Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 142: I Have My Own Plans

Chapter 142: Chapter 142: I Have My Own Plans

Qi Yu raised an eyebrow at her statement, "What’s wrong with that?"

Song Yuting’s lips curled into a smile, and as she was about to say something, she heard Qi Yu continue, "However, recently the Prince has been extremely busy with official duties. I’m afraid he won’t be able to entertain you properly, Miss Song. Why don’t you visit the Prince Residence half a month later?"

Song Yuting thought for a moment. Waiting for half a month was nothing, so she nodded eagerly and replied, "Alright, I’ll follow Princess’s arrangements."

Brimming with joy, she left without noticing the look Qi Yu gave her, as if she was watching a fool.

Lingya, being close to them, overheard every word clearly.

She had thought that Qi Yu would refuse, given that Song Yuting’s intentions were obvious.

But Qi Yu had agreed, which surprised her.

Unable to hold back, she asked, "You know what she is thinking, so why still agree to her request?"

Qi Yu was no saint, and Lingya didn’t believe she would so easily allow someone coveting Qi Wang to stay in the Prince Residence.

Wasn’t this like letting a wolf into the house?

Qi Yu smiled slyly and winked at her, "I have my plans."

With that, she walked away with the flowers under the frustrated gaze of Lingya.

After half a month, both she and Li Mingjue would not be in the Prince Residence. Song Yuting could stay as long as she liked.

Lingya watched Qi Yu’s retreating figure with a hint of envy in her eyes.

Once she entered the Imperial Palace, she could never leave again.

Neither of them was focused on admiring the flowers, nor did they notice the Empress’s fierce gaze that seemed as if she was looking at her enemies.

Even if she had noticed, Qi Yu wouldn’t care.

She and the Empress had long torn their faces apart, and the Empress was definitely scheming to kill her.

However, her reach couldn’t extend beyond the palace gates.

Once out of the Imperial Palace, Qi Yu wouldn’t need to be wary of her.

Now, the only person she needed to guard against was Li Tianze.

Although the Hidden Guards around the Prince Residence had been withdrawn, Li Tianze’s suspicion towards her had not completely dissipated.

Qi Yu thought that the old Emperor must have at least eight hundred wary eyes, constantly watching over this and suspicious of that, fearing that he couldn’t securely hold his throne.

In her view, this throne was too hot to handle, and if it were given to her, she wouldn’t want it.

Lingya didn’t have her carefree attitude. Since entering the palace, she had confined herself, never interacting with others, and also cutting off those who tried to get close to her.

With her unique status, the slightest mistake could cause trouble, not just for herself, but also for faraway Tulan.

Even if the Empress made things difficult for her, she couldn’t publicly confront the Empress. She was constantly anxious, living her days in discomfort.

But she couldn’t escape either; it seemed there was no place in this vast world where she could live freely.

Heavy-hearted, Lingya drank a few more cups of fruit wine, still feeling dizzy when Adi supported her on their way back.

Adi chided her softly, "Princess, you should just show up, why drink so much!"

Lingya, enduring a headache, shook her head bitterly, "Wine doesn’t intoxicate; people get intoxicated on their own. Now in this deep palace, I can’t do anything; I can only drink a few glasses of wine to escape reality."

Adi also felt uneasy. She never expected to end up in this situation.

Now, they were caught in a dilemma. The Princess didn’t want to stay in the deep palace, and Tulan was also unreachable.

Adi, still young and partly naive about these emotions, seeing her saddened, consoled, "Princess, don’t worry, no matter what, I’m still here with you."

Lingya looked at her deeply, sighed, and said determinedly, "No, you can’t stay here and die with me. When the State Preceptor finishes his business and returns to Tulan, you’ll go back with him!"

Adi also wanted to go back, but she absolutely refused to leave the Princess here alone. She shook her head like a rattle drum, "I won’t go back. I want to stay here with the Princess!"

Lingya shed a few tears, her gaze becoming sharp. She held Adi’s hand and said, "I’ll figure out a way, and never let the Empress bully us again!"

Adi panicked and quickly looked around, although there was no one, she always felt that the walls had ears, so she hurriedly pulled Lingya into the room, "Princess, you must never say such things again!"

If someone really heard this, it would be an enormous disrespect to the Empress, and they would definitely be punished by the Empress.

Lingya didn’t hear her; she had already fallen asleep.

Adi had someone bring a basin of hot water, wiped the Princess down, and changed her into clean clothes.

Xuanruo Pavilion was silent. The Hidden Guard sent by the Empress listened for a long time but heard nothing and then returned to report.

After hearing the report, the Empress cursed, "Useless!"

The Hidden Guards all bowed their heads, not daring to speak.

The Empress vented her anger, then straightened her posture, and warned from her high position, "Continue investigating for this palace. If you find no news, this palace will not let it go lightly!"

After the Hidden Guard left, the nannies quickly stepped forward to calm the Empress, "Princess, you mustn’t get too upset."

The Empress, overwhelmed with anger, said coldly, "How can this palace not be angry! I thought that by removing one Noble Consort, the harem would finally be clean, but who could have expected the Emperor to fancy this wench!"

The nannies exchanged glances, all understanding and helped the Empress curse a few more times before finally persuading her to calm down.

Qi Yu was completely unaware of these happenings in the palace; she still went to Yongchun Hall early every day and brought Kong Ran along to play with Qi Mu and Qi Xuan.

Qi Xuan was young and, seeing someone to play with, had already happily run all over the courtyard.

Qi Mu, being older, was a bit more sensible. He pursed his lips and did not join the other two in their wild running around.

Instead, he approached Qi Yu, head bowed, looking somewhat at a loss.

Seeing this, Qi Yu lifted him up and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Shouldn’t children of this age be lively and active? Why did Qi Mu look so dejected?

She quickly touched his forehead with her hand, relieved to find he had no fever.

Qi Mu, not knowing her real identity, clutched at her sleeve, his face filled with worry, and asked, "Sister, are you going to abandon us?"

Qi Yu was taken aback. Did she really look like someone who would abandon children?

Before she could think further, she heard Qi Mu say with a sobbing tone, "I will work hard; please don’t send me away, sister!"

Qi Yu quickly patted his back, soothed him, and softly coaxed, "How could sister abandon you?"

Qi Mu sniffled, his eyes red as he looked at her, "Really?"

Qi Yu pinched his nose and smiled, "Of course, it’s true."

Seeing Qi Mu was still hesitant, she intentionally sterned her face and asked, "Do you see me as a bad person?"

Qi Mu shook his head hurriedly, "No!"

A glint of amusement passed through Qi Yu’s eyes; kids were indeed easy to deceive.

However, it was true that children lack a sense of security. She raised her hand, called Qi Xuan over, and held both of them in her arms, her voice firm, "I will never abandon you."

Only then did Qi Mu nod in satisfaction, while Qi Xuan looked confused.

But hearing Qi Yu’s words, he was very happy and quickly nodded along.

Having finally placated the little ones, Qi Yu let them go back to playing.

Yongchun Hall had just opened its doors, and already there was a queue outside.

Qi Yu was busy and had no time to think about other things.

Two hours later, the crowd had mostly dispersed.

She had just stood up when an unexpected visitor arrived at the door.

Through the black gauze, Qi Yu eyed the person and quietly raised an eyebrow.