In the blink of an eye, it was already the day of the Hundred Flowers Banquet.
At the Protectorate Duke’s Residence, in Ye Yun’s courtyard, Lingzhi was meticulously selecting an outfit for her young lady.
“Young lady, all those attending the banquet today will surely be dressed to the nines. Since you’re going, you must dress up properly too.”
Ye Yun was extremely nonchalant. “I don’t care to compete with them. I think that moon-white dress looks quite nice. Let’s go with that one.”
Following her young lady’s instructions, Lingzhi brought over the dress and helped her put it on. “You’re absolutely right, young lady. They aren’t even worthy of being compared to you. Just by sitting there, you’ll be the center of attention. You look beautiful in anything.”
“Alright, let’s go. We’ll enter the palace first to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”
“Yes.”
Soon, the carriage stopped at the palace gates. Ye Yun stepped out. Since it was still very early, no one else had arrived yet, making it quite peaceful.
“Young lady, it’s Prince Chen’s Mansion’s carriage.”
Hearing Lingzhi’s words, Ye Yun immediately looked over. Sure enough, it was Mo Qingchen stepping down from the carriage. As expected of the man she had her eye on—he was truly handsome.
When Mo Qingchen saw Ye Yun in her moon-white dress, simple yet radiant, standing under the sunlight, she seemed even more dazzling, making it hard to look away. Realizing his impropriety, he averted his gaze and asked, “You’re so early today. Why have you come to the palace?”
Noticing Mo Qingchen’s gaze, which had been fixed on her before awkwardly shifting away, Ye Yun wore a faint smile. “It’s been two days since I last came to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, so I thought I’d visit. You’re early too, Wang Ye. Are you also here to see the Empress Dowager?”
“Mm.” Mo Qingchen gave a brief response.
“Then let’s go.” Ye Yun walked over and walked side by side with Mo Qingchen. She glanced him up and down, her words carrying a hint of flirtation. “What a coincidence—we’re both wearing moon-white today, Wang Ye. Don’t you think this means we’re kindred spirits?”
“Uh…” Mo Qingchen turned to look at the young girl, seemingly accustomed to her occasional startling remarks. “That dress looks good on you.”
“If it looks good, why didn’t you look a bit longer? Just a quick glance—did you really see clearly whether it looks good or not?”
“I saw very clearly.” Mo Qingchen replied firmly.
Hearing this, Ye Yun smiled happily. The two entered the palace gates and walked a hundred steps along the palace corridor. As she pondered, she deliberately slowed her pace and reached out to grasp Mo Qingchen’s arm.
Noticing that Ye Yun seemed a bit off, Mo Qingchen stopped. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Ye Yun shook her head, her voice soft and somewhat weak. “No… it’s nothing. I just suddenly feel weak all over, with no strength. It must be because of the medicine I took before leaving. This happens occasionally. I just need to rest for a moment.”
“Can you still walk?”
“I can’t lift my feet.” Ye Yun looked pitifully at Mo Qingchen. “How about you carry me, Wang Ye?”
This little girl really didn’t hold back at all. Mo Qingchen noticed Ye Yun’s slightly pale hand clutching his sleeve, giving it a gentle tug.
“If it’s not okay, then forget it. Wang Ye, you go ahead. I’ll sit here…” Before she could finish her sentence, she was suddenly swept up into a bridal carry.
Mo Qingchen lowered his gaze to the little girl he was carrying in his arms. She seemed even lighter than the last time he held her—soft and limp, barely registering any weight.
“If you’ve taken medicine before going out, don’t rush to leave.”
Ye Yun wrapped her arms around Mo Qingchen’s neck and softly replied, “Oh,” then added, “I know you’re concerned about me. I’ll remember that from now on.”
“You…”
“Did I misunderstand? Was that not what you meant, Wang Ye?”
Mo Qingchen remained silent. Holding Ye Yun, he quickly arrived at the Palace of Everlasting Joy. Once inside the hall, he set her down on one of the chairs.
Empress Dowager Xiao, upon hearing the palace maid’s report that Mo Qingchen and Ye Yun had arrived together, promptly emerged from the inner chamber.
Before Ye Yun could rise to pay her respects, the Empress Dowager stopped her. “In my presence, Yun’er, there’s no need for formalities. You used to visit me in the palace almost every other day, but it’s been two days since I last saw you. Are you still upset about that unpleasant matter? Is that why you didn’t want to come to the palace, not even to see me?”
“Not at all, how could I not want to see you, Your Majesty? See, I came today. As long as you don’t find me bothersome, I’ll come every day from now on.”
“I couldn’t bear to have you running back and forth every day—you might exhaust yourself.” Empress Dowager Xiao coughed lightly and lowered her voice. “Yun’er, tell me, what’s going on between you and him?”
Ye Yun naturally knew who the Empress Dowager meant by “him.” Just as she was about to explain, Mo Qingchen’s voice interrupted.
“Mother, she suddenly felt unwell, so I carried her here.”
Empress Dowager Xiao turned to Mo Qingchen with a smile. “I had no idea you, of all people, would care whether someone is unwell or even carry them.”
“Mother, you may think whatever you wish. Since she is with you now, I must go see His Majesty and will take my leave.” Mo Qingchen bowed to the person before him and turned to depart from the Palace of Everlasting Joy.
After Mo Qingchen left, Empress Dowager Xiao asked Ye Yun earnestly, “Yun’er, what did you do to that boy? Can you tell me about it?”
Ye Yun inwardly exclaimed in surprise—she hadn’t expected Her Majesty to be such a gossip. “Your Majesty, it’s nothing, really. I just felt a bit unsteady earlier, and Prince Chen carried me over.”
“Well then, how do you find him?”
“He’s quite nice. I hadn’t interacted much with Prince Chen before, but after getting to know him, I think he’s very good.”
Yu Momo, standing nearby, keenly noticed the jade pendant hanging from Ye Yun’s waist and whispered a reminder to the Empress Dowager.
Empress Dowager Xiao looked over and indeed saw it. She reached out and took Ye Yun’s hand. “Since you think he’s nice, do you also like him?”
Ye Yun was startled by the Empress Dowager’s question. Fortunately, she hadn’t taken a sip of the tea that had just been served, or she might have spat it out on the spot.
“Don’t be nervous, Yun’er. I don’t mean anything by it. Whether you like him or not is entirely your own affair—I won’t interfere.”
Empress Dowager Xiao smiled gently at Ye Yun. “Yun’er, is that jade pendant at your waist a gift from him?”
“More or less.” Ye Yun didn’t elaborate, giving only a vague response. However, it seemed now that the Empress Dowager wouldn’t mind her affection for Mo Qingchen. But since she hadn’t fully won him over yet, it wasn’t something to discuss further. After a moment’s thought, she shifted the topic, “By the way, my visit to the palace today is twofold: first, to pay respects to you, Empress Dowager, and second, for the Empress’s Hundred Flowers Banquet. Yun’er is among the invited.”
Empress Dowager Xiao let out a cold laugh, “Heh, the Empress’s calculations are truly thorough. Is Yun’er certain to attend?”
“The matter between Yun’er and the Crown Prince is over. Taking this opportunity to let it fade completely is quite fitting.” Though Ye Yun said this, her true motive was, of course, the Snow Spirit Grass she needed!