Why would she create such a scene at a celebration banquet the Emperor had thrown for her child?

Yan Ruijing narrowed his eyes. “I heard that Third Prince gave Yaoyao his personal jade pendant. That was probably what provoked Jiang Jin. Since the Emperor has issued his decree and has also given Yaoyao many rewards, this matter cannot be brought up again.”

Lu Jin’an nodded.

……

Yaozhi Courtyard.

Yan Shiyao stared blankly at the scar on her arm.

“First Miss, stop looking at it.” Chun Yi brought the medicinal broth over and handed it to her.

Yan Shiyao took the broth and, making a face at the bitterness, tilted her head back and drank it down.

Chun Yi took the empty bowl from Yan Shiyao’s hand and passed her a handkerchief.

“Where is Ningning?” Yan Shiyao casually picked up a half-plum and placed it in her mouth.

“Just a moment ago, when Second Miss went out, she said she was going to find Young Master Xuan, and to ask you not to worry.” Chun Yi said with a smile.

Ever since the First Miss had woken, she couldn’t bear to be apart from Second Miss, and even at night insisted that Second Miss sleep in her room.

Yan Shiyao’s fingers, resting on the brocade coverlet, curled slightly. “Go call her back — it’s time for the midday meal.”

“Yes.” Chun Yi gave a small bow and turned to withdraw from the side room.

“Third Prince, this servant pays her respects to the Third Prince.” The moment she opened the wooden door, she came face-to-face with Qi Qingchen.

Qi Qingchen said in a mild tone, “How is Yaoyao?”

Chun Yi replied, “Your Highness, the First Miss is well now.”

Qi Qingchen gave a nod and stepped into the side room.

“Yaoyao.” Qi Qingchen walked to the bedside, his voice very gentle. “Does it still hurt?”

Yan Shiyao curled her lips with a sardonic smile. If she hadn’t stabbed herself, she would probably be sitting in a dungeon by now.

She owed Jiang Jin her thanks — if Jiang Jin hadn’t had Zhu Qing deliberately knock her down…

“Yaoyao, Yaoyao?” Qi Qingchen smiled and waved his hand in front of her eyes. “What’s the matter? What are you thinking about?”

Yan Shiyao’s thoughts snapped back. She concealed the chill in her eyes. “Third Prince, this subject-girl is a little tired and cannot host you any further. Please do head back.”

Qi Qingchen suppressed the shock in his heart and kept the smile at the corners of his mouth. “Yaoyao, you needn’t be so distant with me.”

Yan Shiyao gave a gentle smile. “Third Prince, this subject-girl has thought it over — when I marry in the future, my husband will take issue with this.”

The man’s smile faded from the corners of his mouth. “Yaoyao, didn’t you say before that you wanted to marry me?”

Yan Shiyao pushed back her sleeve and tapped her fingertip against the scar, her voice turning somewhat icy. “Third Prince, do you see this? I am no longer worthy of you.”

Qi Qingchen’s throat moved as he swallowed. His gaze fell on the woman’s fair arm. This scar was the work of Wu’an…

His eyes shifted downward. Qi Qingchen fixed his gaze on that reddish mark on Yan Shiyao’s arm, and his pupils contracted slightly.

He had assumed that time at the inn, she and that man — so it turned out nothing had happened after all.

“Third Prince, from now on, please refrain from visiting the Prime Minister’s residence.” Yan Shiyao smiled sweetly. “This subject-girl is quite afraid of being misunderstood by her future husband.”

“Future husband?” Qi Qingchen’s eyes darkened.

“Indeed.” Yan Shiyao smiled lightly.

Qi Qingchen regarded her with a cold, chilling look. “Yaoyao, either you or Ningning must marry this Prince…”

“Crack.” Yan Shiyao struck him hard across the face. “Get out.”

Qi Qingchen’s ears rang with a buzzing sound, his voice turning considerably hoarse. “You — Yan Shiyao, how dare you hit this Prince? You dare?”

Yan Shiyao raised her head to meet his gaze and broke into a sweet smile. “Third Prince, are you still thinking of killing me? If you truly killed me, would you still be able to ascend the throne? Hmm?”

Qi Qingchen stood rooted to the spot, as though struck by lightning.

Yan Shiyao stroked the scar on her arm and pressed her lips together with a smile. “Third Prince, lost for words again?”

Qi Qingchen gritted his teeth. “Yan Shiyao, how dare you speak to this Prince this way?”

Yan Shiyao let out a scornful laugh, stroking the scar over and over. “Third Prince, you had the nerve to run a sword through me, and I say one thing to you — what of it?”

Qi Qingchen felt a jolt inside. This fool — how had she figured out it was him?

Wasn’t she supposed to be dim-witted at ordinary times?

“Third Prince, this subject-girl suddenly recalled — at Yuanjin Manor, fearing one dose of medicine wouldn’t be enough for you, I fed you an extra one.”

Yan Shiyao gave an “oh my” sound. “Third Prince, your foolish daze was probably caused by me…”

She had never considered this before, but thinking back on it now, it was most likely because she had given him too many doses of medicine.

The vein on Qi Qingchen’s forehead throbbed. “Yan Shiyao! This Prince truly wants to kill you.”

“Third Prince, then you’ll give up the throne?” Yan Shiyao blinked lightly.

Kill her? Would her father and elder brother let him ascend smoothly?

Qi Qingchen tightened his fist. His forceful manner deflated.

“Third Prince, get out.” Yan Shiyao lifted her chin, gesturing for him to leave.

Qi Qingchen drew a deep breath, suppressing his fury.

Yan Shiyao’s eyes shifted, and she smiled. “Third Prince, when you were unconscious and in that foolish daze, this subject-girl took devoted care of you. Shouldn’t you give this subject-girl a thank-you fee?”

Qi Qingchen gave a cold laugh out of sheer anger. “You gave this Prince too many doses of medicine and caused this Prince to become a fool, and you expect this Prince to thank you for it?”

Yan Shiyao made a clicking sound with her tongue. “Third Prince, this subject-girl did take devoted care of you, at any rate.”

Qi Qingchen leaned down and moved close to her, his lips curving halfway into a smirk. “Yan Shiyao, this Prince wants to strangle you.”

Yan Shiyao raised her hand and patted him on the face. “Do you dare?”

Qi Qingchen grabbed her wrist, his expression dark and terrifying. “Yan Shiyao, why have you suddenly become so… killable?”

“Your side consort provoked me — drove me mad.” Yan Shiyao laughed.

Qi Qingchen fell silent for a moment.

Yan Shiyao knitted her brows and looked at him. “Third Prince, get out.”

Qi Qingchen stared at her, a flicker of bewilderment crossing the depths of his eyes.

How had little Jin provoked her?

To this degree??

“A’Jie.” Yan Yunning pushed open the door and entered, with Xuan Yanyu following just behind her.

“Ningning, come here.” A smile lit up Yan Shiyao’s eyes.

“Elder Brother Qi.” Yan Yunning gave Qi Qingchen a small nod.

“Ningning.” Yan Shiyao gave Qi Qingchen a cold, sidelong glance.

Was he deserving of Ningning greeting him?

Qi Qingchen threw her a resentful glare — it wasn’t as though he had been the one to provoke her. Why was she taking out her grudge on him??

Yan Shiyao withdrew her gaze and took Yan Yunning’s hand, smiling warmly. “Didn’t I say to stay in Yaozhi Courtyard? Why did you sneak out again?”

“Medicinal ointment.” Yan Yunning pulled a small pot of ointment from her pouch and placed it in Yan Shiyao’s palm.

She had gone to Imperial Physician Wen’s place to collect some fragrant herbs and taken the opportunity to ask him for the ointment as well. After all, Xuan Yanyu hadn’t fully calmed his anger yet — if she asked him for it, there was a seventy percent chance he wouldn’t give it to her.

Yan Shiyao’s eyes prickled with warmth. “Thank you, my dear Ningning.”

Though for now she couldn’t use it yet — especially not on the scar on her arm. She intended to keep that to taunt Qi Qingchen with in the future.

In a few days, she would think of another way to extract some money from Qi Qingchen. She couldn’t suffer an injury for nothing. And there was also that time he had promised to treat her elder brother and Ningning to a meal, but she had ended up footing the bill — she needed to get that back.

Even though it was true she had inadvertently been the one to leave Qi Qingchen in that foolish daze, leading him to send someone after her, her intentions at the time had been genuinely for his benefit, whereas Qi Qingchen’s actions had been deliberate. She was fully justified in demanding compensation.

Yan Shiyao steadied herself with this thought. Right — she was completely justified!!

Besides, he was no good person either!!!

“Ningning, you must be hungry. Come, let’s go eat.” Yan Shiyao draped a robe around herself, threw back the brocade coverlet, and got out of bed.

Yan Yunning pressed her lips together, unable to help but ask in a small voice, “A’Jie, what happened to Qi Qing— I mean, Elder Brother Qi’s face?”