Chapter 68: Mu Shufang

Chapter 68: Mu Shufang

"Bonding with affection will make this place ache," North Hall Miao pointed at his heart, saying, "People are born as individuals, but sometimes there are those who have nothing to do with you, yet you wish they belong to you and no one else. If they do belong to someone, whether it's a twist or a pull, this place would always react."

But clearly, this little fool in front of him didn't experience that.

Chang Nian, upon hearing this, subconsciously touched her chest and then smiled. "If General is getting married, that's a happy event. Why would it make anyone sad? Speaking of Duke Guardian's banquet... I met him when I entered the palace today."

North Hall Miao's expression tensed up. "Ye Jiangbai?"

"Mm-hm, he asked me to pick someone at the banquet too," Chang Nian said. "Being a woman is truly miserable. If you don't have much status, you're treated like a cabbage being picked over."

North Hall Miao replied, "You don't have to mind him."

After tilting her head in thought for a moment, Chang Nian asked, "What kind of woman from the He family would be worthy of Duke Guardian?"

A man so talented, handsome, powerful, and wealthy—there were no ladies in the imperial court whose status was higher than his, nor could their positions compare to his even a fraction. As for looks and talent, it might take ten young misses combined to match him.

If... if she were a woman, then at least in terms of status, she could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

The thought flashed across her mind, only to be swiftly dismissed by her own rebuke. Chang Nian shook her head and said, "I won't think about it anymore. I haven't visited the Patrol Unit today."

Beitang Miao offered, "I'll accompany you."

"Alright!"

On the day of the Duke's grand banquet, the Empress bestowed a favor, sending six dishes from the palace as a gift. This immediately sparked discussions among the citizens of the capital, wondering which young lady would ultimately win the Duke's favor.

"It's a golden opportunity to rise in status. Rumor has it that Miss Li and Miss Tang had a dispute over a piece of fabric at a silk store. Everyone wants to outshine the others at the Duke's residence."

In the carriage heading to the Ministry of War, the Left Vice Commander of the Patrol Unit, Wen Hou, a jovial man, commented, "If I didn't have official duties today, I'd love to witness the spectacle too."

Ye Liang sat beside him, remaining quiet and obedient.

Chang Nian chuckled. "Everyone wants to see the excitement, but ultimately, our tasks come first."

"Wise words," Wen Hou replied, glancing at them. "But for the document handover at the Ministry of War today, I could handle it alone. Why are all of you coming along?"

Chang Nian shrugged. "Lord Ye asked me to join."

Ye Liang whispered, "Thanks to Lord Wen's favor, I can take a little break."

"Wonderful. Just the other day, I praised His Highness in my report for his diligence, and now you're enticing him to slack off!" Wen Hou pretended to be angry. He glanced at Chang Nian and continued, "But His Highness has indeed been working hard lately. He deserves a bit of rest. Let's consider this an official errand for today."

Chang Nian wanted to say that she didn't need any rest. It was a rare opportunity for her to interact with so many people, and she could go without sleep!

However, looking at Lord Wen's kind gaze, she decided to accept his goodwill. Sometimes, being frail had its advantages. At least everyone in the Patrol Unit treated her with great affection and tolerance, probably pitying her for being so small.

Smiling inwardly, Chang Nian watched Lord Wen alight from the carriage at the entrance of the Marquis's residence. Then, she asked Ye Liang, "Where are we going?"

Ye Liang scratched his nose and vaguely replied, "Somewhere with good food."

Where could that be? Chang Nian lowered her eyes, recalling that the most delicious things she'd ever tasted were all in the Duke's mansion.

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of the Duke's mansion.

Chang Nian: "…"

Feeling rather embarrassed, Ye Liang bowed and said, "His Highness asked me to bring you here, Your Excellency…"

As an official, I know I can't persuade you, so I'll have to take matters into my own hands and bring you along.

Chang Nian wiped her face in resignation.

Unlike its usual tranquility, the Duke's residence now resembled a bustling aviary, with chirping voices echoing from all directions upon entering.

Chang Nian turned to leave.

"Your Highness," Ye Liang stopped her, bowing respectfully, "At least pay your respects inside."

After their time together in the Patrol Unit, Chang Nian realized that Ye Liang was an extremely honest person. It was simply fate's irony that he served a sly fox like Ye Jiangbai. Sighing, she followed him in, passing through a series of corridors under the watchful eyes of others, finally entering the main courtyard.

"Your Highness," Liang Ce greeted her with a smile as he bowed, "Master has instructed that you may enter directly."

So accommodating? Chang Nian lifted her robe carefully and stepped over the threshold.

A warm fragrance filled the air, and it seemed there was someone else in the main room. As Chang Nian passed the partition, she caught sight of a light purple, silk-wrapped dress cinched at the waist with a silver belt, accentuating a slender figure and a prominent bosom, revealing a large expanse of fair skin. Looking up, she saw a delicately made-up face.

"Oh," she purred, looping her arms around someone's neck and turning to look at Chang Nian with a charming smile, "Who's this lovely little darling? So fresh and lively."

Chang Nian slowly shifted her gaze to look at the person holding her in their arms, blinking her eyes.

Ye Jiangbai met her gaze calmly. After a moment, he reached out to steady the woman in his embrace and said to her, "The princess is here."

Feeling a sudden tension, Chang Nian lowered her eyes and stammered, "Liang Ce told me to come straight in... I..."

"Kekeke." Seeing her flustered appearance, the woman chuckled and reached out to grab her hand. "This must be Princess Qi, no wonder you're so endearing. Don't be afraid, we won't kill you to silence you."

Us.

Chang Nian's reaction was slow, and it took her a while to gradually understand the situation.

So... this was Ye Jiangbai's lover? The familiar tone, intimate gestures, and an air of confidence that others couldn't mimic—it was clear that she dared to behave so boldly with Ye Jiangbai's tacit approval.

She had assumed there were no girls around Ye Jiangbai; turns out, she just didn't know.

Nodding gently, Chang Nian smiled at her.

The girl in front of her brightened her eyes and said with a grin, "I am Mu Shufang, daughter of Duke Ding Guo. Greetings, Your Highness. I heard from my father that you were busy, so I thought I wouldn't get to meet you today. Yet, unexpectedly..."

She covered her lips and said, "It seems we were fated to meet after all."

This girl was incredibly enthusiastic, and Chang Nian found it hard to cope. She stood there, dazed, looking at Ye Jiangbai.

A smile played on Ye Jiangbai's lips as he beckoned Mu Shufang over and whispered reprimandingly, "I told you not to scare her."

"How could I have scared her?" Mu Shufang protested, wrapping her arms around Ye Jiangbai's arm and giving it a pinch. "You're just finding fault with me in a roundabout way for being too rough!"

Ye Jiangbai winced from the pain but couldn't help laughing as he tried to avoid her. She raised an eyebrow and hugged him even tighter.

They made a lovely picture of a couple playfully teasing each other.

Chang Nian watched quietly, thinking that it was nice. A person like Ye Jiangbai needed someone to keep him in check.

However, despite her thoughts, something inside her chest couldn't help but twist and ache, spreading an uncomfortable sensation all the way up to her scalp.

"I'm only here to pay my respects," Chang Nian murmured. "That's all. I'll take my leave now."