Chapter 4 Where did the freak come from?
Li Mingjue watched her face, capable of frightening small children, expressionlessly and said with an indifferent tone, "Appearances are but external possessions to this Prince, and besides, who knows what kind of heart is hidden beneath the skin?"
Hearing this, Qi Yu smiled with great satisfaction, curling her lips, "Beauty is common, but a soulmate is rare."
Having said that, she turned and left with swagger.
After she was gone, Li Mingjue glanced at the dark, and a figure immediately flashed out from there.
"Shiqi, check on the Princess. I want to know everything that has happened to her over the years."
"Yes."
Qi Yu was really not afraid of Li Mingjue finding out about her, because no matter what, it was impossible for him to discover her true identity.
Time travel, after all, is something no one would believe if she told them.
She had just returned to her separate courtyard when she saw someone lying at the entrance.
She looked down, wasn't that the maid sent by Qi Wei to accompany her in her marriage?
Qi Yu wasn't interested in Hong Xing, who had already passed out, and even kicked her twice. Seeing that the woman didn't wake up, she simply left her lying there.
But she was very interested in the person who had done this.
"Come out."
The trees in the courtyard shook, and a figure flew down.
Shen Nanxing knelt on the ground, cupping her fists and said, "Forgive me, Princess."
Qi Yu looked at the woman in black, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Did you do this?"
"Yes."
Shen Nanxing was somewhat nervous. She had found the maid annoying and had knocked her out without the Princess's permission.
Qi Yu, however, helped her up and looked at her appreciatively, "Well done."
Shen Nanxing paused, while Qi Yu circled her a few times, curiously asking, "You must be very light, right? To be able to fly like that."
"Replying to the Princess, that's Qinggong; it has nothing to do with my weight," Shen Nanxing said, feeling out of sorts as she looked at her own Princess, answering straight to the point.
Qi Yu was amused by her response but suddenly remembered something, and the smile at the bottom of her eyes faded slightly.
"When did you come to my side?"
Shen Nanxing replied, "Responding to the Princess, it was last night that the Prince ordered me here. He said from now on, I should follow you and be responsible for your safety."
Qi Yu nodded noncommittally.
Protection is probably just a pretense; the true purpose must be surveillance.
However, she wasn't going to do anything that would harm Li Mingjue, and having someone following her was not a big deal.
Moreover, the Hidden Guards of the Prince Residence were all highly skilled in martial arts. With such a person by her side, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.
Once she had realized this, Qi Yu sent Shen Nanxing off to continue her duties, while she herself went back to her room to catch up on sleep.
She didn't expect that just after midday, a message came from the Imperial Palace, summoning the Prince with his Princess.
Qi Yu sighed languidly, being a Princess was exhausting.
Li Mingjue watched her dejected demeanor, the corners of his lips curving into a faint smile.
It was Qi Yu's first time entering the Imperial Palace during the day, and she looked around at the palace scenery with unwavering curiosity.
She knew too little about this dynasty and pointed at one place after another, asking for clarification to avoid exposing herself later on.
Her actions appeared to the Palace Attendants as if she were a five-year-old child, always asking an extra question whenever she saw something novel.
But Li Mingjue showed not the slightest impatience, softly explaining to her, and when Qi Yu failed to understand something, he patiently repeated it several times.
Originally, Qi Yu had intentionally pretended to be foolish and dim-witted, making it seem to others that this Princess was unfit for Prince Qi.
Palace Attendants were all tacitly thinking to themselves that Prince Qi marrying such a Princess might be either a blessing or a curse.
The two first arrived at the harem, to the palace of Prince Qi's birth mother, the Noble Consort.
"This son, along with the Princess, pays respect to Mother," Li Mingjue said, leading Qi Yu in a courteous bow.
The Noble Consort looked at Qi Yu's movements, which were no different from ordinary people, and a trace of surprise flickered in her eyes.
However, she did not directly point it out. With many people in the palace, she first dismissed the surrounding Palace Attendants and then covertly gave Li Mingjue a meaningful look.
Li Mingjue understood and nodded, "Contrary to the rumors, the Princess is not foolish or dim-witted."
The Noble Consort turned to Qi Yu and said slowly, "That is good to hear."
Being the daughter of the Prime Minister, yet having her name associated with stupidity, it's hard to imagine what kind of life this child has led before.
Qi Yu touched her nose sheepishly.
Facing the kind-looking Noble Consort, she hardly dared lift her head, afraid that her own illustrious presence might startle her.
The Noble Consort, however, looked at her affectionately, "I've heard that Prince Qi's wife is blessed and has saved my son's life, the palace has yet to thank you."
After speaking, she removed a string of prayer beads from her wrist, "I have worn these beads for over twenty years, reciting sutras and praying with them every day. Wear them and they will avert disaster and bring you peace."
Qi Yu glanced at Li Mingjue uneasily and, seeing him nod, accepted with both hands, "Thank you... Your Highness."
Before entering the Imperial Palace, knowing she was going to meet Li Mingjue's mother, Qi Yu was somewhat nervous and apprehensive.
Aren't all women in the palace said to be extraordinary?
Isn't it said that mothers-in-law tend to be critical of their daughters-in-law?
Why didn't this Noble Consort follow the usual patterns, looking so benevolent that Qi Yu thought... she wanted to take her pulse.
In her previous life, her title as Divine Doctor was not for show; many nobles wished for her to check their pulse, but Qi Yu never succumbed to monetary temptations and only treated those who were truly ill.
However, she looked up and quietly observed.
It must be due to years of vegetarianism and devotion, though over forty, the Noble Consort did not appear to have any signs of illness.
Qi Yu was relieved, carefully storing the prayer beads, and sat beside Li Mingjue, chatting with the Noble Consort.
They hadn't spoken much when suddenly a glamorous beauty adorned with jewels entered the hall, accompanied by two similarly lavishly dressed young ladies.
Qi Yu was momentarily dazzled by the splendid head ornaments, and only after hearing the Maid's greeting did she realize this person was An Ruoya, the most favored Noble Consort in the harem.
The one on the left was the Emperor's youngest daughter, Princess Jiahe Li Huaixi, and on the right was her sister, Qi Anran.
On the way here, Li Mingjue had mentioned that An Ruoya, whose original name was An Ruoya, was ostentatious and domineering, using the Emperor's favor to misbehave, and it was best to avoid provoking her if possible.
Moreover, An Ruoya had risen from a Palace Maid to Noble Consort, a testament to her cunning and calculating nature.
Qi Yu was not afraid, she just didn't want to cause trouble for the Noble Consort.
Although she didn't want to cause trouble, that did not stop others from seeking it.
"Who is this freak? Brother Prince Qi, how could you marry such a Princess?" Li Huaixi looked at Qi Yu with disdain, her words were anything but polite.
Before Qi Yu could speak, Li Mingjue frowned and interrupted, "Huaixi, do not be disrespectful to my Princess."
Li Huaixi did not expect Li Mingjue to stand up for Qi Yu, and felt even more dissatisfied, thinking, what made this freak worthy!
In her eyes, only the finest woman in the capital city deserved Li Mingjue.
She affectionately held Qi Anran's arm and provocatively said to Qi Yu, "She is not a real Princess Qi!" "Only a kind-hearted and beautiful woman like Sister Anran deserves to be with my Royal Brother."