Chapter 4: 第2章 君玉凌的良人

Chapter 2: Jun Yuling's Ideal Match

Jun Yuling snapped his folding fan open once more, calming his emotions before continuing to walk down the main street with his usual dashing elegance. "This Young Master is magnanimous and never makes things difficult for you. Why were you so afraid of me today?"

"Yes!" Ye bowed his head in agreement. He thought to himself that if it hadn't been because the Crown Prince was reprimanding the Princess so harshly today and was in a bad mood, he wouldn't have suspected the Crown Prince would blame him.

"Actually, your subordinate believes that although the Young Master's actions toward the Young Lady yesterday were intended to give her a surprise, they were indeed somewhat improper." He paused, seeing that Jun Yuling showed no great expression, before continuing, "Therefore, your subordinate guesses the Young Lady was merely seeking a small revenge against you. Instead of pleading for you in person yesterday, she went out of her way to tell you that night; that, in itself, could be considered a surprise."

Only then did Jun Yuling realize the truth. His face instantly darkened. Damn it, that was exactly the kind of thing that little brat would do. He actually understood his sister less than a mere imperial guard. Regardless, he had essentially accepted this sister as his own.

"This Young Master is hungry. Let's go to the Drunken Restaurant, order two side dishes, and then continue our stroll." Jun Yuling directly bypassed the question he had just been shouting about with such fervor, walking straight toward the restaurant he had mentioned.

"Oh," Ye responded flatly, following behind. His Crown Prince certainly worked quickly. Just a moment ago, they were discussing his sister's childish games, and now he was already fine, even running off to eat in high spirits. However, thinking about it, having followed his Crown Prince for several years, things were mostly the same; he was used to it.

***

Private Room, Second Floor of the Drunken Restaurant

Jun Yuling set down his fan and opened the window to look out at the spring scenery in the garden. His mood instantly improved significantly.

"Do you think that since this Young Master is four years older than that little brat, I shouldn't be so calculating about these things?" He glanced indifferently at Ye. Seeing that he was still standing behind him, he said irritably, "Sigh, sit down. Sit down and accompany this Young Master for a meal."

"Uh, I cannot..." Ye looked at Jun Yuling with trepidation. "How can your subordinate dine at the same table as the Young Master?"

Jun Yuling's brows furrowed in dissatisfaction. "Can't you hear me telling you to sit down? There's no one else here, what are you afraid of? If you don't sit down, how am I supposed to talk to you?"

"Uh..." Seeing Jun Yuling's expression, Ye felt that if he didn't sit down today, it might not end well. He looked around. "Yes, your subordinate obeys!" His Crown Prince never possessed that arrogant imperial aura; sometimes, he was actually as warm and intimate toward a subordinate like him as if they were brothers. Thinking of this, a warmth rose in his heart. It was good; he had chosen the right master.

Seeing Ye sit down, Jun Yuling finally felt satisfied. While pouring wine, he began to talk animatedly, "When I find a wife in the future, she definitely cannot be as mischievous as that little brat, otherwise, I'll be worked to death sooner or later."

"Yes, the Young Master is right," Ye echoed.

Jun Yuling nodded in response, satisfied, and raised his cup to drain the wine. But after laughing, he suddenly felt something was off. Looking at Ye, he frowned with dissatisfaction. "Did I say it right? Right about what? Is my sister really that unbearable?"

"Huh?" Ye was startled. If these words reached the Emperor's ears, how could he possibly keep his head? "Your subordinate did not mean it that way..."

"Then you disagree with what I said?" Jun Yuling's brow furrowed deeply again.

"Uh, this..." Ye was instantly struck by a cold sweat.

The corners of Jun Yuling's mouth curled up slightly. He poured himself a cup of tea and sipped it slowly. Fine, he was bored. He would use this fellow for some amusement. Just as he was about to tell him he was only playing around, he suddenly heard a clear, pleasant sound coming from downstairs.

"Waiter, take me to the room Young Master Liang reserved." From the sound, it was evident the speaker was a young lady.

"I am very sorry, Miss, but we have no record of a Young Master Liang making a reservation today. Have you perhaps gone to the wrong place?" the waiter replied respectfully.

A rare smile rippled across Jun Yuling's jade-like face. The genuine pleasure broke his irritable mood. He narrowed his eyes. "Ye, tell me. Hearing such a beautiful voice, just how beautiful must that woman be?"

"This..." Ye thought for a moment. "Shall your subordinate go take a look and then tell the Young Master?"

"No need." Jun Yuling looked up at Ye. "Switch places with me."

Ye curled his lip but obediently yielded his seat. Since when did his Crown Prince take such an interest in beauties? Why had he never known?

"I remember the letter said..." The woman's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "It was the son of Minister Liang, Liang Yeqiu. Has he truly not arrived?"

"That is correct, Miss. No such person has arrived today," the waiter replied respectfully.

The woman raised her eyebrows thoughtfully, her eyes darting around as she watched the waiter. She appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen, in the prime of her youth. She wore a purple silk dress embroidered with violet flower clouds. Her head was elegant, her brows willow-like, and her eyes bright with white teeth. Her jade-like skin looked as if it could break at a touch, and her long, thick eyelashes fluttered with every blink, enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat. Her hair was held up simply by a single green jade hairpin, with a single lock of hair falling over her right shoulder. She was as beautiful as a figure from a painting.

Jun Yuling's gaze was instantly captivated by her. Since childhood, aside from his mother, he had never seen anyone who could rival such beauty. He could feel his heart accelerating, as if one more look would mean he would surely fall at her feet.

"Miss, perhaps we arrived too early. Young Master Liang might not have arrived yet. Should we reserve a private room here and wait for him?" the maid beside her reminded her.

Ning Qingqing's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. After a moment of thought, she was about to nod when a provocative voice rang out from the side.

"Is this lady waiting for a lover?" A man with a fat face and large ears, yet dressed in expensive clothing, slowly walked down the stairs. "Truly, who would pass up such a beauty? Where has he gone? That something-or-other Young Master Liang—if this Young Master encounters him, I certainly won't let him off easy."

Ning Qingqing withdrew her gaze, unwilling to look at him again. She blinked impatiently. "Thank you, but this is a private matter that does not require the gentleman's interference."

"Oh my," the man seemed somewhat dissatisfied, continuing with forced patience, "Miss, you are being too formal. This Young Master is a famous protector of beauties in the capital; I cannot stand to see anyone bully a little beauty." He could not restrain himself from walking over, his eyes filled with affection. His trembling hands slowly reached out toward Ning Qingqing's face. For a beauty like this, his habit made it impossible to wait even a moment.

Suddenly, a chopstick struck the man's hand with unerring precision. With a cry of "Ouch!", the man hurriedly pulled his hand back, his face contorted in pain.

A gust of wind swept past as Jun Yuling flew down from the window, landing in front of the woman. He glared coldly at the fat, pampered rogue. "How many women have your filthy hands touched? Is this lady someone you are allowed to touch?" Truly ungrateful. Was a woman chosen by Jun Yuling someone these people could touch? Touch once, and I'll cut off your hand; touch twice, and I'll take your head; touch three times, and I'll exterminate your entire clan.

Thinking about how that hand had almost touched the girl he had taken an interest in, a surge of rage rose in his heart. He delivered a heavy kick to the man's stomach, then stomped on that hand he so loathed.

"Ah! Gently, gently!" The rogue let out a scream like a slaughtered pig, terrifying to behold.

Seeing the servants rushing forward, Jun Yuling performed a sweeping kick with one leg, instantly sending them all sprawling to the ground. "You've dirtied this Young Master's body by touching me. Get out! Get as far away as possible. If I see you again, I will kill you on the spot."

That aura of dominance had been transferred from Jun Moxiao to him, intact.

"You brat, have your teeth grown in yet? Do you even know who this Young Master is?" The rogue scrambled up from the ground, glaring angrily at Jun Yuling. "My father is the Commandant of the capital! With just one order from him, a third-rate gentleman like you and your entire family will pay the price for what you did today!"

"Oh! Is that so?" Jun Yuling's brows furrowed slightly, showing no emotion. A moment later, he suddenly turned, punched the rogue in the face, and followed up with a kick. "The Commandant's son, right? Good, very good."

He lunged forward a few steps, his leg suddenly snapping out to kick the rogue again. "This should have a better effect when you go back to see your father." He looked at the man with satisfaction; almost none of the man's face remained intact. His already fat face was now swollen beyond recognition.

"You wait... ugh, ugh... I'm going back to tell my father!"

Supported by several guards, the rogue fled the Drunken Restaurant in terror.

Only then did the anger in Jun Yuling's eyes subside. Although he did not care much for politics, he knew that the Commandant was considered a decent official. This idiot probably wouldn't dare say anything when he got back. However, whether he dared or not made no difference to him.

"Is the Miss alright?" He turned and opened his folding fan. Thinking that he had found an opportunity to interact with the woman just now, he suddenly felt very grateful for that man's disruption. Otherwise, how would he have had the chance to get to know this lady?

"I am fine!" Ning Qingqing smiled slightly. Just as she was about to turn, she saw Jun Yuling's hand slowly reaching out. Yes, it was reaching toward her face.

"Miss, don't move!" Jun Yuling watched her face meticulously. His large hand reached out tenderly, intending to brush away the bloodstains that had splashed onto her face during his excited fight.

Little did he know, at the moment of approach, Ning Qingqing suddenly threw an angry punch at his face. With a crisp *smack*, the woman, still unsatisfied, delivered a slap with her right hand to Jun Yuling's face.

"Shameless, vulgar, beast! How are you any different from that man just now?"

After cursing, the woman was clearly far from calm. She looked at the elegant gentleman before her in disbelief, her indignation mounting. This was far beyond her imagination.

"You know martial arts!?"

Jun Yuling rubbed his face, looking at the woman in disbelief. The slap had left his ears ringing incessantly. It felt as if liquid was flowing from the tip of his nose. Heavens, he had actually been beaten into such a pathetic state by a woman.

"Presumptuous! Damn woman!"

Ye flew out from the window. Seeing his Crown Prince's handsome face struck by a fist, he immediately decided that regardless of who the opponent was, she would first be caught and taught a lesson.