510: Doing a favor

"What's more, you only achieved your Breakthrough because of this Prince. With Emperor Taian's narrow-mindedness, how could he possibly let me off?"

"Even without your Breakthrough, as long as your Ye Family has even the slightest connection with this Prince, it gives Emperor Taian a reason to act."

"Emperor Taian is a man who seeks revenge for the smallest grievance; he won't allow anyone who could threaten him to remain by his side."

"Back then, he even wanted to kill Eternal Life Li, the Protector of the Realm. What else would he not dare to do?" Duan Zhengchun's attitude was surprisingly calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"Father, he's right. Now, we have no way back."

"This guy, from the moment he first contacted me, he had already anticipated this step."

"We've been calculated by him from the start. Now there's only one path to follow to the end," Ye Ruoyi said helplessly.

When her gaze turned toward Duan Zhengchun, it carried a hint of resentment.

This bastard really had no good intentions. He wanted to use this point to force her to agree to marry him.

Even so, if you can't cure my illness, don't even think about me marrying you. This is the consequence of your deception and schemes.

"Lady Ye, don't look at me with those eyes."

"I didn't think of this at first. It was only after meeting Lady Ye and understanding General Ye's character that I thought of this."

"However, even without this matter, this Prince appearing in Snow Moon City and contacting Lady Ye..."

"Based on that alone, with Emperor Taian's suspicious nature, he would suspect that you are connected to this Prince."

"To avoid involving the innocent, this Prince could only go with the flow. As it happens, I couldn't find a suitable candidate."

"Although your father is a military officer and can't compare to those civil officials when it comes to using his brain, aren't you here?"

"With you as the strategist, plus this Prince, no one will dare touch your father's throne," Duan Zhengchun explained with a smile.

"I imagine Your Highness's initial choice wasn't my father, right?"

"In Snow Moon City, there are quite a few people more suitable than my father," Ye Ruoyi said, looking at Duan Zhengchun with a cold expression.

"Mm, true. Initially, I planned to let someone from the Lei Family or the Li family become the emperor."

"However, Li Hanyi was unwilling."

"As for another reason... hehe... it's naturally because General Ye sired such a fine daughter."

"It can't be helped. Whether it's Lady Ye's appearance or figure, they both perfectly hit this Prince's aesthetic preferences."

"So, rather than letting someone else benefit, I might as well do a favor that costs me nothing."

"As for refusal, I think General Ye won't refuse this Prince's proposal now, will he?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Ye Ruoyi with a thick-skinned smile.

"You... bastard..."

Ye Ruoyi gnashed her teeth in anger. If she weren't unable to beat Duan Zhengchun, she would definitely give this guy a thrashing.

"Oh, isn't it said that 'a fair maiden is a gentleman's good match'?"

"Besides, only by following this Prince can you recover your health. No one else has a way to make you healthy again."

"Do you really want to wither away and die at the age of twenty?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Ye Ruoyi with a wicked grin.

"Can you really cure me?" Ye Ruoyi frowned as she looked at Duan Zhengchun.

Although Duan Zhengchun was very powerful, she still didn't quite believe he could truly cure her chronic ailment.

She always felt he was just lusting after her body and used this method to scheme against her and the Ye Family.

Now, the Ye Family was already tied to him; it was impossible to separate.

Regret was useless now. She could only hope Duan Zhengchun could truly do as he said—replace the emperor of Northern Li.

And cure her chronic ailment.

"Hmph, you'd better keep your word. Otherwise, even if I become a ghost, I won't let you off." Ye Ruoyi made a threatening gesture toward Duan Zhengchun.

However, her gesture made Duan Zhengchun feel she was being somewhat fierce yet cute. Seeing this, Duan Zhengchun subconsciously reached out to pinch her bouncy, pretty face.

"Ah! You... what are you doing? You lecher!" Ye Ruoyi's face flushed crimson as she looked at Duan Zhengchun in shock.

She hadn't expected Duan Zhengchun to be so bold as to perform such a frivolous act right in front of her father.

"Sorry, you looked too cute, so I couldn't help but give it a pinch."

He spoke words of apology, but his expression didn't show the slightest hint of regret.

"You..."

"Alright, Yiyi, let's not talk about this for now. Word of what happened here will soon reach the Emperor's ears. What do we do now?" Ye Xiaoying looked at Duan Zhengchun with a serious expression.

Now, the Ye Family had reached a critical moment of life and death; they must not offend Duan Zhengchun, otherwise, the Ye Family would truly be finished.

"Emperor Taian's imperial decree is already on its way. For now, there's no need to do anything. Let's see what Emperor Taian intends to do."

"We'll just beat him at his own game. Don't worry, with this Prince here, nothing will go wrong," Duan Zhengchun said, looking at Ye Xiaoying with confidence.

Hearing that Duan Zhengchun had no intention of abandoning the Ye Family, Ye Xiaoying immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

With Duan Zhengchun as a powerful backer, even if Emperor Taian wanted to move against the Ye Family, he would have to think twice.

"Haha, with those words from Your Highness, I am at ease."

At this moment, a flurry of hurried footsteps rang out.

Ye Xiaoying looked toward the door. Sure enough, the newcomers were from the palace.

"The imperial decree has arrived! General Ye, receive the decree!"

Ye Xiaoying's expression changed, but he didn't say anything. He also wanted to see what Emperor Taian planned to do.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Ye Xiaoying is summoned to the palace for an audience with the Emperor to discuss border matters. Depart immediately. This is the Emperor's command."

Hearing the content, Ye Xiaoying instinctively looked toward where Duan Zhengchun had been, only to find that Duan Zhengchun had vanished at some unknown time.

At this, Ye Xiaoying's heart suddenly felt a bit uncertain.

However, things had already reached the point of no return; he could only brace himself and receive the decree.

"This subject receives the decree."

"General Ye, when I came, His Majesty specifically instructed that General Ye should depart as soon as possible. The border matters are urgent and cannot be delayed."

"Yes, I will depart immediately," Ye Xiaoying agreed with a blank expression.

After the eunuch delivering the decree left, Ye Ruoyi came to her father's side.

"Father, are you really going to the palace for an audience with the Emperor?" Ye Ruoyi looked at her father with concern.

"In the current situation, there is no room for maneuver."

"We can only do as His Highness said—beat him at his own game and see what Emperor Taian wants to do."

"We can only take a gamble this time. If we win, all will be well, and my Ye Family will reach unprecedented heights of glory."

"If we lose... don't worry. Even if we lose, I will find a way for His Highness to protect you," Ye Xiaoying said softly, looking at his daughter.

"Father..."

Ye Ruoyi knew her father wasn't lying. She could only place her hopes on Duan Zhengchun now.

This feeling of the situation spiraling out of control made her very unhappy.

But there was absolutely nothing she could do. In front of Duan Zhengchun, she felt restricted at every turn.

This was the first time in her life she felt useless; when her family faced a difficult problem, she actually had no way to help.

It all stemmed from her lack of strength. If she were strong enough, things wouldn't have turned out like this.