Since the incident yesterday concluded, Ye Yun had heard quite a few discussions outside the residence, all revolving around how those assassins dared to provoke the Protectorate Duke’s Residence—truly courting death.
Moreover, the matter was handled by the Imperial Guards, and the bodies of those assassins had been hung outside the city walls as a warning.
But these were secondary. For her, the most crucial point was how swiftly Mo Qingchen had appeared when the incident occurred. Now, no one was unaware of how much Mo Qingchen cared for her, especially after her broken engagement with Mo Heng.
Subsequently, she had quickly become engaged to Mo Qingchen. Given that Mo Qingchen had always been aloof and disliked close interactions with others, there had been all sorts of speculation and doubts about this. After yesterday’s events, those gossipmongers had fallen silent, and instead, many began to say how well-matched and suited she and Mo Qingchen were.
Lingzhi walked in from outside and saw her young mistress reclining in a rocking chair, her face beaming with joy. Approaching, she said, “Young Miss seems very happy today. Is it because of what happened yesterday?”
Ye Yun merely smiled. “What makes you say that?”
“Although the incident was sudden and resolved easily without any real threat, Prince Chen arrived so quickly, showing how much he cares for you. When the news of your engagement to Prince Chen spread, no one believed it, and there was all sorts of nonsense being said. After this, who would dare to gossip recklessly?”
Hearing Lingzhi’s words, Ye Yun didn’t elaborate further and instead asked, “When you went out earlier, did Father and Mother send someone over?”
“Yes,” Lingzhi replied promptly. “A maid from Madam’s side came to say that regarding yesterday’s incident, both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor sent people to inquire about your well-being. Madam said you should visit the palace today. Of course, if you feel tired or too lazy to move, it’s fine to rest and not go for now.”
“Perfect. Then prepare the carriage. I’ll go to the palace right away,” Ye Yun instructed Lingzhi. She was bored anyway.
Moreover, since yesterday’s matter was over, she might as well go to the palace to “stroll around.”
Thereupon, Ye Yun changed her clothes, freshened up a bit, and left the residence directly for the palace.
As soon as she entered the palace gates, a young eunuch came forward to greet her. “This humble servant pays respects to Miss Ye.”
Given that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had always doted on Ye Yun, allowing her free entry to the palace, and since she wasn’t visiting for any special reason today, she wondered why a young eunuch was waiting for her. “You may rise. Is there something the matter?”
“This humble servant is a subordinate of Eunuch Sun, who serves His Majesty. The Emperor said that if Miss Ye enters the palace today, you should first see him before going to the Empress Dowager’s palace.”
Usually, when Ye Yun entered the palace, she went straight to the Empress Dowager’s quarters. As a woman, she naturally wouldn’t disturb the Emperor while he handled state affairs in the Imperial Study, so paying respects to him was typically omitted. Today, however, he had specifically summoned her, likely because of yesterday’s incident.
As she pondered this, the young eunuch beside her seemed to read her thoughts, and she soon heard the answer.
“Although His Majesty is busy with important matters in the Imperial Study, he is very concerned about you, Miss Ye. Yesterday, he specifically sent someone to the Protectorate Duke’s Residence to inquire about your condition. Thinking that if you entered the palace, he must see you in person, he ordered this humble servant to wait here these past few days.”
Soon, they arrived outside the Imperial Study, and the young eunuch immediately went in to announce her.
Ye Yun was waiting outside when she unexpectedly ran into Mo Heng.
Seeing Ye Yun standing there, Mo Heng frowned and instinctively clenched his fists. He walked over and said coldly, “Ye Yun, what are you doing here at the Imperial Study?”
“What’s it to you?”
“You’re not the Consort of the Prince of Imperial Order yet, so don’t be so arrogant.”
“Hah, so you do know I’m going to become the Consort of the Prince of Imperial Order. As a junior, you’d better show some respect.”
“Let’s talk after you actually enter Prince Chen’s Mansion and complete the wedding ceremony with Imperial Uncle.” Mo Heng’s tone was full of displeasure. “I heard about what happened yesterday. Be careful you don’t lose your life before you can enjoy your status!”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, that sounds rather threatening. But perhaps Your Highness isn’t fully informed about yesterday’s incident. Those assassins were utterly third-rate. Who knows what piece of garbage sent them? They were eliminated without any effort at all. Calling them third-rate is already giving them too much credit.Ye Yun spoke very casually, noticing Mo Heng’s expression becoming increasingly subtle. She added sarcastically, “Your Highness must agree with me after hearing this. As an intelligent person, you surely think the same way. You couldn’t possibly be like those brainless, foolish assassins.”
“Uh…” Mo Heng was frustrated. This damned girl Ye Yun had actually called them pieces of garbage, infuriating him. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Eunuch Sun from his father’s side come out.
Eunuch Sun looked at the two people before him, feeling somewhat awkward. “Your Highness the Crown Prince, Miss Ye, why has Your Highness come here at this time?”
Mo Heng replied truthfully, “I’ve already been in the Imperial Study helping His Majesty with government affairs. Today I heard that Duke Shen’s legitimate son Shen Ye has returned to the capital and entered the palace to report to His Majesty. Thinking the Imperial Study might be busy with matters, I came specifically to ask if His Majesty has any instructions.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, if His Majesty had any instructions, this old servant would have sent someone to notify Your Highness long ago. Young Duke Shen is indeed in the Imperial Study, but there’s nothing urgent—it’s just a routine report. Therefore, Your Highness should return to the Eastern Palace for now.” As Eunuch Sun spoke, he turned to look at Ye Yun. “Miss Ye, please.”
Without even acknowledging Mo Heng, Ye Yun followed Eunuch Sun inside.
However, she had some slight recollection of that Duke Shen’s legitimate son Shen Ye they had just mentioned, though this came from the original Ye Yun’s memories. Judging by this feeling, could it be that Shen Ye had feelings for Ye Yun?
Entering the hall, she had thought only Shen Ye would be there reporting, but unexpectedly Mo Qingchen was also present. The moment she saw Mo Qingchen, she went straight to him. “You’re here too.”
Seeing Ye Yun immediately take his arm, Mo Qingchen first smiled, then reminded her, “Yun’er should first pay respects to Imperial Brother.”
Ye Yun suddenly came to her senses, released Mo Qingchen, and quickly bowed to the person sitting upright before the dragon desk. “Yun’er pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Mo Hongqi laughed. “Yun’er, no need for such formality. Yesterday’s events must have given you quite a fright.”
“Your Majesty, as you can see, Yun’er is perfectly fine and completely unharmed. Please rest assured.” Ye Yun spoke with ease and comfort.
“I was just concerned about you. After hearing from A’Chen that you were alright, I wanted to see you with my own eyes.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Ye Yun smiled, her gaze shifting to immediately spot the person standing nearby. This must be Shen Ye, she thought—quite handsome, tall and well-built. Though his features weren’t as breathtakingly striking as Mo Qingchen’s at first glance, they were still distinct and carried a certain rugged charm. However, her impression of him, even from the original Ye Yun’s memories, dated back two years. He seemed decent enough, and given the deep ties between the Shen and Ye families, treating him normally would suffice.
“Sister Yun, long time no see.”
“Brother Shen Ye, long time no see.” Ye Yun reasoned that responding this way, consistent with her past interactions with Shen Ye, should be harmless. Yet, she suddenly sensed a chilling aura beside her. Turning her head, she found it odd—Mo Qingchen had been fine moments ago, so why was he now glaring coldly? Could it be… over this simple greeting? Was he… jealous?