Ye Yun looked at Mo Qingchen’s conflicted expression and curled her lips into a smile. Originally sitting properly, she leaned in close to his side. “If Wang Ye wants to say you care about me, just say it directly. Why hide it?”
“You…” Mo Qingchen had no way to handle her, yet it was precisely this unrestrained and casual girl who uncontrollably drew him in.
It was only because yesterday, when facing Mo Heng, this delicate and sickly girl could also be resolute and cold, which made him somewhat curious. Then, she revealed his physical condition and gave him a treatment method, making him completely unable to see how much more she was hiding. It was as if this girl possessed a kind of magic, and he wanted to understand her more deeply.
“Could it be that Wang Ye thinks I’m wrong?” Ye Yun said with a laugh.
Mo Qingchen let out a light sigh and said, “Then, is there a cure?”
“This weak constitution of mine has been with me since I was in the womb. Even if there is a method, it can’t be cured just like that.”
Although Ye Yun was certain that with her Elixir making skills, she could resolve it, she wasn’t lying—this innate weakness couldn’t possibly be cured overnight.
“As long as there’s a way, that’s good. If you need anything, feel free to ask. If I can help, I definitely won’t refuse.”
Ye Yun, who had been leaning against Mo Qingchen’s side, suddenly rested her head on his shoulder and said in a coquettish tone, “So, Wang Ye is admitting that you care about me, right?”
Mo Qingchen felt Ye Yun’s voice almost brushing against his ear. He glanced sideways at the girl resting on his shoulder. At such a close distance, the faint, delicate fragrance emanating from her was exactly the same as yesterday’s. It smelled so comforting. He didn’t deny it and instead responded with an “Mm.”
From Ye Yun’s perspective, besides seeing Mo Qingchen’s profile, she could also clearly make out the outline of his Adam’s apple and the movement when he swallowed. Her inner voice exclaimed, So sexy!
She couldn’t resist wanting to touch it, but as her hand reached out and was about to make contact, her wrist was caught, suspended in mid-air.
“What are you trying to do?”
“Hehe, nothing… nothing.” Ye Yun thought to herself that she couldn’t possibly admit she had just wanted to touch his Adam’s apple. She pulled her hand back, thinking to quickly change the subject. As she lowered her gaze, her eyes fell upon the white jade pendant hanging from Mo Qingchen’s waist. “Wang Ye, this jade pendant is quite special. I’m afraid even the finest mutton-fat jade can’t compare to it. It’s uncarved, which actually gives it more character.”
“Do you like it?”
“If I say I do, would Wang Ye be willing to part with it?” Ye Yun smiled and said, “But then again, I gave Wang Ye the prescription, and you said you wanted to thank me. Giving me this jade pendant as a token of gratitude would be quite fitting, don’t you think?”
Seeing that Mo Qingchen remained silent, Ye Yun added, “I was just saying, Wang Ye doesn’t have to…”
“Take it!” Mo Qingchen removed the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Ye Yun.
“Really?” Ye Yun was somewhat surprised.
“You don’t want it?”
“Of course I do! For Wang Ye to wear it so close to your body, it must be a treasure. I just didn’t expect Wang Ye to be so generous.”
Feng Ying, witnessing this scene, was utterly stunned. This jade pendant was excavated from a meteorite during the late emperor’s reign. It was priceless. The late emperor had bestowed it upon the Empress Dowager, who later gave it to their Wang Ye. Its significance was extraordinary. This…
Mo Qingchen’s tone was flat, devoid of fluctuation. “The prescription you gifted holds greater value than this jade.”
“True enough.” Ye Yun took it and immediately fastened it at her waist, then looked at Mo Qingchen. “Your Highness, since I gave you a prescription and you gave me a jade pendant, does this count as exchanging tokens of affection?”
“You never fail to astonish with your words.”
Ye Yun shrugged. “That remark isn’t particularly shocking, is it?”
“Indeed, compared to your previous casual mention of wanting to engage in romance with this prince and aspiring to become the Consort of the Prince of Imperial Order, such words are hardly startling.”
“I thought Your Highness didn’t respond to that remark at the time and had forgotten it afterward. So, you actually remembered.”
“This prince will not hold your frivolous words against you.” Mo Qingchen instinctively averted his gaze from Ye Yun.
Ye Yun didn’t sit properly either, leaning casually against the chair’s backrest as she looked at Mo Qingchen, who sat upright beside her. “Frivolous? I wasn’t being frivolous.”
Including her past life, this was the first time she had encountered someone who made her heart race at first sight.
“Is that so? If this prince recalls correctly, we had no prior interactions…”
“Well, starting from yesterday, we do. In my book, liking someone is about that instant spark—like thunder striking earth. There’s no need for hesitation or pretense. Overthinking such matters only leads to mistakes.”
“And what about your past with Mo Heng?”
“You are not him, and the Ye Yun of today is no longer the Ye Yun of the past.” Ye Yun stated firmly.
“Oh?” Mo Qingchen looked at her with interest.
“Of course. Does Your Highness not think so?” Ye Yun continued unhurriedly. “If Your Highness truly had no interest in me whatsoever, given the rumors about you in the capital, you would have ignored me yesterday.”
Mo Qingchen felt as if her words had struck a chord. Indeed, he was intrigued by this delicate young woman before him. It was as though some people appeared in one’s life as if destined.
Ye Yun stood up. “I came today originally to check on the prescription I gave you yesterday. It seems the effects are excellent, just as I said. If you take this medicine consistently for a month, Your Highness will fully recover from internal injuries and regain your health. Since that’s the case, I’ll take my leave now. Oh, and the tea at Prince Chen’s Mansion is quite good. I’ll visit another day—will Your Highness still serve fine tea then?”
“Whenever you wish to drink it, you may come.”
“Your Highness, it’s settled then. Don’t act all stiff and ask me what business I have when you see me next time!”
Ye Yun spoke cheerfully, then descended the steps along the corridor. Turning back, she looked at Mo Qingchen and lifted the jade pendant fastened at her waist. “I will wear the jade pendant you gifted me every day and take good care of it.” With those words, she departed directly.
Mo Qingchen watched the receding figure, her smiling face and voice lingering in his mind. After a long while, he snapped out of his reverie and asked Feng Ying beside him, “Feng Ying, do you feel that at this moment, this prince is completely unlike my usual self?”
Feng Ying replied respectfully, “Not at all. Although this subordinate is not familiar with Miss Ye, I am certain that she is a unique presence to Your Highness. The fact that Your Highness was willing to give her that jade pendant shows that Your Highness does not…”
“Who knows.” Mo Qingchen sighed softly. Let’s wait and see!