CHAPTER 318: CHAPTER 126 DUKE MANSION (3) ACHIEVED_3

"The day after tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yes, the day after tomorrow," Xie Ruiyao replied. "There’s no temple fair on that day, fewer people will be around. My private meeting with Prince Chu won’t be noticed by others."

Ye Qichi nodded.

It was certainly suitable for a clandestine affair.

Yet he was somewhat surprised.

As cautious as Xiao Jinsen is, he’s planning to meet with Xie Ruiyao privately before Bai Mowan returns. If discovered, isn’t he afraid that his marriage arrangement with Bai Mowan would fall through?!

It must be so.

Some kind of conspiracy is afoot.

Xiao Jinsen is a person who does everything with a purpose.

His relationship with Xie Ruiyao back then was to win over the Duke Mansion. He knew very well to secure his position as the emperor, he’d need the support of various factions. Although the Duke Mansion didn’t wield much power, it still had its standing as imperial kin.

"I will make Xiao Jinsen have no choice but to marry you the day after tomorrow," Ye Qichi said firmly, pronouncing each word with confidence.

"What do I need to do?" Xie Ruiyao asked eagerly.

"Just keep to the appointment as Xiao Jinsen has instructed. Leave the rest to me, I’ll have it all arranged."

"How will you arrange it?" Xie Ruiyao was still curious.

She truly didn’t know how Ye Qichi would achieve his goals.

"I won’t tell you, for fear that you’ll keep thinking about it. Besides, if things don’t work out, you won’t be suspect if you’re unaware, and I don’t want to affect your feelings for Xiao Jinsen," Ye Qichi said, finding excuses.

After hearing this, Xie Ruiyao asked no further.

Sometimes it’s better not to know.

Knowing might inadvertently give something away.

She promptly responded, "Understood."

"I won’t say more. Do not tell anyone about our conversation," Ye Qichi instructed.

In truth, there was no need for such an instruction; with Xie Ruiyao’s sagacity, she naturally wouldn’t tell anyone.

"Good, I will certainly keep the Princess’s secrets," Xie Ruiyao said with sincere earnestness.

Ye Qichi felt somewhat ironic inside.

This woman really knew how to speak.

It was clear that everything was what Xie Ruiyao wanted, yet she made it seem as if it was all for her.

No matter.

She was originally using Xie Ruiyao, so let the clever be outwitted by their own cleverness!

She stood up, "I will take my leave first then."

"I’ll see the Princess off."

"Oh, right." Ye Qichi took a couple of steps and then stopped, "Ruotong has just returned to the Duke Mansion. There are many areas she’s not familiar with and may find inconvenient, so please help her out a bit."

"Rest assured, Princess. I will certainly take good care of Sister," Xie Ruiyao promised assuredly.

In her mind, she thought, she genuinely had no emotional attachment to Xie Ruotong. When Xie Ruotong went missing, she was only 4 or 5 years old and didn’t have much impression of her. She had only kept hearing her name over the years, and really had no feelings towards her person. But since Ye Qichi asked her to look out for Xie Ruotong while she still needed to make use of her, she naturally agreed without hesitation.

Ye Qichi nodded slightly and left Xie Ruiyao’s boudoir.

Outside the room, Xie Ruotong was waiting.

She walked over as they came out.

"Yao’er bids farewell to Princess Chen," Xie Ruiyao said with an innocent and obedient expression.

Xie Ruotong glanced at Xie Ruiyao.

And then followed Ye Qichi.

Wandering through the Duke Mansion, Ye Qichi bluntly said, "Your sister has agreed."

Xie Ruotong pursed her lips.

She naturally didn’t want Xie Ruiyao to wade into troubled waters.

"Moreover, your sister has already had private encounters with Prince Chu," Ye Qichi didn’t intend to hide this from her.

Xie Ruotong was surprised, "How would Yao’er meet with Prince Chu?"

"I suspect that Prince Chu is also plotting some sort of conspiracy," Ye Qichi said seriously, "I’m guessing that this time it’s aimed at Xiao Jinxing."

"What do you mean?" Xie Ruotong didn’t quite understand.

It all felt overwhelmingly complex.

Ye Qichi exhaled deeply, "I can’t say for certain, but I have a bad feeling. Let’s just leave it settled this way. You shouldn’t try to persuade Xie Ruiyao further; she won’t accept your advice. She has a deep fixation on the position of Prince Chu’s wife. The more you try to dissuade her, the fiercer her resistance will be. In the end, Xie Ruiyao may even come to despise you."

"But if she walks into a trap, she will despise me even more. I don’t want her to have regrets later on," Xie Ruotong said.

"Rest assured, Xie Ruiyao has no regrets, even at the moment of death," Ye Qichi stated bluntly.

Xie Ruotong found it even harder to comprehend.

Ye Qichi stopped explaining, patting Xie Ruotong’s shoulder, "You better worry less about these matters and think more about yourself. The Duke Mansion isn’t a small place, and your sudden return after so many years will inevitably lead to shifts in interests. Not everyone will welcome you, so be cautious."