Chapter 229: A Plea from the Heart

The room fell into silence. Upon hearing the exchange between father and son, Lady Ye instinctively tightened her grip on her son's bedding, as though terrified that if she let go, this family might crumble to pieces.

Yes.

She had miscalculated—marrying Ye Jiao off had not been without worry or hesitation. But when she first laid eyes on Prince Chu, witnessing his upright character and deep affection for Ye Jiao, all her doubts had melted away.

And now Ye Xi claimed that what happened thirteen years ago was to be repeated—worse still?

Could she protect her children this time?

Ye Xi reached out, lighting the candle with a somber flick of his fingers. His voice was low and grave.

"Chang Geng, do you remember the line you got wrong from Xunzi one year when I tested you?"

"I remember," Ye Chang Geng replied. "Xunzi said: 'A ruler must guard against unchecked desire, and a minister against unbridled greed.' It means a sovereign must curb his lust for power, and a subject must restrain his pursuit of gain."

His father's teachings—he had never dared forget.

Ye Xi nodded. "You remember well. But all of that… is nonsense."

"Ye Xi!"

Lady Ye looked up, chiding her husband for using vulgar language in front of their son.

But Ye Xi continued undeterred.

"What ruler has ever truly restrained his lust for power? A sovereign is the embodiment of authority itself. Of course they want ministers to suppress desire, to serve obediently and ensure their reign is eternal—meek as lambs."

True as it might be, how could he blaspheme the words of the sages so casually? Had all those years of cultivating the Way been in vain?

Lady Ye glared at him, cheeks puffed in frustration. Ye Xi's tone softened slightly.

"There's only one sentence from Xunzi worth remembering:

'The eyes cannot see clearly if they look at two things at once; the ears cannot hear distinctly if they listen to two voices at once.'"

What does it mean?

Lady Ye asked.

"It means from this moment on, Chang Geng must focus his heart and mind on a single path—the path to seizing power."

Outside, darkness cloaked the world. It was the blackest hour before dawn. Compared to it, the dim candlelight within seemed fragile, flickering as if it might be swallowed whole at any moment.

In Ye Chang Geng's blurry vision, he saw only his father standing, his mother seated, and a single wavering flame between them.

"Father… when you speak of seizing power, do you mean to claim the throne?"

His throat was dry; his voice hoarse.

"It is far too soon to speak of the throne," Ye Xi said, turning his back to gaze into the night. "For now, become a grand minister of Tang."

A grand minister—one who wielded supreme influence over both military and civil affairs, whose power rivaled the throne itself.

But Ye Chang Geng was not that kind of man.

He held unwavering loyalty to his sovereign and country. When commanded to join the Ministry of War, he fought valiantly. When sent to the Ministry of Works, he repaired canals and managed floods.

He never craved fame or wealth, nor did he seek to win over others.

But now, Ye Xi wanted him to go against his nature, to seek power, to play the game of ambition.

Ye Chang Geng fell into a long silence. His eyes were dim, but his heart was clear.

Those who held such power were often feared by the emperor, accused by censors, hated by the people—and in the end, left without even a grave. Their names cursed for generations.

"Are you certain?"

Lady Ye asked.

"Is this truly the only way?"

She hadn't thought as far ahead as her son, but she too understood—being a grand minister was no easy task.

To grasp power was to risk one's life, to manipulate hearts, to betray honor and trust. And even if one succeeded, all rested on the emperor's whim.

Many who lost their heads had once stood at the peak of power.

Compared to that, a mid-level official lived far more freely.

Ye Xi's expression was cold and unreadable. He said nothing.

"Very well," Ye Chang Geng said quietly.

"I accept."

His voice was clean and clear—nothing like a man consumed by desire for power.

"Willingly?" Ye Xi asked.

Lady Ye rose in alarm.

"Don't force the child!"

"Willingly," Ye Chang Geng replied, smiling faintly as he tugged at his mother's sleeve, like a boy still seeking comfort.

"Mother, wouldn't it be wonderful to be a high official? I want to become one."

As long as the family remained safe and whole.

Hadn't he been striving for that since he was ten?

The night was ink-dark. Prince Chu, Li Ce, watched as the morning light slowly dispersed that darkness. Rays of dawn filtered through gauzy veils.

He watched Ye Jiao's trembling lashes as she slept, watched her burrow into his arms half-awake, her delicate nose pressed to his chest, her breath warm.

She had awoken.

Yet after only one glance at him, she lowered her gaze and shifted away cautiously.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked.

"I'm looking at you," Li Ce replied, pulling her back into his embrace. "To make sure this isn't a dream."

His fingers curled around her shoulder with possessive tenderness.

"Good morning, Princess Consort of Chu."

From today forward, she was his rightful wife.

He would cherish her, protect her family, and love her deeply for all their days to come.

His words, dipped in honey, made Ye Jiao smile despite herself.

Her hand instinctively brushed across her body. She tilted her head up.

"The Princess Consort of Chu must bathe."

She had to wash away last night's traces—and cover the marks on her neck with powder.

Why had her usually frail husband been so wild on their wedding night?

"I've had the bath prepared," Li Ce said. "It's just behind the screen. Can you stand? Shall I help you?"

He asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Ye Jiao turned abruptly, covering his eyes with her hand.

"No peeking."

She sprang up, wrapped herself hastily in last night's wedding gown, and dashed behind the screen, leaping into the tub.

The tub was large and the water pleasantly warm. She closed her eyes, luxuriating in the comfort—

Until a sudden splash startled her. The water rose.

Ye Jiao's eyes flew open to find Li Ce sitting opposite her, gazing at her with innocent, deer-like eyes.

"I need a bath too," he said. "We have to dress and face court together. You wouldn't deny me a quick rinse, would you?"

How could she?

This was the Chu Prince's manor—and he was her husband.

Still—

"Next time, could you prepare two tubs?"

"Of course," Li Ce answered readily, moving to sit beside her.

"Shall I help you wash your hair?"

Ye Jiao eyed him suspiciously.

"Does the Chu Prince's manor not have any maidservants? Where's Shuiwen? Let her do it."

Li Ce nodded.

"I'll summon them shortly. But just for now—let me."

His fingers gently parted her hair, massaging her scalp with care, as if attending to state affairs.

Ye Jiao felt puzzled.

If you're washing my hair, why are you holding me like this? Why so close?

And once her hair was clean—why wash the rest of her too?

Her body was already clean; she'd bathed thoroughly yesterday!

Was he helping… or taking advantage?

"No more kisses," she finally said, shrinking away. Water splashed over the edge of the tub, soaking the floor.

A maid outside called through the doors,

"Your Highness, shall we come in to assist?"

"No entry!" Ye Jiao cried in alarm.

"Indeed, no entry," Li Ce echoed calmly, locking her in his embrace from behind.

"Return in half an hour."

Half an hour.

Would that even be enough?

Certainly not.

The night was too short. The day far too long.

After bathing and dressing, hair styled and adorned, Ye Jiao looked up at the man before her—solemn and composed, clad in crimson court robes embroidered with four-clawed dragons across his shoulders and chest, a jade belt and golden pendants at his waist. Regal. Majestic.

But whenever he spoke to her, all that formality vanished.

He became hers alone—her mischievous new husband.

"Is the Princess Consort's ceremonial robe heavy?"

Li Ce gently adjusted her corset, tucking away a glimpse of spring, and asked with a smirk.