Hearing Qi Rong's words, Yun Xi couldn't help widening her eyes. Her face flushed as she retorted,
"Who was flattering herself and seducing you? Why don't you pinch your own face and see how thick your skin is!"
This guy's skin was as thick as the city wall. How could he twist the truth like this?!
Seducing him? He'd have to wait another eight hundred years!
Fuming with anger, Yun Xi reached out and pinched Qi Rong's cheek, even giving it a hard tug. This made everyone present gasp in shock once again.
Qi Rong's violence was well - known in the capital. In their eyes, Yun Xi's behavior was like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth!
They couldn't help worrying that Qi Rong, having lost face, might lash out on the spot and wring Yun Xi's beautiful neck!
However, the thing they were worried about didn't happen. Qi Rong not only didn't get angry but also let Yun Xi do whatever she wanted on his face.
He just taunted from the side,
"Didn't you just say you had to pay attention to your words and deeds at all times? How do you explain this behavior?"
Suddenly realizing what she had done, Yun Xi froze and quickly dropped her hand.
She stared at Qi Rong with a look of helplessness and gritted her teeth hatefully,
"It's all your fault!"
"What did I do?"
Qi Rong asked knowingly, with a sickeningly sweet smile on his face. Yun Xi felt her face heat up, and her heart fluttered like a deer. She regarded Qi Rong as a fierce beast and looked at him warily.
"I was just pushed to the limit by you!"
Otherwise, as a well - educated person like her, how could she have done such an "unbecoming" thing?
It seemed that even the sages could make mistakes. It should be "Only villains and Qi Rong are hard to get along with"!
She was using her own tragic experience to prove this sentence!
While bickering, the two walked past the crowd. Guided by the venue guards, they headed towards the viewing stand reserved for the Prince Xian's Mansion.
They completely ignored a burning gaze not far away.
Since Yun Xi's appearance, Crown Prince Qi Yu had been staring at her intently, not willing to miss a single moment.
Watching Yun Xi's every frown and smile, his heart was stirred, but he also felt mixed emotions.
Witnessing the two of them laughing and interacting with each other, a flicker of pain flashed across Qi Yu's eyes.
When the Eighth Princess approached, he quickly averted his gaze and his face returned to its previous cold expression.
"Yu'er, I finally found you! Mother said that you should accompany Princess Yuanzhu for a stroll before the competition. Come with me quickly!"
The Eighth Princess reached out and grabbed Qi Yu's wrist, trying to pull him away. However, Qi Yu remained unmoved. He looked directly at the Eighth Princess and said,
"Auntie, nephew still needs to prepare for the competition. I don't have time to accompany Princess Yuanzhu. Please explain this to Grandmother on my behalf."
Meeting Qi Yu's calm gaze, the Eighth Princess frowned slightly and reminded him,
"Yu'er, I know you don't like Yuanzhu yet. But Yuanzhu is a smart and lively girl. I believe that with time, you'll fall in love with her one day and understand Grandmother's good intentions!"
Yuanzhu was the most beloved daughter of the Khan of Kekqin, and her mother was Qi Yu's aunt.
If this in - law relationship was added, Qi Yu could surely ascend to the throne in the future.
With the Queen Mother paving the way for Qi Yu, even the son of Concubine Yu, whom the Li family had been supporting, would no longer be a threat to Qi Yu!
"Sister - in - law has already agreed readily and wants to facilitate your marriage with Princess Yuanzhu. This competition is just to give the Khan of Kekqin some face, and Brother is also using this opportunity to show off his might to Kekqin!"
The Eighth Princess had always been close to this nephew, so she explained seriously.
She knew that the Li family had always wanted to support the Second Prince, the son of Concubine Yu, to consolidate their own power. And since her mother was from the Li family, it was quite rare for her to give her support to Qi Yu at this time.
The Eighth Princess didn't want Qi Yu to miss this great opportunity!
Facing the Eighth Princess's earnest persuasion, Qi Yu seemed uninterested,
"Thank Grandmother and Auntie for their kindness, but nephew doesn't want this marriage. I just want to do well in the current matter to avoid disgracing the royal family."
Saying this, Qi Yu started to squat down and stretch his arms to warm up, obviously wanting to end this topic immediately.
After trying hard to explain the pros and cons but finding the Crown Prince still stubborn, the Eighth Princess couldn't help getting angry. She grabbed the Crown Prince's arm and scolded,
"Yu'er, do you know what you're doing? You're going to ascend to the throne in the future. How could you be so muddle - headed at such an important moment?"
Seeing the Crown Prince silent, the Eighth Princess suddenly thought of a possibility. She looked directly at the Crown Prince with a cold frown and said,
"Tell me the truth. You don't accept Yuanzhu or this marriage because you still can't let go of Yun Xi, right?"
Hearing that name, a crack suddenly appeared on the Crown Prince's calm face.
He was conflicted about Yun Xi. He knew he had no hope. He both hoped that she would be happy and was afraid that she would be too happy.
Caught in this emotional tug - of - war, he had gradually lost sight of what he really wanted.
He only knew that he was extremely unwilling!
The Eighth Princess, who had been closely watching the Crown Prince's expression, naturally didn't miss the subtle change on Qi Yu's face. She couldn't help scolding angrily,
"Yu'er, I always thought you were smart, but why are you so muddle - headed when it comes to feelings? She's already the concubine of the Seventh Brother! Do you still want to be so infatuated for the rest of your life?!"
As the Crown Prince, there were already many threats around him. He should have focused all his energy on eliminating dissidents and consolidating his position.
However, he was indifferent to fame and fortune, showing no interest in the imperial power at all, but instead pouring all his feelings into a woman with no hope at all?
It was really disappointing to all those who had planned for him!
The Eighth Princess couldn't help pounding on Qi Yu's chest and said vehemently,
"Do you know how much effort Sister - in - law has put in for you? You just went on a study tour and stayed outside for four years, refusing to return to the capital. Everyone is eyeing that position, trying to pull you down. Sister - in - law has exhausted herself, unable to sleep at night, to buy you those years of leisure. Now that you're grown - up, are you going to abandon her efforts?"
The Eighth Princess's words were like pearls, deafening and making Qi Yu feel ashamed.
"I've let Mother down, but from beginning to end, what I've wanted has never been the throne."
But who had ever really listened to him?
The palace coup more than a decade ago, although he was not very old at that time, had left an indelible mark on his heart.
From that moment on, he had hated the strife and cruelty of the royal family. He just wanted to stay away from the imperial city, find the woman he loved for a lifetime, and live a carefree life.
Even if it was a poor life, he would be content!
However, everyone was reminding him to fight! To grab! Only by being ruthless could he hold on to what he had!
But none of these were what he wanted!