"Is that so?" Ye Jingyu asked, his heart filled with suspicion.
The little dumpling earnestly vouched for her honesty and reliability. "I'm the most trustworthy. I've never lied to you, have I? You should have a little more faith in me."
Hearing her words, Ye Jingyu could only agree.
Qian Xue prepared a carriage and returned to the Prince Yu's manor to retrieve an invitation.
The two then boarded the carriage and headed towards the Marquis's manor.
Lin Ze Qu greeted his guests in the courtyard. He was somewhat surprised to see Ye Jingyu arrive with Su Yunmo, but he didn't comment further, merely instructing his servants to escort them to a pavilion for a temporary rest.
Servants brought them fine tea and pastries.
Many guests were present in the garden, chatting in small groups.
"Speaking of the Princess of Lian, she's truly filial. I heard that for Marquis Lin's birthday, not only did she send a generous gift, but she also specifically invited a martial arts performer from the jianghu to entertain."
Lin Ze Qu had been away from the capital for a long time and had always been very interested in jianghu affairs, which was common knowledge.
Lin Yuning's thoughtfulness in arranging for a jianghu performer to liven up the birthday banquet was evident.
Su Yunmo, resting her head on the table, listened to the guests gossiping, her eyes shifting slightly.
The person Ye Jingyu had captured had been killed, confirming that Lin Ze Qu was responsible. However, it was still uncertain whether Ye Jingcheng had ordered it.
After all, with Lin Yuning, even if Ye Jingcheng couldn't leave his residence, he could maintain close contact with his father-in-law.
However, today was not the day to investigate this matter.
Su Yunmo's gaze swept across the garden, but she didn't see Lin Yuning.
Lin Lang should be with her, right? Perhaps she should go look for her?
The little dumpling hopped off the ground and started to walk away.
She had barely taken two steps when someone grabbed her collar and pulled her back.
"Where are you going?"
Su Yunmo's eyelids twitched.
How could she have forgotten about him?
She turned back with a sheepish grin. "Well... I was just feeling bored here and wanted to wander around."
Ye Jingyu narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Have you forgotten what you promised me before we came?"
As if she dared to forget.
Su Yunmo rolled her eyes inwardly.
Her eyes darted around, and suddenly she clutched her stomach, her face contorted in pain. "Oh, it hurts so much! Momo's tummy hurts so much, I need to go to the latrine!"
Ye Jingyu gave her a disgusted look and waved his hand, tossing her back onto the table. "Compared to the first time you saw me at the academy, your acting is too clumsy now."
Su Yunmo's eyelids twitched, and she puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. "I was just going for a stroll, do you have to keep such a close eye on me?"
She wasn't dynamite, was she, that she would blow up the Marquis's manor?
Ye Jingyu felt she was even more terrifying than dynamite to the Marquis's manor. "If you cause any more trouble, I'll take you back right now."
Su Yunmo immediately deflated.
"Your Highness?" a resentful voice called out.
Su Yunmo turned to look.
Qin Mingyan stood beneath the pavilion, looking at them with a wronged expression, but a hint of undisguised hope remained in her eyes.
Su Yunmo's eyes lit up.
She greeted Qin Mingyan enthusiastically. "Sister Mingyan, are you alone? What a coincidence, come join us quickly!"
Qin Mingyan blinked, looking at Su Yunmo with surprise.
Sister Mingyan?
What was wrong with this girl today?
"No," Ye Jingyu knew what the little dumpling was planning. He took a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth. "Eat yours. Don't mess around."
Even if she messed around to death, he wouldn't let her out of his sight for a moment today.
"I'm not messing around. You want me to wait here and play, and not let me do anything, I'm going to die of boredom. Can't I find a companion?"
The little dumpling leaped from the table into his arms, slid down his legs to the ground, ran to Qin Mingyan's side, stuffed the pastry into her hand, and looked up with a big smile.
"Sister Mingyan, do you want to play with us?"
Qin Mingyan glanced at the person beneath the pavilion, her eyes filled with joy. "Of course, I'd love to."
This was a hard-won opportunity to get close to His Highness, how could she miss it?
"That's wonderful!" The little dumpling opened her arms. "Sister Mingyan, hug me~"
Qin Mingyan, receiving such enthusiastic welcome from her for the first time, quickly bent down to hug her.
Although she detested this brat, His Highness liked her, so she would pretend to reconcile with her for now.
Once she had appeased him and gained His Highness's favor, she would kick her away!
The little dumpling was lifted by her and whispered something quickly in her ear.
Qin Mingyan was greatly surprised, looking at her with some astonishment. "Really?"
Did this girl want to help her create some one-on-one time with Prince Yu?
The little dumpling nodded, her face full of sincerity. "Sister Mingyan, don't just stand there, let's go to the pavilion."
"Good, good!" Qin Mingyan said "good" twice in a row and quickly entered the pavilion.
Ye Jingyu frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure, but he didn't chase her away.
"Your Highness~" Qin Mingyan looked at him with a hint of adoration.
Su Yunmo wriggled free from Qin Mingyan's embrace and jumped to the ground, pushing Qin Mingyan to sit beside Ye Jingyu.
"Brother Yu and Sister Mingyan rarely meet, it's fate. You should talk more and exchange feelings."
Qin Mingyan blushed, glancing shyly at the man beside her. "Mo Mo, don't say that. What if others overhear you talking about exchanging feelings?"
"So what if they hear? Who would dare to speak nonsense in front of you?" Su Yunmo tried her best to play matchmaker, her eyes drifting north.
This path was narrow, easy to run on.
Qin Mingyan wasn't really afraid of that, but she felt that saying such things might displease Ye Jingyu.
She glanced up at the man opposite her.
Ye Jingyu's expression was neutral. While not happy, he didn't seem angry either.
Qin Mingyan felt a surge of joy.
Perhaps His Highness wasn't as resistant to her this time. Maybe after her efforts these past few days, he had seen her sincerity and was starting to like her.
"I wonder what pastries Your Highness usually likes to eat? This humble lady also enjoys cooking myself. If Your Highness doesn't mind, I can make a few pastries for Your Highness to try."
Qin Mingyan tried to find a topic of conversation.
Ye Jingyu didn't respond, his gaze fixed on Su Yunmo.
Su Yunmo had already scouted the path. "Brother Yu doesn't like pastries, he only likes tea. Why don't you pour His Highness some tea, Sister Mingyan?"
Qin Mingyan was bumped in the waist. She looked down and saw Su Yunmo giving her a wink, and she suddenly understood.
"This humble lady forgot. Your Highness, you drink tea." She poured a cup of tea and offered it to Ye Jingyu.
Ye Jingyu didn't take it.
She leaned forward slightly, trying her best to hand him the tea. Then, her hand slipped, and the teacup overturned, splashing tea onto Ye Jingyu.
"This humble lady deserves to die. It was unintentional, Your Highness, are you alright?" Qin Mingyan exclaimed in panic, reaching for a handkerchief to wipe the stain on him, and simultaneously shot a look at Su Yunmo.
"Be careful not to scald His Highness with this hot tea. Quickly go call a doctor."
"Mo Mo will go right away!" The little dumpling stood up straight and dashed off.
Ye Jingyu's eyelids twitched violently. "Little one! Stop right there!"