Chapter 51: Do You Know Ye Jiangbai?

Chapter 51: Do You Know Ye Jiangbai?

Ye Jiangbai found human emotions to be truly fickle, and they could shift violently. In the span of just a few words, his delight in wanting to give her a treat had transformed into a desire to strangle her.

He picked up the snacks from the low table, held his teacup, gave her a cold glance, and then entered the inner chamber without looking back, closing the door behind him.

The sound of the door slamming echoed, causing snow on the eaves to flutter down.

Chang Nian blinked, following a few steps to the door in confusion. "Marquis? Marquis? Am I allowed to go or not?"

"It's up to you," came Ye Jiangbai's voice from inside, distant and indifferent.

Touching her nose, Chang Nian muttered under her breath, "Truly unpredictable, his moods change faster than flipping through a book."

Since she had already informed him and he hadn't objected, she was determined to go. After all, that elder from the Beithang family...

Letting out a light sigh, Chang Nian turned and left for her own courtyard to pack.

"Mistress," Liang Ce stood respectfully behind Ye Jiangbai, softly reporting, "Seventh Prince left the mansion today."

Ye Jiangbai sat with her back to the wall on one corner of a tea couch, asking in a muffled voice, "Where did he go?"

"To the Drunken Immortal Pavilion," replied Liang Ce. "He originally had eight guards with him, but they were somehow left behind along the way."

"Left behind?" Ye Jiangbai was slightly taken aback.

"Yes," Liang Ce bowed his head. "When the guards finally found the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, Seventh Prince and Hong Ti had already finished their meal. I inquired specifically – it's cold today, so there weren't many people on the streets."

The street wasn't crowded. Could his eight guards have lost track of her all at once? Ye Jiangbai furrowed his brows and turned around. "Did anyone investigate the Drunken Immortal Pavilion?"

"Replied the servant, 'Yes, my lord, I inquired. His Highness dined only with Miss Hong Ti, no others were present, and nothing unusual occurred.'"

Curious, Ye Jiangbai lowered his gaze. Nothing seemed amiss. Why would he dismiss his guards? Unless, perhaps, his people were too dull to keep up with her sprightly pace?

Furthermore, Commander Lin from the palace has reported that the coroner's examination of Ruo Lan's remains has concluded. The perpetrator is likely a tall man, but due to insufficient clues, it's impossible to pinpoint the exact identity of the killer at this time."

Such trivial matters did not particularly concern Ye Jiangbai; he waved his hand dismissively and said, "Didn't the former Commander of Chongyang Gate leave quite a few problems for Lin Mao? Simply pluck anyone from that bunch to take the blame, and this case can be counted as Lin Mao's achievement."

"Yes," Liang Ce acknowledged.

Ye Jiangbai turned back, no longer dwelling on the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Instead, he grumbled inwardly. If not for his momentary act of kindness, Zhao Changnian would have died twice by now. Instead of being grateful to her savior, she was thinking about going to drink with Beitang Miao!

What was so great about Beitang Miao? Apart from his illustrious family background, striking looks, and exceptional military prowess, what else did he have?

Let her go if she wanted. After that, he'd see if he would still help her out!

Dark clouds hung heavily over the main courtyard, but Zhao Changnian was oblivious. The next day, after finishing her lunch, she left without even taking Hong Ti along. She only brought a few guards and instructed them to wait at the side entrance of the Beitang residence.

Snowflakes fell gently onto the red lacquered pillars of the hexagonal pavilion, creating a picturesque scene.

Beitang Miao led Changnian further in. Upon entering the pavilion, they both bowed simultaneously.

"Father."

"General Beitang."

Beitang Hua gestured for them to sit down as he gazed at Changnian with a smile. "Your Highness has grown taller."

"Well, you've gained some weight," Chang Nian chuckled. "You've been indulging in delicious food lately and hoping to grow taller, but unfortunately, you're only expanding horizontally."

"Haha," Beitang Hua laughed warmly, extending a hot water bottle to her before sighing. "Beijing is still so cold, even colder than the winds at the border. If not for the imperial order, I truly wouldn't have wanted to return."

For some, Beijing was a land of wealth and prosperity, but to Beitang Hua, it was an abandoned graveyard.

Chang Nian nodded understandingly, pouring him a full cup of wine and handing it to him obediently.

Beitang Hua's gaze fell upon her frostbitten hands, his brows furrowing as he accepted the cup. "I heard that His Highness has been residing at the Duke of State's residence. How could such a condition occur in a place like that?"

She shyly covered her hands with her sleeves, explaining, "My constitution is rather weak. The slightest chill can lead to this. It doesn't matter where I live."

Beitang Hua frowned. "Has anything significant happened in Beijing recently that His Highness is aware of?"

Chang Nian replied, "As you know, I don't usually inquire much about external matters."

"If it were any other matter, one could say it's external. But when His Highness is involved, does it still count as external?"

Chang Nian felt a slight constriction in her throat, realizing what he was referring to. She spoke with a hint of guilt, "Chang Nian's involvement...was truly out of necessity. Previously, I was almost expelled from the capital and nearly lost my life. It was a long and winding journey. If not for the Duke of State's timely assistance, I might not be sitting here today, enjoying drinks with the general."

Beitang Hua showed a hint of irritation. "So Your Highness is quite grateful to Duke Guo?"

Chang Nian blinked in confusion. "Duke Guo… Although he's indeed cunning and devious, with many schemes up his sleeve, he has been beneficial to me. There were certainly calculations involved before… But recently… Duke Guo has been treating me very well."

"Ridiculous!" Beitang Hua placed down his wine cup with force, shaking his head repeatedly. He then glared at Beitang Miao. "Why didn't you advise His Highness?"

Beitang Miao lowered his gaze. "There was no opportunity."

Since returning to the capital, he had only met Chang Nian once, and that meeting was hastily interrupted by Ye Jiangbai. How could he have found the time to say anything else?

Beitang Hua sighed and looked at Chang Nian. "Does Your Highness know what kind of person Ye Jiangbai is?"

"Not very well before, but I understand him a bit more now," Chang Nian whispered. "He has an odd temper, but he's tough on the outside and soft on the inside."

"Soft-hearted?" Beitang Hua chuckled. "If he were soft-hearted, how could he have coldly exchanged the life of the former prison warden for his own fame and fortune?"

Hmm? Chang Nian was taken aback. "The former prison warden… You mean Lord Hou who died in the palace?"

"Indeed," Beitang Hua replied. "Only Ye Jiangbai could have killed him. No one else."

Chang Nian was startled.

For some reason, she recalled the day of Empress Dowager's birthday celebration in the Baobao Hall. Hiding inside the closet, she had heard Ye Jiangbai outside say,

"On this day of Her Majesty's grand birthday, the matter of the prison director's murder will be delayed for three days before being reported. By then, I hope His Highness the Seventh Prince will turn himself in."

Hope His Highness the Seventh Prince will turn himself in?

At that time, she had been too anxious to notice anything amiss. But now, reflecting on it, she had never shown herself throughout the entire incident. How did Ye Jiangbai know it was her inside?

Unless... he had been nearby and witnessed the stabbed prison director and her.

If that was the case, he should have known she wasn't the culprit. So why would he suggest she turn herself in?

—To make her take the blame.

With a pale face, Chang Nian pondered slowly. Taking the blame might not be enough; perhaps he hadn't fully exploited her identity as an imperial prince. Thus, the gift she had sent to the Empress Dowager had promptly turned into a large box of pearls.

The only ones capable of such generosity were either the Crown Prince or Ye Jiangbai, who was notoriously wealthy. A box of pearls would be but a trifle to him.

When she was at her wits' end, he would appear precisely on time to lend her a helping hand. Thus, she would feel gratitude and trust towards him.

Just like now.