At that moment, Lingzhi, who was standing nearby, brought over the item she was holding. “Miss, where should this be placed?”
Ye Yang walked over, took it from Lingzhi’s hands, and opened it to look. “Is this the Snow Spirit Grass? I heard from the Elixirist in our residence that you’ve recently become interested in these things and have been deliberately seeking out many medical books and texts to read?”
Ye Yun naturally wouldn’t deny it, but for now, she wouldn’t mention her intention to make elixirs for herself. After a moment’s thought, she said, “I was just thinking that I’ve been taking medicine since birth, and suddenly wanted to learn more about it. Don’t worry, Second Brother, I won’t act recklessly. I read in the medical texts that Snow Spirit Grass is a very precious medicinal herb, so…”
Ye Fan directly picked up where Ye Yun left off, “So, our little sister made a stunning impression at the Empress’s Flower Banquet.”
“You all already know?” Ye Yun was puzzled. Hadn’t the Flower Banquet just ended?
Qin Yao said soothingly, “Today’s Flower Banquet has been the talk of the Imperial Capital. Your performance naturally spread quickly. However, Yun’er, you’ve never liked to show off in public before. Was it really just because the top prize was this Snow Spirit Grass?”
“Yes, Mother. I find these things related to Elixirists quite interesting. Since it’s a spirit material, I wanted to get it to study and ponder over.”
Ye Fan, however, was straightforward, “Mother, even if it wasn’t for the Snow Spirit Grass, so what? In my opinion, little sister should have done this long ago. Who says our little sister is just a delicate ‘Beauty Lantern’ who falls ill at the slightest breeze? Our little sister is more outstanding than all the noble ladies in the Imperial Capital. It’s satisfying to see how hard those people’s faces were slapped. It’s also a good chance to let the Crown Prince know how exceptional my sister is. As for that Crown Princess, my sister wouldn’t even look twice at her. When the matter between little sister and Prince Chen is settled, just thinking about the Crown Prince having to address little sister as ‘Imperial Aunt’ feels incredibly satisfying.”
Ye Yun was immediately amused by her third brother’s words. Mo Qingchen was the Emperor’s younger brother, the imperial uncle to all the princes, so the Crown Prince naturally had to call him Imperial Uncle. Indeed, the thought was quite satisfying.
Qin Yao glanced at Ye Fan. “You…”
Ye Heng then said to Ye Yun, “No matter what Yun’er thinks or does, it doesn’t matter. We are here for you, and so is the Protectorate Duke’s Residence.”
“Mm.” Ye Yun nodded gently in response to her father’s words, then said, “Father, Mother, I’m a bit tired from returning from the palace. Yun’er would like to rest for a while.”
“Alright, rest well. Remember to take your medicine on time.” Qin Yao reminded her, “What would you like for lunch, Yun’er? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it.”
“Mother, I had some snacks at the palace and I’m not hungry. If I get hungry later, I’ll just have Lingzhi go to the kitchen.”
Shortly after, Ye Heng and the others left.
Ye Yun stored this Snow Spirit Grass together with the previous Millennial Cinnamon Mushroom and Centennial Wild Ginseng, then had Lingzhi fetch her medicine. After taking it, she lazily lay down on the Beauty Lantern chair to rest. Her constitution was truly too weak; even a little movement or exertion left her utterly exhausted.
Meanwhile, Ye Yang, walking beside his father, could sense his father’s concerns. Once they left his little sister’s courtyard, he asked, “Father, are you worried that once news of the marriage alliance between the Protectorate Duke’s Residence and Prince Chen’s Mansion spreads, it will make certain people wary and restless, leading them to cause trouble?”
“Let’s wait and see, but in these coming days, we must ensure the Hidden Guards protecting Yun’er remain highly vigilant. When Yun’er leaves the residence, they must follow her carefully without any mishaps,” Ye Heng emphasized gravely.
“Father, rest assured, I will make proper arrangements,” Ye Yang replied earnestly.
Ye Heng pondered inwardly—there was no denying that Prince Chen was an excellent candidate. However, if Yun’er were to become the Consort of the Prince of Imperial Order, the entanglement between the Protectorate Duke’s Residence and Prince Chen’s Mansion would inevitably involve numerous complications. But for now, they had to wait until Prince Chen formally declared this matter to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
…
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, the Hundred Flowers Banquet in the imperial garden had long concluded. The warm sun at the horizon slanted westward, soon to sink into the approaching night.
Inside Zhengyang Palace, Su Yuning sat upright on the phoenix throne and spoke coldly, “Everyone claims Ye Yun is merely a sickly invalid, constantly dependent on medicine, relying solely on her status as the legitimate daughter of the Protectorate Duke’s Residence and the favor of the Empress Dowager and Emperor—utterly useless otherwise. Today, however, was truly unexpected.”
Su WanYing stood nearby. “Aunt, it was Ying Er who underestimated her. I beg for your punishment.”
“Will punishing you achieve anything? I had intended to help you seize this opportunity to make a stunning impression and emerge as the foremost noble lady of the Imperial Capital, paving your way into the Eastern Palace. Instead, you’ve become someone else’s stepping stone.”
“Aunt, I…”
Just then, a maid entered to announce, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”
Mo Heng walked into the hall and bowed to the figure on the phoenix throne. “Mother Empress, you summoned me specially at this hour. Is there something urgent?”
“Your engagement with Ye Yun may be dissolved, but are you aware how closely she has been associating with Prince Chen lately?”
“Imperial Uncle? Mother Empress, are you certain there’s no mistake?”
“Prince Chen even gave her the jade pendant he always wears personally. What do you think?”
“You mean the one Imperial Grandfather gave to Imperial Grandmother, who then passed it to Imperial Uncle? How is that possible?”
“Nothing is impossible. That is the reality,” Su Yuning stated solemnly. “You must have heard about today’s events at the Hundred Flowers Banquet.”
“I have.”
“That girl Ye Yun has hidden her depths well. If she truly becomes involved with Prince Chen, matters will not remain simple. Heng’er, do not forget—Prince Chen is your imperial uncle, but he is only two years your senior. You are the Crown Prince, yes, but he is your father’s full brother and enjoys his deep trust. We must take precautions. Losing the support of the Protectorate Duke’s Residence through your broken engagement with Ye Yun is one thing; if she and Prince Chen form an alliance, we must plan carefully.”
Su WanYing chimed in beside the Empress, “Crown Prince Brother, what the Empress Aunt says is absolutely right. Ye Yun always appeared frail and sickly before, but judging by her performance at today’s banquet, she is nothing like the person she presented herself to be in front of you.”
“What Mother Empress means by careful planning is to prevent any possibility of the Protectorate Duke’s Residence and Prince Chen’s Mansion forming an alliance!”
“Exactly.”
“Mother Empress, this will not be easy. Whether it’s the Protectorate Duke’s Residence or Prince Chen’s Mansion, any real planning must be approached with long-term strategy.”
Su WanYing interjected with a chilling tone, “If she were dead, she would naturally pose no threat at all!”