The study was like a battlefield, the atmosphere particularly oppressive.
Xiao Wangye waved his hand, signaling the scout to withdraw.
The scout bowed and then retreated.
Ye Qingcheng stood at the doorway, looking at Xiao Wangye, "Does His Highness know what I've done to warrant such an investigation?"
Xiao Wangye remained silent, but as he looked at Ye Qingcheng, his suspicions seemed to gain more confirmation.
"Lin Xiao, you and Bi Xi, go out. Have everyone around the study dismissed. Don't come here unless necessary. I want to have a private talk with the Princess."
Lin Xiao hesitated, what if a fight broke out? But a look from the Prince made him understand instantly. He quickly went out.
As he left, he didn't forget to drag Bi Xi along.
Bi Xi was pulled back, "Hey, hey, hey! Slow down, I'm still carrying the dishes!"
Then came Lin Xiao's voice, "Slow down more? Aren't you afraid they'll kill you?"
Everyone had left, leaving only the two of them staring at each other.
Xiao Wangye put down the scroll, "Since you know, let's talk. Who exactly are you?"
Ye Qingcheng stopped pretending.
Everything she had shown was unrelated to the original owner. She had known from the beginning that she would be suspected, but she had been gambling. Now, seeing Xiao Wangye had removed everyone else, she understood she had won her gamble. Not only did Xiao Wangye need someone with her medical skills by his side, but she was also the only one in this world who could cure his leg. Therefore, Xiao Wangye wouldn't take her life and would protect her well.
However, the fact that he had secretly investigated her made Ye Qingcheng very angry.
So, Ye Qingcheng was no longer polite with Xiao Wangye and directly attacked him with her internal energy.
Xiao Wangye remained seated, not moving. Ye Qingcheng's palm strike could have been easily dodged by a slight tilt of his head. However, her palm strike carried considerable force, directly sending the scroll on the table flying.
Ye Qingcheng's hand was caught. She flipped her hand, and silver needles hidden in her sleeve shot out. Xiao Wangye quickly spun his wheelchair to evade the needle attack, and upon closer inspection, realized they were coated in poison.
Ye Qingcheng smirked, "How is it? This is the same poison you have. Want to try again?"
Xiao Wangye smiled without speaking.
Ye Qingcheng, only adept at close combat, lunged forward, intending to grab his shoulder, but was pushed back by Xiao Wangye's gentle internal energy.
After standing upright, Ye Qingcheng, still feeling indignant, grabbed a teacup from the table and threw it at him.
But before the teacup could touch Xiao Wangye, it was shattered by his internal energy.
Xiao Wangye looked at her again and asked, "Who exactly are you?"
Ye Qingcheng smoothed her chest and looked at him, "Who I am isn't really important to you, so why ask so many questions?"
Xiao Wangye looked at her with deep eyes, "I need my partner to be someone I know well, for my own security by my side. Don't you agree?"
Ye Qingcheng shrugged indifferently, "My name is Ye Qingcheng, and this body also belongs to Ye Qingcheng. You don't need to worry about security; I pose no threat."
Xiao Wangye looked at her and said nothing more.
But that didn't mean Ye Qingcheng had let go of her anger.
In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xiao Wangye's study had been ravaged beyond recognition by her.
Xiao Wangye knew he was in the wrong and let Ye Qingcheng vent her frustration.
Finally, Ye Qingcheng was appeased. Before leaving, she gave Xiao Wangye a middle finger and then departed.
Xiao Wangye sighed helplessly.
That evening, Ye Qingcheng didn't even dine with him, taking her Chongqing chicken and staying in her room.
Bi Xi twitched her lips, watching helplessly as the Princess ate an entire plate of Chongqing chicken in her room, declaring, "I won't give any to that scoundrel."
The next day was when Ye Qingcheng's restaurant sign was ready, so she woke up early.
As she sat before the dressing mirror, Ye Qingcheng finally realized her only secret had been discovered by Xiao Wangye.
It was over. What if he thought she was a ghost and called a Taoist priest to exorcise her?
However, she quickly reconsidered. It seemed unnecessary. Xiao Wangye didn't have any such intentions.
Ye Qingcheng wilted. Her secret was out, and she didn't even feel like putting on makeup. The嬷嬷 (madam/elderly female servant) saw this, "Princess, if you don't put on makeup, you won't be presentable. Let this old servant help you."
Anything that could be done by others was welcome!
Ye Qingcheng immediately closed her eyes, enjoying the嬷嬷's skillful touch.
The gentle and soft application of makeup was truly pleasant.
After the makeup was done, Ye Qingcheng opened her eyes and stared at herself in the mirror, completely stunned.
The嬷嬷 had applied a fashionable ancient look. The base was light, and her willow-leaf eyebrows revealed a different softness, giving her a delicate, moving, and soul-stirring beauty. Her name was indeed fitting.
The嬷嬷 also smiled slowly, "The Princess is truly of unparalleled beauty."
Ye Qingcheng smiled faintly, awaiting the gentle beauty of an ancient lady.
Ye Qingcheng didn't even have breakfast with Xiao Wangye. She went directly to see Jun Lao. By this time, Jun Lao could eat things like congee.
He wasn't surprised to see Ye Qingcheng, but teased, "Why aren't you looking for your Prince today? Did you have a fight?"
Ye Qingcheng asked, perplexed, "You stay in your room all day. How do you know?"
Jun Lao chuckled, "Because the news of your argument, coupled with the Princess being very angry and making a mess of the Prince's study, yet the Prince still tolerating it and not throwing you out, has already spread throughout the entire Prince's mansion. Now, the entire capital probably knows."
Ye Qingcheng hastily stood up, "Won't that paint me as a shrew?"
Jun Lao was about to comfort her when he saw her sit down again.
"Let them spread it. I'll settle the score with Xiao Wangye."
Jun Lao: "..." He decided to leave her to it and continued eating his congee.
Ye Qingcheng, rarely getting upset here, asked about his condition.
"Did you pass gas today?"
Jun Lao's hand, holding the bowl, paused, "Gas?"
Ye Qingcheng's mouth slipped, forgetting that the meaning of "anal" was not common knowledge at this time. "I mean, did you fart? Or did you poop?"
"Pfft!" Jun Lao spat out the congee he had just drunk, "Cough, cough, woman, watch what you say."
Ye Qingcheng was speechless, "There's no gender distinction before a doctor. Speak quickly."
Jun Lao, being of advanced age, was still a bit shy about this matter. "Um... well... um..."
Seeing him dawdle for so long without answering, Ye Qingcheng's temper flared. She slammed the table, "Speak quickly."
Jun Lao was startled and looked like he was about to cry, "I did..."
Ye Qingcheng nodded, "It's good that you did. It means your digestive system is recovering, and you can start eating. Just congee, soups, and medicinal decoctions. Remember, don't eat anything too hard, your stomach can't handle it and it will hurt."
Jun Lao nodded in understanding.
Since she had given him all the instructions, and fearing he might forget his dietary restrictions like a child, she asked Jing Xiu to continue watching over him before she confidently left.
The restaurant sign was ready and was named "Seemingly Flowing Water Through Years."
Thus, Ye Qingcheng's restaurant officially opened.
However, she did not appear in person. Instead, she gave instructions to the shopkeeper.