Ye Tinglan frowned instinctively upon hearing this. "Who told you that?"
The matter of Yun Shu being abducted, he had only reported it to his father, the Emperor. Even the Empress Dowager was not aware of it. How could Qin Rulian have heard about it?
Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Qin Rulian stiffened, stopping abruptly.
When she looked up, her gaze, sharp and laced with scrutiny, sent a cold sweat down her back. In an instant, she quickly regained her composure and spoke. "I merely overheard some whispers from palace servants, and my heart was filled with worry... Brother Tinglan, are you looking at me like this because you suspect I'm involved?"
As she finished, her eyes welled up, and she looked at Ye Tinglan with a wronged expression, tears threatening to fall. Her carefully crafted demeanor of delicate vulnerability was met with a fleeting glance from Ye Tinglan before he impatiently looked away. "This King did not think that."
Not to mention that she had been in the palace these past two days. Yun Shu's abduction was the work of the Black Cloaked figures; how could it be connected to her? Qin Rulian knew this logic even better in her heart. She was deliberately saying that! She would be delighted if Yun Shu were taken away, so why would she be worried? Her previous statement was merely to evade Ye Tinglan's questioning, and clearly, her objective had been achieved.
A triumphant smirk played on her lips, and her voice softened instantly. "Rulian knew Brother Tinglan wouldn't think so. Then, what about Princess Chao An..." She had heard that the other party was demanding the tribute gift for the Empress Dowager's birthday from the Northern Kingdom. Ye Tinglan had spent a long time in the Imperial Study today, and she didn't know if the Emperor had agreed. She tried to probe indirectly, but Ye Tinglan had no desire to say more. "This King will handle this matter properly. You need not inquire, nor should you mention it to others again." With these words, she was completely shut down.
Qin Rulian bit her lip, her hand gripping the handkerchief tightening. "Brother Tinglan, I was only worried about the Princess's safety..." "What did that villain demand? If it were gold and jewels, Rulian would give all her own ornaments, just for the Princess to..."
"Drink some more."
Her words were interrupted before she could finish. Qin Rulian looked up in confusion, only to find that Ye Tinglan was not listening to her at all. He was feeding water to that little brat! His gaze was incredibly attentive, and his movements were gentler than she had ever seen. In an instant, a sourness rose in Qin Rulian's heart. She wished she could transform into Feng Jinchen, let alone inquire further about Yun Shu.
"Brother Tinglan, who is this young gentleman?" She observed Feng Jinchen's attire; he didn't seem like the son of a noble or a prince. The people around them couldn't be, and Ye Tinglan certainly couldn't be. So, whose child was he?! She waited expectantly for an answer, but Ye Tinglan was coaxing the little ball of fluff in his arms, not even glancing at her. Completely ignored, Qin Rulian's face turned awkward. She bit her lip but still spoke stubbornly. "Brother Tinglan..."
"Annoying."
This childish voice clearly came from Feng Jinchen. Qin Rulian's body jolted fiercely, and her expression froze. This little brat... was talking about her?! How rude! Her face turned a mottled color. She clenched her handkerchief, but before she could react, she heard him speak again. "Uncle Tinglan, I'm really full now." He pouted, looking unwilling to drink any more. Ye Tinglan raised an eyebrow at this and had to put down the teacup.
Just as Qi Xuan came out from inside, he encountered this scene and felt even more dejected. "Your Highness, the bedding has been laid, and the pillows... have been pressed down." They were showing affection between uncle and nephew, while he was laying bedsheets and pressing pillows... Indeed, people's joys and sorrows are not shared! Ye Tinglan nodded, as if he had finally remembered Qin Rulian's presence in the room. He turned to look at her and said coldly, "It's late, you should go back and rest." With that, he carried Feng Jinchen inside. Qin Rulian said "Ah," and tried to follow, but Qi Xuan stopped her. "Miss Qin, His Highness needs to rest, please return."
"I..." After coming all this way with great effort, not only did she fail to find anything out, but she was also unceremoniously driven away. Qin Rulian was beside herself with anxiety. Hearing the faint sounds from the room, she felt as if ten thousand ants were crawling in her heart. "Miss, let's go back." The maid, unaware of the situation and concerned about the late hour and dew, reminded her. However, she received a fierce glare. "You talk too much!" "Yes..." After glaring at her fiercely, Qin Rulian's gaze shifted back to the room. She cast a few resentful glances before turning away in anger. Damn it! Who exactly was that child?!
Regarding the matter of "sleeping with Ye Tinglan for a night," Feng Jinchen stated that it was forced, entirely forced! When Qi Xuan came in with breakfast, the two had just gotten up. Their own Prince stood elegantly by the bed, tidying his clothes, while on the bed, the little ball of fluff was touching half his face, his expression clearly resentful. Qi Xuan paused for a moment. Peering through the gaps of his short fingers, he vaguely noticed a patch of redness and swelling. His heart tightened, and he immediately spoke, "Your Highness, what happened to the young master's face?" Had he been bitten by mosquitoes inadvertently during the night?
Ye Tinglan looked down upon hearing this and finally noticed the redness and swelling on the small face. His brow furrowed immediately. "What is going on here?" Feng Jinchen's gaze became even more resentful upon hearing this question. What was going on? He couldn't be bothered to explain! This Uncle, for some reason, kept pinching his face while he slept. And he didn't even control the strength of his grip! Look, his face was swollen! No, he had to leave today, no matter what! No, he was leaving now! Having made up his mind, he pursed his lips and immediately climbed off the bed. "Uncle Tinglan, it's already dawn. I'm going to find my mother. Goodbye." With that, he put on his shoes and toddled out with his short legs. However, after only two steps, his feet became uncontrollably lifted into the air. Turning in surprise, he found himself being held up by a certain uncle. He immediately became displeased. "Uncle Tinglan, what are you doing? Put me down quickly!"
Ye Tinglan did not listen and placed him on a chair. While speaking, he signaled to Qi Xuan. "It's too dangerous for you to go alone. After breakfast, this King will have Qi Xuan accompany you." Upon hearing that he would be involved again, Feng Jinchen became displeased. "Uncle Tinglan, you really don't need to trouble yourself. I can find my mother myself." Before he could finish speaking, a small soup bun was stuffed into his mouth. The savory juice overflowed. He swallowed and decided to speak after eating. Under Ye Tinglan's arrangements, he was still taken onto the carriage by Qi Xuan. Although Feng Jinchen was unwilling, he figured that traveling by carriage was indeed less strenuous than walking. After weighing the pros and cons, he had to compromise for the time being. "Let's go." As the carriage curtain fell and the carriage pulled away, a cold glint flashed rapidly from behind the flower bushes.