In a restaurant.

At a window-side table on the second floor, a large spread of fish and meat was set before them.

Ye Ying’er sat nervously, trembling slightly, too afraid to move in her seat.

“Please, eat,” said Ye Chuan, sitting at the main seat. He smiled and casually took out a pair of mandarin duck jade pendants from his pocket, holding one in his hand and playing with it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ye Ying’er saw the jade pendant. She trembled, quickly lowering her head, her face full of guilt. Her reaction did not escape Ye Chuan’s notice.

At the same time, at another table not far away, a handsome young man with rosy lips and white teeth, looking exceptionally refined, was eating. Beside him was a delicate servant.

“Princess, look!” the servant suddenly exclaimed in surprise, pointing at Ye Chuan’s table, her eyes wide in shock.

Slap!

The young man lifted his delicate hand and gently tapped the servant on the head, scolding her, “How many times have I told you? Call me Young Master Xia!”

“Father Emperor went out in plain clothes today, I don’t know what he’s up to, and we snuck out. We mustn’t get caught!”

“Yes, yes, Young Master Xia, I momentarily forgot. Hehe…” The servant scratched her head, looking playful.

“You!” Young Master Xia gently tapped the servant’s head in a teasing manner. “Go on, tell me, why are you so surprised?”

“Young Master, look over there! The man is holding…” The servant quickly regained her focus and lowered her voice, urgently pointing at Ye Chuan’s table.

Young Master Xia turned his head, and his eyes widened in surprise. He immediately took out a jade pendant from his pocket, identical to the one in Ye Chuan’s hand—except the mandarin duck heads were flipped, one to the left and the other to the right!

“My heavens, Young Master, could it be him… Is that Ye Daren’s son?” The servant blinked and hesitated. “It seems like the marriage your mother arranged for you is truly fate’s will! What a coincidence!”

“Nonsense!” Young Master Xia’s face flushed, and he shot a glare at the servant, quickly putting the jade pendant away. “My mother said I should choose for myself. I won’t just marry any cat or dog!”

“But Young Master, that man… he’s very handsome!” The servant sighed dreamily, eyeing Ye Chuan from a distance.

Young Master Xia also glanced at Ye Chuan. Indeed, he was quite handsome.

He had striking features, sharp angles, and a sense of masculinity—not like those pampered young masters who were all too familiar with a life of indulgence and elegance.

Young Master Xia’s face reddened again.

“Young Master, shall we… go over and say something? We should at least get to know his character!” The servant coaxed, eager for gossip.

“Shut up!” Young Master Xia was a little embarrassed but thought for a moment, biting his red lips. “Let’s move to another table, closer to them, and listen in first.”

…

Ye Chuan, however, was completely unaware of the events unfolding at the other table. Seeing the pendant in his hand had caused a reaction, he smiled softly, deciding to test the waters further. “Ying’er, no need to be so tense. Eat, please. I remember, my mother was the same way. She saw you were pitiful and gave you a meal, and then took you in.”

Ye Ying’er shuddered once more, gripping the hem of her skirt tightly, her teeth clenched on her lip, and her thin face filled with internal struggle and guilt. Her eyes began to well up.

This girl…

Ye Chuan sighed lightly, then suddenly changed his tone, laughing. “But I don’t have the ability my mother did to adopt you. You know, my family can’t tolerate me, so I ran away. I don’t even know where my next meal will come from.”

Ye Ying’er remained silent, her head lowered.

“But luck has a way of finding a way. At least you’ve remembered me and are willing to take care of me,” Ye Chuan said casually. “I was thinking… once you’ve eaten, I’ll find you a good family to take you in.”

“This way, you won’t have to suffer with me, and you can live a better life. Meanwhile, I’ll receive some money to take care of myself for a while.”

“Hehe, I’m thinking pretty well, aren’t I? It’s the least you can do to repay my mother’s kindness to you.”

After hearing this, Ye Ying’er shook violently. She looked up at Ye Chuan in disbelief. “Third Young Master, I… I can’t…”

“Can’t? Why not?” Ye Chuan’s expression darkened instantly, his voice low, his eyes sharp as he stared at Ye Ying’er.

Ye Ying’er couldn’t bear his gaze for even a moment, and her heart raced with fear. She lowered her head again, feeling like she might suffocate.

“Beast!”

Before Ye Chuan could react, the voice of a young man from another table rose angrily.

A handsome young man stood up, glaring at Ye Chuan with contempt and disgust in his eyes.

Ye Chuan blinked, looking around in confusion. He pointed at himself. “Brother, are you talking about me?”

Young Master Xia’s anger had reached its limit. He had never expected that the son of Ye Daren, a grand official, could be such a heartless person!

From the conversation between Ye Chuan and Ye Ying’er, Young Master Xia quickly understood their relationship. This Ye Chuan must have defied his father and run away from home. The poor girl, so loyal and devoted, had followed him to take care of him. Yet, he was planning to sell her for money!

What kind of human being would do such a thing?

If this was the kind of man she was meant to marry, it would be better for her to die!

Fuming, Young Master Xia rushed to Ye Ying’er, grabbing her frail arm. “Little sister, come with me! This kind of person is not worth your loyalty!”

Ye Ying’er stood frozen, not understanding where this person had come from.

Ye Chuan, on the other hand, already understood most of what had happened. He found it amusing.

There were still some good-hearted people who liked to act as heroes. But he had no intention of explaining himself, nor did he want to interfere.

From Young Master Xia’s attire, it was clear he was rich and likely of high status, and he seemed to have a kind heart. If Ye Ying’er went with him, it would be far better than staying with Ye Chuan.

Although he guessed that Ye Ying’er’s intentions might not be pure, it was probably because she had been forced into this situation, and he couldn’t bring himself to make her suffer further.

After Ye Ying’er was dragged away by Young Master Xia, she suddenly regained her senses. She shouted, “Young Master, please let me go, I… I can’t leave Third Young Master…”

She firmly broke free from Young Master Xia’s grip and walked back to stand behind Ye Chuan, trembling.

Young Master Xia was stunned for a moment and almost laughed in disbelief. He stared at Ye Ying’er, “You’re still going to follow this kind of person?”

Ye Ying’er shook as she lowered her head, her eyes moistening. “Thank you for your kindness, Young Master. My Third Young Master has always been good to me. You’ve misunderstood. I cannot leave him…”

At this point, other diners upstairs had gathered around to watch the scene unfold. The crowd began to murmur.

“Mind your own business! This is their private matter!” someone said.

“Exactly! It’s just a servant. Which family in the capital hasn’t sold servants? What’s this person doing, getting involved in other people’s family matters?” another person commented.

Young Master Xia stood there, frozen in place, his face pale with anger.

To be fair, they were right. Buying and selling servants was a common practice. But this was different—he was the one who was promised to her in marriage!

He couldn’t tolerate the thought of marrying a man like this!

“Young Master, let’s go…” The servant, anxious, pulled at Young Master Xia’s sleeve.

Suppressing his fury, Young Master Xia glared one last time at Ye Chuan, turned, and left, his robes sweeping dramatically. Once back at the palace, he would report to his father. There was no way someone like Ye Chuan would ever become his husband!

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