“If Xie Yuanchu really wanted to help, those people outside wouldn’t have made it here.”

Rongrong paused for a moment, suddenly realizing Xie Yuanchu’s intention.

He had always wanted to offer her to the Prince.

If these people could make it seem like she was secretly involved with the Prince, it would be impossible for her to enter the Eastern Palace.

Realizing this, Rongrong decided to go outside herself to stop things from escalating, if Xie Yuanchu wouldn’t.

Just as she took a few steps, someone easily grabbed her wrist.

Turning around, she met the Crown Prince’s dark, calm eyes. “Do you want to keep your leg?”

Previously, lying on the bed, she hadn’t felt much pain.

Now that she was standing, the pain in her knee felt like thousands of ants gnawing at it.

“They keep calling me… a lowly…” Rongrong started to say, “I need to go out and—”

Before she could finish, she felt herself being lifted into the air.

After a moment of confusion, she caught the familiar scent of dragon’s saliva.

He liked dragon’s saliva, but he didn’t like heavy incense.

You could only smell it faintly on his clothes when close.

Rongrong felt disoriented, as if she was back in the past, lounging in his embrace.

She was unaware that the Prince was carrying her outside and kicked open the door to the side room.

The bustling courtyard fell silent.

The maids and servants who had been shouting about “adulterers” and “lowly women” were now stunned.

They had been expecting to catch Rongrong with someone, perhaps one of the household’s servants or even the Young Master himself.

But the man carrying Rongrong out was… well, even the servants could see he was no ordinary person, likely someone of equal or even higher status than the Young Master.

Although he was just holding Rongrong and standing by the side room door, despite the flickering light obscuring his face and him wearing a plain black robe, his natural authority was enough to silence everyone.

No one dared to speak or move.

Wang Yilan was an exception.

She had seen the Crown Prince before.

When she married Xie Yuanchu, the Crown Prince had personally come to congratulate them.

Even the new bride had to greet such a high-ranking figure. Once you’ve seen such a divine person, you never forget.

After entering the Marquis’s residence, her younger sister-in-law, Xie Yuanrui, had often talked about her admiration for the Crown Prince.

Wang Yilan could understand, as Yuanrui had known the Prince since childhood and couldn’t compare him to others.

But now, the Crown Prince, like a deity, was emerging from the small, lowly side room.

Wang Yilan couldn’t believe it but had to accept it.

Who else in the world could have such an imposing presence?

At that moment, Rongrong was in shock.

She never expected the Crown Prince would carry her out.

Burying her head in his shoulder, she couldn’t bring herself to look at the people in the courtyard.

The stifling silence made her extremely uncomfortable.

“Madam, should we call the guards?” Xinrong asked, looking at Wang Yilan.

Wang Yilan slapped Xin Rong, causing her to stumble and kneel.

Despite her anger, Wang Yilan had a bit of clarity and wondered if she should reveal the Crown Prince’s identity given the situation.

Xinrong’s face was stinging from the slap, but being accustomed to Wang Yilan’s temper, she quickly knelt beside her.

As soon as Xinrong knelt, the maidservants and servants behind her looked at each other in confusion.

Some, quick to react, followed Wang Yilan and knelt down, and soon the rest of the group also knelt, filling the ground.

“The Marquis’s residence is quite lively at night,” the Crown Prince remarked, glancing at Wang Yilan briefly before turning his attention to the courtyard, a hint of amusement on his face. “Does one need to see such excitement at home?”

Xie Yuanchu entered the courtyard with a cheerful demeanor and greeted the Crown Prince with a bow. “There’s no real excitement at the Marquis’s residence. It’s only lively because of the distinguished guests.”

After the pleasantries, Xie Yuanchu signaled Xin Zhu, “Escort the madam back to her room. Take the rest away.”

“Yes.”

Xin Zhu, Xie Yuanchu’s loyal attendant and personal guard, was known for his silence and intimidating presence.

When he appeared, everyone knew Xie Yuanchu was about to take action.

The Marquis and his wife had long since left the affairs of the house to Xie Yuanchu, who was the true master of the Marquis’s residence.

“Madam, please,” Xin Zhu said respectfully to Wang Yilan.

His polite tone made it clear that Wang Yilan had no room for negotiation.

She stood up from the ground and followed Xin Zhu outside.

Once outside the courtyard, Wang Yilan noticed that around twenty to thirty guards had gathered.

She recognized them as those who usually guarded the house and followed Xin Zhu and Xie Yuanchu.

As she and Xin Zhu emerged, the guards began to enter the courtyard.

“Miss…” A sharp scream came from the courtyard, it was Xin Rong’s voice.

Wang Yilan heard a clear “Miss” and a muffled “Mother” that was cut off, as if someone had covered her mouth.

Wang Yilan, anxious and fearful, turned to see what was happening, but Xin Zhu blocked her view.

Wang Yilan angrily said, “Let Xin Rong go and let her return with me to Rongkang Courtyard. She has served me for over ten years and is my dowry maid. I can’t leave without her.”

Xin Zhu did not answer Wang Yilan’s plea but quietly said, “Madam, don’t make things difficult for the Young Master.”

“Make things difficult for him?” Wang Yilan’s eyes widened in anger.

In the moment of their standoff, the guards emerged from the courtyard, escorting the maidservants and servants.

Each one had their mouths gagged and hands and feet bound tightly.

Xin Rong was the first to be brought out.

Seeing Wang Yilan, she desperately tried to signal for help, but a guard struck her and knocked her unconscious.

Wang Yilan watched helplessly as the group passed by.

Anger turned into a bitter smile on her face. “You all knew the people in the room were with His Highness, didn’t you? You waited for me to create a scene before coming out. What does Xie Yuanchu take me for? A fool to be toyed with?”

Xinzhus, with a neutral expression, said softly, “Madam, the Young Master didn’t know the Crown Prince would come out of the room. Don’t worry, the Young Master won’t harm them; they were just overly harsh in their words and won’t be able to stay in the Marquis’s residence any longer.”

“Really?” Wang Yilan’s expression softened a bit upon hearing this. “Xinrong is my maid who came with me. Can you send her back to my family’s house?”

Xin Zhu considered this and realized it aligned with Xie Yuanchu’s intentions, so he nodded, “Don’t worry, Madam. I’ll make sure it’s done.”

Wang Yilan then wiped her tears and followed Xinzhu back to Rongkang Courtyard.

In front of Rongrong’s side room, the crowd that had been bustling around had suddenly disappeared.

The Crown Prince placed Rongrong back on the bed and then stepped outside, standing in the corridor with his chin slightly raised, looking at Xie Yuanchu.

Liuli retreated back into the shadows.

“Your Highness,” Xie Yuanchu greeted the Crown Prince again.

The Crown Prince sneered and walked down from the corridor, heading outside with Xie Yuanchu.

“If you still hold the Crown Prince in any regard, you wouldn’t have done something like this.”

Xie Yuanchu chuckled, realizing that the Crown Prince had seen through his little scheme.

Not bothering to pretend, he said boldly, “What else could I do? If the Crown Prince has secret plans but won’t admit them, I had to take this approach.”

“Admit what?” the Crown Prince asked.

Xie Yuanchu was momentarily speechless and thought it was ridiculous that the Crown Prince, in his high status, came to catch him out.

Even so, the Crown Prince was a ruler, and if he wanted to be stubborn, Xie Yuanchu couldn’t press him.

He simply smiled, “I’ve already returned Rongrong’s contract to her.”

“Hmm.” The Crown Prince grunted noncommittally.

Seeing the Crown Prince’s calm demeanor, Xie Yuanchu couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really going to let her go?”

“She’s a good person; her departure or stay is up to her.”

“What about Yuanbao? Yuanbao is very fond of her,” Xie Yuanchu pressed.

The mention of Yuanbao seemed to slightly change the Crown Prince’s tone. “She doesn’t like Yuanbao.”

Xie Yuanchu fell silent, unsure of what to say.

After a while, he finally managed to say, “But you still sent her the Tian Gang Broken Bone Ointment.”

“Disgusting,” the Crown Prince snorted. “Yuanbao wanted me to cure her, so of course, I did. The palace has plenty of medicines, but her knee is affected by cold, and nothing is better than Tian Gang Broken Bone Ointment.”

Xie Yuanchu felt increasingly frustrated but couldn’t deny the Crown Prince’s logic.

He wondered if the Crown Prince truly hadn’t had any interest in Rongrong.

“You’ve angered your wife today,” the Crown Prince said lightly.

Xie Yuanchu was taken aback and then gave a bitter smile. “I didn’t think about it that much. I…”

“There’s no need to elaborate on our friendship. You did it for me, but you also need to take care of your own affairs before you can criticize me.”

Xie Yuanchu was at a loss for words and felt touched by the Crown Prince’s attentiveness.

He said solemnly, “Actually, it’s good this way; at least you know what you want.”

The Crown Prince said nothing more.

Xie Yuanchu, unsure of what to say, hesitated before speaking, “Your Highness, tonight’s troublemakers… could you show some mercy and spare their lives? They didn’t know whom they were insulting; they were just following orders and didn’t commit a grave mistake.”

“Fine, but remember to account for it,” the Crown Prince replied coldly, “After all, it’s your poor strategy.”

Xie Yuanchu, feeling embarrassed, escorted the Crown Prince out of the Marquis’s residence.

Outside the gate, a green canopy carriage was already waiting.

As the Crown Prince was about to board, he suddenly turned back and said calmly, “Do not enter the Eastern Palace until my anger has subsided.”

Clearly, he was still enraged.

Xie Yuanchu had no choice but to bow and say, “I understand my fault,” as he watched the Crown Prince get into the carriage and disappear into the night.

When the carriage returned to the Eastern Palace, it was close to midnight.

The lights in the bedroom were mostly out. The Crown Prince signaled the night servants to remain silent, then quietly removed his shoes and entered the bedroom.

As he approached the dragon bed, a small figure moved and quickly jumped towards him.

“Father.”

The Crown Prince caught the small bundle and placed it gently on the dragon bed, unwrapping Yuanbao like peeling an orange.

“Can’t sleep?”

Yuanbao, pouting, nodded and snuggled into the Crown Prince’s embrace.

Born prematurely, Yuanbao had weak health and a light sleep, often waking from nightmares at the slightest sound.

When he was younger, four wet nurses took turns caring for him each night, but he slept soundly only when beside the Crown Prince.

From then on, the Crown Prince personally put Yuanbao to bed every night.

“I’m sorry, Father came back late.”

“Father doesn’t need to apologize,” Yuanbao said excitedly, hugging the Crown Prince’s arm and looking up with hope, “Father, did Aunt Rongrong agree to come to the Eastern Palace?”

The Crown Prince shook his head at Yuanbao’s eager face.

Yuanbao’s spirits fell, but he asked hopefully, “Did you tell her that I want to marry her and that she won’t have to be a servant in the Eastern Palace?”

The Crown Prince chuckled at Yuanbao’s words and rubbed his head, shaking his own.

“Why didn’t Father say anything?” Yuanbao asked stubbornly, clenching his tiny fists in frustration.

He firmly believed that if Aunt Rongrong knew he wanted to marry her, she would definitely come to the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince squeezed Yuanbao’s little fists and spoke softly, “Isn’t Yuanbao’s wish to marry whoever he wants when he grows up?”

“Yes,” Yuanbao nodded vigorously and then seriously added, “I want to marry Aunt Rongrong. No, I want to marry Miss Xue Rongrong.”

“Then Father can tell you what her wish is.”

“What is it?” Yuanbao’s curiosity was piqued.

“Her wish is the same as Yuanbao’s. She hopes to marry whoever she wants.”

The Crown Prince’s words were somewhat complex, and Yuanbao didn’t fully understand at first.

However, being a very smart child, he eventually grasped the meaning but still looked disappointed. “So, Aunt Rongrong doesn’t want to marry me?”

“Father doesn’t know. But if she is willing, Father will definitely bring her to the Eastern Palace.”

“Oh.”

Yuanbao thought his father meant he would bring Aunt Rongrong to be his consort, but he was too sleepy to express his thoughts clearly.

The overwhelming drowsiness soon caused his eyes to close completely.

Tonight, Yuanbao had waited too long and was exhausted.

The Crown Prince helped Yuanbao settle into bed and tucked him in.

After lying down for a while, he got up, put on his clothes, and sat by the bed.

A lamp in the corner of the chamber cast long shadows, and the Crown Prince’s profile was stretched out.

What haunted his mind and heart was a pair of thin, coarse underpants.