Chapter 196 Preemptive Strike

The moment Yan Shuhan saw the prince, he quickly let go of Princess Minghui and Su Jingyao.

"Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Several young masters bowed their heads slightly, with awe in their voices.

Su Jingyao was surprised for a moment, then she calmly adjusted her sleeves and slightly bent her knees together with Chu Yinxue.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

When Princess Minghui, who was released, saw her brother, there was a hint of surprise and fear in her eyes.

I hope her brother has seen her ferocious look just now.

Princess Minghui pretended to be calm and walked in front of Jun Zechen.

"See you, my brother."

"Brother, you came back today without our father and mother informing us. If Minghui had known, she would have definitely come to pick you up."

Princess Minghui forced a smile, her eyes full of flattery.

Jun Zechen ignored Princess Minghui's words and kept his eyes fixed on Yan Shuhan.

Yan Shuhan felt uncomfortable and a little scared when he was stared at by the prince's stern eyes.

Could it be that the prince was unhappy because he had just stopped the princess? Yan Shuhan speculated secretly.

"Who are you?"

Jun Zechen looked at Yan Shuhan coldly and asked.

"Your Highness, I am the attendant of the Emperor Shi Yan Shuhan. My father is a Guanglu official in the imperial court."

Yan Shuhan suppressed the inexplicable panic in his heart and answered in a calm and respectful voice.

It turns out to be the Yan family, no wonder they dare to marry into Yaoyao’s family.

"Lord Yan is in a good mood. On my way back to Beijing, I passed by Cheongpyeong County in Jeju. It seems that something happened there recently. Lord Yan, as the military historian, please go and inspect the governance of local officials and understand the people's sentiments and opinions."

Jun Zechen had a blank expression on his face and his tone left no room for doubt.

Is the relationship between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Minghui so good that he was transferred far away for Princess Minghui? Although the inspection of local counties will only take a few months at most, the Crown Prince usually does not care about these things.

Sending him away suddenly was clearly a punishment for him.

Even though Yan Shuhan was shocked, he did not dare to refute it in the slightest.

This was indeed his job, so he had no choice but to agree.

"Yes, Your Highness, I failed in my duty. I will go and inspect Qingping County and make amends for my mistakes."

Yan Shuhan had mixed feelings and a complicated expression.

When Minghui saw that her brother had transferred Yan Shuhan far away, she became anxious and wanted to stop it.

Now that Yan Shuhan is gone, how can she see him?

But when she met her brother's eyes that showed no emotion at all, she suddenly became flustered and didn't dare to say a word.

Since the emperor has punished Yan Shuhan, the culprit cannot be let off.

Princess Minghui immediately filed a complaint.

"Royal brother, Miss Su was disrespectful to me just now. I just punished her by asking her to kneel down and admit her fault, but she refused. Isn't this a great disrespect to the royal family? Royal brother, you must help me punish this Miss Su!"

Princess Minghui glared at Su Jingyao fiercely.

When Si Nanyu and Wang Xiuwen heard Princess Minghui's complaint, their expressions suddenly changed and they became nervous and worried.

If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince punishes Miss Su, it will be difficult to stop it given their identities and status.

Si Nanyu gritted his teeth and explained to the prince, "Your Highness, Miss Su did not..."

Jun Zechen turned his head to the side, looking at Minghui with eyes as sharp as swords.

"How old are you? You have returned victorious, but your temper has not yet subsided. You are even more arrogant and domineering outside the palace. Go back to the palace immediately and copy the palace rules a hundred times. You are not allowed to leave until you have copied them all."

Did Minghui use his power to oppress Yaoyao outside the palace? In the past two years since he was away, has Yaoyao been bullied?

When Si Nanyu heard the prince's accusation against Princess Minghui, he immediately shut up.

Fortunately, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was sensible and did not help Princess Minghui.

The punished Princess Minghui's eyes widened instantly, her eyes full of disbelief and grievance.

"Brother, I..."

She wanted to defend herself.

However, meeting the emotionless gaze of his brother, it was like being poured over the head with a basin of cold water, and he immediately dared not continue speaking.

Why did my brother punish her without asking any questions?

Princess Minghui felt a lump in her throat and her eyes turned red.

How long would it take her to copy the palace rules a hundred times?

Princess Minghui glanced at the calm Su Jingyao, and then at Chu Yinxue who seemed to be mocking her, and felt that she had lost all her face.

With a "humph", she swung her sleeves vigorously, turned around and ran downstairs.

Qi Wanyin kept her head down, and the angry Princess Minghui did not notice her.

After Princess Minghui left, Qi Wanyin slowly raised her head and looked at Su Jingyao and the others.

Why did the prince's cousin come here suddenly?

Do you want to come to Mofenglou to watch a performance or for someone...

Qi Wanyin's gaze stayed on Su Jingyao for a long time, her eyes full of inquiry.

Chu Yinxue didn't expect to see the prince so suddenly today, and then she secretly glanced at Su Jingyao, and then at the prince. Just now in the private room, Yaoyao said that she wanted to marry the prince, and just now the prince protected Yaoyao like this.

Could it be that they have known each other for a long time?

After Princess Minghui left, the scene was silent and awkward for a while.

Su Jingyao didn't expect Jun Zechen to come back so suddenly. She raised her head slightly and asked, "Is your highness the Crown Prince also coming to Mofeng Tower to watch the Oiran performance today?"

There seemed to be a hint of sarcasm in his tone, but it was not obvious.

When Wang Xiuwen heard Miss Su talking to the Crown Prince like this, his heart skipped a beat and he immediately panicked.

He wanted to remind Miss Su, but he didn't know how to start, and was worried that she would offend the prince.

Jun Zechen's eyes are deep.

Doesn’t she know why he came to Mofenglou?

If she didn't want to expose their relationship, Jun Zechen would have wanted to take her to the private room and give her a good beating. How could he tolerate her being so nonchalant here, as if they didn't know each other at all?

"I heard that the tea at Mofenglou is delicious, so I thought of having a cup after returning to the court today. I wonder if Miss Su would like to drink tea with me?"

Si Nanyu was immediately shocked.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has never been interested in women, but he actually invited a woman to have tea?

Could it be that His Highness has taken a fancy to Miss Su?

Wang Xiuwen was originally worried that Miss Su would anger the prince, but when he heard what the prince said, he immediately began to worry that the prince had some bad intentions towards Miss Su, and his heart was in turmoil.

"Your Highness, that's not necessary. I've been out long enough today. I'm going back home. Your Highness and Miss Qi can have some tea and watch the performance together."

Su Jingyao bowed slightly.

"I'll take my leave."

Having said that, she turned and left.

Si Nanyu and Wang Xiuwen both secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Miss Su refused. The prince was cold and not gentle, which was really not suitable for the delicate Miss Su.

Qi Yixu was like a fool and did not notice the subtle atmosphere.

Seeing Su Jingyao preparing to leave, everyone bowed and left.

Jun Zechen didn't stop Su Jingyao from leaving, but turned around and looked at Qi Wanyin, who had seemed to have little presence behind him, with impatience in his eyes.

"What are you doing with me?"

Although he was questioning, he was thinking in his heart, was Yaoyao's attitude just now because she was jealous?

Did she think he brought Qi Wanyin with him?

"It's just that I haven't seen my cousin for a long time, and I want to go back to the palace with him later, so..."

Her voice became smaller and smaller, and her head lowered deeply.

Jun Zechen knew in his heart that Qi Wanyin seemed to have some other thoughts about him at this moment, and then he frowned.

He said in a deep voice: "I am very tired today. I will not go back to the palace. I will rest in the Prince's Mansion. You can go back by yourself."

Qi Wanyin looked up in shock. Isn't my cousin going back to the palace to pay his respects to my aunt?

Although she was full of doubts and resentment, she still didn't dare to say anything more and could only timidly reply, "Yes, Wanyin will take her leave."

He bowed, turned around and left.

After everyone left, Jun Zechen stood alone on the third floor, looking down at the floor with a deep gaze.

Su Jingyao had already walked to the first floor at this time. Jun Zechen's deep eyes were fixed on the figure of four men surrounding Su Jingyao as she left.

Unconsciously turning the ring on my hand.

Yaoyao, you'd better not be attracted to others.

There was a hint of danger in Jun Zechen's eyes.

"An Shun, go and take Miss Su to the Prince's Mansion for dinner, and inform Lord Su that I will personally escort Miss Su back home tonight."

"Yes, I will go right away."

An Shun naturally knew the Crown Prince's feelings for Miss Su, which had not changed in the past two years outside the Great Wall.

He also wondered, when His Highness first met Miss Su two years ago, Miss Su was only eleven years old. How could His Highness fall so deeply in love with Miss Su?

An Shun bowed respectfully, then turned around and went about his business.

Jun Zechen returned to the Prince's Mansion, first washed off the dust on his body, then changed into a light-colored python robe, and half-lying on the couch lazily. He seemed leisurely, but in fact he kept glancing at the door from time to time, anxiously waiting for someone.

When Su Jingyao came in, she saluted him respectfully.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

That tone, that gesture, were as strange as they could be, as if there were thousands of miles between the two of them.

Jun Zechen stared at her intently. She had grown up a lot now. Her features, eyebrows, and figure were no longer the child she was when he left.

Time flies so fast, no wonder there are so many men around me.

Jun Zechen couldn't help but feel a little sad.

"Come here."

"Your Highness, it is forbidden for men and women to touch each other. Why are you looking for me?"

Jun Zechen's suppressed anger after returning was instantly ignited by her words. He got down from the couch and walked in front of Su Jingyao.

He bent down and looked down at her with an extremely oppressive look in his eyes.

"Men and women should not touch each other?"

"Who swore that she would never get close to other men? Who said that she would only get close to me?"

"I was still young at the time, Your Highness should not take it seriously."

Su Jingyao's voice also rose a few notches, her eyes full of stubbornness.

He was angry, so wasn't she angry too?

He had been away from home for more than a year and had never written to her. He had never told her in advance when he was coming back and there was another woman following him.

Jun Zechen saw her frowning face. Was she angry? Shouldn't he be the one who was angry?

Jun Zechen frowned, reached out his hand to lift her face, and forced her to look at him.

"I have indeed grown up, and my temper has also become worse."

"Why are you unhappy? How would I know if you don't tell me?"

Although his tone was still tough, his eyes were filled with concern.

Even if she didn't say it, he should know it.

Having stayed in the ancient times for too long, Su Jingyao almost forgot how to fall in love. However, she had to let him guess what she was thinking, otherwise how could she make him worry and anxious.

Seeing that she kept her lips tightly shut stubbornly and refused to speak, Jun Zechen could only sigh helplessly.

This is an ancestor, you can't beat or scold him.

Even my anger has to come second to her.

"Did Minghui bully you? Can I teach her a lesson for you?"

Su Jingyao's expression did not change at all.

Jun Zechen's eyes flickered, and he asked tentatively, "Because of Qi Wanyin?"

"I returned to the capital today, and the first thing I did was to go to the Su Mansion to look for you. But when I heard that you went to Mo Feng Tower, I rushed over to look for you. I was only thinking about you, and Qi Wanyin followed me, but I didn't know about it."

Jun Zechen explained a lot, but seeing that she was still unmoved, he couldn't help but frown.

Could it be that she really fell in love with those young boys?

"Your Highness has been away for such a long time and has never written to me. I guess Your Highness doesn't care how I am doing."

Su Jingyao's eyes were slightly red, as if she was trying hard not to let the tears fall.

"Your Highness has returned to the capital, and I have no idea about it. I guess I am not important to Your Highness."

When Jun Zechen heard her words, he felt relieved, as long as it wasn't because of another man who wanted to distance herself from him.

"It's my fault, but before I went to the frontier, I didn't hold military power. The other princes were watching my every move. When I sent letters back to the capital from the frontier, they were watching me especially. If they knew that Yaoyao was my weak spot and Yaoyao was in danger, how could I feel at ease in the frontier?"

"I didn't tell Yaoyao when I returned to the court today because I wanted to give her a surprise."

His voice became gentle, and Su Jingyao's expression softened a lot.

Then he said in a flattering tone: "I brought back a lot of new and interesting things from the outside of the Great Wall. Yaoyao, would you like to pick some later?"

He had some experience in coaxing her, so he apologized, explained the gift, and did it all in one go.

Su Jingyao, who had been holding herself upright, finally relaxed.

The effect of taking the initiative is quite good. It would be best to make him forget that Yan Shuhan touched her arm at that time.

“I want to pick one now.”

There was a hint of coquettishness in her voice.

"Come on, I'll take you there."

Jun Zechen smiled dotingly, took her hand and walked out.