Chapter 206: Can't Hold Back

The Crown Prince Residence sprawls over a vast area; from the outside it looks resplendent and grand, and inside the artificial rockery paths, the pavilion garden, the renovations are especially exquisite and luxurious—every spot showcases the Crown Prince's transcendent status.

In the Houhuayuan, Dongfang Qingxuan had already ordered the staff to set out fine wine and delicacies.

"Is the medicine ready?"

Cai Cheng nodded, smiling, "Since Miss Ye still harbors feelings for you, Crown Prince, when the flowers bloom and the moon shines, everything will fall into place. The medicine being ready is just to add to the mood!"

Dongfang Qingxuan gave a Wild laugh.

Before long, several noble young masters arrived one after another, one of whom was Dongfang Xuan.

Besides Dongfang Xuan, his younger brother, the other young masters are all good friends of Dongfang Qingxuan. In the past, Dongfang Qingxuan would also invite Xiao Feng and Gu Dongliu. But now Xiao Feng has been expelled from the Xiao Family's genealogy, so he no longer has the right to associate with him. As for Gu Dongliu, he is now on good terms with Ye Qingran, so today he absolutely would not be summoned to ruin Dongfang Qingxuan's plans.

"Little brother, I hereby wish the elder brother may win a beauty!"

Dongfang Xuan smiled rather lecherously. Though he disliked Ye Qingran, he could not deny that her beauty was peerless. Since the elder brother liked her, why not sleep with her? She was just a Fickle Woman; when the elder brother grew tired of her, he wouldn't mind picking her up for a few days.

After Dongfang Xuan, Dongfang Qingxuan's other friends were also full of anticipation for tonight's events. They all knew before arriving that Dongfang Qingxuan intended to favor Ye Qingran this evening.

Dongfang Qingxuan twitched his eyebrows, warning solemnly, "Watch your words then; Ye Qingran is not the same as before. If any remark offends her and makes my efforts go down the drain, I won't be done with you."

The others each pledged they would be cautious in speech and conduct.

After a while, a servant reported that Ye Qingran had arrived; Dongfang Qingxuan's eyes lit up, and he ordered someone to invite her. Soon, Ye Qingran arrived at the Houhuayuan accompanied by Han Xing. She saw the garden in full bloom, fine wine and delicacies already prepared, several young masters chatting merrily, and a faint scent drifting in the air. Ye Qingran's eyes flickered slightly, and the corners of her lips lifted faintly.

Seeing this, Dongfang Qingxuan thought she was pleased with the preparations for tonight's banquet.

"Ran'er, you're here." Dongfang Qingxuan stood up, flashing a handsome smile.

Today he wore a splendid brocade robe, a purple‑golden hair crown atop his head, which made his face look like a jeweled crown, his bearing like dragon and phoenix, exuding a uniquely dazzling and noble elegance.

Ye Qingran halted her steps, "Crown Prince, please stop addressing me that way; after all, we no longer have any relationship."

Ye Qingran's tone was cold and firm, tinged with a faint detachment, and after speaking she lowered her gaze slightly.

This reaction, in Dongfang Qingxuan's eyes, seemed more like a game of playing hard to get.

His smile deepened as he scrutinized the beauty before him.

She made no special effort to dress, as usual—always a plain, unadorned look—but her innate beauty and graceful bearing were undeniable; when she stood there, she exuded a slender, elegant poise, her icy skin flawless, shimmering under the moonlight, looking as if a celestial maiden stepped out of a painting, a single glance could topple a city.

Dongfang Qingxuan was momentarily stunned, and a flame of desire flared brighter within him.

Not only Dongfang Qingxuan, but the other young masters were also left staring dumbfounded.

They prided themselves as dashing figures, claiming to have seen every kind of beauty; yet upon seeing Ye Qingran today, they realized what a truly unparalleled beauty was.

They couldn't help but envy Dongfang Qingxuan, who would have such a beauty for a single night this evening…

Ye Huanhuan learned of this news just before the banquet was about to begin.

She, furious, smashed the items in the room haphazardly, her face twisted with jealous hatred.

Zhao Shi, upon hearing the news, rushed over; after hearing Ye Huanhuan say that the Crown Prince had secretly invited Ye Qingran to the Crown Prince Residence for a banquet, his anger flared instantly.

"That shameless Fox Spirit, just like her mother! If it hadn't been that wretched Yun Sui Feng who stole the one I loved back then, would I have become a concubine for so many years?"

Ye Huanhuan was stunned, not knowing such a story existed back then. But she now had no time to consider it; her mind was filled with images of Ye Qingran's secret rendezvous with Dongfang Qingxuan, their illicit moments together!

"Mother, what should I do?"

"What else can you do? Of course you must catch the adulterer! The Mid‑Autumn Festival is upon us, and after it you and the Crown Prince will hold your wedding; how can you let that shameless Fox Spirit, Ye Qingran, ruin your happiness?!"

Ye Huanhuan thought that made sense. She and the Crown Prince were about to marry, and at this crucial moment she could not let Ye Qingran cause trouble!

If Ye Qingran were to become involved with the Crown Prince and then appeal before His Majesty, and His Majesty, recalling General Yun's favor, agreed to make Ye Qingran the Crown Princess, what could she do?

She absolutely could not allow that to happen!

Ye Huanhuan no longer had any hesitation; she made up her mind and strode out.

After Ye Huanhuan left, Zhao Shi frowned, his face grim, and said, "No, I must find some people to go to the Crown Prince Residence and show everyone how Ye Qingran lures men!"

"Ran'er, the relationship between us isn't so simple that it can be cut off so easily," Dongfang Qingxuan curled his lip in a low smile, his voice deep and tinged with ambiguity.

After finishing, Dongfang Qingxuan, disregarding Ye Qingran's reaction, led her to a seat. Her seat was right beside him.

As soon as she sat down, Dongfang Xuan's gaze swept over with ill intent.

"Ye Qingran, we've all downed this cup of wine; shall we let the past be bygones?"

Dongfang Xuan raised his cup, half‑smiling, half‑frowning, with hidden currents swirling in his eyes.

Ye Qingran seemed not to hear him at all, giving Dongfang Xuan no response.

"Ye Qingran, are you deaf?" The ignored Dongfang Xuan's expression suddenly darkened, and his voice grew husky.

"Oh, it's actually the Seventh Prince, I thought a dog was barking earlier. Sorry, what did you say just now?"

Ye Qingran turned her face aside, her beautiful eyes full of innocence.

"You!"

"Royal brother!"

Dongfang Xuan slammed his cup onto the table with force, ready to strike the table and rise, but Dongfang Qingxuan stopped him in time.

Dongfang Qingxuan's gaze was especially sharp, snapping Dongfang Xuan to his senses.

He glared fiercely at Ye Qingran, then reluctantly sat down, his mind viciously plotting that once the elder brother grew bored, he would torment Ye Qingran to death to avenge his grudge.

Dongfang Qingxuan poured Ye Qingran a drink and glanced at the hand resting on the rosewood desk. He saw a pale wrist like frozen snow, five slender, beautifully bone‑structured fingers, skin like a priceless jade, emitting a luminous white glow.

For a moment, Dongfang Qingxuan felt his mouth dry.

He couldn't believe that just Ye Qingran's pair of hands could be so beautiful as to make one unable to hold back!

If it were these hands…

Just thinking of it made Dongfang Qingxuan's blood boil and his lower belly tighten.