Chapter 542: Chapter 542: Why Did the Prince Not Marry?

Qiao Xiaomai pushed the banknote back into Yang Ye’s chest, “My lord, I am just an ordinary citizen, I can’t accept this large sum of money. It feels as hot as fire in my hand.”

“Eh, Cen Hong will continue to hate you, no matter if you take it or not. Since that’s the case, you might as well take it. “Yang Ye said as he attempted to return the note to her.

“No, no, no.” Qiao Xiaomai quickly waved her hands, “Even though it’s as you said, I dare not take this money. If you do not want it as well, then you might as well donate it to the disaster victims of the Shuifeng Prefecture.”

A lot of silver would be needed for post-disaster reconstruction.

“Consider it as redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor.” She said.

Hearing these words, Yang Ye chuckled, his eyes shining brightly, “Then I might as well donate all these ten thousand taels.”

“You decide, my lord.”

“Huh, this Mount Jiang belongs to my Yang Family, however, looking at me now, my consciousness isn’t as high as yours.” Yang Ye sighed.

“You just didn’t think of it earlier, my lord. You truly care for your people like your own children.” Qiao Xiaomai complimented him.

Yang Ye looked her up and down with his sparkling eyes, “Speaking of which, have you really never considered coming back to the capital with me? With your abilities, you shouldn’t be confined to life as a simple village girl.”

“You hold this humble girl in too high regard, my lord.”

“Don’t be too modest. Looking at it now, you should come back with me when I return to the capital.” Yang Ye said, his eyes curved like crescents.

The expression on Qiao Xiaomai’s face was faint, “Just now, the mother of Tong Xingda’s proposed a marriage.”

“Huh?” Yang Ye retracted his smile upon hearing this, “They’re pretty quick. However, are you really willing to marry him? Being with the Tong family, you’re going to have a tough time.”

“Thank you for your concern, but no matter how tough it gets, if Tong Xingda is there, it will be bearable.”

“Oh my~!” Hearing this, Yang Ye exaggeratedly shouted, then he covered his handsome face with his hands, “How unexpected, young girl’s families, why are they so indiscreet!”

He was embarrassed to hear this!

He suddenly wanted a wife too!

Seeing him like this, Qiao Xiaomai couldn’t help but curve the corners of her mouth in laughter.

“Why have you not married, my lord?” She asked.

Upon mentioning this major issue, Yang Ye put down his hands from his face. He collapsed on the bamboo mat behind him, looking somewhat dejected, “Because until now, I have not met a maiden whom I like more than food.”

Qiao Xiaomai “…”

Now that’s a real foodie…

“Why don’t you change your attitude, be tender, be gentle, and then I’ll take you as my queen.” Yang Ye tilted his head to look at her, his handsome face was graced with a smile.

“Why trouble yourself, my lord, you deserve someone much better.”

“Heh!” Yang Ye rolled his eyes without caring about his appearance, “You’re the one who doesn’t want to put yourself in a tight spot, right?”

Qiao Xiaomai just smiled without a word.

Yang Ye snorted twice, casually opened the secret compartment in the carriage, took out a plate of melon seeds.

“Watermelon seeds taste good too, but it’s a pity that the emperor wants to promote it widely, so I can’t eat it.” He ate the seeds while talking.

“It’ll be all right in a few years.” Responded Qiao Xiaomai.

Hearing this, Yang Ye sighed with a somewhat melancholy expression, “Speaking of which, if you really do marry Tong Xingda, who will take care of the wedding banquet?”

This topic had changed rather abruptly, confusing Xiaomai. She then said, ” Definitely not me.”

“Then I guess there’s no need for me to go.”

Qiao Xiaomai, “…”

Both of them chatted leisurely as they made their way back to Bailu Town. By then the noontime had passed, and Yang Ye would not let Xiaomai go, so he took her to eat at Jilu Restaurant.

After lunch, Yang Ye commanded the coachman to send Xiaomai back to Anping Village.

Upon arriving home, she saw her father, Qiao Changshun, sitting in the yard with Zhang family’s and Tong Xingda by his side.