On Our Wedding Night, I Discovered the Crown Prince’s Hidden Illness
Chapter 294: Pacify Him

Chapter 294: Chapter 294: Pacify Him

Just at that moment, the Emperor himself arrived.

"Do you all truly wish to return to Beilan City? I’ve treated you kindly and fairly, so why do you dismiss me from your considerations?" the Emperor waved his large hand, "In this case, you can’t blame me for what happens next!"

The Imperial Army stepped forward, their long spears pointing at everyone from Prince Zhenbei Mansion.

Lai Taihong stepped out of the horse carriage and bowed respectfully, "Emperor, your statement is unjust!"

"Beilan City cannot be left without a commander. I’ve been in the capital for many days with my children and grandchildren. Furthermore, you, Emperor, have yet to consent to Yan’er’s marriage; thus, we have no choice but to return."

"Moreover, I have already presented a petition before you, Emperor. If you proceed like this, willing to meet in battle, I fear it will chill the hearts of those at Prince Zhenbei Mansion, and seeing this, the common people will also lose heart!"

The Emperor let out a cold snort and, with another gesture of his hand, the Imperial Army advanced two more steps.

In a secluded corner, a number of bold citizens were watching, shaking their heads.

They were used to seeing the Emperor as dignified and martial, but today he was particularly aggressive.

To the people, it made sense for Prince Zhenbei Mansion to return to Beilan City since it was their home, but the Emperor was confronting the mansion’s personal guards with such a large force from the Imperial Army—a victory without honor, indeed!

Just as the clash seemed inevitable, at this critical juncture, suddenly the sound of a racing horse carriage could be heard.

Song Guo stood on top of the carriage and shouted loudly, "The Crown Prince has arrived!"

The Imperial Army slowed their pace, all glancing towards the Emperor.

The Emperor frowned, his large hand clenched tightly beneath his Dragon Robe. This blind Crown Prince, always ruining his plans!

"Crown Prince, what brings you here?"

The Eastern Palace Carriage came to a halt between the Imperial Army and the convoy from Prince Zhenbei Mansion. Ye Yiheng got out of the carriage and slowly said, "Father Emperor, I saved Princess Beilan in the lake the other day. Both in terms of emotion and reason, I should marry the Commandery Princess."

"Unfortunately, Father Emperor, you didn’t agree immediately. Now that the Prince Mansion wishes to return to Beilan City, you have dispatched the Imperial Army as escort, for which the mansion’s household will surely be grateful."

"Since I saved the Commandery Princess, her reputation is something I must uphold, hence I wish to accompany Prince Zhenbei Mansion to Beilan City."

Upon hearing these words, the hidden citizens revealed themselves, clapping and cheering, "The Crown Prince is kind and righteous!"

Rage surged within the Emperor, and his face became increasingly somber.

The Crown Prince’s actions not only prevented a confrontation but also won the praise of the people, making it difficult for him to take further action.

Seizing the opportunity, Lai Taihong said, "Since the Crown Prince is willing to accompany us to Beilan City, I could not ask for more!"

Eager to find a way out, the Emperor asked, "Crown Prince, what’s this nonsense? Why would you go to Beilan City?"

Lai Taihong spoke in a grave tone, "The Crown Prince is blind and also unwell, and didn’t you, Emperor, long wish to replace him? By taking him with me now, it will resolve a worry of yours.

"In time, at Beilan City, the Crown Prince could marry Yan’er, fulfilling their mutual affection. Rest assured, Emperor!"

As he spoke, Lai Taihong bowed respectfully.

Seeing his impeccable manners, the Emperor found it difficult to lash out.

If it had been another official speaking such words, he would have vehemently objected.

But hearing Lai Taihong speak so, he was left speechless.

The Emperor cleared his throat and, restraining his anger, spoke loudly, "Today, I personally led the Imperial Army to escort you, hoping that everyone from Prince Zhenbei Mansion reaches Beilan City safely!"

Then, looking at the Crown Prince, he continued, "Since the Crown Prince is also going to Beilan City, mind your status on this journey and avoid any unnecessary trouble!"

"Yes, Father Emperor!" Ye Yiheng bowed.

Only then did the Emperor gesture for the City Gate Supervisor to open the city gates.

The Prince Zhenbei Mansion’s convoy of carriages and horses departed grandly from the city.

The tense scene that unfolded outside the carriage was witnessed from start to finish by Leng Yu Yan. Today’s actions by her grandfather and father were truly risky—if Ye Yiheng had not shown up, the Emperor likely wouldn’t have let them leave so easily.

Wanting to thank someone, she sent Xiaoshan to deliver two pomelos, but to her surprise, they were returned.

This left Leng Yu Yan feeling uncertain. Did he not like to eat them, or was he angry and refused to acknowledge her?

Along the way, the horse carriage procession was orderly.

In front of her four brothers who were riding horses, it was not appropriate for her to seek him out.

Hence, while stopping at an inn to have lunch on the way, she hoped to seize the chance to exchange a few words with him, but he did not give her the opportunity. He only conversed with her grandfather and father, as if he was deliberately ignoring her.

Leng Yu Yan could almost be sure that he was indeed angry, angry at her for leaving without saying goodbye.

At the Shen Hour, Song Guo came to invite Leng Yu Yan to Ye Yiheng’s carriage.

The man had given her the cold shoulder for half a day, but considering he had protected the safety of the Prince Mansion during their departure from the city, she still owed him her thanks. So, she took a pomelo and followed Song Guo to Ye Yiheng’s carriage.

Entering the carriage, she saw him browsing through some scrolls. Leng Yu Yan smiled lightly and said, "Your Highness, I shall peel a pomelo for you."

As she spoke, she tore a segment of the pomelo, her delicate fingertips deftly removed the pith and strings till the flesh was clean. Then she picked up the transparent pomelo segment and offered it to him.

Ye Yiheng sat upright, his gaze fixed on the scroll above, not sparing her a glance. Occasionally, he turned a page, making just a faint sound.

She held the fruit up for a long time before he finally, reluctantly, turned his head slightly and leaned over to take the pomelo flesh from her fingertips into his mouth.

His lips nearly included her fingertips...

Leng Yu Yan was stunned; she had intended for him to take it himself, not expecting that he would almost swallow her fingertip.

Angry as he might be, surely he wouldn’t bite her fingertip, right?

While she was lost in thought, his lips brushed against her fingertip as he sat back upright and looked at her leisurely and composed.

It’s alright, Leng Yu Yan sighed. This morning, she had left in a hurry without informing him, and it was understandable that he was so upset.

Now that he was accompanying them to Beilan City, the whole family’s safe departure from the capital depended on him.

If she coaxed him a bit now, it wouldn’t hurt.

"Since Your Highness has eaten, does that mean you are no longer angry?"

Ye Yiheng’s eyebrows twitched slightly, the juice from the pomelo flesh spilled from his lips, glistening on his lips with a layer of moisture.

"Bitter and astringent."

Just like his heart, he knew from the morning that she had left without saying a word, and his whole heart seemed to be soaked in bitterness.

"How can it be bitter?" Leng Yu Yan frowned, breaking off a piece of pomelo and tasting it herself, "It’s not bitter, but sweet. If Your Highness says so, it means you are still angry."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she immediately broke off another piece of fruit and offered it to his lips.

After repeating this several times, the icy coolness in Ye Yiheng’s eyes gradually began to dissolve.

As long as he was willing to eat, whether his lips intentionally or unintentionally brushed her fingertips, she could overlook it. So, she continued to break off pieces of fruit, peeled them clean, and offered them to him.

He ate without hesitation, though his voice remained cold and distant, "Do you really like eating pomelos that much?"

"Not particularly. On our journey to Beilan City, it’s always good to eat some fruits along the way. Pomelos keep well, are juicy, quench thirst, and reduce internal heat—it’s pretty good."

She hoped this would help cool his anger.

"So you had already planned on leaving without telling me?" Ye Yiheng set down the scroll and his cold gaze swept towards her, "Do you intend to renege on our deal?"

Leng Yu Yan quickly shook her head, "Not at all, I have no such thoughts!"

Suddenly, he grasped the back of her head, bringing his lips close to her ear, "Once we arrive at Beilan City, the Commandery Princess is to marry me. Instead of regretting it, you might as well look forward to our married life."