Chapter Nineteen: I Spoiled Her
Li Bao'er unconsciously stroked the brocade cushion with her fingertips.
This was Li Bao'er's first time riding in the Prince's carriage, and it was indeed different; it was spacious enough for three people to lie down side by side.
But even in a spacious room, when the two sat facing each other, the atmosphere seemed a little sticky...
Li Bao'er finally couldn't bear the silence any longer and looked up, meeting Mu Cenlin's deep eyes. "Thank you for finding the jade pendant for me."
Li Bao'er spread her hands out to Mu Cenlin, waiting for him to return the jade pendant to her.
Mu Cenlin raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips, and said in a deep voice, "Since you knew it would be troublesome, then consider this jade pendant a token of my gratitude."
As he spoke, he put the jade pendant back into his sleeve.
What?!
With her almond-shaped eyes wide open and her cherry lips slightly parted, Li Bao'er looked just like a frightened deer in the forest.
Mu Cenlin's mood became unusually pleasant.
But Bao'er was unhappy. "No way! I'll return the favor with another gift!" Li Bao'er pounced on her to snatch it.
"Oh?" Mu Cenlin easily restrained her wrist.
Is this jade pendant important to you?
Li Bao'er's breath hitched.
This jade pendant is very important to her!
I never expected that a great demon like Mu Cenlin would be interested in a jade pendant.
Li Bao'er was puzzled. Even though Mu Cenlin was not favored, this kind of jade was not particularly precious.
Seeing that Mu Cenlin really wanted to keep the jade pendant, Li Bao'er said with a deliberately contemptuous tone, "What's so important about jade like this?"
"It's just a childhood toy; I'm used to it."
Mu Cenlin's eyes suddenly darkened, and a fierce aura rose within him.
He should know that he cannot show the slightest leniency towards this woman.
As expected, Mu Yuan was the only important person to her.
The scene in Juxiang Pavilion reappeared in his mind: when he punched Mu Yuan, he did not miss the moment when Li Bao'er's body stiffened.
So, did she kiss him in public just to protect Mu Yuan?!
"Get down," Mu Cen said coldly, closing his eyes to hide the darkness in them.
Li Bao'er was stunned. "What?"
"Yuan Ting!" Mu Cenlin suddenly roared, "Stop the car!"
The carriage braked suddenly, startling several sparrows from the roadside.
"Get out of here." Every word he uttered was laced with the stench of blood.
This made Li Bao'er laugh in anger; this man is sick!
A sickly blush rose on Li Bao'er's pale cheeks: "Who wants to ride in your beat-up car!"
She reached out her hand, "Give me back my jade pendant!"
001 timidly spoke up: "Host, just give him this jade pendant. His corruption value has increased by 5."
Li Bao'er only replied with "Dream on!" before ending the chat.
Perhaps due to excessive anger, Li Bao'er's eyes also appeared somewhat red.
Mu Cenlin's expression turned disgusted, and with a flick of his wide sleeve, the jade pendant smashed into her palm.
Outside the car, Yuan Ting shrank his neck, not daring to look at Linglong, who was glaring angrily beside him.
When the two masters quarrel, it is always the servants who suffer.
The prince made things very difficult for him.
"Miss" Linglong hurriedly went to help Li Bao'er, who staggered out of the car.
Before leaving, Linglong glared fiercely at the guilty Yuanting.
Li Bao'er stood on the street watching the carriage gradually disappear, then fiercely stabbed her left shoulder.
The pain made her hiss involuntarily.
But she gave a sly smile.
She has always been willing to sacrifice herself to inflict damage on the enemy.
Inside the carriage, Mu Cenlin suddenly opened his eyes.
The sharp pain in his left shoulder made him chuckle softly, his fingertips tracing the uninjured skin.
Very good.
"Miss, wait for me to call the carriage," Linglong quickly comforted her, afraid that her mistress would be upset.
Li Bao'er didn't take it to heart, since she had gotten the jade pendant back anyway.
For her, both Mu Cenlin and Mu Yuan were merely tools for survival.
She doesn't care about anyone in this world except her mother, Ayu, and those who are truly kind to her.
"No need, Linglong, let's go to South Street."
She has something to do.
Inside the private room on the top floor of Minghui Building, steam rises from the pre-rain Longjing tea on the sandalwood table.
"Your Highness, Lord Li has arrived," the attendant said, bowing as he stood outside the beaded curtain, his voice extremely low.
Mu Yuan's hand holding the cup paused slightly, the rim of the celadon cup reflecting a fleeting glint of darkness in his eyes: "Please."
Li Xiangyuan straightened his court robes and jade belt, his forehead still damp with sweat. He had just finished court and had been summoned by the Third Prince's guards without even a chance to change his clothes.
He naturally knew why Mu Yuan was looking for him, and he had already come up with a plan.
The beaded curtain rustled softly, and he looked up, only to be startled.
The figure standing by the window wore a veiled hat; the usually gentle and refined Third Prince had his face completely covered today.
"Your Highness, this humble subject pays his respects." Li Xiangyuan suppressed his surprise and doubt and spoke respectfully.
"Prime Minister Li, there's no need for such formalities." The voice coming from under the veil was still clear and gentle, but it carried a hint of unnatural hesitation.
Mu Yuan's slender fingertips tapped lightly on the table, each tap feeling like a blow to the heart. "Lord Li, you should know why I've sought you out today."
"Bang!"
The celadon teacup was slammed heavily onto Shen Mu's wooden table, making a muffled sound.
Tea spilled out, leaving a dark stain on the precious rosewood grain.
"Why don't you explain yourself properly?" His voice suddenly turned icy. "Why has my person suddenly become the Princess Consort of Jing?"
Li Xiangyuan's Adam's apple bobbed, and his gaze unconsciously drifted towards Mu Yuan.
"Your Majesty is wise," Li Xiangyuan took a deep breath, his fingers clenching slightly in his sleeve.
"This marriage is not what I wished for," Li Xiangyuan said, his eyes lowered and his tone heavy.
Mu Yuan sneered, his voice growing colder beneath the veil: "Oh? So, does Prime Minister Li mean that Father Emperor, for no reason, insists on betrothing your legitimate daughter to a madman?"
"Your Highness, please be careful with your words!" Li Xiangyuan's expression changed slightly. He immediately lifted his robe and knelt down, his forehead slamming heavily onto the cold, hard bluestone bricks, producing a muffled thud.
He then said, "The matter of the bestowed marriage was indeed requested by Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Mu Yuan immediately flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table and shouting, "Li Xiangyuan, how dare you!"
"Your Highness!" Li Xiangyuan exclaimed, "Bao'er has been caught red-handed in the theft of the Tiger Tally; the evidence is irrefutable!"
"If this matter is not resolved here, it will surely become a disaster in the future, not only jeopardizing Your Highness's great cause, but also providing ammunition for others to attack Your Highness!"
Mu Yuan's face beneath his veil was unpredictable, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists.
Li Xiangyuan, a civil official with a silver tongue, immediately pressed his advantage: "Your Highness, think it over carefully. Bao'er's deep affection for you is known throughout the capital. If the truth comes out in the future, someone with ulterior motives could easily frame her for acting on your orders."
He paused deliberately, letting Mu Yuan weigh the pros and cons himself.
Li Xiangyuan suddenly lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with shrewdness, "Moreover, Prince Jing holds considerable military power. If we can place Bao'er by his side, it might not be a bad move for Your Highness."
Mu Yuan paused slightly, his anger subsiding somewhat.
Seeing this, Li Xiangyuan knew he had already persuaded her to some extent, and immediately pressed his advantage: "Although Bao'er is stubborn, she is deeply in love with Your Highness. Even if she marries into the Jing Prince's mansion, she will definitely still have Your Highness in her heart."
“But today!” Mu Yuan’s voice suddenly turned cold.
"How dare she defy Your Highness in public!"
The image of Li Bao'er leaning against Mu Cenlin's chest flashed before his eyes again, her slender waist held tightly by Mu Cenlin, a sight that stung his eyes. At that moment, he almost couldn't resist the urge to snap Mu Cenlin's neck on the spot!
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyuan was startled and thought to himself: Could it be that the girl has really fallen for Prince Jing?
"Your Highness is overthinking it." Li Xiangyuan's expression remained unchanged, but instead revealed a helpless, bitter smile.
"Bao'er is still a girl after all. She was frightened this time, so it's inevitable that she will act a little temperamental."
He sighed deliberately and lowered his voice, saying, "The day the imperial edict arrived at the manor, Bao'er cried her heart out. If it weren't for this old minister stopping her..."
She paused, then added meaningfully, "She'll probably be climbing over the wall to find His Highness tonight."
Mu Yuan felt a sense of relief; Bao'er had been spoiled rotten by him...
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