Chapter 48: Seven Emotions

Chapter 48: Seven Emotions

In the courtyard, Ye Jiangbai stood with a darkened face, his entire being overwhelmed by uncontrollable agitation and a sense of betrayal.

Well played, truly well played, she dared to leave without a word. Did she not consider the consequences?

Did she think she could escape scot-free just by leaving while he was asleep? The capital was not that big. Unless she abandoned her status as the Seventh Prince and ran away with Beitang Miao, she would inevitably be caught by him sooner or later!

When he caught her, he would tear her skin off!

"Mas... Master," Liang Ce stammered, "If you're looking for Princess Qi, I can send someone to inquire at the entrance gate. Why must you be so furious?"

"Bring her back." Ye Jiangbai's voice was as cold as frost on a branch. "I don't care if she's alive or dead, just bring her back to me!"

Liang Ce was startled and quickly agreed, dashing out to convey the message.

Xu Zhi was just about to set off for Jiangxi with his luggage packed when he encountered Liang Ce at the door. With a grim expression, Liang Ce approached and grabbed Xu Zhi's arm. "Uncle Xu, what's wrong with Master lately? Suddenly bursting into such anger, it's never been like this before."

More anger? Xu Zhi found it odd too. He waved Liang Ce off to continue his duties and then entered the courtyard himself to pay respects to Ye Jiangbai.

"I come to bid farewell," the servant said humbly.

Ye Jiangbai's anger had yet to subside, and he merely grunted in response.

Xu Zhi hesitated for a moment before asking, "Might Your Excellency know what the 'Seven Emotions' are?"

Looking at him quizzically, Ye Jiangbai muttered, "Joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hatred, and desire."

Xu Zhi smiled. "Indeed, joy begets anger, anger begets sorrow, sorrow begets fear, fear begets love, and then love gives birth to hatred, which in turn breeds desire. These are the seven emotions of man."

"Why are you telling me this?" Ye Jiangbai asked, slightly annoyed.

Xu Zhi clasped his hands together. "Having served Your Excellency for many years, I know that Your Excellency has grand ambitions and has never delved into matters of love and affection. I'm afraid that if you were to encounter such a situation unexpectedly, you might not understand it and become troubled unnecessarily."

Matters of love and affection? Ye Jiangbai scoffed. "Where did you get the idea that I've encountered such a thing?"

"Your Excellency is usually calm and composed, rarely experiencing such intense emotional fluctuations," Xu Zhi explained. "If it were a matter, then Your Excellency has been somewhat restless lately and could benefit from quiet contemplation. But if it were a person..."

He sighed. "If it were a person, then it seems Your Excellency's destiny has caught up with you."

Ye Jiangbai glanced at Xu Zhi, finding him overly concerned.

"There's nothing to worry about. Don't overthink it. Just head to Jiangxi," he said. "I'm merely troubled by some trivial matters and will meditate in the Buddhist temple later."

"Understood." With all that needed to be said said, Xu Zhi didn't overstep and obediently withdrew.

Staring at the snow in the courtyard, Ye Jiangbai pondered where all these emotions came from. His heart couldn't accommodate such meaningless distractions. His current anger was solely due to Beitang Miao's provocation and Chang Nian's betrayal. He felt defeated and unwilling to accept it.

—Anger arises from joy.

These three words flashed through his mind, causing Ye Jiangbai to squint and shake his head, forcefully dismissing them.

Nonsense!

Liang Ce rushed back and whispered, "Master, Seventh Prince and Hong Ti left at the first hour of the morning. It's only been half an hour, but we've already dispatched people to chase after them."

The seventh hour, so lazy she'd rise early just to escape? She didn't wear the new robe he made for her, and with such cold weather outside, she truly had a heart of steel.

Hadn't he treated her well? Even if he offended her before, he had tried to make amends. Other princes would have to offer substantial gifts to earn what he silently bestowed upon her. Didn't she feel it?

A heartless ingrate!

It was impossible to say that he wasn't upset. After all, the son he had painstakingly raised had turned around and left with someone else, showing no attachment to him.

—Anger gave birth to sorrow.

A cold wind blew, piercing through his bones. Ye Jiangbai wrapped his cloak tighter and returned to his chambers, thinking to himself, So be it if I'm sad. I've raised an ungrateful son; can't I grieve a little?

"Master, the Eastern Palace has sent a visitation invitation," a steward reported.

Ye Jiangbai waved his hand. "Put it aside for now. Ask the kitchen to send up breakfast."

"Yes, sir," the steward agreed, glancing around the room before asking, "Just for you alone?"

Indeed, there was only one person here. Who else could there be? Ye Jiangbai harrumphed, staring at the vase in the room for a long while before finally saying, "Prepare for two."

He could always eat two servings if push came to shove. It's not like he couldn't handle it!

Breakfast arrived, steaming hot, but there was still no news from outside.

Ye Jiangbai did not touch his chopsticks, watching the steam from the food dissipate bit by bit. He knew in his heart that it was unlikely he could find her again.

If they were to meet someday, she would probably hide behind someone else, watching him warily, fearful that he might seize her and bring her back to Duke's residence. Anywhere he appeared, she would avoid him, never allowing him to dictate her life or bully her again.

"Liang Ce!" The servant rushed in from outside.

Suddenly, Ye Jiangbai had no desire to hear the report. If they found her, she would argue with him, causing resentment. If they didn't, he would still bear the same resentment.

It seemed there was no good outcome, so he preferred not to listen.

—He was gripped by fear of sorrow.

"Master, the Princess is back," Liang Ce announced without considering Ye Jiangbai's feelings.

Ye Jiangbai's spine stiffened as he slowly turned his head.

Zhao Changnian was wrapped in her small cloak, her tiny face flushed red from the cold, with a reddened nose. She held a box in her hands and beamed at him, extending it towards him as he turned.

"..." He stared blankly at the box, puzzled.

"Xu Zhi mentioned earlier that Duke was very keen on acquiring that ice-type jade from the old shop on West Street. However, the owner has an eccentric temperament and refuses to sell to servants or commoners. The purchase can only be made by someone of noble status before sunrise. Duke was too proud to humble himself, so he declared he had no interest in it out of spite."

As the box opened, a lustrous, snow-white jade was revealed, nestled on a cushion of soft silk.

Chang Nian smiled slyly. "I knew Duke would still want it, so I went and bought it for him."

...So, she hadn't run away because of Beitang Miao's escape, nor did she refuse to live in the Duke's residence. Instead, she had gone to buy this jade for him?

Ye Jiangbai's eyelashes fluttered as he looked down at her hand holding the box.

When he had left her in the snowy ground before, she had developed frostbite upon her return. Her hands had swollen and turned red, looking terrible. It must have been uncomfortable, considering the physician had warned her against exposure to cold.

Yet now, she must have been chilled again, as small hard lumps formed at her knuckles. Despite this, she held the box tightly, as if afraid it might break.

With a slight constriction in his throat, Ye Jiangbai reached out and covered her hand with his own.

"Ai, hold it carefully, or you'll drop the jade!" Chang Nian fretted over the precious ice-type jade. "This tiny piece costs thousands of silver taels. I'm heartbroken just thinking about it..."

Disregarding her chatter, Ye Jiangbai drew her close, tucking her into his embrace with a sweep of his sleeves.

Zhao Changnian: "Huh?"

Was it because of the cold weather, or why did Duke Guo have a habit of hugging her all of a sudden?

"You're worried about the silver, so I'll give it to you," he said, realizing his voice was slightly hoarse as the words left his lips.

The immense anger that had previously engulfed him vanished in an instant. He closed his eyes and whispered softly, "Next time you plan to go out, let me know beforehand."

"How could I bear to disturb your sleep when you were sleeping so soundly?" Changnian murmured, struggling lightly. "Duke, please let go..."

"Not letting go."

"Then... should I take off the pendant on your waist first?" Changnian suggested. "The one I gave you before isn't grand enough for such occasions. You switch to this one, so you won't be laughed at by others."

She chattered on like a devoted and considerate young wife.

Ye Jiangbai curved his lips and acknowledged with a soft "Mm," then released her a bit and stood up in front of her.

"Thank you, Your Highness," she said respectfully.

Clutching the box, Chang Nian shivered inexplicably.

Why did she feel... that Duke's attitude towards her today was unusually peculiar? Different from usual, but she couldn't quite pinpoint how. Raising her gaze to meet his eyes, Chang Nian wondered if she had perhaps overslept and become confused.

Just now, Liang Ce had led her in with a face as if the sky were about to collapse. She had thought something disastrous had happened, but upon seeing Duke, he appeared perfectly fine - not just fine, but also incredibly gentle.

It was as if a precious treasure had been found again after being lost, and the fear that followed was replaced by overwhelming joy.

What on earth was going on? Chang Nian rubbed her small head, unable to comprehend the situation.

Happiness turns to anger, anger turns to sorrow, sorrow turns to fear, and fear turns...

Ye Jiangbai lowered his eyes, watching as the person before him bowed to attach the pendant to his waist. He couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile.

He didn't want to think too much; it was enough for him to be happy. Happiness was far better than being consumed by anger.

Moreover, he hadn't lost. Even if Chang Nian knew Beitang Miao first, who knew which one held more importance in her heart now?

The usually composed and mature Duke, behaving childishly, vowed to himself that tomorrow he would definitely flaunt this item before Beitang Miao's face, circling around him a hundred or eighty times!