The next morning, in the courtyard where Ye Yun resided at the Protectorate Duke’s Residence.
Ye Yun sat before the dressing table, instructing Lingzhi to style her hair and help her change clothes. Once everything was properly arranged, she went to her father and mother’s courtyard to have breakfast together.
After the meal concluded in silence, a maid served tea. Ye Yun took a sip and stood up directly. “Father, Mother, Yun’er will take her leave now.”
As Ye Yun stepped out, Lingzhi was already waiting outside. “Miss, the carriage is ready.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Where is little sister heading?”
Ye Yun recognized the voice behind her as her third brother, Ye Fan. She saw no need to conceal anything and answered truthfully, “To Prince Chen’s Mansion.”
Yesterday, Mo Qingchen had taken the Elixir Formula she gave him and surely used it. Both emotion and reason dictated that she should go check on him.
“What?” Ye Fan looked at her in astonishment.
“Third Brother, your reaction makes it seem like I’m not visiting someone’s residence but heading into a dangerous place.”
“Little sister, you’re absolutely right. That place is indeed ‘dangerous.'” Ye Fan emphasized with complete seriousness.
Ye Yun replied calmly, “I know. Third Brother reminded me that Prince Chen is unfathomable. But he’s not as terrifying as you make him out to be. He’s quite easy to get along with, and I asked him—he said I could visit him.”
“He said you could?”
“Yes, so Third Brother, don’t worry. There’s no danger at all.” Ye Yun spoke with certainty.
“Ahem, alright then.” Ye Fan couldn’t help but ponder. To his knowledge, aside from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, no one could freely enter Prince Chen’s Mansion. Could it be that Prince Chen shared the same feelings as his little sister and had taken a liking to her?
Wait, what did he mean by “same”? Prince Chen was indeed extraordinary, but aside from her delicate health, wasn’t his little sister the best in every way? Yes, that must be it.
“Third Brother, I’m off now.” With that, Ye Yun left the Duke’s Residence, boarded the carriage, and headed straight for Prince Chen’s Mansion.
The distance between the Protectorate Duke’s Residence and Prince Chen’s Mansion wasn’t far. In just a short while, the carriage gradually came to a stop.
Lingzhi assisted Ye Yun as she alighted from the carriage. Ye Yun gazed at the majestic and imposing mansion before her—the residence of a prince was truly extraordinary.
The servants at the entrance were about to speak when Ye Yun preempted them, “Go inform your Wang Ye that Ye Yun requests an audience.”
The servants naturally knew who Ye Yun was—the only legitimate daughter of the Protectorate Duke’s Residence, a noble lady of the Imperial Capital cherished even by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Previously, it was widely known that Miss Ye fancied the Crown Prince, but unexpectedly, she had annulled her engagement with him just yesterday. Why would she suddenly come to seek an audience with their Wang Ye?
Mindful of Ye Yun’s status, they dared not be rash or negligent and immediately went to report.
Soon, a servant came out to greet her, bowing to Ye Yun. “Miss Ye, please.”
Ye Yun followed the servant into Prince Chen’s Mansion. The grandeur outside had already made a striking impression, but the interior was even more breathtaking—it certainly did not disappoint. As they proceeded to the rear courtyard, they walked several hundred steps along the willow-lined embankment of the emerald lake until they reached a small courtyard built by the water’s edge. It seemed as if it were a secluded spot carved out within the vast grounds of Prince Chen’s Mansion, exuding a unique charm all its own.
Standing at the entrance of the small courtyard, the servant said respectfully, “Miss Ye, Wang Ye is inside. Please proceed.”
Ye Yun walked in directly, finding the courtyard exceptionally quiet, as if even the chirping of birds on the treetops could be heard clearly.
Soon, she spotted the man leisurely sipping tea under the corridor. Dressed in pristine white robes that set him apart from the mundane world, paired with that flawless face—what kind of celestial being was this?!
Mo Qingchen looked at Ye Yun standing before the corridor. “Visiting at this hour, Miss Ye, do you have business with this prince?”
Hearing his question, Ye Yun replied bluntly, “Yesterday, Wang Ye said that if I wished to see you in the future, I could come find you. Could it be that Wang Ye has already gone back on his word?”
“That was not my intention,” Mo Qingchen denied. “Following the prescription you provided yesterday to refine Elixirs, though only taken for a day, the effects are astonishing. For this, I should thank you.”
“If Wang Ye wishes to thank me, must I stand here dryly—not even offered a seat or a cup of tea?” Ye Yun complained.
Feng Ying, standing to the side, quickly brought over a chair, placing it right next to his master. “This servant was negligent. Please have a seat, Miss Ye.”
Ye Yun walked over and sat down, her gaze fixed intently on Mo Qingchen, not shifting in the slightest. When a servant presented tea, she merely raised a hand to accept it, not letting it interrupt her continued admiration.
Noticing Ye Yun’s stare, Mo Qingchen remarked, “Miss Ye, are you unaware that staring at a man is improper?”
“You’re good-looking, and I enjoy looking. What does that have to do with propriety?” Ye Yun stated matter-of-factly. “With Wang Ye’s appearance, how can you forbid me from looking a few more times? If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t bother sparing a glance.”
Feng Ying, standing nearby, felt a chill run down his spine at Miss Ye’s tone—it almost sounded like she was teasing their Wang Ye. This was the first time he had witnessed anyone act so boldly in front of the prince. What was more crucial was that Wang Ye showed no sign of anger.
Seeing that Mo Qingchen remained silent, Ye Yun gestured for the servant to take the teacup she was holding. Leaning forward against the armrest of her chair, she edged closer to Mo Qingchen. “Does Wang Ye disagree with what I said?”
“Whatever you say goes,” Mo Qingchen replied simply. Strangely enough, he found he didn’t mind the girl’s frivolous remarks. To prevent her from continuing in this vein, he swiftly changed the subject. “Returning to the prescription you gave me—I am genuinely curious about your expertise in the medical arts. There were never any rumors before about the Ye family’s young lady being skilled in medicine.”
“Only curious about my medical skills, and not about me as a person?” Ye Yun deliberately prodded.
“Sit properly,” Mo Qingchen commanded, his gaze fixed on the girl who had drawn so near. If he didn’t caution her now, she might boldly cling to him the next moment.
Ye Yun withdrew completely, sitting properly in her own chair, muttering under her breath, “How boring!”
Seeing Ye Yun behaving so obediently, Mo Qingchen couldn’t help but smile. After a moment’s thought, he resumed their earlier conversation. “You could effortlessly diagnose the condition of my health—a problem for which a solution had long eluded me—and you provided it with ease. Such ability is bound to arouse curiosity.”
However, since you are capable of treating my condition, why haven’t you managed to improve your own frail health? Or is it that this ailment of yours…”
Ye Yun blurted out, “Is Your Highness merely curious, or are you actually concerned about me?”
Mo Qingchen was taken aback. Was he truly curious about her medical expertise, or was he genuinely worried about her physical state?