"Prime Minister."
She walked boldly over and sat in his lap.
Liu Rongruo lowered his eyes slightly and met her gaze.
"I'm scared and don't dare to sleep alone, so I came to your study. Why would you bear to chase me away?"
"Oh?" he asked with a faint smile. "Since you're scared, then go sleep at Que Tai. There are more people there."
Chi You's body stiffened. Sly fox, was he trying to scare her?
Your grandma wasn't raised to be scared.
She coughed lightly and, adopting a strategy of retreating to advance, stood up.
"Since Prime Minister dislikes me and I've disturbed you, I'll take my leave."
With that, Chi You turned and left without looking back.
Liu Rongruo watched her retreating figure, his expression unreadable, only a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.
After leaving the study, Chi You returned to her small courtyard.
She thought about the events of the past few days, swung her legs, and curled her lips into a cold smile.
It was quite challenging.
She walked to the desk and wrote on the Xuan paper, "Remember, don't go anywhere. Stay in your room." Holding the Xuan paper tightly, she finally dared to lie down and sleep.
-----
After Wei Qingge left the Prime Minister's mansion, she walked slowly along the street.
She lowered her head, tears falling silently, her mind involuntarily replaying the scene she had just witnessed.
No wonder Brother Liu always treated her like a sister. It turned out he liked that kind of woman, completely different from her.
Indeed, she had no right to feel uncomfortable.
Brother Liu didn't like her, and besides, she had already been touched by that pervert. She was no longer worthy of Brother Liu.
He now had someone he liked, and she should bless him.
Thinking this, Wei Qingge felt the knot of anger in her heart slowly dissipate.
She walked until she was tired and couldn't help but crouch on the ground.
She didn't want to cry, but she couldn't stop herself. Tears fell as if they were free.
After crying for an unknown amount of time, feeling as though the pent-up emotions had been released, Wei Qingge slowly raised her head and looked at the moon overhead.
So big and round.
"Miss, it's getting late. We should return to the mansion."
Suddenly, a guard's voice came from behind her.
Wei Qingge hurriedly wiped her tears and stood up, saying loudly, "You've been following me?"
'The Prime Minister ordered us to escort Miss back to the mansion.'
Oh heavens, how embarrassing! How had she not noticed someone following her?
Wei Qingge stamped her foot in shame and annoyance, issuing a warning.
"You are not allowed to say anything when you get back."
"Your subordinates saw nothing."
Seeing them being sensible, Wei Qingge bit her lip and strode towards the inner city to the north.
"Miss, where are you going?"
"You don't need to follow me anymore. I'm going to find someone."
She couldn't return to the mansion. Tomorrow morning, her grandfather would surely tie her up and send her back to the border. She had to hurry to the Northern Palace to find A'luan for help.
The guards behind her dared not leave without safely escorting her back to the mansion, so they could only follow her.
Wei Qingge ignored them and stayed overnight at a nearby inn. The next morning, with swollen, red eyes, she headed towards the Northern Palace.
Yun Shang Que.
Ye Luan had just woken up when she heard that Wei Qingge was outside looking for her.
She quickly put on her clothes, washed, and went out.
Wei Qingge climbed up the jade steps, panting from exhaustion.
"A'luan."
Ye Luan saw her and smiled lightly, "Why are you here so early? Come and eat something."
Wei Qingge saw the table full of breakfast and her mouth watered with hunger.
"The food at the Prince's mansion is truly good. I wish I could come and freeload every day."
As she spoke, she immediately pounced forward, sat on a stool, and began to devour the food.
She was starving.
She had been too angry to eat properly last night, and now, seeing this table of delicacies, she was truly hungry.
Ye Luan noticed her expression and asked suspiciously, "Why are your eyes so swollen?"
Wei Qingge, who was happily drinking the Bird's Nest and Three-Delicacy Soup, almost choked when she heard the question. She awkwardly averted her eyes.
She was truly miserable. She had cried all night, and after waking up, no matter how much she applied, the swelling wouldn't go down. She had been made a fool of for no reason.
Ye Luan saw her embarrassment, placed some food for her, and changed the subject.
"Qingge, did you need something when you came to find me?"
Hearing this, Wei Qingge quickly wiped her mouth and piteously tugged at her hand.
"A'luan, can you ask the Prince to help me?"
"What's wrong?"
"That scoundrel Tantai Ye incited my father to send me back to the border. I'm so angry, I don't even dare to go home. My father must be looking for me everywhere now."
Ye Luan narrowed her eyes and, after a moment's thought, understood.
"Did Tantai Ye discover that you were planning to leave?"
Wei Qingge pouted. "Who knew that place was where that scoundrel collected intelligence? His hidden guards overheard it."
"What a cunning villain. I always thought he was the most despicable, and indeed, he is the most venomous, that scoundrel Tantai."
Hearing her grumbling, Ye Luan stirred the soup in her bowl slightly, her mind quickly formulating a plan.
"A'luan, besides the Prince, he won't listen to anyone. Can you tell the Prince not to send me away?"
Ye Luan came back to her senses and said softly, "Why don't you stay here for now? Your father won't come to the Northern Palace."
"Really?"
Wei Qingge smiled happily.
"Of course. You can stay as long as you want."
"Then after I finish eating, I need to get some rest. Sleeping at the inn made my back and waist ache."
Ye Luan nodded with a light smile and had someone bring her an ice pack to apply to her eyes. After they finished eating and left, she walked to the outer corridor and gazed at the scenery of the Northern Palace, lost in thought.
After standing outside for an unknown amount of time, Xiao Chizhan, who had just returned from court, saw her standing on the corridor and immediately walked over.
"Luan Luan."
Ye Luan came back to herself and was immediately embraced from behind.
She leaned forward, resting on the railing.
Xiao Chizhan drew even closer, holding her tightly, lowering his head to kiss her neck, suckle her earlobe, and lick her continuously.
"Get up, don't mess around."
Xiao Chizhan ignored her, getting bolder as he caressed her waist and kissed her shoulders.
Ye Luan helplessly arched her neck, tilting her head to dodge.
Since she had let go of her reservations and stopped deliberately opposing him, their interactions were no longer confrontational.
But this fellow was always so hands-on, just like the scoundrel he used to be.
She closed her eyes and nudged him with her elbow.
Xiao Chizhan seized the opportunity, pulled her arm, turned her around, and pressed her against the railing behind her.
Ye Luan looked at his expression and said, "I told you not to ambush me like this all the time, but you never listen."
"I can't help it."
He lowered his head and was about to kiss her again.
Ye Luan immediately hugged his back, resting her head on his shoulder, refusing to let him kiss her.
Xiao Chizhan held her, placing a hand on her leg, and whispered suggestively in her ear, "We've been sleeping separately for so long. What's wrong with a kiss?"
Ye Luan looked at him mockingly. "Don't think I don't know you sneak in here every night in the middle of the night. Stop pretending."
He curved his lips and bit her earlobe, saying, "I want to do it."