Luo Ye smiled lightly: “Saying I have something to ask is just a pretext. Miss Yi is so clever, why ask further?”
Yu Yi nodded, picked up her chopsticks to take a piece of tofu, then said awkwardly: “This maiden is grateful for Your Highness’s kindness, but truly cannot eat more…” She had already eaten a sandwich and was genuinely full.
Luo Ye no longer pressed her, ordering servants to clear the table and bring two cups of tea. Yu Yi lifted the tea cover to find it wasn’t plain tea, but infused with red dates and hawthorn, creating a sweet and appetizing drink.
After Yu Yi finished her tea, Luo Ye rose to take his leave.
Back in her room, Meng Qing said in her earpiece: “Luo Ye really wants to invite Yi Ya’zi out! Looks like you’ll have something good to eat tonight.”
Yu Yi sighed: “No matter how good the food is, I can’t eat too much, can only watch.”
Meng Qing said: “Wife, eat something light in the afternoon.”
Yu Yi was in a good mood and whined to him: “I’m tired of eating sandwiches every meal.”
“
Meng Qing thought and said: “Then let’s eat meat-stuffed flatbread.”
Yu Yi: “…”
—
That night, Luo Ye indeed came again.
Yu Yi looked apologetic: “This maiden is grateful for Your Highness’s kindness and will no longer neglect herself as on previous days. Please do not trouble yourself further, this maiden cannot bear such consideration.”
Luo Ye laughed: “If Miss Yi had said this earlier, this prince would have been at ease. But now everything is already prepared, so please grace us with your presence tonight.”
Yu Yi could only agree.
This time, they weren’t in the courtyard but in a pavilion on a lake.
It was a perfect autumn evening, with cool breezes after nightfall making the garden extremely pleasant. Moonlight and water outside the pavilion created a beautiful scene, while candlelight inside cast a soft glow.
The dishes were meticulously prepared, primarily vegetable-based but subtly enhanced with finely chopped meat or rich, long-simmered broth. The colors were vibrant, the aroma appetizing, yet the taste was light and not greasy.
Yu Yi, coming from a noble household, understood this meal was likely prepared by the prince’s best chef, requiring considerable time and skill.
After eating to about 70% full, Yu Yi put down her chopsticks. Luo Ye had the remaining dishes cleared and tea served – this time a refined, fragrant tea with a golden, clear liquor. Luo Ye personally poured her tea.
Yu Yi was surprised: “Let this maiden pour the tea.”
Luo Ye smiled, watching her fill his cup to seven-tenths, then lifted and softly tasted the tea.
After two steeps, Luo Ye said: “Miss Yi, this prince has been hesitating about something these days. I know it might seem rash to bring it up now, but…”
“Your Highness, please speak. Whatever this maiden can do, I will certainly try my best,” Yu Yi said, seeing his apparent difficulty.
“Then I’ll speak frankly. This prince wishes to marry you,” Luo Ye said.
Yu Yi was stunned. She had deliberately made herself look unattractive, worn men’s clothing, and looked haggard. She never expected Luo Ye to propose marriage, let alone so directly. She panicked: “This maiden is already… already betrothed.”
Luo Ye asked: “Is it General Xiang?”
Yu Yi nodded accordingly.
Luo Ye said, “Although it sounds sad, since the General is no longer alive, and Miss Yi has not actually married the General, we should still plan for the future.”
Yi An said, “My senior brother has just passed away. Since I had a marriage contract with him, I should observe mourning.”
I can only discuss marriage after the mourning period is complete.”
Disappointment showed on Luo Ye’s face, and the atmosphere in the pavilion became extremely awkward. Yi An stood up to take her leave. Luo Ye also stood up and said, “This prince will escort Miss Yi back.”
The two walked back to Yi An’s residence in silence. Yi An carefully kept about ten steps behind Luo Ye, maintaining a certain distance.
By now, she had sorted out her thoughts and her emotions had calmed down. Of course, Luo Ye was not truly interested in Yi Yao. He simply hoped that by marrying Yi Yao, he could meet and interact with Yi Ya Zi, and then more easily persuade him to help as a relative.
Luo Ye suddenly asked, “Did Miss Yi and the General have a matchmaker’s words or an engagement document?”
Yi An hesitated slightly. Hearing Meng Qing say, “Tell him yes, I’ll make a document for you right away,” she nodded.
Luo Ye was not so easily dismissed and continued to press, “If there was a matchmaker’s involvement, why has this prince never heard the General mention it?”
Yi An said sadly, “My senior brother proposed to my father before going down the mountain. As he was an orphan, my father made the decision. My senior brother promised me that he would establish his merits and achievements and then marry me in a grand manner, but unfortunately…
By this time, they had arrived at her door. Luo Ye stood at the entrance and said, “Miss Yi, please do not think this prince is rash. I have considered this for many days before making this request. I hope Miss Yi will carefully consider it. Even if marriage can only happen after the mourning period, please let this prince know if you are willing.”
Yi An knew he was merely treating Yi Yao as a chess piece, afraid of losing this piece. She found him despicable. Just thinking about how he would abandon his brother, ignore the loyal subordinate’s unburied body, and seek marriage to his brother’s fiancée made her feel disgusted. Moreover, as Yi Yao, with her fiancé just deceased, she could not possibly agree to his proposal.
Thinking this, Yi An softly said, “This matter is too significant. Please allow this maiden to consider it for a few days.” She could neither agree nor refuse, so her only option was to stall.
Luo Ye gently nodded, “No problem. This prince will await Miss Yi’s response.”
Watching Luo Ye turn and leave, Yi An secretly breathed a sigh of relief, pushed open the door, and closed it behind her.
Yu Yi was forced to find another excuse, frowning slightly and saying, “Although Your Highness shows great passion towards this maiden, I fear my father would not accept me becoming a concubine.”
Luo Ye believed Yu Yao herself was unwilling to be a concubine and was using her father as an excuse. He immediately responded, “Miss Yi, do not worry about this matter. As long as you agree, this prince can establish you as a side consort. In fact, even becoming a principal wife is not difficult – Yu Jin is weak and may not survive this winter.”
Yu Yi was stunned. The subtext of Luo Ye’s words was clear: if she agreed, he could eliminate the current wife.
A chill rose in her heart. If she agreed, would he truly kill the current princess? Or was this just a ploy to trick her into agreeing?
Luo Ye stared at her intently, believing her shock was due to his devotion, and reached out to hold her hand resting on the tea cup.
Yu Yi quickly put down the cup and withdrew her hand, clasping her hands on her knees and lowering her head. “Your Highness, please do not misunderstand. This maiden absolutely does not covet the princess’s position and truly needs more time to consider.”
Meng Qingdao said: “Ren Fu, you must know that Fourth Brother was harmed together with Second Brother, and it was Second Brother who insisted on going to the Grand Ancestral Court to file a complaint. If he refuses to let Fourth Brother go, just pulling me along won’t help.”
“
Ren Fu nodded: “Alright, Third Brother and Ren Fu will go find Second Brother together.”
Meng Qing covered his head with both hands, frowning and shouting: “Ah, my head hurts, please go quickly and invite the imperial physician!”