Chapter 29 Please Leave
The next morning, when Ye Xunyang woke up, he found himself almost entirely encircled in Lou Jin's arms.
He was startled at first and dared not move, carefully observing Lou Jin's expression.
Seeing that Lou Jin's breathing was steady and his face was peaceful, seemingly much better than last night, Ye Xunyang breathed a sigh of relief and tried to quietly move away.
The moment he moved, Lou Jin's arm tightened, and he opened his eyes.
"Your Highness, you're awake? How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?" Ye Xunyang asked hurriedly, his eyes full of concern.
Lou Jin looked at his worried face so close to his, slowly released his arms, sat up, and said softly, "I'm fine now. Thank you for last night."
"Your Highness, you're too kind. This is what I should do."
Lou Jin listened to his dutiful remarks, his eyes darkening slightly, but he didn't say anything more.
After the two finished washing up and were about to have breakfast, Liu Yunxu came to the main courtyard with her maid, ostensibly to inquire about the prince's illness and to pay her respects to her cousin.
She dressed up specially today, wearing a light green dress that made her look even more delicate and charming.
Seeing Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang emerge from the inner room together, a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes, but she smiled gently: "Yunxu heard that Your Highness was unwell last night and was very worried. Is Your Highness feeling better now?"
Lou Jin didn't even lift his eyelids, just slowly ate his porridge, as if he hadn't heard her words.
Seeing this, Ye Xunyang had no choice but to smooth things over: "Yunxu is very kind. Your Highness is much better now."
Seeing that Lou Jin ignored her, Liu Yunxu turned her attention to Ye Xunyang, her voice becoming even softer: "Cousin, you left in a hurry last night, and I still have so much to say to you. Do you have time today to accompany me for a walk in the garden?"
Just as Ye Xunyang was about to speak, Lou Jin put down his bowl of porridge, picked up a handkerchief, and wiped the corner of his mouth with an elegant yet undeniably powerful gesture.
He finally raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping coldly over Liu Yunxu, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears: "Miss Liu."
Liu Yunxu's heart tightened, and she quickly replied, "Yunxu is here."
"You have been bothering the Prince's residence for several days."
"I presume the Liu residence is settled by now. My wife and I need to rest and recuperate these days, so we cannot entertain guests. Before 9:00 AM, pack your things and I will send someone to escort you back to the General's residence."
These words were like a thunderclap, instantly turning Liu Yunxu's face deathly pale.
She looked at Lou Jin in disbelief, then turned to Ye Xunyang for help: "Your Highness, cousin, have I done something wrong?"
Ye Xunyang was also somewhat taken aback, not expecting Lou Jin to suddenly issue an order to leave.
He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but was stopped by a look from Lou Jin.
His gaze was calm and serene, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.
Lou Jin stopped looking at Liu Yunxu and instructed Wang Quan beside him, "Prepare a carriage and horses, and make sure to get Miss Liu back to the General's Mansion safely. Also, prepare a generous gift to convey my regards to Madam Liu and thank her for raising her daughter well."
His last sentence, "You've taught your daughter well," was spoken with profound meaning. Liu Yunxu trembled upon hearing it, and all the color drained from her face.
"Your Highness..." she tried to struggle.
"Miss Liu."
"Should I have someone escort you out?"
Shan Lan stepped forward at the opportune moment, and the chilling aura emanating from her body made Liu Yunxu shiver.
She knew that this Prince Jin was a man of his word, and if she continued to argue, things would only get more awkward.
With tears in her eyes, she glared resentfully at Lou Jin, then gave Ye Xunyang a mournful look before running away in tears.
Ye Xunyang watched his cousin's departing figure, feeling somewhat uneasy. However, considering that Lou Jin had fallen ill last night and indeed needed to rest, and that the prince had made a decision, he couldn't very well object. In the end, he said nothing more.
"What? You can't bear to part with it?" Lou Jin's voice rang in my ears, carrying a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.
Ye Xunyang snapped out of his daze and quickly shook his head: "No, no, it just feels a bit sudden. Your Highness, your health is important, and resting is the right thing to do."
Lou Jin looked at him and knew he was feeling uncomfortable, but at least the person who was an eyesore was gone.
He reached out and gently brushed away non-existent dust from Ye Xunyang's shoulder, his tone softening: "Insignificant people aren't worth your time. Eat your food; it'll upset your stomach if it gets cold."
Ye Xunyang felt that Liu Yunxu was in a bad mood, so he went to comfort her. However, as soon as he entered her room, Liu Yunxu's maid locked the door and left. Liu Yunxu turned around and hugged his strong waist.
Caught off guard, Ye Xunyang was caught in a hug, and his body instantly froze.
"Cousin, what are you doing? Let go!" He realized what was happening and hurriedly tried to pry her hands off, his tone unusually stern.
Liu Yunxu hugged him even tighter, her cheek pressed against his back, her voice trembling with tears, yet also filled with a stubborn determination: "I won't let go! Cousin, you clearly have feelings for me, don't you? We grew up together, you've been so good to me, and my mother clearly said that you're going to marry me in the future."
"Who knew you'd turn around and be with the prince? What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do?"
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
Ye Xunyang was both anxious and angry. He used his strength and finally managed to pry her fingers off his waist one by one. He quickly turned around and took a few steps back to distance himself from her, his face darkening.
"Yunxu, I've been good to you since you were little, only because you're my cousin. As for any marriage agreement, my parents have never had a marriage agreement with your family. Where did you get this idea from, Aunt?"
He had never spoken to her in such a cold tone before. Liu Yunxu was stunned and forgot to cry for a moment, staring blankly at him.
Ye Xunyang took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and disappointment. His tone softened slightly, but it carried an undeniable resolve.
"I'll say it one last time: I only have brotherly and sisterly feelings for you. That was true before, that is true now, and that will never change. There was never any talk of marriage between us."
After he finished speaking, he no longer looked at her pale face, turned around and walked towards the door without hesitation, unlatched the door, and strode away, his back view resolute.
Looking at his back, which showed no sign of lingering, Liu Yunxu finally understood that all her fantasies and calculations had come to nothing. Her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears.
Ye Xunyang walked out of the courtyard, still feeling somewhat annoyed. He was angry at Liu Yunxu's lack of discretion and also annoyed at himself for almost causing trouble.
Just as he rounded the corridor, he saw Lou Jin standing with his hands behind his back under the corridor, seemingly waiting for him.
Ye Xunyang paused, his heart tightening for no apparent reason. He quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, why are you out here? The morning breeze is chilly."
Lou Jin turned around, his gaze falling on the slightly disheveled collar of the man's clothes. His eyes were deep and unreadable, but his tone was flat and emotionless: "Have you comforted him?"
"...Yes." Ye Xunyang lowered his eyelashes somewhat guiltily.
Lou Jin took two steps closer, raised his hand, and gently ran his fingertips over the side of Liu Yunxu's waist where Liu Yunxu had just hugged him. The movement was slow and deliberate, carrying an invisible scrutiny.
Ye Xunyang's body stiffened slightly, and he dared not move.
"It seems you're putting your words of comfort into action." Lou Jin's voice was low and unreadable.
Ye Xunyang's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, it's not what you think! She suddenly... but I pushed her away immediately! I've already made it clear to her and put an end to her idea!"
Lou Jin stared into his anxious, clearing eyes, and after a long while, the oppressive atmosphere slowly dissipated.
He withdrew his hand and said calmly, "I know."
If Ye Xunyang truly had ulterior motives, he would have pleaded for Liu Yunxu at the dinner table earlier, and wouldn't have been so eager to explain to him.
“It’s dirty,” Lou Jin suddenly said.
"Huh?" Ye Xunyang was taken aback.
Lou Jin had taken off his own thin black cloak embroidered with gold patterns and draped it over Ye Xunyang's shoulders, completely covering his clothes, which still carried a hint of Liu Yunxu's perfume.
The cloak still retained Lou Jin's body heat and a faint scent of sandalwood, enveloping Ye Xunyang tightly.
"Go back and change your clothes." Lou Jin said casually, as if he were just mentioning it casually.
Ye Xunyang watched Lou Jin turn and leave first, then pulled his cloak, which still carried Lou Jin's scent, closer. Luckily, the prince let her go, otherwise he didn't know how much more trouble he would have caused.
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