Chapter 21: Beloved One

Chapter 21: Beloved One

If there were no secrets between these two, even a cat wouldn't believe it.

Knocking on the small table beside him with his curled fingers, Ye Jiangbai said, "Your Highness, the Beitang family has been an esteemed noble clan since the rise of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It would be best for you to avoid them."

"I understand," Chang Nian nodded. "I don't have any extravagant hopes. It's enough for me if General can have a drink with me when he returns each year."

It was already a great favor that Beitang Miao would grant an audience upon his annual return to the capital. Drinking together was merely "enough"? Ye Jiangbai furrowed his brows, feeling annoyed but unsure why.

"I'll see Your Highness off here," he said calmly. "I still have business at the Ministry of Justice."

The snowstorm raged outside. Having accompanied her this far, why not all the way to the palace gates? Xu Zhi outside didn't understand, nor did Hong Ti inside.

In the past, Chang Nian would obediently agree and alight from the carriage at Ye Jiangbai's request. But after a month of acquaintance and familiarity, she could tell that he was upset and was abruptly asking her to leave.

Reaching out to lift the curtain, she peered outside at the white landscape. A gust of cold wind blew in through the gap, making her shiver.

"Duke," Chang Nian turned her head, smiling a little ingratiatingly. "We're almost at the Western Gate. Will you see me all the way?"

Ye Jiangbai smiled. "The matter at the Ministry of Justice is rather urgent, and it wouldn't be appropriate to delay it."

"Well... then I'll accompany you to the Ministry of Justice." She scooted closer and offered to massage his shoulders. "Anyway, the palace gates won't be closing anytime soon."

Deflecting her hand, Ye Jiangbai replied gently, "That wouldn't be proper."

"Hmm, then...?"

"Your Highness, please proceed."

Unyielding to both persuasion and coercion, there was nothing she could do. Chang Nian sniffled and slunk out of the carriage. As soon as she stepped down, the carriage sped away like the wind, splattering her with ice crystals.

Pouting, Chang Nian mused that Duke Fuchen's mood swings were unpredictable. He had been fine just moments ago, but something must have upset him.

However, upon touching the royal permit hidden in her sleeve, Chang Nian smiled. This trip hadn't been in vain; she hadn't lost anything.

During her recovery period, the investigation into the prison historian's murder had progressed slowly. Ye Jiangbai's visit to the Ministry of Justice at this time likely meant he was preparing for some action. And she, too, was about to be formally drawn into the political turmoil of the court.

Despite his foul mood, Ye Jiangbai's expression appeared even more amiable. Upon entering the ministry, everyone bowed and tried to curry favor with him, except for a few veteran officials who knew him well and dared not approach him.

"Duke, this is a newly promoted clerk from our Ministry of Justice," Deputy Minister Qiao smiled, gently pushing a young man forward. "Pay your respects."

"Salutations, Duke!" The youth bowed deeply, revealing a patch of snow-white nape.

Ye Jiangbai's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at Deputy Minister Qiao, chuckling lightly. "When did it become necessary for new clerks from the Ministry of Justice to pay their respects to me?"

Laughter erupted among the crowd, and Qiao also laughed nervously. "It's just a gesture to help a junior, Duke, I hope you understand."

In officialdom, such was the way things worked. Spotless young men and women were presented before those in high positions, in case they caught someone's fancy, leading to advantageous matches.

In the past, there had been attempts to send maidens his way, but this was the first time a man was being offered.

Ye Jiangbai sat down in the main hall with a smile, casually picking up the incense table's tea and dumping it on the floor. The sharp sound of the cup shattering echoed, water splashing in all directions.

The laughter around them instantly vanished.

Everyone fell silent, retreating in fear. Deputy Minister Qiao, standing at the front, looked pale as a sheet.

"Is Lord Li here?" Amidst the deathly stillness, Ye Jiangbai nonchalantly adjusted his robe as if nothing had happened, asking gently.

"…Prime Minister has already retired for the day."

"In that case, where is the dossier on the Prison Registrar's case?"

A nearby official swiftly retrieved the file and presented it, followed by several senior ministers who approached solemnly to report on the progress of the case.

After some deliberation, Ye Jiangbai instructed, "Invite Prince Seven to give his testimony tomorrow. Make the arrangements."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Seeing him leave, the officials, whose legs had been trembling, finally let out a sigh of relief.

However, just as one foot was about to step out the door, Ye Jiangbai paused, turned around, and asked, "What was Minister Qiao thinking today?"

Assuming he had escaped unscathed, Minister Qiao nearly broke down when he was unexpectedly called out. He hurriedly followed Ye Jiangbai outside, seeking a secluded corner to bow and apologize profusely.

"I apologize deeply, Your Excellency! My actions were truly reprehensible!"

Staring at him for a moment, Ye Jiangbai chuckled. "There are many in this court who cater to others' preferences, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, Minister Qiao, it's common knowledge that I have no interest in men. How did you gather the courage to present a man before me?"

Qiao Shilang was astonished. After a moment of contemplation, he gritted his teeth and said, "Then I've been wrongly accused! It's also my fault for believing others blindly. I actually thought that the Duke had changed his preferences and... had an interest in men."

"Hmm?" Ye Jiangbai narrowed his eyes. "Who said that?"

"Someone from the palace," Qiao Shilang whispered, looking down. "I can't be too direct, we're all people, after all. But this rumor did indeed originate from within the palace, saying that the Duke has been particularly fond of... fond of male companionship lately."

Male companionship from the palace? It must be Prince Qi. His proximity to him led to this misunderstanding. Ye Jiangbai sneered. Zhao Changnian truly had it rough – a prince reduced to being labeled as mere "male companionship" in his eyes.

If she heard this, she'd probably be so angry that she'd stare at the snow again.

Upon this realization, Ye Jiangbai's expression softened, and he chuckled softly.

Clerk Qiao: "Huh?"

"Rumors cannot be trusted; one must avoid blindly following others' words," Ye Jiangbai corrected himself, regaining his composure. "Let this be an exception."

"Clerk Qiao thanks Duke for your understanding!" Qiao hurriedly bowed.

Ye Jiangbai swept his sleeves and left. Only after boarding the carriage did he realize something was amiss. If someone had spread rumors about him being gay, why had he laughed? He should have been angry!

With such an abhorrent title, how dare they pin it on him? Have they lost their minds? When I have the time, I'll definitely cleanse the entire Autumn Palace!

Feeling stifled, Ye Jiangbai's mind drifted back to Zhao Changnian's face.

If that face belonged to a woman, it would probably be quite attractive, right?

Annoyance stirred within Ye Jiangbai, and he called out to the carriage driver, "Go fetch Prince Qi tomorrow. I won't be joining you."

Xu Zhi, sitting on the carriage's yoke, acknowledged his order but then hesitated, turning around to ask, "What's been up with you lately, Master?"

"What do you mean?"

"You seem more emotionally volatile than before," Xu Zhi observed, then quickly added, realizing it might not be appropriate to speculate in front of his master, "Could it be that you've met a girl you like? The elders often say that when one falls in love, their emotions become unpredictable and they're filled with anxiety."

It was meant as a jest, considering he had served by his master's side for over a decade and they were quite close. Teasing him now and then behind closed doors was harmless.

Unexpectedly, the moment those words left his mouth, there was a loud crash of a teacup shattering inside the carriage.