Chapter 33: The Shura Field is extremely high... Brother, Yao'er and I are...

Because of He Anting, Jing Yao had already asked someone to reject Ye Yunzheng's invitation today. She didn't know why Ye Yunzheng came again.

Thinking of He Anting's temper yesterday, she said awkwardly, "Why don't you just go and tell him that I... have already left. Anyway, find any excuse you want, but don't mention I'm here."

Yun Qiao: "...Master and Madam Cui are already in the main hall, and they're urging you to go meet someone."

So annoying! Jing Yao covered her head and didn’t want to go.

But she was more afraid that He Anting would come and run into Ye Yunzheng.

In the main hall, Ye Yunzheng sat on the chair at the head of the group. Jing Xunyuan spoke flatteringly, "Your Highness, your presence is truly a great honor to our humble abode. I've already sent someone to inform my naive daughter."

"Today is Yao'er's birthday, and I came here specially to give her a gift."

As the two were talking, Jing Yao hurried into the room. Jing Xunyuan immediately scolded her, "Come over and greet me."

Ye Yunzheng frowned slightly at his tone.

"Master Jing, I want to talk to Yao'er for a moment."

Jing Xunyuan nodded repeatedly and walked out with Cui. As they passed Jing Yao, he whispered, "Since the prince is no longer angry, you must go back with him today."

Jing Yao didn't want to pay attention to him and pretended not to hear.

After the two left, Jing Yao said in embarrassment: "Prince, I really can't spare the time today, you'd better go back quickly." As she spoke, her eyes glanced around, feeling a little guilty.

Ye Yunzheng stared at her quietly for a long moment, then said sadly, "I know it's too presumptuous of me to come here today, but I don't want to take up too much of your time. I'll leave after I give you the gift."

Ming Yi handed over the lacquer box at the right moment, and Ye Yunzheng said, "Open it and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Jing Yao opened the box. Inside was not something gorgeous or rare, but a golden lock for longevity.

She was stunned: "This..."

"You have a fiancé, so I don't know what to give you. It's better to avoid suspicion. This longevity lock is for the unborn child. It's a symbol of good luck. Please don't refuse it."

Ye Yunzheng's retreat to advance made Jing Yao at a loss for words. She had originally thought that if the gift he gave her was too expensive, she would not accept it.

"Thank you, Prince." Jing Yao held the box and looked at the small longevity lock.

"What are you thanking me for? The baby in your belly is also my child." He lied against his will.

Jing Yao felt guilty for a moment, and she hoped that the baby in her belly would not have any blood relationship with him.

"It's dark now, Lord He probably won't be coming."

Jing Yao felt a little uncomfortable when he revealed that she was waiting for He Anting: "I..."

Before she could say anything, Ye Yunzheng said casually, "When I was passing through Weiyang Street on my way back home at noon, I saw my eldest brother going to Jingefang. I didn't expect that he hasn't come back yet."

Jingefang? Isn't that a brothel?

It turned out that He Anting had gone there. Jing Yao was surprised for a moment and nodded: "Is that so."

"But Big Brother has always been very self-disciplined. I think he must have some official business or invitation that he couldn't refuse."

Ye Yunzheng looked at her tentatively, not missing any expression on her face. After a while, he was sure of something and raised the corners of his lips slightly.

Jing Yao didn't understand the meaning of his words. Of course, it was not very important to her. Although her father never remembered her birthday every year in the past seventeen years, her mother would always celebrate her birthday for growing one year older.

Even her coming-of-age ceremony was perfunctory and far less important than that of her second sister.

However, even though her birthday did not have generous gifts, envious looks and congratulations from everyone, Jing Yao did not care much. She never felt regretful or lacking on this day.

"Thank you for telling me, Your Highness."

Ye Yunzheng asked her a few more questions and expressed his concern before leaving.

The halo behind him gradually moved away from him. Ye Yunzheng walked out of the Jing Mansion with a cold face.

Jing Yao slowly returned to the courtyard carrying the gift. Yun Qiao asked, "Miss, is Lord He coming?"

"Probably not. Let's eat."

Yun Qiao looked at her carefully, but saw that her expression was normal and she was not affected by Ye Yunzheng's words.

After He Anting finished dealing with the matter, he was surprised to find that the moonlight was floating in the sky, and the inky sky reminded him of what he had missed.

He called Qingwu and asked him to drive to Jing Mansion quickly.

"Master, it's time to rest now. If you go to the girl..."

He Anting frowned as he looked at the birthday gift prepared on the carriage. He suddenly became angry for no apparent reason: "Useless thing! If I can't spare the time, won't you deliver it for me?"

Qingwu was wronged, as he was the one who said he wanted to deliver the gift personally.

He Anting just couldn't believe it and went to visit the Jing Mansion. The gate was locked and it was really not a good idea to disturb them. He felt extremely regretful and couldn't help but frowning.

In the end, he returned empty-handed and the carriage returned to the He Mansion.

After He Anting dismounted, he met an unexpected figure. Ye Yunzheng seemed to have just returned from the yamen at this time. The He Mansion and the Bo Mansion were adjacent to each other, and the two met on a narrow road for a while.

"Brother." Ye Yunzheng also admired himself for being able to swallow his anger and not lose face.

Seeing that he was willing to maintain the relationship, He Anting was naturally happy to cooperate: "Just got off duty?"

"Well, personal matters delayed my official work for a while, so I got off work late."

He Anting was in no mood to pry into other people's private affairs. He gave a perfunctory "hmm" and went inside. However, Ye Yunzheng took the initiative to ask, "Brother, why didn't you go to celebrate Yao'er's birthday today?"

He Anting turned around abruptly upon hearing this: "Did you go looking for her?"

Ye Yunzheng smiled and ignored his questioning: "Of course, I am her sworn brother after all, so I have to give her a gift."

He Anting clenched his palms, his expression hidden in the shadows, his anger hard to discern. But Ye Yunzheng added fuel to the fire: "Brother, you went to Jingefang, how could you forget Yao'er's birthday?"

"Did you call her Yao'er? Ye Yunzheng, be aware of your identity." He Anting reminded him as if warning.

He Anting didn't have the heart to think about how he knew he went to Jingefang. His mind was full of thoughts about whether Jing Yao would know.

"Brother, why are you so angry? Is it because I went to look for her? Or is it because I called her Yao'er? Or is it because I care about her?"

Ye Yunzheng kept prodding him: "Big brother, there's no need to be so nervous. She's your fiancée now. I recognize her. I just lament that we're not destined to be together. However, we've been together for several months, so there's still some affection between us. Besides, she's pregnant with my child, and I'm the father of her child. How can I not care about Yao'er?"

Ye Yunzheng was certain that they did not know the truth about the child.

Just as he finished speaking, a tall figure appeared before him. A gust of wind blew past, and a heavy fist landed on his cheek.

Pain instantly spread to his mouth, nose, and cheeks. Ye Yunzheng staggered for a moment and held on to the wall to steady himself.

"Watch your words, Ye Yunzheng. I'm hitting you as your elder brother, and I'm hitting you for Ah's sake. Are you worthy of being a husband? Do you think you're so noble? You're obsessed with someone else's fiancée, but what's the truth? It's all because of the child in her belly. Your own wife doesn't care about you every day, yet you go to someone else's house and covet his wife. Aren't you ridiculous?"

He Anting's words pierced his heart like needles.

Ye Yunzheng's throat was choked, and he couldn't speak as if he had swallowed something hard. After a long while, he said, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be like this. Do you think the marriage you stole will go as you wish? Yao'er doesn't care about you at all. She was indifferent even when she knew you went to Jingefang. But she used to act coquettishly and ask me to spend more time with her. She said she was afraid of the dark and loneliness. You don't know all this, right?"

With a bang, he was punched in the chest again, and his throat was instantly filled with a fishy smell.

He Anting's mind was in turmoil, and veins popped up on his forehead: "Don't think I dare not touch you."

Then he didn't want to argue with him and turned to go into the mansion. Qing Wu glanced at Ye Yunzheng and shook his head as if sighing.

Ye Yunzheng's face was gloomy, and he staggered back home, holding his chest.

When Ye Yunheng returned from his travels, he happened to run into Ye Yunzheng and suddenly called out, "Brother."

Ye Yunzheng raised his head, revealing his swollen and red face. Ye Yunheng was shocked: "Brother, what have you been doing? Who did this?"

"He Anting beat him for his fiancée." He wiped his lips indifferently.

Ye Yunheng was speechless and choked, not knowing what to say.

"What have you been doing?" Ye Yunzheng glanced at what he was holding. He was carrying a three-layer food box, and there was a bundle hanging in his arm, with a piece of pink clothes faintly visible from it.

Ye Yunheng's face was smeared with black, and he looked like a gangster.

In the afternoon, a riot broke out in the north city. He happened to be outside the palace and was ordered to suppress it with the Pedestrian Division. He Anting agreed to the emperor's request and then sent the emperor's beloved woman to him.

He was busy on both ends and didn't dare let others know, so he had to do it himself and run around.

Unfortunately, the woman was extremely spoiled, and he could not stand it anymore. He could only say that it was fortunate that He Anting did not take over, otherwise, things would have been out of control sooner or later.

"There was a riot in the North City. It was just suppressed. Nothing happened. Brother, go back and apply the medicine. I'll be leaving first."

Ye Yunzheng seemed to be lost in thought. In the North City, where refugees gathered.

He turned and left the house, heading towards King Yin.

…

He Anting tossed and turned in bed, feeling angry. Life is unpredictable. His future wife already had a man who even occupied a considerable position in her heart.

He was like a jealous man, hiding his violent nature deep within.

He was so much older than Ye Yunzheng that he shouldn't have been angered by his few words. He also knew that it was still unknown how credible Ye Yunzheng's words were, but he was led by Ye Yunzheng's words.

It's sad and ridiculous that he is so impatient.

He even punched Ye Yunzheng. If this gets out, wouldn't he be considered a petty-minded man?

After the morning court the next day, he went straight to Jing Mansion.

As usual, he waited in the carriage in the deep alley. Soon, Qing Wu's greetings were heard outside, and then a slender figure got on the carriage: "Sir."

I've taught her so many times, why won't she listen?

"Yesterday..." He Anting hesitated and considered. Jing Yao narrowed her eyes. "Your Excellency, you don't have to tell me. I know that your Excellency was busy with official business."

She was very proactive and considerate. He Anting smiled bitterly in his heart. He actually hoped that she would throw a tantrum.

"This is a gift. Do you like it?"

Jing Yao took the lacquer box and was dazzled by the golden glow as soon as she opened it. Inside the lacquer box was a headpiece made of pure gold, decorated with jade and gems, which was shining and extremely gorgeous.

Her eyes lit up and she couldn't let it go.

Seeing that she liked it, He Anting felt relieved. He had nothing else but a wealthy family and a high salary. It would be great if he could spend a lot of money to please her.

But he thought of something, and his eyes darkened: "What did Ye Yunzheng give you yesterday?"

Jing Yao's smile faltered. How did he know this? Was he the know-it-all? It was as if he knew everything about her drinking water.

"Ah... Of course what he gave me wasn't any better than what you gave me. It was just an ordinary lock."

He Anting stared at her deeply: "Don't you want to ask me what I did yesterday?"

"It's a matter of official business, and it has nothing to do with me," she said warily.

"I went to Jingefang." The next moment He Anting took the initiative to speak.

Jing Yao nodded hesitantly: "Yeah."

Seeing her like this, He Anting's forehead began to throb. Although he was unwilling to believe Ye Yunzheng's words, it seemed that he was not lying to him.

Jing Yao really doesn't care.

"Aren't you angry?" he asked, approaching.

Jing Yao was confused and asked, "Why are you angry? Didn't I say it was related to official business?"

He Anting had forgotten his anger and quietly reached out to embrace the person: "Of course you should be angry. I didn't do what I promised you."

Jing Yao nestled in his arms obediently: "But my Lord has already made amends."

Is that enough? he asked himself.

He wished she wasn't so sensible.

This little thing makes me love and hate her, but I can't do anything about it.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" he asked.

Jing Yao was surprised: "How did you know that, sir?"

He Anting didn't say anything, but just clenched his fists silently.

And the child in her belly, how much he hoped that this child was his and hers, and not hers with some other damn man.

It's a pity that he arrived a step too late and someone else had already gotten there.

But it doesn't matter, there will always be one. Even if she doesn't have me in her heart, it doesn't matter if she has someone else in her heart. What Ye Yunzheng said was just jealousy. He was jealous that it was easier for him to get it than for her.

Anyway, she can't live without me for the rest of her life. It doesn't matter where her heart is now. What matters is the person.

"Jing Yao, you dead girl, why don't you come out here right now?" Cui's scolding voice suddenly came from outside.

Jing Yao was startled and peeled open a crack to look outside. Cui, Jing Ran and a dozen servants were surrounding the carriage.

Qing Wu appeared from the side and asked, "Who is it?"

Cui Shi was not blind and recognized Qing Wu. Her originally high-spirited momentum was immediately shattered, and she timidly said: "You, you are..."

Jing Yao wanted to get out of the car, but He Anting stopped her and lifted the car curtain: "Who is making a noise?"

The deep voice made Cui's legs go weak and her throat seemed to be hoarse.

Jing Ran had no idea who this person was, and he was still arrogant. "You are Jing Yao's adulterer, right? I thought she was sneaking out all day long, and it turned out that she was hanging out with you."

Cui's face turned pale and she scolded, "Shut up."

Jing Ran was confused: "Mom."

He Anting laughed out loud when he heard this: "Adulterer?"

Cui's scalp tingled. "Please forgive me, sir. I was ignorant and just said nonsense."

"I wasn't mistaken, but... he's not an adulterer." His voice was deep, with an unquestionable aura.

Two quarters of an hour later, Jing Xunyuan and Cui stared at the letter of engagement in their hands in amazement. The unfamiliar handwriting, the familiar name and the official seal.

"This..." Jing Xunyuan rubbed his eyes, and the corners of his eyes twitched with excitement. He looked at him with disgust, with a bad expression on his face.

"You have a letter of engagement in your hand, why have I never known about it? I am also Yaoyao's father, and you actually hid it from me." Jing Xunyuan was very dissatisfied and questioned He.

"I dare not. The master once said that he never wanted to see me or talk to me. How could I dare to approach him with a smug face?" He said sarcastically, exposing her wounds.

Jing Xunyuan felt a little embarrassed. He had already married Cui when He became pregnant, and his relationship with He had reached freezing point.

I vaguely remember that He seemed to have returned to her mother's home in the northwest, under the pretext of nurturing her pregnancy. She came back thinner and soon after gave birth prematurely."

He Anting looked at Jing Xunyuan coldly as his smile turned into flattery.

"I was wondering why Yaoyao was so well-behaved and was disliked by the prince. It turns out that the lord..."

"The proposal of marriage will have to wait for two more days. My mother will come when she is free." In fact, he had not yet convinced the county lady.

"Okay, okay, everything is up to you, sir."

He felt a little disgusted. Jing Xunyuan had messed up the marriage plan and made it seem like he was selling his daughter for fame and fortune.

He Anting fell on Jing Ran, who was standing next to Cui, feeling uneasy. "Auntie, you must discipline your daughter. Sisters killing each other will not be good for your reputation in the future."

Cui's mother and daughter both looked unhappy, but they swallowed their anger and replied, "Yes."

When He Anting left, he said to her, "I'll be very busy in the next few days and may not be able to come over. I'll leave Qingwu to you. Tell him to come to me if you need anything."

He lowered his head and gave instructions in a gentle and elegant manner. The cold, hard and deep aura on his body seemed to have softened a lot, and he did not "lecture" her like a teacher as usual.

Jing Yao was stunned. She was not a hard rock, so it was natural for her to be moved by good.

A warm current flowed through her heart, and she nodded: "Don't worry, my lord."

He Anting nodded and turned to leave.

…

He Anting was very busy in the next few days because a refugee riot broke out in the north city.

It is the hottest time of the year now, and floods have broken out in the south. Many places have been submerged by the water, and many people have been displaced.

However, the court has already made arrangements here with ease. Officials responsible for disaster relief have already set out, and the North City is temporarily managed by Duke Heng. He has been the prefect of Kaifeng for many years and should be very experienced.

But for some unknown reason, there was a sudden riot yesterday afternoon. It seemed that the refugees in Shu were protesting against the imperial court over the taxation of tea farmers.

In order to prevent the people from becoming confused, the Infantry Division and Kaifeng Prefecture suppressed the rebellion in a timely manner to prevent the people from being affected.

As a result, there was another riot this morning, and it seemed that someone was killed, so He Anting had to go there in a low profile.

"Sir, all those rioting refugees have been detained." The commander of the Pedestrian Division led him forward.

He Anting stood in the yard and looked at these refugees, feeling a heavy chill all over his body.

"Take them all to the imperial prison and interrogate them." He ordered in a cold voice.

"You bastard, give me your life." The refugee kneeling on the ground suddenly roared, broke free from the hand restraints, raised his knife and rushed towards He Anting's back and chest.