Chapter 41: The True Nature of Duke

Chapter 41: The True Nature of Duke

There was indeed a genuine side to his character.

However, Xu Zhi found it perplexing. If he were to have a tantrum with a young lady from an aristocratic family, that would be understandable, but why would he act this way towards the Seventh Prince? The Seventh Prince was a man!

"Master, this area is sparsely populated and rarely sees carriages or horses. Should we really abandon His Highness here?" Xu Zhi tugged at the reins and asked cautiously.

From within the carriage came Ye Jiangbai's icy-cold voice, "Drive on."

Xu Zhi had no choice but to urge the horse forward, the wheels creaking as they left deep grooves in the snow.

Chang Nian lay in the snow, staring at the endless white expanse before her, her mind just as blank.

How could she have believed that she could truly follow Duke Guardian forever? Even if he protected her for a while, it was only for his own purposes. She had always been aware of this; she couldn't simply disregard their outsider status because they had grown closer.

Just look, when he spoke, there was no difference between him and those outsiders. His words were sharp and cutting.

Pouting, Chang Nian sat up, removed her cloak, folded it neatly, and hugged it close as she got to her feet. Following the tracks left by the carriage, she began walking step by step forward.

Having resided in the Duke's residence for half a month, with Beitang Miao's return to the capital, it would no longer be easy for the Empress to make things difficult for her. Moreover, the Crown Prince and Third Brother had been fiercely competing lately; it was likely that nobody had the spare energy to concern themselves with her. Perhaps she could return to live in the Autumn Palace?

Seeing how furious the Duke was, it seemed he wouldn't be keeping her.

It was a pity to miss out on the delicious dishes of the Duke's residence. She should take advantage of the opportunity and have one last meal there tonight. The chef's skills were truly remarkable, and he was also kind-hearted. If she said a few pleasant words, perhaps he could prepare some pastries for her to take away.

Amidst howling snowstorms and gloomy skies, her feet froze after just a few steps. Chang Nian looked down and, hopping twice on the spot, shook off the snow from her boots before continuing on her way.

"Squeak... Squeak..." The sound of wheels crunching on snow echoed ahead.

Chang Nian paused, thinking she must have been hearing things. She lifted her head for a glance.

The carriage that had left without mercy was now racing towards her. Xu Zhi drove while calling out to her, "Your Highness!"

Staring at him in disbelief, Chang Nian was dumbfounded.

The carriage stopped in front of her, and Xu Zhi got down to lend her a hand, sighing, "Please get in quickly!"

"..." Looking hesitantly at the carriage, Chang Nian shook her head.

"Rest assured, Your Highness is no longer inside," Xu Zhi reassured her, aware of her fears. "Coincidentally, there was an urgent matter at the Ministry of Justice, so His Highness stepped out of the carriage. I feared that this biting cold might harm you, thus I came to fetch you."

Looking at him gratefully, Chang Nian sniffled, "Thank you."

Xu Zhi chuckled and replied, "Your Highness is too kind. Please get back into the carriage quickly."

Chang Nian climbed back into the carriage, and it took a while for her icy body to regain some sensation. Shivering, she asked from inside, "If Duke finishes his business and can't find you, won't he blame you?"

Xu Zhi smiled and said, "There are plenty of matters to attend to at the Ministry of Justice; it'll likely take at least an hour. I have ample time to escort you back home first."

What a kind person, Chang Nian thought, much more humane than Ye Jiangbai.

The Duke's residence was well-stocked with charcoal, and the warmth in her room felt like spring had arrived. Hong Ti hurried over, looking at her nervously and asking, "Did you meet the General, Your Highness?"

"Yes," Chang Nian lowered her eyes. "Pack our things. We'll leave after dinner."

"Fantastic!" Hong Ti beamed. "I knew the General would never let you suffer... Hm, what happened to you?"

After inspecting her carefully, Hong Ti was startled. "How did you end up in such a state?"

"Nonsense," Chang Nian managed a weak smile. "I just need to change my clothes. You go out first."

"How can it not be a problem? You must have injured yourself!" Hong Ti wiped the snow and mud from her knees, her face creased with concern. "We have a physician in our courtyard. I'll fetch them right away!"

Chang Nian attempted to stop her, but the maid was too quick, vanishing from sight as she rushed to summon help.

Ye Jiangbai stood beneath the eaves of the Ministry of Revenue's entrance, his face as cold as ice. Beside him, the Minister of Justice's vice minister had been bowing for quite some time, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as Ye Jiangbai refused to enter.

"Duke, it's freezing outside. Even if you're waiting for someone, please come in for a warm cup of tea," the vice minister pleaded. "If Lord Minister were to find out that I've treated you so disrespectfully, I'd be in deep trouble!"

"Nothing to worry about," Ye Jiangbai replied, his answer never changing.

The Minister of Justice's vice minister was in a panic. His mind raced, trying to recall if anyone from the Ministry of Revenue had offended this mighty figure, compelling him to stand in the cold wind to make a point.

In the distance, a carriage approached. Recognizing it as belonging to the Duke's residence, the vice minister hurried to greet it.

"Master," Xu Zhi stepped down, bowing. "Please."

Ye Jiangbai let out a soft huff, his gaze fixed on the carriage for a long moment. It was unclear what he was upset about, but he stubbornly stood there for another incense stick's worth of time before finally climbing in.

Xu Zhi found the situation both amusing and frustrating. "Look how frightened Lord Qiao has become."

"Timid people can't accomplish much," Ye Jiangbai said expressionlessly, resting his hand on the warm jade. "For someone like that to climb higher in rank, it'll take at least seven or eight years."

Xu Zhi touched his nose, agreeing with his master's assessment but sensing the underlying dissatisfaction. It was best not to provoke him further.

Silent throughout the journey, Ye Jiangbai finally spoke as they approached Duke's residence. "Do you know how Beitang Miao came to be acquainted with Prince Seven?"

"I'm not aware of the specifics, my lord," Xu Zhi replied. "But General Beitang's special visit to Prince Seven today suggests a close relationship between them."

"Did I need your reminder?" Ye Jiangbai sneered.

Xu Zhi swallowed, cautiously asking, "Are you displeased with their closeness?"

"…No," Ye Jiangbai said. "It's just that such debauched same-sex affairs have happened within the palace walls, right under my nose, and I was completely unaware."

Debauched… same-sex affairs? Xu Zhi looked utterly perplexed. "What do you mean? Even if General Beitang is close to Prince Seven, all their actions within the palace are closely monitored. How could there be any debauchery involved?"

The carriage fell silent for a moment.

Ye Jiangbai lifted his gaze, staring at the half-drawn carriage curtains for a moment before softly asking, "Nothing?"

"How could there be?" Xu Zhi replied. "Before, this servant merely speculated that Seventh Prince had special feelings towards General Beithang, but as for any actual actions, that would be utterly impossible."

Something pierced his chest, and his tightly coiled heart suddenly relaxed with a thud, causing a dull ache.

Ye Jiangbai's expression shifted. He pulled back the carriage curtain and glared at Xu Zhi. "Why didn't you make it clear?"

"What did this servant... what was there for this servant to say?" Xu Zhi appeared genuinely innocent.

Recalling the angry words he had spoken earlier, Ye Jiangbai gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at him. But he had been the one who spoke those words, so he couldn't blame anyone else.

Throwing down the curtain, Ye Jiangbai ordered, "Hurry back!"

"Yes." Xu Zhi flicked his whip, and the carriage raced swiftly towards the main entrance of Duke's residence.