Chapter 217: Fragile Health

"Miss, please, return home," Feng Jie said, standing beside Ye Rou, his voice gentle but firm. "The young master will be fine. Second Miss will bring him back." Though the Duke of An's household was not as particular about etiquette as other noble families, Ye Rou's tears in the middle of the street were a breach of decorum.

Ye Rou lowered her head and began walking, when suddenly, a figure appeared before her. Clad in a dark blue and black military uniform, with leather straps and black boots, and a round-collared, narrow-sleeved robe, the embroidered ferocious beast on his chest caught her eye. The sight was so imposing that she instinctively wanted to step back.

Without glancing at his face, Ye Rou, recognizing the uniform—a set worn by her sister Ye Jiao—deduced that this man must be a Military Marquis, and likely the Military Marquis Chang. Of course, she knew that the current Military Marquis, Bai Xianyu, had once been her sister's subordinate and had dined at the Duke's residence on several occasions. However, they had never met in person, and it was better to keep a respectful distance between men and women.

As expected, Ye Rou overheard Feng Jie greeting him.

"Your Excellency, Military Marquis Chang."

"Ah, Feng Guan Shi," Bai Xianyu replied, his voice melodious, youthful, and refreshingly clear. "Please wait here for a moment."

Bai Xianyu, true to his military bearing, adhered to proper etiquette and refrained from speaking to Ye Rou directly. Ye Rou stepped into the carriage, and after a short while, she once again heard his voice.

"Thank you for the meal outside the palace gates last time. I am deeply grateful."

He referred to a recent evening when Bai Xianyu had requested food from the Imperial Guard, which Feng Jie had delivered. Feng Jie bowed respectfully.

"Your Excellency, Military Marquis Chang, you even returned the food box. You are too kind."

Bai Xianyu chuckled lightly. "I have suffered from a gastric condition since childhood. Thanks to that meal, I was spared from an attack."

With that, he moved to clear the crowd.

"Make way! Let the carriage pass, clear the path!"

Ye Rou, pulling aside the curtain, saw a young, gallant figure standing in the middle of Suzaku Avenue, a horsewhip in hand, directing traffic. He guided farmers leading livestock toward a side gate, stopped carts carrying waste from approaching Ye Rou's carriage, and, with a few swift steps, scooped up a child who had fallen off a cart, placing him back while kicking a vendor out of the way.

"Don't block the road here!" he scolded.

The vendor quickly withdrew, taking with him a crowd of onlookers eager to purchase his wares.

One passerby, in a state of confusion, stopped Bai Xianyu to ask what to do if he had lost his pass. Bai Xianyu casually pointed to a place, but, not satisfied, he called a subordinate to escort the man and ensure the matter was settled.

In this composed, orderly manner, the once congested road was cleared. Feng Jie immediately turned the carriage around, and Ye Rou lowered the curtain once more.

"Take care," the young man called out from outside, his voice loud as if to ensure no one missed it.

The food box was pushed into the carriage by Feng Jie. It was a simple box, unremarkable except for the engraved crest of the Duke of An's household on its lid. Bai Xianyu had been meticulous, ensuring both the inside and outside were spotless.

Ye Rou opened the first layer and found a handkerchief—a square of blue Cai Zhou cloud-patterned satin, plain and unadorned. She wondered whether it had been accidentally left there or deliberately placed.

She closed the box quickly, then took out her own handkerchief to wipe her tears, only then realizing: could Bai Xianyu have noticed her tears and intentionally left the handkerchief for her to wipe them? What a kind-hearted child.

She smiled softly, leaning back in the carriage, her thoughts still with Ye Changge, contemplating how to reassure her mother and put her mind at ease. With her brother and sister absent and her father indifferent, all she could do was guard the home and wait for their return.

Meanwhile, the Sixth Prince, Li Can, had not left the palace. He was stationed at the palace gates, calming the royal relatives who had come to offer aid, explaining the situation, and working to minimize Ye Jiao's role in the incident, while highlighting the emperor's decisiveness, the Crown Prince's heroic efforts, and Li Chen's treachery. He took the opportunity to mock a few people, venting his resentment at their belated arrival.

It was only after the fire had been put out that they arrived, expecting to gain some merit.

After handling these affairs, Li Can returned to his quarters, taking a thorough bath and even freshening his hair with newly opened rose-scented oil. He arranged his hair carefully, discarded any accessories stained with blood, and donned better ones. Afterward, he leisurely boarded a carriage to the Eastern Palace, where the streets had already been washed clean, ensuring his shoes remained spotless.

He walked straight into the study and, without hesitation, tossed his outer robe at Fu Mingzhu, who was seated on a meditation mat. Fu Mingzhu had anticipated this and swiftly dodged to one side, but Li Can had already predicted his move, and the robe still landed squarely on his head.

Fu Mingzhu sighed, pulling the robe off and grumbling, "Am I a clothes hanger for the Sixth Prince?"

"Yes," Li Can said with a smile, sitting down. "An active clothes hanger."

He poured himself a cup of tea, resting his chin on his hand, and asked, "Where is the Crown Prince?"

"He just entered and took a book with him," Fu Mingzhu replied, narrowing his eyes and leaning toward Li Can. "Shall I remind him?"

"Remind him of what?" Li Can asked, lounging comfortably, one leg propped up on the table.

"Remind him that his smile is too obvious," Fu Mingzhu said. "Did you not notice how he entered with a broad smile, as if he were a completely different person? Since the downfall of King Wei, he should learn to be more restrained."

"It's not because of King Wei," Li Can replied with a faint hum, taking a sip of tea in disdain.

"Then who?" Fu Mingzhu asked.

"It's you," Li Can said, staring into Fu Mingzhu's eyes, a look of disbelief on his face. "You, you lucky fool. It's because of you that the Crown Prince is so happy today."

Fu Mingzhu was confused. He folded Li Can's robe and placed it aside. "Sixth Prince, please stop making fun of me. I was unable to enter the palace today and could only wait outside in anxiety. I know the Crown Prince has it hard; anyone who survives in such perilous circumstances will inevitably lose composure."

Li Can shook his head, his smile becoming even more enigmatic. "Lose composure? He stood shoulder to shoulder with Ye Jiao, fought side by side, and showed himself well in front of the emperor. There was no loss of composure. He's still as charming and handsome as ever. As for the Crown Prince, it's all because of you."

"He's already betrothed to Ye Jiao, yet he's still fooling around. When caught, Ye Jiao broke off the engagement and caused a scene in the court. In the end, the emperor appreciates her, the Crown Prince likes her, and Li Ce fears her. She even had the audacity to bring a gold medal and enter the palace to rescue the emperor, all while making the Crown Prince lose his mind. This cannot continue. It must be stopped."

"Stop it for what reason?" Fu Mingzhu asked.

Li Can's eyes narrowed. "The Crown Prince, Li Zhang, is far too dangerous. We cannot allow him to grow stronger."

"Is he really that powerful?" Fu Mingzhu said dismissively. "Wasn't it the same with the late emperor and King Xian? They trusted him, but in the end, he went into seclusion for years, not returning."

"The late King Xian was his friend," Li Can replied, glancing at Fu Mingzhu. "Ye Jiao is his daughter. You may not risk your life for a friend, but I doubt anyone would dare to touch your daughter."

"I don't have a daughter," Fu Mingzhu muttered.

"Perhaps your health is not up to it," Li Can quipped, taking every opportunity to jab at him.

"You..." Fu Mingzhu began to retort but stopped, remembering his place. They exchanged sharp words, but soon forgot what they were discussing, until the voice of Crown Prince Li Zhang rang out.

"If they cannot serve me, the stronger they are, the more they must be eliminated."

Li Can turned, his lips parting in surprise. "And what about Ye Jiao?"

Fu Mingzhu, frowning, muttered, "What does Ye Jiao have to do with this?"

Her name had been coming up far too often lately, and it didn't bode well.

"I will not harm Ye Jiao," Li Zhang said, his tone soft. "I will give her the best, for her aid today in rescuing the emperor. As for her father—"

"Hasn't he already severed his worldly ties and become a hermit?" Li Can asked, his

face twisted in contempt.

"Indeed," Li Zhang said, a smile forming.