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

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Lonely and Empty

East Palace Study Room.

Ye Yiheng asked in a light voice, “How is the father of Miss Xu faring now?”

Jian Lecheng, who was sitting beside him, closed the book in his hands, “As per Your Highness’s instructions, he has been transferred from the Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Personnel and appointed as Assistant Minister.”

“Very well.”

“Very well?” Jian Lecheng said resentfully, “This old man prides himself on his promotion, and now he’s more brazen than ever, not taking Your Highness into account and discussing with several other ministers about which Prince is most likely to become the next Crown Prince.”

Ye Yiheng’s face remained calm, “Do not stop him, what he says and does now will all turn to suffering in the future.”

“Yes, Your Highness, I have already begun collecting evidence of his corruption and wrongdoing!”

“Good!”

At that moment, the door to the study was knocked. @@novelbin@@

Both men in the room looked towards the door in unison, only to see Song Guo stepping inside.

“Your Highness, today is the day Xinya Academy holds the preliminary round of the Flower Festival competition.”

Seeing that His Highness remained silent, Song Guo added, “This morning Miss Lai went to the academy with her eyes red and swollen. I wonder if it’s because she’s worried about not making it to the finals, which caused her eyes to redden.”

Jian Lecheng, puzzled, spoke up, “Isn’t it expected that she won’t make it to the finals? What’s there to cry about?”

“Young Master, you are not aware, but if Miss Lai cannot make it to the finals, she will have to walk around the academy with her veil lifted.” Song Guo said uneasily, “We’ve all seen the blemishes on Miss Lai’s face, if the teacher and students of Xinya also see it, her days to come will likely be even harder.”

Hearing this, Ye Yiheng’s eyes and eyebrows slightly stirred, “Who are the judges?”

“Dance Master Cao Shu from Xinya Academy.”

“Go to Xingning Palace and say that I request her presence at Xinya Academy as a dance judge.”

Upon hearing this, Song Guo was puzzled, “Your Highness, the Ninth Princess has a leg injury. Moreover, it seems she doesn’t get along well with Miss Lai. Inviting the Ninth Princess might be…”

Jian Lecheng cut in, “Song Guo, have you forgotten that when the Ninth Princess’s leg was fine, she was the Flower God every year during the Flower Festival.”

“On my slim honor, Ah Ju will judge fairly.”

If Leng Yu Yan loses face, it’s the honor of the Eastern Palace that is lost.

The matter that angered him in his bedroom yesterday, he could put aside for now.

Song Guo stiffened, “I will go to Xingning Palace right now.”

With that said, she hurried off.

After discussing some matters concerning the court with Jian Lecheng, and estimating the time Song Guo should return, Ye Yiheng stood up and donned a white veil over his eyes.

Seeing him walking out, Jian Lecheng also stood up to follow, “Where is Your Highness going?”

“Xinya Academy.”

“Your Highness is going… to see if Miss Lai qualifies?”

“She may lose her own face, but she must not disgrace the Eastern Palace.”

His voice was light, devoid of ripples.

Jian Lecheng frowned slightly and bluntly stated, “Your Highness, you have started to care about her!”

“Nonsense!”

Ye Yiheng’s handsome brows furrowed.

For some reason, he suddenly recalled the feeling of holding her in his arms yesterday, soft and pliable.

How could someone as soft and weak as she dance well?

She was likely to lose completely today.

Only with him present could others not lift her veil.

Jian Lecheng tactfully smiled and said, “It is I who speak nonsense, Your Highness is concerned for the reputation and the greater good of the Eastern Palace!”

—

Inside Xinya Academy, soft cushions had already been laid upon the stage.

Each competing team was lined up in order, seated below the stage.

Xu Yaxiang collected the last round of bets and then loudly mocked, “Today everyone will enjoy the show; this establishment will calculate the silver for everyone shortly.”

Almost every female student had placed a bet, apart from the six people including Lai Jiajia and Leng Yu Yan, everyone else was hoping that their team would lose completely.

“With more silver, buying some jewelry would also be nice.”

“Yes, the cats and dogs I keep in my yard can eat better too.”

Lai Manting and Li Lu exchanged glances, and both smiled in tacit understanding.

According to the bets they had placed, if they won today’s gamble, then a large portion of the silver that ugly girl, Leng Yu Yan, possessed would end up in their wallets.

Suddenly, someone cried out loudly, “Leng Yu Yan, I think you guys should just give up the competition. You’re making a huge fool of yourselves. How are you going to face anyone after this?”

Someone chimed in, “Indeed, they were driven out of the Dance Society by Lady Cao, and no one in the academy has seen them practice dancing.”

“Unless they have some immortal power to instantly make themselves smarter and their bodies more flexible!”

At this, everyone burst into laughter.

After they had their fill of laughter, Cao Shu took the stage and signaled for everyone to quiet down.

“The Flower Festival is approaching. Today’s competition will determine which teams will have the chance to compete in the final contest. I hope everyone gives it their all.” She paused, glanced at Xu Yaxiang, gave a slight nod, and continued, “Today’s contest is not limited to any specific dance form. Everyone should perform what they are best at.”

Just then, a loud announcement came from the entrance of the parade ground, “The Crown Prince has arrived, the Ninth Princess has arrived—”

The crowd was astonished.

Why would these two be here?

The Crown Prince is blind; what dance could he possibly watch?

The Ninth Princess can’t even dance due to her illness; what’s her reason for coming?

While the crowd was gossiping, they all stood up and bowed in respect, “Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince, greetings to the Ninth Princess.”

“Dispense with the formalities.”

Ye Yiheng’s voice was very calm. Through the white gauze, his gaze easily sought out Leng Yu Yan.

Indeed, this woman had severely swollen eyelids.

All bark and no bite!

Always so quick to lash out at him, yet at the sight of such a trivial matter, she cries like this.

Utterly useless!

Upon hearing of the arrival of the royal siblings, the Mountain Master of the Xinya Academy hurriedly came forward, beaming with a smile, “The presence of Your Highnesses graces our humble academy!”

“Someone, please bring chairs for Their Highnesses,” the Mountain Master said while simultaneously inquiring, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, how do you happen to have the time to come here today?”

Previously, when they invited him to the calligraphy conference, it took three or four invitations before he reluctantly agreed to attend.

Today was but a mere preliminary round, and the Crown Prince’s sudden arrival certainly startled this old man.

The old man’s heart had aged, and he couldn’t help but be frightened.

Slowly, Ye Yiheng began to speak, “The Crown Princess Consort wishes to compete in the preliminaries. I do not want her to partake in such a thankless task. After I reprimanded her, she felt wronged, so I have come to console her.”

At this, a murmur swept through the crowd!

Console her?

The esteemed Crown Prince came to console an ugly girl?

Leng Yu Yan nearly dropped her jaw; his words made it seem as if she had truly cried over the competition.

Even Lai Jiajia and the others believed Ye Yiheng’s words, and they began offering words of comfort.

“Sister, did you really cry? Don’t be disheartened, sister. I’ve been working very hard these past few days!”

“Yu Yan, our relationship is so strong. Just tell the truth; if you cried, you cried. It’s not a big deal.”

“Yeah, we’ve been really diligent during this time and definitely won’t let you down!”

Leng Yu Yan raised her hand to her forehead, “I just didn’t sleep well!”

At that moment, Ye Yiheng, supported by Song Guo, walked up to her.

“Crown Princess Consort, I was too harsh this morning; are you still angry?”

This morning, they hadn’t met at all.

He spoke as if there was something between them.

But now that he was in front of her, Leng Yu Yan had no choice but to bow slightly, “Your Highness.”

The words “Your Highness” were clearly spoken through gritted teeth.

Hearing this, Ye Yiheng’s lips curved into a smile.

In front of all the students and teachers of the Xinya Academy, he leaned down close to her ear, pretending to whisper tenderly, “If you’re ugly, just don’t embarrass yourself!”