ASTRP -Chapter 217 They Thought Their Arrival Was to Demand an Explanation

Feng Jingge asked, “What if they refuse?”

“If they refuse… I’ll just take her by force.”

“…”

Feng Jingge rolled her eyes. “Can’t you think about proving through your actions that you sincerely want to marry Xi Liyue?”

Xiao Jinghan also said, “Are you planning to abduct a respectable young woman?”

Prince Yu scratched his head. “Royal Uncle, Royal Aunt, I don’t know what I should do.”

“If you have any ideas, tell me. I’ll definitely do my best.”

Xiao Jinghan and Feng Jingge exchanged a smile.

“There is indeed a way, but whether it succeeds or not, neither the prince nor I can guarantee it.”

“After all, we don’t know the exact situation over in Xi Qing Kingdom.”

“So let’s make this clear first—you follow our plan.”

“If it doesn’t work out, then you can’t blame the prince or me.”

Prince Yu knew how clever Feng Jingge was. He absolutely refused to believe that there was anything she and his royal uncle couldn’t accomplish together.

So he immediately nodded in agreement. “Royal Uncle, Royal Aunt, don’t worry. If it fails, then perhaps Xi Liyue and I simply aren’t fated to be together.”

“At that point, I’ll just wish her well.”

Although that was what he said, Prince Yu had already made up his mind.

If the plan truly failed, then he would simply snatch her away.

After all, he was a prince of Jing Kingdom. What could a tiny Xi Qing Kingdom possibly do to him?

In his heart, Xi Liyue liked him.

And not just a little—she liked him very much.

So he felt there was nothing wrong with taking her by force.

He even believed that if he did that, Xi Liyue would admire him even more.

Once everything was decided, Xiao Jinghan, Feng Jingge, and Prince Yu boarded a carriage and headed toward Xi Qing Kingdom.

Throughout the journey, Prince Yu was restless and uneasy.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jinghan and Feng Jingge remained completely relaxed.

The next day, in Xi Qing Kingdom.

Xi Liyue entered the palace to see the emperor. Her mother, Consort Fang, was waiting at the entrance with a worried frown.

“My precious Yue’er…”

She rushed over and hugged Xi Liyue, saying how much she had missed her.

She even said her skin had darkened from the sun and that she had become thinner.

“Mother… I’m not thin at all. I weighed myself while getting dressed this morning.”

“As long as you’re not thinner, that’s good.”

“Oh, Yue’er, my darling.”

“Why were you unwilling to come back from Jing Kingdom?”

“Although I lied and said it was the emperor’s idea, your mother truly missed you so much!”

“I even heard yesterday that you only returned in the middle of the night, and the emperor originally wanted you to come see him immediately.”

Seeing the dark circles under Consort Fang’s eyes, Xi Liyue instantly understood why she had been able to sleep peacefully last night.

Consort Fang must have persuaded the emperor to let her rest.

Xi Liyue said it was fine and that she would go now.

The emperor had suddenly made her mother trick her into returning and even sent people to escort her back. There had to be a reason.

She beckoned for her maid to come over.

“I even brought gifts for Father Emperor… and for you too.”

The moment Consort Fang heard about gifts, she nodded in satisfaction. “Just don’t say anything wrong!”

“I won’t. Don’t worry.”

At that moment, Eunuch Hai—the emperor’s personal attendant—walked out with a deep frown.

“Consort Fang, this old servant has already reminded you several times.”

“You cannot stop the princess outside the emperor’s bedchamber. Why won’t you listen?”

“The emperor will be displeased.”

“You may spoil the princess however you like behind closed doors, but not here.”

Consort Fang frowned. “She’s my own daughter…”

Xi Liyue hurriedly said, “I’ll talk to Mother.”

Eunuch Hai remarked that the princess was more sensible than her.

In truth, Xi Liyue was worried that Eunuch Hai would make things difficult for Consort Fang.

Because she knew this eunuch held considerable power.

At this point, he could barely even be considered a servant anymore. Only in front of the emperor was he still a slave.

Although she hadn’t been in Xi Qing Kingdom these past years, after returning she had heard from her maids about the events that had occurred in the palace over the past few years.

In truth, the main reason she returned was because she worried about her mother. Otherwise, she truly would not have wanted to come back.

She also wondered whether Prince Yu would blame her.

Little did she know, Prince Yu was already on his way.

“Eunuch Hai, please go in first. I’ll persuade Mother to leave.”

Eunuch Hai nodded. “The princess truly has grown up. She handles matters much more maturely now.”

After Eunuch Hai entered, Xi Liyue immediately said, “Mother, you absolutely must not offend him.”

“Why would I be afraid of a eunuch?”

“I’m at least—”

Xi Liyue quickly covered Consort Fang’s mouth.

“Mother, some things must not be said carelessly.”

“Once we return later, I’ll tell you about my experiences in Jing Kingdom.”

“And also, back then I didn’t leave home voluntarily—I was kidnapped.”

Consort Fang froze. “Who kidnapped you?”

“I’ll explain later in detail. You should head back first!”

“Alright then.”

Consort Fang left reluctantly.

After entering the main hall, Xi Liyue bowed to the emperor.

Several years had passed since they last met, and the emperor seemed to have aged considerably.

Yet the number of consorts by his side had only increased.

For example, instead of just one concubine massaging his legs, there were now several.

The entire hall was filled with the heavy scent of cosmetics and perfume.

“Long live Father Emperor, long live, long live forever.”

The emperor waved his hand. “Rise.”

“Yue’er, did you become too wild after going out?”

“You wouldn’t even come home. I missed you but couldn’t see you, and your mother worried about you every day.”

Xi Liyue quickly instructed her maid to present the gifts.

She explained that she had visited many places and experienced different customs and cultures.

After listening, the emperor suddenly said, “Yue’er, you’ve already come of age, haven’t you?”

“It’s time for you to marry.”

Xi Liyue immediately thought of Prince Yu and lowered her eyes slightly.

Inwardly, she realized that the emperor had called her back for a political marriage alliance.

“Father Emperor, your daughter has only just returned. I want to stay by your side and spend more time with you.”

The emperor smiled faintly. “If you truly had such filial devotion, then why did you remain in Jing Kingdom for so long without returning?”

“I…”

“Enough. Since you’ve already returned, we’ll let that matter pass.”

The emperor abruptly changed the subject. “Yue’er, now that you’ve come of age, the son of General Dingkang from Jinyu Kingdom is quite good. How about—”

Right then, Eunuch Hai hurried inside.

“Your Majesty, the Regent Prince of Jing Kingdom and his princess consort have arrived.”

“Oh?”

“How rare!”

“The Regent Prince of Jing Kingdom has actually come personally to my Xi Qing Kingdom?”

Then he looked toward Xi Liyue. “Yue’er, you returned late last night, and today they arrive.”

“Could it be they came for you?”

Xi Liyue didn’t know how to answer and could only say:

“Father Emperor, your daughter is not particularly familiar with the Regent Prince of Jing Kingdom.”

Eunuch Hai suddenly added, “Your Highness the Princess, Prince Yu of Jing Kingdom has also come.”

Xi Liyue froze.

Had they truly come for her?

The emperor raised his hand slightly. “Let them enter.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon, Xiao Jinghan, Feng Jingge, and Prince Yu walked inside.

The moment Prince Yu saw Xi Liyue, his gaze never left her again.

Xi Liyue bit her lip and lowered her head slightly, hardly daring to look at him.

Could Prince Yu have come here to demand an explanation from her?

“What honored guests!”

“Prince, Princess Consort, what brings you both to my Xi Qing Kingdom?”

Xiao Jinghan exchanged a glance with Feng Jingge before finally speaking.