Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 243: They Must Not Let the Prince Qi and Princess Consort Qi Return Alive

Chapter 243: Chapter 243: They Must Not Let the Prince Qi and Princess Consort Qi Return Alive

Catching her off guard with his teasing, Qi Yu’s cheeks flushed red, her eyes brimming with moisture, and her round, almond eyes stared at him. "I don’t know what you’re talking about!"

Li Mingjue hadn’t planned on doing anything, but seeing her eyes darting shyly and her embarrassed demeanor, he couldn’t help but feel an itch in his heart.

His fingertips caressed her tempting red lips again before he leaned down slightly, lowering his head to kiss her.

"Mmm—"

By the time the lengthy kiss ended, Qi Yu had already collapsed weakly into his arms, her eyes carrying a hint of satisfaction.

One really couldn’t blame her for her wavering resolve, blame only that this damned man was too skilled.

She raised her hand, lightly poking his cheek with a lazy tone, "Alright, stop talking in riddles. It was the village chief who told you, wasn’t it?"

Li Mingjue captured her mischievous hand in his palm, speaking softly, "Yes, that day when both you and Ting’er disappeared, I became anxious. I wanted to ask him about your whereabouts, and unexpectedly, I found out even more astonishing things from him."

Qi Yu chuckled lightly, a playful look in her eyes as she watched him. "So it seems I wasn’t the only one shocked, even the well-informed Prince was scared."

Li Mingjue neither confirmed nor denied her teasing. His voice grew deeper as he spoke slowly, "This matter, I fear even Father Emperor does not know. The Empress really has made a smart move."

Qi Yu didn’t speak, twirling his rough palm in her hands for a while before laughing softly, "The Empress won’t succeed."

"Mm." Li Mingjue pressed his forehead against hers, responding in a soft voice.

In the capital city, the Empress was in the palace drinking fetus-preserving medicine when she suddenly received a secret letter from Jiangnan.

She dismissed everyone around her before taking it from the Hidden Guard, unfolding it unhurriedly. As she finished reading the contents, she smiled with pleasure.

"Evil Valley truly lives up to its name. This time, this palace really wants to see how that wretch escapes danger."

She tore up the secret letter and handed it to the Hidden Guard to burn.

Watching the secret letter turn to ashes in the incense burner, she gently caressed her stomach, her expression tender yet flashing with a hint of ruthlessness.

After the Hidden Guard left, soon, a Palace Attendant hurried in to report, "Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived."

The Empress was momentarily stunned before hastily instructing, "Quick, help me up."

Ever since that wretched An Ruoya had regained favor, and the Princess from Tulan had entered the palace, His Majesty had not visited Jingyang Palace for a long time.

Had it not been for her sudden pregnancy, His Majesty might not even remember there was such a person in the harem.

Yet she was the true mistress of the harem, his only wife.

The Empress masked her downhearted look and fleeting murderous intent, letting Palace Attendants support her as she stepped over the threshold.

Li Tianze saw her with a large belly and frowned slightly, "You should rest well, what are you doing coming out?"

Then, he ordered Zhou Fu at his side, "Hurry, call the Imperial Physician to check on the Empress."

Zhou Fu hurried off, but the Empress’s smile stiffened. She quickly raised her hand to call him back, "Eunuch Zhou, there’s no need for trouble, the Imperial Physician has just checked for peace."

Li Tianze then refrained, and entered the hall with the Empress.

After lunch, he instructed her to take care of herself and rest, and then left as quickly as he had come with Zhou Fu.

As soon as he left, the Empress’s smile vanished, and she swept the table of delicacies clean in a fit of rage.

Why, even though she was pregnant, couldn’t she win back His Majesty’s favor?

The servants were startled by her actions, kneeling down and pleading, "Your Highness, please be careful with your body."

The Empress, looking exhausted, let people clean up the mess, and returned to her room to rest with the help of two nannies.

These nannies had followed her for over a decade and knew her heart better than anyone else.

Seeing her in such state, they hastened to comfort her, "Your Highness need not worry; His Majesty thinks of you, which is why he comes every day to share meals with you."

Hearing this, the Empress’s face cleared somewhat.

She half sat up in bed, and coldly ordered, "Keep a close watch on the goings-on at Xuanruo Pavilion for me."

The two nannies hastily responded in a low voice, "Yes."

In Xuanruo Pavilion, Lingya sat in Hefeng Pavilion with a troubled face, occasionally taking a handful of fish feed and sprinkling it into the pond, where the group of carp came at the smell, gathering together to compete for the bites.

After watching for a while, she suddenly spoke out, "Adi, do you think I resemble the fish in this pond?"

Adi hadn’t yet grasped the deeper meaning of her words and naively replied, "Why would you say that, Princess? You are nothing like these fish."

Privately, she was still accustomed to addressing Lingya as Princess.

Only in the presence of others would she call her Noble Consort.

But neither of them liked this title very much.

Lingya knew Adi was still childish at heart, and managed a forced smile before hearing a Palace Attendant hurrying to report that His Majesty had arrived.

Adi pursed her lips, clearly not a fan of Li Tianze.

However, as he was the emperor, no matter how dissatisfied she felt, she didn’t dare voice it.

She could only lower her head and follow behind Lingya to greet His Majesty at the hall.

"How have you been lately, my love?" Li Tianze addressed Lingya more tenderly than he did the Empress.

Apart from being able to bring him tangible benefits, Lingya’s unparalleled beauty also endeared her to him greatly.

Lingya squeezed a smile onto her face and softly answered, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This consort is well."

Li Tianze had come today for important matters. After dismissing the attendants, he said to her, "In another month, the Prince and Princess of Qi will return to the capital city. Would you like to accompany me in welcoming them outside the city?"

Naturally, Lingya had no objections; she yearned to leave the dull palace, so she nodded and agreed, "This consort is willing."

Seeing her docile and amiable, Li Tianze’s smile grew even broader.

Remembering that Song Feng would also be returning to the capital, he added, "These days, if you are not busy, be sure to visit the Noble Consort more often."

Lingya knew what he was scheming but didn’t refuse.

In this harem, the Noble Consort was the only one who wouldn’t harm her, so this task was not disagreeable to her.

Back in Jingyang Palace, the Empress, upon hearing the news, slammed the bowl in her hand, "Did His Majesty really say that?"

The Palace Maid she had placed in Xuanruo Pavilion kept her head low and cautiously replied, "Your Highness, please calm your anger; this humble one would not dare to deceive Your Highness."

The sight of her aggravated the Empress, who waved the woman away.

As the shattered medicine bowl lay on the floor, someone immediately came in to clean up.

The two close nannies took great pains to console the Empress, which finally soothed her anger.

She rested her hand on her protruding belly, her expression both icy and wretched, "His Majesty does indeed dote on that wench."

The two nannies exchanged glances, then quickly said, "Your Highness is overthinking it; surely, His Majesty is concerned about your wellness and does not wish for you to exert yourself."

The Empress slowly shook her head, "Enough, I am clear on the matter. You may all leave."

"Yes."

Once everyone had left the palace, the Empress summoned the Hidden Guard from the shadows, her expression stark, "Send more people to Jiangnan; the Prince of Qi and his wife must not return alive!"