Chapter 159 Yang Gezhi's Tenderness (Part One)

Early morning within the Yu's Residence, Yang Gezhi timidly paced just outside of Yun Canglan's bedroom. He looked longing at the door as he stopped before once again, raised his hand to knock, a determined expression, and then once more he dropped his arm, scowling at himself, the sadness deepening in his eyes.

Finally, the door creaked open, and Yun Canglan was standing on the other side. She was in a white satin nightgown; her long hair was mussed and draping down her back. She looked weary but full of fire as she demanded, "Why are you pacing outside my door so early in the morning?" there was an accusatory tone in her voice.

"Yun'er!" Yang Gezhi's surprise flashed in his eyes, but seeing Yun Canglan standing there, he was at a loss for words.

"Yun'er, I..."

"What? Just spit it out."

After a long second, Yang Gezhi pulled a silk scarf out stiffly and handed it to Yun Canglan.

Yun Canglan rolled her eyes and wondered what his intentions were as she snatched the silk scarf.

"Yun'er, I'm not..."

"Mistress, you're already up?" Hearing sounds, Yun Qin and Yun Qi walked up to the two.

"What's that in your hand, Mistress?" Yun Qi asked, walked up to Yun Canglan.

Yun Canglan raised her arm, waving the silk scarf at him, "This."

"Was it Mister Yang who gave this to you for the Blind Date Festival?"

"Aha?"

Yun Canglan stood there holding the scarf, immediately stunned.

Yang Gezhi's face flushed a bright red, and he tripped over his words, "It...it...is"

He was interrupted by Yun Canglan's short, dry coughs.

"Yun'er, " Yang Gezhi bravely gazed into Yun Canglan's eyes explaining, "I want you to have this, whether you accept it or not, is up to you. I don't expect your sachet, and I don't expect you to bring it to the Blind Date Festival. I'll be happy just knowing you have it."

Yang Gezhi's smile was faltering, but eyes were gentle, "Losing your temper early in the morning is bad for your skin, Yun'er. I asked the imperial chef to make some snacks the Ling Kingdom is famous for, freshen up and then come, have a bite to eat."

Yun Canglan trembled. Yang Gezhi's sudden tenderness was overbearing, but she felt happy.

"Save it for me. I'll eat them when I return. I have some business to attend

Prince Ning.

"Prince Ning, we are about to face our greatest challenge, you need to restrain yourself better."

Prince Ning took a large swig of his liquor. Then, laughing, he pulled one of the women closer to him, and poured some of the booze down her throat, she choked on the swill and gagged on it as it went down.

"Don't worry so much, do you think anyone would dare come to Prince Ning's House in broad daylight to attempt murder? Sir, you're overthinking things." Prince Ning told him confidently.

The man's eyes were ablaze as narrowed them menacingly, and he oozed cold breath. "Prince Ning, don't forget our agreement. I help you rise to the throne, and you assist in expanding my business into the Ling Kingdom. The Fengyun Firm is out there cracking down, making it harder on my Shuihuang Firm, and you are over here playing at romance. Would you like to terminate our deal, Prince Ning?"

A flicker of fear flashed in Prince Ning's eyes. He scrambled to get up, shoving the woman laying on top of him off unceremoniously, and stood, albeit half naked, in front of the man in black. "Sir, don't be angry. Please, don't be angry, Sir. I've given a warning to the Ministry of Revenue not to interfere, and to help the Shuihuang Firm gain a foothold in the Ling Kingdom. You realize though, that now Yang Gezhi holds much of the power and has the support of many of the court officials. There are even some people who supported me who intend on defecting." Prince Ning hurried told the man in black.