Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 287: The Prince’s Birthday is Coming Soon

Chapter 287: Chapter 287: The Prince’s Birthday is Coming Soon

Facing her question, Liu Wensheng’s expression obviously stiffened for a moment.

However, he soon regained his earlier indifferent demeanor and said in a cold tone, "It doesn’t matter. My life is in her hands; whatever she wants me to do, I must do."

Qi Yu smiled and shook her head, "That’s not what I asked."

Liu Wensheng suddenly looked up at her, having heard her say, "I was thinking, the Empress’s surname is Liu, and so is yours; it’s not just a coincidence, right?"

At her words, Liu Wensheng remained silent for a long time.

Qi Yu wasn’t in a hurry and just quietly waited.

The Empress had many secrets, and if Qi Yu could grasp just one thread, she could follow the vine to find the melon and investigate further.

After a long while, Liu Wensheng finally spoke, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes, "Do you really need to ask?"

Qi Yu nodded frankly, not feeling there was anything wrong with asking a question that involved privacy.

The Empress was their common enemy, and at such a time, intelligence should be shared.

Liu Wensheng closed his eyes briefly, his expression somewhat pained, but his tone was extremely indifferent, "Yes, she and I indeed share the same surname. But I dare not claim any kinship; she is the high and mighty Empress, while I am merely a villain despised by the people."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yu remained silently thoughtful.

Knowing that Liu Wensheng and the Empress were actually from the same clan didn’t surprise her much.

She had already sharply sensed something when Liu Wensheng hesitated.

What really surprised her was why, being from the same clan as the Empress, he had fallen to such a state.

It was like heaven and earth; indeed, fate can be ironic.

Liu Wensheng, however, closed his eyes wearily, choosing not to speak anymore.

Qi Yu knew his heart must be in great pain at this moment, and it wasn’t good to ask further.

That one statement was enough; she could find out the rest on her own.

She returned to the front hall, burdened with thoughts, and just then saw Chunlan looking for her, and asked, "What is it?"

Chunlan handed her a letter, "This was brought by the maid of the Miss from the Liu Family,"

Just hearing the four words ’Miss from the Liu Family’, Qi Yu frowned deeply; what did Liu Sisi want to do now?

But upon opening the letter and seeing the name signed at the bottom, she chuckled lightly.

It was Liu Murou.

Seeing her expression change, Chunlan thought something was amiss and asked, "Does the Princess dislike that Miss from the Liu Family?"

Qi Yu quickly read through the letter and lightly said, "The Liu Family has two misses; their personalities are truly as different as heaven and earth."

Chunlan, not understanding the hidden meaning in her words, quietly poured her tea.

Qi Yu folded the letter neatly and stuffed it back into the envelope, picked up the teacup, and took a light sip before asking, "When is the Prince’s birthday?"

Chunlan hesitated for a moment before slowly answering, "My Princess, the Prince’s birthday is on the fifteenth day of next month."

Qi Yu nodded slightly, then asked, "Does the Prince usually celebrate his birthday with a banquet each year?"

This time, Chunlan thought for a moment, "In previous years, His Majesty would organize a birthday banquet for the Prince; the Prince himself never arranges these things."

What she didn’t say was that every year Li Tianze would suggest having a good celebration at the Residence to enjoy the festivity together.

But it was always refused by Li Mingjue, who didn’t like noisy, bustling occasions, even for his own birthday banquet.

Although every year Li Tianze would host a splendid birthday banquet for him in the Imperial Palace, inviting major officials from the Capital as well as sons and daughters of the Aristocratic Families.

As the star of the birthday feast, Li Mingjue didn’t seem very happy.

He despised extravagant and wasteful behavior, as well as those flattering words, but since Li Tianze had decided, he was not in a position to refuse.

To him, having his mother make him a bowl of longevity noodles on his birthday was enough.

"Last year, when the Prince was seriously ill, the Emperor stopped mentioning it, fearing it would sadden the Prince. As long as the Princess made a bowl of longevity noodles as usual and had it sent to the Prince Residence," Chunlan spoke a few more words seeing her own Princess was interested.

Qi Yu thought of that scene and suddenly felt somewhat sad.

Based on the dates, the poison in Li Mingjue’s body must have begun to take effect around this time last year.

When the poison acted, it felt as if all his organs were entwined, making him wish for death.

She had initially felt unlucky to have come to such a "ghost" place.

But now, thinking about it, if she hadn’t come, Li Mingjue would really have lost his life.

Her mood darkened somewhat, putting down the teacup in her hand she said to Chunlan, "Fetch Mr. Li. I have some matters to discuss with him."

Chunlan nodded and responded, "Yes."

When Mr. Li learned that his Princess wanted to speak with him, he was tallying up the new gifts sent by the Emperor in the storeroom.

Each year, as the Prince’s birthday approached, the Emperor would have treasures delivered in succession.

The intention was undoubtedly kind, yet Li Mingjue never really looked at these items; they just quietly remained in the storeroom.

Mr. Li internally shook his head and sighed, saying it was not right to say the Emperor did not care about the Prince. However, if he truly cared, the gifts sent yearly were all the same, without any novelty.

Maybe it was because the Emperor was too busy.

In the front hall, Qi Yu was sipping tea with a lukewarm demeanor.

She already had an idea in mind, but specifically, she needed to wait for Mr. Li to come and discuss it before knowing whether it could be realized.

Just as she thought this, Mr. Li had arrived at the front hall.

Qi Yu hurriedly asked him to sit and personally poured him a cup of tea, which made Mr. Li a bit taken aback as he hastily said, "Princess, this is not necessary."

Chunlan started to help, but Qi Yu stopped her.

After serving the tea, Qi Yu smiled and said, "Mr. Li, you have always been dedicated to both the Prince and me. We consider you as family. Offering a cup of tea is no big deal."

Mr. Li continued to decline, but his face was all smiles, and when he lifted the tea to his lips, he felt it tasted sweeter than usual.

Qi Yu returned to her seat, making light conversation with Mr. Li.

When she learned that Li Tianze arranged to send so many rare treasures to the Prince Qiu Residence every year, she slightly raised her eyebrows and said, "The Emperor has always been very attentive to the Prince."

Mr. Li thought she was blaming the Emperor for being cold towards her and quickly said, "When it’s the Princess’s birthday, the Emperor will surely send a gift too."

Qi Yu just smiled faintly, not responding.

Last year during her birthday, she saw nothing from Li Tianze.

It seemed he was quite dissatisfied with her as Princess, not even wanting to make the effort for appearances.

But she didn’t really care anyway.

The memory of releasing lanterns in the Prince Residence during last year’s birthday surfaced in her mind, bringing a light smile to Qi Yu’s eyes.

It had to be said, it was the best birthday she had in many years.

She hadn’t forgotten who made it happen, and her heart softened further. She said to Mr. Li, "The Prince’s birthday is coming soon. I think I would like to prepare a gift for him."