Chapter 183 – Raising the Standard Once More

Chapter 183 - Raising the Standard Once More

That priceless coral from the North Sea, an object of his great affection that he had obtained with great effort, was a treasure he believed she had kept specially for him, a sign that she cared about him in some small way.

Little did he know that it had all been a calculated scheme, a trap set for him long ago.

With a huff, Ye Jiangbai clenched his jaw and tersely instructed Liang Ce, "Send someone to chase after her."

Chang Nian was taken aback. "She's already gone, and the punishment has been carried out. What's the point in chasing...?"

Her words trailed off as she saw the icy glare that Ye Jiangbai shot her way, filled with clear disdain and fury.

Her eyelashes quivered, and she fell silent.

This wasn't the first time she had seen such a look, but each time, it left her feeling stifled, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head, stinging her with its frigidity. Before meeting Ye Jiangbai, Chang Nian had never known that a gaze could evoke such emotions. She thought it must be because Ye Jiangbai's eyes were exceptionally beautiful, making them more potent than others.

Turning away, Chang Nian refused to look at him anymore. With Hong Ti in tow, she exited the palace through a side entrance.

"Honorable Prince," Hong Ti said timidly, "Lord Duke seems extremely angry."

"How could I not be angry?" Chang Nian curled her lips. "He hates disobedience the most. After failing to kill the person he wanted, he must be furious."

"But…" Hong Ti hesitated. "It's not good for the Duke to be angry with you."

They were now in a precarious situation, trying to negotiate with a tiger. What if it decided to devour them?

Chang Nian pursed her lips and looked around, eventually softening her tone. "I don't know how to deal with him."

There were too many barriers between them. Even if they continued their relationship as if nothing had happened, she didn't know how to overcome the obstacles in her heart. Ye Jiangbai seemed to have done so effortlessly, but she couldn't.

"Your Highness?" Just as she was lost in thought, someone called out to her.

Chang Nian looked up and saw Mu Shufang staring at her with delight. Then, she spread her arms wide like a butterfly and embraced Chang Nian warmly.

"At last, I've found you!" Mu Shufang exclaimed happily.

Chang Nian smiled and examined her from head to toe, relieved. "I'm glad you're alright."

"Hmm?" Mu Shufang was puzzled. "What could have happened to me? It was His Highness who promised to return home but didn't show up."

"Haven't you returned to Duke Ding Guo's residence because the roof of the prince's mansion collapsed?"

"Not really. The collapse wasn't severe, so I simply moved to another courtyard. I didn't go back," Mu Shufang said after some thought, narrowing her eyes. "Moreover, it seems like it was done on purpose."

"Someone is up to no good?" Chang Nian grew anxious. "Why don't you stay in the palace or hide at Duke Guo's residence with me?"

Mu Shufang's eyes widened. "Your Highness is at Duke Guo's residence?"

"Yes," Chang Nian nodded. "I have many matters to discuss with Duke Ding, and the food there is quite decent too."

Mu Shufang was startled for a while before she finally understood, "With the current situation, Duke Guo probably won't act against Your Highness for the time being. However... doesn't Your Highness hate him anymore?"

"How could I not harbor hatred?" Chang Nian said with a bitter smile, holding her hand. "He killed my father, the emperor, and wanted to kill me as well. He also sought to usurp the Zhao family's realm. He is my enemy. However, Shufang, there are many things that I find puzzling."

"Your Highness, please do share with this humble concubine?"

Indeed, logically speaking, my late emperor father was not murdered by him, yet I cannot help but blame him Nonetheless," Chang Nian lowered his eyes, "The thought of him being with me at that time while secretly plotting against my father pierces my heart like a vise, squeezing it with an unbearable ache."

A flicker in her eyes, Mu Shufang inquired, "Did Your Highness not anticipate that the Duke would take such actions?"

"How could I have possibly imagined it?" Chang Nian smiled bitterly. "He treated me so well, as if he truly intended to be with me for a lifetime."

"What about His Highness then?"

"…What do you mean?"

"What was on His Highness's mind back then?" Mu Shufang tilted her head, gazing at her. "Did you ever imagine spending a lifetime with him?"

"How could I?" Chang Nian shook her head without hesitation. "I knew what he was planning, and that our relationship would never come to fruition. Why would I entertain such a preposterous notion?"

"But," Mu Shufang chuckled softly, her eyes fixed on Chang Nian as she whispered, "If you truly never entertained such thoughts, you wouldn't hate him so much."

Chang Nian was taken aback.

"People are like this," Mu Shufang continued, squeezing Chang Nian's hand. "Even when we know there's no future and shouldn't entertain any hopes, our hearts often have a will of their own."

"One can never be disappointed if they have no expectations," she added.

Disappointed? Chang Nian pondered, realizing now that her anger and frustration were rooted in disappointment. Had she held hope for Ye Jiangbai? What had she hoped for? For him to stay by her side forever? Or perhaps... to protect her as he once promised?

Her heart felt swollen and Chang Nian couldn't help but massage it uncomfortably, shaking her head as she said, "I won't bother with those matters anymore. My current dilemma is that he intends to dispatch men to hunt down the Yao family, and he's also upset with me. I'm at a loss as to how I should proceed in persuading him to spare the rest of the Yao clan."

"Ye Jiangbai might seem tough on the surface, but he's actually quite easy to appease," Mu Shufang said with a profound tone. "Especially for Your Highness, a little effort would suffice to win him over."

"I'm supposed to coax him?" Chang Nian frowned. "He's my enemy."

"But for now, aren't we all in the same camp?" Mu Shufang smiled. "The Duke has put aside past grievances to keep you in his residence for the sake of greater plans. Why can't you do the same?"

Indeed, you raise a valid point.

Chang Nian suddenly felt a sense of clarity. This was not the time to settle scores with Ye Jiangbai; she couldn't afford to be indecisive. It would be best to wait until the dust settled before seeking retribution.

Gathering her spirits, Chang Nian turned to Hong Ti and instructed, "Pass a message to General Beithang, asking him to dispatch some men to escort the Yao family out of the capital."

"Honored," Hong Ti acknowledged, promptly departing.

Chang Nian smiled as she gently shook Mu Shufang's hand. "You truly are my lucky star."

Mu Shufang replied with a charming smile, "To receive such praise from Your Highness brings me great joy. By the way, the Imperial Household Department has sent word that the Empress is in a fit of anger, and they're unsure how to handle the situation. The message was relayed to me. What is Your Highness's opinion?"

The Empress in the central palace? Chang Nian narrowed her eyes. "She owes Concubine Qin a life."

"But Duke Guo doesn't allow anyone to touch her," Mu Shufang shrugged. "After all, our Empress did open the palace gates for Ye Jiangbai."

"Well, then you'd better keep a close eye on her," Chang Nian said with a faint smile. "Her Highness the Empress is quite adept at intrigue, having caused the deaths of many within the palace. With war raging and many vengeful spirits around, it would do her well to atone more, lest she be haunted in the dead of night."

Mu Shufang's interest was piqued. "In that case, I'll have my work cut out for me."

"Mm," Chang Nian nodded. "Go on, attend to your duties. As for me, I... I'll leave the palace to search for something."