Mo Qingchen was instantly startled by this girl, “Not done feeling? Even better without clothes in the way? Girl, you really are bold!”
Ye Yun’s gaze had been following her hand as it wandered over the wonderfully textured abdominal muscles when she abruptly heard the voice coming from above her. In that split second, she seemed to realize she might have been a bit too forward. She coughed lightly twice, grinned foolishly, tilted her head up, and blinked at Mo Qingchen, saying, “Wasn’t it you, Wang Ye, who wanted to see for yourself? I only touched you a couple of times through your clothes.”
“Just a couple of touches through clothes? Can a man’s body be touched so casually?”
“You’re not just any other man,” Ye Yun muttered under her breath.
This little girl, just because he’s not another man, she can casually lay her hands on him?
Mo Qingchen frowned slightly, finding himself utterly helpless with her for a moment. After a brief silence, he finally said, “I wonder who said that men are all greedy cats. Looking at things now, who seems more like the greedy cat?”
Ye Yun watched Mo Qingchen’s expression. Although he was usually one to keep his emotions hidden, his words made it clear he wasn’t angry. Her free hand, the one not restrained by him, hooked around his neck. She stood on her tiptoes, barely reaching his ear, and let out a low, teasing whisper, “That’s right, I’m greedy for you.” After saying this, she deliberately blew a soft breath into his ear.
Mo Qingchen’s throat tightened, his swallowing motion noticeably more pronounced. In front of this girl, he simply couldn’t resist. If this went on any longer, he truly felt he might lose control and do something improper.
Of course, Ye Yun knew when to stop. She immediately put some distance between them and, seeing that Mo Qingchen was still gripping her wrist tightly, said in a coquettish tone, “Wang Ye, what you wanted to see is over now. I promise I won’t touch you again. Could you please let go of me?”
Mo Qingchen seemed slightly flustered and released her hand.
Afterward, the two of them left the elixir-making room.
Manager Xu, seeing them emerge, stepped forward to inquire, “Wang Ye and Miss Ye, are you finished already?”
Ye Yun glanced at Manager Xu. “Of course. It’s just making an elixir. Did you expect us to stay in there forever? Manager Xu, I’ve already told you—I buy the herbs, you sell them. Whatever happens afterward is none of your concern. As long as the herbs are fine, does your Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion even monitor an Elixirist’s process?”
Manager Xu quickly agreed, “Yes, Miss Ye, you are absolutely right. It’s just that, given your status, I was worried…”
“Being so timid makes it seem like you don’t welcome me to visit often.”
“Not at all! Whenever Miss Ye wishes to come, the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion welcomes you most warmly.”
“Then that’s settled,” Ye Yun said lightly. “I’m leaving.”
Manager Xu respectfully saw them out of the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion. “Wang Ye, Miss Ye, take care.”
Soon, they returned from the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion to the Protectorate Duke’s Residence.
“Wang Ye, won’t you come in with me for a while?”
“No, I came today specifically to tell you something. If I were to go in now, it would only disturb your parents unnecessarily. We’ll see each other in two days; that will be fine.”
“Alright then, see you in two days,” Ye Yun said, preparing to step down from the carriage.
But just as she stood up, Mo Qingchen pulled her back.
Ye Yun looked at him. “Wang Ye, is there something else?”
Mo Qingchen’s gaze was fixed on Ye Yun, his grip on her hand gradually loosening. After a long pause, he finally managed to speak, “It’s… it’s nothing.”
Seeing Mo Qingchen’s reaction, Ye Yun thought to herself, even the icy prince could be this flustered? Then…
She mischievously leaned in and planted a kiss directly at the corner of his lips. Without saying another word, she got off the carriage.
Mo Qingchen raised his hand and gently touched the spot where the girl had just kissed him. His entire being felt as if sinking into a quagmire, completely captivated by the moment.
Meanwhile, as soon as Ye Yun entered the mansion, before she could even return to her own courtyard, a maid was waiting for her, instructing her to see her parents as soon as she returned.
In the courtyard of Ye Heng and Qin Yao.
Ye Yun walked into the room, stepped forward, and curtsied, calling out, “Father, Mother.”
Qin Yao beckoned Ye Yun over, signaling for her to sit beside her. Ye Yun went over and sat down, asking, “Mother, is there something urgent?”
“Was it Chen Wang who just brought Yun’er back?”
Ye Yun naturally didn’t deny it. “Yes, he happened to come by when I was going out, so we went out together and naturally returned together as well.”
Qin Yao continued, “Then, did Chen Wang mention to Yun’er about the palace banquet at the Palace of Everlasting Joy hosted by Empress Dowager in two days?”
A palace banquet? In two days? Ye Yun realized that this must be what Mo Qingchen meant when he said the matter concerning her had been settled and that she would be satisfied with the outcome in two days. So, Mo Qingchen had already spoken to Empress Dowager about their relationship.
Ye Heng said firmly, “Chen Wang is indeed a man of his word. On the fifteenth of every month, Empress Dowager holds a family banquet at the Palace of Everlasting Joy. Today, Empress Dowager specially sent someone to invite us to attend. Empress Dowager and the Emperor have always favored you, and since Chen Wang took the initiative to bring this up, it seems that the matter will be finalized at this family banquet.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? Why does Father seem so worried?”
“Not at all. As long as our Yun’er has made up her mind, that’s all that matters.” In an instant, a smile spread across Ye Heng’s face.
Qin Yao glanced at Ye Heng and then said with a laugh, “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Yun’er, why don’t you stay and have your meal here with us instead of returning to your own courtyard?”
“Alright.” Ye Yun nodded in agreement.
…
Two days later, at the family banquet in the Palace of Everlasting Joy.
Ye Yun had originally intended to sit with her parents, but as soon as she entered the hall, Empress Dowager Xiao called her over to sit beside her.
Empress Dowager Xiao looked at Ye Yun beside her and said, “Our little Yun’er has grown more and more beautiful. No wonder she could make even that clueless young man develop feelings.”
Mo Hongqi chimed in, “Mother is absolutely right. When I found out that A’Chen had given the jade pendant to Yun’er, I knew there was hope for this.”
Empress Dowager Xiao smiled and turned to look at Ye Heng and his wife. “For our little Yun’er to take a liking to him is his good fortune.”
Ye Heng immediately replied, “Your Highness, you flatter us. For Yun’er and Chen Wang to like each other is simply fate.”
Empress Dowager Xiao glanced at the Empress and Crown Prince nearby and said casually, “Duke of Zhenguo speaks wisely. What happened in the past is no longer important; what matters is the present. The reason I specially invited you to today’s family banquet is to speak on behalf of Chen’er and propose this marriage. Duke of Zhenguo, Duchess, what do you think?”
Before Duke Zhenguo and his wife could respond to his mother’s words, Mo Qingchen rose to his feet and bowed respectfully. “Please rest assured, Duke and Madam. The Prince Chen’s Mansion will handle this matter with utmost care. We shall follow all proper wedding rituals—three betrothal teas and six ceremonial gifts—to formally welcome her into our household through an honorable marriage. From this day forward, she shall be my one and only Consort of the Prince of Imperial Order.”