Chapter 904: Chapter 904: I Said I Won’t Go Back, and I Won’t!
Under the tree where petals flutter down, two silhouettes stand beside the riverbank.
The tranquil river reflects the two silhouettes.
"Ling’an City is truly beautiful."
The young girl gazed at the picturesque scenery, speaking softly.
"Hmm, I was born and raised here, and I really love it, but I fear there won’t be many opportunities to come back and see it again."
"Wh-why? Since it’s your hometown, you should come back often."
The young girl asked with a face full of confusion.
The young man’s brows furrowed tightly, filled with sorrow: "This time I ran away, my parents will definitely be angry and won’t let me out in the future."
Mentioning this, sorrow struck the young man again.
"Don’t sigh; sighing will let happiness slip away!"
The young girl chuckled lightly, taking out an embroidery to gently wipe the young man’s forehead of sweat.
The young man felt softened inside, his gloomy mood also eased a great deal.
On the other side of the riverbank, several gazes were fixed on them.
Leading them was an Iron Armor General. This man was named Zhou Jun, a top confidant of the Empress Dowager Li, highly skilled in martial arts. He could not compare to Li Qingmu, but ordinary people were no match for him.
He was surrounded by trusted aides who absolutely obeyed his orders. As soon as he issued a command, they would immediately execute the task.
"Captain Zhou, the Crown Prince is over there; do you think..."
One of the trusted aides stepped forward and whispered to him.
"Hmm."
Zhou Jun gestured with a wave of his hand, indicating they shouldn’t act rashly for the time being.
After all, this is the future Crown Prince, the future Emperor. The woman he fancied——currently not allowed to marry——could still be a problem in the future, right?
To speak disrespectfully, the current Emperor’s health has never been good. Previously, when he was Prince Lingjiang in Ling’an City, he was better. But having been Emperor in recent years, with busy affairs, this illness flares up every now and then. Who knows when he might pass away?
The Crown Prince is the legitimate eldest son. Honestly, the Empress only bore him one son; mainly because the Emperor favors the Empress and partly because the Emperor’s health is inadequate, rendering him unable to have several children.
With only one legitimate eldest son, two Princesses, and a young prince born to another concubine at only seven years old.
Under these circumstances, it’s certain that this Crown Prince will be Emperor; it’s best not to provoke him if possible.
"What are you doing?"
A cold reprimand suddenly rang out; it was a female voice. Zhou Jun knew who had arrived and shuddered in fright, hurriedly turning to salute: "Greetings, Lady Shi Qin."
Shi Qin slightly lifted her chin, looking at them indifferently: "Are you disregarding the Imperial Concubine’s orders?"
"We dare not!"
Cold sweat broke out on Zhou Jun’s forehead; he quickly lowered his head to admit fault.
"Hmph, the Imperial Concubine said, as soon as you find the Crown Prince, bring him back immediately. What are you doing, hmm?"
Shi Qin turned her gaze slightly, looking at them coldly.
"Lady Shi Qin, we, we..."
Zhou Jun choked up, unable to speak for a moment.
Shi Qin spoke coldly: "Why aren’t you quickly bringing the Crown Prince back?" As she spoke, she glanced at the woman over there, sneering coldly, "As for that woman... hmph, considering her relationship with the Crown Prince, she can only be a concubine at most!"
To become the main wife? She does not have that fate!
Shi Qin looked coldly at the woman, not knowing why but she disliked any woman who got close to Qi Jingyu!
She didn’t know why, but she just disliked them!
"Why are you still standing around?"
After finishing, Shi Qin looked at Zhou Jun and the others, scaring Zhou Jun into replying hurriedly: "Yes, yes, I will go at once!"
Without further delay, Zhou Jun quickly led his trusted aides and approached the riverbank on the other side.
Qi Jingyu was not foolish. He keenly sensed something unusual and thought to himself it wasn’t good. Quickly, he grasped Gao Mingyue’s small hand.
"Hurry, let’s go!"
Gao Mingyue looked bewildered and surprised: "A Yu, what’s happening?"
"Don’t ask, just hurry!"
He grabbed Gao Mingyue and turned to flee, but whoosh whoosh whoosh... countless figures flashed past and then surrounded them tightly.
"Sir, please follow us back!"
There were other citizens nearby, making it difficult to reveal Qi Jingyu’s identity, which would cause trouble. So Zhou Jun used "sir" to refer to him.
Qi Jingyu clenched his teeth: "I... I have something to attend to here, let’s talk after this matter is resolved!"
"Sir, that’s not possible, the..." Zhou Jun nearly blurted out, quickly correcting himself, "Your grandmother is waiting for you at home, almost worried sick. It’s best to follow us back!"
Qi Jingyu tightly clenched his fist. With those words, how could he not understand?
Empress Dowager Li! It’s Empress Dowager Li wanting to take him away!
He took a deep breath, feeling his heart ache intensely; he had never felt so upset before. Why? Does having power change everything?
Previously, it seemed his grandmother did everything according to his wishes?
Gone? Completely gone!
"I’m not going back! I said I’m not going back; I’m not going back unless I’m beaten to death!"
Qi Jingyu was thoroughly acting unreasonably.
All these are just guards – to put it bluntly, they’re all servants. Who dared to beat this Crown Prince to death?
Who knows what he was thinking?
Zhou Jun forced a smile: "Sir, please don’t make things difficult for me. If I don’t take you back, I..."
"What does that have to do with me? Don’t block me!" Qi Jingyu said, suddenly drawing a soft sword from his waist and pointed it at him, "Move aside!"
Zhou Jun truly had no way to deal with this Crown Prince, so he could only smile bitterly and shout towards the other side of the riverbank: "Lady Shi Qin, do you see..."
Qi Jingyu’s brow furrowed intensely. He raised his head and looked toward where Zhou Jun had directed.
Shi Qin slowly walked out from the bushes, her gaze ice-cold as she looked at him: "Sir, please go back with us; otherwise, it won’t be good if the mistress is angered."
This mistress, of course referring to Empress Dowager Li.
"I’m not going back!"
Qi Jingyu was irritated, being threatened repeatedly with Empress Dowager Li; to what did they take him?
He shouted loudly: "I’m not going back! Forcing me to marry a woman I don’t like, I absolutely won’t agree, impossible!"
Shi Qin’s face turned slightly cold; this Crown Prince was becoming increasingly disobedient. She reminisced about the days in Ling’an City when he was so obedient.
No matter how rebellious he was, he would not defy the will of Empress Dowager Li.
But since meeting Li Qingmu and his wife, this child’s character had become increasingly biased, causing headaches.
Empress Dowager Li was right; Li Qingmu and his wife were meant to counteract them!
"Everyone, take the Crown Prince back; as long as he’s not hurt, everything else doesn’t matter!"
Shi Qin was infuriated, issuing a stern order.
Just bring him back; as for the rest? Haha, what does it matter?
The Emperor’s health is not good and he can’t live forever, but Empress Dowager Li can!
She’s still in her prime; these treacherous servants wish to pedal two boats, trying not to offend Empress Dowager Li nor the future Emperor?
Haha, wishful thinking!
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