the wallet, "The ten thousand taels I gave you, all gone just like that?"


    "Mother, back then so many people were vying to have the old man go with them. He only went with me because I offered the highest price. I never expected him to be an impostor," Lai Hao couldn''t understand, "That man spoke so convincingly about medical theories, I was deceived too!"


    Holding the empty wallet, Mrs. Feng slumped down into the chair in resignation, "That was twenty years of my private savings!"


    Lai Hao red furiously, "Mother, today in the Ninth Princess''s chambers, at first the Emperor and the Imperial Physicians all believed that man was the Divine Doctor, but as soon as the Crown Prince and my fifth sister arrived, the situation changed."


    Mrs. Feng''s slender eyebrows knitted together, "How did it change?"


    "First, the Crown Prince suspected the Divine Doctor was a fraud, then the Fifth Miss exposed him on the spot. That old man was scared out of his wits, and his true colors were finally revealed," Lai Hao grew angrier as he spoke. "Had the Crown Prince and Fifth Miss not called out the Divine Doctor as a fake, the position of Prince Consort would have been mine!"


    In his view, the entire Imperial Hospital had been unable to treat the Ninth Princess''s leg disease; even if they had found a Divine Doctor, the oue would have been the same.


    Besides, the Emperor had said that anyone who showed merit in seeking medical help would be eligible to marry the Princess.


    He never specified that the Divine Doctor had to cure the Ninth Princess''s leg disease; even if the Divine Doctor was a fraud and the Princess''s leg could not be treated, once he sessfully married the Princess, they couldter dere that even the Divine Doctor was helpless to treat her.


    In this way, all problems would be easily solved.


    By then, his position as Prince Consort and his wealth would have been secured.


    But now, he had failed!


    Lai Hao added, "Mother, I believe the Crown Prince called the Divine Doctor a fraudrgely because he felt the Divine Doctor couldn''t cure his eye condition. But the Fifth Miss, why do I feel her actions were targeted against me?"


    "Why would that little girl dare to go against you?"


    "At the time, I hinted repeatedly to the Fifth Miss, telling her not to speak out. Unexpectedly, she not only ignored me but even pulled off the old man''s fake beard, exposing the fraud."


    After a lengthy discussion between mother and son, once Leng Zongfa returned, the family of three debated further.


    In the end, they concluded that it was Leng Yu Yan who had sabotaged Lai Hao''s good fortune.


    Leng Zongfa mmed the table, "Where is that double-dealing creature now?"


    "Father, she left the pce before me," Lai Hao obediently said.


    He''d squandered the silver and failed to marry the Princess, as well as losing credibility with the Tian Family; to avoid his parents'' me, he shifted all the me onto Leng Yu Yan to vent his anger.


    When the angry trio arrived at Qingyu Residence, Leng Yu Yan was engrossed in a game of chess against herself.


    Hearing their footsteps, she didn''t lift her head.


    Leng Zongfa approached and overturned the chessboard, "You double-dealer, today at the pce, not speaking for your Second Brother was one thing, but you actually..."


    In the middle of his questioning, Leng Zongfa choked, realizing that nothing he said would be right.


    Leng Yu Yan slowly looked up, her gaze cold and distant, "Divine Doctor being a fake, as a citizen of the Tiancheng, don''t I have the duty to expose him?"


    Mrs. Feng, tearing away the previously amiable facade, shouted, "Ah Hao is your Second Brother. By exposing the Divine Doctor, aren''t you pushing your Second Brother into a hopeless situation? You ungrateful child, I have treated you kindly. I didn''t expect you to hold such resentment against me. I may not be your birth mother, but Ah Hao is indeed your blood-rted Second Brother!"


    Lai Hao seized the opportunity to say, "Yes, Fifth Miss. I hinted to you several times, yet you still willfully proceeded. Now, I won''t be able to be the Ninth Princess''s Prince Consort, so what do you suggest we do?"


    Leng Yu Yan lightly shook her head; the values of the three people before her truly were peculiar, their thinking utterly selfish.


    "Consider this, if Second Brother had sessfully married the Princess andter someone exposed the Divine Doctor as a fake, would not our Leng Family be sentenced to death? Confiscating our property would be the least of it," Leng Yu Yan yed with a chess piece in her hand, speaking unhurriedly, "Father has been an official in the court for many years; surely, you do not need your daughter to teach you this principle."


    Upon hearing this, Leng Zongfa broke into a cold sweat, his face turning alternately pale and green with fear.


    Mrs. Feng, thinking of the possibility of losing the silver she had saved over many years, continued her tirade like a shrew, "You just can''t stand to see your Second Brother prosper, you are such a..."


    Before she could finish her rant, the butler hurried in to report, "Master, Lady, someone from the pce hase with an imperial edict from the Emperor!"


    An imperial decree from the Emperor was as sacred as the imperial decree itself; everyone quickly made their way to the front courtyard.


    By the time they arrived, Madam Lai, Lai Manting, Li Lu, and Mrs. Hu, the entire family of four from the second house, were all present.


    @@novelbin@@


    The eunuch announced, "Imperial decree from the Emperor, Miss Lai of the Leng Family is wise and shrewd, highly intelligent and talented. With a Crown Princess Consort like this, We are veryforted!"

 Chapter 24: Rewarding the Crown Princess Consort

    <h4>Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Rewarding the Crown Princess Consort</h4>


    The oral decree was finished, and an eunuch swept a horsetail whisk: "A pair of treasure vases, a pair of Jingtai Blue Vases..."


    The eunuchs and pce maids who followed carried various rewards, proceeding in order to present them before Leng Yu Yan.


    On the trays were brocade boxes of various sizes, some simply covered with red silk, their shapes indicating they were ingots. Items like vases and others for ornamental enjoyment were openly disyed.


    Mrs. Feng and Lai Hao''s eyes nearly popped out!


    The sum of these rewards was far beyond ten thousand taels of silver!


    After the rewards were announced, the eunuch smiled and said, "Crown Princess Consort, all these are tokens of the Emperor''s and the various Princesses'' affection."


    Then he pointed to a three-tiered makeup box and ordered a pce maid to open it.


    In an instant, the glittering and resplendent jewels and jewelry inside the makeup box shone brilliantly before everyone''s eyes.


    "These were selected together by the various Princesses and the Ninth Princess, and I hope the Crown Princess Consort likes them."


    Seeing the uncontroble sour expression on Lai Manting''s face, Leng Yu Yan said with a smile, "How can I, I, ept so many gifts?"


    "As the Crown Princess Consort, your status is honorable, and you deserve them." The eunuch took out a list of gifts and presented it to Leng Yu Yan with both hands, "Please ept this!"


    Leng Yu Yan epted it with both hands and politely nodded, "Thank you, Eunuche Ye!"


    Seeing her not the least bit arrogant, Eunuch Ye''s smile grew even warmer.


    Originally, he did not have a high regard for this ugly daughter of the Leng Family.


    The Emperor almost had his wise reputation destroyed because of the fake divine doctor. If not for her exposing the divine doctor''s fake beard and restoring the Emperor''s dignity, the Emperor might have been ridiculed by all the Tiansheng citizens.


    Now, having proimed the rewards as tokens of the Emperor''s and the various Princesses'' affection, she modestly referred to herself as I and epted the gift list, showing great respect to him, an eunuch.


    In an instant, Eunuch Ye felt that aside from her unattractiveness, her behavior and deportment were measured and appropriate, actually fitting the poise and steadiness required of a Crown Princess Consort of a country.


    With that thought, he turned and raised his hand slightly to Leng Zongfa, "Marquis, might I borrow a moment of your time?"


    Leng Zongfa nodded; this eunuch was the personal eunuch Eunuch Ye by the Emperor''s side, a man whose status could not be taken lightly.


    He respectfully made a gesture of invitation, "Please, Eunuch Ye!"


    The two walked to the gallery outside the hall.


    Eunuch Ye smiled and looked at Leng Zongfa for a while, until Leng Zongfa couldn''t help but say, "Eunuch Ye, if you have something to say, please speak!"


    "The Emperor asked me to tell the Marquis, the Marquis has raised a fine daughter!"


    Leng Zongfa didn''t realize at once which daughter the Emperor was referring to.


    Eunuch Ye, seeing his confusion, rified directly, "The Emperor was speaking of Miss Lai Wu."


    For the first time, Leng Zongfa felt a sense of pride from his unattractive daughter.


    "Far from it!" Leng Zongfa waved his hands and then bowed in the direction of the Imperial Pce, "It is all thanks to the vast grace of the Emperor. As a citizen of Tiancheng, it''s only right to discern the true from the false, to discard the sham and preserve the genuine. My daughter was merely fulfilling her duty."


    Eunuch Ye''s face brimmed with a smiling expression, yet in his heart he muttered, the fake divine doctor was brought by your son after all. Saying it so righteously, as if by doing so, you could overlook your son''s guilt.


    What a thick-skinned man indeed!


    Meanwhile, back in the hall.


    Lai Manting looked at the beautiful jewelry in the makeup box, feeling both envious and jealous. If she had agreed to the arranged marriage with the Crown Prince, all these items would have been hers.


    And what about Leng Yu Yan?


    Although it was said that the Crown Prince was blind and sickly, these rewards were truly too tempting!


    @@novelbin@@


    Especially those dazzling hairpins, picked out by the Princess and the Ninth Princess from the pce, were indeed extraordinary. These were designs unseen in the marketce, and their materials were of the finest quality.


    If she wore these pieces of jewelry on her head, not only would she gain the reputation of a talented woman, but the title of the world''s most beautiful woman woulde easily to her.


    Her heart churned like tumultuous waves, and for a moment, she didn''t know what to feel.


    As if possessed, Lai Manting spoke up, "Fifth Sister, can you really wear so many hairpins and ornaments?"


    Such an ugly face paired with such exquisite hairpins would be aplete waste.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled sweetly, "I''m quite vulgar, even if I don''t wear them on my head, I''ll be happy just opening my makeup box to look at them every day."


    Lai Manting, worried that Leng Yu Yan''s foolish brain wouldn''t catch her insinuation, shamelessly said, "It would be a pity to just look at them ¨C why not let me wear some for you? It would also show the Emperor''s boundless grace."


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan mentallyughed madly while maintaining a faint smile on her face, "Thank you, Third Sister, but I''m rather fastidious. If you were to wear them, then I wouldn''t like them anymore¨Cwhat should be done about that?"


    "Then just give them to me. If Fifth Sister feels at a loss, I could pay you in silver," Lai Manting said with a charming smile.


    In front of so many people, would she really dare to ask for money?


    "Third Sister, you''re mistaken," Leng Yu Yan quickly leaned close to Lai Manting and whispered, "Do you feel these were originally yours since you were the one to be bestowed to the Crown Prince initially?"


    "You!" Lai Manting couldn''t believe this wretched girl could see through her thoughts.


    "Your thoughts are written all over your face," Leng Yu Yan said with a lightugh, stepping away from her.


    Lai Manting''s smile gradually stiffened, and her eyes instantly reddened with anger, "Fifth Sister, you''ve misunderstood me. I was thinking that with your looks and these fine items, you would be aughing stock to the whole world. It would be better for me to disy them for you. Your usations truly chill the heart!"


    Her voice sounded pitifully weak, fully disying her vulnerability.


    "Oh, is Third Sister really so kindhearted?" Leng Yu Yan raised an eyebrow, her tone steady.


    Even with a veil on, when she was not smiling, the people around could feel the icy aura emanating from her.


    "Fifth Sister, you really have misunderstood me," Lai Manting protested, her eyes growing redder.


    She looked as if she were about to cry.


    Leng Yu Yan''s gaze swept lightly over Lai Manting, then chuckled, "If the betrothal were to be switched back right now, these rewards would not be yours either, Third Sister!"


    Lai Manting shuddered instantly.


    Could the betrothal really be switched back?


    For a moment, she felt all the surrounding gazes fixated on her, as if they were about to strip away her modesty and expose her true thoughts.


    Lai Manting shuddered, "Fifth Sister, don''t joke. The imperial decree for the betrothal has been issued, how could it be changed?"


    Leng Yu Yan''s beautiful eyes narrowed, and she smiled innocuously, "Before the betrothal, our father and mother changed the chosen one to me, I think it could be changed back as well."


    Lai Manting''s back broke into a cold sweat, and herplexion turned pale; her lips trembled, "I..."


    Of course, she didn''t want that!


    Seeing his own flesh and blood, his younger sister, so embarrassed, Lai Hao made his own calctions and took the opportunity to speak, "Fifth Sister, do you remember what Second Brother said at Qingyu Residence just now?"


    He roughly calcted that if all the rewards could be his, he could recover his losses from the fake divine doctor and even make a profit.


    If he hadn''t found that old man, how could Leng Yu Yan have had the opportunity to expose the fake divine doctor?


    Therefore, he felt entitled to these rewards.


    With these thoughts, his gaze at the rewards became increasingly greedy, as if they were truly his.


    How could Leng Yu Yan forget? He couldn''t be the Ninth Princess''s Prince Consort and had pushed the responsibility onto her. Now, she was crystal clear about what he was calcting in his heart.


    Was he thinking she would simply hand over all this wealth to him?

 Chapter 25: Abusing Trash and Slapping Faces

    <h4>Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Abusing Trash and pping Faces</h4>


    "Second Brother, I remember everything crystal clear. You found a fake divine doctor and now regret it deeply. I am unable to assist Second Brother, I can only offer some advice," Leng Yu Yan refused without giving any quarter, revealing the truth, "Second Brother, think positively, the Emperor not punishing you is already a tremendous grace."


    A nameless sense of oppression spread.


    Lai Hao''s face could not hide his embarrassment, and her words choked his self-righteous logic in his throat.


    Eunuch Ye, at a distance, could not hear the conversation in the hall, but there were plenty of little eunuchs and pce maids standing around.


    Should he express his thoughts that rewards should naturallye to him and have these people convey it to the Emperor, the consequences would be unimaginable.


    Seeing both her children outmaneuvered, Mrs. Feng thought of Leng Yu Yan''s young age and intended to cajole her.


    Moreover, Lai Jiajia and Leng Yu Yan hadtely been seen together, and if Ms. He took notice of these fine things, it would be much more troublesome for her toe and im themter.


    "Yu Yan, let Mother keep the list of gifts for you," Mrs. Feng said. "You are so impulsive, what if you lose the list? The awarded items also need to be properly stored in the storehouse."


    A moment ago, she was cursing unabashedly in Qingyu Residence; now her change of face was truly astonishing.


    Before Leng Yu Yan could reply, Madam Lai immediately chimed in, "Indeed, Yu Yan, you are young and have spent five years in the mountains, not having dealt with financial matters. Grandmother thinks it is appropriate to let your mother handle these items or to put them into the public fund."


    Letting her give the items to Mrs. Feng or putting them into the public fund.


    Did they think she was a fool?


    Leng Yu Yan''s eyshes lowered, hiding a fleeting touch of sarcasm, "Thank you for the kindness of Mother and Grandmother..."


    In the midst of speaking, she caught a glimpse of her father and an eunuch approaching and raised her voice, "I will take good care of the list of gifts and the rewards myself, ensuring that they are not touched by irrelevant people. Grandmother and Mother, please rest assured!"


    Standing nearby, Lai Zonghui and Ms. He exchanged nces and smiled in understanding.


    Lai Jiajia, who had been clutching her handkerchief tightly just before, now rxed considerably.


    She was of little influence, and although she wanted to speak up for Fifth Sister just now, she admitted to herself that she was intimidated by their aggressive approach.


    Fortunately, Fifth Sister was even more astute than she had imagined!


    Upon hearing this, Eunuch Ye nodded in approval, "What the Crown Princess Consort says is very true! Once the Crown Princess Consort enters the Eastern Pce, with such a vast ce to manage, these lists and rewards can serve as practice."


    Madam Lai and Mrs. Feng hurriedly agreed with a string of affirmations, offering awkward smiles.


    Their smiles were too forced, and for a moment, the mother-inw and daughter-inw''s expressions were especiallyical.


    Leng Yu Yan walked up to Eunuch Ye and curtsied.


    Eunuch Ye hurriedly lifted his hands in a feigned attempt to support her, "For the Crown Princess Consort to do this is too much honor for this old servant!"


    "You are elder, Eunuch Ye, it is only proper," Leng Yu Yan said calmly, "I would like to ask Eunuch Ye to be a witness and also to help convey a message to the Emperor."


    "Please speak, Crown Princess Consort!"


    "The Emperor thinks highly of me for my intelligence; my grandmother and mother must certainly share the Emperor''s view, therefore I wish to retrieve my biological mother''s dowry and manage it myself."


    Eunuch Ye nodded, "The Crown Princess Consort is intelligent and will surely manage everything well."


    "My biological mother, while she was alive, said that her dowry was to be divided in two, one part for my full-blooded elder brother and one part for me. After the unfortunate passing of my brother, my biological mother entrusted her entire dowry to my stepmother, who was then Aunt Hu, specifying that when I came of age, the entire dowry would be mine."


    Leng Yu Yan turned, smiling at Mrs. Feng, "My stepmother has taken great pains for five years, and I am profoundly grateful."


    Mrs. Feng was takenpletely by surprise, not having managed to secure the rewards, and now the little girl was demanding the return of her biological mother''s dowry.


    She was caught off-guard.


    Seeing Mrs. Feng not loosen her grip, Leng Yu Yan raised her eyebrows and slowly addressed Eunuch Ye, "With the rewards from the Emperor and various Princesses, along with my biological mother''s dowry, I will not be anxious about managing the affairs of the Eastern Pce after some practice."


    Eunuch Ye looked at the young girl before him with a smile, increasingly feeling that this girl was brave and scheming.


    Leng Yu Yan then turned around again, looking back at Mrs. Feng, "Mother, when do you n to hand over my birth mother''s dowry to me? I already reached the age of adulthood a month ago."


    Eunuch Ye''s brow twitched slightly as he shifted his gaze to Mrs. Feng''s face, "I had no idea that the Marchioness had such a good rtionship with the former Marchioness."


    Having been a ve in the Tian Family since childhood, he had learned a tenth of the aura of those in high positions.


    At this moment, the smile on Mrs. Feng''s face was even uglier than a cry.


    "Your Excellency is too kind..."


    As Mrs. Feng dug her long fingernails into her palm, she barely managed to maintain some rationality, preventing her from tearing Leng Yu Yan''s face apart on the spot.


    Five years ago, had Mrs. Zhang actually handed over the dowry to her daughter?


    It was all directly seized by her and imed as her own.


    Now that the little girl spoke so pleasantly, it indeed made it impossible for her to burst into anger.


    If she lost her temper, the fact that she snatched the dowry of her husband''s deceased wife would not stay hidden.


    Moreover, it would implicate the reputations of Man Ting and Ah Hao, which would be a loss far greater than any gain.


    @@novelbin@@


    After a prolonged deeply intertwined contemtion, Mrs. Feng had no choice but to bitterly agree with Leng Yu Yan''s suggestion, "I''ll get it sorted and give it to you in a few days."


    Leng Yu Yan bowed gracefully, "Thank you, mother. You treat me as your own, and I likewise regard you as my birth mother. Therefore, when your daughter gets married, there is no need for mother to divide her own portion of the dowry to give to me. After all, my third and fourth sisters are older than me and already of marriageable age."


    Mrs. Feng''s heart practically burst with rage, yet she still had to feign a smile on her face, "What are you talking about, child? Your birth mother''s dowry is rightly yours, and when you marry, mother will definitely add another dowry. We mother and daughter share a bond, let''s not speak of such things as outsiders."


    She did not specify the amount of the dowry, only that she would add one.


    Seeing this, Ms. He quickly interjected with a smile, "Then I, as an aunt, will certainly add a substantial portion. Sister-inw had better ensure that she doesn''t get overshadowed by her younger sisters-inwter on."


    Mrs. Feng was so furious she nearly fainted, and at that moment, Ms. He was adding fuel to the fire by fanning the mes.


    Leng Yu Yan''s eyebrows lifted with a smile, "That sounds wonderful, and I must thank mother and aunt in advance!"


    Mrs. Feng could no longer pretend, the smile on her face stiffening beyond control.


    Seeing this, Ms. He felt very satisfied and warmly grasped Leng Yu Yan''s hand with a smile, "Why be so formal, child? We are all family here. In the future, you and the Crown Prince must love each other deeply and forever!"


    Considering Leng Yu Yan''s respectful attitude towards him, Eunuch Ye swept his horsetail whisk aside and ordered the little eunuchs and pce maids to take the gifted items to her courtyard.


    Better to avoid the envy such good things might provoke here.


    As for whether she could manage it afterwards, that was her own affair.


    --


    Not long after, Eunuch Ye left with the little eunuchs and pce maids.


    Mrs. Feng pulled Leng Zongfa back to their courtyard.


    No sooner had they entered the house than she closed the door and cursed, "You greedy, vile creature, pah!"


    In response, Leng Zongfa remained silent.


    Eunuch Ye''s words were still ringing in his ears. Lai Hao being deceived by the fake divine doctor was his own stupidity. If it weren''t for Leng Yu Yan exposing the fake divine doctor, their family would bear no small guilt.


    As Mrs. Feng cursed more fiercely, Leng Zongfa simply left the house.


    Not long after, a maid came to report, "Lady, the master has gone to Aunt Hu''s courtyard."

 Chapter 26 - 26 Really Want to Get Married

    <h4>Chapter 26: Chapter 26 Really Want to Get Married</h4>


    Mrs. Feng''s face flushed with anger and her nostrils twisted when she heard that. In a fit of rage, she picked up a teacup from the tea table with the intention of smashing it.


    Then she remembered the teacup was bought with a considerable amount of silver and set it down again.


    Instead, she picked up some worthless broken bowls to smash.


    But it still wasn''t enough to calm her anger.


    She couldn''t even touch or handle the items bestowed by the Emperor and Princess, but that little girl dared to demand all of Mrs. Zhang''s dowry back.


    Not only that, but she also demanded a dowry from her!


    "What audacity!" Mrs. Feng trembled with anger, her eyes brimming with resentment.


    When Lai Manting heard from the servants that her mother was extremely angry, she hurried over to console her.


    Upon reaching Lanxiang Court, she heard the crisp sound of porcin shattering and quickly rushed inside.


    "Mother, that little girl has been scared by poverty after five years in the mountains. As long as that wealth is in our residence, obtaining it is just a matter of means and timing."


    Mrs. Feng calmed down slightly, "You make sense. She probably hasn''t even seen a silver note worth a hundred taels."


    The mother and daughter analyzed the situation for a long time, and Mrs. Feng felt increasingly that she shouldn''t have lost her temper in Qingyu Residence.


    "Today, I was really angered by your second brother, and that''s why Ished out at her in Qingyu Residence."


    That caused the little girl to be on guard, unwilling to reveal her rewards and even indirectly demanding her dowry back.


    Lai Mantingforted her, "Mother, after all, she is just one person, with only a maid and a deaf and mute old woman by her side. However strong she is, what can she really achieve? Today, she was only showing off because Eunuch Ye was there to ry the imperial decree."


    If there hadn''t been people from the pce there, would Leng Yu Yan have been able to do that?


    At that moment, she truly was blinded by the exquisite jewelry. If asked for it afterward, how could Leng Yu Yan, the fool, refuse?


    Even if she refused, with a bit of scheming, wouldn''t the fine items still end up in her hands?


    --


    Not long after Eunuch Ye returned to the pce to report, news of the events at the Leng Family reached Ye Yiheng''s ears.


    After Song Guo finished recounting the information he gathered, he asked, "Your Highness, does Miss Lai truly wish to marry you?"


    "Why do you ask?"


    "Previously, in Xinya Academy, she defended Your Highness by pping Miss Xu from the Xu Family four times, the sound still echoes in my ears. Inside Xingning Pce, Your Highness, you first said the Divine Doctor was fake, and she helped you expose the fake divine doctor. Now, she wants her mother''s dowry back¡ªisn''t it because she wants a more substantial dowry when marrying Your Highness? Moreover, she also mentioned that managing that wealth was to prepare her for managing the Eastern Pce''s properties in the future."


    Ye Yiheng spoke in an indifferent tone, "Song Guo, how many years have you been with me?"


    "Your lowly servant started following Your Highness at the age of seven, and it''s been twelve years now."


    His family had too many brothers, and the older ones had reached the age to marry, yet no one came to propose marriage. The reason was no other than their extreme poverty.


    Driven by financial needs, his family sent him to the pce in exchange for silver.


    That year, he was only seven.


    Also, that year, Ye Yiheng was officially designated the Crown Prince and needed to leave the Empress Dowager to reside in the Eastern Pce.


    The Empress wanted to select a little eunuch of simr age to the Crown Prince.


    Just then, there was a suitably aged boy who had just undergone castration; unfortunately, he lost too much blood, and the Empressmented the pity upon hearing this.


    At that moment, Ye Yiheng was eating pine nuts. He pushed the te of pine nuts in front of him towards a eunuch and said, "Send these pine nuts, and tell him if he can survive, he can apany me to the Eastern Pce."


    Ye Yiheng, though not knowledgeable in medicine, had read in books that pine nuts had anti-inmmatory and blood-stopping properties, as well as strengthening benefits.


    It was convenient since he was eating them, so he decided to do a kindness.


    Anyone sent to the pce to be a eunuch, if they encountered idents during castration, had no money for treatment.


    Song Guo was no exception back then.


    But he ate the pine nuts sent by the people of the Crown Prince and miraculously survived.


    Since then, he had been faithfully by Ye Yiheng''s side, even changing his name to Song Guo.


    He had so many brothers, yet his biological parents chose only him to send to the pce.


    When his castration went awry, his family disregarded him. That moment erased any illusions he had about his birth family.


    Later, the family told me they had used the silver he acquired by leaving home to build a bungalow, which even helped his first two brothers find wives.


    Since then, he had barely been in touch with his family.


    In his view, it was the Crown Prince who had given him a new chance at life.


    Now, there was a nobledy willing to marry the Crown Prince, and he was genuinely happy.


    Ye Yiheng shook his head, "You are still naive."


    Song Guo bowed respectfully, "I am dull, please enlighten me, Your Highness!"


    "He''s just using the opportunity to take back what belongs to her," Ye Yiheng said, and without realizing it, a faint smile curled the corners of his lips, almost imperceptible.


    Song Guo still confused, "Doesn''t Miss Lai want to marry Your Highness? With so many women in the world, why would none want to marry him?"


    Ye Yiheng coughed violently, Song Guo quickly tried to ease his breathing, but to no avail.


    His coughing wouldn''t stop, and his body became colder and colder.


    Song Guo sent for the Imperial Physician and had people assist the Crown Prince into the house, covering him with silk quilts.


    When the Imperial Physician arrived, he prescribed a remedy and prepared the medicine.


    After Ye Yiheng had taken the medicine, his condition somewhat improved.


    "It''s this body of mine that''s the reason no one''s willing to marry me."


    Tears unweingly filled Song Guo''s eyes as he turned away to wipe them.


    It was February now, and the weather grew warmer, but the Crown Prince''s condition only seemed to worsen.


    Jian Lecheng, upon hearing the news, hurried to the Eastern Pce.


    Seeing Ye Yiheng wrapped up like a dumpling, he frowned deeply, "I''ve said it before, even if it costs a hundred thousand gold, it would be worth it if the Divine Doctor could cure you."


    Ye Yiheng remained silent, his whole body felt as if it had been encased in ice.


    The eye disease had persisted for a long time, and the cold symptoms were aggressive.


    Whether there was a connection between the two wasn''t clear to Ye Yiheng, and even the Imperial Physicians couldn''t exin it.


    Ye Yiheng coughed a few times and slowly said, "Perhaps there''s no such thing as a Divine Doctor in this world."


    Seeing his normally handsome face now seemed frosted over, Jian Lecheng''s frown deepened, "How could that be?"


    "Maybe the one from Linqing Pavilion is just a con artist with better tricks."


    "Your Highness, we still need to hold on to hope, don''t we?"


    Although Jian said this, he didn''t feel very confident himself.


    Ye Yiheng leaned his head to the side and closed his eyes to rest.


    --


    That afternoon, Leng Yu Yan entered the pce again.


    This time, Consort Xian had sent for her.


    Leng Yu Yan had a rough idea of Consort Xian''s purpose and remained silent throughout the journey.


    The pce maid sent by Consort Xian observed her the whole way, trying to anticipate what Leng Yu Yan might ask her, but she didn''t utter a single question.


    The maid thought to herself that the ugly Leng girl, having entered the pce twice on a holiday, must be tired.


    Thinking this, she felt even more contemptuous; ugly and frail, truly good for nothing.


    Why would Consort Xian instruct her to serve her well?


    @@novelbin@@


    Consort Xian''s Chenn Pce was splendidly decorated with carved beams and painted rafters. Suddenly, a breeze came, carrying a whiff of fragrance.


    Leng Yu Yan wrinkled her nose, disliking the scent.


    Following the pce maid, she entered the main hall.


    Inside the main hall stood Chen''s throne, nked by screens and a curio shelf, with an incense burner in the center.


    A crystal bead curtain cascaded down, and Consort Xian came out with a gentleugh, "Has Yu Yan arrived?"

 Chapter 27 - 27 Happy to See it Succeed

    <h4>Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Happy to See it Seed</h4>


    Leng Yu Yan curtsied, "I have seen Consort Xian."


    "You are too polite." Consort Xian smiled ever more kindly, "This morning, you helped the Emperor expose the fake divine doctor, which as an elder, made me deeply gratified."


    As she spoke, she grabbed Leng Yu Yan''s hand, "We haven''t seen each other for some days, I have missed you dearly, hence I specially invited you here."


    "Princess''s concern tters me greatly." Leng Yu Yan bowed her head in a submissive reply.


    Seeing this, Consort Xian smiled and nodded slightly, pulling her to sit down and raising her hand to instruct a pce maid to bring tea and refreshments.


    After casually chatting about family matters, Consort Xian dismissed everyone around and ced her teacup down, "Since you returned to the capital, some time has already passed, have you thought clear about what you ought to do?"


    Leng Yu Yan calmly replied, "I am slow-witted, I still need guidance from Your Highness."


    Consort Xian immediately furrowed her brows, "You could expose the fake divine doctor, the Emperor praised your intelligence, did you really not understand what I said that day?"


    Leng Yu Yan replied confusedly, "That day, Your Highness told me why the Leng Family was given Marquis Ningyuan''s Mansion. I pondered it for many days, deeply aware of Your Highness''s great contribution. With such a grand favor from Your Highness towards the Leng Family, I have nothing to repay you with but my deepest gratitude and tears."


    "Enough, you are only newly of age, I shall allow you more time to think." Consort Xian''s eyes shed with a fierce look, which disappeared in the blink of an eye, then a smile surfaced, changing the topic, "Aunt also knows you and Man Ting are alike, neither wanting to marry the Crown Prince, after all, the Crown Prince..."


    She did not continue further, just quietly watched Leng Yu Yan, to see if she would follow her cue and ask the question.


    The corner of Leng Yu Yan''s lips under her veil curved, "Your Highness, how is the Crown Prince?"


    Her tone was anxious, her concern clearly overflowing.


    Consort Xian sighed softly, "Today, the Crown Prince''s cold disease acted up, the imperial physicians went but saw no improvement."


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan frowned deeply.


    Seeing her expression, Consort Xian sensed an opportunity, and whisperedfortingly, "As an elder, I naturally wish to see you prosper. If your marriage with the Crown Prince is fixed, you will marry over, and few days after..."


    Her voice choked up, her tone was mournful, clearly showing concern for her junior''s well-being.


    "Your Highness?"


    "Do you still see me as an outsider?" Consort Xian sniffed, tenderly patting her hand, "Call me Aunt."


    Leng Yu Yan felt a wave of nausea inside, suppressed it, and then softly called, "Aunt."


    "Today, go visit the Crown Prince, take something on my behalf, and say it''s your own heartfelt gesture." Consort Xian stood up, grabbed a food box from the shelf, and ced it in front of Leng Yu Yan, "Open it and take a look."


    Leng Yu Yan opened it and saw that inside were threeyers of cakes, each small and exquisitely made, with no unusual smell upon close inspection.


    At this moment, a cheerful voice came from outside.


    "Mother Consort¡ª"


    Upon hearing this, Consort Xian smiled at Leng Yu Yan, "Prince Liang has arrived."


    Leng Yu Yan put down the lid, turned around and saw a young man with a clear and elegant demeanour stepping in quickly.


    The visitor''s lips slightly curved, his nose high, and his long eyebrows stretching to his temples. Adorned with a brocade robe and a jade crown, and jade belt and brocade boots, he was the picture of refined elegance.


    Leng Yu Yan bowed, "I have seen Prince Liang."


    Upon seeing her, the man smiled slightly, "No formalities are needed."


    His eyes clearly smiled, yet the smile did not reach the bottom of his eyes, as if considering everything beneath him.


    "Mother Consort''s cakes here are extremely delicate, may your son taste a few pieces?"


    As he spoke, Prince Liang reached out to pick a pastry, but Consort Xian pped his hand away.


    "These are for Yu Yan to give to the Crown Prince, yours are in the small kitchen."


    A hint of panic shed through Consort Xian''s eyes, but she quicklyposed herself, and seeing this, Leng Yu Yan made a mental note.


    She covered the box, picked up the food box, and bid farewell to Consort Xian.


    Consort Xian smiled and nodded, raising her hand to dispatch two pce maids to escort Leng Yu Yan to the Eastern Pce.


    Just as they left Chenn Pce''s main hall, the voice of Prince Liang could be heard, "Was the person just now the ugly girl of the Leng Family?"


    "Keep your voice down, she just left."


    "The Princess worries too much, she can''t hear." Prince Liang sneered with contempt.


    She was indeed an ugly girl,pared to Man Ting, she and heaven and earth were as different as night and day.


    @@novelbin@@


    Leng Yu Yan slightly tilted her head, her brows lightly raised.


    They had been walking for about half an hour, and the grand gate of the Eastern Pce was now close in front of them, where Leng Yu Yan stopped.


    "Two pce maid sisters, I can go to the Eastern Pce by myself. It looks like it''s going to rain soon; if you don''t head back now, you might get caught in it."


    The people of the Eastern Pce all had their quirks and none of them would wee those from Chenn Pce, the two pce maids knew well they couldn''t enter the Eastern Pce, and if they were to get wet, their status wouldn''t allow them to seek medical treatment from the Imperial Physician.


    Getting caught in the rain during the chilly spring was thest thing they would want.


    Thinking of this, the pce maids simultaneously agreed, bowed politely, and quickly turned back.


    Seeing them running off into the distance, Leng Yu Yan tiptoed to a corner of the wall and hid.


    She ced the food box on the ground and took out a pastry, breaking it open.


    Angered, she tossed the pastry onto the ground.


    Consort Xian is malicious!


    The pastry was filled with intestinal rupture powder!


    No wonder Consort Xian didn''t let Prince Liang eat it and instead had her deliver it to the Crown Prince in her name.


    Once delivered, whether the Crown Prince ate it or not, she would be doomed.


    Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and heavy rain fell abruptly.


    --


    At this moment inside Chenn Pce, Consort Xian sneered as she watched the curtain of rain.


    Today, Leng Yu Yan neither agreed on the spot to help her nor did she refuse.


    Such was the most genuine response.


    Had she agreed immediately, Consort Xian would have feared that Leng Yu Yan might be suspected by Ye Yiheng, raising his guard.


    Now the situation was perfect.


    With such heavy rain, Leng Yu Yan could only be trapped in the Eastern Pce.


    If the Crown Prince died from eating the pastry, the person who could not escape suspicion and bore the greatest suspicion would be Leng Yu Yan!


    Prince Liang sat at the table, leisurely eating a pastry, "Mother, did you stop me from eating the food in the box just because it was meant for the Crown Prince?"


    "You child, can''t you keep your mouth shut when eating?" Consort Xian turned around, smiling warmly, "Look at you, all grown up yet acting like a child? You even have crumbs at the corner of your mouth."


    Prince Liang''s face wore a faint smile as he wiped away the crumbs, "In mother''s eyes, I will always be a child."


    "Of course, you and Seventh Brother are both my children, all that I do is for you and your brother!"


    Prince Liang bowed his head, biting into arge piece of pastry.


    Consort Xian was good to him, not short of food, often praised him, and gave him generous gifts during holidays.


    But she was much stricter with the Seventh Brother, almost the same with food, but rarely praised him, and even sometimes reprimanded him. Because of this, the Seventh Brother was very motivated.


    As a child, he thought Consort Xian loved him more than the Seventh Brother.


    It was only as he grew older that he realized it was a setup.


    She was nurturing his vanity, always indulging his wishes.


    Even when Father Emperor reprimanded him, she would step in to shield him. After Father Emperor''s reprimands, she would incessantly praise him, causing him to be overly proud.


    The most sinister strategy to destroy someone is through setup.


    The reason being, the Seventh Brother was her own flesh and blood, while he was merely adopted by her after his birth mother died.


    She always thought he was unaware, but he had known for a long time.


    Now, as she targeted the Crown Prince, he naturally was pleased to see it happen.


    Without lifting a finger, he would benefit from the fisherman''s gain.


    Excellent!

 Chapter 28: A Sense of Familiarity

    <h4>Chapter 28: Chapter 28: A Sense of Familiarity</h4>


    Outside the walls of the Eastern Pce at this moment.


    Leng Yu Yan dumped all the pastries on the ground and trampled them into mush.


    The rain washed over the ground, rapidly diluting and dispersing the poison of the intestinal rupture powder.


    Thus, the toxicity was reduced to harmlessness.


    Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a figure in ck shing towards her.


    In the blink of an eye, Leng Yu Yan picked up the food box and had only walked a few steps when her foot "slipped," and she fell to the ground with a ssh, spattering water.


    The person in ck, seemingly startled, paused, then slipped into hiding at the base of the wall.


    Leng Yu Yan stood up "with difficulty."


    She had justpletely rid her body of poisons not long ago and was still in the recovery period. She shouldn''t be caught in the rain, fearful that she''d truly catch a cold now.


    The entrance to the Eastern Pcey ahead. Should she seek shelter from the rain?


    She truly did not wish to share the indoors with a certain person, but the Eastern Pce was the nearest refuge.


    And the experience of catching a cold was terribly ufortable; although she could cure it with the right medicine, the treatment was extremely bitter.


    Compared to the bitterness, it was somewhat more eptable to be in the same pce as that certain person.


    Moreover, the person in ck was still lurking in the shadows.


    With this thought, Leng Yu Yan had already reached the entrance to the Eastern Pce.


    The rain was relentless.


    Beneath the gateway, water flowed rapidly.


    Leng Yu Yan gently tapped the knockers on the gates.


    The sound of the knocker hitting the gate was crisp and resonant, reminiscent of a bell, and imbued with elegance.


    After a while, a voice from inside said, "His Highness is unwell today and will not receive visitors."


    Although the voice wasn''t cold, it carried a sense of detachment.


    Leng Yu Yan wiped the rainwater from her forehead and noticed the person in ck was still at a distance.


    Being able to move within the Imperial Pce, this person in ck must have some background.


    Leng Yu Yanposed herself and sincerely said to the person behind the door, "My surname is Leng, the fifth daughter of Marquis Ningyuan, having just passed by here when the rain poured down. I hope you''ll report my presence."


    Inside, there was a moment of silence, and then a crack opened, extending an oiled-paper umbre.


    Leng Yu Yan reached out to take it, expressing her thanks.


    "By His Highness''smand, no visitors are to be received today except for the Imperial Physician," the person paused for a moment and then continued, "Miss Leng, please wait a moment, I''ll quickly report your arrival."


    The tone was much gentler, as if sympathizing with her drenched state in the rain.


    "Thank you!" Lled Yu Yan leaned against the gate, holding the umbre, her clothes soaked through; a good squeeze would certainly wring out plenty of water.


    She pulled at the hem of the veil clinging to her cheeks and sighed heavily, thinking that what should have been a restful holiday had turned into such a mess.


    Now she had quite "bathed," albeit in an utterly disheveled way.


    The gatekeeper hurried toward the Crown Prince''s bedroom but was stopped by Song Guo just outside.


    "In such a rush, disturbing His Highness, can you bear the consequences?" Song Guo scolded in a low voice.


    The gatekeeper, anxious, whispered, "Mr. Song, Miss Leng from Marquis Ningyuan''s Mansion is waiting outside the Eastern Pce in the rain. What should we do?"


    Song Guo was somewhat surprised: "The Fifth Miss from Marquis Ningyuan''s Mansion, the Crown Prince Consort?"


    The gatekeeper nodded vigorously: "She imed her surname is Leng, the fifth daughter of Marquis Ningyuan, and also wears a veil."


    Upon hearing this, Song Guo quickly turned and entered the room.


    He had just talked to His Highness before noon, whether Miss Leng truly wished to marry His Highness.


    At that time, His Highness was suffering from his cold disease, and in the few hours that had passed, aside from the visit of the Imperial Physician, indeed no one else hade to see His Highness.


    Could it be a coincidence that Miss Leng hade to the Eastern Pce or was she there to see His Highness?


    Song Guo was anxious in his heart yet moved with quiet steps, but Ye Yiheng heard him nheless.


    Looking at the Crown Prince lying with his eyes closed on the bed, Song Guo felt conflicted. If Miss Leng had trulye to inquire, what should he tell His Highness?


    Hesitating for a long time, he couldn''t utter a word and had to pull on Jian Lecheng to indicate they should walk outside with him.


    The two came outside, where the gatekeeper was still waiting.


    "Young Master Jian, Mr. Song, what did His Highness say?"


    Jian Lecheng was baffled by these two: "What happened?"


    The gatekeeper repeated what he had previously told Song Guo and added, "I saw that Miss Lai was almostpletely wet. I''m afraid she might catch a cold."


    The weather these days warms up at noon, but once it rains, it''s unbearably cold.


    Hearing this, Jian Lecheng frowned: "Why did shee here?"


    Doesn''t this woman not want to marry His Highness?


    Could it be that upon hearing His Highness is not feeling well, she hase to feign sorrow like a cat crying over a dead mouse?


    The gatekeeper continued, "At Miss Lai''s feet was a broken food box; it seems she fell while carrying it."


    Hearing this, Jian Lechengughed out loud.


    @@novelbin@@


    Carrying a food box to see His Highness, she must be up to no good.


    Now that she has fallen, it really serves her right.


    What do you call this?


    It''s called ''ugly people tend to make more trouble''!


    At this moment, a voice came from inside, Ye Yiheng''s voice: "Invite the person inside."


    Although the voice was gentle, it was immensely authoritative.


    Upon receiving the order, the gatekeeper quickly ran off.


    Having been a gatekeeper for so many years, it was the first time someone addressed him as "Under your feet," yet she did not press him with her status as the Crown Prince Consort-to-be. Moreover, having seen her in the rain earlier, he couldn''t help feeling pity.


    The more he thought about it, the faster the gatekeeper ran.


    Jian Lecheng entered the room to find Ye Yiheng draped in arge cloak, standing by the window, his veil already removed.


    "Why are you up?"


    Ye Yiheng nced at Jian Lecheng and instructed Song Guo, "Quickly send someone to Xingning Pce, and ask the Ninth Princess for a set of clothes she has never worn."


    Inside the Eastern Pce, apart from pce maids, there were no other female family members, and it would be improper for Leng Yu Yan to wear the clothes of a pce maid.


    After thinking it over, clothes from his ninth sister would be the most suitable.


    Song Guo responded and withdrew.


    Jian Lecheng stood worriedly beside Ye Yiheng: "Why are you suddenly being so kind to her?"


    "If she behaves, I naturally won''t do anything to her," Ye Yiheng pulled therge cloak around himself.


    Besides, even if someone unrted wanted to take refuge from the rain, it was only right to let them in, wasn''t it?


    "You didn''t need to get up, though. It would be much better to rest on the bed or the couch!" Jian Lecheng almost pleaded earnestly.


    Ye Yiheng said indifferently, "Go try lying still for an entire day."


    Besides, he found that standing up and moving around more made the sense of light in front of his eyes grow stronger.


    Jian Lecheng touched his nose and sheepishly smiled, "Being awake and lying still for half an hour is more than I can bear, let alone for a whole day."


    Leng Yu Yan was shivering with cold at the entrance of the Eastern Pce.


    Finally, the door was opened, and someone invited her in.


    "Thank you!"


    "Miss Lai doesn''t need to be so courteous," the gatekeeper said modestly, shaking his head.


    Immediately, a pce maid came forward to hold an umbre for her.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled and nodded in thanks.


    When she looked up, what appeared in her vision was the subtly luxurious Eastern Pce, which in the midst of the misty rain, seemed as splendid as the pces of jade, making her feel as if she were in a fairnd.


    Perhaps it was because of the rain, but looking at the vast Eastern Pce, she felt an oddly familiar sensation.


    It even gave her an uncontroble feeling of dizziness.


    To prevent fainting, Leng Yu Yan raised her eyes to look in the distance where there was a high tform that seemed like an Observation tform, surrounded by courtyards of various sizes.


    The rain showed no signs of letting up, with the dragon heads on every column and stair merrily spouting water. Leng Yu Yan took a deep breath, which helped dispel some of the dizziness.

 Chapter 29: It鈥檚 Her Waist

    <h4>Chapter 29: Chapter 29: It''s Her Waist</h4>


    The gatekeeper led Leng Yu Yan to a room in the guesthouse, "Miss Lai arrives on an unfortunate day, as His Highness is feeling unwell. If not for that, you would not have had to wait at the entrance for so long."


    "It is I who has caused a disturbance," Leng Yu Yan replied softly.


    "Miss Lai is too polite."


    Unconsciously, the gatekeeper became more talkative.


    The umbre-holding pce maid sneered inwardly, how could an ugly woman be worthy of a position like that of the Crown Princess Consort? Worthy of their respect?


    It was said that she had terrifying patches on her face, and just now, the maid had stared intently for a while, beneath the slightly damp veil there appeared to indeed be a dark patch.


    It seemed the title of the ugliest woman under the heavens was well deserved!


    Once inside the guest room, some pce maids brought dry handkerchiefs and served Leng Yu Yan ginger soup.


    After drinking the ginger soup and wiping her hair with a handkerchief, Leng Yu Yan felt much morefortable.


    A leading pce maid spoke, "Miss Lai, with the weather being so changeable and having been caught in the rain, it would be best to take a hot bath to expel the cold."


    "A bath?" Leng Yu Yan slightly furrowed her brow.


    "Indeed," the leading pce maid nodded, "hot water is already prepared inside the inner room, pleasee inside, Miss Lai, and we will serve you during the bath."


    As she spoke, she led Leng Yu Yan inside.


    Leng Yu Yan said with some embarrassment, "I just need to avoid the rain."


    She really hadn''t considered bathing in the Eastern Pce.


    "With thedy''s clothes all wet and having caught a cold, if the Eastern Pce provides inadequate hospitality, we servants cannot bear the responsibility," the pce maid said with a smile. "Moreover, His Highness has already sent for clothes suitable for thedy to wear."


    To refuse further would really appear to be making a fuss.


    Leng Yu Yan gave a slight cough, "I can bathe by myself, I dare not trouble all you pce maids."


    The pce maids did not insist, all thinking to themselves, a person so unsightly must be just as unseemly under their clothes, so they let her be.


    Consequently, all the pce maids stepped out of the inner room in unison, carefully closing the door behind them.


    Leng Yu Yan pinched the bridge of her nose,ing to the Eastern Pce to avoid the rain only to end up taking a bath, how daring of her!


    But having been caught in the rain, she did indeed feel rather ufortable, so why not just take a bath?


    Thinking of the Eastern Pce as a public bathhouse seemed not too bad after all.


    It was easier to ept that way.


    With this thought, she couldn''t help but chuckle.


    The pce maids waiting outside looked at each other in bewilderment, had the ugly girl inside gone mad?


    Leng Yu Yan quickly took off her wet clothes to bathe, given that she was in someone''s Eastern Pce, she washed and dried off faster than she ever had before.


    Just then, a pce maid outside gently knocked on the door, "Miss Lai, your clothes have arrived, I aming in."


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan spun around, grabbed a thin nket from a wooden rack, and wrapped the key parts of her body.


    "Come in, I''m done washing."


    The door opened, and the leading pce maid, holding a stack of clothes, bowed her head as she walked in, her eyes, however, were very active.


    The pce maids outside giggled among themselves.


    As expected of an ugly woman, even her bathing was done so hastily and carelessly, was she afraid her filth would contaminate the bathwater?


    Once word of this got out, another notch would be added to her reputation for ugliness.


    "Hand me the clothes," Leng Yu Yan requested, with a cool smile on her lips beneath the veil, it seemed this group was eager to see just how ugly she was.


    The pce maid presented the clothes with both hands, and while bowing, took the opportunity to thoroughly gaze at the young girl''s delicate and fair legs on the other side.


    Despite thedy''s unsightly appearance, her legs had surprisingly good skin.


    Raising her head briefly, catching only a quick glimpse, she saw Leng Yu Yan wrapped in a nket, her arms and shoulders exposed, her skin porcin white and delicately smooth, almost glowing!


    In an instant, the pce maids looking on felt ashamed of themselves.


    No longer clinging to false pretenses, their gazes fixated squarely on her.


    An ugly woman, yet with such a figure, with such skin, should they feel envious or jealous?


    Leng Yu Yan shook her head, closed the door, and began to dress herself.


    The dry clothes quickly warmed her entire body.


    She was a person who believed in repaying kindness; Ye Yiheng had allowed her toe inside to avoid the rain and had also provided dry clothes for her to change into.


    With such a favor, if possible, she might even help him take his pulse.


    Leaving the room, she nced at the pce maids, "I would like to personally thank His Highness. Which one of you can lead me to him?"


    At this moment, the pce maids'' eyes were devoid of the disdain they had shown earlier, each one willing to lead the way.


    @@novelbin@@


    Leng Yu Yan pointed to the one in the lead.


    Passing through the Manuscript Gallery and the Wind and Rain Corridor, they finally arrived where Ye Yiheng was.


    "Miss Lai, this is His Highness Ye Yiheng''s bedroom."


    His bedroom?


    Leng Yu Yan paused; she had wanted to thank him personally, but she had not expected to do it at his bedroom.


    Moreover, this ce made her feel dizzy!


    With a boom in her head, she finally understood why she felt dizzy upon arriving at the Eastern Pce.


    In those two months, this bedroom had appeared in her dreams almost every night.


    The insane, heart-throbbing scenes all took ce in this bedroom.


    Suddenly, Leng Yu Yan''s legs felt as if they were filled with lead, unable to move another step.


    At that moment, Song Guo came out quickly, "Miss Lai, His Highness is indisposed today and is not seeing visitors."


    Leng Yu Yan looked down, not wanting to take another look at the bedroom, and spoke softly, "I just wanted to say thanks. Since His Highness is indisposed, I will take my leave."


    Told he would not see her, she was directly turned away.


    She had also thought about taking his pulse, but it seemed unnecessary now.


    Meanwhile, Ye Yiheng was standing behind the windows of the inner room, observing through the window screen. He could clearly see her wearing a crimson dress that outlined her delicate waist.


    Damn it!


    His vision had just improved significantly, and the first thing he saw was her waist!


    Ye Yiheng turned around, his back to the window, his long fingers pinching and then releasing, releasing then pinching.


    After repeatedly clenching his fists several times, he felt slightly better.


    Song Guo''s voice came from outside again, "His Highness says, with the storm weakening, it''s time to arrange a horse carriage to send Miss Lai home."


    "Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration."


    Her voice was cool and indifferent.


    Ye Yiheng, listening from the inside, furrowed his handsome brows.


    It seemed this woman hadn''t reallye to thank him.


    At least he couldn''t hear a hint of sincerity.


    And her departing footsteps were hasty, as if this ce held floods and wild beasts she couldn''t bear to stay close to for a moment longer.


    Suddenly, he thought that his cold disease had red up near noontime. People outside the pce would not have known so quickly. How did she find out if she came to visit?


    At this thought, Ye Yiheng snapped his fingers.


    Mo Chen''s voice immediately came from the shadows, "Your Highness, please give your orders!"


    "Find out how she came to the Eastern Pce."


    "Yes!" Mo Chen quickly departed.


    --


    Before long, the horse carriage was carrying Leng Yu Yan towards the Leng Residence.


    Before she left, she took away the wet clothes she had changed out of; they were not yet married, and it was inappropriate to leave her wet clothes with him.


    The clothes she was currently wearing, she also did not know where he had found them.


    The material and craftsmanship were quite exquisite; they definitely weren''t something a pce maid would own.


    The horse carriage rattled on.


    Someone covertly observed this scene, and then with a sh, disappeared into the rain.


    Seeing the figure in ck leave, Leng Yu Yan let down the carriage curtain, the corners of her beautiful lips lifting slightly.


    It hadn''t been in vain to perform in the rain.


    The figure hurried all the way into Chenn Pce.


    Upon seeing the person arrive, Consort Xian immediately dismissed everyone around her.


    "How did it go?"


    This person hade so early; could it be that there had been some unforeseen development?

 Chapter 30: Strike the Snake at Its Vital Point

    <h4>Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Strike the Snake at Its Vital Point</h4>


    The person spoke respectfully, "Princess, just as I arrived outside the Eastern Pce, I saw the Leng Family''s ugly daughter trip while holding a food box."


    Consort Xian''s face grew grim upon hearing this, "Tripped?"


    The person nodded, "The rain was too heavy at the time, and I was at a certain distance, but I indeed saw her fall. The dishes inside the food box flew out and shattered on impact. Perhaps because of the heavy rain, the ground was waterlogged, which is why the Leng Family''s ugly daughter fell."


    Hearing that even the dishes shattered, Consort Xian''s expression turned even more severe.


    At that time, she had only sent two pce maids with her and was not at ease, so she had sent a confidant from the Imperial Army as well.


    The walls of the Eastern Pce were tall, and some things required someone with skills.


    She didn''t expect that the two pce maids would return so quickly, and at the time, she was relieved that she had sent her confidant in time.


    But the information she received now infuriated her.


    The pastries she had gone to great lengths to make herself, now all efforts were in vain.


    Allowing the Crown Prince to escape so easily, she truly let him off lightly!


    Seeing Consort Xian''s displeasure, the confidant hesitated and then added, "The Leng Family''s ugly daughter stood up and walked to the gate of the Eastern Pce with the food box. She stood there for a long time, and the people of the Eastern Pce were unwilling to let her in, looking quite embarrassed."


    Consort Xian''s face was full of anger, and her eyes showed an unmistakable severity, "She couldn''t even enter the Eastern Pce''s main gate?"


    "No, it''s not that. She stood at the gate for a very long time. Perhaps the people inside took pity on her and finally opened the gate, allowing her inside. It seems that the people of the Eastern Pce don''t like the Leng Family''s ugly daughter very much. Not long after she entered, they sent her away in a small horse carriage."


    Hearing this, Consort Xian couldn''t help but wonder, was Leng Yu Yan truly stupid or just useless?


    Could it be that the Crown Prince despised Leng Yu Yan for being too ugly, and that''s why he acted like this?


    Had she chosen the wrong person in Leng Yu Yan to be a spy?


    The Crown Prince was truly blind, caring about beauty and ugliness for what?


    --


    The night sky waspletely dark.


    The rain was much lighter than in the afternoon, but it continued to fall in a fine drizzle.


    The Eastern Pce, with itsnterns lit up, appeared ethereal through the rising mist, as if from a dream.


    Ye Yiheng stood on the Observation tform, gazing through the misty veil of rain, lost in thought.


    This episode of his eye ailment hadsted a long time, and only just now had he mostly recovered.


    When would the next episode strike, and how long would itst?


    He also wondered how many days like this he had left.


    Mo Chen hurried over. At this moment, his Highness stood tall and majestic, hands sped behind his back, and his eyes were not covered by white gauze.


    Could his Highness see again?


    Hearing the footsteps, Ye Yiheng slightly tilted his head, and his gaze became piercingly cold.


    In a moment, ayer of chilling aloofness enveloped him.


    Seeing his master''s expressionless face and his haughty, cold gaze as if he scorned all creatures, Mo Chen quickly bowed his head, not daring to look more than necessary, and respectfully greeted, "Your Highness, the matter has been investigated."


    "Speak."


    "Fifth Miss Lai was fulfilling Consort Xian''s order to enter the pce in the afternoon. When she entered the pce, there was no food box with her, but when she left Chenn Pce, she was carrying it."


    Ye Yiheng''s phoenix eyes suddenly narrowed, "Consort Xian again."


    Mo Chen nodded and added, "When Fifth Miss Lai arrived outside the Eastern Pce, it seemed she tripped. Many broken pastries were scattered on the ground, all dissolved by the rain."


    Ye Yiheng closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Was there something wrong with the pastries?"


    When he opened his eyes again, a deep authoritarian air filled them.


    "Your Highness is wise!" Mo Chen bowed again, "Where Fifth Miss Lai had fallen, I carefully searched and finally found a rtively intact piece of pastry in the bushes. The teacher examined it and found that the pastry originally contained poison."


    "What poison?"


    "Unfortunately, with the rain wash, it''s difficult to identify which poison."


    Ye Yiheng sneered coldly, "Consort Xian is so eager to take my life."


    The air around him seemed to freeze in an instant.


    When his Highness could see, he was always like this, with an overwhelming presence felt everywhere.


    At this moment, it was as if a terrifying wave had swept in, and Mo Chen suddenly found it hard to breathe, "Your Highness, should I deal with Consort Xian?"


    Ye Yiheng spoke in an even tone, undisturbed, "No rush, let''s start with her maternal family first."


    Consort Xian had two sons, Fourth and Seventh.


    It was precisely because she had two sons that she held considerable sway in the harem.


    After the Empress Dowager passed away, the Four Concubines managed the harem.


    The four of them had been engaged in an open and covert struggle for many years, appearing harmonious on the surface, calling each other sisters; in reality, however, they were caught in a maelstrom of cunning and deceit, vying with each other in a game of wits.


    Fourth and Seventh behaved simrly, feigning fraternal respect while wishing death upon each other in secret.


    To hit the snake at its vital spot, Consort Xian''s greatest desire was to be taken away or destroyed; it was even more painful for her than losing her own life.


    Isn''t her ultimate goal to see her own flesh and blood ascend the throne?


    Now, in her pursuit of power, her biggest backer was indeed her maternal family.


    Moreover, Consort Xian thinks she has made good use of Fourth, her adopted son, whose thoughts were perhaps even deeper and more profound than those of Seventh.


    If one could watch the three of them, mother and sons, fight among themselves, the drama would certainly be spectacr!


    "And Miss Lai..." Mo Chen hesitated.


    How should she be dealt with?


    Yet, he could not voice this question.


    After all, Miss Lai was nominally the Crown Prince''s betrothed.


    Ye Yiheng moved his fingers slightly, "She is merely a scapegoat found by Consort Xian. Since she seems to be behaving for now, we''ll leave her be."


    "Yes, Your Highness, I will obey!"


    Ye Yiheng gestured with his hand, indicating that Mo Chen should withdraw.


    Understanding the gesture, Mo Chen left quietly.


    In the vast Eastern Pce, not many knew of the Crown Prince''s eye condition; aside from a few close guards and the pce maid, Song Guo, the rest were oblivious.


    Ye Yiheng was left to admire the night scene veiled by the rain curtains alone.


    Leng Yu Yan was indeed lucky and resilient, a key storm hade, and a fall allowed her to leave the Eastern Pce safely.


    Had Consort Xian chosen her to be a spy because she saw that Leng Yu Yan didn''t want to marry him?


    Indeed, if he died, she would really not have to marry him.


    The problem was if he had died from eating the pastries, she wouldn''t be able to escape me.


    Leng Yu Yan wouldn''t be that foolish.


    @@novelbin@@


    Perhaps she didn''t know there was anything wrong with the pastries at all, and it was against her will to deliver them; this would seemingly exin her reluctance when she came to express thanks.


    --


    When Leng Yu Yan returned to Qingyu Residence, it was already deep into night.


    Having been bustling about all day, she initially didn''t feel tired.


    For some reason, after seeing Ye Yiheng''s bedroom, she felt extremely weary.


    Once back at her own Qingyu Residence, she finally felt somewhat relieved.


    Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao, upon learning their youngdy had been caught in the rain, immediately set about making things right.


    Seeing them busily at work, Leng Yu Yan shook her head, "I''m really fine."


    "Even though you''ve already drunk ginger tea and bathed, Miss, it''s still best to be cautious." Mrs. Zhao was still worried, touching her forehead, then instructing Miao Zhu to find a cloak.


    Miao Zhu was quick and nimble, bringing a cloak, and looked at her young mistress''s crimson dress,menting, "The dress is pretty indeed, but it doesn''t fit well. His Highness the Crown Prince is really stingy, not even finding you a proper fitting set."


    "Having dry clothes to change into is good enough, why fuss over the rest?" said Leng Yu Yan with a lightugh.


    As Miao Zhu helped her young mistress don the cloak, she said yfully, "Miss, do you think maybe this dress belongs to His Highness''s favorite, which is why it doesn''t fit you?"


    "Uh..."


    Leng Yu Yan was choked with questions.


    He has a favorite?


    The rumored first love?

 Chapter 31 - 31 You Are Alone

    <h4>Chapter 31: Chapter 31 You Are Alone</h4>


    "It is said that when the Crown Prince was in good health, many were fond of him..."


    Miao Zhu was speaking eagerly when Mrs. Zhao gently pinched her arm, "Miss has been busy today; you should eat early and rest."


    Although the pinch on the arm didn''t hurt, Miao Zhu, being quick-witted, immediately got the hint and kept silent.


    Leng Yu Yan was not at all annoyed by what Miao Zhu had said; instead, she smiled lightly, "The Crown Prince is a dragon among men; it''s only normal for many to like him."


    Miao Zhu had a knack for gathering information; what she said was surely true.


    Leng Yu Yan removed her veil, and the patched piece of skin on her face peeled off easily.


    Gazing at the patches drenched and wrinkled from the rain, her heart sank with a miserable feeling; it would be several days before she could use them again.


    They would need careful treatment.


    Mrs. Zhao sighed quietly to herself. When thete Madam and the master first married, they too were deeply in love. Butter on, concubines entered the household one after another.


    If Miss were truly to marry into the Eastern Pce, even if the Crown Prince were weak, the Tian Family would still bring in waves of women into the pce for the sake of appearances.


    Women from noble families with status might not wish to marry the Crown Prince, but what about those from ordinary backgrounds? Bing the Crown Prince''s concubine was still very tempting.


    What Mrs. Zhao pondered, Leng Yu Yan did not know.


    If those who liked Ye Yiheng were many, perhaps she wouldn''t have to marry him; with this thought, Leng Yu Yan''s gloominess subsided somewhat.


    She quickly ate her dinner, then washed up and went to bed.


    But that night, Leng Yu Yan slept very restlessly.


    In her dream, she was lost in an empty pce.


    Between the columns hung moon-white gauze curtains.


    The gentle breeze blew, the gauze fluttered, the tassels swayed with the wind, and the hanging bells in the corridors tinkled softly.


    Incense burned in censers, diffusing a delicate fragrance carried by the breeze.


    Beyond that, the halls were so silent that only her own footsteps could be heard.


    She desperately sought an exit...


    It seemed merely gauze curtains blocked her way, yet she couldn''t find her way out at all.


    Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her, steady and firm, as if it were him.


    She turned around; no one was there.


    Leng Yu Yan''s panic grew, and she felt as though she was falling into a bottomless abyss, surrounded by dense vines, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t clutch them.


    In the next instant, she was tightly embraced from behind.


    The man was tall, opening his arms to wrap her entirely against him, which shocked her.


    Her back pressed against his chest as solid as iron, and in an instant, shock washed over her like towering waves, making it difficult for her to breathe.


    "Your Highness, can you let me go?" she asked.


    "Why?" he responded.


    "You are the most noble auspicious cloud above the ninth heaven, and I am but the mostmon dust of the mortal world; we really should not be tied together. If Your Highness could let me go, I would be greatly appreciative..."


    Before she could finish, the man tightened his arms around her, wrapping her up snugly.


    He bowed his head, his lips close to her ear, his voice low and hoarse, "You are alone; where else could you go, hmm?"


    With those words, he lifted her into the air...


    The absurdity of the dream kept Leng Yu Yan on edge even as she took her morning meal.


    Ever since that dream on the horse carriage during her journey into the capital, several days had passed without recurrence, yetst night, it had returned.


    Could it be because I visited the Eastern Pce during the day?


    And the dream seemed to be warning her, urging her never to marry the Crown Prince.


    It wasn''t long before Leng Jiajia arrived at Qingyu Residence and saw that Leng Yu Yan was still having breakfast, she asked in surprise, "Sister, why did you get upte today?"


    After noticing the faint dark circles under Leng Yu Yan''s eyes, she asked again, "Sister, did you not sleep wellst night?"


    Miao Zhu stepped in to exin, "My miss was too busy yesterday and had an unsettled sleep in the evening."


    Leng Jiajia made herselffortable and sat down opposite Leng Yu Yan, "It''s fine, I''ll just eat a little more with sister."


    After all, it wasmon for students in ss D to bete to the academy.


    Miao Zhu passed a set of chopsticks and bowl to Leng Jiajia, who began eating a pancake with big bites.


    Qinxian couldn''t help but advise, "Miss, you have already had plenty to eat in your own courtyard."


    Leng Jiajia nced at her and continued eating without a care.


    Seeing her cheeks stuffed full, Leng Yu Yan smiled gently, as the lingering dreams in her mind began to fade.


    The low voice of Ye Yiheng by her ear in her dream finally stopped echoing.


    When the sisters arrived at Xinya Academy, they were astonished to find Miss Xu standing at the door of ss B''s building, her gaze filled with provocation as she stared at them.


    Leng Jiajia couldn''t understand why Mi Xinmei, who was talked about behind her back, dared note to the academy, while Xu Yaxiang, after being pped four times, acted as if nothing had happened.


    Could it be that this person''s face is made of iron?


    Leng Jiajia red fiercely at her and pulled Leng Yu Yan past Xu Yaxiang.


    Seeing this, Xu Yaxiang sneered and quickly walked into the ss A building.


    "Man Ting, we''re close friends, and I need to seek revenge. When the timees, you mustn''t stop me."


    Lai Manting was pondering how to further refine her brush movement when she heard this, and in a low voice said, "How do you n to take your revenge?"


    Xu Yaxiang''s eyes zed with anger, "I can''t get rid of the hatred in my heart for having been beaten to the point of losing teeth. Man Ting, you''re clever, help me think of a way to get even?"


    When shest spoke of the Crown Prince, her family did not me her because the Crown Prince hadpletely lost his influence.


    Lai Manting remembered she had once been scared by spots on Leng Yu Yan''s face enough to fall over. If those spots were seen by more people, Leng Yu Yan''s reputation could not be more tarnished.


    But maintaining her sister''s reputation was still necessary, "I apologize to you on behalf of my Fifth Sister," she said, bowing slightly.


    Xu Yaxiang stopped her, "What are you doing, Man Ting? We''re friends. Just be on my side this time!"


    Lai Manting feigned difficulty and nodded slightly.


    Xu Yaxiang happily squeezed her hand, "We''re truly like sisters!"


    To that, Lai Manting shiftily replied, deliberately provoking, "No matter how many nasty things are said about Fifth Sister at the academy, she remains indifferent. I fear you have no good means to take out your anger."


    Xu Yaxiang hummed fiercely, both in tone and demeanor, "I don''t believe it! What if I tore off her veil, what then?"


    Lai Manting challenged her, "You''ve been hit by her once; do you think you can sessfully tear it off?"


    @@novelbin@@


    "We need to find someone then, someone who can make her let down her guard."


    The two discussed for a long time but could not find a suitable person.


    During the lunch break, the teacher who specialized in calligraphy informed each ss one by one about an uing calligraphypetition to be held at the academy in a few days and asked everyone to prepare.


    The victor of the calligraphy would receive not only an ink treasure from the Empress sent by the Crown Prince but also one thousand silver taels as tuition fee.


    Although one thousand silver taels couldn''tpare with Leng Yu Yan''s generous gifts, the amount was significant.


    To put it in perspective, teacher''s gifts ranged from several taels of silver.


    Lai Manting was determined to win.


    She had practiced the vertical hook for several days and had improved.


    With additional diligent practice these next few days, she was sure to im victory.


    At that time, the one thousand taels as tuition fee would be hers, and with it, she could rightfully im the title of the capital city''s top schr.


    Not only would she receive the prize money but also the title¡ªa double win!

 Chapter 32 - 32 Pulling Off Her Veil

    <h4>Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Pulling Off Her Veil</h4>


    Not only that, but the students of ss A also believed that Lai Manting would win easily, and they all shouted that she should treat everyone at the restaurant when she did.


    Lai Manting was inwardly pleased, yet she said modestly, "There are many students in the academy; how could it be my turn?"


    Everyone urged her to write a few characters to show them.


    Under the urging of the crowd, Lai Manting half-heartedly, half-forcedly wrote a few words.


    Outside the ss A building, Leng Yu Yan happened to pass by.


    She inadvertently saw Lai Manting using her brush movements to show off in ss A, and paused in her steps.


    When the people saw the Leng Family''s ugly daughter passing by, they all stopped her.


    "Why don''t you learn from your sister? If you could learn even half of what your sister knows, you wouldn''t even need to copy a character."


    "Exactly, they are sisters from the same family; how can one be good and the other bad?"


    Someoneughed, "That''s not right; even the fingers on one''s hand aren''t all the same length."


    The peopleughed exaggeratedly, their responses more sarcastic than thest.


    It was then that Lai Manting said, "Everyone, please don''t talk about my Fifth Sister like that, my Fifth Sister also wishes to study well."


    While talking, she walked over and gently patted Leng Yu Yan''s shoulder as a sign offort.


    Leng Yu Yan stood indifferently.


    These irrelevant words, no matter how many, were nothing but a matter ofughter for her.


    But things were different for Lai Manting; they were half-sisters with the same father but different mothers.


    Sometimes, so-called rtives can be more outrageous than outsiders, wishing even more that the other person would live a life worse than that of dogs and pigs!


    Among those present, the one who most wanted to see her embarrass herself was Lai Manting.


    Leng Yu Yan slightly tilted her head and, near Lai Manting''s ear, whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Third Sister has a good memory, that day I only wrote it once, and you remembered."


    The girl''s voice was like jade striking ice, crisp and pleasing, yet it carried a trace of piercing chill in the spring air.


    Lai Manting stiffened involuntarily and lowered her voice, "What are you saying, Fifth Sister? I don''t understand."


    Leng Yu Yan also patted her shoulder, "Never mind if you don''t understand. Keep practicing, Sister, you might actually win."


    With that, she gracefully walked away.


    People around couldn''t hear what Leng Yu Yan had said earlier; they just saw the expression on Lai Manting''s face freeze instantly.


    Everyone consoled her, "She''s just jealous of you, Manting, your calligraphy is beautiful, you will surely win!"


    Lai Manting nodded awkwardly.


    She didn''t believe that Leng Yu Yan could write well; that vertical hook must have been secretly learned from someone. But the more she thought about the exposure of the secret just now, the angrier she became. She silently decided she must humiliate her soon.


    Suddenly, she thought of someone, someone with no previous quarrels with Leng Yu Yan, yet still a sister.


    She would have her snatch Leng Yu Yan''s face veil; Leng Yu Yan would definitely let her guard down.


    That person was Li Lu.


    After discussing with Xu Yaxiang, both agreed that Li Lu was the best person for the job.


    They called Li Lu over and made their intentions clear.


    But Li Lu was reluctant, "Third Sister, this probably isn''t right."


    Lai Manting dismissed the concern, "Wei Ruili was previously Leng Yu Yan''s fianc¨¦; if she finds out you''re now secretly receiving things from Wei Ruili, do you think she would let you off? Perhaps the one who ends up disfigured will be you."


    "That''s right, by then, maybe all your teeth will be knocked out by her!" Xu Yaxiang urged, "We need to strike first!"


    Finally, Li Lu nodded in agreement.


    The three of them unanimously decided to snatch Leng Yu Yan''s face veil when school was dismissed.


    Xinya Academy and the Imperial College dismissed at the same time, and there were bound to be a lot of people at the gates of the academy.


    At that time, Leng Yu Yan would face the ultimate humiliation!


    --


    The setting sun cast a warm glow.


    @@novelbin@@


    After school, Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia walked together as usual.


    Before reaching the academy''s gate, Lai Jiajia suddenly felt unbearable stomach pain, "Sister, I need to use the restroom; I ate too much breakfast today."


    Leng Yu Yan chuckled softly, "Then you go ahead, I''ll wait for you by the horse carriage."


    "Okay." clutching her stomach, Lai Jiajia hurried back.


    Leng Yu Yan walked slowly towards the gate, and just as she reached the horse carriage, Qinxian, seeing here out alone, asked, "Fifth Miss, where is the Sixth Miss?"


    Leng Yu Yan leaned in and exined softly, "Jiajia has gone to relieve herself."


    Upon hearing this, Qinxian blushed, thinking her young mistress was such azy person, frequently needing the restroom!


    Standing by the curb, Wei Ruili saw the girl he had been longing for standing by the horse carriage and couldn''t contain his joy, so he went over to strike up a conversation.


    At that moment, Li Lu happened toe out the academy''s main gate and saw Wei Ruili walking joyfully towards the horse carriage area, thinking he wasing to rendezvous with her.


    "Brother Ruili!" Li Lu called out sweetly.


    Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Wei Ruili, as if he hadn''t heard her, walked straight towards Leng Yu Yan.


    Li Lu quickened her pace, "Brother Ruili, did youe to pick me up after school? Brother Ruili..."


    Before she could finish speaking, Li Lu saw Wei Ruili standing directly opposite Leng Yu Yan.


    Could it be that he was not here for her, but for that ugly girl?


    "This miss, we have met several times, quite a fate," said Wei Ruili, ncing at the nearby ordinary horse carriage without any insignias, unsure of her family. He then asked, "Shouldn''t you tell me today, where do you live, and what is your name?"


    Meanwhile, Leng Yu Yan saw Li Lu approaching her.


    It was probably because Wei Ruili had his back to Li Lu that this scene unfolded.


    How ironic!


    Seeing Li Lu''s gaze growing colder, as if she was stealing her beloved.


    Suddenly, Leng Yu Yan adopted an onlooking demeanor.


    "Shouldn''t you introduce yourself before rudely asking for a youngdy''s details, home and name? It''s hardly proper," said Leng Yu Yan with a twinkle in her eye, her gaze drifted towards Li Lu, yet she spoke to Wei Ruili.


    Seeing that she was finally willing to converse with him, Wei Ruili was delighted, "I am Wei Ruili from the capital, my father is the Chief of Staff at the Ministry of War."


    What a Ministry of War Chief of Staff, and his son.


    Leng Yu Yan increasingly felt there was something fishy about her brother''s death!


    Atst, Li Lu realized that Wei Ruili was interested in Leng Yu Yan with the veil.


    A surge of hatred rose, and she hastily went over, intending to snatch Leng Yu Yan''s veil.


    Leng Yu Yan easily sidestepped with grace,ing even closer to Wei Ruili.


    Although she wore a veil today, her face was bare without any patches.


    The rain the day before had damaged and badly wrinkled the patches; it would take a few days to fix, after which it could be smoothly applied to her face.


    If Li Lu managed to tear off the veil now, her face would be exposed.


    Seeing Li Lu so reckless, Wei Ruili grabbed her wrist and scolded, "What are you doing?"


    "What am I doing?" Li Lu sneered coldly, "I just want to tear off her veil and show you the face of the person you''re so deliberately trying to converse with!"


    Wei Ruili flung her hand away forcefully: "Nonsense!"


    Turning around, Wei Ruili said to Leng Yu Yan, "I''m sorry, miss, to have caused a scene. This is my family''s youngdy, please don''t misunderstand."


    "Misunderstand?" Li Luughed loudly, pointing at Leng Yu Yan''s face with her index finger, tears streaming from herughter, "Don''t you know who she is? You actually don''t know who she is! What a monumental joke!"

 Chapter 33: Slapping Li Lu in the Face

    <h4>Chapter 33: Chapter 33: pping Li Lu in the Face</h4>


    Leng Yu Yan stood quietly, her eyes devoid of any emotion.


    The drama between the man and woman opposite her was indeed fascinating, but she was pondering the corrtion between her older brother''s death and the Ministry of War and had no desire to waste words with them.


    Suddenly, Li Lu lunged forward, aiming straight for Leng Yu Yan''s face.


    Today, she resolved to utterly ruin her, to show the world her shockingly uncouth and ugly visage!


    Leng Yu Yan raised her hand and easily caught Li Lu''s wrist.


    Again trying to tear off her face veil, Li Lu grew furious and yelled sharply, "She is Leng Yu Yan!"


    Feeling that one usation was not enough, Li Lu turned her head and in front of many students, raised her voice, "She is Leng Yu Yan, the ugliest woman under the heavens, the one who was rejected by Wei Ruili in their childhood betrothal. Does anyone want to see just how ugly her face really is?"


    Students from the Imperial College and Xinya Academy crowded around to join in the spectacle, pointing at Leng Yu Yan and passing judgments.


    Lai Manting and Xu Yaxiang were particrly thrilled. Although Li Lu had not managed to pull off the face veil at that moment, under such circumstances Leng Yu Yan''s reputation for ugliness would be widely known, providing them considerable satisfaction.


    And the matter continued to develop; the oue was still uncertain.


    Leng Yu Yan exerted a bit of strength on her hand, "Do you know that showing disrespect to your legitimate sister, you, as a concubine sister, should bear family punishment?"


    Her voice was ethereal and carried a faint smile.


    Yet, it made Li Lu instantly feel some invisible pressure, even causing her to feel a tightness in her chest.


    The pain in her wrist stunned her, and she wanted to cry but found herself unable to shed any tears.


    Wei Ruili looked confused.


    Hearing what Li Lu had said, coupled with the veiled girl''s references to "legitimate sister" and "concubine sister," was this veiled girl really Leng Yu Yan?


    Li Lu gritted her teeth and did not respond to Leng Yu Yan''s question.


    Leng Yu Yan''s eyes were clear and indifferent, her expression detached, and her voice clear, "For disrespecting your legitimate sister, you should be punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall. Didn''t Aunt Hu teach you well?"


    At these words, the surrounding students all nodded in agreement.


    Those who could attend the Imperial College and Xinya Academy were mostly legitimate sons and daughters; concubine children generally had no eligibility to attend such academies.


    Their attitude towards their concubine siblings was surprisingly consistent, and simrly, their well-privileged family backgrounds led them to have simr views on matters and people they deemed ugly.


    "So the one trying to remove the veil is a concubine daughter."


    "It appears clear to me now, a concubine daughter feeling superior just because she thinks she is more beautiful than the legitimate daughter."


    "Haha, heritage speaks for itself, otherwise why would the Crown Prince''s fianc¨¦e be the ugly Leng girl? Because she is the legitimate daughter!"


    "Even the best-looking concubine daughter can''tpare to an ugly legitimate daughter!"


    These words fell on Leng Yu Yan''s ears and she let them pass.


    For Li Lu, her inherent sense of inferiority surfaced, her eyes began to redden, filled with undisguised hatred.


    While thesements were directed at both of them, she remembered the grievances against Leng Yu Yan alone.


    Li Lu suddenlyughed loudly, "Look, everyone is saying how ugly you are, it''s because of your ugliness that brother Ruili called off the engagement early!"


    "Yes, I am indeed ugly," Leng Yu Yan released Li Lu''s wrist and gave a chilly smile, "You, being the ugly woman''s concubine sister, why are you trying to unveil me in front of so many outsiders? What are your intentions?"


    Her voice tinkled like wind chimes, clear and pleasing.


    Those eyes even disyed a brilliant and myriad humor, shining like a crescent moon, catching everyone''s attention.


    The onlooking students whispered among themselves, her voice this, her eyes that, it''s a pity her looks are so hideous.


    Meanwhile, hearing these words, the students quickly grasped the convoluted family dynamics; apparently, the concubine sister had stolen the legitimate sister''s former fianc¨¦.


    Such incidents often urred in prestigious families, though usually contained within their homes, making such public disys at the academy quite unusual.


    "Brother Ruili likes me, unveiling your veil is to let him see your ugly face!"


    Leng Yu Yan adjusted her veil and said indifferently, "I dare to admit I''m ugly, do you dare to admit your heart is filthy?"


    "You!"


    Li Lu stared at her in disbelief. How could someone actually admit to being ugly?


    Wei Ruili was stunned, his eyes swirling with various emotions.


    Disbelief, regret, shock, and astonishment all assaulted him at once!


    Leng Yu Yan''s figure suddenly seemed so enticing...


    It kept him daydreaming and sleepless at night!


    After all, a woman''s face is pleasant to look at during the day; at night, with the lights out, a seductive figure stands out from a mediocre one.


    Thus, the figure is more important than the face!


    "Leng Yu Yan, you are merely using your status as the legitimate daughter to oppress me. Ruili and I have mutual affection; if it weren''t for you, he and I might have been engaged already!"


    And to bear the reputation that a concubine sister fancied her legitimate sister''s former fianc¨¦¡ªno matter how others heard it, they would think her improper.


    "Enough!" Wei Ruili suddenly shouted sternly, "Li Lu, when did I ever fancy you? My arranged marriage has always been with Leng Yu Yan."


    "Ruili, what are you saying?" Li Lu''s eyes reddened, her voice soft and pitiable.


    She couldn''t believe what she was hearing; was she even less than an ugly girl in Wei Ruili''s eyes?


    "Ruili, didn''t you break off the engagement with her five years ago? At that time, you said I was prettier than her!" Li Lu whimpered weakly.


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan finally understood. It seemed that they had liked each other first, and the arranged marriage was called off afterward.


    "Our engagement has been broken; it seems there''s no problem with you two being together. But from a timing perspective, it turns out, older sister, that you fancied him even before our engagement was broken?"


    Her cold words were like a bucket of water poured overhead, freezing Li Lu as she suddenly realized the secret she shouldn''t have disclosed.


    The onlookers began to murmur: "So it really was the concubine sister who stole the legitimate sister''s fianc¨¦!"


    From a timing perspective, when the concubine sister made her move, Wei Ruili was still the fianc¨¦ of the Leng Family''s ugly daughter.


    Li Lu''s eyes turned bloodthirsty as she lunged toward Leng Yu Yan''s veil like a shrew.


    "If you''re so eager to snatch, I think it''s quite alright." Leng Yu Yan leaned back and immediately dodged, "Why don''t you snatch the Crown Prince as well!"


    The onlookers, including the students from the Imperial College, burst into apuse.


    "Hahaha, good!"


    "The ugly daughter of the Leng Family has quite the eloquence."


    @@novelbin@@


    "She can bend and stretch, clearly recognizing her own shorings, and even poke fun at herself."


    "Interesting, quite interesting."


    "A good appearance is nothingpared to an interesting soul."


    "Bold as well, to joke about the Crown Prince."


    Li Lu stamped her foot as the surroundingments made it seem like she was less than even an ugly girl.


    She wanted to cry, but tears wouldn''te; overwhelming anger made her look towards Lai Manting and Xu Yaxiang, hoping they would help.


    However, to her dismay, both Lai Manting and Xu Yaxiang averted their gaze, pretending not to see.


    Miao Zhu squeezed her wrist; her young mistress had shown off her eloquence, and now it was her turn to step in!


    She rolled up her sleeves and pped Li Lu across the face.


    Before Li Lu could react, Miao Zhu pped her again with the back of her hand.


    "How dare you hit me, you wretched maid?" Li Lu covered her cheeks, her eyes zing with fury.

 Chapter 34 - 34 Call Me Big Brother

    Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Call Me Big Brother


    ¡°When thete Madam was still alive, my Miss was the only legitimate daughter in the mansion! That time, the Lady gave me this authority¡ªif anyone showed disrespect to my Miss, it was my duty to p them!¡±


    No sooner had the words fallen than Miao Zhu continued to p away. Even though Li Lu covered her face, her palm still came crashing down relentlessly.


    Wei Ruili didn¡¯t want to see Li Lu¡¯s sorry state. Facing Leng Yu Yan, he spoke gently, ¡°Yu Yan, I really didn¡¯t recognize you.¡±


    ¡°What difference does it make whether you recognized me or not?¡± Leng Yu Yan watched Miao Zhu demonstrate her ¡®talent¡¯ with interest, ¡°They are but passersby in life, nothing more.¡±


    At that moment, a sudden round of apuse burst from the crowd, ¡°Well said! Leng Yu Yan, bravo!¡±


    Following the direction of the sound, Leng Yu Yan looked over¡ªshe had seen this person before at Mozhai.


    A young man strode towards her.


    Seeing that he could call out her name, Leng Yu Yan nodded slightly, ¡°May I ask your esteemed name?¡±


    Li Yuyue stood firm before Leng Yu Yan, ¡°My surname is Lai, first name Yuyue. You can call me Brother Lai without losing face, we are indeed family.¡±


    So, it was the Heir of Prince Zhenbei, Li Yuyue.


    The man before her was refined and elegant, his eyes and brows like a painting. Just by standing there, his natural aura subdued the whispers of the surrounding crowd.


    Leng Yu Yan gave a slight curtsy, ¡°Brother Lai.¡±


    ¡°Mm, good girl!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan: ¡°¡­¡±


    Uh, that felt a bit odd.


    ¡°I¡¯ll escort you home,¡± said Li Yuyue, taking a step towards Wei Ruili, his towering figure blocking Wei¡¯s view.


    No need, I¡¯ll go back with my younger sister.


    ¡°And where is your younger sister?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan was indeed worried that Lai Jiajia had fallen into some pit. Just as she grew anxious, she saw her, light-hearted and cheerful, running towards them.


    Lai Jiajia waved as she ran, ¡°Sister, sorry to keep you waiting.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan introduced her with a smile, ¡°That would be my younger sister.¡±


    ¡°Your younger sister seems quite lively,¡± Li Yuyue said with a slight smile.


    Only then did Lai Jiajia notice that the atmosphere at the academy¡¯s gate was somewhat strange.


    Why are all these people still standing around and not going home? Moreover, they were either watching Miao Zhu hit Li Lu or fixing their gaze on her.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Qinxian pulled her youngdy aside and briefly exined the situation.


    Lai Jiajia was momentarily stunned¡ªin the time it took her to relieve herself, so much had happened!


    Li Yuyue listened intently, his ears perked; he had left the Imperial Collegete and missed most of the preceding events.


    Now that he¡¯d heard the story, his cold gaze fell on Li Lu, ¡°As sisters, you are even less than an outsider in public¡ªby my judgment, your heart is even uglier!¡±


    With the Heir of Prince Zhenbei reaching a verdict, the students of the Imperial College began to echo in agreement.


    The girls from Xinya Academy who admired Heir Lai started to me Li Lu, hoping to leave a good impression on the Heir.


    Lai Manting and Xu Yaxiang didn¡¯t expect the event to take such an unexpected turn. Not only had they failed to remove the ugly girl¡¯s veil, but the Heir of Prince Zhenbei had also sided with her.


    If they stayed any longer, they feared Li Lu might expose them. With hunched shoulders, they quietly moved to their respective horse carriages, preparing to leave without a trace.


    Facing the usations of the crowd, added to the burning sensation on her pped face, Li Lu couldn¡¯t keep face and burst into tears.


    As she wiped her tears, she noticed Lai Manting preparing to leave on her own and quickly chased after her.


    ¡°Miss, she¡¯s running away,¡± Miao Zhu shook her hand, finally releasing the emotions she had suppressed for so many days.


    The task entrusted by thete Madam¡ªshe really had aplished it!


    ¡°Just let her.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan had long noticed the secretive nces exchanged between Li Lu, Lai Manting, and Xu Yaxiang.


    Li Lu¡¯s timidity now adequately exined why she suddenly turned hostile towards her.


    At that point, the students each returned to their homes.


    Wei Ruili carefully skirted around Li Yuyue, ¡°Yu Yan, shall we¡­¡±


    Li Yuyue stepped aside, reached out to grab a hold of Wei Ruili¡¯s cor, as if picking up a duckling, and lifted him off the ground, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to scram?¡±


    Wei Ruili¡¯s legs iled, ¡°I¡¯m scramming, I¡¯m scramming, please let go first, Princely Heir.¡±


    Once Li Yuyue let go, Wei Ruili immediately fell to the ground, scrambled to his feet, and ran off as fast as he could.


    ¡°Thank you, Brother Lai!¡± Leng Yu Yan sincerely expressed her gratitude.


    If her own elder brother had still been alive, he surely would have protected her just like Heir Lai.


    Thinking so, ripples of emotion swam in Leng Yu Yan beautiful eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Li Yuyue, keen-eyed, clearly saw the lucent shimmer in her eyes, as if she was about to burst into tears any second, which instantly made him panic.


    Leng Yu Yan blinked her eyes and shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just got some sand in my eye.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for today, Brother Lai; it¡¯s gettingte, so I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡± While speaking, Leng Yu Yan, apanied by Lai Jiajia, curtseyed.


    Li Yuyue nodded, watched the sisters board their horse carriage, and then left.


    On the carriage, Lai Jiajia asked, ¡°Sister, how did youe to know the Heir of Prince Zhenbei Mansion?¡±


    ¡°I met him at Mozhai on the day I first came to the academy,¡± Leng Yu Yan candidly replied, though she didn¡¯t mention the incident involving Wei Ruili.


    ¡°The Heir of Prince Zhenbei came to the Capital City three years ago, ostensibly to study and gain experience, but really as a hostage to keep the power of Prince Zhenbei Mansion in check by the Emperor. Prince Zhenbei was magnanimous, sending his eldest son without hesitation, signifying to the Emperor to be at ease.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan asked in surprise, ¡°How do you know all this in such detail?¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°Our father mentioned it to me; our family and the Prince Zhenbei Mansion sharemon ancestry for generations.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan squeezed Lai Jiajia¡¯s hand, ¡°You can tell me what uncle said, but never speak of it in front of others.¡±


    ¡°Sister, I understand!¡± Lai Jiajia sped Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand in return, giggling, ¡°Sister¡¯s hand is so soft, so nice to squeeze.¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan withdrew her hand and smacked the back of hers, ¡°Why are you acting like a yboy?¡±


    ¡°yboys are all men, but I am a girl¡­¡±


    Before she could finish, the two erupted into a bout of tickling andughter.


    Their crispughter spilled from the horse carriage onto the street.


    Qinxian watched from the side, fretting inwardly, ¡°This is terrible; my miss is going to lead the Fifth Miss astray!¡±


    Miao Zhu, on the other hand, was very pleased; her miss hadn¡¯tughed so genuinely in a long time, it seemed the Sixth Miss had quite the charm.


    ¡ª


    Upon returning to Qingyu Residence, Leng Yu Yan had just entered the house when Mrs. Zhao grabbed her arm.


    ¡°Mrs. Zhao, what is it?¡±


    Mrs. Zhao nced towards the entrance to ensure no one wasing and whispered, ¡°While Miao Zhu went to pick up the miss, the Lady sent people to inspect the gifted items.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, ¡°Mrs. Feng came?¡±


    ¡°It was her maid who came, iming they were looking for some capable maids and servants for you. They thought I was deaf and mute, not listening, whispering about where exactly the gifted items were ced.¡±


    Thinking of the miss at the academy, Miao Zhu picking her up, and her, an old maid unable to contend with so many alone in Qingyu Residence, Mrs. Zhao was extremely worried, ¡°What if theye to rob us, this old servant¡­¡±


    A flicker crossed Leng Yu Yan¡¯s brows, realizing that summoning the maids from Linqing Pavilion wouldn¡¯t be timely.


    After a moment of contemtion, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll find a ce to secure these valuables.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be that quick to find a ce,¡± Miao Zhu said, concerned, ¡°What if theye to grab them tomorrow?¡±

 Chapter 35 - 35 Fianc茅 and Fianc茅e

    Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Fianc¨¦ and Fianc¨¦e


    Mrs. Zhao was still somewhat panicked, ¡°I¡¯m just afraid they¡¯ll speak nicely, iming to manage things for the young miss, but will never admit to stealing. Moreover, during their theft, if they damage anything in the process, the loss could be significant.¡±


    ¡°In the past few days, they wouldn¡¯t dare to steal brazenly, given the recent rewards, but who knows about the future,¡± Leng Yu Yan consoled them. ¡°Just to be safe, starting tomorrow, Miao Zhu will stay at Qingyu Residence and doesn¡¯t need to escort me.¡±


    The servant trio had a chat when Leng Jiajia rushed over in a flurry.


    ¡°Sister, Li Lu has been punished to kneel in the ancestral hall!¡±


    Her voice was filled with cheer as if it were a holiday celebration¡ªit was apparent she harbored great dislike for Li Lu.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled wryly, ¡°Who punished her?¡±


    ¡°Our uncle did, insisting that there is a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate, and Li Lu has broken the rules. With this ruckus, she has further tarnished her reputation,¡± Leng Jiajia reported, ncing toward the table, ¡°Sister, do you have any snacks? I¡¯m so hungry.¡±


    Qinxian, following behind Leng Jiajia, looked towards Fuhai, wondering how her own young mistress could behave this way.


    Ever since she could no longer apany the third and fourth misses, letting herself go within her own courtyard was one thing.


    But now, even in front of the Fifth Miss, she had let herself gopletely.


    If it wasn¡¯t eating, it was defecating; if it wasn¡¯t defecating, it was eating!


    Surely the Fifth Miss wouldn¡¯t disdain her young mistress like the third and fourth misses did?


    Leng Yu Yan could deduce anotheryer to her father¡¯s reasoning from what Leng Jiajia had said.


    If her reputation worsened any further, provoking the Tian Family to switch back their choice of marriage alliance, then he wouldn¡¯t be able to protect Lai Manting, and this was the reason for punishing Li Lu.


    ¡°There are snacks, but I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯ll like them?¡± Leng Yu Yan led Leng Jiajia toward the table.


    Seeing the cakes and pastries on the table, Leng Jiajia made herselffortable without any pretense: ¡°Sister, then I won¡¯t hesitate to start eating!¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, I won¡¯tpete with you,¡± Leng Yu Yan gestured for Miao Zhu to bring over some tea.


    ¡ª


    The following day.


    Dawn broke with a hint of light, the sky beginning to brighten.


    The early morning was still a bit chilly.


    After a good night¡¯s rest, Leng Yu Yan rose exceptionally early.


    Standing in the yard, she saw a pigeon flying towards her. With a tip of her toe, she spun and soared up, gently catching the pigeon in her arms before gracefullynding on the ground.


    Mrs. Zhao came out with a copper basin and was astonished, her mouth agape at the sight.


    Leng Yu Yan put her finger to her lips in a gesture of silence, then focused on removing the small bamboo tube attached to the pigeon¡¯s leg.


    Mrs. Zhao nodded in understanding.


    Her young mistress was skilled in martial arts, so she wouldn¡¯t be easily bullied by viins.


    On a second thought, Mrs. Zhao¡¯s heart soured as she wondered what hardships her young mistress had faced in the mountains over the past five years that she had needed to learn martial arts for self-defense.


    At that moment, Miao Zhu came out of the house yawning and quickly took the pigeon, asking, ¡°Miss, what¡¯s this?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan skimmed the letter, ¡°It¡¯s from Xia Tao. The person who offered ten thousand gold has a master from the capital city.¡±


    Who could it be?


    Leng Yu Yan burned the letter and said to Miao Zhu, ¡°Feed the pigeon and tell Xia Tao to keep investigating. We must find out who¡¯s behind this.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± Miao Zhu nodded, instantly wide awake.


    ¡ª


    In the academy.


    By midday, Leng Yu Yan was still pondering who the person behind the ten thousand gold could be.


    Leng Jiajia was restless and had no desire to rest. After a walk around a few buildings, she excitedly reported back to Leng Yu Yan in ss D, ¡°Li Lu really didn¡¯te today.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan pointed at her, smiling, ¡°She¡¯s absent, and you¡¯re this happy?¡±


    ¡°Of course, she never spared me contempt in the past,¡± Leng Jiajia said as she cozied up next to Leng Yu Yan to sit down.


    Suddenly, a knock was heard on the door of the ssroom, and the two sisters lifted their gazes simultaneously.


    Seeing the Mountain Master looking at them with a smile, both immediately stood up and greeted, ¡°Mountain Master!¡±


    The Mountain Master hummed in acknowledgment and said with a smile, ¡°Leng Yu Yan,e with me to the study.¡±


    The Mountain Master¡¯s study was thest ce Leng Jiajia wanted to be; it was where one got reprimanded, so she quietly shifted her feet and, taking advantage of the Mountain Master¡¯s inattention, bolted away.


    The Mountain Master¡¯s smile grew wider, ¡°It seems this child is probably frightened by my scoldings on normal days.¡±


    Watching Leng Jiajia flee like a cat that had its tail stepped on, Leng Yu Yan shook her head slightly.


    ¡°Is there something you need, Mountain Master?¡±


    ¡°Mhm, I need your help with something,¡± the Mountain Master said as he raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.


    This left the students of ss D surprised for quite some time.


    Didn¡¯t they sayst time that the ugly Leng girl was reprimanded by the Mountain Master in his study?


    Yet today, the ugly Leng girl didn¡¯t seem afraid of the Mountain Master at all.


    What was even stranger was that the Mountain Master was very courteous to her.


    They couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of it and unanimously believed that it must be due to her status as the Crown Prince Consort.


    Upon reaching the study, the Mountain Master picked up an invitation from the desk, ¡°Leng Yu Yan, you must set out to the Eastern Pce immediately and deliver this invitation for me. Ask the Crown Prince toe to the academy for the calligraphy assembly in a few days.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan hadn¡¯t expected this kind of errand and spoke with some difficulty, ¡°Mountain Master, I am afraid I might fail the trust you¡¯ve ced in me. His Highness¡¯s eyes are inconvenient, and besides, he doesn¡¯t actually like talking to me, let alone¡­¡±


    The Mountain Master waved his hand, interrupting her, ¡°In truth, His Highness is amiable. Since you are to be married to him, you should interact more.¡±


    ¡°When His Highness¡¯s eyes were well in the past, he always attended. After his condition worsened, he would send his calligraphy in advance and no longer attended the event.¡±


    ¡°His Highness is well aware of the ridicule from the world due to his health. I merely wish for him to get out of the Eastern Pce more often; it would be good for his health.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, His Highness is the one who provided those thousand taels for tuition fees, and our academy should give him an exnation.¡±


    ¡°This task can be difficult if seen that way, but not too difficult if seen another. Consider this old man as asking a favor of you¡­¡±


    Faced with the Mountain Master¡¯s earnest request, Leng Yu Yan could only agree.


    At the same time, she scoffed internally; inviting a visually impaired person to a calligraphy assembly, it seemed quite improbable.


    ¡ª


    Upon arriving at the Eastern Pce and with the Mountain Master¡¯s invitation in hand, Leng Yu Yan managed to enter smoothly.


    The immortal tform, veiled by the rain on that day, was shown more clearly before her eyes today.


    Suppressing the dizziness she felt upon seeing Ye Yiheng¡¯s bedroom from afar, Leng Yu Yan lowered her gaze and followed the gatekeeper¡¯s steps, passing through a moon gate to a secluded spot.


    There was a two-story pavilion in this ce, and the two entered.


    ¡°Miss Lai Wu, ahead is His Highness¡¯s study,¡± the gatekeeper stopped and gestured towards an open room, ¡°His Highness has instructed you to wait for him there.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Leng Yu Yan lifted her skirt slightly and stepped over the threshold.


    Soon a pce maid brought in tea and snacks.


    The service was attentive, with food and drink provided, but as she waited in the study for a long time, the person in question didn¡¯te to meet her.


    @@novelbin@@


    In sheer boredom, Leng Yu Yan started flipping through the various books on the bookshelf, when she overheard the low gossip of the pce maids outside the study.


    Within the exceptionally quiet pavilion, it was hard not to hear the gossiping, especially given her already good hearing.


    ¡°Why does shee every other day?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she just eager to get married into the Eastern Pce?¡±


    ¡°His Highness doesn¡¯t like her and doesn¡¯t want to marry her, so she¡¯s getting impatient.¡±


    ¡°No wonder His Highness clearly isn¡¯t taking his noon rest, nor is heing to the study.¡±


    ¡°Thisdy has thick skin indeed, waiting for so long without seeing anyone and still not leaving.¡±


    ¡°Her face has blemishes; of course, her skin is thick.¡±

 Chapter 36 - 36 He Wants Her Life

    Chapter 36: Chapter 36 He Wants Her Life


    Leng Yu Yan cursed Ye Yiheng inwardly a hundred and eighty times, finding his deliberate neglect unnecessary.


    He didn¡¯t wish to see her, and she was even less keen on seeing him!


    Had it not been for the aging Mountain Master¡¯s plea, she wouldn¡¯t have bothereding.


    After waiting for two hours, the rest period set by the academy had passed, yet there was still no sign of Ye Yiheng.


    Just as Leng Yu Yan was about to return, before her foot had even crossed the threshold of the study, Eunuch Ye appeared before her.


    Seeing he was carrying an imperial decree, Leng Yu Yan greeted him with a smile, ¡°Eunuch Ye, it seems His Highness is taking his midday rest.¡±


    It would be best for Eunuch Ye to expose Ye Yiheng¡¯s false pretense of resting.


    Eunuch Ye shook his head with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s alright, this imperial decree is actually for the Crown Princess Consort.¡±


    ¡°For me?¡±


    ¡°Indeed! The Emperor has heard that the Crown Princess Consort braved the rain to visit His Highness two days ago, and hase to visit again while attending the academy today. He is very pleased, so he immediately issued a decree. With the Crown Princess Consort¡¯s deep love and significant concern by his side, His Highness¡¯s cold disease is certain to heal quickly.¡±


    These words left Leng Yu Yan at a loss for words.


    Deep love and significant concern?


    Could she tell the truth?


    Toward that blind Crown Prince who had left her hanging in the study for over an hour, she had not a shred of affection or concern.


    If she was truly forced to marry him, the only thing that gave her a glimmer of hope was the prospect of soon inheriting his vast estate.


    Leng Yu Yan was confused for a moment, ¡°What does the Emperor mean?¡±


    ¡°Crown Princess Consort, you should see for yourself. I will not recite it,¡± said Eunuch Ye, passing the decree to Leng Yu Yan, ¡°I will have to proim it at your residenceter.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan opened the decree and read it. The general idea was that now during the birth month of the Late Empress, the Emperor was very concerned for the son born to the Late Empress and had specially ordered the Crown Prince Consort to move into the Eastern Pce to apany the Crown Prince.


    They wanted her to move into the Eastern Pce!


    Ye Yiheng used his mother¡¯s birth month to dy the wedding, and now the Emperor was using the same reason to have her move into the Eastern Pce.


    Haha, such a convenient excuse they had!


    Being ugly, wouldn¡¯t entering the Eastern Pce simply annoy someone?


    Did the Emperor genuinely wish for the Crown Prince to get better, or did he intentionally want her toe and be an annoyance?


    ¡°Eunuch Ye, Yu Yan and His Highness¡¯s wedding date is not yet set. Moving into the Eastern Pce in such a manner¡­ wouldn¡¯t that be rather hasty and unreasonable?¡± she asked.


    Eunuch Ye chuckled, ¡°In the end, isn¡¯t it up to the Emperor to decide? The Emperor takes note of the deep love that the Crown Princess Consort has for His Highness. With you being as you are, His Highness¡¯s health is sure to recover.¡±


    Seeing Leng Yu Yan¡¯s troubled expression, Eunuch Ye added, ¡°If His Highness¡¯s illness improves, it could be considered as a constion to the Late Empress. Please, Crown Princess Consort, understand the earnest intention of the Emperor as a father!¡±


    The Emperor was a father and also the sovereign of thend. How could his imperial decree be defied by anyone?


    Leng Yu Yan rolled up the decree, ¡°I obey the decree.¡±


    Considering Mrs. Feng¡¯s smug demeanor, moving into the Eastern Pce wasn¡¯t such a bad idea.


    When that time came and she brought along with her the gifts from the bounty, how would Mrs. Feng and the others dare to scheme?


    Eunuch Ye nodded continuously, noticing that she understood his implication, and then bid farewell.


    Leng Yu Yan looked at the imperial decree in her hand and then at the invitation from the Mountain Master.


    Since the invitation had not been delivered yet and she had received an imperial decree, she might as well return to Xinya Academy first.


    With a slight sigh, she crossed the threshold of the study.


    Unexpectedly, she almost bumped into someone.


    She abruptly stopped, lifting her eyes to find Ye Yiheng ¡°looking¡± at her through his eye veil.


    After stuffing the Mountain Master¡¯s invitation into his chest, Leng Yu Yan moved aside two steps, ¡°The invitation has been delivered, I take my leave.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re quite generous, letting others take your fianc¨¦,¡± he said coolly and distantly, his voice tinged with unmistakable mockery.


    Leng Yu Yan turned around, raising her eyebrows to look at him, surprised that he was aware of what she had said at the entrance of Xinya Academy.


    He turned his head slightly, as if he was quite interested in hearing her exnation.


    She let out a gentleugh, her eyes brimming with amusement, ¡°Yes, invite others to snatch me away, yet no one wants me, probably even if given away for free, no one would want me.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng alsoughed out loud, ¡°We are on equal footing, neither superior nor inferior to each other.¡±


    Beneath the eye veil, his handsome eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing the person before him.


    This woman had a pair of beautiful eyes. Despite the clear annoyance in them, they remained pure and tranquil as the bright moon, washing their light.


    Leng Yu Yan tugged at the corner of her mouth, this man actually turned around andughed at her for being unwanted.


    ¡°Exactly! I am an ugly woman, no one dares to marry me. I hope Your Highness can speak with the Emperor as soon as possible to annul our engagement.¡±


    The sooner it was annulled, the sooner she could find an excuse to ¡°cure¡± her blemishes and stop wearing a veil.


    With such a tall stature, towering a whole head above her, an inexplicable sense of oppression arose. Leng Yu Yan stepped a few paces to the side, aiming to put more distance between them.


    Seeing her moving away from him, Ye Yiheng chuckled, ¡°I¡¯m afraid things won¡¯t go your way.¡±


    Hisughter appeared gentle on the surface but was actually cold and ruthless.


    ¡°Why?¡± Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly, ¡°You don¡¯t wish to marry me, and I don¡¯t want to marry you, what¡¯s the problem?¡±


    A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it the soft rustle of budding willows.


    His cold words were delivered with an indifferent tone, ¡°Even if we have not yet married, just by having stayed a few days in the Eastern Pce, everyone deems you to be my woman.¡±


    In this spring day, there was not the slightest hint of warmth.


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s brows knit tighter, he had no interest in her and she felt no fondness for him, yet only he could cancel the engagement.


    ¡°The Emperor wants me to move into the Eastern Pce, he must have misunderstood.¡±


    Unwittingly, her voice carried a note of mncholy.


    To Ye Yiheng¡¯s ears, it was even more profound than if she had directly said she didn¡¯t want to marry him.


    ¡°Misunderstood what?¡± His voice grew colder.


    The handsome, expressionless face showed a detachment that saw through worldly affairs.


    @@novelbin@@


    Just an ordinary woman, no different from any other in the world.


    ¡°You must be aware of what the imperial decree says.¡± Leng Yu Yan lifted the imperial decree in her hand, ¡°The Emperor thinks I visited the Eastern Pce twice because of my deep affection for Your Highness, but that¡¯s not true. The visit the other day wasn¡¯t voluntary; it was Consort Xian¡¯s idea. Today, I came here at the behest of the Mountain Master, not wanting to hurt his feelings.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re quite honest,¡± he curved his lips, revealing a slight sneer.


    ¡°What if I weren¡¯t honest?¡±


    ¡°I would kill you.¡±


    His voice was calm, without a ripple, and his tone was graceful and clear.


    Yet the words that came out were as chilling as a howling north wind, not a single trace of jest in them.


    Leng Yu Yan stumbled over her words, infuriated, ¡°You!¡±


    Seeing her anger and annoyance, he inexplicably felt cheerful, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I would do it with my own hands.¡±


    Not wanting to argue with such a madman, she softened her tone, ¡°If the engagement were annulled, Your Highness would no longer have to worry about whether I am honest, hence I earnestly beseech Your Highness to request the Emperor to annul the engagement!¡±


    Ye Yiheng remained unmoved by her plea, ¡°Move in tomorrow or the day after.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan felt an unbearable headacheing on. She simply could not reason with him.


    Thinking about how casually he spoke of killing her, she frowned slightly and retorted coldly, ¡°Let me tell you, if you think of killing me, do you believe I¡¯ll eliminate you first?¡±


    The corners of Ye Yiheng¡¯s mouth lifted in a cold, thin arc, ¡°We shall see.¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan bit her lip lightly and walked away.


    Angry, so angry!


    She had never been treated like this before.


    He actually wanted her life!


    After all, she was waiting for him to kick the bucket naturally.


    What a gap!

 Chapter 37: Mad Dogs Should Be Beaten

    Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Mad Dogs Should Be Beaten


    Leng Yu Yan swiftly walked the entire way.


    What does it mean to be honest, and what does it mean to be dishonest?


    It all came down to what he said.


    Such a descendant of the Tian Family, ustomed to intrigue from a young age, could not help but harbor a dark heart.


    Being granted marriage to such a cold-hearted person was her misfortune.


    Ye Yiheng watched her silhouette disappear past the moon gate, and for some reason, he felt very pleased.


    From a distance, Song Guo stood; he had overheard the dialogue between His Highness and the Fifth Miss of Lai.


    Now that Leng Yu Yan had walked far away, he approached, ¡°Your Highness, what you just said has terrified Miss Lai.¡±


    ¡°Not terrified.¡±


    With those three words uttered lightly, a perfect smile appeared on Ye Yiheng¡¯s lips, like a bright moon in the sky, noble and refined.


    Mo Chen also emerged from the shadows, ¡°Your Highness, since you do not like her, why did you agree to let her move into the Eastern Pce?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s safest to keep close watch over potential spies.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Song Guo felt a bit confused, while Mo Chen found it quite reasonable.


    Both agreed that their own His Highness was stunningly outstanding, unmatched in the world. Honestly, the Fifth Miss didn¡¯t deserve him.


    Leng Yu Yan, clutching the imperial decree, returned to Xinya Academy.


    The Mountain Master saw her return and asked, ¡°Has His Highness agreed?¡±


    Seeing that the Mountain Master seemed to have been waiting at the academy entrance for a long time, Leng Yu Yan felt somewhat apologetic, ¡°I only delivered the invitation to His Highness and did not inquire whether he would attend.¡±


    ¡°No harm, no harm, it¡¯s good enough that the invitation was delivered,¡± the Mountain Master said kindly, waving his hand, ¡°Go to your ssroom now.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Leng Yu Yan nodded and bowed, then quickly headed toward the ssroom.


    Elsewhere, Eunuch Ye delivered the imperial decree to the Leng Residence.


    Upon hearing that Leng Yu Yan was to move to the Eastern Pce, Mrs. Feng and her son exchanged nces.


    After Eunuch Ye left the Leng Residence, Mrs. Feng and her son immediately shut the door.


    ¡°Mother, once she leaves, we can rightfully demand those gifts. After all, if she¡¯s not at Qingyu Residence, it¡¯s a sacrilege to let such valuable items go unattended,¡± Lai Hao said, growing more excited, ¡°By that time, we can im we are managing them. She wouldn¡¯t know what¡¯s inside, and even if she did, we could rece them with replicas.¡±


    Mrs. Feng smiled, ¡°You¡¯ve thought this through well. If only you could apply such cleverness to your studies, we wouldn¡¯t need to rack our brains over securing a position as a Prince Consort.¡±


    ¡°Mother, my cleverness lies not in academics but in money!¡± Lai Hao pinched his fingers, mimicking counting silver notes.


    ¡°When the little girl returns from school today, you must hide your intentions well; otherwise, we might startle the snake and lose the game.¡±


    ¡°Son understands!¡±


    ¡ª


    When school was dismissed, they got on the horse carriage.


    Lai Jiajia, seeing Leng Yu Yan with the imperial decree, curiously asked, ¡°Sister, what is this?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan showed the imperial decree to her.


    ¡°To move to the Eastern Pce!¡± Lai Jiajia eximed, ¡°I¡¯ve hardly had a few days with my sister before we have to separate.¡±


    Seeing her pouting cutely, Leng Yu Yan smiled slightly, ¡°I¡¯ll be staying in the Eastern Pce for this period. Probably after the Late Empress¡¯s birth month, I will move back.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s somewhat better.¡± Lai Jiajia grabbed Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand, ¡°It¡¯s good that we can still see each other at the academy, though going to and from school will be lonely.¡±


    ¡°Time will pass quickly,¡± Leng Yu Yan said softly, ¡°Or we can go home together, have dinner, and then I¡¯ll go to the Eastern Pce.¡±


    ¡°That would be great, and I won¡¯t feel lonely,¡± Lai Jiajia wrinkled her nose, ¡°Though it¡¯s a bit troublesome for you to travel back and forth.¡±


    Upon returning to the Leng Residence, Lai Jiajia still clung to Leng Yu Yan, even following her directly back to Qingyu Residence.


    Miao Zhu, seeing her young mistress return, was about to speak when she saw Lai Jiajia at her side and stopped herself.


    Leng Yu Yan spoke calmly, ¡°Speak freely.¡±


    With discretion, Miao Zhu said, ¡°Miss, the pce has decreed that you move to the Eastern Pce.¡±


    ¡°I am aware of that,¡± Leng Yu Yan handed the imperial decree to Miao Zhu, ¡°Serve some tea and snacks to the Sixth Miss; I¡¯ll be stepping out.¡±


    Miao Zhu took the decree and respectfully withdrew.


    Leng Yu Yan turned and left Qingyu Residence, directly rushing to the Eastern Pce in a horse carriage.


    Just a moment ago, Miao Zhu had hesitated to speak not merely because of the imperial decree. Rather, it was because the decree had arrived at the Leng Residence, and Mrs. Feng and others were already scheming to take possession of her awarded items.


    Thus, she had to catch them off guard.


    The Eastern Pce Gatekeeper was astonished to see Leng Yu Yan arriving again, ¡°Fifth Miss Leng, do you have an emergency?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan went straight inside, heading directly toward Ye Yiheng¡¯s bedroom, ¡°Yes, there¡¯s an emergency.¡±


    The gatekeeper hurriedly followed, ¡°Your Highness is currently in the study, not in the bedroom.¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan changed direction.


    Seeing her walking quickly, the gatekeeper said anxiously, ¡°Fifth Miss Leng, His Highness is currently discussing important matters with Young Master, and it¡¯s inconvenient for him to see guests.¡±


    ¡°Am I a guest?¡± Leng Yu Yan stopped.


    As she asked this, she gave a self-mocking smile.


    Her status in the Eastern Pce was awkward, neither a host nor quite a guest.


    ¡°Whether I am a guest or not, I must see the Crown Prince at this moment,¡± Leng Yu Yan nodded slightly, ¡°I hope you can announce my arrival, brother.¡±


    Being called ¡°brother¡± by the Crown Prince Consort felt inexplicably good.


    The gatekeeper nodded immediately, ¡°Then, when we reach the small building, Fifth Miss Leng, please wait by the moon gate while I go and report.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much.¡±


    The two walked one after the other toward the study located in the small building.


    After the gatekeeper went inside, Leng Yu Yan stood by the moon gate.


    After waiting for a moment and seeing no oneing out, she overheard a few pce maids gossiping.


    ¡°Why is she here again?¡±


    ¡°The imperial decree to move into the Eastern Pce was just issued; does she want to move in tonight?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell us, she wants to climb into His Highness¡¯s bed tonight?¡±


    Ignoring otherments, Leng Yu Yan pretended not to hear.


    But the remark about her wanting to climb into Ye Yiheng¡¯s bed made her so angry that she moved forward and raised her hand.


    ¡°p¡ª¡±


    ¡°p¡ª¡±


    ¡°p¡ª¡±


    ¡°p¡ª¡±


    A series of crisp ps echoed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not speaking, but that doesn¡¯t mean I didn¡¯t hear,¡± Leng Yu Yan scanned the four pce maids, ¡°Is this how the Eastern Pce trains its pce maids, hmm?¡±


    Her tone was elongated, filled with authority.


    The four pce maids werepletely stunned.


    After a moment, one of them, relying on her somewhat good looks, covered her face and said, ¡°His Highness hasn¡¯t even hit us, how dare you, how dare you overstep above His Highness?¡±


    ¡°What a big hat to throw down, but I really can¡¯t bear it,¡± Leng Yu Yan retorted with another p.


    Hearing themotion, several people from the study came out immediately.


    Jian Lecheng, seeing the maid¡¯s faces flushed with handprints, one with cheeks severely swollen, frowned, ¡°Fifth Miss Leng, this is the Eastern Pce, do you not consider the master before beating a dog?¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°A mad dog that bites people should be hit, should I first see what the master looks like?¡± Leng Yu Yan looked at Jian Lecheng meaningfully.


    Seeing her piercing gaze, Jian Lecheng was momentarily choked up, ¡°Your Highness, what do you think about this?¡±


    Suddenly, the ce fell silent, as if the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.


    Everyone held their breath, waiting to see how the Crown Prince would judge.


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s eyebrows raised, and facing Leng Yu Yan, he spoke, ¡°Is there something you needed?¡±


    Seeing that he didn¡¯t reprimand her for hitting someone but instead asked why she hade, Leng Yu Yan bowed respectfully, ¡°Please lend me a few people, Your Highness, to help move some of my belongings from the Leng Residence.¡±


    Ye Yiheng slightly turned his head, ¡°Mo Chen, take some people and go.¡±

 Chapter 38: Entering the Eastern Palaces Storehouse

    Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Entering the Eastern Pce¡¯s Storehouse


    Emerging from the study was a young man in attire, who bowed to Ye Yiheng, ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    After Leng Yu Yan had walked away, Jian Lecheng pointed in the direction she had left, ¡°Your Highness, she, she, she¡¯s too haughty, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    A nk expression on his face, Ye Yiheng coldly addressed the pce maids, ¡°What were you just saying?¡±


    ¡°We, your servants¡­¡±


    The pce maids immediately knelt down, yet none dared to speak.


    Song Guo stepped forward and barked, ¡°Won¡¯t you honestly confess?¡±


    The bodies of the pce maids trembled, and one of them spoke up, ¡°We, your servants, said Miss Lai wanted to climb into Your Highness¡¯s bed tonight.¡±


    ¡°p yourselves.¡± Dropping these two words, Ye Yiheng left on his own ord.


    Song Guo supervised the four pce maids, ¡°p your own faces until you reach a count of a hundred before you may stop.¡±


    The Crown Prince kept a distance from women; how could he tolerate their baseless nder?


    Moreover, although people said that Miss Lai was too ugly to match His Highness, none of the noble daughters within the Tiansheng Territory were willing to marry.


    Now that the Emperor had with great difficulty bestowed the marriage of Miss Lai to His Highness, this betrothal was not to be taken lightly.


    What outsiders concocted was their own business; it had nothing to do with oneself.


    It was the same within the Eastern Pce; to think otherwise would be to defy the natural order.


    The sound of ps rose and fell in session, yet all were feeble and soft.


    Song Guo frowned, ¡°I want to hear a crisp sound. If anyone doesn¡¯t have the strength, I presume they will alsock the strength to eat their meals.¡±


    No sooner had the words left her mouth than the sounds became crisp, and the rhythm increased substantially.


    Witnessing this, Jian Lecheng¡¯s brows furrowed even tighter. That ugly girl of the Leng Family indeed had some skills.


    Was she jealous of the pce maids for having unblemished faces, or was she enraged and humiliated because the maids hadid bare her thoughts?


    Forget it, forget it, forget it¡­


    At least those ps weren¡¯tnding on his own face.


    ¡ª


    When Leng Yu Yan returned to the Leng Residence, Lai Jiajia was still eating at Qingyu Residence.


    ¡°Sister, these pastries are delicious; next time, let Miao Zhu teach the cooks in my kitchen.¡±


    Finishing her sentence, Lai Jiajia turned her head, and upon seeing several uniformly dressed young men behind Leng Yu Yan, she quickly swallowed what was in her mouth, ¡°Who are they, and for what purpose have theye here?¡±


    ¡°Eat slowly.¡± Leng Yu Yan gently patted Lai Jiajia¡¯s shoulder, ¡°They are the men I borrowed from the Crown Prince to help with moving things.¡±


    Reassured, Lai Jiajia¡¯s heart settled back down, ¡°Actually, I¡¯m full already; there¡¯s no need for dinner.¡±


    Mo Chen bowed, ¡°Miss Lai, may I ask where the items that need to be moved are?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan looked at Miao Zhu, ¡°You guide them.¡±


    Miao Zhu nodded, ¡°If you would please follow me.¡±


    She gestured invitingly and led Mo Chen and others to a small storeroom within Qingyu Residence.


    It was then that Leng Yu Yan finally took a seat opposite Lai Jiajia, ¡°What I had them help move were the items bestowed by the Emperor and the Princesses.¡±


    Sipping her tea, Lai Jiajia said, ¡°I know; earlier, the servant from my second brother snuck over here, but when he saw me, he immediately went back.¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Leng Yu Yan smiled and patted the back of Lai Jiajia¡¯s hand, ¡°I know, you said you were eating, but in truth, you were keeping watch for me.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for thanks between us!¡± Lai Jiajia caressed her protruding belly and let out a contented belch.


    The sound wasn¡¯t quiet, and upon hearing it, the two looked at each other andughed.


    Not long after, Leng Yu Yan personally escorted Lai Jiajia out of Qingyu Residence.


    Mrs. Feng received word from the steward, and by then, the rewards had already been moved onto the Eastern Pce Carriage.


    Leng Yu Yan stood at the entrance of the Leng Residence and whispered something into Miao Zhu¡¯s ear before instructing, ¡°You and the rewards in the carriage will go to the Eastern Pce together. If anyone asks, tell them what I just said.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Miss. This servant understands!¡± Miao Zhu bowed.


    Just then, Mrs. Feng hurried out with Lai Hao and Lai Manting.


    ¡°Yu Yan, child, why are you moving to the Eastern Pce so suddenly?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly, ¡°Hasn¡¯t Mother heard? The imperial decree has been given.¡±


    ¡°Mother hasn¡¯t had the chance to select a few close maids for you. Going over like this, the Eastern Pce might think our Leng Family is too humble,¡± Mrs. Feng said, though her eyes kept darting towards the horse carriage.


    ¡°Mother, rest assured, for now, only the treasures awarded by the Emperor and the Princesses are headed to the Eastern Pce. I will still apany Mother for the next couple of days.¡±


    Mrs. Feng almost fainted. What kind of speed was this?


    Seeing six tall, robust young men beside the Eastern Pce Carriage, she realized the little girl had been guarding against them all along.


    ¡°Little sister, what do you mean by this?¡± Lai Hao said urgently. ¡°Would our own family steal your things?¡±


    Even Lai Manting cast a scornful nce at him. ¡°Brother!¡±


    Leng Yu Yanughed, ¡°Of course, family wouldn¡¯t steal.¡±


    But they would plunder!


    As she spoke, Leng Yu Yan patted Miao Zhu¡¯s arm, ¡°Go on, be careful on your return!¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°Understood, Miss,¡± Miao Zhu boarded the carriage.


    Mo Chen turned on his horse and, along with his brothers, bowed to Leng Yu Yan, ¡°Crown Princess Consort, we take our leave!¡±


    Surprise flickered in Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyes as she nodded, ¡°Thank you for your efforts!¡±


    Soon after, the cavalcade left the Leng Residence with the horse carriage.


    Mrs. Feng and her two children watched with distorted faces as the gold and silver jewelry was carried far away.


    Mrs. Feng¡¯s hand clutched Lai Manting¡¯s arm tightly; if she hadn¡¯t, she really would have rolled her eyes and fainted right at the entrance.


    Along the way, a guard asked Mo Chen, ¡°Why did you give that ugly girl so much face, calling her the Crown Princess Consort? What benefit did you receive?¡±


    Mo Chen nced at him, ¡°Are you brainless? If someone disrespects her in public, isn¡¯t that disrespecting His Highness?¡±


    Realization dawned on the man, ¡°Thank you for the pointer!¡±


    In less than an hour, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s rewards arrived at the Eastern Pce.


    Ye Yiheng wasn¡¯t surprised that the rewards brought by the Lady Lai were from the Emperor and the various Princesses.


    Jian Lecheng, however, was extremely astonished. He grabbed Miao Zhu and asked, ¡°How can your mistress be so at ease leaving these things in the Eastern Pce?¡±


    His Highness the Crown Prince didn¡¯t ask, yet this outsider did. Miao Zhu smiled slightly and bowed, ¡°Young Master, right? My mistress said that His Highness regards money as dirt and would naturally not covet these trivial items.¡±


    Jian Lecheng saw ayer of frost covering Ye Yiheng¡¯s face, and anyone unaware would think his cold disease had worsened. He frowned immediately, ¡°What kind of way is that to speak? What do you mean he regards money as dirt?¡±


    Miao Zhu cleared her throat, ¡°My mistress also said that His Highness has noble character and conducts himself with dignity, and he would naturally not be troubled by such items. My mistress is very reassured leaving the items with His Highness.¡±


    ¡°That¡­¡± Jian Lecheng almost choked on his saliva, ¡°Does your mistress have someone to watch over these things?¡±


    The ugly girl hasn¡¯t arrived yet; surely she must be worried, right?


    ¡°You misjudge, Young Master! As I said before, with the items here, my mistress is very reassured,¡± Miao Zhu bowed again, ¡°This servant will take her leave.¡±


    After taking three steps back, she quickly walked away.


    Jian Lecheng stepped ahead to the guest courtyard to inspect Leng Yu Yan¡¯s belongings.


    Returning to Ye Yiheng, he said, ¡°Lai Wu is really confident. Those items are just piled in the main room of the guest courtyard, and her maid just walked away like that.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s handsome face remainedposed as he gave an order to Song Guo, ¡°Have someone put them away.¡±

 Chapter 39: Seduce the Crown Prince

    Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Seduce the Crown Prince


    Based on Mistress Leng Yu Yan¡¯s suggestion, storing the gift in the Eastern Pce was the safest, giving Miao Zhu a special sense of security.


    The next morning, Miao Zhu woke early to escort Leng Yu Yan to the academy.


    As soon as they got into the horse carriage, Miao Zhu couldn¡¯t keep her mouth shut, ¡°Mistress, I was restless all day yesterday without having to escort you.¡±


    ¡°You just can¡¯t bear to be away from your mistress,¡± Lai Jiajia nced at her own maid Qinxian and snorted, ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s infuriating how people can be, Qinxian just wishes I would hurry up and¡­¡±


    Hearing this, Qinxian quickly covered her mouth, ¡°Mistress, you mustn¡¯t speak nonsense!¡±


    Lai Jiajia pulled Qinxian¡¯s hand away, ¡°I haven¡¯t even said anything yet, what do you think I was about to say?¡±


    ¡°Soon to die?¡± Lai Jiajia pursed her lips with a smile, ¡°Hmph, what I was going to say was that you can¡¯t wait for me to marry you off!¡±


    The moment she finished speaking, her silver-bell-likeughter burst forth.


    Seeing this, Leng Yu Yan covered her mouth andughed.


    While their carriage was filled withughter and chatter on the way to the academy, the carriage upied by Lai Manting was unusually quiet.


    Li Lu had knelt in the ancestral hall for two nights and when someone went to check on her in the morning, they discovered she had fainted, thus she also couldn¡¯t attend the academy today.


    Both carriages had set off almost simultaneously; within her carriage, Lai Manting could hear Lai Jiajia¡¯s boisterousughter.


    Her brows furrowed tightly, she lifted her sleeve to look.


    The skin on her arm, pinched by her mother the previous evening, was now showing bruises.


    It was all that little girl¡¯s fault for moving all the gifted items so swiftly, not leaving behind a single pearl. It pained her throughout the night, and she still hadn¡¯t recovered.


    She didn¡¯t know what enchanting tricks she had used, but the Crown Prince had even lent people to her.


    Lai Manting pressed on the bruised area; as soon as she released it, the bruise resurfaced.


    It truly infuriated her, making her feel uneasy.


    Thinking of the one thousand taels for the tuition fee, Lai Manting finally felt a bit better.


    Yesterday, she heard that Prince Liang would be attending the calligraphy assembly at Xinya Academy, and not only that, students from the neighboring Imperial College will also attend.


    At that time, she had determined to make a remarkable impression!


    She wanted to see how Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia could still manage tough.


    ¡ª


    During the Si hour dance ss, it was arge ss attended by all four sections, A, B, C, D.


    Lady Cao usually announced important news at such times.


    @@novelbin@@


    Cao Shu, as usual, reviewed the dance curriculum of each ss and then called Lai Jiajia and Leng Yu Yan¡¯s team out of the Dance Society.


    This action attracted the attention of the students, who eagerly leaned over the windowsill, straining to hear the conversation outside.


    ¡°The Flower Festival ising up soon, and the assessments and selections are about to begin. Now that Mi Xinmei is not here, your team is down to five members. If she doesn¡¯t return, you will be unable to participate.¡±


    Cao Shu¡¯s gaze swept across the faces of Lai Jiajia and the others, eventually resting on Leng Yu Yan.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled with a twinkle in her eye.


    Cao Shu continued, ¡°Alright, go back and practice your dance.¡±


    Luo Meng¡¯er sighed softly, ¡°How are we supposed to practice now?¡±


    Another girl chimed in, ¡°Yes, if we can¡¯t participate, any practice is in vain.¡±


    Lai Jiajia spoke up, ¡°We need to find a way to bring Xinmei back to the academy.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded at her in agreement, signaling her support, while the other three seemed less hopeful.


    Inside the Dance Society, Cao Shu asked everyone to practice on their own and then left the room.


    As soon as they saw Lady Cao leave, Xu Yaxiang mocked Lai Jiajia with a jeer, ¡°Dare to make a bet?¡±


    Lai Jiajia was feeling gloomy, and with this Xu Family girl provoking her, she did not back down.


    ¡°At least we shouldn¡¯t be weak in spirit,¡± so she raised her voice: ¡°Dare? Why wouldn¡¯t I dare?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite bold!¡± Xu Yaxiangughed, ¡°Listen, if your team can make it to the final selection, I¡¯ll kneel and kowtow three times to you all. If you can¡¯t¡­¡±


    She intentionally left a cliffhanger.


    Hearing that she¡¯d kowtow, Lai Jiajia got excited: ¡°Just spit it out!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, if you can¡¯t, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s veil will be removed, and she has to walk around the entire academy.¡± Xu Yaxiangughed mockingly, ¡°How about it, scared now?¡±


    Lai Jiajia swallowed nervously, looking towards Leng Yu Yan: ¡°Sister, I think I¡¯ve caused trouble!¡±


    ¡°Alright, it¡¯s settled then!¡± Leng Yu Yan dered loudly, ¡°If our team makes it into the final selection, you will kneel and kowtow to us before all the teachers and students of the academy.¡±


    ¡°One word to seal the deal!¡± Xu Yaxiang wiped her nose.


    Lai Jiajia quietly pulled on Leng Yu Yan¡¯s sleeve: ¡°Sister, what if¡­¡±


    Luo Meng¡¯er and her two friends bowed their heads, admitting quietly that they really had no chance of making it to the final selection.


    Leng Yu Yan gave a faint smile: ¡°We¡¯ll talk about that when the timees. For now, what should we be doing?¡±


    ¡°Dance practice, find Xinmei!¡± Lai Jiajia excelled at identifying key points.


    Leng Yu Yan nodded slightly and then sat down on a chair nearby: ¡°Then go ahead and practice.¡±


    Seeing this, Xu Yaxiangughed so hard she couldn¡¯t stand straight: ¡°Don¡¯t think just because you have that Jade Token, your dance skills are good. I don¡¯t even know how you got that token; you really think too highly of yourself.¡±


    The students all shook their heads.


    ¡°The ugly girl from the Leng Family is hopeless, daring to sit in Lady Cao¡¯s exclusive seat.¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t even practice, has been at the academy for many days, and never have I seen her practice.¡±


    ¡°They are sure to lose this bet.¡±


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t she afraid of losing?¡±


    ¡°Because being afraid won¡¯t help!¡±


    Hearing this, Lai Jiajia became very angry: ¡°What nonsense are you all talking? My sister was too busy yesterday, didn¡¯t rest well, can¡¯t she rest a bit now?¡±


    Lai Manting gave Xu Yaxiang a look, and understanding her, Xu Yaxiang loudly said: ¡°I know the reason.¡±


    The Dance Society fell silent instantly.


    Xu Yaxiang chuckled: ¡°It¡¯s because yesterday she made two trips to the Eastern Pce.¡±


    Everyone asked: ¡°What was she doing in the Eastern Pce?¡±


    ¡°On a rainy holiday, she also went to the Eastern Pce, got drenched in the rain and fainted in the Crown Prince¡¯s arms. Now, even before getting married, she¡¯s supposed to move to the Eastern Pce, what do you think?¡±


    Xu Yaxiang repeated what Lai Manting had told her that morning.


    The crowd looked at Leng Yu Yan in shock, unable to believe that such a in and blend person could be so maniptive.


    Someone whispered, ¡°Seducing the Crown Prince?¡±


    Another said in a low voice, ¡°I heard their wedding was scheduled for this month, but the Crown Prince postponed it using the Late Empress¡¯s birthday month as an excuse. This ugly girl from the Leng Family must be desperate, right?¡±


    Yet another replied softly, ¡°Perhaps she knows her own shorings, thinks she¡¯s ugly, better to seduce him first!¡±


    Before long, the voices grew louder.


    Leng Yu Yan, leaning back in her chair, smiled and shook her head: ¡°Yes, the Crown Prince really got seduced by me, can¡¯t wait to have me move into the Eastern Pce. Are you all envious?¡±


    Hearing this, Lai Manting pinched her palm; the little girl didn¡¯t care about her reputation!


    The reputation she cared about, in the eyes of the little girl, was worthless.


    Leng Yu Yan casually stood up and walked towards Lai Manting under everyone¡¯s gaze: ¡°My dear sister, yesterday the Emperor gave the decree for me to move into the Eastern Pce. Only the Tian Family and our Marquis Mansion know about this; did Miss Xu hear this from you, the third sister?¡±


    How did she know it was her instigation?


    Lai Manting¡¯s eyes widened, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.


    It was as if an invisible pair of hands were squeezing her throat, allowing her to open her mouth but unable to make a sound.

 Chapter 40: A War of Words Against the Worthless

    Chapter 40: Chapter 40: A War of Words Against the Worthless


    ¡°Do you want to switch back the marriage candidate bestowed by the Emperor?¡± Leng Yu Yan asked with a chilling voice. ¡°It¡¯s not toote for you to regret it now, sister.¡±


    Lai Manting sped her hands tightly, unable to utter a word.


    Her pitiful and aggrieved demeanor elicited murmurs of sympathy from the surrounding students.


    Among them, Xu Yaxiang¡¯s voice was the loudest, ¡°Even if it was the Emperor¡¯s decree, it was because you seduced the Crown Prince first!¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    The others echoed in agreement, ¡°Exactly, exactly!¡±


    ¡°Lai Manting doted on you, protected you at all times, and yet look at you, rendering her speechless with just a few words.¡±


    ¡°What kind of poisonous sister are you?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan returned to her seat, propped her chin with her hand, and looked leisurely at them, ¡°My third sister really is a white lotus, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    The others were puzzled by the term ¡°white lotus.¡±


    Their intuition told them that this term,ing from the mouth of the Leng family¡¯s ugly girl, couldn¡¯t have a good meaning.


    Lotuses are so pure, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn¡¯t understand why the Leng family¡¯s ugly girl would say such a thing.


    Seeing Leng Yu Yan sitting in Lady Cao¡¯s chair again, someone, unable to hold back their anger, tried to pull her off, ¡°If you¡¯ve seduced the Crown Prince, then you shouldn¡¯t be sitting in Lady Cao¡¯s chair!¡±


    ¡°What kind of logic is that?¡± Leng Yu Yan scoffed, dodging the reaching hand with a flick, ¡°The Crown Prince, I really have no interest in seducing him!¡±


    ¡°But then again, the Crown Prince is my fianc¨¦, so if I truly wanted to seduce him, what business is it of yours?¡± Leng Yu Yan shifted her position in the chair.


    If one ignored the blemishes on her face and just observed her figure, such a posture was truly captivating.


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Lai Jiajia also scoffed in anger, ¡°My sister and the Crown Prince are betrothed, what are all you people fussing about? Or are you just sour? On the surface, you look down on the Crown Prince, but deep down, are you not green with envy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always said, if any of you wants to marry the Crown Prince, I¡¯m more than willing to step aside,¡± Leng Yu Yan smiled lightly, slowly smoothing her skirt.


    Upon hearing this, the crowd fell silent.


    The Crown Prince was peerlessly handsome, an immortally beautiful figure, and though he was blind and frail, he was the man of their secret dreams.


    That Leng Yu Yan was matched to marry the Crown Prince would have been more bearable if she were stunningly beautiful.


    But she was known as the foremost ugly girl in thend.


    Although for the sake of their families and their own happiness, none of them wished to marry the Crown Prince.


    Yet this did not prevent them from fantasizing about him in their hearts.


    The sourments continued unabated from noon onward.


    Until the time came to leave the academy¡ª


    The crowd noticed a horse carriage boldly parked in front of the Xinya Academy entrance.


    The carriage was luxuriously crafted, with the ¡°Eastern Pce¡± que particrly eye-catching.


    The female students, knowing this to be the exclusive carriage of the Crown Prince, slowed their pace, all hoping for a glimpse of his handsome face.


    Lai Jiajia discussed with Leng Yu Yan not to go home but to head directly to the Mi Residence, so the sisters lingered behind.


    By the time the two sisters reached the academy entrance, a number of female students had gathered.


    Song Guo peered out from inside the carriage, his eyes fixed on the academy entrance for a while, before he spotted Leng Yu Yan emerging at a leisurely pace.


    He hurriedly alighted from the carriage, walking briskly toward Leng Yu Yan, and bowed.


    Leng Yu Yan was taken aback by the sudden appearance of Song Guo.


    The crowd only saw the Crown Prince¡¯s eunuch bowing respectfully to the Leng family¡¯s ugly daughter, prompting a chorus of scornful thoughts.


    Then, Song Guo said, ¡°Crown Princess Consort, His Highness has sent me to escort you back to the Eastern Pce.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan looked up towards the Eastern Pce Carriage, surprised, ¡°His Highness sent you to pick me up?¡±


    Ye Yiheng actually sent someone to fetch her?


    She wondered anxiously what the Crown Prince intended to do with her at the Eastern Pce.


    ¡°Indeed!¡± Song Guo nodded respectfully.


    ¡°Please go back and tell the Crown Prince that I have other engagements today and cannot go to the Eastern Pce.¡± With that, Leng Yu Yan took Lai Jiajia¡¯s hand and walked straight towards their own horse carriage.


    The female students at the entrance of the academy were all dumbfounded. Hadn¡¯t Xu Yaxiang imed that the Leng Family¡¯s ugly girl was desperately trying to seduce the Crown Prince and eager to move into the Eastern Pce?


    But what they were seeing now was clearly not the case!


    The Crown Prince had sent a personal eunuch to fetch her, and the Leng Family¡¯s ugly girl had actually refused!


    For a moment, the female students felt a mix of emotions.


    Lai Manting felt even more bitter inside, unable to hide theplex expression on her face.


    Could it be that the blind Crown Prince really fancied Leng Yu Yan?


    Otherwise, why would he send a trusted servant to fetch the little girl?


    Although she did not want to marry the Crown Prince herself, facing the marriage that had originally belonged to her, Lai Manting¡¯s heart felt like a tangled mess.


    To say she didn¡¯t care, wasn¡¯t envious, or wasn¡¯t jealous was impossible!


    ¡ª


    Following Lai Jiajia, Leng Yu Yan arrived at the Mi Residence.


    The Mi Residence was not veryrge, and its furnishings were simple and modest.


    Guided by the butler of the Mi Residence, the sisters finally met Mi Xinmei.


    At that moment, Mi Xinmei was chatting leisurely with her elder brother, Mi Xinrong.


    Hearing the butler¡¯s voice, the siblings both looked up.


    What met their eyes were the yful and adorable Lai Jiajia and the veiled Leng Yu Yan.


    ¡°Why have youe here?¡± Mi Xinmei asked joyfully as she went out to greet them, and introduced, ¡°This is my elder brother.¡±


    Mi Xinrong stood up from his stool and saluted.


    The Leng sisters returned the gesture with a curtsy.


    Afterward, Mi Xinrong turned and went into the back room.


    Watching him limp away, Leng Yu Yan asked Mi Xinmei in a soft voice, ¡°If I may be so bold to ask, is your brother¡¯s leg injury an old one that has not healed properly after a long time?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Brother was injured on the battlefield five years ago, and it hasn¡¯t healed properly. It has be like this over time.¡± Mi Xinmei nodded and warmly invited the Leng sisters to sit down.


    Leng Yu Yan took her seat and said in a calm voice, ¡°A misaligned bone that has reconnected is indeed difficult to restore to its original state.¡±


    Unless she intervened.


    Mi Xinmei said sadly, ¡°Brother¡¯s former vigor has vanished without a trace. He could have obtained a position based on his military merits, but now he can only receive a meager pension from the court.¡±


    Lai Jiajia, who was familiar with the Mi family¡¯s situation, exined, ¡°Xinmei¡¯s brother injured his leg, and a few years ago, the girl he was engaged to took the initiative to break off the engagement and married someone else, which has caused him to be somewhat despondent.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my brother is twenty-three years old and still a bachelor,¡± Mi Xinmei said, pursing her lips.


    ¡°And so, the family pinned all their hopes on Xinmei, hoping that her inws could lend some support to her natal family.¡± After a pause, Lai Jiajia said indignantly, ¡°But then the man she was to marry took a concubine and even scorned Xinmei for having e on her face.¡±


    During the conversation, Lai Jiajia squeezed Mi Xinmei¡¯s shoulders, ¡°Xinmei, you must persevere. If we can make a name for ourselves at the Flower Festival, then perhaps your marriage issues can be resolved!¡±


    ¡°If the e doesn¡¯t heal, it won¡¯t be resolved!¡± Mi Xinmei shook her head repeatedly.


    Leng Yu Yan tapped the tabletop lightly with her finger, ¡°If you trust me, I¡¯ll give you a dietary recipe. Follow it for several days, and the e on your face will surely disappear.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Mi Xinmei¡¯s eyes lit up.


    Just as Leng Yu Yan was about to speak, Mi Xinrong appeared at the doorway, ¡°You actually believe her nonsense? She¡¯s covering her face with a veil because she¡¯s too ugly to be seen, and you trust her?¡±

 Chapter 41 - 41 Married for the Lonely

    Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Married for the Lonely


    ¡°Brother, they¡¯re my friends, how can you speak like that?¡±


    Mi Xinmei looked apologetically toward Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia.


    Lai Jiajia frowned and said, ¡°If I were your sister, I would be heartbroken right now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Yu Yan!¡± Mi Xinmei¡¯s face, covered in e, turned beet red with embarrassment, ¡°My brother, he¡­¡±


    Leng Yu Yan gave a gentle smile, ¡°It¡¯s alright, whatever your brother wishes to say, I¡¯m all ears.¡±


    Mi Xinrong, limping, sat down on a chair by the window, without looking at Leng Yu Yan, and spoke directly to his sister, ¡°Xinmei, your face is far better than hers, and not like hers, unsuitable to be seen. If her dietary therapy is truly effective, why doesn¡¯t she start by removing the unsightly blemishes from her own face?¡±


    ¡°Well spoken, can you listen to me now?¡± Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly, then became serious, ¡°The cause of the marks on my face isplex, rted to Xinmei¡¯s e and dietary habits, which are two different issues.¡±


    ¡°Having spots on my face is not by choice, just as having a leg injury is not by your choice.¡± Leng Yu Yan stood up and walked to the veranda, lifting her eyes to the horizon, ¡°There are many things in life, that if approached with negativity, may not turn out as hoped. But if you put forth the effort, even if you take a step back, you will discover a wider world.¡±


    Hearing this, Mi Xinmei sighed, ¡°Yu Yan, I¡¯m really envious of you, of how cheerful you are, and how you don¡¯t care about what others say. But I can¡¯t do it, I just can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°What I just said was not only meant for you, but for your brother as well!¡± Leng Yu Yan slowly turned around, ¡°If you believe me, follow the diet for a while, and during that period, attend the academy.¡±


    After saying that, she took out a dietary recipe she had written at the academy from her sleeve pocket and ced it on the table.


    Seeing the conversation finally get to the point, Lai Jiajia hurriedly agreed, ¡°Exactly, Xinmei, the more you hide at home, the less your problems will resolve themselves. It¡¯s better to attend the academy rather than hide away at home!¡±


    Mi Xinmei¡¯s hand trembled as she picked up the recipe, but Mi Xinrong pped it to the ground with a flick of his wrist.


    ¡°Brother, countless doctors have seen my face to no avail, might as well consider this an attempt.¡±


    Mi Xinmei bent down to pick it up, only to have the recipe trapped under Mi Xinrong¡¯sme leg.


    Seeing this, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s brows knitted slightly.


    Her recipe, which some would pay ten thousand gold for, was being trampled underfoot.


    Anger flickered in her eyes as she said coldly, ¡°War does not discriminate, how many have been sacrificed on the battlefield? Your decadence and distrust in others is the reason for yourck of ambition!¡±


    The words from the girl before him ignited rage in Mi Xinrong, ¡°You¡¯re a woman, you don¡¯t have to go to the battlefield, so you can talk lightly.¡±


    Lai Jiajia¡¯s temper red up instantly, her voice rising sharply, ¡°How dare you speak like that? Our eldest brother died on the battlefield!¡±


    ¡°Our eldest brother and my sister are full-blooded siblings, you and your siblings have both parents.¡± Lai Jiajia mmed her hand down on the table, rising to her feet, ¡°My sister lost her birth mother, lost her eldest brother, and was even betrothed to the Crown Prince by my uncle in ce of my third sister. If she were like you, not actively facing life, wouldn¡¯t she be in despair every day?¡±


    Mi Xinmei was extremely embarrassed, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Yu Yan, Jiajia, my brother has been rash!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan shook her head inwardly, ¡°Sister, let¡¯s go!¡±


    Before, when she saw Mi Xinrong¡¯sme leg, she immediately thought of the injury from the battlefield, andter learned it was from the war five years ago, which reminded her of the war her own brother had fought in.


    If possible, she wished to learn the details of the war from this man.


    But she never expected him to be so defeatist!


    Such a waste of her goodwill!


    Mi Xinrong was left standing there in a daze.


    It was as if something inside him copsed, revealing the sharpness that should have been there.


    He bent down to pick up the recipe, unfolding it to read.


    The brushstrokes in regr script were immactely written, revealing at first nce the deep foundation in calligraphy.


    Their beauty and strength were unforgettable.


    Mi Xinmei snatched the recipe from her brother¡¯s hands and ran after them, shouting as she ran, ¡°Yu Yan, Jiajia, I will go to the academy tomorrow!¡±


    ¡ª


    On the other side, Song Guo returned to the Eastern Pce.


    He had just alighted from the horse carriage when he saw Jian Lecheng hurry out of the Eastern Pce gates, stopping in front of the carriage with his eyes darting eagerly into its interior.


    ¡°Young Master, take care now!¡±


    Jian Lecheng leaned towards the carriage door, lowering his voice, ¡°Has shee?¡±


    Song Guo shook his head, ¡°Miss Lai Wu said she had matters to attend to today and would note.¡±


    This answer overturned Jian Lecheng¡¯s understanding.


    He had always thought that although Leng Yu Yan said she didn¡¯t want to marry into the Eastern Pce, in reality, she was ying hard to get.


    All it would take was to pick her up, and she would scurry over excitedly.


    But she hadn¡¯te!


    Both men moved in unison toward Ye Yiheng.


    Ye Yiheng was sitting upright at his desk, writing, and upon hearing their footsteps, didn¡¯t even lift his head, ¡°She didn¡¯te.¡±


    His voice was indifferent, his tone resolute, as if this was all within his expectations.


    Jian Lecheng quickened his pace, ¡°Your Highness, how did you know?¡±


    ¡°I guessed.¡± Ye Yiheng slowly lifted his gaze, ¡°You¡¯ve lost the bet. Have you thought of what you owe?¡±


    Like a gentleman of jade, proud and distant.


    Carrying an undeniable aura of authority.


    Jian Lecheng was taken aback; the Crown Prince¡¯s presence had an intense sharpness that made him inwardly shiver.


    Remembering that they had grown up together since childhood, he tried to ingratiate himself with a smile, ¡°Your Highness, what else could we possibly wager on? Money is so vulgar!¡±


    Ignoring his yfulness, Ye Yiheng spoke expressionlessly, ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you who suggested it?¡±


    ¡°It was your servant who proposed the bet.¡± Jian Lecheng suddenly dropped to his knees, ¡°Your Highness, I was wrong, and I have lost! In this life, your servant shall follow only you, obeying everymand!¡±


    Even his way of referring to himself had changed.


    Ye Yiheng put his brush down and nced at him, ¡°Get up, you¡¯re making too much of it. It¡¯s not like asking you to marry Lai Wu is a matter of life and death.¡±


    His tone was light, yet his words scared Jian Lecheng to copse onto the floor, ¡°Your Highness might as well take my life.¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°I thought you made the bet because you fancied Lai Wu.¡± Ye Yiheng stood up with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile, ¡°In that case, I should fulfill your wish.¡±


    His gaze was calm, but it held an invisible pressure.


    Jian Lecheng crawled forward, attempting to grab the hem of Ye Yiheng¡¯s robe, but thetter avoided him smoothly and without a sound.


    ¡°Your Highness, I was wrong!¡± Jian Lecheng wailed, ¡°Lai Wu is the Crown Princess Consort appointed by the Emperor, how could she marry someone like me? Your Highness, I should not have made the bet!¡±


    Seeing him like this, Ye Yiheng frowned slightly, his disdain clear as he looked at him, ¡°Alright, get up.¡±


    Jian Lecheng wiped his tears, joyfully eximing, ¡°You¡¯re not ming me anymore?¡±


    Ye Yiheng huffed and continued walking out of the study.


    Song Guo, watching Jian Lecheng kneeling on the ground, couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Young Master, please get up.¡±


    Jian Lecheng sighed, ¡°Next time I make a bet, I must think through the stakes beforehand.¡±


    To avoid being so easily manipted by Your Highness again.


    Song Guo shook his head, offering a hand to help, ¡°Young Master, your skin is exceptionally thick.¡±


    ¡°It has to be, otherwise how could I serve as thepanion to Your Highness?¡± Jian Lecheng took support from Song Guo¡¯s arm, finally getting up from the ground and dusting off his clothes, where there was no dust at all.


    Life in the Eastern Pce was far too dull, as was the interior of His Highness¡¯s heart. Performing antics asionally before His Highness¡ªthat was part of the reason for his existence.

 Chapter 42 - 42 I Don鈥檛 Owe You

    Chapter 42: Chapter 42 I Don¡¯t Owe You


    That night.


    The night was hazy, with sparse silver light.


    Leng Yu Yan, having disguised herself, applied a fake mustache before heading to the tavern.


    The Eastern Pce Guards were strict; it would definitely not be as convenient as it was at the Leng Residence.


    If Ye Yihengbelled her as dishonest, her life wouldn¡¯t be guaranteed.


    She should take care of business before moving to the Eastern Pce.


    Because of the incident with the jade pendant, the tavern¡¯s shopkeeper had a particrly deep impression of Leng Yu Yan.


    Seeing her today with a fake mustache, he couldn¡¯t help but take a few extra nces.


    ¡°Are you here to meet someone, or to dine, young master?¡±


    Since this girl had dressed as a man, he referred to her as ¡°young master.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded slightly, ¡°The same as before, I want to see your boss.¡±


    ¡°Alright, could the young master please wait in the elegant room? I¡¯ll go and report this at once.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Leng Yu Yan said as she lifted her robe and took her seat.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Li Yu appeared with a stack of documents.


    As soon as they met, he reached out and swiftly removed the fake mustache from her lips.


    Seeing his quick action, Leng Yu Yan frowned, ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Affixing it like this is like announcing ¡®three hundred taels of silver not here,¡¯ telling people you are a woman, letting everyone gauge your level of cross-dressing.¡±


    ¡°Is it really that fake?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Seeing her looking somewhat gloomy, Li Yu pushed the documents in his hand towards her, ¡°Take a look at this. Is it detailed enough?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan put the incident with the mustache out of her mind and carefully examined the documents.


    The map revealed every corner of the Ministry of War, and even marked where various documents were ced in the Archives Room.


    ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± Leng Yu Yan closed the documents, ¡°Such thoroughness is not obtained by an ordinary person.¡±


    Li Yuughed, ¡°Haven¡¯t you obtained them too? By that logic, you¡¯re not an ordinary person either.¡±


    Seeing he didn¡¯t wish to reveal his identity, Leng Yu Yan didn¡¯t press further; after all, she hadn¡¯t disclosed her own identity to him.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Leng Yu Yan stood and bowed with her hands folded.


    Watching her about to leave, Li Yu hurriedly said, ¡°You¡¯re leaving just like that?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded, ¡°Once the task ispleted, I will certainly express my gratitude.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    Li Yu hadn¡¯t finished speaking when he saw her lightly press on the windowsill with one hand and then flip out the window.


    She quickly disappeared into the night.


    Leaping across the rooftops, Leng Yu Yan looked up at the sky.


    When she had left the Leng Residence, there was still some dim moonlight.


    Now, the moon waspletely hidden behind clouds, apt for the saying, ¡°It¡¯s a dark and windy night, a perfect time for an investigation.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan managed to enter the Ministry of War with ease, using the marks on the documents to avoid traps.


    Finally, she arrived in front of the Archives Room.


    Holding a flint, she observed the doors inscribed ¡°Archives,¡± took a deep breath, and slipped inside.


    From entering the Ministry of War to this moment, everything went smoothly.


    What shocked her, though, was that the box containing the archives documenting the battle in which her elder brother was said to have died was empty.


    She couldn¡¯t just give up, so she turned to search for her brother¡¯s personal archive.


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    It was empty as well!


    Why were they both empty?


    Had someone else gotten there first?


    Could this mean there was a significant problem with that battle?


    Li Yu, since he was able to provide her with such a detailed terrain map and documents, could he know something?


    With this thought, Leng Yu Yan covered the flint and quickly left the Ministry of War.


    She had to find Li Yu and get to the bottom of this!


    ¡ª


    At this moment, Li Yu was drinking.


    Beside the wine cupy a fake beard.


    His slender fingers set down the cup, then touched the fake beard softly, revealing a smile.


    Just then, the Shopkeeper knocked and entered the private room, ¡°Sir, the Crown Prince has arrived.¡±


    Li Yu then lifted his eyes and saw Ye Yiheng, his face behind an eye veil, appear before him, nked by that rascal Jian Lecheng.


    He waved his hand, signaling the Shopkeeper to withdraw.


    The Shopkeeper bowed respectfully, retreated quietly, and gently closed the door behind him.


    Li Yu grabbed two empty cups and ced them across from him, lifting his hand, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, join me for a few drinks.¡±


    Jian Lecheng, seeing that even formalities were neglected, was about to speak out but was stopped by a gesture from Ye Yiheng and helped him to their seats.


    Li Yu¡¯s lips curved, pouring wine for the two across from him, ¡°Although there is no moonlight at the moment, my mood is good, so I¡¯ll indulge you both with a few drinks.¡±


    Jian Lecheng grew angry, ¡°Ji Qingyu, the Crown Prince is patient and doesn¡¯t hold grudges against you. I do not have such patience! Your restaurants and tea houses spread those nderous words, and His Highness has not med you. Don¡¯t be too presumptuous!¡±


    ¡°Oh, so I¡¯m called Ji Qingyu now? What counts as nder? I¡¯m not the one marrying an ugly woman!¡± He toyed with the jade wine cup in his hand, chuckling lightly, ¡°I somehow feel the Crown Prince would be more fitting as the Ji Family¡¯s son, after all, my parents protect him even more than me.¡±


    Jian Lecheng mmed the table, causing the bowls, chopsticks, and wine cups on it to tremble, ¡°The incident from that year¡­¡±


    ¡°The incident from that year, what do you, an outsider, know about it?¡± Ji Qingyu¡¯s smile vanished immediately, reced by a cold harshness.


    Ye Yiheng took the wine cup, drank the wine inside, and gently ced it back on the table, ¡°I owe you nothing.¡±


    Ji Qingyu sneered and raised an eyebrow, ¡°Heh, owe nothing?¡±


    With that, he poured him another drink.


    ¡°If you still consider yourself her son after not having returned home for years, your Aunt misses you greatly. You should go see her.¡± Ye Yiheng stood up, slightly tilting his head towards Jian Lecheng, ¡°Let¡¯s return to the Eastern Pce.¡±


    Jian Lecheng nodded and stepped forward to support Ye Yiheng as they both left the private room.


    Back in the Eastern Pce Carriage, Jian Lecheng said indignantly, ¡°This Ji Qingyu is so ungrateful! If he knew that His Highness could see today, who knows how crazy he would turn!¡±


    Ye Yiheng took off the white eye veil in front of him, as not many knew of his actual condition of sight, not even the Imperial Physician.


    Thus, on days he could see, he would still wear the eye veil.


    Jian Lecheng was infuriated, pounding the carriage with his hand, ¡°Those nderous words I heard earlier at the teahouse across the street, thinking about it now, damn it, makes me want to beat him up!¡±


    ¡°If I am not angry, why are you?¡± Ye Yiheng said indifferently, ¡°The rumors and gossip within Tiansheng Territory cannot all be attributed to him alone.¡±


    Shortly after Ye Yiheng and Jian Lecheng left the tavern, Leng Yu Yan returned to the private room at the tavern.


    She saw Li Yu sitting alone and drinking, with two wine cups opposite him filled with wine, puzzled, ¡°Do you have a weird habit of drinking alone?¡±


    Hearing the crisp and pleasant voice, Ji Qingyu slowly turned his head.


    He had thought he was hallucinating just before.


    Now, seeing her appear again, his heart surged with tion.


    ¡°The moonlight is really beautiful tonight!¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan frowned, ¡°Are you drunk? What moonlight tonight?¡±


    ¡°Just a casual remark, a casual remark.¡± Ji Qingyu gestured with his hand, ¡°Please, take a seat.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan ced the documents in front of him and sat down, ¡°The archives I was looking for are all empty!¡±


    As Ji Qingyu heard this, he was also in disbelief, ¡°How can this be?¡±


    ¡°Let me ask you, when you obtained these documents, did you mention to anyone that I was investigating something?¡± Leng Yu Yan asked directly.


    Ji Qingyu shook his head, ¡°Never. You have to believe me!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded.


    Regardless of whether the matters she was investigating had been revealed and the archives had been moved or someone else got there first, it all pointed to a significant problem with that battle years ago!

 Chapter 43: Picking Up in Person

    Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Picking Up in Person


    Ji Qingyu¡¯s expression changed, ¡°Just tell me what exactly you need to investigate, and I¡¯ll help you!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan shook her head, ¡°No need, I must investigate this matter myself.¡±


    Only by doing so could she deeply understand what her elder brother had gone through?


    Only then would she avoid being soft-hearted when the day came to exact revenge with her own hands.


    ¡°I do owe you thanks for helping me obtain the map,¡± she added.


    Ji Qingyu waved his hand, ¡°I haven¡¯t really been of help, I¡¯m ashamed to ept your thanks.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan sighed softly.


    If he hadn¡¯t mentioned her investigation of the old matters to anyone, the archives might have already been moved out of the Ministry of War, or temporarily relocated from the Archives Room. In that case, asking him further would yield no more information.


    She then stood up to take her leave.


    ¡°s, I was in the mood to drink today, but found no one to join me,¡± Ji Qingyu leaned back in his chair, speaking leisurely, ¡°Look, I ced two cups in front of me, deceiving myself, pretending to havepany.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nced at the two transparent cups of liquor.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t drink, how about recing liquor with tea?¡±


    ¡°You should go to the tea house across the street for tea,¡± the man¡¯s cool face softened suddenly.


    Leng Yu Yan casually picked up one of the cups in front of her, ¡°I¡¯ll take a sip, as a thanks for your help.¡±


    While speaking, her other hand pointed toward the document she had just returned to him.


    Then, she brought the cup of liquor to her lips.


    Ji Qingyu watched her pick up the cup Ye Yiheng had drunk from, her lips as tender as cherry blossoms nearly touching the ce Ye Yiheng had drunk from¡­


    He hastily snatched it away, ¡°If you can¡¯t drink, then don¡¯t bother!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan was a bit confused, ¡°Then, I¡¯ll head back.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Ji Qingyu nodded faintly, falling silent for a moment before adding, ¡°Be careful on your way!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan, who had reached the door, turned back, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, you should head home too.¡±


    Hearing this, Ji Qingyu¡¯s expression grew slightly somber.


    What was going on today?


    Another person urging him to go home.


    He picked up the cup, drinking it in one gulp, ¡°I consider the tavern and tea house my home, you can always find me there if you need anything.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled lightly, ¡°Okay!¡±


    Seeing her petite face, porcin white and skin as smooth as cream, a smile even more beautiful than spring blossoms bloomed on her exquisite face, gradually a charming and warm smile spread across Ji Qingyu¡¯s lips.


    His deep, obsidian-like eyes instantly lit up.


    The gloominess he saw in Ye Yiheng instantly disappeared without a trace.


    ¡ª


    The next day, at Xinya Academy.


    Mi Xinmei had arrivedte, but she hade.


    Under the varied expressions of the onlookers, she approached Leng Yu Yan.


    ¡°Last night I used the recipe you gave me for dinner, and this morning, the pimple on my face stopped throbbing,¡± Mi Xinmei said happily, ¡°It really helped!¡±


    The evening before, Mi Xinmei¡¯s family hade and gone in a hurry,


    and because of Mi Xinrong¡¯s situation, Leng Yu Yan hadn¡¯t asked Mi Xinmei any rted questions.


    Now seeing her again, she asked, ¡°What do you usually eat for your three meals a day?¡±


    Judging by the furnishings at Mi Xinmei¡¯s home, it was clear they were not the type to be wasteful. However, her e was caused by excessively greasy food.


    Mi Xinmei honestly replied, ¡°The lunch at the academy is the same for everyone. Breakfast and dinner are made by the maid in my personal kitchen, which tend to be morevish.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you dine with your parents and brother?¡±


    ¡°They prefer lighter vors, which I¡¯m not used to.¡±


    ¡°Has this been the case since your childhood?¡±


    Mi Xinmei shook her head, ¡°No, it started changing slowly over the past two or three years.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan said quietly, ¡°You should dismiss that maid who cooks for you.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Mi Xinmei was puzzled.


    How did the topic of food get associated with her maid?


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, she is the real culprit behind the e on your face,¡± Leng Yu Yan said, looking towards the window. ¡°Generally, people in the same household share simr eating habits. Even if there are differences, they are minor. Your diet used to align with your family¡¯s, but now it drastically differs, which leads me to this conclusion.¡±


    Maid servants are not allowed in the academy.


    Otherwise, Mi Xinmei would surely grab her maid by the ears and demand an exnation.


    Leng Yu Yan continued, ¡°If you follow the diet I prescribed recently, and if she bes anxious and tries to console you repeatedly, it means she has something to hide. This is one way to test her.¡±


    Mi Xinmei nodded repeatedly, ¡°Your reasoning makes sense. It seems that my taste in food gradually changed after that maid arrived at our house.¡±


    At this moment, some girls approached from the direction of the window.


    Seeing Mi Xinmei already at school, the foremost girl disyed an uncontroble look of surprise.


    Leng Yu Yan tilted her head and asked Lai Jiajia who was next to her, ¡°Who is that person?¡±


    Lai Jiajia nced over and whispered, ¡°That¡¯s the cousin of Xinmei¡¯s fianc¨¦.¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan raised her eyebrows.


    The girls outside the window who saw her piercing gaze, which seemed to prate into one¡¯s soul, quickly walked away, even forgetting to scorn Mi Xinmei as they might have nned.


    ¡ª


    When school was dismissed, the Eastern Pce horse carriage stopped at the entrance yet again.


    Everyone started talking.


    ¡°How did that in girl manage to have someone from the Crown Prince¡¯s side pick her up two days in a row?¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s strange.¡±


    Yesterday, the Crown Prince didn¡¯te, but his eunuch did.


    Today, when everyone still assumed the same, a cough came from inside the carriage.


    The Crown Prince is chronically ill and coughs often.


    The crowd spected, could it be that the Crown Prince himself hade to pick up the Leng family¡¯s in girl?


    With such thoughts, everyone¡¯s pace slowed.


    At that moment, Song Guo lifted the carriage curtain and helped Ye Yiheng down from the carriage.


    It was indeed the Crown Prince!


    Everyone stood still and saluted, ¡°Greetings to Your Highness!¡±


    Ye Yiheng didn¡¯t speak. Beneath a veil of gauze, his handsome eyes moved past the crowd and directlynded on Leng Yu Yan, who was still at the academy entrance.


    Song Guo waved to her, ¡°Crown Princess Consort, His Highness has personallye to pick you up; pleasee over quickly.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan was so stunned she almost froze in ce.


    How did this blind mane in person?


    After waiting for a moment without seeing here over, Ye Yiheng turned to Song Guo, ¡°Help me go over there.¡±


    Those gathered around the Eastern Pce carriage maintained their saluting posture but had to also make way simultaneously.


    Leng Yu Yan stood in ce, and Lai Jiajia, seeing the Crown Prince approaching, quickly saluted.


    Ye Yiheng seemed not to notice, going straight to Leng Yu Yan¡¯s ear and spoke in a deep voice, ¡°I gave you two days to decide, today is thest day; if you don¡¯te, I can onlye to pick you up myself.¡±


    The entrance of the academy was crowded at the moment, but it became silent enough to hear a pin drop.


    Everyone had heard the Crown Prince¡¯s words.


    Leng Yu Yan clenched her teeth, annoyed. Why did he have to speak so close to her?


    Even though he whispered, his voice, deep as it was, ensured that everyone around could hear.


    Why was he saying and doing these things?


    For a moment, Leng Yu Yan couldn¡¯t understand.


    Seeing her masked confusion, Ye Yiheng¡¯s lips slightly curled up.


    Song Guo, finally realizing everyone was still in their saluting posture, spoke on behalf of the Crown Prince, ¡°Everyone may rise.¡±


    Only then did everyone stand up, whispering among themselves.


    ¡°Listen, listen, did you hear the Crown Prince just now? Sounds like he can¡¯t wait.¡±


    ¡°How does the Leng family¡¯s in girl have such influence, how did she manage it?¡±

 Chapter 44 - 44 She鈥檚 Ugly, He鈥檚 Blind

    Chapter 44: Chapter 44 She¡¯s Ugly, He¡¯s Blind


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyebrows slightly furrowed, then immediately rxed as sheughed softly, ¡°Your Highness, I am ttered by your favor.¡±


    Given that he hade to tease her, it was only right for her to return the gesture.


    ¡°Your Highness cannot see, do you need I to assist you to the horse carriage?¡± While speaking, she reached out her hand.


    Ye Yiheng nonchntly lifted a hand, formed it loosely into a fist and gently coughed at his lips, ¡°No need, Crown Princess Consort!¡±


    She saw him sidestep, as if avoiding her like a snake or scorpion.


    The female students present giggled quietly to themselves.


    Just now, they thought the Crown Prince was eager, but it seems the Crown Prince still did not care for the ugly girl from the Leng Family.


    To everyone¡¯s surprise, the Crown Prince coughed a few times and then said, ¡°I have a cold affliction, I fear that the Crown Princess Consort might catch a chill from me.¡±


    The crowd was dumbfounded.


    This was the visage of a fiance who was always considering his betrothed.


    And so, they walked one in front of the other toward the Eastern Pce Carriage.


    After a few steps, Ye Yiheng paused slightly.


    Song Guo understood his master¡¯s wishes, and thus turned to Miao Zhu and said, ¡°The Crown Princess Consort will be staying in the Eastern Pce today, you should return to the Leng Residence, tidy up a bit, andter a horse carriage wille to fetch the Crown Princess Consort¡¯s belongings.¡±


    Miao Zhu was very worried about Leng Yu Yan, she tugged at her sleeve and whispered, ¡°Miss¡ª¡±


    Leng Yu Yan whispered in her ear, ¡°Go back with the Sixth Miss, just tidy up briefly.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t for too long.


    With that, Miao Zhu went on her way.


    When Leng Yu Yan got on the Eastern Pce Carriage, Song Guo helped Ye Yiheng into the carriage and then tactfully exited the carriage, sitting next to the coachman.


    The horse carriage slowly set off.


    At this moment, only the two of them remained inside the carriage, making Leng Yu Yan feel utterly ufortable.


    In the dream she had for two months, there was once inside a horse carriage, where he had forced her.


    Thinking of it now, the image was so clear it seemed as though it had really happened.


    Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, trembled slightly.


    With her left hand clutching her right hand, Leng Yu Yan sat a bit farther from him.


    Seeing her avoid him, Ye Yiheng said indifferently, ¡°If the Crown Princess Consort catches a cold and falls ill, the reputation of discarding my wife would solidify.¡±


    Hearing him bring up the rumor that spread after the incident where she knelt in the ancestral hall, as if there was a hidden message, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°Your Highness truly knows how to joke.¡±


    Ye Yiheng leisurely straightened his robe, ¡°There¡¯s a family banquet in the Imperial Pce today. Father Emperor specifically asked for your presence.¡±


    If it weren¡¯t for that, I wouldn¡¯t havee to fetch you!


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s heart eased slightly, as she really feared this blind man had some ulterior motives.


    But then¡ª


    At the family banquet in the Imperial Pce, she would dine with the Tian Family, and she would have to eat while lifting her veil.


    ¡°I fear the spots on my face might startle the Emperor and Princess, it¡¯s better if I don¡¯t go,¡± she paused, then added, ¡°I hope Your Highness can exin this to the Emperor on my behalf.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Ye Yiheng¡¯s handsome eyebrows moved slightly, as he gestured toward a delicate brocade box ced not far away, ¡°This is for you.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan opened the brocade box with some surprise; inside was something like a gold tassel screen to be worn over the veil, only big enough to cover half a face, attachable from the bridge of the nose to the ear.


    The tassels hung in strands together.


    If she really had spots on her face, though the tassels wouldn¡¯t allow for rity, they would still partially reveal what was behind.


    The problem at the moment was that the spots on her skin had not yet healed properly, and she hadn¡¯t applied any cover for the past few days.


    What if her deception was discoveredter?


    While Leng Yu Yan pondered this, Ye Yiheng spoke, ¡°Try putting it on.¡±


    Unable to do otherwise, just as Leng Yu Yan was about to lift her face veil, Song Guo¡¯s voice came from outside, ¡°Your Highness, are we going directly to the Imperial Pce, or returning to the Eastern Pce first?¡±


    ¡°Directly to the Imperial Pce.¡± Ye Yiheng tapped his fingers lightly against his own knee¡ªthe phoenix eyes beneath the white veil stared intently at the young girl not far away.


    What exactly did her blemishes look like?


    @@novelbin@@


    Having previously caused Jian Lecheng to vomit so much, time had since passed, and this had instilled a sense of curiosity in him.


    Now the opportunity had arrived, and he wanted to take a closer look.


    This conversation between master and servant made Leng Yu Yan¡¯s heart shiver. It was fine to remove her veil in front of a blind man and put on the tassel.


    However, if that eunuch suddenly entered and saw her face, her cover would be blown.


    With this thought, Leng Yu Yan slightly lifted the hem of her veil and directly tried on the tassel beneath it.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness! However, this gold-made tassel hooks onto the bridge of the nose, and truly feels a bit ufortable.¡± Leng Yu Yan ced the tassel mask back into the brocade box, ¡°I still prefer the lightness of my own veil.¡±


    Seeing her so cautious that she wouldn¡¯t even remove her veil to try it on,


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s noble eyebrows moved slightly, followed by a faint smile: ¡°It seems some improvements are still needed.¡±


    After that, the two of them were silent for the rest of the journey.


    The horse carriage ttered on and entered directly into the Imperial Pce.


    The pce family dinner took ce in a side hall of Xiande Hall.


    By the time Ye Yiheng arrived with Leng Yu Yan, the Emperor, Consort Xian, Prince Liang, and the Ninth Princess were already present.


    The Emperorughed heartily, ¡°Please take your seats quickly, today¡¯s just a small feast. Prince Liang and Ninth Princess have met the Crown Prince Consort, so it¡¯s just a few of us for the family dinner.¡±


    In front of them, Ye Yiheng gently exined, ¡°Father Emperor thought you might be shy, so he only invited my Fourth Brother and Ninth Sister.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded slightly, ¡°Thank you, Emperor, thank you, Your Highness!¡±


    Her voice was sweet and well-behaved.


    At that sound, Ye Yiheng¡¯s barely visible eyebrows lifted slightly.


    It was then that Consort Xian said with a smile, ¡°The Crown Prince and Yu Yan, even before getting married, seem to harmonize like the strings of a zither and a lute, truly a delight to see.¡±


    ¡°However¡­¡± Consort Xian¡¯s words took a turn, ¡°since you are already betrothed, why did the Crown Prince still have a eunuch assist him upon entering? Are you worried that our Yu Yan wouldn¡¯t be able to support you well?¡±


    With Consort Xian¡¯s ¡°our Yu Yan,¡± Ye Yiheng inwardly scoffed.


    ¡°Consort Xian doesn¡¯t know, Your Highness is considerate.¡± Leng Yu Yan exined with a smile, ¡°I had recently caught a cold, and now His Highness is troubled by a cold disease. He was worried I might not be able to handle the cold, so he didn¡¯t let me assist him.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Consort Xian smiled, ¡°It seems Fourth should make an effort to find a wife soon and learn how to cherish someone.¡±


    Prince Liangughed heartily, ¡°Mother Consort speaks the truth. I would ask Father Emperor and Mother Consort to keep an eye out for a suitable match for your son.¡±


    ¡°Look at that, they¡¯re all asking for favors.¡± Consort Xian¡¯sughter was gentle.


    Ye Yiheng and Leng Yu Yan, guided by the pce maids, took their seats one after another.


    The Ninth Princess, watching the two who had just sat down, covered her lips andughed, ¡°Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-inw are indeed a perfect match.¡±


    Ninth Princess had always spoken her mind, and Prince Liang was keen on finding an opportunity to embarrass Ye Yiheng.


    Seeing him still putting on airs despite being blind greatly displeased him.


    So he followed up with a question, ¡°I wonder what Ninth Sister means by ¡®well-matched¡¯?¡±


    Ninth Princessughed even harder, ¡°Sixth Brother¡¯s eyes are covered with a white veil, and Sixth Sister-inw¡¯s face also wears a white veil. Putting these two togetherpletely covers the entire face¡ªisn¡¯t that funny?¡±


    The Emperor shot Ninth Princess a look, ¡°You imp!¡±


    His tone was one of indulgence.


    ¡°Ah Heng, you know your Ninth Sister¡¯s temperament. Exin to your Crown Princess Consort, Ah Ju, she means no harm.¡±


    As he spoke, the Emperor gave Eunuch Ye behind him a look, signaling to start serving the meal.


    Ye Yiheng simply smiled and said nothing, waiting to see how Leng Yu Yan would handle it.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled coldly, ¡°No matter, I¡¯m well ustomed to all kinds of words. What Ninth Princess said is indeed funny.¡±


    A blind man paired with an ugly woman¡ªtruly a perfect match!


    Compared to this, the words of Ninth Princess seemed extremely kind.

 Chapter 45 - 45 Moving into the Eastern Palace

    Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Moving into the Eastern Pce


    Ninth Princess seemed a bit surprised, the mocking smile on her face diminishing slightly.


    Only then did Ye Yiheng slowly speak, ¡°Ah Ju, do not deceive her; if there¡¯s a problem,e at me.¡±


    The light soft candlelight shone through the Immortal Crane ss Lamp nearby, casting a reflection on his uniquely handsome face, giving him an otherworldly charm, like an immortal.


    A smirk passed over Prince Liang¡¯s lips, always carrying the air of an invalid.


    Exquisitely proud, as if towering high above the clouds, loftily looking down upon all living things.


    It was really quite irritating!


    Fortunately, the Crown Prince would soon be abolished, and he was curious to see how he would maintain his air then.


    It would be audable deed indeed, to personally thrust him down into the dust.


    To the words of the Crown Prince, the Emperor nodded in satisfaction, ¡°Crown Princess Consort, do not fret, just consider this a casual family gathering.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan obediently nodded in agreement. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    Consort Xian shifted her position slightly to better observe Leng Yu Yan¡¯s expression.


    Though wearing a veil, theposure in her eyes and brows increased her esteem for her.


    Additionally, her response to Ninth Princess¡¯s earlier remarks showed that this in girl had some ability.


    The corners of Leng Yu Yan¡¯s lips under the veil moved slightly, as Ye Yiheng had remained silent before letting her handle the situation herself and then speaking up.


    This man¡¯s thoughts were indeedplex.


    As for the others, while their smiles were appropriate, their thoughts likely varied greatly.


    Fortunately, the meal passed quickly.


    After the small family banquet concluded, Leng Yu Yan followed Ye Yiheng back to the Eastern Pce.


    Inside the horse carriage, the two remained silent.


    Being able to see was a benefit, for when others thought he was blind, he could observe their subtle expressions.


    Illuminated by the light emitted from the Luminous Pearls embedded in the carriage¡¯s roof, Ye Yiheng could clearly see the reluctance in her eyes.


    Reluctantlying to the Eastern Pce with him, reluctant to marry him.


    Other daughters of noble families, relying on their distinguished backgrounds and pleasant appearances, sought good matches among the princes to find support for their families.


    She, however, was nothing more than the Leng Family¡¯s abandoned daughter left in a ravine.


    Unmentionable family background, a reserved description for her appearance, and as for talent, it was utterly useless.


    And yet, such a woman dared to be reluctant!


    He truly put all his years of cultivation into this very moment.


    Otherwise, no matter how spacious the carriage, it would still feel oppressively cramped to him.


    Leng Yu Yan lowered her eyes; since leaving Xiande Hall, the man beside her had not uttered a single word.


    She could personally feel his dislike for her at this moment.


    This man was like a block of hard ice dug from a millennium-old snow-capped mountain, exuding coldness, his expression nearly spelling out ¡°keep away from me.¡±


    With this, if she asked to return to the Leng Residence for a few more days, he would probably agree.


    Just then, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Eastern Pce.


    The two alighted from the carriage one after the other.


    To Leng Yu Yan¡¯s surprise, Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao were already waiting there. For a moment, she did not know how to begin asking to return to the Leng Residence.


    Leng Yu Yan opened her mouth but hadn¡¯t spoken a word when she saw Ye Yiheng stride into the Eastern Pce without needing anyone¡¯s help.


    At this point, Song Guo approached, ¡°Miss Leng, following His Highness¡¯s wishes, it¡¯s not suitable for you to stay in the guest pavilions. Knowing you prefer tranquility, your courtyard has been arranged in Tingfeng Garden.¡±


    Seeing Leng Yu Yan¡¯s gaze following her master as he walked away, Song Guo exined, ¡°Inside the Eastern Pce, although His Highness cannot see, he is familiar with every ce, therefore he can walk as a normal person.¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan withdrew her gaze.


    Indeed, a blind man does not need antern to walk at night.


    Even if he carries antern, it is only to prevent others from bumping into him.


    In the pitch-dark night, a blind man in a familiar environment naturally navigates more smoothly than others.


    Thinking this, Leng Yu Yan smiled lightly, ¡°As for the courtyard I reside in, it is all up to Your Highness to arrange.¡±


    If possible, she wouldn¡¯t choose any yard inside the Eastern Pce.


    But there was the imperial decree, unavoidable.


    Hearing this, Song Guo nodded and then turned around, ¡°Please, Miss Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao, take Miss over.¡±


    Miao Zhuplied, and Mrs. Zhao nodded.


    Song Guo turned back and added, ¡°The gifts sent earlier have been settled in the Tingfeng Garden warehouse, Miss can check them when she¡¯s free.¡±


    ¡°Good, thank you,¡± Leng Yu Yan gracefully expressed her thanks.


    The people of the Eastern Pce acted quite in alignment with their master.


    Outside, they call her Crown Princess Consort.


    Once on their turf, they revert to the original status.


    Quite good!


    Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao each carried antern, leading Leng Yu Yan to Tingfeng Garden.


    Although the entire Eastern Pce was brightly lit, it was apparent that Tingfeng Garden had fewernterns hanging along the road and under the eavespared to other courtyards.


    asionally, pce maids and eunuchs passed by on the road, so Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao only started speaking after entering Tingfeng Garden.


    ¡°Miss, Mrs. Zhao and I arrived at dusk, and we found this courtyard quite secluded, even more so at night.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled slightly, opened the window, and pointed to the distance, ¡°I think it¡¯s quite good, look, the courtyard is right next to the surrounding wall.¡±


    Mrs. Zhao nced at the height of the wall, much higher than that of normal official residences, and hurriedly expressed concern, ¡°Miss, be careful when climbing the wall!¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    Miao Zhu chuckled, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mrs. Zhao!¡±


    Since it waste, the three of them made simple preparations and went to bed.


    Leng Yu Yan looked at the canopy of the bed. On the day she came to the Eastern Pce, she had nightmares upon returning.


    Today, she straightforwardly stayed over.


    Who knows what her dreams would be liketer?


    But the next day, she woke up without dreams, feeling refreshed and clear-headed.


    Leng Yu Yan couldn¡¯t figure out the reason and simply stopped thinking about it.


    When she arrived at Xinya Academy, Mi Xinmei happily took a seat next to her, ¡°Yu Yan, the e on my face has reduced a lot, and it¡¯s only been two days, the change is really significant!¡±


    ¡°If you find it noticeable, then others definitely see it too.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Yu Yan, I really want to thank you. How should I thank you?¡± Mi Xinmei smiled warmly, adding, ¡°My brother really regrets what he said to you before, he said he wants to apologize to you in person when he gets the chance.¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan took the opportunity to speak, ¡°Wait until your e ispletely healed, it¡¯s not toote to thank me then. Just invite me over to your house for a simple meal.¡±


    The important documents couldn¡¯t be found; perhaps useful information could be gleaned from Mi Xinrong.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Mi Xinmei happily agreed, then her smile faded, ¡°Speaking of a simple meal at home, my maid really dide to persuade me yesterday, saying that my dietcks nutrition.¡±


    ¡°This sounds like there¡¯s a problem,¡± Leng Yu Yan slightly raised her eyebrows and whispered, ¡°Have someone follow her, there might be a surprise.¡±


    Mi Xinmei nodded repeatedly.


    Seeing Mi Xinmei close to Leng Yu Yan, Lai Jiajia came over yawning, ¡°Sister, I didn¡¯t sleep wellst night since you weren¡¯t at home. I kept thinking about going to the academy alone in the morning.¡±


    Mi Xinmei immediately stood up, giving her seat back to Lai Jiajia, and joked with a smile, ¡°The only thing that can keep you up all night is our Yu Yan.¡±


    Hearing this, Lai Jiajia was surprised, ¡°It seems my sister¡¯s recipe is not bad; my face is smoother, and my lips are more eloquent.¡±

 Chapter 46: A Match Made in Heaven

    Chapter 46: Chapter 46: A Match Made in Heaven


    When school let out, Lai Jiajia clung to Leng Yu Yan, insisting that shee home with her to have dinner together.


    ¡°Sister, if you don¡¯te, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have insomnia again tonight.¡±


    Seeing her yful, pitiable act, Leng Yu Yan nodded in agreement, ¡°I¡¯ve already promised, how could I go back on my word?¡±


    By the time she returned to the Leng Residence, Mrs. Feng and others had clearly received the news, but they did note to see Leng Yu Yan.


    Leng Yu Yan was not at all annoyed; since Mrs. Feng and the others had not gained any benefits from her, they naturally did not care to pay her any attention.


    Lai Jiajia hummed a tune cheerfully, pulling Leng Yu Yan towards her parents¡¯ courtyard.


    ¡°Why are we going to my uncle and aunt¡¯s courtyard?¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°It¡¯s not just me who wants to dine with you, but my parents do, too.¡±


    By the time they reached the courtyard of Lai Zonghui and Ms. He, the couple had already been waiting beside the dining table.


    Seeing the sisters return together, Ms. He joyfully came out to greet them, taking hold of Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand, looking her over from left to right.


    Lai Jiajia wrinkled her nose, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m here too, look at me.¡±


    Ms. Heughed, ¡°I¡¯ll look at you in a moment.¡±


    Lai Jiajia pouted, and Leng Yu Yan smiled.


    Ms. He affectionately adjusted the stray hairs on Leng Yu Yan¡¯s forehead, ¡°Yesterday, you were taken away by the Crown Prince right after school let out, and we didn¡¯t get to have a meal together.¡±


    Lai Jiajia flopped down beside the dining table, reaching to grab some food: ¡°Sister didn¡¯te backst night, why does it feel like a year has passed?¡±


    She was stopped by Ms. He, ¡°Wash your hands before eating!¡±


    Lai Jiajia stood up, stuck out her tongue at Ms. He¡¯s retreating back, and then went to wash her hands.


    Ms. He called the maid to bring a basin of water for Leng Yu Yan, then said, ¡°If it¡¯s about marrying off a daughter, a good talk is needed to take her away. Yesterday, we couldn¡¯t even say half a word.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan washed her hands carefully, softly saying, ¡°Auntie, I¡¯m just moving there temporarily, not getting married.¡±


    Watching the maid carry away the basin, Ms. He lowered her voice, ¡°Whether you are getting married or moving there temporarily, you must live decently.¡±


    Lai Zonghui, who had been silent until now, spoke up, ¡°Uncle and aunt could not be of use, you¡¯ve suffered from a young age, and we couldn¡¯t protect you at all.¡±


    Hearing her own husband say this, Ms. He stopped beating around the bush, ¡°Yu Yan, now that you¡¯ve moved into the Eastern Pce, to put it nicely, you are apanying the Crown Prince, but bluntly, you don¡¯t even have an official status.¡±


    Lai Jiajia¡¯s little face turned red with anger, ¡°Last night, grandmother was saying that moving to the Eastern Pce hastily is a disgrace to them. I was so angry when I heard it. Wasn¡¯t it them who had Fifth Sister rece Third Sister?¡±


    ¡°If your elder sister-inw were here, such a thing would never happen, a mother naturally loves and protects her own,¡± Ms. He wiped her tears, her voice mixed with sobs, ¡°They say once there¡¯s a stepmother, there¡¯s a stepfather, among all the Leng Family children, it¡¯s Yu Yan who has had the hardest life.¡±


    Hearing this, Lai Zonghui sighed deeply.


    Leng Yu Yan suddenly understood why Lai Jiajia¡¯s eyes were swollen this morning, iming insomnia, it turned out to be for these reasons.


    Lai Jiajia sat down beside Leng Yu Yan, ¡°Sister¡­¡±


    She had barely called out when tears started falling in torrents.


    Leng Yu Yan raised her hand to wipe away her tears, ¡°Don¡¯t be sad, I¡¯m fine. I don¡¯t care about the outside world¡¯s gossip.¡±


    As she spoke, her clear eyes slowly gathered a mist and soon formed into crystal drops, hanging on her lowershes, trembling on the verge of falling.


    Seeing her crying too, Lai Jiajia sniffed, ¡°Sister, do you feel wronged moving into the Eastern Pce?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan shook her head, ¡°No, it¡¯s happiness that makes me cry. Uncle and auntie treat me like their own daughter, and you, sister, treat me like your real sibling.¡±


    In the Leng Family, this was the only ce she felt warmth.


    Upon hearing this, Lai Zonghui nodded with satisfaction, while Ms. He was overjoyed.


    Suddenly, they heard a maid¡¯s voice from outside, Ms. He quickly took a handkerchief and dabbed at the corner of her eyes, ¡°My dear, let¡¯s stop talking, let¡¯s eat.¡±


    The maid entered, ¡°Second Young Master and Second Lady, Third Young Master is practicing his writing and said he¡¯lle right over.¡±


    Lai Zonghui calmly waved his hand, ¡°Alright, you may go.¡±


    The maid nced at Leng Yu Yan, seated in the room, and then withdrew.


    Seeing this, Leng Yu Yan had a pretty clear idea of what was going on.


    In the Leng Family, it was the father who had the titles, Mrs. Feng who managed the properties and affairs, and the grandmother with the highest seniority¡ªthe grandmother would invariably protect her own children.


    With such limited power in their speech, my uncle and aunt truly couldn¡¯t protect her even if they wished to.


    Just as some of the maids in this yard might be spies for Mrs. Feng.


    ¡ª


    Two dayster.


    On that day, after the academy was dismissed, the Mountain Master called Leng Yu Yan aside and asked, ¡°Has the Crown Prince given you a definitive answer? The day after tomorrow is the calligraphy conference, and this old man truly hopes the Crown Prince can attend.¡±


    Moreover, he had also heard that Leng Yu Yan had been ordered to move into the Eastern Pce.


    In response, Leng Yu Yan only promised to inquire with Ye Yiheng.


    ¡°I will ask Your Highness, but I cannot guarantee that he will definitelye,¡± she said.


    The Mountain Master nodded, ¡°It¡¯s good that you can ask.¡±


    Having epted such a task, Leng Yu Yan felt somewhat headache.


    Since moving into the Eastern Pce two days ago and having not seen him since the Imperial Pce¡¯s family banquet that evening,


    she had been pondering how to broach the subject as she walked towards Tingfeng Garden in the Eastern Pce.


    If she sought him out during his mealtime, it might be misunderstood as a wish to dine with him.


    And if she were to look for him after meals, being misunderstood as seeking to share his bed would be even more uneptable.


    With this in mind, she decided to ask now and thus took a detour. Finding a pce maid along the way, she learned that Ye Yiheng was in his study and quickened her pace.


    However, just as she arrived at his study, she heard a woman¡¯s voiceing from inside.


    The voice was gentle and shy.


    Leng Yu Yan pursed her lips, realizing that her timing was unfortunate.


    She turned to leave but unexpectedly saw Jian Lecheng approaching.


    ¡°Miss Lai, are you looking for His Highness?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan paused, ¡°Could Young Master perhaps lend a hand?¡±


    Jian Lecheng¡¯s lips curled, amused. This ugly girl actually dared to ask him for help.


    ¡°Speak.¡±


    ¡°The Mountain Master wishes for His Highness to attend the calligraphy conference the day after tomorrow. I need a reply to give the Mountain Master an answer.¡±


    ¡°This is a trivial matter. You can just ask His Highness yourself.¡±


    Why would she need his help?


    At that moment,ughter from a woman came from the study.


    Upon hearing this, Jian Lecheng instantly understood, ¡°Are you perhaps misunderstanding something?¡±


    ¡°Misunderstand what?¡± Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyebrows knitted slightly.


    ¡°The one inside is His Highness¡¯s cousin, her mother and mine were sisters.¡±


    ¡°Cousins by birth, a perfect pair. It¡¯s better if I don¡¯t disturb them. If Young Master is willing to help, just ask; if not, then let it be.¡± With that, Leng Yu Yan walked away.


    At that moment, Ye Yiheng was standing at the doorway of the study and saw Leng Yu Yan step away.


    A coldness flickered between his handsome brows.


    What does ¡°cousins by birth, a perfect pair¡± mean?


    Jian Lecheng gave a bow with his hands sped, ¡°Your Highness, Miss Lai came to inquire if you will attend the Xinya Academy¡¯s calligraphy conference?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan paused in her steps.


    ¡°I won¡¯t go,¡± came his cool voice.


    Leng Yu Yan turned around and nodded with a smile, ¡°Thank you for your response, Your Highness.¡±


    As she prepared to leave once again, a delicate woman emerged from the study.


    ¡°Both Xinya Academy and the calligraphy conference are the fruits of my aunt¡¯s efforts. Cousin, you should attend.¡±

 Chapter 47: Childhood Sweethearts

    Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Childhood Sweethearts


    Thedy in front of her was dressed in a peach-colored floor-length silk gown, exuding elegance and grace with her refined makeup and beautiful features. By her posture, it seemed she had taken an interest in Ye Yiheng.


    In an instant, Leng Yu Yan seemed to understand something.


    At the same time, Fan Minmin also looked towards Leng Yu Yan, smiling in greeting.


    Her assessing gaze left no trace.


    The young girl in view wore a white eye veil, and her bamboo-colored skirt trailed along the ground,plemented by a white scarf.


    Her hair, dark as a waterfall, outlined her delicate, exquisite figure. Although her face was covered, one could still see her forehead, as lovely as polished jade, and her excessively beautiful eyes.


    Just now, her voice had sounded as clear and pleasing as the ringing of pearls and jade. Had she not been rumored to be the world¡¯s ugliest woman with horrific discolorations on her face, one really could not connect the two images.


    The moment she first appeared, although dressed so simply and elegantly, one might think she was an immortal descended to earth.


    Fan Minmin¡¯s face wore a poised and elegant smile. If not for her peach-pink dress, which stood out brilliantly at this moment, she truly felt overshadowed.


    ¡°Is this the future Lady?¡± she began, her tone gentle and soft, ¡°My cousin is always like this, so I hope Miss Lai won¡¯t mind.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan also smiled gently, ¡°Why would I? His Highness has his reasons for not attending.¡±


    Fan Minmin, standing beside Ye Yiheng, said, ¡°I would like to attend the calligraphy conference, could my cousin bring me along?¡±


    Seeing Ye Yiheng remaining silent, Fan Minmin knew he couldn¡¯t see, but observing him facing the young girl across him, urgency surged in her chest. Yet, her words came out even softer, ¡°I¡¯ve heard there are many treasures from my aunt at the Xinya Academy. I want to see them.¡±


    She wondered why her cousin, who usually indulged her reasonable requests, seemed so indifferent today.


    Fan Minmin then turned to Jian Lecheng, ¡°If Young Masteres along, it¡¯ll definitely be lively.¡±


    Jian Lecheng immediately responded, ¡°Of course! If His Highness isn¡¯t going, I¡¯ll take you!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan watched them, evidently familiar with each other.


    Standing there, she felt somewhat out of ce. Besides, since Ye Yiheng himself had said he wasn¡¯t going, it was none of her concern if the others wanted to.


    She then bowed to Ye Yiheng, ¡°I shall take my leave.¡±


    Unexpectedly, Ye Yiheng suddenly spoke, ¡°Since my cousin wishes to go, let¡¯s go together.¡±


    Fan Minmin expressed her happiness, ¡°Thank you, cousin!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan stood up straight, smiling brightly, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, thank you, Lady.¡±


    Fan Minmin eximed in surprise, ¡°You¡¯re thanking me?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded politely, ¡°Yes, thanks to Lady, His Highness agreed to attend. Now, I can report back.¡±


    It¡¯s not that she wanted him to go; she was merely tasked by the Mountain Master to inquire.


    With that, she took her leave.


    As she just left, able to likely overhear their conversation, Fan Minmin spoke softly, ¡°Minmin thinks the future Lady and my cousin make a good match, so why does he look so stern?¡±


    ¡°Match?¡± Jian Lechengughed heartily, ¡°You¡¯ve just returned and might not know, but the Leng Family girl has marks on her face¡­¡±


    Suddenly, he noticed Ye Yiheng¡¯s face turning as cold asst year¡¯s chilling northern winds, and immediately held his tongue.


    Fan Minmin frowned, ¡°So, she isn¡¯t suitable for cousin, and our aunt in heaven might be distressed.¡±


    Remembering the ck and red marks he had seen before, Jian Lecheng still felt uneasy and sighed, ¡°Miss Minmin, please advise His Highness to be more open-minded about things.¡±


    Fan Minmin raised her finger to her lips, whispering, ¡°Just don¡¯t mention seeing.¡±


    Jian Lecheng praised her, ¡°Miss Minmin is really considerate.¡±


    Seeing that she could learn much from Jian Lecheng, she moved closer, ¡°Young Master, does Miss Lai of the Leng family often visit my cousin?¡±


    ¡°Ever since that ugly girl moved to the Eastern Pce, I¡¯ve never encountered her here. I heard she only leaves for the academy and stays in Tingfeng Garden¡±, he paused, then added, ¡°She does seem to know her ce, not hovering around Your Highness. She must have been desperate toe here this time.¡±


    Under the eye veil, Ye Yiheng¡¯s handsome gaze watched Leng Yu Yan¡¯s figure disappear through the moon gate, his voice cold: ¡°Jian Lecheng, no one would think you¡¯re mute if you stayed silent.¡±


    Jian Lecheng shifted slightly to the side and whispered to Fan Minmin with a waggle of his eyebrows, ¡°I¡¯m only speaking the truth.¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡ª


    Back in Tingfeng Garden.


    Miao Zhu, who had held back her words all the way, finally spoke up, ¡°Miss, when we were leaving, what that Lady said was really something.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan chuckled softly, ¡°My Miao Zhu has learned to use the word ¡®tea.¡¯¡±


    ¡°Miss, don¡¯t make fun of me. I¡¯m being serious here.¡± Miao Zhu poured a cup of water for her mistress, then one for herself.


    Leng Yu Yan took it and sipped lightly, ¡°Go and find out for me, what¡¯s the background of that Lady, what¡¯s her story?¡±


    Miao Zhu wiped her mouth, ¡°Miss, what are you nning?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s the daughter of the Late Empress¡¯s sister, then she and the Crown Prince must have been childhood friends. Why didn¡¯t the arranged marriage fall upon her?¡±


    ¡°I understand¡±, Miao Zhu said, suddenly enlightened, and immediately left Tingfeng Garden.


    In less than an hour, Miao Zhu returned.


    ¡°Miss, I¡¯ve found out everything.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan was practicing calligraphy ¡°Sit down and take your time.¡±


    Miao Zhu didn¡¯t sit, instead, she started to grind ink: ¡°That Lady is named Fan Minmin. Although she is the daughter of the Late Empress¡¯s sister, her birth status is not good.¡±


    ¡°Oh, why is that?¡±


    ¡°Her mother fell for a private tutor when she was young. The family disapproved of their rtionship, so they eloped. After eloping, she had a daughter, that¡¯s Fan Minmin. Many yearster, her father died of illness, and Minmin returned with her mother to her maternal home.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan wrote the characters for wife and concubine on the rice paper and pointed at them with the brush handle: ¡°When proposed to, one bes a wife; when eloped, one bes a concubine.¡±


    Miao Zhu nodded in agreement: ¡°Yes, although this Fan Minmin is the cousin of the Crown Prince, her humble origins don¡¯t make her a suitable match for an arranged marriage with the Crown Prince.¡±


    ¡°I noticed she has quite a liking for the Crown Prince. It¡¯s truly a pity she cannot be married to him¡±, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s expression changed slightly, ¡°What do you think if I tried match-making them, and then step back after achieving sess?¡±


    No need to marry the Crown Prince then!


    ¡°Really? With her status, it might be difficult.¡± Miao Zhu took the brush from Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand and ced it on the brush holder.


    ¡°With the Crown Prince¡¯s intelligence, he could concoct a new identity for his cousin. As long as they like each other, all issues are solvable.¡±


    Miao Zhu gave a thumbs up, ¡°Miss is too clever!¡±


    ¡°When I have my revenge, we¡¯ll leave the capital and return to Linqing Pavilion, taking Mrs. Zhao with us.¡±


    Then, carefree and without worries, I¡¯ll roam freely between heaven and earth.


    It all seemed such a delightful idea!


    Miao Zhu suddenly remembered the prior plotting and asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you wish to wait for that man to kick the bucket then take over the property?¡±


    ¡°I can earn my own money.¡± Leng Yu Yan tapped Miao Zhu¡¯s forehead, ¡°I will surely keep you well-fed and plump.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know before that he wanted her dead, but now she did.


    If he didn¡¯t kick the bucket, and her life was taken by him, this trade would be far too costly.


    ¡°Maid will follow Miss¡¯s lead!¡± Miao Zhu grinned, ¡°Just keep me well-fed is enough, skip the plump part, though.¡±

 Chapter 48 - 48 Mysterious Affinity

    Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Mysterious Affinity


    The night enveloped everything, a cool breeze whistling, the shadow of thenterns flickering.


    On the Observation tform, Ye Yiheng looked towards Tingfeng Garden and asked in a cold voice, ¡°What is she doing?¡±


    Mo Chen followed the gaze of his master and knew that the ¡®she¡¯ His Highness referred to was Miss Lai. He responded, ¡°Just now, Miao Zhu was sent to investigate Lady¡¯s background.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng arched an eyebrow, ¡°Oh?¡±


    Why would she investigate Minmin¡¯s background?


    ¡°Miao Zhu seems to have some skills. She mingled with the pce maids after a brief chat and learned all about Lady¡¯s background,¡± Mo Chen said respectfully, ¡°I cannot fathom why Miss Lai would be interested in Lady¡¯s background.¡±


    Beside him, Song Guo interjected with a smile, ¡°Your Highness, in my opinion, could it be that Miss Lai is feeling jealous?¡±


    Mo Chen scratched the back of his head, ¡°Jealous?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just another word for feeling envious,¡± Song Guo said with a beaming smile, ¡°Your Highness initially said you wouldn¡¯t go to the calligraphypetition, but after Lady convinced you, you agreed. Miss Lai is a woman, and women are sensitive by nature¡ªsurely, she feels jealous.¡±


    Mo Chen burst intoughter, ¡°You are not a woman.¡±


    Nor a man.


    Catching the hidden implication in his words, Song Guo red at Mo Chen, ¡°Your Highness should bring Ruofeng back; this joker should be thrown out.¡±


    Ignoring the bickering between the two, Ye Yiheng¡¯s handsome brows slightly furrowed.


    Inside Tingfeng Garden at this moment.


    Miao Zhu carefully packed away the calligraphy draft written by her mistress, rolling up the fine paper.


    ¡°Miss, when I went to investigate, it seemed that someone was following me.¡±


    ¡°In the Eastern Pce, what can ever be hidden from him?¡± Leng Yu Yan held a stained piece of paper in her palm and gently brushed it with a clean Wolf Brush, ¡°It¡¯s not as if it¡¯s something worth hiding.¡±


    Moreover, these past few days, she always felt like she was being watched inside the Eastern Pce.


    Miao Zhu knew that her mistress was referring to the Crown Prince and fully understood that they were on someone else¡¯s turf. She nodded repeatedly, ¡°Miss is right.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow, go find out what Lady likes to eat.¡±


    ¡°Alright, to win a person¡¯s heart, you must first conquer their stomach!¡±


    ¡°Smart Miao Zhu!¡±


    ¡ª


    The day of the calligraphypetition arrived quickly.


    The academy required female students to wear school uniforms.


    Early in the morning in each of the teaching buildings, there were countless students scrutinizing their appearances in small copper mirrors.


    Seeing this, Lai Jiajia snorted and turned to Leng Yu Yan, ¡°The way these girls preen themselves is simply disgusting.¡±


    Beside her, Luo Meng¡¯er quietly exined, ¡°It¡¯s not only that all the students from the Imperial College wille, but many Princes also heard that the Crown Prince would attend, so they followed suit. If they don¡¯t dress up now, when will they?¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°My sister would be the most beautiful woman in the world if not for the blemishes on her face,¡± Lai Jiajia pouted, taking Leng Yu Yan by the hands, ¡°Look at this figure¡ªmy sister in a school uniform is truly stunning.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled downcast, ¡°Good looks can¡¯t fill the belly.¡±


    Mi Xinmei came over, ¡°They say that every student at the calligraphypetition can participate, as long as one believes in one¡¯s capabilities, they can go up and write a few words.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Lai Jiajia¡¯s eyes lit up with the image of ingots, ¡°One thousand taels of tuition fee could buy quite a few hair essories.¡±


    And it could also improve their living conditions.


    ¡°I¡¯ve figured it out; my sister loves money,¡± Leng Yu Yan whispered, ¡°Are you really in need of money?¡±


    Lai Jiajia admitted frankly, ¡°Yes, honestly, I am in need!¡±


    The financial power in Leng Residence was held by the main branch, and her parents had little say.


    The sry of her father went to her and her brother¡¯s academy fees, and there wasn¡¯t much left after the expenses.


    Luo Meng¡¯er shook her head, ¡°Only one student in the whole academy can win it, and it¡¯s sure to go to a student from ss A.¡±


    Hearing this, Mi Xinmei¡¯s eyes shone brightly, ¡°Yu Yan, you should participate. My brother said your calligraphy is truly masterful!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan waved her hand dismissively, using regr script deliberately when writing the recipe, which the Mi Family¡¯s eldest brother still managed to see through, indicating he had some real understanding.


    ¡°Hmph, if her tracing and copying one character is enough to participate, then every one of us should be getting a thousand taels for tuition fees!¡±


    The voice undoubtedly belonged to Xu Yaxiang.


    It had been said recently that Mr. Xu was due for a promotion, which showed that the incident where Miss Xu had insulted the Crown Prince had led to no consequences whatsoever.


    As a result, Xu Yaxiang was even more arrogant in the academy these days.


    Many of the students from ss D were full ofints about this.


    Lai Jiajia suddenly stood up from her stool, ¡°We¡¯re having a conversation here; who said you could butt in?¡±


    Xu Yaxiang mocked, ¡°You few crooked melons and cracked dates think you can lecture me? Let me tell you, the onlypetition you might have a chance at is the one for ugliness, hahaha¡­¡±


    Suddenly, someone outside shouted, announcing that Prince Liang and the Imperial College students had arrived.


    It was then that Xu Yaxiang tidied her hair and left with a lightugh.


    The students from ss D scrutinized themselves meticulously in the small copper mirror before swarming out like bees.


    Such a spectacle was somewhat overwhelming for Leng Yu Yan.


    Lai Jiajia rolled her eyes at the group, ¡°Acting as if they¡¯ve never seen a man before, it¡¯s embarrassing.¡±


    When the teacher came to notify everyone to go to the drill ground, he found only a few people left in ss D, including Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia. He expressed his surprise, ¡°Hurry to the drill ground, the Crown Prince will be arriving shortly.¡±


    They stood and slowly made their way to the drill ground.


    By the time they arrived, Ye Yiheng, Jian Lecheng, and Fan Minmin had just gotten there.


    Everyone present bowed in greeting.


    As she bowed her head, Lai Jiajia whispered to Leng Yu Yan, ¡°Who is the woman beside the Crown Prince?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s his cousin.¡±


    Hearing this, Lai Jiajia frowned and muttered, ¡°No man is a good thing, except for my dad.¡±


    Leng Yu Yanughed, ¡°If uncle hears this, he¡¯ll surely be delighted.¡±


    Underneath the white gauze, Ye Yiheng¡¯s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. Leng Yu Yan seemed to be whispering with someone. What matter made her smile so much that her eyes curled up?


    Damn it.


    This was the second time he¡¯d tried to guess what she was thinking!


    Song Guo noticed his master was a bit distracted and lifted his arm. Ye Yiheng realized this and spoke clearly, ¡°At ease.¡±


    The crowd stood up.


    The Mountain Master greeted them with a smile, making pleasantries with Ye Yiheng.


    At that moment, Wei Ruili spotted Leng Yu Yan in the crowd and was about to greet her, but saw Lai Yu advance towards Leng Yu Yan first, leaving him no choice but to retreat sullenly into the crowd.


    Seeing Lai Yu, Leng Yu Yan felt pleased and introduced him with a smile to the person next to her, ¡°This is Brother Lai.¡±


    Lai Jiajia giggled, ¡°I know, Heir Lai, our very own big brother.¡±


    Mi Xinmei and Luo Meng¡¯er together bowed in salutation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s dispense with the formalities,¡± Lai Yu said as he gestured with a lifting hand, then continued, ¡°Lai Yu, Leng Yu Yan, at first hearing the names do sound simr.¡±


    Lai Jiajia¡¯s smile was unstoppable, ¡°Indeed, what do you call that, fate! After all, we are one family, right, Brother Lai?¡±


    Lai Yu nodded his head with a smile, and looked at Leng Yu Yan warmly, ¡°May I have a word with you aside?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded agreeably.


    Strangely enough, in his presence, she could feel what the original host felt in the presence of her big brother Leng Yi, an inexplicable closeness.


    Thinking of her big brother made Leng Yu Yan¡¯s heart ache as if it were being wrung.


    Her brother was ten years older than she, and he always treated her like a little child. No matter what she did wrong, he would sort it out for her.


    With affection and indulgence, he would yfully tease the tip of her nose.

 Chapter 49: Ridicule and Mockery

    Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Ridicule and Mockery


    When she was angry, at most he would just tap her forehead.


    After tapping her forehead, he would regret it.


    ¡°Ah Yan, your skin is delicate and tender, just a tap and it turns red, as if big brother is bullying you.¡±


    At that time, she would take the opportunity to report to her mother.


    Her mother, fully aware of the false usation, would still scold big brother.


    Making big brother carry her on his back to buy her candy.


    But now, there is no more mother or big brother to dote on and love her in this world!


    Now when she eats candy, it no longer tastes the same as when big brother used to buy it for her.


    Big brother was only twenty when he left, at such a perfect age.


    He had not yet married, nor seen her grown up.


    What made her heart ache even more was that when big brother died, he was covered in wounds, his flesh marred everywhere, each cut fatal.


    Although it was said he fell in battle, the blows came from behind, clearly the work of his own people.


    Such a deep hatred, she was determined to avenge!


    Sensing the low spirits of the young girl following behind, Li Yuyue slowed his pace. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan blinked, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Seeing the glimmer in her eyes again, Li Yuyue felt somewhat at a loss. ¡°Although I¡¯m often on the frontier, I can still tell that your mood is off right now.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan confessed, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Brother Lai, every time I see you, I¡¯m reminded of my own big brother.¡±


    ¡°Are you talking about Leng Yi?¡±


    ¡°Mm,¡± Leng Yu Yan sniffled softly.


    ¡°I¡¯ve met Leng Yi a few times, he even corrected my boxing stance once, and in the blink of an eye, five years have passed¡­¡± Seeing her mood getting increasingly troubled, Li Yuyue gently patted her shoulder, ¡°If you miss him, you can just call me big brother.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan felt an immense guilt, having resolved to avenge big brother, yet even now she hadn¡¯t found the enemies.


    ¡°Brother Lai, what did you want to talk about?¡± Leng Yu Yan adjusted her emotions.


    In her heart, there was only one big brother, and no one else could ever rece him.


    In fact, she didn¡¯t even know why, but she felt a shared sentiment with the original owner of this body.


    It was as though the original owner was her!


    Li Yuyue said slowly, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s nothing important, just my mother¡¯s birthday ising, and I¡¯d like to choose a gift to send her. In the capital city, I can¡¯t find another girl to help, so I thought of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not skilled in choosing gifts, but Brother Lai¡¯s filial piety ismendable, when you pick a gift, I can offer some suggestions,¡± Yu Yan offered.


    ¡°That would be very good!¡±


    Elsewhere, Ye Yiheng, at the invitation of the Mountain Master, took the main seat on the stage, while Prince Liang and several princes, along with Young Master Jian Lecheng, were seated on both sides.


    Several princes simultaneously noticed the Heir of Prince Zhenbei Mansion and the unsightly daughter of the Leng Family standing in a corner of the drill field, chatting happily, which stirred them to tease Ye Yiheng.


    Prince Liang was the first to speak. ¡°Does our Sixth Brother know that his fianc¨¦e and the Heir Lai are too close?¡±


    The Seventh Prince, rare in agreement with Prince Liang, said with a smile, ¡°Sixth Brother is out of sight, out of mind.¡±


    The Fifth Prince chimed in, ¡°This Prince and Seventh Brother share a hero¡¯s perspective!¡±


    At this, everyoneughed.


    Jian Lecheng was irritated, but with his lower status, what else could he do but be upset?


    Ye Yiheng merely smiled faintly. ¡°You all worry too much, the Crown Princess Consort and Heir Lai are simply engaging in fraternal affection.¡±


    Prince Liang snorted from his nose with augh, ¡°Could it be that Sixth Brother isn¡¯t aware that although the Leng Family of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion and the Leng Family of Marquis Ningyuan¡¯s Mansion are of the same lineage, Miss Lai Wu and the Heir Lai are already separated by five degrees of mourning attire?¡±


    The Fifth Prince pointed at Fan Minmin next to Ye Yiheng, ¡°If you ask me, Sixth Brother has a beauty by his side, and the Crown Princess Consort has the Princely Heir by hers, it¡¯s quite the perfect match.¡±


    Seeing this, the Mountain Master tried to smooth things over, ¡°Today¡¯s calligraphy conference, please may all the Highnesses judge impartially!¡±


    Several people agreed.


    Soon after, the calligraphy conference officially began.


    Below the stage, fourrge tables were set up, where students from each ss could go up to write. Those who wrote well were allowed to continue onto the stage.


    This was considered making it to the finals.


    Seeing that the conference had begun, Li Yuyue walked over leisurely with Leng Yu Yan, their happy and cheerful appearance causing Ye Yiheng to narrow his phoenix eyes beneath his eye veil.


    Just then, thunderous apuse erupted from next to a ss A table.


    The students present surged over, only to see Lai Manting wielding a brush, sshing ink on the Imperial Decree.


    The cheers were nonstop.


    A smile danced on Lai Manting¡¯s lips, her recent practice had finally reached a certain level ¨C her vertical hook strokes were now somewhat simr.


    With this, she was sure to win today¡¯spetition!


    Moreover, with Prince Liang present, she was determined to seize this opportunity!


    After thirty minutes, ten students who volunteered enthusiastically were selected to go on stage for the final showdown.


    Prince Liang intended to embarrass Leng Yu Yan, as to embarrass her was to difort Ye Yiheng.


    So, he spoke out loud, ¡°In my view, many students have participated, but why haven¡¯t we seen the Crown Princess Consort join in?¡±


    The Fifth Prince chimed in with a smile, ¡°The Crown Princess Consort was recently graced with rewards from Father Emperor and the various Princesses. Today¡¯s tuition fee from Sixth Brother, she might find it beneath her.¡±


    The Seventh Prince pped his hands, ¡°Sixth Brother of the Crown Prince has offered one thousand taels for the tuition fee. Perhaps the rest of us should also chip in?¡±


    Upon saying this, several people nodded in agreement.


    The Seventh Prince spoke again, ¡°It is said the Crown Princess Consortes from a remote vige, and her handwriting is extremely unsophisticated. I wonder if we could have the pleasure of seeing it today, it would be quite eye-opening for everyone.¡±


    Seeing her cousin being mocked by the Princes, Fan Minmin¡¯s little face turned bright red with anger, ¡°Your Highnesses, please show some restraint! It¡¯s true that the Crown Princess Consort, my sister-inw, is from a remote vige and she has difficulties even with reading and writing, aren¡¯t you just bullying her?¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Princes allughed together.


    @@novelbin@@


    Look, even the Crown Prince¡¯s cousin admits that the Leng Family¡¯s ugly girl has difficulties with reading and writing.


    The Seventh Prince was the first to stand, walking over to the tray holding the one thousand taels for tuition fees, he took off his jade thumb ring and threw it into the pile.


    ¡°If any of the students here can convince the Crown Princess Consort toe on stage for thepetition, the winner of today¡¯s calligraphypetition will receive this Prince¡¯s thumb ring as well!¡±


    Prince Liang also stood up, removing the Jade Pendant from his waist and cing it on the tray, ¡°As long as the Crown Princess Consort participates, the final winner will also receive this Prince¡¯s Jade Pendant.¡±


    The Fifth Prince stepped forward with a cheerful smile, digging out a stack of silver notes from his waist, counting out a few, ¡°I only have these five hundred taels, the rest of the money is tightly controlled by the Princess.¡±


    This remark made all the students below the stage burst intoughter.


    At the same time, the female students surrounded Leng Yu Yan.


    ¡°Leng Yu Yan, you should join!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, even if you can¡¯t win, as long as you participate, the final winner will get a lot more rewards! Think of it as doing a good deed!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Leng Yu Yan, you should help the eventual winner!¡±


    ¡°My sister doesn¡¯t want to join, you all either want to see my sister embarrass herself or you want the final winner to receive more rewards,¡± Lai Jiajia couldn¡¯t suppress her anger, ¡°What good does it do my sister?¡±


    Lai Jiajia was so agitated that her chest heaved violently, everyone on and off the stage, they were all too much.


    Picking on her sister¡¯s weaknesses!


    Leng Yu Yan patted Lai Jiajia¡¯s arm, signaling her not to get angry.

 Chapter 50 - 50 Heaven and Earth

    Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Heaven and Earth


    Lai Manting, who was already standing on stage preparing for the finalpetition, eagerly wanted Prince Liang¡¯s Jade Pendant and called out to Leng Yu Yan below the stage, ¡°Fifth Sister, hurry and join your elder sister.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan responded with a light smile, ¡°Are you sure you want me to join, Third Sister?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Fifth Sister, think of it as keeping your sisterpany. No one will reallyugh at you, after all, everyone knows youe from a remote vige.¡±


    While speaking, Lai Manting nced stealthily at Prince Liang.


    Seeing that he was also looking in her direction, Lai Manting¡¯s cheeks began to flush red. Today, if she emerged victorious, Prince Liang¡¯s Jade Pendant would rightfully be hers!


    This carried even more meaning than a private transaction!


    Seeing that Ye Yiheng remained silent, Li Yuyue could not stand by any longer and spoke out loud, ¡°Your Highnesses on stage, my cousin is timid; I hope you do not bully her!¡±


    The more Ye Yiheng stayed silent, the tenser the situation became.


    Now, it seemed she was not only Consort Xian¡¯s spy but also disturbingly unsettled around the other men.


    Was he still prepared to keep her?


    Grateful for Lai Jiajia and Li Yuyue speaking up for her, Leng Yu Yan felt warmer at heart.


    There are many in the world who put others down to elevate themselves, but there are also those who do the opposite!


    ¡°Brother Lai, Sister, there¡¯s no need to get angry on my behalf,¡± Leng Yu Yan raised her eyebrows, looked toward the stage with aposed expression, and spoke in a clear voice, ¡°After the ten people on stage have finished writing, I will take the stage myself. If I win, all the prizes will be mine to do with as I please, right?¡±


    At this statement, there was a stir among the crowd above and below the stage.


    The Teacher loudly eximed, ¡°Leng Yu Yan, you are quite bold!¡±


    Ye Yiheng made a sound of inquiry, ¡°Hmm?¡±


    His tone was drawn out, carrying an inherent authority.


    The Teacher shrank back, ¡°Your Highness, please calm your anger!¡±


    ¡°Crown Prince, even the Sixth Brother has moments of anger, but indeed the Crown Princess Consort is being arrogant now,¡± Prince Liangughed, then turned to Leng Yu Yan and said, ¡°Of course, if the Crown Princess Consort wins, all the prizes are yours to dispose of as you wish.¡±


    The Fifth Prince, eager to see the spectacle unfold, said, ¡°Stop the chatter; those on stage, write quickly. I¡¯m waiting to see the Crown Princess Consort¡¯s calligraphy!¡±


    The Mountain Master nced meaningfully at Leng Yu Yan. After days of interaction, he had discerned that she was a good child, but he was unsure of her actual level.


    If she lost, he wondered if it would cause any psychological trauma?


    But, given the circumstances, his role as Mountain Master was trivial before these Princes, and his words carried little weight.


    Soon, the students on stage beganying out paper andmenced writing.


    Each one hoped to earn a generous reward, and hence wrote with extra effort.


    After the time it took to drink one cup of tea, the ten individuals finished writing their pieces.


    Several Princes and teachers judged their work, and unanimously agreed that Lai Manting¡¯s writing was the best.


    Lai Manting smiled modestly, ¡°Thank you all for your kindness, but my Fifth Sister hasn¡¯t written yet.¡±


    Today was such a good opportunity to trample Leng Yu Yan into the ground, and she would not let it slip by!


    Xu Yaxiang shouted loudly, ¡°She can only trace, and she traces only one character. Let¡¯s just let her be! Based on the script she penned just now, our Man Ting is already the foremost talented woman of the capital city!¡±


    Another girl friendly with Lai Manting yelled, ¡°No way, no way, even if she traces just one character, Man Ting should write so she can earn more rewards.¡±


    Xu Yaxiangughed even more overtly, clutching her stomach, ¡°Exactly, how could I forget that?¡±


    Instantly,ughter erupted all around.


    Leng Yu Yan slightly turned her head and said to Li Yuyue and Lai Jiajia, ¡°Help me with something.¡±


    Li Yuyue replied, ¡°What do you need? Just say it!¡±


    ¡°Come up on stage with me, and help me hold the rice paper.¡±


    Li Yuyue nodded, ¡°It¡¯s a trivial matter!¡±


    Lai Jiajia couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Sister, shall we run away?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan grinned, ¡°Sister will earn you some pocket money!¡±


    She grabbed Lai Jiajia¡¯s hand and headed for the stage, with Li Yuyue following closely behind.


    Seeing this, Xu Yaxiang shouted, ¡°If it¡¯s just writing, why bring two reinforcements?¡±


    Thisment immediately elicited agreement from the crowd, ¡°She must be unable to hold the brush steady and needs someone to help her.¡±


    The Mountain Master expressed his concern, ¡°Leng Yu Yan, if you truly cannot write, this old man will plead for your sake with Their Highnesses.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded slightly, ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Mountain Master. I will not fail your teachings!¡±


    With that, she turned to face the audience and said, ¡°I am not talented and have a severe aversion to dirt. I do not even wish to touch the brushes and desks that others have used, hence I asked Brother Lai and my sister to help hold the rice paper.¡±


    As she spoke, she raised her hand, signaling Li Yuyue and Lai Jiajia to lift the rice paper.


    As the two lifted the paper, many in the audience loudlymented, ¡°Putting on airs, she can¡¯t write, but the stunt is impressive!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan closed her eyes and took a deep breath.


    When she opened her eyes again, it was a moment of radiant beauty.


    This scene caught the eye of Ye Yiheng, who straightened his posture. There was a confidence and poise in her eyes, as if she was ready to conquer empires.


    She gracefully turned, picked up a brand-new Wolf Brush, dipped it into the ink, and then turned back.


    With her left hand behind her back and the right holding the brush, her posture was utterly carefree and elegant.


    With just one stroke, the entire room fell silent!


    Her manner of holding the brush instantly captivated everyone present.


    As her brush moved fluidly, it could only be described as masterful in both spirit and ink!


    Looking at her, with her calm andposed demeanor, it was as if she had a thousand years of expertise!


    Observing her characters, they seemed imbued with the world¡¯s aura, like dragons soaring through the skies, moving lithely; they also appeared to see through the vain mundanity of life, pure and true.


    Upon closer inspection, they resembled warriors emerging from a pass, valiant figures drawing their swords!


    Her lines, perfectly bncing light and dark, hinted at infinite possibilities within mere inches.


    Even more amazing was how she managed to deliver such divine strokes on a thin sheet of held-up rice paper.


    If written on a desk, how much more perfect could it be?


    This was the brushwork of an immortal, casual and uninhibited, with a universe all its own!


    In that instant, it seemed as if a million mountainsy at the tip of her brush.


    Finally, she finished with a vertical hook stroke and gentlyughed, ¡°Third Sister has been trying to learn my vertical hook for quite some time, and only today has she managed to grasp a bit of it. It really must have been hard for Third Sister.¡±


    Lai Manting¡¯s face turned ashen. This little girl had actually achieved such a mastery in calligraphy.


    She had almost forgotten that she had always seen her as an enemy, focusing solely on her writing.


    Now, with her words, Lai Manting felt like she was copsing.


    Disbelief and astonishment overwhelmed her!


    She had actually lost to an ugly girl!


    The female students who had been mocking Leng Yu Yan shut their mouths.


    Several students from the Imperial Collegepared the vertical hooks of the two characters and were shocked to find that Lai Manting¡¯s indeed resembled Leng Yu Yan¡¯s.


    ¡°It seems the title of First Schr of the capital should change hands.¡±


    ¡°Yes, if you lose, you should admit it.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan casually tossed the Wolf Brush into a brush pot, pinched her slender, fair fingers, and said, ¡°Please, judges, make your assessment.¡±


    The Mountain Master nodded with a smile and then deeply bowed, ¡°Leng Yu Yan, this old man was not mistaken!¡±


    This act astonished the crowd.


    @@novelbin@@


    Leng Yu Yan stepped beside the Mountain Master and whispered in a voice only they could hear, ¡°Mountain Master, please do not reveal my identity.¡±


    The Mountain Master stepped back and respectfully bowed again, ¡°This old man should call himself your student instead!¡±

 Chapter 51: My Face Hurts Endlessly

    Chapter 51: Chapter 51: My Face Hurts Endlessly


    Leng Yu Yan silently made a gesture for silence.


    The Mountain Master repeatedly nodded in agreement, ¡°This old man understands!¡±


    The crowd on and off the stage saw the Mountain Master of Xinya Academy make obeisances twice, thinking he was proud to have obtained such a treasure of a student, without considering other possibilities.


    It was only the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer who couldn¡¯t help himself from speaking up, ¡°Leng Yu Yan, are you interested in studying at our Imperial College? I shall ask the Emperor for permission, and you would be allowed to participate in the Imperial Examination. What say you?¡±


    Instantly, the entire ce buzzed with excitement.


    Even the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer saw her potential!


    To be a woman entering the Imperial College, she would be the first in Tiancheng!


    ¡°Given this opportunity, I couldn¡¯t ask for more,¡± Leng Yu Yan cupped her hands and bowed to the Sacrificial Officer.


    Whether to participate in the Imperial Examination mattered little to her, but the thought of experiencing the Imperial College¡¯s teaching was indeed enticing.


    The Sacrificial Officerughed heartily.


    The Mountain Master, not to be outdone, strode over and grabbed the Sacrificial Officer, ¡°She is my student, how can you snatch her from me?¡±


    The Sacrificial Officer knitted his brows, ¡°Your student, my student, there¡¯s no conflict at all!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, we must settle this matter today,¡± said the Mountain Master, suddenly mustering a strength from nowhere, tightly grabbing the Sacrificial Officer¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go. What is this pulling and tugging about? It¡¯s unseemly,¡± the Sacrificial Officer remarked while trying to pry the Mountain Master¡¯s hand away.


    For a moment, unable to free himself, they ended up pulling and dragging each other off the stage.


    As he walked, the Mountain Master did not forget to call back to the stage, ¡°This old man deres Leng Yu Yan the winner of today¡¯s calligraphy contest, the rest is up to Your Highnesses and teachers to decide.¡±


    The students were left tongue-tied by the usually serious and earnest elders, who, today, were squabbling over a student like children fighting over candy.


    Suddenly, the students felt ashamed of themselves, for theycked the ability to cause different academy masters and teachers to squabble over them.


    A momentter, several Princes and teachers took turns in their judgments.


    Prince Liang¡¯s profound gaze meticulously observed Leng Yu Yan who stood not far away.


    Her in, elegant school uniform seemed to carry a sense of grace and astonishment.


    Perhaps having seen her write, now observing her features, it seemed as if there was a schrly aura hidden within her eyes and brows¡­


    It was like a refreshing elegance in the midst of a chaotic world.


    Prince Liang felt slightly unsettled, as if something had jolted his heart.


    The sensation was fleeting and ungraspable, like clenching sand in one¡¯s hand and feeling it slip away.


    In that moment, he had no sense of control!


    The Seventh Prince raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed directly on Leng Yu Yan.


    @@novelbin@@


    The Father Emperor was indeed partial, iming that the arrangement of a wife for the blind Crown Prince was merely a constion for the Abolished Crown Prince. Now, it seemed to him, the Emperor¡¯s marriage grant was an immense favoritism toward Ye Yiheng.


    No matter how unattractive the Leng family¡¯s ugly daughter was, the blind Crown Prince couldn¡¯t see it, so it was a perfect match!


    Moreover, the ugly girl¡¯s talent in calligraphy could be counted among the best in Tiancheng. Having such a woman as the Crown Princess Consort would ultimately mean Ye Yiheng was reaching above his station.


    Sadly, she was to marry a blind man.


    Her learning would likely go to waste beside a blind man.


    ¡°The 500 silver taels I spent were well worth it! In my view, the winner of the calligraphy contest is the Crown Princess Consort! Today, the bold and powerful strokes of the Crown Princess Consort¡¯s calligraphy truly astounded me!¡± The Fifth Princeughed out loud, his hands gesturing excitedly.


    Thinking gestures weren¡¯t enough, he walked up to the piece of calligraphy, examining and savoring it closely.


    ¡°Good, good, really good! This prince is at a loss of words; at this moment, there is no more suitable word than ¡®good¡¯!¡± The Fifth Prince turned, shouting loudly to Ye Yiheng, ¡°Crown Prince, my Sixth Brother, it¡¯s a pity you cannot see this. Your Crown Princess Consort¡¯s calligraphy is exceptional!¡±


    Ye Yiheng nodded slightly, ¡°Although I cannot see, from what I¡¯ve heard, I can imagine that the Crown Princess Consort¡¯s calligraphy is outstanding.¡±


    The Fifth Prince quickly approached Ye Yiheng, ¡°Sixth Brother, I want to discuss something with you, is it okay for me to give this piece of calligraphy to Fifth Brother?¡±


    Ye Yiheng was expressionless, ¡°No.¡±


    The Fifth Prince smacked his lips, ¡°I just offered 500 silver taels for it.¡±


    ¡°Fifth Brother knows perfectly well why he offered the silver note,¡± Ye Yiheng said with a cold voice. ¡°Based on what I¡¯ve heard just now, I think the Crown Princess Consort¡¯s calligraphy is priceless.¡±


    The Fifth Prince¡¯s spirit immediately deted.


    He had thought that the calligraphy of the Leng Family¡¯s ugly daughter could fetch quite a sum of silver coin, but unexpectedly, the blind man refused to give it up.


    It was as though he had stuck out his face for no reason, only for the blind man to p it.


    500 silver taels, initially meant to mock the blind man and the ugly girl, had been given away for nothing and could not be retrieved.


    This was just like a p on the face so painful that, albeit silent, the heart bled profusely.


    Only, I wonder how painful the faces of Fourth Brother and Seventh Brother are now.


    After a short while, the final judgment of thepetition was announced.


    As expected, the winner of today¡¯s calligraphy contest was Leng Yu Yan.


    Not far below the stage, the Mountain Master, who was still bickering with the Sacrificial Officer, made a gesture to the Teacher on the stage, indicating him to send the tray with the reward to Leng Yu Yan.


    Considering that the Teacher had just rebuked Leng Yu Yan, he now bowed his head, holding the tray with trepidation, and presented it reverently right under Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyes.


    Leng Yu Yan nced at the Teacher with indifference, hooked her index finger around the string of the Jade Pendant, and said nonchntly, ¡°My third sister seems to like this jade pendant quite a lot; I noticed her eyes have been fixated on it. Those unaware would think that Sister has an affection for Prince Liang.¡±


    ¡°Fifth Sister, please watch your words!¡± Lai Manting¡¯s expression was extremely strange, looking more hideous even than crying as she attempted tough.


    Originally, she was the one designated to be betrothed to the Crown Prince, but if it became known that she had harbored affection for another before that, her image would plummet in the eyes of the Tian Family.


    By then, even if Prince Liang were to select a consort, it would hardly be her concern.


    Moreover, she had always kept her feelings well hidden; very few knew of her affection for Prince Liang.


    Even Xu Yaxiang was not privy to this information.


    How did this little girl figure it out?


    Thinking of this, Lai Manting hardened her tone, ¡°Fifth Sister, do not tease your elder sister for fun; I assure you, I have no love interests.¡±


    With a light smile, Leng Yu Yan nced at the patterns on the Jade Pendant and said to herself, ¡°Third Sister was so determined to win this pendant just now, it¡¯s a pity. If Third Sister hadn¡¯t insisted on calling me to the stage, this jade pendant would have been yours.¡±


    ¡°Now that Third Sister ims she has no love interest, can I take it to mean that you no longer harbor any affection for Prince Liang?¡± Leng Yu Yan continued, ¡°Then I shall dispose of it.¡±


    Lai Manting felt a sudden tug at her heart; the Jade Pendant was originally hers.


    A few days ago, she had nestled in Prince Liang¡¯s embrace, ying with it. He had offered to gift it to her, but she subtly refused, stating she wanted to rightfully win it in the calligraphy contest.


    But things had not gone as she wished, and the pendant had ended up in the hands of the little girl.


    Watching her dangle the pendant by a single finger made Lai Manting¡¯s heart pound with fear.


    What if it fell and shattered?


    In a sudden urgency, Lai Manting blurted out, ¡°Fifth Sister, how do you intend to dispose of it?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan coolly looked at her, ¡°Does Third Sister want it?¡±


    Lai Manting was overtaken by anxiety; what could she say at this moment that would maintain her reputation and ensure she acquired the Jade Pendant?


    At that moment, Xu Yaxiang suddenly called out loudly from below the stage, ¡°Prince Liang is handsome and elegant; who wouldn¡¯t want his Jade Pendant?¡±


    Several bold female students chimed in, ¡°Indeed, we also desire it.¡±

 Chapter 52 - 52 At My Disposal

    Chapter 52: Chapter 52 At My Disposal


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s lips curled into a cold smirk, ¡°Too bad it¡¯s now at my disposal.¡±


    Someone called out, ¡°What do you intend to do with it?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan ignored them, stretching out the finger hooked through the Jade Pendant in front of Prince Liang and Leng Man Ting.


    The Jade Pendant snapped loudly¡­


    Falling onto the stage.


    The schoolyard¡¯s stage was paved with limestone bs, and when the Jade Pendant was dropped, it immediately suffered scratches, and one corner broke off.


    The female students below gasped in shock.


    ¡°Ah¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nced at the Jade Pendant at her feet and slightly hooked her lips, ¡°It¡¯s pretty durable.¡±


    Leng Man Ting¡¯s face was stiff, her hands clenched tightly with the veins on the back of her hands standing out starkly, looking at Leng Yu Yan with eyes that seemed like they could shoot out fire at any moment.


    Her own treasured Jade Pendant, so desecrated by this ugly girl.


    She shifted her gaze toward Prince Liang.


    But Prince Liang wasn¡¯t looking at her.


    Leng Man Ting¡¯s heart felt as though it had been dipped into icy well water, warmth in her body but an utterly cool heart.


    Prince Liang¡¯s eyes shifted slightly, seeing his own Jade Pendant broken without feeling a trace of anger.


    Faced with Leng Man Ting¡¯s look of utter heartbreak and forced restraint, there was a sense of disgust.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes moved to the Jade Pendant, all wanting to see how the ugly girl from the Leng Family would handle it in the end.


    Someone raised their voice, ¡°If you don¡¯t want it, give it to me; I can still sell it for some money.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nced at the crowd below, then with a kick of her foot and a swift catch in midair, the Jade Pendant was back in her hand.


    The whole set of movements was as smooth as flowing water, done in one breathe.


    Prince Liang took a deep breath, just now observing her actions, without Inner Strength, but her hand speed was quite fast.


    As if she had some skills, yet he couldn¡¯t be certain.


    Leng Yu Yan, holding the pendant by its strap, shook it slightly, ¡°It only lost a corner; there¡¯s no need to drop it again. Considering its good quality, I n to give it to the maid beside me.¡±


    Hearing this, those below who wanted it sighed in disappointment.


    Leng Man Ting bit her red lip tightly, forcefully enough to bleed.


    Her eyes full of undisguised hatred.


    And in her heart, it felt as if a gaping wound was wildly bleeding.


    This little girl, trampling on her so, she would make her paye the Flower Festival!


    If it weren¡¯t for her recing her marriage to the Eastern Pce, she really wanted to kill her!


    The female students who adored Prince Liang were perplexed by Leng Yu Yan¡¯s actions, but the students from the Imperial College nodded in agreement.


    In their view, if she had epted the intact Jade Pendant, even without feelings of admiration, it would sound improper when spoken of.


    Now that she had dropped it and the Jade Pendant was damaged, it was just a piece of waste jade, and gifting it wouldn¡¯t be an issue.


    This Leng Yu Yan was indeed wise!


    Instantly, various discussions arose from both on stage and off.


    Leng Yu Yan appeared indifferent.


    With two fingers, she picked up the Thumb Ring, her voice clear and coldly pleasant, ¡°As for this Thumb Ring¡­¡±


    At the sound, the noisy din vanished instantly.


    Everyone watched her, wondering what she would do with it this time.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled gently, ¡°This thing can serve as a hairpin; I¡¯ll give it to Mrs. Zhao beside me. She can use it for sewing on a daily basis.¡±


    After her words, apuse erupted from the students of the Imperial College.


    Using the Prince¡¯s Thumb Ring as a gift for an old servant beside her¡­


    Such a Leng Yu Yan!


    Finally, Leng Yu Yan turned her gaze to the one thousand silver taels and the five hundred-tael silver note, lifting her eyes and beckoning to Lai Jiajia, ¡°Little sister,e here.¡±


    Lai Jiajia obediently handed the paper she was holding to Lai Yuyue and then quickly walked over to Leng Yu Yan, ¡°Sister.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan wrapped the one thousand silver taels with the red silk covering the ingot and stuffed the folded five hundred-tael silver note into the bundle, then pushed it towards Lai Jiajia, ¡°Pocket money from your sister!¡±


    Lai Jiajia couldn¡¯t hide her surprise, ¡°For me?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want it?¡±


    ¡°I do, I do, I do!¡± Lai Jiajia nodded like pounding garlic.


    ¡°Then take it!¡±


    Lai Jiajia held it with both hands and cheered as she dove into her embrace, ¡°Good sister, I want to hug you!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan quickly ced a hand on her head, ¡°Don¡¯t act spoiled in front of so many people.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡±


    After dealing with the rewards, under everyone¡¯s gaze, Leng Yu Yan made her way down from the stage with a fluttery gait, ¡°I¡¯ll have my aunt cook something delicious tomorrow.¡±


    Lai Jiajia, holding 1,500 taels of sizable pocket money, followed closely behind, ¡°Sister must be unable to eat her fill at the Eastern Pce, right?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan paused mid-step, nearly choking on her saliva.


    She had almost forgotten Lai Jiajia¡¯s love of food, bringing up the subject of eating in front of her.


    ¡°I am able to eat my fill.¡±


    Lai Jiajia mused to herself, ¡°Then the food must not be good, right?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng¡¯s expression grew darker and darker.


    Leng Yu Yan turned her head to answer Lai Jiajia, who was following behind her, but unexpectedly, she saw someone with a gloomy face.


    Seeing him like this, she felt quite vindicated inside.


    Then she replied, ¡°It¡¯s passable.¡±


    Lai Jiajia rubbed the ingot through the red silk, ¡°Then let¡¯s go home tonight and have mom cook us something delicious.¡±


    As the two reached the bottom of the stage, the Mountain Master and the Sacrificial Officer were still arguing not far away.


    Meanwhile, on the stage, Prince Liang walked past Lai Manting.


    ¡°Prince Liang¡­¡± Lai Manting whispered softly.


    ¡°Thepetition just now was tiring, rest well for a few days.¡±


    His tone was casual, without much implication.


    Upon hearing this, Lai Manting struggled to stabilize her emotions, suppressing the tremor in her voice, ¡°I¡­¡±


    Prince Liang raised his hand to interrupt her, and did not look at her, ¡°Failure ismon, Third Miss Lai should not take it to heart.¡±


    His voice carried a cool detachment.


    Lai Manting could no longer hold back, tears welled up in her eyes, and she ran down from the stage, lifting her skirt.


    As Lai Manting ran by in front of them, Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia were somewhat astonished; she had always been the most decorous and proper, such behavior today was shocking.


    Li Yuyue handed Leng Yu Yan¡¯s writings to the Mountain Master, then quickly walked towards Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia, ¡°Congrattions, a joyous victory indeed!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Brother Lai!¡± Leng Yu Yan smiled politely in response.


    Lai Jiajia was even more cheerful as she invited, ¡°Brother Lai is family, you helped my sister, which is helping me, soe to our house for dinner tonight too.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll gracefully ept the invitation.¡± Li Yuyue smiled warmly.


    Seeing this, Ye Yiheng moved his fingers, ¡°Back to the Eastern Pce.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Ye Yiheng, with a face of stern coldness, helped by Song Guo, followed by Jian Lecheng and Fan Minmin, passed by Leng Yu Yan without uttering a word.


    Leng Yu Yan felt it was inexplicable.


    This person, cold and frosty, left like a big block of ice exuding chill.


    Looking at his expression, as if she had offended him somehow¡­


    The Crown Prince left first, and with that, the calligraphypetition came to an end.


    All the princes, the Imperial College students, and teachers also departed from the Xinya Academy.


    ¡ª


    That night,


    Rain fell from the sky.


    The rainfall was not light.


    One for the rain, two for it being nighttime.


    Lai Zonghui, not at ease with his niece returning to the Eastern Pce alone, thought to send someone to escort her.


    Seeing this, Li Yuyue volunteered.


    Lai Zonghui nodded in agreement, candidly saying, ¡°Yu Yan has had a hard life since she was young; if her brother were still here, he¡¯d surely be like the Princely Heir. s, my son is still young, not yet dependable. When Yu Yan suffered bullying outside, there was no one to stand up for her.¡±


    Being her uncle, I was too weak.


    ¡°Having the Princely Heir escort her today, Zonghui is deeply grateful!¡± As he spoke, Lai Zonghui bowed with sped hands.


    @@novelbin@@


    Li Yuyue hurriedly supported him, ¡°Uncle Hui, you speak too seriously!¡±

 Chapter 53: Sharp-witted and Articulate

    Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Sharp-witted and Articte


    In the room, Ms. He ced the freshly made pastries into a food container, ¡°With such short notice, auntie only made these few. Yu Yan, next time if you want more, have Jiajiae and tell me in advance.¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°Thank you, Auntie!¡± Leng Yu Yan picked up the food container and left the room with Lai Jiajia¡¯spany.


    Leng Yuyue very naturally took the food container from Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hands and then bid farewell to Lai Zonghui and his wife.


    The rain began to intensify.


    Servants and maids helped Leng Yu Yan and Leng Yuyue to hold umbres as they walked towards the main entrance of the Leng Residence.


    Before long, an elderly nanny hurried over and stopped them.


    ¡°Fifth Miss, please wait, the Old Madam has something to say.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan stopped and turned to Lai Yu, ¡°Brother Lai, I need to visit grandmother. You go ahead.¡±


    ¡°I dare not disobey Uncle Hui¡¯s request,¡± Lai Yu replied with a gentle smile, ¡°I will apany you.¡±


    When they arrived at the Old Madam¡¯s room,


    Leng Yu Yan saw Lai Manting kneeling on her grandmother¡¯sp, quietly sobbing.


    In an instant, she understood that Lai Manting had yed the viin byining first.


    The Old Madam and Lai Manting in the room did not expect to see the Heir of Prince Zhenbei Mansion in their own home.


    ¡°As my granddaughter is heartbroken, Heir, please forgive me for not being able to rise and greet you,¡± the Old Madam¡¯s eyes shed with a sharp color.


    Leng Yuyue smiled lightly, ¡°The Old Madam is an elder, so formalities are naturally unnecessary.¡±


    Leng Zongfa, relying on the title of Marquis, holds a senior generation over Leng Yuyue and thus did not perform the ceremonial greetings.


    After all, he was just the Heir of Prince Zhenbei, the son of a Prince of Different Surname, nothing worthy of his respect.


    One day, when his branch prospers, it will be Prince Zhenbei who should greet them!


    However, one must admit that the young man before him, with his starry brows and sword-like eyes, looked rather handsome, indeed much better-looking than his second son, Lai Hao.


    If Leng Yi were still around, maybe he couldpete with him.


    Seeing Leng Yu Yan standing quietly, the Old Madam grew angry and turning to Leng Zongfa said, ¡°Take the Heir to the side room for tea.¡±


    Understanding his mother¡¯s insinuation, Leng Zongfa gestured with his hand to invite.


    Leng Yuyue looked towards Leng Yu Yan, ¡°If you need me, just call.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled and nodded, ¡°Brother Lai, don¡¯t worry!¡±


    An old woman, a young girl, could she not handle them?


    Watching her eldest son leading Leng Yuyue away, the Old Madam coldly said, ¡°Yu Yan, how did you treat your Third Sister today?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled as she looked at the kneeling Lai Manting, ¡°I wonder how Third Sister has told the story to grandmother? Did she say that I stole the title of calligraphy champion from her, or did she say that I broke Prince Liang¡¯s jade pendant?¡±


    The Old Madam¡¯s tone suddenly softened, ¡°Yu Yan, let me tell you the truth, Manting and His Highness Prince Liang are in love. That jade pendant rightfully belongs to her. Since you have received so many rewards, why not share the pendant with your Third Sister?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyebrows slightly rose, ¡°Are you saying that I should give the jade pendant to Third Sister for nothing?¡±


    ¡°You could give Jiajia 1,500 taels without batting an eye, so why not share a jade pendant with Manting?¡± The Old Madam¡¯s expression tightened, her anger barely contained, ¡°After all, Jiajia is just your cousin, while Manting is your legitimate sister.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan could not help but shake her head internally, ¡°If grandmother talks like this, Jiajia will surely be heartbroken. She calls you grandmother just like we do.¡±


    Hearing this, Madam Lai¡¯s face turned a shade of green, and she said in a deep voice, ¡°Today, you havepletely overshadowed everyone, seizing Man Ting¡¯s first ce. Do you even have me, your grandmother, in your heart?¡±


    ¡°Why would Grandmother say such a thing?¡±


    Her tone was even, without any fluctuations.


    Madam Lai¡¯s face grew gloomy, and her eyes held an undisguised sharpness, ¡°Man Ting is your older sister. Don¡¯t you know how to show respect? Do you take your grandmother¡¯s words in one ear and out the other?¡±


    ¡°Grandmother seems to have forgotten, my third sister is merely the daughter of father¡¯s concubine, while I am the daughter of father¡¯s legitimate wife.¡± Leng Yu Yan smiled brightly, her eyes clear and lucid.


    Seeing herposed expression, Madam Lai suppressed her anger and slowly said, ¡°But now you are both legitimate daughters of our Leng Family. In terms of age, Man Ting is one year older than you. You should respect her and listen to your grandmother. Give the Jade Pendant to your third sister. Then we will overlook your breaking off a corner of the pendant.¡±


    Her tone was as tender and soft as possible, and the sharpness in her eyes waspletely concealed.


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s expression remained faint, her voice clear, ¡°Not to mention that her status as a legitimate daughter is not as orthodox as mine, today¡¯s calligraphypetition was at the repeated request of third sister herself.¡±


    Seeing that her previous words had been ineffective, Madam Lai immediately changed her expression, her brows furrowed tightly, and the wrinkles on her face deepened.


    ¡°You knew full well that your calligraphy is superior to Man Ting¡¯s. Why did you stillpete? After all, no matter which one of you won first ce, it would be our family¡¯s pride. Your sister has always had the reputation of a talenteddy, but now you¡­¡±


    ¡°Grandmother truly jokes! Third sister intentionally wanted me to make a fool of myself on stage. Little did she know, this move backfired on her.¡± Leng Yu Yan slowly walked over, slightly leaned forward, and gazed into Lai Manting¡¯s eyes, saying each word deliberately, ¡°Thus, I will not give the Jade Pendant!¡±


    Madam Lai was so furious her face turned red, and she grabbed a teacup from her side, hurling it to the ground, ¡°Will you give it or not?¡±


    The shards of the cup scattered, but Leng Yu Yan didn¡¯t flinch.


    ¡°No¡ªI will not give it!¡±


    Her tone was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.


    Man Ting¡¯s crying intensified, ¡°Grandmother, Fifth Sister even said she would give the Jade Pendant to a maid beside her. She would rather give it to a maid than to me. I am willing to pay money to buy it from Fifth Sister, wuwuwu¡­¡±


    Madam Lai gently patted Lai Manting¡¯s back with one hand, and pointed at Leng Yu Yan with the other, ¡°Name your price!¡±


    Leng Yu Yanughed, ¡°Priceless, and not for sale!¡±


    With that, she turned to leave.


    ¡°Leng Yu Yan, what exactly do you want?¡± Madam Lai called after her, using her full name.


    Without turning her head, Leng Yu Yan answered, ¡°Unless the marriage candidate is changed back. Grandmother, would you agree? The Crown Prince is blind, frail, and has hidden illnesses, and his life will not be long. If third sister marries him, I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll end up as a widow.¡±


    Hearing this, Madam Lai¡¯s face turned deathly white.


    Leng Yu Yan walked to the doorway, paused, and turned around, ¡°When Grandmother wanted to discard me, she threw me directly into the ravine. When she found me useful again, she brought me back from the ravine, only to offer me as a substitute bride for third sister. Now that I have won first ce, in any other household, a grandmother would be overjoyed. Yet you feel I have stolen this from third sister. You truly are a good grandmother to me!¡±


    ¡°Leng Yu Yan, you¡­¡± Madam Lai was so angry her fingers trembled, her whole body shook, but she was at a loss for words.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for further discussion on this matter.¡±


    With that, Leng Yu Yan turned around and left the room.


    Lai Yuyue, who had been sitting in the side room, had been paying attention to themotion. He had heard the sound of the teacup shattering and hade over to look quietly.


    Seeing that she showed no signs of defeat, he returned to the side room.


    Now, as she came out unscathed, the hint of a look that saw through the ways of the world in her eyes impressed him even more.


    This cousin of his, she was somewhat simr to his own sister.


    Reasonable and articte!


    A daughter of the Leng Family should be just like this!

 Chapter 54: Only Death Departs

    Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Only Death Departs


    Li Yuyue escorted Leng Yu Yan to the main entrance of the Eastern Pce.


    After saying goodbye to Li Yuyue at the entrance, Leng Yu Yan held an umbre in one hand and a food box in the other as she walked toward Tingfeng Garden.


    No sooner had she returned than someone went to report to Ye Yiheng.


    ¡°Your Highness, Miss Lai has returned.¡±


    Ye Yiheng had an expressionless face.


    It was already past 7 p.m., but she knew toe back.


    Just then, a knock sounded on the study door.


    Fan Minmin entered with ate-night snack and softly spoke, ¡°What has upset cousin?¡±


    The reporting attendant said, ¡°Lady, Miss Lai has only just returned now.¡±


    ¡°Leave.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s voice was very faint.


    Indifferent to joy or anger.


    The attendant immediately withdrew.


    Fan Minmin ced thete-night snack in front of Ye Yiheng,forting, ¡°Cousin, don¡¯t be upset! Miss Lai and Heir Lai are rtives, and it¡¯s only natural for him to escort her back at night for safety.¡±


    The attendant who had just left the study frowned upon hearing this.


    He hadn¡¯t mentioned that it was Heir Lai who had escorted Miss Lai back. How did Lady know this?


    And he couldn¡¯t see any displeasure from his master¡ªwhy did Lady think His Highness was upset?


    No longer pondering his master¡¯s thoughts, he shook his head and hastened his steps out of the pavilion.


    Ye Yiheng pushed the bowl away with his hand. ¡°If Minmin has no affairs, please retire to rest first.¡±


    ¡°Cousin can¡¯t see, Minmin can take care of cousin here.¡±


    ¡°No need.¡±


    ¡°Is cousin trying to send Minmin away?¡±


    ¡°Step out,¡± he said, pointing his slender, pale, distinct fingers toward the door.


    Fan Minmin felt wronged; her cousin had never treated her like this before.


    Could it be that her excuse of staying over in the Eastern Pce because of the rain upset her cousin, or was it because Heir Lai brought Miss Lai back?


    Fan Minmin was puzzled.


    Meanwhile, Leng Yu Yan had returned to Tingfeng Garden.


    Due to today¡¯s calligraphy conference, the academy dismissed early.


    Miao Zhu had gone to the academy to pick up her young miss, but by then, the academy had already dismissed. After asking the gatekeeper, she learned her young miss had won the top ce and returned to the Leng Family with the sixth miss.


    So, she went back to the Eastern Pce.


    Upon seeing her young miss returning with a food box, she hurriedly greeted her, took the food box to ce it on the table, and moved the umbre aside.


    ¡°Miss, did youe backte from the Leng Family because it was raining today?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan sighed lightly, ¡°I was dyed at grandmother¡¯s ce, so I came backte.¡±


    At that moment, Song Guo arrived, ¡°Miss Lai, His Highness has requested you.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nced at the rain, which showed no signs of weakening, ¡°Is there an urgent matter? If not, let¡¯s talk tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°His Highness¡¯s request must be urgent.¡±


    Even if it wasn¡¯t urgent, His Highness is the Crown Prince¡ªhow could she disobey?


    Catching the implication in his words, Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly, ¡°Then please lead the way.¡±


    Miao Zhu immediately picked up the umbre and left Tingfeng Garden with Leng Yu Yan.


    Thirty minutester, Leng Yu Yan arrived inside Ye Yiheng¡¯s study.


    With such heavy rain, her shoes and socks were already soaked. Seeing someone sitting crisply dressed, she felt slightly irritated.


    ¡°Not knowing what His Highness has invited me for,¡±


    As she spoke, her gaze swept across his desk, where a bowl of soup was ced, seemingly untouched.


    Ye Yiheng remained silent, quietly watching her through his eye veil.


    People always called her a worthless simpleton, hardly knowing a few big characters.


    Yet at today¡¯s morning calligraphy conference, she had won first ce.


    Was this supposed to be a surprise?


    Seeing his silence, Leng Yu Yan smiled coldly, ¡°Lady came over, you might not need thiste-night snack; it is probably cold already.¡±


    Song Guo was puzzled, ¡°How does Miss know that Lady came over?¡±


    ¡°The scent of her body lingers in this room,¡± Leng Yu Yan replied with a gentle smile, then she turned to Ye Yiheng, ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s better to drink it while it¡¯s hot, so as not to waste Lady¡¯s good intentions. The thoughtfulness of a woman¡¯s heart is as fine as hair, Your Highness might not see it, but I clearly can. The designs adorning this soup must have taken much effort.¡±


    Suddenly, Ye Yihengmanded, ¡°Song Guo, leave.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± Song Guo responded and withdrew.


    Now only Ye Yiheng and Leng Yu Yan remained in the study.


    With no one else present, Leng Yu Yan decided to speak frankly, ¡°Actually, Your Highness and Lady are quitepatible. I do not wish to wade into these troubled waters, so please ask the Emperor to revoke the marriage decree.¡±


    Ye Yiheng stood up abruptly, ¡°Do you realize what you are saying?¡±


    ¡°I know, please ask the Emperor to cancel our engagement!¡±


    ¡°Honestly, that is impossible.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°After my grand wedding, it will be the time when Father Emperor deposes the Crown Prince. If I propose canceling the engagement, what do you think Father Emperor would presume?¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan furrowed her brows, ¡°The Emperor will think that you do not wish to be deposed.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect my Crown Princess Consort not only to have profound calligraphy skills but also to understand Father Emperor¡¯s thoughts so clearly,¡± he said, his voice low and tone cool.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to drag me down though, Lady adores you so much, you two are a match!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve said before, if you behave, I won¡¯t touch you. But today¡­¡±


    During his words, Ye Yiheng moved with instant teleportation.


    His slender, jade-like fingers reached straight for her delicate neck¡ª


    Scenes from a dream shed through Leng Yu Yan¡¯s mind like a fast-forward montage.


    Her hands in the dream oveid with those before her now.


    She remembered, in her dreams his hands were extremely cold, like bitter ice and snow, devoid of warmth.


    She slowly, resignedly closed her eyes.


    Just as his fingertips were about to touch the skin on her neck, Ye Yiheng retracted his hand.


    Her neck was slender; if he truly squeezed, a little force would be enough to break it.


    Moreover, the whiteness of her neck was so startling that he couldn¡¯t bear to look closely, hastily turning his head away.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you dodge?¡±


    His crisp male voice fell from above her head.


    Leng Yu Yan then opened her eyes.


    She saw him very close to her, his medicinal scent encircling her nose.


    It¡¯s undeniable, he possessed a good appearance.


    Yet, clearly being a man of refined beauty, his brow harbored a blend of sinister severity and brutal coldness.


    What a terrible personality!


    And her body, recently healed from poison, was truly uncooperative; she still couldn¡¯t stride away.


    From the moment she saw his handsing towards her, her legs seemed nailed to the ground, unable to move.


    It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t want to dodge, but seeing his hands approach in such a manner made her body uncontrobly tremble.


    The feeling of being tormented by him in her dreams surged up altogether, making it impossible for her to breathe.


    Her entire body was limp and weak, devoid of any strength to resist.


    Even though he had retracted his hand now, she still could not recover immediately.


    ¡°Does Your Highness wish to kill me?¡±


    Given his instant teleportation abilities, she truly was no match for him.


    If he really wanted to kill her, she would definitely not leave this study alive.


    He didn¡¯t answer her; Ye Yiheng spoke for himself, ¡°You are my fianc¨¦e, and that is unchangeable.¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    Leng Yu Yan moved her fingers slightly, quietly stepping back two steps, ¡°Then, can we divorce after getting married?¡±


    Noticing her distancing herself, Ye Yiheng turned back, his phoenix eyes under the eye veil staring directly into hers, ¡°Even after marriage, there is no divorce.¡±


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyebrows twisted, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Only death can part us!¡±


    His tone was indifferent, revealing no hint of emotion.

 Chapter 55: Throwing Oneself into Someone鈥檚 Arms

    Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Throwing Oneself into Someone¡¯s Arms


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Madman!


    Leng Yu Yan was so angry she wanted to curse, fire nearly sparking in her eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we are just bing betrothed.¡±


    His thin lips slightly pursed, hisplexion as cold and indifferent as water.


    Truly, he appeared gentle as a mild breeze under the bright moon, yet he acted in dark, coldblooded ways.


    How could there be such a contradictory and despicable person?


    ¡°I¡¯ve figured it out!¡± Leng Yu Yan snorted coldly andughed mockingly, ¡°You have a short life, and the Emperor wants to find you a wife, but you don¡¯t want to harm the one you love, so you forcefully drag me into this.¡±


    She had even disguised herself as ugly!


    Yet he didn¡¯t care about marrying an ugly wife, there had to be a reason.


    After thinking it through, there could only be this reason!


    Ye Yiheng sat back in his chair, his hands pausing as he adjusted his sleeves, ¡°Think whatever you like.¡±


    His expression was dark, a coldness that seemed to freeze everything around him chilling to the bone.


    ¡°To protect the one in your heart, you have the nerve to drag others down, regardless of whether or not I am willing!¡± Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she scoffed coldly, ¡°Ye Yiheng, you truly know how to scheme!¡±


    That woman dared to call him by his name, and Ye Yiheng¡¯s phoenix eyes slightly narrowed.


    Seeing that he remained silent, Leng Yu Yan smiled coldly, ¡°The reputation of an unmarried woman is extremely important. If I were to¡­¡±


    Her words were not yet finished when he interrupted her, ¡°I have made myself very clear. If you are not obedient, I will personally put an end to you!¡±


    His voice was clear and deep, his tone steady and unhurried, yet the words he spoke were so chilling.


    Leng Yu Yan red at him fiercely, looking at the white gauze covering his eyes, feeling an impulse to stride forward, tear it off and shred it.


    He was blind, and when he reached out to grasp her earlier, it must have been by sound.


    @@novelbin@@


    If she acted quickly at this moment, could she take him down?


    After all, he was a blind man!


    Using this weakness, perhaps she would have a chance to win.


    With this thought, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s palm turned into a de, her figure moved instantly like a specter, and she charged straight for his face.


    Seeing her slender hands, her wrists rotating towards hitting his fontanelle.


    Ye Yiheng lightly chuckled, this woman indeed had hidden strengths.


    The killing intentyered on, yet he remained unmoved like a mountain.


    Just as her palm wind neared his face, Ye Yiheng¡¯srge palm spun and tightly sped her wrist.


    ¡°Throwing yourself into the embrace?¡±


    His hand was icy cold to the bone, holding her slender wrist like this, where their skin touched, it felt as though it was covered in ice, making her unable to summon any inner strength.


    ¡°Let go!¡± Leng Yu Yan struggled, but his hand was like a cold iron vice, immovable, ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll call for help. The illustrious Crown Prince holding onto someone¡¯s hand and refusing to let go.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s expression was cold, ¡°I have no interest in you whatsoever!¡±


    Then he let her go.


    The force was so great, Leng Yu Yan stumbled, nearly falling.


    She could neither out-curse nor out-fight him.


    Leng Yu Yan was so angry her face turned red, a chill filling her eyes, she stamped her foot hard and turned to leave the study.


    Seeing her mistresse out in such a rage, Miao Zhu hurriedly opened the umbre.


    ¡°Miss, yourplexion is poor.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk when we get back.¡±


    They were surrounded by his people, it was best to speak less.


    Miao Zhu nced back at the not few pce maids and eunuchs standing behind her before she followed her mistress into the curtain of rain.


    They arrived at Tingfeng Garden.


    Leng Yu Yan reached up to touch her neck, ¡°Miao Zhu, quickly check for me. My neck isn¡¯t broken, is it?¡±


    She could speak, so naturally it wasn¡¯t broken, but the moment just before still left her shaken.


    ¡°Miss, what happened to you to be scared like this?¡± Miao Zhu squatted down and removed the wet shoes and stockings from Leng Yu Yan¡¯s feet.


    Mrs. Zhao brought over warm water to help her mistress soak her feet.


    Only then did Leng Yu Yan slowly say, ¡°He wanted to kill me.¡±


    As soon as Mrs. Zhao heard this, she almost overturned the basin of water.


    Miao Zhu was even more scared, ¡°Did the Crown Prince take action?¡±


    ¡°He wanted to act, but he stopped himself.¡± Leng Yu Yan raised her eyes, ¡°Do you think I should poison him to death tonight, the kind where no one would notice?¡±


    Miao Zhu nodded, ¡°Good!¡±


    Mrs. Zhao turned pale with fright, her hands trembling as she washed Leng Yu Yan¡¯s feet, ¡°Miss, think thrice before you act! If the Crown Prince really has an ident, you won¡¯t be able to escape.¡±


    ¡°Lady and the eldest son are no longer here. If anything happens to Miss, how can I report to the departed Lady and the eldest son?¡± Mrs. Zhao¡¯s tears continuously fell into the basin, ¡°Miss, you must live well in this lifetime, only then will Lady and the eldest son be consoled.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Mrs. Zhao. I am just speaking out of anger,¡± Leng Yu Yan patted her on the shoulder.


    If he really harshly moved against her, she couldn¡¯t be med for retaliating with poison!


    At worst, it would be a Pyrrhic victory, both sides suffering!


    Worried that Leng Yu Yan might do something foolish at night, Mrs. Zhao stood outside the bed, watching her fall asleep, then she let down the bed-curtain, closed the room door, and quietly left.


    ¡ª


    Marquis Jiangyang Mansion.


    Princess Heng Yuan Ye Yuan and Prince Consort Marquis Jiangyang Ji Liancheng were both staring at Ji Qingyu.


    Seeing him with an indifferent manner, Ji Liancheng couldn¡¯t hold back his anger, stood up from his chair, and angrily scolded, ¡°If you don¡¯t want toe back, then just don¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want toe back, was it not because Mother had someone pass the message?¡± Ji Qingyu fiddled with the Jade Pendant in his hand, ¡°Now that I returned, let¡¯s get straight to the point if you have something to say!¡±


    Princess Heng Yuan pinched her hand that got injured several years ago, gently starting to speak, ¡°Qingyu, the Crown Prince will soon be marrying. You are about the same age, so how about we also settle your marital matters?¡±


    ¡°Which girl has Mother taken a liking to for your son this time?¡±


    ¡°You child, this time, your mother and father want to listen to your opinion.¡±


    Ji Qingyu¡¯s fingers brushed over the texture of the Jade Pendant, paused for a moment, then lifted his gaze, ¡°My marriage, I¡¯ll decide on my own. Would you two agree to this?¡±


    Princess Heng Yuan smiled gently, ¡°So you mean to say that you have someone in mind?¡±


    Ji Qingyu: ¡°Pretty much.¡±


    Hearing this, the stern-faced Marquis Jiangyang Ji Liancheng sat back down, ¡°Which family¡¯s girl is it? You haven¡¯t used any underhanded methods, have you?¡±


    ¡°Heh, Father thinks so lowly of your son?¡± Ji Qingyu stood up, intending to leave.


    Princess Heng Yuan, anxious, reached out and grabbed her son¡¯s arm.


    Seeing his mother¡¯s injured hand, Ji Qingyu¡¯s heart softened, and he sat down again, ¡°I don¡¯t know which family¡¯s girl she is, but my heart desires her, and in this life, I shall marry none but her!¡±


    At these words, Princess Heng Yuan and her husband Marquis Jiangyang Ji Liancheng exchanged a nce.


    Ji Liancheng was about to speak, but the Eldest Princess quelled him with a look.


    ¡°Given your hot temper, let me do the asking.¡± The Eldest Princess turned her head, speaking softly to Ji Qingyu, ¡°My child, what is her name? How did you meet her?¡±


    ¡°She is called Li Yu. About half a year ago when my arm was broken, it was she who stepped in to heal it. Not only that, at the time I was robbed of all my silver and was penniless, and it was she who lent me 500 silver taels.¡±


    ¡°So it seems this girl has both medical skill and a kind heart.¡± After a pause, the Eldest Princess asked again, ¡°And how does she look?¡±


    ¡°Her appearance will certainly not disappoint Mother!¡±


    ¡°So confident?¡±


    ¡°Certainly, she is thousands of times, no, a million times better than Ye Yiheng¡¯s Crown Princess Consort!¡±


    At this, Marquis Jiangyang Ji Liancheng burst outughing,ughing so hard his chest heaved, then he pped the table forcefully, ¡°In that case, let¡¯s invite her over to our house these few days. Your mother and I would like to see our future daughter-inw as well!¡±

 Chapter 56: The Place for Dance Practice

    Chapter 56: Chapter 56: The ce for Dance Practice


    Ji Qingyu nced indifferently at his father, ¡°She just can¡¯te to our house.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Ji Liancheng furrowed his brows.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know my identity, and I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll run away if she finds out.¡±


    The Eldest Princess pondered for a moment before asking, ¡°Then how can we meet her?¡±


    ¡°Visit my tavern, under the condition that you all do not reveal your identities.¡±


    Ji Liancheng was taken aback, ¡°Ordinary girls, upon encountering our kind of family, can¡¯t wait to approach us; I¡¯ve never heard of anyone running away!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you haven¡¯t heard of it, not me!¡± Ji Qingyu raised his eyebrows.


    ¡°You brat!¡± Ji Liancheng pointed, his temper ring as he made a move to strike.


    The Eldest Princess stopped him, ¡°Alright, alright, with that temper of yours, you¡¯d scare your future daughter-inw, and that would be our fault.¡±


    Turning her head, the Eldest Princess then said to Ji Qingyu, ¡°My son, it¡¯ste at night and it¡¯s pouring heavily outside. Stay at home tonight.¡±


    Looking at his mother¡¯s hopeful eyes and seeing her fingers stuck together, Ji Qingyu finally nodded in agreement.


    ¡ª


    The next day.


    Xinya Academy.


    Lai Manting was surrounded by quite a few students.


    ¡°Manting, the Flower Festival selection is just a few days away, that ugly girl will definitely embarrass herself!¡±


    ¡°We all need to practice our dancing diligently, so their team has no hope of getting through; the ugly girl will have to remove her veil.¡±


    Lai Manting sobbed softly for a while before slowly speaking, ¡°I lost to her at the calligraphypetition because I didn¡¯t practice enough. Don¡¯t talk about my Fifth Sister like that, she¡¯s used to being ugly and doesn¡¯t care about anything.¡±


    Her tearful appearance evoked pity.


    Tears rolled down her cheeks, the image of a beauty shedding tears.


    Xu Yaxiang scoffed, ¡°I don¡¯t believe it. If she¡¯s used to being ugly, why does she still wear a veil? She must care about her face.¡±


    Someone agreed, ¡°Exactly, we need to think of a way to remove her veil.¡±


    Xu Yaxiang¡¯s eyes shed with slyness, ¡°It would be best to strip off her clothes too, to see if she has any blemishes on her body!¡±


    Lai Manting spoke gently, ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be nice, how could Fifth Sister face anyone then?¡±


    ¡°Manting, stop considering her; she doesn¡¯t even regard you!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right!¡±


    Seeing so many people on her side, Lai Manting felt confident, determined to make the little girl embarrass herself to the utmost!


    In the afternoon, at the Dance Society.


    There were a few moves that Luo Meng¡¯er couldn¡¯t perform well due to her physique.


    Nearby, many students began to ridicule andugh.


    ¡°If you¡¯re that fat, stop dancing. Your movements are not standard, and they¡¯re clumsy.¡±


    ¡°Look at the fat on her waist, it jiggles thrice with every move, just disgusting to watch!¡±


    ¡°They say fat people are afraid of heat.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Luo Meng¡¯er, with all that sweat on your forehead, are you hot, or just anxious because you can¡¯t dance well?¡±


    Upon hearing this, tears burst forth from Luo Meng¡¯er.


    @@novelbin@@


    Mi Xinmei angrily said, ¡°What are you talking about? It¡¯s not like she intentionally grew to be like this.¡±


    Someone sneered, ¡°Your face full of e is more disgusting than the fat on her body, yet you¡¯ve learned to defend others.¡±


    Lai Jiajia had eaten a lot and had just taken the ¡®Respectfully¡¯ sign to the restroom.


    The other two students from their group shrank to one side, not even daring to breathe loudly.


    Seeing this, Leng Yu Yan sitting nearby pinched her fingers; she had been slighted by someone yesterday and was just looking for an outlet for her frustration.


    At that moment, a group of people hade right up to the door.


    With a wave of her bare hand, the scarf on her body seemed to possess a life of its own, shooting toward the faces of the female students.


    Like a spiritual snake, the scarf struck their faces with ps so rapid they couldn¡¯t react.


    Everyone around gasped in shock.


    By the time the female students had reacted, red marks had appeared on their faces.


    Then, Cao Shu entered, saw the scene, and demanded, ¡°What happened?¡±


    The female students, covering their faces, recounted the events, exaggerating how Leng Yu Yan had bullied them.


    Upon hearing this, Cao Shu¡¯s face darkened immediately, ¡°Leng Yu Yan, you and your group leave. If you don¡¯t want to dance, don¡¯t cause trouble!¡±


    Luo Meng¡¯er, crying, said, ¡°No, it¡¯s not that, Yu Yan was helping me. They were bullying and insulting me, it was Yu Yan who helped me. Lady Cao, you must distinguish right from wrong!¡±


    Cao Shu frowned, havingtely heard that the ugly girl from the Leng Family not only did not dance but always sat in her reserved seat in the Dance Society, showing such disregard for her that she had tolerated it for a long time.


    She wondered how the teacher had ever given her the Jade Token?


    Could it be that in the teacher¡¯s eyes, she was inferior to this ugly girl?


    Thinking this, Cao Shu coldly demanded, ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving yet?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan casually wound up the scarf and silently led the way out of the Dance Society first.


    Luo Meng¡¯er and Mi Xinmei quickly followed, and seeing this, the other two girls hurriedly ran out as well.


    ¡°Yu Yan, once we¡¯re out of the Dance Society, we have nowhere to dance. If we lose thepetition, your veil¡­¡± Luo Meng¡¯er used the back of her hand to wipe away tears, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Yu Yan, I really can¡¯t dance well.¡±


    Mi Xinmei also hung her head, ¡°Yes, Yu Yan, I heard that the other teams have secretly asked Lady Cao for guidance.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan furrowed her brows, ¡°Secret lessons?¡±


    The two girls who had been silent nodded.


    ¡°Yes, and it requires quite a few gifts.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve already paid a lot of fees to the academy, and now giving more gifts is something we simply can¡¯t afford. I¡¯m sorry, Yu Yan, it looks hopeless for us to qualify.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, now that we have been kicked out, there¡¯s no ce to practice dancing. Surely not on the training ground?¡± While speaking, Luo Meng¡¯er¡¯s tears flowed again.


    At that moment, Lai Jiajia came out easily and seeing them outside, asked, ¡°Were you waiting for me? That¡¯s really nice of you!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan raised her hand to her forehead.


    Mi Xinmei quietly exined, ¡°We were kicked out¡­¡±


    After hearing the full story, Lai Jiajia clenched the token of Respectfully in her hand and wanted to go argue with Cao Shu.


    ¡°Sister, calm down,¡± Leng Yu Yan stopped her, ¡°Follow me, I¡¯ll find us a ce to dance.¡±


    The group followed her, skeptically, until they reached the Mountain Master¡¯s study.


    Luo Meng¡¯er swallowed nervously, ¡°Yu Yan, is this a ce for dancing?¡±


    Lai Jiajia, recalling how the Mountain Master had scolded her, wanted to run but was caught by the cor by Leng Yu Yan.


    ¡°Yes, a ce to dance where no one will disturb us.¡± Having said this, Leng Yu Yan knocked on the door.


    ¡°Come in!¡± A strong voice from inside.


    Leng Yu Yan pushed open the door and smiled, ¡°Mountain Master, your student has a presumptuous request to practice dancing here.¡±


    The Mountain Master nced at the several girls behind her, cleared his throat, ¡°Leng Yu Yan, youe here first and exin clearly.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Leng Yu Yan walked over slowly.


    The Mountain Master, addressing the others sternly, said, ¡°You girls wait outside and close the door.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mountain Master,¡± the girls replied respectfully.


    As the door closed, the Mountain Master quickly rose from his Taishi Chair and bowed deeply to Leng Yu Yan, ¡°Mr. Yan, your student pays respects!¡±


    ¡°Good eyesight, Mountain Master!¡± Leng Yu Yan gestured modestly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I have good eyesight, but that Mr. Yan¡¯s scroll of characters is only half-finished. For five years, I have been restless at night longing to find the other half!¡±


    The Mountain Master produced a scroll wrapped in red silk.

 Chapter 57: Unaware of Mount Tai

    Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Unaware of Mount Tai


    Leng Yu Yan watched him carefully lift the red silk, revealing some yellowed booklets.


    These indeed were the calligraphy practice books she had written four years ago.


    Written on a whim, signed under the name ¡°Mr. Yan¡±.


    At that time, she had hoped to make some money, but unexpectedly, the sales were poor, and thus, there were only a few copies of her booklets throughout Tiancheng.


    She hadn¡¯t expected the Mountain Master to treasure the booklets like precious gems.


    The Mountain Master opened the booklets, pointing at them one by one, ¡°These calligraphies, especially this part, are almost exactly like those you presented at the calligraphy conference.¡±


    ¡°May I ask how the Mountain Master obtained these booklets?¡±


    Perhaps it was because she and Miao Zhu were in a secluded valley where the people were simple and hardly literate¡ªthat¡¯s why the sales were not good.


    Given such circumstances, it truly wasn¡¯t easy for the Mountain Master to obtain them.


    She remembered the first time she came to the Mountain Master¡¯s study, the walls were adorned with numerous cherished writings of the Late Empress.


    In a small corner, there were also several calligraphy works by the Mountain Master, many of which were modeled after those in her booklets.


    Thus, at the calligraphy conference, when the Mountain Master said he had recognized the right person, she knew he had recognized her handwriting.


    ¡°I happened upon it at a market, where I was buying some pancakes to eat. I saw a vendor using pages to wrap food, which distressed me greatly. Fortunately, I managed to save a copy, although sadly another copy was wrapped around pancakes until only the cover remained.¡±


    Every time he recalled that scene, the Mountain Master felt a sharp pain.


    ¡°I must still thank the Mountain Master!¡± Leng Yu Yan bowed in gratitude.


    The Mountain Master waved his hand, ¡°Later, Mr. Yan¡¯s calligraphy became very popr, and the entire capital city was searching for it, but no one could find another copy.¡±


    ¡°You see, the characters on this¡ªrunning script, cursive script, none are less than exquisite. It truly leaves this old man in awe,¡± the Mountain Master said with pride, his tone quite proud, and then he sighed, ¡°The index clearly marks running script, cursive script, clerical script, seal script, and regr script, but this book is iplete!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly, ¡°It is indeed iplete, just as the Mountain Master has said, there is still a second volume.¡±


    ¡°Every day this old man practices with this booklet, yet I can¡¯t even match one-tenth of Mr. Yan¡¯s skill,¡± the Mountain Master took a deep breath, ¡°To think that day I even talked about diligence in studies to Mr. Yan¡ªtruly, this old man had eyes yet failed to recognize Mount Tai!¡±


    As he spoke, he continued to wave his hands, and his shame was evident in his expression.


    This young girl was only fifteen years old¡ªconsidering the timing when he obtained her booklet, she had the brush strength of an immortal at the age of eleven, which truly shamed this old man!


    ¡°The Mountain Master tters me, I only happened to have better-looking handwriting. They say ¡®the style is the man¡¯, and with my modest appearance, I can onlypensate with beautiful writing.¡±


    Hearing this, the Mountain Master nodded repeatedly, ¡°Mr. Yan is modest, further praise from this old man would be needless. However, this old man has a somewhat presumptuous request to make, and I hope Mr. Yan would grant it!¡±


    As soon as the words fell, the Mountain Master bowed again.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formality, Mountain Master,¡± Leng Yu Yan supported him.


    ¡°By learning from Mr. Yan¡¯s booklets, Mr. Yan has be my teacher.¡±


    Seeing his insistence, Leng Yan did not press further, just asking, ¡°What was the presumptuous request you mentioned? Please feel free to speak.¡±


    The Mountain Master looked somewhat embarrassed, ¡°Could Mr. Yan provide the old man with the second volume of the booklets?¡±


    As he spoke, his eyes were full of hope.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Hearing her agreement, the Mountain Master couldn¡¯t contain his joy, hardly believing it, ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°But I have a condition.¡±


    ¡°Please say!¡±


    ¡°My identity must remain a secret with the Mountain Master; it must not be disclosed to anyone.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Yan, rest assured, this old man is very tight-lipped!¡± the Mountain Master suddenly lowered his voice, ¡°The Emperor himself wanted this booklet, but I refused to give it to him.¡±


    If he had spoken, the booklet would have been lost.


    Though money is an external matter, the booklet is a priceless treasure!


    ¡°Very well, after the Flower Festival, I will write another set of calligraphy for you.¡±


    ¡°Bravo, bravo, that¡¯s wonderful!¡± Mountain Master said, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically, ¡°My study is spacious and most suitable for dance practice.¡±


    As soon as he had spoken, Mountain Master put away the calligraphy, then opened the door with a smile and weed Lai Jiajia and the other four in: ¡°There are tea and snacks on the table. Feel free to have some if you get tired or thirsty from dancing.¡±


    Hearing this, Lai Jiajia was pleasantly surprised: ¡°Mountain Master, I haven¡¯t caused any trouble today!¡±


    Mountain Master couldn¡¯t help butugh: ¡°Child, I am not a flood or a savage beast! If you need a ce to practice your dances during this period,e to the study. I¡¯ll be working in the Taoli Garden.¡±


    The girls bowed in unison: ¡°Thank you, Mountain Master!¡±


    Mountain Master waved his hands cheerily, it was he who should thank them, for this way, he would have a chance to get the calligraphy!


    That calligraphy could directly buy arge house in the capital city!


    But he wouldn¡¯t sell it!


    It was a treasure to be cherished, no, a real treasure!


    Thinking that he would soon get a new set of calligraphy, Mountain Master¡¯s beard unconsciously curled upwards, and he strutted out of the study with his hands behind his back.


    Jubnt and ecstatic!


    After a few steps, unable to contain his joy, he began humming a tune.


    Lai Jiajia peeked at Mountain Master¡¯s demeanor, then turned back and asked, ¡°Why is Mountain Master so overjoyed about us practicing dance here?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s provided food and drink, and he himself has gone to Taoli Garden to work,¡± Lai Jiajia furrowed her brows and asked Leng Yu Yan, ¡°Sister, how did you persuade Mountain Master?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled slightly: ¡°Am I not the calligraphy champion? Mountain Master cherishes talent.¡±


    Everyone nodded in agreement; even the neighboring Sacrificial Officer wanted to snatch such talent!


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start practicing,¡± Leng Yu Yan pped her hands.


    ¡°Yu Yan¡­¡± Luo Meng¡¯er said sheepishly, ¡°I will hold everyone back.¡±


    Mi Xinmei whispered, ¡°Just repeating the moves we practiced before is not enough.¡±


    Another girl added, ¡°Yes, having a ce to practice is great, but it¡¯s difficult without someone to guide us.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan cleared her throat and said seriously, ¡°If you trust me, watch me perform a few moves.¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    The five girls all looked at her, having studied at the academy for some time now, none of them had seen her dance before.


    Thinking she had the Jade Token and might actually have some dancing skills, they all nodded continuously.


    ¡°Before that, I have a request.¡±


    The five girls in unison: ¡°Please proceed.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nced at them intensely, sparking a thrill in their hearts.


    For some reason, they felt very reassured having her in their team.


    ¡°In the following days, whether here or at home, only practice the moves I show you, forget about what Lady Cao has taught for now.¡±


    Upon hearing this, they all looked at each other in surprise.


    Ignoring their astonishment, Leng Yu Yan continued, ¡°Besides here and at your own homes, you must not reveal the moves I teach you anywhere else, or to anyone else, do you understand?¡±


    Lai Jiajia nodded, ¡°Sister, your words are decisive and swift; I really like hearing them!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan shot her a nce: ¡°Stop quibbling! I will only dance once, so you all better watch closely!¡±


    The girls nodded eagerly.


    As they watched, Leng Yu Yan moved gracefully, her tiptoes twirling; her wrists lifting and her head bowing softly; her body spinning lightly; as her bare hands stretched out, the scarf flowed like a dragon or a phoenix¡­


    With a pause on her tiptoes and a light lift of her brows, she leaned her body back and bent down.


    Suddenly rising, she rapidly danced with fragmented steps, like Fairy Lingbo¡­


    Her entire sequence of movements was as graceful as a startled swan and as agile as a swimming dragon, resembling a fairy descending to earth, leaving them utterly mesmerized.

 Chapter 58: Stunningly Gorgeous

    Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Stunningly Gorgeous


    Before, they hadn¡¯t noticed, but now, watching closely, they realized her waist was unbelievably slim and supple.


    After a moment, Leng Yu Yan gathered up her scarf, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s stop at these movements for now.¡±


    Seeing them staring straight at her, she added, ¡°What is it?¡±


    Suddenly, apuse broke out.


    Lai Jiajia was the first to speak, ¡°Sister¡¯s waist is so slender it can¡¯t be grasped with one hand, and soft as a willow. May I touch it?¡±


    While speaking, she cheekily reached out toward her waist.


    Leng Yu Yan dodged with augh, ¡°Little sister, may I hit you?¡±


    ¡°Ahahaha¡­¡± Lai Jiajia drew back her hand, ¡°Won¡¯t touch, won¡¯t touch, sister is so fierce.¡±


    Mi Xinmei praised with a smile, ¡°Now I finally understand why Yu Yan never practices dancing at the Dance Society.¡±


    Another girl chimed in, ¡°Because she dances even better than Lady Cao!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan raised her index finger to her lips in a silencing gesture, ¡°Did you all take note of what I just said?¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh!¡±


    They all nodded in agreement, only Luo Meng¡¯er looked troubled.


    Seeing this, Leng Yu Yan walked over to her slowly, ¡°Pay attention to your diet, and your waist will slim down a lot. The movements I just demonstrated don¡¯t require a high physical standard.¡±


    During this conversation, she took out a folded piece of paper, ¡°Here¡¯s the recipe for a fat-reducing meal, you can try it out these next few days.¡±


    Luo Meng¡¯er epted it with surprise and burst into joyful tears, ¡°Thank you, Yu Yan, this will definitely work!¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    She had heard early on that when Leng Yu Yan was kicked out of her home, she was extremely overweight, yet now she was slender and graceful, which must be very effective.


    Moreover, the fact that Mi Xinmei¡¯s facial pimples had cleared up a lot after eating the dietary recipe given by Leng Yu Yan significantly boosted Luo Meng¡¯er¡¯s confidence.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled, ¡°My recipes are tailored to individuals; what works for you may not work for others. Therefore, you must keep it a secret.¡±


    She used to quietly take the pulse beforeing up with the recipes, and what worked for Mi Xinmei did for Luo Meng¡¯er too.


    Hearing this, Luo Meng¡¯er and Mi Xinmei nodded profoundly, indicating that they would keep the recipes safe and not reveal a word.


    Furthermore, it is not unusual for nobledies to treasure recipes as part of their dowries, showing the value of the recipes.


    Grateful for Leng Yu Yan¡¯s generosity, they considered her a true friend.


    It wasn¡¯t long before they started to practice dancing.


    Because of her figure, Leng Yu Yan corrected many of Luo Meng¡¯er¡¯s moves.


    They practiced dancing until sses ended.


    ss D students, seeing them return from somewhere unknown to the school building, snickered at them.


    ¡°Lucky it¡¯s a teampetition; if it were by ss, we¡¯d be utterly humiliated.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of having a Jade Token when even Lady Cao has given up on you? Still thinking about qualifying?¡±


    ¡°Someone should mentally prepare early, because soon enough, you¡¯ll have to reveal your face and walk around the academy.¡±


    That was when Luo Meng¡¯er realized, truly capable people, like Leng Yu Yan¡­


    Pay no mind to others¡¯ scornful ridicule!


    Even Lai Jiajia had be much moreposed.


    Packing up their belongings, they walked to the academy¡¯s main entrance, chatting andughing.


    Leaving other ss D students staring at them, baffled at how these misfits didn¡¯t retort.


    Upon reaching the academy¡¯s entrance, Lai Jiajia eximed excitedly, ¡°Everyone has made progress today, let¡¯s eat at my house!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan spoke calmly, ¡°In my opinion, we should go home and practice diligently these next few days.¡±


    Luo Meng¡¯er nodded in agreement, ¡°Yes, the preliminary round is only a few days away. Aside from Yu Yan, we have quite a gappared to the students from ss A.¡±


    Hearing that, the other girls nodded in unison, then bid each other farewell.


    ¡ª


    Not wanting to return to the Eastern Pce so soon, Leng Yu Yan, apanied by Miao Zhu, headed to Li Yu¡¯s restaurant.


    The Shopkeeper, though she wore a veil, recognized her by those extraordinarily beautiful eyes.


    ¡°Miss, are you looking for our boss or are you here to dine?¡±


    ¡°We are here to dine, not to see him.¡±


    ¡°The shopkeeper will arrange a private room for you.¡± Attentively, the shopkeeper led them toward an elegant room on the second floor, ¡°Our boss has said that if Misses by, he must be informed. Still, I will be discreet in notifying him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    Once all the dishes were served, Miao Zhu immediately closed the door.


    To enjoy her mealfortably while in the elegant room, Leng Yu Yan removed her mask and the decorative patches.


    Li Yuing over wouldn¡¯t matter; after all, he always saw her without the mask and patches anyway.


    Miao Zhu efficiently took the mask and patches and stored them in her wallet, ¡°Miss, why aren¡¯t we going back to the Eastern Pce for our meal today?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wish to see someone,¡± Leng Yu Yan sighed faintly.


    That man was like an iceberg, always cold without reason; I owe him nothing, so why hurry back just to see his face?


    Then she added quickly, ¡°Sit down, andter we¡¯ll pick some dishes that Mrs. Zhao likes to take back with us.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing!¡± Miao Zhu happily took her seat.


    Midway through their meal, Ji Qingyu knocked and entered,fortably seating himself opposite Leng Yu Yan.


    ¡°Let¡¯s add a few more dishes and take our time.¡±


    ¡°Add a few more dishes? Are you treating us?¡± Miao Zhu had not an ounce of fondness for the handsome Li Yu before her; what kind of man asks a woman for money?


    He was the first.


    Ji Qingyu smiled, ¡°Of course.¡±


    Soon enough, several more dishes were added.


    Just as the server brought three empty sets of bowls and chopsticks, Leng Yu Yan realized something was amiss, ¡°This¡­¡±


    Ji Qingyu exined, ¡°I haven¡¯t had my evening meal, and it just so happens that my parents are here at the restaurant, so why not dine together?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Miao Zhu became irritated, ¡°I should have known, you¡¯re such a cheapskate! My miss and I were dining here, and you have the nerve to freeload your way into our meal. And now you even bring your parents along. Are you that short on cash?¡±


    ¡°This restaurant belongs to him.¡± Leng Yu Yan slightly furrowed her brows; what did it mean for this man to bring his parents to dine together?


    Hearing this, Miao Zhu¡¯s chopsticks ttered onto the table. Could it be that this man was the boss the shopkeeper mentioned?


    Ji Qingyu¡¯s smile grew wider.


    Leng Yu Yan arched an eyebrow and stood up, ¡°I¡¯m finished eating.¡±


    Seeing this, Ji Qingyu also stood up, blocking her way to exin, ¡°My parents are here in the restaurant. They just found out that my lifesaver was here and wish to meet her.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan furrowed her brows.


    She had merely fixed his injured arm and lent him some Silver Coin; did that really qualify as saving his life?


    At that moment, a middle-aged couple appeared at the entrance of the private room, the man tall and imposing, the woman gentle and soft.


    ¡°My son, is this Miss Li?¡± Ye Yuan smiled elegantly.


    Leng Yu Yan gave a small bow, ¡°Uncle and Auntie, I hope you are well!¡±


    The smile in Ye Yuan¡¯s eyes was warm, his heart melting. His son¡¯s taste was unsurpassed!


    The young girl before them had a stunning beauty that was breathtaking.


    Her voice was sweet and delightful, like a clear spring flowing through one¡¯s heart.


    Her eyes were bright and clear, her figure graceful and delicate.


    Her luscious lips, her fine waist, she was indeed exceedingly beautiful!


    Even her hands were as white as jade.


    Ye Yuan, who had seen countless beauties, was amazed by her appearance.


    Seeing his mother staring at Li Yu for quite some time, Ji Qingyu coughed lightly, ¡°Mother, you¡¯re staring too much; you¡¯ll frighten her!¡±


    Ye Yuanposed himself, lifting a hand, ¡°Look at this food, Miss Li hardly touched anything. Please take a seat and eat more!¡±


    Noticing the beautiful woman¡¯s hand, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyes flickered. How did her fingerse to be fused together?


    As she pondered how to separate these fingers and whether the connected ps of skin would be sufficient, Ji Qingyu guided her back to her seat.

 Chapter 59 - 59 Extremely Satisfied

    Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Extremely Satisfied


    Ji Liancheng¡¯s smile widened, ¡°That boy has really good taste!¡±


    The girl before him behaved politely and with grace, quite impressive indeed.


    If this girl could capture his son¡¯s heart, they would indeed be a golden boy and girl, a perfect match!


    The more Ye Yuan looked at the girl in front of him, the more he liked her.


    Seeing that the couple was well-dressed, Miao Zhu assumed they must be of high standing and conscientiously stood behind her own mistress.


    Even the maid was so sensible, Ye Yuan was highly pleased with the girl before her, wishing her son could marry her tonight.


    Ji Qingyu noticed his mother staring and gently elbowed her.


    Ye Yuan came to her senses and smiled, ¡°My son has been naughty since childhood, Miss Li must be very tolerant to befriend him.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan: ¡°¡­¡±


    After a moment, she spoke, ¡°Auntie, actually your son is pure-hearted and very talented, far from naughty.¡±


    Hearing this, Ye Yuan felt even more that the girl before her was a perfect match for her son.


    To a lover, everything seems wonderful.


    The more she looked, the more satisfied she became, and ordered quite a few more dishes.


    ¡°Miss Li, who else is in your family?¡±


    Caught off-guard by the question, Leng Yu Yan did not want to call her so-called father, stepmother, and grandmother her family, she simply said, ¡°My mother passed away, and my older brother is¡­ no longer with us either¡­¡±


    Her voice trailed off, lonely and forlorn.


    Ye Yuan¡¯s heart tightened, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this, let¡¯s eat!¡±


    If this girl became her daughter-inw, she would dote on her.


    She was determined to be a good mother-inw and dote on her as if she were her own mother!


    She had many other questions, like where she lived, her birthdate, and how many children she nned to have in marriage, and the like.


    But since that previous question touched a sore spot, Ye Yuan could only keep serving her food, ¡°Eat more.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan thanked her and continued to eat.


    As they continued¡­


    ¡°Auntie, actually we¡¯ve almost had enough earlier, I really cannot eat another bite now.¡±


    Ye Yuan then realized she had served her so much food, and she had eaten it all.


    It showed she was an obedient and sensible child.


    Her heart meltedpletely, sweet with emotion.


    Then, Ye Yuan sighed deeply, wondering how she could just take her home now!


    ¡°Let¡¯s stop eating then, let¡¯s talk.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded, her gaze falling upon the elderlydy¡¯s left hand.


    Seeing a tricky medical issue, she felt an irresistible urge to intervene.


    Especially since this beautiful matron felt so approachable.


    ¡°Auntie, if I may ask, what happened to your hand?¡±


    Years had passed and Ye Yuan was now able to face it calmly. The girl before her had saved her son and possessed medical expertise and a kind heart, it was normal for her to ask.


    ¡°It was a scalding injury,¡± Ye Yuan replied, squeezing her left hand¡¯s swollen and tight fingers.


    Leng Yu Yan calmly responded, ¡°A scald should not cause adhesion if properly treated. If adhesion urred, the burn must have been severe.¡±


    Ji Liancheng, recognizing her medical acumen, spoke up, ¡°My wife was unconscious when her hand remained submerged in boiling water until she was rescued.¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°I see,¡± Leng Yu Yan thought to herself, if it had been properly bandaged and treated separately, this problem likely wouldn¡¯t have urred. They probably had a quack doctor at the time.


    Ji Qingyu looked at her serious and earnest expression, and thought of how she managed his arm with just a few chopsticks, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°In your opinion, how can my mother¡¯s hand be improved?¡±


    His mother¡¯s hand had always been stiff, just like a frozen chicken w drenched in spicy pepper, because of its pallor.


    ¡°It¡¯s been so stiff these days that she can¡¯t fully extend or bend her hand,¡± Ji Qingyu exined as he motioned for his mother to stretch out her hand for inspection.


    ¡°Years have passed, it¡¯s no trouble.¡± Ye Yuan smiled resignedly, embarrassed to extend her hand, ¡°Fortunately, it¡¯s the left hand; if it were the right hand, it would indeed be inconvenient.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan gently grasped Ye Yuan¡¯s hand, examining it meticulously from every angle. Her hand was severely adhered, extremely stiff, and the fingers were too tightly bound together, making it difficult to separate them.


    Seeing how carefully she inspected, Ji Qingyu spoke up again, ¡°Li Yu, how can my mother¡¯s hand be restored so it doesn¡¯t look like a chicken w?¡±


    Hearing this, Ji Liancheng pped him on the back, ¡°Do you speak of your mother in such a way?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything wrong,¡± Ji Qingyu frowned.


    Leng Yu Yan pondered for a moment, ¡°Soaking in warm water, applying some moisturizing cream, and daily massage might have some effect.¡±


    But all these were merely palliative, not curative solutions.


    In this era, aside from her, no one could tackle such a problem.


    Of course, many people in this era were reluctant to have any surgical procedures.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, I have seen many doctors but to no avail,¡± Ye Yuan smiled graciously, ¡°I¡¯ve gotten used to it over the years.¡±


    Her fingers are stuck together, could she possibly be considering cutting them apart?


    She had long resigned herself to this fate!


    However, the young girl before her showed no fear of her hand, even examining it meticulously for a long time.


    You should know that her princess nieces always showed disgust in their eyes upon seeing her hand, an expression they could hardly conceal.


    Thus, Ye Yuan was very pleased with the girl her son had taken a fancy to.


    They chatted for the time it took to drink one cup of tea.


    Leng Yu Yan noticed it was getting dark and stood up to take her leave.


    Miao Zhu whispered, ¡°Miss, aren¡¯t we supposed to bring some food back for Mrs. Zhao?¡±


    Hearing this, Ye Yuan hurriedly said to her son, ¡°Order a few more dishes for Miss Li to take back, and drop them off on her way.¡±


    Soon, the shopkeeper brought several dishes, packed them into a food box, and handed it to Ji Qingyu who walked Leng Yu Yan out of the private room.


    Just as they stepped outside the private room, Miao Zhu quickly covered Leng Yu Yan¡¯s face with a veil, then they headed downstairs.


    Outside the restaurant, Leng Yu Yan paused, turned to the man beside her, and said, ¡°You needn¡¯t apany me further; my horse carriage is just up ahead. Thank you for your hospitality!¡±


    Ji Qingyu asked, ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need escorting?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled, ¡°Quite sure.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Ji Qingyu nodded, handing the food box he was carrying to Miao Zhu, ¡°It¡¯s not fully dark yet; head back quickly.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded, ¡°Yes, go back and have some more food with your uncle and aunt.¡±


    They had been urging her to eat earlier, but they themselves hadn¡¯t eaten much.


    Especially the beautifuldy who kept staring at her.


    Back in the private room, Ye Yuan excitedly spoke with her husband about how satisfied she was.


    Suddenly, the door swung open, and both looked up to see Ji Qingyu returning.


    Ye Yuan frowned, surprised, ¡°Did you get her home that quickly?¡±


    Ji Qingyu walked over, lifted his robe, sat down, and began eating from a dish before replying, ¡°No, she said she didn¡¯t need an escort.¡±


    Ji Liancheng scolded with exasperation, ¡°Fool, when a girl says she doesn¡¯t need something, you should insist. What if someone else sweeps her off her feet?¡±


    ¡°She knows how to defend herself; how could she be abducted? Besides, under the Emperor¡¯s watch¡­¡±


    He hadn¡¯t finished speaking when Ji Liancheng raised his finger to his forehead, ¡°You¡¯re really a fool. Is that what I meant? What I meant is someone might beat you to it and marry her. What will you do then?¡±

 Chapter 60 - 60 Unveiling the Veil

    Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Unveiling the Veil


    Ji Qingyu heard this and waved his hand, ¡°Impossible.¡±


    However, the magnitude of his hand-waving gradually diminished.


    Ye Yuan took a deep breath, ¡°My son, did you see the namete on their horse carriage?¡±


    ¡°The carriage was quite ordinary, with no namete,¡± Ji Qingyu finally realized his parents¡¯ good intentions, ¡°Do you mean for me to find out which family¡¯s daughter she is and go ask for her hand in marriage?¡±


    Seeing that his son finally caught on, Ye Yuan said with relief, ¡°That¡¯s the idea, yes.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ji Qingyu¡¯s expression became reserved, ¡°Mother, if your son really wanted to know her identity, he could find out in less than a night. It¡¯s just that there¡¯s an unspoken understanding between her and me, not to ask about identities. Since both father and mother also think highly of her, then I will pursue her!¡±


    Ye Yuan nodded with a smile, ¡°Very good, very good!¡±


    ¡ª


    On the horse carriage, Miao Zhu took out the speckled patch from her wallet.


    Leng Yu Yan received it, lifted her veil, and skillfully applied it to her face.


    It was her own carelessness earlier, but not really carelessness.


    Up until now, she had never worn a veil or a patch in front of Li Yu.


    And his eyes were sharp; he could tell she was a woman dressed as a man at a single nce.


    Just now, at the meal, it was really inconvenient to eat while wearing the veil, and thinking that they were on Li Yu¡¯s territory, with the private room¡¯s door closed, she decided to remove both the veil and the patch.


    Another reason being everyone in the capital knew that the one who always wore a veil and had a patch on her face was the ugliest woman under the heavens, Leng Yu Yan.


    If Li Yu saw her veil and patch, her identity would be instantly exposed, although having him know her identity would not be a big deal¡­


    After pondering for a while, wearing the veil and patch was not a long-term solution.


    Initially, it was only meant as a way for someone to reject a marriage, but who would have thought he wouldn¡¯t mind her ugliness.


    If that was the case, why should she continue to feign ugliness?


    She would find the right opportunity and excuse to remove the patch, and thus, the Emperor could not use her of deceiving the sovereign.


    The horse carriage traveled for about half an hour and stopped in front of the Eastern Pce¡¯s main gate.


    Upon stopping, the sounds of silk and bamboo orchestral music could be heard from inside.


    Puzzled, Leng Yu Yan asked the gatekeeper, ¡°Do we have guests today?¡±


    The gatekeeper, now somewhat familiar with Leng Yu Yan, respectfully replied, ¡°Ninth Princess, with the Heir of Prince Zhenbei Mansion, hase to the Eastern Pce, bringing with them the singing and dancing girls from the pce to liven up the ce.¡±


    ¡°Quite the high spirits,¡± Leng Yu Yan said with a cool smile and proceeded toward Tingfeng Garden.


    Halfway there, a pce maid hurried over.


    ¡°Miss Leng, Your Highness has summoned you.¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    Leng Yu Yan paused, ¡°Is it the Crown Prince or the Princess who has summoned me?¡±


    The pce maid¡¯s lips curved almost imperceptibly, then quickly said, ¡°Having heard of Miss Leng¡¯s return, both Their Highnesses sent this servant to invite you.¡±


    Following the pce maid¡¯s lead, Leng Yu Yan arrived inside a spacious pce.


    Between the columns, light moon-white gauze curtains hung.


    In an instant, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s gaze narrowed; this pce was the one where she had gotten lost in her dreams!


    Seeing it in reality, Leng Yu Yan was surprised by the dream¡¯s eeriness; it was clearly so easy to escape from between the gauze, so why not in the dream?


    In the center of the hall, a charming dancing girl moved gracefully to the lovely singing, her song giving rhythm to her dance.


    Brilliant silks and satins dazzled, beads and jade swaying¡­


    Certainly lively.


    When Ninth Princess saw her approaching, she smiled and said to Li Yuyue, ¡°Princely Heir, what do you think of these singing and dancing girls?¡±


    ¡°What is the Princess implying?¡± Li Yuyue arched an eyebrow lightly.


    ¡°How do you find their looks?¡± Ninth Princess was straightforward.


    ¡°I am a simple man and cannot appreciate song and dance.¡±


    The Ninth Princess, however, was relentless, ¡°How does my future Crown Princess Consort sister-inwpare to them?¡±


    Leng Yu Yue spoke mildly, as if the matter were of no importance, ¡°Before Fifth Miss of Lai bes the Crown Princess Consort, she belongs to my n first. Naturally, we favor our own. In my view, the singing and dancing girls are not fit to be mentioned in the same breath as my nswoman.¡±


    Not to mention that she is soon to be the Crown Princess Consort.


    The Ninth Princess¡¯s question was indeedden with ulterior motives.


    Leng Yu Yan, hearing their conversation, approached an empty seat with an impassive countenance. She did not sit down but instead gave a curtsey to Ye Yiheng, ¡°I have already had my evening meal outside, I am afraid I will not be able to join the banquet.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s phoenix eyes narrowed beneath her white gauze, the food box her maid carried belonged to Ji Qingyu¡¯s restaurant.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re here, take a seat. The Ninth Princess has requested singing and dancing, consider it pure enjoyment,¡± he said, his voice crisp and cool, devoid of any warmth.


    At his bidding, Leng Yu Yan silently took her seat and gestured to Miao Zhu to take the food box back to Tingfeng Garden.


    Miao Zhu understood and swiftly departed.


    Seeing this, the Ninth Princess chuckled lightly, ¡°Is the Crown Princess Consort sister-inw afraid we will covet the delicacies in her food box?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled obliquely, ¡°The food in the box is packed for my aged nurse by my side. If the Ninth Princess fancies it, I can call my maid back.¡±


    At her words, the Ninth Princess choked.


    Quickly regainingposure, the Ninth Princess responded with an elegant smile, ¡°The Princely Heir thinks the Crown Princess Consort sister-inw is iparable to the singing and dancing girls, what does the Crown Princess Consort sister-inw herself think?¡±


    The sounds of music and dance filled the hall, yet Leng Yu Yan found no pleasure in them.


    Just yesterday, someone wanted to wring her neck, yet today, they show her such warm gestures so that she might enjoy the music and dance.


    In the past, she had exposed the fake divine doctor, and the Ninth Princess even personally selected jewelry for her. Yet now, she took every opportunity to criticize her.


    Indeed, the faces of the Tian Family change so swiftly, it is breathtaking!


    ¡°If the Ninth Princess is so eager to see the spots on my face, please feel free to speak openly.¡±


    On the way back to the Eastern Pce, she had already nned to pick an appropriate day to ¡°remove¡± the spots. Now, it seemed apt to difort certain individuals first.


    The Ninth Princess was momentarily stupefied, realizing that the Lai Family¡¯s in Jane knew her true thoughts!


    She was indeed very curious about the nature of the spots on the in girl¡¯s face.


    She had heard plenty about them from the pce maids and eunuchs of Xiande Hall and inquired both the Emperor and Jian Lecheng; her curiosity had been piqued beyond suppression.


    Moreover, during the calligraphy forum, many belittled the in girl, yet Li Yuyue stood up for her, which left a particrly sour taste in her heart.


    Seeing the opportunity today, she wanted to make Li Yuyue see just how ugly the in girl really was!


    With this in mind, the Ninth Princess raised her voice, ¡°Yes, do you dare to lift your veil?¡±


    Ye Yiheng had wanted to see as well, and now that the opportunity arose, he naturally did not object.


    However, in the eyes of these people, he was a blind man. It was best that he stayed silent for now.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly and reached up to her veil, ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I dare?¡±


    As soon as her words fell, she lifted her veil.


    In an instant, the Ninth Princess¡¯s eyes contracted sharply.


    Indeed, just like the rumors, the dark red spots with faint ck hairs moving upon them were revolting to the eye.


    All the food she had just eaten fought to surge back up from her stomach, through her esophagus¡­


    ¡°Ugh¡ª¡±


    A pce maid by her side quickly came to attend to the Ninth Princess.


    Leng Yu Yan cast a mild nce at the immovable Ye Yiheng, seeing no reaction from him, proof of his blindness.


    She then turned her gaze toward Lai Yu Yue and slowly put her veil back on, ¡°Brother Lai, my apologies if I have offended your eyes!¡±


    Lai Yu Yue was taken aback, gazing at her face for a long while, unable to recover hisposure.


    ¡°Brother Lai?¡± Leng Yu Yan called out once more.


    Lai Yu Yue came back to his senses and cleared his throat, ¡°In my eyes, Yu Yan¡¯s features are extremely beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Brother Lai, one kind word can warm three winter months!¡±

 Chapter 61 - 61 Where has it become beautiful

    Chapter 61: Chapter 61 Where has it be beautiful


    Hearing this, Ye Yiheng¡¯s eyes under the white gauze silently stared at her, his gaze growing colder and more distant.


    That day, when she had defiantly called him by his name, she almost bit her teeth to pieces.


    Now, calling Li Yuyue, her voice was surprisingly sweet and pleasant.


    She even called him ¡°Brother Lai¡± and worried about the blemish ruining his eye. This woman¡­


    It made him feel somewhat choked up.


    Leng Yu Yan calmly looked around.


    The singing and dancing girls at the center of the hall were indeed well-trained and continued their performance smoothly.


    The pce maids and eunuchs, upon seeing her face, turned their heads away¡­


    Their expressions of disgust and disdain were unmistakable.


    In that case, there was no need for her to stay any longer. So she stood up, bowed to Ye Yiheng, and said, ¡°I shall take my leave.¡±


    Seeing his cold and proud demeanor, she didn¡¯t wait for any reaction; Leng Yu Yan turned and left gracefully.


    Seeing that she hadn¡¯t gone far, the Ninth Princess covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said, ¡°Sixth Brother, if you had seen it, you would¡¯ve thrown up even worse than I!¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s expression was faint, his voice cool, ¡°See the guests out.¡±


    With that, he rose and left with Song Guo¡¯s assistance.


    The host of Eastern Pce directly ordered the guests away, and Li Yuyue immediately stood, made a bow towards the back of Ye Yiheng, and strode away.


    It was then that the singing and dancing girls stopped, their gazes uniformly turning towards the Ninth Princess who had brought them here.


    In such a circumstance, the Ninth Princess scoffed a few times¡­


    ¡°What a Li Yuyue, he dare im that the Leng Family¡¯s ugly girl has extremely beautiful features.¡±


    Extremely beautiful?


    Beautiful my foot!


    Also, he didn¡¯t even say goodbye; leaving so quietly, does he really disregard her so?


    A hostage, arrogant about what?


    At this thought, the Ninth Princessughed coldly.


    It was a quiet spring night, and as the music of pipes and strings had ceased, the dancing girls around dared not make a sound aside from breathing.


    The coldughter of the Ninth Princess lingered in the air of Eastern Pce, quite eerie.


    She realized it herself and stoppedughing, angrily shouting at a pce maid beside her, ¡°Are everyone¡¯s eyes blind?¡±


    The pce maids and eunuchs of the Eastern Pce, upon hearing this, showed displeasure but dared not speak up.


    ¡°Blind¡± was a taboo word in the Eastern Pce.


    Few dared to mention the word in Eastern Pce, only the Ninth Princess could, relying on the Emperor¡¯s favor.


    The pce maids of Xingning Pce immediately bowed, ¡°Princess, what would you need?¡±


    The Ninth Princess heavily pped the armrest of her wooden wheelchair, ¡°Why haven¡¯t you carried the Princess to the sedan chair yet?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes,¡± the pce maids immediately gathered around.


    Meanwhile, Leng Yu Yan returned to Tingfeng Garden.


    Just now in the hall, there were numerous pce maids and eunuchs, and they had all seen her unveil her mask.


    Therefore, it was necessary to inform Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao.


    After hearing, they acknowledged they understood.


    Leng Yu Yan nodded, ¡°My meaning is, no matter what others say, you all need not worry. It¡¯s not worth upsetting ourselves over!¡±


    While speaking, the spotted skin on the veil suddenly snapped and fell to the ground.


    Miao Zhu quickly picked it up, ¡°Miss, did ite off after revealing it at the restaurant and then sticking it back on again? It wasn¡¯t secure?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan carefully examined the back of the skin, ¡°It¡¯s the glue that was torn off once and then reattached, not sturdy enough.¡±


    Suddenly she felt somewhat frightened, fortunate that it hadn¡¯t fallen off earlier, or she couldn¡¯t have exined it.


    At this moment in the Crown Prince¡¯s bedroom.


    Song Guo took the white gauze off in front of Ye Yiheng and quietly asked, ¡°Your Highness, did you clearly see the spots on Miss Lai¡¯s face?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Gaze mncholic, voice cold.


    Seeing His Highness with a stern expression on his face, Song Guo couldn¡¯t help but ask again, ¡°Is Your Highness so shocked that you cannot speak?¡±


    ¡°Setting aside other factors, a woman with such arge birthmark on her face must have had a hard life these past few years.¡±


    Hearing this, Song Guo was too shocked to speak.


    After a long while, he stuttered, ¡°Your Highness, Your Highness, are you concerned about Miss Lai?¡±


    If that was truly the case, it wouldn¡¯t be bad.


    From his observations during these days, Miss Lai was kindhearted and could reasonably be a suitablepanion by His Highness¡¯s side.


    It¡¯s just a birthmark on the face, it can be covered.


    Watching his expression change dramatically, from shock to joy, Ye Yiheng exined in a soft voice, ¡°A woman cares most about her appearance, what I spoke of is meremon sense.¡±


    Song Guo quickly added, ¡°To be honest, I used to think Miss Lai was not worthy of Your Highness. Now it seems she is genuinely sincere. Shecks the artifice that other noble family daughters possess. Rumor has it she even can¡¯t read a single character, but that day she emerged victorious, I was truly amazed.¡±


    Ye Yiheng, who rarely sighed, murmured gently, ¡°Such is the will of heavens.¡±


    The Father Emperor had betrothed her to him; he was blind, she was in-looking, only then did they match.


    This must be what fate intended.


    Also, these past few days his eyes had been ufortably itchy, following the previous pattern, in a few days, he would be blind again.


    Song Guo didn¡¯t hear clearly, so he asked, ¡°What did Your Highness say?¡±


    ¡°Did you see the food boxes they were carrying just now?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I saw them. The crest on the outside of the boxes was very noticeable,¡± Song Guo said puzzledly. ¡°On the day of the calligraphypetition, Miss Lai¡¯s sixth sister asked her if the meals in the Eastern Pce were not filling or good, could it be that Miss Lai genuinely dislikes the food at the Eastern Pce?¡±


    ¡°Not at all, she just doesn¡¯t want to go back,¡± Ye Yiheng slowly raised his hand and touched the four-w pattern on the Crown Prince Python Robe hanging beside him.


    She doesn¡¯t want to return to the Eastern Pce and onlyes back after dining outside because she detests his blindness.


    The State Preceptor and the Imperial Physicians concluded he would not live past twenty-two, now he was neen with only three years left.


    If he died, the position of Crown Prince would hang in bnce.


    But the Father Emperor could not wait for his death and wanted to depose him as soon as possible.


    Under the pretext of finding him a Crown Princess Consort, letting him have a wife before dying, to show the vastness of the Imperial grace.


    As for the selection of the Crown Princess Consort, he, a Crown Prince soon to be deposed, had no say.


    She was angry and irritated with him for that, and rightly so.


    There was no fondness between him and her, the marriage thaty ahead would hardly need much attention.


    @@novelbin@@


    That would indeed save trouble.


    After his death, as she held no affection for him, the rest of her years would likely be easy.


    However, since she was about to be his Crown Princess Consort, she couldn¡¯t be allowed to romanticize outside.


    For the rest of what she does, he could turn a blind eye, only she must not cuckold him.


    Yet¡ª


    Today, Lai Yu even said she was extremely beautiful.


    Where was the beauty?


    He couldn¡¯t see it.


    He only saw dark red patches shining under the candlelight, indicating the good nutrition from the fine hairs. Good food, fine hairs.


    This woman even said the food at the Eastern Pce was so-so.


    Forget it, it was just a trivial matter.


    A woman is not worthy of too much of his attention!


    Seeing His Highness furrow his brows, Song Guo murmured, ¡°Tomorrow I¡¯ll check the main kitchen and see if someone is skimping on the food for Tingfeng Garden.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng did not reply but turned instead to ask Mo Chen, ¡°Has there been any news from Ruofeng?¡±


    Mo Chen bowed, ¡°Your Highness, there has been none so far.¡±


    Ye Yiheng said quietly, ¡°Tell him to hasten the process.¡±


    Hiring a Divine Doctor was taking far too long, truly torturous.


    Was it that his guards and Hidden Guards were ipetent, or did the other party possess some strength, had he underestimated them?

 Chapter 62: Can It Be Not Blind?

    Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Can It Be Not Blind?


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± Mo Chen said respectfully. ¡°This so-called ¡®Divine Doctor¡¯ is actually a swindler with some medical skills. The bigger he makes his ims, the more famous he bes.¡±


    Song Guo chimed in, ¡°Based on the previous fake divine doctor incident, it¡¯s indeed true.¡±


    Mo Chen spoke bitterly, ¡°Once we bring in the Divine Doctor, if he fails to cure Your Highness¡¯ eyes and cold disease, I will certainly hold him ountable. At that time, I¡¯ll expose his fraud and even want to gouge out his eyes to appease my anger.¡±


    To this, Ye Yiheng remained silent.


    Suddenly, his vision blurred before his eyes, and he sat down, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, regaining some rity after a moment.


    ¡ª


    A dayter, on a holiday, the weather was clear and bright.


    There were no flowers in the Eastern Pce, but there were plenty of willows by theke.


    nting willows in the Capital City was quite challenging.


    Yet the willows in the Eastern Pce gently spread their yellow-green sprouts, adding a vibrant touch to the majestic pce nearby.


    Leng Yu Yan calcted the time she had agreed to meet with Chun Liu and Xia Tao, guessing that a message by carrier pigeon would arrive today.


    She hurried back to Tingfeng Garden, made a quick arrangement of her belongings, and prepared to return to the Leng Residence.


    Just as she and Miao Zhu approached the main gate of the Eastern Pce, the scene at the entrance hastened her steps.


    Previously, she had agreed to help Li Yuyue choose a birthday gift. However, after she had unveiled her face the previous day, disying her blemishes, he must have been scared and no longer willing to seek her help.


    Unexpectedly, he appeared at the gate of the Eastern Pce.


    Not only that, Li Yuyue was apanied by Lai Jiajia.


    Seeing her approach, Lai Jiajia waved excitedly, ¡°Sister!¡±


    ¡°Per our earlier agreement, I took the liberty toe pick you up today,¡± Li Yuyue became polite, performing a peer greeting, ¡°We¡¯ll need Miss Lai¡¯s help in picking the birthday gift for our mother.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled in response, ¡°Brother Lai, you can simply call me Yu Yan.¡±


    Li Yuyue nodded politely.


    At that moment, Lai Jiajia red at the gatekeeper, ¡°Heir Lai and I came to see my sister, not to visit the Crown Prince. Why wouldn¡¯t you let us in?¡±


    Upon seeing Leng Yu Yan approaching, the gatekeeper respectfully exined, ¡°Crown Princess Consort, His Highness has ordered that when he is not in the Eastern Pce, no unauthorized persons may enter.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I will leave the Eastern Pce. They havee to pick me up,¡± Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly and then stepped out of the gate.


    Lai Jiajia happily linked arms with her, ¡°I also want to pick out some jewelry at the Treasure Building. I was justing to find you and happened to meet Brother Lai. It¡¯s really fortunate that we got together.¡±


    The group went to the Treasure Building chatting andughing.


    Upon entering the building, Leng Yu Yan signaled Miao Zhu to return alone to the Leng Residence at Qingyu Residence.


    Today a message woulde by carrier pigeon, and Miao Zhu knew her responsibility, giving Leng Yu Yan a reassuring nce, ¡°Miss, the maid will leave.¡±


    ¡°Okay, be careful on the road.¡±


    Miao Zhu nodded and quickly departed.


    Lai Jiajia watched Miao Zhu leave and asked, ¡°Why did she leave?¡±


    ¡°I meant to go home today to pick up some clothes, so I sent Miao Zhu instead. Let¡¯s stay here and help Brother Lai select a good birthday gift.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for that, Yu Yan!¡± Li Yuyue raised his hand in gesture.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled slightly, ¡°No trouble at all, Brother Lai, you¡¯re too polite.¡±


    On the other side.


    Ye Yiheng returned to the Eastern Pce, apanied by Jian Lecheng.


    The gatekeeper had not yet had the chance to report that Leng Yu Yan had left the Eastern Pce when Fan Minmin hurried over.


    ¡°Cousin, Cousin-inw was officially taken away,¡± Fan Minmin frowned, ¡°Didn¡¯t cousin say that no unauthorized persons should enter when cousin is not in the Eastern Pce?¡±


    Ye Yiheng turned his head and asked the gatekeeper, ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡± the gatekeeper began, only to be interrupted by Fan Minmin.


    ¡°Cousin, it was the Heir of Prince Zhenbei who barged in forcibly, stopped by the gatekeeper, then took ¡®cousin-inw¡¯ away.¡±


    The words ¡°cousin-inw¡± were emphasized heavily by Fan Minmin.


    Hearing this, Ye Yiheng slightly furrowed his handsome brows, ¡°What did he take her for?¡±


    A dangerous sh in Fan Minmin¡¯s eyes, ¡°Minmin only heard bits, something about Treasure Building, seems like the Heir wanted to buy some jewelry for cousin-inw.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng immediately turned around.


    ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±


    the gatekeeper hurriedly spoke, but before he could finish, Fan Minmin quietly pinched his arm forcefully, her fierce gaze ring the words right back into his mouth.


    Jian Lecheng, looking at the severe frown on Ye Yiheng¡¯s face, cautiously advised, ¡°Your Highness, don¡¯t be angry, anger harms the body!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not angry,¡± Ye Yiheng said as he climbed into the horse carriage with Song Guo¡¯s assistance, ¡°To Treasure Building.¡±


    His voice was cold and deste,


    The words ¡°I¡¯m not angry¡± were clearly uttered through gritted teeth, and nobody listening believed the Crown Prince was not angry.


    Song Guo, wordlessly and anxiously, watched his master¡¯s expressions.


    @@novelbin@@


    A few days ago, the Heir Lai said that Miss Lai Wu¡¯s features were extraordinarily beautiful; could it be¡­


    Where does this ce his lord?


    Prince Zhenbei Mansion really is audacious; don¡¯t they know that Lai Yuyue in the Capital is a hostage, meant to implicitly suggest to Prince Zhenbei to restrain himself and not to overshadow his master?


    Even the Crown Prince¡¯s betrothed, the Heir Lai dared to take away, to Treasure Building, to buy what jewelry.


    This, this, this¡ªHis Highness might not like Miss Lai Wu, but he was definitely infuriated!


    The horse carriage traveled quickly, and in less than thirty minutes, they arrived outside Treasure Building.


    Inside at that moment, Leng Yu Yan was holding a pair of bracelets, speaking to Lai Yuyue, ¡°This jade bracelet is delicate and translucent, rich in texture, making it look luxuriously exquisite when worn on the wrist. Bracelets of such color and quality would suit Aunt Wang Fei perfectly!¡±


    Lai Jiajia leaned in, nodding repeatedly, ¡°Sister is right, the hairpin and step ring I chose for Aunt Wang Fei earlier are not suitable.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan covered her mouth with augh, ¡°A hairpin is one of the tokens of betrothal, typically given by a man to his fianc¨¦e, symbolizing a marital bond. Brother Lai giving it to Mother, that¡¯s naturally inappropriate!¡±


    Lai Jiajia yfully stuck out her tongue, ¡°Sister, I was wrong!¡±


    Lai Yuyueughed heartily, ¡°No harm, no harm!¡±


    Just then, Ye Yiheng, assisted by Song Guo, approached them.


    ¡°My Crown Princess Consort seems to be in good spirits!¡±


    Selecting hairpins, step rings, and choosing jade bracelets.


    Also, that token of engagement!


    Suddenly appearing, Ye Yiheng, with a face of gloom, puzzled Leng Yu Yan.


    ¡°Your Highness came here, evidently you too are in good spirits, intending to choose some jewelry for Lady?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng frowned and strode over, urately seizing Leng Yu Yan¡¯s slender white wrist and forcibly dragging her outside.


    ¡°What are you doing? You¡¯re hurting me!¡±


    Seeing that he didn¡¯t respond, Leng Yu Yan could only raise her hand holding the pair of jade bracelets, signaling Lai Yuyue to take them.


    Lai Yuyue, quick to act, caught the jade bracelets and blocked Ye Yiheng¡¯s path, ¡°Your Highness, such behavior is inappropriate in public!¡±


    Ye Yiheng coldly responded, ¡°Lai Yuyue, I will settle your ount personally.¡±


    As he spoke, he dragged Leng Yu Yan by the hand, familiarly boarding the Eastern Pce Carriage.


    Leng Yu Yan, suppressing her anger, asked, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±


    If he walks so freely in the Eastern Pce at night because he¡¯s overly familiar, here at Treasure Building, he could precisely catch her hand and urately board the carriage¡­


    Could it be he is not blind?

 Chapter 63: Dragged into His Arms

    Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Dragged into His Arms


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s expression was icy, silent.


    Leng Yu Yan bit her lip, where he gripped her wrist was painfully sore.


    This man imed to be sickly weak, yet his movements were extremely formidable, and his strength surprisingly immense.


    She shook her hand, ¡°I don¡¯t have time to indulge your madness, if there¡¯s something you want, just say it, don¡¯t pull and drag me!¡±


    Ye Yiheng, as if he had not heard her, still pinned her hand, no matter how she shook it or tried to pry it off, it was useless.


    Outside the horse carriage.


    Li Yuyue stopped the carriage from moving, ¡°Your Highness, if you have something to say, please speak clearly!¡±


    Seeing this, Jian Lecheng pushed him, ¡°Heir Lai, you are in the wrong here, bringing the two sisters along with you to the Treasure Building, that¡¯s really something!¡±


    Li Yuyueughed in anger, suddenly grabbed his hand and twisted it down forcibly, ¡°Mr. Jian, someone with as little strength as you, I do not wish to waste words.¡±


    Jian Lecheng was choked by his words, nearly breaking his hand, a tearing pain at the joint almost pulling apart, immediately his breath couldn¡¯te, his face turning bright red.


    After a while, he grimaced and cried, ¡°Painful, painful, painful!¡±


    What a rash man!


    Song Guo quickly tried to pacify, ¡°Heir Lai, please calm down, Young Master doesn¡¯t know kung fu!¡±


    Inside the carriage.


    Hearing the noise outside, Ye Yiheng realized he had been pinching her wrist for a while and then let go, slowly sitting back down, ¡°Come back to the Eastern Pce with me.¡±


    His tone was stable, without a ripple.


    This man was adept at hiding his emotions, Leng Yu Yan felt that his current calm was the calm before a storm.


    Anyway, she couldn¡¯t stay calm!


    Why did he pull her hand, she didn¡¯t want to be involved with him!


    Pulling up her sleeve to look, where he had pinched her wrist, the red marks left by his fingers were clearly visible.


    Angered, she red at him, ¡°I have unfinished business and will not return for now.¡±


    ¡°You have to return whether you want to or not!¡±


    Looking at his expression bing colder and harder than before, Leng Yu Yan huffed, ¡°We are not yet married, why are you being so controlling?¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly, ¡°To disobey me is to be unruly.¡±


    With those words, his handsome face was covered with ayer of cold frost, like the winter frost meeting severe cold.


    Leng Yu Yan was infuriated.


    What did he mean by unruly?


    She was just strolling the streets with Brother Lai and her sister, did he need to drag her away as if catching an adulterer?


    The angrier she thought, the more her chest heaved intensely, she couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore, fearing she would speak unpleasantly, and with a surge of frustration, she got up to leave the carriage.


    Unexpectedly, Ye Yiheng took a quick step, hisrge palm once again sped her delicate white wrist, pulling her towards him.


    Caught off guard, Leng Yu Yan was pulled into his embrace, her cheek tightly pressed against his chest.


    His strength was so great that she was barely able to resist.


    Following that, the carriage shook violently.


    Li Yuyue outside the carriage called out, ¡°Yu Yan, what happened, are you alright?¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    Lai Jiajia also shouted, ¡°Sister, if there¡¯s anything wrong, give us a shout!¡±


    The atmosphere inside the carriage froze in an instant.


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s body was rigid, the breath of the man beside her was extremely close, his breathing spraying on the top of her head, forehead, and face. Even though she was wearing a veil, his breath still found its way, lingering at her nose.


    Hearing no response from inside the carriage, Lai Jiajia raised her voice, ¡°Sister, I¡¯ming to save you!¡±


    The next instant, it seemed Mo Chen had stopped her.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I save my sister?¡±


    The two inside the carriage then realized, and like a shock, they separated, their awkwardness filling the carriage.


    Leng Yu Yan felt ufortable, calling out to the outside, ¡°Brother Lai, sister, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Ye Yiheng frowned, with a grim face, ¡°Sit properly!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan turned her face away, not looking at him, ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to sit?¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t me me for doing something,¡± Ye Yiheng went back to his original position, leisurely straightening out his robe.


    The voice was calm, the words didn¡¯t seem feigned, as if he truly intended to do something.


    Moreover, in the dream aboard the horse carriage, she had been pressed down into the seat by him, and then against the carriage wall¡­


    The frenzied scene was heart-thumping.


    Leng Yu Yan moved her lips, and grudgingly settled down next to him, her gaze fixed intently on his veiled eyes.


    With the veil covering them, his eyes were not visible, curiosity bubbled up, and she waved her hand in front of his eyes.


    The man suddenly said, ¡°I am blind in one eye.¡±


    Though he said so, the eyes beneath the veil were unblinkingly staring at her.


    Leng Yu Yan felt her teeth itch with irritation, feeling as if this man was staring at her without restraint, truly wishing she could remove the veil and take a closer look.


    Thinking this, the corners of her lips curled up, and she quickly made a move.


    In a sh, her wrist was caught by him once more.


    Seeing this, Leng Yu Yan wasn¡¯t annoyed, and promptly extended her other hand.


    Her fingertips were only an inch away from pulling off his eye veil when unexpectedly, her heartbeat elerated.


    Yet, just as she touched the veil, this hand too was captured by him.


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly, and his voice, clear and deep, questioned, ¡°Does the Crown Princess Consort wish to get close to me?¡±


    If his eyes couldn¡¯t be seen, then she would take his pulse.


    Although the pulse couldn¡¯t fully reflect the condition of the eyes, it could reveal something.


    Leng Yu Yan channeled her inner strength into her palm, twisted her wrist nimbly, and grabbed his wrist, ¡°Ha, you grab my hand, why can¡¯t I grab yours?¡±


    His pulse was sometimes steady, sometimes erratic¡­


    Before she had a chance to discern the pulse further, hisrge palm turned again, enveloping her whole hand.


    And precisely hit a pressure point on her wrist, forcing her to be unable to exert any inner strength.


    She couldn¡¯t move her arm, but she could still move her legs.


    Just as her leg was about to kick out, Ye Yiheng leaned to the side, onerge hand immediately sped both her wrists together, while the other hand swiftly caught her ankle.


    ¡°You are no match for me, do you still want to fight?¡±


    ¡°Why not fight?¡± No sooner had she spoken than Leng Yu Yan quickly brought her other leg into y.


    The horse carriage shook violently.


    The Eastern Pce Carriage was already eye-catching, and the current scene drew even more onlookers.


    ¡°Is this the Eastern Pce Carriage?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the two characters for Eastern Pce are on the te, can¡¯t you read?¡±


    ¡°Just now I saw the Crown Prince pull a veiled young woman into the carriage.¡±


    ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk, what do you think they are doing inside the carriage?¡±


    ¡°What good can they be doing?¡± someone whispered, lowering their voice, ¡°Isn¡¯t the Crown Prince impotent?¡±


    The crowdughed, ¡°Watch your words, watch your words!¡±


    Martial arts practitioners usually have good hearing, and if Ye Yiheng truly had an eye problem, his hearing was likely to be even better than that of a regr martial arts practitioner.


    She could hear the outside chatter, and her face began to redden.


    He seemed unfazed, as if the discussions weren¡¯t about him.


    Mo Chen, sitting outside at the driver¡¯s seat, could no longer bear to listen and called into the carriage, ¡°Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°Return to the Eastern Pce immediately.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡± Mo Chen pulled the reins and cracked the whip, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    The carriage lurched forward, and the crowd immediately dispersed.


    Shortly thereafter, the carriage sped away.


    Jian Lecheng watched, dumbfounded.


    He chased the carriage for a few steps but, unable to catch up, he returned to the front of Treasure Building.


    Out of breath, he muttered, ¡°How could Your Highness leave me behind?¡±


    Song Guo approached him, ¡°Young Master, I too was left behind by Your Highness.¡±


    Jian Lecheng gave him a look, ¡°It¡¯s a good distance back to the Eastern Pce, we need to find a horse carriage.¡±

 Chapter 64 - 64 The Secret of Solitude

    Chapter 64: Chapter 64 The Secret of Solitude


    Song Guo chuckled, ¡°No worries, we can just take a stroll. Why is Young Master in such a hurry to return to the Eastern Pce? Why don¡¯t you go back to your Duke Mansion instead? I can speak to His Highness on your behalfter.¡±


    No one can disturb the Princely Heir and Miss Lai now that they finally have some time alone!


    His Highness has important matters to handle!


    Lai Jiajia, anxious beside them, tugged at Li Yuyue¡¯s sleeve: ¡°Brother Lai, could my sister be bullied by the Crown Prince?¡±


    Li Yuyue was also uneasy. Turning his head to see the irritating Jian Lecheng, he coldly grabbed his cor: ¡°You tell me, would His Highness bully my sister?¡±


    Jian Lecheng cursed the rash man in his heart, but said aloud, ¡°Impossible, His Highness doesn¡¯t fancy your sister!¡±


    Ah spit, what sister?


    They were beyond the range of close rtives, and yet he spoke so affectionately!


    Upon hearing this, Li Yuyue and Lai Jiajia finally felt a little relieved.


    Seeing that these important figures had settled the matter, the Treasure Building shopkeeper came out, bowing and nodding to Li Yuyue: ¡°Heir Lai, do you still want this pair of jade bracelets you¡¯re holding?¡±


    That scene just now was heart-stopping!


    If something had gone wrong, and the jade bracelet had been broken while in the hands of Heir Lai, would they, the Treasure Building, dare to impensation?


    Fortunately, he was still holding the intact bracelet.


    Li Yuyue,ing to his senses, strode back into the Treasure Building and ced the bracelets on the counter: ¡°Of course, I want them. Please wrap them up for me.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing!¡± the shopkeeper let out a long sigh of relief, picked up the bracelets, carefully wiped them with a cloth, and ced them in a small brocade box.


    Inside the horse carriage, Leng Yu Yan found herself restrained by Ye Yiheng, unable to move her hands and feet.


    ¡°Let go of me, I won¡¯t jump out of the carriage, nor will I run back to the Treasure Building.¡±


    Ye Yiheng loosened his grip and spoke indifferently, ¡°I once said, if you¡¯re not obedient¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, his hand was already squeezing her slender neck.


    Although the man did not exert much force, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    His hand was cool, causing her neck and her entire being to tremble slightly.


    ¡°Have you misunderstood something? I assure you, I have not misbehaved,¡± she said.


    Unintentionally, her mind drifted back to the absurd dream of two months ago, and Leng Yu Yan¡¯s voice trembled uncontrobly.


    Her heart reached her throat, fearing that he might do something outrageous next.


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s face was stern, his voice cold, ¡°A token of love?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan truly did not understand, ¡°What token of love?¡±


    Ye Yiheng raised his eyebrows in surprise, his tone mocking, ¡°A hairpin, a step ring, or a jade bracelet?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan finally understood, ¡°The Princess of Prince Zhenbei Mansion will be celebrating her birthday soon. Heir Laicks experience in selecting gifts, so he asked for my assistance with the choice. If Your Highness kills me over this, I shall not rest in peace, and you will likely bear a reputation for cruelty for the rest of your life.¡±


    ¡°And what worth is a reputation?¡± Ye Yiheng suddenly sneered.


    How could someone with such a clear and bright appearanceugh so hauntingly?


    Leng Yu Yan felt very uneasy, truly afraid he would exert more strength and she would lose her life in an instant!


    Out of sheer panic, she blurted out, ¡°I know you can see now!¡±


    At her words, Ye Yiheng¡¯s grip tightened slightly, his voice chilling, ¡°How can you see?¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    Her heart suddenly erratic, Leng Yu Yan tried to steady her emotions, repeating, ¡°You can see, at least right now you can.¡±


    ¡°Do you realize that with those words, I could use you of nder and, once you are taken to the Ministry of Justice, you would die a gruesome death?¡±


    Hearing him say that, Leng Yu Yan instead calmed down, ¡°Walking around the Eastern Pce as a seeing person could be excused by familiarity. Treasure Building, Your Highness, unless you go there every day, you can¡¯t be familiar with it. It¡¯s a ce for buying women¡¯s jewelry. With Your Highness¡¯s status on disy, you can¡¯t be going there every day, so there must only be one reason you could see me there.¡±


    ¡°You are very bold and very intelligent,¡± Ye Yiheng eased the pressure of his hand.


    Was it this woman who could easily anger him, causing him to loseposure in front of her, that he even forgot the mostmon caution?


    Impossible, utterly impossible!


    She is merely an ordinary woman!


    Leng Yu Yan stared at the white gauze in front of his eyes, ¡°Your Highness must have seen countless famous doctors, and all of Tiancheng knows that Your Highness is blind, yet no one has any suspicions, which shows that Your Highness indeed has eye trouble.¡±


    The eyes beneath Ye Yiheng¡¯s white gauze met with her clear ones for a good while, undeniable, her eyes were exceedingly beautiful.


    As if the Milky Way from the nine heavens had fallen into them, stars swirling, shining brilliantly, startling his heart.


    He took the initiative to remove his hand from her neck, lowered his gaze, and said, ¡°You speak of your conclusion. If it is indeed correct, I will spare you this time.¡±


    Combining her previous probes, Leng Yu Yan boldly guessed, ¡°I deduce that Your Highness¡¯s eye disease is intermittent, and right now happens to be a period when you can see. Does Your Highness think my guess is correct?¡±


    ¡°You are so intelligent, yet so foolish,¡± Ye Yiheng smiled with a curl of his lips, ¡°Do you not know, knowing my secret, I simply cannot leave you alive in this world!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan was shocked; why hadn¡¯t she thought of this, and hurriedly grabbed his arm with both hands, ¡°I will keep my lips sealed, never revealing a word! If I reveal a single word, Your Highness can take my life then, it won¡¯t be toote.¡±


    Seeing that he paid no attention, she immediately added, ¡°Besides, no one would believe the words of a single person like me.¡±


    ¡ª


    Meanwhile, elsewhere.


    Princess Heng Yuan Ye Yuan, seeing her son had not returned to the Marquis Mansion for two days, became anxious and personally went to the tavern.


    At this moment, Ji Qingyu was leisurely lying on a recliner in the tavern courtyard, looking at the sky, fiddling with a jade pendant in his hand.


    Sitting in such a carefree manner, he made Ye Yuan frown, ¡°Have you gone to check on that girl?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about, Mother? Anyone can be checked on, except Li Yu,¡± Ji Qingyu said without getting up, only the rotation of the jade pendant in his hand quickened.


    Ye Yuan sat down on a stool beside him, ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the woman your son has his eye on; if I rashly investigate her and hurt the affection between us, it would be disrespectful to her.¡±


    If she wanted to reveal her identity, she could have been straightforward when she asked for the map.


    Since she didn¡¯t, it meant she had her own considerations.


    Pausing momentarily, Ji Qingyu continued, ¡°Your son has been in the tavern these two days. If shees, I will be able to see her right away, and then I¡¯ll make things clear to her, and by the way, reveal my identity too.¡±


    Ye Yuan thought for a moment; it seemed somewhat reasonable, but she still felt uneasy, feeling that Ji Qingyu¡¯s behavior was like waiting for a rabbit by a tree stump.


    Remembering the other day when he didn¡¯t insist on escorting her, she thought the childcked persistence.


    Thus, she couldn¡¯t help but ask again, ¡°What if she refuses to be with you?¡±


    Ji Qingyu suddenly sat up straight, ¡°Mother underestimates your son.¡±


    He spoke with confidence, but in fact, he had no assurance in his heart.


    Just then, the steward from Marquis Jiangyang Mansion hurriedly came searching.


    ¡°Eldest Princess, Young Master, there is an imperial decree from the pce.¡±


    Ye Yuan, also unaware of the imperial decree, asked anxiously, ¡°What is the decree?¡±


    The steward bowed with respect, ¡°Eunuch Ye, who came to announce the decree, said the Emperor intends to bestow the title of Commandery Prince on the Young Master, and has intentions of arranging a marriage for him.¡±


    Being made a Commandery Prince was good news, but an arranged marriage¡­


    Mother and son immediately rose and hurried to Marquis Jiangyang Mansion.

 Chapter 65: Using Someone Else鈥檚 Hand

    Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Using Someone Else¡¯s Hand


    Inside the Eastern Pce carriage.


    Ye Yiheng looked down at the hand clutching his arm.


    Her hand was very small, which made it easy for his to envelop herspletely.


    And her fingers were slender and pale, appearing very¡­


    Seeing that he remained silent, Leng Yu Yan grew anxious, ¡°Just now, Your Highness said you would spare me if I guessed correctly. Are you going to break your promise?¡±


    Ye Yiheng withdrew his gaze and spoke indifferently, ¡°Remember what you just said, and for now, I¡¯ll spare you.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan rxedpletely, yet she remained vignt toward him.


    Ye Yiheng, seeing this, furrowed his handsome brows¡ªshe was timid enough to strike him, yet at times when she was before him, especially when they were alone, she was terrified to the extreme.


    Women truly are a strange and contradictory breed!


    ¡ª


    Ji Qingyu returned to Marquis Jiangyang Mansion.


    @@novelbin@@


    Eunuch Ye proimed the imperial decree, ¡°By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Ji Qingyu, the Princely Heir of Marquis Jiangyang Mansion, is virtuous and talented, with an extraordinary presence. He is hereby conferred the title of Prince, with the name ¡®Qing.¡¯ Let it be respected!¡±


    After the imperial decree was read, Eunuch Ye repeatedly conveyed his congrattions, ¡°Congrattions, Prince Qing!¡±


    Ji Qingyu epted the imperial edict. Seeing not a word mentioned about arranging a marriage on the gold-embossed text, his expression lightened.


    Hearing no mention of a marriage arrangement in the promation, Ye Yuan quickly asked, ¡°Eunuch Ye, may I be informed which family¡¯s daughter the Emperor intends to grant to my son?¡±


    ¡°The Eldest Princess, the matter is as such: the Emperor currently has several families in mind, and in due course will allow the Prince to see each daughter in turn. Only then will the choice be settled, as marriage is a lifelong matter,¡± said Eunuch Ye.


    Hearing this, Ji Qingyu felt extremely relieved. No matter which family¡¯s daughters they were, when the time came, he simply wouldn¡¯t choose any of them.


    However, on this matter, his Uncle Emperor was being kinder to him than to that Ye Yiheng fellow.


    He thought back to the recent past when his Uncle Emperor had not bothered to ask Ye Yiheng for agreement and directly granted him the ugly girl from the Leng Family.


    Thinking back now, he really wanted tough in Ye Yiheng¡¯s face.


    It was a pity Ye Yiheng was a blind man, only able to hear hisughter. If Ye Yiheng could see the disdain on his face, that would be even more satisfying.


    Eunuch Ye smiled from ear to ear, ¡°Now that the decree has been announced, Prince Qing should immediately enter the pce to express gratitude.¡±


    Ji Qingyu¡¯s brows lifted in joy, ¡°Of course.¡±


    The Eldest Princess couldn¡¯t help but be overjoyed. She didn¡¯t know if it was because of the incident from years ago, but her brother the Emperor had conferred her son as a Commandery Prince.


    That was good as well. From now on, Qingyu could be an idle Prince, without concerns for food or clothing.


    As for the choice of a delicate wife, didn¡¯t Eunuch Ye say that Qingyu himself needed to make the selection? If he chose that girl named Li Yu, then two of his son¡¯s life events would be happily resolved!


    Marquis Jiangyang, Ji Liancheng, watched the mother and son, feeling somewhatplex emotions.


    He was the father, the Marquis.


    Ji Qingyu was the young one, the Young Master, the Marquis Mansion¡¯s Princely Heir.


    But now, the young one had been conferred as a Prince, his status shooting up dramatically, bypassing him and going over his head.


    Among the family of three, the one with the lowest status was now him, the father.


    Wasn¡¯t that so?


    His wife was the Eldest Princess, his son a Prince, and he camest, a mere Marquis.


    No matter how Marquis Jiangyang thought about it, it didn¡¯t sit well with him.


    However, he was supposed to be happy, for it was his own son after all.


    But¡­


    Could he still beat his son happily in the future?


    Soon after, Ji Qingyu entered the pce to give thanks.


    He first went to Xiande Hall to thank the Emperor, then, asmanded, he proceeded to the Ministry of Rites.


    Being conferred as a Prince, suddenly everything became moreplicated¡ªhe had to be involved in all the ceremonial protocols. The production of his Prince¡¯s Clothes and court uniform required personal measurements. Even his private seal needed to be re-engraved.


    Thus, for the time being, he had to set aside personally waiting for Li Yuzhi at the restaurant.


    ¡ª


    Leng Yu Yan followed Ye Yiheng back to the Eastern Pce.


    When Fan Minmin saw the two returning together, she thought her scheme to create discord had seeded.


    A smile yed on her lips, and she sauntered over, her voice gentle and soft, ¡°Cousin, don¡¯t be angry. Your wife must have been forced by Heir Lai.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan was taken aback for a moment.


    She quickly realized that someone¡¯s grimness today might have been because he believed Fan Minmin¡¯s malicious gossip.


    Before, she had thought about asking Miao Zhu to find out what Fan Minmin liked to eat, but she didn¡¯t expect her to be so troublesome.


    It¡¯s just that she didn¡¯t know what exactly Fan Minmin and Ye Yiheng had said while she left with Li Yuyue and Lai Jiajia.


    Whatever was said, it surely wasn¡¯t good.


    Since Fan Minmin was being so troublesome, it would be fitting for her to marry someone violent and gloomy.


    Green tea with a gloomy person ¨C what a matching pair!


    She needed to save her life and stay as far away from him as possible!


    Especially after the experience of being choked by him in the horse carriage, Leng Yu Yan was more determined than ever to stay away from him!


    ¡°Lady may have misunderstood. Brother Lai was merely asking for my help,¡± Leng Yu Yan said with a smile, her eyes curving into crescents, ¡°It¡¯s almost noon, why note to my courtyard for lunch?¡±


    Ye Yiheng was startled.


    It was clearly the words spoken by Fan Minmin that had led him to misunderstand.


    As clever as she was, how could Leng Yu Yan not understand, yet still invite Minmin to eat at Tingfeng Garden?


    Fan Minmin felt terribly guilty and waved her hands frantically, ¡°There¡¯s no need, I wouldn¡¯t want to bother your wife.¡±


    ¡°Lady seems reluctant to visit Yu Yan then,¡± Leng Yu Yan¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, she¡¯s adept at sowing discord, but too cowardly to even visit her courtyard.


    How could she possibly bring them together then?


    While speaking, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s mind was racing. If Fan Minmin didn¡¯t do something outrageous, how could she leave the Eastern Pce, how could she make Fan Minmin rece her in marrying him?


    Coming up with an idea, Leng Yu Yan raised her hand to her forehead, ¡°I¡¯m feeling a bit unwell, could you please assist His Highness back to the bedroom?¡±


    Fan Minmin pointed at herself, somewhat disbelieving, ¡°Me?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled innocently, ¡°Eunuch Song Guo is not by His Highness¡¯s side, and Lady is more considerate and familiar with His Highness¡¯s temperament than I am. It would trouble you then.¡±


    Ye Yiheng: ¡°¡­¡±


    What is this woman ying at?


    Seeing his lips pressed tightly together, Leng Yu Yan felt a bit of secret pleasure. She leaned in and whispered so that only the two of them could hear, ¡°Your Highness cannot see, naturally, someone should assist you.¡±


    She added at the end, ¡°Take care not to give us away!¡±


    Having said that, she turned and gracefully walked away.


    Fan Minmin was momentarily surprised, such a good opportunity to get close to her cousin, and it was being handed to her?


    This ugly girl from the Leng family must be very self-aware, knowing that her cousin didn¡¯t fancy her.


    She couldn¡¯t suppress the urge tough, but fearing others would notice, she quickly tamped down the smile, ¡°Cousin, let Minmin assist you.¡±


    As she extended her hand toward Ye Yiheng¡¯s arm¡­


    Ye Yiheng took two quick steps forward, catching up with Leng Yu Yan and grabbed her wrist, ¡°Cousin, in the end, we are from two different households.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan stumbled from his pull but managed to regain her footing, ¡°Your Highness, I am not feeling well.¡±


    ¡°Just now you were lively and bouncing around. To assist me, how can the Crown Princess Consort delegate to someone else?¡±


    As he spoke, he applied pressure on her wrist.


    Leng Yu Yan forced a smile, not yet able to say another word, when he pulled her along.


    In the end, who was assisting whom?


    Once they reached a secluded ce, Leng Yu Yan could no longer hold back, ¡°Hey, can you pretend that you also cannot see right now, what does dragging me along mean?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, in my Eastern Pce, I am the one who makes the decisions.¡±

 Chapter 66: Especially Spoiled

    Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Especially Spoiled


    Fan Minmin stood frozen in ce, her heart aching. If her cousin didn¡¯t fancy the ugly girl from the Leng Family, why would he need her to support him?


    Could it be that in her cousin¡¯s eyes, she was even less than the ugly girl?


    The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she became. Fan Minmin covered her lips, on the verge of tears, but when she turned around and saw the gatekeeper struggling to hide hisughter, she marched over, ready to give him a piece of her mind¡­


    Before she could, the gatekeeper spoke, ¡°The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess Consort just turned the corner. If I shout, they¡¯re sure to hear.¡±


    She really thought she was the master of the Eastern Pce!


    Shameless!


    Hearing this, Fan Minmin could no longer hold back her tears and ran off with little steps.


    Elsewhere, on a narrow path.


    Her wrist was being pinched painfully. Leng Yu Yan frowned and muttered softly, ¡°Your Highness, can you see right now? Can you walk by yourself?¡±


    Don¡¯t pull on her!


    @@novelbin@@


    ¡°I am blind.¡±


    That same statement again. Leng Yu Yan sighed, ¡°Can I call a pce maid or another eunuch over to assist you? Would that be alright?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Could you pinch a little lighter, then?¡±


    ¡°Whether in the study or in the horse carriage, the Crown Princess Consort is ruthless and unfeeling. Does it really hurt from such a light pinch?¡± Ye Yiheng was rather speechless. He was merely holding her wrist gently, not using any force.


    ¡°I am blind,¡± he repeated, pausing before adding, ¡°Even when I can see, I need someone to support me. Since you are to be my future wife and know my secret, you should take the initiative to support me from now on.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan gritted her teeth, her other hand clenching into a fist. If she could, she really wanted to punch him in the face.


    Sensing her displeasure, Ye Yiheng raised an eyebrow and exined calmly, ¡°I do not easily allow others to support me, unless they know my secret.¡±


    This took Leng Yu Yan by surprise.


    Then she had an epiphany, ¡°I understand now. If someone had malicious intentions, Your Highness would be in danger.¡±


    If someone other than his trusted circle supported him, it could, firstly, risk exposing his intermittent blindness; secondly, if they harbored ill intentions during his moments of true blindness, the consequences would be unthinkable.


    ¡°You are very intelligent,¡± Ye Yiheng said in his emotionless tone.


    Leng Yu Yan took a deep breath. So, his close attendants like Song Guo, Jian Lecheng, and the guard named Mo Chen were all aware of his true condition.


    Before long, the two reached the outside of the Crown Prince¡¯s bedroom.


    Leng Yu Yan stopped, ¡°Please enter by yourself, Your Highness.¡±


    As she approached his bedroom, she felt dizzy.


    It was like lying on a bed, unable to sleep, staring at the canopy above, and seeing everything spinning.


    Whether her eyes were closed or open, it didn¡¯t matter.


    This feeling was truly torturous!


    As if possessed, Ye Yiheng released her wrist and asked, ¡°Why?¡±


    Were all his previous words just nonsense?


    Leng Yu Yan rolled up her sleeve and pointed to the red mark on her wrist, ¡°I must go and apply a hotpress to my wrist.¡±


    Through the white gauze, Ye Yiheng clearly saw the fingerprint marks on her wrist from his pinch.


    The red marks stood out strikingly against her fair skin.


    For a moment, he didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Women were such troublesome creatures. He had pinched her lightly, hadn¡¯t he?


    He recalled times when he had been annoyed and had to pretend to lean on someone¡¯s arm to walk. He had never heard Song Guo, Jian Lecheng, or the othersin.


    Seeing that she was still rubbing the red mark, Ye Yiheng finally spoke, ¡°You may go.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan felt a wave of relief and curtsied, ¡°I take my leave.¡±


    Ye Yiheng strode into his bedroom and raised his hand to summon a little eunuch, ¡°Go to the front courtyard and call for Mo Chen.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± the little eunuch replied and left.


    After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Mo Chen appeared before Ye Yiheng, bowing with his hands sped, ¡°Your Highness, what are your orders?¡±


    Ye Yiheng with knitted brows instructed, ¡°Come here.¡±


    Mo Chen bowed.


    Ye Yiheng didn¡¯t say a word and immediately grabbed his wrist, and then let go. He pushed up his sleeve to check.


    There was no difference; the skin where it was pinched looked the same as where it wasn¡¯t.


    Mo Chen asked, puzzled, ¡°Your Highness, where are you going?¡±


    It was only then that Ye Yiheng said, ¡°Nowhere. Just tell me, when I pinched you like this, did it hurt?¡±


    Mo Chen shook his head, ¡°No, it didn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    As he spoke, he realized something. ¡°Your Highness, I understand now. Earlier on the horse carriage, Miss Lai said that Your Highness had hurt her with your grip. I think there might indeed be a difference between men and women.¡±


    As he said this, Mo Chen himself became doubtful, and added, ¡°Your Highness, in our Dark Guard Bureau, there are women like Liu Yun and Yin Shuang, and we¡¯ve never heard themin of pain. Like thest time, during the arm-wrestling match, they even defeated quite a few men.¡±


    Hearing this, Ye Yiheng asked, ¡°Did their wrists show any red marks after being pinched?¡±


    Mo Chen shook his head repeatedly, ¡°No, their skin is tough, how could it be?¡±


    Ye Yiheng fell into thought. Could it be that women are different from men, and she is especially delicate, more delicate than the average woman?


    Troublesome, truly troublesome!


    How did he lose hisposure and give himself away in front of her? She saw that he was blind.


    Such negligence, far too negligent!


    ¡ª


    When Leng Yu Yan returned to the inner room of Tingfeng Garden, Mrs. Zhao immediately greeted her, ¡°Miss, why didn¡¯t Miao Zhue back?¡±


    ¡°We separated when we went out.¡± Leng Yu Yan rolled up her sleeve. ¡°Mrs. Zhao, could you bring me some warm water?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Mrs. Zhao was quick, soon bringing over a copper basin.


    When she saw the red mark on her young mistress¡¯s wrist, she said with concern, ¡°Miss, what happened?¡±


    ¡°The Crown Prince grabbed me.¡±


    ¡°How could the Crown Prince be so harsh?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mrs. Zhao, I¡¯ll soak it in warm water for a while, then apply some ointmentter.¡±


    In her dreams, red marks often covered her body, and sometimes there were even bruises.


    Compared to those situations, this was nothing.


    Remembering the moment in the carriage when he grasped her, her heart plummeted. Is this life destined to turn out like her dreams?


    She couldn¡¯t resign herself to fate; there had to be a way out!


    An hourter, Miao Zhu returned with a bundle on her back.


    The yard was filled with pce maids from the Eastern Pce.


    Seeing this, Miao Zhu made faces at Leng Yu Yan, who was tending to potted nts in the yard, ¡°Miss¡­¡±


    Leng Yu Yan understood, ¡°Did you get all the clothes?¡±


    ¡°Got them.¡± Miao Zhu nodded and headed straight for the inner room.


    The Eastern Pce¡¯s maids wouldn¡¯te into the inner room, so the master and servant could talk freely.


    Miao Zhu ced the bundle on the tea table and pulled out a small bamboo tube from a pile of clothes.


    Leng Yu Yan took out a letter, unfolded it, and soon frowned.


    ¡°Miss, what does it say?¡±


    ¡°Xia Tao found out that the person who offered ten thousand goldes from the capital city, and she suspects it¡¯s from the Tian Family.¡±


    ¡°Who could it be?¡± Miao Zhu instinctively took the letter and used a flint to light it up.


    ¡°Noble children are rushing to find the Divine Doctor for Princess Shang,¡± Leng Yu Yan contemted. ¡°Could it be the Ninth Princess trying to seek the Divine Doctor for herself this time?¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s Ninth Princess who wants to find the Divine Doctor, will you ept the assignment, Miss?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    The Tian Family members were unpredictable, and their derogatory remarks from the day she examined their rash still rang in her ears.


    ¡°Alright, I will send a message to Chun Liu Xia Tao via carrier pigeon.¡± Miao Zhu spoke and started to leave.


    ¡°Hold on! Find some time the day after tomorrow to go to the Leng Residence or another open space to send the carrier pigeon. There are too many eyes in the Eastern Pce; it¡¯s not safe.¡±

 Chapter 67: Win-Lose Gamble

    Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Win-Lose Gamble


    Miao Zhu nodded, ¡°The maid understands, it will be dealt with after dark, definitely not in the Eastern Pce.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s eat first.¡±


    Turning her head, she saw the wallet she brought back from thest calligraphypetition and picked it up as she walked out of the inner room.


    Once in the outer room, she gestured for Mrs. Zhao and Miao Zhu to sit down and join her for a meal.


    The two nced at the pce maids waiting in the yard and the corridor, hesitating to take a seat.


    Leng Yu Yan tapped her fingertips on the table, ¡°You don¡¯t even listen to my words now?¡±


    Mrs. Zhao and Miao Zhu exchanged a look, then took their seats.


    Leng Yu Yan took out a Jade Pendant and a jade ring from the wallet and passed them over, ¡°The Jade Pendant is for Miao Zhu, and the jade ring is for Mrs. Zhao¡ªuse them as a hairpin.¡±


    Mrs. Zhao took the jade ring, held up her thumb, and slipped it on directly, nodding her head repeatedly while making ¡®eh eh eh¡¯ sounds.


    Meanwhile, Miao Zhu looked at the Jade Pendant uneasily, ¡°Miss, isn¡¯t it bad to take this Jade Pendant rashly?¡±


    From the pattern, it seemed to be a man¡¯s adornment, and a very expensive-looking one at that.


    ¡°The Jade Pendant was broken by me at one corner, now just a worthless piece of jade; rest assured.¡±


    Hearing this, Miao Zhu joyfully epted it, ¡°Thank you, Miss!¡±


    ¡ª


    The next day, school at the academy.


    Early in the morning, Xu Yaxiang set up a betting stall in front of the ss A teaching house.


    ¡°Tomorrow is the preliminary contest, and the teams that qualify canpete to y the roles of the Flower God and Flower Fairy. Those with spare silver,e join the fun¡ªguaranteed profits!¡±


    Xu Yaxiang shouted without restraint.


    Immediately, many female students crowded around.


    Someone asked, ¡°Xu Yaxiang, how do we ce bets?¡±


    ¡°Simple, you bet whether the team of Lai Jiajia and Leng Yu Yan will lose or win¡ªif the final result matches your bet, you win; if it doesn¡¯t, you lose,¡± Xu Yaxiang yelled, ¡°No turning back once you bet!¡±


    Someone asked, ¡°But if we all bet on them losing and we all win, where will the winning silvere from?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it just silver? The host will put it up,¡± Xu Yaxiang sneered contemptuously, ¡°You can¡¯t lose!¡±


    She wanted nothing more than to embarrass the Leng Family¡¯s ugly daughter!


    ¡°Such a great opportunity!¡± someone immediately took out their wallet and ced a bet.


    Xu Yaxiang sat behind the stall, ringing a small gong, ¡°Not only can everyone earn silver tomorrow, we can also make the ugly girl remove her veil. Let¡¯s all see just how hideous she is that the whole world considers her the number one ugly girl.¡±


    The crowdughed together, ¡°That¡¯s going to be a huge embarrassment!¡±


    For a moment, the betting stall was bustling with excitement.


    Inside the ss D teaching house,


    Lai Jiajia stood with her hands on her hips, fuming, ¡°Sister, that Xu Yaxiang is too much, I heard she started taking bets privately a few days ago. Today, she was so brazen as to set up the stall right outside the teaching house.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation like now?¡± Leng Yu Yan asked with a faint smile, having heard that Xu Yaxiang¡¯s father had recently been promoted, which exined her brazenness.


    They¡¯re all betting on us to lose,¡± Luo Meng¡¯er was also furious.


    Mi Xinmei lowered her voice, ¡°No one is betting on us to win.¡±


    ¡°The current betting ratio for our team to qualify or not is thirty-nine to zero,¡± Lai Jiajia puffed her cheeks, sat down, and mmed her hands on the desk.


    ¡°Then here¡¯s our chance to make money,¡± Leng Yu Yan took out a stack of silver notes from her wallet, ¡°Go bet on our team to win.¡±


    Lai Jiajia counted the silver notes, ¡°Sister, this is one thousand taels!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded, ¡°One thousand silver taels, the odds will multiply several times over¡ªif we win, we can make a fortune.¡±


    Lai Jiajia clutched the silver note, voicing her anxiety, ¡°What if we really lose?¡±


    ¡°If we lose, the silver is gone and it¡¯s on me; if we win, after deducting the principal, the profit is split evenly among the six of us, how¡¯s that?¡± Leng Yu Yan said with remarkable ease.


    ¡°We can¡¯t let sister bear the loss alone!¡± Lai Jiajia took out her wallet from her waist and pped it on the table.


    ¡°Yeah, Yu Yan is putting in both money and effort, we can¡¯t let Yu Yan shoulder the costs alone.¡± Mi Xinmei pulled out ten silver taels, ¡°I¡¯ve been eating in food these days, myplexion has improved a lot, and I¡¯ve even managed to save some money, even if it¡¯s only ten taels.¡±


    Lai Jiajia took it without any hesitation, ¡°Ten taels is good too, it¡¯s also a show of support for our team.¡±


    Thus, the five of them pooled together one hundred taels, and together with Leng Yu Yan¡¯s one thousand taels, Lai Jiajia took it to Xu Yaxiang¡¯s stall.


    ¡°Hey, Xu, can we join this betting game?¡±


    Xu Yaxiang sneered, ¡°How much money do you have?¡±


    Lai Jiajia ced the silver note and silver on the table, ¡°One thousand and one hundred taels.¡±


    Xu Yaxiang thought to herself, that¡¯s a lot!


    This team of ugly girls is bound to lose; not only would their silver make all the students who just bet earn a bit, but she, the bookmaker, would make quite a profit as well.


    It seems this team is the big sucker!


    With that thought, sheughed, ¡°Of course, you can join!¡±


    As she spoke, she reached out to take the silver, ¡°Once you¡¯ve ced a bet, you can¡¯t back out. Are you sure this is what you want?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Lai Jiajia held down the silver, ¡°But you need to make a written note of it!¡±


    Seeing so much silver made Xu Yaxiang¡¯s heart itch; she immediately responded, ¡°Certainly!¡±


    Then she took up pen and ink to write out the note.


    The odds changed to thirty-nine to one, and the students spread the word.


    It was said that the ugly Leng family¡¯s team had put up one thousand and one hundred taels betting on their own victory, prompting everyone to make bets.


    After all, Xu Yaxiang¡¯s reputation wasn¡¯t great; being the bookmaker, she might not be willing to pay up in the end.


    But with one thousand and one hundred taels, if everyone bet on the Leng family¡¯s ugly girls to lose, they would get both their principal and profit in the end.


    By the time sses ended, the odds had be one hundred and neen to one.


    Still, no one else bet on Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia¡¯s team to win.


    Lai Jiajia told Leng Yu Yan about the odds.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled, ¡°The contest is tomorrow, let¡¯s just jump as we¡¯ve practiced on regr days. If we win, each of us can get a good share of the silver. Therefore, everyone should rest well today, and bring your best condition to the preliminary exams tomorrow.¡±


    The girls agreed with nods and then walked together toward the academy entrance.


    Along the way, the students pointed at them and discussed loudly.


    ¡°They¡¯re sure to lose, and we¡¯ll have a great show to watch tomorrow!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really looking forward to it, if they lose, we get money!¡±


    ¡°Right, Xu Yaxiang thought she¡¯d have to pay out of pocket to be the bookmaker, but she didn¡¯t expect a big sucker to appear.¡±


    Lai Jiajia and the others, upon hearing this, felt anxious and angry.


    Especially Luo Meng¡¯er, who was afraid of dragging the team down, whispered anxiously to Leng Yu Yan, ¡°What if we lose, what then?¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    Leng Yu Yan reassured her, ¡°Just rx; if we lose, I¡¯ll simply take off my veil. Any shame will be on me, not you.¡±


    The more Yu Yan spoke this way, the more Lai Jiajia and the others inside felt even more determined to prove themselves.


    At the academy entrance.


    Just as Leng Yu Yan was about to get into the horse carriage, Li Yuyue quickly approached and called out to her, ¡°Yu Yan, I¡¯ve had the jade bracelet sent to the border with the fastest horse.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan turned around, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, I hope Aunt Wang Fei likes it.¡±


    ¡°Mm, do you have time today? I¡¯d like to take you out for a meal.¡± Worried that she would refuse and seeing Lai Jiajia bouncing over, Li Yuyue added, ¡°Bring Jiajia along too.¡±

 Chapter 68 - 68 A Meal Together

    Chapter 68: Chapter 68 A Meal Together


    Lai Jiajia asked with a giggle, ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled, ¡°Brother Lai wants to treat us to a meal.¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± Lai Jiajia readily agreed, then remembered thepetition the next day, pursed her lips, and said with difficulty, ¡°We have to participate in the preliminary dancepetition of the Flower Festival tomorrow, I still need to practice my dance.¡±


    ¡°Then, once you im victory tomorrow, I¡¯ll invite you again, and we can celebrate at that time.¡±


    Together, the sisters eximed, ¡°Alright!¡±


    Not far away, Li Lu watched furiously. She had knelt at the ancestral hall for two days, which caused her to be ill for several days.


    During these days, the ugly girl had stolen all the limelight.


    A wave of sickening anger swelled in her chest, impossible to swallow no matter how hard she tried.


    Xu Yaxiang had just told her about a betting game that had been set up, such an opportunity she needed to grasp, first to make the ugly girl look bad, and second to take everything the ugly girl had.


    Feeling the emptiness of her wallet, and too embarrassed to ask Lai Manting to borrow money, she quietly asked Xu Yaxiang, ¡°Is it toote to ce bets tomorrow?¡±


    Xu Yaxiang replied, ¡°You can bet until the results of thepetition are announced.¡±


    ¡°Good, I¡¯ll ce my bets tomorrow.¡± She decided to take out all her private savings and bet on the ugly girl to lose!


    ¡ª


    The setting sun hung low, fish leaptpeting in the pond.


    It had to be said, the view of the Eastern Pce at this moment was extremely beautiful.


    Especially by thekeside, where one could watch the willows sway and observe the yful fish in the water.


    Having just returned to the Eastern Pce, Leng Yu Yan stopped to enjoy the view for a while, turned her head, and saw Fan Minmin sitting alone by theke, lost in thought, so she walked over.


    ¡°Do you mind if I sit down?¡±


    Fan Minmin, surprised by the voice, looked up and said, ¡°Sit.¡±


    The two sat in silence for a while.


    After a long time, Fan Minmin was the first to speak, ¡°I dislike you.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s voice was calm, ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Knowing that, why did you still sit down?¡± Fan Minmin was quite disgruntled.


    Leng Yu Yan responded directly, ¡°Do you think I stole your cousin from you?¡±


    ¡°My cousin doesn¡¯t like you.¡± Unconsciously, Fan Minmin raised her voice.


    ¡°I am well aware,¡± she said, still unppable.


    Seeing this, Fan Minmin became even more irritated, ¡°Then why do you still approach him?¡±


    To this, Leng Yu Yan was rather speechless.


    She hadn¡¯t approached him at all, escaping would be toote, let alone the desire to steal her cousin.


    That kind of sinister man, she didn¡¯t want him!


    ¡°Fan Minmin, if you really like your cousin, then be brave and bold in pursuing him.¡±


    Hearing such startling words, Fan Minmin was so shocked that she widened her eyes, turned her body to stare at Leng Yu Yan, her mouth agape, but not knowing what to say.


    After a long while, she then said, ¡°I personally made soup and broth, but my cousin won¡¯t drink it.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Then you should feed it directly to his mouth, maybe his eyes are failing him, he¡¯s afraid he will get it in his nose.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Fan Minminughed, ¡°You¡¯re quite amusing.¡±


    Yet a sense of rm bellied up within her, a stronger sense of crisis.


    Could such an interesting woman, even with an ugly face, still attract men?


    Leng Yu Yan continued, ¡°You¡¯ve liked him since you were young, your feelings must run deep. Sometimes taking the initiative can show the Crown Prince your intentions, perhaps then you will seed.¡±


    Take action quickly!


    To avoid wasting her time in the Eastern Pce.


    The key issue was that her own status wasn¡¯t strong enough!


    Fan Minmin fell deep into thought.


    Seeing that she was very unpopr with herself, Leng Yu Yan did not sit for long, having said her piece, and left thekeside.


    No matter how beautiful the scenery by theke, could itpare to the freedom of the open sky and vast seas?


    @@novelbin@@


    Soon after, Leng Yu Yan returned to Tingfeng Garden.


    Upon entering the courtyard, she sensed something was amiss.


    The pce maids, who usually resembled motionless wooden beauties, were especially respectful today.


    The air seemed to have solidified.


    Only the sound of Song Guo¡¯s voice and Mrs. Zhao¡¯s grunting noise came from inside the room.


    Leng Yu Yan and Miao Zhu hurried a few steps closer, only to see Mrs. Zhao stand at one side with her hands drooping, while Song Guo was speaking something to her.


    ncing to the left, Leng Yu Yan saw Ye Yiheng sitting there, drinking tea.


    He appeared as if savoring some exquisite tea, refining and elegantly enjoying every sip.


    Song Guo had said quite a lot, while Mrs. Zhao kept pointing to her own ear, indicating she could not hear.


    It was at this moment, upon noticing Leng Yu Yan¡¯s return, Song Guo hastened to say, ¡°Miss Lai Wu, His Highness cares deeply. Earlier I heard you say you haven¡¯t been eating well in the Eastern Pce, so today His Highness has especiallye to Tingfeng Garden to taste the quality of the meals.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan moved her lips, but then promptly raised her hand, signaling Mrs. Zhao to step back.


    Someone was malicious and deceitful. If he discovered that Mrs. Zhao was neither deaf nor mute, that would be an unfavorable situation.


    Besides, he had hinted before that the rumors that spread after she kneeled at the ancestral hall were very clear, both implicitly and explicitly.


    Mrs. Zhao nodded and bowed as she retreated.


    Only then did Ye Yiheng gently ce his teacup down and said, ¡°Serve the meal.¡±


    Song Guo immediately assisted him in taking a seat at the dining table.


    Surrounded by attendants, dining alone with him felt quite unsettling for Leng Yu Yan, but it was not appropriate to say anything, so she had no choice but to take her seat as well.


    The food was quicklyid out.


    Under Song Guo¡¯s attendance, Ye Yiheng took his time to eat a few bites with deliberate slowness.


    ¡°The meals here with the Crown Princess Consort are not much different from mine alone,¡± hemented.


    Leng Yu Yan had a few bites, then put down her chopsticks: ¡°To be honest, on regr days, what we eat is indeed not like this. The variety of dishes is not as rich, let alone the color, aroma, and taste.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng frowned.


    Song Guo immediately responded, ¡°His Highness just said that eating for one day will not lead to any real discovery, so he ns toe again tomorrow.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan was stupefied. Really?


    Tomorrow she and Li Yuyue, Lai Jiajia had arranged to eat out at a restaurant.


    ¡°Perhaps Your Highness is not aware that anywhere you go in the Eastern Pce, who would dare not to take utmost care? The same goes for the meals!¡± Leng Yu Yan forced a smile, ¡°There is no need for you toe again tomorrow!¡±


    Ye Yiheng indifferently replied, ¡°Then I shall have toe every day from now on.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan was left speechless.


    Could he not discern the implication in her words?


    ¡°Your Highness¡¯s concern is appreciated, the quality of the meals should indeed improve, but your presence won¡¯t be necessary,¡± she stated inly, hoping he would understand.


    To her surprise, he remained silent.


    Leng Yu Yan took a deep breath and gently added, ¡°Tingfeng Garden is quite secluded, and with Your Highness¡¯s concern for your eyes, I think it is best if you visit less frequently.¡±


    Ye Yiheng picked up his chopsticks again and said coldly, ¡°When eating, we should not speak!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan really wanted to curse. Who was it that started speaking first while they were eating?


    The silence in Tingfeng Garden was so profound that Leng Yu Yan felt that even a slight sound of chewing was a sin.


    This blind man, with his cold face, was making her lose her appetite.


    Eventually, the dinner ended, and Ye Yiheng stood up.


    Leng Yu Yan quickly followed suit: ¡°I will see Your Highness out!¡±


    Ye Yiheng turned his head with an aura that chilled to the bone: ¡°Tomorrow, you must not dine with Lai Yu!¡±


    Know your ce!


    Does a woman from the backwoods notprehend decorum, righteousness, integrity, or shame?


    At this point, Leng Yu Yan finally understood why this blind man suddenly came to eat at Tingfeng Garden.


    Firstly, he subtly indicated to her that there was no issue with the food in the Eastern Pce.


    Secondly, she couldn¡¯t help but suspect that he had someone at the academy¡¯s gates. How else did hee to know so soon about her conversation with Brother Lai right after she got out of ss?


    This blind man was too terrifying!


    Watching him walk out leaning on Song Guo¡¯s arm, Leng Yu Yan hurried after him: ¡°Your Highness¡­¡±

 Chapter 69: Holding Her in My Arms

    Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Holding Her in My Arms


    He didn¡¯t turn his head, ¡°Is there something?¡±


    ¡°Lady has been sitting by theke alone for quite a while now.¡±


    ¡°How is that of concern to me?¡±


    His tone was chilly, devoid of warmth.


    That blind man must have assigned someone to monitor her; thus, she had to escape this ce as soon as possible.


    Thinking of this, Leng Yu Yan softened her tone, ¡°It¡¯s cold in the mornings and evenings. Lady is delicate. If she catches a cold from sitting out there, Your Highness would be heartbroken.¡±


    Hearing this, Ye Yiheng paused in his steps.


    ¡°Song Guo, go call Fan Minmin back,¡± he turned and said to her, ¡°Crown Princess Consort, assist me back to the Crown Prince¡¯s bedroom!¡±


    His voice was haughty and brooked no refusal.


    Leng Yu Yan: ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Had she just shot herself in the foot?


    As she was thinking of how to refuse, Ye Yiheng¡¯s slender fingers sped her wrist.


    Seeing this, Song Guo smiled slightly, ¡°Your Highness, the Crown Princess Consort will take care of you now. I¡¯ll go to theke first.¡±


    With that said, she disappeared in the blink of an eye.


    Reluctantly, Leng Yu Yan could only help him to his bedroom.


    Fortunately, he stayed silent along the way, or she didn¡¯t know how long she could keep her temper in check.


    The bedroom from her dreams appeared before her eyes again, and Leng Yu Yan instinctively stopped.


    ¡°Your Highness, please go in by yourself; I feel unwell.¡±


    The same excuse again.


    Ye Yiheng raised his eyebrow and directly pulled her into the bedroom by her wrist.


    This vast bedroom wasid out just like the one in her dreams.


    Though she only saw the outer room for now, those tables, stools, chairs¡­


    Scenes from her dreams crazily spun before her eyes.


    Leng Yu Yan felt extremely dizzy. Not knowing where she got the strength, she wrenched her hand free and leaned against the wall for support.


    Even holding onto the wall, her whole body was weak. Her vision darkened, and she copsed to the floor.


    Seeing this, Ye Yiheng quickly supported her.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    He called out, but she didn¡¯t respond.


    Ye Yiheng had no choice but to shout towards the door, ¡°Someone, call the imperial doctor!¡±


    Just then, Fan Minmin appeared at the bedroom door, apanied by Song Guo.


    Seeing Ye Yiheng half-embracing the ugly daughter of the Leng family, Fan Minmin bit her lip hard.


    This ugly woman was too maniptive, sending her after her cousin and then turning around to copse in her cousin¡¯s arms.


    Face shameless ugly woman!


    Perhaps the ugly woman¡¯s skin was extraordinarily thick!


    Soon, a pce maid came in and helped Leng Yu Yan into the inner room.


    Song Guo immediately sent a little eunuch to the Imperial Hospital.


    Fan Minmin, seeing no one paying her any heed, was furious, grinding her teeth and stamping her feet with no oneing forward to inquire or show concern, so she stiffly returned to her temporary residence.


    Within less than thirty minutes, Grand Doctor Zeng arrived at the Eastern Pce.


    Seeing Leng Yu Yan lying on the bed of the Crown Prince¡¯s bedroom, he was quite surprised. Seeing her forehead pale, he assumed herplexion was the same.


    He immediately took out his hand cushion and silk handkerchief to check her pulse.


    But he couldn¡¯t make out anything; her pulse was steady, very healthy.


    However, the fact that the veiled youngdy had fainted was real.


    After pondering for a moment, Grand Doctor Zeng said, ¡°Your Highness, Miss Lai is overworked; she just needs good rest.¡±


    Hearing this, Ye Yiheng motioned for others to help Grand Doctor Zeng write a prescription.


    Grand Doctor Zeng reluctantly wrote a tonic and beautifying prescription.


    Upon hearing about her youngdy¡¯s copse in Tingfeng Garden, Miao Zhu quickly rushed over.


    She arrived just in time to see the imperial doctor leaving after prescribing the medicine, anxious and fearful that the Crown Prince might act impulsively again.


    When she reached the inner room and saw Leng Yu Yan lying on the bed, her clothes and veil neatly arranged, Miao Zhu finally rxed.


    In front of everyone, she walked to the edge of the bed, directly lifted a corner of the veil, and pinched Leng Yu Yan¡¯s philtrum.


    As she took a deep breath, Leng Yu Yan suddenly opened her eyes¡­


    Covered by a white gauze, Ye Yiheng was right in front of her.


    She shrank towards the inside of the bed, her expression tense, her voice intive, ¡°You, you, don¡¯te any closer!¡±


    Miao Zhu immediately understood¡ªher young mistress was having another nightmare and grabbed her hand, ¡°Miss, it¡¯s alright, let¡¯s go back to Tingfeng Garden.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan pressed her violently heaving chest, her gaze fixed on Ye Yiheng standing at the foot of the bed.


    She had just fainted and dreamt that he had pinned her to the bed¡­


    Now that Miao Zhu was by her side, Leng Yu Yan gathered her strength and pinched the back of her hand.


    It hurt!


    Quickly distinguishing dream from reality, Leng Yu Yan swiftly got out of bed, ¡°Miao Zhu, back to Tingfeng Garden!¡±


    Ye Yiheng was utterly baffled.


    This woman must be ill!


    As if he had done something to her!


    ¡°Change all the bedding on the bed!¡±


    His voice was cold and filled with irritation.


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡±


    The pce maids responded in unison, bustling around.


    Even after the bedding was changed, Ye Yiheng was still irate. Remembering that he had held her while she fainted, he quickly called someone to attend to him and changed his robe as well.


    Leng Yu Yan walked briskly, Miao Zhu hurrying after her.


    Back in the bedroom of Tingfeng Garden, Leng Yu Yan finally took deep breaths.


    Miao Zhu was terribly worried; her mistress¡¯s nightmares were sometimes violent, sometimes rtively calm.


    It was rare for her to wake up unable to distinguish reality from nightmare like today.


    ¡°Miss, are you alright?¡± Miao Zhu gently patted her back, then handed her a ss of water.


    After drinking the water, Leng Yu Yan closed her eyes and shook her head. When she opened her eyes again, they were bloodshot.


    This genuinely startled Miao Zhu, ¡°Miss¡­¡±


    ¡°I entered his bedroom and fainted, then dreamt that he¡­¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    Upon hearing this, Miao Zhu began to cry, knowing somewhat the nature of her mistress¡¯s dreams.


    How could such a thing be eptable to an unmarried youngdy?


    ¡°Miss, let¡¯s run away!¡±


    ¡°Miao Zhu, you don¡¯t understand, I¡¯ve already tested his skills twice, I¡¯m no match for him.¡±


    ¡°There must be another way,¡± Miao Zhu sniffled, then reassured, ¡°People say he is impotent, Miss, maybe it was just a dream!¡±


    ¡°I thought so too.¡±


    But now she knew the secret of his eyes, coupled with his intent to kill her.


    Thus, her life was easily in his grip.


    ¡ª


    At this time, the officials at the Ministry of Rites were still busy.


    Ji Qingyu was discussing with them the matters rted to the appointment of a Commandery Prince.


    Eunuch Ye entered with a smile, ¡°Commandery Prince, the Emperor has sent me to deliver an oralmand, asking you to visit the Imperial Study when you have time.¡±


    Ji Qingyu, not daring to let the Emperor wait, informed the Ministry of Rites officials and followed Eunuch Ye to Xiande Hall.


    In the Imperial Study of Xiande Hall, the Emperor was reviewing petitions at his desk. Hearing footsteps, he slowly looked up, ¡°Qingyu has arrived?¡±


    Ji Qingyu hastened his steps and bowed, ¡°Greetings to the Emperor.¡±


    The Emperor raised his hand, ¡°Rise quickly.¡±


    Eunuch Ye was very observant and quickly helped Ji Qingyu up.


    ¡°Qingyu, your uncle has selected some daughters from noble families for you. Choose one to be your official wife. If you like others, you may designate them as concubines.¡± The Emperor picked up a register, ¡°Their portraits are all here.¡±


    Eunuch Ye hurried forward, took the register with both hands, and then handed it to Ji Qingyu, ¡°Commandery Prince, the Emperor has put great effort into carefully selecting thesedies.¡±


    Ji Qingyu epted the register, ¡°My uncle is considerate, I understand, but I already have someone in mind.¡±

 Chapter 70: The Person of My Heart

    Chapter 70: Chapter 70: The Person of My Heart


    ¡°Oh?¡± The Emperor¡¯s left eyebrow twitched, ¡°Whose daughter is she?¡±


    Ji Qingyu candidly replied, ¡°My nephew doesn¡¯t know whose daughter she is; he is nning to confess his feelings for her in the next few days.¡±


    The Emperor was somewhat surprised, ¡°This is good news, you are more impressive than Ah Heng.¡±


    Ji Qingyu respectfully said, ¡°The Crown Prince is blind, my nephew has good vision, thus he can choose the person he admires.¡±


    The Emperorughed aloud.


    Seeing himugh, Ji Qingyu took the opportunity to speak, ¡°Uncle, about this roster of names¡­¡±


    The Emperor waved his hand, ¡°Take the roster back for now; if there is someone you fancy, you can bring her into your residence.¡±


    ¡°This¡­¡± Ji Qingyu¡¯s handsome brows furrowed.


    He hadn¡¯t expected that merely mentioning it would turn it into a hot potato.


    Seeing his expression, Eunuch Ye quickly spoke up, ¡°Commandery Prince, this is His Majesty¡¯s kindness!¡±


    The Emperor restrained hisughter, speaking slowly, ¡°Qingyu, you are now a Commandery Prince, and your wife must be from a suitable family. If the girl you likees from an ordinary family, then take her as a concubine. As for your principal wife, choose one from the roster.¡±


    His tone was neither hurried nor slow, revealing the dignified authority of someone who had held a high position for a long time.


    Ji Qingyu wanted to say more, ¡°Uncle¡­¡±


    ¡°As a Commandery Prince, you must not indulge your temper as before; it¡¯s time to be more thoughtful,¡± the Emperor picked up a document from beside him, his gaze lowering, ¡°You may leave.¡±


    Eunuch Ye gestured invitingly with his hand.


    Ji Qingyu had no choice but to perform a ceremonial bow and take his leave.


    If he continued, his uncle would press him with his authority; eptance was his only option.


    He needed to return to his residence quickly to discuss with his mother, hoping his uncle would be more persuadable considering his mother¡¯s face.


    Moreover, at that time, he could simply say he chose none from the roster.


    ¡ª


    That night.


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s head felt slightly swollen, so she called Miao Zhu to massage her temples.


    As she closed her eyes, a voice came from outside.


    ¡°Miss Lai, His Highness has sent me to bring you some medicinal soup.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan opened her eyes and saw Song Guo leading a pce maid carrying a bowl of medicine.


    ¡°What medicine is this?¡±


    She was a doctor, yet she detested taking medicine the most.


    ¡°Miss fainted yesterday; this is a prescription from Grand Doctor Zeng,¡± Song Guo respectfully ced the medicine bowl on the table.


    The medicinal scent lingered at the tip of her nose; Leng Yu Yan meticulously discerned that it was a recipe for nourishment and beautifying.


    ¡°Since I¡¯ve already woken up, there¡¯s no need for the medicine.¡±


    Song Guo added, ¡°Please, miss, drink it soon so I can report back to His Highness.¡±


    ¡°Just leave it there; I¡¯ll drink itter.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Song Guo retreated several steps with the pce maid and left Tingfeng Garden.


    After closing the door, Mrs. Zhao softly asked, ¡°Miss, is there anything wrong with the medicine?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for beauty and nourishment; there¡¯s no issue.¡±


    Miao Zhu frowned, ¡°How could they prescribe such a medicine when Miss fainted?¡±


    ¡°My body is fine; the fainting was caused by another reason. I guess the physician prescribed this just to have something to report.¡±


    The things in her dream had triggered a physiological reaction in her.


    Miao Zhu looked outside and picked up the medicine bowl, ¡°I¡¯ll go and dump this; miss hates taking medicine the most.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a pce maid outside,¡± Mrs. Zhao stopped Miao Zhu and took the medicine bowl, ¡°I will drink it; I don¡¯t mind the bitterness.¡±


    Having said that, she tilted her head back and drank the bowl of medicine in one gulp, then added, ¡°It can even beautify and nourish the skin; it will help smooth this old servant¡¯s wrinkled skin.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled at the sound.


    After a quarter of an hour, Song Guo returned.


    ¡°Miss, I¡¯ll take the medicine bowl away now.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Setting aside their grievances, Ye Yiheng handled this matter well.


    She recalled the time she had pretended to faint in the ancestral hall of the Leng Residence, when there was not even someone to cook medicinal herbs.


    ¡ª


    The next day, spring breezes caressed her face and the warm sun glimmered.


    Leng Yu Yan woke up early with her head still throbbing and her eyelids swollen.


    Unsurprisingly, she had dreamed again during the night.


    She had cried for a long time in her dream.


    It was iprehensible why, of all the women he could choose from, he sought solely to torment her.


    She pressed around her eyes to promote cirction, but her eyelids remained puffy.


    Today, she had to participate in the preliminary contest and needed to go to the academy early, so she grabbed an egg, peeled it, and began rolling it over her eyelids as she boarded the horse carriage.


    Meanwhile,


    Lai Manting and Li Lu had arrived early at the teaching house, their gaze fixed on the entrance, waiting for Xu Yaxiang to appear so they could ce their bets.


    Finally, Xu Yaxiang showed up, moving a desk from ss B teaching house to the entrance of ss A teaching house.


    Since ss A was on the outer side, students from other sses had to pass by its entrance.


    Seeing Xu Yaxiang setting up her stall, Li Lu hurried over, taking out the 300 taels of silver she had saved up, ¡°Xu Yaxiang, I bet they lose!¡±


    Xu Yaxiang was surprised to find that the usually frugal Li Lu had money.


    Her wallet contained small-denomination silver notes, silver ingots, and broken silver, totaling precisely 300 taels.


    ¡°Where did you get so much money?¡±


    ¡°I saved it up. I bet they lose!¡± Li Lu spoke softly, but there was a fierce determination in her eyes.


    Xu Yaxiang, momentarily taken aback, quickly replied with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they will definitely lose, and you¡¯ll make at least a hundred taels.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Li Lu hesitantly handed over her wallet to Xu Yaxiang.


    Then, Lai Manting stealthily approached and stuffed several silver notes into Xu Yaxiang¡¯s palm.


    Xu Yaxiang unfolded her hand, counted the notes¡ªfive hundred taels.


    ¡°Both of you rx, today is our day for revenge!¡±


    Lai Manting nodded; she knew that the other students typically bet in mere taels, and rarely suchrge amounts. Today, they were determined to win a significant portion of the five hundred taels from that ¡°little girl¡¯s¡± team.


    @@novelbin@@


    The ¡°little girl¡± only got so little monthly allowance; how did she have one thousand taels of silver?


    Last time, she had nonchntly given Lai Jiajia 1,500 taels; perhaps she had sold Prince Liang¡¯s Jade Pendant?


    The thought infuriated Lai Manting, causing her chest to ache.


    Momentster, as Leng Yu Yan passed by the entrance of ss A teaching house, Xu Yaxiang blocked her path with a gong hammer.


    ¡°Hey, ugly girl, did you cry all night thinking about having to reveal your face and shame yourself? Your eyes are as swollen as walnuts!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan, expressionless, retorted, ¡°I was kept awake by the thought of you kneeling and kowtowing to me; believe it or not?¡±


    Xu Yaxiang scoffed with disdain, ¡°Ha, keep bluffing, you¡¯ll be the one cryingter!¡±


    She had already secured favors for Lady Cao through the teacher.


    During the contest, Lady Cao¡¯s judgment would be the final result.


    No matter how well the ugly girl performed, all her connections were well-prepared; how could she possibly let the ugly girl qualify?


    Thinking this, Xu Yaxiang burst outughing and retracted the hammer.


    As Leng Yu Yan entered ss D teaching house, Mi Xinmei and Luo Meng¡¯er saw her swollen eyes and came over to greet her.


    ¡°I¡¯m alright, just didn¡¯t sleep wellst night.¡±


    When Lai Jiajia arrived, she immediately noticed her eyes and eximed, ¡°Sister, what happened to your eyes?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan had to exin again.


    ¡°Actually, we could all see your swollen eyes right away. Because you wear a veil, even a slight swelling around the eyes attracts all the attention and makes it especially noticeable.¡± While speaking, Lai Jiajia noticed the egg in Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand, ¡°Sister, can I eat this egg?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan chuckled, ¡°I¡¯m using it to treat my eyes, let¡¯s not eat it, you little glutton!¡±


    Just as Mi Xinmei and Luo Meng¡¯er were about to agree, hearing Lai Jiajia¡¯sst remark, they too couldn¡¯t help butugh.

 Chapter 71 - 71 Lonely and Empty

    Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Lonely and Empty


    East Pce Study Room.


    Ye Yiheng asked in a light voice, ¡°How is the father of Miss Xu faring now?¡±


    Jian Lecheng, who was sitting beside him, closed the book in his hands, ¡°As per Your Highness¡¯s instructions, he has been transferred from the Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Personnel and appointed as Assistant Minister.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    ¡°Very well?¡± Jian Lecheng said resentfully, ¡°This old man prides himself on his promotion, and now he¡¯s more brazen than ever, not taking Your Highness into ount and discussing with several other ministers about which Prince is most likely to be the next Crown Prince.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s face remained calm, ¡°Do not stop him, what he says and does now will all turn to suffering in the future.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness, I have already begun collecting evidence of his corruption and wrongdoing!¡±


    ¡°Good!¡±


    At that moment, the door to the study was knocked.


    Both men in the room looked towards the door in unison, only to see Song Guo stepping inside.


    ¡°Your Highness, today is the day Xinya Academy holds the preliminary round of the Flower Festivalpetition.¡±


    Seeing that His Highness remained silent, Song Guo added, ¡°This morning Miss Lai went to the academy with her eyes red and swollen. I wonder if it¡¯s because she¡¯s worried about not making it to the finals, which caused her eyes to redden.¡±


    Jian Lecheng, puzzled, spoke up, ¡°Isn¡¯t it expected that she won¡¯t make it to the finals? What¡¯s there to cry about?¡±


    ¡°Young Master, you are not aware, but if Miss Lai cannot make it to the finals, she will have to walk around the academy with her veil lifted.¡± Song Guo said uneasily, ¡°We¡¯ve all seen the blemishes on Miss Lai¡¯s face, if the teacher and students of Xinya also see it, her days toe will likely be even harder.¡±


    Hearing this, Ye Yiheng¡¯s eyes and eyebrows slightly stirred, ¡°Who are the judges?¡±


    ¡°Dance Master Cao Shu from Xinya Academy.¡±


    ¡°Go to Xingning Pce and say that I request her presence at Xinya Academy as a dance judge.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Song Guo was puzzled, ¡°Your Highness, the Ninth Princess has a leg injury. Moreover, it seems she doesn¡¯t get along well with Miss Lai. Inviting the Ninth Princess might be¡­¡±


    Jian Lecheng cut in, ¡°Song Guo, have you forgotten that when the Ninth Princess¡¯s leg was fine, she was the Flower God every year during the Flower Festival.¡±


    ¡°On my slim honor, Ah Ju will judge fairly.¡±


    If Leng Yu Yan loses face, it¡¯s the honor of the Eastern Pce that is lost.


    The matter that angered him in his bedroom yesterday, he could put aside for now.


    Song Guo stiffened, ¡°I will go to Xingning Pce right now.¡±


    With that said, she hurried off.


    After discussing some matters concerning the court with Jian Lecheng, and estimating the time Song Guo should return, Ye Yiheng stood up and donned a white veil over his eyes.


    Seeing him walking out, Jian Lecheng also stood up to follow, ¡°Where is Your Highness going?¡±


    ¡°Xinya Academy.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness is going¡­ to see if Miss Lai qualifies?¡±


    ¡°She may lose her own face, but she must not disgrace the Eastern Pce.¡±


    His voice was light, devoid of ripples.


    Jian Lecheng frowned slightly and bluntly stated, ¡°Your Highness, you have started to care about her!¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s handsome brows furrowed.


    For some reason, he suddenly recalled the feeling of holding her in his arms yesterday, soft and pliable.


    How could someone as soft and weak as she dance well?


    She was likely to losepletely today.


    Only with him present could others not lift her veil.


    Jian Lecheng tactfully smiled and said, ¡°It is I who speak nonsense, Your Highness is concerned for the reputation and the greater good of the Eastern Pce!¡±


    ¡ª


    Inside Xinya Academy, soft cushions had already beenid upon the stage.


    Eachpeting team was lined up in order, seated below the stage.


    Xu Yaxiang collected thest round of bets and then loudly mocked, ¡°Today everyone will enjoy the show; this establishment will calcte the silver for everyone shortly.¡±


    Almost every female student had ced a bet, apart from the six people including Lai Jiajia and Leng Yu Yan, everyone else was hoping that their team would losepletely.


    ¡°With more silver, buying some jewelry would also be nice.¡±


    ¡°Yes, the cats and dogs I keep in my yard can eat better too.¡±


    Lai Manting and Li Lu exchanged nces, and both smiled in tacit understanding.


    ording to the bets they had ced, if they won today¡¯s gamble, then arge portion of the silver that ugly girl, Leng Yu Yan, possessed would end up in their wallets.


    Suddenly, someone cried out loudly, ¡°Leng Yu Yan, I think you guys should just give up thepetition. You¡¯re making a huge fool of yourselves. How are you going to face anyone after this?¡±


    Someone chimed in, ¡°Indeed, they were driven out of the Dance Society by Lady Cao, and no one in the academy has seen them practice dancing.¡±


    ¡°Unless they have some immortal power to instantly make themselves smarter and their bodies more flexible!¡±


    At this, everyone burst intoughter.


    After they had their fill ofughter, Cao Shu took the stage and signaled for everyone to quiet down.


    ¡°The Flower Festival is approaching. Today¡¯spetition will determine which teams will have the chance topete in the final contest. I hope everyone gives it their all.¡± She paused, nced at Xu Yaxiang, gave a slight nod, and continued, ¡°Today¡¯s contest is not limited to any specific dance form. Everyone should perform what they are best at.¡±


    Just then, a loud announcement came from the entrance of the parade ground, ¡°The Crown Prince has arrived, the Ninth Princess has arrived¡ª¡±


    The crowd was astonished.


    Why would these two be here?


    The Crown Prince is blind; what dance could he possibly watch?


    The Ninth Princess can¡¯t even dance due to her illness; what¡¯s her reason foring?


    While the crowd was gossiping, they all stood up and bowed in respect, ¡°Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince, greetings to the Ninth Princess.¡±


    ¡°Dispense with the formalities.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s voice was very calm. Through the white gauze, his gaze easily sought out Leng Yu Yan.


    Indeed, this woman had severely swollen eyelids.


    @@novelbin@@


    All bark and no bite!


    Always so quick tosh out at him, yet at the sight of such a trivial matter, she cries like this.


    Utterly useless!


    Upon hearing of the arrival of the royal siblings, the Mountain Master of the Xinya Academy hurriedly came forward, beaming with a smile, ¡°The presence of Your Highnesses graces our humble academy!¡±


    ¡°Someone, please bring chairs for Their Highnesses,¡± the Mountain Master said while simultaneously inquiring, ¡°Your Highness the Crown Prince, how do you happen to have the time toe here today?¡±


    Previously, when they invited him to the calligraphy conference, it took three or four invitations before he reluctantly agreed to attend.


    Today was but a mere preliminary round, and the Crown Prince¡¯s sudden arrival certainly startled this old man.


    The old man¡¯s heart had aged, and he couldn¡¯t help but be frightened.


    Slowly, Ye Yiheng began to speak, ¡°The Crown Princess Consort wishes topete in the preliminaries. I do not want her to partake in such a thankless task. After I reprimanded her, she felt wronged, so I havee to console her.¡±


    At this, a murmur swept through the crowd!


    Console her?


    The esteemed Crown Prince came to console an ugly girl?


    Leng Yu Yan nearly dropped her jaw; his words made it seem as if she had truly cried over thepetition.


    Even Lai Jiajia and the others believed Ye Yiheng¡¯s words, and they began offering words offort.


    ¡°Sister, did you really cry? Don¡¯t be disheartened, sister. I¡¯ve been working very hard these past few days!¡±


    ¡°Yu Yan, our rtionship is so strong. Just tell the truth; if you cried, you cried. It¡¯s not a big deal.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve been really diligent during this time and definitely won¡¯t let you down!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan raised her hand to her forehead, ¡°I just didn¡¯t sleep well!¡±


    At that moment, Ye Yiheng, supported by Song Guo, walked up to her.


    ¡°Crown Princess Consort, I was too harsh this morning; are you still angry?¡±


    This morning, they hadn¡¯t met at all.


    He spoke as if there was something between them.


    But now that he was in front of her, Leng Yu Yan had no choice but to bow slightly, ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    The words ¡°Your Highness¡± were clearly spoken through gritted teeth.


    Hearing this, Ye Yiheng¡¯s lips curved into a smile.


    In front of all the students and teachers of the Xinya Academy, he leaned down close to her ear, pretending to whisper tenderly, ¡°If you¡¯re ugly, just don¡¯t embarrass yourself!¡±

 Chapter 72: Envied by Others

    Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Envied by Others


    After finishing speaking, Ye Yiheng stood up straight.


    Leng Yu Yan smiled with her eyes curving: ¡°Your Highness treats me so kindly, I am not angry in the slightest.¡±


    As she spoke, she suddenly tiptoed and leaned in close to his ear: ¡°I will definitely not disgrace you!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng raised an eyebrow: ¡°That¡¯s very good!¡±


    The surrounding crowd was all astonished.


    The blind Crown Prince and the Leng Family¡¯s ugly girl are on such good terms?


    Wasn¡¯t it said that the Crown Prince really disliked the ugly girl?


    Xu Yaxiang turned to ask Lai Manting: ¡°Are they really so affectionate?¡±


    Lai Manting was also puzzled and had never heard her family mention it: ¡°From what I see, they are probably just pretending.¡±


    The whispers of the people around them easily reached Ye Yiheng¡¯s ears.


    He curved his lips into a perfect smile: ¡°Crown Princess Consort, please assist me to my seat.¡±


    As he spoke, he moved his hand from Song Guo¡¯s arm to in front of her.


    Leng Yu Yan looked at the hand before her, with distinct knuckles and slender fingers, exceptionally beautiful, and extended her own arm.


    Unexpectedly, the man directly grabbed her hand.


    A shock went through Leng Yu Yan¡¯s heart.


    His hand was very good-looking, as pale and cold as jade.


    It seemed his cold disease was not light.


    Normally men who practiced martial arts had warmer bodies than the average person.


    His skills were outstanding, yet his hand was as cold as ice; the cold disease must have affected him for some years now.


    No wonder everyone said he was impotent; after all, a man with kidney deficiency would also have cold hands.


    Now it seemed likely that he was both impotent and afflicted by the cold disease.


    With both factorsbined, even more so.


    In this way, the him in her dreams seemed to no longer connect with the him in reality.


    As Leng Yu Yan pondered, the absurdity of her dreams all evening dissipated a great deal.


    Together, the two of them walked to the newly established VIP seats.


    This scene stunned the onlookers, those who had suspected they were just acting were pped in the face by reality.


    The Crown Prince and the ugly girl did indeed appear to be harmonious, affectionate, and tender.


    The Ninth Princess and Jian Lecheng had already taken their seats.


    Seeing the Crown Prince approaching, the Ninth Princess smiled slightly: ¡°Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-inw¡¯s love really makes others envious!¡±


    Her words served to further confirm the rtionship of the engaged couple from another perspective.


    Jian Lechengughed loudly as he stood up, helping Ye Yiheng pull back the chair: ¡°Your Highness rushed over in such a hurry, just to console the Crown Princess Consort. Now that her anger has dissipated, my hanging heart has finally settled back down.¡±


    It must be said that the people around Ye Yiheng were all acting masters, Leng Yu Yan smiled lightly: ¡°We have made Ninth Princess and Young Masterugh.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, please take a seat!¡± Leng Yu Yan offered her other hand to assist Ye Yiheng, as if truly helping a blind man, she took care of him considerately and tenderly.


    Ye Yiheng slowly sat down, smiling warmly as he encouraged: ¡°With me here, Crown Princess Consort, be at ease to dance.¡±


    As he was acting, she naturally yed along.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness!¡± Leng Yu Yan nodded, then returned to the floor.


    The audience below were all silent, except for Xu Yaxiang, whose father had recently been promoted, she sneered softly: ¡°Anyway, he¡¯s blind and won¡¯t see how ugly her dancing is.¡±


    She thought she had spoken very quietly, not realizing that not a single word had escaped Ye Yiheng¡¯s ears.


    Ye Yiheng turned his head to Jian Lecheng and spoke in a deep voice: ¡°The matter discussed in the study, move it up the schedule, I want to settle it on the day of the Flower Festival.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I understand,¡± replied Jian Lecheng as a chill ran through him, ncing in the direction where Xu Yaxiang was.


    Shortly after, thepetition officially began.


    Six people formed a team, with teams freely assembled by the contestants pulling in their own participants.


    The team that Lai Manting, Li Lu, and Xu Yaxiang joined with three others were the first to perform.


    Their dance moves were neat and uniform, their movements standardized, and their grace in rotating and swinging their sleeves was strikingly simr to that of Cao Shu.


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s lips curved with a hint of irony; it seemed Cao Shu had indeed epted quite a few benefits.


    Once the dance finished, a chorus of praise erupted from below the stage: ¡°With Man Ting¡¯s dancing before us, what else is there topare?¡±


    ¡°In my view, Man Ting is simply the embodiment of Lady Cao herself. Her graceful waistline has even left me, a fellow woman, utterly dumbstruck!¡±


    Cao Shu nodded her head repeatedly in agreement.


    The father of Xu Yaxiang was promoted in official rank, and her brother had also taken a fancy to her. Although the matters of fate were profound and mysterious.


    Today, these noble family scions admire your appearance and figure, but on another day, they might fancy someone else.


    As a Dance Master and no longer young, how many more years could she feast on teaching dance?


    In a few years, when both her looks and physique fade, how would she continue to stand in the dance circle?


    Now that someone favored her, she no longer had to worry about her future.


    @@novelbin@@


    The subsequent ten-some teams failed to surpass Lai Manting¡¯s team.


    Congrattory voices were incessant. Lai Manting smiled tenderly while Li Lu seemed to see her wallet bulging, and Xu Yaxiang seemed to witness the Leng Family¡¯s ugly girl circling the academy over and over, incessantly branding her the ugliest girl under heaven!


    Finally, it was Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia¡¯s team¡¯s turn to take the stage.


    As soon as they stood up there, snickers spread through the crowd below.


    With a nce from Lai Manting, Xu Yaxiang raised her voice: ¡°Six crooked melons and split dates,ing up for a farce. Everyone, let¡¯s p!¡±


    The sound ofughter was unending, and Luo Meng¡¯er was incredibly nervous.


    ¡°Yu Yan, my arms and legs feel stiff.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan grabbed her hand, pressing on the acupuncture point on her wrist with her index and middle fingers, and gave it a strong shake.


    Seeing this, Cao Shu signaled the music team to start ying.


    Once the dance music began, Lai Jiajia and the other four were forced to start dancing.


    Cao Shu did it on purpose!


    Leng Yu Yan extended her arms and, seizing the moment, began to lead Luo Meng¡¯er in dance.


    Unexpectedly, Luo Meng¡¯er found her limbs obeying hermands, and she became the center of their group¡¯s dance along with Leng Yu Yan.


    Someone eximed from below: ¡°My God, what were they thinking? Luo Meng¡¯er, that plump girl, is actually able to dance the lead!¡±


    ¡°And you know what? Her waist seems to have slimmed down quite a bit.¡±


    Gradually, the jeers diminished, and everyone became captivated by their dance.


    This dance wasn¡¯t taught by Lady Cao, but they danced surprisingly well!


    Each of them moved with a lightness to their form, even the plump Luo Meng¡¯er.


    Everyone held their breath, watching the dance on stage without blinking an eye.


    The most shocked of all was Cao Shu. The teacher really favored the ugly girl.


    She never danced like that ugly girl right before her eyes!


    The Ninth Princess, leaning on the back of her wheelchair, was dozing off, her eyes squinted, then suddenly snapped to alertness.


    The girl before her, despite the earlier sight of blemishes, looked like a fairy who had descended to earth, her dance divine!


    If she could be the Flower God at the Flower Festival, even she, Ye Jiu, would be convinced.


    It was just some blemishes; cover them and that was that!


    After all, none of the others¡¯ dances could surpass hers.


    In this world, it seemed only Leng Yu Yan could surpass her own dance, Ye Jiu reckoned.


    As the music stopped, Leng Yu Yan and her team finished precise on the beat.


    When the six of them left the stage, the Teacher announced: ¡°Now, let¡¯s invite Lady Cao to judge.¡±


    Cao Shu nodded her head, gracefully ascending the stage: ¡°Thank you for your high regard. For today¡¯s qualifyingpetition, I, the teacher, believe that Lai Manting and Xu Yaxiang¡¯s team was the best. However, since five teams canpete, the following four teams will also qualify¡­,¡± and then she announced a string of names.


    In that list, the names of Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia¡¯s team were not included.


    Silence fell among the crowd below.


    It was clear to all, the Leng Family¡¯s ugly girl had performed a dance that was transcendent and enchanting, and they could not help but acknowledge it.


    No wonder they dared to wager one thousand and eleven taels of silver on their own team¡¯s victory.

 Chapter 73: The Draw of the Game

    Chapter 73: Chapter 73: The Draw of the Game


    Everyone looked towards Ye Yiheng as he pressed his fingers to his temples.


    What kind of strength was this woman hiding?


    Under such circumstances, how would she handle it?


    The Mountain Master spoke, ¡°Lady Cao, though I am ignorant of the art of dance, in my view, the dance performed by Leng Yu Yan and her group has shocked us all!¡±


    He knew that his calligraphy mentor, Mr. Yan, had given him a surprise that extended far beyond calligraphy!


    Just by watching them practice dance in his study, they were much better than those taught privately by Cao Shu!


    Cao Shu was not at all intimidated; now that she had the backing of the Xu Family, the Mountain Master could not strip her of her role as a teacher.


    And she had prepared a full set of justifications, so she exined loudly, ¡°Crown Prince, Ninth Princess, Young Master, Mountain Master, and all teachers here, I, Cao Shu, judge fairly. To speak the truth, the reason why the team of Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia cannot make it to the next round is not due to their dance moves.¡±


    ¡°Rather, it is because their appearances truly do not qualify for participation. For instance, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s figure is eptable, but her face has blemishes. Mi Xinmei has e on her face, Luo Meng¡¯er has an overly stout figure, and Lai Jiajia¡¯s form is mediocre. The remaining two have overly in faces with no sign of beauty.¡±


    Cao Shu spoke with growing enthusiasm, ¡°Everyone knows that Leng Yu Yan holds the only Jade Token of the Dance Society, but even so, I as a teacher cannot show favoritism. I can¡¯t allow them to pass just because of the Jade Token.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly, ¡°There¡¯s no need to bring up the matter of the Jade Token. Please take a closer look at Mi Xinmei¡¯s face. The e has already cleared up quite a bit; now only faint marks are left. And look at Luo Meng¡¯er¡ª¡±


    As Leng Yu Yan raised her hand, she took hold of Luo Meng¡¯er¡¯s school uniform, with its waist billowing empty.


    ¡°Her figure has be more and more graceful; can none of you see that?¡±


    ¡°Lai Jiajia is still young, and it¡¯s understandable that her figure isn¡¯t as developed as others. As for thest two, aren¡¯t they just ordinary people like the rest of you?¡±


    As she spoke, Leng Yu Yan scanned the audience, then fixed her gaze on Cao Shu, ¡°Lady Cao, being a teacher, should lead by example, teaching not only dance, but also the principles of being a person.¡±


    ¡°The principle is not to look down on others lightly! You should be good at acknowledging others¡¯ strengths and not simply fixate on their ws, belittling them.¡± Leng Yu Yan continued confidently, gestures showing her self-assurance, ¡°Today¡¯s judgment, I do not ept!¡±


    Cao Shu¡¯s face turned alternately pale and red as Leng Yu Yan lectured her on the principles of life.


    Enraged, she yelled, ¡°I have already made my judgment, and among those present, only I have the qualification to judge, not even the Mountain Master!¡±


    Just as Leng Yu Yan was preparing to challenge Cao Shu to a contest of dance skills, the Ninth Princess spoke up, ¡°Do you think, Cao Shu, that the Princess and my brother are as blind as you?¡±


    ¡°My legs may be crippled, but my eyes are not!¡± The Ninth Princess said coldly, ¡°When I was the Flower God, you, Cao Shu, were still learning how to dance somewhere else!¡±


    The Ninth Princess was known for her exceptional dancing skills; how could Cao Shu not know this?


    Immediately, her arrogance diminished, ¡°How do you think the result of thispetition should be judged, Ninth Princess?¡±


    ¡°In my view,¡± the Ninth Princess stated, ¡°the team of Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia shall be the ones portraying the Flower God and Flower Fairy; there¡¯s no need for a finalparison.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the entire ce was stunned!


    Originally, they thought that the Ninth Princess would suggest that one of the poorest teams chosen by Lady Cao should be eliminated to make room for the ¡®ugly woman¡¯ team.


    No one expected that not only would they make it to the finals, but they would be dered the winners outright!


    Seeing the displeasure on Cao Shu¡¯s face, the Ninth Princess snorted coldly, ¡°How so, do you dare to disagree?¡±


    Cao Shu quickly bowed her head, ¡°The Princess is renowned for her dance skills, widely acknowledged; I am convinced!¡±


    Upon this, the Ninth Princess turned to Ye Yiheng, ¡°Sixth Brother, Sixth Sister-inw¡¯s dance skills are outstanding; even Ah Ju acknowledges this.¡±


    Ye Yiheng nodded slightly, if even the fearless Ah Ju made such a statement, it appeared that Leng Yu Yan¡¯s dance skills were truly formidable.


    When the preliminary round concluded, the Mountain Masterughed heartily, inviting the Crown Prince, the Ninth Princess, and the Young Master to dine at the academy, with discussions about next steps to take ce there in the afternoon.


    Ye Yiheng did not object.


    Nor did Ye Jiu object; since her legs had been crippled, she hadn¡¯t left the pce in a long time.


    Even if confined within Xinya Academy, it is better than being trapped in Xingning Pce.


    Not long after seeing off the Crown Prince and the Ninth Princess from the school grounds, the students also prepared to disperse.


    At that moment, Leng Yu Yan called out to Xu Yaxiang, ¡°The time hase to settle the gambling bets!¡±


    Xu Yaxiang trembled, ¡°I need to calcte, I¡¯ll give it to you all after I¡¯ve calcted.¡±


    ¡°No need to calcte.¡± Leng Yu Yan strode over and pulled a small booklet tucked into Xu Yaxiang¡¯s waistband, ¡°It clearly records the number of people who bet on winning and losing, their names, and the amounts.¡±


    Lai Jiajiaughed, ¡°It¡¯s quite simple, aside from our team who bet on our own victory, everyone else bet on our loss. Therefore, the silver they wagered should now belong to us, and our own principal should also be returned to us!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Xu Yaxiang immediately clutched her purse.


    @@novelbin@@


    Luo Meng¡¯er and Mi Xinmei, along with their twopanions, promptly advanced to take her purse.


    Together, they dered, ¡°Our win is fair and square!¡±


    While speaking, they opened the purse for Leng Yu Yan and Lai Jiajia to inspect.


    Leng Yu Yan nced over it quickly, confirmed the number matched, and nodded.


    The crowd around was silent.


    After a long silence, many began to point at Xu Yaxiang¡¯s nose and curse.


    ¡°It¡¯s all your fault, what were you thinking setting up a betting stall?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so desperate for money?¡±


    ¡°You made us lose our monthly silver.¡±


    Lai Manting and Li Lu stood to one side, their eyes lost and unable to calm down for a long time; they were the two who had wagered the most silver on Leng Yu Yan¡¯s team¡¯s loss.


    When most people had left, the two grabbed Xu Yaxiang and began to scratch and p her.


    Xu Yaxiang¡¯s face was marked with several bloody scratches, and much of her hair had been pulled out, forcing her to yell like a madwoman, ¡°Stop hitting me! It¡¯s not my fault! You sisters are at each other¡¯s throats, making a spectacle of yourselves for others tough at, and now you¡¯re taking it out on me.¡±


    In the midst of speaking, Xu Yaxiang grabbed ahold of Li Lu¡¯s hair, ¡°You concubine daughter, aren¡¯t you just trying to climb on top of the ugly girl? Would you have put out 300 silver taels without that ambition?¡±


    Hearing this, Lai Manting calmed down.


    She straightened her clothes, ¡°The three of us should not fight amongst ourselves. We need to look farther ahead. The best opportunity will be on the day of the Flower Festival!¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Xu Yaxiang let go of Li Lu, and the three huddled together, whispering.


    At the bend of the school field, Leng Yu Yan looked at their clownish antics, frowned, and shook her head.


    Lai Jiajia whispered, ¡°They must be up to no good.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not worry about them for now, we¡¯ll go back and divide the silver,¡± Leng Yu Yan said with a smile.


    They all agreed happily.


    ¡ª


    After ss, just as Lai Jiajia and Leng Yu Yan were exiting the academy gate, they saw Li Yuyueing their way.


    Lai Jiajia waved excitedly, ¡°Brother Lai, our team won so you have to keep your word and treat us to a meal!¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Li Yuyue raised his hand, ¡°Whatever you want to eat, don¡¯t be shy with big brother!¡±


    Just then, a hand caught hold of Li Yuyue¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t the Heir Lai refuse whatever I wish to eat?¡±

 Chapter 74 - 74 In Front of People and Behind the Scenes

    Chapter 74: Chapter 74 In Front of People and Behind the Scenes


    @@novelbin@@


    Lai Yuyue was taken aback.


    It was then that Leng Yu Yan turned her head to see Ye Yiheng standing beside her.


    When had hee to stand there?


    Hadn¡¯t he returned to the Eastern Pce?


    Amidst her suspicion, she asked, ¡°Your Highness, where is the Ninth Princess?¡±


    Ye Yiheng let go of Lai Yuyue¡¯s arm and confidently grabbed Leng Yu Yan¡¯s arm, ¡°Ah Ju returned to the pce half an hour ago.¡±


    Instinctively, Leng Yu Yan wanted to retract her arm, but he gripped it even tighter.


    So this meant he had been waiting here at the academy the whole time. The Ninth Princess had returned to the pce, yet he was still waiting¡­


    Just to stop her from dining with Brother Lai?


    Was there no freedom in this life?


    Her interactions with Brother Lai were entirely in a brother-sister manner, plus Lai Jiajia was always there too.


    ¡°Where does Heir Lai intend to host?¡± Jian Lecheng asked with a beaming face, ¡°Perhaps at Zuixian Building? The dishes there are good.¡±


    Lai Yuyue watched Ye Yiheng holding onto Leng Yu Yan¡¯s arm, his expression sobering, ¡°Since the Crown Prince and Young Master are both willing to grace us with their presence, let us all go to Zuixian Building.¡±


    What thick skins they have!


    Catching the implication in the words, Ye Yiheng was not irritated at all, and turned to Leng Yu Yan to say, ¡°Crown Princess Consort, assist me in getting into the horse carriage.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan frowned slightly, having learned the secret of his eyes, he had begun to order her around without restraint.


    Seeing Leng Yu Yan¡¯s displeasure, Lai Yuyue quickly took hold of Ye Yiheng¡¯s arm, ¡°I shall assist Your Highness.¡±


    He applied force on Ye Yiheng¡¯s arm, yet strangely, the blind man did not exert any Inner Strength.


    This made him reluctant to take advantage of someone with a disability.


    ¡°It¡¯s better if the Crown Princess Consort assists me,¡± Ye Yiheng said nonchntly, ¡°Over this time, I¡¯ve be quite familiar with the Crown Princess Consort.¡±


    Thetter part of the sentence was clearly intended for Lai Yuyue to hear.


    ¡°Brother Lai, let me do it,¡± Leng Yu Yan took Ye Yiheng¡¯s arm from Lai Yuyue.


    She had noticed Lai Yuyue¡¯s earlier attempt to test Ye Yiheng.


    To others, the blind man was weak and frail, and unskilled in self-defense.


    If the secret of the blind man was ever leaked, the first person he would suspect of the betrayal would be her.


    Then her life would be in danger.


    She would help as much as she could, if only for her own sake.


    Upon reaching the horse carriage, Ye Yiheng disdainfully pushed her hand away.


    Leng Yu Yan looked at her own hand, momentarily stunned. If he disliked her so, why put on such an act? Wasn¡¯t it tiring?


    The two of them rode in silence, until Leng Yu Yan was the first to speak, ¡°Thank you for inviting the Ninth Princess to help dispel the awkward situation.¡±


    She had no particr rtionship with Ye Jiu. Ye Jiu wouldn¡¯t help her out for no reason.


    Even without Ye Jiu, she could have resolved the situation herself, but it would have required more effort.


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s thin lips parted slightly, ¡°I thought we had an understanding between us. In public, we are fianc¨¦s; in private, things are as they were before and will continue as such.¡±


    His voice was cool, indifferent, and carried an obvious detachment.


    Since he pointed it out straightforwardly, Leng Yu Yan wasn¡¯t surprised.


    ¡°So today, Your Highness was concerned that I might disgrace the Eastern Pce.¡±


    Ye Yiheng remained silent, leaning against the carriage wall to rest.


    A procession of several horse carriages arrived at Zuixian Building. As they dismounted, an enthusiastic waiter from the building came forward to greet them.


    Across from Zuixian Building, the shopkeeper of another restaurant scoffed upon seeing that the guests from the carriages were not headed to his establishment.


    In a daze, I saw a young girl wearing a veil, and the shopkeeper quickly rubbed his eyes and took a closer look.


    Oh no!


    Wasn¡¯t that the very Young Master their boss treated so politely, no, that youngdy?


    The Eldest Princess and Marquis Jiangyang hade personally to visitst time, and they dined together.


    The shopkeeper¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he fiercely pped his thigh, hurrying to personally find Ji Qingyu.


    After running a few steps and feeling his own pace too slow, he turned back, found a few people with quicker legs, and sent them to look for Ji Qingyu.


    At that moment, within the Marquis Jiangyang Mansion, Ji Qingyu threw a register of names in front of the Eldest Princess and Marquis Jiangyang.


    Marquis Jiangyang, Ji Liancheng, picked up the register: ¡°What is this?¡±


    Ji Qingyu lifted his robe and sat down at their lower side: ¡°I got this from Uncle Emperor yesterday. After leaving the Imperial Pce, I went back to the Ministry of Rites. By the time I returned from the Ministry it waste, so I did not disturb father and mother.¡±


    Marquis Jiangyang flipped through the register, which was filled with portraits of unmarried youngdies, and promptly and sensibly handed the register over to the Eldest Princess.


    Ye Yuan also flipped through it and looked carefully: ¡°None of thesedies has captured my heart as deeply as Miss Li Yu did that day.¡±


    cing the register on the table, Ye Yuan looked up at Ji Qingyu and asked, ¡°My child, does your uncle mean for you to choose from among these?¡±


    Ji Qingyu hummed a response: ¡°Uncle¡¯s intention is for me to choose an official wife from among these, and to take any others I like into the household. As for Li Yu, Uncle says that if her family background is ordinary, she can only be a consort.¡±


    Ye Yuan immediately frowned: ¡°Our family does not need to rely on a daughter-inw¡¯s family to maintain our interests. Could it be that brother has other considerations?¡±


    Hearing this, Ji Liancheng¡¯s face darkened: ¡°The Emperor¡¯s intention could not be clearer; his main purpose in making Qingyu a Commandery Prince was probably to use Qingyu¡¯s marriage to help rally the noble families behind his own sons.¡±


    Otherwise, why make Qingyu a Commandery Prince out of the blue?


    Because he appreciated Qingyu¡¯s casual and free-spirited nature?


    ¡°The position of the Crown Prince is about to change hands, and the other princes are watching closely.¡± Ye Yuan flipped through the register again. ¡°In here, the Prime Minister¡¯s second granddaughter, the Chief of Staff¡¯s third daughter, every one of them represents different interests.¡±


    Ji Liancheng¡¯s expression turned grave: ¡°So, the Emperor wants to see which side our family will take?¡±


    Ye Yuan nodded: ¡°Brother¡¯s thoughts are profound; that¡¯s probably the main reason.¡±


    ¡°This is easy to handle.¡± Ji Qingyu spoke indifferently, ¡°I will not choose any of the ones listed in this register.¡±


    Ye Yuan nodded with satisfaction: ¡°If Ah Heng cannot be the Crown Prince, I do not care who bes the Crown Prince. Our daughter-inw will be Miss Li Yu!¡±


    Ji Qingyu furrowed his handsome brows: ¡°Your son isn¡¯t doing it for that blind man!¡±


    Ye Yuan gave him a look: ¡°Enough, enough. When you were younger, the two of you were as close as brothers, practically inseparable¡­and now¡­¡±


    ¡°Mother, there¡¯s no need to speak further, the matters of the past are behind us.¡±


    Just then, a servant sent by the shopkeeper arrived: ¡°Your Highness, you¡¯re indeed here.¡±


    The shopkeeper had sent several people out to look for the Prince, heading in different directions including the Imperial Pce and the Ministry of Rites.


    He was in luck to find him in the Marquis Jiangyang Mansion.


    Ji Qingyu asked in a calm voice, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°The youngdy has appeared, at the restaurant.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Ji Qingyu immediately stood up: ¡°Is there good food to entertain her?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s not our restaurant; the youngdy went to the Zuixian Building across the street.¡±


    Ji Qingyu clenched his hand, feeling somewhat nervous for some reason.


    He turned to Ye Yuan and said: ¡°Mother, your son is going to confess his feelings.¡±


    Ji Liancheng stood up from his chair and patted his son¡¯s shoulder: ¡°Youd, make us proud and quickly marry the girl into our family!¡±


    ¡°Father, do you think she will reject me?¡±


    ¡°My son is a fine man, elegant and graceful.¡± Ji Liancheng reevaluated his son, recalling the stunning girl he had seen, ¡°Perhaps she might refuse¡­¡±


    ¡°Father, you are my father!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth,¡± Ji Liancheng replied, ¡°but if you¡¯re thick-skinned enough, perhaps you¡¯ll win her over, just like I pursued your mother back in the day.¡±

 Chapter 75 - 75 Li Yu Li Yu

    Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Li Yu Li Yu


    Inside therge private room at Zuixian Building.


    To the left of Leng Yu Yan sat Ye Yiheng, and to the right sat Lai Jiajia, with Li Yuyue facing them, and Jian Lecheng sitting on the other side of Ye Yiheng.


    They ordered dishes, and soon, the food and drinks were served.


    @@novelbin@@


    Lai Jiajia, with her little mouth, didn¡¯t stop eating or talking, ¡°Sister, Brother Lai, my mother keeps talking about you these days. She wants you toe over when you have time so she can cook for us.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled and said, ¡°Is it because you made your aunt angry?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that, it¡¯s my younger brother. Recently, he¡¯s been uninterested in his studies. He wants to learn martial arts and go to the battlefield to avenge Brother.¡±


    At those words, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand paused as she held her chopsticks.


    Seeing this, Li Yuyue hurriedly said, ¡°Let your brother follow me for a few days to train. By then, he¡¯ll understand which path is more suitable for him, schrship or martial arts.¡±


    Lai Jiajia joyfully said, ¡°That would be great!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan nodded in agreement, then quickly looked down to hide the ripples in her eyes.


    She felt too ashamed, as she had been busy with the academy matters and had not continued investigating her brother¡¯s issues.


    Ye Yiheng noticed her change in emotion but hadn¡¯t gotten around to thinking about it further.


    The door to the private room was pushed open¡­


    ¡°Li Yu, I need to talk to you.¡±


    Hearing the voice, Leng Yu Yan looked up and immediately saw Li Yu standing at the door.


    Almost at the same time, the other people in the room also turned toward the door.


    Ji Qingyu stood rooted to the spot. Besides Li Yu, there was another girl in the room, but no matter who this other girl was, the other three men he recognized.


    Ye Yiheng, the Crown Prince, Heir of the Duke Mansion, Jian Lecheng, and Heir of Prince Zhenbei, Li Yuyue.


    Wasn¡¯t each of their statuses extraordinary?


    Suddenly, a most unlikely possibility shed through Ji Qingyu¡¯s mind, and an inexplicable unease quickly surged in his heart.


    Wanting no more to think, he strode forward and grabbed Leng Yu Yan by the hand without exnation, ¡°I need to talk to you!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand stiffened in his grip, ¡°Li Yu, why don¡¯t you sit down, let me introduce everyone?¡±


    ¡°No need for introductions,e with me!¡± Ji Qingyu snatched the chopsticks from Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand and ced them on the table.


    Seeing Ye Yiheng¡¯s face as cold as frost, Jian Lecheng spoke up, ¡°Commandery Prince Qing, is everything well with you?¡±


    ¡°Commandery Prince Qing?¡± Leng Yu Yan murmured the three words and looked up at the man holding her.


    ¡°Yes, I am. I¡¯ll exinter.¡± Ji Qingyu tightened his grip on Leng Yu Yan¡¯s hand and pulled her out of the seat.


    At that moment, Ye Yiheng fiercely grasped Ji Qingyu¡¯s arm, ¡°Do you know whom you¡¯re taking?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s my woman, and it has nothing to do with you, Ye Yiheng!¡± During his words, he pped the hand on his arm away and swiftly wrapped his arm around Leng Yu Yan¡¯s waist, leaping out of the window.


    Li Yuyue waspletely confused. One moment it was Li Yu, the next Li Yu. Who could tell him what exactly was happening?


    The man who had just arrived was clearly Ji Qingyu from Marquis Jiangyang Mansion, who had just been made a Commandery Prince a few days ago, that little tyrant.


    Even Lai Jiajia forgot to chew the food in her mouth, reacting suddenly, ¡°Brother Lai, quick, save my sister!¡±


    ¡°Alright, don¡¯t worry, don¡¯t worry,¡± Li Yuyue stood up, walking to the private room door, and whispered a fewmands to a trusted aide waiting outside.


    The trusted aides immediately bowed and went to carry out their orders.


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s expression was as dark as the bottom of a pot. If it weren¡¯t for his need to pretend to be blind and sickly in front of others, he would have chased after them himself.


    ¡°Mo Chen, send someone to search for the Crown Princess Consort!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± A voice replied from outside the private room, and soon after, a figure shed and disappeared into the night.


    Jian Lecheng spoke uneasily, ¡°Your Highness, how does Lai Wu know him?¡±


    Ji Qingyu had brazenly imed that Lai Wu was his woman!


    Ye Yiheng had always enjoyed all things beautiful since childhood, including people. Everything and everyone in the Eastern Pce was exceptionally attractive. Ji Qingyu, his cousin, was not only close in age but also shared Ye Yiheng¡¯s appreciation for beautiful things and people.


    Jian Lecheng simply couldn¡¯t understand how a prodigal young tyrant could take a fancy to an ugly and ipetent girl.


    ¡°You ask me, whom should I ask?¡± Ye Yiheng mmed the table and ordered coldly, ¡°Return to the Eastern Pce!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan, embraced around the waist by Ji Qingyu, leaped across rooftops with a few fluid motions and swiftly left the bustling market.


    In mid-air, her face veil fluttered, and her sleeves billowed.


    The coolness of the spring night made her shrink back slightly.


    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡±


    ¡°To a ce where we can talk properly.¡±


    Ji Qingyu turned his head to the side and, under the moonlight, spotted the startling blotches beneath her drifting veil!


    Fate was ying games¡­


    He should have thought of this earlier!


    Or rather, he should have investigated her identity earlier!


    After a while, hended smoothly with her, and they immediately separated.


    Looking around at the deste surroundings resembling a dpidated temple, Leng Yu Yan turned to face him: ¡°What is it that you wish to discuss with me, Prince Qing?¡±


    Those who could address the Crown Prince by his given name in the capital all knew it was the young tyrant, Ji Qingyu.


    ¡°Li Yu, Ji Qingyu, those are indeed good pseudonyms,¡± Leng Yu Yan said with a smile.


    Ji Qingyu frowned as he looked at her: ¡°Li Yu, Leng Yu Yan, your pseudonym is also not bad.¡±


    ¡°I am not familiar with this area; please take me back.¡±


    ¡°Do you really intend to marry him?¡±


    Leng Yu Yan smiled again, removed her face veil, and pointed to the blotches on it. ¡°If I truly intended to marry him, I wouldn¡¯t put this on my face.¡±


    Ji Qingyu¡¯s mind was a mess. How many times had he mentioned the Leng family¡¯s ugly girl, mocked Ye Yiheng, and even fabricated stories about their wedding night?


    Now, the biggest joke was himself!


    Hearing her words, Ji Qingyu¡¯s expression grew grave: ¡°Marry me!¡±


    At his words, Leng Yu Yan was utterly astounded.


    Ji Qingyu continued: ¡°I will marry you!¡±


    Each word was deliberate, clear, and sounded earnest.


    With the bright moon overhead, his heart soared, fearing her outright rejection.


    Leng Yu Yan shook her head: ¡°Is there some feud between you and him?¡±


    ¡°Do you want to hear it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Ji Qingyu agreed, found a pile of dry branches around, and lit a fire.


    Then he moved two stones, brushed off the dust on them: ¡°Sit down, and listen to my story slowly.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan gently sat down: ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯ll be a good listener.¡±


    Ji Qingyu took a deep breath and began slowly: ¡°He and I are of the same age; his mother and my mother were like sisters, and since we are cousins, we have always been inseparable since childhood.¡±


    ¡°As we grew older, our elders wanted to arrange our marriages early.¡±


    ¡°The Princess Consort had a niece who often came to y in the pce, and gradually, as I spent more time with her, she grew fond of me.¡±


    ¡°The Empress, seeing that we got along well, intended to grant us marriage. My mother also thought the Princess Consort¡¯s niece was a good match and quietly agreed.¡±


    ¡°Until one day, a pce maid brought a te of pastries. The Crown Prince said he didn¡¯t like them and gave them to her.¡±


    ¡°She ate them joyfully, but before she had finished, blood streamed from all her orifices and she died immediately.¡±


    ¡°The Crown Prince¡¯s food is always tested for poison before he eats, but that day, it was not!¡±


    ¡°Had the Crown Prince not given the pastries to her, or had someone tested them for poison, she would not have left me.¡±

 Chapter 76: The Greatest Hidden Danger

    Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Greatest Hidden Danger


    Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan sighed, ¡°So you hate him, and only upon knowing I am his fianc¨¦e do you now say you are willing to marry me?¡±


    Ji Qingyu shook his head repeatedly, ¡°No, before today, I had no idea who you were!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan gave a light smile, ¡°But your heart already has her, how can there be space for another?¡±


    Ji Qingyu said anxiously, ¡°I knew, I knew once I spoke of this, you would say so. That was a childhood thing; at that time I had no concept of love between a man and a woman. Nowadays, thinking about it, she was just a good ymate.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan sighed, ¡°The Crown Prince did not intentionally harm others, your anger towards him is also understandable.¡±


    ¡°I know the reasoning, but the impression is already imprinted in my heart,¡± Ji Qingyu prodded the campfire with a stick, watching the light reflect on the face of the girl opposite him; suddenly, he thought her mottled face was quite endearing.


    Inside the Eastern Pce.


    People sent by Mo Chen returned one after another, all empty-handed.


    @@novelbin@@


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s aura became frosty, and the air was very oppressive.


    ording to Ji Qingyu¡¯s temperament, he would certainly not be in the bustling city.


    Despite all precautions, he thought Lai Yuyue would do something outrageous, but it turned out that the biggest threat was actually Ji Qingyu!


    Did he hate him that much?


    Even if his current fianc¨¦e was the first ugly, useless dolt, would he still step in?


    Ye Yiheng exuded a chill, ¡°Everyone go to the suburbs, dig three feet into the ground if you must, but find the Crown Princess Consort for me!¡±


    ¡°Yes, we will obey!¡± The guards all bowed simultaneously and then hurriedly dispersed in all directions.


    On the other side.


    Leng Yu Yan spread the scarf she had over her shoulders, unable to suppress a sneeze.


    Seeing this, Ji Qingyu took off his outer robe and draped it over her.


    Leng Yu Yan declined, ¡°I just need to move a bit closer to the fire.¡±


    ¡°The dew is heavy in the mountains, and if you catch a cold, it will be my fault,¡± insisted Ji Qingyu, taking a small sk from his waist, uncorking it, and holding it out to her, ¡°A sip?¡±


    ¡°You know I don¡¯t drink.¡±


    ¡°A sip to warm your body, to drive away the cold!¡± Ji Qingyu moved the sk closer to her, ¡°I haven¡¯t drunk from it yet.¡±


    Hearing him say this, Leng Yu Yan didn¡¯t demur and took it, tipping her head back for a sip.


    Not wanting her lips to touch the mouth of the sk, she drank too quickly, and the liquor went straight down her throat, causing tears to spring from her eyes.


    Ji Qingyu promptly rose, patting her back gently, ¡°My fault, my fault, you only needed to sip.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault; I drank it the wrong way.¡±


    Seeing she was done coughing, Ji Qingyu sat back down on the rock, ¡°After the Empress passed away, my mother once took the Crown Prince into our home and took great care of him. She treated him better than me, her own child. Her hand was injured because of him.¡±


    ¡°It was also at that time, both he and I were poisoned with cold poison. My parents tried everything to find a cure, but only one antidote was obtained. That day I vaguely overheard my parents discussing whom to give the antidote to.¡±


    ¡°They meant that since he is the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince, his life is more important than mine, and they intended to give him the antidote.¡±


    ¡°Upon learning this, Uncle Emperor ordered that the antidote be split in two, half for the Crown Prince, half for me.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t the Emperor send people to look for the antidote?¡±


    Ji Qingyu pursed his lips, ¡°I did look, but found nothing. Moreover, once one is afflicted with the cold poison, an antidote must be taken within 24 hours. Otherwise, not even an immortal could save them.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan asked again, ¡°So the antidote, you and the Crown Prince both only consumed half?¡±


    ¡°Right, half for him, half for me. Honestly, I¡¯m resentful. The medicine my parents found, just because of the Crown Prince¡¯s noble status, I had to share it with him.¡±


    His voice was faint and distant in the night, bespeaking all the helplessness of worldly affairs.


    The man, handsome and with an ethereal aura, spoke of the past with a somber sadness. Seeing this, Leng Yu Yan couldn¡¯t help but sigh and handed the wine sk back to him.


    He took it with his hand, took a hearty swig, and then said, ¡°Inpensation, my mother often looked for prospective wives for me. I was utterly sick of it, so I left home. Uncle Emperor intended to toughen me up and secured a position for me in the Ministry of Industry, and so, I left the capital for official duties. And then, one day, I met you.¡±


    Seeing that she remained silent, Ji Qingyu¡¯s expression shifted, ¡°My parents have met you, and they took a liking to you, agreeing that I should marry you.¡±


    ¡°Li Yu, no, Prince Qing, regardless of the fact that I¡¯m currently betrothed to the Crown Prince, even if I had nothing to do with the Crown Prince, my return to the capital is for an important matter.¡±


    ¡°What matter?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I won¡¯t hide it from you, knowing my identity by now, you must also be aware of my elder brother¡¯s death in battle five years ago. I must find the truth and take vengeance with my own hands. Once I have avenged him, I will leave the capital.¡± She paused, then continued, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be part of the struggles for Imperial Power, I don¡¯t wish to marry the Crown Prince, as for you¡­¡±


    Ji Qingyu quickly said, ¡°I despise ying the role of the Commandery Prince; I¡¯ll follow you to the ends of the earth!¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯ve never considered spending a lifetime with a man¡­¡± Leng Yu Yan¡¯s voice grew fainter.


    He looked at her intently, ¡°Ah Yan, may I have the permission to call you so?¡±


    Under the moonlight, next to the fire¡¯s glow, his long and thickshes cast a shadow over his eyelids, and within his slender phoenix eyes, it seemed as if sparks were dancing.


    Startled by the address from his lips, Leng Yu Yan¡¯srge eyes immediately misted over.


    For five years, no one had called her that!


    Ji Qingyu smiled and said, ¡°Seeing you don¡¯t object, I¡¯ll take it as your consent.¡±


    Leng Yu Yan covered her mouth, unable to control therge tears that began to fall, each rolling into the muddy ground.


    She wasn¡¯t a person given to sentimentality; she wondered if it might be the sensibilities of this body that made her so emotionally susceptible whenever her mother and elder brother were mentioned.


    This disy truly frightened Ji Qingyu, ¡°Ah Yan, did I say something wrong?¡±


    In the midst of his frantic attempts to wipe away her tears, he reached out his hand but didn¡¯t dare to truly touch her face, fearing she might find him repulsive.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­¡± she lowered her head and wiped her tears.


    ¡°Ah Yan?¡±


    Hearing this familiar address once again, Leng Yu Yan bit her lip, ¡°When my mother and elder brother were alive, they used to call me Ah Yan. It¡¯s been five years since anyone has called me that, and just now you¡­¡±


    Ji Qingyu¡¯s brows knitted tightly, ¡°Your mother and elder brother were your closest kin. They¡¯re gone, and the Leng Family tossed you into the backwoods. Due to Lai Manting being granted in marriage to the Crown Prince, they brought you back to rece her and marry the Crown Prince?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s indeed the case.¡± Leng Yu Yan nodded, ¡°In this world, my dearest two have long been gone.¡±


    Looking at the young girl before him, merely fifteen, Ji Qingyu felt an overwhelming pity.


    Other daughters of noble families, around her age, weren¡¯t they all pampered and adored at home?


    When they reached fifteen and came of age, didn¡¯t their familiesvish attention on them, wanting everyone to know they had a cherished daughter at home?


    Yet here she was, intent on avenging her brother while facing the sinister, cold Ye Yiheng.


    How could that madman, Ye Yiheng, have anypassion?


    Not to drive someone mad was already the extent of his mercy.

 Chapter 77 - 77 She is Alone

    Chapter 77: Chapter 77 She is Alone


    Ji Qingyu murmured, ¡°Ah Yan, I¡­¡±


    I want to care for and apany you!


    Leng Yu Yan lifted her eyes upon hearing the sound, her clear orbs brimming with emotion.


    His words were yet unspoken, caught by the dazzling light in her aqueous eyes.


    Leng Yu Yan turned to the side, ¡°May I take your pulse?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± He rolled up his narrow sleeves, extending his arm toward her.


    Leng Yu Yan reached out and touched his pulse, which was sometimes steady and sometimes thin and floating, bearing some simrity to Ye Yiheng¡¯s. It appeared that both of them had cold poison in their systems.


    ¡°How often does your cold disease ur?¡±


    Staring at the small hand ced on his wrist, that hand was extremely white and soft, seemingly delicate and boneless, with slender fingers and naturally pink nails that were neatly trimmed, unlike other women who filed theirs sharp and stained them with bright rouge.


    Such a hand, at first nce, brought joy to the heart.


    Ji Qingyu cleared his throat and shifted his gaze from her hand, ¡°Initially, we both would suffer from it once every other month, but mer became monthly, and gradually it became more consistent.¡±


    ¡°And him?¡± Leng Yu Yan withdrew her hand, rifying, ¡°I¡¯m not concerned about him, just curious.¡±


    Ji Qingyu replied indifferently, ¡°His condition is moreplicated.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Two years ago, during the Empress¡¯s birth month, he went to the mausoleum to pay respects to his mother and encountered an assassin, who poisoned him with a strange toxin. From then on, he became blind and his cold disease could attack at any moment. I do not know the specifics, as I had left the capital by that time.¡±


    After saying this, a silence fell between them.


    A momentter, Ji Qingyu suddenly rose, ¡°Ah Yan, let us leave this ce as soon as possible!¡±


    Following Ye Yiheng¡¯s temperament, he would soon discover the absence in Marquis Jiangyang Mansion, not in liquor houses or teahouses, nor in the usual ces he frequented, and would immediately start searching in the suburbs.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Leng Yu Yan passed back the garment she was wearing to him.


    Instead, he draped it back over her and adjusted it, ¡°Keep it on, it¡¯s warmer that way.¡±


    Having said that, he extinguished the fire.


    They walked along the narrow path.


    Before long, Leng Yu Yan chuckled softly.


    Hearing her, Ji Qingyu asked, ¡°What are youughing at?¡±


    ¡°I amughing at myself. Since moving into the Eastern Pce, I¡¯ve thought several times about escaping but never had the courage. Today, I¡¯ve actually managed to leave the Eastern Pce for a while.¡±


    ¡°Ah Yan, I¡¯ve asked Uncle Emperor to rescind the Crown Prince¡¯s marriage decree and bring back the original candidate. That way, you will be free.¡±


    ¡°If it truly can be changed, I will be greatly indebted to you!¡± Leng Yu Yan smiled radiantly, but suddenly her stomach growled, and she said embarrassedly, ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t eaten much at the Zuixian Building because he had taken her away.


    Seeing her sweet smile, Ji Qingyu felt a softness in his heart and a twinge of guilt when she mentioned her hunger, ¡°Did you not eat much this evening?¡±


    ¡°To tell you the truth, eating with a veil always makes it hard to eat much.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll return to the bustling area, fill our stomachs, and then speak further.¡±


    Let Ye Yiheng¡¯s men find nothing in the capital¡¯s suburbs!


    ¡°Okay.¡± Leng Yu Yan nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Speaking of which, does the patch you wear on your face bother you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s somewhat bothersome, but not too much so, because indeed it dide from my face.¡±


    Hearing her disclose such a secret fortune, Ji Qingyu was both shocked and delighted; she must see him as one of her own to speak so candidly!


    ¡°Did your face always have spots?¡±


    ¡°The matter is a long story. When my mother passed away, I underwent drastic changes in my appearance and figure, and that¡¯s when the spots appeared on my face.¡±


    The bright moon was high, casting a clear light upon the ground.


    Two figures walked shoulder to shoulder, their shadows infinitely elongated under the moonlight.


    An hourter at the Eastern Pce.


    Mo Chen knelt on one knee before Ye Yiheng, ¡°Your Highness, when our men arrived, the remnants of the fire were still warm; it¡¯s evident that Prince Qing and Miss Lai left not long ago.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s face was grim as he rose to his feet.


    Mo Chen sped his hands, ¡°Your Highness, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Send orders to seal off all city gates.¡±


    @@novelbin@@


    Leaving that one sentence behind, Ye Yiheng¡¯s toes touched the ground, and he disappeared into the night.


    Mo Chen furrowed his brows; this matter had actually required his master to take personal action.


    Thinking of his master¡¯s health, Mo Chen¡¯s brow furrowed even more tightly as he quickly ordered the city gates to be sealed.


    It didn¡¯t matter whether Prince Qing and Miss Lai were outside or inside the city; if outside, they could not enter; if inside, they could not leave.


    This would make the search a bit easier.


    Ji Qingyu led Leng Yu Yan into a hidden chamber of the tea house.


    They sat for a moment when someone promptly brought in a meal.


    Leng Yu Yan was genuinely hungry. She returned the robe she was wearing to him, then rolled up her sleeves and began eating heartily.


    Watching her small mouth stuffed full, Ji Qingyu couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    Leng Yu Yan slowed down her eating, ¡°What are youughing at?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯mughing because the blind man has probably never seen you eat like this.¡±


    At that moment, the door to the hidden chamber was split open by a single palm strike.


    Ji Qingyu hadn¡¯t even stood up when a gust of wind from the strike sent him and his chair into the corner.


    The chair splintered against the wall, and Ji Qingyu, who had been sitting on it, suddenly fell to the ground¡­


    ¡°Puh¡ª¡±


    Blood spurted from his mouth.


    ¡°Ye Yiheng, you¡¯re just in time,¡± Ji Qingyu wiped the blood from his mouth and climbed up from the floor, ¡°I¡¯ve told you, she is my woman, and I advise that you quickly ask the Emperor to cancel the arranged marriage!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan had never seen Ye Yiheng so full of rage. Although his eyes were covered by a white gauze, it couldn¡¯t conceal the fury in them.


    Just as he was about tounch a second palm strike at Ji Qingyu, Leng Yu Yan stepped in front of Ji Qingyu, ¡°Your Highness, please stop! Ji Qingyu¡¯s cold disease is about to re up, if you hit him again, the consequences¡­¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s palm wind couldn¡¯t be retracted in time and brushed past Leng Yu Yan.


    In an instant, she copsed to the ground, limp.


    Seeing this, Ye Yiheng¡¯s brows knotted fiercely.


    This woman had actually shielded Ji Qingyu with her body.


    Ji Qingyu stumbled over and propped up the upper body of Leng Yu Yan, ¡°Ah Yan, Ah Yan, don¡¯t scare me!¡±


    Hearing him call her that, a ze of fury boiled within Ye Yiheng, ¡°She is the Crown Prince¡¯s Consort, not your woman! Your woman is long dead!¡±


    ¡°If not for the pastries you gave her, it would be you who died, not her! From beginning to end, you owe me a woman!¡± Ji Qingyuughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, winding down his chin, wickedly red.


    Ye Yiheng said coldly, ¡°You can have as many women as you want, but Leng Yu Yan is out of the question!¡±


    Ji Qingyu sneered, ¡°No! I only want her! We met before she was betrothed to you, our feelings for each other were mutual. How could a cold-hearted person like you understand?¡±


    At those words, the eyes beneath Ye Yiheng¡¯s white gauze narrowed. She didn¡¯t even bother to cover her face with a veil, openly revealing her blemishes.


    Could it be that she and Ji Qingyu were really that close?


    In front of him, she didn¡¯t even need to cover her blemishes. Were their feelings really beyond hisprehension?


    Seeing the blind man silent, Ji Qingyu continued, ¡°Otherwise, what do you think our aliases Li Yu and Li Yu were for? Because we had already agreed to hide our real names and identities, to wander the mountains and waters, to stay away from conflict and strife!¡±


    Hearing this, the rage in Ye Yiheng could not be contained any longer. With a sweep of his palm wind, Ji Qingyu once again spat blood and fell to the ground.


    Pushing away the hands that Ji Qingyu had around Leng Yu Yan, Ye Yiheng directly picked her up and swiftly left.

 Chapter 78 - 78 His Sinister Intentions

    Chapter 78: Chapter 78 His Sinister Intentions


    Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had brought someone back to the Eastern Pce, Li Yuyue hurried over with Lai Jiajia.


    Jian Lecheng blocked their way, not allowing them to enter the Crown Prince¡¯s bedroom.


    ¡°This is the Crown Prince¡¯s sleeping quarters. How can you barge in just like that?¡±


    Lai Jiajia raised her voice, ¡°Can¡¯t I go see my sister?¡±


    Li Yuyue furrowed his brows, ¡°Am I, the Princely Heir, not permitted to see my own sister either?¡±


    Jian Lecheng snorted, ¡°Nobody is allowed!¡±


    Just as Li Yuyue was about to take action, Ye Yiheng emerged, leaning on Song Guo¡¯s arm, and said indifferently, ¡°The Crown Princess Consort is no longer in serious condition; you both may leave.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Lai Jiajia anxiously asked, ¡°What happened to my sister, and what do you mean she¡¯s no longer in serious condition?¡±


    Li Yuyue bowed, ¡°Please rify, Your Highness! I heard that the Crown Princess Consort returned in aa.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s face remained expressionless, ¡°Ji Qingyu abducted the Crown Princess Consort due to past grievances with me. Now that the Crown Princess Consort is in the Eastern Pce, you need not worry.¡±


    ¡°Show our guests out!¡± With those two words, Ye Yiheng turned and went back into his bedroom.


    Jian Lecheng spread his arms to block them, ¡°Heir Lai, Sixth Miss Lai, it¡¯s gettingte. Please go back. If anything were truly amiss with the Crown Princess Consort, His Highness would be even more anxious than you. Please return now, it¡¯s best you go back early!¡±


    Having no choice, Li Yuyue and Lai Jiajia had to leave the Eastern Pce.


    Leng Yu Yan did not know how long she had been unconscious, but when she woke up, she found herself in someone¡¯s bedroom.


    ¡°You go by Li Yu, he goes by Li Yu; did you arrange to steer clear of trouble?¡±


    A sinister and cold voice came from the dark.


    ¡°That¡¯s just an alias!¡± Leng Yu Yan got up, attempting to leave the bed, but her neck was suddenly gripped tightly by hisrge hand.


    She pped at his hand, eximing, ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Ye Yiheng looked at her slender neck, the corners of his lips curving into a sinister smile, ¡°Your neck is so delicate; I need only exert a little force, just a light twist, and I could easily break it. Do you believe me?¡±


    As he spoke, his long fingers began to tighten slightly.


    A sensation of suffocation slowly surfaced, and Leng Yu Yan looked up at him with anger and irritation, ¡°Yes, we agreed to stay away from trouble!¡±


    Away from you!


    At the foot of the bed, the Luminous Lamp cast a shadow on his side, casting his face in darkness.


    Making it hard for her to see his expression.


    The surrounding area was very quiet.


    He emitted an icy aura, a powerful presence that oppressed everything around.


    The air felt oppressively ufortable.


    ¡°Hah, good, very good!¡± Ye Yiheng chuckled coldly, ¡°I wonder if Ji Qingyu has told you, he has someone in his heart.¡±


    ¡°He said that was just a childhood ymate!¡±


    ¡°So, he told you. Leng Yu Yan, you¡¯d rather be that person¡¯s substitute than be my Crown Princess Consort?¡±


    ¡°You strike with lethal cruelty, even against your own cousin. If it weren¡¯t for his parents giving you half the antidote for the cold poison, you¡¯d already be a pile of bones!¡± Leng Yu Yanughed, ¡°Ye Yiheng, you really are something! Do you think I¡¯d want to be with someone as ruthless and heartless as you?¡±


    At that moment, herugh made her eyes startlingly bright and beautiful.


    Such bright eyes truly pained his own.


    No one could perceive his world.


    When blind, the world was neitherpletely dark nor entirely empty; it was a void.


    A terrifying void!


    Even when he opened his eyes wide, the feeling of not being able to see even a shred or a hint, not even perceiving the darkness, was like the entire world had left him.


    ¡°You know nothing, I grew up ustomed to the darkness and filth of the Imperial Pce, I¡¯ve witnessed the most unpredictable and cruel struggles. In the Imperial Pce, even blood brothers can ughter each other, let alone so-called cousins!¡±


    His voice was cool and mocking.


    Leng Yu Yan knew she could not escape, so she defiantly tilted back her head, ¡°ording to your words, you might as well havended that palm on me just now. By this point, I would already be a corpse, saving you the trouble of strangling me!¡±


    ¡°Having been granted in marriage to me, no matter who you have in your heart, from now on be a good Crown Princess Consort!¡± On that stunningly beautiful visage, his thin lips curled into a sinister smile, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about leaving my side!¡±


    A cold glint shed through Leng Yu Yan¡¯s eyes, ¡°There are thousands of women in the world, why must you insist on keeping me by your side? Even if no noble daughters are willing to marry you, wouldn¡¯t your father, the Emperor, with a single imperial decree, find someone whose family dares not refuse?¡±


    ¡°I have long been a walking corpse; with you by my side, I won¡¯t be lonely! Through a mountain of daggers or a sea of mes, you¡¯ll walk with me; to hell and back, you¡¯ll enter with me.¡± Ye Yiheng¡¯s voice was fierce, ¡°Regardless, I won¡¯t hand you over to Ji Qingyu!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan finally cursed out, ¡°Madman!¡±


    Seeing her curse, he was not annoyed but patiently leaned in closer, whispering in her ear with a deep voice, ¡°Crown Princess Consort, are you willing to apany me?¡±


    His tone was seductive and captivating, like lovers intimately whispering and caressing each other¡¯s necks.


    His distinct and unfamiliar breath fell all over the tip of her ear, her cheeks¡­


    She bit into her lip, and her cherry-like rosy lips immediately exuded a glossy allure, tempting to be harvested.


    Ye Yiheng slowly straightened up, his hand that was sping her throat gradually loosened, softly caressing the skin of her neck.


    Suddenly, seeing her enticing lips, the gaze beneath the eye veil sharply contracted¡­


    As if possessed, he lowered his head, and just as his lips were about to touch hers¡­


    A scent of refined alcohol entered his nose.


    @@novelbin@@


    He frowned, ¡°Have you been drinking?¡±


    Sheughed with a hum, ¡°Yes, he gave it to me.¡±


    Her beautiful eyes were clear and indifferent, her expression detached.


    Instantly, a cold fierceness surfaced between his brows, his voice tinged with a hint of resentment, ¡°Don¡¯t you know that when a man offers a woman a drink, he harbors no good intentions?¡±


    ¡°The one harboring no good intentions at this moment is Your Highness, the Crown Prince.¡± She said with a surface glossed in mirth, ¡°With such unsightly spots on my face, could Your Highness still bear to kiss it?¡±


    At her words, his hand once again clutched her throat, forcefully tightening his grip.


    The sensation of suffocation rose, coupled with the dull pain from his earlier palm strike, bright and clear tears pooled at the corners of her eyes, hanging on her darkshes, trembling on the brink of falling.


    Her face was clearly marred, so how could he harbor the desire to ravage her?


    Ye Yiheng was extremely agitated.


    His hand slowly moved from her throat to her face, mercilessly kneading as if to vent all his pent-up rage on her.


    It was as if, to him, she was nothing but an object for his amusement.


    A great rm surged in Leng Yu Yan¡¯s heart.


    She feared the spots stuck to her face would be rubbed off by his kneading.


    Hastily blinking, the tears clinging to hershes fell with a plunk.


    One was not enough; more followed.


    The heat of her tears made his brow furrow, and he immediately withdrew his hand, ¡°Get out!¡±


    Leng Yu Yan quickly got up but had only taken a few steps before her body went limp and she copsed to the ground.


    Ye Yiheng frowned coldly and carried her back to the bed.


    Laying on the bed, she had her eyes closed.


    Ye Yiheng removed his eye veil, gazing at her face, if not for the spots, she indeed had skin as smooth as cream, just as Lai Yuyue had described, her features were extremely beautiful.


    But the thought of her frail body shielding Ji Qingyu from his palm strike made an anger rise in Ye Yiheng¡¯s heart, as the internal heat and the chill of the cold poison attacked him simultaneously¡­

 Chapter 79 - 79 Agitation and Irritability

    Chapter 79: Chapter 79 Agitation and Irritability


    ¡°Normally when the cold disease acted up, his entire body would be abnormally cold.


    But now there was a distinct irritability within him.


    Even more deadly, these two could not counteract each other!


    The alternating of cold and hot True Qi within his body made his entire body seem as though it was being torn apart, and with the agony that came, it pained him to the marrow of his bones. The phoenix eyes of Ye Yiheng instantly dyed a crimson red.


    He quickly went to the back of the bedroom.


    The candlelight flickered, casting beautiful and enchanting shadows.


    Ye Yiheng removed his clothing, revealing the clear and smooth lines of his muscles and his powerfully sculpted torso.


    On his pale white skin, it seemed as if wisps of cold air were emitting. As he stepped into the bath¡­


    In just a quarter of an hour, the originally steamy water of the full bath rapidly cooled, gradually freezing a thinyer of ice on top.


    While his thin lips slowly regained a touch of faint pink.


    Yet the irritability inside him did not diminish in the slightest, with an intense feeling of difort causing a roar to emerge from the depths of his throat.


    On the other side.


    Ji Qingyu was carried back to Marquis Jiangyang Mansion.


    Seeing the son with blood on the corner of his mouth, unconscious, the Eldest Princess Ye Yuan cried uncontrobly, ¡®How has my son ended up like this?¡¯


    The guard said, ¡®The state of the Prince is due to the Crown Prince¡¯s doing.¡¯


    ¡®Ah Heng¡­¡¯ Ye Yuan nced sharply, ¡®This matter must be kept strictly confidential. How could the Crown Prince, so weak, have the strength to do this?¡¯


    Should anyone with an agenda learn of this, the consequences would be unimaginable.


    Still, until when would this struggle between cousins continue?


    The guard was a confidante of Ji Qingyu. Although his Master and the Crown Prince were on extremely bad terms, he was clear on the stakes involved, so he bowed and said, ¡®Understood, I shall carry out your orders!¡¯


    Looking at her son¡¯s pale face, tears welled up in the Eldest Princess¡¯s eyes once again, her voice urgent, ¡®Quickly find the house doctor!¡¯


    The house doctor hurried over, examined closely, and then mused, ¡®Eldest Princess, the Prince has sustained an internal injury, and it just so happened that the cold poison has red up. With both afflicting him, I fear for his life.¡¯


    The situation was so serious!


    Ye Yuan¡¯s figure wavered, and she quickly steadied herself with the help of a maid, furrowing her brows and asking the guard, ¡®How did this happen?¡¯


    Since the house doctor was a trusted person, the guard candidly said in his presence, ¡®The Prince took the Crown Princess Consort hostage, and only then did the Crown Prince take action.¡¯


    ¡®Why did Qingyu take the Crown Princess Consort hostage?¡¯ Ye Yuan nervously clenched the hand that was injured, ¡®Wasn¡¯t he supposed to find Miss Li Yu?¡¯


    ¡®The specifics, this subordinate is also not clear. By the time I arrived, the Prince was already lying on the ground.¡¯ The guard frowned and said, ¡®Eldest Princess, what should we do now? Do we call the imperial doctor?¡¯


    Ye Yuan shook her head, once the Imperial Physician came, some matter could not be hidden.


    Moreover, the Imperial Physician could not cure the cold poison anyway; otherwise, there would be no need to specifically keep a house doctor in their mansion.


    Ye Yuan turned to the house doctor, ¡®With my son in such a condition, what should be done?¡¯


    The house doctor pondered for a moment and then said, ¡®For now, we should ce the Prince in a medicinal bath. I will prescribe a recipe to treat the internal injury. With a dual approach, it may work.¡¯


    Ye Yuan said, ¡®Good, proceed with haste!¡¯


    In the Eastern Pce, in the Crown Prince¡¯s bedroom.


    Leng Yu Yan had a very restless sleep.


    In her dream, she was being strangled around the neck, her little face turning beet red.


    ¡®Your Highness, I have not!¡¯


    The man¡¯s eyes were covered with a white cloth, stunningly handsome, his slightly open chest revealing a bewitching allure.


    ¡®Not?¡¯ He still showed no intention of letting her go, his grip gradually tightening.


    On the bath side.


    Since emerging from the water, Ye Yiheng promptly dressed and his vision was again covered with a white cloth.


    When he returned to the bedroom, he saw the person on the bed, choking herself, her little face flushed and red.


    He rushed over, extending his hand to p her face, ¡®Leng Yu Yan!¡¯


    But unexpectedly, her hand still gripped her own neck tightly, violently shaking her head.¡±


    Standing by her side, his restlessness within gradually intensified. Ye Yiheng¡¯s handsome brows furrowed tightly, and in his irritation, he reached out and pinched her face.


    The girl¡¯s skin was as smooth as congealed fat, slippery like butter,pelling one to not let go.


    Unconsciously, his grip tightened uncontrobly.


    Pain shot across her face, prompting Leng Yu Yan to release her own neck, gradually awakening.


    Upon opening her eyes, she saw him, neat and tidy, unlike the him of her dreams.


    Though she distinguished between the nightmare and reality, Leng Yu Yan¡¯s long, curledshes still couldn¡¯t help but tremble lightly.


    ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡± She held her chest and coughed, then touched the side of her face where the pain throbbed.


    Fortunately, he had pinched the side without the facial ster.


    She knew he pinched her to wake her up, but his hand was too heavy¡­


    @@novelbin@@


    The pain numbed her cheek.


    Hearing her cough, Ye Yiheng realized his palm breeze had merely brushed her, not fully impacting her body, but she indeed had sustained internal injuries.


    Without uttering a word, he went to the adjacent chamber of the bedroom.


    Seeing him leave, Leng Yu Yan immediately got out of bed.


    By the time Ye Yiheng returned with a Ningqing Pill, she was no longer in bed.


    He quickly walked outside, only to see her clutching her chest, hurriedly departing.


    Her skirt hem unfurled with graceful curves under the moonlight and candlelight, shimmering with allure.


    As if possessed, he followed her footsteps, arriving outside Tingfeng Garden.


    Leng Yu Yan, upon entering Tingfeng Garden, couldn¡¯t support herself and slumped against the courtyard wall.


    Miao Zhu, who had been anxiously waiting in the courtyard, cried out and rushed over, ¡°Miss, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    The Miss hadn¡¯t returned all night, making her and Mrs. Zhao nearly frantic.


    Theyter heard that the Miss had been taken back to the Crown Prince¡¯s bedroom. They wanted to see her but were barred from meeting her. The people next to the Crown Prince merely told them to return to Tingfeng Garden and wait for news.


    At the sight of the Miss returning in such a state, Miao Zhu was truly frightened.


    Leng Yu Yan ced her hand on Miao Zhu¡¯s arm, ¡°Quick, help me inside.¡±


    ¡°Miss, let the maid carry you.¡±


    Miao Zhu squatted down and carried Leng Yu Yan inside.


    By then, it was the middle of the night, and the pce maids had all retired to rest; Tingfeng Garden was quiet and still.


    Mrs. Zhao hurried out, and as soon as she did, she saw two figures standing at the gate.


    One was tall and stood with elegance, his robe fluttering slightly in the night wind.


    He was extremely tall, and upon closer inspection, his face was covered with a white veil¡­


    It was the Crown Prince!


    In a sh of thought, Mrs. Zhao did not speak, instead helping Miao Zhu to support their young miss inside.


    Just as she was about to close the door to prevent the Crown Prince from entering, arge hand pressed against the door.


    Mrs. Zhao quickly bowed her head, uttering stammering noises.


    Leng Yu Yan and Miao Zhu, hearing the sounds, both turned their heads to see Ye Yiheng standing there.


    This man was silent as a ghost, wearing a loose white robe with his hair covered in a white veilte at night, his hair held back by a simple grey hairband, creating an indescribable air of austerity and an inexplicably ghostly aura.


    His skin was cold and pale, conjuring a hauntingly bewitching sensation under such circumstances.


    Miao Zhu quickly paid respects.


    Leng Yu Yan spoke coolly, ¡°Your Highness, please forgive me, I am unwell and unable to rise for a salute.¡±


    Ye Yiheng¡¯s thin lips parted slightly, ¡°Out!¡±


    These words were clearly meant for Miao Zhu and Mrs. Zhao.


    With a chill in their hearts, the two women left the room, daring not to stray too far, standing vigil outside the door.


    Ye Yiheng swept his palm, closing the door, and in a few strides, seized her chin without exnation, tugging it down forcefully, and directly tossed the pill into her mouth.


    The pill dissolved upon contact; before Leng Yu Yan could discern the medicine, the melted elixir had already slid down her throat.


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