Ye Yunli had enough self-awareness to know she was simply tricking Xiao Xiaoyu, hoping the latter would do her bidding.
However, she never anticipated that not only would the other party fail to complete the task, but would also transform herself into a bestowed Zhaoyi, becoming an equal to Ye Yunli!
This matter itself was rife with strangeness. Even if Ye Yunli wished to question Xiao Xiaoyu, the latter was no longer an official's lady whom she could easily manipulate.
Ye Yunli's suspicion, coupled with Xiao Wangye's inflammatory words, ignited her rage.
Noticing the flickering anger in Ye Yunli's eyes, a steady look crossed Xiao Wangye's. He knew his plan had succeeded.
But at this moment, he still maintained a look of pity and concern, continuing to rub salt into her wound.
"You should pay more attention to yourself. This harem is likely to be unsettled from now on."
Listening to Xiao Wangye's words, Ye Yunli's anger towards Xiao Xiaoyu escalated further, but she could only suppress it forcefully.
She couldn't possibly tell Xiao Wangye about the trivial matters between herself and Xiao Xiaoyu, so she could only grit her teeth and bear it in silence.
Seeing the concerned look on Xiao Wangye's face, Ye Yunli's heart stirred. The affection that had been suppressed by entering the palace surged back.
She wished to become more intimate with Xiao Wangye, but unfortunately, being in the palace now, every word and action was being watched.
Thus, she could only gaze at him affectionately and reply with gratitude,
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern! I will definitely keep it in mind! I hope Your Highness has a smooth journey, and I will await your triumphant return in the capital!"
After a few more pleasantries, Xiao Wangye, seeing that his objective had been achieved, bid farewell to Ye Yunli and turned to leave.
Ye Qingcheng, who had been waiting for a while, saw the man walking towards her, her lips pressed tightly, her brows furrowed.
"Oh, I didn't realize the Prince was so concerned about Consort Li! You even made time for sentiment before leaving!"
Her anger got the better of her, and Ye Qingcheng spoke without thinking, her words full of sourness.
Fortunately, there was no one around them, so her sourness did not spread.
Hearing this, Xiao Wangye was stunned for a moment, then found it both amusing and exasperating.
He walked over, patted Ye Qingcheng's shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Let's go."
Unexpectedly, Ye Qingcheng sidestepped, avoided his hand, her eyebrows raised in annoyance, and she huffed and walked forward on her own.
Facing her childish tantrum, Xiao Wangye could only shake his head with a wry smile and follow.
The two walked one after the other, and anyone with discerning eyes could see that something was amiss.
Xiao Wangye wanted to catch up and walk alongside Ye Qingcheng. However, the latter was unwilling. When he approached, she deliberately turned aside, not even giving him a glance.
Even when they got out of the palace and onto the carriage, she sat on the opposite side, turned her head in another direction, and ignored him.
Throughout the journey, Ye Qingcheng did not give Xiao Wangye a single pleasant look nor did she utter a word to him.
Xiao Wangye understood her demeanor and knew that she was jealous and angry.
Despite his several attempts to strike up a conversation and seek reconciliation, Ye Qingcheng remained oblivious and ignored him completely.
At this point, Xiao Wangye was helpless and could only shake his head and sigh repeatedly.
In reality, Ye Qingcheng also understood very well that Xiao Wangye could not possibly have any feelings for Ye Yunli.
If he truly had any intentions towards Ye Yunli, he would have taken her into his chambers when she shamelessly stayed at the Prince's mansion. There would be no need to wait until now.
Moreover, it was Xiao Wangye who personally sent Ye Yunli to the young emperor's side, and this fact could not be faked.
Xiao Wangye, though appearing easygoing and uninhibited, was actually quite stubborn!
However, even so, Ye Qingcheng could not control her anger and was unable to let go of what had just happened.
She always felt as though these two were up to something behind her back!
Especially Xiao Wangye, he must be hiding some secret from her!
The two returned to the Prince's mansion. With nothing else to do, they prepared to set off.
Ye Qingcheng, with a cold expression, shouldered her reorganized medical kit. Without even glancing at the other person in the room, she turned to leave.
"Wait a moment!"
Xiao Wangye suddenly called out to stop her.
Ye Qingcheng's steps, about to go out the door, halted. Although she didn't turn around, she stopped.
Xiao Wangye knew she was still upset, so he didn't force her to look at him. He spoke in an extremely gentle tone, advising,
"It's best if you change into men's clothing. The journey will surely not be peaceful. Changing into men's clothing will reduce some unnecessary trouble."
Hearing this suggestion, Ye Qingcheng agreed in her heart, but she had no intention of forgiving him so easily.
Even though she agreed, she wouldn't show it, and continued to walk outwards.
Xiao Wangye was extremely helpless with her persistent attitude. He smiled and shook his head, a hint of pampering appearing on his face.
When Xiao Wangye got into the carriage and lifted the curtain, he saw Ye Qingcheng inside, dressed in a white robe.
She had changed into men's clothing at some point. Her hair was tied up high, and coupled with the loose long robe and her exceptionally handsome face, she truly looked like a roguish young gentleman.
Xiao Wangye watched her actions, a smile appearing on his face.
"Let's start!"
After he was seated, the coachman outside pulled the reins, whipped the horses, and the journey began.
This trip, traveling day and night, would take three days and three nights.
Xiao Wangye's fiefdom was considered relatively close. It was chosen for him by the late emperor when he was still alive, and it was quite prosperous.
Later, when the young emperor ascended the throne, he could not find an excuse to reclaim the fiefdom and could only resort to covert means, causing the common people of the fiefdom to suffer greatly.
Xiao Wangye was also very helpless about this.
He had always been confined to the capital, only able to send his subordinates to gather intelligence privately.
This was his first time personally going to his fiefdom, and he felt a little anticipation.
The carriage moved forward smoothly until it exited the city gates.
The swaying carriage made Ye Qingcheng feel a bit dizzy and disoriented. Fortunately, there was an official road outside the city, and it quickly stabilized.
"Alright, stop being angry."
After exiting the city gates, Xiao Wangye finally brought up the matter of Ye Yunli and actively addressed Ye Qingcheng.
However, Ye Qingcheng was not about to let it go. She crossed her arms and turned her head away.
Helpless, Xiao Wangye had no choice but to explain the entire sequence of events truthfully, including the truth of how Xiao Xiaoyu became a Zhaoyi.
The matter was quite simple. Xiao Xiaoyu merely wanted a good marriage, and Xiao Wangye only helped to fan the flames in this regard.
Marrying the emperor and becoming an imperial concubine was surely the best marriage, wasn't it?
Since she hadn't completed the task assigned by Ye Yunli, she naturally wouldn't get any benefits from the latter.
But now that she had soared to become a Zhaoyi, without Xiao Wangye needing to remind her, Xiao Xiaoyu would surely deal with Ye Yunli to protect herself.