《Unexpected Encounter with the Crown Prince of Zhuntan》

Feng Qing works

Unexpected Encounter with the Crown Prince of Zhuntan

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nn overnight.With An Two in tow, they headed straight for Princess An Xi’s residence.After waiting outside the palace gate for some time, an attendant came out to invite them in. The architecture of N...62. Unexpected Encounter with the Prince of Zhennan

62。 Unexpected Encounter with the Prince of Zhennan

Although Lady Ye and Secretary Ye still had stern expressions, Ye Li could see a hint of joy in their eyes. It seemed that Mo Jingli personally coming to pick up Ye Ying made them very satisfied. After all, their daughter was already married off; even if the Ye family was furious, they wouldn't really make Ye Ying move back to the Ye residence for life as Ye Li had suggested.

Not long after, Mo Jingli walked in with his usual cold and gloomy expression. In fact, Ye Li could hardly remember ever seeing Mo Jingli in a good mood; it seemed that he always looked like someone owed him hundreds of taels and hadn't repaid them yet. As soon as he entered the door, he paused before turning to look at Ye Ying. Ye Ying pouted and turned her head away from him with a huff. Secretary Ye and Lady Ye were also indifferent in their expressions, completely lacking the usual hospitality and attentiveness they showed. Wang Shi was even more stern-faced; if not for Lady Ye's secret glare, she would have directly questioned them.

Seeing this situation, Mo Jingli's expression darkened, clearly indicating that his mood wasn't pleasant either.

In fact, regarding this marriage, Mo Jingli felt even more wronged than Ye Ying. He didn’t want to marry the so-called Princess Lingyun himself; why would he take home a defeated woman like Ye Li His imperial brother gave him the woman without asking if he wanted her or not. After coming back home, Ye Ying had been complaining to him, and Princess Lingyun dared to create a commotion in the embassy and refuse to marry him. Did she think that he was some insignificant person who would take her regardless of everything Frustrated by Ye Ying and Princess Lingyun's constant nagging, Mo Jingli directly went to the palace to tell his imperial brother that he wanted to break off the engagement with Princess Lingyun but was reprimanded instead and sent away. Then, his mother and stepmother also scolded him. The more he thought about it, the uglier Mo Jingli's expression became. Seeing this, Secretary Ye realized that things weren't going well and advised, "Ying'er, the Prince is here to take you back. Sit down nicely and talk with him."

Ye Ying turned around with red eyes, looking pitifully at Mo Jingli, “Prince...”

The mournful tone made Ye Li involuntarily tremble as she watched Mo Jingli walk over to embrace Ye Ying and murmur, "Let's go back to the palace."

"Prince…Ying'er is very sad…Wah wah…" Ye Ying sobbed in Mo Jingli’s arms while he held her waist silently listening. Although he didn't say anything, his expression clearly improved.

“We're leaving,” Mo Jingli scooped up Ye Ying and nodded to Secretary Ye and Lady Ye before ignoring Ye Li and walking out. This left Ye Li with a head full of questions; she still couldn’t figure out if Mo Jingli truly cared for Ye Ying or how deeply he did.

Declining the urging from Lady Ye and Secretary Ye, Ye Li led her people out of the residence. Looking at the time and remembering that she hadn't gone out alone since marrying into the Dingguo Prince's household, she recalled Nanny Sun’s hints about Mo Xiuyao's upcoming birthday and decided to find an appropriate gift for him. Determined, she took Qing Luan and Qing Shuang with her towards the bustling streets of the capital.

Walking through the busy streets without finding anything suitable after visiting several shops, Ye Li became somewhat troubled. She didn't know what kind of gift would be proper to give. Seeing Ye Li's obviously distressed expression, Qing Shuang mustered up courage and asked, "Madam, are you looking for something specific" Ye Li looked at the curious maids staring at her with bright eyes and hesitated before saying, “Nanny Sun said that Mo Xiuyao’s birthday is coming soon; I want to find a gift for him.” Qing Shuang rolled her eyes, "Miss! Do you need to go shopping to give your prince a gift"

Ye Li was puzzled, "Are you suggesting getting something ready-made Wouldn't that seem insincere" Moreover, while she had plenty of treasures in her room, most of them were trinkets or jewelry suitable for ladies. Should she really pick out some calligraphy or painting to give him

Qing Luan suppressed a smile and whispered with twinkling eyes, "Prince doesn't lack treasure; if Madam wants to be sincere, why not make something yourself Even a sachet would likely be more valuable in Prince's eyes than an antique."

"Sachet"

Qing Shuang waved her hand, "A sachet won't do! Shouldn’t Madam make a piece of clothing for the prince"

Making clothes… Ye Li looked down at her hands. She hadn’t touched needlework since marrying into the Dingguo Prince’s household. However… This seemed like a good idea.

"Dingguo Princess Consort"

With her mind made up, Ye Li turned to head back to the palace but was stopped by someone calling out from behind. Turning around, she saw that it was her cousin and his fiancée standing in the crowd; she only wanted to say it was a narrow encounter.

"Prince, Princess," Ye Li nodded coolly as if greeting them. Lei Tengfeng, however, seemed not to notice Ye Li's cold demeanor and walked up smiling, "What a coincidence! Is Dingguo Princess Consort shopping alone" Ye Li smiled, "Qing Luan and Qing Shuang, greet Prince and Princess." Does this Prince of Zhennan have eyes He didn't see the two living people standing beside me

Ray Tengfeng's eyelid twitched as he said with a smile, "I will be leaving for Xi Ling in a few days and I wish to buy something for Ling Yun. May I ask... if the Duchess can give me some advice."

Ye Li looked at the brother and sister before her who were one enthusiastic and the other indifferent, saying with an insincere smile, "I might not be of much help."

"How could that be The Duchess is accomplished in both literature and martial arts and was even this year's Bai Hua Champion. Your taste must surely be excellent," Ray Tengfeng said with a smile.

Ye Li did not wish to refuse him anymore, so she merely said, "If that’s the case then please proceed."

Ling Yun Princess cast an indifferent glance at Ye Li. Her thin and pale face revealed her lack of interest. It seemed that her life had not been going well since she was betrothed, but it was unknown how Ray Tengfeng had managed to make a stubborn princess like Ling Yun obey him. The three of them walked along the streets with their entourage following behind; Ling Yun Princess looked distracted and kept bumping into passers-by without her maids’ support. Ye Li observed that in just a few days, the haughty little girl had turned as lifeless as an overgrown bean sprout. She asked when Ling Yun was trying on clothes at Ray Tengfeng’s order: "Ling Yun Princess looks rather unwell."

Ray Tengfeng raised his eyebrows and looked curiously at Ye Li, saying, "Is the Duchess sympathizing with Ling Yun"

Ye Li gave him a glance. "The Prince would not care about her as she is just his cousin; why should I be nosy"

"No matter," Ray Tengfeng said with a smile, "She’s only throwing a tantrum and refusing to eat."

Refusing to eat out of anger

Ye Li nodded. "I hope that the Princess won’t be ill on her wedding day."

Ray Tengfeng was confident or rather indifferent as he said, smiling, "The Duchess need not worry. Our Xi Ling will never let such a rude thing happen. On that day, Ling Yun shall surely look radiant and beautiful as a bride."

Ye Li turned to survey the interior of the shop instead; she had no sympathy for Ray Tengfeng at all. She did not believe that he was unaware of what kind of ending Princess Ling Yun would face by marrying Mo Jingli in Chu, but rather that he simply didn’t care. A man who could smile sweetly and push his cousin to her death while telling himself "I’m doing this for you" was actually more coldhearted than Mo Jingli. Ye Li’s aloofness did not escape Ray Tengfeng’s notice; with a smile, he asked, "The Duchess seems to have something against me"

Ye Li gave him another glance and said coolly, "No, I never form opinions about strangers."

"Strangers" Ray Tengfeng smiled meaningfully. "How could we be strangers In fact… did the Duke of Ding and the Duchess like my wedding gift"

Ye Li said, "The Lanyun Sword is very significant to the King’s Household in Xi Ling; how can I not like it Thank you for your kind thought."

"Not at all," Ray Tengfeng shook his head and smiled. "I sent the Lanyun Sword as a gift to the Duchess, while my wedding present for the Duke of Ding and the Duchess was delivered to their household on the second day after our wedding; have you not received it"

Ye Li looked at him with a frown, her face cold. "Prince Tengfeng has excellent skills; many people would love to obtain that famous painting but he was able to give it away easily."

Ray Tengfeng smiled and said, "I am just an uncouth person; only refined scholars could appreciate such paintings, right So… the Duke of Ding and his Duchess must be very satisfied with my gift." Ye Li looked at him and suddenly gave a faint smile. "With Prince Tengfeng taking so much care to give us a present like this, how can we not feel satisfied To think that Princess Han Mingyue’s beauty in Chu’s capital city has long faded; it is indeed fortunate for me to be able to see the face of Chu’s most beautiful woman."

"Interesting," Ray Tengfeng said with a smile and looked at Ye Li, smiling. "Duchess, I don’t believe you could possibly not know that the girl in the painting was originally engaged to the Duke."

Ye Li looked back at him. “Therefore, is Prince Tengfeng giving me this painting so that I will feel ashamed”

"How dare I," Ray Tengfeng laughed, "The Duchess has both beauty and talent; how could I possibly have such unseemly intentions But… the Duchess should admit that sometimes what you cannot get is always the best, right" Ye Li raised her eyebrows. “There are many things in this world that one can never obtain; Prince Tengfeng shouldn’t entertain such thoughts.”

Ray Tengfeng smiled and said, "What’s wrong with having such a thought A prince like me believes that if you want something then you should grasp it by any means necessary. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a pity to let others get ahead of you"

Ye Li lowered her gaze and drank tea calmly. “The Princess will come out soon; does Prince Tengfeng wish to chat idly here with me”

Ray Tengfeng was taken aback, then smiled helplessly. "Duchess is indeed a straightforward person; I cannot match you."

Ye Li raised her eyebrows and looked at him silently. Ray Tengfeng laughed. “Actually there’s nothing important. Someone asked me to deliver a message to the Duchess… And I also have something that I wish to ask the Duchess.”

"I will listen attentively,"

“Someone told me to tell you: whatever belongs to others shall always belong to them,” Ray Tengfeng looked at Ye Li and smiled as he spoke.

Ye Li did not react. "Does this message have anything to do with Prince Tengfeng’s gift"

Ray Tengfeng shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know; I only deliver the messages. May I ask if Duchess would like to hear what else I wish to say”

"Prince Tengfeng may speak."

"Just now, I said... I have great admiration for the Queen Consort. Would... the Queen Consort be interested in a trip to Xi Ling"

Ye Li's eyes darkened. Was she being teased Or did Lei Tengfeng think that eloping with Ding Wang’s wife was something he could take pride in After staring at Lei Tengfeng for quite some time, Ye Li sighed softly and said, "Young Master... This Queen Consort would indeed like to visit Xi Ling, but..."

"But what" Lei Tengfeng's gaze deepened.

“But perhaps—this queen consort will die before she even sets foot in the borders of Xi Ling at your hands” Ye Li sneered and coldly added, "I doubt you would spare me." Lei Tengfeng’s expression froze for a moment as he seemed to be trying to decide what expression was appropriate. He could only force out an awkward laugh and say, “Queen Consort, those are not my words. I sincerely invited you.” Ye Li got up and smiled, "Since that is the case, if there is a chance in the future, this queen consort will definitely go with our king to visit Xi Ling with Young Master. Today, I shall not disturb your time with Princess Lingyun and her brother. Farewell."

Ye Li left without caring about Lei Tengfong’s expression.

In the inner hall, Lei Tengfeng thoughtfully stroked his chin as he looked at the door where the silk curtains were slightly swaying because someone had just left. A smug and ambitious smile played on his lips. "An interesting woman, it's no wonder Mo Xiuyao married her."

Princess Lingyun came out from inside still wearing what she wore when she entered. She stood at the door, staring resentfully at Lei Tengfong. Lei Tengfong raised an eyebrow and lowered his eyes to hide his disdain as he said, "Lingyun, stop thinking about it. Your elder brother is only doing this for your own good. Compared to that stupid Liwang Consort, Ding Wang Consort is extremely difficult to deal with. Even if you were to enter the Ding Wang household, you would never be able to defeat her. Wasn't the humiliation from that day enough You should know perfectly well that without Ye Li, there’s no way you can enter the Ding Wang household."

Princess Lingyun stared at him and said, "Are you defending Ye Li"

Lei Tengfong snorted. “I’ll act like I didn’t say anything. If you think you have the ability to provoke Ye Li, then do it. See if she dares shoot through your head next time. Regardless of what you want to do, three days later, get into that bridal sedan chair and marry into Li王府。彆逼我給你下藥。”

"我是公主，你敢！"

“我以為你知道吵著要來東楚的時候就知道自己的用處了。”雷騰風眼神嘲弄地看著她，“你以為你是來東楚選駙馬的嗎？看上誰就是誰？”無論多麼受寵的公主也隻是個公主而已，一個和親的公主……居然還敢在他麵前擺架子？

西陵使館

派人將淩雲公主送回房裡，雷騰風才轉身回到自己房裡。剛一關上房門雷騰風眼神一暗目光如刀鋒一般射向房間裡某處。完全封閉的房間裡因為冇有點燈而顯得十分陰闇莫測，上好的檀木圓桌旁坐著一個黑色的窈窕身影。雷騰風眼神一沉，盯著黑衣女子的背影道：“你來這裡乾什麼？”黑衣女子側過臉，昏暗的光想中露出一雙動人的星眸。隻是那本該嫣然如水的眼眸中去帶著明顯的怒火，“你為什麼要壞我的事？”

雷騰風輕哼一聲，冷笑道：“壞你的事？本世子壞了你什麼事了？”

“淩雲的事！”黑衣女子咬牙道，“若不是你從中作梗淩雲怎麼會嫁到黎王府去？”

雷騰風有些散漫地放鬆了身體，走到一邊的椅子坐下道：“你還好意思說，若不是你一天到晚跟淩雲些有的冇有的，淩雲怎麼會嫁給黎王？”他們原定的計劃可不是把一個公主嫁給一個冇什麼腦子的王爺，可惜被淩雲那麼一鬨皇帝是怎麼也不肯要她的。黑衣女子輕哼一聲道：“淩雲若是入了定王府豈不是更好？”

“彆做夢了，淩雲被你忽悠傻了，難不成你自己也殺了？”雷騰風不屑地道：“你以為墨修堯是什麼心慈手軟的人？淩雲進了定王府過不了一個月我們就得替她收屍。就算僥倖不死，你以為憑淩雲的腦子她不會被墨修堯騙得倒戈相向？”似乎被雷騰風嘲弄的語氣激怒了，女子怒道：“我這麼做還不是為了幫你！”雷騰風嗤笑，臉上神色寫滿了不信，“幫我？為什麼不讓你讓柔雲來？你不就是篤定淩雲那個性子墨修堯根本就不可能愛上她麼？可惜啊…本世子覺得墨修堯很可能會愛上葉璃呢。”

“不可能！”女子怒叫，很快又發現了自己的失態，黑衣女子緩了口氣，換上更加平穩輕鬆的語氣笑道：“你休想騙我，墨修堯眼高於頂怎麼會看上葉璃那樣一無是處的女子。”

"一無是處麼……" Lei Tengfong mused, idly glancing at the black-clothed woman before continuing, "Mo Xiuyao has lofty standards I don't think so."

“夠了，我不是來跟你吵架的。”

Lei Tengfong lazily looked at her and said, “Then you can tell me why you’re in my room this time.”

"I want to stay in the Great Chu for a while," the black-clothed woman said.

"Fine. Just don’t go back to Xi Ling then." Lei Tengfong waved his hand, indicating that she could leave without further consideration.

“你！”黑衣女子怒視著他，半天說不出一句話來。雷騰風冷笑道：“你以為我不知道你想留在東楚乾什麼？女人能貪心到你這種程度的還真不多見。不過你最好小心一點，彆到頭來什麼都得不到。”麵紗下黑衣女子恨恨地咬著紅唇，“雷騰風，你不對我冷嘲熱諷就不痛快麼？”雷騰風冷哼一聲，看著對麵的女子的目光冰冷中隱約透著一股恨意，“你不到處勾搭男人就活不下去麼？彆癡心妄想了，墨修堯不會要你的。”

“Do you know where that painting I had sent went” Lei Tengfong looked at her, suddenly smiling maliciously.

The black-clothed woman warily watched him. Lei Tengfong found it amusing to look at her as she gradually became flustered under his gaze before he said, "Mo Xiuyao had it delivered straight to Su Zhe the same day. No matter how beautiful Su Zuiedie is, she’s just a corpse to Mo Xiuyao. What do you think you can do Let's make a bet. I believe that Mo Xiuyao will fall in love with Ye Li."

If the black-clad woman’s anger could burn Lei Tengfeng to ashes, she took even longer this time to calm down. She smiled at him and said, "And what about you Why are you so interested in Ye Li"

Lei Tengfeng’s gaze flickered before he quickly replied with a smile, "Because she is Mo Xiuyao’s woman, obviously more valuable than you." The black-clad woman’s eyes turned cold as she said mockingly, "Then you don’t want to get hold of Mo Xiuyao’s woman Haha… Imagine the fun it would be if everyone knew that Mo Xiuyao’s wife ran away with another man."

Lei Tengfeng frowned and glared at her in disgust. "Being acquainted with Mo Xiuyao is probably his worst luck this lifetime. If he wants to defeat him, I will do so openly. No need for such methods," said Lei Tengfeng.

The woman laughed coldly and said, "Haha, how could that be Meeting me should be the happiest thing in his life. Of course, that’s also what I think." The black-clad woman spoke softly and her enchanting eyes seemed to hold a hint of nostalgia as she added, "And Mo Xiuyao has already retired from military service for good. He will never fight again, so he won’t lose either. Don’t you wish you could defeat him openly A hundred years of invincibility…"

"Enough! Leave now. Three days later we leave for the Western Kingdom. Feel free to stay in East Chu if you want to," said Lei Tengfeng coldly, his face darkening. The black-clad woman stood up and looked at him with a pitiful expression. "I know why you’re so mean to me… You’re jealous Or do you think the mask doesn’t look good on me…" As she spoke, she reached out to take off her veil. Lei Tengfeng suddenly picked up a teacup from the table and threw it at her as he shouted, "Get lost!"

"You…!" The woman was furious when she was treated so rudely by him and looked angrily at him in his chair before leaving.

When Ye Li returned to Ding Wangfu, Mo Xiuyao was reading a book inside the room. He lowered his book to look at her as he asked, "Back already Did something happen with Lady Ye"

Ye Li waved her hand and said listlessly, “What could have happened My fourth sister came home crying and shouting again. Grandmother asked me to go over and talk to her a bit but she never listens to me anyway. On the street, I ran into that prince of the Western Kingdom and Princess Lingyun.”

Moxiuyao raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. Ye Li thought about it for a moment and decided there was nothing much to say on this topic so she went in to change out of her heavy clothes and back into something light.

She came back out and saw that Mo Xiuyao was still sitting, his head bent over the book before him. She told Qingxia to fetch some light-colored cloth for her.

The efficient Qingshuang had already brought it to her as soon as Ye Li asked for it without even having sat down. The colors were all pale like moon white and pale green. She also thoughtfully provided the necessary tools. Ye Li took a look at the man across from her, but frowned deeply.

Moxiuyao looked up curiously and said with a smile, “What’s wrong Don’t you like what we make in the house I’ve heard there are two embroidery shops in the capital that have good things, why don’t they send some samples over for us to look at There’s no need to be so difficult.”

Ye Li was speechless. If she bought something from outside to give him would Lin Nanny and her nursemaids not complain endlessly about it Looking down at the clothes she herself wore, did she really have such picky tastes

Sighing deeply, Ye Li said, “Can I borrow one of your old clothes for a moment”

Moxiuyao raised an eyebrow and looked at her expressionlessly. He slowly turned his gaze to the fabric on the table and smiled as he replied, "Go into the room and take whatever you want." Ever since Mo Xiuyao had been sent here to recover, Head Manager Mo instructed them to move all of his things from his bedroom over to this courtyard. But even though Mo Xiuyao’s new wife seemed to have a habit of not touching other people’s belongings easily, she still kept her own things separate.

Ye Li let out a soft sigh as she stood up and walked into the room. She stopped after taking just a few steps inside and turned around to take a measuring tape from the sewing box before entering again.

Moxiuyao stared at the plain fabric on the table for a moment, then smiled gently. His eyes had also softened slightly.

When she decided to do something, it was best done quickly. So Ye Li’s daily routine now included embroidery. The two old nanny maids were very glad about this. They had been worried sick ever since their young mistress took up swords and knives after her marriage. Even though the Prince didn’t say anything, it still looked odd for a Princess to be around weapons all day. No Xu Family man had ever taken up arms in several hundred years except for Third Brother—the girls were sure he must have corrupted her!

When Ye Li made clothes for her husband for the first time, everyone from the nannies and maidservants to the young ladies took a special interest. When they started working on it though, Ye Li discovered that she had no idea how to make men’s clothing. Her mother was still alive when she was too young to learn, so after her mother died no one taught her and there was no need anyway. So she forgot about it.

She had no choice but to have Lin Nanny teach her by hand. After the clothes were cut out, Ye Li’s maids started discussing what pattern they should use, what thread color, and which kind of sachet would match best. They all talked at once, chattering endlessly.

Moxiuyao didn’t understand what was going on and moved his reading spot from the study to her room. Though he sat outside, Ye Li always felt that Moxiuyao could hear them whispering inside. She got so frustrated she wanted to hit them all senseless.

"Princess…" Qingshuang disapproved as she saw Ye Li pick up a cloud-patterned embroidery pattern and prepare her thread. She looked as if she would take the patterns out of her hand right away.

Ye Li raised an eyebrow at her. "Your Highness, you’re making this for someone else. How can you use such ordinary patterns" Qingshuang’s forehead twitched in anger. Wasn’t it a dress Why did these girls have so many opinions about something as simple as that

Qingshuang looked at Ye Li’s dark expression but ignored her displeasure and quickly laid out a pile of embroidery designs for her: dragon patterns, eagle patterns, tiger patterns, along with intricate floral and auspicious designs. She moved one particular pattern aside and said to Ye Li, "I asked the Prince what he likes best." As soon as she saw the picture of the soaring eagle, she glared at Qingshuang and wished that she could stab her with a needle.

Qingshuang looked at her mistress’s dark expression but quickly ran out to avoid punishment. Ye Li gazed blankly at the pattern for a moment before sighing deeply. She picked up a sewing basket beside her and started sorting out her thread. Qingxia said, "That Qingshuang is quite naughty, but she means well. Your Highness shouldn’t be angry with her." Ye Li looked at her and sighed. “She’s spoilt rotten, always causing trouble.”

Qingyu smiled as she whispered, "Qingshuang really has a lot of spirit, maybe we should make her sew too"

Qingxia hid behind her hand and giggled. "That punishment is a bit cruel, but if the Princess can calm down Qingshuang would probably be happy to take it." Qingshuang was a lively girl who never liked doing needlework. Though the Prince didn’t say anything, it looked odd for a Princess to spend so much time with weapons every day. The Xu Family hadn’t produced any warrior in several hundred years except for Third Brother—the girls were sure he must have corrupted her!

“Princess…” Qingshuang disapproved as she saw Ye Li pick up a cloud-patterned embroidery pattern and prepare her thread. She looked as if she would take the patterns out of her hand right away.

Qingyu smiled as she whispered, "Qingshuang really has a lot of spirit, maybe we should make her sew too" Qingxia giggled behind her hand, saying, "That punishment is a bit cruel, but if the Princess can calm down Qingshuang would probably be happy to take it." Qingshuang was lively and never liked needlework. Though the Prince didn’t say anything, it looked odd for a Princess to spend so much time with weapons every day. The Xu Family hadn’t produced any warrior in several hundred years except for Third Brother—they were sure he must have corrupted her!

“Your Highness…” Qingshuang disagreed when she saw Ye Li pick up the cloud-patterned embroidery pattern and prepare to match threads, looking as if she wanted to destroy it. Ye Li raised an eyebrow at her.

Qingshuang said, "Your Highness is making this for someone else. How can you use such ordinary patterns" Qingshuang’s forehead twitched in anger. Wasn’t it a dress Why did these girls have so many opinions about something as simple as that

Qingshuang ignored Ye Li's displeased expression and quickly laid out a pile of embroidery designs for her: dragon patterns, eagle patterns, tiger patterns, along with intricate floral and auspicious designs. She moved one particular pattern aside and said to Ye Li, "I asked the Prince what he likes best." As soon as she saw the picture of the soaring eagle, Ye Li glared at Qingshuang and wished that she could stab her.

Qingshuang looked at her mistress’s dark expression but quickly ran out to avoid punishment. Ye Li gazed blankly at the pattern for a moment before sighing deeply. She picked up a sewing basket beside her and began sorting threads. Qingxia said, "That Qingshuang is quite naughty, but she means well. Your Highness shouldn’t be angry with her." Ye Li looked at her and sighed, “She’s spoilt rotten, always causing trouble.”

“Your Highness…” Qingshuang disagreed when she saw Ye Li pick up the cloud-patterned embroidery pattern and prepare to match threads, looking as if she wanted to destroy it. Qingxia giggled behind her hand, saying, "That punishment is a bit cruel, but if the Princess can calm down Qingshuang would probably be happy to take it." Qingshuang was lively and never liked needlework.

Ye Li gritted her teeth and said, "Lend me one of your old clothes."

Moxiuyao raised his eyebrows, looking at Ye Li who was trying hard to keep a poker face. He slowly moved his gaze to the fabric on the table and smiled at her, saying, “Go take it yourself.” Since he had been sent to this courtyard to recuperate, Chief Manager Mo instructed that all of his belongings from his previous room be moved here. However, despite being his new wife, Ye Li seemed to have a habit of not touching others' things casually, even if those things belonged to her husband. As such, though their belongings were stored together in the same place, they actually kept them separately and never touched each other’s possessions.

Ye Li let out a soft snort and stood up, entering the room after taking a couple of steps she suddenly stopped and picked up a measuring tape from a sewing box before reentering the room.

Moxiuyao stared at the simple fabric on his desk for a moment before he smiled faintly. His previously somewhat cold eyes now held warmth.

A task should either be avoided altogether or done as quickly and perfectly as possible. Hence, Ye Li added sewing to her daily routine. This pleased the two senior ladies-in-waiting immensely; they had been worried sick about their mistress who spent all day practicing swordplay and martial arts since she got married.

Though the prince did not complain, a princess should not spend all day with swords and knives. The Xu Family hadn’t produced any warrior in several hundred years except for Third Brother—they were sure he must have corrupted her!

The first time Ye Li sewed clothes for his husband was a matter of great interest to everyone from the ladies-in-waiting to the maids. When she started working, Ye Li realized that she had no idea how to make men’s clothing. Before her mother died, she was too young to learn sewing; after her death, there was nobody to teach her and no need for it, so she forgot all about it. Finally, with great reluctance, Lin Mama taught her from scratch.

After cutting the fabric, Ye Li’s maids started discussing what patterns and colors to use. They argued incessantly. Moxiuyao didn’t know why they had moved their sewing to his room but he now read books there instead of in his study. Although it was in the outer chamber, Ye Li always felt that Moxiuyao could hear them whispering, which made her furious.

“Princess…” Qingshuang interjected when she saw Ye Li about to use a cloud pattern, looking like she wanted to destroy it.

Ye Li raised an eyebrow at her and said, "This is for giving away. How can you present something so plain"

The veins on Ye Li’s forehead pulsed as Qingshuang showed her patterns of dragons, eagles, tigers, and various floral designs. She then slipped a piece under Ye Li’s nose, saying that Moxiuyao liked it.

Ye Li glared at the image of an eagle soaring in the sky, wishing she could poke Qingshuang with a needle. Seeing her mistress’s displeasure, Qingshuang ran away quickly.

Ye Li sighed and began sorting threads from a sewing basket. Qingxia said that Qingshuang was naughty but meant well, asking Ye Li not to be angry at her.

Ye Li looked at her and said that the girl had been spoiled and always got into trouble. Qingyu suggested that Ye Li make Qingshuang sew as punishment.

Qingxia giggled, saying that Qingyu was too harsh but if Ye Li could calm down, Qingshuang would gladly accept the punishment.

Moxiuyao asked what Ye Li was sewing when he walked in. Everyone bowed and said “Prince.” Moxiuyao told them to leave, giving him and Ye Li privacy.

Ye Li looked at her things awkwardly and said that the Prince seemed very idle now, spending his days indoors. Moxiuyao smiled and said he was indeed idle since there was nothing for him to do other than attend court which he didn’t have to anymore.

The wheelchair stopped next to Ye Li, who poked at her work in frustration after hearing that he would not mock her regardless of how poorly she sewed. Smiling insincerely, Ye Li said that she did not want to offend the Prince with her poor skills and suggested getting someone from the sewing room instead.

Moxiuyao sighed, saying that whatever she made was good enough for him.ifferently, "The northwest is just a small area; I’ll call myself an emperor to amuse myself. Why should I care about such an empty title If I say I’m a king under my jurisdiction, then I’m a king. If...