Ye Chutang met Qi Yanzhou’s sincere gaze, momentarily stunned.
Qi Yanzhou’s heart softened at her dazed expression.
He wanted to reach out and tousle her hair but restrained himself.
“Miss Ye, exile is too harsh. I have other ways to protect you and your child from harm. Marriage isn’t your only option.”
Though Prince Chen’s Mansion appeared to be in decline, its hidden influence only grew stronger.
Ye Chutang stared at Qi Yanzhou’s strikingly handsome face, countless memories flashing through her mind.
She asked bluntly, “Do you like me?”
Qi Yanzhou’s hand, resting on the stone table, clenched abruptly, his ears tinged with a suspicious blush.
He took a deep breath, met Ye Chutang’s beautiful phoenix-like eyes, and nodded.
“Yes. I admire you, Miss Ye.”
The words he had buried in his heart for so long were finally spoken, filling him with unprecedented relief.
The answer didn’t surprise Ye Chutang.
She had sensed it before, but she had assumed Qi Yanzhou was infatuated with the Southern Border’s witch doctor, Aman, and dismissed the thought.
“Was Aman just a pretense? You never had feelings for her?”
“Never. To me, Aman is only my lifesaver.”
Ye Chutang’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and pressed further, “And what are you to her?”
Qi Yanzhou didn’t hide the truth. “Aman has feelings for me, but I refused her.”
“What if she demanded repayment for saving your life by asking for your hand?”
“I’d tell her you also saved my life—that I’ve already pledged myself to you. Besides, Aman would never force marriage.”
The Southern Border rarely intermarried with outsiders.
Aman, a renowned healer there, was especially forbidden from marrying outside her people.
Ye Chutang’s gaze faltered as she recalled the night of their “pledge,” her cheeks warming.
“Since everything’s clear now, Your Highness, please request an imperial marriage decree at court tomorrow.”
This way, she could also uncover the emperor’s exact scheme against Prince Chen’s Mansion.
Qi Yanzhou longed to marry her but felt the timing wasn’t right.
“Miss Ye—”
Ye Chutang cut him off before he could refuse.
“If you’re unwilling, I don’t mind finding a stepfather for my child.”
With her reputation and dowry, she wouldn’t lack suitors—even with a child.
“…I’m willing. I’ll request the decree tomorrow.”
Qi Yanzhou then boldly took her hand.
“Miss Ye, I should have been the one to propose. I’ve wronged you.”
That night had felt humiliating.
Now, he considered himself fortunate.
Had it been anyone else, he would have regretted it for life.
Ye Chutang felt no resentment. She had forced the situation—accepting the consequences was only fair.
If anything, Qi Yanzhou had been the one constantly at her mercy.
“I act too impulsively. I’ve wronged you, Your Highness.”
Qi Yanzhou smiled. “Marrying you is a blessing I must have earned in a past life.”
Then he asked, “You know my plans for exile—it’s a long, perilous journey. Why still choose to marry me?”
The emperor would never spare the Qi family. The road to exile would be fraught with danger.
He had initially refused the marriage to spare Ye Chutang and their unborn child hardship and fear.
Ye Chutang was well aware of the challenges ahead.
But with her spatial abilities in hand, she could thrive anywhere.
“Compared to the scheming, malice-filled capital, I’d rather live far from the emperor’s reach.”
Convinced, Qi Yanzhou said, “Miss Ye, I truly wish to marry you and will cherish you forever. Tomorrow, I’ll seek the emperor’s decree and set the earliest auspicious date.”
Ye Chutang withdrew her hand. “Good. The sooner, the better.”
Then she asked, “Can Your Highness trace the source of the rumors?”
“Zhao Simin spread them, using information from Ye Siyin.”
Qi Yanzhou had ordered Nan Xiao to investigate as soon as he heard the gossip.
By the time court adjourned, he had the answers.
He’d planned to suppress the rumors, but Ye Chutang had already handled it.
“I meant to find you after finishing official business, but you came to Prince Chen’s Mansion first.”
Ye Chutang recognized Zhao Simin as Princess Anping.
“Your Highness, I’d like your help arresting Zhao Simin and Ye Siyin for slander and sentencing them.”
“Miss Ye, from now on, your affairs are mine. No need for formalities.”
He knew Ye Chutang had no romantic feelings for him—their marriage was for the child’s sake.
But it didn’t matter. He’d strive to win her heart, step by step.
Holding her hand again, Qi Yanzhou confided something crucial.
“Exile will be temporary. I swear to provide you and our child with security and prosperity for life.”
His unspoken meaning: He was working to overthrow the corrupt monarchy, but the time wasn’t ripe.
Ye Chutang understood, admiring his nobility.
If he launched a rebellion, he could avoid exile altogether.
Yet to spare the people suffering, he chose patience, plotting to topple the throne without bloodshed.
His warm hand enveloping hers gave her an inexplicable sense of safety.
But she wasn’t swept away by promises.
“Your Highness, a lifetime is long. No one can predict the future. Before we marry, I have two conditions.”
Qi Yanzhou straightened, matching her solemnity. “Please, speak.”
“I won’t tolerate concubines or mistresses. If that day comes, we divorce, and the child stays with me.”
“That day will never come,” he vowed.
He had no interest in multiple wives, preferring to devote himself to one.
“I’m not some sheltered noblewoman. I’ll often appear in public and may travel alone for long periods.”
“Just remember to come home.”
Her free-spirited, compassionate nature was what had drawn him to her.
Ye Chutang’s pulse quickened under his earnest gaze.
She interlaced their fingers, palms pressed together.
“Your Highness, I do have feelings for you. If you keep your word, I’ll never betray you.”
She wasn’t one to deny her heart.
Qi Yanzhou stared at her, overwhelmed, his eyes glistening.
“I’ll fight to build an empire, just to give you a lifetime of splendor.”
Ye Chutang traced his peerlessly handsome face, lips curving.
“Good. I’ll hold you to that.”
Then she withdrew her hand.
“Your Highness, my conditions will be written in ink. You’ll sign, and so will your parents.”
Better to prepare for the worst—start as adversaries, end as allies.
Ancient people obsess over continuing the family line.
Even if Qi Yanzhou wanted to grow old with her, his parents’ approval was essential.
