In Ye Zimo's study, he sat upright in the armchair, his expression even colder and more stern than in the hall. His icy gaze bore down on the butler with intense pressure, soaking the butler's shirt in sweat. After a long moment, Ye Zimo spoke with a definite tone, 'You are playing favorites! This is the first time, and it will be the last. If I find out again, you will consider the consequences yourself!' The butler wanted to argue a few words, but before he could open his mouth, he was forced back by Ye Zimo's cold and hard stare, only daring to nod repeatedly in agreement. 'I'm sorry, Mr. Ye! It's my fault, I will definitely not do this again in the future!' 'Go back!' 'Yes, Mr. Ye!' The butler said respectfully, then left the room, only daring to stop and wipe off some sweat once he was outside the door. Everything here was under surveillance, so no matter how angry or resentful he was, he dared not show any expression on his face. When the butler was not around, the six maids were almost divided into two factions. Fang Lina and a few others were still whispering bad about Xia Yihan. Even though Ye Zimo personally said that Xia Yihan had no kissing experience, they completely disbelieved it, always thinking that if it weren't for her having skills and being able to seduce him, he would not have kissed her in public. Only heaven knew how much they hated, envied, and wished that it had happened to them because of Ye Zimo's passionate kiss. Jiu Jiu also turned the topic to this, her little face slightly red, looking at Xia Yihan with envy and saying, 'Oh my, the Crown Prince is so domineering, my heart has been completely captured. Yihan, why didn't you take the opportunity to wrap your arms around his neck and kiss him back? Are you dizzy or silly, how could you push him away?'

Liu Xiaojiao also whispered in agreement, 'Exactly, Yihan, if you seize the moment and become Mr. Ye's person, will you still be afraid of them bullying you?' Their words caused Xia Yihan's cheeks to quickly flush with embarrassment. The suffocating feeling of being kissed was actually... no, Xia Yihan, he's not Mo Xiaojun, so her reaction to his kiss should be one of disgust. Seeing that she didn't speak, Liu Xiaojiao continued to persuade her, 'You should seize the opportunity, I've heard that the Crown Prince's interest in women doesn't last long.' These words reminded Xia Yihan that she should get closer to him when Ye Zimo wasn't showing as much dislike towards her. This incident further proved that only he could allow her to stay here. If one day she could become friends with him—even though it was almost impossible, she should still strive for it. 'Jiu Jiu, Xiaoqiao, wait for me a moment, I'm going to personally thank Mr. Ye. If it weren't for his words today, I might not be here anymore.' 'Okay! Go quickly! It's best if you take a very long time to come back!' The two of them were obviously much more excited than she was. Xia Yihan encountered the butler in the corridor, and she forced herself to squeeze out a smile, although at this moment she hated him even more than Ye Zimo, but to stay, she still had to smile at him. 'Butler, may I ask which room Mr. Ye is in?' The butler's face piled up with smiles, and he said very politely, 'Yihan, Mr. Ye is in the study.' His smile, his politeness, made Xia Yihan's spine feel cold. Being so kind to her without reason, who knew what he might do to her in secret, it seemed she needed to be even more vigilant. 'Thank you very much!'

After Xia Yihan finished speaking, following the butler's guidance, she gently knocked on Ye Zimo's study door. 'Come in!' She took a deep breath, turned the doorknob, stood at the doorway, and said softly, 'Mr. Ye, I came specifically to thank you.' 'Come here!' he ordered unequivocally, his tone and expression that of a monarch addressing a helpless slave girl.