After some playful banter, Meng Qing asked: “After I fell asleep last night, what happened on your end? You said they found the General’s body.”
Yu Yi said: “Pan Xian took me to the morgue and deliberately let me see the unclean body… Never mind, I don’t want to talk about it. I couldn’t even eat after returning.”
Meng Qing apologized: “My dear, you’ve been through so much.”
Yu Yi replied: “There was no other way. To infiltrate Luo Ye’s inner circle, I didn’t want to be his concubine, and a maidservant’s status is too low to influence his decisions. This identity is the most suitable.”
“My dear, after the mission ends, I will definitely make it up to you.”
“How will you make it up?”
“I’ll make something delicious for you to eat.”
Yu Yi looked incredulous: “You can cook?”
“
Meng Qing: “Who said anything about cooking? There are many delicious things, not just food.”
Yu Yi asked curiously: “What delicious things?”
Meng Qing: “You’ll know when we get back. Okay, I can’t talk anymore. Yuwenxin might have thought I was constipated at first, but now he’s probably worried I’ve fallen into the toilet. If I stay in the washroom any longer, he’ll come rushing in to rescue me.”
Yu Yi put her hand to her forehead, speechless. Should she refuse his offer of making something delicious?
To continue talking with Meng Qing on the way, she deliberately walked slowly, becoming so engrossed in their conversation that she unknowingly took a wrong turn. Yu Yi suddenly realized this was not the quarters Pan Xian had arranged for her. She looked around, wondering where she was.
“Miss Yi?” Someone called from behind her.
Yu Yi turned around, surprised to see a person wearing a purple embroidered dragon-patterned round-neck robe, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes – the master of this residence, the Second Prince Luo Ye. She quickly lowered her head and knelt in a half-bow: “This commoner greets the Second Prince.”
Luo Ye couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
This Yi Yao, though a woman, was dressed in men’s clothing and even performed a male-style half-bow. He nodded: “Rise.” In that instant, he became curious about her appearance, as she had lowered her head in greeting before he could get a good look.
When Luo Ye rose, he carefully examined Yu Yi’s face, discovering that while her features could be considered proper, her eyebrows were too light, her eyes too small, and although her nose bridge was delicate, overall she belonged to the below-average category of women, causing him to feel unexpectedly disappointed.
Yu Yi explained, “This commoner unintentionally went to the wrong place and did not mean to disturb the Second Prince. I will leave immediately.”
Luo Ye smiled, “Miss Yi, there’s no need to hurry. Since you’re here, make yourself comfortable.”
The two stood in the courtyard and chatted for a while. Luo Ye inquired about Yi Yazi’s situation, speaking with great respect for Yi Yazi, and expressed hope that one day he could visit Yi Yazi but lamented that recent changes in the capital made it impossible for him to leave.
Yu Yi said, “If you truly want to leave, you can always do so. If you don’t want to leave in your heart, even without any constraints, you won’t be able to go.”
“
“Miss Yi’s words are truly sharp. I’ve been seen through,” Luo Ye laughed lightly. “Indeed, at this moment, I neither can nor want to leave. This heavy responsibility in the palace can only be borne by me!”
Yu Yi glanced at him – this was someone who would soon be emperor. Interestingly, this was her first face-to-face conversation with a future emperor, and while he was confident in becoming the supreme ruler, only she and Meng Qing knew he truly could become emperor.
Of course, on the premise that the mission was successfully completed…
Luo Ye noticed her glance. Her eyes held no reverence, nor desire or probing – she seemed to find him merely… interesting?
In that instant, Luo Ye felt a strange sensation. But Yu Yi quickly averted her gaze, saying calmly, “If the Second Prince wants to take on this responsibility, there’s still much to be done.”
Luo Ye nodded, “If I could have a wise person like Yi Yazi to assist me, things would be much easier.”
Yu Yi pretended not to understand: “Isn’t Master Pan quite strategically minded?”
Luo Ye glanced at her and then agreed, “The master indeed has many strategies.”
After Yu Yi left, Pan Xian walked in from the courtyard and approached Luo Ye, asking, “Your Highness, what do you think of Miss Yi?
Luo Ye twirled a leaf stem in his hand and smiled back, “What does the scholar think of Miss Yi?”
Earlier, Luo Ye had come with Pan Xian, and they saw Yi Yao walking ahead, deep in thought. He signaled Pan Xian to stay outside while he called out to her and exchanged a few words. Pan Xian naturally heard their conversation.
Pan Xian said, “Miss Yi is highly skilled in martial arts, meticulous, and acts freely yet is deeply emotional. In my humble opinion, Your Highness should keep her by your side.”
Luo Ye looked at Pan Xian and asked, “Scholar, do you think I can persuade Yi Yaozi to come out of seclusion?” Since Pan Xian had already heard his conversation with Yi Yao, he no longer needed to hide his intention of using Yi Yao to invite Yi Yaozi out.
Pan Xian’s face showed no displeasure or jealousy, and he said, “If we can truly persuade Yi Yaozi to come out, it would be excellent. Not to mention his ability to assist the emperor in governing, just his recognition of Your Highness could make many stubborn old ministers change their minds and join your banner. However…” he paused and continued, “Persuading Yi Yaozi to come out is not easy. Even if Miss Yi is willing to stay in Your Highness’s residence, Yi Yaozi may not be willing to leave his seclusion.”
“
Yi Yaozi was a renowned figure of the time, detached from fame and fortune, so Luo Ye’s attempt to invite him out would not be simple. Therefore, Pan Xian was not particularly worried.
Luo Ye nodded thoughtfully.
Shu Lan heard his tone was cold and hard, and couldn’t help feeling wronged. She never expected that after the poisoning, Luo Zhan would not even trust her. Besides Yuwen Xin and the brothers Xia Yuan and Xia Zhe, he wouldn’t let anyone else get close. When she wanted to come in earlier, Xia Zhe had blocked her at the door. She had to use her status as a prince’s consort to almost forcibly enter.
Her eyes were slightly red, and she urgently declared: “Your Highness, the poisoning incident yesterday truly had nothing to do with me. My heart toward Your Highness is completely sincere, may Heaven bear witness!”
Meng Qing was helpless. Although he needed to avoid her during the mission, he also couldn’t make the relationship between Luo Zhan and Shu Lan too strained. In an instant, he found another reason and softened his tone: “Shu Lan, don’t misunderstand. The imperial physician advised that during the time when the poison is not completely cleared, one cannot get close to women.”
Shu Lan didn’t believe his explanation.”
She felt Luo Zhan was still wary of her because of the poisoning. But at least he was still resting in the main courtyard’s Yihe Residence and hadn’t spent the night with other concubines. She could only try to be more gentle and considerate, gradually eliminating his guard. Thinking this, she obediently nodded and softly said: “I’ll be in the west wing. If Your Highness needs anything for daily life, please send someone to tell me.”
Meng Qing nodded, turned and leaned against the bathtub wall, closing his eyes and no longer speaking to her. He heard her footsteps slowly retreating, then the door gently closing. He let out a long breath.
Chapter 127 Struggle for the Throne (7)
