Chapter 10 – A Touch?

Chapter 10 - A Touch?

"Burden... Burden the Duke?" Chang Nian muttered, her eyes filled with confusion. "I'm just an insignificant prince. How could I burden you?"

Ye Jiangbai reached out and helped her up from the ground. He expected it to take some effort, but to his surprise, he lifted her back onto the stretcher as effortlessly as picking up a chick.

He chuckled softly and brushed the dust off her robe. "Your Highness doesn't seem to realize that the Crown Prince is angry with you."

"I did notice."

"Today, we entered the Heartsoothing Palace together. The Crown Prince would easily find out about our visit. How could he not hold a grudge?"

That made sense! Chang Nian furrowed her brow, finally understanding. "Will my brother think we conspired against him?"

Now she understood. Ye Jiangbai secretly sighed in relief. Not only was he no longer worried about his scheme being exposed, but he also felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

This silly fool had finally caught on!

However, despite his relief, the act needed to continue. Ye Jiangbai straightened his posture and, walking alongside the two eunuchs carrying the stretcher, said, "Both Your Highness and I have clear consciences, but the Crown Prince is naturally suspicious. Today's incident will undoubtedly spark his mistrust. Your Highness's days ahead might be difficult."

With a grimace, Chang Nian sighed, "I thought that today's purpose was just to report the case and meet with His Majesty. Why did things escalate like this?"

"Indeed, it's all to provoke some trouble for you," Ye Jiangbai smiled. After over a decade of staying out of the royal power struggle, it was about time for the Seventh Prince to join in and get a taste of the heat. Otherwise, Ye Jiangbai would not be able to stage this play smoothly.

"Saying that the tree wishes to remain still while the wind persists, Your Highness should have been prepared for such situations being part of the royal family," he reassured calmly. "However, since I've caused trouble for Your Highness, I will certainly protect you from now on."

Upon hearing these words, Chang Nian's eyes lit up. She propped herself up half-sitting on the stretcher, eagerly asking, "Duke, are you planning to support me?"

The term "support" carried significant weight, causing Ye Jiangbai to stumble slightly. He looked at her with a complicated expression and asked, "Why do you say that, Your Highness?"

"I often hear Hong Ti mention that princes should complement the efforts of ministers." Glancing around, Chang Nian lowered her voice and playfully said, "Does Duke think I have potential and wish to lend me a hand?"

Without waiting for Ye Jiangbai's response, she pledged, "Duke, rest assured. If I ever achieve success, I'll heed your every word and fulfill all your requests!"

Ye Jiangbai found it amusing. This Seventh Princess seemed to have an overly high opinion of herself. He had plenty of candidates to support, and he could even recall the Fourth Prince from his exile if needed. Why would he choose someone as foolish as her? That would only bring him more trouble.

However, seeing how thrilled she was, he didn't have the heart to disappoint her. Instead, he bowed and said, "Princess, exert yourself diligently."

"Great!" Evidently encouraged, Chang Nian beamed with joy, momentarily forgetting the pain in her bottom. She left the room in high spirits.

Ye Jiangbai shook his head helplessly, returned his hands to his sleeves, and continued walking. His mind began to ponder the case of the prison historian.

Technically, the prison historian was aligned with the Fourth Prince, but after the prince was exiled, he had more interactions with the Third Prince. Now that he was dead, there would inevitably be a struggle for his position. Two parties were capable of vying for it – one was loyal to the Crown Prince, while the other was affiliated with the Fifth Prince. The Crown Prince had already sent a generous gift concerning this matter, but the Fifth Prince had yet to make any moves.

After slapping the Crown Prince, should he offer some incentive? However, without any signs from the Fifth Prince, Ye Jiangbai was uncertain.

As he pondered, his brows furrowed.

"Is something bothering Duke?" A naive voice drifted over. "You always seem to frown, like my mother did when she suffered from headaches?"

Upon stepping into the threshold of the Autumn Palace, Ye Jiangbai regained his composure and replied, "Yes, an old ailment."

Thinking too much often led to headaches, and he experienced them severely. Refusing to take numbing medications, he had to endure the pain.

"Come here!" Chang Nian gestured for the palace attendants to carry him into the inner chamber before beckoning Ye Jiangbai.

Ye Jiangbai narrowed his eyes, displeased by the gesture as if he were a pet dog. However, considering the prince's foolishness, he endured it and sat by the bed as instructed.

Chang Nian struggled to half-kneel, wincing in pain. Ye Jiangbai frowned, ready to hold her back, but she placed her hand on his temples.

A chilly and delicate hand, softer than words could describe, pressed against his forehead, causing a twinge in his brain – a tingling sensation that was both sour and soothing. Ye Jiangbai froze for a moment but did not pull away.

"When Mother Empress had a headache, I would often climb over the wall to her palace to massage her," Chang Nian said with a smile, adjusting her strength. "She always praised me, saying that although I'm not good at much, my head-massaging skills are top-notch."

Indeed, her skills were impressive, but wasn't it somewhat servile for an imperial prince to massage a minister's head? It also went against the rules. As cunning as Ye Jiangbai was, he was still quite a stickler for propriety and found this behavior inappropriate.

Scanning his surroundings, he instructed, "Go prepare some snacks for His Highness."

"Understood." Hong Ti led the group of attendants away, her expression a mix of emotions.

With no one else around, Ye the Big Bad Wolf felt justified in relaxing and closing his eyes comfortably.

He would normally be guarded with others, never allowing such intimacy. But with this person behind him, he knew her intentions well; even if he fell asleep, she would only watch longingly and not dare to do anything.

Thus, Ye Jiangbai, rarely at ease, allowed himself to unwind under her touch, gradually easing his headache. As the pain subsided, he truly began to feel drowsy.

For three days straight during the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration, he had been awake, planning and scheming, digging traps and burying secrets. He was exhausted. With so many intrigues back at his estate, he found the solitude of the Autumn Palace far more liberating.

Lost in thought, he closed his eyes, and his breathing slowed down into a steady rhythm.

Chang Nian massaged him with the utmost care, enduring the intense pain in her own buttocks. She couldn't help but marvel at Duke Guo's appearance. She had expected someone so stern to have a hard touch, but his skin was soft and warm. From the side, she noticed that his eyelashes were even longer than hers, and his nasal bridge was strikingly straight.

Could she touch it? Swallowing, she reached out and gently pinched his nose.

There was no response. Ye Jiangbai leaned against the edge of her bed, seemingly asleep.

Chuckling softly, Chang Nian continued to massage him while humming a pleasant little tune under her breath.

It was far from pleasant! Half-awake, Ye Jiangbai wanted to tell her to stop, but he lacked the strength. So, he endured it.

In his dream, someone followed him, playing a cracked suona, a traditional Chinese horn, with an excruciating melody. The player showed no sign of stopping.

Angry, Ye Jiangbai vowed in his sleep that once he woke up, he would definitely have this person killed!