He finished speaking and turned to leave, but Qin Rulian's heart was filled with panic. She immediately lunged forward and tightly grasped his thigh.
"Tinglan Gege... Rulian spoke too harshly just now out of impulse. I am truly distressed after this ordeal. Please..."
The ground was littered with shards of porcelain and jade. Her knees landed squarely on them, instantly tearing her flesh through her skirt, causing a bloody mess.
Seeing this, Ye Tinglan's eyes darkened, and he stopped in his tracks.
"There's no need for this. This prince knows you didn't mean it."
Qin Rulian shook her head. "If Tinglan Gege refuses to forgive Rulian, Rulian will remain kneeling and not rise."
The fine white porcelain was quickly soaked in blood, yet Qin Rulian bit her lip tightly, remaining silent.
Ye Tinglan's gaze turned somber, and he finally reached out to help her up.
"I said, I'm not blaming you. Don't do anything foolish that harms yourself."
Seeing the chill in his tone dissipate, Qin Rulian immediately felt relieved. She then deliberately "stumbled" into Ye Tinglan's embrace.
"Rulian was in the wrong first. I was afraid Tinglan Gege would be angry, so I didn't think of anything else..."
She spoke in a low voice, biting her lip, and buried her face shyly into Ye Tinglan's chest. Feng Yinwan and Yuping, who were watching from the top of the outer wall, were stunned.
This delicate and charming demeanor, was it really the same person as the hysterical one from moments ago?
They hadn't realized the little vixen had two faces.
A warmth spread from the person in his arms, and Ye Tinglan stiffened. However, given Qin Rulian's injured knees, he did not push her away.
To those peeking from outside, this scene conveyed a different meaning.
Yuping sighed softly.
Miss was just a bit too spirited. If she could learn even a little from Rulian, she would surely have the Prince wrapped around her finger.
"Your Highness, Miss Qin."
The building tension in the room was broken by a loud call.
Qi Xuan, carrying a thick stack of official reports, rushed into the room.
"Your Highness, I've gathered all the reports from the Imperial Archives for you! Take a look, three thousand two hundred and seventy-nine in total, not a single one missing!"
He placed the reports on the floor with a thud. Wiping his sweat, he saw his Prince suddenly move towards the bedside and push the figure in his arms away.
Qin Rulian had wanted to prolong the intimate moment. Being pushed away so abruptly, she immediately sat back onto the bed.
"Ah..."
Ye Tinglan quickly adjusted his clothes and stepped forward to examine the reports.
His slender finger ran over the pile of documents, which formed a small mountain. He nodded, "Well done."
After finally receiving a word of praise, Qi Xuan felt a mix of hardship and relief. He grinned, then seemed to remember something and took another slip of paper from his embrace.
"Your Highness, this is the cost of the reports."
Ye Tinglan didn't even lift his eyelids and waved his hand. "Go to the treasury and get it. No need to inform me."
Qi Xuan was slightly taken aback. However, remembering the kick he received that morning, he pursed his lips and held back any further words.
"Yes."
He responded and quickly retreated. Meanwhile, Qin Rulian, looking at the thick stack of reports, finally felt at ease.
Her eyes flickered inwardly, and she then spoke weakly, as if startled, "Tinglan Gege, you said you would order an investigation into this matter. Does that still count?"
Ye Tinglan nodded. "Of course."
"After the grand ceremony yesterday ended, it was the Consort who stopped me, saying she had something to tell me, and took me to the garden."
"I thought that although the Consort's ways were a bit overbearing, she wouldn't harm anyone. I never expected..."
At this point, she blinked back tears, fitting the scene perfectly.
"There were many guards at Ruiqing Palace. When the Consort took me to the garden, someone must have seen. Rulian knows Tinglan Gege is concerned about her mother's family's influence, but this concerns Rulian's purity, and I would never dare lie about this matter."
Her body trembled as she began to weep softly. Hearing this, Ye Tinglan's expression indeed darkened.
"The Zhenguo General's mansion is indeed powerful, but the laws of the court are not to be trifled with. Rest assured, if this matter is indeed her doing, this prince will not let it go easily!"
Qin Rulian clutched her handkerchief, her eyes blurry with tears, and nodded emotionally.
Just as Ye Tinglan was about to offer more words of comfort, he suddenly heard a noise in the courtyard. His brow furrowed, and he leaped outside.
Catching sight of the figure in purple beneath the courtyard wall, his handsome face darkened heavily.
"What are you doing here!"