Leap Forward Comics: Watch How I Become a Villainess

Chapter 121 Princess Chengde's Marriage

As expected, the Crown Prince detained Nie Qing in the palace. Nie Sheng, unaware of the situation, came to the Emperor several times to inquire, only to be turned away by the Emperor who said that young people should have some fun dating and that parents shouldn't be too strict.

Soon the news spread that the daughter of the Nie family was going to enter the Eastern Palace.

Bai Yu entered the palace, stood at the entrance of the East Palace, took a deep breath, and went over his lines again and again, making sure he didn't make a mistake.

"Lord Bai, please come in!" The eunuch came out to greet him; it seemed the Crown Prince had summoned him.

He put on an angry expression and hurried inside.

After turning the corner of the corridor, the Crown Prince saw Bai Yu, dressed in official robes, rushing towards him menacingly.

"What brings Lord Bai to see me today?" Li Guangqi lay leisurely on a reclining chair, basking in the sun in the courtyard of the East Palace. Maids and guards stood around him. He didn't even glance at Bai Yu.

"Your Highness, I...I would like to ask you to release the person!" Bai Yu bowed respectfully, his attitude sincere.

"Whom are you letting in?" He asked, knowing the answer already.

"Miss Nie Liu..." Bai Yu replied patiently.

"I had a very pleasant conversation with the Sixth Miss, and we are kindred spirits. You've heard the rumors circulating outside, about whether or not to release her." Li Guangqi straightened up, perhaps tired of lying down, and sat up.

"She...she really has feelings for you?" Bai Yu looked frustrated.

“How could it be false? Lord Bai is probably in unrequited love.” Li Guangqi looked at Bai Yu’s reaction, trying to figure out just how deep his feelings for Nie Qing were.

"Miss Nie... she's alright. As long as she's safe and sound, I'm fine." Bai Yu feigned a deeply affectionate demeanor: "I hope Your Highness will cherish this beauty..."

“Miss Nie is now devoted to me, how could I treat her badly?” Li Guangqi looked at Bai Yu meaningfully, “Unless…”

"Unless what?" Bai Yu looked up and met the Crown Prince's gaze.

"Lord Bai should be a smart man. I know your feelings for Miss Nie. What if you deliberately target me in the future?" The Crown Prince spread his hands, as if Bai Yu had done something to wrong him.

"What does Your Highness mean by this? Are you threatening me with Miss Nie's safety?" Bai Yu's astonishment and anger were palpable.

"Then will you become my enemy?" the crown prince asked instead of answering.

Bai Yu pondered for a moment, then knelt and kowtowed: "Your Highness! Please treat Miss Nie well. This humble official will certainly share Your Highness's burdens!"

Li Guangqi smiled without saying a word, then got up and helped him up.

"Your Highness!" Bai Yu did not rise, but simply kowtowed.

"I know that Lord Bai is upright and incorruptible. What I just said to you was just a joke." Crown Prince Li Guangqi comforted Bai Yu with gentle words and helped him up.

"In two days, the delegation from the eight nations will be arriving in the capital. The Imperial City Guard will be very busy with the security of the capital. Lord Bai has been very busy with official duties these days, yet he still made a special trip to my Eastern Palace. I will remember this kindness." Li Guangqi casually made some polite remarks, and also mentioned Bai Yu. He knew that Bai Yu was so busy that he still made a special trip to the Eastern Palace for Miss Nie.

Bai Yu also pretended to be at a disadvantage, hanging his head: "Yes, the delegation will be arriving in the capital in a few days, and the banquet for selecting a consort for Princess Chengde in the imperial city is already being prepared."

"Well, the princes of the eight kingdoms are all young talents, so it's inevitable that they'll go hunting in the royal hunting grounds for some fun." Li Guangqi asked casually, "I remember that the safety of the hunting grounds is jointly the responsibility of the Imperial Guard and the Imperial City Guard, isn't it?"

"Exactly!"

"Then I'll have to trouble Lord Bai to protect the princes of each country well." Li Guangqi squinted his eyes, smiling impassively.

Princess Chengde was about to be engaged, and Li Cen, as her older sister, naturally wanted to be happy for her. However, Chengde had never forgiven her for what happened in their childhood. So she asked Lu He to go and visit her younger sister on her behalf. It was already evening when Lu He slowly returned.

As soon as she entered, Li Cen grabbed her arm: "Is my sister alright?" He had known that Chengde had always admired Chao Huaiyuan, and he was worried that she would be heartbroken on the day she was to be married off.

When Li Cen bestowed the title upon Chengde, he knew it was only a matter of time before his younger sister, the Emperor, was to be betrothed to another country. But Chengde was such a naive child; she knew nothing of such matters. She lived so innocently and happily for so many years, still believing that she could marry the person she loved.

“Not good, she’s been crying all day,” Lu He said helplessly, rubbing his hands. “She’s still a child, still clinging to beautiful fantasies about love. She’s only fifteen or sixteen, it’s perfectly normal for her to want to marry for love. When she gets to my age, she’ll be more open-minded.”

"Your age? Aren't you about the same age as me?" Li Cen suddenly became playful, raising his hand to pinch her tender, delicate face.

"Ouch, Your Highness, Your Highness, be gentle!"