Help! The innocent prince always tries to seduce me clumsily

"..."

Although Chu Shixuan was extremely impatient by the end of his speech, Chu Shitong was still very grateful to him.

Of course, this little bit of thanks was not enough to shake Chu Shitong's hostility towards him.

"I see. Thank you very much... I would like to thank you, brother, on behalf of my friend."

The next morning.

Chu Shitong went to the palace and reported to Chu Shiyu about his trip to Quanzhou.

Originally, Chu Shiyu didn't want Chu Shitong to go, because Chu Shitong was too close to Si Jingli, and it was really dangerous to let her go to Quanzhou to meet the Marquis of Zhenguo.

But there was no suitable person at the moment, so Chu Shiyu had no choice but to agree.

……

Mid-September.

Autumn is in full swing and the house is full of green chrysanthemums.

Before Chu Shitong left, Ji Shu rode back at full speed.

"See Your Highness."

Chu Shitong and Bishui were choosing what kind of apology to give to Si Jingli. When they heard the voice, they looked sideways and saw Ji Shu and the two people following him. Their expressions did not change at all.

“I haven’t found it yet.”

The tone was predictably cold.

Ji Shu pursed his lips and lowered his head even lower.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. Please give me some more time. I have already launched a comprehensive search and have searched most of Beiqing in recent days..."

"Don't waste your time."

Chu Shitong also wanted to give up. She had never intended to look for him in the first place, but God sent Qin Wei to her. Now she was trying to find him like crazy, but God deliberately hid him.

They are all hidden, how can they be easily found?

"I will leave for Quanzhou this afternoon. You stay at Prince Qi's mansion. I will give you a task."

Chu Shitong asked Bishui to give Ji Shu a lot of evidence about Chu Shihuan's private raising of soldiers and horses. "Send these things to the ministers on the list and ask them to expose this matter when I'm not around. At least, they should put Chu Shihuan in the clan house. Whoever has the ability to kill Prince Huan will be rewarded handsomely."

Ji Shu took the thing handed to him by Bishui. He wanted to say something, but when he looked up and saw Bishui winking at him, he immediately understood and shut his mouth.

"Yes."

Chu Shitong did not notice the two people's little movements: "You go down."

"Subordinates retire."

Chu Shitong spent the whole morning thinking about what to bring to please Si Jingli, but couldn't think of anything, so in the end Chu Shitong left without taking anything.

Before leaving, Ji Shu secretly found Bishui.

"Bishui, I heard that His Highness has been in a bad mood in recent days?"

When this matter was mentioned, Bishui nodded helplessly, as if she had finally found someone she could cry to.

"Brother Ji, you don't know that His Highness and His Highness the Crown Prince had a big fight that day, and then His Highness's temper became more and more explosive. I didn't do anything but stood aside and got scolded a lot..."

As Bishui said this, she couldn't help crying out of grievance.

Ji Shu touched her head with heartache. Bishui was just a teenage girl. She had never seen any big scenes since she was with Chu Shitong. It was normal for her to cry after being frightened.

"It's okay, it's okay. I see that Your Highness is in a good mood now."

Bishui wiped her tears and said, "Thank goodness that King Yuan came that day and said something to Your Highness. Your Highness has been in a better mood these days."

"It's all thanks to His Majesty the Kite King."

Ji Shu asked tentatively: "Your Highness, have you mentioned Qin Wei's name in the past few days?"

"No." Bishui said, "Your Highness has been busy with Prince Duan's affairs these days."

Upon hearing this, Ji Shu sighed helplessly and stared at the wall in a trance.

Chu Shitong hasn't even gotten rid of the incident with Chu Shifeng, and now he's going to take action against Chu Shihuan.

It's a bit too diligent.

To be honest, Chu Shihuan's trap is not 100% sure and time is too tight. It would be best to take action if we can give him a few more months.

Ji Shu really felt that Chu Shitong was too anxious, but in the current situation, if she said she wanted to take action against Chu Shihuan, no one would be able to stop her.

……

It took eight days of travel before the carriage reached the border of Quanzhou.

Quanzhou has a vast territory, accounting for almost two-fifths of the entire northern Qinghai.

Their destination was Yuan Bridge of the Twenty-Four Bridges.

"Yuan" means first, the beginning, and the beginning, which can be understood as the first bridge of the Twenty-Four Bridges, which is Quanzhou City.

It now takes another ten days to walk from the Twenty-Four Bridges to the Yuan Bridge.

The group of people led by Chu Shitong were almost vomiting from traveling so fast.

It’s too far, it’s really too far!

……

In early October, the carriage finally entered Yuanqiao.

At a glance, the front of Quanzhou City Gate is full of yew trees, and each red bean is round and plump, like countless small lanterns hanging high on the branches.

The Dragon Parade is held on the tenth day of October, which happens to be the day before Chu Shitong’s birthday.

Since Chu Shifeng's downfall, Chu Shiyu has never mentioned his interest in her birthday as he did before.

Chu Shiyu didn't care, and Chu Shitong naturally didn't care either.

Rather than celebrating his birthday in the palace with a group of people with ulterior motives, Chu Shitong would rather come to this remote place to see the yew trees.

"Your Highness, do we need to go to the Marquis Zhenguo Mansion first?" Bishui asked.

"No, let's go to the inn first."

Chu Shitong was exhausted from the long journey, so how could he have any interest in meeting the Marquis of Zhenguo?

This journey took a full eighteen days, more than half a month.

Chu Shitong had never thought about what to say when he met Si Jingli.

She felt that she had hurt Si Jingli's heart, and no matter how she apologized, it would be of no use.

Besides, she hadn't decided whether to continue this shady relationship with Si Jingli after apologizing.

She was afraid that they would drag each other down, and also afraid that they would regret it after letting go.

……

Zhen Guohou Mansion.

On the day Chu Shitong entered Yuanqiao, the Marquis of Zhenguo and his wife received the news.

Since Chu Shitong did not release any news when he came, it was impossible for Zhenguo Hou, as a shrewd man, to force a meeting.

It takes more than half a month to travel from the capital to here. He guessed that Chu Shitong could not stand the bumpy ride in the carriage and therefore did not come to visit. Therefore, he did not say anything after learning about this.

Lunch time.

Zhenguo Hou Mu Jingfeng glanced at the empty chair on the table and asked the marquis' wife.

"Ah Li, are you still in a bad mood?"

Madam Meng Zhiyu sighed, "I don't know what's wrong with this child. He has been ignoring people since he came back from the capital. He doesn't even want to go out when I call him for dinner."

Mu Chuyun, the eldest son of the Zhenguo Marquisate, who was given the title of Qingping Marquis and was Si Jingli's uncle, was also at the table.

"If he doesn't come, forget it." He picked at the food without much concern. "When that little ancestor comes, all the food on the table has to be replaced. What a waste."

Mu Jingfeng cursed angrily: "You little bastard, that's your own nephew! Go and call him over!"

Mu Chuyun: "..."

Under Mu Jingfeng's coercion, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and persuade Si Jingli to come for dinner.

"Grandfather, grandmother." "There is a reason for this, I will explain it later."

Si Jingli bowed, still looking the same, with a cold and expressionless face, sitting at the table, but showing no intention of eating at all.

After Mu Chuyun completed the task, he quickly stuffed the food into his mouth before it was replaced.

Meng Zhiyu pulled Si Jingli to his side and asked gently, "Ali, what's wrong with you lately?"

"I'm fine."

Meng Zhiyu sighed helplessly.

This was not the first time she asked. She had asked it thousands of times, but Si Jingli just wouldn't tell her.

Mu Jingfeng asked with a sullen face: "But has anyone in the capital bullied you?"

Si Jingli said nothing and turned his face away, like an autistic child, refusing communication and care from anyone.

Seeing the originally proud and lively Si Jingli become like this, Meng Zhiyu felt so sad that she burst into tears.

"My poor grandson..."

Mu Jingfeng slammed the table in anger.

"It's fine if you don't want to tell me. Anyway, Prince Qi is coming to the city today. I'll go ask her later. I want to see who in the capital is so bold as to bully my grandson!"

Si Jingli turned his head slowly.

A hint of doubt slowly appeared on his deathly pale face.

"Prince Qi... is in Quanzhou?"

Mu Jingfeng said, "Isn't this the Ten-Year Dragon Tour? I wrote a petition asking for Longmai to be present, and somehow it was originally decided that King Yuan would be present, but in the end King Qi came."

Si Jingli sat there blankly, his eyes getting wider and wider.

Somewhat unresponsive.

"Prince Qi... is in Quanzhou?"

Mu Jingfeng was stunned.

"What are you listening to, little bastard?"

Si Jingli stood up suddenly, scaring everyone.

Those eyes that were originally cold and dim seemed to slowly regain their former charm.

He turned and ran out.

Everyone present was left staring at each other in astonishment.

Not long after, Si Jingli came back dressed exquisitely.

Everyone: "..."

Si Jingli quickly walked up to Meng Zhiyu and asked, "Grandma, look at me, how do you like my outfit?"

Mu Jingfeng:?

Mu Chuyun put down his bowl and chopsticks after eating and drinking: "Oh, my nephew is finally getting better."

Meng Zhiyu smiled with satisfaction and said, "It looks good. Our A-li looks good no matter how she dresses."

"No."

Si Jingli glanced at himself a few times, very dissatisfied: "This prince has to take a bath a few more times!"

After saying this, he hurried away again.

……

In a state of confusion and hesitation, Chu Shitong rested in the inn for three days without any care.

The Dragon Parade held once every ten years in Quanzhou is even more lively than the Chinese New Year.

The weather is not too cold at this time.

Red lanterns with dragon patterns painted on them were hung all over the streets, and people were walking around in the streets and alleys.

Although Quanzhou is not as prosperous as the capital, its territory is large enough, its people are more down-to-earth than those in the capital, and its popularity is also more lively than that in the capital.

Of course, Chu Shitong was not idle during these three days. She met many officials of all ranks in Quanzhou who wanted to establish a relationship with her.

Several letters arrived from the capital, but due to the long distance, even if they were delivered by carrier pigeon, they would still take seven or eight days to arrive.

The latest letter Chu Shitong received was that the ministers she contacted in the court were preparing to impeach Chu Shihuan and were about to take action.

On the fourth day, a wealthy businessman from Quanzhou came to ask to see Chu Shitong.

There are eight bridges in Quanzhou, all of which are the border areas of Beiqing, connecting five national tribes. She had long intended to do something to make money, so when the other party asked for a meeting, she naturally agreed.

However, the meeting place was not in the inn, and she had no intention of visiting the Marquis of Zhenguo now, so she did not want to let the news leak out.

The two agreed to meet at a restaurant.

Chu Shitong took people to the appointment at noon.

Bishui was left in the inn by Chu Shitong and did not go with them.

She was cleaning the house when she suddenly heard the door open. Thinking it was Chu Shitong coming back, she hurried to greet him.

Seeing the person coming, Bishui stood there with his eyes wide open.

"His...His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

The man at the door was tall and slender, wearing maple-red clothes, with black hair piled high. He was handsome and charming, like the beautiful fox spirit in mythology.

Covered in a dazzling array of priceless jewels, just standing at the door is comparable to the most charming scenery in the world.

Who else could this person be if not Si Jingli?

Si Jingli had a cold face and glanced around the room, but did not find Chu Shitong.

"Where is your master?"

Bishui was a little confused and answered: "His Highness went out..."

She didn't know how Si Jingli came to her house. Chu Shitong had never revealed his identity to the public when he came to Quanzhou this time.

I think this matter has already spread throughout Quanzhou. Si Jingli knows about it, and the Marquis of Zhenguo must have known about it as well.

Si Jingli snorted and went straight into the house without saying a word.

"Then I will wait for her to come back."

After Bishui reacted, she immediately and attentively served Si Jingli some snacks and poured him tea.

She thought Si Jingli was going to be cold to Chu Shitong for a while, but she didn't expect Si Jingli to come to her on his own initiative.

Bishui just wanted to cry.

As long as Chu Shitong and Si Jingli reconcile, she won't have to live in fear anymore.

Si Jingli still maintained his aloof attitude until most of the snacks on the plate were eaten, but Chu Shitong still hadn't come back.

He couldn't sit still anymore, so he stood up and walked around the room.

I saw that the house where Chu Shitong lived had a large balcony.

This type of balcony is a unique building in Quanzhou. The entire balcony is outside the room and is usually separated from the interior of the room by a door. There is a wooden railing outside the balcony that is half the height of the wall. Every night, it is best to move a table and chairs outside to enjoy the moon.

Si Jingli couldn't wait any longer and went to the balcony. From there he could see the hustle and bustle of the street. If Chu Shitong came back, he would be the first to see him.

It was already evening, the fiery clouds overlapped like thousands of floors, and the sky was filled with rosy clouds, which was pleasing to the eyes.

Bishui brought some new snacks, and picked out the ones that Si Jingli liked to eat.

Si Jingli looked at the snacks and laughed for no reason.

"You are very attentive."

There was no good intention in his words.

But Bishui didn't care. As long as Si Jingli didn't let Chu Shitong lose his temper for no reason, she would be very grateful.

"Your Highness is an honored guest, and it is only right for Bishui to serve you attentively."

Si Jingli picked up a piece of cake and weighed it for a few times.

"Is this your intention or your master's?"

Bishui looked at her boss Jingli's rare sharp eyes, feeling guilty and a little weak, and said with a wry smile: "Of course... it was my prince's idea."

Si Jingli naturally knew that she was lying, so he threw the snack back onto the plate.

The tone also became sarcastic.

"Forget it, don't speak well of Chu Shitong. If she had such feelings, how could she not have gone to the Zhenguohou Mansion in the four days since she entered Yuanqiao?"

Bishui was sweating profusely from nervousness. "Your Highness has misunderstood... Our Highness, our Highness is a little...uncomfortable with the climate and water. After walking for eighteen days in a row, His Highness's body is in great pain..."

"So she didn't rest in the inn, but went out to play with others, right?"

"..."

Bishui looked frustrated and dejected.

Si Jingli was too lazy to bother her, so he leaned back in the rocking chair and looked at the scenery.

Chu Shitong was indeed quite good at choosing a place. Although this guest room faced north, it had an excellent location. One could see half of the Yuan Bridge at a glance, as well as the mountains to the north and... the eight-story Qianji Tower of the Zhenguohou Mansion.

Si Jingli:?

It was also at this time that he belatedly discovered this matter.

From this angle, it seems that you can just see the outward balconies above the fourth floor of Qianji Building.

He seldom lived in the yard in winter or summer, and mostly stayed in Qianji Building. The outward balcony of Qianji Building was the most comfortable place to enjoy the breeze and snow in summer or winter.

"Clear water."

"The servant is here."

Si Jingli pointed at Qianji Tower and asked, "Do you know... what that is?"

Bishui took a look and said innocently, "Isn't that the Qianji Tower of the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion..."

Si Jingli suddenly had an idea in his mind, but when he thought about the fact that it was late autumn now and he was not living in Qianji Tower, he felt that this idea was a bit self-indulgent.

So he suddenly fell silent.

Bishui suddenly thought of something and said quickly, "I remember that the last time I came here, I saw His Highness the Crown Prince hanging lanterns on the balcony of Qianji Tower."

Si Jingli's originally silent heart suddenly moved.

His head jerked up.

"What did you say? Chu Shitong has been to Quanzhou?"

"Your Highness has been here twice." Bishui said, "Every time he comes, His Highness stays in this guest room."

Si Jingli felt as if he had grasped some unknown underground matter, and asked hurriedly: "When did you come? Why didn't I know about it?"

"I remember... the first time was in the summer. Your Highness went to Jiangzhou to do some work. After he was done, he said he would come to Quanzhou to take a look. He took a detour to come here and stayed for three days before leaving. The second time was in the winter. Your Highness went to Jingzhou to solve a case. After he solved it, he came here again. That was when I saw you hanging lanterns on the Qianji Tower."

It seemed that the word "take a long detour" from Bishui made Si Jingli happy.

He couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth, but he blamed.

"Chu Shitong is a coward who only covets this prince secretly."