After a while, the Dumb Slave came over but was stopped by Mo Chen. Seeing her gesturing frantically the action of scooping up rice, Song Guo instantly understood and spoke, "Alright, you go back first. I will inform our household about the Crown Prince and the Commandery Princess." The Dumb Slave respectfully nodded her head and stepped back a few steps before leaving. Song Guo saw that the Crown Prince and the Commandery Princess by the creek were still talking, so she stood still in her place. Mo Chen tapped the back of Song Guo’s arm with his hand, "Aren’t you going to tell them?" "Just wait a bit longer," Song Guo moved her elbow and tugged at Miao Zhu’s sleeve, "Let’s step back a little farther." Miao Zhu didn’t understand why, and Mo Chen was even more confused, but they still obediently followed Song Guo to a place where the bamboo was thicker. By the creek, Ye Yiheng was looking at Leng Yu Yan. One bowed their head slightly; the other looked up a little. "My birth was shameful and filthy, and my future is uncertain. Yanyan, are you truly ready to be with me?" When he uncovered the relationship between the Father Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and King Yong, as well as the circumstances of his own birth, he found himself despicable for quite some time. At that time, the Emperor had many women by his side, yet he still took his vassal brother’s fiancee. The incident from that year was well concealed; aside from a few elder court officials, hardly anyone was aware of it. In the streets, the common people were even more oblivious to this secret past. It must be said that the Emperor greatly cared about his reputation. Everyone said the Emperor was deeply in love – the Empress had passed away many years ago, and he never took another. However, the harem was never short of women, and the selection of beauties every three years never ceased. It was only in recent years, as the old man aged, that the selection stopped, but the covert gathering of women never ended. Ye Yiheng’s words made Leng Yu Yan’s heart ache; she hurriedly reached out to cover his lips. "Your Highness, please don’t say such things!" Throughout history, how many women desired by those in power have escaped the grip of Imperial power? Since he was wearing an eye veil, she couldn’t see the expression in his eyes and had to gaze upon his handsome face instead. Beneath the veil, Ye Yiheng’s deep eyes stirred slightly. Before him, her eyes still glistened with a mist of tears, her voice nasal with a sobbing tone, and crystal-clear tears hung on her lower lashes while a touch of vivid red tinted the corners of her eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head, pressing his lips to hers. Leng Yu Yan’s eyes widened; she wanted to push him away but just couldn’t find it in her heart to do so. At this moment, he needed her comfort the most. With this thought in mind, the hand resting on his chest slowly moved up, wrapping around his neck. Sensing her movements, Ye Yiheng’s lips curled slightly, one hand embracing her slender waist while the other cradled the back of her head, deepening their kiss. In a corner of the bamboo forest, Mo Chen exclaimed in surprise, "Song Guo, how on earth did you know this was going to happen?" Song Guo was quite proud, "This is what you call keen insight!" Miao Zhu covered her mouth and squealed softly, "It’s so beautiful! We’re not peeking through door cracks or window shadows this time, to actually witness it is truly rare." Mo Chen couldn’t help but fold his arms and nod, "Indeed, Ruofeng is missing out on this sight." At that moment, the pride on Song Guo’s face faded as he sighed, "If our Crown Prince were so diligent, wouldn’t the Commandery Princess have been with child long ago?" Upon hearing this, Miao Zhu jumped up and smacked Song Guo’s forehead. The sound was quite crisp. The bamboo forest was tranquil, and the sound carried clearly to Leng Yu Yan’s ears. Only then did she realize that Song Guo, Miao Zhu, and Mo Chen were standing guard not far away. Her face flushed red instantaneously, and she pushed someone in a fluster. Ye Yiheng spoke in a low voice, "There’s no need to be shy." Leng Yu Yan’s fingers curled slightly as she tried to steady her breathing, "My skin is not as thick as yours." Hearing this, Ye Yiheng suddenly burst into laughter. He laughed heartily, his chest heaving—a stark contrast to the sullen mood he carried upon entering the bamboo forest. Leng Yu Yan lowered her lashes, realizing she had been utterly bewitched. After hearing about his circumstances since birth, she had listened until she wept. Under the bright sun, she had complied with his public kiss. Even more shamelessly, it seemed she had even actively cooperated with him just now. Now recalling the details, Leng Yu Yan’s face burned unbearably. Ye Yiheng stretched out his hand to stroke her cheek, whispering softly, "There’s no need to be shy! Should I gouge out their eyes?" Panic flashed in Leng Yu Yan’s eyes, "Don’t!" Ye Yiheng’s lips curved into a slight smile as he called out to the dense part of the bamboo forest, "Come out." Song Guo and the others exchanged glances, trying to hide their smirks as they stepped to the side of the stream. "Did you all see it?" Ye Yiheng’s voice was cold and stern. The three shook their heads and then nodded, realizing they were mistaken, and quickly changed to two shaking heads and one nodding. "Pretend you saw nothing." While speaking, Ye Yiheng took Leng Yu Yan’s hand. It was then Song Guo stepped forward, "Your Highness, it’s time for the vegetarian meal in the bamboo house." They walked back to the bamboo house. The meal had already been prepared inside. Grand Princess Consort Wen spoke as they arrived, "Crown Prince, please enjoy your meal at leisure, I shall take my leave now." Ye Yiheng nodded indifferently. With the help of a Dumb Slave, Grand Princess Consort Wen left the bamboo house, and as she crossed the threshold, she turned to glance at Leng Yu Yan. Her expression was distant, with an obvious display of dislike. After the meal in the bamboo forest, Ye Yiheng’s party set off to depart. In the horse carriage, Leng Yu Yan said softly, "Grand Princess Consort Wen doesn’t like me. Bringing me here has displeased her." "I like you, and that’s all that matters!" Ye Yiheng’s voice was clear and cold, "Yanyan needn’t mind her." Leng Yu Yan, puzzled, said, "Ah? She is said to be your elder, this..." "She’s the mother of King Yong. Nominally she is my elder, but in reality, she has little to do with me. Placing her in the bamboo forest is merely fulfilling King Yong’s request." He paused, then added, "She doesn’t like me either." "Then, why did you bring me to the bamboo forest?" He explained, "Today’s visit wasn’t to let her know that I’m to wed you, but for you to understand my background." Meeting King Yong’s mother made it clearer to recall his childhood memories. At the age of five, the Empress Dowager met with King Yong in the Imperial Garden. He was present then; as a child, he saw the kind of look the Empress Dowager gave King Yong. It was a warm look filled with sentiments he couldn’t understand at his tender age. It was then when she noticed him peeking from behind the bushes, her look at him different from that to King Yong, filled with disdain and loathing... As if regretting not having smothered him at birth. That was when he seemed to understand why he was an unloved Prince. It was also on that day, during a meal, when the Father Emperor deliberately brought him in front of Grand Princess Consort Wen and King Yong. King Yong looked at him with surprise and bewilderment, but what he could never forget was Grand Princess Consort Wen’s contemptuous gaze. The expressions of everyone that day were etched into his memory. Now it was fine; no matter how much Grand Princess Consort Wen despised him, she still had to rely on him to live. Leng Yu Yan nodded, "The bamboo forest is indeed a serene place for conversation." Ye Yiheng touched her face with his fingertip and, with the other hand, removed her eye veil, gazing deeply into her eyes, "Just remember, with me by your side, you need not worry about anyone else." Leng Yu Yan smiled radiantly, "I didn’t eat much just now; I’m not full." His fingertip pressed upon her lips, "Neither am I full..." His implication was clear.