Chapter 192 – Do Not Command Me

Chapter 192 - Do Not Command Me

"Your Highness, apart from expressing my gratitude for your great kindness, I have another request," Yao Chongye said. "I can no longer return to the Marquis, and staying by Prince Wu's side is not a long-term option. I wish to serve Your Highness with unwavering loyalty until my last breath!"

Chang Nian was taken aback. "Me?"

"Your Highness is benevolent and wise, making you an excellent choice of ruler."

"But don't you think I'm at the bottom of the power hierarchy right now?" Chang Nian asked, puzzled. "When others choose their allegiance, they usually go for the strongest."

Yao Chongye bowed to her with certainty. "I have pledged my loyalty to Your Highness. From now on, I will only follow your orders and dare not defy them."

It was a pleasant surprise to gain another supporter. After some thought, Chang Nian accepted him and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Yes, Your Highness." Yao Chongye bowed again before departing.

Chang Nian watched him disappear into the silent darkness, her mind focused solely on the idea that Feng Jingxian's son should now be under her care. The boy was clever, and with proper upbringing, he would surely become a pillar of the nation.

She turned away, her heart warmed, only to come face-to-face with Ye Jiangbai's grim expression.

"He's returning," he said.

Chang Nian smiled wryly, knowing that he must have heard their conversation just now and wouldn't be in the best of moods. Walking beside him, she tried to console him, "Everyone has their own opinions, after all."

Ye Jiangbai let out a sigh as if deeply hurt.

Feeling inexplicably guilty, Zhao Chang Nian said, "I didn't mean to snatch your person away. It's just that since he has seen the error of his ways and you won't be using him anymore, why not let him do us a favor?"

"What were you whispering about with him just now?" Ye Jiangbai asked with a sidelong glance.

Chang Nian gave a sly smile. "Do you know Yao An?"

Of course, Ye Jiangbai nodded. As the capital's grain official, Yao An oversaw the city's granaries, and any movement of supplies required his authorization. Despite holding a modest rank, his position was highly influential.

Since the chaos in the capital began, Yao An had maintained neutrality. He was willing to give both Ye Jiangbai and Zhao Chang Nian face. Recently, Prince Wu had made several attempts to bribe him with gifts, seemingly on the brink of persuading Yao An to work for him.

"Prince Wu doesn't dare to make a move, and if he doesn't, we don't have a legitimate reason to either," Chang Nian explained. "So I've instructed Yao Chongye to lead a group to surround his secondary residence tomorrow."

Ye Jiangbai was puzzled. "Why surround the secondary residence? Not the main estate?"

"You're foolish. He's an official of the imperial court, how can his residence be easily surrounded? A courtyard is different; it's private property. Yao An keeps a talented musician in that courtyard, I've heard he adores her. We don't need to do anything but surround the place, and he won't be able to remain calm."

Ye Jiangbai looked at her in surprise.

Back then, Zhao Changnian was timid and appeared naive. The slightest raise in his voice would make her jump with fright.

But now, she had become more resolute and courageous. Discussing these matters with a composed face and a gleam of unwavering confidence in her eyes, she smiled at him and said, "I believe it can work. What do you think, Duke?"

"…Duke?"

"Oh." Coming back to her senses, Ye Jiangbai pursed his lips, stepped into the main house with her, and whispered, "Since Your Highness believes it can succeed, I have no objections."

It would be best if Yao Zhongye could be utilized, but if not, there would be no loss either. She was making a risk-free investment, so she couldn't lose no matter how the situation unfolded.

The windows of the room were left open, allowing a chilly night breeze to blow in. Ye Jiangbai walked over to pull the window cord to close it, only to suddenly notice someone outside holding a steaming cup of tea, silently offering it to him.

Ye Jiangbai: "…"

Fortunately, he had a brave disposition. Anyone else in this scene would likely have been terrified to death.

Xu Zhi made no sound, merely gesturing to him before handing over the tea cup. Ye Jiangbai turned his head and noticed Zhao Changnian carelessly hanging her cloak on the screen, not paying any attention to him at all.

Taking the teacup, Xu Zhi stepped aside, watching her with a slight bow. Ye Jiangbai understood his unspoken message: the item was still safely tucked in his sleeve, heavy with its significance.

His mood suddenly soured.

"Have you ever considered that it might be dangerous for us to sleep in the same room like this?" Zhao Changnian asked unexpectedly.

His hand trembled slightly as Ye Jiangbai turned back to look at her. "What do you mean?"

"What are you so nervous about?" Changnian said with amusement. "I wouldn't harm you. I'm just saying, if Prince Wu were to send a skilled assassin, being in the same room could mean they'd eliminate two problems at once."

"No need to worry," Ye Jiangbai replied, lowering his gaze. "The guards here are tight, and even if someone did manage to break in, I would still be here to protect you."

Changnian froze, blinking at him in surprise.

Leaning lazily against the window with his teacup, Ye Jiangbai said nonchalantly, "I wouldn't hurt you."

In theory, Chang Nian shouldn't have trusted his words. However, for some inexplicable reason, she felt that he was genuinely making a promise as he looked at her.

"Hmm, is there still tea in the room?" Chang Nian walked toward him. "I saw that the teapot was empty earlier, and I was thinking of asking Hong Ti to boil water."

"This is mine," Ye Jiangbai lifted his teacup. "If Your Highness wishes to drink, let them boil some water."

"What a miser!" Zhao Chang Nian said resentfully. "You're even counting a cup of tea?"

Ye Jiangbai made a face at her with an icy expression.

Chang Nian: "…"

The candle flame went out, and moonlight streamed in from outside. Ye Jiangbai watched as Chang Nian went to bed and gently placed the teacup on the windowsill.

He didn't want to be ordered around by anyone; no one had the right to do so.

Despite all the things Zhao Chang Nian had discussed with Yao Zhongye, she had missed the crucial point—Minister Yao had intentions of allying with Prince Wu. Ye Jiangbai, on the other hand, took it seriously. Thus, early the next morning, he headed to the Yao residence.

"It's been a long time, Duke," Minister Yao said leisurely as he played chess in a pavilion. "Why have you found the time to visit this old man?"

"Of course, I'm here to play chess with Minister Yao," Ye Jiangbai said with a smile as he sat down opposite him and made the first move with a pawn.

Minister Yao promptly responded but was checkmated in no more than six moves.

The smile on his face froze slightly. He looked up and said, "Duke, your temper seems rather heavy today."

"Yes, I treated Yao Zhonye well, yet he betrayed me and tried to take my life. Who wouldn't be filled with anger in such a situation?"

Minister Yao smiled lightly. "Didn't you deal with him already?"

"It's just Yao Zhonye; I don't give him much thought." Ye Jiangbai lifted his gaze. "But if someone like Minister Yao, who has walked alongside me for so many years, were to turn against me, it would undoubtedly be painful."

Taking a pawn, Minister Yao lowered his eyes. "If one person betrays, the blame lies with the betrayer. But if two do, shouldn't we consider what the betrayed person might have done?"

"I'm not quite clear. Please enlighten me, Minister Yao."

Setting down the chess piece, Minister Yao said, "People follow Duke because they believe in your ability to succeed and trust you. Yet now, when victory is almost within reach, you seem to disregard those who have stood by you. How can they not feel disillusioned?"