Good Luck Wedding 071

 True to his word, Ye Yunting took the empty food box and left.

For a long moment, Li Fengqi stared at the doorway. Finally, he picked up the plate of plum blossom cakes and dejectedly followed Ye Yunting back inside their room.

Wu Geng observed all this from his vantage point in the tree. He thought to himself, ‘So it was indeed Wangye who upset Wangfei. Such a good temper Wangfei has; even now, he sends cakes to the prince.’

 

Ye Yunting handed the empty food box to Ji Lian with instructions to return it to the kitchen before heading off to the bathroom. When Li Fengqi entered the room, Ye Yunting cast him a quick glance but deliberately ignored him, going to the bathroom instead on his own.

Looking at Ye Yunting's retreating figure, Li Fengqi finished off the plate of plum blossom cakes contentedly. His mind began to churn once more. He first called out to Wu Geng, asking for a push over to the other side of the room where another bath awaited. After changing into clean inner robes, he settled down to wait for Ye Yunting's return.

Today, after having gone to the kitchen, Ye Yunting washed both his body and his hair, and he emerged from the bath with a cloth wrapped around his damp locks. As soon as he stepped out, he noticed that Li Fengqi's face was etched with impatience.

“???”

Ye Yunting paused cautiously. He sat down at the table, slowly wiping his wet hair dry while trying to decipher what mischief Li Fengqi might be planning next.

"I'll help you," Li Fengqi said, wheeling his wheelchair closer. He took the cloth from Ye Yunting and began drying his hair. His movements were gentle, his earlier expression of impatience softening, his lowered eyebrows revealing tenderness.

Ye Yunting swallowed his refusal and allowed Li Fengqi to dry his hair.

 He thought back to their unfinished conversation at the Duke’s Mansion:  "Earlier today, when I visited Madam Yin, she told me that Ye Zhili forbade her from sending any messages to Yunrong or even inquiring after Ye Wang's status. She has no idea how Ye Wang is doing now."

Ever since the Yin family's rebellion, Ye Yunting had been worried for Ye Wang and had dispatched people to gather information in Yunrong. However, the Yin family’s precautions were so tight that the people he sent hadn't managed to uncover any news. With the Duke’s Mansion hosting this banquet, it seemed like an opportunity to check on Yin Hongye directly, hoping she might have some information.

But the result turned out worse than he'd anticipated.

Though he and Yin Hongye didn’t get along, her concern for Ye Wang outweighed their differences. She promptly filled him in on all that had transpired at the Duke’s Mansion over the recent days. Ye Yunting learned that Ye Zhili not only ignored Ye Wang but also locked up Yin Hongye within the estate, preventing her from sending any letters to Yunrong altogether.

His actions made it clear that he wished for Ye Wang to never come back.

"Even tigers don't devour their own cubs. Ye Zhili is truly cruel." Li Fengqi couldn’t help but frown as he recalled Ye Zhili's sanctimonious face. "Send more people to investigate. We need either confirmation of life or proof of death. No matter how much the Yin family tries to hide him, they can't erase all traces of a living person without a trace."

"I was also entrusted with a letter," Ye Yunting said. "Have it delivered to Yunrong as well. If the Yin Clan still has any affection for Ye Wang, perhaps they'll let him return."

It was clear that Ye Zhili had abandoned Ye Wang entirely. Once the Yin family found this out, there would be no reason to detain him any longer.

Li Fengqi nodded and summoned Wu Geng inside. He handed over the letter, instructing him to send someone to Yunrong with it. After some thought, he added, "If the Yin family refuses to let him go, negotiate whatever terms you must. Above all else, find a way to bring him back safely."

"Understood." Wu Geng accepted the letter and departed.

Li Fengqi meticulously dried his long hair with the cloth before moving the warm stove closer to finish off any remaining moisture.

Ye Yunting had read through half a book when he heard Li Fengqi sigh heavily. "It’s all dry. Time to retire for the night." There was a hint of urgency in his voice.

Ye Yunting closed the book and absently smoothed out the ends of his hair, which were still warm from the stove.  Pulling his hair back, he placed the warm stove in its usual spot, and undressed to get into bed.

Li Fengqi maneuvered his wheelchair alongside the mattress before joining him on it. A hint of joy still lingered on his face.

“?” Ye Yunting grew increasingly suspicious. But tonight seemed no different from any other day; he could only set aside his doubts and shake out the quilt, preparing for sleep.

That was when he noticed the problem—the bed had only one quilt.

Though they shared the same bed due to their status, he and Li Fengqi always used separate quits, keeping to themselves while sleeping. But tonight, there was just one quilt. He glanced at Li Fengqi, whose satisfaction was written across his face. There was no room for misunderstanding why he'd been so eager to retire to bed this evening.

"We're missing a quilt. I'll go ask someone to bring another." Ye Yunting said. []

"One is enough." Li Fengqi immediately stopped him and said confidently, "We can stay warmer by sleeping together."

If not for Ye Yunting having openly confessed his feelings earlier, Li Fengqi wouldn't have dared speak so confidently. But now that Ye Yunting had said that he liked him... How could a married couple who were mutually fond of each other sleep apart under separate quilts? It might hinder their relationship.

Li Fengqi, reaching over with his longer arm, pulled the quilt from its place and shook it out before draping it over both of them. "See? It’s just enough for us both. Now go to sleep." Then, with a cheeky grin at Ye Yunting, he added, "If you're cold, feel free to hug me. I run hot. "

Ye Yunting: “...”

He knew all too well that once Li Fengqi knew of his feelings, he would definitely make trouble for him in all kinds of ways.

But when he considered that Li Fengqi had feelings for him, and that he liked him in return, it seemed that they would eventually end up sleeping together sooner or later, so he no longer hesitated. Ye Yunting simply cast him a meaningful glance before settling down under the covers.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he sensed the person beside him extinguish the lamp, lie back down, then gently nudge closer. A faint warmth began spreading towards him.

Ye Yunting's eyelashes fluttered slightly. He opened his eyes and saw Li Fengqi’s face less than a hand’s span away from him.

Seeing Ye Yunting open his eyes, Li Fengqi smiled and said, "Forgive me, Eldest Young Master; I'm feeling a bit cold tonight. I need to huddle in close to keep warm."

“…” Ye Yunting stared at him for a long time, so long that even Li Fengqi started growing uneasy under his gaze. Finally, Ye Yunting said, "...I forgot to bring along my hot water bottle today."

“?”Li Fengqi was frozen for a moment, then responded instinctively, "...Should I have someone deliver one?"

"No need," Ye Yunting said, narrowed his eyes and smiled. He curled up and nestled closer to Li Fengqi, sharing the same pillow as he rested his cool hands and feet against him.

Ye Yunting was already smaller than Li Fengqi; now, leaning into him, it felt as though he was nestling in Li Fengqi’s arms.

"This is good."

“!!!” Li Fengqi's heart beat wildly in his chest. His mouth went dry as he prepared to say more, but when he glanced down, he saw that Ye Yunting had closed his eyes and was already asleep.

“…” Li Fengqi reluctantly reached out to poke the cheek of the person in his arms.

But Ye Yunting remained unresponsive, his breaths deep and even. It was clear he had no intention of paying attention to Li Fengqi at all.

Feeling his passion simmering uncontrollably within him, Li Fengqi pressed further by gently pinching Ye Yunting's earlobe— there was a small red mole on Ye Yunting’s left earlobe, which he'd long coveted. At this moment, he couldn’t help but caress it between his fingers.

The ear itself was very delicate, save for the earlobe which was slightly plump and dotted with that tiny crimson mole rested, making it seem so adorable.

Just as he started softly rubbing the mole, Ye Yunting swatted away his hand without even opening his eyes, his voice stern. "Sleep."

Li Fengqi: “...”

He could only obediently release his hold and pull Ye Yunting tighter into his arms, serving as a quiet and effective heater.

--

Ye Yunting slept very soundly that night, and woke up feeling refreshed. He realized that Li Fengqi was far more effective than a hot water bottle. The bottle always went cold by midnight, often jolting him awake with its chill. But Li Fengqi was different. He provided warmth throughout the entire night.

After some thought, Ye Yunting decided that since both had openly expressed their feelings, there was no need for shyness. He would enjoy this arrangement gracefully.

Feeling invigorated, Ye Yunting headed off to wash up. As he did so, he spotted Li Fengqi wheeling himself back inside. Ye Yunting casually asked, "Did you not sleep well, Your Highness?" ‘Why does he look so drained?’

“…” Li Fengqi gazed at him silently, wanting to say something but stopping himself. ‘Last night, while you were asleep, you kept shifting around and burrowing into my arms. No normal man could possibly sleep well.’

Ye Yunting was averse to the cold, so he instinctively sought out warmth as he drifted off to sleep. It had been manageable initially, but by midnight, he became restless, practically clinging onto Li Fengqi tightly, stoking and banking his passion. Li Fengqi could hardly sleep for half the night.

“Why are you eyes still bloodshot?” Seeing Li Fengqi's lack of response, Ye Yunting leaned closer to examine him, then said worriedly, "If you can't sleep well, we’ll light some calming incense tonight."

Li Fengqi ground his teeth and said with a half-smile, "There’s no need for calming incense. Just move around a bit before bedtime."

Ye Yunting was just about to say that he should move more, but when the words reached his lips, he caught himself mid-thought. His cheeks flushed slightly, but he said unyieldingly, "Your leg injury hasn't fully healed yet, so don't get any more ideas." After saying that, he patted Li Fengqi on the shoulder to comfort him before heading behind a screen to change his clothes.

“…” Li Fengqi watched Ye Yunting's retreating back and thought, ‘Even with that injured leg, I could still get the job done.’

But then he thought, if he did that, it would inevitably lack grandeur and majesty. Lowering his gaze, he muttered softly, "Never mind, I'll just have to endure for now."

When Ye Yunting emerged from behind the screen, freshly changed, he noticed Li Fengqi had also donned new attire, as though preparing to leave. "Going out today?"

"Mother is headed to Chuuyun Temple to offer incense. Didn’t you say before that you had a dream about a mysterious old monk? We can go together and around at the temple. The monks in these temples often spend time together, so we might find some leads there."

With one event after another unfolding, and each involving Ye Yunting, Li Fengqi hadn't wanted to rely on others. Following Ye Yunting's description, he'd given rough descriptions of the old monk’s appearance to his subordinates to search for him. However, finding additional clues would require them to take matters into their own hands.

Upon hearing what Li Fengqi said, Ye Yunting agreed. Even if they couldn't locate that specific old monk, he could find other monks with exceptional abilities who might still be able to help him solve his doubts.

After breakfast, they ordered the carriage readied and set off together with the Elder Wangfei towards Chuuyun Temple.

--

Ye Boru was sitting at a restaurant, casually glancing out the window, when he happened to see the Prince of Yong'an's carriage slowly passing by on the street below.

He recognized the guard driving the carriage as one of the prince's personal attendants. Ye Boru thought for a moment, then set down his wine cup. After giving his excuses to his companions at the table, he hastily descended the stairs and climbed into his own carriage, instructing the driver to follow the prince’s carriage from a distance.

After crossing the bustling main street and passed through the city gate, the lead carriage ahead gradually picked up speed.

Ye Boru twirled the jade pendant at his waist thoughtfully. Lifting the curtain, he asked the driver, "Can you tell where they're headed from this route?"

"Judging by their direction, it's probably Chuuyun Temple," the driver replied.

With this information, Ye Boru thought for a moment, then he said, "Turn back towards the city."

They entered the city gates once more. Ye Boru asked the driver to drive the carriage back, then Ye Boru chose a fine horse and set off again past the city gates.

A lone rider could move far faster than a heavy carriage, especially with Ye Boru taking shortcuts along lesser-known paths. He arrived first at Chuuyun Temple. He narrowed his eyes at the approaching carriage on the distant official road, before smiling and handing his reins over to the welcoming monk at the entrance.

 

=== Author's Notes ===

77: See, honey, look! I told you, he wanted to seduce me! You didn't believe me before!

Tinging: You seem quite happy?

77: .....?