On Our Wedding Night, I Discovered the Crown Prince's Hidden Illness

Chapter 145: Chapter 145 The Same Words

As if carved from white jade, her arm was pale and snow-like, slender and graceful, tender and delicate to the touch.

Under the light cast by the luminous lamp, her jade-like arm seemed to be cloaked in a faint golden halo.

Ye Yiheng’s eyes subtly narrowed as he set his face and placed the wrapped package back on the stool before striding away.

His boots were brand-new, seemingly never worn before.

Such gifts are meant either for one’s father and brothers or for a beloved.

He didn’t think she would give them to Leng Zongfa or Lai Hao, which meant—

Had she developed feelings for someone else?

Ye Yiheng left in haste, even forgetting to tie the eye veil he held in his hand.

Song Guo, who was waiting outside, hurried forward to support the Princely Heir and gently reminded him in a low voice, “Your Highness, your eye veil.”

Only then did Ye Yiheng cover his eyes and secure the veil.

Leng Yu Yan was utterly confused—had that madman misunderstood something?

Well, as long as he didn’t bite her or strangle her, let him think whatever he wanted.

—

The next day.

Leng Yu Yan took a horse carriage to the Imperial College and, halfway there, the carriage suddenly stopped.

She swayed and was about to inquire when the coachman explained, “Crown Princess Consort, there’s a carriage blocking the road ahead; we can’t get through.”

Leng Yu Yan lifted the carriage curtain to look, recognizing the obstructing carriage as somewhat familiar. At that moment, someone descended from it.

The person was none other than Li Yuyue.

Seeing him, Leng Yu Yan took the package next to her and also stepped out of her carriage.

“Brother Lai.”

Li Yuyue greeted her with a smile and a nod, “Sister Yu Yan, I’m leaving the capital today. I didn’t tell you the exact date before, so I had to wait for you here on your inevitable route.”

“So soon?”

Li Yuyue’s smile faded slightly, concern evident in his eyes, “Yes, my mother’s illness has worsened, and I must return as soon as possible.”

“Princess Aunt will surely recover,” Leng Yu Yan’s frown deepened, recalling the Ninth Princess’s request. “Oh, right, someone asked me to give this to Brother Lai.”

“What is this?” Li Yuyue took it, looked inside, and asked, “Who sent it?”

“Can’t you guess?” Leng Yu Yan prompted.

“You?”

Leng Yu Yan shook her head with a light smile, “I’m very lazy. I can’t be bothered to cook meals or make snacks, let alone boots.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuyue thought of someone. He wrapped the boots and pushed them back into Leng Yu Yan’s hands, “I can’t accept this.”

Looking at the package returned to her hands, Leng Yu Yan frowned, “But I promised to deliver it into your hands.”

“I’ve already taken it just now. By returning it this moment, you haven’t broken your promise,” Li Yuyue said, his lips curving into a gentle smile as he pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve. “This is the address of Prince Zhenbei Mansion; if you ever need anything, feel free to find me!”

Leng Yu Yan accepted the paper and nodded, “Brother Lai, you’re leaving like this, and I haven’t had the chance to bid you a proper farewell.”

Li Yuyue smiled and shook his head, “Once I’m gone, will you call me ‘Brother’ once more?”

Suddenly, Leng Yu Yan’s eyes welled up with tears, “Brother, take care on your journey!”

Five years ago, on the morning of Leng Yi’s departure to war.

He sat astride his horse, the golden morning light enveloping him and highlighting his brave and majestic figure.

At that time, he had told her the same thing, “I’m leaving. Could you call me ‘Brother’ one more time, little sister?”

The night before, she had found out her brother was leaving for war again and clung to him, refusing to let go. Only when she fell asleep did Leng Yi secretly prepare his military gear.

Come morning, not finding her brother, she realized he was leaving for war without telling her.

She rushed towards the main gate in panic: “Brother, don’t go! Ah Yan doesn’t want you to leave!”

Leng Yi replied with a tender smile, “Silly girl, your Brother goes to protect our home and country, not to never return.”

She tried to block his horse, but her mother pulled her into an embrace.

Leng Yi continued with a smile, “Before I leave, call out ‘Brother’ once more for me to hear.”

Initially reluctant, she refused to call out. But as his horse moved farther away, she finally shouted, “Brother, come back soon!”

Leng Yi waved his hand, “Alright, you may go now.”

Unexpectedly, that day turned out to be a farewell forever.

The longing became increasingly uncontrollable.

Li Yuyue said with a smile, “Silly girl, it’s not like I’m not coming back.”

The same words, the same parting scene.

Leng Yu Yan’s tears could no longer be controlled, like beads slipping off a broken string, cascading down.

Seeing this, Li Yuyue was in a panic.

He reached out to wipe her tears but, fearing her rejection, awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Seeing her crying like this reminded him of his own sister and he eventually couldn’t resist and tweaked her hair bundle, “Stop crying! Big brother will come back to see you!”

If he could, he would truly take her away, far from the Tian Family, far from Ye Yiheng!

“Mm!” Leng Yu Yan nodded her head and sniffled, “Big brother, you must come back. You must keep your word!”

Not like Leng Yi!

Fearing he might stay and snatch her away, Li Yuyue turned and boarded the horse carriage, “You should head off to the Imperial College, you’re going to be late.”

“Mm.” Leng Yu Yan also mounted the horse carriage.

They arrived at the Imperial College.

Leng Yu Yan found that Li Yuyue’s usual seat was empty.

Yesterday was the Shangsi Festival, a holiday, but the day before his seat had been occupied.

It seemed he had packed up either yesterday or early this morning.

Once Li Yuyue had left, those students who normally did not dare to approach Leng Yu Yan now flocked to her side.

Someone said, “A woman attending the Imperial College is truly an insult to scholars.”

Another declared, “Only women and vile characters are difficult to nurture!”

Leng Yu Yan responded with a cold smile, “A gentleman is frank and unpretentious, while a petty man is always fretting.”

“He dares call us petty men,” the one who had spoken prepared to strike, but noticing the Supervisor, he stayed his hand.

The Supervisor sauntered over, “Rather than quarrel, why not demonstrate your talents in tomorrow’s archery exam and see who is superior?”

The crowd laughed, “With her frail strength and skinny arms and legs, how could she possibly compare?”

This was clearly a jibe at her, but Leng Yu Yan was not annoyed in the least.

Winning the archery exam would grant an opportunity to train at the Ministry of War.

The student who had just insulted Leng Yu Yan laughed, “Tomorrow will be the perfect chance to demonstrate the difference between men and women.”

Some students, captivated by Leng Yu Yan’s beauty, pleaded, “We are all fellow students, why must we do this?”

“Yes, yes, wouldn’t it be better to live in harmony?”

That moment, Zheng Likuo snorted with a laugh, “Have you been blinded by her beauty?”

When he spoke, nobody countered.

The man before her bore some resemblance to a woman she had met before, and Leng Yu Yan realized this must be Zheng Liqi’s brother.

The Supervisor scanned the room, proclaiming loudly, “The Emperor himself will attend the archery exam, and many noble families will come to watch.”

Immediately someone echoed, “In that case, it’s a rare opportunity indeed!”

Someone else laughed, “This opportunity is akin to capturing a groom right beneath the Imperial Examination list; friends, let’s give it our all!”

Leng Yu Yan shook her head, held her books, and left her seat to go towards a rest area specially arranged for her within the Imperial College.

—

In the study of a small building in the Eastern Palace.

A Hidden Guard reported, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess Consort has given a package to Heir Lai.”

Ye Yiheng furrowed his brows.

Those boots were actually meant for Li Yuyue!

Had she taken a fancy to Li Yuyue?

The Hidden Guard continued, “However, Heir Lai did not accept it and returned the package to the Crown Princess Consort.”