Su Yunmo tilted her head and smiled, adorably. "Since there are guests, why is Prince Lian still here? Hurry up and receive them."
Ye Jingcheng could no longer sit still. He got up and walked towards the little dumpling. "When did you get involved with Prince Yunyi?"
Su Yunmo also stood up, patting the dirt off her pants. "Does it matter?"
Ye Jingcheng grabbed her collar and lifted her into the air, a murderous glint in his eyes. "Don't think I really dare to kill you!"
Although killing her would be troublesome, if pushed too far, she wouldn't have an easy time either!
"Your Highness? Someone outside is urging you, Prince Yunyi is impatient to see you!" came the panicked voice of a servant from outside.
Ye Jingcheng roared irritably, "Useless! Can't you send someone to tell Prince Yunyi that I'm busy and he should come another day? Do I have to instruct you on everything?"
The servant, looking troubled, wanted to explain.
But before he could speak, the partially closed woodshed door was kicked open.
Prince Yunyi strode in from outside, his face grim. "Oh? Then I'd like to know what important matter Prince Lian is busy with that he doesn't even have time to see his Imperial Uncle."
Ye Jingcheng hadn't expected Prince Yunyi to barge in like this and was momentarily flustered.
He quickly turned to look.
A head peeked out from behind Prince Yunyi.
"Momo!" Ye Ningyuan's heart skipped a beat when she saw the little dumpling in Ye Jingcheng's grasp. She quickly walked over and snatched the little dumpling from the man's hands.
Holding the little dumpling, she reached out to tug at her clothes. "Are you alright?"
Su Yunmo stared at her expression, clearly seeing that the worry on her face was not fake, yet her own doubts deepened.
"I'm fine," the little dumpling shook her head.
Seeing that she didn't appear to be injured, Ye Ningyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at Ye Jingcheng displeased. "Brother Prince Lian, what are you doing?"
Momo was, after all, the legitimate daughter of the General's mansion. Was he really locking her in the woodshed like this?
Ye Jingcheng's gaze fell on Ye Ningyuan. He looked at her for a while, a strange glint in his eyes. "This is what I should be asking. Why would the County Princess suddenly come here?"
Ye Ningyuan tucked the little dumpling into her arms, lifting her chin with great spirit. "Ask my father."
Prince Yunyi, who had been thrown under the bus, stood there speechless.
This child was incorrigible.
Sensing her father's gaze, Ye Ningyuan turned back and grinned at him, then hid behind him with the little dumpling.
It was a joke; she had a father who was a prince. With such authority and status, why wouldn't she use it?
Ye Jingcheng took a deep breath, his expression also quite unpleasant.
He turned to Prince Yunyi, performed a proper junior's bow, and then straightened up.
"Your Imperial Uncle visiting my Prince Lian's mansion without me greeting you from afar is indeed a disrespect from a junior. However, something has happened in the mansion today, and the Princess Consort miscarried due to Su Yunmo."
"This matter, if viewed broadly, concerns the Imperial lineage and royal dignity. If viewed narrowly, it is my private affair. If Your Imperial Uncle is intentionally protecting this girl by coming here today, I fear it might not be appropriate."
Prince Yunyi's face darkened, and he gave Ye Jingcheng a cold glance. "Whether it is appropriate or not is for me to decide. I don't care what happened in your mansion; in any case, I am taking this child with me today."
Ye Jingcheng frowned fiercely.
He wasn't unaware that Ye Ningyuan and Su Yunmo often played together, but Ye Ningyuan had only been in the capital for less than two months.
No matter how good their relationship was, it was merely the affection between children. It shouldn't escalate to adult matters. Why was Prince Yunyi getting involved?
"Ningyuan, take your friend to the carriage to wait," Prince Yunyi commanded in a deep voice.
Ye Ningyuan immediately snapped her fingers. "Got it!"
Taking advantage of Su Yunmo being protected, she vigorously rubbed the little dumpling's face. "Momo, come with Sister Ningyuan."
Su Yunmo's face was contorted from the rubbing, and she gritted her teeth in secret.
You just wait!
Ye Ningyuan, holding the little dumpling, started to walk out.
"Wait!" Ye Jingcheng reached out to stop them, took a deep breath, and looked at Prince Yunyi. "This matter has already become widely known, and the Emperor will likely know soon."
"For your own good, Your Imperial Uncle, I believe you should not meddle in such trivial matters."
Two servants from outside stepped forward to block Ye Ningyuan.
A sharp aura emanated from Prince Yunyi's body, and his eyes darkened.
A man in black suddenly appeared behind him, knocking down the two servants with one punch each, then quickly vanished.
Ye Jingcheng was stunned and shocked when he saw the man in black.
It was an Shadow Guard!
When the late Emperor was alive, he had a group of Shadow Guards. It was said they could fight a hundred men. After the late Emperor's death, the Shadow Guards disappeared. He had originally thought those were just rumors, but they were with his Imperial Uncle!
Prince Yunyi turned to Ye Jingcheng and sneered, "It's not your place to pressure me with the Emperor. If the Emperor truly intends to punish me for this, then I will accept it."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Ye Ningyuan also turned back and made a face, then followed him out.
Ye Jingcheng watched the little dumpling in her arms give him a meaningful smile. He gritted his teeth tightly, clenched his fists, and punched the wall.
Damn it! All that effort was for nothing!
Meiyan entered from outside. "Your Highness, you don't need to worry too much. I have already obtained what I needed. That maidservant by Su Yunmo's side is enough for us to use."
Ye Jingcheng's somber expression slightly eased. "Only you are capable of easing my burdens. Since that is the case, then proceed as you see fit."
Now, Ye Jingyu was becoming increasingly influential in court, showing signs of overshadowing him. Furthermore, he couldn't afford to let his guard down against Ye Jingkun.
He was surrounded by enemies. He had to get that treasure map!
Meiyan responded with a "Yes," her eyes flickering. "Just now, a servant reported that the Princess Consort's life is out of danger, but the child is definitely lost. Your Highness, how should we arrange for the Princess Consort?"
Ye Jingcheng let out a cold laugh. "Let her stay in her own room and fend for herself. Those who dare to betray me must bear the consequences of their betrayal."
Meiyan bowed in agreement.
Meanwhile, Ye Ningyuan first got into the carriage with the little dumpling.
Prince Yunyi was instructing the Shadow Guard below the carriage.
Ye Ningyuan poked her head out to take a look. Seeing that he would likely be a while before coming in, she turned to talk to the little dumpling.
A flash of light streaked past.
Ye Ningyuan was startled.
A cold dagger was pressed against her neck.
Su Yunmo held the dagger, her eyes filled with malice.
Ye Ningyuan felt a chill run down her spine under her gaze and instinctively leaned back. However, the dagger followed closely, getting even closer to her carotid artery.
Ye Ningyuan raised her hands, looking helpless. "Momo, I just saved you. Although I don't expect you to repay me with your body, you can't repay kindness with enmity, can you?"
Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Kindness? What kind? The kindness of stealing my Glazed Lock?"
Ye Ningyuan's fingers stiffened for a moment, and she finally sighed.
Actually, when she sent Linlang to find her about the Prince Lian's mansion today, she had already guessed that she might not have been drunk that day.