Chapter 54 If You Are Unjust, I Will Be Unjust Too

Ye Wanqing's words were clear: if Ye Wanning refused again, she would likely be branded as unfilial. Her heart tightened, and she clenched her fist in annoyance. Did she really have to tear off all pretenses to feel at ease?

Before Ye Wanning could make any response, Ye Wanqing continued, "Putuo Mountain is quite a distance from Duyang City. Sister, how about we set off tomorrow? It's better to go early and come back early."

Ye Wanning gritted her teeth. This was all part of your scheme. Did you really think you could refuse her? She took a deep breath. "Then let's do as the Crown Princess says."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, sister." Ye Wanqing smiled, her tone somewhat apologetic.

Ye Wanning sneered inwardly. What a fine word, "trouble"! She really couldn't bear it!

Su Wenxuan sighed softly, "I already said it wasn't necessary, and this is yet..."

“It is indeed my sister’s filial piety.” Ye Wanqing interrupted Su Wenyi. “Everyone is thinking of Father Emperor. Crown Prince, you should not waste your sister’s good intentions.”

Hearing their insincere words, Ye Wan's eyes darkened. She knew perfectly well what they were thinking. But what could she do now that things had come to this? She could only hope they wouldn't go too far!

Seeing that his attempts to persuade her had failed, Su Wenxuan put on a disappointed look and said softly, "Then it's up to you. I can't control you." With that, he sighed, "You can discuss it here. I'll go and see my father."

"Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince!"

After the Crown Prince left, the atmosphere in the hall became unusually awkward. Ye Wanning bit her lip; her relationship with Ye Wanqing was now unclear.

Just a few days ago, they were allies; she saved her, and she did everything she could to sabotage the Prime Minister's plans. But now, Ye Wanning laughed self-deprecatingly, never expecting that she was the one who had driven her into a corner.

After a moment of silence, Ye Wanqing picked up a pastry from the table beside her, took a small bite, and said with a hint of self-satisfaction, "Would you like to try this osmanthus cake, sister? The osmanthus cake in my palace tastes excellent."

Ye Wanning patiently said in a somewhat stiff voice, "Thank you for your kindness, Crown Princess, but it's not necessary. Father's condition has not improved, and I really don't have the heart for this."

"Hehe." Ye Wanqing chuckled, "I knew you were a sentimental person, but at least don't let yourself get too hungry, otherwise, how will you get up to go to Mount Putuo tomorrow!"

Ye Wanning gritted her teeth, her eyes turning cold. Why bring up something she shouldn't have said! Taking advantage of her kindness! Ye Wanning pursed her lips. "It's alright. My sister is preoccupied with Father's illness every day; she has no appetite. Unlike my sister, who is so carefree and still in such a good mood."

Hearing this, Ye Wanqing's face darkened, and her hands froze, unsure whether to continue eating or not. After a pause, she put down the pastry in her hand and coughed lightly twice, "My sister is still the same, never letting things go when she's in the right."

Ye Wanning glanced at Ye Wanqing with a disdainful look, snorted twice, and didn't say anything more. If things got heated, she would be interested in arguing with her, but right now, she really had no intention of engaging in any insincere pleasantries.

Seeing that Ye Wanning clearly didn't want to talk to her, Ye Wanqing wasn't angry. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "But you must be extra careful after you set off, little sister. I've heard there are many bandits on the road from Duyang City to Putuo Mountain. I hope nothing bad happens to you along the way."

Ye Wanning stiffened, looking at Ye Wanqing in disbelief. What did she mean by that?

Seeing Ye Wanning's puzzled look, Ye Wanqing smiled and pursed her lips, "Don't you understand what I mean, little sister? The journey is fraught with danger, so please be extremely careful."

Ye Wanning opened her mouth, her voice hoarse, "You..."

“But there’s no need to worry about that.” Ye Wanqing put down her cup, her tone tinged with schadenfreude. “Although Prince Jin has always been a carefree prince with few guards, I will have a good talk with the Crown Prince and he will send more men to protect you.”

Ye Wanning lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought. After a long while, she finally spoke, "Then thank you for your kindness, sister."

"You're too kind, sister. It's nothing." Ye Wanqing was about to say something when Ye Wanning suddenly spoke up.

"Since you care so much about me and Wenzhen, you should take better care of yourself."

Ye Wanqing's expression suddenly changed. She looked around at the palace maids with a somewhat flustered expression and said, "You may all leave now."

Ye Wanning watched Ye Wanqing's flustered face with great interest. After the palace maids in the hall had all dispersed, she smiled and pretended to be puzzled, "Why did you send them all away, sister?"

Ye Wanqing gritted her teeth, not wanting to openly expose the truth, so she could only say, "Just now, didn't my sister want to have a private talk with me? It's not appropriate with outsiders present."

Ye Wanning sneered. Who said she was going to have a private conversation? She glanced at Ye Wanqing, said nothing, and just smiled meaningfully.

Unable to hold back any longer, Ye Wanqing finally asked, "What did you mean by what you just said?"

"It doesn't mean anything?" Ye Wanning frowned and looked down at her toes. "It's just that my sister was so concerned about me just now, so I thought I should also be concerned about her."

Ye Wanqing clenched her fists, furious but unable to vent her anger. She gritted her teeth and said, "Sister, you must have received some information before you said those words!"

"Huh?" Ye Wanning opened her innocent eyes and asked, somewhat confused, "I don't understand what you're talking about, sister."

"You!" Ye Wanqing looked at Ye Wanning with gritted teeth. Before she could say anything, Ye Wanning spoke again.

“However…” Ye Wanning frowned, pretending to think, “a few days ago when I returned to the Prime Minister’s residence, I overheard Father and Second Sister discussing when to pay their respects to the Crown Prince…”

"What!" Ye Wanqing exclaimed in shock, "Greetings, Crown Prince!" She looked at Ye Wanning in disbelief. This couldn't be real. Her father... was he really going to abandon her?

After a long silence, Ye Wanqing asked, her voice trembling slightly, "You...you...is what you're saying true...?"

"Why would I lie to you?" Ye Wanning said impatiently. "If you don't believe me, then just pretend you never heard these words."

"Then, little sister..." Ye Wanqing hesitated for a long time before asking, "Does little sister have any good ideas...?"

"Ah?" Ye Wanning looked at Ye Wanqing. "It's really a small matter." As she spoke, she suddenly paused and looked at Ye Wanqing with some regret. "However, I'm leaving for Putuo Mountain tomorrow, so I won't be able to help you, sister. Take care of yourself, sister."

As she spoke, Ye Wanning stood up. "It's getting late. I'm afraid Wenzhen will be coming out soon. I won't disturb you any longer, sister. I'll go to Jianzhang Palace first and make some preparations so we can set off for Putuo Mountain tomorrow."

After saying that, he left the East Palace without waiting for Ye Wanqing's response, leaving Ye Wanqing sitting there in a daze, not knowing what to do.

Ye Wanning sneered. She hadn't heard the Prime Minister and Ye Wanyi discussing their meeting with the Crown Prince, but judging from the current situation, it probably wasn't far off. She was going to be very busy!

Thinking this, Ye Wanning's expression suddenly hardened. Ye Wanqing, don't blame me. You are unkind, so I will be unjust. You don't want Ye Wanyi to marry the Crown Prince, but I will make this marriage happen!