Chapter 142 – Cannot Leave Me

Chapter 142 - Cannot Leave Me

Considering his status, it would be inappropriate for him to be without an attendant. However, when it came to Little Hong...

Yao Youshu gave Chang Nian a complicated glance and tentatively suggested, "This girl isn't very clever. Would Lingyu be a better choice?"

Ye Jiangbai frowned and looked at her with slight displeasure, as if he felt that her attitude today was too dismissive and evasive.

How dare Yao Youshu offend him? Seeing that he was unhappy, she quickly changed her mind. "Little Hong will do as well. Let me give this girl a few words of advice so she doesn't embarrass the Duke."

After saying that, she smiled and retreated behind the partition. Taking Chang Nian's hand, she pulled her a few steps outside and whispered with a frown, "I've kept my promise and brought you out. Why aren't you leaving?"

Chang Nian found the situation both amusing and frustrating. "You have to give me a chance to leave! The carriage moves so quickly, and we're always busy when we arrive at our destination. How could I possibly escape?"

With a guarded look in her eyes, Yao Youshu said, "Don't tell me you're intentionally clinging on..."

"I swear by heaven and earth, if you let me go now, I won't even look back!" Chang Nian pouted. "A word spoken is past recalling!"

Seeing her determined expression, Yao Youshu reluctantly believed her and sighed. "If the Duke wants to keep you, then stay. If you're discovered, I won't take responsibility; you'll have to bear the consequences yourself."

Chang Nian tugged at her sleeve, trying to persuade her one last time. "If we really stay, there's bound to be a slip-up. Why don't you tell Duke Guo that I should leave first?"

Yao Youshu pulled back her sleeve and shook her head. "I dare not."

Disappointing! Chang Nian was frustrated by her lack of courage. Watching her turn around to bid farewell to Ye Jiangbai, she stood stiffly in place.

"As you journey on, be cautious. If you need anything, just have it charged to Duke Guo's account," Ye Jiangbai said as he escorted her out, showing great concern.

Touched, Yao Youshu's eyes shimmered with gratitude. She repeatedly thanked him and reluctantly took her leave, looking back every few steps.

Ye Jiangbai watched her figure disappear beyond the courtyard gates with a smile. Gradually, his expression returned to composure.

He turned around and looked at the person standing by the partition. With a faint smile on his face, he said, "I feel a bit thirsty. Pour me some tea."

Didn't you pour tea for that young lady just now quite skillfully? Suddenly, your hands are broken or something? Why must a maid do it now? Chang Nian rolled her eyes inwardly but still answered obediently in a high-pitched voice, before bowing her head and fetching the teapot from the tea table.

Ye Jiangbai stood by the door for a moment before returning to the tea table. Without looking at her, he took the tea and gazed out the window, sipping occasionally.

Chang Nian hesitated for a moment, then quietly retreated.

"Where are you going?" Ye Jiangbai asked without turning his head.

Chang Nian paused and answered in a stifled voice, "This servant... needs to use the privy."

"A guest will be arriving soon. Hold it in and don't move around."

"..." Was he even human? Wasn't it natural for a maid to need to use the restroom? Chang Nian was both amused and exasperated. She whispered, "I might embarrass the Duke if I can't hold it any longer."

Setting down her teacup, Ye Jiangbai looked at her and asked, "How long will you be?"

"I'll be back in half an incense's time."

"Very well." Ye Jiangbai nodded. "Go ahead."

Relieved, Chang Nian hurried out, holding her skirt up. Looking left and right, she relied on memory and dashed straight towards the main gate.

By this point, her vision had darkened, and her body felt scorching hot. Relying solely on her willpower, she staggered from the courtyard to the front door. Just as she was about to exit, her legs gave way, and she stumbled violently towards the threshold.

She would be ruined if her face hit the ground! Chang Nian closed her eyes and instinctively reached out to cover her face. Unexpectedly, her waist tightened as she was pulled into a firm embrace.

"Is this the direction for attending to one's needs?" Ye Jiangbai asked softly.

Chang Nian's hairs stood on end in fright. Clutching her face, she dared not remove her hand as she stammered, "This servant... This servant has lost my way."

"Excellent, I'll guide you." As if he hadn't recognized her at all, Ye Jiangbai straightened her posture and strode towards the courtyard with his sleeves fluttering.

Chang Nian's face twisted in frustration as she glanced unwillingly at the door.

"Follow me," he instructed.

"Yes!" Terrified, Chang Nian hurriedly caught up, keeping her head down and tracing his footsteps. In a whisper, she said, "It's truly embarrassing to trouble Your Excellency the Duke for directions. Perhaps this servant should try to find my own way..."

"You'll get lost again by yourself," Ye Jiangbai remarked indifferently, gazing at the flowers blooming in the garden ahead. "If you wander off from here, I won't be able to locate you."

Feeling something amiss, Chang Nian lifted her gaze to look at him.

As they walked, Ye Jiangbai murmured, "Have you heard of the Butterfly Flutter Pavilion?"

Chang Nian furrowed her brow and shook her head. "I haven't."

"In the Butterfly Flutter Pavilion, there is an exquisite Hundred Butterflies in Bloom dress. Feng Tingyun had it meticulously embroidered by the finest seamstress from Shu Province, making it the crown jewel of the store. Many women in the capital yearned for that silk gown, but in the end, it fell into my possession."

Chang Nian paused in her steps slightly.

"I once gave that dress to someone, but she had no intention of wearing it. I initially thought she wasn't fond of feminine attire, but it turns out she was quite comfortable in a maid's outfit."

Ye Jiangbai laughed to himself before turning to look at her.

Finally, Zhao Chang Nian lifted her head. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with despair as her lips trembled, "You're playing with me."

Ye Jiangbai curled his lips, scanning her from head to toe. He pinched her chin and leaned in close to her ear, "Why stop pretending? Perhaps if you please me, I might just let you go."

Shaking, Chang Nian slapped away his hand, feeling dizzy, "You have no intention of letting me go at all."

Not only would he not release her, but he would also give her hope only to dash it, dealing a more devastating blow. This way, she would suffer even more.

It was only through intense hatred that he would torment her in such a manner.

Ye Jiangbai burst into laughter, pulling her into his embrace. He affectionately nuzzled her cheek, "How clever, Your Highness. You hold Ye Liangqu's life in your hands, how could you simply let me go? If you were in my shoes, wouldn't you have forced me to leave Dragon Coiling Palace unless it was absolutely necessary?"

The person in his arms seemed to be agitated, trembling more intensely with each passing moment and barely able to keep their balance.

Ye Jiangbai embraced her gently, his eyes brimming with emotion: "Your Highness did not extend an invitation for your wedding ceremony, but I am not as petty as you. I would be honored if you would grace the event with your presence. Please, for your own sake, do not run away again."

Feeling a sudden weight in his hands, he realized that all of her weight had been entrusted to him. Ye Jiangbai paused, looking down to see Zhao Changnian's eyes tightly closed, her head tilted to one side.

His heart skipped a beat. He pressed his lips together, holding her with one arm while cautiously checking her breath with the other.

She was still breathing.

With a soft exhale, Ye Jiangbai felt somewhat annoyed. Extending his arm, he scooped her up into his embrace and strode out with long, purposeful steps.

Feng Tingyun, after three days of bustling activity, had finally secured a day of rest. He was sound asleep in his residence when, without warning, the door was pushed open.

"Milord, Milord, the Duke has arrived!"