Chapter 150

“Tang’er, you and Zhou’er chat, I’ll go to the palace to arrange lunch, and leave you to eat.”

Ye Chutang didn’t refuse, “Sorry to trouble the Empress Dowager.”

“Don’t be so polite, you’re willing to have lunch with me, and I’m pleased about it.”

When Empress Dowager Chen left, she called away all the attendants.

The large back garden was left with only Qi Yanzhou and Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang saw that the cup Empress Dowager Chen had used for tea had been turned upside down, so she took a clean one and poured a cup for Qi Yanzhou.

“Prince, please sit. What I’m about to say might shock you, so have a sip of tea to calm your nerves.”

Qi Yanzhou, unsettled by Ye Chutang’s serious expression and strange words, was troubled in his heart.

How could he drink tea now? He immediately asked, “Miss Ye, what do you want to say to His Highness?”

Ye Chutang took a moment to gather her words and went straight to the point.

“I’m pregnant.”

“…”

“The child is yours.”

“…”

“Let’s marry!”

“…”

Qi Yanzhou was stunned by Ye Chutang’s three blunt statements.

His mind was in chaos, with many things he wanted to say, but for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Ye Chutang knew her words were shocking, and she also knew Qi Yanzhou wouldn’t be able to accept it right away.

She pushed the tea cup in front of him, “Drink some tea to calm your nerves.”

Qi Yanzhou immediately took the cup and drank it all in one go.

One cup wasn’t enough, so he drank three.

Ye Chutang saw how shocked Qi Yanzhou was and said, “Prince, don’t worry. The marriage will only be temporary. It’s a fake marriage. Once we see the Miao medicine doctor and the fire poison is cured, we’ll sign a divorce agreement, and you and the doctor will fly together.”

She didn’t say it aloud, but her thoughts were: she would leave after the child was born and the child’s paternity was resolved.

Qi Yanzhou put down the cup and looked at Ye Chutang with a serious gaze. The words about agreeing to the marriage were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them.

“I’m sorry, I can’t marry you.”

Ye Chutang: “…”

Although she had expected this answer, hearing Qi Yanzhou refuse so straightforwardly still caught her off guard.

“Prince, rest assured. I’m not trying to trick you into marriage, nor am I trying to make you take responsibility. I don’t intend for you to be the child’s legal father. The reason I suggested the marriage is to prevent the pregnancy from being exposed. I’m worried that before the child is born, people will insult and mock me. If you’re worried about the Miao doctor misunderstanding, I can write a divorce agreement, stating that the child isn’t yours, and that you’re marrying me only to repay me for saving your life and to cover up the pregnancy. This way, you’ll have an explanation for the Miao doctor.”

Qi Yanzhou realized that Ye Chutang misunderstood his intentions and quickly explained, “Miss Ye, the reason I’m not agreeing to the marriage is because…”

Before he could finish, Ye Chutang got irritated and, without waiting for his explanation, stood up and grabbed his collar, declaring with dominance, “You will marry me! Whether you like it or not, you will marry me! I’m not asking for your opinion, I’m telling you!”

If it weren’t for the pressure from behind, for people trying to ruin her reputation and make her child live without honor, she wouldn’t marry!

Qi Yanzhou immediately tried to calm her down, “Miss Ye, please don’t be upset. You might scare the child.”

After speaking, his gaze fell on Ye Chutang’s flat stomach, his expression filled with gentleness.

Ye Chutang, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, was even more confused by his attitude.

She loosened her grip on his collar and sat down, switching to a more serious tone.

“Let’s discuss the matter of the marriage.”

Qi Yanzhou asked, “Miss Ye, the Prince’s Manor is about to be exiled, and the journey will be very difficult. Are you sure you want to marry me? If your answer is yes, I’m willing to marry.”

He hadn’t agreed to the marriage because he couldn’t bear to see Ye Chutang and the child suffer. It wasn’t because of the Miao doctor at all.

Thinking of this, he finally voiced the explanation that had been lingering in his mind.

“The Miao doctor is just an excuse for me to avoid marriage. She is not the one I love. Before coming to the capital, I never had feelings for any woman.”

After coming to the capital, I had feelings for you!