Ye Qingcheng initially thought it was an assassin and raised her hand to strike. Her wrist was grabbed, and a familiar touch came, "Are you trying to murder your husband?" Hearing the playful voice, she knew it was the great oaf Xiao Wangye trying to be mysterious.
Speechlessly pushing away his head, which was still causing mischief buried in her neck, she questioned him in a bad tone, "What are you doing?"
Xiao Wangye was clearly in a good mood. "I've marked you; you’re covered in others’ scents. I don’t like it."
Ye Qingcheng finally felt it then – a sticky sensation on her neck, and her collarbone still felt a faint burning. Anger flared, and she raised her hand to slap him. Prince Xiao's quick reflexes blocked it.
"I didn't do anything wrong." He even sounded a little wronged, not having had enough yet. "We're husband and wife. How can I not do this kind of thing?"
Ye Qingcheng was stunned in bed. Right, they were husband and wife; doing what husband and wife should do was only right. Moreover, the original owner was deeply in love with Prince Xiao, and probably delighted by such things. As for herself, she was only not opposed to him because his face resembled her first love.
However, regarding what Xiao Wangye had done for her during this time, her heart had rarely wavered. She wasn't a pure little girl easily moved; she kept track of everything Xiao Wangye did. Every action was from her perspective.
If it were another woman, or perhaps the original owner, they would have long since consummated their relationship. Unfortunately, there are no ifs. I don't belong here, and I'm bound to leave sooner or later. Responding to his kindness would be irresponsible to both of us.
Xiao Wangye saw her demeanor suddenly turn somber, her eyes losing their light. He looked at her with disappointment, not with the gaze that previously looked through him at others, but as if watching her make a serious decision. His eyes held reluctance and guilt.
His heart ached suddenly. He found this Ye Qingcheng unfamiliar, as if she could float away at any moment, impossible to grasp.
He had to hold onto her, not let go. "Qingcheng, don't worry. I'm here for everything. We'll be together forever." He tightly clasped her hand, placed it on his chest, and solemnly promised Ye Qingcheng.
"Didn't you say you wanted to open a medical clinic? I've already found a storefront for you. It's on the main avenue in the city, near shops selling traditional Chinese medicine and flowers. What do you think?" His deep voice always carried a comforting tone. The Regent, whose reputation outside could scare children, returned home as an ordinary husband, trying every means to please his wife.
"Ding, congratulations to the host, sincerity has reached eighty percent." Sansan, rarely serious, announced the good news.
"Specifically, I'll have Lin Xiao take you to see it tomorrow. If you don't like it, we can change it." All her attention was focused on the man in front of her; she hadn't even heard Sansan's voice.
Seeing Ye Qingcheng still not answering him, Xiao Wangye thought he hadn't done well enough and sighed softly, "Never mind, I'll go with you to take a look tomorrow." Seeing that she still didn't react much, he worried she might be tired from the banquet.
Just as he was about to say more, Ye Qingcheng finally responded, "If you're busy, it's fine for Lin Xiao to accompany me." Receiving too much meant she would be reluctant to leave in the end.
"No need for him. I'll accompany you."
Seeing that she couldn't persuade Xiao Wangye, she went along with his wishes. The gears in her mind began to turn, and she seemed to hear the mission value rising again. She asked him, "Starting tonight, you don't need acupuncture. I'll have someone watch the medicinal soup. Tonight, you'll soak your feet, and tomorrow we can begin rehabilitation training."
Considering Prince Xiao's status, she still asked one more question, "Do I need to inform the people in the mansion beforehand?" To prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from leaking the news that the Regent was recovering his legs.
And using it to cause trouble, affecting the progress of his recovery.
"No need. I'll be doing it in the backyard, and I'll have shadow guards watching." Seeing Ye Qingcheng's concern for him, his earlier dejection vanished.
"Sansan, you said earlier that it had reached eighty percent, right?"
"Yes, it has. Still twenty percent to go. There will be a reward after completing the mission."
"It's already this late. Can you tell me what the reward is?" Ye Qingcheng was bargaining with Sansan.
"Well, it's not impossible. Then I'll tell you. The reward for completing this mission is that I can discern the truthfulness of Xiao Wangye's words to you, and that any words he says to you in the future will be sincere." This reward seemed very useful, but it was contradictory.
"No, that statement is contradictory."
"Hahaha, it's correct. You'll understand later."
All one can say is that Ye Qingcheng's future experience would be better off without it.
Seeing Ye Qingcheng's complexion finally return to its normal color, he breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed she needed his company. How cute. "Then I'll go soak in the medicinal bath. These are my thoughts on your medical clinic, which might be helpful to you." She took out a stack of papers from her sleeve. Saying "some" was an understatement; it looked like she had put in a lot of effort.
What to do, she was moved again.
Originally, Xiao Wangye adopted a domineering CEO style: if you want it, I'll give it to you directly; you don't need to labor over it. Ye Qingcheng vehemently refused, insisting on building it up step by step. Xiao Wangye was awed by her determination and let her proceed, offering guidance from the sidelines.
At night, the two lay in bed, each with their own thoughts, and by unspoken agreement, neither spoke.
Ye Qingcheng was the first to break the silence, "Xiao Wangye, do you still doubt my identity now?" She asked the most fatal question that lay between them.
The moment the words fell, even the air seemed to freeze. Xiao Wangye finally replied, "There's no reason to doubt anymore. I know very well that you are still you. As for why you are different from before, whether you were possessed or your soul was swapped, it doesn't matter to me. I know that you are Ye Qingcheng now, and that's enough."
She hadn't expected such an answer; she thought he would say something more romantic. This is enough. I am Ye Qingcheng, and Ye Qingcheng is me. I will leave with Ye Qingcheng's memories and return to where I belong with these beautiful memories.
"Xiao Wangye, thank you so much for supporting me. I will do many more things in the future. You must continue to support me without changing." She spoke these words with a hint of dominance.
"What if you're doing something bad?" he teased her.
"I would never do anything bad. Everything is for your benefit."
"Then what benefit do I get?" He was luring his prey into a trap, step by step.
"Whatever you want, you can ask for it." She naively thought he was talking about investment matters.
His deep voice was particularly alluring at night, like the song of a siren, "I want you to give birth to a little prince for me."