Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 156 Are They in That Kind of Relationship?

Chapter 156: Chapter 156 Are They in That Kind of Relationship?

Qi Yu looked toward the door and asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s me." Upon hearing Li Mingjue’s voice, she let down her guard and opened the door.

"Why have you come?" Qi Yu poured him a cup of tea and asked.

Li Mingjue took a sip, set the teacup down, and took her hand to sit, his expression serious, "The Emperor has sent me to Jiangnan to investigate a matter."

"What matter?" Seeing his solemn expression, Qi Yu’s anxiety rose.

If it were just an ordinary issue, Li Tianze would not have sent him.

The matter must be significant.

Li Mingjue raised his hand to smooth the furrow between her brows, his tone gentle, "I have everything under control; there’s no need for such concern."

Qi Yu slapped his hand away and huffed, her voice stubborn, "Since when was I worried?"

Watching her deny her concerns, Li Mingjue chuckled, wrapped his arms around her, and comforted her, "There’s truly nothing to worry about. It’s just that recently the bandits in the Jiangnan region have become rampant, several magistrates have reported to the capital, claiming they are unable to cope. The Emperor sent me to see what the matter is."

"Is that all?" Qi Yu looked up at him, somewhat incredulous.

To think she had imagined all sorts of scenarios.

Li Mingjue raised an eyebrow slightly, "Is this not a big enough issue? It seems the Princess has indeed seen much of the world."

Qi Yu glared at him, "I thought it was a life-threatening situation. It’s just a few bandits – just send troops to deal with them. Why send a prince like you?"

Li Mingjue brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his voice casual, "If it were an era of peace, why would there be rampant bandits? The Emperor is worried that this might be instigated by someone with ulterior motives."

Qi Yu thought about it, and that made sense.

Bandits are not to be feared, but why would they target the homes of the magistrates.

They do not take lives, but they provoke unrest among the people in the household.

This matter, although not outwardly peculiar, upon closer thought, was indeed worthy of contemplation.

"Why didn’t you bring more Hidden Guards with you this time? If something really happens, can Shiqi handle it by himself?" Qi Yu started to worry again.

Li Mingjue laughed, "It’s fine. The reason the Emperor didn’t have me bring a large troop with great fanfare this time is twofold: first, to avoid alarming the bandits prematurely, and second, my maternal grandfather, the Great General, will soon be returning to the capital and will pass through this area. We can ask for his assistance in dealing with these bandits."

"Your maternal grandfather?" Qi Yu paused.

Only then did she remember Li Mingjue’s maternal grandfather was the renowned General Dingyuan.

Having been married into the Prince Residence for over half a year, she had yet to meet the Great General and was unsure what kind of person he was.

Most importantly, would he disapprove of her?

Qi Yu sighed with worry, what if the old general truly disliked her?

Seeing her troubled expression, Li Mingjue almost wanted to laugh.

Still, he held it in and consoled her, "Although my grandfather may look a bit fierce, he is fair and upright. He will not make things difficult for you."

"Really?" Qi Yu looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Li Mingjue fought back a smile, deliberately furrowing his brow again, "It’s just that my grandfather is old and his temper not so good, so when the time comes, you’ll have to bear with him a bit."

Qi Yu swallowed hard, already feeling intimidated.

In her previous life, what she feared most was her own cold-faced, warm-hearted grandfather; although he was very kind to her, he was also strict in punishing her.

Hearing Li Mingjue’s words, she could already picture what the old general would be like—probably similar to her grandfather, stern and intolerant of any misconduct.

Seeing her heave a deep sigh, Li Mingjue said with a smile, "If you don’t want to trouble my grandfather, there is indeed a way."

"What way?" Qi Yu looked at him skeptically.

You can’t really expect her to go off and learn martial arts, waving swords and spears around, right?

Li Mingjue looked at her solemnly, leaned close to her ear, and whispered quietly, "If your maternal grandfather knew you were pregnant, he surely wouldn’t make things difficult for you."

Qi Yu was stunned by his words.

What on earth was he talking about!

Frustrated, she pounded on Li Mingjue’s chest and said with embarrassment and anger, "What awful advice!"

Li Mingjue caught her fist with one hand and laughed, "I’m serious. If your maternal grandfather found out about your pregnancy, he wouldn’t just stop harassing you, he’d pamper you even."

Qi Yu was so annoyed that she didn’t want to talk to him, and the two of them bickered until dusk.

Shen Xiheng had made plans with Gu Jingping to stroll around Ping’an Town and, when they returned to Yingchun Building, happened to see Qi Yu and Li Mingjue coming out of their room together.

Those two were always so inseparable that Shen Xiheng had long since stopped being surprised by it.

But Gu Jingping’s eyes widened, "Are the two of them in that kind of relationship?"

Trying to hold back laughter, Shen Xiheng clapped him on the shoulder, "It’s exactly what you see."

Looking dispirited, Gu Jingping went back to his room.

Qi Yu saw the sly grin on Shen Xiheng’s face and felt certain it was up to no good.

Noticing an exquisitely lustrous jade pendant at Shen Xiheng’s waist, she raised an eyebrow and teased, "That wouldn’t happen to be a token of affection from a certain lady, would it?"

Shen Xiheng took off the jade pendant and laughed, "This wasn’t given by a lady. Gu bro saw it earlier and thought it was fitting, so he bought it."

His intention was to convey, through Gu Jingping’s words, that his own temperament was aloof, akin to the jade itself.

But in Qi Yu’s ears, it took on a different meaning.

She looked at Shen Xiheng with an indescribable expression and suddenly had an epiphany, "No wonder you avoided all those women showing interest like the plague; it turns out you fancy someone like young master Gu?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiheng, as if struck by lightning, jumped up in anger, "What nonsense are you spouting! I do not have such tastes!"

To others, this denial seemed all the more like a cover-up.

Qi Yu chuckled covertly, "We aren’t looking down on you, so why the rush to clear your own name?"

Shen Xiheng, nearly choked with rage and unable to outtalk her, could only turn to Li Mingjue and complain, "Aren’t you going to do something about this?"

Li Mingjue looked at him as if he were a fool and, wrapping his arm around Qi Yu, they both headed downstairs.

Qi Yu laughed as she walked, glancing back, "You can’t control this!"

After speaking, she grabbed Li Mingjue and ran off rapidly.

Shen Xiheng was left feeling so frustrated he got a headache. Turning around, he saw Zhou Hong looking at him with an indescribable expression and hurriedly waved his hands, "Commander Zhou, it’s not what you’re thinking!"

Zhou Hong smiled awkwardly and also scrambled downstairs like one fleeing disaster.

Ping’an Town, situated at a crossroads, is a wealthy area bustling with trade.

Qi Yu, rarely leaving the capital city, found everything intriguing and pulled Li Mingjue along to check out these novelties.

Several Hidden Guards followed discreetly from a distance, with Shiqi watching the Princess getting jostled and feeling a frown creasing his brow.

He couldn’t understand why the Princess insisted on squeezing into such crowded places; there was nothing worth seeing anyway.

Shen Nanxing, disguised as an ordinary woman, followed Qi Yu from a safe distance, always keeping an eye on the surroundings.

Elsewhere, hidden from view, Ling Xiao watched Qi Yu, protected in Li Mingjue’s arms, with a glint of dark light flashing in his eyes.

What Princess, she’s not worthy at all.