Ye Yunting returned from his conversation with Yin Hongye just in time to catch sight of Ye Boru hurriedly leaving.
“What’s wrong with him?” Ye Yunting thought that he looked like he’d seen a ghost.
Li Fengqi lifted his chin, casting a glance at Ye Yunting with an air of someone claiming credit. “He tried to seduce me, but I scared him off.”
He studied Ye Yunting’s face smugly, figuring that he’d be jealous.
But Ye Yunting only became even more perplexed. First, Ye Boru was trying to get close to him, then he was trying to seduce Li Fengqi?
No matter how he thought about it, it felt incredibly wrong, so just he dismissed the matter with a casual remark, “He ran off, so that’s that. I was just going to discuss Ye Wang’s situation with Wangye.”
“???”
What do you mean, “He ran off, so that’s that”?
Li Fengqi’s expression darkened as he asked unhappily, “Why aren’t you jealous at all?”
Moreover, here he’d been so self-aware. Didn’t he deserve some recognition for not being seduced by some seducer? Such perfunctory words, he showed him no regard at all.
The Prince Yong’an was slightly upset.
“…” Ye Yunting was at a loss for words. “What’s there to be jealous over?”
After all, Ye Boru was a newly-acknowledged half-brother with unclear motives. He likely hadn’t even met Li Fengqi before suddenly trying to seduce him. The thought of all of this was baffling.
Besides, Ye Yunting didn’t think that Li Fengqi would be attracted to someone like Ye Boru anyway.
Ye Yunting tried to continue discussing Ye Wang with him, but Li Fengqi abruptly turned his wheelchair around and sullenly left without a word.
Ye Yunting: “?!”
Why is he still angry?
Naturally, a wheelchair couldn’t match Ye Yunting’s speed on foot. Ye Yunting broke into a stride to catch up, only to see Li Fengqi’s handsome face gloomy, his thin lips pressed tightly together, a look of displeasure written all over his face.
He tried calling out to Li Fengqi twice, but Li Fengqi simply ignored him and kept moving forward.
Ye Yunting: ”…”
What should I do now?
He had no absolutely experience in coaxing people, and he couldn’t come up with sweet words like Li Fengqi could. By the time they left the Duke’s estate, Li Fengqi still had a sullen, unhappy look on his face.
Ye Boru observed them from afar. His lips curled slightly as he thought that while Prince Yong’an had told him to leave, but then just gave his older brother a cold shoulder.
His eyes narrowed as he smiled contentedly. After all, it was usefulness that truly mattered: being useful ensured that one wouldn’t be cast aside by others.
—
After returning from the Duke of Qi’s mansion, Li Fengqi went off to his study in a huff.
Though Ye Yunting was not good when it came to matters of the heart, he knew that what he’d said must have upset Li Fengqi. After some thought, he concluded it was probably because he hadn’t shown any jealousy earlier.
But he really didn’t see any reason to be jealous of Ye Boru.
Still, once someone got their feathers ruffled like this, he couldn’t be reasoned with; he just had to be coaxed. If it were before, when he hadn’t fully understood his own feelings, he might have been fine with how things were. But now that he understood his feelings, he couldn’t be indifferent to seeing Li Fengqi unhappy. Normally, Li Fengqi coaxed and indulged him in everything. So, no matter whether he was right or wrong, since Li Fengqi was displeased, Ye Yunting should coax him.
He mulled it over briefly, then called Ji Lian to go to the small kitchen.
—
Li Fengqi had left Ye Yunting and headed straight for his study alone. He regretted it as soon as he entered.
Their relationship status wasn’t settled yet, and he’d already lost his temper. What if Ye Yunting really decided to ignore him? On the surface, Li Fengqi maintained his calmness, but inside, he was somewhat anxious.
He sat for a while until darkness fell outside. At this hour, he and Ye Yunting would usually have bathed, changed clothing, and prepared for bed. But now, he found himself still seated in the cold study.
He couldn’t help but call Wu Geng in. “What is Wangfei doing?”
Wu Geng scratched his head. He’d just returned from outside, so how would he know what Wangfei was up to? However, on his way back, he had noticed the lights within the main courtyard, so that meant that he must be inside. So Wu Geng said, “Wangfei is in the main courtyard. I don’t know what he’s doing.”
“…” Li Fengqi felt a little disappointed, and also a little annoyed that Ye Yunting hadn’t even tried to comfort him.
But he had stormed off to the study in a fit of anger; now, going back on his own seemed a little embarrassing. After hesitating for a while, he decided to stay put for a little longer. If Ye Yunting didn’t come find him, he would… well, he would go back.
Returning too soon would make him look bad. Ye Yunting might think that he was easy to appease.
“Go keep watch at the main courtyard. If there’s any change, report it to me immediately.” Li Fengqi ordered Wu Geng.
“Yes, Sir.” With these orders, Wu Geng left the room. He perched himself on a tree branch in the courtyard, keeping a close eye out. Though he couldn’t fathom what quarrel between Wangye and Wangfei had led to this situation, he knew better than to question their actions. It was better to just focus on doing what he was directed to.
Li Fengqi, still in the study, found himself unable to concentrate on reading or practicing calligraphy. Finally, he simply moved the hourglass onto his desk, staring intently as the sand trickled slowly through its neck.
A quarter-hour passed, two quarters of an hour passed… half an hour had gone by.
“Is Wangfei still in his room?” Anxious and irritable, Li Fengqi rang for Wu Geng once more.
“Yes, no one has come out yet.”
Wu Geng was growing increasingly perplexed. Seeing Li Fengqi’s troubled expression, he wondered if perhaps there was a spat between Wangye and Wangfei. So he tried to offer some advice: “Disagreements among couples often blow over quickly1. Why don’t you go back and apologize to Wangfei? He has such gentle temperament, so he surely won’t hold it against you.”
In his eyes, given Wangfei’s mild nature, it was unlikely for him to quarrel with the prince. Perhaps it had been Wangye who somehow angered Wangfei, and now he was feeling too guilty to return to their room.
Li Fengqi’s expression darkened at these words. “It’s not even my fault. Why should I be the one to apologize?”
He angrily sent Wu Geng away. In a fit of temper, he pushed away the hourglass on the table. What a cruel heart Ye Yunting has. Has he really decided to ignore me?!
Seated in his study, Li Fengqi brooded unhappily, debating whether to return home or stay put.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the estate, Ye Yunting spent nearly an hour making a plateful of plum blossom cakes.
There were no osmanthus flowers in season at this time, so he had to substitute them with plum blossoms instead. Fortunately, the resulting flavor wasn’t too bad. He instructed Ji Lian to plate up the still-warm pastries fresh from the oven and carry them back to the main courtyard.
Ji Lian trailed behind him, muttering greedily as he stared at the food-laden tray. “That’s so many pastries! The prince couldn’t possibly eat them all by himself.” Couldn’t he spare just two pieces for me?
Ye Yunting didn’t even need to look to know what Ji Lian was thinking. “I’ll make some for you next time.”
Left with no choice, Ji Lian reluctantly gave up and let out a long sigh, lamenting that he was no longer the young master’s most cherished companion.
From his perch in the tree, Wu Geng watched as master and servant approached from outside the courtyard. His eyes widened, and he glanced briefly at the brightly lit house, realizing that the consort must not be in the room after all. Just as he was about to inform Li Fengqi of their return, Ye Yunting changed course towards the study. Seeing this, Wu Geng paused before calmly resuming his seat.
It seemed there was no need for him to report, after all.
When he entered the study, Ye Yunting found that it was shrouded in darkness, with not even a single lamp lit. Just as he wondered if that person had left, he heard Li Fengqi’s voice from within. “Wu Geng? Is there any change with Wangfei?”
Hearing this question, Ye Yunting froze momentarily, before smiling with pursed lips. He deliberately remained silent, carrying the tray of food inside instead.
Li Fengqi recognized that the approaching footsteps weren’t those of Wu Geng. He turned his head, and saw Ye Yunting standing behind him, his smile making his eyes curve. “Why has Wang Ye asked Wu Geng watch over me?”
“…” Li Fengqi was caught off guard, and a flicker of guilt flashed across his eyes. And then he remembered that he was still angry, and he regained his sense of righteousness.
He deliberately frowned and chose not to respond.
In the past, Ye Yunting would have been scared away by such a dark expression. But after spending so much time together, he had long since understood Li Fengqi’s temperament. To him, Li Fengqi’s stern look now seemed more like that of the wolf king: he appeared menacing at first glance but would quickly warm up and nuzzle against one’s palm after a few gentle strokes.
Amused by his own imagination, Ye Yunting’s gaze softened. He set down the food tray in front of him. “I made some plum blossom cakes,” he said, opening the box to reveal a plate of sweet-smelling pastries shaped like plum blossoms. “Wangye, you didn’t eat much this afternoon, did you?”
Of course Li Fengqi hadn’t eaten much that afternoon; his mood had been too sour for food.
Now, as he gazed at the plum blossom cakes, his heart stirred. He couldn’t help but pick them up. If Ye Yunting hadn’t come looking for him, he might have gone back dejectedly on his own. But Ye Yunting had come.
Perhaps it was because those who felt favored always felt emboldened. He sensed Ye Yunting’s overture and found himself wanting just a little bit more.
He held back and said, “Does the Eldest Young Master even care if I’ve eaten?”
“Of course I do.” Ye Yunting was there to coax him, so naturally, he went along with what he said.
Hearing this, Li Fengqi’s heart perked up. “Then… are these plum blossom cakes specially made for me?”
Ye Yunting let out a sound of agreement. The entire plate was for Li Fengqi alone; not even Ji Lian was allowed to get a taste.
The sudden surge of delight hit Li Fengqi. His gaze rose up to meet Ye Yunting’s eyes, catching sight of the tenderness within. His heart skipped a beat or two, and he swallowed hard several times. Finally, he couldn’t help but ask the question he wanted to ask the most, “Why does the Eldest Young Master seem to care about me so much?”
In the dim light of night, Ye Yunting looked at him.
He had been hesitant to reveal his true feelings, thinking it was too hasty. As someone new to love, even though he knew how he felt, part of him wanted to delay confessing for as long as possible. But he forgot to consider Li Fengqi’s feelings on the matter.
The two gazed at each other for a moment. Ye Yunting’s lips parted slightly as he forced himself through embarrassment to say, “Because I like you, Your Highness. I couldn’t bear seeing you unhappy.”
Because I like you, Your Highness. I couldn’t bear seeing you unhappy.
Li Fengqi savored these words between his lips and teeth. His lips couldn’t help but curve into a smile. Though he’d already long noticed a change in Ye Yunting’s demeanor towards him, there was still a world of difference between guessing in his heart and hearing such sentiments with his own ears.
His eyes flicked to the plate of plum blossom cakes, his spirits high. “So these cakes were meant to coax me?”
Ye Yunting nodded.
“A single plate of plum blossom cakes won’t do.” Finally hearing the words he wanted to hear, Li Fengqi felt proud again. He leaned forward and tapped his own lips. “It should be like this, at least.”
Ye Yunting: “…”
Studying Li Fengqi’s self-satisfied expression, Ye Yunting felt a hint of regret; he shouldn’t have confessed so hastily, after all.
He smiled at Li Fengqi, he said gently, “If this plate isn’t enough, then let’s just forget it.”
Then he turned to leave.
Li Fengqi: “!!!”
Didn’t you come to coax me? Why are you leaving now?
—
=== Author’s Notes ===
77: I fell down and I need my wife’s kiss before I can get up. =3=
Tingting: Then just stay down. =.=
77: ?
=== Translator’s Notes ===
LMAO you shot yourself in the foot.
- literally: “Husband and wife quarrel at the head of the bed and make up at the foot of the bed” ↩︎
Ah he reached too high and got scorched lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chapter ❤️