Ye Jingyu glanced at Liu Lanxue, who was already asleep on the bed.
He didn't answer the little dumpling's question, but walked over, picked up his shoes, and said, "Come on, it's getting late, you should go back too."
Su Yunmo knew it wasn't convenient to talk there, so she burrowed out from under the quilt.
Ye Jingyu put on her shoes for her and carried her outside.
As soon as the door opened, a gust of wind rushed in.
Su Yunmo instinctively shivered and snuggled closer into the man's embrace.
Ye Jingyu held her tighter.
Outside the palace gates, Qian Xue was already waiting with a carriage. Seeing them return, she lifted the carriage curtain and ushered them inside.
There was a warm stove in the carriage, making it very cozy.
Su Yunmo let out a comfortable sigh, "Tell me, what did His Majesty say to you?"
A glint flashed in Ye Jingyu's eyes. "While I'm away from the capital these days, I'll have Ying Xiao guard the manor. If you need anything, just send someone to inform him."
"Also, remember to keep the jade pendant His Majesty gave you safe and don't lose it."
Su Yunmo tilted her head and looked at him for a moment, knowing his personality.
If he didn't want to say, no matter how many times she asked, it would be useless.
The little dumpling yawned and curled up in the corner of the carriage, covering herself with a blanket for warmth.
Ye Jingyu tucked the edge of the blanket in for her. "You need to be careful too. With me gone, you can't act too rashly. If anything happens, Ying Xiao will be there to back you up."
"You say that as if you're certain something will happen," Su Yunmo raised an eyebrow.
A glint flashed in Ye Jingyu's eyes.
He wished that Luo Yun'e could be more obedient these days and not cause any trouble.
He would settle things with her after returning from the ancestral rites. But if she remained stubborn and dared to lay a hand on his mother, then he wouldn't be blamed for taking her life to settle old and new scores.
He feared that if something truly happened, he would have to drag this little one into it.
Su Yunmo tilted her head, looking at him, and suddenly asked, "Ye Jingyu, in your memory, what was your father like?"
Ye Jingyu's fingers stiffened, and his gaze flickered, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Su Yunmo sighed and shook her head.
"I always felt His Majesty was a very contradictory person. Based on today's situation, he should be loyal and loving towards your mother, but if he was, why was he so heartless back then?"
Luo Yun'e could scheme against anyone and employ any means, but there was one thing she couldn't decide on her own.
That was to banish concubines to the cold palace. To banish Consort Liang to the cold palace, it must have been Emperor Ye Yao's personal order at the time.
Ye Jingyu narrowed his eyes, a cold sneer flashing in his gaze. "Since ancient times, the favor and affection of monarchs are but fleeting clouds, scattering with the wind. Why bother caring?"
Su Yunmo saw the fleeting pain on his face, and a scene suddenly appeared in her mind: a little boy kneeling at Emperor Ye Yao's feet, begging desperately.
As this scene unfolded, Su Yunmo suddenly felt that Emperor Ye Yao's actions today could no longer be considered favor.
"Alas, forget it, consider me as if I never asked."
Those years were likely his deepest pain, and not digging up old wounds was her principle.
The carriage traveled all the way to the General's manor.
The carriage was silent, and the crunching sound of the wheels on the snow could be heard.
Soon, the carriage stopped, and Qian Xue called out from outside.
Su Yunmo got up from the soft couch and walked towards the exit, "I'm going back. Be careful when you return to the manor."
Qian Xue helped her down and replied.
The little dumpling waved and entered the General's manor.
Ye Jingyu watched her small figure gradually disappear through the main gate, a dark glint in his eyes.
"Issue an order: gather all members of the Rebel Organization. For the next three days, guard strictly and allow no mistakes."
Qian Xue acknowledged the order with a "Yes."
Meanwhile, the little dumpling returned to her courtyard, kicking snow as she walked.
Lü Luo was coming out to pour water and hurried to greet her upon seeing her return, "Miss, you really are something. Haven't I told you many times not to play in the snow like this? You'll get your clothes wet."
Su Yunmo was preoccupied with her thoughts and didn't pay much attention to her, giving a casual "Mm."
Lü Luo brushed the snow off her legs and frowned curiously, "Huh? Miss, were you wearing these clothes when you went out today?"
These clothes looked so unfamiliar.
Su Yunmo had no intention of telling her what happened in the palace and casually replied, "Those clothes got accidentally stained, so I changed into new ones."
Lü Luo, being rather oblivious, didn't think much of it. She led Su Yunmo into the inner room, still muttering, "Miss, you must be good. It's so cold now, it would be troublesome if you got sick."
"The last time you were sick, the entire manor was in a panic. Now that the General is not home, if you get a fever and fall seriously ill, wouldn't we be worried to death?"
Su Yunmo was now accustomed to her nagging and interrupted her, "Where is Zi Yuan?"
"She was just outside a moment ago," Lü Luo glanced outside the door, not seeing anyone. "If you want to find her, I'll go call her for you."
Su Yunmo waved her hand, climbed onto a chair, and poured herself a cup of tea. "Go ahead, and call her over. I have something for her to do."
She couldn't rely entirely on Ye Jingyu. The Blood Alliance also needed to be prepared.
Although the harem had to be guarded against, there was still Lin Ze Qu to deal with, and the matter of the treasure map remained unclear.
Lü Luo took the basin and went out.
A moment later, Zi Yuan entered from outside and called out, "Master."
Su Yunmo didn't look up at her and directly said, "Later, go and tell the brothers in the Blood Alliance to pay close attention to Lin Ze Qu's situation."
"Also, that place where I got the treasure map last time, if there are enough people, send some to keep an eye on it."
She always felt that the person who sold the treasure map had a significant background.
"Yes," the response was tinged with a barely perceptible dullness.
Zi Yuan's gaze was fixed on the little dumpling's neck, and something began to condense in her vacant, lifeless eyes.
The little dumpling didn't notice and sneezed, "Later, tell Lü Luo to cook me a bowl of ginger brown sugar water. Don't actually get sick."
Zi Yuan replied with a single syllable again, her fingers curled into a fist, and she slowly raised her hand.
The door was pushed open abruptly.
Ye Ningyuan burst in, "Momo, why didn't you wait for me when you came back? Good heavens, you made me run all this way!"
Zi Yuan's hand froze suddenly, and her vacant, lifeless eyes instantly regained their clarity as if struck by electricity.
After a moment of stunned silence, a hint of confusion appeared on her face.
Ye Ningyuan brushed past her, glancing at her, "Oh, are you two, master and servant, discussing matters? Are you discussing what to eat tonight?"
Su Yunmo rolled her eyes at her and said nothing.
Ye Ningyuan didn't expect a reply and bumped into Zi Yuan, "What? You servants don't even know what's for dinner?"
"What are you busy with all day? You're so absent-minded, anyone would think your soul was snatched away at some point."
Zi Yuan's brows furrowed abruptly, and a thought flashed through her mind, but she couldn't grasp it.