Was This Within the Palace Heir's Expectations Too?!

"..."

Qin Baiyi's raised hand froze in mid-air, and the smile on his face instantly crumbled.

Until I watched that figure in pure white walk away into the distance.

She coughed and withdrew her hand, frowning in confusion, and whispered to Pei You'an beside her:

That's strange...

"Have I offended this Palace Heir An in any way these past few days?"

Pei You'an rested his fingers on his chin, followed her gaze, and hesitated for a moment.

Qin Baiyi, however, became increasingly puzzled the more he thought about it:

"You know, if she were the aloof type who ignored everyone, that would be fine."

"But these past two days, she's been busy traveling around. When Manager Shen came to discuss matters with her, or when several other Managers came to greet her, she was able to calmly exchange a few words with them."

"He acts with great discretion and is fully worthy of the title of a top-tier genius who understands the bigger picture."

Why don't you even give me a proper look every time you see me?!

After hearing this...

Pei You'an glanced at Ye Li sitting behind the desk in front of him, then turned to look at Qin Baiyi, his expression becoming strange:

"Do you think... it might be because of Ye Li?"

"Prefectural Lord?" Qin Baiyi was taken aback.

Pei You'an leaned closer and whispered a reminder:

"Think about it, Ye Li traveled all the way from another continent to the Longwind Divine Dynasty this time, just to save your parents."

"If it weren't for your family's affairs, why would he have made a contract with that Third Princess a few days ago, and even accompanied her on a trip outside the city?"

Boom!

Upon hearing this, Qin Baiyi froze on the spot, his eyes widening slightly!

Yes!!

Previously, her mind was filled with thoughts of her parents' safety and the Eastern Palace's attempts to steal her away; she hadn't even considered romantic feelings for him!

Now that Pei You'an has pointed it out, and recalling the scene of An Ziqing turning away coldly outside the Capital City's headquarters that day, all the inconsistencies suddenly make sense!

So that's where the problem lies?!

Before Qin Baiyi could recover from this sudden realization...

An Ziqing, who was ahead, had already walked up to Ye Li's stone table and stood there.

The spiral staircase entrance isn't too far away.

Qin Baiyi subconsciously held her breath, not daring to make a sound.

An Ziqing lowered his eyes to look at Ye Li, who was sitting down, and went straight to the point:

"My lord, a couple of days ago when I was in the capital, an official from the Eastern Palace named He Jingming came to visit."

"He cleared out the errands left by the Imperial Household Department for Qin Baiyi's parents, and before leaving, he extended an olive branch to me."

"According to him, the Crown Prince of the Longwind Divine Dynasty is known for his virtue. Whenever I encounter any difficulties, even if they are cultivators from other continents, the Eastern Palace is willing to step in and help me resolve them."

A night breeze swept across the deck.

Qin Baiyi, standing at the top of the spiral staircase, felt his heart pound!

She had been worried that An Ziqing might be persuaded by the Eastern Palace if he felt wronged, but she never expected that he would turn around and tell the Prefectural Lord everything!

Immediately afterwards, she saw that Ye Li's expression remained unchanged, and he simply responded softly:

"Knew."

Just three simple words, and they remained completely calm, without causing the slightest ripple!

Qin Baiyi was shocked to hear this, and a chill ran down his spine.

No wonder the Prefectural Lord didn't even raise his head when he went to report during the day.

It turns out that whether it was the Eastern Palace Prince sending someone to make contact, or Palace Heir An taking the initiative to confess... all of these things were part of their own Prefectural Lord's calculations!!

I dared not continue listening in.

Qin Baiyi quickly tugged at Pei You'an's sleeve, and the two quietly retreated back to the lower cabin.

Only two people remained on the deck once again.

Ye Li glanced at An Ziqing, his expression unchanged, but he was actually quite moved.

He really hadn't expected that.

This former Cold Purity Palace Heir, has now reached such a level that she has to come and report to me whenever an outsider speaks a few words to her.

Sighing is one thing.

Ye Li quickly thought of the Crown Prince's residence.

After these past few days of turmoil, from Qin Mingqi's marriage contract to Qin Mingshu's promise of real power and marriage, and then to Longwind Divine Dynasty Emperor's punitive edict that clearly left room for maneuver...

He was well aware of his current value in the eyes of the Longwind Divine Dynasty Imperial House.

Was this Crown Prince, whom An Ziqing had never met before, also trying to indirectly win him over through his associates?

'No, that doesn't seem right...'

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and quickly dismissed the guess.

If they were truly trying to win him over, the officials of the Eastern Palace should at least say a few good words for An Ziqing, if not fawn over him.

Who tries to win someone over by starting with divisive remarks and inciting those around them to betray them?

This Longwind Divine Dynasty Prince Changfeng's approach is clearly Taiyi from that of the two princesses.

'Well, we'll arrive in the Capital City tomorrow anyway, let's wait and see.'

Ye Li suppressed his distracting thoughts.

After a moment of contemplation, his gaze returned to An Ziqing's exquisitely beautiful face, and he suddenly asked casually:

"I've always treated you terribly, don't you hate me now?"

An Ziqing met his gaze and, without even blinking, said directly:

"Naturally, I hate them to the core."

"..."

Ye Li stared at her intently for two breaths.

With his Golden Soul perception, he could clearly see the fleeting fluctuations in the other party's Divine Soul and aura.

That's complete nonsense.

Ye Li's lips twitched slightly. He silently withdrew his gaze, not intending to delve further into this matter, and casually replied:

"OK.

"After you return to the capital, if the Eastern Palace's Palace tries to contact you again, remember to let me know immediately."

"Okay." An Ziqing readily agreed.

After she finished speaking, she showed no intention of leaving immediately.

After hesitating for a moment by the railing, An Ziqing turned around and asked softly:

"I've heard people below talking about it these past two days. Did you really kill the Third Princess of the Longwind Divine Dynasty in Linze City?"

"Yes, kill him."

Ye Li leaned back in his chair and couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"That woman used human lives as bait to capture my mount, and then tried to use the contract to turn against me. I might as well take her with me and destroy her."

"When her second sister was at Life-Extending Temple, she also brought people to find me, using both threats and coaxing to get her Father Emperor's punishment edict."

"She said that as long as I signed Subject Contract and submitted to her, not only would my crimes be wiped clean, but she would also grant me permission for marriage in the future."

An Ziqing's expression immediately changed.

She had only wanted to confirm the matter of the Third Princess, but she never expected that there was also a Second Princess!

The Longwind Divine Dynasty royal family... how come they keep coming one after another?!

She pursed her lips, and finally hesitated before asking:

"So how did you choose?"

"It was rejected."

As he spoke, Ye Li picked up the Jade Slip again. "I said I'm fine with returning to the capital, but I won't serve as her subordinate."

"... I see."

An Ziqing responded softly.

The slight furrow in his brows quietly relaxed.

She tidied up the scattered Jade Slips on the table, then took the tea set and brewed Ye Li a fresh cup of tea.

The movements were noticeably lighter and quicker than before.