Chapter 57: A Touching Walk in the Snow

Chapter 57: A Touching Walk in the Snow

Ye Jiangbai squinted, something stirring within him as he unexpectedly reached out to catch the skirt just before it touched the ground. Lowering his voice, he coaxed her, "Boys can wear it too."

Upon hearing this, Chang Nian lifted her head, dazedly gazing at him for a long while. Pouting, she expressed her grievance, "Sissy."

"There's only you and me here. Nobody will say anything about it." Ye Jiangbai supported her waist, realizing upon holding it that she was not only slender but also had an incredibly delicate frame.

A thought flashed across his mind, only to be swiftly dismissed by himself.

It couldn't be. They had bathed together; how could she possibly be a woman? At most, she simply hadn't been well-nourished, resulting in her frail appearance.

Shaking his head, Ye Jiangbai focused his mind. Swinging the wolf tail attached to his back, he lowered his head and whispered softly, "Will you wear it just for me?"

"No," Chang Nian frowned, slurring her words, "Why... should I show you?"

"Because I want to see," Ye Jiangbai raised an eyebrow.

"You want to see... so I have to show you? Are you the emperor?" Pushing him away, Chang Nian was visibly angered, swaying unsteadily as if about to fall backward.

Ye Jiangbai reached out to draw her back, half-embracing her in his arms. His eyes darkened slightly as he asked, "If I were to become emperor one day, would you show it to me?"

"..." Chang Nian looked up at him, dazed and confused as if she hadn't understood his words.

Ye Jiangbai smiled, gently caressing her face. His expression was unperturbed, as if he had never said such a thing. He lifted her effortlessly and carried her downstairs.

Her body stiffened, and Chang Nian buried her head in his chest, afraid to reveal any sign of discomfort while panic gripped her heart.

After vomiting, she regained some clarity. She had truly heard what he had just said.

If anyone else had spoken those words, she would have taken them as a joke. But hearing it from Ye Jiangbai's lips made her too scared to even smile. This man... If he were an imperial prince, he would already be the crown prince, with no one capable of challenging his position. Yet, he was merely a subject.

A subject who held immense power over the court and the land. If he sought to rule the world, not a single member of the royal family would be left standing, either dead or imprisoned.

Did Ye Jiangbai harbor rebellious intentions?

The moment they stepped out of the Butterfly Flutter Pavilion, Ye Jiangbai sensed the person in his arms trembling from the cold. He couldn't help but frown, turning his head to call out, "Liang Ce."

Liang Ce promptly brought a cloak to cover Chang Nian. The white fox fur collar brushed against her cheeks, making her pale complexion appear even more so.

"What's going on?" Ye Jiangbai hurriedly got into the carriage, fetched a hot water bottle, and nestled it in her embrace. Then, he placed her on his lap, freeing his hand to touch her forehead.

Her skin was not burning hot as expected but unexpectedly cold.

Frustrated, Ye Jiangbai scolded, "If you ever drink like that again, I swear I won't let you off!"

Chang Nian closed her eyes, clutched his clothes, and buried her face in his shoulder, afraid for him to see her expression. She tried hard to convince herself to forget what he had just said, or else she wouldn't be able to peacefully coexist with him in the future.

With the Emperor still alive, even if the princes dwindled, there were still four left in the capital. It was unlikely for Ye Jiangbai to make any reckless moves anytime soon; thus, she didn't need to worry too much.

Just as she managed to steady her breathing, Chang Nian felt dizzy and nauseous. Struggling to her feet, she grabbed the carriage wall and shouted, "Stop the carriage!"

Upon hearing her command, Liang Ce pulled the reins. She immediately jumped out of the carriage, landed in the snowy ground, and covered her abdomen as she threw up repeatedly.

"Your Highness, the Princess is drunk. The bumpy carriage ride will inevitably make her uncomfortable. There's no need for you to be overly concerned," Liang Ce reassured, seeing that he had also exited the carriage.

Ye Jiangbai pursed his lips and replied in a cold tone, "Which eye of yours saw me worried?"

After saying that, he took his fox fur cloak and wrapped it around the trembling person.

"Um..." Chang Nian averted her gaze with a pained heart, "It's dirty, it will soil me."

"This item isn't meant to be soiled, is it? For display, perhaps?" Ye Jiangbai fastened the sash for her with a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Go ahead and soil it as you please. I have ten more of these capes."

Zhao Changnian: "..." How wonderful it is to be wealthy.

Not far from the official residence area, Chang Nian pondered for a moment and said, "I'll walk back on my own."

"It might be too cold for that."

Her eyes sparkled as Chang Nian clenched her fists and said, "I once watched a theatrical performance where a female general bid farewell to her friend in the snow. The prince who deeply loved her accompanied her all the way. It was a snowy scene, so touching!"

Saying this, she turned her head expectantly to look at him with great anticipation.

With his hands folded in his sleeves, Ye Jiangbai returned the gaze with a cold, disdainful expression, as if looking at a fool.

"Come here," he invited, leaning against the carriage and gesturing with a tilt of his chin.

Chang Nian hurried over with unbridled enthusiasm, standing before him with her head raised, much like a child asking for meat during the New Year celebrations.

Ye Jiangbai retrieved a fox fur muff from the carriage and stuffed a hot water bottle inside before handing it to her. He then picked out a felt hat, wrapping her head and tiny face snugly. After a thorough inspection, he nodded in satisfaction. "Let's go."

Chang Nian asked, "Are you accompanying me?"

"Yes," Ye Jiangbai replied with a nod. "Otherwise, His Highness would surely accuse me of being heartless again."

Chang Nian was deeply touched. She immediately skipped forward in the snow.

Hearing the slow roll of the carriage behind her, Chang Nian casually turned her head. She saw Ye Jiangbai sitting cross-legged on the carriage frame, gradually drawing level with her. With a kind smile, he said, "The snow is thick. Be careful, Your Highness."

"…" So this was what he meant by walking with her?

She walked in the snow while he followed in a carriage? It seemed more like she was being taken for a walk like a dog!

With a puffed-up face, Chang Nian gritted her teeth. "No wonder you're still without a legal wife at your age!"

"Hmm?" Ye Jiangbai glanced sideways.

Her expression changed, and Chang Nian forced a laugh. "I mean, it's no wonder the Duke hasn't established a main wife. Someone as excellent as you can only be matched by extraordinary women."

"Hmm." Ye Jiangbai nodded in satisfaction.

Turning away, Chang Nian bared her teeth fiercely, inwardly muttering that mortal women were unworthy of him; he might as well marry a ghost.

On a clear, snowy day, as the sun neared dusk, the evening glow painted the snow with a warm hue. A trail of footprints alongside two ruts from a carriage extended all the way to the Duke's residence.

Wrapped up warmly, Chang Nian felt slightly overheated when she returned to the courtyard but was otherwise unharmed. However, Ye Jiangbai's expression was far from pleasant. His thin lips had turned pale, and his fox-like eyes seemed slightly unfocused.

Chang Nian found amusement in this and clapped her hands, saying, "I told you it would be better to walk, didn't I? Look, the wind has cooled you down, hasn't it?"

Ye Jiangbai shot her a cold glance.

The joy on Chang Nian's face gradually faded, replaced instantly by a look of concern. With a pained tone, she exclaimed, "Hong Ti, quickly make some ginger soup to warm the Duke up!"

"Ungrateful," Ye Jiangbai coughed lightly, giving her a sharp look.

Chang Nian knelt beside him and began massaging his shoulders. "How could I be ungrateful? I know how kindly the Duke treats me. I'll instruct the servants to put all the gifts we received today in your courtyard."

"Do I care about those trifles?"

"Not at all, not at all," Chang Nian said. "It's the thought that counts. Everything I have belongs to Duke Guo, and what Duke Guo has... still belongs to Duke Guo."

Impressed, Ye Jiangbai nodded.

"Master," Liang Ce entered from outside the door with a frown. "Something seems amiss with the gift boxes outside."