I, Am a Living Yama; Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm

Chapter 117:

Her rosy lips curved into an uncontrollable smile as she tilted her elegant neck.

“Brother Yang, you’re too kind…”

Ying Yinman was clearly pleased. With a graceful stride, she walked over and sat beside Yang Yi. Her long legs—smooth and white like jade—angled to the side, accentuating her natural elegance.

Yang Yi smiled warmly. “How do the stockings feel?”

Ying Yinman blinked, her clear eyes glimmering with delight.

“Very smooth, very comfortable… Brother Yang, you truly are a genius.”

Yang Yi’s lips twitched slightly as he leaned back.

“Since you like them, I’ll make sure you have a few more sets.”

Before she could respond, he gestured toward the feast before them.

“By the way, the barbecue is ready, and I whipped up some fresh sauces. Give it a try—how does it taste?”

Ying Yinman nodded, her gaze flickering over the array of delicacies. But just as she reached for a piece, her mood shifted. A shadow of sadness clouded her eyes as she sighed softly.

“Tomorrow, I’ll return to Qin… I wonder if my father will still insist on marrying me to Li Si’s son. I fear this might be the last time I enjoy something like this.”

Yang Yi raised a brow and offered her a reassuring smile.

“Princess, if you ever crave these flavors again, I can have the peppers and sauces sent to you.”

Ying Yinman shook her head slowly, her gaze steady as she met his eyes.

“Brother Yang, don’t you know? The same food tastes different depending on the mood. It’s not just about the ingredients—it’s about the experience.”

Yang Yi’s mouth twitched, amusement flickering in his eyes. Ah, here we go—the literary melancholy of a princess.

Before he could respond, Ying Yinman’s expression brightened, her eyes sparkling with newfound determination. She leaned closer, her voice soft yet expectant.

“Brother Yang, you’re the number one strategist of the Zhou Dynasty. Surely, you can help me solve this problem?”

Yang Yi’s brows furrowed as he regarded her.  Why did she suddenly think of asking me for advice?

He shook his head lightly. “Princess, my so-called strategies are nothing but petty tricks. You might be asking the wrong person.”

Ying Yinman’s gaze didn’t waver. “As long as the strategy works, what does it matter if it’s petty?”

Yang Yi stared at her for a moment, speechless. This girl—so delicate on the outside, yet so bold at heart.

With a helpless sigh, he leaned forward slightly.

“Do you truly want a strategy?”

Ying Yinman bit her lip, her voice firm despite the slight tremor in it.

“As long as it gives me a reason to refuse this marriage—any strategy will do. Brother Yang, are you unwilling to help me?”

Yang Yi slapped his thigh, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

“Refusing this marriage? That’s easy! How could I not help the princess after knowing you for over a year?”

Ying Yinman’s expression lit up, hope flickering in her eyes. “Please, Brother Yang, teach me…”

Yang Yi tilted his head, a playful glint in his eye.

“You could tell the Qin Emperor that you’ve already pledged yourself to someone. Do you think Li Si’s son would still accept the marriage if he knew?”

Ying Yinman blinked, her face brightening for a moment before it darkened again.

“That could work… but my father is no fool. A reason like that won’t fool him.”

Yang Yi leaned back, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

“Then why not actually pledge yourself to someone?”

The room fell silent. Ying Yinman stared at him, her face quickly turning crimson. “How… how could I do that? Besides, there’s no one I like. How could I make such a promise?”

Yang Yi’s expression turned serious, though his voice was laced with teasing.

“Sometimes, a strategist has to step into the battlefield themselves. Princess, I could lend you a hand with this… small favor.”

Ying Yinman’s eyes widened in astonishment, her cheeks burning as she processed his words. Yang Yi smirked, confident she’d dismiss the outrageous idea.

Surely, this will make her give up on the whole thing.

But to his shock, Ying Yinman broke the silence. “Then I’ll trouble Brother Yi… Brother Yi…”

Wait, what? Did she just agree? I was joking!

The princess’s expression softened, her resolve unwavering despite the deep blush staining her cheeks. Her gaze bore into him—earnest, vulnerable, and unflinchingly direct.

“I’ve read Dream of the Red Chamber and Romance of the Western Chamber countless times. Even though I live in a palace, I long for true love. If I can’t be with someone I love, how am I any different from a lifeless puppet? Instead of being forced to marry Li Si’s son, I’d rather entrust myself to you—someone I admire and adore…”

Her voice wavered, but her determination shone through as she stepped closer to him.

Yang Yi’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.@@novelbin@@

Her movement caught his attention; his gaze flickered to her legs before quickly darting away. Ying Yinman shyly pressed her knees together, her modest gesture only making her blush deepen. It was the first time she’d exposed this much of herself to a man—and her heart raced wildly.

For a long moment, Yang Yi simply stared. Then, with a resigned sigh, he leaned forward.

“Brother Yang, what’s wrong?” Ying Yinman asked cautiously, biting her lip as uncertainty crept into her eyes.

Yang Yi’s voice was low and firm as he met her gaze. “Nothing’s wrong.”

“It’s just…” His lips curled into a faint smile. “Mànmàn showed up too late.”

Ying Yinman blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

“This outfit,” Yang Yi said, gesturing toward the stockings, “could only show its true beauty on Mànmàn. These stockings were practically made for you.”

Ying Yinman’s cheeks turned even redder.

Yang Yi wasn’t particularly obsessed with legs, but even he had to admit—the princess’s legs were perfection.

Taking a deep breath, he made his decision. If even the lady herself says so, not stepping up now would make me worse than an animal. Damn it. If this means walking into the fire, so be it.

With that, he scooped Ying Yinman up in his arms.

She let out a soft yelp, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her toward the inner chamber.