CHAPTER 151: CHAPTER 151: DON’T TARNISH THE DUKE YAN MANSION’S REPUTATION

The city gate had been blocked for more than a quarter of an hour, but because it involved the two young ladies of Duke Yan Mansion, even the gatekeeping officer hesitated to disperse the crowd.

It wasn’t until this sound rang out that the city gate guards seemed to wake from a dream and ran over to drive away the carriages and horses.

Tang Xiaobai had been waiting for this moment and stepped aside voluntarily, without needing persuasion.

Seeing Ye Qingrong also directing her family to retreat, she couldn’t help but feel some regret.

Why retreat?

Earlier when she stood up to Miss Tang, wasn’t she quite stubborn? Why not continue? Could it be that she thinks Duke Yan Mansion is easy to bully?

No matter what she thinks, soon a path was cleared at the city gate.

With splendid attire and spirited horses, full of youthful vigor.

This statement only describes the several young men traveling together, while the one surrounded in the center had noticeably higher status.

Dressed in purple robes and jade belt, with sword-like eyebrows and deep eyes, strikingly handsome yet unapproachable in his nobility.

It was Prince Jin Li Shu.

Tang Xiaobai silently curled the corners of her lips.

In the plot, it was arranged this way: When the heroine was being bullied by the malicious supporting female, the hero would first appear to rescue her from distress, followed by the supporting male’s belated arrival, learning of what had just happened from the gate guard.

After hearing about it, other than becoming more displeased with the arrogant and domineering Miss Tang, Li Shu didn’t notice anything else.

Thus it didn’t hinder him from setting up the engagement to have the young lady of Duke Yan Mansion as Crown Princess Consort during the spring banquet on the third day of the third lunar month.

But this time was different.

Though Li Shu is not yet Crown Prince, it’s said that during the spring banquet on the third day of the third lunar month, they plan to select brides for the princes.

She deliberately dragged Ye Qingrong from leaving, intending to make Li Shu fall for her at first sight.

Please spare her family’s young lady at the bridal selection banquet afterwards!

While the gate guard welcomed Prince Jin Li Shu into the city, he explained the reason for the congestion, mentioning "Miss Tang of Duke Yan Mansion" and "Assistant Minister of Rites Ye Liangsi."

"Assistant Minister of Rites Ye Liangsi?" Li Shu suddenly halted his ride, his gaze moved as he turned to look towards the Ye family.

Ye Qingrong also happened to look up at Li Shu.

When their eyes met, Tang Xiaobai felt as if she saw sparks flying.

Ye Qingrong first lowered her gaze.

Indeed, Ye Qingrong was never interested in Li Shu.

Yet Li Shu continued to stare at Ye Qingrong until Ye’s mother couldn’t help but step forward to block his predatorial gaze: "This humble woman, wife of Assistant Minister of Rites Ye Liangsi, Lady Kong, greets Prince Jin!"

Ye Liangsi was originally the Inspector of Suzhou, came to the capital last year for reporting duties and was promoted to Assistant Minister of Rites.

Fourth rank, same as her brother.

Li Shu finally withdrew his gaze, looked at Lady Kong and slowly spoke, "Is Lady Kong injured?" His tone warmer than usual.

Lady Kong replied, "Thank you Prince Jin for your concern, this humble woman is unharmed."

At this moment, Tang Xiaobai saw Ye Qingrong glance at her and couldn’t help but tense up.

Here it comes! She’s going to complain!

However, just as she was prepared to be seen as the villain, Ye Qingrong lowered her gaze again and said nothing.

What is it? Is she not worthy of the heroine’s complaint?

"Where is Tang Family?" Though no one complained, Li Shu began to call out.

Tang Xiaobai immediately stepped forward, "Greetings Prince Jin!"

Seeing it was her, Li Shu frowned slightly and said, "The academy has long been adjourned, why are you still lingering outside?"

"Ah?" Tang Xiaobai was so startled by this unexpected question that she stuttered, "I, ah... I just came to have a look..."

"So young, yet learning such bad behavior?" Li Shu reprimanded and commanded, "Apologize to Lady Kong!"

Before Tang Xiaobai could respond, Ye Qingrong interjected, "The horse rider who injured is Miss Tang of Duke Yan Mansion."

Li Shu’s frown deepened, "Then apologize on behalf of your sister!"

Ye Qingrong replied calmly, "I only heard that when a younger one errs, the elder brother or sister apologizes on their behalf. Why trouble a young girl, Prince Jin?"

Li Shu’s gaze sank upon hearing this.

Indeed, Prince Jin kindly stood up for you, yet you are ungrateful?

For a moment, those around looked at Ye Qingrong with this sentiment.

But Tang Xiaobai understood.

She was merely a tool for Ye Qingrong and Li Shu to interact more.

Li Shu wouldn’t allow anger at Ye Qingrong!

Sure enough, Li Shu coldly looked at her for a while and then ordered in a calm tone, "Escort the Ye family women to Ye Mansion!"

Ye’s mother was taken aback for a moment, quickly said, "How dare I trouble Prince Jin—" but swallowed the rest upon seeing Li Shu’s glance, "Thank you Prince Jin..."

Ye Qingrong then lowered her head to support Ye’s mother into the carriage, without looking at Li Shu again.

Tang Xiaobai was extremely satisfied with this outcome.

No matter if she interfered or not, the heroine would still get involved with Li Shu; as long as Li Shu doesn’t bother her family’s Miss Tang, all is well!

As for what follows, that’s Li Xingyuan and Li Shu’s battle.

She just wants to hold her family’s beauty and quietly enjoy her life, while nurturing the young crown prince to expand influence, maybe even take Li Xingyuan’s throne...

While delightfully lost in thought, Li Shu suddenly looked over at her again and said, "Go back and tell your sister that the capital city does not allow for horse riding rampages!"

Before he finished speaking, a sound of galloping hooves filled the air.

On the capital city’s streets, there are many riding horses, so trotting a few steps is quite normal.

While they were talking, there were already sounds of trotting horses, but as Li Shu spoke those words, the trot suddenly became a gallop, pounding the ground, striking the noble visage of Prince Jin, and instantly darkened his expression!

Tang Xiaobai’s heart skipped a beat and she turned to look.

A group of about ten imperial guards galloped by in two neat columns, recognizable as the Left and Right Guards by their uniforms.

Imperial guards running in the capital is quite common, but this time the leader was different.

The leader, dressed in fourth rank official robes, riding a spirited horse, was her beautiful boy who seemed to have stepped right out of a manga, Tang Ziqian.

At this point, Tang Xiaobai could ascertain that the gallop earlier was genuinely provocative.

Yet at this moment, she really didn’t want to see Tang Ziqian.

With today’s scene, adding Xue Shaojian, all the male lead and supporting roles are gathered.

Are they all rushing to meet the heroine?

Tang Ziqian soon reined his horse to a halt, glanced at Tang Xiaobai, then directed his gaze back to Prince Jin Li Shu.

Casually, with a smile, he saluted and said, "Did I just hear Prince Jin mention someone galloping recklessly? Surely you’re not referring to me?"

Li Shu looked at him coldly and said, "Tang Ziqian, Duke Yan has been away from the capital for some time. As the eldest son, this prince expects you to restrain the women of your family well, don’t let such incidents that offend noble women happen again, bringing disgrace to Duke Yan Mansion!"

Seeing Duke Yan about to return to court, naturally, the people of Duke Yan Mansion were becoming arrogant; even he wouldn’t dare to punish them arbitrarily.

Tang Ziqian certainly understood this, smiling brazenly, "I wonder which noble lady my little sister offended? Could the prince point them out to me?"

While his tone appeared frivolous, his eyes were glancing towards the Ye family.

Tang Xiaobai wanted to intervene, thought about it, then shut her mouth again.

What must be faced, has to be faced.

If worse comes to worst, she will see if she can’t assist in this, help her brother secure the heroine?