Chapter 42: Do You Really Have No Pederastic Tendencies?

Chapter 42: Do You Really Have No Pederastic Tendencies?

Thus, while Chang Nian was staring at the physician with wide eyes, she heard a servant report anxiously, "Duke is here."

Chang Nian trembled and immediately dared not argue with the physician. She lowered her voice and said meekly, "Please prescribe the medicine. I'll assess my own injuries and take care of it myself."

The physician was helpless. "Your Highness, you must let me examine your injuries so that I can prescribe the right medicine."

"It's nothing serious. With such thick clothing, I didn't even get any cuts. At most, it's just swollen." Chang Nian gestured. "You can decide on the treatment."

For an ordinary patient, the physician could have easily given some vague advice and prescribed medication. However, he dared not be careless with this one. If anything went wrong, Duke would surely skin him alive.

Just as the physician was in a dilemma, Ye Jiangbai entered.

"Duke," the physician hurried to bow. "Your Highness's injuries are severe, but he won't let me examine them. I...I can't prescribe any medicine."

Chang Nian did not dare look at Ye Jiangbai and kept her head down, saying nothing.

Ye Jiangbai caught sight of her from the corner of his eye. Seeing that she was ignoring him, he felt a bit uneasy, but he still spoke calmly, "Thank you, physician. I need to speak with Your Highness for a moment. It's alright to wait a little before prescribing the medicine."

"Yes," the physician promptly carried his medical case and retreated.

Chang Nian frowned, unsure of what he was about to say. She also felt that after such a tense situation just now, there was nothing left to be said. So she pulled Hong Ti behind her for cover.

Forced to face Ye Jiangbai, Hong Ti appeared terrified. "Duke... Duke..."

Ye Jiangbai smiled at her. "May I ask you to step aside for a moment?"

"Y-Yes!" Servants were as timid as their masters, and Hong Ti couldn't withstand the pressure from this person in front of her. She grabbed her head and ran away.

With the human shield gone, Chang Nian had nowhere to hide. She simply buried her head in her knees, pretending to be dead.

Staring at her with an expression of disbelief, Ye Jiangbai said impatiently, "Do you think you can fool me like this, Your Highness?"

Chang Nian pursed her lips and resignedly lifted her head, whispering, "I've already asked Hong Ti to pack our things. We'll leave right away... but... but Cook Qu prepared dinner for me. He spends a lot of effort on his cooking and selects dishes that I like. Can I finish my meal before we go?"

Ye Jiangbai paused, his expression turning grim. "Who told you to leave?"

"No one... I just want to leave," Chang Nian said, her voice even softer as she shivered from his terrifying gaze. "I don't mean to blame Duke for not taking good care of me. It's just that I've had enough here and want to return to the palace."

"Your Highness can return to the palace if you wish, but what about the matters outside?" Ye Jiangbai growled in frustration. "Do you think leaving the palace is an easy task? We've worked hard to get here, and affairs have settled down. Yet, Your Highness now wants to go back? Are you planning to receive the officials from Jiangxi Province under the watchful eyes of the Empress Dowager?"

Shaken by his outburst, Chang Nian's eyes misted over as she pursed her lips and lowered her head.

Watching her pitiful state, Ye Jiangbai paused and silently scolded himself.

He had come... to offer her a way out, so how did he end up losing his temper again? Why couldn't he speak gently? Today, the young lady had jumped from a carriage and been unjustly bullied by him; she must have felt terribly wronged to want to leave, yet he still shouted at her.

Softening his demeanor, Ye Jiangbai sat down beside the bed and gentled his tone. "Let me see your injuries."

Chang Nian clutched her robe and shook her head. "There's no need."

"Don't be angry with me," Ye Jiangbai seized her wrist and pulled her closer. "Isn't it you who'll suffer in the end?"

Chang Nian frowned, her entire being instinctively rebelling. She stubbornly pushed against his chest with her hand, forcing a smile. "It's me who's in pain, what does that have to do with Duke? As long as my life is spared, isn't that enough?"

As long as she was alive, he could exploit her for many things. Her pain or comfort mattered little to him.

Ye Jiangbai was taken aback, a mix of helplessness and guilt. He pretended to be angry and said, "Does Your Highness insist on being so ungrateful?"

"Yes, I'm ungrateful," Chang Nian nodded heavily, her body trembling slightly as she raised her eyebrows in frustration and spoke loudly to him, "I'm not as wealthy as others, so I can't offer Duke a substantial gift of gratitude. I'm also inexperienced, always unknowingly doing something to irritate people and get thrown out. So why bother uplifting me? Just let me go!"

It took a great deal of courage for her to blurt out this long string of words, and for once, she carried a hint of authority.

However, after her outburst, she wilted, mumbling softly as she shrunk back into herself.

Ye Jiangbai found the scene amusing yet his heart ached slightly. He couldn't resist reaching out to caress her face.

Her small, delicate cheeks were cool to the touch, but his warm palm gradually warmed her. Ye Jiangbai sighed softly, pulling her into his arms with his chin resting on top of her head.

"I spoke out of turn today," he said, "Please don't be angry or leave, alright?"

Chang Nian was stunned, looking at him in surprise. She stammered, "Wh-What are you doing?"

This gesture was unconscious, as Seventh Prince was so delicate and petite that he instinctively treated her like a younger relative to comfort. When Ye Jiangbai realized what he had done, he felt it was inappropriate and quickly cleared his throat, saying, "Your Highness is frail, and I can't help but treat you like a junior to console."

Calling her a junior was a euphemism; it was clear that he was treating her like a son! Chang Nian's expression was complicated as she looked up and asked, "Duke, are you really... not attracted to men?"

Upon hearing this, half of Ye Jiangbai's face darkened, and he replied sternly, "No."

"Well... let's be a bit more cautious then," Chang Nian withdrew from his embrace and crawled to the side, whispering, "Being too close to me often invites gossip."

Feeling the emptiness in his arms, Ye Jiangbai furrowed his brows. He wanted to refute her words but, upon realizing that he too was one to engage in gossip, he lost the motivation to speak.

Silence hung heavily between them. Unable to bear the awkwardness, Chang Nian turned her head and called out, "Hong Ti."

"At your service, Miss," Hong Ti replied promptly.

"Fetch some medicinal wine for bruises from the physician."

"Yes."

Ye Jiangbai pursed his lips. "Let me do it."

"No need, no need," Chang Nian said. "You've been working hard for my sake today. It's late, so you should go rest."

Did she just give him the boot? Ye Jiangbai's jaw tensed slightly as he rose to his feet, displeased.

He was offering her a graceful way out, yet why was she being so unfeeling? If this were anyone else, they would have smiled at him by now.

However, most people's smiles were insincere and fawning, unlike the genuine warmth on her face.

Sighing in frustration, Ye Jiangbai lowered his head to look at her and said, "Your Highness, please rest well. Tomorrow, a tailor will come to take your measurements for two new outfits."

"Alright." Chang Nian replied without even looking at him.

Ye Jiangbai left her courtyard with a calm expression, so composed that Xu Zhi thought he had successfully placated her. Just as he was about to flatter Ye Jiangbai for his prowess, they turned a corner, and the Duke of State grabbed him with a serious expression. "Xu Zhi."

"At your service, my lord?"