Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The Young Master Is a Woman 31

Early morning.

Hou Rongfa and Ying Fang were both waiting at the door. As the door opened, Ah Chen and Ye Ji came out together.

Hou Rongfa couldn’t help but observe for a moment but unfortunately saw nothing.

Inside the carriage, Ah Chen and Ye Ji sat on opposite sides, with a small tea table between them, topped with some snacks.

Luckily, Ye Ji didn’t have morning court today, otherwise, he wouldn’t have made it. It was precisely because there wasn’t morning court that he could come yesterday.

Ah Chen leaned against the cushions, holding Ye Ji’s large hand, sometimes pinching the long joints, sometimes interlocking fingers, like she had found an interesting toy. Ye Ji flipped through the booklets with one hand, occasionally glancing at her, feeling cheerful.

She greatly influenced him but didn’t hinder his handling of official business at all.

Sitting together with her actually made him more efficient in processing the booklets, as if he had endless energy.

Neither of them had breakfast, and the booklets were only delivered earlier, making him anxious, so he couldn’t attend to breakfast.

Ah Chen picked up a piece of pastry and offered it to him. He naturally opened his mouth to eat it, feeling that the bothersome issues in the booklets were no longer troubling.

Ah Chen fed him a cup of ginseng tea, which she had arranged for someone to prepare.

“You should have some too,” Ye Ji remembered she hadn’t eaten at all, feeling worried. She seemed not to like eating, which wasn’t good.

Ah Chen: “Mm, alright.”

She picked up a piece of pastry, eating it with tea so straightforwardly that Ye Ji found nothing to say.

“Focus on your work,” she said.

After having some tea and snacks, Ah Chen leaned against the cushions, staying still but continued holding Ye Ji’s left hand, fingers interlocked.

Ye Ji didn’t feel there was any problem using one hand to look at the booklets. It didn’t affect speed or efficiency at all.

May she hold his hand for a lifetime.

The carriage suddenly stopped, and Hou Rongfa softly asked for permission, quickly bringing the new booklets onboard after receiving Ye Ji’s nod.

Ye Ji sighed, wondering why there were so many unexpected matters today; he was really caught in them.

“Just place them here,” he said without looking up, continuing to flip through them.

Hou Rongfa put them down, glanced at their interlocked fingers and secretly studied the person beside them, who was smiling at him, almost making him trip.

“Thank you, Chief Hou,” Ah Chen said.

Hou Rongfa: “It’s no trouble; it’s my honor to ease Your Majesty’s concerns.” He forcefully diverted his gaze from their clasped hands and walked out.

Upon leaving, he saw Ying Fang’s expressionless face, nodded to her, and sat in a nearby seat.

Through the curtain, Ying Fang glanced inside, realizing her chances of sitting in the carriage with the Young Master were diminishing. It was discomforting, but after all, he was the Emperor, someone the Young Master wanted to win over.

No matter how close she was with the Young Master, it couldn’t interfere with him being with his beloved.

The carriage paused at Prince Ning Mansion for a while before heading toward the Imperial Palace.

Ye Ji’s aura changed abruptly, becoming more forceful. After completing the last booklet, he tossed it down with a sound, causing the carriage’s atmosphere to chill.

Hou Rongfa missed the time when Prince Ning was just there.

“Speed up,” Ye Ji coldly uttered, straightening up, exuding a chilling air.

Hou Rongfa responded, “Yes.”

Someone was bound to be unlucky again.

Why don’t they learn? Knowing Your Majesty’s intolerance for such things, yet they insist on provoking him.

During the day, both Ah Chen and Ye Ji were extremely busy, but at night, Ah Chen became somewhat more relaxed. Apart from that day at the villa, in the following days, she always went to the Imperial Palace to find him.

Sometimes, upon reaching Chenghua Hall, Ye Ji would still be working, but she didn’t mind, wandering around or browsing books.

A couple of days ago, her fourth sister Ning Yutong sent a message, saying she’d propose divorce from Zhou Yuanjia in a month, citing his infertility. By then, the Weian Earl Mansion people surely wouldn’t agree and may cause a stir, perhaps arranging for their bodies to be examined. They might even try to tarnish Ning Yutong’s name.

At a critical moment, Zhou Yuanjia would undoubtedly do so, especially since he had once drugged Ning Yutong.

Knowing Zhou Yuanjia’s character, he’s more likely to prefer enacting a divorce than a mutual separation. But even if they separate, he can’t bear a tarnished reputation.

Indeed, Zhou Yuanjia is a bit fearful of Ah Chen.

After so long, if her little brother-in-law could truly find something, it would have erupted by now, especially when Zhou Yuanjia had previously drugged Ning Yutong. Ning Zhen wouldn’t have let go of the Duke Mansion, yet wouldn’t spare him either.

The fact that he hasn’t been targeted means they don’t know.

Since he became aware of their reputation, he’s cleaned up completely, ensuring his little brother-in-law can’t catch any evidence. Even with cunning tactics, when it comes to the Weian Earl Mansion, evidence and reason are needed.

Otherwise, even if it reaches the Emperor’s ears, they remain unfazed.

What he doesn’t know is that Ah Chen hasn’t acted due to lack of knowledge but has delegated the matter entirely to Ning Yutong. And this time, Ning Yutong has a different approach; no intention of gathering evidence.

She merely plans to drug the relevant people, with an infertility-inducing potion.

Ah Chen’s people have also prepared a better drug than Ning Yutong initially intended to acquire.

Ning Yutong hasn’t started yet, but rumors about Ah Chen and Ye Ji have surfaced, spread in limited circles for now. Considering their unique identities, people find it hard to believe but dare not speak recklessly.

While attending court, Ye Ji perceived odd glances from some ministers.

Not until most affairs were settled did a minister propose selecting concubines, considering Ye Ji is over twenty with no one in the harem.

Thinking of those rumors, many ministers were anxious.

Your preferences aren’t really the primary concern; it’s more about Beixia having an heir. Just one suffices, truly, their demands aren’t high.

Ye Ji understood the ministers’ concerns but felt annoyed.

Too nosy.

He had no offspring, but the Imperial Family wasn’t lacking.

Speaking of his Twelfth Uncle, he had sons and daughters, and later he could select a good youth from his cousins for fostering, couldn’t he?

“No selection.”

“Regarding an heir, I already have a plan.” Ye Ji’s gaze landed on Ye Hong, leading the ministers to follow his gaze.

Ye Hong: “…” What does this have to do with him as Prince Xiao Yao?

If there weren’t so many affairs lately, he’d rather skip court entirely. As he cast an annoyed glance at Ye Ji, he thought: good nephew, don’t create trouble for your uncle, okay?

At his age, he should enjoy retirement, not bear stress or fright.

Despite being irritated and thinking Ye Ji was dissatisfied with Prince Ning Mansion, preparing to settle scores, it turns out he’s interested in it and has acted upon it.

Sly, scheming.

“In the future, we’ll select an heir from Twelfth Uncle’s lineage.” Ye Ji settled it with one sentence, “Don’t look at me; can’t produce one.”

Ministers: Is this really something to say?

Even knowing the Emperor’s leanings, could this be more direct?

“Twelfth Uncle, go back and encourage your cousins to work harder. Beixia’s continuation relies on them.”

Ye Hong wanted to roll his eyes; this was his good nephew!

Then he thought better and stroked his chin. Well, let his sons strive, not himself. Ye Hong laughed; yes, it’s not really his concern.

After court adjourned, he cheerfully returned home.

As for whether anyone would tail him, sorry, he was soon embarking on a voyage, leaving it to his sons to handle.

This matter was settled, leaving the ministers quite helpless. Though they had no way to sway this domineering emperor. Regardless, the decision provided an explanation, as everyone knew Prince Kang’s closeness to the Emperor.

“Have things been less hectic recently?” Ah Chen asked.

Ye Ji’s pen didn’t stop, lifting his head occasionally to glance at her, “Mm, all necessary matters are handled.” It turned out he was sketching her.

Recently he purged a batch of corrupt local officials, and follow-up processes were completed.

“That’s good,” Ah Chen nodded, saying no more. Next, once the situation with her fourth sister is resolved, and the Weian Earl Mansion stirs enough to reach the Imperial Palace, it should pose no problem.

Suddenly, Ye Ji asked, “Planning to kick out another brother-in-law?”

Ah Chen propped her head, laughed, responding, “Fourth brother-in-law.”

“In that case, you still haven’t dealt with your sixth brother-in-law,” Ye Ji counted, “Is there a problem?”

Ah Chen arched her brow, “A bit, but nowhere near troubling you.”

Ye Ji: “Even if it causes issues, it’s no problem.” Yet he knew, being a merchant, they couldn’t trouble him either.

She intends to expel whichever brother-in-law she desires, and he’d support her.

The faults undoubtedly lie with those brother-in-laws.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep