The Supporting Female Character Enters the Game, the Crazy Crown Prince Slowly Falls Deeply in Love - Chapter 72

“I see.”

Xie Yunian didn’t have any doubts. Since his riding skills were so excellent, it wasn’t strange for a young lady to conjure up this image.

“Then… could A-Yao tell me more about other things between us?”

As he spoke, he glanced at the osmanthus cake placed on the table and reached out to pick up a piece.

“Why are you suddenly asking about th—Hey! Don’t eat that!”

Before Jiang Yao could finish her sentence, she saw Xie Yunian holding the osmanthus cake, about to put it to his lips.

Anxious, she subconsciously reached out to stop him.

Her fingertip landed precisely on the corner of Xie Yunian’s lips.

Jiang Yao was first relieved that she had snatched the osmanthus cake back. Only then did she belatedly realize the stupid thing she had just done.

Her fingertip trembled slightly, feeling as if countless tiny currents had shot through it in an instant.

Xie Yunian was stunned. His finger unconsciously traced the corner of his lip, where the slightly cool sensation of her fingertip seemed to linger.

His heart immediately pounded like a drum against his ears.

He coughed twice, trying to relieve the tension. “Why can’t I eat it?”

“N-no, this pastry had the seasoning mixed up. It’s bitter,” Jiang Yao’s face instantly flushed crimson. She quickly withdrew her hand, her voice barely a whisper. “You still haven’t answered me…”

“Just asking casually,” Xie Yunian pursed his lips and added an excuse. “The imperial physician said listening to past events helps memory recover faster.”

I don’t believe you.

“Of course there are,” Jiang Yao frowned, pretending to recall. “Do you remember that one night, you came to my room to find me, and we sat together on the blue tiles of the roof, watching the stars…”

“And then?” Xie Yunian moved closer, his voice low and carrying a hint of coaxing.

Jiang Yao was already feeling guilty. Seeing him lean in, her heartbeat suddenly accelerated. She bit her lip. “You were afraid I was cold, so you held me in your arms…”

Her voice trailed off, seemingly too embarrassed to continue.

Xie Yunian envisioned the scene in his mind, and his face inexplicably darkened. He raised a hand and tugged at the wrist guard on his arm.

He felt as though a massive pot of blame had been dropped onto his head.

It clearly wasn’t him who had done these things, yet listening to Jiang Yao’s gentle, detailed descriptions made his heart feel as if something was lightly scratching it, intensely itchy.

“That’s enough, you don’t need to say any more,” Xie Yunian abruptly interrupted.

He looked up at Jiang Yao, his gaze settling on her opening and closing lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and a sudden urge rose within him.

But the thought had barely surfaced before he forcefully suppressed it.

Jiang Yao was startled by Xie Yunian’s sudden interruption. She looked up, saw no suspicion in his eyes, and felt slightly relieved, though her face was still hot.

This was a scene from the storybook she read last night, which actually came in handy at this moment.

She lowered her head, unconsciously twisting her sleeve with her fingers, and said softly, “It’s alright. Take your time thinking. I won’t blame you if you can’t remember.”

Just as long as he doesn’t kill her.

Xie Yunian nodded, his gaze falling on her slightly flushed earlobes, and a softness inexplicably arose in his heart.

Jiang Yao’s heart tightened. She subconsciously glanced at the painting scroll on the desk, half-covered by the storybook, and her face grew even warmer.

Seeing her discomfort, Xie Yunian merely assumed she was shy.

Discussing such topics, especially in a lady’s boudoir, also made him feel inexplicably uneasy. “It’s getting late. I should take my leave.”

After seeing Xie Yunian off, Jiang Yao gently closed the door and returned to the desk.

She looked down at the scroll half-hidden by the storybook, reached out, pulled it out, and opened it again.

Jiang Yao stared at the person in the painting, the image of Xie Yunian standing before her moments ago unconsciously floating in her mind.

The heat in her earlobes hadn’t entirely faded, and a faint smile unconsciously lifted the corners of her mouth.

The mouth here doesn’t look quite right. I should revise it.

She picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and meticulously added a few strokes to the painting.

The Xie Yunian in the painting had an air of wildness in his eyes and brows, and the corners of his lips were slightly raised, making her heart tremble slightly when she looked at him.

Ahem, see no evil.

Jiang Yao added a few more brushstrokes to depict traces of wind and sand nearby. When the wind of Shuobei whistles past, he must feel free.

If he hadn’t returned to the capital, Xie Yunian might have been like this.

Just as she was lost in thought, light footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by Chunlan’s voice: “Miss, it’s time for dinner.”

Jiang Yao snapped out of her daze. She hastily rolled up the scroll, forced a calm demeanor, and answered, “Come in.”

Chunlan pushed the door open, carrying a food box. Her gaze swept over the slightly messy papers on the desk, and she also noticed Jiang Yao’s slightly flushed cheeks, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes.

She placed the food box on the table, setting out the bowls and chopsticks while smiling and teasing, “Young Master Xie will surely love this birthday gift the Miss has prepared.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yao’s face was instantly covered in a deep blush. She reached out, pretending to swat at her. “You naughty girl! You’re getting more and more unruly!”

Chunlan laughed and dodged, placing the dishes on the table. She pretended to be serious. “Your servant wouldn’t dare. I am only speaking the truth. If Miss doesn’t believe me, you’ll know when you personally hand it to Young Master Xie.”

As Jiang Yao sat down at the table, she remembered something, and the smile on her face faded considerably.

She knew clearly that sending this painting to Xie Yunian was merely a move to appeal to his interests, to win his favor.

Jiang Yao only hoped that if one day Xie Yunian discovered the truth, he could, because of this painting and her sincerity today, give her some leniency and save her some face.

After finishing her meal, Jiang Yao completed the final two strokes, carefully rolled up the scroll, tied it with a silk ribbon, and placed it carefully aside.

She looked up at the window. The sky had darkened. The lanterns in the courtyard swayed gently in the wind, casting a blurry light.

A hint of bitterness suddenly arose in Jiang Yao’s heart.

It felt as if something was blocking her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Xie Yunian is a good person.

At least for her now.

Xiachen walked in, holding a bowl of hot soup. Seeing Jiang Yao’s distracted expression, she called softly, “Miss, drink some hot soup. You’ve been drawing all day.”

Jiang Yao returned to reality, managing a smile. She took the soup bowl, but only held it in her hands, without drinking.

She asked softly, “Xiachen, tell me… if one day, someone approached you, but it was because they had another motive, would you hate her?”

Xiachen was surprised, then smiled. “Why is Miss suddenly asking this? If that person genuinely treats me well, even if they initially had ulterior motives, I would not hate her. A heart is made of flesh, after all. Who doesn’t have a little selfishness?”

Jiang Yao lowered her eyes to the soup bowl in her hands. In the rising steam, she saw her own reflection.

The plot has deviated so much now.

She doesn’t know what will happen in the future anymore.

Whether it brings fortune or disaster, she must personally walk that path.