"This King does not wish to hear any more nonsense. You had best not pester this King further!" Ye Jingyu narrowed his eyes as he looked at her.
The little dumpling, feigning timidity, waved her hand and took the half-burned letter from the glazed lock, silently handing it over.
Ye Jingyu frowned as he took it and opened it.
Inside was a secret letter written by Duke Yingguo to Feng Qing'er's father.
It clearly stated that he had discovered a major matter concerning the foundation of the nation, but due to insufficient evidence, he could not present it to the court and wanted Feng Qing'er's father to help collect it.
The letter also explicitly stated that the other party had already become aware, and Duke Yingguo's mansion might face utter destruction.
However, the specific details of the matter were burned away in the missing half, rendering it illegible.
Su Yunmo tiptoed, bringing her little head closer, "How is it? Can this be used to overturn the case?"
Ye Jingyu poked her head with a finger, pushing her to the side. He folded the letter and tucked it into his sleeve, saying with disdain, "Do not stand on the seat wearing your shoes."
The little dumpling was poked and retreated, falling onto the soft couch. With the momentum, she rolled backward and lay there in a spoiled manner, "Such a man, so naggy, truly a busybody."
Ye Jingyu said coldly, "What did you say?"
Su Yunmo's eyelids twitched. She immediately sat up, grinning and extending her two little hands, "I said I helped you with such a big favor today, shouldn't you give me some reward?"
Ye Jingyu glanced at her small hands, "You may."
"Really?" The little dumpling's eyes lit up. "I don't want pearls or jade. Just give me more pocket money."
Feng Qing'er's illness was rather difficult to manage, and she needed a lot of money for the various medicines she had to prepare.
Ye Jingyu curved his lips and reached out, gently stroking her head, "Has Mo'er ever heard the saying: 'There is a golden house in books'?"
The smile on the little dumpling's face slowly froze.
The carriage stopped.
Qian Xue's voice came from outside, "Master, we have arrived at the General's Mansion."
Su Yunmo's eyelids twitched, and she tried to bolt.
Ye Jingyu, quick as lightning, pulled her back, grabbed her by the collar, and got out of the carriage. He strode into the mansion towards the study.
The little dumpling flailed her short arms and legs, crying out desperately, "I don't want to go! Let me go! I don't want the reward anymore, ahhh!"
Ye Jingyu used practical actions to tell her that she couldn't refuse.
Su Yunmo was soon placed on a specially made seat for her.
In front of the chair was a wooden board, just the right size to trap her in the seat and prevent her from moving.
Her two little arms were restrained by the chair, and she couldn't get out without help.
Ye Jingyu stood by with a book, reciting a line of poetry, and the little dumpling had to follow and learn it.
After learning it, she had to copy it ten times.
Su Yunmo struggled and refused to study. Ye Jingyu then took out a ruler and held it against her small hand as if to strike.
The little dumpling was on the verge of tears.
They recited for the entire afternoon. When dusk arrived, Qian Xue knocked on the door from outside, inviting the two masters inside to eat.
On the seat.
The little dumpling's eyes were already closed, her small hand holding a brush and scribbling on the paper instinctively, her small mouth opening and closing.
"White sun by the mountain... um, sleep... Yellow River... river water... drink..."
Ye Jingyu saw her voice growing fainter and her little head tilting back, almost sliding off the seat. He sighed helplessly.
He pressed a hidden button behind the seat, and the clamp on the chair opened.
The little dumpling then tumbled towards the ground.
Before she could fall, Ye Jingyu caught her in his arms, holding her with one arm and covering her face with the other to block the light.
"Ye Jingyu... you scoundrel~"
She mumbled dazedly, pouting her small lips, her small eyebrows furrowed.
A hint of indulgence flashed in Ye Jingyu's eyes. He gently pinched her cheek, "If this King did not do this and merely let you run wild, when would your injuries heal?"
He carried the little dumpling and walked out.
As he opened the door, Qian Xue, holding a blanket, stepped forward and covered the little dumpling, "Master, should dinner be served in the room?"
"Have the small kitchen prepare it. When she wakes up and says she's hungry, serve it to her then."
Qian Xue glanced at her master helplessly and sighed.
Well, it seemed her master wasn't planning to eat properly tonight either.
Ye Jingyu carried the little dumpling into the room and placed her on the bed, covering her with the quilt.
The little dumpling's small hands unconsciously clutched his clothes, and she curled her short legs to her chest.
Ye Jingyu pursed his lips and tried to pull away his clothes. After a few attempts, he couldn't, so he sighed and followed her pull, taking off his shoes and lying beside her, holding her in his arms.
Su Yunmo slept until dawn, waking up hungry.
The aroma of the white porridge made her stomach rumble incessantly.
She groggily opened her eyes and was about to get out of bed barefoot.
But she was quickly grabbed by the collar and tossed back onto the bed, "You're awake, put on your clothes first."
Su Yunmo opened her eyes, still groggy, "Hungry~"
"You didn't eat last night, so of course, you're hungry." Ye Jingyu tied his belt and walked over, taking new clothes to help her change, then carried her to the table.
"This King has matters to attend to in the palace. You are to stay home obediently today. If you disobey again, this King will punish you doubly when I return."
The little dumpling had a spoon placed in her hand. She closed her eyes and nodded dazedly.
Almost instinctively, she put things into her mouth.
After eating a few mouthfuls, she finally came to her senses. She looked around, and the room was empty.
Looking down again, her clothes were neatly arranged, and her shoes were very comfortable.
Huh? Did she sleepwalk?
She scratched the back of her head, feeling as though someone had spoken to her just now.
"It must have been a dream."
Su Yunmo easily accepted this thought, finished the remaining half bowl of porridge in one gulp, then took two or three bites of a steamed bun, jumped off the chair, and walked towards the door.
She opened the door.
Qian Xue was guarding the entrance and reached out to block her path, "Little Miss, Master said you are grounded today."