Chapter 58 Good Things Are Coming (Part 8) Please Me.

His voice was deep and husky, completely different from his usual cool and composed tone.

Ye Mu was intoxicated by his kiss, which he gave without warning.

The charcoal brazier in the room was burning too brightly, and the heat came from all directions. She felt as if she were being baked through, about to turn into the water droplets on his fingers that he hadn't wiped off. She trembled and couldn't stand steadily, but he let her sway and rock in his arms.

He wouldn't let her really fall; his hand remained on her back.

But Xie Yicheng's mind seemed to be disturbed by the warmth in his arms. He was so infatuated that he lost his sense of proportion and was swayed along with her, as if the two of them were falling into a synchronized dizziness.

He carried Ye Mu and folded her back onto the couch. His lips finally left her ear, but lingered halfway, landing on her wet neck, as if he wanted to suckle.

Ye Mu felt dizzy in this intimate hostage situation.

"Xie Yicheng."

"Hmm?" he responded from the crook of her neck.

"Xie Yicheng."

She liked to call him that almost obsessively, for no reason at all, "Why is your name so beautiful?"

The name itself is nothing special; it's just that it's him, just that the name represents him, as he embraces her with all his passion.

"How come you do everything so well?"

What did I do now?

Her voice, softened by the heat, said, "Pleasure me."

He chuckled softly at the side of her neck.

He was indeed rewarded handsomely.

The sounds of servants tidying up their belongings next door could be faintly heard: the clinking of cups and the movement of footsteps. The walls of this simple house were not very soundproof.

"I want to buy a detached house."

Ye Mu was taken aback and stepped back slightly to look at him. "Didn't you just move in yesterday?"

"I didn't know you were in such a hurry."

"Who's in a hurry?" Ye Mu blushed at the teasing tone in his words and gently punched his shoulder.

Xie Yicheng curled her lips slightly, "I didn't say I would buy it tomorrow."

Her cheeks were flushed, and he couldn't help but kiss her. He finally managed to suppress the urge to break free of his cage. In the past, he had practiced in the temple, guarding the ancient Buddha and the green lamp, adhering to the precepts and rules, which he considered a form of asceticism.

Only now do I realize that the composure I had while sitting on the meditation cushion was utterly insignificant compared to the agony of having to pull back from the brink of disaster while holding that warm, soft woman in my arms.

The Buddha said, "There is probably nothing better than this for subduing one's mind."

He reached out and carefully straightened her slightly disheveled collar. "You can keep an eye on her for now."

"Even if I can't buy it right away."

Ye Mu leaned against his chest and whispered to him about the Crown Prince's entrustment. She had no need to hide anything from him and trusted him completely.

"...My return date is uncertain, and my future is also uncertain." Ye Mu carefully traced his brow bone. "My mother and this family need someone to take care of them. Xie Yicheng, would you be willing to stay here and wait for me to return, and take care of them for me?"

As soon as she asked the question, her heart sank.

Behind this request, isn't there a gentle form of binding?

She anchored him here, making him shoulder responsibilities that weren't originally his, and keeping a promise with no end in sight. Everyone wants to see their own world, but she wants him to stay steadfastly within her world of concern.

The thought made her fingertips feel slightly cool, and she unconsciously lightened the pressure when tracing his brow bone.

Isn't this a form of selfishness?

"good."

His answer was without the slightest hesitation or doubt, which almost brought tears to Ye Mu's eyes.

"Go ahead and do what you want."

Xie Yicheng leaned forward slightly, his forehead gently touching hers. "Go see the world you want to see, walk the path you believe in, plan for yourself, and don't hesitate."

Do you think I'm selfish?

This is actually not fair to him.

Ye Mu felt sorry for him, "Everyone has their own world to live in, I really shouldn't have..."

"Ye Mu".

Xie Yicheng interrupted her unfinished self-criticism and chuckled softly, "But my world is you."

Her eyes instantly welled up with tears, which streamed down her cheeks.

"I have seen it all, traveled the world, looked up and down at the mountains and rivers, witnessed the multitude of people, and tasted the warmth and coldness of the mortal world."

“Now,” Xie Yicheng tightened his arms and pulled her into his embrace, “my world is right here in my arms.”

“My care for her, my protection of her, and my waiting for her are all things that my heart desires, not things that are a cage.”

He kissed away her tears, "How is this selfish? This is clearly the place I've been longing for."

How could Xie Yicheng be so good to her, so good that all her anxieties turned into a deeper longing?

Ye Mu hugged him tightly from behind, burying her face even deeper into the crook of his neck.

"What if my mother makes things difficult for you after I leave?"

“I’ve been planning this for the past two days and was just about to tell you,” Xie Yicheng said. “I own several estates and shops, which are quite profitable. I plan to entrust them all to the Third Madam.”

Ye Mu was startled and looked up at him.

Xie Yicheng continued, "Firstly, the Third Madam has managed the household for many years and is skilled in all matters. Entrusting it to her is more reliable than me or someone else, and it can also increase our income. Secondly, the Third Madam is troubled and often feels helpless, not only because she misses you, but also because she thinks she has no one to rely on."

Give her a job that requires some effort but isn't too heavy, with a monthly salary and a decent bonus during holidays. Having something to do and something to focus on might alleviate her boredom; it's a good thing for both of them.

His thoughtful consideration not only averted potential conflicts but also preserved his mother's emotional distress and dignity.

After listening, Ye Mu was stunned for a while. "You really know how to manipulate my mother's thoughts."

The word "control" here carries no negative connotation whatsoever, but rather a sense of self-deprecation. If Xie Yicheng were to enter officialdom, with his insight and skill, he would surely rise rapidly through the ranks.

Ye Mu suddenly recalled her past life. When Jiang Si's mother first entered the mansion, she was eager to take over the power of managing the household affairs from her. At that time, she refused to let go, partly because it was her duty, and partly because it was a kind of stubbornness of a young girl who was unwilling to be easily replaced.

This created a rift between them, and their lives thereafter became even more precarious.

If she had arranged things as meticulously as Xie Yicheng, her life in her previous life wouldn't have been so terrible. But then again, it was precisely because she died so tragically that she was able to be reborn and get to know Xie Yicheng anew.

Ye Mu felt a tremor in her heart as if feathers were repeatedly stirring at his words, and she gently tickled his waist.

"Heh..." Xie Yicheng was caught off guard and let out a low, short laugh.

He reached out to grab her mischievous hand, but Ye Mu laughed and turned away to dodge. The two chased each other on the not-so-large couch, their laughter mingling.

However, this close playfulness did not last long.

Suddenly, a series of knocking sounds came from the neighboring courtyard, "clang clang" and "thump thump thump thump," which were particularly abrupt and jarring.

Then came the craftsmen's hushed conversation and instructions, as if they were moving something heavy, and the tender moment was instantly torn apart by the noise of the moment.

Ye Mu frowned. The renovation noises next door continued intermittently, showing no sign of stopping.

She waited patiently for a while, but finally couldn't resist. She let go of Xie Yicheng's arms, propped herself up, and tapped lightly a few times on the wall next to the neighbor's house.

Thump, thump, thump.

Sure enough, the noise from next door paused for a moment.

Ye Mu had just caught his breath and was about to lie down when, a moment later, the hissing sound of sawing wood started again. Although it seemed a little quieter than before, it was still annoying in the still night.

Ye Mu's patience, born of tenderness, was completely exhausted.

She took a breath, got up from the couch, put on her outer robe, tied her belt, and, with a hint of anger at being disturbed, hurried to the neighboring courtyard.

Xie Yicheng also got up and followed behind her.

The gate to the neighboring courtyard wasn't fully closed, revealing flickering lights and shadowy figures inside.

Ye Mu raised his hand and pushed the door open a little. He saw that the courtyard was brightly lit, and two or three craftsmen were carefully carrying a brand-new carved wooden window frame into the house. Tools and old wood were scattered on the ground.

A middle-aged man who looked like a foreman was working on the order form by the light of a lantern.

"Masters," Ye Mu raised his voice, trying to keep it calm, "it's late, and this noise is disturbing our sleep. Could we continue tomorrow?"

The foreman turned around at the sound and saw a young woman standing outside the door, followed by a refined-looking man. He quickly put down the order form, hurried forward, cupped his hands, and smiled apologetically, "I'm so sorry to have disturbed you, young lady!"

He wiped the sweat from his brow and explained, "The homeowners are in a hurry and want all the doors, windows, and furniture replaced and fixed within two days so they can move in quickly. We had no choice but to work through the night. We apologize for disturbing the neighbors."

His attitude was earnest and his words humble. Ye Mu saw that his eyes were bloodshot and the craftsmen looked tired. Knowing how difficult it was for people at the bottom of society to make a living, he could no longer be too harsh on them.

Ye Mu said, "Please, masters, try to be as gentle as possible. The houses in this alley are close together, and the sound travels far."

"Yes, yes, yes, definitely! We'll try to be as quiet as possible and won't make any more noise." The foreman assured them repeatedly, then turned back and whispered a few more words of advice to the craftsmen.

Back in Xie Yicheng's courtyard, after closing the door, the sound was somewhat blocked, but subtle movements could still be faintly heard.

Ye Mu was still annoyed. "How can you rush things like this? Can't we do it during the day tomorrow? How are people supposed to get a good night's sleep?!"

"It's alright." Xie Yicheng took her slightly cool hand into his warm and dry palm, and gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips. "I usually meditate at night and don't often lie in bed to sleep."

"Don't you sleep in bed at night?" Ye Mu turned to look at him in surprise; this was the first time she had heard him mention this.

"Sitting in meditation and regulating your breath can also help you enter a state of tranquility and peace of mind, which can restore your physical strength, similar to the effect of sleep."

"Do you cover yourself with a blanket when you meditate?"

As soon as she said it, she froze, then realized that the question was really silly. How could she cover herself with a blanket while sitting cross-legged?

Xie Yicheng was clearly surprised by her question. She paused for a moment, then a faint smile appeared in her eyes. "No, not at all."

Ye Mu's ears burned and her cheeks flushed from his laughter, but she refused to admit defeat. Instead, she followed up on the somewhat silly topic and tugged at his sleeve, "Xie Yicheng, why don't you try sleeping in bed tonight, okay?"

Why?

"Imagine if we get married someday, and I wake up in the middle of the night, half asleep, and as soon as I open my eyes, I see a figure sitting upright by the bed. How terrifying would that be?"

She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears.

Xie Yicheng's hands unconsciously tightened.

marry.

The two words she uttered softly were more moving than any Buddhist verse or chant.

“Okay,” he replied, “then I’ll lie down and sleep.”

"Make sure you're covered up properly; it gets chilly at night, and your shoulders shouldn't be exposed..."

Before leaving, Ye Mu repeatedly gave him instructions, so much so that he was tucking him in even in his dream. When he woke up the next day, he began to regret it. He had been dreaming, and instead of doing anything else, he had only been thinking about covering him with a blanket.

After she finished washing up, she saw Xie Yicheng bring her breakfast. Today it was pumpkin porridge and crispy pancakes. In the dim morning light, his expression was as usual, as serene as ever, no different from any other day. Ye Mu suppressed the subtle curiosity and shyness in her heart.

After breakfast, Xie Yicheng, as usual, took her to work.

Ye Mu deliberately took a longer route, arriving near the side gate of the Yongning Marquis's residence.

She got out of the carriage, handed a light pink letter that she had prepared beforehand to the old woman at the gate, and whispered a few words of advice.

The letter made no mention of Fuyou Pavilion or the Crown Prince, but instead invited her third sister to a gathering at the renowned Baihua Tower in the city four days later, citing the fact that the sisters had not seen each other for a long time. She figured that since she had gained some fame at the Dharma Assembly, Zhou would most likely agree to let her come out to accept her sister's invitation.

For the next few days, Ye Mu found it difficult to find an opportunity to be alone and intimate with Xie Yicheng.

Because of the noisy banging in the neighboring courtyard that night, when they went to negotiate with the craftsmen, some neighbors came out and saw the two of them walking in and out of the small courtyard together. Inevitably, some whispers came out. Zijing got Liu's signal and followed her almost every step of the way.

Only on the short commute to and from work each day, at dawn and dusk, when the two rode together in an oxcart with the curtains drawn, could they have a moment of privacy. Ye Mu could only steal a moment of intimacy by glancing at each other and occasionally touching each other with her fingertips.

She felt depressed for several days, so she ate candy more often to relieve her frustration.

On this day, in a private room of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

Ye Qing arrived as promised. The two sisters chatted for a short while over a cup of tea before Ye Mu gently pressed her hand and said, "Third sister, I invited you today because there is something important to discuss. Someone wants to see you."

Ye Qing was taken aback upon hearing this. Before she could ask any further questions, Ye Mu pulled her up and quietly led her out of the side door of Baihua Tower and onto the oxcart.

Ye Qing recognized the driver as someone familiar. After a moment's thought, she realized he was Master Wen Kong, the one who had given such eloquence at the Dharma assembly.

The monk was wearing a square scarf on his head and dressed in a straight robe, already in the attire of a secular man. He sat quietly, holding a whip, his posture as steady as a mountain.

In a flash, she recalled the day the Dharma assembly ended, when Ye Mu pointed into the hall and uttered the earth-shattering words, "If he marries, I will marry." At the time, she had only taken it as her fourth sister's reckless and arrogant words. But now, the handsome man before her, who had returned to secular life, connected with all the unusual events of that day, instantly stirring up a storm in her heart.

"Fourth sister," Ye Qing grabbed Ye Mu's sleeve, "You...you want me to see him today?!"

She secretly pointed with her finger at the person on the carriage shaft.

Ye Mu smiled, leaned close to her ear, and said, "Third sister, this is Xie Yicheng. I didn't make up a name to deceive His Majesty at the Dharma assembly. Now do you believe me?"

She paused, then added, "However, today, the main purpose of bringing you here is not to see him, but for someone else to see you."

Ye Qing was still in shock and murmured, "So, you confessed your love to a monk at the Dharma assembly that day, in front of His Majesty and so many people?"

She felt embarrassed even after saying those words.

There was a golden Buddha statue in that hall. Her fourth sister stood under that Buddha's light and spoke those words frankly to a monk in the Buddhist order.

What's the difference between this and a shameless playboy who openly teases and mocks someone's daughter right under his mother-in-law's nose?

Ye Mu nodded with a smile.

"Fourth sister, you're too bold!" Ye Qing felt her cheeks burning and lowered her voice worriedly, "What if you bet wrong, and he doesn't actually care about you? And you're so flamboyant. If he's unhappy in front of Buddha all day long and secretly talks about you and resents you, then there will be retribution! What should we do?"

She frowned. In the worst-case scenario she could imagine, she would be in love with the wrong person and be complained about by them before the gods and Buddhas.

Ye Mu was amused by her third sister's peculiar concern and laughed out loud. "Third sister, if he truly had no feelings for me, why would he bother to go to the trouble of gossiping about me in front of Buddha every day? Your words are self-contradictory."

“Besides,” Ye Mu put his arm around her, “I don’t gamble. I’m just confident that he has feelings for me.”

Ye Qing was stunned by what she said and had not yet fully recovered from the shock. When she saw the person she was supposed to see, her knees went weak.

"Madam...Your Highness the Crown Prince?!"

Ye Qing almost collapsed on the spot, looking at Ye Mu in a panic, her voice trembling, "Fourth Sister! You didn't tell me... you were coming to see His Highness!"

Informing her in advance is not an option; otherwise, not coming would only frighten her prematurely, so it's better not to say anything.

Ye Mu knelt down respectfully with her, then raised her head and said, "Your Highness, I am willing to do my best regarding the matter of Suzhou Prefecture. I hope Your Highness will not make things difficult for my third sister today."

Crown Prince Xiao Zhen turned around, his gaze sweeping lightly over the two sisters kneeling on the ground. His gaze lingered for a moment on Ye Qing, who was terrified, before turning to Ye Mu and saying, "Good. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

"Get up, all of you," Xiao Zhen said. "Ye Mu, you go out first. I have a few words to say to your third sister alone."

Ye Mu's heart tightened. She quickly glanced at the Crown Prince, then looked worriedly at the trembling Ye Qing.

She secretly exerted force, pulling the fabric back from Ye Qing's hand that was tightly gripping the hem of her skirt, and whispered, "Third sister, His Highness is not a bad person. Just answer his questions truthfully."

Having said that, he had no choice but to leave as instructed.

The door closed gently behind me.

However, Ye Mu did not go far. He stayed behind a clump of bamboo near the Moon-Viewing Terrace, listening intently.

After several encounters with the Crown Prince, she felt that he was not a bad person and would not really do anything to her third sister. But her third sister was timid as a mouse... what if she was frightened into something bad or said the wrong thing?

Ye Mu dared not be careless, his whole body tense, ready to rush in immediately if there was the slightest unusual movement inside.

Inside the Moon-Viewing Platform.

Xiao Zhen looked at Ye Qing, who was kneeling on the ground trembling. After waiting for a moment, seeing that she was still lying on the ground without any intention of getting up, he frowned and asked, "Why aren't you getting up?"

"Your Highness..." Ye Qingzhen was terrified, her muffled voice coming from the ground, "My legs are weak... I can't stand up."

"...Do you expect me to help you up?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Qing actually raised her head cautiously a little bit, "Is it okay?"

She quickly glanced around the room, as if carefully weighing her options, and whispered, "It would be best... to help me get over there. Curled up here... I won't be able to recover any better."

The crown prince glanced in the direction she was pointing and said, "Insolence!"

Xiao Zhen's face darkened, and she spoke in a low voice. Instead of sitting in the armchair, she pointed to the chaise longue covered with brocade.

That's absolutely outrageous!

Ye Qing immediately shrank back like a startled rabbit, "I was so scared I had a spasm..."

Before she could finish speaking, she felt a lightness in her body as someone lifted her up from the ground.

Xiao Zhen's actions were not exactly gentle, but rather businesslike and efficient. However, this sudden contact made Ye Qing's face turn bright red instantly, and she didn't know where to put her hands and feet. She just stood there frozen as the Crown Prince walked a few steps to the chaise longue and tossed her onto it rather gently.

Once on the tatami mat, Ye Qing tried to slowly straighten her limp legs. As the numbness and cramping sensation gradually subsided, she calmed down a little.

She dared not look at the Crown Prince, her voice barely audible, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Do you think there's anything else we can talk about?

His tone was so cold that it sent another shiver down Ye Qing's spine.

Ye Qing immediately raised three fingers, pointing to the top of her head. She almost poked the Crown Prince but hurriedly pulled them back, swearing incoherently, "About Bao Xiang Temple! I have never told a second person!"

……wrong!

She suddenly remembered Ye Mu and was so anxious she almost cried. "I told my fourth sister! I'm sorry, Your Highness! I swear again!"

Xiao Zhen, “…”

Ye Qing closed her eyes briefly, still speaking solemnly, "Regarding the matter at Baoxiang Temple, I, Ye Qing, swear to heaven that I have never told a third person! Even at night, I'm afraid I might talk in my sleep and reveal it, so every night before I go to sleep, I put a damp gauze on my lips before I dare to close my eyes! Absolutely, absolutely no one else will know that Your Highness is that man in black and that your right arm is injured!"

Xiao Zhen's lips twitched slightly as he listened to her method of strict defense.

He pressed his temple. "...If you speak any louder, the entire Fuyou Pavilion will hear you."

"I...I..." She looked at the Crown Prince's unreadable face, steeled her heart, and decided to go all out. "Your Highness summoned me here today just to settle this score? I'll do anything you ask! I only beg Your Highness not to punish my fourth sister. She's been working very hard to support herself."

She didn't know what deal her sister had made with the Crown Prince, and only heard about the Suzhou incident, so she was naturally worried.

To be treated like a beast of burden... Don't ordinary people say "kill or torture"?

She, on the other hand, didn't want to die, so she skipped straight to forced labor to repay her debt.

"You can't even take care of yourself, and you're still thinking about your fourth sister?"

Xiao Zhen snorted, flicked his sleeve, and walked to the rosewood chair by the window, sitting down a distance away from her. "If I had to make you work like a beast of burden, how many evil deeds would I have to do?"

Ye Qing choked.

Xiao Zhen tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. "I want you to do one thing. Once this is done, the matter of Baoxiang Temple will be settled, and I will not pursue it any further."

"Your Highness, please speak! I will do my best as long as it is within my power!"

Xiao Zhen paused for a moment, then said, "That day, when I tore off a piece of your skirt to bandage myself and returned to the East Palace to change the dressing, the Empress Dowager happened to come to visit and saw it."

He omitted the complex emotions of the Empress—surprise, inquiry, and then a subtle smile—as well as his own rare moment of embarrassment, saying, "I briefly mentioned you to her."

"What?" Ye Qing's heart sank. "Does Your Highness not know how important a woman's chastity is in this world? Besides, I am already engaged..."

The thought that she might never get married and could be rejected by Zhou Shi, sent to a remote village to live a lonely life, and that she didn't have her fourth sister's ability to make a living, filled her with sorrow.

"A marriage contract?" Xiao Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Which family?"

"He is the second young master of the Prince of Nan'an's family."

“Him?” Xiao Zhen raised an eyebrow. “At the end of last year, he was impeached by the censor for arguing with prostitutes in the camp, which caused quite a stir. Although the matter was not publicized, everyone in the government who needed to know about it knew about it.”

People in official circles all know this. So, it's very likely that her father and brother also knew that their future son-in-law and brother-in-law were of this kind of character.

But they never thought of helping her or canceling the marriage. In their eyes, as long as she reached the right age, she should get married in an orderly manner. Whether it was good or bad, as long as it looked good on the surface and didn't damage the reputation of the Marquis's mansion, that was fine.

It wasn't until she had the opportunity to curry favor with the Crown Prince that her father seemed to suddenly remember her as his daughter.

Even while she was in mourning, she still had to rely on luck to bump into the Crown Prince at Baoxiang Temple. If she didn't succeed, it wouldn't harm them; she could still marry into the Nan'an Prince's Mansion and complete a marriage between equals. If she could really win the Crown Prince's favor even slightly, that would be incredibly lucky and a highly profitable deal.

However, she never expected to have such a dangerous encounter with the Crown Prince at Baoxiang Temple.

The outside world only knew that the Empress Dowager had not summoned anyone that day, nor had His Highness the Crown Prince met any of the noble ladies, so her mother, Madam Zhou, had already helped her prepare things for her marriage to the Nan'an Prefecture.

Ye Qing couldn't help but feel bitter. "...Thank you for telling me such shocking and unpleasant news, Your Highness."

"I can help you cancel this engagement," Xiao Zhen said, looking at her. "However, the Empress Dowager wants to see you during this year's selection of the Crown Prince."

The Empress wants to see her? Ye Qing's mind went blank. The last Dharma assembly was the highest sacred event she had ever participated in, but she had only been able to see the Empress from afar. How could she possibly look directly at her face?

Once she realized what was going on, he wanted to help her annul her engagement and have her participate in the Crown Prince's selection process? Wasn't that a major palace event involving the selection of concubines for the Crown Prince?

Ye Qing cried out in surprise.

"Bang!"

At the same instant, the tightly closed door was violently slammed open. Ye Mu, who had been standing guard outside the door, could no longer contain himself upon hearing his sister's scream and rushed in without a second thought.

Then, she clearly heard her third sister ask the shocking question, "...You don't mean to make me the Crown Princess, do you?!"

Ye Mu was stunned. These words came from the mouth of her usually timid and cautious third sister? And the recipient was the Crown Prince? Moreover, she was lying openly on the chaise longue.

Ye Mu felt that his brain was not working properly.

Even after finishing work and returning to Yuqian Lane, she was still somewhat dazed.

Not quite understanding what the Crown Prince meant when he said to his third sister before leaving, "You should participate in the selection."

So the Crown Prince really did intend to have his third sister selected for the Eastern Palace?

What about the third daughter of the Yongchang Marquis's family in her previous life? Who did she marry?

In this life, the trajectory of fate is quietly shifting. It started when the third sister met the crown prince and when Xie Yicheng returned to secular life. It seems quite different from the previous life.

Ye Mu unconsciously reached into his sleeve pocket, pulled out a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth.

Xie Yicheng, driving the car, had already noticed her silence today and that she had eaten more candy than usual.

The oxcart came to a stop at the entrance of Yuqian Lane. He got off first and turned to help her.

"Did you encounter any difficulties at work today?" he asked gently.

Ye Mu jumped off the carriage with his help, shook her head upon hearing this, her thoughts still immersed in the puzzling conversation between the Crown Prince and her third sister, and blurted out subconsciously, "It's not about the pavilion... I was thinking about someone."

As soon as she spoke, she felt a tightness on her wrist.

"Oh? Who are you thinking of?"

Ye Mu immediately sensed the sarcasm in his words, and the annoyance in her heart was instantly dispelled, making her want to laugh.

Just as she was about to look up and explain, she was abruptly interrupted by a clear, melodious female voice coming from the other end of the alley.

The voice was filled with excitement, "Master Wenkong?"

Ye Mu and Xie Yicheng looked in the direction of the sound at the same time.

In the twilight of the alley stood a slender young woman, dressed in a light green brocade dress and a moon-white cloak. Her hair was styled in an exquisite updo, and her face was beautiful. She was looking at them with her eyes slightly wide open.

She was accompanied by two maids with bowed heads. The procession was small, but it exuded a refined elegance.

Ye Mu frowned slightly.

It was the person she had just been thinking of—

Wu Zhiyi, the third daughter of the Yongchang Marquis's family.

But why was she so happy to see Xie Yicheng?

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Author's Note: This chapter was locked in the drafts box eight times and many parts were deleted. I hate it! [crying emoji]