Chapter 231 Hindsight
When Ye Jiayao returned to the courtyard, Xia Chunyu had just sent the doctor away.

"What did the doctor say?"

"It's okay, the sprain is not serious. Rub it with some medicated wine and it will be fine after resting for two days." Chunyu said.

Ye Jiayao breathed a sigh of relief and asked him, "What do you want to eat? I'll make it."

Chunyu took her hand and went back to the room, saying, "Just let the servants do it. You are tired too."

Although he really wanted to eat the food she cooked, he couldn't bear to see her suffer.

Qiao Xi volunteered to order three bowls of noodles. She had learned some skills from Jiang Yue, but unfortunately Jiang Yue now spends most of her time in the pastry shop and doesn't come back every day.

Soon, two bowls of fragrant shredded chicken noodles were served.

Xia Chunyu took a bite and praised, "Not bad."

Qiao Xi showed joy on her face: "Thank you for the compliment, my Lord."

Ye Jiayao smiled and said, "Qiao Xi is also quite talented."

Xia Chunyu nodded: "Why don't you just teach them all, so that when they go out in the future, they won't be looked down upon for not knowing how to cook, and people will say that they have been following you, the chef, for so long, but you can't even cook properly."

"This is a good idea. When the time comes, all the maids in our yard will be begging for help." Ye Jiayao agreed with it and looked at Qiao Xi with a smile.

Qiao Xi ran out shyly.

Xia Chunyu laughed out loud.

While eating noodles, Ye Jiayao really wanted to tell him what Master Jiren had told her today, but after thinking about it, she felt that it would be better not to say it. Forget it, just be careful.

The two went to bed early, and the next day, Ye Jiayao and Xia Chunyu went to visit Prince Helian's mansion.

A'ruan hadn't arrived yet, Yila was holding Ye Jiayao to talk, so Xia Chunyu went to see the ancestor first.

"What do you think of Princess Aruan?"

Asking this means that Princess Yi De has that intention.

"I think she's pretty good, innocent, kind, lively and cute." Ye Jiayao said the truth. They were both princesses, but Liuli was far inferior to A'ruan.

Yide looked thoughtful: "The emperor intends to let Xiaojing marry Aruan. I have also seen Aruan. As you said, she is a lovely child. However, Xiaojing still needs to give his approval. I don't want my son to marry a woman he doesn't like. Only with affection can there be love, and only loving couples can live happily."

Ye Jiayao was very surprised that Princess Yi De could say such a thing. In this era, most people pay attention to the matching of family backgrounds, and marriage is a union of two families. Especially in wealthy families, marriage is considered more from the perspective of interests. Few mothers would think from the perspective of their children. Perhaps, this is the reason why Helian Xuan has not married at this age!

To be honest, Ye Jiayao was a little touched. It was rare for Princess Yi De to have such an idea.

"Has the princess asked Xiao Jing?"

Yide said: "After some indirect hints, it seems that Xiaojing doesn't think that way."

"How about... I go and give it a try?" Ye Jiayao pondered, Princess Yi De also meant the same thing.

Yide relaxed his brows: "That's perfect. His elder brother is not here, so Xiaojing will trust you. You can give him some advice, and he will listen to you."

Ye Jiayao felt guilty after hearing these words. Xiao Jing was close to her because he had once had such feelings for her, but Princess Yi De was not aware of this.

"Okay, then I'll go talk to Xiaojing." Ye Jiayao decided to take on this task. To be honest, she wanted Xiaojing to be happy more than anyone else, and Aruan was indeed a rare good girl.

Xiao Jing is still reading official documents in the study room. He has been accompanying A Ruan recently and has delayed his official duties.

"Young Prince, the Second Young Madam is here." Ping An went in to report.

Xiao Jing was delighted and quickly put down the document: "Where is the person?"

"Xiao Jing." Ye Jiayao walked in, stood there coquettishly and called out.

Xiaojing hurriedly invited her in and told Ping'an to make tea.

"When did you come? Where's Brother Chunyu?"

"I've been here for a while. Chunyu is talking to the old ancestor!"

Ping An served the tea and left.

Ye Jiayao looked around. There were cow horns, bows and arrows hanging in the study. It was obviously the study of a martial artist. Chunyu also practiced martial arts, but the study was mainly filled with books.

"Aren't you going to pick up A'ruan?" Ye Jiayao asked with a smile after taking a sip of tea.

"Why should we pick her up? She knows the way and will come." Xiao Jing said casually.

"You are so ungentlemanly. The girl came to your house for the first time and you didn't go to meet her." Ye Jiayao glared at him and complained.

Xiao Jing disagreed: "She just came here to play, not to do anything else, is it necessary to mobilize so many people?"

Ye Jiayao was speechless. Could it be that Xiaojing had no interest in Aruan at all?

"Xiao Jing, what do you think of A'ruan?" Ye Jiayao said casually.

"Very good!" Xiao Jing answered casually. "Then... have you ever thought about why the emperor sent you to accompany A'ruan?" Ye Jiayao asked tentatively.

Xiao Jing complained, "Don't mention it. The emperor said that among all the princes and sons, I have the most free time. He asked me to accompany them. How can I be free? Now I am a key figure in the Ministry of War, but he actually said that I have nothing to do. What's more, the emperor didn't even report my expenses recently. I have suffered heavy losses! We are almost out of food."

Ye Jiayao stared at him blankly, not knowing what to say. Xiao Jing was really slow to react!
"Then you should know why A'ruan stayed in Jinling, right?" Ye Jiayao said.

"I know, it's a marriage!" Xiao Jing said casually, bringing the tea to his mouth, but suddenly paused, put it down, and looked at Ye Jiayao hesitantly.

"Yaoyao...Are you trying to say that the emperor wants me to marry Ruan?"

Ye Jiayao raised her eyebrows, meaning...what do you think?

Xiao Jing was stunned for a while, and shook his head like a rattle: "No, no, Ruan is a good person, beautiful, and has a good temper, but I have never thought of marrying her!"

"Since you think she is good, why can't you marry her? I see you two get along pretty well. Besides, feelings can be cultivated, and A'ruan also has feelings for you." Ye Jiayao simply pointed it out.

Xiao Jing was silent for a long time, her slender phoenix eyes were clear and bright, like a pool of clear blue water under the spring light, and she said: "If I had met A Ruan first, I might have liked her, but it was destined that I met you first."

Ye Jiayao's mind buzzed. She didn't expect him to say such a straightforward thing.

"Don't feel burdened. I won't say this again. I just hope you understand my thoughts. I also know that I should let it go, but it takes time. At least, I can't let it go now." Xiao Jing said in a low voice, with a desolate meaning.

The windows on all sides were open, and the breeze came in slowly, brushing against her face, with a slight coolness, but Ye Jiayao felt a tightness in her chest, and she remembered that day when Xiao Jing came to ask her if she was Ye Jinxuan. After knowing the truth, his dejected back made her feel distressed, really distressed. Cute Xiao Jing, poor Xiao Jing...

But she couldn't help him.

Ye Jiayao licked her dry lips and spoke with difficulty: "But, A'ruan may not be able to wait. Even if she wants to wait, the emperor can't wait. If you don't want to, the emperor will definitely find another candidate. We are powerless to save and change what has happened. But please don't miss the present. Think about it carefully. If you miss A'ruan, will you regret it?"

Xiao Jing's heart was shocked, and he stared at Ye Jiayao in a daze. He had never thought about this question, because apart from her, no other woman could enter his heart. But now that she asked this, he felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

"Think about it carefully from now on, okay? For your own sake." Ye Jiayao tried to persuade him kindly.

Ye Jiayao left after she finished speaking, leaving Xiao Jing there in a daze. All he could think of was that smiling face, those big watery eyes, those deep dimples, that sweet voice, calling him Prince Xiao Jing.

"Xiao Jing, do you think this looks good? If it doesn't, then don't buy it..."

"Xiao Jing, come and chase me, let's see who runs faster..."

"Xiao Jing, do you have a girl you like?"

"Xiao Jing, I want to go see your mother and grandmother..."

"Xiao Jing, I like everything you like..."

Is it true love? That pretty and lovely girl. If you like someone, you will naturally like him or the things he says he likes, just like in the past, he always thought about how to make Yaoyao happy and how to make her smile.

But he can't do it, what should he do?
Yaoyao asked him if he would regret it, but he really didn't know.

Xiao Jing pulled her hair in annoyance.

Ye Jiayao went to see the old ancestor. Xia Chunyu took advantage of the old ancestor's inattention and asked her in a low voice: "Have you talked to Xiaojing?"

Ye Jiayao nodded: "That guy realized it late."

Xia Chunyu sneered: "Give him some time."

Not long after, A Ruan came and brought a lot of gifts.

"I don't know what the princess and the old ancestor like, so I have to prepare according to my own wishes. I hope the princess and the old ancestor don't dislike it." Ah Ruan was a little nervous, and a blush appeared on her fair and pretty face.

"Kid, it's good for him to just come and play, why bring any gifts?" Yide said with a smile.

The old ancestor waved at her: "Aruan, come and sit down."

A Ruan walked over and sat down next to the old ancestor.

The old ancestor held her hand and saw that she had beautiful features, red lips and white teeth, and was dressed in a foreign costume. She was very pretty and he couldn't help but like her. Thinking that she was alone in a foreign land for the sake of the peace and tranquility of South Vietnam and Huai Song, he felt even more pity for her.

"Good boy, are you still used to staying in Jinling?"

Ah Ruan smiled and said, "I'm used to it. This place is more prosperous than South Vietnam. There are many delicious foods. Besides, I have friends like Sister Yaoyao and Xiaojing."

"You'll get used to it. Don't be polite. Come here often and treat this place as your own home." The old ancestor said kindly.

Ah Ruan's eyes suddenly turned red for no reason, and a layer of moisture covered her eyes. She smiled as brightly as a flower: "As long as the ancestor doesn't think Ah Ruan is annoying, Ah Ruan will come here often."

Ye Jiayao understands A Ruan's feelings better than anyone else. She is also alone in a different world and longs for family affection and warmth. I really hope Xiao Jing can figure it out sooner and not miss such a good girl.

"The young prince is here." The servant outside reported.

Ye Jiayao looked up and saw Xiao Jing walking in with his head lowered.

Xia Chunyu and Ye Jiayao exchanged glances, and they understood each other tacitly. The window paper had been broken, and it depended on how Xiaojing would make the decision.

(End of this chapter)