Spring flowers.

Chapter 42 Wearing
The young owner of Xiang Sheng Ji said dismissively, "What can Chun Chao Ji possibly amount to? My father traveled all over the country, doing whatever made money, and squeezed out so many merchants. What is Chun Chao Ji?"

The shopkeeper understood then that the owner would only roll his eyes in response, powerless to retaliate.

He was a little annoyed.

Thinking back to when his former employer was around, he would follow whatever business others were doing that made money, and then use underhanded tactics to force them to leave, thus accumulating a large amount of wealth.

Xiang Sheng Ji is the last and final masterpiece of the old boss.

The shopkeeper's face darkened.

No, he has to find a way to stop it.

Otherwise, Xiang Sheng Ji would be destroyed.

……

The shop was about to close, and Wei Yishang was exhausted with a sore back when she suddenly noticed someone standing at the door.

He was dressed in the uniform of a Zhenyun Guard official, with a white collar and cuffs, and a robe with a crimson auspicious cloud pattern all over.

The sky outside was overcast, and a soft, continuous drizzle was falling.

Ye Mingzhen held up an oil-paper umbrella, the ribs resting in his fair hand. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Lord Ye." Wei Yishang greeted him and had Cui'er bring out a pot of tea to brew for him.

"What would Miss Wei like to know?"

Ye Mingzhen's eyes sparkled, as if a sky full of stars had fallen into them; the whole world was contained within the palm of his hand.

Wei Yishang realized that he was very handsome, really very handsome.

It turns out I was a lecherous man.

If Ye Mingzhen were ugly, or had committed some heinous acts, then I would never have any feelings for him.

But he was, by nature, so wonderful.

His eyes seemed to tell stories, the kind that were very melodious and gentle.

A deep pool, seemingly filled with gentleness.

"Lord Ye, you..."

Wei Yishang paused, momentarily dazed, unsure of what to say.

"Miss Wei wants to know about the Prince of Yong?"

Ye Mingzhen spoke first.

At this moment, Ye Mingzhen's system assistant, Xiao Liu, spoke up.

[Host, the woman ahead possesses a weapon capable of harming you. Please deal with her quickly.]

Wei Yishang said, "Yes, Prince Yong saved me."

"King Yong?"

Ye Mingzhen felt as if a fire was burning inside her.

What rescue? What does that mean?
Why would Prince Yong save him for no reason?
His intuition told him that Wei Yishang had been targeted by someone, and someone important at that.

He originally thought that he could treat Wei Yishang as an ally and have a lukewarm relationship with her.

But at this moment, his heart was trembling violently.

He was like a ferocious beast about to go berserk.

A surge of jealousy welled up inside.

He felt only bitterness, as if a thousand hands were scratching at the tip of his heart.

Xiao Liu said she had a weapon with her.

Does this woman want him dead?

Does she only want to hurt him?

Ye Mingzhen took out the small knife, his eyes filled with ferocity, and stood up to walk towards Wei Yishang.

Seeing that his expression was off, Wei Yishang could only retreat step by step.

Thus, Wei Yishang had no choice but to retreat to the back room.

She was completely bewildered by the imposing look in his eyes.

He angered the Prince of Yong by mentioning him without saying anything himself.
why?

"Lord Ye, do you have a grudge against Prince Yong?"

Wei Yishang couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation.

Unless, of course, they are mortal enemies.

Ye Mingzhen did not answer.

Once inside the room, he said calmly, "Turn around and close the door."

Wei Yishang was still in a daze.

What? Close the door?
Is this how Ye Mingzhen acts when she goes crazy?
What will happen to me?
A nameless terror made Wei Yishang want to scream.

"Cooperate with me, and I'll let you go."

Ye Mingzhen's voice carried an undeniable force.

What? Cooperation?

Wei Yishang imagined the worst-case scenario. She had a hairpin in her hair; if that happened, she would stab him.

"Now, stand there and don't move."

Ye Mingzhen held the knife to Wei Yishang's throat, and then slowly moved the knife down.

Wei Yishang's outer garment was slashed open with a knife.

Ye Mingzhen glanced at it, and then peeled back another layer of clothing.

It was summer, and people were already wearing very little; right now, all that was underneath was a bellyband embroidered with waterbird patterns.

"Okay, put it on."

Ye Mingzhen turned around and didn't say anything more.

"Lord Ye, have you gone mad?"

While Wei Yishang was getting dressed, she really wanted to complain about Ye Mingzhen.

What? What does he want to see?

It's too much.

Just then, Cui'er arrived. She pushed open the door and saw Wei Yishang getting dressed. She couldn't help but smile.

"Miss, young master, I'm sorry to bother you."

Cui'er quickly closed the door and left.

"you……"

Wei Yishang felt as if she had been struck by lightning; even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't have been enough to explain herself.

Ye Mingzhen said, "I have offended Miss Wei today, and I will prepare a gift to apologize."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yishang truly felt like she was being used.

Someone saw my posts out of the blue, and then they had to pay me.

It's just like buying and selling, trading.

"No need."

Wei Yishang understood that all she wanted to know was the reason.

"I just want to know why the Prince of Yong saved me? He said it was related to you."

Wei Yishang expressed herself calmly, without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing her like this, Ye Mingzhen's jealousy, which had been drawn into her actions, resurfaced.

"You care that much about that Prince Yong?"

Ye Mingzhen looked at Wei Yishang as if he wanted to devour her.

"Since you're so fierce, I'm even more determined to ask why," Wei Yishang said, feigning composure.

"What if I refuse to tell you?" Ye Mingzhen put the small knife away.

"Then I'll call off the engagement..."

Wei Yishang was very serious.

“I’m not afraid of being punished. I just want to live my peaceful and leisurely life. If I’m destined not to live this kind of life if I take this path, then I will give up.”

Upon hearing the word "announce the engagement," Ye Mingzhen felt all her strength surge up instantly.

"You really want to leave?"

Ye Mingzhen suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly.

"It's not about me, it's about you."

Wei Yishang wanted to understand the connection between Ye Mingzhen and the Prince of Yong, and also wanted to confirm whether Ye Mingzhen had already taken sides.

“I saved his palace servants.”

When Ye Mingzhen spoke, it was as if she had lost her soul; her voice was thin and devoid of emotion.

"No wonder, he said he'd return it to you."

Wei Yishang smiled, "Next time you save someone, please let me know so I know what resources are available."

Ye Mingzhen hadn't recovered. He didn't see the disappointment he expected; he only saw Wei Yishang's composure.

Such a woman probably wouldn't understand his thoughts.

Never mind, there's no need for her to understand.

[Host, the system has detected that the one capable of harming you is Wei Yishang herself. Sorry.]

Ye Mingzhen sneered.

Even Xiao Liu made a mistake.

At that moment, a spark ignited the warehouse where Wei Yishang stored her clothes. The ground was covered in spilled wine, and sparks flew everywhere.

The people who came were aggressive, their purpose being to strike and to express their hatred.

The attackers had no intention of leaving Wei Yishang any way out; they only hoped that this woman would disappear as soon as possible.

She disappeared not only from among the merchants, but also from all the other places where she could have been seen before.

Poisonous flames roared up.

(End of this chapter)