Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince-Chapter 16 - Do You Deserve It

Now she finally understood how the young ladies from prominent families in ancient times were trained.

“Your Highness,” she placed her hand softly in the Noble Consort’s palm, facing her curious gaze with some embarrassment.

But the Noble Consort feigned a pat on her head, scolding, “Haven’t you changed your way of addressing yet?”

Qi Yu’s expression froze for a moment.

Although she and Li Mingjue were married in ceremony, she had no real awareness of being someone’s wife.

Her relationship with Li Mingjue was merely one of cooperation, a mutual agreement set to part ways once their goals were achieved.

Yet, the Noble Consort continued to look at her with eager eyes, an expectant gleam that moved even someone as indifferent as Qi Yu.

At the very least, the Noble Consort was a good mother and a good mother-in-law.

Qi Yu pursed her lips and, lowering her head, she softly called out, “Mother Empress.”

“That’s more like it.”

The Noble Consort looked at her lovingly, then turned to Li Mingjue, who was standing beside her, instructing him, “Today, the palace is full of people, and you must be extra cautious.”

Li Mingjue nodded, “You speak wisely, Mother Empress.

I shall certainly protect the Princess.”

Qi Yu looked at the mother and son in confusion, wondering how the conversation had suddenly turned to her.

The Noble Consort treated her as the same Qi Yu who had been bullied in the Prime Minister Residence, restless just thinking about the number of people waiting to mock her today.

But she believed that Li Mingjue would certainly protect her completely.

“All right, everyone has almost arrived; let’s go over now.” The Noble Consort stood up, leading Qi Yu towards the Imperial Garden.

Since it was a gathering of ladies, Li Mingjue couldn’t follow, so he gave Shen Nanxing, who had changed into a maid’s attire, a look, instructing her to ensure Qi Yu’s safety no matter what.

Shen Nanxing nodded slightly, her eyes filled with determination.

No matter what, she would protect the Princess.

In the Imperial Garden, young ladies from the capital’s aristocratic families and women from the harem had all gathered.

Although Li Huaixi was not a Prince, she was the Emperor’s most cherished little daughter, whose birthday banquet was personally organized by the Empress—a testament to the Emperor’s importance he placed on her.

The ladies from prominent families invited were all very astute; rather than trying to ingratiate themselves with unreachable figures like the Empress and the Noble Consort, they took the opportunity to gain Li Huaixi’s favor.

The little Princess was spoiled and easy to deceive, as long as they flattered and indulged her.

Even the usually stingy Qi Wei repeatedly instructed Qi Anran to prepare a generous gift to win the little Princess’s affection.

Today, everyone entered the palace early for fear of any mishaps.

Only the Princess Consort to Prince Qi has yet to appear, which inevitably gives rise to speculation.

Some had already received word that Li Huaixi was at odds with Qi Yu.

As they glanced around the Imperial Garden, one of them said with a touch of sarcasm, “What’s with the Princess Consort to Prince Qi?

Everyone else has arrived, yet she still refuses to show up.

She truly has no regard for the Princess’s dignity!”

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“Exactly!

I think this fool is doing it on purpose!” someone immediately chimed in.

The ladies exchanged glances, barely concealing their amusement.

Before Prince Qi’s misfortune, which girl in the capital city didn’t wish to marry him?

Yet, who would have thought that it would be Qi Yu, the fool, who ended up with the prize?

How could they swallow this indignation?

Today, each of them harbored intentions to make a fool out of her.

A coldness flickered in Qi Anran’s eyes as she stood beside Li Huaixi.

She was curious to see how this fool would extricate herself today.

Li Huaixi became irritated at the mere mention of Qi Yu and snorted disdainfully, “Whether she comes or not is of no concern to me.

She’s just a fool, not worthy of my attention!”

Qi Anran suppressed her smile and softly said in an attempt to persuade her, “Your Highness ought to have a generous heart.

Please don’t take offense at my sister’s actions.

She did not mean any disrespect; it’s just that…”

Someone couldn’t bear listening further and harshly interrupted, “Anran, you’re just too kind-hearted, allowing yourself to be bullied by a fool!

If it were me, I would certainly discipline such a sister properly!”

The speaker was Chen Shishi, a well-known talented woman of the capital.

The daughter of the Assistant Minister of Rites, she had read more books from a young age than others, priding herself on her superior intellect and could not tolerate any flaws.

She had long harbored affection for Prince Qi and had thought that with her reputation, she was sure to become his Princess Consort.

But Qi Yu, the fool, had gotten there first, and she could hardly wait to tear Qi Yu to pieces.

Today, she was determined to knock Qi Yu’s pride down a peg and also to show Prince Qi that only a woman with talent like hers deserved the status of his Princess Consort.

Qi Anran silently shook her head, feeling somewhat saddened as she said, “But Yuyu is still my sister after all.

If there’s any wrongdoing, it should be my responsibility as her elder sister to bear it.”

To onlookers, she certainly seemed like a good elder sister who was willing to share her younger sister’s worries.

Just then, Cheng Yi, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward and said with clenched fists and a hint of resentment, “Shishi is right.

How could such a fool be worthy of Prince Qi!”

No sooner had she finished her words, the expressions on everyone’s faces suddenly changed.

Behind her, Qi Yu, supported by the Noble Consort, gracefully arrived.

The Noble Consort had heard everything that was said earlier, and her face grew a few degrees colder.

But the Empress and the Noble Consort An were standing by silently, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to argue on behalf of Qi Yu, for it might make her seem jealous.

She patted Qi Yu’s hand, conveying with her eyes that Qi Yu should not take these words to heart.

Qi Yu, however, looked at the various expressions of the people in the back garden with great interest.

Indeed, each one of them was quite a spectacle, each capable of putting on a dramatic show.

After she took her seat next to the Noble Consort, Qi Yu turned to face the woman who spoke impassionedly on Li Mingjue’s behalf.

Putting on an unreasonable facade, Qi Yu asked, “According to you, I’m not worthy, but are you?”

“Of course, I…” Cheng Yi reflexively began to retort.

But halfway through her response, she suddenly realized she was talking to the legitimate Princess Consort to Prince Qi and promptly swallowed the rest of her words.

No matter how much she devalued Qi Yu, she couldn’t afford to offend the Princess Consort to Prince Qi in public.

She glanced around at the people who had been cursing Qi Yu with her just moments before, yet now not one of them dared to speak up for her.

Qi Yu took a few steps forward, approaching Cheng Yi.

Despite the hint of a smile still in her eyes, it inexplicably sent shivers down one’s spine.

Her gaze fastened onto the flustered Cheng Yi, and she asked, word by word, “Exactly how ‘natural’?”