Volume 1, Chapter 14: Mutterings in a Dream

Ye Jianxun’s expression was solemn, tinged with a hint of sorrow. "Since Mei Lingyi and Yu Changming are truly in love and devoted to one another, I should naturally let go and cherish the person before me."

As he spoke, he looked toward Mei Lingxi, but she seemed not to have heard him, her attention entirely fixed on the fine wine before her.

The Crown Prince noticed this, blinked, and chuckled, "It seems Brother Jianxun is about to taste the bitterness of unrequited love all over again."

Ye Jianxun’s eyes flickered. He stood up, stretched, and laughed, "What would a little brat like you know? Go back and study your books."

The Crown Prince’s eyes widened, and he said with displeasure, "I am already ten years old; how can I still be called a 'little brat'?"

"Every day, I study and practice calligraphy with diligence, and even learn to review memorials, yet Father does not truly acknowledge my talent or effort." As he said this, the young boy’s eyes dimmed.

"You are still but a sapling, needing the sun and rain to nourish you; do not be impatient," Ye Jianxun comforted him.

"But Father is over sixty, and his health is failing by the day."

Qiu Nan joined the conversation, "The Emperor’s health is poor, yet he remains obsessed with believing in miraculous elixirs; it is truly worrying."

Ye Jianxun did not wish to discuss state affairs further. Seeing the hour was late, he regained his focus, walked to Mei Lingxi’s side, and said, "It is time to return."

"Right, let's go..." Mei Lingxi said as she stood up, but she could not maintain her balance; her steps were unsteady, and she swayed and fell straight to the side.

Ye Jianxun was quick-witted; he took a step forward and caught her waist in his arms. Due to the sudden movement, a lock of her black hair came loose, sweeping through the air in a graceful arc. The ends of her hair brushed against a few drifting sparks, which vanished into the light and shadow in an instant.

As the firelight flickered, Ye Jianxun realized for the first time that the face before him was flushed deep red, like the evening clouds on the horizon. Her eyes were startlingly bright, and a naive smile hung at the corners of her lips.

Oh no, he hadn't kept a close enough eye on her; she was completely drunk, turned into a little tipsy kitten.

Ye Jianxun’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot. Suppressing his irritation, he used both arms to lift Mei Lingxi entirely. "We shall take our leave first." Ignoring Qiu Nan’s reddening eyes, he bid them farewell and strode back to their guest suite.

He had only brought Bi Shui on this trip. Bi Shui had been waiting in the suite for a long time, having dozed off for an hour, when she finally heard the movement at the door. She quickly rose, only to find the Heir Apparent carrying the Heir Consort inside.

The Heir’s face was dark, and the Heir Consort... was she drunk?

"The Heir Consort is intoxicated; help her wash up and change her clothes," Ye Jianxun said as he laid Mei Lingxi on the bed, instructing Bi Shui.

"Yes, Your Highness." Bi Shui hurried to fetch hot water to attend to Mei Lingxi.

Ye Jianxun went to the kitchen to fetch a bowl of honey water before returning to the bedroom. By this time, Bi Shui had fallen into a dilemma. Hearing the sound of Ye Jianxun’s return, she wiped the sweat from her brow and called out, "Your Highness, Your Highness, could you come and help for a moment?"

Ye Jianxun set down the honey water, walked around the screen, and approached the bed. As he entered, he instinctively turned his back, feeling somewhat awkward. "What is it? Why haven't you changed her into her nightclothes yet?"

"The Heir Consort is gripping my hand and won't let me clean her..." Bi Shui had never seen Mei Lingxi drunk, and she was at a loss.

Although Mei Lingxi had been undressed down to her undergarment, she was clutching Bi Shui’s hand with surprising strength. Ye Jianxun had no choice but to turn around, sit on the edge of the bed, and pry Mei Lingxi’s fingers off Bi Shui’s hand one by one.

However, no sooner had Bi Shui escaped than he found himself trapped. Mei Lingxi was holding his hand firmly. Seemingly discovering that his palm was broader, she tucked her hand inside his, wishing for his large palm to wrap around her own.

Ye Jianxun froze for a moment, while Bi Shui secretly hid a smile. She wrung out a hot cloth and began to untie Mei Lingxi’s sash to clean her. Ye Jianxun averted his eyes, staring fixedly at the patterns on the screen.

Bi Shui finished quickly and put on a fresh nightgown. However, because Mei Lingxi’s left hand was still clutching Ye Jianxun’s, the sleeve was difficult to pull on. She hesitated, "Your Highness, this..."

Ye Jianxun lowered his head and tried once more to pull his hand away. When he finally succeeded, he let out a long breath, rose immediately, and headed toward the washroom.

Bi Shui caught a glimpse of Ye Jianxun’s reddening earlobes and thought to herself, *Who would have thought the Heir Apparent was so innocent.*

Once inside the washroom, Ye Jianxun realized he had forgotten his sleeping robe and had to turn back. After retrieving it, he stepped into the warm hot spring. He had to admit that soaking in the spring was a true pleasure; his muscles felt as though they had been massaged, leaving him feeling comfortable and at ease.

He soaked for an hour before finally, with great reluctance, climbing out and changing into a clean sleeping robe. Returning to the canopy bed, he sat down and gazed at her in silence.

Her face was still flushed, making her look as though she had a high fever. He reached out to check her forehead, but finding no heat, he felt relieved. The canopy bed was even larger than the one in their room at Luoyu Garden, but there was only one quilt. Fortunately, it was large enough, so he took a deep breath and decided to share the bed with her.

He blew out the colorful glazed lamp burning by the bedside, then carefully lifted the quilt and lay down. The person beside him seemed disturbed; she turned over, and suddenly, a hand reached out—soft and smooth—grabbing his and refusing to let go.

He struggled slightly, but finding her grip quite strong, he could only sigh helplessly and let her hold it.

A scent of bitter medicinal herbs mixed with a faint aroma of wine enveloped him. He opened his eyes, staring at the bed curtains, feeling a sense of restless longing.

Suddenly, a low murmur drifted from her. He couldn't hear it clearly, so he leaned closer to her ear to listen.

This time he heard it clearly; it was a soft, gentle, and lingering, "Brother, Brother..."

As if cast under a spell, his entire body stiffened, unable to move at all. His thick eyelashes fluttered like wings, filled with seven parts surprise, two parts doubt, and one part melancholy.

Suddenly, there was a sound outside—three rhythmic knocks. He frowned, gently pulled his hand away from hers, rose to put on his outer robe, and pushed the door open to leave.

Arriving at a secluded pavilion, Ye Jianxun saw a familiar silhouette. He strode forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Father."

Prince Ning turned around and asked, "What do you think of the marriage alliance between the Marquis of Dingyuan and the General of Zhenyuan today?"

Ye Jianxun pondered for a moment and said, "The Marquis of Dingyuan’s estate pretends to pledge allegiance to you, but they are secretly harboring their own schemes. Now that they have formed an alliance with the General of Zhenyuan and gained control over his military power, I fear they will be difficult to manage."

Prince Ning curled his lips, his fox-like eyes narrowing as he let out a cold hum, "Yu Qingshan is a cold-blooded man, yet he has produced such a doting fool. It seems he will be played in the palms of Mei Lingyi in the future. Wouldn't that just benefit Mei Yuanyi?"

Ye Jianxun replied, "However, this also exposes Yu Changming’s weakness. He is brave but lacks strategy; we may be able to make use of that later."

"Oh?" Prince Ning raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with a look of intrigue.