Chapter 697: Chapter 697: Urgently Needing to Cool Down Following that, he bent over her. Leng Yu Yan found herself pressed against the desk, her back flat against it, her hands flailing and pushing against his chest in panic. But the man’s weight was overpowering, and she couldn’t escape; instead, she found herself pinned beneath him, her arms folded awkwardly. “Your Highness, what do you intend to do?” Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her beautiful eyes were like those of a startled deer, shrouded in a layer of mist. Her long, waterfall-like hair spread out across the desk, some strands dangling over the edge. Her heart felt just as vulnerable and unsupported as her hair at this moment. The man seemed infinitely patient, kissing her hair, her brows, her eyes, slowly moving his lips from her cheek to the corner of her mouth, then softly spoke without fully kissing, “I will only kiss.” Leng Yu Yan closed her eyes, her heart pounding chaotically. If he forced himself upon her, she would be the one to suffer. Her many dreams had taught her to be good, to be compliant. And then there was last night, when she was unwilling, he bit her, he kissed her fiercely… With this in mind, she nodded. Finally granted permission, Ye Yiheng kissed her lips. The kiss was cool yet warm, tender and painstaking. Then, he moved to kiss her shoulder and collarbone. Reason told him he could not go any further, or the timid girl would become terrified of him. Yet looking at her, so delicate and tempting, this way of kissing was truly torturous, and he was torturing himself. Somehow finding the self-control, he helped her to her feet and onto the ground, and personally straightened her collar. “Coward, haven’t I kept my word?” He had masked his intentions for so many years; how could he be without strategy when it came to her? Thinking he might do something more, but realizing he truly had only kissed, Leng Yu Yan’s wildly beating heart gradually calmed, and overcome with relief, she couldn’t help but stand on her tiptoes and plant a kiss on his handsome face. Seeing her relax considerably, Ye Yiheng’s lips curved into a slight smile. His approach had been correct! He looked at the painting on the desk, “What made you want to paint today?” “A break from writing makes me want to draw.” Leng Yu Yan fetched the inkstone from the side table and began grinding the ink herself. “Are you painting the lotuses from the Eastern Palace?” Ye Yiheng dipped the brush with great interest and added a few strokes to the paper. “Yes.” Leng Yu Yan nodded, delighted at how his additions brought the painting to life, “Your Highness, you are truly skilled!” Upon hearing this, Ye Yiheng was in a good mood, “Let’s return to the bedroom for a meal.” Leng Yu Yan said, “Good, but it’s hot, and I would like some chilled fruits; is that possible, Your Highness?” The doors and windows of the study were all closed, and the room was becoming unbearably hot. She had caught a chill during her monthly period, and he had forbidden her to eat anything cold. Seizing the opportunity of his good mood, she made her request. Ye Yiheng noticed the thin layer of sweat on her forehead, his eyes drifting downwards. She was wearing a chest-level skirt today, with a few strands of hair sticking to the skin near her heart… The raven-black hair against the pure white skin was a striking contrast, very eye-catching. He averted his gaze, thinking she must be sweating all over, and gently consented, “Granted.” Leng Yu Yan embraced his arm and shook it happily, “Thank you, Your Highness!” The subtle contact with his arm in front of her made Ye Yiheng’s spine tense, his mouth suddenly parched. It might be a good idea to cool down with some chilled food. Her figure was graceful, with alluring curves, every part that should be full was ample, and every part that should be slender was delicately carved. His gaze darkened, and he quickly grasped her hand, his voice hoarse, “A little won’t hurt in this heat.” Leng Yu Yan nodded and playfully pulled his hand to walk outside. As long as he wasn’t cruel to her, as long as he didn’t force her, she was still very amenable. No matter whether his gentleness was feigned or not, she chose to believe that he truly wanted to be good to her. In the afternoon, Dong Yan returned with Qiubo and Xia Tao. Seeing no sign of the Crown Prince in the bedroom, the three of them reported in hushed tones. Dong Yan said, “Pavilion Master, Princess Nandian has come to Tiancheng; apart from diplomatic exchanges, there is another secret matter.” Leng Yu Yan asked indifferently, “What matter?” Qiubo said, “The Emperor of Nandian has no sons; only then did Baili Wenyi have the opportunity to become the Imperial Princess of Nandian. From some unknown source, Baili Wenyi heard that she still had a brother who had escaped into hiding, and since Nandian borders Tiancheng…” Xia Tao hurriedly said, “Princess Nandian came to Tiancheng precisely to eradicate him completely.” The most update n0vels are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥 Leng Yu Yan’s brows furrowed slightly: “How can Baili Wenyi be sure that her brother has fled to Tiancheng?” The three maids shook their heads: “We do not know.” Leng Yu Yan nodded: “Keep this matter quiet for now.” “Thank you, Pavilion Master!” After the three left the bedroom, Xiaoshan passed by them. “Commandery Princess, the cicadas are making a racket outside; would you like your subordinate to catch them all?” Leng Yu Yan pressed her temples and then shook her head: “Hearing such a noise, one knows that the height of summer is near; there’s no need to catch them.” As she spoke, she turned to look at Xiaoshan beside her, “Did you hear the conversation I just had with Dong Yan and the others?” Xiaoshan honestly said, “Your subordinate has been guarding outside the door, fearing others might come close, so I heard everything.” Leng Yu Yan murmured, “Baili Wenyi wants to kill the surviving brother who has escaped; does that mean she has already killed all her other brothers?” Xiaoshan lowered his eyes to hide the hatred within, and casually said, “Your subordinate believes the Commandery Princess is absolutely right! If she won’t spare a brother who has already fled, it is conceivable that the other brothers most likely perished at her hands.” “Such a vicious person!” Leng Yu Yan’s eyebrows knitted together, “She truly is ruthless and cruel.” Thinking of someone sinister and cold, equally ruthless and cruel, she couldn’t help but feel an irritation welling up in her. “The Commandery Princess saves lives, while Baili Wenyi takes lives,” Xiaoshan earnestly said, “The Commandery Princess should stay far away from Baili Wenyi!” Leng Yu Yan walked to the door of the bedroom and gazed distantly at the lotus flowers on the lake, a cold smile curling at her lips: “I’m afraid this person is intent on being my adversary.” Being an adversary, she wasn’t afraid of that. What she feared was that Baili Wenyi had her eyes on Ye Yiheng and that Ye Yiheng admired Baili Wenyi for her cruel and venomous heart; in that case, how should she manage? She always felt that there was a similarity between the cruel ways of Baili Wenyi and Ye Yiheng. Leng Yu Yan slightly furrowed her brow and let out a long sigh. Once a man had a woman’s body, he would no longer cherish it. If she were to consummate her relationship with that person, would he cast her aside? Would he then join hands with the similarly venomous Baili Wenyi? Given that that person had once admitted to coveting the military power of the Northern Garrison, if, as her second brother said, that person successfully ascended the throne, what should she do if he used her to threaten the Prince Zhenbei Mansion? Protecting her family, the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, and the Northern Garrison was the lifelong duty of Princess Beilan. If such a day truly came, she must not become his bargaining chip, allowing him to destroy the Prince Zhenbei Mansion and appropriate the Northern Garrison; she would have to escape. But where should she flee to? Beilan City was not suitable, Jiangzhou was not suitable, and the Linqing Pavilion was not suitable either… At this thought, she asked, “If you say you want to hide from someone, where would be the best place to hide?” Xiaoshan stood beside her and said softly, “If such a day ever comes, your subordinate will definitely find a suitable place for the Commandery Princess, where no one will be able to find you!” Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan took it as Xiaoshan boasting and laughed, patting his shoulder: “I was right to save you!”