“It’s so dazzling, it’s impossible not to notice!” Mo Qingchen’s gaze fell upon the little girl before him. His words were impartial and indeed true.
“You really think so?”
“Mm.” Mo Qingchen responded, then asked, “I’ve never heard before that you could do these things. Today’s sudden display—was it simply for that Snow Spirit Grass?”
“Exactly. I originally thought the Snow Spirit Grass was precious and that the Empress would keep it for herself. I never expected she’d offer it as a prize at this Flower Banquet, so I showed a little of my skill. It also saved me from having to find another way to obtain the Snow Spirit Grass from the Empress.”
Ye Yun smiled at Mo Qingchen and continued, “Actually, I’m better at painting portraits. If you’re willing, I could paint you. I promise I’ll make you look very handsome.”
Seeing that Mo Qingchen didn’t respond, Ye Yun immediately said, “If Wang Ye minds, then forget it…”
“Not at all. You can do whatever you want.” Mo Qingchen was startled by his own impulsive words. What had he just said? He quickly changed the subject, “Snow Spirit Grass isn’t an ordinary medicinal herb. Previously, when you visited the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion, you didn’t buy ordinary herbs either. Are you collecting these spirit materials to refine an elixir to heal your own body?”
Hearing this, Ye Yun didn’t rush to explain but instead asked Mo Qingchen with playful interest, “Wang Ye pays such close attention to me? You even know what medicines I bought at the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion?”
“The Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion has people from Prince Chen’s Mansion. It’s not difficult to find out.”
“Oh.” Ye Yun lazily acknowledged.
“So, you still need Dragon Saliva Grass and Fire Lotus?”
“Is Wang Ye planning to help me search for these medicines?”
“This prince has said that if I can help you, I definitely won’t refuse.”
“These two medicines are extremely hard to find. As the saying goes, ‘Medicine finds those destined for it.’ There’s no need to force it.”
Ye Yun laughed happily, “The rumors in the Imperial Capital aren’t entirely true. Who says our Prince Chen is cold and unapproachable? You’re quite good at caring for people.”
Feng Ying, following behind, really wanted to interject: Miss Ye, before Wang Ye had any interaction with you, that was indeed the case. After this, these attentions are only for you. Others don’t get this treatment.
Soon, they reached the palace gate. Mo Qingchen said to Ye Yun, “Get in the carriage. I’ll take you back to your residence.”
Inside the carriage, the two sat side by side.
Ye Yun joked with Mo Qingchen, “Tell me, if you marry a princess consort in the future, and she finds out that another woman has ridden in your exclusive carriage, wouldn’t she get angry with you?”
After saying this, Ye Yun pondered—joke aside, why did that sound a bit like a ‘green tea’ comment?
“Didn’t you say you wanted to romance this prince and become the Consort of the Prince of Imperial Order? Now you think this prince’s future princess consort will be someone else?”
Mo Qingchen didn’t know why he said such a thing, as if he himself was hoping, wanting her to become his princess consort.
“Wang Ye saying this—does it mean you want to romance me and have me become your princess consort?”
Ye Yun didn’t avoid the topic at all. As she turned, she directly threw herself against Mo Qingchen’s chest, her hands hooking around his shoulders.
Mo Qingchen looked down at the little girl pressed so close against him. Her faint fragrance seeped into his senses, and he found he had not the slightest desire to push her away. Instead, he increasingly enjoyed her proximity. After a long moment, he finally asked, “Do you really want to become this prince’s princess consort?”
“I do, but I also don’t.”
“What do you mean?” Mo Qingchen asked without hesitation.
Ye Yun explained, “I do, because the moment I laid eyes on you, my heart started racing. When it comes to affection, overthinking only leads to mistakes. I like you, so of course I want to be with you. I don’t, because I believe mutual affection should come naturally. What I want is reciprocity. If it’s just me feeling this way, I’d rather not have it—it would feel like I’m forcing you. Wang Ye, do you think I’m right?”
After saying this, Ye Yun moved her hands from Mo Qingchen’s shoulders to his neck, wrapping them around him. She could clearly feel the rapid beating of his heart. One hand shifted to press against his chest. So fast. A faint smile curled at the corners of her lips as she murmured in a soft voice, “Wang Ye, your heart is beating so fast!”
How could Mo Qingchen not know? His heart wasn’t just beating fast—it was completely thrown into disarray by this little girl. He glanced down and saw Ye Yun’s delicate hand pressed against his chest, each heartbeat directly transmitting to her palm.
At this moment, his breathing grew somewhat heavy. He had never experienced such a state before, yet here he was, completely ensnared by this little girl.
When Ye Yun didn’t hear Mo Qingchen respond, only his heavy breathing, she naturally pressed her advantage. “Why isn’t Wang Ye saying anything?”
Mo Qingchen’s throat tightened. He wrapped an arm around the little girl’s waist, pulling her closer. “I like you! I want you to be my Princess Consort!”
“Wang Ye is a man of his word. Once spoken, these words cannot be taken back.”
“I won’t.” Mo Qingchen didn’t hesitate, giving her a firm answer. “Little girl, once you become my Princess Consort, you’ll be mine for life. There’s no turning back on this path.”
“Pfft, who said I want to turn back? If Wang Ye won’t break his promise, neither will I.” Ye Yun was already pressed close to Mo Qingchen, especially in this position—so near to his lips. Was this man specially crafted by the heavens? His lips were so beautiful, so sensual. Since they’d agreed to be together now, a kiss wouldn’t be too much, right? The next moment, her lips met his. So this was what kissing felt like?
Ahem, Ye Yun thought to herself. In her previous life, she had been busy studying elixir making. Although she had encountered plenty of handsome men in the organization and occasionally teased them with words, she had never gone beyond playful banter. This was truly her first time actually doing something. She just felt that this man was worth taking a little risk for.
Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt. Ye Yun quickly pulled away from Mo Qingchen’s lips. “We’ve already agreed to be together. You don’t mind me kissing you, do you?”
“As long as it makes you happy.”
After speaking, Mo Qingchen raised his hand and lightly brushed his fingertips over his lips. The sensation of that kiss remained vividly clear—her lips were so soft, so moist, even more sweet and refreshing than morning dew on lotus leaves in summer. He never knew such exquisite pleasure existed in the world. She made him curious, drew him in unconsciously, and made him… unable to let go!