On Our Wedding Night, I Discovered the Crown Prince’s Hidden Illness
Chapter 401: Marital Bond

Chapter 401: Chapter 401: Marital Bond

Leng Yu Yan looked up at him and asked softly, "So, do you like me?"

After pondering for a long time, Ye Yiheng said, "You are my future wife, naturally I should give this to you."

Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan averted her eyes, feeling slightly disappointed, yet still managed a grateful smile, "The comb is exquisitely made, and you hurt your hand in the process, I should thank you."

Ye Yiheng inwardly cursed himself for his weakness; seeing her like this, he blurted out, "Then do you like me?"

Leng Yu Yan didn’t think twice and directly said, "No, I don’t!"

After all, he hadn’t said he liked her, so why should she like him?

Clutching the comb, Leng Yu Yan somehow mustered the strength to push away the tall man before her and hurriedly left.

So was their relationship merely because they were destined to marry, truly devoid of love?

How could he be so cold-hearted and detached?

She thought that by removing most of the toxins from his body, his body would gradually warm, and so would his heart...

But how could a cold heart be warmed by covering it?

After so many days of constant companionship, had she mistaken their interactions for love?

Returning to her room, Leng Yu Yan found a box, placed the wooden comb inside, and threw it to the farthest corner of the drawer.

Just then, Leng Ran sent someone to look for her, wanting to discuss the details of their revenge.

Leng Yu Yan then went to see her father.

By the time she arrived, her grandparents, her father, and her four elder brothers were all present.

Shortly after, Ye Yiheng was also invited over.

Lai Taihong said, "Yan’er, your mother was present earlier, so we didn’t go into detail about the revenge. Now, you can explain in detail."

"In a stronghold in Yaoshou, those dozen bandits, led by a man named Scar Face, admitted that they were the ones who harmed Leng Mian..." Leng Yu Yan outlined the details of their vengeance.

Ye Yiheng indifferently added, "Yanyan flayed the bandits, and this was the most crucial part."

Upon hearing this, the men of the Leng Family all sighed in relief; they had finally avenged Leng Mian!

"Was there interrogation about the mastermind behind this?" Leng Ran asked.

Leng Yu Yan honestly said, "Before executing Scar Face, I asked him about the mastermind, but he refused to reveal anything."

"At that time, I thought the mastermind would not easily meet with him in person, so I sought revenge first. As for the mastermind, I believe he is in the capital city. Yaoshou is only separated from the capital by Lin State."

"The bandits fled to Yaoshou near the capital, doesn’t that indicate their mastermind is either in the capital city or nearby?"

Hearing this, Leng Ran nodded, "With Scar Face dead, the mastermind will eventually slip up, making it easier for us to investigate."

Lai Taihong said gravely, "With the direct culprit who harmed Mian’er dealt with, it’s time to focus on the mastermind behind the scenes."

That would mean going to the capital city, so Leng Ran asked, "Father, what should our next steps be?"

Lai Taihong looked down, "Though Mian’er’s revenge has been overtly avenged, we cannot let the mastermind behind the scenes go."

Leng Ran further inquired, "Are you suggesting that we enter the capital?"

Lai Taihong turned to Ye Yiheng, "It is no longer just for Mian’er, but also for Your Highness and Yan’er."

After a pause, he added, "Would an old man like me allow the Ye Family to recklessly humiliate my granddaughter and grandson-in-law? We are set on going to the capital!"

Li Yuyue couldn’t help but ask, "Grandfather, with Ye Gaoyun controlling the court with tens of thousands of private soldiers, how can we go there?"

Li Yuqing also expressed worry, "The Northern Garrison cannot enter the capital without a decree. Under such circumstances, the problem is indeed difficult."

"Let’s discuss this matter after the New Year," Lai Taihong said with strong conviction, "Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and it’s Yan’er’s first time celebrating the New Year at home. Let’s have a good celebration first."

Upon hearing this, everyone agreed.

"And in the first month, it’s also Yan’er and Your Highness’s birthday. How can we be happy if we spend these important days on the road?" Lai Taihong added, "As for how to lead troops to the Capital City, that’s a big issue. We will consider it slowly."

Surely, they wouldn’t let the Prince Zhenbei Mansion and the Northern Garrison bear the accusation of treason!

Moreover, part of the Northern Garrison must remain to guard the border and protect the territories of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion. Another part would be selected to go to the Capital City. They needed a good pretext for going to the Capital City.

When the Northern Garrison marched into the capital majestically, it would announce to the whole world their presence. A slight misstep could result in making enemies with everyone under heaven.

Thus, a good pretext is of utmost importance!

Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan turned to Ye Yiheng, "Is Your Highness’s birthday also in the first month?"

Ye Yiheng nodded, "Yes, it’s on the eighth day of the first month. What about you, which day?"

Leng Yu Yan was quite surprised and hadn’t yet answered when Lai Yuxing raised his voice and said, "My sister’s birthday is also on the eighth day of the first month."

Leng Yusheng added, "Sister had her coming-of-age ceremony when we had yet to recognize each other. According to Father King’s wishes, we should make this birthday celebration grand, to make up for the missed ceremony."

Ye Yiheng unabashedly said, "Since Yanyan and I are so fated, both born on the eighth day of the first lunar month, why not set the wedding for the same day?"

At this remark, the Leng Family men all stared at Ye Yiheng.

Lai Ran gestured, "No, no, that’s too rushed."

Li Yuyue said coldly, "I oppose it. Your Highness, your identity has not yet been restored. Even if the matter of the Abolished Crown Prince was orchestrated by Ye Gaoyun, the whole world knows that the Crown Prince has been deposed. Under such circumstances, shouldn’t Your Highness consider how to restore your identity first?"

Ye Yiheng looked at Lai Taihong with a smile, bowed, and said, "Grandfather, what do you think?"

Lai Taihong stroked his beard, "Your Highness’s identity has not yet been restored, so Yan’er cannot be listed on the Heavenly Family Jade Plate. But since your birthdays fall on the same day, there indeed might be a destined connection. How about setting the engagement on that day?"

He had never expected the Leng Family to agree immediately; getting the engagement date right now counted as half his plan succeeding. Ye Yiheng then performed a junior’s bow, "Thank you, Grandfather!"

Leng Yu Yan exclaimed in panic, "Aren’t you going to ask me?"

Li Yuyue glanced at her, "Haven’t you always said you are in mutual love with His Highness?"

At that, Leng Yu Yan was left speechless, and it was a while before she managed to say, "That’s what I said, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon."

Li Yuqing counseled, "It’s just an engagement, Sister. It’s not that soon."

Leng Yu Yan shook her head inwardly, finally realizing the extent of someone’s schemes. Even though he was currently in the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, his sinister thoughts were always turning.

With just one sentence, he had grandfather set their engagement date. If that person put a little more thought into it, their wedding wouldn’t be far off.

Having settled the matter, everyone left the study.

Leng Yu Yan walked slowly behind, with Ye Yiheng leisurely walking beside her.

Once the Leng Family men were far enough away, Ye Yiheng suddenly spoke, "Yanyan, if you wish to marry soon, I have a way. Would you like to hear it?"

"I don’t want to," Leng Yu Yan muttered softly, "Did you already know my birthday was on the eighth day of the first month?"

"Yes, the first time you were betrothed to me, I already knew your date of birth," Ye Yiheng coldly said, "We really are fated, having the same birthday. I’m exactly four years older than you."

She glared at him; he had just asked her birthday on purpose.

Ye Yiheng continued, "I also remember the astrologer saying at that time that we were a match made by heaven, possessing several lifetimes’ worth of marital bonds."