Chapter 98: I Have No Time

“Shh.” Zhong Shi made a shushing gesture, glanced back toward the door, and only relaxed after confirming that Qiao Qingyun was still asleep.

He looked at his attendant, nodded toward the stairs downstairs, and the two quietly descended.

Perhaps because Qiao Qingyun was absent, Zhong Shi had long discarded his disguise. He settled into the grand chair with a cold, indifferent gaze fixed on the man before him. “What is it?”

The man bowed respectfully, inquiring, “Young Master, His Majesty is asking when you intend to return. Also, why have you deployed so many to protect a young lady from a neighboring kingdom?”

Hearing this, Zhong Shi’s expression stiffened, and he sneered, “What’s the matter? The old man can’t sit still? After abandoning my sister and me all these years, he only now begins to worry?”

“Young Master...” The attendant lowered his head, unsure how to respond further. He knew that the name Zhong Shi bore was bestowed by Qiao Qingyun herself, a testament to her importance.

Zhong Shi lifted a nearby teacup, scraped the froth, and took a gentle sip. His eyes gleamed with a chilling light. “The young lady is not yet ready to return with me. Otherwise, I would have gone long ago.”

“If it weren’t for her, I would never have stayed here this long.”

Here, countless people sought the downfall of the siblings, though their current refuge was thanks to the emperor of Lu, found through pure chance.

Now, the choice to return or not rested solely with the two of them.

“Yes, and if the young lady refuses to go back?”

“Then I shall stay here and guard her.”

The resolute conviction in Zhong Shi’s eyes shook the guard’s heart. They had assumed the young master’s attachment was mere infatuation with a beautiful woman, but now it was clear they were mistaken.

“No one is to disturb him, nor harm her. Should anyone lay a hand on her, one word: death.”

“Yes, sir.”

The guards immediately relayed the orders. Zhong Shi sat downstairs, his gaze never leaving the door upstairs.

Thinking of Qiao Qingyun’s smile, Zhong Shi’s heart softened.

“Miss...”

In his dream, Qiao Qingyun wore a crimson bridal gown, seated on the bed. He had already become the emperor of Lu, able to give her everything.

Slowly, he approached her, gently lifting her veil. Seeing Qiao Qingyun’s shy expression, his heart pounded fiercely.

“Qingyun...”

“Zhong Shi? Did you lie to me?”

At those words, cold sweat broke out on Zhong Shi’s back. He shot awake, gasping for breath.

Qiao Qingyun in the dream was just as sharp, always hitting the heart of the matter, leaving him no room to respond.

“Brother, what’s wrong with you? You’re drenched in sweat; one might think you’ve done something shameful.”

Hong Ying entered. Coming from a family of martial artists, she never shied away from such topics, unlike the delicate young ladies.

Covered in sweat, Zhong Shi saw Hong Ying and exhaled deeply, wiping the beads of perspiration from his brow as he sat before her.

“When do you think we can tell the young lady about us?”

Hong Ying was momentarily stunned, caught off guard by the question.

In the past, as children of disgraced ministers, Qiao Qingyun never despised either of them. Now... would that remain the same?

“Brother, the young lady never cared about our origins. Whether we are princes or children of traitors, it seems she never minded.”

Though she spoke confidently, Hong Ying harbored doubts—who could guarantee a person wouldn’t lose their temper after being deceived twice?

“Alright, I understand.”

Zhong Shi pinched the bridge of his nose, looking fatigued. Outside, Qing Luo had prepared breakfast and was calling them to eat.

“Come quickly, or I’ll eat it all myself!”

Zhong Shi and Hong Ying arrived late, while Qiao Qingyun was already seated, happily munching on a bun.

“Zhong Shi, the pastries you sent last night weren’t enough; I finished them in just a few bites. Luckily, breakfast was ready early today.”

Qiao Qingyun teased lightly, stuffing another bun into her mouth, her adorable demeanor melting Zhong Shi’s heart.

Disguised as guards, the attendants observed Qiao Qingyun—not the type to be overly dramatic or pretentious. Their impression of her improved.

“Miss, eat slowly. Don’t choke.”

Zhong Shi reached out, gently patting Qiao Qingyun’s back, though it did little to curb Ning Su’s voracious appetite.

Rumors in the city grew louder and harder to ignore.

“Have you heard? The Crown Prince’s mansion was attacked a few days ago, and it was Miss Qiao who saved him!”

“Exactly! That Miss Bu supposedly fled, afraid of catching something, even forbidding Miss Qiao from treating the Crown Prince.”

“Tsk tsk, it’s obvious who the better match is now. I don’t understand why the Crown Prince chose that plain, remarried woman.”

Qiao Qingyun, Zhong Shi, Hong Ying, and Qing Luo were out shopping for more clothes, but these whispers followed them incessantly.

Not even in front of the main protagonist did the chatter cease.

“Miss, don’t mind their words.”

Zhong Shi was deeply worried that such talk might sway Qiao Qingyun into returning to Yuan Zaichun, rendering all their efforts futile.

Qiao Qingyun smiled faintly. “I’m not desperate enough to chase after him. Besides, I was the one who was cast out. How can I return?”

For her, the humiliation of that day was a lifetime scar, cementing her hatred for that wretched man Yuan Zaichun.

Yet fate was fickle. While they were still selecting materials, Liu Fu unexpectedly found them.

Upon seeing Qiao Qingyun, he hurriedly knelt. “Madam... Miss Qiao, the lord sends his thanks for your life-saving grace and has arranged a banquet at the Crown Prince’s mansion.”

“No need. I have no time.”

Others might have been overjoyed to accept such an invitation, but to Qiao Qingyun, it was utterly meaningless.

Her refusal left Liu Fu speechless. He looked up at her in disbelief. “Miss Qiao, the lord—”

“Tell your lord not to pin any hopes on me. If anyone has ideas, they should direct them toward Bu Shenglian instead, right, Zhong Shi?”

“Yes.”

Zhong Shi had long disliked Liu Fu, who constantly aided Yuan Zaichun. If this continued, he would have to remove him!