Chapter 3

Chapter 3

As soon as the two decrees were issued, the entire court was in an uproar.

Memorials of impeachment flew in like snowflakes.

Everyone said I was bringing chaos to the palace and monopolizing power, demanding that I return the authority of the Regent and apologize to the world.

I remained unmoved, but my Imperial Younger Brother was furious.

He rebuked those ministers.

“Elder Sister and I are born of the same mother. What is wrong with us ruling the world together?”

He truly treated me exceptionally well, so I could not fail him.

I lived in the palace, reviewing memorials, meeting with ministers, and reorganizing the internal affairs and the Imperial Guard. One by one, I pulled out the ‘nails’ planted in the palace by the powerful Aristocratic Families.

With every task completed, my sense of security grew a little more.

One day, I finally managed to leave the palace for some fresh air, only to run into Ye Weilan.

He blocked my carriage and reached out a hand from atop his horse.

I lifted the curtain and looked at that hand, finding it utterly ironic.

In my past life, Ye Weilan always kept a great distance from me, fearing I would defile him. Forget touching his hand-even if I so much as brushed his sleeve, he would look at me with disgust.

In this life, he was being so proactive.

Ha!

Is it because he saw me uprooting the families’ spies and can no longer sit still?

I said indifferently, “Lord Ye, isn’t it exhausting to force yourself to do things you dislike?”

He paused slightly and withdrew his hand, his lips pressed into an elegant line.

He said, “I have something I wish to say to Your Highness.”

Inside the carriage, Xiangnu tugged at my hem, his body twisting like a pretzel.

I had finally left the palace and promised to take him to see the troop drills.

He was likely afraid-afraid that I was truly using him as a pawn to provoke Ye Weilan.

I gently patted his hand and whispered a few words of comfort.

Xiangnu smiled.

Ye Weilan’s face turned ashen.

Yet, he did not leave.

How strange.

In my past life, if I showed the slightest lack of consideration, he would fling his sleeves and storm off. In this life, despite being treated this way, he stubbornly refused to go.

What a glutton for punishment.

“For the sake of our past acquaintance, This Princess will ask you three questions. If you answer them all correctly, This Princess shall grant you an audience.”

“Please proceed, Your Highness.”

Ye Weilan was very confident.

He was the most famous noble scion in Shangjing, born of a century-old clan. The Ye Family had endured through three dynasties; many emperors had changed, but they remained standing.

Even when my ancestors conquered Shangjing, the first thing they did was visit these great Aristocratic Families.

He was not afraid of me testing him at all.

Or rather, he didn’t think I could ask any decent questions.

It was true that I couldn’t come up with any sophisticated questions, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t stump him.

“Do you know what dish This Princess likes to eat, what color I prefer, and what melodies I enjoy?”

Ye Weilan froze.

His lips pressed even tighter.

His entire demeanor became serious and irritated.

He felt as though he was being toyed with.

“Your Highness, what is the meaning of such questions?”

I said meaningfully, “So, matters concerning This Princess have no meaning? Then why do you need to speak with me? Please move aside.”

Just then, Xiangnu excitedly poked his head out from the carriage.

“You don’t even know that? Her Highness’s favorite dish is Night Lotus Shrimp, her favorite color is begonia red, and her favorite melody is ‘Farewell My Concubine.’ Her second favorite is ‘Jade Maiden Beats the Heartless Lover.'”

He pointed a delicate finger at Ye Weilan.

With that half-smile on his face, he truly looked charming.

I was delighted.

I wanted nothing more than to give him a hard kiss right then and there.

Thinking it, I did it.

Xiangnu let out a soft “Oh!”

Ye Weilan’s breathing suddenly became heavy. He turned his horse around to leave immediately.

I called out lazily, “Lord Ye-”

“Does Your Highness have further instructions?”

His gaze was cold and filled with mockery.

He likely thought I was playing a game of hard-to-get.

I said calmly, “Please return the betrothal gifts previously sent to the Ye Family. I imagine Lord Ye would disdain to keep anything belonging to This Princess.”