CMWKSD -Chapter 265 Jiang Xunan the Lackey

Ying Yi and Jiang Xunan stood in front of Jiu Yue.

With awkward yet polite smiles, they said, “Princess.”

Jiu Yue was so furious she actually laughed instead, her mouth opening as she was about to hurl a sarcastic remark—

But then she seemed to think of something.

She paused and asked, “Did His Majesty and the Crown Prince send you?”

Ying Yi and Jiang Xunan exchanged a glance, both seeing confirmation in each other’s eyes.

Then they looked back at Jiu Yue.

“Replying to the Princess—yes.”

Jiu Yue sat on the brocade stool, her fingertips lightly tapping on the table. Dong, dong, dong—it sounded just like her heartbeat.

At last, she shot them a sideways glance and protested indignantly, “My martial arts are so good. How could I possibly need you two to come along?”

Ying Yi and Jiang Xunan looked at each other, at a loss for words.

Before either of them could respond, Ji Yiqing walked in wearing an outer robe.

Shao Qing followed behind him.

Seeing the two grown men being shouted into speechlessness by Jiu Yue, Ji Yiqing couldn’t help but chuckle. He walked over and sat beside Jiu Yue.

He first looked at Ying Yi and Jiang Xunan. “Captain Jiang, Leader Ying Yi—I’ve had Shao Qing prepare places for you to rest.”

As he spoke, Shao Qing nodded.

Ji Yiqing was courteous yet not obsequious. Even when facing the favored figures before the Crown Prince and Emperor Fengyuan, he still carried his own integrity and backbone.

“Sorry to trouble you both to act as Jiu Yue’s guards during this time. Protection from the shadows is never as reassuring as being in plain sight.”

The moment he finished speaking, Jiu Yue’s mouth twisted as she was about to retort.

She was so capable—how could she possibly need anyone to protect her?

Before she could speak, however, Ji Yiqing’s hand gently clasped hers beneath the table.

Jiu Yue turned her head to look at him.

Ji Yiqing tightened his grip slightly, his eyes shining as if lit from within as he looked at her.

Then his clear, pleasant voice sounded.

“Of course I know our Jiu Yue’s martial arts are peerless, unmatched in the world.”

“But Jiu Yue—even if you are invincible, we still can’t help but worry about you.”

“Could you please bear with this for a while? We promise to follow you without causing trouble. And if something truly happens, we will absolutely not drag you down.”

Ying Yi and Jiang Xunan were in awe. Just look at this—this was the art of speaking.

Who knew that before Ying Yi could even react—

Jiang Xunan was already nodding vigorously, declaring his loyalty. “Princess, please rest assured. I absolutely won’t be a burden.”

Ying Yi: !!!

He’d only paused for a moment—how did this lackey Jiang Xunan react so fast?!

Jiu Yue looked at Ji Yiqing.

Then she looked at Ying Yi and Jiang Xunan.

Somehow, she suddenly understood a saying.

People only see how high and how far you fly.

Only those who truly care about you worry about whether you’re tired from flying.

For the first time, Jiu Yue vividly realized what it felt like to be cared for.

She was undefeated and highly pragmatic.

She believed that no matter where she went or whom she encountered, she could always retreat unscathed.

So she had never considered that, every time she faced a difficult situation—

Someone might be silently worrying about her from behind.

Jiu Yue lifted her eyes to look at Ji Yiqing, her eye sockets growing warm.

Ji Yiqing smiled gently and straightened his back slightly.

“It’s late today. You two should go rest first. The ones relieving you will arrive soon. For now, please stay at the Ji residence. We’ve inconvenienced you.”

Ying Yi and Jiang Xunan were both flattered and waved their hands repeatedly. “Lord Ji, you’re too polite. It’s no trouble at all, truly.”

After the two withdrew—

Jiu Yue still sat there on the brocade stool, a little dazed.

Ji Yiqing said nothing, only gently kneading the soft flesh at Jiu Yue’s fingertips.

Jiu Yue remained lost in thought for a long while.

Then she suddenly lifted her head to look at Ji Yiqing.

Ji Yiqing smiled tenderly and leaned in, placing a kiss on her forehead.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of desire—only overflowing affection.

“Because it’s worth it. Because our Jiu Yue is most worthy of it.”

Jiu Yue lowered her gaze for a breath, then lifted her head again with a small, proud huff.

Hands on her hips, she said smugly to Ji Yiqing, “Of course. I’m Jiu Yue—beloved by all, flowers bloom when they see me.”

Ji Yiqing had never heard such words before.

Not to mention that people of this era expressed affection in such subtle ways—one day apart feels like three autumns and the like.

Hearing Jiu Yue say this so bluntly—

Ji Yiqing cupped the little proud Jiu Yue’s face and planted a loud smack of a kiss on it.

She was just too adorable.

No matter what, he could never get enough of her.

After spending so much time with Jiu Yue, Ji Yiqing had also learned that when emotions ran deep and feelings surged, expressing them with kisses felt perfectly natural.

Jiu Yue was kissed until her eyes curved into slits as she smiled.

If it had been broad daylight, one might even have seen a faint blush on her face.

Truly rare indeed.

Thus, members of the Crown Prince’s Eagle-Eyed Guard Team donned the Ji family’s guard uniforms and posed as Jiu Yue’s personal guards.

Logically speaking, given Jiu Yue’s status, she should have had her own proper retinue and ceremonial escort.

But Jiu Yue felt that going out with a whole entourage was unbearably troublesome.

She nearly threw a tantrum—rolling and kicking—before Emperor Fengyuan finally abandoned the idea.

For several days in a row, whenever Jiu Yue went out, it felt like a big boss taking to the streets.

Four tall, burly guards followed behind her.

Jiu Yue: …

She was utterly helpless.

After all, she was hoping that that so-called Prince Hui would hurry up and appear.

Once this behind-the-scenes final boss was dealt with—Wouldn’t that be the grand finale?

But with Eagle Eye and the Crown Prince’s guard team—These men were built sturdier than bandits. Who would dare try to abduct anyone?

How was she supposed to fish for bait?

So she kicked and shoved Jiang Xunan away first.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to kick Ying Yi.

Mainly because Ying Yi truly lived up to the word “eagle.”

When he ran, he flew off like a forked blur.

Jiu Yue gave up.

As for Jiang Xunan—he was like sticky taffy.

If not for Ji Yiqing’s deathly glare, he could’ve clung to Jiu Yue’s leg and wailed.

In just a few short days, Jiang Xunan had completely mastered the way to survive by Jiu Yue’s side.

That was—Shamelessness, all the way.

In the end, Jiu Yue could only compromise.

Ying Yi and Jiang Xunan would take turns.

Today, it just happened to be Ying Yi’s shift.

Jiang Xunan stood resentfully at the main gate, watching Jiu Yue head out with Ying Yi.

Ying Yi swaggered along, practically ready to put his eyes on top of his head.

Once they were out of sight, Jiang Xunan turned around—And just happened to see Ji Youqin, wearing a small bag identical to Jiu Yue’s, taking a long stride as she was about to head out.

Ji Youqin unexpectedly met Jiang Xunan’s gaze.

In the past, she might have been timid and hesitant.

But after spending so much time with Jiu Yue, all that was long gone.

So Ji Youqin politely—half-heartedly—asked, “I’m heading to the pharmacy. Second Sister-in-law asked me to buy medicinal herbs. Guard Jiang, would you like to come along?”

It was purely a courtesy question. Ji Youqin had never intended for Jiang Xunan to go.

After speaking, she stepped over the threshold.

Who knew—

Jiang Xunan lowered his head as if deep in thought, though in truth, not even a full breath passed.

He lifted his gaze and nodded at Ji Youqin. “Since Miss Ji has sincerely invited me, it wouldn’t be right for Jiang to refuse your kindness. Today, I shall accompany Miss Ji to the pharmacy—so I can also help you appraise things.”

Ji Youqin: …

No—listen to yourself.

Does that sound reasonable at all?

Who sincerely invited you?!

It was clearly just a polite gesture.

And sure, following Jiu Yue requires shamelessness—

But you, surpassing the master and outdoing the teacher like this—

Just makes the rest of them look utterly brainless.