Chapter 65: Saving the Aloof Crown Prince 16

Xiao Su lifted his eyes calmly, looking at the standing Yun Yihe.

"If the Eldest Prince has any objections to how I manage those beneath me, he can go ask Father for an edict and let him take this Crown Prince's position—how about that?"

Xiao Mi's eyes widened suddenly; she still feared the Yongshun Emperor after all.

Xiao Yunye, however, was unconvinced, saying, "Enough, don't think I don't know what scheme you're hatching."

He had Yun Yihe sit down.

Xiao Su, however, at this moment suddenly smashed the teacup in his hand onto the ground, his expression icy cold.

"Eldest Prince, you really have a big face—I haven't even said I'd spare Yun Yihe, yet you had her sit down first."

Yun Yihe trembled all over from fright and instinctively knelt on the ground.

How did she become so overconfident…?

Even if Xiao Su falls out of favor, he is still the Crown Prince.

Yun Yihe bit her lower lip tightly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this subject knows her fault, this subject did not do it intentionally…"

"You know your fault?" Xiao Su's gaze toward her held no warmth.

"Li You."

Li You immediately stepped out from behind him, "Your subordinate is here."

"Since the Second Miss of the Yun family doesn't understand etiquette, take her to kneel outside the pavilion so I can see how sincere her apology is."

"Yes!"

"You dare!"

Xiao Yunye angrily rose to his feet, feeling that Xiao Su had slapped his face, "Have you lost your mind today? Why such a temper?!"

Xiao Su: "What do I have to fear, or is the Eldest Prince interested in the Second Miss of the Yun family, wanting to play hero and save the beauty?"

"Unreasonable!"

Xiao Yunye flicked his sleeve, preparing to help Yun Yihe up; he still needed Yun Yihe to obtain Yun Jianan's bracelet, so he could not stand by indifferently.

He brushed past Jin Chen, who stood to Xiao Su's side-rear.

His neck suddenly twinged; he frowned and looked around, thinking it was some small insect, so he paid it no mind.

Jin Chen put the porcelain bottle into his sleeve and gave Xiao Su a slight nod.

Xiao Su curled his lips, no longer bothering about it.

No one saw their interaction.

Yun Yihe returned to the table again, this time behaving much more obediently.

The six, each with their own thoughts, drank tea for a while; Xiao Yunye glanced at the jade bracelet on Yun Jianan's wrist, knowing this was the female lead's treasure space from the original story.

Xiao Yunye cleared his throat and proposed, "The weather is still fine today; I've summoned some good horses nearby—Second Imperial Brother, why don't you accompany me for a ride?"

Xiao Zhuoxian thought it over and did not refuse.

He turned to Yun Jianan beside him and said gently, "You can stay here to enjoy the scenery; I'll be back soon."

Yun Jianan smiled faintly, "All right, you be careful too."

Xiao Zhuoxian then looked toward Xiao Su, "Younger Brother, would you like to come along?"

Xiao Su shook his head, brushed his forehead, "Elder Brother, go ahead; with my frail body, how could I gallop on horseback?"

He poured another cup of tea, and while setting the pot down, he whispered to Xiao Zhuoxian, "Elder Brother, be careful—don't go into the woods thick with banyan trees."

Xiao Zhuoxian was slightly surprised, nodded, rose, and followed Xiao Yunye away.

Xiao Su watched Yun Yihe's restless appearance, knowing that with him present she would not dare to speak up for the bracelet.

He then rose as well, "I'll go for a walk."

Yun Yihe let out a breath of relief.

Jin Chen followed behind Xiao Su, eyes scanning all directions, very cautious.

【July 31, pay more attention to Xiao Yunye's side.】

【Understood!】

Jin Chen looked at the remaining good horse, "Su treasure, would you like to ride it to see the scenery?"

Xiao Su looked back, his long hair lifted by the wind.

"I'm afraid that after returning, I'll have to recuperate in bed again."

His tone carried a hint of regret.

Jin Chen felt a faint ache in his heart, gently taking Xiao Su's hand, "Don't fear; I will protect you and keep you from catching a chill."

"Really?"

Xiao Su's phoenix eyes brightened slightly, his heart fluttering with excitement.

He naturally had thought of it; from childhood onward he had never ridden a horse himself, and even as a child he remembered his uncle saying that the males of the Li family were just as delicate as him.

It's just a pity that his uncle no longer has the chance to teach him riding, and he also has no chance to learn again.

Xiao Su shook Jin Chen's arm, "I want to."

"Then ride."

Jin Chen untied the horse's tether from the tree trunk, then had Li You fetch the fox-fur greatcoat he had prepared from the carriage.

He swung onto the horse and reached out to Xiao Su, "Su treasure, give me your hand."

Xiao Su smiled, pursing his lips, and with Jin Chen's help sat upon the horse's back, leaning against Jin Chen's chest.

"Are you afraid?"

In this posture, if Jin Chen lowered his head slightly, he could just as well speak into Xiao Su's ear.

"With you here, I'm not afraid."

Xiao Su spoke softly, the smile at the corners of his lips growing ever larger.

Jin Chen chuckled low, pulling Xiao Su in front of him; one arm slipped around his waist to seize the reins, and he draped the fox‑fur greatcoat back over Xiao Su's chest, exposing only his delicate cheek.

He then exerted force with the arm holding the reins, lifting his calf against the belly of the fine horse.

The horse beneath him immediately galloped forward.

Ahead was the wind blowing in his face and the ever‑retreating scenery; behind him was Jin Chen's warm, sturdy chest.

Xiao Su felt he had never been so exhilarated before.

His grin grew wider, his mood quite pleased.

——

After the three princes had departed, Yun Yihe chatted with Xiao Mi while pondering how to obtain the bracelet from Yun Jiannan.

If it were an ordinary item, asking for it would be fine, but the Eldest Prince said this object is not ordinary—it demands utmost caution, and one must surely get it into one's hand.

She thought to herself, this matter probably still requires the Eldest Princess's help.

Having thought of a plan, Yun Yihe immediately put it into action.

"I've heard the Second Prince brought sister many precious gifts; may I, younger sister, ask sister for a bracelet?"

Yun Jiannan lowered her eyes, finishing the remaining tea in her cup.

Indeed, just as Zhuo Xian had said, today Yun Yihe would come to her asking for something.

Only, I don't know what ill intentions this concubine‑born younger sister harbors.

Her expression showed a hint of shyness: "As you said, sister, these items and jewelry were all gifts from the Second Prince; how could I, as sister, dare to give them away lightly?"

Yun Yihe gritted her teeth, yet the smile on her face did not lessen at all.

"Look at what you're saying, sister—the Second Prince is so affectionate toward you; why would he care about these things? Given to you, they naturally belong to you."

"Perhaps you're just reluctant to part with them?"

Xiao Mi snorted, "What the Second Prince gave you, he naturally won't take back; Eldest Miss Yun, how can you be so unreasonable?"

She knew her own brother seemed to have feelings for Yun Yihe, so she would naturally chime in.

"Eldest Princess, you overpraise me; I don't know what you'd like."

Yun Jiannan asked with a light smile, her demeanor gentle and tranquil, not at all flustered by Xiao Mi's words.

"Since we happen to be together today, sister, why not give me the bracelet on your wrist?"

Xiao Mi glanced at it; the appearance was decent, but rather ordinary, not top‑notch.

Yun Jiannan's expression changed.

She covered her wrist, biting her lip shyly.

"This… this won't do; this jade bracelet was a gift he personally gave me at the lantern festival with the Second Prince, and it holds a different meaning for me."

Xiao Mi frowned, "That's indeed different."

She looked at Yun Yihe, "What do you want from her? Doesn't the Minister's Residence storehouse have anything else?"

Yun Jiannan curled her lips, "Of course there is; since you want it, younger sister, I will surely give it to you."

She realized in her heart, Yun Yihe's target is probably that jade bracelet.