The Sickly Regent Prince Who Was Abandoned as a Substitute Bride

Ye Jiuchen continued, "I don't know what the future holds, but I hope to walk every step of the way with you and share the joys and sorrows of life."

Dongfang Wan'er's eyes welled up with tears; she felt Ye Jiuchen's sincerity towards her.

Ye Jiuchen moved closer to her again and asked softly, "Wan'er, are you willing to give me a chance? Let's write our own story together."

Tears streamed down Dongfang Wan'er's cheeks. She nodded slightly and answered in a trembling voice, "Okay, Jiu Chen, I'm willing."

Ye Jiuchen was overjoyed. He hugged Dongfang Wan'er tightly, feeling the warmth between them.

On this peaceful night, their hearts were connected, and love filled the air.

Just then, Dongfang Wan'er suddenly realized something was wrong: "Wait, Ye Jiuchen, something seems off about you!" She stared intently at Ye Jiuchen, her eyes filled with doubt.

Ye Jiuchen remained expressionless, but inwardly he was startled, wondering: Had Wan'er discovered some clue? He tried to remain calm and replied, "Oh, is there something amiss?"

Dongfang Wan'er frowned, trying hard to find the problem. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel like you're different from before, like you've become a different person..." She recalled various details from the past, and the more she thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.

Ye Jiuchen couldn't help but chuckle inwardly; it seemed Wan'er had already noticed something amiss. But he still feigned nonchalance and asked, "Hmm? What's different?"

After hesitating for a moment, Dongfang Wan'er finally voiced her doubts: "I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just feel like you probably can't play the flute right now..." Her gaze fell on the flute in Ye Jiuchen's hand, her heart filled with questions.

Ye Jiuchen caught the key information and took the opportunity to ask, "Wan'er, you said that I probably can't play the flute at this time. So, in your opinion, when will I be able to learn to play the flute?" A sly glint flashed in his eyes, as if he was testing Dongfang Wan'er's reaction.

Dongfang Wan'er was startled and secretly annoyed. Damn it, she had accidentally said the wrong thing! She quickly explained, "How should I know? Anyway, you shouldn't be able to play the flute now."

Ye Jiuchen smiled slightly and continued to ask, "Oh, so Wan'er has been keeping track of whether I can play the flute?"

Dongfang Wan'er's face immediately turned red, and she said coquettishly, "Stop being so vain! Who cares if you can play the flute or not!" After saying that, she turned around and ran away quickly, leaving Ye Jiuchen standing there with a smug smile on his face.

Ye Jiuchen watched her departing figure, lost in thought. He realized that some of his actions had indeed aroused Dongfang Wan'er's suspicion.

Dongfang Wan'er returned to her room, closed the door, and patted her chest, saying, "That was close! I almost let it slip..."

Ye Jiuchen returned to his study, sat down in a chair, and tapped his fingers on the table.

"How are things going with the Dark Night operation...?"

An Ye said, "The Jing Kingdom's army has already set off and will arrive at the border soon..."

"Master, should we prepare in advance?"

Ye Jiuchen shook his head and said, "No need, let's wait until they arrive. I'll make sure they never leave alive."

An Ye said, "Yes, Master. What about Ye Erxiao?"

Ye Jiuchen sneered, "Ye Erxiao has had it too easy. This time, let him lose a few cities. Lu Chengfeng summons him back to the capital. Remember, he must be seriously injured before returning to the capital..."

An Ye replied, "Yes, Master..."

An Ye withdrew to make arrangements.

Only then did Ye Jiuchen have time to think about his past life. He remembered that Wan'er should have been engaged to Ye Jingchu at this time. How come things have changed in this life? Could it be because he was reborn?

Ye Jiuchen and Dongfang Wan'er stayed on the mountain for a whole month. Ye Jiuchen and Qiuqin also fully recovered. The group decided to set off for the snow mountain.

The capital city! ...

Lu Chengfeng returned to Beijing seriously injured...

"Your Majesty, Lu Chengfeng is seriously injured and has already returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion..." the Right Chancellor said somewhat nervously.

Ye Erxiao frowned slightly: "How could he be seriously injured..." He felt a little irritated. Ye Jiuchen was dead, the Tiger Tally was still missing, the secret guards had searched for a month, and the Regent's mansion had been turned upside down but they still couldn't find it...

It is said that before Ye Jiuchen left, he made a high-profile proposal to Dongfang Wan'er, and Dongfang Wan'er actually agreed... This puzzled Ye Erxiao. What exactly did that woman want to do?

Ye Erxiao suddenly wondered if Ye Jiuchen had given the Tiger Tally to Dongfang Wan'er. After all, she had a close relationship with Ye Jiuchen, and perhaps she could get some clues from her.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?" The Right Chancellor called softly when he saw that the Emperor remained silent for a long time.

Ye Erxiao snapped out of his reverie, took a deep breath, and said, "Yes, I understand. Marquis Dongfang, come with me to the Imperial Study... Court is adjourned..."

Inside the Imperial Study...

Ye Erxiao sat on the dragon throne, his gaze deep as he looked at Dongfang Zheng standing below, and slowly spoke: "Dongfang Zheng, Ye Jiuchen is dead, so I have decided to bestow Dongfang Wan'er upon the First Prince..."

Dongfang Zheng was startled, but his face showed respect as he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

Ye Erxiao nodded slightly and continued, "I hope you understand that this is a blessing for your Dongfang family and also support for the First Prince. I hope you can seize this opportunity and not let me down."

Dongfang Zheng quickly declared, "Your Majesty's favor will not be in vain. I will do my utmost to assist the Crown Prince and serve the court faithfully."

Ye Erxiao nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, then let's do it this way. When Wan'er arrives at the First Prince's residence, you must teach her well and make her serve the First Prince wholeheartedly."

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Dongfang Zheng replied.

"Your Majesty, my youngest daughter, Mingzhu, also admires the Crown Prince! I beg Your Majesty to grant us marriage..." Dongfang Zheng said respectfully.

The Emperor nodded slightly: "Alright, then one will be the principal wife and the other a concubine. However, I have a question for you. It is said that Ye Jiuchen once offered betrothal gifts to Dongfang Wan'er... those betrothal gifts..."

Dongfang Zheng's face darkened, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince has moved all the betrothal gifts to the west courtyard. This old minister hasn't seen a single hair of them, and he has taken my wife away, and she hasn't returned yet..."

The Emperor frowned: "Dongfang Zheng, your wife is from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, so you should be more accommodating. Right now, the only one capable of going to the battlefield is Lu Chengfeng… Marquis Dongfang, I hope you can ease my worries!…"

Dongfang Zheng hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty, we can recruit talented people from the common people, provide them with guidance, and turn them into soldiers. In this way, we can not only increase our military strength but also save on expenses..."

After a moment's thought, the emperor finally nodded: "Very well, this matter will be entrusted to you, Marquis Dongfang..."

"This old minister obeys the decree..." Dongfang Zheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Dongfang Zheng then left the palace and returned to the Marquis's residence.