Chapter 26: The Prince is a Woman 26

As for Ning Zhen's apparent love for power and wealth, Ye Ji was not only not angry, but somewhat pleased. As it happened, he possessed both in abundance and could afford to give them.

If anyone else tried to seduce him, they would have to surpass him—and who in this world could do that?

"There is no need for a kingship."

"Everything shall remain as usual. If Your Majesty misses me, you can arrange for someone to come find me. If I miss Your Majesty, I will come to the palace to find you."

"We are both men; let's be free-spirited about it." A-Zhen lightly patted Ye Ji's waist—a firm and powerful pat that suggested regular, diligent exercise. She added, "Don't be so coy."

Ye Ji found himself speechless.

This person was indeed quite free-spirited. The reason he wanted things to be more official was simply because he was afraid the other would run away.

Fine. The results obtained today were much better than expected. He would take it slow; being too impatient would not do good.

His gaze fell upon the hand on his waist—such a small hand, yet it could wield a blade so effortlessly. He quickly moved his eyes away and gave a light cough. "You haven't had lunch yet, have you? Let's eat first."

He told himself not to rush.

A-Zhen wasn't actually hungry. Even though she had possessed the client's body—no, from the moment the transaction was completed, this body belonged to her—she wouldn't feel hunger unless she consciously chose to experience it. Not eating or drinking would not affect her control over this body; as long as she was present, this body would not die. However, this was an ordinary body, and under normal circumstances, it was better to consume some food.

At the dining table, Ye Ji watched the person opposite him, his brow never unknitting.

They were eating far too little.

Hou Rongfa, however, was delighted. The Emperor's wishes seemed to be coming true; even if nothing had happened between the two for the time being, the Ning Heir had accepted the Emperor.

"Is it not good?" Ye Ji asked.

A-Zhen replied, "It's delicious."

She was just not used to eating.

Being in a good mood today, she had actually eaten a bit more than usual.

"Eating so little is bad for your health," Ye Ji said. "You won't grow tall, and you'll fall ill."

A-Zhen: "..."

Hou Rongfa could hardly bear to watch the scene and silently lowered his head.

Ye Ji did not force the issue. Perhaps the person's appetite just wasn't good today; it made sense, after all—Ning Yulan had been bullied by the Duke's manor, so it was normal to be unhappy.

He felt a bit vexed. Had he known, he would have sentenced Yuan Bingjun to a longer prison term; a bit more time in jail wouldn't hurt a young man.

Once the meal was finished, A-Zhen prepared to return to her business and bid Ye Ji farewell.

Ye Ji remained silent for a moment. Was she leaving just like that?

"Your Majesty," A-Zhen leaned in closer, "If you are ready, I will come to the palace to find you tonight. I'll be busy with work during the day."

She was very busy.

After all, if she wanted to protect the client's sisters, she had to keep up with them both in terms of power and finances so she wouldn't be caught off guard when trouble arose.

Ye Ji's heart, which had been feeling a bit disappointed, brightened up again, but thinking about what might happen, he felt a surge of nervousness.

Hou Rongfa thought: *The Ning Heir is indeed a very bold person.*

He hoped the other would not fail the Emperor and would be devoted from now on. The Emperor was such a good person; the Heir was getting a bargain.

"We will discuss that matter tonight." As A-Zhen whispered these words, she sat beside Ye Ji, even grabbing his large hand to squeeze and play with it, looking much like a dissolute young master coaxing a beauty.

Ye Ji knew exactly which "matter" Ning Zhen was referring to. He had to stiffen his expression to keep from losing his composure. She truly dared to say anything; fortunately, she spoke quite cryptically, so Hou Rongfa likely wouldn't understand.

"Are you ready?" A-Zhen asked again.

"If I am not ready, I won't come to the palace tonight."

Ye Ji gripped the hand of the person beside him, not wanting to let go. How could he refuse?

"Come tonight."

He had missed this person, thinking of them day and night. Now that they finally had such a beginning, he could not miss it no matter what. If he missed tonight, there was no telling when the next opportunity would arise.

They say the first step is always the hardest; once the beginning is made, everything else will follow naturally.

"Wait for me."

Watching the person rise and leave without hesitation, Ye Ji's heart felt empty again. But once the figure of the other disappeared, he regained his usual temperament as a young emperor.

Indifferent, noble, and distant.

If he hadn't heard the subsequent words, Hou Rongfa would have thought the same.

"Hou Rongfa, go arrange for someone to redecorate my sleeping quarters."

"Do you know that person's preferences? Decorate it according to them," Ye Ji commanded indifferently. He appeared not to care much, yet his hands were trembling with tension.

Even though they were both men, if something truly happened tonight, it would be considered their wedding night.

What else could Hou Rongfa do? He could only comply.

He began to worry. He hoped the Ning Heir was a good person; if they only wanted power and wealth, the Emperor could afford it. He only feared the other would become a seductive demon who would turn the Emperor into a tyrant.

*Sigh, I truly am destined to be a worrier!*

***

The Ning Prince's Manor.

"A-Zhen, you're finally back." Although she didn't need to worry about what the Emperor would do to A-Zhen—as they say, "serving a monarch is like serving a tiger"—Ning Yulan was still somewhat anxious because A-Zhen had been gone so long.

A-Zhen smiled. "Big Sister, I'm fine. Do you like your courtyard?"

"I like it very much." Ning Yulan wiped the corners of her reddened eyes. "Thank you, A-Zhen."

"You are my sister; it is only right that I protect you. There is no need for thanks." A-Zhen stepped inside. "This is your home; you can stay as long as you like. As for your marriage, it depends on your own wishes—whether you want to start looking now or in a while."

"In a while," Ning Yulan sighed.

Today seemed carefree, but after all, it was ten years of time and ten years of shared feelings; they couldn't be cast aside so easily. Even if she wanted a child, she wasn't in such a rush. She would use this time of recuperating her health to settle her mind.

"Everything is up to you, Big Sister."

Whether the client's sisters married or not was of no concern to A-Zhen; it wasn't something she had to force, it was entirely up to their will.

Wasn't her mission simply to make them happy?

With her around, they didn't need to rely on anyone. Perhaps in the future, they could even stand on their own?

"My dowry and the compensation from the Duke's manor have already been delivered," Ning Yulan said suddenly. "There were no tricks involved."

"These are all yours; they have been placed in your courtyard's warehouse," A-Zhen said. "You can handle them however you wish."

Ning Yulan wanted to cry, she really did.

Perhaps outsiders didn't know that being the daughter of the Ning Prince was not as glorious as imagined.

"Big Sister, it's good that you've returned now; you can help me share some of the burden. The ones I trust are, of course, my own sisters," A-Zhen said suddenly. She wouldn't allow her to sink into sadness and memories.

As long as there were no major health issues, they had to get busy.

Ning Yulan was stunned for a moment, but she didn't even hesitate. "I don't know what I can do, just tell me."

She hadn't expected that A-Zhen needed her too.

Ning Yulan, who had been in a state of confusion, suddenly felt a surge of spirit.

As long as she could do something to help A-Zhen, she would not refuse. Even if she didn't know how, she could learn.

"It's the business matters of the Ning Prince's Manor. Currently, Second Sister is helping to manage it, but the business is quite large and there are few people capable of managing it. Doesn't that worry me?" A-Zhen looked troubled. "Seventh Sister is away, so with only Second and Seventh Sister, it's really not enough. Now that you are back, Big Sister, it will certainly relieve a lot of my pressure."

How could Ning Yulan refuse?

That very day, she was taken by the people of the Ning Prince's Manor to tour various properties in the capital, so as to familiarize herself with the environment.

When people saw Ning Yulan outside, their gossip grew quieter. Once she left, the discussions shifted more toward the Duke's manor. With A-Zhen having already shaped public opinion, the Duke's manor had no power to salvage anything.

Besides, the current Emperor had already sentenced them to prison; what else was there to say?

As night fell, A-Zhen boarded a carriage, which slowly drove toward the Imperial Palace.

After half a day apart, she missed him a little.

Ying Fang huddled in the corner of the carriage, suppressing the urge to ask the Young Master: *Did you actually pull it off just like that?*