Chapter 553 - 556: Having an Affair
Li Yu was the leader of this group of Princes. Usually, in a situation like this, Li Yu would be the one to step forward and speak.
But now, he remained kneeling in place without a word, showing no intention of speaking.
In the end, it was Prince Zhuo’s Heir who couldn’t hold back and took the initiative to speak.
"Reporting to the Regent Prince, we were just joking with the Heir of Prince Yu a moment ago when he suddenly attacked and injured someone. He has no respect for the Crown Prince or you, Regent Prince. He truly has no regard for the law!"
With his hands on his hips, Li Xun stood protectively in front of his mother and retorted loudly.
"You’re lying! You were the ones who bullied my mother first! You’re all bad guys!"
Hearing this, everyone present turned to look at the Heir of Prince Yu.
Hua Qingqing hadn’t paid much attention to those Princes before, but now, after getting a clear look at the Heir of Prince Yu’s face, her brows furrowed slightly.
She noticed that the Heir of Prince Yu bore a slight resemblance to Manman.
The similarity wasn’t just in his facial features, but also in his disposition and the general impression he gave.
Although Hua Manman had long grown used to Li Xun calling her "Mother," being addressed that way in front of so many people still made her feel a little awkward.
She tried her best to appear calm and natural as she made her accusation.
"It was the Heir of Prince Zheng who was disrespectful to me first."
Prince Zhuo’s Heir wanted to retort, but he was pulled down by the person next to him, and he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
Li Ji looked at the disheveled Li Qi and spoke in a low voice.
"And what do you have to say?"
A fawning smile appeared on Li Qi’s plump face.
"Actually, it was all just a misunderstanding.
I misspoke just now and angered the Heir of Prince Yu.
I never expected to disturb you, Regent Prince. It is my fault."
He backed down so readily and cleanly that even Li Ji couldn’t find an opportunity to lash out.
Li Ji gave him a deep look but ultimately decided not to pursue the matter further.
"Disperse."
The Princes scattered as if granted a great amnesty, leaving quickly.
Li Xun hopped off the table.
The table was already a complete mess.
Li Ji looked at Hua Manman and extended an invitation.
"There is still plenty of food and wine at my table. Why don’t you come eat with me?"
Hearing this, everyone present was even more astonished.
They had already heard the Heir of the Regent King call the Heir of Prince Yu "Mother," which sparked wild speculation about the relationship between the Heir of Prince Yu and the Regent King. Now, seeing the Regent King personally invite the Heir of Prince Yu to sit with him all but confirmed their suspicions.
’Could it be that the Regent King has really taken a fancy to the Heir of Prince Yu?’
’This... This is just too inconceivable!’
’They had never heard that the Regent King had a preference for men!’
Hua Manman refused without hesitation.
"Thank you for your kindness, Regent Prince, but I am already full. I’m very tired and would like to go back and rest. May I be permitted to take my leave?"
Her attitude was extremely cold.
The onlookers couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.
’This Heir of Prince Yu is so bold! How dare he reject the Regent King’s kindness to his face?’
’Doesn’t he know the Regent King is as petty as they come?’
’If he displeases the Regent King, he’s a dead man!’
Li Ji also seemed a little surprised by her attitude.
"What’s wrong with you?"
Hua Manman turned her face away, avoiding his gaze, clearly unwilling to interact with him.
This was more than just coldness.
She looked more like she was throwing a fit.
Li Ji: "Who upset you?"
Hua Manman replied sullenly, "It’s none of your business. I’m leaving."
After speaking, she turned and left without even waiting to see the Regent King’s reaction.
The onlookers were all dumbfounded.
’Holy shit! This kid dares to give the Regent King attitude in public!’
’He’s finished!’
’He definitely won’t see the sun tomorrow!’
When Li Xun saw his mother leaving, he hurriedly scrambled on his short little legs and chased after her.
"Mother, wait for me! I’ll go back with you!"
Li Ji watched their retreating figures, his expression gradually turning cold.
He turned to look at Li Qi.
Li Qi plastered a smile on his face and said fawningly,
"I was really just making a casual joke earlier. I didn’t expect the Heir of Prince Yu to have such a strong reaction. Tomorrow, I will go and formally apologize to him. As long as it calms him down, I’ll do anything you ask."
It could be said he was being brazenly sycophantic.
Li Ji retracted his gaze and returned to his seat.
Beside him, Prince Zhuo’s Heir couldn’t help but complain to Li Qi in a low voice.
"Why are you being such a coward? The Heir of Prince Yu was clearly the one who struck first. If anyone should be apologizing, it’s him to you."
Li Qi laughed awkwardly. "It’s best to avoid trouble. Let’s just forget it."
Prince Zhuo’s Heir scoffed, full of disdain.
"You’re just too soft. If it were me, I’d make the Heir of Prince Yu kneel and apologize to me!"
Li Qi said no more. The smile remained on his face, which, combined with his chubby appearance, gave him a somewhat simple and honest look.
In reality, he was secretly plotting in his mind.
’Just now, he had deliberately made those passive-aggressive remarks to provoke the Heir of Prince Yu.’
’He wanted to see how the Heir of Prince Yu would react.’
’If the Heir of Prince Yu had a strong reaction, it would prove that there was really something going on between him and the Regent King.’
’Judging from the results of his test, there really was a relationship between the Heir of Prince Yu and the Regent King.’
’The Heir of Prince Yu had stormed off just now, surely because he had discovered the truth—that he was being used as a substitute—and had flown into a rage out of humiliation.’
Li Qi looked down at his own disheveled state, recalling the humiliation of being publicly pinned to the dining table by the Heir of Prince Yu, unable to move. He let out a cold, silent sneer.
’Heir of Prince Yu, you just wait!’
He said to the person beside him,
"I’m going to change my clothes."
He was indeed a mess and badly needed to tidy himself up. Everyone around him was understanding and told him to hurry back.
Li Qi quietly left his seat.
He didn’t go directly to the changing area but instead took a deliberate detour.
Passing through a secluded and deserted small garden, Li Qi stopped and took a strangely shaped whistle from his robes.
He put the whistle to his lips and blew it softly.
A moment later, a carrier pigeon flew over, flapping its wings, and landed squarely on Li Qi’s shoulder.
Li Qi removed the bamboo tube tied to the pigeon’s leg and took out a small, blank strip of paper from within.
He bit his finger, and on the blank strip of paper, he wrote a single word—
Yu.
He carefully tucked the strip of paper back into the bamboo tube.
After reattaching the tube, Li Qi tossed the carrier pigeon into the night sky.
The pigeon flapped its wings and soon flew far away.
Li Qi stuck out his tongue, licked the blood from his fingertip, and a vicious sneer appeared on his plump face.
’The Heir of Prince Yu actually wants to kill him?’
’He would now let the other party understand what true death felt like.’
...
After Hua Manman and Li Xun left the Imperial Palace, they took a carriage to the Yu Royal Mansion.
In the Celestial Capital, the Yu Royal Mansion was some distance away from the Regent Prince Mansion.
Hua Manman planned to take Li Xun back to the Regent Prince Mansion first, then return to the Yu Royal Mansion alone.