Chapter 81: A Fortunate Escape by Mistake

Chapter 81: A Fortunate Escape by Mistake

As night fell, Chang Nian returned home and from afar noticed the lights on in the courtyard. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she rushed in, lifting her hem.

"Marquis, Marquis."

Stepping inside, she saw Ye Jiangbai sitting composedly on a tea couch. Chang Nian grinned, approaching and leaning against him excitedly. "I have some good news for you."

Ye Jiangbai's lips curved slightly. "What news?"

"Mistress Mu isn't running an orphanage in the outskirts of the city, raising a group of children?" Chang Nian said. "Her monthly stipend isn't much, barely enough for their needs. When I visited last time, I saw how pitiful yet sensible they were, so I gave them some silver. To my surprise, they were so grateful that they went into the mountains to chop firewood and exchanged it for eggs, which they've all brought here for us."

Hong Ti followed her into the house, carrying a large basket filled with eggs.

Ye Jiangbai was taken aback. He turned to ask, "How much silver did you give them?"

Chang Nian blinked, feeling a little guilty. "I used the banknote you gave me last time... It was given to me, after all, so I should be the one to decide its use, right? Whether it was too much or too little..."

"How much?"

"…Eight hundred taels." Chang Nian looked around nervously. "I know it's too much, but I don't have any immediate use for the silver. It would be great to buy warm clothes for the children for the winter. Besides, I've already told them this is the Duke of State's kindness, not for my own reputation…"

She offered many excuses, but for ordinary people, eight hundred taels was already a substantial amount, let alone being given away in an instant. This action truly didn't treat banknotes as money. Chang Nian knew that Ye Jiangbai would be upset, so she tried her best to explain.

However, whether it was due to her explanation or some other reason, Ye Jiangbai not only didn't get angry, but the cloud of gloom on his face also dissipated. His brows softened, and he reached out to pull her into his arms.

"What are you so worried about?" he asked. "Would I blame you for such a small matter?"

Chang Nian swallowed her saliva, thinking to herself, Weren't you just about to scold me a moment ago? That was terrifying…

"Whenever you need silver in the future, tell me," Ye Jiangbai said. "Even if His Highness gives away eighty thousand taels, as long as you inform me, the Duke of State's accountants will follow His Highness's lead."

This grandiose statement frightened Chang Nian, who shook her head repeatedly. "No need, no need."

"Hmm?" Ye Jiangbai nuzzled her hair. "If anyone else were to hear my words, they would be overjoyed. Why are you afraid, Your Highness?"

Chang Nian replied, "You'll spoil me like this. If you let me spend the silver however I want, what if I become extravagant and deplete your wealth?"

Hearing something amusing, Ye Jiangbai chuckled, his eyes shining with mirth.

"If Your Highness has the ability to drain my wealth..." he whispered into her ear, "then I'll rely on Your Highness for sustenance."

Chang Nian's face flushed, and she bit her lip. Filled with a sudden impulse, she turned around to face him seriously. "I'll support you if that's what it takes. As long as Duke Guo focuses on spending his days with me and ignores everything else, I'd even climb a ladder to the sky to pluck a star for you every day!"

She was sincere. If Ye Jiangbai could put aside his political affairs and cease all scheming, she would be willing to give him her life.

However, Ye Jiangbai interpreted her words as flirtation. He pecked her lips playfully and spoke in a low, husky voice, "If I don't want to eat stars, but something else instead?"

His beautiful fox-like eyes shimmered with a mischievous glint, exuding an air of possessiveness. Chang Nian was no fool; she understood what he was implying. Blushing even more, she buried her head in his embrace.

Ye Jiangbai chuckled. Pressing her body against his, he let her feel his warmth. With the tip of his tongue, he gently teased her earlobe. "Why are you so shy?"

It wasn't just shyness; it was fear! Chang Nian remained silent, wondering if he would kill her on the spot if he ever found out that she was a woman after he had lost control of himself.

She had lured him in by pretending to be a man, and if her true identity were exposed, it would surely hurt his pride and enrage him. Before that happened, she must acquire the means to protect herself, or she would lose her life.

She could only deceive him for as long as she could.

Wrapping her arms around his waist, Chang Nian whispered, "We should rest early tonight. Tomorrow, we need to enter the palace to pay respects to Father Emperor."

"Mmm." Ye Jiangbai acknowledged her, but instead of leaving, he flipped over and pressed her down on the tea couch. He gently captured her lips, caressing them with affection, one hand holding her chin while the other supported her waist with utmost tenderness.

Strangely enough, despite not being a man driven by lust, he craved intimacy with her, desiring to kiss her at every moment. Once their lips met, he only wished to delve deeper, never wanting to part. He yearned for her breath to carry his essence, and for his own to be infused with hers, as if they were two bodies merged into one, without any barriers between them.

Chang Nian let out a soft moan, attempting to push him away. However, this man before her was intolerant of disobedience. Sensing her resistance, he deepened the kiss, panting heavily, and his hand on her waist descended lower.

"No..." Chang Nian struggled fiercely, seizing his hand.

Ye Jiangbai lifted his head, his eyes revealing a hint of hurt. "Your Highness and I are both men, do we not share the same sentiments?"

"I..." Chang Nian bit her lip, at a loss for words. She wasn't a man, so how could she possibly understand?

"Your Highness, I have no intention of overstepping my boundaries. I merely worry that you might be uncomfortable and wish to alleviate your distress," he whispered into her ear, tempting her with his words. "It will feel good, I promise it won't hurt."

Chang Nian shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes from her distress. "I can... I can do it myself."

Feeling her body tremble, Ye Jiangbai pursed his lips. Reluctant as he was, he reluctantly withdrew his hand and sighed. "Does Your Highness truly dislike being close to me?"

"No... No, it's not like that," Chang Nian averted her gaze, too afraid to meet his eyes.

The edges of her garment had slightly loosened, revealing a swathe of fair neck. Ye Jiangbai took a glance and sensed something amiss, but the person beneath him moved swiftly to gather her clothes and sit beside him.

"Are you hungry, Duke?" she asked tearfully. "Should I fetch you some snacks?"

Looking at her pitiful appearance, all his irritation vanished. Ye Jiangbai shook his head, reached out to remove her outer robe, and tucked her into the bed. "You need to rise early tomorrow. Rest now."

Chang Nian nodded, then asked belatedly, "Why were you waiting for me in the courtyard so late at night? Did you have something to discuss?"

"I did, but not anymore," Ye Jiangbai raised an eyebrow casually as he gazed at her. "I hope in the future, Your Highness will inform me about your actions. This way, there will be fewer misunderstandings."

"…Alright."

Chang Nian lowered her eyes, clutching the blanket as she pondered. She had unexpectedly escaped a calamity by chance.

However, the more she sought, the more attention she would attract. Her secrets would become increasingly difficult to conceal. Was there any way to permanently solve this issue?