Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 374 - 373. Maiden Yunge

373. Maiden Yunge

The Chu Family was indeed a distinguished house of Great Chu, but it was a pity that Ye Li wasn’t part of the Chu Family. Moreover, the Chu Family’s main base, Yunzhou, was still under Lei Zhenting’s control. On what grounds could the Chu Family provide funds for Mo Jingli’s military expedition against Prince Ding’s Mansion? Considering the relationship between the Chu and Xu Families, it was more plausible for Prince Ding’s Mansion to raise money to fight Mo Jingli.

Yaoji, somewhat helplessly, stuffed the invitation in her hand into Ye Li’s, saying, "I wasn’t keen on bringing up such a ridiculous issue with you. However, the Regent Prince put Marquis Muyang’s Mansion in charge of this matter, and our mansion’s Marquis Lady has been throwing tantrums recently, forcing me to make the trip personally. And it’s a good chance to inquire about Young Master Qingchen. It’s not easy for me to enter your residence so openly."

Ye Li smiled as she looked at the invitation in her hand, and said lightly, "It seems Mo Jingli really has a lot of trust in Marquis Muyang’s Mansion."

Yaoji sneered, "Old Marquis Muyang, being the opportunist he is, naturally knows what he should or shouldn’t do. After Mo Jing’s demise, Marquis Muyang’s Mansion immediately turned to support Mo Jingli. Even though Marquis Muyang had some disputes with Prince Li before, over these past two years, Marquis Muyang has helped Prince Li a lot. Plus, he’s already voluntarily retired and passed his title to Mu Yang. Mo Jingli has to show some appreciation; otherwise, how would he appease the old officials of Mo Jing?"

Ye Li agreed, lightly tapping the invitation in her hand, "I understand. Go tell Marquis Muyang that Chu Junwei will definitely attend the banquet as scheduled."

Yaoji looked at her curiously, "You’re not really planning to help Mo Jingli raise funds for the military, are you?"

Ye Li smiled without responding and instead asked, "I am quite curious, how could Mo Jingli be short of money? These past years, Great Chu hasn’t suffered any disasters or engaged in any foreign wars. A few years ago, when Mo Jingli moved south, he practically emptied the state treasury of Great Chu." Of course, most of that money probably ended up in Mo Jingli’s private coffers. There was a time when Ye Li thought Mo Jingli might be one of the wealthiest people in the world.

Yaoji shrugged, "I wouldn’t know about that. However, the Royal Treasury of Great Chu probably didn’t contain much money to begin with. Didn’t Great Chu lose several successive wars in those years? What’s most tragic is that every battle was a defeat, and in the end, they even lost the Capital of Great Chu. Moreover, even if Mo Jingli has money, he may not be willing to use it as military funding."

Upon hearing this, Ye Li couldn’t help but smile. "I hadn’t realized that Mo Jingli had such miserly habits." Speaking of which, among the nobles and princes, the power of Prince Ding’s Mansion was the most formidable, but Prince Ding and Princess Consort Ding personally weren’t particularly wealthy. The wealth under the name of Prince Ding’s Mansion was undoubtedly enormous, but neither Ye Li nor Mo Xiuyao were interested in amassing wealth, so their private vaults combined probably held no more than four to five hundred thousand taels of silver. It might seem like a lot, but it paled in comparison to other wealthy nobles and princes.

Yaoji didn’t overstay her welcome and stood up with a smile. "Now that I have delivered the invitation, I’ll take my leave."

Ye Li also knew that Yaoji was currently handling many affairs in Marquis Muyang’s Mansion. Ye Li didn’t detain her further, smiling faintly and saying, "Take care."

Several miles outside of Nanjing City, nestled within a secluded mountain range, a few humble thatched huts were hidden among the mountains and rivers. They blended so seamlessly with the trees and flowers of the mountain that it would be impossible to see them unless one got closer. The scarcity of human traces suggested a very sequestered lifestyle. In front of the huts, several small medicinal fields grew an assortment of common herbs. Although it was early winter and many herbs had already withered, making the fields look sparse, the herbs that were still alive were clearly well taken care of, rendering the entire medicinal field neat and orderly.

Inside a small hut, a young man of extraordinary beauty reclined against the window on a bed. He idly flipped through an ancient book in his hands. A faint smile played upon his lips, reminiscent of an immortal from a divine realm. Who could it be if not Young Master Qingchen, whom the Mo Family Army had searched for both inside and outside Nanjing City without finding a trace of him?

As he read his book, Young Master Qingchen raised his head to glance outside, his smile now laced with helplessness. A faint pain throbbed in his chest, forcing him to abandon the idea of walking around. Who would have thought that a person like Young Master Qingchen, known for his extraordinary charm and rare talent, could fall into such a pitiful predicament?

Light footsteps approached from outside the door, and a plainly dressed young woman, her arms full of a basket filled with various medicinal herbs, walked in. Immediately upon seeing the man by the bed, she set her basket down and rushed to inquire, "Xu Qingchen, why are you sitting up? Are you feeling better?" The young woman appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen, her dark hair casually tied back with a thin string that matched her clothing. She was dressed in a light green coarse cloth tunic and skirt, an attire that was even less refined than that of most country girls. But this plain dress could not hide her natural beauty. Her light pink, unadorned lips, her petite nose, and her clean, clear eyes seemed as though they could read a person’s heart. Despite her young age, she embodied a peerless elegance that was impossible to ignore. However, the usually delightful young woman now wore a look of worry and guilt as she looked at Young Master Qingchen on the bed. "Xu Qingchen... are you feeling better now? It’s all my fault..."

Xu Qingchen looked helplessly at the young woman, who appeared ready to burst into tears. He gently reassured her, "How can I blame you? You saved me, remember?"

"But... If it weren’t for me insisting on taking you away, you wouldn’t have been injured," the young woman said guiltily. What had actually happened was that when she was out collecting herbs, she heard beautiful music coming from a zither. Following the sound, she found an otherworldly person playing it in a valley. Recalling the yaoqin zither her father had left her, which she didn’t know how to play, she secretly went down into the valley to seek instruction. After learning that the ethereal-like man was actually being held captive there, she became determined to rescue him. However, due to an inadvertent misstep while escaping through water, he was severely injured. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have taken him away, especially since those people seemed to be treating him well.

"That’s not right. I’d rather be injured than stay in that place. So, I must thank you. Besides, aren’t you treating my wounds?" Xu Qingchen answered with a light smile. Although he trusted that people from Prince Ding’s Mansion would definitely come to his rescue, he had no idea when. Sometimes, being late by even a fraction of a second could spell disaster. Young Master Qingchen, who had spent decades travelling without danger, knew better than anyone how to gauge and respond to the situation at hand. Rather than meeting the slightly unhinged Dongfang You, he’d prefer to sustain an injury and leave first. He had to admit that for the first time in his life, he deeply regretted not knowing martial arts.

The young woman nodded repeatedly, her beautiful face suddenly beaming with a smile. "That’s right, I can cure you soon. My medical skills are very good. Even the physicians in the city say the medicines I make are very effective. Xu Qingchen, I’ve just bought more useful herbs from the city and prepared them. Please take this." The young woman took out a small bottle carved from wood, presenting it to him as if it were a treasured gift, and looked expectantly at him with her wide, sparkling eyes.

Xu Qingchen gave a helpless smile, taking the bottle and opening it. An intoxicatingly fresh aroma immediately wafted from the small bottle. He poured out a creamy white pill, put it into his mouth, and it melted instantly. In no time at all, his overall discomfort diminished significantly. There were only five such pills in the small bottle. Though Xu Qingchen was not a medical expert, he had considerable knowledge in the field. He could see that the medicinal ingredients used to make these little pills must have been expensive.

The young woman always felt guilty, thinking she was responsible for Xu Qingchen’s injury. In fact, if one were to truly calculate it, Xu Qingchen owed her a great deal. Originally, the young woman simply wanted to learn to play the zither, or perhaps she was just lonely living in the mountains and wanted someone to talk to. She thought it was her being meddlesome that led to her saving Xu Qingchen, but in fact, without his intentionally suggestive comments, the child, who had barely grown up, wouldn’t have even considered any of this. His injury was indeed unexpected, but the young woman had taken great care of him, trying her best to cure him as quickly as possible. Over the days they’d spent together, Xu Qingchen had learned that she had lived in these mountains with her father from a young age, and after his death three years ago, she’d been living here alone. She only occasionally took some herbs she grew and simple pills she had made into the city to sell, exchanging them for daily necessities. But to treat Xu Qingchen’s injury, this young woman had spent every last tael of silver her father had saved over many years, even going deep into the mountains to collect precious medicinal herbs unknown to most people, in order to exchange them for the medicinal materials needed to heal his wound. Thus, every time she looked at him with guilt-filled eyes, Xu Qingchen couldn’t help but think, for the first time in his life, that he was truly a bit of a bastard.

"Yunge, come over and sit down." Xu Qingchen beckoned the young woman.

The young woman, Yunge, blinked and obediently sat on the stool not far from the bed. Xu Qingchen quietly asked, "Yunge, did anything unusual happen in the city today when you went in?"

Yunge blinked and said, "I heard people in the city saying there’s going to be a war."

"War?" Xu Qingchen frowned slightly. At present, the only potential enemy south of the Yunlan River in Great Chu was Southern Garrison Prince Lei Zhenting in Xiling. But as far as he knew, Lei Zhenting had no reason to go to war with Great Chu right now. "Who is the war against?"

Yunge pouted and said, "With the Mo Family Army. My father said the Mo Family Army are good people, and Prince Li, who is going to war with them, is the villain." Hearing this, Xu Qingchen was amused and, raising an eyebrow, asked, "Why did your father say Prince Ding is a good person?"

Yunge thought about it and said, "My father said that Prince Ding’s Mansion is wholeheartedly loyal to the country, full of righteousness and integrity. The only pity is that their merits were too great, provoking the jealousy of the ruler, who lacked the magnanimity to tolerate them, leading to Prince Ding’s early death. My father said everyone in Prince Ding’s Mansion are good people." She nodded her head vigorously to show her agreement as she spoke.

Xu Qingchen understood then; the Prince Ding Yunge’s father was referring to must have been the previous one, Mo Liufang or Mo Xiuwen. However, he wasn’t sure who this recluse who had passed away early was. A man who could teach Yunge such profound medical skills and martial arts couldn’t be an ordinary person. "Alright, Prince Ding is a good man. Any other news? Any updates on the Chu Mansion in the city that I asked you to observe?"

Yunge nodded, "I observed for a long time, and there were always people coming in and out. But there are so many experts within that mansion, so I didn’t dare to get too close. However, I did see a very handsome young man in white... and later, a very beautiful older sister also went in."

A young man in white... Xu Qingchen mused. Could it be that Li’er came here personally?

Yunge looked at him, puzzled, "Are you looking for the young man in white? I can help you find him tomorrow. Also, there are many people searching for something in the nearby mountains. I was almost discovered on my way back. I went to that valley today, and there’s no one there anymore. But don’t worry, they won’t find us here. You don’t have to be afraid."

Xu Qingchen felt rather helpless. He feared that this place was so secluded that not only outsiders couldn’t find him, but even the people Li’er had sent might not be able to locate him either. However, this was good in a way. He was unable to move at the moment. It was better for no one to find him than for the enemy to locate him.

"Xu Qingchen, will you teach me to play the zither?" Yunge asked him softly.

Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Of course, didn’t I promise you before? I’ll teach you to play the zither after my injuries heal."

Yunge looked at him. "If your injuries are healed, won’t you have to leave? Can I play now so you can see if it’s good? Actually, I have studied a little before. It’s all my fault. When Daddy taught me before, I wouldn’t learn properly, and then Daddy... there was no one left to teach me." Looking at the anticipation and sorrow in the young girl’s eyes, Xu Qingchen’s heart twinged slightly. He smiled faintly and asked, "Why do you want to learn the zither, Yunge?"

"The sound of the zither is very pleasant; I can play it for myself," said Yunge with a beaming smile.

Xu Qingchen sighed lightly. Yunge’s father had been a bit too trusting. Yunge was only a girl of about twelve or thirteen when he passed away. Even with martial arts skills, it was too lonely for her to live alone in the depths of these mountains. However, considering her appearance and disposition, it was probably safer for her to live in this uninhabited place without close relatives to look after her.

Yet, this little girl had lived here for several years without ever thinking of leaving. She usually only went into town once a month to trade for some daily necessities. For these past few years, she had strictly followed her father’s dying instructions, only exchanging common herbs and simple medicines for money. Otherwise, with her medical skills, she would have likely become famous long ago.

Lowering his eyes in thought, Xu Qingchen asked, "Don’t you intend to leave here, Yunge?"

Yunge looked at him, a little confused. "Why should I leave? My father said there are lots of bad people out there." Even someone as good-looking as Xu Qingchen had been captured; if she went out, she would surely be captured by bad people too. Soon after her father passed away, when Yunge had just started going into town by herself, she encountered robbers and lechers several times. Fortunately, her martial arts skills were quite good, and she dealt with them easily. After that, Yunge learned to disguise her appearance every time she went to town. But if she left this place, she couldn’t possibly smear dirt on her face every day, could she? Although born in the countryside, loving beauty is a woman’s nature, and Yunge didn’t want to be dirty all the time.

Xu Qingchen felt helpless. He couldn’t help but reach out and tap her on the forehead, but accidentally aggravated his injury and winced. Yunge immediately sprang up and gently pushed him back down. "Don’t move around, your wound hasn’t healed yet."

Xu Qingchen looked at her. "It’s not a long-term plan for you, a young woman, to live alone in these wild mountains. How about going with me to Licheng?"

Yunge was stunned for a moment, but ultimately shook her head. "No, my father told me to stay here. Someone will come to get me in the future."

"To get you? Who? Did your father tell you when they would come?" Xu Qingchen suddenly understood. Yunge’s father certainly wouldn’t have failed to consider his daughter’s future. But it had been three years without any news; would the other party really keep their promise and come?

Yunge thought for a while and appeared a little confused. "My father wrote a letter for me to send. He said someone would come and get me then. But no one has come so far."

What a foolish girl. It had been three years since the letter was sent, and still no one had come. Either the recipient hadn’t received the letter, or they simply had no intention of coming. Xu Qingchen smiled gently. "How about this: you come back with me, and we’ll leave a letter here. If someone comes to get you, they can be directed to Licheng to find you. After I return, I’ll also send people to keep an eye on this place to see if anyone comes. Besides, didn’t you say my internal injuries will take a long time to heal? Wouldn’t it be perfect for you to come and help treat me?"

Yunge looked at him, conflicted. She really wanted to leave this place with Xu Qingchen. Although she wasn’t particularly fond of bustling places, after having Xu Qingchen to talk to these past few days, the thought of being alone again made her feel quite sad. But her father had instructed her to wait here for someone, and she couldn’t disobey him.

Seeing her hesitation, Xu Qingchen’s eyes twinkled. He smiled and said, "Alternatively, do you remember the address the letter was sent to? I can have someone help you find them. Maybe they really didn’t receive the letter; in that case, would you wait here forever?"

After thinking for a long while, Yunge finally nodded and gave an address. After hearing it, Xu Qingchen couldn’t help but frown. Seeing his unhappy expression, Yunge was a bit worried. "Xu Qingchen, what’s wrong?"

"Is your surname Mu?" Xu Qingchen asked.

"Ah? My surname isn’t Mu. My father’s surname is Shen," Yunge said, puzzled. Hadn’t she told Xu Qingchen her surname? Tilting her head, she thought about it and realized she had indeed forgotten to tell him her surname was Shen. When one lives alone for too long, one’s name and surname probably don’t seem so important anymore.

"What is your mother’s surname?" Xu Qingchen asked.

Yunge said, "My father said my mother’s surname is Li."

Xu Qingchen nodded. "I know who your father was trying to find. I can take you to them. Once my injuries are healed, you can come with me." Yunge’s eyes brightened slightly. "Really?"

Xu Qingchen smiled and nodded. Looking at the joyful young woman before him, he sighed softly to himself. She was just a lonely child, after all.

「Chu Mansion」

"Your Highness, a subordinate just reported that a young woman was spying outside," Wei Lin came in to report.

Ye Li raised her eyebrows slightly. "A young woman?"

Wei Lin nodded. "The young woman has good martial arts skills, but she lacks experience. She was outside the mansion for quite a long time before she left." Ye Li smiled with interest. Neither Cangmang Mountain nor Mo Jingli would send an inexperienced young woman to spy on the Chu Mansion. "Did you get a good look at her?"

"She seems to be about fifteen or sixteen, but we couldn’t see her face clearly. Also, the person who followed her out of the city has returned."

Ye Li laughed. "They lost her?"

Wei Lin nodded in embarrassment. The Shadow Guards had been increasingly incompetent lately. First, they lost Young Master Qingchen, and now they had even lost track of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl. It was a complete loss of face for the Qilin.

Ye Li laughed. "Alright, don’t be too harsh on them. Logically speaking... they should never lose track of an inexperienced young girl. Have someone thoroughly check the area where she disappeared. Also, assign people to keep a close watch on that area; that little girl is bound to show up again, not just this once." Wei Lin nodded. "Yes, thank you for your mercy, Your Highness."

Ye Li shook her head. "Even so, I think the Qilin will need to undergo some additional training in the future."

"Yes, we will follow your orders, Your Highness."

Ye Li smiled. "We’ll talk about this later. Do you think... this girl could be related to my elder brother?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Wei Lin lowered his gaze and thought for a while. "It is indeed very possible. Even Mo Jingli didn’t notice anything abnormal about the Chu Mansion, so why would this young girl make a special trip to spy on it? Moreover, she appeared near where Young Master Qingchen disappeared. Perhaps this young girl is the one who saved Young Master Qingchen. But... if Young Master Qingchen has been rescued, why isn’t he willing to come back?"

Ye Li frowned. "My elder brother... might be seriously injured. Don’t worry. Since he knows we’ve arrived, we should receive news from him soon."

"Yes. I will arrange for someone to monitor that area. Prince Li’s Mansion has been conducting strict searches these days, and we also have to attend the banquet hosted by Mo Jingli soon. Your Highness, it would be best if you didn’t leave the city personally," Wei Lin said. Ye Li nodded and sighed softly. "I guess that’s the only way."

As expected, at noon the next day, Ye Li met the young woman Wei Lin had mentioned. Upon seeing her, she couldn’t help but laugh. It was indeed a young woman, looking no older than sixteen. Most importantly, her eyes were so incredibly clear that even someone like Ye Li couldn’t help but feel a sense of inadequacy before them.

Yunge was brought into the Chu Mansion by men from Prince Ding’s Mansion. She had actually been sent by Xu Qingchen to meet Ye Li. However, Xu Qingchen had specifically told her not to enter through the main gate where she might be seen. So, young Yunge had no choice but to circle around to the backyard of the Chu Mansion, intending to climb over the wall. Unfortunately, she didn’t know that the guards in the backyard were far more numerous than those at the main gate, so she was, unsurprisingly, caught.

Yunge curiously looked at Ye Li and asked, "Are you the Li’er that Xu Qingchen spoke of?"

Ye Li smiled cordially, nodded, and said, "Yes, I am Li’er. And who might you be, little lady?"

Yunge smiled. "I am Shen Yunge, a friend of Xu Qingchen. You are really beautiful, but... why are you dressed as a man?" Ye Li was a bit surprised. "Did you recognize I’m a woman, or did my elder brother tell you?" She prided herself on her excellent disguise; until now, no one had seen through it, certainly not an innocent young girl like the one before her.

"I am a physician," Shen Yunge said proudly. "Of course I can tell. Men and women are very different."

Ye Li smiled slightly. It seemed there was indeed a vast difference between merely knowing medical skills and truly mastering them. At least that other person who claimed to be proficient in medicine hadn’t seen through her identity. Ye Li looked at the young woman before her and asked, "Is my elder brother alright?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunge’s face immediately fell. She looked distressed and said, "I’m sorry... it’s all my fault... Xu Qingchen has been seriously injured."

"Don’t worry. I know you saved my elder brother. Take your time and tell me what happened," Ye Li said reassuringly. As Shen Yunge recounted her encounter with Xu Qingchen in detail, Ye Li understood completely. Perhaps Shen Yunge hearing the zither music was initially an accident, but from the moment she managed to enter the valley undetected to ask her elder brother to teach her the zither, it was no longer an accident. It would be too much to blame what happened to her elder brother on this young girl.

Even Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin, standing behind Ye Li, wore strange expressions, thinking wryly to themselves, Isn’t this just retribution for Young Master Qingchen luring an innocent young girl?

Ye Li patted Shen Yunge’s hand and laughed, "How can I blame you? I should be thanking you for saving my elder brother."

Originally bracing herself for a scolding, Shen Yunge felt a bit uncomfortable at Ye Li’s gentle response. She asked in a small voice, "Li... uh, Li’er, you’re not mad at me?" Ye Li laughed. "No need to be so formal. I’m a few years older than you; you can call me Sister Li’er. It’s not your fault, why would I blame you? Besides, for a young girl like you to bring my elder brother, a grown man, out from underwater, a few bumps and scrapes are inevitable." Ye Li was truly surprised at how Shen Yunge, so small, had managed to drag a large, drugged, and unconscious man out from underwater. Even a strong man would have found it difficult. So, Young Master Qingchen’s internal injuries were actually quite light; it was fortunate he hadn’t hit his head.

Yunge’s eyes lit up. The only people she had known well since childhood were her father and mother. When she saw other girls at the foot of the mountain who had sisters, she had always been very envious. "Sister Li’er!"

"Good girl..." Ye Li patted her small head affectionately and smiled, "How is my elder brother’s injury now?"

Yunge responded, "He should be able to move freely in a few more days, but it’s not good for him to move around much for the next few days. Hmm... I’ve told you everything Xu Qingchen asked me to. I need to get back, or he’ll be hungry." Ye Li nodded with a smile. "In that case, I’ll have to trouble you with my elder brother. When his injuries are a bit better in a few days, shall I send someone to fetch him?"

Yunge shook her head, smiling brightly. "It’s no trouble. Xu Qingchen talks with me; it’s very good."

"That’s good to hear. Wei Lin, escort Miss Yunge out of the city. Also, gather any medicine my elder brother might need and send it over with her," Ye Li turned her head and instructed. Wei Lin responded, "Yes, Your Highness."

Watching Wei Lin escort Yunge out, Ye Li couldn’t help but laugh softly, "What an interesting young girl, isn’t she?"

Zhuo Jing nodded. "I really didn’t expect the one who took Young Master Qingchen away to be such a delicate and charming young girl. Most importantly, her disposition is remarkably pure and clear." And to think, such a beautiful young girl existed in that remote, mountainous place. Young Master Qingchen was truly fortunate...

"Why doesn’t the Princess Consort send someone to take care of Young Master Qingchen?" Zhuo Jing chuckled.

Ye Li said lightly, "Since Miss Yunge has been taking such good care of my elder brother these past few days, troubling her for a few more days won’t matter."

Zhuo Jing lifted an eyebrow and smiled, "What does the Princess Consort mean?"

Ye Li waved her hand and stood up. "I don’t mean anything. My elder brother has also been exhausted these past few years. It’s rare he gets an opportunity like this, so let him rest and recover well." That young girl is pure and simple, and doesn’t seem to possess the same elaborate etiquette as most young ladies from noble families. Elder brother clearly trusts her enough to have her come to the Chu Mansion. Since that’s the case, he should just stay there and recuperate.

"The Princess Consort is right."

Yunge, carrying large and small bundles, was escorted by guards from Prince Ding’s Mansion to a place not far from her home before she made her own way back. Upon entering the door, Xu Qingchen couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the sight of the little girl, almost buried under various boxes. "Since when did you enjoy shopping and buying things?"

Yunge wiped the sweat off her face, puffed her cheeks and said, "It’s not that I bought them; they were gifts from Sister Li’er."

Xu Qingchen looked at her with amusement. They had only just met, and she was already calling her Sister Li’er. Truly a naive little girl with no defenses.

As Yunge busily arranged the various items on the table, she muttered, "Xu Qingchen, you really are a young master. Just for recuperating for a few days, you need so many things prepared! Thankfully, that guard big brother helped me carry them up the mountain; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to bring them all back for you by myself." She opened one to take a look; indeed, there were many things. Not to mention the various medicinal herbs and tonics needed for Xu Qingchen’s recovery, there were also various books for leisure. There were three or four sets of clothes alone. Even matching jade pendants and other accessories were prepared.

Xu Qingchen glanced over and pointed at a box to the side. "Open that one and take a look."

Yunge curiously glanced over. "This one?" Upon opening it, she found a delicate, goose-yellow dress inside. Yunge didn’t know its origin, but Xu Qingchen certainly did; one look at the box’s exterior told him it was from the most famous silk and satin emporium in Nanjing City. Xu Qingchen smiled. "That’s a gift from Li’er for you. You can go try it on."

"For me?" Yunge was a bit confused. She looked at the meticulously embroidered, goose-yellow dress in the box and blinked. She had always been accustomed to wearing simple coarse cloth. Although she had seen many girls in the city wearing beautiful clothes, she had never envied them. Clothes were just for keeping warm, that was all that mattered. But now, looking at this bright, beautiful garment, and then at Xu Qingchen before her, dressed in his white scholar’s robe and smiling gently, Yunge suddenly felt a hint of shame for her unkempt appearance. She quickly hugged the box and ran out.

Xu Qingchen watched with a smile as the young girl disappeared through the doorway, then shook his head and chuckled. Teasing children really was a very amusing pastime. At the same time, he couldn’t help but anticipate what Yunge would look like once she changed into the new clothes and was properly dressed.

As for Li’er clearly not wanting him to interfere in the affairs of Nanjing City, he would just let things take their course. Besides, he was currently so injured he couldn’t even get out of bed; going back would only be a burden. A mere Mo Jingli surely wouldn’t be able to stop Li’er.

The cheerful Young Master Qingchen completely forgot that, in a certain military camp in the north, a particular man was gritting his teeth, eagerly awaiting his beloved wife’s return, and seething, Xu Qingchen, you better not die out there! Making Ah-Li travel thousands of miles to Jiangnan to find you! I, this Prince, will make you toil like an ox and a horse for Prince Ding’s Mansion into your next life!