Engagement Annulled? Now The Husbands Kneel and Beg for Her Favor

After Xie Youchen relented, Jiang Qingli quickly explained the situation in the family group chat, announcing that she was going to the Lower District.

The news was sudden, and everyone was a bit surprised, but no one objected.

After all, they all knew Jiang Qingli’s personality.

Having gotten the support of her Beast Husbands, Jiang Qingli was satisfied enough, but she immediately faced a thorny new problem—

Her Beast Husbands all wanted to accompany her.

The group chat fell quiet and peaceful, but then, one by one, they started sending private messages to Jiang Qingli.

Gu Nian was the most eager when it came to this sort of thing: [Qingli, can I go with you, please? [Bunny poking its fingers together] I can help you kill Mutant Beasts, and I can cook for you and warm your bed. More importantly, I don’t have to go through any procedures! I can go and come back on my own, no one will ever know~ Please, Qingli~ I’m begging you~]

Before she could reply, Xie Youchen had already shut it down for her. ”No.”

Jiang Qingli was most likely going with Xie Youchen this time. The military wasn’t a place just anyone could waltz into, not to mention Gu Nian’s Assassin codename was still on a bounty list.

So, Jiang Qingli had no choice but to politely turn him down.

Next, Baili Jing sent a message, playing the part of the considerate ’main husband’: [Baby, the living standards in the Lower District are nothing like here. I’m worried you won’t be able to adjust and it will affect your work. As it happens, I’m not busy with work right now, so how about I go with you?]

Jiang Qingli was silent for two seconds. [Sir, just this morning you said your new show starts filming tomorrow.]

Yuan Shimo wrote in all seriousness: [Qingli, my mentor will be heading to the Lower District for research soon, so I can conveniently go with you. My Superpower could be of some help as well.]

Jiang Qingli: [Cat Teacher, if I recall correctly, you said last night that you’re going to the Third District next week for a conference.]

Yuan Shimo replied with a series of ellipses.

He tried to argue: [The itinerary isn’t set in stone.]

Just as Jiang Qingli was about to reply, another new message popped up—

Yuan Shiyao: [Qingli, my brother is right next to me.]

The moment she saw the message, Jiang Qingli had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, a new message arrived: [I heard you’re going to the Lower District? Actually, the court told me there’s a legal aid position opening up there, and I’ve been wanting to go for a while. I didn’t expect you to be going to the Lower District too. I guess that means we can keep each other company.]

Jiang Qingli: ”...”

’Why is the one stuck in a hospital bed trying to join the chaos?’

The fingers wrapped around her waist seemed to tighten a little, and Xie Youchen’s dark eyes narrowed.

Jiang Qingli awkwardly touched the tip of her nose, feeling inexplicably guilty. ”Um... there’s nothing going on between me and Yuan Shiyao.”

”I didn’t ask if something was going on between you two.” Xie Youchen seemed unconcerned as he picked up his terminal and sent a message.

After he hit send, Jiang Qingli’s terminal buzzed.

She looked down and saw that Xie Youchen had sent a message in the ”One Big Happy Family (7)” group chat.

Xie Youchen: [I’ll be going with her.]

In the group chat, Gu Nian posted an eye-rolling emoji, deleted it after half a minute, and then sent a new reply: [But you’re getting old. I’m a little worried...]

Baili Jing replied: [Age is not a flaw. I, on the other hand, think Youchen is too young and might be stretched too thin.]

A series of ellipses appeared under Yuan Shimo’s avatar, indicating he was typing.

Just then, Jiang Qingli had a sudden flash of inspiration. She asked Xie Youchen, ”Will Yi Nuo be going with us?”

Xie Youchen was silent for a moment, then nodded. ”He is indeed a suitable choice.”

’Although he didn’t like Yi Nuo at the moment, Xie Youchen had to admit it. Yi Nuo’s combat ability was high, his sense of responsibility was strong, and his personality was meticulous. If not for that accident, he would likely be on equal footing with Jin Li by now.’

’After arriving in the Twelve Cities, he would have many duties and wouldn’t be able to stay by Jiang Qingli’s side at all times. Yi Nuo could indeed fill that gap.’

After getting an affirmative answer, Jiang Qingli went to the group chat to reassure her Beast Husbands: [Latest news, Yi Nuo is coming with us, so you don’t have to worry!]

Both Baili Jing and Gu Nian fell silent.

Just then, Yuan Shimo’s message finally appeared.

Yuan Shimo: [...]

Jiang Qingli: [What’s wrong?]

Yuan Shimo: [Nothing.]

-

After the discussion with the Beast Husbands, Xie Youchen notified Yi Nuo.

As expected, Yi Nuo didn’t refuse.

In fact, Xie Youchen could even detect a hint of inappropriate satisfaction in the man’s usually calm tone.

Xie Youchen pinched the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling a twinge of regret.

But he never went back on his word.

Fingers pressed against the bridge of his nose.

Xie Youchen looked up to meet the girl’s dark eyes as she drew near.

”Are we leaving right now?” From her expression, Jiang Qingli couldn’t wait to set off immediately.

”The notice I received says we depart tonight. You’ll get the notification once the information blockade is lifted.” Xie Youchen pulled her hand down, holding it gently. ”Don’t worry too much. I just received word that Qin Muye’s condition has stabilized.”

Jiang Qingli only breathed a sigh of relief after she read the message he had received.

Then she heard him add, ”Third Prince Qin Yu and Ninth Prince Qin Xiangning will be going as well.”

”What are they going for?”

Jiang Qingli remembered Qin Yu. At a banquet before, he had been passive-aggressive toward Qin Muye and tried to sow discord between them. She didn’t have a good impression of him.

Qin Xiangning was apparently Qin Yu’s younger half-brother on his mother’s side. His beast form was a White-tailed Kite, and contrary to his name, which suggested tranquility, his personality was arrogant and eccentric.

Xie Youchen said, ”Qin Yu hasn’t had any political accomplishments in recent years, and Qin Xiangning’s reputation has been poor lately.”

Jiang Qingli understood.

’So they’re just well-connected people looking to gild their résumés.’

”Once I lift the information blockade, Her Majesty will receive the news within five minutes. At that point, she will summon you to the palace for a discussion.” Xie Youchen gently stroked her hair, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. ”Ah Li, have you really thought this through? There will be no turning back then.”

”I don’t change my mind once I’ve made a decision. Hurry up and send the message.” Jiang Qingli grabbed his terminal, shoved it into his hand, and muttered under her breath, ”Xie Youchen, I’m starting to realize you’re getting more and more long-winded. You’re more long-winded than three fathers combined. Don’t tell me it’s a side effect of old age, is it?”

Xie Youchen: ”...”

Not even five minutes after the blockade was lifted, Jiang Qingli received a summons.

Since it was a private summons, Jiang Qingli went alone.

Chen Mi arranged for a car and, along with Xie Youchen, saw Jiang Qingli off at the garage.

After watching her figure disappear from view, Chen Mi suddenly felt Xie Youchen’s gaze fall upon him.

Xie Youchen’s expression was placid, but the natural aura of authority he exuded was enough to make a man’s heart tremble.

Chen Mi felt the hairs on his body stand on end as he frantically racked his brain, wondering if he had done something wrong.

But after running through everything, he couldn’t think of anything.

Just as he was starting to wonder if he should just proactively resign, he heard Xie Youchen speak. ”Chen Mi.”

”Sir!”

Chen Mi snapped to attention, nearly saluting out of reflex, and stared at him nervously.

Only to hear Xie Youchen ask, ”Am I old?”

Chen Mi: ”...”

Chen Mi: ???