Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 170: Expel these two troublemakers

Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Expel these two troublemakers

The surrounding noise was loud, but to Shen Xiheng, only the girl in the red dress before him was visible. She didn’t have the bright eyes and white teeth he had seen on the day of the martial contest, her complexion a bit cold, but her tone was very gentle and playful.

He was momentarily stunned.

A twinge of sourness came from his heart, accompanied by a warm rush.

It was as if a lifetime of wandering had been for this single sentence.

He moved his lips and asked her, "Why did you come looking for me?"

Shi Zhou hugged her sword, her small canine teeth showing as she smiled at him.

Shen Xiheng’s heart stirred, and suddenly a face drew close to his. His eyes widened, somewhat at a loss as he looked at her.

Shi Zhou was just fifteen, not yet fully blossomed, but her face already bore the shadow of a peerless beauty.

Standing before Shen Xiheng, she tipped onto her toes, just enough to meet his gaze, her bright eyes intently fixed on him. She said candidly, "Because I like you, Sir Shen!"

After speaking, Shi Zhou took a step back.

She cocked a smile, hugged her sword, and turned to find Qi Yu.

Shen Xiheng was left standing there dumbfounded, until Zhou Hong called him several times, and he hastily came back to his senses.

"Commander Zhou, is there something you need?" Shen Xiheng had no idea what Zhou Hong had just said.

Zhou Hong gave him an annoyed glance and repeated, "I said these bandits have been detained. Would Sir Shen care to join me at the government office to interrogate them?"

The Prince and Princess’ assassination attempt was no trivial matter. Zhou Hong was just a martial artist and not as skilled in interrogating prisoners as these civil servants were.

But Shen Xiheng had been looking increasingly out of sorts these past few days.

He was nothing like the Shen Xiheng who had just left the capital city, smiling like a fox.

Shen Xiheng shook his head, "You go ahead."

Zhou Hong didn’t say much more, but Gu Jingping interjected, "If Commander Zhou isn’t reassured, perhaps he would allow this commoner to accompany him."

Just now, while everyone was watching Shi Zhou’s battle against the assassin, it was only Gu Jingping who, unseen by the crowd, quietly left to go to the government office and summoned the constables, enabling them to capture all the leaderless bandits at once.

Compared to Gu Songhua, who was a timid, scarey mouse, Gu Jingping was indeed far more courageous and resourceful.

Zhou Hong thought about it and agreed.

Upon returning to the manor, Qi Yu first sent someone to find a doctor to treat Ling Xiao’s injuries.

She had looked over them earlier; they were just superficial wounds and hadn’t damaged the muscles or bones. It only seemed more severe because of the excessive bleeding.

Trivial wounds like these didn’t require her intervention. Additionally, she hadn’t forgotten the incident where Ling Xiao had poisoned her.

To spare her life was already the utmost kindness; it would be impossible for her to personally treat her wounds.

She pulled Shi Zhou towards the backyard, whispering, "How about I arrange for you to stay in the room next to Shen Xiheng’s?"

Shi Zhou nodded, "Okay."

They exchanged a knowing glance and casually looked away.

The manor they were now living in had been arranged by Li Mingjue early in the morning; it was located in the eastern part of the city, a three-section courtyard house.

The place was vast, with a tranquil environment, very suitable for living.

It was said to have originally been owned by a wealthy merchant, but after his family’s fortunes declined, they moved elsewhere and sold the property, which Li Mingjue then had someone purchase.

They were all staying here temporarily, firstly because it was lively, and secondly, for mutual support.

Qi Yu held Shi Zhou’s hand, showed her around the courtyard for a while, and smiled, "I didn’t expect you to act so quickly. We only arrived in Gusu the day before yesterday, and you’re already here."

Shi Zhou felt an immediate connection with her. The two had gotten along well in the village.

Once there, she even more so regarded Qi Yu as a close friend, not keeping secrets from her, "I snuck down the mountain. Yesterday on the boat, I even saw my father had sent people to catch me."

Qi Yu then asked, "So, what are your plans?"

Shi Zhou pursed her lips, a hint of shyness in her eyes, but she said with conviction, "I came to find Sir Shen."

Seeing her a bit embarrassed, Qi Yu smiled mischievously, teasing her, "Only now are you feeling shy? I’m afraid that might be too late."

That day, during the martial contest for marriage, Shi Zhou’s earth-shattering actions and demeanor had been truly shocking.

However, as a modern person, Qi Yu didn’t find it the least bit improper.

On the contrary, she admired her for daring to pursue what she desired.

Shi Zhou suddenly looked at her and asked, "Then... will the Princess help me?"

Qi Yu nodded, "Of course, you are my friend, who else would I help if not you?"

After saying that, she waved Shi Zhou over, and Shi Zhou approached, puzzled.

Qi Yu whispered in her ear, "I think Shen Xiheng has feelings for you too."

Shi Zhou chuckled softly, a glimmer in her eyes, yet she said with some distress, "But my father will not agree."

Qi Yu patted her shoulder, comforting her, "Don’t worry, Village Chief Shi is a straightforward person, if you truly like him, I’m sure he won’t stand in your way."

In this era, most marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers, and for Shi Fuyou to allow Shi Zhou to choose through martial contest was already very enlightened.

Thinking of Shi Fuyoy, Shi Zhou felt somewhat guilty.

However, her mother once told her to actively pursue the person she liked, and not to be constrained by society’s views.

Qi Yu thought the same; she had finally met someone whose personality matched hers and naturally wanted to bring Shi Zhou back to the capital city with her.

If Shi Zhou could really marry Shen Xiheng, everyone would be overjoyed.

She rattled the abacus beads in her heart, but it was hard to deal with Shen Xiheng’s obstinacy.

Qi Yu could only sigh silently, hoping Shi Zhou would soon tame him.

After strolling for a while, they headed toward the front courtyard.

Halfway there, a maid hurried over to Qi Yu and said, "Princess, Madam Gu has arrived."

Qi Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, "Which Madam Gu?"

The maid glanced at her face and said, "Both Madam Gus have arrived."

Qi Yu waved her hand to dismiss the maid and walked unhurriedly toward the front hall.

Shi Zhou, new to these affairs, was curious, "Who is this Madam Gu? Why are there two Madam Gus?"

Qi Yu explained to her and after hearing it, Shi Zhou frowned, "It seems that neither of these Madam Gus are easy to get along with. I’m afraid their visit is just a pretense and their true intention is to cause trouble."

Qi Yu smiled faintly, remaining silent.

She hadn’t yet told Shi Zhou about the various troublesome figures she had encountered in the capital city, each more formidable than these two Madam Gus.

In the capital, she had never been at a disadvantage.

How could she possibly show weakness in front of these two Madam Gus?

She gave Shi Zhou a suggestive eyebrow raise, signaling her to be at ease.

It was almost time for her to put on a show.

In the front hall, the Senior and Junior Madams eyed the house greedily.

The Senior Madam thought to herself without showing any emotion that such a fine house should have been bought by the lord in the first place.

The Junior Madam, holding five-year-old Gu Sheng, a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes.

She coaxed Gu Sheng, "When the Princess comes, you must behave yourself."

Gu Sheng, impatient, twisted his head away, his little temper flaring.

The Junior Madam, a bit annoyed, vented her frustration on a nearby maid, deliberately saying to the Senior Madam, "The servants of this house are so negligent. We’ve been sitting for a while, yet not even a cup of tea has been offered."

The Senior Madam, also intending to suppress Qi Yu’s spirit, stoked the fire, "Indeed, the servants reflect the master. They truly lack all sense of propriety!"

No sooner had the words fallen than two maids drew back the curtain, with a line of others behind ready to serve tea and water.

Qi Yu walked in, her gaze towards them indifferent.

The conversations of the two women had been heard clearly by her and Shi Zhou from behind the curtain.

Shi Zhou had almost lost her composure and wanted to draw her sword and charge out several times, but Qi Yu had stopped her each time.

Now that they had guests, Shi Zhou didn’t bother to engage with them, but worried that Qi Yu would be at a disadvantage, she reluctantly sat down.

She had just sipped her tea when she suddenly heard Qi Yu shout coldly, "Bring people here and throw these two troublemakers out!"