Ye Yining furrowed her brow and cast a cold glance at the man attempting to usurp the host's position as soon as he entered the door. Ah, the audacious Crown Prince of the Beihan Kingdom had arrived!
Seeing this familiar face filled her with a deep sense of disgust and shame.
"The Crown Prince is quite generous. Why haven't I witnessed you passing the throne to the Third Prince?" Ye Yining quipped lightly.
Even though he held the title of Crown Prince, she refused to let him think she could be easily intimidated. This unexpected retort caught the Crown Prince off guard. He never expected Ye Yining to have the audacity to mock him.
Jun Jiuji was equally surprised. He reached out and lifted the young girl, seating her on his lap, while soothingly advising,
"Don't be upset. The Crown Prince lacks proper manners. Don't let his words bother you."
The Crown Prince, on the brink of anger, felt as though he might just spew blood. He couldn't speak? Ye Yining's words had caught him off guard, and now Jun Jiuji claimed he couldn't speak?
His face darkened as he chided,
"Little Jiu, you shouldn't pamper a woman like this. What she just said, to put it bluntly, could cost nine families their lives."
Jun Jiuji's expression turned cold, and he shot back,
"Are you suggesting you want to harm me?"
The Crown Prince's heart trembled, and cold sweat inexplicably beaded on his forehead. Ye Hanxiao, seated nearby, clenched his fists, nervously watching the tense situation unfold. He never anticipated that Ye Yining's words would provoke the Crown Prince.
Thankfully, His Highness Jun Jiuji came to Ye Yining's defense. For a moment, the room fell into an eerie silence before the Crown Prince finally spoke, his expression darkened,
"Little Jiu, don't twist my words. I didn't mean it that way."
Jun Jiuji wasn't one to back down.
"She's my woman. Crown Prince, you need to be very careful with your words."
Ye Yining observed the tension between Jun Jiuji and the Crown Prince, her gaze locked onto the latter. The Crown Prince had indeed been provoking her, emboldened by the fact that Jun Jiuji liked her. Though he secretly harbored intentions of harming both of them, he didn't dare act openly.
The room fell into an uneasy silence, but the Crown Prince eventually changed his tone.
"I was too hasty earlier. After all, Ye Yining has given Mo Huanchong many gifts in the past, leading to misunderstandings. Jun Jiuji, you're indeed magnanimous."
Ye Yining pursed her lips, unimpressed.
"Then, Crown Prince, help me decide. Ask Mo Huanchong to return my belongings. He has repaid some of the money to the emperor, but he still owes a substantial amount. This time, I'll have to trouble you, Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince was left momentarily speechless, feeling as though a noose was tightening around his neck, making it hard to breathe. He hadn't expected Ye Yining to turn the tables like this. He seethed with anger!
Jun Jiuji chimed in,
"I'll also request your assistance in upholding justice. If Mo Huanchong refuses to return the items, he should convert them into silver. It's not much, just 440,000 taels will suffice. A single tael less, and someone might break one of his bones."
The Crown Prince had initially planned to address Jun Jiuji further, but he found himself at a loss for words. Jun Jiuji's words seemed to carry a veiled threat directed at him, leaving him tongue-tied.
Unable to bear the tension any longer, he stormed out in frustration. Ye Yining attempted to rise, but Jun Jiuji's arms around her waist held her in place. Ye Hanxiao, eager to leave the room, quickly followed suit. He had a sense that Jun Jiuji intended to teach Ye Yining a lesson.
Ye Yining's words had truly stirred up trouble. If not for Jun Jiuji's intervention, the Crown Prince might not have been so forgiving.
Only two individuals remained in the room. Ye Yining tugged gently at Jun Jiuji's clothes, considering whether or not she should offer an apology. Before she could speak, Jun Jiuji raised his hand and tenderly ruffled her hair, offering slow praise,
"You did exceptionally well today."
Ye Yining blinked her eyes, regarding him with uncertainty.
Was he being sarcastic?
Jun Jiuji, gazing into the beautiful morning-mist-like eyes of the young girl, lowered his head and planted a gentle kiss on her eyes, as though he were enchanted.
"From now on, things will be different. Don't let yourself suffer. I will protect you."
Ye Yining's heart raced, and her mind trembled.
Surprisingly, Jun Jiuji didn't find her troublesome at all!
"Eat more and retire early tonight," Jun Jiuji said as he released the young girl from his embrace and began peeling prawns for her.
Ye Yining sat beside him, sneaking occasional glances at him. Of course, she couldn't refuse the prawns he offered her.
Before going to bed, Ye Yining received the 440,000 silver notes sent by the Crown Prince. She couldn't help but chuckle at the irony. In the past, Ye Yunjiao had borrowed money from her big brother, but now the tables had turned, and she was the one collecting silver notes.
She asked Ling Gui after safely storing the silver notes,
"Can I cultivate vegetables in the herb garden?"
If she could grow vegetables, it would make the kitchen more practical and flexible. Jun Jiuji was always concerned about her having enough to eat, and with ample ingredients, she wouldn't have to worry about it in the future.
"It's possible. However, the kitchen wouldn't manage the garden. If it were a vegetable garden, the kitchen would be responsible for harvesting the vegetables," explained Ling Gui dutifully.
Ye Yining suddenly grasped a better understanding of the Medicine Spirit Immortal Residence. Now that she had land, she needed to acquire some seeds.
There was one more thing she had to do that night. With that in mind, she quickly changed into an outfit suitable for going out.
As she opened the door, she was met with the sight of Jun Jiuji standing there. Her expression froze, and she contemplated whether she should retreat to her room.
Jun Jiuji gazed at the young girl, dressed in riding attire and seemingly eager to go out. He lowered his voice,
"Where is Ye Yining off to?"
Ye Yining closed her eyes briefly and decided to be truthful,
"I want to go out and purchase some seeds. Medicinal or vegetable seeds, either will do. Would you be willing to buy them for me?"
"Hmm? What do you need them for?" Jun Jiuji asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.
"They might come in handy. Can I?" Ye Yining replied without elaborating further.
She didn't want to lie to him, and although she could secretly purchase them herself, it would be quite a hassle.
Jun Jiuji gently lifted her chin and reminded her softly,
"What would you like to call me?"
He hadn't heard her address him all day. Ye Yining was momentarily perplexed, her thick eyelashes fluttering a few times before she realized.
"Ninth Brother!"
Her voice was sweet and alluring, causing Jun Jiuji's heart to flutter as if a mischievous kitten had scratched it. His gaze lingered on her inviting red lips as he controlled himself and made a promise.
"I'll arrange for someone to plant the herbs and vegetables for you tomorrow morning."
"Alright," Ye Yining agreed. With no reason to venture outside, she returned to her room.
Jun Jiuji stayed behind, watching over her as she slept before eventually departing. However, just as he was about to leave, Ye Yining suddenly sat up once more.
Someone had yet to receive the lesson they deserved!
If she didn't teach them a lesson, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight!