As night gradually descended, Ye Yining quietly left her room. In the darkness, Hoshino's eyes widened in surprise. Hadn't the princess just been coaxed to sleep by the master? Why was she out again? Not wanting to disturb the princess consort, he quickly informed his master.
Across the street from the inn, Jun Jiuji, who hadn't gone to sleep yet, also noticed Ye Yining discreetly leaving her room. Realizing that she was headed in the direction of Ye Yunjiao and Mo Huanchong, he covertly instructed Xue Ying,
"Observe what the princess consort intends to do. If necessary, clear the area."
"Yes," Xue Ying acknowledged and smoothly entered the inn.
Although Ye Yining harbored strong feelings of resentment towards Mo Huanchong and Ye Yunjiao, she couldn't act recklessly because the Crown Prince was lodging in the inn, and numerous concealed guards were nearby.
She glanced at Mo Huanchong and Ye Yunjiao before descending to the ground floor. Hoshino and Xue Ying, who were concealed in the shadows, were somewhat puzzled. She was leaving just like that?
Ye Yining strolled around downstairs and informed the inn manager of her intentions before heading to the kitchen to prepare something. Before long, she had prepared two sets of colorful dumplings that resembled a beautiful painting.
Xue Ying, watching from the shadows, was momentarily taken aback. Was the princess consort making supper for her master? It appeared that the princess consort was beginning to show consideration for her master.
But then, as she was observing, she noticed something peculiar. Princess Consort sprinkled some powdery substance onto the dumplings. Xue Ying's eyes darkened, a cord in his heart snapping. Had the princess consort intended to drug her master?
Just when she thought the princess consort would take the noodles away, she suddenly ascended the stairs empty-handed. Seeing Princess Consort knock on his master's door, her heart raced. Could it be that the master wasn't in his room? But would the princess consort truly dare to have her master consume that bowl of noodles?
As she pondered, he watched Princess Consort knock on her master's door. Seeing no response, she turned around and headed to Yunlai's room. Subsequently, she didn't see Princess Consort emerge for quite some time. She wondered if they were having a conversation.
Then, to her surprise, she saw Ye Yunjiao descending the stairs. Shortly after, something truly incredible occurred. Ye Yunjiao actually took the two colorful dumplings that Princess Consort had prepared.
At that moment, both Xue Ying and Hoshino, who had witnessed the entire spectacle, were utterly dumbfounded.
Xue Ying hurriedly returned to the teahouse across the street and reported this to her master. Jun Jiuji pondered briefly, then left an item on the table and returned to the inn.
Aware that Ye Yining was in Yunlai's room, he went there and knocked on the door. Yunlai opened it, and upon seeing His Highness, she moved aside and whispered,
"Your Highness Jun Jiuji, my young miss has fallen asleep."
Jun Jiuji peered inside and noticed that Ye Yining had indeed fallen asleep at the table. He sighed softly in helplessness. No wonder she hadn't returned for so long. He walked closer, bent down slightly, and picked up the sleeping girl.
Yunlai thought that Jun Jiuji was going to carry Miss back to her room, so she didn't say anything. However, she was soon shocked when she realized that His Highness didn't take her to her own room. Instead, he carried her into his own.
Panic surged within her, and she wanted to stop him, but she didn't dare. After Jun Jiuji entered the room, he closed the door. As he gently placed the girl on the bed and began removing her shoes, she stirred and awoke.
Jun Jiuji chuckled and sat down beside the bed.
"Did you just prepare supper for me?"
Ye Yining blinked her eyes.
"Do you want supper?"
"Would you like to have it downstairs?"
He had never tasted the colorful dumplings made by Ye Yining. Ye Yining immediately sat up on the bed, looking excited.
"If you'd like supper, I can accompany you!"
Seeing that she didn't mention the dumplings, Jun Jiuji smiled and pinched her delicate cheek.
"Forget it, it's too late. You should get some rest. Close your eyes now."
"Yes."
The inn's layout was quite similar, and it was late, so Ye Yining didn't realize that this wasn't her room. She genuinely closed her eyes and settled in for the night.
Jun Jiuji sat by the bed, watching over her, ready to prevent her from sneaking out again in the middle of the night.
Meanwhile, Ye Yunjiao had already enjoyed a portion of the colorful dumplings and sent the other portion to Mo Huanchong, who couldn't sleep due to the pain.
The dumplings were delicious, and even Mo Huanchong, who was confined to his bed, appreciated them.
Yet, in the depths of his thoughts, he wished that the person feeding him these dumplings was Su Yu 'er.
"Brother Mo, the Crown Prince assured me that he would find the best doctor to treat you," Ye Yunjiao comforted him, fully aware of Mo Huanchong's disdain for her.
Mo Huanchong had no intention of marrying Ye Yunjiao, even after their liaison. His gaze towards her was less than kind.
"I've eaten already. You can go now. Let Yu 'er come and check my pulse," he requested.
Ye Yunjiao's expression darkened as she retorted hoarsely,
"Sister Su is already asleep. Would you like me to wake her?"
Mo Huanchong hesitated for a moment before reconsidering his words.
"Never mind. Yu 'er must be tired these past few days."
Ye Yunjiao was seething. Su Yu 'er was exhausted? What had she done to exhaust her? They had been inseparable lately, and Mo Huanchong had paid no attention to her.
"Did the Crown Prince mention when he's leaving?" Mo Huanchong inquired, his leg throbbing from the pain.
But before Ye Yunjiao could respond, she experienced a sharp abdominal pain and let out an audible fart. The atmosphere in the room grew tense, and Mo Huanchong waved her away, thoroughly disgusted.
"Leave! It stinks!"
The odor was unbearable, making him nauseous. Outside the room, Hoshino covered his nose and retreated. Was this the effect of the princess consort's colorful dumplings?
Inside the room, Ye Yunjiao felt deeply embarrassed. As she tried to exit, she accidentally released more flatulence. At that moment, Mo Huanchong, already suffering, collapsed to the floor, vomiting.
Upon witnessing his pitiful state, Ye Yunjiao turned even redder and attempted to flee, but another sharp abdominal pain gripped her.
Before she could react, the room became her impromptu restroom.
Outside, those stationed to keep watch had retreated far away, yet they could still hear Mo Huanchong's retching.
This gruesome ordeal continued for more than half the night, with both Ye Yunjiao and Mo Huanchong suffering immensely.
By daybreak, Ye Yunjiao, after consulting a doctor, was thoroughly drained. Mo Huanchong had experienced multiple bouts of vomiting.
Xue Ying, who had been on guard in the shadows, had inserted cotton balls into her nostrils and sighed repeatedly.
As for Princess Consort, she hadn't made a move, but if she had, she would have been merciless.
Jun Jiuji had always been a light sleeper. Although he was far enough away to avoid smelling anything unpleasant, the wretched sound of vomiting was still unsettling.
Therefore, even though the little girl in his arms was sound asleep, he decided to take her away from the inn and set out early for Cloud Border City.
Once they were in the carriage, he gently removed two cotton balls from Ye Yining's delicate ears.