Chapter 17 What a colorful bubble!

Chu Xuanyi felt a buzzing in his ears, and the world seemed to turn black and white. He saw the figures around him swaying, and the prelude to his own soul leaving his body seemed to echo in his ears. He wanted to say something to avert this disastrous situation, like shouting, "You are spreading rumors and misleading the people! Drag him out and behead him!" (Of course, to Ah Jiu), or simply roll his eyes and die on the spot, putting an end to it once and for all.

However, he found himself without the strength to even move a finger. He was finished, completely finished. Chu Xuanyi's lifelong reputation was about to be destroyed today by this little girl with nine hundred and ninety-nine missing nerves! He even began to wonder whether he should kowtow and apologize to His Royal Highness the Regent first, or prepare a fine coffin for himself first.

The other protagonist of the incident, Regent Xiao Yu, had a face that could no longer be described as "as black as the bottom of a pot". It was comparable to the black jade under a thousand-year-old cold pond, cold and hard, and emitting a chilling chill.

His deep eyes suddenly narrowed, like the sharpest ice blade, shooting straight at Ah Jiu. If looks could kill, Ah Jiu would have been tortured to death a thousand times by now.

Damn it! This little girl! What’s wrong with her?

Recently, due to the indirect hints from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, as well as the subtle probing from some ministers, he had indeed given his marriage more consideration. He had not even noticed it himself, but in the dead of night, a vague, somewhat silly, yet inexplicably pleasing... pink figure would occasionally flash through his mind.

Is this what she meant by "little pink flowers"? What was that "little twinkling star"? And it was "blinking" and "whispering"? Did she think she was telling a three-year-old bedtime story?

Xiao Yu felt a surge of rage mixed with an indescribable embarrassment, rushing straight to his head. He tried desperately to suppress the urge to pick up this babbling little girl and throw her out of the palace.

He couldn't lose his composure, especially in this situation, with so many eyes watching him.

Amidst this suffocating silence and strange gazes, Ah Jiu was completely unaware of the subtle shift in the atmosphere. She still tilted her head back, staring at Xiao Yu with her bright, unblinking eyes, as if still expecting his answer and praise.

"Brother Xiongxiong, am I right? Isn't that little star very beautiful? Does it like your little flower?" She asked again, her tone full of innocence.

Chu Xuanyi's body swayed again upon hearing this, feeling that he was one step closer to "dying on the spot." "Miss, please, stop talking! If you continue, I will be buried with you!"

Xiao Yu's temples throbbed, and the veins on his forehead began to dance with joy. He took a deep breath, then another, trying to make his voice sound calm, but the chill that shone through his teeth caused the air around him to drop several degrees.

"Master Chu," he didn't look at Ah Jiu, but instead turned his cold gaze to Chu Xuanyi, who was almost out of his mind, "It seems that this 'little fortune teller' in your mansion is in exceptionally good spirits today."

He said the five words "exceptionally good spirits" in a sarcastic and meaningful way, full of sarcasm and warning.

Chu Xuanyi shuddered, his survival instinct forcing him back to a shred of consciousness. He slumped to his knees, already forming apologies like, "Your Highness, please calm down. Xiaojiu is ignorant. I failed to teach him well. I deserve death."

However, at this moment, a somewhat playful and lazy voice came from not far away:

"Hey, isn't this Master Jiu? What new secrets do you have to reveal to me today? Could it be that I've also grown some kind of 'big colorful trumpet flower' on my head?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a handsome young man in bright yellow princely attire, a faint smile lingering on his lips. He was waving a jade fan and leisurely approaching. It was none other than the current emperor's younger brother, Prince Yu, Xiao Jing, known as the "Idle Prince."

Prince Yu Xiao Jing usually loves to join in the fun, and has heard many interesting stories about this "stupid little fortune teller" in the National Master's Mansion. Now that he sees his royal brother being "teased" in public, he naturally will not miss this opportunity to watch the show and "add fuel to the fire."

His words immediately broke the suffocating awkward atmosphere. Some young officials and noble ladies who had been trying hard to suppress their laughter could no longer hold back their laughter and burst out laughing. They then quickly covered their mouths, fearing that they would be caught by the Regent's cold gaze.

When Jiu heard someone call her "Little Master," she immediately turned around happily. Seeing Prince Yu, her eyes lit up even more. "Ah! It's my pretty brother! My pretty brother, you don't have a big morning glory on your head today! But... but there are so many colorful bubbles floating on your head! Some of the bubbles are filled with fine wine and pretty sisters! It's so fun!"

Prince Yu Xiao Jing: "..." His smile froze for a moment, then he laughed even more happily, "Hahaha! Great! What a colorful bubble! I like it! It sounds much more interesting than my brother's 'silly little pink flower'!"

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Xiao Yu, whose expression became even uglier.

Xiao Yu's fists were clenched so tightly that they made a creaking sound. This Xiao Jing was only concerned about the world being in chaos!

Chu Xuanyi's feelings at the moment were beyond words. He felt like a small boat in a raging sea, ready to be submerged at any moment. Ajiu alone was already enough of a headache for him, and now there was also the trouble-seeking Prince Yu! He was going to have no peace at this palace banquet today!

Just as chaos was about to break out, a gentle yet majestic female voice rang out:

"Haha, I think what Ajiu said is very interesting. Yu'er, is there really another 'shining little star' above your head? Are you still whispering to your 'little flower'? Tell the Empress Dowager what they are saying."

When everyone heard the sound and looked, they saw the Empress Dowager, supported by the Emperor and the Empress, walking towards them with a smile on her face. She looked at Ajiu lovingly, her eyes filled with strong interest and a subtle hint of... gossip.

Chu Xuanyi: "..." He accepted his fate. Today, he would probably really die here.