Chapter 362 Li Sanqi Can't Escape
Wasn't Prince Qi in league with Li Sanqi? Why did he help the Crown Prince turn against Li Sanqi at this crucial moment?
That doesn't make sense!
Before Min Qiaoshi could think further, Li Sanqi said through gritted teeth, "Li Chengrui not only supported the Crown Prince in sending me to a marriage alliance, but also distanced himself from me and pushed all the blame onto me!"
“He said that he was taught by his mother and maternal grandfather since childhood and only wanted to be a quiet prince. It was I, as his sister, who stirred things up and encouraged him to jump out and compete with the crown prince.”
He also said that I harbored resentment towards the Crown Prince because I was forced by him to apologize to the late Crown Princess and her family, which caused me to lose face. He intended to support him in opposing the Crown Prince.
"Even! To prove that he really had no intention of competing with the Crown Prince, he actually said that he took the initiative to ask for Miss Min's hand in marriage because Miss Min had a bad reputation and the Xuanping Marquis's mansion had already declined, unlike the Crown Princess's powerful family, which could provide him with assistance."
"Not only that, he also shamelessly said that Miss Min's friendship with the Crown Princess was also at his behest, using the close interactions among the women of the inner quarters to show the Crown Prince her true submission."
Hearing these words, Madam Min felt extremely guilty.
Yes, guilt.
If she hadn't ignited Li Sanqi's desire for power, and if Wei Jia hadn't secretly manipulated things, using Qiao Yuanyao's approach to fuel Li Sanqi's ambition, she wouldn't have actually gone to get close to the Third Prince and instigated him...
Now, they've reaped what they sowed.
However, what Min Qiao couldn't understand was why the Third Prince would suddenly turn against her.
While the Crown Prince's actions toward Li Sanqi were normal, his deliberate attempt to cause the Earl of Annan to suffer a defeat was highly suspicious.
Setting aside the question she couldn't understand for the moment, Madam Min Qiao asked with concern, "Has His Majesty issued the imperial decree ordering you to marry into a foreign land?"
"Hmm." Li Sanqi said dejectedly, "My mother and grandmother pleaded for me, but my father listened to the Crown Prince and Prince Qi and insisted on sending me to Xixi for a marriage alliance."
"I had no other choice but to escape from the capital."
Madam Min reached out and touched Li Sanqi's head. "You must have suffered a lot on this journey, right?"
Li Sanqi bit her lip lightly, nodded with red eyes, "When my mother sent me out of the palace, she originally intended for me to go to the Yongchang Marquis's residence, my maternal grandfather's family, and then have my maternal grandfather's family secretly send me out of the capital."
"However, when the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi wanted to send me to marry a foreign ruler, the Yongchang Marquis's residence did not stand up for me. I do not trust them."
"After leaving the palace, I shook off my mother's people and went to find Madam Zheng. I asked Madam Zheng to secretly send me out of the capital."
“I was afraid of implicating Madam Zheng, so as soon as I left the capital, I shook off Madam Zheng’s people and went to Huizhou alone.”
"I was afraid of getting into trouble along the way, so I disguised myself as a beggar. I didn't dare to spend the money I had. I only dared to take out a few coins and pretend that I had begged for them to buy a few steamed buns to fill my stomach."
"Waaaaah... I haven't eaten meat for days!"
Madam Min felt both heartache and speechless, but at the same time she couldn't help but admire Li Sanqi's good luck and resilience.
A princess of the imperial family actually put aside her dignity, disguised herself as a beggar, endured hunger and thirst, and traveled thousands of miles to Huizhou City.
The most amazing thing is that she traveled alone and still came out unharmed.
All we can say is that Li Sanqi either has incredible luck or someone is secretly escorting him!
Thinking of this, Madam Min felt her heart skip a beat.
Really?
Madam Min Qiao looked at Li Sanqi, "Did you notice anyone following you on your way here?"
Li Sanqi shook his head. "No. I've been traveling for more than ten days. If someone was following me, it's impossible that I wouldn't have noticed at all."
"I hope so," Madam Min sighed.
"The Seventh Princess must be tired after traveling for days. Let's talk about it tomorrow."
Li Sanqi was indeed tired, and obediently nodded in agreement: "Okay. Then I'll trouble you, Madam, to prepare a room for me to rest."
Madam Min smiled and said, "If the princess doesn't mind, please sleep in my room. I'll sleep in the study."
The main house where Madam Min lived consisted of five large rooms. The central room was the main hall, and to the right was Madam Min's bedroom. The room to the left was used as her study.
The study also has a bed and a bathroom. The biggest difference between it and the bedroom is probably that there are two very large display shelves in the study, which makes it impossible to fit a large bed.
Therefore, the bed in the study was much smaller than the bed in the bedroom. Sometimes, when Min Qiaoshi got tired of reading, she would sleep directly in the study.
Of course, such times are rare. After all, with a girl dedicated to reading, who would bother to hold a book and read by themselves?
“How can that be?” Li Sanqi immediately objected. “I’ll sleep in the study instead.”
Seeing that Madam Min was about to say something, Li Sanqi quickly dissuaded her, saying, "Madam, I have already troubled you by coming to you for help. If I were to take over your place and make you sleep in the study, how could I possibly feel at ease?"
"Madam, please let me sleep in the study."
Since Li Sanqi had already said so, Madam Min Qiao couldn't persuade him any further and had no choice but to agree.
Min Qiao tossed and turned in bed until dawn before finally falling asleep.
I felt like I had just fallen asleep when Ah Shuang woke me up.
"What time is it?" Madam Min Qiao asked groggily.
As A Shuang lifted the bed curtains and came over to help Madam Min Qiao up, she said, "Grandma, it's 9 AM."
Madam Min Qiao was startled. "It's so late? Has the Seventh Princess gotten up yet?"
A-Shuang nodded, "The Seventh Princess is already up. She's waiting for the Grand Madam to get up so they can have breakfast together."
Madam Min's lips twitched. She hadn't slept in since arriving in Huizhou, and this was the first time she'd ever done so, only to have the Seventh Princess wait for her. She was truly ashamed.
However, it's really not her fault.
The main problem was that Li Sanqi's arrival was too sudden and the matter was too serious, so she really didn't know what to do with Li Sanqi next.
More importantly, tomorrow is the day she and the Min family have agreed to set off to escort Min Pan'er to Xixi.
There wasn't even enough time left for her to settle Li Sanqi.
That's why she couldn't sleep.
Fifteen minutes later, Madam Min Qiao and Li Sanqi sat down at the dining table together.
The two finished their breakfast in silence before starting to discuss their next steps.
Li Sanqi's intention was to live in seclusion in Huizhou City under an assumed name, following Min Qiaoshi to retire in the city.
Forget about being a princess, she's not going to be one anymore!
Anyway, when she left the palace, she didn't leave without money and good things; that was enough for her to live a life of comfort and ease.
However, just as she voiced her thoughts, she heard Min Qiaoshi say that she would soon be leaving for Xixi.
This really scared Li Sanqi.
"What did you say?" Li Sanqi looked at Min Qiaoshi in disbelief. "You said you're going somewhere?"
Madam Min smiled helplessly, "You heard me right. I've been asked to go to Xixi. But don't worry, it won't take too long. I'll be back in six months at most."
“Princess, you may stay in Huizhou City and wait for my return.”
"If I don't return, I'll give all these properties in Huizhou to the princess. I only ask that the princess take good care of the servants in the Qiao family."
“This…” Li Sanqi hesitated, unsure of what to say.
In order to avoid being sent to Xixi for a political marriage, she traveled a long distance to seek refuge with Min Qiao Shi, but Min Qiao Shi actually wanted to go to Xixi!
Is there no justice left in this world?
Could it be that she really can't escape Xi's clutches?
She was unwilling to be left alone in Huizhou. She always felt uneasy if Min Qiaoshi wasn't there.
Just as Li Sanqi was in a dilemma, the old woodcutter once again bypassed the messenger girl and rushed to the main courtyard in a great hurry.
"Madam, Seventh Princess, a group of people have arrived outside the manor. They claim to be messengers delivering imperial edicts. The leader claims to be the Prince of Chu. I think he looks like the Fifth Prince. However, I'm not sure."
"They sent the Dowager Lady and the Seventh Princess out to receive the imperial decree."
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