Tang Yuehua's Troubled Heart

"Your Highness, please forgive me! Please forgive me!" Ning Yuanfeng finally found a shred of strength amidst his overwhelming terror. He collapsed onto his knees with a heavy thud, tears and snot streaming down his face as he slammed his forehead against the cold stone pavement.

"This lowly one has eyes but failed to recognize greatness! I have offended the imperial dignity! My crimes are worthy of death! I beg for your mercy, Your Highness! Please, show mercy!" His companions behind him also snapped to their senses, following suit with frantic, rhythmic kowtowing that echoed against the ground.

Ye Yang watched the men kowtowing like garlic cloves at his feet. There was not a hint of pity in his eyes, only a cold, chilling indifference and a trace of amusement.

"Enough." Ye Yang's voice rang out lightly, yet it acted like an imperial decree; Ning Yuanfeng and the others froze, looking up with eyes full of desperate hope.

"For the sake of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Sect Master Ning, today's events..." Ye Yang's gaze, sharp as an icicle, pierced into Ning Yuanfeng's eyes, "This Seat will remember them."

"Get out."

As if granted a pardon, Ning Yuanfeng and his group scrambled to their feet, not daring to look back. Amidst the complex gazes of the surrounding crowd, they fled in a pathetic, dog-like retreat.

Only then did Ye Yang withdraw his gaze and turn toward Tang Yuehua, his face returning to that gentle, jade-like smile. "Madam, please lead the way."

Tang Yuehua felt a shiver of apprehension; this Crown Prince seemed truly different from the man she had always known.

Suppressing her turbulent thoughts, she stepped aside respectfully. "Your Highness, please."

Ye Yang nodded slightly and, under the guidance of Tang Yuehua and the escort of the silent guard, walked calmly toward the elegant carriage.

The crowd parted to create a wider path, watching with awe as this noble yet inscrutable Crown Prince departed.

The carriage slowly set into motion, heading toward the Moon Pavilion, a symbol of elegance and art deep within the noble district of Heaven Dou City.

[Ding! Intimidated the petty, Majesty +1, Mental Power +1]

The interior of the carriage was filled with a faint, elegant fragrance of orchids, perfectly in harmony with Tang Yuehua's own temperament.

Ye Yang did not truly close his eyes to rest. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze landing on Tang Yuehua opposite him with a tangible weight.

The mistress of the Moon Pavilion, the young princess of the Clear Sky Sect, sat there with impeccable posture, like a meticulously carved white jade Guanyin—serene and noble.

His gaze, filled with undisguised scrutiny and playfulness, slid from her meticulously groomed hair to her smooth forehead, her elegant nose, and finally rested on those eyes as deep and calm as a pool.

Her gaze was clear, yet it seemed to be separated by a thin mist, hiding all her emotions deep within.

His line of sight continued downward, sweeping over her beautifully defined jawline and slender, fair neck. Wrapped in that well-tailored moon-white court dress, her figure displayed graceful, mature curves, exuding a heart-stirring charm refined by the passage of time.

"Madam Yuehua..." Ye Yang's voice echoed in the quiet carriage, lower than it had been on the street, carrying a lazy, magnetic quality that shattered the silence.

Tang Yuehua's heart tightened, though she maintained a proper smile on her face and nodded slightly. "Please, Your Highness, give your instructions."

She keenly sensed the change in his gaze; it was no longer the majestic scrutiny of a superior, but rather... the appreciation of a man for a woman? This made her feel a sense of unease.

"Instructions?" Ye Yang chuckled, leaning forward slightly to narrow the distance between them. The elegant scent of orchids seemed to grow clearer.

"I am merely curious. The Moon Pavilion is elegant and transcendent, the most renowned place of refinement in Heaven Dou City. You, Madam, are its soul, hanging high like a bright moon, looked up to by all."

He paused, his burning gaze locking onto Tang Yuehua's eyes, his tone becoming more ambiguous with a hint of subtle provocation.

"As the mistress of such a pure and noble place, how did you have the leisure today to ride out like an ordinary lady, and coincidentally... resolve my predicament?"

"Could it be that you had a premonition, Madam, and calculated that I would be traveling incognito today to observe the common life?"

[Ding! Flirted with a noble lady, Charm +1, Acting +1]

Tang Yuehua's heart skipped a beat.

His words were so blunt they bordered on rude; this was certainly not the gentle, decorous style of the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe!

Her fingers curled slightly inside her sleeves, yet her face remained calm, even revealing a perfectly measured smile.

"Your Highness jests. I had simply finished some minor chores in the Pavilion and, thinking the weather was fine, took the carriage to the West City to look at some newly arrived orchids."

"Passing through the busy market, I saw a conflict between soul masters and feared it would disturb the commoners, so I spoke up to stop it. I truly did not know it was Your Highness traveling incognito. To have chanced upon this and eased your burden is my honor."

"Oh? Looking at orchids?" Ye Yang's tone rose slightly, clearly disbelieving, but his smile deepened as his gaze lingered between her beautiful face and elegant neck.

"Your refined taste, Madam, is a perfect match for your character. However..."

He leaned back against the soft seat, his posture relaxed, yet his eyes grew more predatory.

"I observe that you, Madam, are peerless in grace and noble in bearing, much like the name of your Moon Pavilion—cold, aloof, and untouchable. But the more that is so..."

Ye Yang's voice dropped lower, carrying a dangerous magnetism. "The more curious I become: beneath this 'Moon Goddess' exterior, do you also hide... the passions of the mortal world?"

"Or perhaps, is this elegance and composure of yours innate, or... the result of cultivation? Like those orchids, naturally fragrant in the quiet rooms of the Pavilion; if placed in the smoke and fire of the marketplace, what kind of scene would that be?"

These words were nothing short of naked flirting and probing.

The smile on Tang Yuehua's face finally faltered, a faint trace of irritation and embarrassment flashing quickly through her eyes.

Her hands, resting on her knees, tightened slightly, her knuckles turning white.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm, her voice steady but laced with a subtle, icy edge.

"Your Highness is too kind. I am but a woman, fortunate to have the favor of the Imperial family and others to manage the Moon Pavilion and teach some basic etiquette."

"The so-called grace and character are merely requirements of my duty, nothing more. As for what Your Highness has said... my duties lie within the Pavilion, and my heart is there; I dare not harbor other thoughts. Your Highness is of noble status, so I ask that you speak with caution."

Watching the ripples of emotion Tang Yuehua struggled to suppress, and the slight tension in her shoulders and neck, Ye Yang felt the mischievous urge born of boredom greatly satisfied.

This was far more interesting than the political maneuvering in the imperial court or lecturing the likes of Xue Beng.

He let out a low laugh that echoed in the carriage, filled with the pleasure of success and undisguised, keen interest.

"Madam, do not be nervous. I was merely... seeing your graceful bearing, I felt a sudden impulse and was just playing a harmless joke on you."