Su Zhengyang shook his head and said with a smile, "It's nothing!" He gently pulled her into his arms, feeling the warmth and sweetness of having a beauty in his embrace.
"Oh! Sister, you're so lucky!" Shen Jiaxue walked towards him, her movements swaying gracefully, a stark contrast to her usual style. Ever since Duan Feng's visit that day, she had come to a complete realization: in that man's heart, there was only Su Yunmo. No matter what she did, he would never understand even a fraction of her intentions.
Since that's the case, why not seize this opportunity and grab this long-term meal ticket? In terms of looks, she's confident she can definitely gain a foothold in the Crown Prince's residence, but the price is that she must completely change herself, including many of her behaviors, which will have to undergo a radical transformation.
She wanted to prove to that man through her actions that abandoning her was his loss.
"Sister Xue'er, why don't you stay in your Snow Garden? Didn't you say you wanted to prove your innocence and never step out of Snow Garden again?" Jiang Yuelin showed no mercy to Shen Jiaxue. When she said those words, Jiang Yuelin could almost see her own bright future.
Over the past year, Jiang Yuelin had clearly seen that Shen Jiaxue was not as weak as she appeared. Judging solely from her affair with that man, she was definitely a woman with a past. Coupled with her recent coy behavior, Jiang Yuelin was even more certain that Shen Jiaxue was not someone to be trifled with. Perhaps even easier to bully than Leng Yiqing.
“There are many ways to prove my innocence, and I think the stupidest one right now is to remain silent! Sister Yuelin, don't worry, time will prove everything.” Shen Jiaxue said calmly, silently bidding farewell to the past in her heart. From now on, she would work tirelessly for a life of luxury.
"Stop arguing. Xue'er, ever since that day, I've been hoping you could give me a reasonable explanation!" Already annoyed, Su Zhengyang was even more frustrated watching the two women bicker endlessly. He decided to change the subject, giving her a chance, and himself a chance, since he still liked this woman.
Having experienced so much, Shen Jiaxue understood that sometimes things only get worse the more you try to cover them up. Rumors stop with the wise, and while this wasn't a rumor, she firmly believed she would never have anything to do with Duan Feng again. So, she said calmly, "Zhengyang, I'm sorry! I still have nothing to say! Whether you believe it or not, I'll say it again: time will tell."
The moment Shen Jiaxue gracefully turned around, her robes fluttered, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance that seeped into Su Zhengyang's heart. Watching Shen Jiaxue appear so ostentatiously and leave so forlornly, Su Zhengyang's heart stirred. He suddenly realized that even if this woman had a past, she was deeply hurt by that man; otherwise, the mere mention of him wouldn't cause her such pain. He couldn't help but feel sorry for this fragile woman.
Jiang Yuelin also realized that the war with this woman had begun today. They would use every trick in the book to fight to the death for the position of Crown Princess.
However, Leng Yiqing was enjoying her leisurely life in the Prince Yun's mansion. If she were watching this, she would be even more grateful—how fortunate it was that Su Zhengyang didn't love her!
---Aside---
This recommendation came too early, catching me completely off guard! Please add it to your favorites for some comfort!
Chapter Twenty-Five: People with Stories
With its unique business model and affordable prices, Bifengtang has attracted more and more customers. Leng Yiqing stood at the shop entrance, looking at the large restaurant across the street with its doors tightly closed, and gave a disdainful, silent smile.
Su Yunmo chuckled and pinched her nose: "I didn't expect you to have this skill."
These words made Leng Yiqing even more proud: "Hmph! I knew it! Look, in just one day, the restaurant across the street was forced to close down!"
He had intended to tell her that the restaurant across the street was closed because she had mentioned last time that the petty thief had been caught by Duan Feng and handed over to the authorities. The authorities shut down the restaurant on the grounds of "the restaurant colluding with petty thieves and disrupting harmony." Actually, it was mostly because of Leng Yiqing; otherwise, why would he have thought of this? However, to satisfy her vanity, he decided not to tell her any of this.
Watching the guests come and go in the hotel, the unhurried pace of the staff, and the leisurely demeanor of the manager, Leng Yiqing was filled with excitement. Confidently, she said to Su Yunmo, "Are there any other shops that need my renovation? Any kind of shop is fine."
"Where would I get so much stuff for you to mess around with?" Although Su Yunmo was certain that Leng Yiqing did have some talent in this area, he was unwilling to admit it.
"Heh, don't deny it! I didn't know before, but do you think I don't know now? You, Su Yunmo, definitely have a lot more to hide! Show it to me, maybe I really can help you," Leng Yiqing said confidently.
Su Yunmo found it amusing and couldn't help but laugh out loud. When had he ever needed this woman's help? Besides, his various businesses had always been doing very well. This was purely accidental, and even without Leng Yiqing, this matter would have been easily resolved.
But what exactly does this woman want? Is she really just bored? Su Yunmo didn't believe it: "Are you short of money?" Su Yunmo suddenly thought of this question. When she was in the Prince's mansion, she didn't receive a monthly salary. She always used whatever the mansion had, without receiving a single penny.
"I..." But these words reminded Leng Yiqing that proving herself was key, but money was indeed a good thing. "Regarding the profitability of Typhoon Shelter, we really should do a good job of calculating this!"
"You..." Su Yunmo had seen many worldly people, but this was the first time he'd met such a straightforward and realistic woman. She was indeed different from others. "Okay, let's have a good talk when we get back!" Su Yunmo would show her that it was difficult to squeeze even a penny out of her. Settling accounts? How could she possibly be a match for him?
After the customers gradually left, the shopkeeper began happily calculating on his abacus. He couldn't remember the last time he had such good business. Since the shop reopened a few days ago, it had been packed with customers every day.
But Duan Feng, who was sitting blankly in the corner drinking alone, caught Leng Yiqing's attention. This person, who was almost inseparable from Su Yunmo, had been like a ghost these past few days, appearing in front of them from time to time, circling around, and then disappearing. Occasionally, Leng Yiqing would see him alone in a place where no one was paying attention, lost in thought, drinking alone.
Driven by her curiosity, she adopted the air of a lady of the mansion and slowly approached, hoping to find out something. She snatched his wine glass and poured herself a cup as well.
Seeing this, Su Yunmo wisely chose to leave. Everyone has things they don't want to talk about. Duan Feng had followed him for so long, yet he was always so hardworking and often melancholic. Su Yunmo guessed that Duan Feng must also have a story he didn't know. It's just that Duan Feng never spoke of it, and he didn't want to ask. Leng Yiqing had taken the initiative to find such a cold-blooded opponent; she was probably going to run into a brick wall!
"Cough cough cough" After downing a glass of baijiu, Leng Yiqing felt a burning sensation on her face, in her heart, and in her throat. She had drunk baijiu before in modern times, but she didn't know that the liquor here was so strong. Before she knew it, she almost passed out.
"My affairs are none of your business!" Duan Feng said coldly.
"You knew I was here to advise you before I even said anything?" Leng Yiqing said with dissatisfaction, as if it were all expected. "I'm not here to advise you, I just want to hear your story!"
But she received no response from Duan Feng for a long time. The woman had no choice but to continue her relentless pursuit, trying to extract some information. She drank with Duan Feng, glass after glass, even though she was already very dizzy. But drinking often leads to getting more drunk, and the more drunk you are, the more you want to drink. Before long, the two were locked in a drinking contest.
Duan Feng looked at the woman in front of him with blurry, drunken eyes. He knew very well that there was no need to tell this woman his story, but he kept muttering to himself, "She gave me three days to think about whether to choose her or Su Yunmo. I only have three days. Both of them are important to me. Why do I always have to give one up?"
Leng Yiqing was also a little confused, but when she heard that it was about competing with Su Yunmo for someone, she became very interested and asked excitedly, "Have you decided who to choose?"
"What's the point if I haven't thought it through? Three days have already passed." Thinking about this, he felt extremely heartbroken.
"Who is it?" Leng Yiqing was already seven or eight parts drunk and could barely speak properly.
Whether they were drunk or sober, they couldn't tell anymore. Leng Yiqing only remembered Duan Feng clearly telling her, "Chen—Jia—Xue—".
Those three words sounded so familiar. Leng Yiqing shivered, vaguely remembering something, but was interrupted by an unfamiliar voice: "His Highness sent me to take you back to the manor."
"Back to the manor? Yes! Back to the manor! Duan Feng, let's go..." Without another word, she dragged Duan Feng away. Duan Feng pushed her away forcefully: "I don't need a woman to control me!" With that, he picked up his sword and flew away.
He has places he wants to go, places he can easily find even when he's drunk.
With the shopkeeper's help, Leng Yiqing was helped onto the carriage back to her residence by the coachman.
---Aside---
Sigh! Please save this! Please leave a comment! Where is it? I'm begging you again!
Chapter Twenty-Six: Alcohol Encourages the Timid
As soon as Leng Yiqing entered the gate of the Prince's Mansion, she was greeted with a barrage of nagging: "You damn woman, how could you drink so much? You tried to outdrink Duan Feng? Who could you possibly beat? If Manager Sun hadn't told me, you could have stayed drunk until dawn and no one would have cared about you..." Even the usually calm Su Yunmo couldn't help but speak up when he saw Leng Yiqing's drunken state.
"Duan Feng helped you so much, why did you still try to break them up?" Leng Yiqing questioned him with dissatisfaction.
Su Yunmo was completely bewildered. Duan Feng had followed him for so many years, yet he had never known that Duan Feng had any other friends or women. However, he vaguely guessed that this matter seemed to be related to Shen Jiaxue. But he still needed to confirm: "Madman!"
"Why don't you let Duan Feng and Shen Jiaxue be together?" she asked directly.
"What do you know? Do you know who Shen Jiaxue is?" Su Yunmo shook his head helplessly. This woman was indeed drunk and didn't realize anything even after he had said all that.
He had no choice but to change the subject, not wanting her to keep bothering him, lest she find out everything too soon, which would be troublesome: "Hey, you're really drunk. Go and rest! Someone come here..."
Leng Yiqing waved her hand and calmly said, "No! I'm not drunk!"
"Oh? Prove it to me!" Su Yunmo couldn't help but laugh, wanting to tease her.
Without hesitation, she quickly circled Su Yunmo a few times, then stood steadily in front of him, smiling as she said, "Watch closely! I can still do a straight line!"
She brushed past Su Yunmo gently, trying her best to maintain her balance, but her cerebellum was too busy to keep up. With a "thud," she fell heavily to the ground.
"Hahaha!" Su Yunmo couldn't help but burst into laughter.
She angrily shouted at the top of her lungs, "Why don't you know how to be gentle with a woman? Why didn't you come over and help me up!"
"You're really not that drunk! You even knew to ask me to help you." Although she was sharp-tongued, Su Yunmo still gently turned around, tenderly helped her, and led her to her Qingyu Garden.
Leng Yiqing turned her head slowly, meeting Su Yunmo's ambiguous smile. She smiled sweetly and said foolishly, "You smell so good! Let me tease you a little!"
Su Yunmo never expected this woman to play such a joke. This completely shocked Su Yunmo, catching her off guard and causing her to push her to the ground. She then deeply regretted her actions and quickly helped her up.
"I like you so much, but you took advantage of me when I was drunk, you...you went too far!" Leng Yiqing burst into tears. Perhaps when she woke up again, she would have completely forgotten what she had done!
Of course, Leng Yiqing's cry was so shrill, even in broad daylight, that everyone in the palace, whether passing by or about to pass by, craned their necks to see what was going on.
Su Yunmo stared wide-eyed at the woman before him. He regretted not bringing her back with him when he left the restaurant that evening; now he'd brought this much trouble upon himself. Would he still be able to clear his name about their relationship in the Prince's mansion?
"Enough, stop this nonsense!" If he didn't show some backbone, he didn't know what kind of trouble this woman would cause. Helpless, he could only give her a stern warning.
But Leng Yiqing was too drunk. All she knew was that she was surrounded by Su Yunmo's unique, faint scent, a scent that gave her a sense of security and satisfaction. She whispered sweetly, "I really like you!" Her beautiful eyes were dark and unfathomable, with slightly upturned corners. Her cheeks were like newly opened magnolia blossoms, white with a rosy tinge. Her cherry-like lips and the smile on her flawless face were captivating and alluring, embodying countless charms and seducing hearts.
For a fleeting moment, Su Yunmo was mesmerized. But this wasn't the outcome he wanted. Although Leng Yiqing was drunk, he knew very well that she might forget everything she said now upon waking. Therefore, he absolutely couldn't make any move at this time. He didn't want Leng Yiqing to accuse him of taking advantage of her in her vulnerable state.
However, faced with such temptation, Su Yunmo needed even greater willpower to resist. He tried with difficulty to push her away, but she nestled tightly against him like a little bird, her small hands gripping his sleeve tightly, as if he would disappear if she let go.
In her current state, Su Yunmo couldn't very well call for a maid to serve her, fearing that Leng Yiqing might say something inappropriate that would be overheard and become gossip among the servants. Besides, she was still the Crown Princess. "Yiqing, let's sleep!" Su Yunmo had no choice but to half-coax and half-drag her to the bedside. If he didn't win over this little woman soon, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself.
Su Yunmo suddenly scooped her up in his arms, and Leng Yiqing excitedly clung tightly to his neck. She completely misunderstood his intentions. He gently placed her on the bed, but Leng Yiqing pulled him down with her. He pressed heavily on top of her, but her hazy eyes were filled with happiness.
He tried to get up, but in the process, Leng Yiqing's robe slipped off, revealing her delicate collarbone and the alluring glimpses below.
“Yunmo…” As the saying goes, alcohol emboldens people. In fact, after the fall, Leng Yiqing had sobered up a bit, but she wanted to use the half-dreaming, half-awake state of the alcohol to express all the little fantasies she had buried in her heart. That way, she wouldn’t have to worry about the embarrassment of being rejected. “If only you weren’t my royal uncle!”
Her cherry lips, chattering away, were even more alluring. Su Yunmo could no longer restrain himself, and gently leaned down, softly calling, "Yi Qing!"
Chapter Twenty-Seven: I Didn't Mean It
"Mmm," she responded weakly, gently closing her eyes to embrace that tenderness.
Their lips intertwined passionately, all notions of ethics and morality vanished, they relentlessly demanded more, savoring the moment's fervor. As his large, gentle hands softly removed her clothes, she trembled slightly, yet tried her best to meet his touch.
"Ink, give it to me—" This kind of lingering was an ordeal for both of them, and he also desperately wanted to vent.
Upon touching that wetness, Su Yunmo suddenly awoke and quickly withdrew.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" he said awkwardly. "I'm still your royal uncle!" Su Yunmo fled the room filled with an ambiguous atmosphere as if escaping. Tonight, Leng Yiqing's passion had shocked him too much; he couldn't fall asleep. The flutter in his heart lingered, refusing to fade. He really needed to think about it carefully.
Like him, Leng Yiqing was also unable to sleep. Her half-awake, half-asleep state of mind allowed her to clearly understand her relationship with Su Yunmo. Although Su Yunmo treated her well, there was still an insurmountable chasm between them. In her view, perhaps in Su Yunmo's heart, she was just a child who needed care, and that he only cared for her because of her father's request. All along, she had been deluding herself.
Fortunately, this was while she was drunk. If she woke up tomorrow morning and pretended not to remember anything, perhaps it wouldn't be so awkward. Leng Yiqing stared blankly at the receding figure outside the window, her eyes blurry with tears. She couldn't help but comfort herself: "Su Yunmo, let me tell you, I was just drunk and confused. I don't really like you!"
That was indeed the case. Leng Yiqing knew that her feelings for Su Yunmo were merely a habit, not to the point where she felt she had to give herself to him. She didn't know what had gotten into her tonight, but fueled by alcohol, she suddenly wanted to force herself on him—the thought made her blush.
The next morning, when Leng Yiqing stepped out of the courtyard, she ran into Su Yunmo, who had just come out. Su Yunmo smiled awkwardly at Leng Yiqing, but Leng Yiqing pretended to be innocent and looked at him as if nothing had happened.
"Um...that...I'm sorry...I...I didn't mean to..." Su Yunmo stammered, genuinely startled by Leng Yiqing's appearance. Did this woman not remember anything?
"Sorry for what?" Leng Yiqing asked knowingly. "Who picked me up last night?"