Chapter 157 Good things should be paired with beautiful women

It was already late at night and everything was quiet. Yue Li was held in Xiao Mingcheng's arms. His violent and rapid heartbeat was in her ears, making her whole body ache.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault this time." Xiao Mingcheng began to explain, "Yesterday I did intend to send someone to the other courtyard to take care of things, but when my mother found out, she said she'd always been in charge of this place, so she could make the arrangements. I agreed without giving it much thought."

Yueli curled her lips and pushed him away.

Xiao Mingcheng held her hand, bent down slightly and looked into her eyes: "My mother is old, so it's inevitable that she sometimes doesn't do things properly. You just arrived in Beijing, and she just doesn't know you very well yet. After the New Year, when I have some free time, I will take you home. By then, you two will get along well, and she will definitely like you."

The more Yueli listened, the more annoyed she felt. It was not as simple as he said. The Marquis's wife was not a man. She would not like her just because she was beautiful.

On the contrary, the more beautiful she looked, the more the Marquis's wife might dislike her, thinking that she had seduced her son.

But Yue Li also knew that even though she often criticized Xiao Mingcheng in her heart, Xiao Mingcheng was the best supporter she could find at the moment.

What else can she do except endure it?

Xiao Mingcheng breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed that Yue Li's expression had brightened up a little.

He also knew that Yueli was stubborn and perseverant, and she couldn't endure hardship. She might regret it after running away, and she just needed a way out.

Xiao Mingcheng always coaxed her, and this time was no exception.

"It was my fault for being negligent this time. I will replace everyone in the other courtyard tomorrow morning and will not let you suffer any more grievances."

"I'll talk to Mother too, and I won't let her embarrass you anymore."

Yueli turned her head and hummed softly.

He Yanchen leaned against the tree trunk and listened to the conversation between the two, with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.

Xiao Mingcheng is already an adult, but he still listens to his mother.

He sneered disdainfully.

Xiao Mingcheng then realized that since Chu Yi was here, it must be that His Majesty was in his private residence. He had just seen Yue Li behave a little out of control, and had not even noticed that His Majesty was there.

"Your humble servant..."

Before Xiao Mingcheng could finish his greetings, He Yanchen interrupted him: "General Xiao is truly affectionate. He's willing to chase you up the mountain in the middle of the night."

Hearing him say this, Xiao Mingcheng understood that His Majesty did not want to reveal his identity.

He bowed slightly and said respectfully, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, sir. It's really my naughty wife who has caused you trouble."

Yueli felt uncomfortable listening to this. How had she been naughty? It was clearly his mother who was being too much. If she hadn't been wronged, why would she have run out like that?

Even though she knew he was being modest in front of outsiders, she just didn't like to hear it.

"I will take her away now."

"etc."

He Yanchen glanced at the two of them lazily: "If we go back now, it will probably be dawn. Besides, have you cleaned up everything in your house?"

Xiao Mingcheng was stunned. He had been in such a hurry to go out to look for Yueli that he forgot to ask someone to clean up the side rooms. If he walked back to the villa at the foot of the mountain now, it would probably take him until dawn to go back and forth.

Seeing his embarrassment, He Yanchen ignored him and just fixed his gaze on Yue Li who had her head hanging down.

The corners of his lips curled slightly: "Just stay here and rest for one night."

After saying that, he turned around and left without saying anything more.

Chu Yi walked up to Xiao Mingcheng and said, "General Xiao, there is an extra room in the backyard. I will send someone to take you there."

"Thank you very much, sir."

Yue Li followed Xiao Mingcheng. She turned her head to look in the direction where He Yanchen disappeared and asked in a low voice, "Who is he?"

Xiao Mingcheng is already a high-ranking official, but he was very respectful to that man just now. Could it be that the man’s official rank is higher than his?

Xiao Mingcheng hesitated for a moment, but still did not tell He Yanchen's true identity. He only said, "He is a very distinguished person. We will stay here for one night. We must not offend him."

Yueli said "oh".

It seems that he is really a very important official.

No wonder she can wear such an expensive jade pendant.

*

The next day, Yueli woke up very early.

Perhaps because she was in someone else's house, she didn't sleep well. In a daze, she seemed to hear Xiao Mingcheng saying something to her. Yue Li felt annoyed at the time and turned over and ignored him.

When she woke up, she found the room empty and the men's clothes on the shelves were gone.

The door creaked open and Feilan came in carrying hot water: "Miss, are you awake?"

Yueli sat up listlessly. Before she could ask, Feilan said, "Early this morning, an urgent letter was sent from the capital, saying that there was something going on in the palace and they were summoning the general back."

"The general left an hour ago, but Xiao Lu stayed. The general asked him to go to the other courtyard to replace those people first, and then come to pick up the girl later."

"I see." Yueli got up and washed up. She saw a new dress on the table beside her and asked, "Did the general bring it?"

Fei Lan shook her head: "No, it was brought by someone next to that young master yesterday. He is outside now and told the young lady to go to the front for breakfast."

Hearing that someone was waiting, Yueli simply tied her hair into a bun and changed into her new clothes.

It looked like an ordinary style, but Yueli discovered its wonders after putting it on.

This material is so comfortable.

It was soft and smooth, very light and almost weightless, but much warmer than what she wore yesterday.

Yueli looked at it in front of the diamond-shaped mirror in surprise: "What material is this?"

Feilan didn't know either, but she knew it must be very expensive.

When Yueli came out, she saw Ji Ming waiting outside.

It was dark yesterday and Ji Ming hadn't looked at her carefully. Now that he saw the woman's face clearly, even though he was a eunuch, he couldn't hide the surprise in his eyes.

No wonder.

No wonder His Majesty would take in a stranger, give her clothes made of cloud-mist gauze worth a thousand gold coins, and even have breakfast with her.

But this girl is General Xiao’s concubine!

Ji Ming quickly pinched his philtrum.

How can Your Majesty covet the wives and concubines of your subjects?

In just a moment, Yue Li noticed that he was looking at her with strange eyes, and she couldn't help but frowned: "This... manager?"

Ji Ming came back to his senses and said with a smile: "My name is Ji Ming, Miss, just call me by my name."

"Breakfast is prepared in the front hall. Please have breakfast before leaving."

Yueli nodded. She was very hungry, and she wanted to thank the host before leaving.

In the lobby last night, He Yanchen was already sitting at the table. He was very satisfied when he saw Yue Li approaching wearing the clothes he had chosen.

Good things should be paired with beautiful women.

Yue Li felt a little embarrassed after coming in. Perhaps it was because she thought of Xiao Mingcheng's respectful attitude last night, which made her feel a little afraid when facing this person.

He Yanchen raised his hand to pour a cup of tea and said in a light tone: "Sit down."

Yueli sat obediently opposite him, and the cup of tea was pushed in front of her.

"Thank you, sir."

Seeing that His Majesty was actually pouring tea for others himself, Ji Ming quickly lowered his head.

He took a deep breath and consoled himself. His Majesty had always been so self-disciplined. Besides, compared to his previous practice of beating and scolding court officials, simply snatching someone's wife didn't seem that excessive...

The world belongs to your Majesty, and your subjects should serve your Majesty, so it is normal and reasonable to give your Majesty a concubine...

Ji Ming closed his eyes.

He couldn't continue making up stories.