After Ye Guixue left the Imperial Palace, he encountered Crown Prince Yan Li on his way back to the Duke’s Residence.
Yan Li had deliberately waited for him on the route back to the Duke’s Residence and stopped his carriage.
"Young Master, it’s the carriage of the Crown Prince," informed the coachman.
Ye Guixue drew back the carriage curtain and peeked out towards the carriage obstructing his path.
At the same time, Yan Li also looked out with a smile on his face and addressed him, "Second Young Master Ye, you’ve been in the Capital City for several days. I’ve yet to extend my hospitality. We serendipitously meet today at just the right time. Would you join me for lunch at the Host Inn?"
Ye Guixue knew perfectly well that Yan Li had intentionally waited here to intercept him. Even the Emperor of Daliang could not convince him, then, how would Yan Li? He shook his head, "I have some important tasks to attend to. I haven’t even dined at the palace despite the Emperor’s invitation."
Despite rejection, Yan Li insisted, "No matter how busy, one must eat. I won’t take up too much of your time." Fearing another refusal from Ye Guixue, he added, "Lady cousin is still small, and I heard you plan to leave her at the Duke’s Residence for a few years. Having spent some days at the Duke’s Residence, I believe you now have an understanding of the place. Rest assured, with me around, I will make sure to look after your niece."
Ye Guixue raised his eyebrows at Yan Li, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
Yan Li chuckled hurriedly, "Second Young Master Ye, please don’t misunderstand. I’m saying that your niece is too young. Are you really comfortable leaving her alone in Capital City of Daliang? I took a liking to Second Young Master Ye at first sight, not minding helping with your niece."
Ye Guixue smiled faintly at his words, "Your Highness needn’t worry about that on my behalf. If I were to leave the capital, I would naturally arrange everything for my niece. Daliang and Nanchu have been on good terms for years, and I believe everyone in the capital could look after her, even in my absence."
Yan Li’s face stiffened slightly, but he gritted his teeth and responded, "But who knows if there are spies from enemy countries intentionally causing chaos? She’s such a young child; any small error is unacceptable. Would you say so, Second Young Master Ye?"
Ye Guixue narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Yan Li, coldness glinting, "Is Your Highness trying to coerce me?"
Yan Li replied hurriedly, "I just want to have a casual meal with Second Young Master Ye."
Ye Guixue understood that Yan Li’s persistence was not as simple as a casual meal, he responded indifferently, "I only have half an hour, I can’t go as far as the Host Inn."
"Let’s pick somewhere nearby then," Yan Li pointed conveniently at a place, "How about that one?"
Ye Guixue glanced at it and nodded.
Both carriages drove to the nearest restaurant. After stepping down, Yan Li welcomed Ye Guixue with great civility, "Second Young Master Ye, after you."
With a calm expression, Ye Guixue entered the restaurant.
This restaurant was not particularly crowded. Yan Li and Ye Guixue entered a private room on the second floor. Once the waiter had served food, Ye Guixue didn’t bother with the food, and said to Yan Li, "Your Highness, if you have something to say, please get to the point."
Yan Li didn’t insist Ye Guixue to eat. Having no appetite himself and seeing that Ye Guixue was ready for a direct conversation, he got straight to the point, "Did Second Young Master Ye come to Daliang for Su Rong?"
Ye Guixue didn’t respond.
Yan Li took his silence as affirmation, "I heard that Second Young Master Ye and Su Rong visited the Buddha Temple together. Could it be that the betrothal you mentioned was with Su Rong?"
Ye Guixue remained silent.
Yan Li wasn’t a fool. "It seems like I guess right."
He scrutinized Ye Guixue, "Su Rong hurried to the capital overnight for Zhou Gu. She didn’t mind the thorny journey, and entered the Duke Residence in the dead of night to save Zhou Gu’s life. She went through all of this for Zhou Gu. Doesn’t Second Young Master Ye have any opinion?"
Ye Guixue remained silent.
Yan Li thought he had guessed correctly and said to Ye Guixue: "Second Young Master Ye, let’s not beat around the bush. It is known that Su Rong is the princess of Nanchu, and you came here by the order of the Nanchu King. I have no intention of troubling her, and naturally, I have no intention of troubling you either. I just want to make a deal with you. Be assured, this deal will not harm your interests. On the contrary, it will only benefit you and bring no harm."
Ye Guixue looked at Yan Li, seemingly indifferent.
Yan Li revealed his intentions directly, "Second Young Master Ye surely knows that the Duke Residence leans towards the Eastern Palace because of Zhou Gu. Regarding the existence of the Duke Residence..."
he paused, pointed at the lamp on the table, seemingly finding the right comparison, "It is like a wick of this lamp. If the wick is extinguished, the Duke Residence would collapse instantly, becoming negligible. My aim is to extinguish Zhou Gu’s light. And for you, it would be a blessing in disguise. As people say, a person’s death is like a lamp’s extinction. If Zhou Gu dies, the princess would truly be yours alone. Otherwise, can you guarantee that he would not pose a threat to you as long as he lives?"
Seeing no change in Ye Guixue’s expression, Yan Li raised his eyebrow, "Second Young Master Ye, perhaps you are too confident. Do you truly believe that since Su Rong has voluntarily called off her engagement with Zhou Gu, she has completely severed ties with him? I advise you not to be too naive. The naive individuals throughout history haven’t ended well. You have both talent and looks, indeed admirable. As such, you are deserving of our princess. But what if she has feelings for Zhou Gu? I suggest you not trust women too much as they are fickle. Zhou Gu had spent a month in Jiangning County, and during that time, he was Su Rong’s fiance. The Su Family treated him like a treasure. Just a simple inquiry will reveal that from Su Xu to Su Xingze, already considered him a true son-in-law. He resided in Su Family’s residence as long as he stayed in Jiangning County. Su Xu always praised Zhou Gu, and Su Xingze accompanied him daily, introducing him to the outstanding talents of Jiangzhou. Furthermore, Su Rong toured around Jiangning County, visiting Peach Blossom Creek, Maple Leaf River, Phoenix Mountain. Although a month is not long, it’s not short either. Their romantic feelings might have already developed. Otherwise, Su Rong would not have risked her life by rushing back to the Capital City from the Buddha Temple late at night to save Zhou Gu. Second Young Master Ye, do you feel assured now?"
Ye Guixue listened quietly, his face remained calm without expressing any emotion, much less responding to it.
Yan Li didn’t believe that a man would not care about the woman by his side. Which man doesn’t wish to have his woman fully devoted to him? He pressed on, "Therefore, Second Young Master Ye, you should understand the principle that if one does not plan for the long run, they’ll be plagued by near-term worries. If you do not cooperate with me now to kill Zhou Gu and eliminate potential threats, one day, when Su Rong ascends to the throne as a queen by using your power, and she no longer needs you, who’s to stop her from breaking your marriage contract and choosing Zhou Gu again? By then, won’t you have nowhere to cry? And don’t assume women are soft-hearted because they’re made of water. That’s any other woman, not Su Rong. Can she be considered an ordinary woman? When she decides to be ruthless, even she herself is not spared. If she can call off her engagement with Zhou Gu for her own benefits now, she could potentially call off her engagement with you someday for her desires. By then, all your efforts would be in vain."
Seeing no change in Ye Guixue’s expression, Yan Li felt frustrated. Indeed, Ye Guixue was worthy of being the one groomed by Ye Xiang and respected by the Nanchu King. Despite clearly laying out the situation for him, Ye Guixue was not swayed in the least. At least, from his face, Yan Li couldn’t detect any ripples in his emotions.
Suppressing his irritation, he said to Ye Guixue: "Second Young Master Ye, say something. What do you think of this mutually beneficial proposal? Or does the Ye Xiang Residence have other plans? Is your engagement with Su Rong just a temporary compromise? Does your residence also covet the throne of Nanchu? That would be even better. If we join forces and I ascend the throne, I’ll help you seize the crown of Nanchu."
Ye Guixue finally spoke, calmly looking at Yan Li, "I don’t agree with your words, Your Highness."
Yan Li’s face turned livid in an instant. Was this all he could get from Ye Guixue after saying so much?
Ye Guixue slowly stood up, "Your Highness, we follow different paths, so we can not scheme together. You should find someone else, I am not the person you’re looking for."
Yan Li abruptly rose to his feet, "What do you mean by that, Second Young Master Ye? Don’t you care at all?"
He had talked for so long, he wasn’t going to let Ye Guixue dismiss him easily.
Ye Guixue smiled faintly, "Your Highness, you belittle my princess of Nanchu too much, and you also underestimate me, Ye Guixue. To scheme against others and harm my own princess... To be a villain and harm those the princess wants to protect... It would be not only unwise but also foolish. I won’t play the fool. Our conversation ends here, Your Highness. There’s no need for further entanglements. Take care!"
With that said, he turned and walked away.
Yan Li naturally wouldn’t let him leave and attempted to stop him.
Ye Guixue lightly flicked his sleeve, and a gust of wind swept away. Yan Li was pushed back by the wind without even being able to touch the hem of his sleeve. Ye Guixue didn’t look back and walked out of the room directly.
Yan Li looked shocked, staggering but managed to steady himself with the chair. When he looked up, Ye Guixue had already left the room and disappeared from sight. Yan Li felt both surprised and angry; he almost bit his teeth off. Grinding his teeth and staring at the entrance, he suddenly overturned the table in a fit of anger.
There was a loud crash and soup splattered everywhere.
Standing in the mess, Yan Li was both furious and gloomy, "Well done, Ye Guixue!"
He felt like a clown who had been ridiculed after being dismissed by Ye Guixue’s casual responses.
He wished to storm out and tear Ye Guixue apart, but he knew clearly in his heart that he wasn’t a match for Ye Guixue unless he sought help. Gnashing his teeth and suppressing his rage, he wondered who would be the next person to collaborate with.
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