Chapter 601: Chapter 601 Method in the Book Not only that, the scenes in the painting were so lifelike that they seemed about to move… A strange noise seemed to echo in Ye Yiheng’s ears while his legs were as if nailed to the ground, immobile. Leng Yu Yan’s pupils trembled with shock, intending to close the book, but her hands were caught by him, unable to struggle free. Her struggles snapped Ye Yiheng out of his shock, and he quickly regained his composure, forcefully closing the book with his distinctively jointed hands. In an instant, a suspicious blush spread across his cold and handsome face, following the delicate line of his jaw down to his neck, and the hand grasping Leng Yu Yan’s suddenly tightened even more. That hand, which had opened and then closed the book, felt numb and out of place. Clenching his fist hard did no good, so he moved it behind his back and calmed it down by channeling Inner Strength into his palm. It was less about calming his hand and more about calming himself. Leng Yu Yan’s hands were still in his grasp, their wrists pressed together in a faint, painful throbbing. She watched his face shift through indiscernible emotions, a mixture of embarrassment and anger, leaving her speechless for a long moment before she managed to stammer, “Your Highness, I told you that you would…” After composing himself for a moment, Ye Yiheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably before asking in a rough voice, “Where did this book come from?” “It all came from my mother, along with the makeup box. Mother said she meant to give it to me before the wedding,” Leng Yu Yan observed his expression carefully while she spoke slowly. Seeing his face settle into calmness, she couldn’t help but complain, “It’s all Nanny Xi’s fault, spouting nonsense. She said I interrupted my brother and sister-in-law on their wedding night—nonsense!” “They rambled such things to mother, and only then did she find me and give me this box. As for Ah Ju throwing out the gifts, that was true, but not because she was angry with me. It was because of the screen, which was a gift from Ye Zhenxian.” “And more!” Leng Yu Yan’s voice suddenly rose in pitch, “With Nanny Xi making up such tales, do I look like someone who has no shame? When this gets out, claiming I have strange habits, where will I put my face? I must go find Nanny Xi!” Ye Yiheng’s throat felt dry; he cleared it with a cough, trying to conceal his discomfort, “They have already returned to the palace.” “Then I will find them in the palace,” Leng Yu Yan wriggled her hands free, rubbing her reddened wrists, “If this spreads there, how humiliating will it be for me?” Ye Yiheng held her by the shoulders, speaking gently, “I knew about Nanny Xi’s complaint before they returned to the palace. I have already ordered them not to slander you in any way.” “So you mean, they won’t spread rumors about me in the palace?” “Mhm, they should fear my methods.” Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan released a long sigh of relief. Yet in an instant, she was still furious, “Do people in the palace always gossip ? Seeing just a glimpse and letting their imaginations run wild…” Even though it was technically true that she had interrupted her brother and sister-in-law’s intimacy, it was out of concern! The gravity of the situation needed to be considered. Leng Yu Yan fumed, feeling her scalp tighten under someone’s gaze, and cautiously said, “I had no intention of showing you these books; you insisted. If your pride is hurt after seeing them, that’s not my fault.” “And let me tell you, mother didn’t know about your hidden ailment, so she prepared this Fire Escape Map. You can’t blame her; it’s common for mothers to give these kinds of things when their daughters marry—there’s no need to overreact.” What shocked her was, weren’t the legendary maps just supposed to be a thin volume? Why was the one her mother found so thick, and two at that? The most critical point was that the illustrations in the book were too detailed, so much so that she couldn’t bear to look. Ye Yiheng suddenly burst into a violent fit of coughing upon hearing her words. His chest heaved fiercely as he couldn’t stop coughing for a long time. Leng Yu Yan reached out to pat his back, helping to ease his breath, “Your Highness, perhaps you should rinse your eyes? It’s truly the book’s fault for sullying your eyes.” She mustn’t be blamed for it! “No need to wash.” Ye Yiheng composed himself, his voice hoarse after a moment, “Mother-in-law has the best intentions, I won’t blame her.” He was grateful to his mother-in-law, more than he could express! Leng Yu Yan rewrapped the two thick volumes in red silk, murmuring softly, “In her eyes, Your Highness, you are perfect in every way.” How heartbroken would she be if she knew her son-in-law was deemed less than a man? Most likely, she would be the first to insist on a divorce. “Oh, and how am I perfect?” Ye Yiheng’s brows twitched slightly. “Probably because of Your Highness’s status as the Crown Prince and Your Highness’s appearance,” Leng Yu Yan let out a light laugh, her gaze falling on the red silk bundle as she muttered, “Mother even suggested studying and learning with someone, that’s just like her!” She had thought that last remark was only for her own ears, grossly underestimating the other person’s hearing. Ye Yiheng’s ears twitched, and he coughed into his fist once more. Leng Yu Yan had already re-stowed the red silk bundle at the bottom of the makeup box: “I need to find a place to hide these. Such items are just too hot to handle.” His reaction just then had truly startled her, for she feared it might have wounded his pride and made him angry. Yet, to her surprise, he recovered his composure remarkably quickly, not only refraining from blame but even now finding leisure to quibble with her. Suddenly, he said in a cool voice, “You can hide them, but make sure not to hide them so well that even you can’t find them.” How would she take these items to the Eastern Palace then? “Ah?” Leng Yu Yan laughed, “Right, there are still many gold bars inside the makeup box, best not to hide it too thoroughly.” Ye Yiheng turned his head, looking out the window. That woman’s opinion of him was deeply ingrained; she couldn’t even detect the implicit meaning in his words. Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard her speaking to herself: “Maybe I should give these books to Ah Ju, or Lai Jiajia would do, too, since I won’t be needing them. This makeup box is so exquisitely crafted; it’s pleasing just to have it on the dressing table.” “Leng Yu Yan,” he called her by name. Startled by his voice, Leng Yu Yan turned to look at him, “Why do You call me like that, Your Highness?” It was quite startling. “Ah Ju has already been provided for in the palace, and Lai Jiajia has her own mother,” Ye Yiheng pressed at his forehead, avoiding merging his gaze with hers, “I have a good friend who is getting married; they are without mothers. Give me these books, and I’ll pass them on for you.” “Really? Are you not jesting with me?” Leng Yu Yan’s eyebrows furrowed slightly; had he heard her muttering? “Why would I deceive you?” Ye Yiheng smiled coldly, opening the makeup box and taking out the two books, “Such treasures should go to those in need, wouldn’t you agree?” Leng Yu Yan nodded, “You are right, but these were carefully prepared by my mother. I don’t want to waste her kindness; giving them away just like that seems inappropriate.” “There is nothing inappropriate,” Ye Yiheng reasoned, “I’ll buy them from you.” Leng Yu Yan shook her head, “No, that’s not acceptable. I can’t just give away or sell my mother’s sentiments. Although we have no use for the books, I’ll treasure them.” Hearing that she would treasure them, Ye Yiheng’s goal was achieved, so he no longer teased her. Then, recalling her latter remark, Ye Yiheng took her chin in his hand, his voice teasingly wicked, “There are different methods within the books, how could we not make use of them?”