Ye Qichi, Xiao Jinxing, and Bai Mowan left the grand hall together.
On their way out, the Empress Dowager Wen Jingtang sent Liu Li to summon Xiao Jinxing and Bai Mowan to her sleeping quarters, leaving Ye Qichi behind alone.
It made her feel rather superfluous.
She had intended to leave as well, for nothing good ever comes from staying in the Imperial Palace. Yet, Xiao Jinxing ordered her to wait for him.
Perhaps he was afraid of any misunderstandings.
Regardless of Xiao Jinsen’s existing engagement with Xie Ruiyao, him being with Bai Mowan, who had not yet left for her marital home, was truly unconventional. Intentionally leaving her behind to cover for them, Ye Qichi did not really mind. She’d play the lookout for their romance if needed, she was not unwilling. But waiting in the Imperial Palace without knowing how long made her somewhat inexplicably irritable.
Just as Ye Qichi was feeling somewhat disgruntled from having nothing to do, she saw a man approaching her from afar.
She just watched Xiao Jinsen as he came closer.
In that moment, she even contemplated turning around and leaving.
But she felt that might impossibly offend Xiao Jinsen.
This man, at this moment, he must wish to kill her, right?!
If she continued to ignore him, her guess was that his desire to kill her would grow even stronger.
So she repressed those feelings and watched as Xiao Jinsen walked up to her.
"Princess." Xiao Jinsen called out to her with due courtesy.
Ye Qichi also politely curtsied, "Prince Xiao."
"Where is Xiao Jinxing?" Xiao Jinsen asked deliberately.
"The Empress Dowager called him away."
"What about Bai Mowan?"
Xiao Jinsen’s expression clearly soured.
The thought of Bai Mowan, whom he had waited for years, casually passing by and possibly falling into Xiao Jinxing’s arms was an unbearable blow to him.
He suddenly scoffed coldly, "Does the Princess think today’s outcome is what she desired?"
"I am not sure what you mean, Prince Xiao," she feigned ignorance.
"Before, I thought the Princess might be naive and romantic, living without a care in the world, possibly oblivious to everything," Xiao Jinsen fixed his gaze tightly on Ye Qichi.
Ye Qichi remained composed.
Even though Xiao Jinsen’s words seemed to praise her character, they were in fact mocking her foolishness.
She could pretend not to understand as well.
"But now, I think the Princess is indeed sharp as ice and snow, aware of everything, understanding everything." Xiao Jinsen snorted coldly, "So it’s impossible that she doesn’t know what I am implying."
"I am dull-witted indeed, I truly do not grasp Prince Xiao’s meaning."
"I’ll not beat around the bush with you anymore," Xiao Jinsen seemed to have limited patience for Ye Qichi.
He somewhat admired this woman for staying so calm and collected in his presence, without showing the slightest flaw.
He said coldly, "Today, you did not vie for an opportunity for Bai Mowan and me, thus you have reserved the chance for the Princess and Bai Mowan. Have you considered your own situation?"
Ye Qichi was certainly aware of Xiao Jinsen’s discontent.
Naturally, he now wanted to humiliate her.
"I am only being honest. Faced with the Emperor, I dare not lie. Moreover, the engagement between Prince Xiao and Miss Bai, it was not for lack of my trying to fight for you, but rather Miss Bai gave it up voluntarily. I am but a woman and utterly unable to reverse any situation. I ask Prince Xiao, please do not blame me," Ye Qichi spoke righteously.
Xiao Jinsen laughed sarcastically again, "Ye Qichi, I’m not blaming you, I simply pity you. I guess it won’t be long before you are discarded by the Princess. What do you think?"
"The Princess has been nothing but kind to me; I do not believe the Princess would do such a thing to me."
"Ye Qichi, you really are too naive."
"Even if the Princess loves another and abandons me, as a wife, I must regard my husband as heaven. If my husband truly dislikes me and seeks another marriage, it is surely because I am not good enough. Should the Princess divorce me, it is only right," Ye Qichi purposefully demeaned herself.
The aim was to rob Xiao Jinsen of any joy in mocking her.
She had no such inclination to cater to this masochist.
Xiao Jinsen indeed looked a bit displeased.
Was this woman truly devoted to her husband or was she just stonewalling him, unwilling to engage with him further, thus defiance till the end, leaving him no leverage to further humiliate her?