Chapter 64 Prince Ye Seems Unable to Leave His Princess

Chapter 64: The Prince Can't Seem to Leave the Princess

"Third Sister-in-Law, you may not know this, but my grandfather, General Jiang Yongcheng, commands 150,000 troops. On the battlefield, soldiers often lose limbs or get injured. If you put your skills to use for me, they'd surely be put to the greatest use, and you'd be granted the title of Honored Lady sooner or later."

"Let me be blunt: Third Brother's health is hanging by a thread. If something happens to him one day, with your abilities and my protection, you wouldn't have to be buried alive with him. What do you think?"

As soon as he finished, a sharp slap landed on his face. "Smack!"

Ji Yuntang narrowed her beautiful eyes: "Cursing your elder brother? A slap is the least you deserve. If there's a next time, I'll take this up with the Emperor and Empress!"

Luo Feizhou's smile froze and disappeared, replaced by a fierce glint in his eyes.

"Third Sister-in-Law, is that your final answer?"

Ji Yuntang shook her head. "It's not a refusal; you're barking up the wrong tree. I don't know anything about medicine. Those things I showed today were just random stuff I whipped up in my spare time and have nothing to do with medicine."

"Think about it: if I really had that skill, why would I have been kicked out of the Marquis Yongning's mansion to marry in Ji Qingqing's place?"

Ji Yuntang felt, for the first time, that falling out with the Marquis Yongning's household was a smart move.

Luo Feizhou's eyes flickered. He had thought about what Ji Yuntang said.

He knew all too well how opportunistic the Marquis Yongning's family could be. If she really had amazing medical skills, they'd be groveling at her feet.

Plus, the stuff she showed didn't seem related to medicine at all.

Could it be that he was wrong?

He had thought to win her over before the Crown Prince did, hoping for an edge.

Instead, he hadn't won her over and even got slapped.

Luo Feizhou was annoyed, his voice turning cold: "Third Sister-in-Law, you're too modest. In that case, do your best in the last two matches tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got."

Ji Yuntang nodded cooperatively: "Of course, I can't let the gold that's practically in my hands slip away."

Luo Feizhou felt a knot tighten in his chest.

This woman was after his gold.

Fine, great!

He'd see if she had what it takes to get it!

Ji Yuntang was sent back the same way she came, and Luo Feizhou didn't dare trouble her.

To him, having someone useful was way better than making an enemy.

He was cunning, always looking out for number one.

Just then, the window shifted, and a black-clad guard slipped in, kneeling before Luo Feizhou.

He asked, "Are the things I arranged all set?"

"Your Highness, Prince Qi, the patients for tomorrow's last two matches have been swapped for the two toughest cases, as you instructed. No one will be able to take first place."

Luo Feizhou narrowed his eyes, satisfied.

Even though he'd promised ten thousand taels of gold, the medical competition had been running for two years. Most people washed out at the first hurdle, few reached the third stage, and no one had ever won first place.

So, he'd never had to cough up that gold.

Ji Yuntang had insulted him and still wanted his money—as if!

By the time Ji Yuntang got back to the Night Prince's mansion, it was dark. Tao Zhi was waiting anxiously at the West Courtyard gate and sighed with relief when she saw her.

"Princess, you're back! I was so worried."

Ji Yuntang curled her lips slightly, walking into the yard to wash her hands. "I'm fine. Has the Prince eaten?"

"Not yet. I followed your instructions and made him steamed egg, yam and pork porridge, and corn rib soup. But the Prince said he'd wait for you to eat with him."

Tao Zhi paused, then blinked, a hint of excitement creeping into her smile: "Princess, I've noticed the Prince can't seem to leave you alone now."

"Oh? What makes you think that?" Ji Yuntang asked, puzzled.

"When I got back from outside, the Prince immediately started asking about you—how the competition went, if you were bullied, if the Crown Prince and Prince Qi troubled you. I told him everything about today. I also said your performance was amazing and blew the whole capital away. Guess what happened next?"

Ji Yuntang raised an eyebrow: "Did the Prince praise me for being clever and excellent, a rare talent?"

Tao Zhi shook her head. "No, the Prince's first reaction wasn't to praise you. Instead, he worried that your brilliance would attract the attention of ill-intentioned people, fearing you might be in danger."

Tao Zhi's eyes showed envy: "Princess, you may not know, but I was sold to the Night Prince's mansion as a child and have been here for seven years. I've never seen the Prince care so much about any woman!"

"When he heard you were taken on the way back, he was so worried he immediately sent Chen Hu to find you. Isn't that proof he can't leave you?"

"In my opinion, the Prince truly loves you now!"

Ji Yuntang tapped her forehead, a faint smile on her lips, teasing: "You little girl, so young and already knowing so much about true love. Little Tao Zhi, are you thinking of getting married?"

Tao Zhi blushed, stammering: "Not at all! I don't want to marry. I'm only fourteen and want to stay by your side forever!"

Ji Yuntang raised an eyebrow: "Fourteen isn't too young; many start discussing marriage. When you find true love, I'll see you off in style."

"Princess, you're teasing me!"

"I think there's still food heating in the kitchen. I'll go check on it."

Tao Zhi's ears turned as red as a crab, and she stomped her foot before hurrying away.

Ji Yuntang watched the fleeing maid, chuckled softly, and turned into the room.

The night was deep, the full moon lighting half the sky. Wind seeped through the window cracks, making the four candles on the table flicker.

Luo Junhe lay on the bed, feigning sleep. At the sound of the door opening, his ears perked up.

Ji Yuntang closed the doors and windows, her voice light: "A He, are you asleep?"

Luo Junhe opened his eyes instantly.

"A Tang, you're back."

Though he couldn't see, he pinpointed her location precisely.

"Did those people harm you?"

The man's concern warmed Ji Yuntang's heart—it was the only warmth she felt in this world.

"No, Prince Qi invited me to ask me to work for him. I saw he had ulterior motives and refused immediately. Since there are two matches tomorrow, he let me go."

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