Late at night, Ye Qingcheng lay on the large bed with her back to him, while Xiao Wangye occupied the small couch by the bed. He had fully embodied the principles of a gentleman.
"Are you asleep?" Xiao Wangye asked her cautiously. There was no reply.
"I'm telling you, there will always be something I can help you with. Even if you don't come to me, I will offer my assistance. I won't ask for anything in return." His deep voice echoed in the room, bouncing off the walls and reaching Ye Qingcheng's ears.
"I'll tell you again tomorrow. Goodnight." He closed his eyes and fell asleep with a smile.
Ye Qingcheng, however, opened her eyes. She hadn't been asleep and had heard his words. Yet, no joy stirred within her heart; instead, a heavy feeling weighed upon her. She wondered if the system also needed sleep, as San San, with its usual cheeky voice, was not teasing Ye Qingcheng.
The next morning, she turned her head to see Xiao Wangye had already woken up on the small couch beside her. Even the thin blanket he had used the night before was neatly folded and placed on it.
"As expected, OCD is a standard feature of powerful CEOs," she grumbled as she got up and walked to the washbasin. To her surprise, the basin was filled with water, just the right temperature—not too hot, not too cold. It was perfect for Ye Qingcheng to wash up after waking.
Such a thoughtful gesture, tinged with a hint of ambiguity. It couldn't have been Lin Xiao, as they hadn't brought any maids on this trip. It must have been Xiao Wangye himself.
If his words last night hadn't moved Ye Qingcheng, this small act today made her truly understand what "being cared for" felt like.
Before her emotions had subsided, Xiao Wangye entered with breakfast.
"Awake? Have you washed up? Come and eat breakfast." Even sitting in a wheelchair with his injury, he still held the breakfast Ye Qingcheng favored in the capital, along with some local pastries.
Lin Xiao pushed the wheelchair from behind, his face full of curiosity. "Then I shall take my leave."
Ye Qingcheng stared at him in shock and asked directly, "Where did you learn these tricks?" Clearly, these were techniques for pursuing a woman.
He looked at her with confusion and asked, "Do I need to learn it? Isn't this something everyone knows?"
Indeed, the differences between people were multifaceted. Ye Qingcheng: defeated.
To her surprise, Xiao Wangye actually repeated what he had told her last night: "Even if you don't come to me, I will still help you. You don't need to negotiate."
She had been too surprised by too many things these past few days that Ye Qingcheng couldn't answer him immediately. She remained in a state of shock even after they got into the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Wangye fussed over her, asking if she wanted to eat some snacks, drink some tea, stop for a walk, if the carriage was going too fast, or if she needed an extra cushion.
"San San, are you sure your male lead isn't mentally unstable?" she asked, still suspicious.
"Based on my observations, the male lead has no physical ailments," San San replied sincerely.
"Then why has he been acting like a completely different person these past few days?"
"You've asked me this question for the second time," San San said, sounding a little exasperated.
"That's because he's been acting like he's possessed," she said through gritted teeth.
In a way, the two of them were a perfect match. This was San San's inner thought.
And so, Ye Qingcheng spent her days under Xiao Wangye's meticulous care, watching him smile foolishly as she administered acupuncture each night. Her days were filled with complaining to San San as the journey back to the capital shortened day by day.
Finally, the west gate of the capital came into view.
"Qingcheng, you should get some rest first. I'll have Lin Xiao arrange for the chefs at 'Jinyu Tang' to prepare your favorite dishes at home for you."
The capital was under the emperor's direct rule. The moment Xiao Wangye entered the city gates, the young emperor had already dispatched people to await their arrival at the city gate.
A middle-aged man in eunuch attire stood respectfully in the center of the city gate, awaiting the Regent King's return. Behind him were two welcoming processions. Judging by the attire of the onlookers, they were from the palace, and this was a ceremony usually reserved for offerings to heaven.
As Xiao Wangye's carriage appeared, the leading eunuch shouted loudly, "Welcome back the Regent King with great victory!" As he finished speaking, the honor guards behind him began to play music. The common folk shouted, "Long live the Regent King, long live, long live!"
Everyone's faces were filled with excitement, genuinely cheering for Xiao Wangye's victory and his status. This was Xiao Wangye's triumph.
However, the person in the carriage had a dark expression.
"Why aren't you happy?" Ye Qingcheng asked, confused.
"It's nothing. Do as I said; you should return to the manor first and don't accompany me to see the young emperor." He resumed his usual impassive expression from the capital, his tone full of the domineering CEO demeanor.
"Oh, okay..." Ye Qingcheng inwardly grumbled, finding this sudden change quite unaccustomed.
"When they treated you with utmost kindness, you paid no heed. Now that they are merely a little indifferent in their speech, you think their hearts have changed. As expected, women are fickle creatures," San San's cheeky voice continued its teasing.
"If you can't speak properly, don't speak at all. It's best to be silent," Ye Qingcheng retorted, rolling her eyes.
"Ding, system notification: The male lead's sincerity towards you has increased by ten percent." This message, however, sounded rather pleasant.
"The hearts of men are indeed hard to fathom," she murmured softly, watching Xiao Wangye's retreating figure.
The Prince's Estate.
Compared to the festive decorations welcoming the Regent King back on the streets, the atmosphere within the Prince's Estate felt somewhat subdued. It was merely the old steward who had hung festive lanterns, laid out red carpets, and had the main gate repainted.
This low-key approach, however, unexpectedly pleased Ye Qingcheng.
"Miss, you've finally returned. I was so worried, it nearly killed me," Bi Xi's face was streaked with tears from crying. The moment she saw Ye Qingcheng alight from the carriage, she rushed out, embracing Ye Qingcheng tightly. She looked Ye Qingcheng over from head to toe, then carefully examined her jade-like hands, checking her face for any wounds, fearing they would spoil her appearance.
"I'm fine, I won't get hurt," Ye Qingcheng said, pulling Bi Xi, who was fussing over her, to a halt. "But how did you recognize me? I'm dressed like this."
Only then did Bi Xi notice her young lady was wearing men's clothing.
"I've been with Miss for over ten years. Even if you changed your face, I would still recognize you." Now that she knew Ye Qingcheng was unharmed, she completely relaxed.
"I'm hungry. Didn't Xiao Wangye say there would be chefs coming?" Ye Qingcheng tugged Bi Xi along, not forgetting to bow to the old steward as they passed.
"Miss, why is the Prince suddenly treating you so well?" Bi Xi's question hit Ye Qingcheng's sensitive spot.