Chapter 48: Following Everywhere You Go 7

Yu Qingyan was momentarily stunned. To see her?

Chu Yuchuan had already turned and got out of the bed. "My beloved consort, take a guess. What does the Prince of Jing want with you?"

Yu Qingyan frowned. Could it be that he had spotted her on the street the day before yesterday?

With a sullen expression, Chu Yuchuan walked toward the door. When he reached the threshold, he pulled her up along with him. "You are coming with me."

Yu Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "Very well."

Chu Yuchuan's expression darkened by another shade. "It seems you are quite eager to see him!"

"Tsk tsk, Your Highness's expression is truly unsightly."

Chu Yuchuan pulled her into his embrace and captured her lips without warning. Yu Qingyan frowned. It was not that she could not dodge, but rather a moment of hesitation—

A flash of amusement crossed Yu Qingyan's eyes as she parted her lips and met him halfway.

Amidst the intertwining of lips and tongues, Yu Qingyan slowly closed her eyes.

When the kiss ended, both of them were slightly out of breath. Chu Yuchuan looked at the person before him with deep, smoldering eyes. "I never expected my beloved consort to be so... delicious."

Yu Qingyan smiled. "Your Highness is quite palatable as well."

When Chu Yuchuan and Yu Qingyan arrived, Chu Yufeng was in the midst of drinking tea. Seeing the two of them, he smiled and rose to his feet.

"My seventh younger brother has finally arrived."

***

Chu Yuchuan went straight to the point. "I wonder what brings the Prince of Jing to see Qingyan?"

Chu Yufeng looked toward Yu Qingyan, while Yu Qingyan glanced sideways at Chu Yuchuan. "Fifth Imperial Brother, please state your business."

"This prince finds your fair countenance unforgettable, Younger Sister-in-law."

Chu Yuchuan took a step forward, but Chu Yufeng merely smiled and produced a brocade box. "Our meeting that day was truly too rushed. Consider this a supplementary token of greeting, and I pray the Seventh Younger Sister-in-law will accept it."

"Fifth Imperial Brother need not stand on ceremony. Just call me Qingyan." Yu Qingyan took the box, raised an eyebrow at Chu Yufeng, and slipped the note he had tucked inside straight into her sleeve.

"Since the gift has been delivered, this prince will take his leave."

"Someone come, escort the Prince of Jing out."

Yu Qingyan lowered her head and opened the brocade box, inside of which lay a pair of pristine jade bracelets. Chu Yuchuan turned back to look at Yu Qingyan, snatched the brocade box right out of her hands, and tossed it to a nearby maidservant. "Take this outside and throw it away!"

"Hey, that belongs to me." Yu Qingyan frowned. That was pure money right there!

"If you like them, I will have someone send you a pair ten times more exquisite another day!"

"There is no need."

Chu Yuchuan's expression abruptly darkened. "You would accept his things yet refuse mine?"

Yu Qingyan gave him a sidelong glance. What madness had seized this man again? Chu Yufeng's visit was primarily to deliver that slip of paper, and the so-called greeting gift was merely a pretext. Accepting it carried no burden, but accepting things from Chu Yuchuan without rhyme or reason—that would certainly carry a weight of its own.

"Make yourself clear!"

***

Yu Qingyan turned back. "Make what clear?"

"Why did you accept his things and not mine?"

"..." Too lazy to bicker with him, Yu Qingyan turned on her heel and strode out of the room, quickening her pace so that the man behind her could not easily catch up.

Yu Qingyan unfolded the note. Written upon it were the words: 'My gratitude to the young master for your kind assistance.'

Yu Qingyan let out a soft laugh. Not only had he recognized her, but he had also seen right through her male disguise. Looking at the handwriting, sharp yet restrained, she could not help but recall Chu Yuchuan's words—that this man harbored deep schemes...

"Yu Qingyan!"

"I hear you." Yu Qingyan turned around as Chu Yuchuan caught up to her.

Yu Qingyan handed the note over to him. "He knows."

After reading it, Chu Yuchuan let out a cold laugh. "He came all this way just for this?"

"I think he treats you quite well. Why are you so hostile toward him?"

"Well?"

"Compared to the Prince of Qi and the Prince of Lie, he is much better."

"The Prince of Qi and the Prince of Lie wear their hearts on their sleeves and say whatever is on their minds. As for him, he wears a gentle facade all day long—who knows what thoughts are churning in his heart? Does my beloved consort not know that open spears are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against?"