Ye Jingcheng's expression was so dark it seemed about to drip water.
This was the first time he had been publicly humiliated!
Seeing his displeasure, Su Qingtian felt a surge of satisfaction. "Your Highness, please don't take offense. Children speak without restraint."
It was true that the child spoke without restraint, but it was also true that children's words were innocent.
Ye Jingyu's lips curved into a playful smile.
The little one certainly wasn't one to suffer in silence.
Someone entered the hall from outside the palace – Ye Jingcheng's personal attendant.
He looked somewhat flustered and whispered a few words to Ye Jingcheng upon entering. The latter's face suddenly darkened further!
Everyone was unaware of what had happened.
Ye Jingcheng took a deep breath and clenched his fists tightly. "General Su, I apologize for my rudeness today. I will visit again another day. I have matters to attend to at the manor and cannot stay longer."
It was better that he left!
Su Qingtian concealed his thoughts and cupped his fists with a cheerful smile. "Not at all, Your Highness. It is I who should visit you next time."
Ye Jingcheng grunted, turned to leave, and as he passed Ye Jingyu, he fixed him with a stern gaze, lowering his voice and saying, "Well done."
Seeing him depart in haste, Su Yunmo looked at Ye Jingyu with curiosity.
What mischief had he gotten up to now?
Ye Jingyu smiled back.
He hadn't done much, only that his imperial brother had sent assassins multiple times, and if he didn't reciprocate, it would seem rather impolite.
He only hoped the common folk around Prince Lian's manor wouldn't be disturbed.
"Since Your Highness has come, please take a seat," Su Qingtian stepped forward, blocking their gazes.
Although he had a good impression of Ye Jingyu, he still had to be cautious! If possible, he wished all members of the royal family would stay away from his little girl!
"Prince Yu's visit was sudden, and I hadn't made prior arrangements, but adding an extra chair is certainly possible."
As Su Qingtian spoke, he took a step to the side, clearing the path for Ye Jingyu to leave.
This was not an invitation to a feast, but a clear dismissal.
Everyone looked at Ye Jingyu with concern, fearing he might be displeased.
After all, he had just helped the General's manor out of a predicament, and Su Qingtian was now turning his back on him. Anyone else would have stormed off.
Ye Jingyu flicked a speck of dust from his sleeve. "I thank General Su for the invitation, and I shall not be polite. As for a chair, there is no need to add one."
He turned, walked to the head seat, and sat in Su Qingtian's place.
Everyone: "??"
Good heavens!
Su Qingtian's eyes widened: "!!"
I didn't invite your grandfather! Can't this grown man even understand implied meanings?
And that's my chair! Where do you expect me to sit!
"Your Highness, the seat you've taken might be a bit inappropriate!" General Su gritted his teeth.
Does this brat want to be the master of the General's manor?
Ye Jingyu's eyes curved slightly upward. "I am not a picky person. Making do is fine. General Su, there's no need to fetch the gold-inlaid jade chair."
Su Qingtian's anger flared.
I'll fetch your grandmother's claw!
Zhou Wanyou, helpless and not wanting her daughter's birthday banquet to turn into a tense standoff, offered her own seat to Su Qingtian.
But Su Qingtian insisted on being difficult and deliberately sat next to Ye Jingyu.
Xi Tian could only move a chair for him to the side and behind Ye Jingyu.
Su Qingtian's intention was to convey that his seat was the position of the master of the house, but unfortunately, the chair was placed a bit too far to the side.
From the front, he looked more like Ye Jingyu's bodyguard, which was quite awkward.
Su Qingtian naturally noticed this, but he stubbornly remained seated and refused to move.
It was a showdown!
Su Yunmo couldn't help but find it amusing.
Her father could be quite childlike at times.
The banquet officially began, and the hall became lively again.
The adults sat together chatting, while the children gathered to play.
Su Yunmo mingled with the other children. Whenever she tried to speak to Ye Jingyu, Su Qingtian would quickly block her, as if warding off a wolf.
Su Siqi leaned against the wall, fiddling with a jade pendant. "Don't you think Dad is a bit overprotective?"
Su Sizhuo took a sip of tea, sounding mature beyond his years. "Too extreme."
Unaware that his two sons were complaining about him, Su Qingtian was busy bickering with Ye Jingyu.
Thus, amidst the lively atmosphere, the banquet finally concluded.
Zhou Wanyou saw the guests off, and Su Yunmo was carried back to her room to sleep.
Once the General's manor fell completely silent, the little person on the bed opened her eyes.
There was movement on the roof.
She got up, put on her clothes, and left the room. Climbing onto the roof, she indeed saw Ye Jingyu sitting there, holding a pot of wine.
In the moonlight, his handsome face appeared somewhat gentle, and combined with the regal aura that could not be concealed no matter what, he possessed a unique charm.
"What? Not keeping a low profile anymore?" Su Yunmo raised an eyebrow and walked over.
Ye Jingyu handed her a small cup. "After pretending for so many years, I'm tired."
Su Yunmo sat beside him and sniffed the cup.
It was fruit wine, with a faint aroma of fruit, and she wouldn't get drunk from drinking it.
"Now that you and Ye Jingcheng are on equal footing in court, it doesn't matter if the people he can use are eliminated."
"But even so, it's still difficult for you to get the upper hand over him."
Ye Jingyu poured her a small amount of wine. "He has stood firm in court for so many years, isn't it because the Empress is in charge of the harem?"
"This Empress has been in her position for quite a long time," Su Yunmo glanced into the cup, not entirely satisfied.
Ye Jingyu placed the wine pot aside, clearly not wanting her to drink too much. "Haven't you already made a move against the Empress?"
Su Yunmo raised her eyebrows playfully. "Likewise."
They exchanged a look, clinked their cups in understanding, and drank together.
Autumn had arrived, and the wind at night was cold.
Su Yunmo, however, didn't feel the cold. After drinking the wine, her heart felt warm. "I appreciate the arrangements for today's birthday banquet. I've prepared a gift for a long time. Shall we see it tomorrow?"
Ye Jingyu's fingers stiffened slightly, and his eyes flickered. "Alright."
The gift she gave would naturally be excellent.
Su Yunmo tilted her head and smiled, her eyes mischievous. "But before you see the gift, you have to put on a good show."
Her eyes sparkled brilliantly in the moonlight, her pupils reflecting a vast expanse of stars.
Ye Jingyu curved his lips into a smile and replied, "I will certainly accompany you!"
They chatted for a while longer, finished the remaining wine, and parted ways.
Although the wine wasn't strong, it still made Su Yunmo feel a little tipsy.
She slept very soundly that night.
The next morning, she instructed Ziyuan to prepare the carriage to enter the palace.
On the way to Ci'an Palace, Su Yunmo overheard two young palace maids discussing in private.
'Prince Yu was summoned to the palace by the Empress again today. For some reason, the Empress was furious, and Prince Yu is likely to be punished again.'
Su Yunmo understood, pretending not to hear as she entered Ci'an Palace.
Meanwhile, in the Empress's sleeping quarters.
Luo Yun'e dismissed the palace maids, leaving only two wet nurses on either side.
Ye Jingyu stood below, dressed in a brocade robe. His face, unhindered by a mask, was as calm as still water.
Luo Yun'e stared at him hatefully and snapped, "Kneel!"
Ye Jingyu looked at her indifferently, with both disappointment and sarcasm. "After all these years, can't Your Highness change your methods?"
Always hitting and scolding, such predictability was truly boring.
Luo Yun'e froze for a moment, a hint of surprise and anger showing on her face.
How dare he speak to her like this!