Chapter 134: She’s More Useful Alive

Chapter 134: She's More Useful Alive

The peach blossoms in the courtyard had been planted, forming a lovely pink tree that was truly pleasing to the eye.

However, Chang Nian never got the chance to appreciate them. Her wounds reopened, and she barely survived thanks to the doctor's miraculous skills. She realized how fragile her life was, so she entrusted Qin Dacheng with sending a long letter, asking her Second Imperial Brother to return to the capital for assistance.

"With this current situation, if I don't make it," she said, her pale face reflecting her concern, "ask Second Brother to find Shufang and General Beichang. They will know what to do."

Qin Dacheng agreed and set off with the letter.

Chang Nian awaited Ye Liang's arrival and implored him once more, "I beg of you, Your Excellency, to convey a message to the Duke, requesting an audience with him."

As an accomplished translator of Chinese and English novels, I am currently immersed in the task of rendering a captivating palace intrigue story into English, replete with classical courtly elements. The passage continues as follows:

"Not seeing anyone."

Ye Jiangbai dismissed Ye Liang with a cold demeanor, lifting his chin haughtily as he said, "I have no time today."

What does she take him for? Someone she can summon at will and dismiss as she pleases? He's no longer the fool he once was.

At the very least, he'd have to be asked three times before he would go, to show that he wasn't someone easy to deal with.

Ye Jiangbai pursed his lips in thought and instructed Xue Song, "Go pick me a pretty maiden, one with a delicate and gentle demeanor."

The third time, if it came, he was determined to regain all the face he had lost!

However, after waiting for two days, Ye Jiangbai didn't receive Zhao Changnian's third request.

Ye Liang had been standing by his side for half an hour, simply standing guard as usual without any intention of speaking. Ye Jiangbai glanced at him sidelong, thinking, if he doesn't want to speak, then so be it; he hadn't expected anything anyway.

But before long, Xue Song came in to report, "The expenses in the side courtyard are rather high. The steward has sent me to ask you whether we should continue saving Seventh Prince... or not."

Ye Jiangbai frowned. "What kind of expenses are so great that they require you to report them to me?"

Xue Song sighed. "Seventh Prince's wounds are deep and keep reopening. He's also lost too much blood. We've been using ginseng and lingzhi to keep him alive, so the expenses naturally won't be small."

Ye Jiangbai paused and turned away, rolling up his sleeves. "I asked you to report on the expenses, not her injuries."

Xue Song was innocent; he had just mentioned it casually. How could he have known how much ginseng and lingzhi were needed without mentioning the severity of the injuries?

"Would Your Highness like to visit the side courtyard?" Ye Liang inquired softly.

Ye Jiangbai leaned back into his chair and replied nonchalantly, "Why bother seeing her? Just give the order to save her. Until I give further instructions, keep her safe within the palace."

"Yes," Xue Song retreated.

Ye Liang discreetly observed his master and, after some thought, asked, "Shall we take a look at the peach blossoms?"

"..." Ye Jiangbai lifted his gaze to meet his servant's.

Ye Liang shifted his eyes away, assuming a serious expression.

After half an incense stick's time, the two of them stood before the peach tree in the side courtyard.

"There are so many trees in the estate, yet these blooms are the finest," Ye Liang commented mildly. "What does Your Highness think?"

Ye Jiangbai stood beside him, his expression inscrutable. After a moment, he softly acknowledged, "Mm."

The maidservants hurried in and out of the annex behind the courtyard. Upon noticing his presence, they bowed respectfully from a distance, addressing him as "Duke."

Chang Nian lay in her chamber, barely discerning the sounds around her. Struggling to sit up, she felt a wave of dizziness and collapsed back onto the bed, taking a while to regain her composure.

"What are you trying to do?" the attending maid looked at her helplessly, reaching out to assist but hesitating.

Chang Nian beckoned to her. "Give me a hand, I need to get out of bed."

"But the physician said you need two months of rest," the maid reminded.

"Please help me," Chang Nian insisted.

Touched by her determination, the maid softened and assisted her in getting out of bed, supporting her as she asked, "Where do you want to go?"

"Outside." Leaning on her, Chang Nian said, "Just help me to the door."

Ye Jiangbai was staring intently at the peach tree when he heard a faint "Marquis." His heart stirred, but he pursed his lips, pretending not to have heard, and continued walking out.

Sure enough, someone hurried after him, tugging on his sleeve and calling louder, "Viceroy!"

Halting his steps, Ye Jiangbai didn't turn around, but asked, "Your Highness, what matter do you have?"

"A condition that I wish to discuss with Duke Guo," Chang Nian's voice was weak, beads of cold sweat trickling down her forehead. "If Duke Guo wishes to avoid eternal infamy, it would be wise to sit down and talk with me."

With a mocking laugh, Ye Jiangbai turned around. "On what basis does Your Highness believe that I will inevitably end up...?"

His words were interrupted as he took in the sight before him. His eyes narrowed.

Chang Nian wore only a single layer of clothing, her complexion as pale as paper, and her lips devoid of any color. Half of her body leaned on the maid beside her, yet there was still a glimmer of determination in her eyes. If the wind were to strengthen even slightly, she might be swept away like a delicate leaf.

In his current disheveled state, he still held himself with dignity and said to Ye Jiangbai, "Your family's patriarch has already been immortalized in history for his regicide. If the Duke desires the throne, it will only confirm the treachery of the entire Ye family, leaving you cursed by future generations. If the Duke were to rein in your ambitions now, you could still preserve your wealth and blessings for your descendants."

Fuming inwardly, Ye Jiangbai scoffed. "If I ascend the throne, how history is written will be at my discretion, won't it?"

Chang Nian's gaze wavered, but he quickly regained his composure and replied solemnly, "The Duke must have heard of how, during the Spring and Autumn period, Tui Zhu assassinated his king. Despite his attempts to alter the records by killing historians, subsequent chroniclers continued to write 'Tui Zhu assassinated the king.' The truth of history isn't so easily altered by power."

"Do you believe all historians possess such integrity?" Ye Jiangbai's tone was cold. "There are many who would distort black and white to save their own skins."

Chang Nian panted, gritting his teeth. "If the Duke insists on this path, we may have no choice but to meet on the battlefield."

Ye Jiangbai had one significant weakness: he lacked military forces in the outskirts of the capital. The three garrisons were under Beitang Miao's and the crown prince's control. If an actual battle were to ensue, the Duke's residence might not even have a place to stand.

"Your Highness truly enjoys issuing threats," Ye Jiangbai closed his eyes. "Unfortunately, how I act will never be influenced by Your Highness."

"Your Excellency can ponder over it. I'm not in a hurry." Chang Nian felt dizzy and couldn't see Ye Jiangbai clearly. She softly instructed her maid, "Take me back."

Then, she lost all strength and slumped down.

The maid seemed to catch her and supported her, carrying her back to the room. Upon reaching the bed, Chang Nian lost consciousness entirely.

"What happened?" Ye Jiangbai asked Ye Liang. "Didn't you order someone to save her?"

Beneath his icy gaze, Ye Liang replied calmly, "Her Highness is severely injured."

"No matter how severe the injury is, she shouldn't..."

Realizing that he was being too anxious, Ye Jiangbai composed himself and said in a muffled voice, "Administer the medicine properly. Don't let her die."

Ye Liang looked up, puzzled. "You're not going to kill her anymore?"

"I've already said that the situation is unclear. Why are you so hasty in taking action?" Ye Jiangbai turned away in frustration. "You lot never think before you act, casually taking lives. Prince Qi is far more useful alive than dead."

Ye Liang looked at him silently, his gaze profound. After a long while, he sighed softly and replied, "Yes, that's true."