Chapter 104: It's All Your Fault (Three Updates, Please Vote)

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Previously, since Li Chengqian was at the princess’s residence, Li Lizhi had been so absorbed in playing touhu that she almost forgot the important matter of accompanying Li Yi to attend to her mother’s illness once he arrived.

At this moment, upon seeing a palace maid sent by her mother, Li Lizhi was instantly brought back to her senses.

“Elder brother the Crown Prince, Fifth Sister has some matters to attend to and must take her leave for now. I’ll come visit you at your residence another day!”

With these words, Li Lizhi slightly bowed, then grabbed Li Yi’s sleeve and ran off, urgently urging, “Li Bo’an, hurry and follow me!”

Li Yi had no time to understand the situation before being pulled along by Li Lizhi, disappearing from Li Chengqian’s sight.

Not only was Li Yi utterly confused, but Li Chengqian was equally bewildered, standing there dumbfounded.

“What’s going on here?” Li Chengqian raised his right hand awkwardly, frozen mid-air, watching the figure vanish into the distance, hastily calling out, “Fifth Sister, slow down—!”

However, no voice answered him, only his own echo faintly lingering.

Li Chengqian stood there, stunned.

...

Outside the rear garden’s covered corridor,

Li Yi was dragged along at a brisk pace by Li Lizhi, and before long, they had already left the princess’s residence far behind, leaving the palace maid who came to deliver messages trailing far behind.

Yet Li Lizhi showed no sign of wanting to stop.

Seeing this, Li Yi quickly tugged on her sleeve to maintain some distance and anxiously asked, “Princess, what exactly is going on?”

Hearing this, Li Lizhi paused for a moment and then stopped to collect herself.

“Li Bo’an, it’s all your fault!”

Glancing back with a scowl, Li Lizhi said with a hint of reproach, “Because of you, I almost forgot the important matter. Hurry and come with me to Lizheng Hall to treat Mother’s illness.”

“...” Li Yi stared at her dumbfounded, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Had Li Lizhi swallowed a powder keg or an atomic bomb today?

She was the one who had been playing touhu and getting carried away, delaying the time, so why was she suddenly pinning the blame on him?

Ever since he arrived in the rear garden, hadn’t Li Lizhi been the one insisting that he compete with Li Chengqian at touhu?

Moreover, Li Yi had even helped her win against Li Chengqian and earned a large prize.

Yet she remembered the grudge, not the benefit?

Women, huh...

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Today, Li Yi truly gained some insight.

But all these complaints he kept to himself, absolutely not daring to voice them.

The saying ‘women and petty men are difficult to raise’ was certainly not without reason.

Best to be cautious.

“*Ahem*.” After clearing his throat twice, Li Yi smiled and earnestly reminded her, “Princess, Empress Changsun’s illness is only a minor ailment at present. There’s no need to be so anxious at this hour.”

“If I accompany you alone and someone from the palace sees us, they might take the opportunity to spread rumors. Though it wouldn’t affect me, it would greatly harm your reputation.”

“I certainly wouldn’t want your good name to be tarnished for no reason.”

“Princess, why don’t we stop here and wait for the palace maid sent by Empress Changsun? Then we can proceed together. What do you think?”

Li Yi wore an innocent smile, looking at Li Lizhi with gentle eyes.

As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling face when you reach out; flattery must be skillful to be effective...

Sure enough, hearing this, Li Lizhi’s eyes flickered before she finally exhaled and nodded reluctantly, pouting, “Fine... we’ll do as you say.”

“Wise choice, Princess.” Li Yi bowed with a smile.

However, noticing a trace of dissatisfaction on Li Lizhi’s cheek, Li Yi suddenly had a bright idea and suggested with a smile, “Princess, since we have some time, how about I tell you a joke to pass the time?”

Li Lizhi was momentarily startled but a smile quickly appeared on her displeased face.

“Alright, go ahead! Tell me! Tell me!” Li Lizhi beamed and urged impatiently, “Li Bo’an, tell me several!”

“...”

Li Yi suddenly felt like he was courting disaster, but having said it, like water spilled, it could not be taken back. So he began telling jokes.

Thus, they stopped where they were, waiting for Empress Changsun’s palace maid and Linlang to arrive, all the while Li Yi entertained Li Lizhi with jokes.

Soon, bursts of joyful laughter echoed through the air.

When Linlang and the green-robed palace maid finally hurried over from the princess’s residence, Li Yi stopped telling jokes and lowered his head quietly.

Seeing this, Li Lizhi immediately regained her composure and waved her hand, commanding, “Let’s go to Lizheng Hall.”

“Yes, Princess.” The group responded and proceeded toward Lizheng Hall.

After a while, Li Yi accompanied Li Lizhi to the entrance of Lizheng Hall.

As the only male, Li Yi had to wait alone outside while Li Lizhi entered the hall under the guidance of the green-robed palace maid.

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Before long, Empress Changsun came out wearing a loose coat, with Li Lizhi supporting her arm.

“I pay my respects, Your Majesty,” Li Yi quickly bowed deeply upon seeing Empress Changsun.

“No need for formalities, rise,” she said.

Empress Changsun glanced at Li Yi and smiled with satisfaction, “Li Bo’an, you’ve finally arrived. I thought... today there might be a heavy snowfall again, and I wouldn’t be able to learn from you.”

Li Yi understood perfectly; the Empress’s words were a gentle way of saying she had been hoping for his arrival.

“Your Majesty, you flatter me. It’s thanks to Your Majesty’s blessings,” Li Yi replied with an innocent smile. “Perhaps Heaven recognizes Your Majesty’s virtue and motherly grace, thus sparing us the snow. May Your Majesty’s illness be cured soon.”

“Ah? Hehe...” The Empress was momentarily taken aback before a radiant smile blossomed, revealing two round dimples. She lightly raised her hand and said, “You child, you really know how to please people.”

Her smile had a mature charm that even made Li Yi silently admire her.

Now he finally understood why Emperor Taizong cherished her so much.

With such a well-mannered, almost ethereal wife by his side, why wouldn’t Emperor Taizong favor her?

But Li Yi quickly regained his composure.

Lowering his head slightly, he bowed, “Your Majesty’s praise is undeserved. To win Your Majesty’s favor is my good fortune.”

Empress Changsun’s mood instantly brightened. She shook her head with a smile and said clearly, “Come, Li Bo’an, accompany me to the Imperial Garden. It’s quieter there.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Li Yi bowed in reply.

Following Empress Changsun, Li Lizhi, and the others, Li Yi walked through the corridors of Taiji Palace to the Imperial Garden and then stopped.

At that moment, the Empress glanced at the green-robed palace maid beside her and nodded slightly. The maid then led a group of palace women and eunuchs to stand guard outside.

Within the Imperial Garden, only Li Lizhi, Li Yi, and Empress Changsun remained.

Even the air felt noticeably more tranquil.

Ah, finally finished Chapter Three. Thank you all for your patience. Sorry for the delay. Good night and sweet dreams. QAQ...

(End of chapter)