The scumbag was secretly having an affair, while I was openly having an affair with the prince.

Chapter 61 She is the Protagonist

Ye Shijun couldn't help but chuckle, "Little sister is right. Even I, the second son, have someone eyeing me. But the eldest brother is the future heir of our family. If people knew that the eldest brother was a free man, I wonder how many bees and butterflies would flock to our General's Mansion!"

Ye Shiting was reluctant to speak ill of his younger sister, but he was anything but polite to him, glaring at him and saying, "Are you itching for a beating?"

Ye Shijun chuckled.

Suddenly, he remembered something, quickly dropped his nonchalant demeanor, and asked Ye Shishu in a low voice, "Little sister, the prince's leg... you knew about it all along, why didn't you say so?"

Before Ye Shishu could explain, Ye Shiting said in a deep voice, "Don't mention it, keep it to yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Shijun looked at him in surprise, "Big brother, you found out too?"

Ye Shishu tugged at his sleeve, "Second brother, don't make a fuss. The prince letting you know means he doesn't consider you outsiders. But this matter absolutely cannot be leaked, otherwise we'll all be in trouble."

Ye Shijun nodded, "Don't worry, my mouth is sealed tight!"

……

Before we knew it, it was time for the Lantern Festival.

Just as Ye Shijun was about to leave, Fan Yunying and Fan Yunru, a brother and sister, stopped him at the gate.

"Cousin Yunru, Cousin Yunying, are you going out?" Ye Shijun greeted them.

Fan Yunru smiled gently at him and said, "Today is the Lantern Festival, and I heard that the moat is very lively. Ying'er and I have always lived in a small place like Youzhou and have never seen the lanterns of the capital, so we plan to go for a stroll along the moat."

Ye Shijun's eyes darted around, and he grinned, "Perfect timing! I have an appointment with someone at the moat, why don't you all come with me!"

Fan Yunru nodded gratefully, "Then I'll trouble you to show us around, cousin."

Fan Yunying also curtsied gracefully and said, "Thank you, Second Cousin."

No one mentioned what happened at the ancestral hall again, as if Ye Shijun was in a coma and knew nothing about those events.

Along the way, Ye Shijun and Fan Yunru chatted and laughed, appearing carefree and nonchalant. Although Fan Yunying pretended to be shy and didn't join in their conversation, she was secretly overjoyed from the moment she got into the carriage with Ye Shijun.

I was worried that the three Ye siblings would travel together, but it turns out that only Ye Shijun is traveling alone. This is simply a godsend...

Tonight, Ye Shijun is destined to be unable to escape her grasp!

Upon reaching the moat, Ye Shijun led his siblings directly to the agreed-upon bridge.

Two women were standing by the bridge.

A figure dressed in celestial robes, exquisitely made up, but with an arrogant expression, showing obvious disdain for everyone who passed by.

The other was dressed in plain clothes, without any accessories, and had a very ordinary appearance.

From a distance, they looked like a master and servant.

Although Ye Shijun had spent most of his years living in the Northwest, he had also spent much of his childhood and adolescence in the capital, where he had met Gu Shiya, the daughter of the Grand Secretary. Despite not having seen her for many years, Gu Shiya's haughty and unapproachable demeanor still allowed him to recognize her at a glance.

"Miss Gu, how have you been?" He greeted her with a smile.

Gu Shiya looked at him, her expression freezing involuntarily, a flash of surprise crossing her beautiful eyes.

In her memory, Ye Shijun, the second young master of the Ye family, was extremely unruly. He not only liked to tease people but also liked to hit them at the drop of a hat. When she was young, she had a conflict with Ye Shishu. For Ye Shishu's sake, the second young master of the Ye family not only insulted her but also almost hit her.

She was extremely unwilling to marry Ye Shijun. However, for the sake of her father's future and the interests of her family, she had no choice but to compromise.

After so many years, I never expected Ye Shijun to have transformed so remarkably. Tall and muscular, with a well-defined face and handsome, charming features, although his carefree smile still retained traces of his mischievous youth, it now exuded a captivating and alluring masculine charm.

"Second Young Master, how have you been?" She put away her arrogance and gave a friendly smile.

The woman beside her curtsied to Ye Shijun, saying, "This humble girl, Simo, greets the Second Young Master."

Ye Shijun turned his head and stared at the woman, asking in surprise, "Are you the eldest daughter of the Gu family?"

The woman lowered her eyes and replied, "Yes."

Gu Shiya suddenly interjected, "Second Young Master, my eldest sister was just brought back from the manor. She hasn't seen much of the world. Tonight, she begged me to take her out to see the lanterns, so I brought her along. My eldest sister has always loved being like this since she was little, so rustic. If it's an eyesore for you, Second Young Master, please forgive her."

Ye Shijun raised an eyebrow.

Although the eldest Miss Gu Simo's clothes and appearance were completely different from the second Miss Gu Shiya's, he still couldn't help but take a few more glances at the eldest Miss Gu.

"Second Young Master, who are these two?" Gu Shiya suddenly turned her gaze to Fan Yunru and Fan Yunying beside Ye Shijun.

"They are my cousin Yunru and my cousin Yunying," Ye Shijun introduced generously.

Fan Yunru and Fan Yunying immediately greeted the two Gu sisters.

After glancing at their attire and accessories, Gu Shiya's eyes were filled with disdain. She didn't even bother to acknowledge their courtesy and turned to Ye Shijun, saying, "Second Young Master, today is my date with you, so there's no need for them to come along!"

Ye Shijun smiled and said, "Second Miss, the Prime Minister's wife acted as matchmaker for us because she thought we didn't know each other, so she arranged for us to meet first. Now that we know each other, there's no need for that formality. Let's go out for a stroll tonight and deepen our relationship, shall we?"

Gu Shiya was overjoyed.

I never expected him to be so straightforward, and his words clearly indicated that he was interested in her!

Ye Shijun added, "My cousin and his sister haven't been in the capital for long and aren't very familiar with it yet. The Lantern Festival is going to be very lively tonight, so I have to stay with them to prevent them from getting lost. I hope the eldest and second young ladies won't mind?"

Gu Simo kept her eyes down and didn't say a word.

Gu Shiya didn't like the Fan siblings at first glance, but in order to win Ye Shijun's favor, she had no choice but to reply, "The Second Young Master can decide."

Afterwards, the group of five began to stroll around the lantern displays.

The annual Lantern Festival attracts mostly young men and women, some in pairs, others in small groups like them.

A small market had sprung up along the riverbank, with vendors selling all kinds of lanterns, as well as people making lanterns on the spot, solving lantern riddles, and showing off their talents... The shouts and cheers mingled together, making it as lively as the Spring Festival.

On the river, lanterns sway gracefully, like stars fallen to earth, captivating many who stop to watch.

“Second Miss, there’s a small tavern up ahead. Shall we go and have a seat?” Ye Shijun suddenly suggested.

"Okay." Gu Shiya replied readily. She found this place noisy and chaotic, and looked down on it from the bottom of her heart.

Tonight, she is clearly the star.

After exchanging greetings with Ye Shijun, Gu Simo did not utter another word.

Fan Yunru and Fan Yunying seemed to realize that the second young lady of the Grand Secretary's mansion was not easy to get along with, and they consciously lowered their presence.

However, when Ye Shijun said he wanted to go to a small bar, the brother and sister walking behind couldn't help but exchange a glance and smiled for some reason.

The tavern that Ye Shijun mentioned was located by the moat.

Logically, with the city so bustling tonight, the taverns should be packed. Yet, despite the crowds outside, the taverns are unusually quiet.

There was only one shop assistant, and he was even dozing off at the table.

Hearing footsteps, the waiter lazily got up, squinted, and asked listlessly, "Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

"Waiter, bring two jugs of good wine, and a few side dishes!"

Gu Shiya glanced disdainfully at the shabby lobby, but Ye Shijun had already ordered food and drinks, so she didn't have a chance to say anything about going somewhere else.

Just as the waiter was about to head to the kitchen, Ye Shijun said again, "Waiter, do you have a private room? Give us one."

The waiter glanced back at him impatiently, then gestured with his chin to the side, "It's inside. Go in yourselves."

Perhaps seeing that the waiter wasn't paying attention, Fan Yunying quickly said, "Second cousin, you go in first, I'll go help in the kitchen."

"Mm." Ye Shijun nodded, then smiled and led Gu Shiya, "Second Miss, please."

Gu Shiya walked into the inner room with a long face.

Gu Simo followed behind her like a humble maid.

Fan Yunru glanced in the direction Fan Yunying had left, a slight smile playing on his lips, and then headed into the inner hall.

Although the waiter wasn't very enthusiastic, he was still quite fast in serving the food and drinks, bringing them over in no time.

Fan Yunying diligently helped serve the dishes and even poured a glass of wine for each of them, acting like a maid.

When the wine glass filled with wine appeared in front of her, Gu Simo, who had been expressionless until now, suddenly looked up and glanced at Fan Yunying.

Gu Shiya and Ye Shijun sat facing each other on opposite sides.

Fan Yunru and Fan Yunying, brother and sister, sat together on one side.

Gu Simo also sat alone on one side, opposite the Fan siblings.

This meal was naturally hosted by Ye Shijun, so he first raised his glass to toast everyone present.

Gu Shiya drank first.

When Ye Shijun drank, the Fan siblings exchanged a glance and then raised their glasses to drink as well.

Gu Simo held the wine glass, and when her lips touched the rim, she gave a barely perceptible smile, and then drank it.

However, just as everyone put down their cups, Gu Shiya, Fan Yunru, and Fan Yunying suddenly collapsed onto the table.

The previously listless waiter seemed like a completely different person, rushing in quickly, "Second Young Master... uh..."

Before he could finish speaking, he glared at Gu Simo as if he had seen a ghost.

Ye Shijun narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized the woman sitting to the side. "You're actually alright?"