Although Ye Yun was not familiar with Mo Qingchen, the man she had taken a liking to at first sight could not be wrong. In her previous life, she had become the top Elixirist in the organization, and throughout her journey, she had never misjudged anyone.
Moreover, from the original host’s limited memories of Mo Qingchen, she knew that he was typically aloof and disliked close contact with others.
Even though the Empress Dowager had instructed Mo Qingchen to escort her back to her residence today, if Mo Qingchen had been unwilling, even the Empress Dowager’s request would not have been able to force him.
Furthermore, although their interaction had been brief, she was certain of one thing: this man did not dislike her proximity.
“Old injury? This prince is strong, healthy, and in excellent condition. What do you mean by an old injury?” Mo Qingchen spoke coldly. “I had no idea that Miss Ye was also well-versed in medicine?”
Hearing this, Ye Yun could easily tell that Mo Qingchen was already curious. Although her earlier action of pressing against Mo Qingchen’s chest to confirm her diagnosis of his pulse had been somewhat improper, and his tone had turned stern, it was far from anger. If he had truly been angry, he would never have waited for her to move away on her own.
“Is it really as Wang Ye claims?” Ye Yun smiled faintly. “Wang Ye’s heart is under immense strain, isn’t it? If not for your profound Inner Force forcibly suppressing it and the use of medicine to regulate it, this old injury would have long since overwhelmed your body. Moreover, Wang Ye must be well aware that such a method only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause. Without a permanent cure, problems will inevitably arise sooner or later.”
Mo Qingchen fixed his gaze on the young girl beside him. It seemed he had truly underestimated her. “Oh? By saying this, are you implying that you have a permanent cure?”
“So, Wang Ye admits that what I said is true.” Ye Yun leaned a bit closer to Mo Qingchen. “However, I’m puzzled. Wang Ye is the Emperor’s own brother, a person of such noble status. What could you have done to sustain such old injuries?”
“Miss Ye, don’t you know that in this world, some things are better left unknown?” Mo Qingchen changed the subject. “After all this talk, may I ask what this so-called permanent cure of yours is?”
“If I tell Wang Ye the method, what benefit will I receive?” Ye Yun’s eyes sparkled as she thoughtfully posed the question to Mo Qingchen.
“What do you want?”
“I want you to be my boyfriend.”
“What is a boyfriend?” Mo Qingchen was slightly taken aback. Why did this young girl always say things he couldn’t understand?
“It means we would be together, engaging in romance and affection.” Ye Yun pondered, thinking that this explanation should be clear enough for an ancient person like him.
“Engaging in romance and affection with this prince? Do you wish to become the Consort of the Prince of Imperial Order?”
Romance and marriage seemed like two different things. Ye Yun looked at Mo Qingchen and decided not to overthink it. “If you put it that way, I suppose that works too.”
“Has Miss Ye forgotten that you just ended your engagement with the Crown Prince today?”
“Precisely because the engagement is dissolved, and Wang Ye has yet to marry, and I am single, it’s perfectly reasonable for us to be together.”
“Miss Ye, aren’t you treating this matter too lightly?”
“Not at all. I’m very serious.”
Mo Qingchen met Ye Yun’s gaze. When this young girl said the word “serious,” her delicate and seemingly fragile demeanor was infused with a resolute determination, as if possessing some kind of magic that made him reluctant to refuse. What was wrong with him today? How could he be so helpless against a mere girl?
Ye Yun noticed Mo Qingchen’s silence and immediately said, “You don’t believe me, do you?”
Coincidentally, the carriage slowly came to a halt, and a servant’s voice came from outside: “Wang Ye, we’ve arrived at the Protectorate Duke’s Residence.”
“The Duke’s Residence is here. Let’s get off the carriage first.”
Feeling frustrated that they had arrived at such an inconvenient time, Ye Yun leaned weakly in the corner, in no hurry to get off. Instead, she spoke up, “Well then, I’ll change my request. If Wang Ye agrees to do it, I’ll still give you the complete cure. How about that?”
Mo Qingchen looked at the young girl before him. Just moments ago, she had claimed to be serious, but now she had changed her mind. Why was he even bothering with this? Hadn’t he just accused her of being too frivolous? At this moment, he couldn’t be bothered to question whether she truly possessed the cure. Instead, he simply wanted to hear what else she desired. After a brief pause, he asked, “What is it?”
“I suppose Wang Ye knows that I’ve always been frail. After all the commotion today, I’m utterly exhausted. Right now, I don’t even have the strength to walk. If you carry me inside, I’ll tell you everything.”
Ye Yun blinked at Mo Qingchen and said in a soft voice, “Wang Ye, this request is simple, isn’t it?”
As she spoke, Ye Yun stretched out her arms toward Mo Qingchen, signaling for him to carry her.
Mo Qingchen’s gaze rested on the young girl before him. He recalled that when she was younger and had entered the palace, his mother had held her, and even the emperor had carried her. Now, if he were to hold her, it shouldn’t be a problem, right? As he pondered, he effortlessly scooped her up into his arms. She was so light and soft. Her arms wrapped around his neck, bringing a slight chill.
Ye Yun met Mo Qingchen’s downward gaze and asked with a puzzled expression, “Wang Ye, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Mo Qingchen brushed it off.
At that moment, Lingzhi was waiting nearby, ready to attend to her young lady. She was startled to see Prince Chen carrying her mistress out of the carriage but quickly composed herself. Not daring to say anything, she followed at a distance as they returned to the residence.
Carried by Mo Qingchen, Ye Yun guided the way based on the original host’s memories. Soon after entering the residence, they arrived at the courtyard where she resided.
Once inside the room, Mo Qingchen gently set Ye Yun down. She merely smiled faintly before walking over to the desk and sitting down. Picking up a brush, she quickly wrote out a prescription. Rising to her feet, she approached Mo Qingchen and handed it to him. “I assume Wang Ye’s residence has skilled Elixirists proficient in Elixir making. Follow this Elixir Formula to refine the Elixir. Take it continuously for one month. While consuming the medicine, use your Inner Force to catalyze its effects. After one month, your internal injuries will be completely healed.”
Mo Qingchen glanced over the Elixir Formula in his hand. Although he couldn’t confirm whether it was as effective as she claimed, even without expertise in pharmacology, he could discern connections among the various ingredients listed. It was clear that this formula wasn’t randomly concocted.
“Since Miss Ye has returned to the residence, I shall take my leave.”
“Wait.” Ye Yun stopped Mo Qingchen. “Since Wang Ye didn’t respond to my earlier request, may I come to see you in the future if I wish to?”
After a brief pause, Mo Qingchen replied indifferently, “You may.” Then, he exited the small courtyard and saw his attendant waiting at the entrance. “Feng Ying, what do you think is really going on in that young girl’s mind? It seems that what I witnessed today is entirely different from what I had heard about her before.”
Feng Ying bowed at his side, answering truthfully, “This subordinate does not know. If Wang Ye wishes to find out, why not interact more with Miss Ye?”
Having followed Wang Ye for many years, he knew his lord had always been averse to social interactions, let alone having someone by his side. Today, from the conversation between Wang Ye and Miss Ye inside the carriage to his lord carrying Miss Ye into the Duke’s Residence just moments ago—had anyone else spoken those words or made such requests, they would have long been torn apart by his lord.
Mo Qingchen was momentarily stunned. This delicate and frail young girl had truly piqued his interest today. He glanced back and said to the person beside him, “Let’s go, return to the residence.”
“Yes.”