Chapter 24: Chapter 24: The Princely Heir Is a Woman 24

“Your Majesty asks the Princely Heir to stay,” Hou Rongfa said with a smile, although there was no apparent worry on his face, he was somewhat anxious inside.

He hoped that later the Princely Heir would be sensible enough not to anger His Majesty.

With so many fetters, once His Majesty became displeased, those whom he offended in the past might seize the opportunity to severely bite Prince Ning Mansion.

At that time, the girls of the Prince Ning Mansion, who were just beginning to enjoy a better life, would also suffer.

“People from the Prince Ning Mansion are waiting outside the palace. Elder sister can leave with them,” Ah Chen said, “As for the compensation from Duke An and elder sister’s dowry, Qing Zhu and Ying Fang will negotiate with people from Duke An’s Mansion, so there’s no need to worry.”

Ning Yulan left with peace of mind, not feeling that Ah Chen staying in the Imperial Palace would be problematic.

From past events, it could be seen that His Majesty was a fair and impartial person, and leaving Ah Chen behind must mean he had some instructions.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Ah Chen behind.

Hou Rongfa stepped forward, “Please follow me, Princely Heir.”

Ah Chen nodded slightly and followed.

They walked for quite a while before Hou Rongfa suddenly spoke, “It’s quite rare to see the Princely Heir care so much about your sisters.”

“Not really, many people care for their siblings. It’s just that I show it more evidently, and many people have their own dilemmas, with much to worry about. But for me, I have nothing else to fear besides them,” Ah Chen said.

Her task was to care for them, without considering anything else.

Hou Rongfa didn’t know how to respond for a moment, as the answer was so pure.

He had followed His Majesty from a young age and had seen all sorts of people, yet it was his first time encountering someone like the Princely Heir.

“As long as the Prince Ning Mansion exists, the Princely Heir doesn’t need to worry about anything.”

Ah Chen replied, “Isn’t it because I am here?”

Hou Rongfa: “…”

Quite arrogant.

Yet undeniably true.

“Indeed,” Hou Rongfa maintained his smile, slightly approaching, “That’s also because the Princely Heir is better than the others. To prevent being bullied, one must not be weak. And how to maintain one’s strength…”

Ah Chen looked earnestly at Hou Rongfa, waiting for him to speak.

Being looked at like this, Hou Rongfa suddenly felt a lot of pressure.

Clearly, this wasn’t a simple person, so why did he have the illusion of deceiving a naive young master?

For His Majesty’s wish to be smoothly fulfilled, he gritted his teeth and finally said, “Loyalty to His Majesty.”

“The world is vast, living in Beixia, loyalty to His Majesty is a clear path.”

Ah Chen, with a bit of amusement in her eyes, found this old eunuch interesting, actually bending words to speak for that person. Since in here, that person was the Emperor, having everything, why did this old eunuch still worry so?

She seemed to know something.

Ah Chen did not respond, her pace quickening.

Hou Rongfa wasn’t sure if this person understood or not, dared not say more, and quickly followed.

Finally arriving at Ye Ji’s bedchamber, Hou Rongfa stood at the door, watched Ah Chen enter, and then closed the door, dismissing the others. He kept watch by the door, occasionally wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

Really worried.

It was his first time doing such a thing.

He didn’t even know whether His Majesty had read the books he had gathered for him.

Ah Chen walked into the bedchamber, finding it empty, seemingly unoccupied, with no one within sight.

Yet at the moment of stepping in, she heard a heavy breath that grew more intense as she ventured further inside.

“Your Majesty,” Ah Chen called out, looking toward a certain screen, “Ning Zhen has arrived, not knowing what instructions His Majesty has for this humble servant?”

Behind the screen, Ye Ji clenched his fists.

He knew this person had arrived and wasn’t deaf.

Yet as this person arrived, Ye Ji found himself hesitating to step out, standing behind the screen, through which he could vaguely see a silhouette, with deep-set eyes pondering something.

Ah Chen wasn’t in a hurry; after getting no response to her call, she ceased speaking.

Ye Ji’s gaze was fiercely fixed on the silhouette through the screen, pondering over many things in his mind.

Today he must not let this person leave the Imperial Palace, even half a step.

Yet he soon wondered if doing so would frighten the person.

So accustomed to her obedient, confident, even arrogant side, he dreaded imagining the look of despair and hatred that might appear on her face. Thinking of this weighed heavily, painfully.

But today was a rare opportunity, and he had resolved not to let the person go.

He wasn’t content.

Ning Zhen was not picky about gender and seemed capable of accepting men.

Yet the one he set his eyes on couldn’t be tainted by others. The past was bygone, but following him, she shouldn’t think of anyone else. As long as Ning Zhen behaved, he would forget her past.

“Has Your Majesty fallen asleep?” Ah Chen asked again, pretending not to hear the increasingly heavy breathing behind the screen.

“In that case, this humble servant shall take his leave…”

Seeing that she was about to leave, Ye Ji couldn’t remain still and shouted, “Stop!”

He strode out, his panic wholly withdrawn upon seeing Ah Chen, approached with a cold face, reaching her within a few strides.

For the first time, the two were so close, and Ye Ji discovered she was even smaller than he imagined.

Thinking the other had not grown tall due to inappropriate indulgences angered him considerably.

He gritted his teeth, wishing Ning Zhen would henceforth refrain from enticing others. As long as she was obedient, he wouldn’t care about those prior matters and intend to have the best Imperial Physician tend to her.

Yet he momentarily forgot there were skilled doctors by Ah Chen’s side.

“Ning Zhen.”

Ah Chen responded compliantly, “Your Majesty.”

Ye Ji’s dark, deep gaze stuck to her, so close, the closest ever, afraid he’d seize her right then had he acted rashly—a myriad of scenarios replayed in his mind: “I heard you’re indifferent about gender?”

He restrained the turmoil within.

No need to rush, now that she’s here, take it slow.

He didn’t want to force her, mutual willingness was his desire.

Since she cared not about gender, he could offer what others could not by remaining by his side. After all, as the Emperor, who could surpass him?

Ah Chen blinked, pondering who said so?

Was it that old eunuch?

Rumors.

“Ning Zhen.” Ye Ji suddenly grasped Ah Chen’s chin, leaning closer as their eyes met.

Her gaze, clean and naive, held a hint of bewilderment, while his remained deep as an abyss, yet if examined closely, one could see the concealed volcano beneath the dark waters, as if poised to erupt at any moment.

“From now on, stay by my side, forbidden from seeking those others, I can give you what you desire.”

“Power, wealth, all are at my disposal.”

He had only two conditions, to agree and sever all ties with those past lovers!

The person before him remained silent, and Ye Ji grew both angry and anxious, yet could do nothing but wait.

If Ning Zhen refused, would he have to imprison her? Where would be suitable for incarceration?

He didn’t wish to lock Ning Zhen away.

But what to do if she declined?

Ever since learning someone was by Ning Zhen’s side, he couldn’t tolerate it.

“What, between me and those you can’t bring into public, is it so hard to choose?” Ye Ji growled in anger, gripping Ah Chen’s chin tighter, though restrained from exerting too much force.

His other hand clenched into a fist, nails biting into his palm.

Ah Chen’s gaze refocused, now studying the person before her, her expression earnest: “This humble servant was merely considering who is above and who is below; how could anyone in the world compare to Your Majesty? To have Your Majesty alone surpasses all others.”

Ye Ji’s hand loosened, mind rendered blank by those words.

Returning from a phase of grueling work, conveniently hearing this remark.

Can anyone explain to him what’s going on?

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