Let’s Squander A Billion First!

Chapter 2005: Chapter 2005: Loyal Guard Dog (13)

Chuzheng’s voice caught the attention of many people, and Yann Qin’s gaze fell on Changsun Hang.

Changsun Hang: ”...”

What could he possibly want to say!

This woman is messing with me!

After stirring things up, Chuzheng leisurely took a sip of tea and shifted into spectator mode.

With everyone watching, Changsun Hang found himself in a difficult spot and had to randomly pick a topic, leaving no opportunity to bother Chuzheng again.

The Emperor arrived fashionably late with the Noble Consort, who looked more like the Emperor’s daughter—young and beautiful.

The Empress, citing health issues, did not attend, likely due to dissatisfaction with the Emperor.

However, the Emperor did not care at all about the Empress’s feelings, his mind consumed with beauties.

No wonder they are father and son!

With the big boss around, eating this meal was difficult; it was all about flattery, more flattery.

Some even went so far as to flatter the horse’s belly, making the atmosphere awkward at times.

Chuzheng thought some people’s lack of promotion made sense.

-

Chuzheng left halfway through, going outside for some air, enjoying a moment of peace and quiet.

”Miss, we should go back,” Ying Xiang said, a bit worried.

”Go back for what?”

”You’re the Prince’s Consort.” How could you leave at this time! ”This is the palace, not like being at home, if anything happens, it won’t be good for us.”

Inside the palace walls, there’s much intrigue; what if she bumps into something she shouldn’t see?

Chuzheng was indifferent: ”What is there to fear?” Worst case, just fight. I’m good at fighting!

”...”

Ying Xiang was deeply concerned, constantly looking around, afraid of any unforeseen accidents.

Midway through the palace banquet, fireworks blossomed in the sky, the colorful display painting the sky beautifully.

Chuzheng looked up for a few seconds, told Ying Xiang to stay put, and walked to a secluded place by herself.

”Shi Yi.”

A gentle breeze passed by, and a man in dark clothing quietly stood behind her.

”Miss.”

Chuzheng tilted her small face upward, fireworks blooming in her eyes.

Shi Yi frowned, respectfully inquired: ”Miss, is there anything you need?”

”Can’t I call you out for no reason?” Chuzheng tilted her head, and the fireworks painted a dazzling color through her pupils.

”Miss, I am here to ensure your safety, not to indulge your whims,” Shi Yi’s tone was slightly cold: ”If there’s nothing you need, I’ll take my leave.”

Chuzheng swiftly grabbed Shi Yi’s clothing: ”Are you listening to me or not?”

Chuzheng intended to grab his wrist, but Shi Yi moved quickly as well, so she only managed to grab his clothes.

Oh well!

Clothes will do!

Shi Yi lowered his eyes, and after a moment, looked at the spot where Chuzheng held the fabric: ”Yes.”

”Since you listen to me, just stand there.” Chuzheng released her grip.

”...”

Shi Yi held himself back, but ultimately didn’t leave, quietly standing two steps behind Chuzheng.

Suddenly, Chuzheng stepped back two paces to stand shoulder to shoulder with Shi Yi.

”Shi Yi, is there anything you like?” Her cool voice reached his ears without any emotional fluctuation, as if she were asking casually.

”No.”

Chuzheng crossed her arms, a dappling of light from the bursting fireworks cast down, tracing an elegant curve along her slightly tilted face.

”Everyone should have something they like.”

”I don’t have anything.”

”You can have something.”

”...”

The fireworks continued to bloom, under the play of light and shadow, the girl’s luxurious court attire made her look dignified and elegant, possessing a distinctive aura.

In the deafening sound of the fireworks, Shi Yi spoke: ”Miss, you’ve been well-protected, you can like whatever you want, but some people are different.”

They don’t even have the right to choose.

Like?

”You can like me.”

Shi Yi’s pupils slightly contracted, and he sharply looked at the girl beside him.

She was still gazing at the sky, from his angle, he could see the splendid colors blooming and extinguishing in her dark eyes beneath her curling lashes.

What was she saying?

Suddenly, Shi Yi felt a dryness in his mouth, his fingers clenching his sword slightly convulsed, an inexplicable emotion spread from the depths of his heart.

”Miss, do you remember your status?”

Chuzheng bluntly said: ”Prince’s Consort? Aside from this title, there’s nothing between him and me. If you want to be with me, I can take care of... dismissing him immediately.”

Shi Yi lowered his head, his tone grave: ”Miss, please don’t joke with me.”

”You think I’m joking with you?”

Shi Yi tightened his grip on his sword, his tone tense: ”I am just a servant.”

”Then do you want to be my beloved?”

Shi Yi: ”...”

-

Shi Yi didn’t get to answer that question, as there was a commotion in the distance.

Ying Xiang hurriedly ran over, relieved to see Chuzheng was alright.

Chuzheng followed Ying Xiang back, inside the hall a group of dancers kneeled on the ground, the Emperor’s face was as dark as thunder, and today’s main character, the Noble Consort, was actually kneeling.

The hall was silent, ministers and women all lowered their heads, except for Yann Qin, who was nonchalantly sipping his wine.

Chuzheng didn’t enter the hall, going in now would be suicidal.

”Miss, it seems that group of dancers performed something problematic earlier,” Ying Xiang, being considerate, had found out the news.

”What kind of problem?”

”I don’t know... but once His Majesty saw it, he flew into a rage.” That’s how it came to this situation.

She wasn’t the only one who had left, a few other women, either for air or natural calls, were returning now, and none dared enter, choosing instead to stand outside the hall.

”Third Princess Consort...”

Chuzheng heard a voice, turning to see Madam Lin, whom she had met before.

Madam Lin gave a curtsy, then walked over to her side: ”Third Princess Consort, what happened inside?”

”I don’t know.”

Madam Lin blinked, not disgruntled by Chuzheng’s answer, instead speaking in a gossipy tone: ”I’ll go and ask then.”

Madam Lin went off to inquire somewhere, quickly returning, whispering to Chuzheng: ”Earlier, His Majesty saw the dancers perform, became furious—it seems it was the dance once performed by a concubine. His Majesty is very sensitive about this matter, which is why he got so angry. This was orchestrated by the Noble Consort, she will definitely be implicated.”

”Which concubine?”

Madam Lin glanced around, seeing no one paying much attention to them, carefully whispered: ”I’ve heard a little about it... When His Majesty was young, there was a woman he liked very much, and intended to make her Empress, but because of her background, she could not become one.”

”Though she didn’t become Empress, she was utterly adored by His Majesty. Unfortunately, she had a short life, and after her passing, His Majesty forbade that dance from being performed in the palace.”

”Noble Consort entered the palace late, probably no one told her about this. It’s unclear where she saw those dances.”

”Ahem... Third Princess Consort, please pretend I never mentioned this.”

After sharing the gossip, Madam Lin shyly urged Chuzheng.

Chuzheng solemnly nodded: ”Uh-huh.” A master doesn’t gossip without reason!!