Chapter 68 For me, Qin Ye, having you alone in this life is enough.
Paying respects to the Empress?
Qin Ye's heart sank suddenly, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply said respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
On the way to Yong'an Palace, a thoughtful look flashed in Qin Ye's eyes.
According to the rules, every prince who enters the palace should go to Yong'an Palace to pay his respects to the Empress.
Qin Ye was no exception.
However, Emperor Jiaqing specifically instructed Qin Ye to pay his respects to the Empress.
On the surface, it seems like just an ordinary sentence, but the underlying meaning is worth pondering.
Qin Ye entered Yong'an Palace, and Jiang Xinyu was quite surprised to see him.
"Prince Xiao, what brings you to my palace today?"
Although surprised, Jiang Xinyu still asked with a gentle concern, "I heard you encountered assassins on your way to transport supplies. Were you injured?"
"Your subject has come to pay respects to Your Majesty."
After bowing, Qin Ye replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."
"That's good."
Jiang Xinyu sized up Qin Ye, a calculating glint in his eyes.
"How is the Princess?"
She appeared to care, but was actually testing him.
"Last time I summoned her to the palace, I intended to chat with her casually and have some private conversations, but I didn't expect her to fall ill after returning home."
"The Empress Dowager has been feeling guilty and has wanted to arrange for the imperial physician to treat her several times, but Doctor Ji in your household said that he is more familiar with the Princess Consort's health and that it is just some old ailment that will get better with some rest."
"I wonder if things are any better now?"
"Replying to Mother Empress."
Qin Ye's expression remained normal, but a chill ran through his heart.
Just chatting?
Yun Si never mentioned it to him.
Without any apparent reason, it's probably not just some casual gossip.
"The Princess Consort's health is indeed not very good. I'm afraid she won't be able to visit the palace often to chat with the Empress Dowager. Please forgive her."
Qin Ye's voice was as respectful and indifferent as ever, but Jiang Xinyu could still detect a hint of toughness and coldness in it.
It seems he cares a lot about that sickly man.
I'm afraid my brother will have to handle this personally.
She's just a woman. No matter how much he likes her, I don't believe he won't be tempted by power.
After leaving Yong'an Palace, Qin Ye's aura noticeably turned cold.
The victory banquet that evening was held in Xuanwu Hall, and almost all the princes of the imperial family and important officials of the court were present.
King Jing, Qin Mu, calmly accepted the congratulations from everyone, while many people frequently glanced at Qin Ye beside him.
Qin Ye seemed somewhat distracted, clearly having no interest in the celebration banquet and only wanting to end it quickly and leave.
Prime Minister Jiang sat at the table with his eldest daughter, Jiang Wanning.
Jiang Wanning wore a light green dress today, which made her look graceful, gentle and virtuous.
She walked gracefully to Qin Ye, raised her glass to him, and said, "Your Highness was wounded for the country. I admire you greatly. I toast Your Highness."
Qin Ye sat at the table. Upon hearing this, he glanced at her coldly, but did not raise his cup to toast her. Instead, he pressed his hand to his forehead, looking as if he had a headache: "The physician has advised against drinking alcohol. I cannot comply."
"That night, I'll drink first as a sign of respect; Your Highness, please feel free to drink as you please."
Jiang Wanning wasn't embarrassed. He drank it all in one gulp, then smiled and stepped back.
Behind her, Prime Minister Jiang held a wine cup, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Qin Ye, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
The atmosphere inside the hall gradually became subtle.
During the banquet, everyone appeared to be chatting and laughing, but secretly they each had their own thoughts.
Emperor Jiaqing was rewarding the army for Prince Jing, but everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to Qin Ye.
This prince, who grew up among the common people and had never been taken seriously by anyone, now seems to have suddenly become a force to be reckoned with.
In particular, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family took the initiative to show goodwill, and even the Empress looked at him with a gentler gaze than before. Many ministers have begun to reassess the situation.
Feeling neglected, Prince Jin looked at Qin Ye and Qin Mu with a burning hatred.
All their dissatisfaction and resentment were written on their faces.
Consort Shu blinked so hard she almost went blind, but she still couldn't stop her foolish son, whose emotions were so outwardly displayed.
According to the order of birth, although Prince Lin sat next to Prince Jin, he was never really noticed. Even Prince Jin was neglected, let alone him.
Throughout the entire celebration banquet, he kept his head down and didn't say more than a few words.
During this time, when several gazes were directed at him, he seemed to unconsciously look up, glance briefly, and then immediately look away.
The Prince of Xiang was unwell and only made a brief appearance before leaving.
Then came the sixth prince, Prince Yu, who didn't even show his face. When Emperor Jiaqing saw the empty seat, a hint of annoyance flashed in his deep eyes.
There was another point that puzzled the courtiers present.
The fact that Shen Qian, the Vice Minister of War, was absent from such an important victory celebration banquet seemed like a silent omen.
The celebration banquet finally ended after nearly two hours.
The entire celebration banquet went exceptionally smoothly and peacefully, without any unexpected incidents.
Qin Ye returned to the Prince's Mansion late at night.
Live in Wuyuan.
Yun Si lay in bed, worried about what might happen at the victory celebration banquet, and couldn't fall asleep.
Suddenly hearing footsteps outside the door, she quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
The door was gently pushed open, and Qin Ye walked in, his clothes covered in night dew.
He did not immediately approach the bed.
Yun Si heard him change into his nightgown and wash his hands with hot water before lifting the quilt and crawling in.
His warm chest pressed against her back, and his long arms encircled her completely in his embrace.
Hearing her heavy breathing, Qin Ye chuckled softly, his voice ringing in her ear with a unique, refreshing fragrance: "You think you can get away with pretending to be asleep tonight?"
Yun Si's eyelashes trembled slightly, and before she could respond, she was turned over and pinned down.
Qin Ye's kiss landed with an irresistible force, his burning palm slipping under the hem of her nightgown, lingering on her waist.
"Qin Ye."
She pushed him away, panting softly, "Your injury..."
"It's been fine for a long time."
Qin Ye bit her earlobe, his voice low and husky: "You promised to make it up to me tonight, are you trying to renege on your promise?"
Yun Si: "..."
When was this agreement made?
Didn't he say that himself?
She didn't agree either.
"Those who default on their debts will be punished."
The brocade quilt swayed and the bed curtains fluttered gently.
Yun Si was indeed "punished".
He had exhausted her, leaving her weak all over, and her fingertips left several red marks on his back.
Qin Ye grew even more ferocious, as if he wanted to pour all the longing he had felt over the past few days into this one night.
She finally couldn't take it anymore and begged for mercy, so he slowed down, but still wouldn't let her go.
Amidst the mingling of sweat, he bit her shoulder and whispered, "What does the Empress want with you?"
Yun Si stiffened, not expecting him to ask at this moment.
What happened at the victory celebration banquet?
Or did the Empress say something to him?
"explain."
Qin Ye gripped her waist, his movements becoming even more forceful.
"The Empress..."
Yun Si's voice trembled: "She wants Jiang Wanning to be your concubine."
Before she could finish speaking, Qin Ye suddenly flipped her over, a surge of anger welling up in his dark eyes: "Why didn't you tell me?"
Yun Si felt guilty under his gaze and whispered, "It's just that I haven't found an opportunity yet."
"No chance?"
Qin Ye sneered and suddenly bumped into her hard: "On the way back to Beijing, you didn't even get a chance to speak?"
"I……"
Yun Si winced in pain, her eyes immediately reddening: "Be gentle."
Seeing her like this, Qin Ye finally softened and his movements gradually became gentler, but he still wouldn't let her go: "Next time anyone comes to you about this, just push it to me."
He kissed away the tears from the corners of her eyes, his voice low and firm: "I, Qin Ye, am content with just you in this life."
Yun Si's heart trembled. Before she could even feel moved, she heard him say again, "So now, it's time to be punished."
"What? I... Qin Ye... you!"
The bed curtains shook violently again until the sky began to lighten, at which point Qin Ye finally let her go.
Yun Si was so tired that she couldn't even lift her fingers. In her dazed state, she felt him hold her even tighter.
He placed a kiss on her forehead and closed his eyes contentedly.
The sky was bright.
Yun Si got out of bed, rubbing her lower back.
She was now all alone in the room.
Hearing the noise, Lu Yu and Lan Xin pushed open the door and entered.
The two men brought hot water; one helped her wash up, and the other made the bed.
She covered her mouth and laughed as she tidied up.
Yun Si was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
If... if Qin Ye's stamina were a little weaker, his penis a little smaller, and his time a little shorter, everything would be perfect.
She took out the contraceptive pills she had prepared earlier from the drawer of her dressing table, poured out one pill, and swallowed it.
This medicine is prepared according to the prescription recorded in the handbook. It is much less toxic than ordinary contraceptive decoction, and one pill can last for half a month.
"Master, what kind of medicine are you taking?"
Lansing asked curiously.
She has been studying medicine diligently lately, hoping to be able to freely enter and exit that pharmacy in the future.
Yun Si had once said that the pharmacy contained many dangerous drugs, and to avoid accidental injury, they were advised to avoid going in as much as possible.
"It's good for your health."
Yun Si didn't tell Lan Xin that it was a contraceptive, lest they overthink things and start nagging.
"oh."
Lan Xin had no suspicions. After serving Yun Si her washing and changing, Yun Si endured her aching back and weak legs and went for a jog in the mansion.
Physical exercise should not be neglected for even a day.
However, she still overdid it. She used to be able to run four or five laps, but today she could only run two before she couldn't keep going.
Back at Qiwu Garden, I practiced a set of Tai Chi, and the soreness in my body actually eased a bit.
"My lord, judging from the time, His Highness should be back soon. Do you want to wait for him to have dinner together?" Lu Yu asked.
Yun Si knew that she probably wouldn't be back so soon today.
"I'm not waiting anymore."
Thinking back to last night, first he wanted compensation, then he was punished—even though it was his own idea…
They find a bunch of high-sounding excuses to bully her with impunity.
Yun Si was furious.
However, considering that he had expressed his feelings to her, she decided not to hold it against him this time.
"Never mind, I'll wait a bit longer. I'm not hungry anyway."
After saying this, Yun Si got up and went to the pharmacy.
Half an hour later.
Qin Ye had not yet returned when Mr. Qu suddenly arrived.
Mr. Qu had a good night's sleep last night and is full of energy today.
Yun Si looked at him suspiciously: "Mr. Qu, what brings you here?"
"Your Highness, let's go inside and talk."
Mr. Qu, acting mysteriously, was the first to enter the main hall.
"Lansing, brew a pot of good tea."
Yun Si gave an order before following him into the main hall.
Mr. Qu, is there some good news?
She remembered that Mr. Qu was not yet married. Could it be that he had a girl he liked?
Do you want her to help you propose marriage?
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