Chapter 46: I’ll Use Her to Threaten You

Chapter 46: I'll Use Her to Threaten You

The curve of Ye Jiangbai's lips gradually flattened, and his fox-like eyes sharpened with tension.

She had actually told Beitang Miao about such a serious matter. That meant she trusted him enough to entrust her life to him, confident that he wouldn't harm her.

But why? Just because they were acquaintances? Or was she naive enough to spill everything when someone showed her kindness?

Grumbling inwardly, Ye Jiangbai stepped forward and said solemnly, "Since General is aware, then I won't waste any more time."

Reaching out to lift the painting, he was met with a cold snort from Beitang Miao, who blocked his path by flipping his hand.

"Does Duke Ling not understand the rules for paying respects?" he asked coldly. "When it comes to ancestral tablets, one must cleanse oneself for three days, burn incense, offer sacrifices to heaven, and kneel nine times before attempting to move them. What does Duke intend by simply reaching out for it?"

Taking a half-step back, Ye Jiangbai closed his eyes. "If it were just an ordinary tablet, these rituals would be fine. But with what's behind this painting, wouldn't the general be worried about causing trouble by making such a grand show of it?"

"Then why attempt to move it?" asked Beitang Miao. "The spirit has been venerated here for a long time, and His Highness would never rush to relocate it."

With a slight lift of his brows, Ye Jiangbai rolled up his sleeves and gazed intently at the man before him.

His facial features were rugged, and there was a subtle hint of displeasure and provocation in his piercing eyes. He held Ye Jiangbai's gaze without any hesitation.

And so, Ye Jiangbai understood that Beitang Miao had deliberately waited here to prevent him from taking the spirit tablet away.

Glancing at the guards outside, Ye Jiangbai scoffed. "General wants His Highness to return to the palace so much that you're willing to threaten her?"

"I'm not threatening her," Beitang Miao replied. "I'm threatening you."

"Hmm?" Ye Jiangbai chuckled softly. "What has it got to do with me? If anyone finds out about what's here, the Seventh Prince will be the one in trouble. I'm merely an errand boy; even if implicated, I won't receive severe punishment. What can General use to threaten me?"

Fixing his gaze on the pendant hanging from the man's waist, Beitang Miao said solemnly, "I'll threaten her with her."

Ye Jiangbai: "...?"

The sky outside had turned gloomy, and snowflakes began to fall again. The inner chamber was unlit, casting a dimness akin to the dead of night. Taking half a step forward, Beitang Miao leveled his eyes with Ye Jiangbai's. Reaching out, he grasped the jade pendant and whispered into his ear, "It's been said that Duke dotes on the Seventh Princess immensely. I want to see just how far Duke's affection extends."

"If she's troubled and unable to rest or eat, will Duke consider her feelings and let her return to the palace, or will he prioritize his schemes and keep her confined within Duke's residence?"

Contemplating for a moment, Beitang Miao softly added, "Based on my understanding of Duke, he would undoubtedly choose the latter. Therefore, with Your Highness's temperament, there would be no affection for Duke at all."

General Beitang was truly remarkable, Ye Jiangbai couldn't help but applaud him inwardly. He nodded and said, "So General has gone through so much trouble just to prevent Seventh Prince from having feelings for me?"

Beitang Miao's eyes flickered slightly as he nodded honestly, "Yes."

Ye Jiangbai choked, his eyes filled with disbelief, rendering him momentarily speechless.

He... just admitted it? Was it easy for the esteemed Grand Guardian General to confess in front of him that he had feelings for a prince? Why did Beitang Miao seem so unperturbed by his admission?

They were both men—himself and Zhao Changnian!

"From Duke's reaction, it seems different from what the rumors suggest," Beitang Miao relaxed his brows, softening his expression. "It seems that the exaggerated stories outside don't quite match reality. Duke has always despised effeminate favorites, so how could he have feelings for Seventh Prince?"

With that, he took a half-step back and clasped his hands in salute towards Ye Jiangbai. "Then, I apologize for any offense caused, Your Excellency Duke."

This attitude of acceptance was extremely unsettling. It made it seem as if he, Ye Jiangbai, was the interloper who had failed to disrupt their deep bond. Was he being pardoned by Beitang Miao?

Fuming inwardly, Ye Jiangbai brushed off his robe and offered a friendly smile. "No offense taken. Seventh Prince is delicate and charming, with soft lips. Even if I were to develop feelings, it would be understandable."

Beitang Miao's expression shifted abruptly.

Watching this, Ye Jiangbai felt a sudden sense of relief. He held the trinket on his waist and smiled even more deeply. "I, Ye, despise such indecent behavior, but I can't resist His Highness's affection. Rumors in the capital don't arise without cause; something must have happened for people to talk."

There were virtually no rumors linking Beitang Miao with the Seventh Prince; only occasional whispers of a shallow friendship could be heard among those deep within the palace walls, suggesting that nothing truly transpired between them.

Compared to me? You're far from it, General!

"Y-You…" Beitang Miao pressed his lips together, his gaze turning malevolent. "Did you try to take liberties with her?"

"How do you know it wasn't the prince who made the first move?" Ye Jiangbai raised an eyebrow.

No sooner had he spoken than a fierce palm strike came hurtling towards him. Ye Jiangbai dodged to the side, taking three steps back, amusement flashing across his face. "General, do you intend to engage a high-ranking official in a fight within these imperial grounds? Have you considered the consequences?"

"Never mind." Beitang Miao coldly uttered two words before advancing once more, launching another attack.

After all, he was a seasoned warrior, possessing immense strength and aggressive moves. If not for the fact that the Ye family had generations of martial arts training, Ye Jiangbai might have actually been defeated today.

Quickly evading two punches, Ye Jiangbai casually shrugged off his fox fur cloak and tossed it onto a nearby couch. Following this, he executed a sweeping kick, beginning his counterattack.

Beitang Miao was slightly surprised. He had initially thought that scholarly officials were not skilled in martial arts, but he never expected the Duke of State to be an expert in this field. Moreover, his moves... why did they seem so familiar?

At first, it was just suspicion, but as Ye Jiangbai repeatedly saw through his attacks and immediately countered them, Beitang Miao realized what was happening and retreated a few steps, retracting his hands.

"I must say, moving around a bit in this cold weather makes one feel warmer," Ye Jiangbai said with an unscrupulous smile. "Master Qin also often reminds me to practice more for the benefit of my bones and muscles."

Beitang Miao's face darkened. "Your martial arts master also has the surname Qin?"

"Yes, and his name is Qin Dacheng, coincidentally," Ye Jiangbai replied. "In that case, General should address me as Senior Brother Ye."

Qin Dacheng was a renowned martial arts master in the capital with numerous disciples. However, he only officially took on two, Ye Jiangbai and Beitang Miao. Ye Jiangbai had been the first to become his disciple and had managed to win the master's favor. When the Beitang family sought a martial arts teacher, Ye Jiangbai recommended Qin Dacheng.

Therefore, Beitang Miao was unaware that Ye Jiangbai was also Qin Dacheng's disciple, while Ye Jiangbai knew the situation well.

"A cunning scoundrel!" Beitang Miao exclaimed angrily.

Among all his peculiar hobbies, Ye Jiangbai enjoyed nothing more than hearing someone curse at him in a fit of rage. Chang Nian, the fool, hadn't fulfilled this desire, but Beitang Miao had presented himself as an opportunity.

Happily donning his cloak, Ye Jiangbai spoke with a kindly expression. "Using just one word to insult someone lacks impact."

"You!" Beitang Miao's chest heaved as he struggled to regain his composure, his face icy as he spoke, "Someone like you doesn't deserve her."

"Whether or not someone is worthy is not for a general to decide," Ye Jiangbai replied coolly. "What happens between her and I depends solely on my own preferences. Even if you were to turn the world upside down, it wouldn't change a thing."

"Is that so?" Beitang Miao sneered. "Then I'll be interested to see how the Duke plans to explain this matter of the spirit ancestor to her!"

"There's no need for the general to worry about that," Ye Jiangbai said with a smile before turning and leaving the inner chamber with light steps.

However, once he stepped out of the inner chamber, Ye Jiangbai's expression darkened.

Beitang Miao seemed intent on opposing him now.

All because of that fool, he had found himself entangled in more troubles. Strangely, though, even though he could avoid these complications by simply giving in, he didn't want to.

He didn't want to give in, no matter what.

Dressed in the brocade robe with a hidden pattern of a four-clawed silver dragon that Ye Jiangbai had hurriedly ordered to be made, Chang Nian looked every bit like a genuine prince.

Sitting in the reception hall, she had already followed Ye Jiangbai's instructions and completed her handover with Feng Tingyun and the others.

Yet, Feng Jingxian before her arrived late and showed no signs of remorse as he bowed to her and said, "Your Highness, if you have any orders, simply send a message. There's no need to meet with this lowly official personally."

Feng Tingyun, watching from the side, furrowed his brows and was about to say something.

However, Chang Nian spoke up, "Lord Feng, it's snowing again outside. Why don't you go and welcome Duke back?"

Sending him away? Feng Tingyun raised an eyebrow, silently asking if that was alright.

Don't worry! Chang Nian smiled at him reassuringly.

After hesitating for a moment and seeing how persistent Seventh Prince was, Feng Tingyun had no choice but to lead his men out.

Only Hong Ti and she were left in the reception hall. Hong Ti, being considerate, stood by the door to guard.

Chang Nian glanced around and then whispered, "Lord Feng, Ningzhong asked me to pass on his regards whenever I had the chance."

Ningzhong? Feng Jingxian was taken aback and looked at her in surprise. "Does Your Highness know Vice Commander Huang well?"

"Yes," Chang Nian replied with a grin. "Ningzhong is my bosom friend. Whenever we have time to spare and enjoy a drink together, he would talk about you. He says that you're one of the few upright officials in the court, yet you've been stuck in the position of a vice-minister, which is a great injustice."

Huang Ningzhong, the Deputy Commander of the guards at the Chongyang Gate, had no faction within the court, but he maintained a close friendship with Feng Jingxian. On previous occasions when she needed to leave the palace, Ningzhong had sent word that if she encountered trouble, she should seek out Feng Jingxian and present his token of recognition.

Digging into her sleeve, Chang Nian retrieved a intricately woven knot and handed it to Feng Jingxian.

The facade of politeness on Feng Jingxian's face vanished upon seeing the token. He gently squeezed the knot and then studied Chang Nian intently before heaving a deep sigh.

"Ningzhong is a rare honest man. The fact that he entrusts this to Your Highness indicates his genuine belief in your potential."

"Following me is too strong a term. I have nothing to offer, and there are no benefits in aligning with me," Chang Nian gestured towards the reception hall. "After all, I am merely surviving under someone else's roof."

"Fear not, Your Highness. To be admitted into the Duke's residence and gain control of the grain supply in Jiangxi, your future is indeed bright," Feng Jingxian replied. "It's just that this servant has grown weary of the court's intrigues..."

"Please don't misunderstand, Lord. I present this token not to ask for your help in any power struggle," Chang Nian assured. "In our future cooperation, if you encounter difficulties, feel free to confide in me. A friend of Ningzhong's is a friend of mine."

With those words, she took out a small lacquered wooden box and passed it to him. "I heard that your youngest child is gravely ill. This is from Ningzhong, entrusted to me for delivery to you."