YWTGU -Chapter 31 This Generation of Princesses Is Too Hard to Handle

Outside the city gates of Great Qi’s capital.

Li An was riding a dull gray donkey, followed by Jin Daya, Zhao Dadan, and the rest of his so-called “troublemaking squad.”

No matter how you looked at it, the scene was ridiculous.

Here was the newly crowned top scholar, the chief officer of the Revenue Bureau, the overall coordinator of the International Expo, the imperial envoy responsible for welcoming the Northern Yan delegation…

And yet he was riding a donkey?

“Sir, are you sure you don’t want to switch to a proper horse? We do have some,” Jin Daya asked helplessly from atop a skinny horse.

“Switch? To what?”

Li An patted the donkey’s head. “This is called being low-key. You understand?”

Low-key?

Jin Daya glanced down at the crumpled robe Li An had made him wear, then at the dogtail grass Zhao Dadan had in his mouth, and finally at the rest of the entourage…

Every single one of them looked like a street ruffian.

Low-key? This was clearly a band of hooligans here to cause a scene!

But Jin Daya didn’t dare ask more.

After all, Lord Li’s methods were always unfathomable.

Even if he couldn’t keep up with Li An’s thoughts, he had to follow his lead in action.

Anyway… just follow Lord Li’s arrangements and everything would be fine.

…

Li An felt delighted as he rode his donkey.

He had already asked Hongmei to verify something with the Heishuitai earlier.

His undercover identity in Northern Yan was top secret. Aside from the Northern Yan Emperor and Prime Minister, only the Governor of Northern Yan’s capital under Heishuitai and the stationed Great Qi governor knew.

Northern Yan Princess Murong Xueke was completely in the dark. For some unknown reason, the Northern Yan Emperor hadn’t told her that Li An was a Great Qi spy.

So!

The Northern Yan princess was coming for a marriage proposal?

Perfect!

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to exploit a fallen nation!

Li An’s plan was simple…

Arrive late. Make the princess wait outside the gates, humiliating Great Qi.

Dress in rags and bring a gang of misfits to greet her, embarrassing the princess.

Speak rudely and provoke the princess, ideally making her lose her temper and triggering a diplomatic dispute!

If that happened, it would worsen relations between the two countries—and the national fortune of Great Qi would plummet!

Just thinking about it made Li An grin from ear to ear.

His first goal was already accomplished. Dragging himself out of the city like this would certainly keep the Northern Yan princess waiting.

Ding!

【Host Li An deliberately arrived late, neglecting the Northern Yan delegation!】

【Great Qi’s diplomatic image is damaged!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -500】

【Current National Fortune: 53,479】

“Hehehe…”

Seeing the system notification put Li An in an even better mood.

This was just the beginning!

Once he met the princess, he had even more ruthless tricks up his sleeve.

…

Outside the city gates.

The Northern Yan delegation had been waiting for a full hour.

The leading carriage was extremely luxurious, adorned with gold and jade, with curtains of the finest Shu brocade, clearly carrying a very important person.

“Your Highness, that Li An still hasn’t arrived,” a maid whispered.

From behind the curtains came a clear, cold voice.

“I know.”

“Shall we send someone to hurry him along?”

“No need.”

Murong Xue’s tone carried a hint of amusement. “If he dares make me wait, he must feel confident.”

“I want to see what makes him so bold.”

The maid dared not speak further and retreated to the side.

After another half incense stick’s worth of time, a group of figures finally appeared on the distant road.

“Your Highness, here they come!”

The maid’s sharp eyes spotted the group immediately—and she froze at the sight.

“What… what is going on?”

At the front of the group was a young man riding a donkey.

A donkey!

An imperial envoy, riding a donkey to greet the princess?

And behind him, his entourage…

Each one looked like a street thug. Some had grass stems in their mouths, some were fussy eunuchs pinching their fingers in the air, some were picking their noses, and some were squatting on the ground eating melon seeds!

Was this really a welcoming party for the princess—or just a gang of hooligans?

“Your Highness…”

The maid’s voice trembled with anger. “That Li An… he seems to be deliberately humiliating our Northern Yan delegation!”

There was a brief silence from inside the carriage.

Then Murong Xue lifted the curtain.

In an instant, all eyes were drawn to her.

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Skin like smooth jade, eyebrows like distant ink, phoenix eyes sparkling, lips curved in a faint, subtle smile.

Northern Yan’s title of the most beautiful woman was truly deserved.

Even Li An couldn’t help but mentally exclaim:

“Damn, she’s insanely beautiful!”

But…

Beautiful or not, humiliation still had to be delivered.

Li An dismounted with a flourish and strode forward.

“Oh my! Forgive me, forgive me! Your Highness, I’m late!”

He deliberately cast a disdainful glance at Murong Xue, surveying her from head to toe, then said, “Your Highness, you’ve traveled a long way. It must have been exhausting! Look at your makeup—it’s all smudged. Perhaps I should take you to the foot-washing spa I recently opened to freshen up your face?”

The crowd gasped at his words.

The Northern Yan delegation’s faces turned pale.

What was he saying? Speaking so insolently! Criticizing the princess for being tired from travel? Claiming her appearance was improper? Suggesting she go to a spa to wash her face?

Was this Great Qi’s way of receiving guests?

This was a deliberate insult!

A humiliation of Northern Yan beyond measure!

“Impudent!”

A Northern Yan general shouted angrily. “How dare you insult the princess!”

“Insult?”

Li An looked innocent. “I’m just giving a kind reminder! Your Highness has traveled all this way, her face is covered in dust, and I’m afraid she might look improper before His Majesty!”

“You…”

The general’s face reddened with rage, hand already on his sword.

“Hold!”

Murong Xue’s voice rang out—cold yet commanding.

The general reluctantly withdrew his hand.

Murong Xue looked at Li An, her eyes flashing with curiosity.

This man…

Was indeed as audacious as the rumors said.

After all, he dared insult the emperor and all the ministers openly. A few words of insult toward her were in line with his reputation.

“Lord Li,” she began, “I’ve heard that you alone are capable of commanding three armies?”

“Oh? Your Highness has heard of me?”

Li An raised an eyebrow. “Those are all exaggerated stories. I’m actually just a small official waiting for life to pass me by—don’t be fooled, Your Highness.”

“Is that so?”

Murong Xue’s lips curved slightly. “Yet I heard that you debated scholars at court, leaving the Prime Minister speechless?”

“That within ten days, you raised hundreds of thousands of taels for Great Qi’s army by selling offices and ranks?”

“That the International Expo under your management earned the treasury five hundred thousand taels before it even began?”

She stepped down from the carriage and approached Li An.

“How could someone like this be just a small official waiting for life to pass?”

Li An’s heart skipped a beat.

This princess… knows so much about him?

She clearly came prepared.

“Your Highness, your information is impressive.”

He laughed awkwardly. “But those are all misunderstandings. I was just lucky.”

“Luck?”

Murong Xue chuckled. “Lord Li is too modest.”

Her gaze fell on the misfit entourage behind him and the donkey.

“You came riding a donkey with this… entourage to greet me?”

“If I’m not mistaken, Lord Li is trying to give me a warning?”

Li An froze.

A warning?

No!

He was trying to humiliate her, make her angry, and provoke a diplomatic incident!

“Your Highness, you overthink. I merely—”

“Lord Li need not explain.”

Murong Xue interrupted, her eyes flashing with admiration.

“I understand your intentions.”

“Although Great Qi and Northern Yan are at peace, they were once enemies. As a senior minister of Great Qi, you naturally wish to show the might of Great Qi.”

“By doing this, you demonstrate to me that Great Qi fears Northern Yan not, and Lord Li fears me not.”

“I admire your courage.”

Li An: ???

Wait!

What are you saying?

He just wanted to humiliate you!

How did it turn into a display of national prestige?

Ding!

【Murong Xue misunderstood Li An’s intention!】

【Believes Li An is displaying the power of Great Qi, neither humble nor arrogant!】

【The Northern Yan delegation looks at Great Qi with new respect!】

【Great Qi National Fortune +800】

【Current National Fortune: 54,279】

Li An stared at the system notification, completely dumbfounded.

National fortune… increased?

He rode a donkey to humiliate the princess, and the country’s fortune went up?

What kind of nonsense logic is this?

“Lord Li?”

Murong Xue looked at his stunned expression, a deeper smile playing at her lips.

“What, Lord Li didn’t expect me to understand it this way?”

“Although I am a woman, I have studied military texts.”

“To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill.”

“Lord Li’s move today is far more intimidating than an army of thousands.”

Li An: …

All he wanted now was to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Is this princess crazy?

He was clearly trying to humiliate her!

How did it turn into military strategy?

Just then, the sound of galloping hooves came from afar.

Everyone turned toward the noise and saw a fleet of elegant carriages rushing toward them.

At the front, the carriage bore the flag of the Imperial Uncle’s mansion.

“That is…”

Jin Daya squinted and said, “Looks like Miss Liu’s entourage!”

Liu Wanqing?

Why is she here?

Li An felt a twinge of anxiety.

This isn’t good!

Liu Wanqing and Murong Xue—one is the daughter of the Imperial Uncle, the other is the Northern Yan princess.

If these two women meet, wouldn’t they fight?

Sure enough, Liu Wanqing’s carriage soon stopped outside the city gate.

The curtain lifted, and Liu Wanqing gracefully stepped down.

Today she wore a light purple ruqun, her hair adorned with a white jade hairpin. She looked dignified and elegant, yet alluring.

“Lord Li.”

She approached Li An and gave a polite bow. “Wanqing heard the Northern Yan delegation has arrived, so I’ve come to help you welcome them.”

“Miss Liu, why…”

“You are busy with official duties, so naturally I should ease your burden,” Liu Wanqing said, her gaze landing on Murong Xue.

The two women’s eyes met.

In the air, it seemed sparks were flying.

“So, this is the Ninth Princess of Northern Yan?”

Liu Wanqing’s lips curved in a smile. “I’ve long heard of your fame.”

“And you are?”

Murong Xue sized her up from head to toe.

“Wanqing is the daughter of the Imperial Uncle,” Liu Wanqing smiled lightly, “and also Lord Li’s…”

She paused, her words heavy with meaning, “…fiancée.”

At this, the crowd erupted again.

Fiancée?

Since when did Li An have a fiancée?

Li An himself was stunned.

“Miss Liu, you…”

“Don’t worry,” Liu Wanqing tugged on his sleeve, speaking softly, “I’ve come to help you.”

Help him?

Help him with what?

Before Li An could react, Murong Xue spoke.

“Oh? Lord Li has a fiancée?”

A faint smile curved Murong Xue’s lips. “I heard Lord Li is still single.”

“That was before,” Liu Wanqing said calmly, “but not anymore.”

“Is that so?”

Murong Xue chuckled lightly. “I’ve come this time under my father’s orders to meet Lord Li for an arranged introduction.”

“Since Lord Li already has a fiancée, does that mean my visit is in vain?”

Her tone was calm, but her eyes flashed sharply.

Liu Wanqing met her gaze without retreating.

“Your Highness has come a long way, so it is certainly not in vain.”

“Great Qi is vast and rich in talent. If Your Highness finds Lord Li unsuitable, there are plenty of other fine gentlemen to choose from.”

“But as for Lord Li…”

She linked arms with Li An, smiling, “he already belongs to Wanqing.”

Li An: …

He just wanted to cover Liu Wanqing’s mouth.

What is she saying?

“Already yours”? Since when did they have this kind of relationship?

Murong Xue glanced at Liu Wanqing holding Li An’s arm, a trace of amusement in her eyes.

“You are quite bold, Miss Liu.”

“But…”

She stepped forward, facing Liu Wanqing directly.

“Whether Lord Li belongs to you, Miss Liu, perhaps it’s still up to him to decide, isn’t it?”

Both women looked at Li An simultaneously.

Li An felt like a little lamb being stared down by two tigresses.

“Uh…”

He forced a laugh. “Ladies, let’s talk this out calmly, okay? Don’t—”

“Lord Li,” Murong Xue interrupted, “I only have one question for you.”

“Will you marry me?”

Li An: !!!

Why is this princess so direct?

Before he could answer, Liu Wanqing jumped in.

“Your Highness, Lord Li has already agreed to marry Wanqing.”

“Is that so?”

Murong Xue looked at Li An. “Lord Li, is that true?”

Li An felt his head was about to explode.

These two women, each more troublesome than the other!

“Um… Your Highness, Miss Liu, let’s go inside the city first, alright?”

“Standing at the gate isn’t exactly appropriate either!”

He laughed awkwardly, trying to change the subject.

Murong Xue glanced at him, but a faint smile lingered on her lips.

“Very well.”

“But Lord Li, tonight I will hold a banquet at the guest hall, inviting only you.”

“I want to see just how capable you really are.”

With that, she turned and got into her carriage.

As the curtain closed, her voice carried once more.

“Lord Li, I’ll be waiting for you.”

Li An watched the carriage leave, completely flustered.

A banquet tonight?

Inviting only him?

What exactly does this princess want?

“Lord Li.”

Liu Wanqing’s voice rang in his ear, tinged with jealousy.

“You mustn’t go to that Northern Yan princess’s banquet.”

“She’s obviously trying to seduce you!”

Li An sighed wryly.

“Miss Liu, this is a diplomatic event. I can’t avoid it.”

“Then I’ll go with you!”

“You’re going? Why?”

“To protect you!”

Liu Wanqing looked serious. “What if that enchantress tries anything on you?”

Li An: …

All he wanted now was to lie down somewhere and hide.

This generation of princesses is way too hard to handle!

And…

He looked at Liu Wanqing, then thought of Murong Xue.

If these two women are together, his life is going to be miserable.

Ding!

【Liu Wanqing and Murong Xue confront each other at the city gate!】

【Two beauties compete for Li An!】

【Li An’s charm skyrockets! Displaying Great Qi’s power!】

【Great Qi National Fortune +300】

【Current National Fortune: 54,579】

Li An stared at the system prompt, feeling helpless.

The national fortune went up again?

Did he not check the almanac before leaving today?

Why does everything he does have the opposite effect?

This Northern Yan princess is seriously crazy!

I humiliated you, and you’re still rushing to… publicly force me to marry you… That’s just too intense!

This generation of princesses is really impossible to deal with!

…