Chapter 73: Let Go of Me

Chapter 73: Let Go of Me

When Ye Jiangbai hastily arrived at the courtyard, he found everyone standing outside. Hong Ti was still sobbing, but the door behind her was firmly shut.

"Your Highness, how is the injury?" He asked the physician with a frown.

The physician replied hesitantly, "Duke, I wasn't even able to check the pulse before being chased out."

"Chased out?" Ye Jiangbai was incredulous. He strode forward and pushed open the main house's door.

A faint scent of blood lingered in the room. Upon entering, he lifted the glass curtains that separated the quarters to see Zhao Changnian sitting upright on the bed, while Mu Shufang appeared gentle and virtuous as she held her hand.

Both women turned their heads at the sound, addressing him sweetly, "Duke."

Ye Jiangbai shivered, his brows furrowing. "What's going on?"

Mu Shufang sighed. "Your esteemed residence's guards failed to protect my daughter, putting her in grave danger. Fortunately, Your Highness risked your life to save her, allowing my daughter to survive unscathed—Your Highness only sustained minor injuries, Duke, so there's no need to worry."

"Who's worried?" Ye Jiangbai brushed his sleeves and sat down beside her, his gaze cold. "Didn't you say there was bleeding? How can bleeding be considered a minor injury?"

Chang Nian covered her face in embarrassment, while Mu Shufang straightened her posture and nodded seriously. "It's just a minor injury. It will heal in two days. I've already dressed the wound for His Highness. Duke Ding Guo can send the doctor away."

Relieved to learn that there was no serious harm, Ye Jiangbai let out an unconcerned "mm" before asking, "Since His Highness is unharmed, why are you still here?"

Mu Shufang shot him a reproachful glance and said, "His Highness and I have become close friends through life and death. Why can't I stay to accompany him?"

Close friends through life and death? That was merely a minor scuffle that didn't even pose a real threat to their lives. Ye Jiangbai scoffed and pointed at the lantern sand timer nearby. "If you leave any later, don't expect me to speak kindly on your behalf to Duke Ding Guo's residence."

The rules at Duke Ding Guo's mansion were strict, with curfews enforced. Looking at the time, Mu Shufang reluctantly got up and said with great reluctance to Chang Nian, "I'll come visit His Highness again tomorrow, alright?"

Chang Nian shifted in his seat and held her hand. "I need to leave too. Why don't we go together?"

"Leave?" Ye Jiangbai's expression darkened. "In what state do you think His Highness is in to be able to walk anywhere?"

"I was going to say... the Bei...tang residence."

The last two words were swallowed under his ominous gaze. Chang Nian tugged on Mu Shufang's hand helplessly. She hadn't informed Beitang Miao about her sudden return to the Duke of Fuping's residence; he would surely be upset.

Mu Shufang whispered, "Your Highness, I can't compete with that formidable figure behind you. I can't be of assistance."

"Well then," Chang Nian pursed her lips. "Could you ask someone to send a message for me when you return home?"

"Of course, don't worry." Mu Shufang patted her hand affectionately and rose to her feet, bowing to Ye Jiangbai. "I'll take my leave now."

Ye Jiangbai watched her leave expressionlessly before turning to look at Chang Nian, who was trying to hide under the covers.

"Are you very close with Miss Mu?"

"Oh…" Chang Nian nodded. "She's a wonderful person. We hit it off immediately and had a great time today. If I were to marry one day, I would certainly want someone like her."

Marry?

A knot formed in Ye Jiangbai's chest as he replied coldly, "Your Highness is considering marriage?"

"Isn't that why Duke Guo sent me here today?" Chang Nian smiled. "I've thought about it. Duke Guo has my best interests at heart and his actions always make sense. I should listen to him. Miss Mu is an exceptional young lady. If she's willing to marry me, I would cherish her like a precious treasure."

"..."

The banquet today was actually the Empress Dowager's idea. He had merely... missed seeing her for some time and found an excuse to have her visit.

Ye Jiangbai felt that he had truly brought trouble upon himself. How did Mu Shufang end up meeting Zhao Changnian? He had thought this person would have no interest in women, only to discover that he was open to both genders.

"Does Your Highness view marriage as a trivial matter?" he asked.

Changnian shook her head. "Not at all. Marriage is a serious matter. Once it's settled, it's a lifelong commitment. How could it be treated as a game?"

"What then, if one's heart belongs to another, yet they still don their wedding attire for another?" He looked up at her, his gaze sharpening slightly.

Changnian paused, turning her head away from him and speaking softly, "If one genuinely wants to marry, how can there still be room for anyone else in their heart?"

Even if there were, they would eventually let go.

With a slight rise and fall of his chest, Ye Jiangbai stood up and walked purposefully to her bedside. Leaning over, he forced her back onto the jade pillow.

"Is that all?" he asked.

A warmth rose in Changnian's chest, and she bit her lip, unable to suppress her resentment towards this person.

He always spoke in ambiguous words and did things that invited misunderstanding. Yet, he... he simply didn't have an interest in men. Why did he persist in teasing her like this? Did he find it amusing to see her flustered and helpless, or did he derive pleasure from making her blush with bashful excitement?

In Duke Guo's eyes, were all people mere playthings?

With her anger subsiding, Chang Nian found herself strangely calm. She smiled, revealing two shallow dimples, and nodded at him. "Yes, that's right."

Her tone of resignation was like a slap in the face to him.

Dark currents swirled in Ye Jiangbai's eyes as he stared at her fiercely, his expression a mix of anger and unease. Lowering his head, he opened his mouth, as if to bite her lips.

"Duke," Chang Nian curved her lips. "I am a man."

Their lips were inches apart when they stopped abruptly. Ye Jiangbai frowned, his voice laced with hostility. "Be quiet."

"I am a man, Your Grace. You must hear me clearly, or else you might claim it was a moment of impulse again." Chang Nian smiled, though the amusement didn't reach her eyes; her dimples, however, were adorable. "Isn't it uncharacteristic of a Duke to be intimate with a man?"

"The practice of same-sex relationships, whether it's affection for another man or the love of a eunuch, goes against the natural order and violates human ethics. Therefore, the entire Zhou Dynasty forbids such acts, banning male lovers from entering official halls or courtyards."

"These are the laws you established in the court, forcefully opposing all opposition. Your words were resolute and powerful—have you forgotten them?"

The person beneath him spoke confidently, seemingly certain that he wouldn't dare to kiss her now. Her gaze was cunning, like that of a clever rat.

Ye Jiangbai was furious, his gaze darkening as he fixated on her moving lips.

"Let me go," Chang Nian said. "I am now under the protection of General Beithang. There's no need for Duke Guo to trouble yourself further."

Her words struck a nerve, and Ye Jiangbai sneered. Reaching out, he pinched her chin and fiercely kissed her.

His lips pressed against hers with force, his tongue forcing past her teeth. Unlike their previous gentle and bewildered encounters, he was acutely aware of his actions this time and had no intention of stopping. He delved deep, entwining her sweet tongue, wanting to bite down but finding himself unable to bear it. Instead, he sucked hard.

He desired her.

The thought in his mind was crystal clear.

Regardless of whether she was a man or woman, a prince or someone else entirely, he no longer wanted to hear another person's name mentioned by her lips. He didn't want to see her being close to anyone else. He yearned to keep her locked away, visible and touchable only to him.