Ye Jingtang had quite a few secrets. Seeing Dongfang Liren looking confident and coming to seek accountability, as if she already knew something, his heart skipped a beat. He tentatively said:
"I grew up in Honghe Town, Liangzhou. My father is Pei Yuanfeng..."
Dongfang Liren's eyes turned slightly cold: "That's not what I'm asking about!"
"Could it be about the 'Minglong Tu' that I asked about yesterday? As a martial artist, I often listen to storytellers'瞎扯 (nonsense). I'm really a bit interested in the Minglong Tu..."
"You're still trying to evade the issue, aren't you?"
??
Ye Jingtang really couldn't figure it out this time. Besides these two secrets, what else could he have done that Prince Jing could use against him?
"Could it be something about the Pei family? I'm just helping my adoptive father fulfill his last wish..."
Slap——
Dongfang Liren lightly slapped the table.
???
Ye Jingtang was completely confused. He came to the table and sat down:
"These are all the things about me. What else could I be hiding from Prince Jing?"
Dongfang Liren was asking why Ye Jingtang had written a poem for her sister, who liked poetry!
Seeing that Ye Jingtang looked innocent and refused to confess, a trace of anger appeared in Dongfang Liren's eyes. She turned her head to look outside the door and remained silent.
Ye Jingtang felt that Prince Jing was really angry. Since he really couldn't figure out what it was about, he spread his hands and said:
"I really don't know what I did wrong. Why don't you just tell me directly? If it's my fault, I'll let Your Highness beat me to vent your anger."
"When autumn comes in September 8th... Does it sound familiar?"
Ye Jingtang was taken aback. He didn't expect it to be because of this and answered truthfully:
"I was recuperating at Mingyu Tower the day before yesterday and met that female official who came to visit Your Highness. We talked about this poem during our chat... Hmm... It's just a trivial matter. How did Prince Jing find out?"
As expected...
Dongfang Liren looked displeased: "This poem is being spread in the palace, and I happened to hear it. You know poetry and songs. Why did you hide it from me?"
Ye Jingtang felt a bit innocent: "I haven't known Your Highness for long. The day before yesterday at Baima Academy, when Prince Jing asked about poetry, I wanted to show off. Unfortunately, we encountered the Blood Bodhi. I'm a martial artist. I can't just show off my literary talent in front of Prince Jing for no reason. If we don't talk about this topic, how can I mention it?"
?
Dongfang Liren thought about it carefully—It seemed to be true. She hadn't asked, so how could she blame Ye Jingtang for hiding it from her?
"Did you write this poem?"
"I'm not a scholar. How could I know how to write poems? I just remembered it from some miscellaneous books I read before."
Dongfang Liren had been well-read since childhood. Hearing this, she questioned:
"What kind of miscellaneous books? Tell me about it."
Ye Jingtang made up something casually: "Hmm... 'The Tears of the Female Martial Artist.' It's about a female martial artist who was forced to marry into the imperial palace and then fell out of favor..."
Before he could finish a few sentences, he noticed that the Pangtoulong on the lapel of Dongfang Benben in front of him seemed to be a bit more prominent!
The originally calm eyes also showed a hint of shame and indignation, as if she had seen a lecherous and unrestrained playboy!
Ye Jingtang paused and thought to himself that something was wrong:
"Your Highness... Have you read this book?"
Dongfang Liren clenched her palms and suppressed the urge to take action. She explained coldly:
"This book was written by Wu Shengxie, a wandering man in the Jianghu of the previous dynasty. It's about a female martial artist from Yuxu Mountain who upheld justice and was captured by Wu Shengxie. She was tortured and humiliated by inhumane means and fell into the devil's path. I haven't read this well-known miscellaneous book in the Jianghu, but I've at least heard of it? Heh~ I didn't expect that you look dignified and full of righteousness, but you're so unbearable in private..."
Her eyes were full of disdain.
Ye Jingtang just casually made up the name of a miscellaneous book, but he didn't expect that Prince Jing really knew about it. Seeing the look in Prince Jing's eyes as if looking at a lecher, he explained helplessly:
"You have to read the book to understand what it's about. Although Wu Shengxie's book has some detailed descriptions, it's not as unbearable as Your Highness said..."
Some detailed descriptions?
Dongfang Liren didn't know what to say about Ye Jingtang. She hadn't read this work but had heard some messy words about it. She couldn't even imagine how unbearable it actually was.
"You read a book that slanders the orthodox and famous sects and even defend it?"
"Your Highness has misunderstood, so I naturally have to explain. This book is full of emotions from beginning to end, and there's no such thing as 'being tortured and humiliated by inhumane means' or 'the female martial artist falling into the devil's path'..."
Seeing Ye Jingtang being so serious, Dongfang Liren was so angry that she laughed:
"Yuxu Mountain is a Taoist temple. The Taoist nun was captured by a Jianghu thief and her innocence was ruined. Then she even joined the lecherous thief to deal with Yuxu Mountain..."
Ye Jingtang quickly waved his hand: "That's not how it's written in the book. It all starts with the female martial artist from Yuxu Mountain going down the mountain to uphold justice..."
Blah, blah...
Dongfang Liren looked at Young Master Ye, who had a very good impression on her, explaining a pornographic book in front of her. Her feelings were indescribable—You're probably really sick as Madam Wang said!
But after listening for a while, Dongfang Liren suddenly found that the story was really quite interesting and not very pornographic...
After a while, Dongfang Liren put away the majestic demeanor of a princess, frowned, and asked:
"Later, they tied up the female martial artist and humiliated her. What was that about? Using such despicable means to humiliate a woman..."
Ye Jingtang found it difficult to explain. After thinking for a while, he said:
"I'm not married yet, so I don't really understand. But I think this should be a way for husband and wife to adjust their relationship. It's about the love between a man and a woman, and it can't be called humiliation."
Dongfang Liren thought this was rather ridiculous:
"Isn't this considered humiliation? If I strip you naked, tie you up, and humiliate you, would you be happy?"
"Uh..."
Ye Jingtang blinked his eyes. Although he didn't like this kind of thing, it didn't seem to be worth being unhappy about...
?!
Dongfang Liren looked at Ye Jingtang and understood his meaning. A look of shock appeared in her eyes!
Ye Jingtang quickly raised his hand: "I'm just explaining. This topic is really going too far and is a bit offensive to Your Highness. Let's not talk about it anymore. Let's talk about the main matter."
Dongfang Liren stared at Ye Jingtang for a while before bringing the topic back:
"You said that poem came from this book? Wu Shengxie's books are 'infamous.' If there was such a poem in it, I can't possibly not have heard of it."
"I don't remember which book it was exactly. This poem is a bit taboo to talk about, so it's possible that I just heard it by chance..."
Seeing that Ye Jingtang didn't seem to be lying, Dongfang Liren didn't ask any further. After a moment of silence, she ordered:
"Since you live on this street, you have to contribute to the court. Aren't you the young master of the Pei family? This street is entrusted to you. Ask the Pei family to find a way to revitalize it. The money will be allocated from the Jingzhao Prefecture. If you can't do it well, you'll have to come and see me with your head."
Letting the Pei family be the developer and take on such a big project, it was obvious that it was a favor due to "connections by marriage."
Ye Jingtang quickly cupped his hands and bowed: "Your Highness, don't worry. As long as the court provides support, the Pei family will never let Prince Jing down."
"Qiu Tianhe has already made arrangements. But the soft bone fragrance on his body can't be removed. He needs to stay at Imperial Physician Wang's place for two days and then settle down in Xinghua Alley next to the Black Yamen. You can go and visit him then."
"Then I'll thank Your Highness on behalf of Hero Qiu. Hmm... Sanniang has already arranged a boat. I have to leave tomorrow to do business. I'm afraid I won't be back until next month. Your Highness should pay more attention to your safety during these days..."
Leaving tomorrow... It's already afternoon...
Dongfang Liren blinked her eyes, and a complex look flashed in her eyes. But in the end, she just snorted coldly:
"I have plenty of guards. I don't need you."
"Hehe..."
Dongfang Liren thought for a moment and then got up and walked towards the door: "You wait here."
Ye Jingtang didn't understand why. After waiting in the room for about half a quarter of an hour, Dongfang Liren walked back in, holding a piece of silver soft armor in her hand.
I don't know what material the soft armor was made of. It was as soft as brocade but exuded a metallic luster and looked quite elastic.
Dongfang Liren came to the table and sat down, putting the soft armor on the table:
"This thing can protect against arrows and hidden weapons, but it can't withstand top-notch masters. When you're out, you still have to pay attention to your own safety. I still have a lot of things for you to do. Go and come back quickly."
Ye Jingtang was a bit surprised. He picked up the soft armor and looked at it curiously—it felt warm in his hand and also carried a faint fragrance, as if it had just been taken off someone's body...
Oh no...
No wonder the Pangtoulong seemed a bit bigger. It turned out that there was nothing underneath the python robe...
Ye Jingtang couldn't help but think of the magnificent sight he saw in Canyang Pool last night. He put down the soft armor, feeling overwhelmed by the favor:
"Your Highness, there's no need for this. Such a precious thing, Prince Jing should wear it all the time..."
Dongfang Liren might have felt a bit cold on her chest and was a bit uncomfortable. She crossed her arms, stood up, and her demeanor was noble and composed:
"I have a lot of soft armor. It was inconvenient for me to go back and get another one, so I gave you this one. Do I look like someone who doesn't care about my own safety?"
Ye Jingtang didn't think so. After all, as soon as there was an assassination attempt, this noble princess in front of him would instantly turn into Dongfang Soso.
Although he felt that the soft armor was a bit "a troublesome gift", it was something that could save his life when he was out. After a little hesitation, he stood up and cupped his hands:
"Thank you for Your Highness's kindness."
"You're working for me. There's no need to say these polite words. Go and come back quickly."
After saying this, Dongfang Liren left the room with her arms crossed.
Ye Jingtang went to the entrance of the alley to see her off. Only when Prince Jing boarded the carriage did a trace of helplessness, "It's the most difficult to accept a beauty's favor," appear between his brows.
Gurgle...
The sound of the carriage wheels rang out.
Dongfang Liren was sitting by the window. After walking a long way, she lifted the curtain and looked back—only to find that Ye Jingtang was still standing at the entrance of the alley to see her off. When he saw her looking back, he even waved goodbye with Niaoniao.
"..."
Dongfang Liren quickly put down the curtain. After suppressing the chaotic thoughts in her heart, she instructed the accompanying maid:
"Go and find a hardcover copy of 'The Tears of the Female Martial Artist' written by Wu Shengxie. His Majesty is bored in the palace and wants to read it."
?
The maid seemed to have heard of the reputation of 'The Tears of the Female Martial Artist' and knew that it wasn't a good book...
But since the Female Emperor wanted to read it, how dare she ask more questions? She quickly nodded and got off the carriage...