LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 15: feisty
Chi Ying stood up for the poor man selling himself to bury his father, immediately drawing all the hostility towards herself.
These young noblemen, clearly bored and lacking education or martial skills, were notorious for harassing men and women, causing trouble, and disturbing the peace. Dressed splendidly but hollow inside.
"Oh, what a heroic heart!"
"She's feisty, I like it!"
They abandoned their original target and surrounded Chi Ying instead, each grinning and leering. One even dared to reach out and touch her chin, only to be slapped away.
Instead of getting angry, the young man laughed harder, rubbing his hand and continuing to approach, "Are you trying to catch our attention? I like bold women like you. Come here, give me a kiss." As he reached out to embrace her,
the man in mourning attire, who had been kneeling on the ground, suddenly stood up, towering over them, his face angular and gaunt, jaw covered in stubble, eyes fierce.
"Huh, it's a man?" Chi Ying widened her eyes in surprise.
The man scanned the crowd of noblemen coldly, his voice low, "Whoever touches her will regret it."
Though dressed in patched clothes, his face and hands were clean, exuding an intimidating aura. Wherever his gaze landed, silence followed.
"A beggar dares to play hero in front of us? Don't overestimate yourself." A green-robed nobleman reacted first, charging forward to punch him.
The man in mourning dodged with a half-step, avoiding the punch, and kicked him hard. The nobleman screamed, tumbling through the air and landing heavily on the ground.
The others, shocked, watched as the man clenched his fist, knuckles cracking menacingly.
"Get him together!" Someone shouted, and six or seven noblemen and their attendants rushed forward, hoping to overwhelm him with numbers.
The man in mourning sneered.
Moments later, bodies lay scattered across the street, groaning and unable to rise. None could withstand a single move from him, knocked down and left crying out in pain.
One of the less injured, a red-robed nobleman, shouted defiantly from the ground, "You filthy beggar, don't get cocky. My father is a high-ranking official. Wait until I tell him, you'll spend the rest of your life in jail!"
The man remained expressionless, "A real man fears no power. Even if you imprison my body, you cannot break my spirit."
At that moment, the crowd parted, revealing several guards with steel spears clearing the path for the approaching figure—Prince Crown Heir Cui Jie.
Chi Ying suddenly remembered that in her previous life, she had accompanied Cui Jie in a carriage passing by here. They encountered someone selling themselves to bury their father, and Cui Jie generously provided a substantial sum for the burial. Half a month later, the man came to thank him and offered his services. Cui Jie, always fond of talent, recruited him.
This man was Yang Qiong, who later became the commander of the Divine Martial Army, highly favored by Emperor Cui Jie.
Surprised by her accidental luck, Chi Ying realized that now that she had arrived before Cui Jie, she would ensure Yang Qiong would not fall into his hands.
Cui Jie, returning from outside the city, wore casual clothes. He glanced at the fallen noblemen and scrutinized Yang Qiong carefully before turning his gaze to Chi Ying.
Chi Ying knelt, "Greetings, Your Highness."
The crowd gasped and knelt down as well, including the fallen noblemen, scrambling to bow.
"What happened?" Cui Jie, being astute, already guessed the situation and awaited the explanation.
However, Chi Ying preempted Yang Qiong, "Your Highness, this Mr. Yang's father passed away, and he lacked money for the funeral. I happened to pass by and wanted to help him with the burial. These people suddenly appeared, obstructing and harassing me. Mr. Yang intervened and subdued them."
Yang Qiong looked surprised that she knew his surname.
Cui Jie nodded, satisfied with her explanation.
"Is that true?"
The noblemen, unwilling to admit their prolonged harassment, agreed, "Yes, yes..."
Cui Jie waved dismissively, "Serves you right. Disperse!" and returned to his carriage.
The crowd dispersed, making way for the Prince's carriage. Changsun Lingfang, inside the carriage, looked worriedly at her sister, who smiled and shook her head reassuringly.
"Young lady,"
Chi Ying turned around as Yang Qiong bowed, "Thank you for helping me. How did you know my name?"
"There's no need for formality, sir. I'm already married, so calling me 'young lady' isn't appropriate," Chi Ying smiled, taking out a purse from Xiaoqiu and handing it over, "I don't carry much cash, but here's ten taels of silver. Please use it to bury your father."
Yang Qiong hesitated, "That's too much! A coffin costs only three taels..."
Chi Ying was about to say something about human value being priceless when the noblemen, seeing the Prince's carriage depart, gathered again. The red-robed one mocked, "Ten taels of silver? How shameful!"
Yang Qiong angrily said, "You all!" She couldn't help but want to hit someone again, but Chi Ying waved her hand and turned to the red-clothed young master with a slight smile: "Young Master might as well say that in front of the Prince."
The red-clothed young master didn't take her words seriously at all: "Prince? Hahahaha, which Prince?"
Chi Ying smiled so gently it was almost unbearable: "Prince Wu, Cui Yi."
Cui Yi had a notorious temper, and upon hearing his name, the red-clothed young master gasped and took three steps back, trembling as he pointed: "Y-y-you..."
The green-clad one hurriedly came forward to bolster him: "What are you afraid of? Prince Wu wouldn't turn against your father for a servant girl."
Chi Ying smiled again: "Servant girl? I'm sorry, I am the Princess Consort of Prince Wu."
This was the first time she publicly called herself the Princess Consort of Prince Wu. In the past, regardless of whether in public or private, she always referred to herself as a concubine. However, after talking with Cheng Fengyi, Chi Ying changed her mind. Since Cui Yi's favor was the foundation of her actions, she had to maintain this favor at all costs.
Cui Yi said she was the Princess Consort of Prince Wu, so she was!
The green-clad young man: "..."
Yang Qiong: "..."
The red-clothed young master let out a mournful cry: "I'm doomed!" He fell down, convulsing. The other young nobles were also terrified by Chi Ying's identity and ran away as fast as they could at the shout of "I'll go first."
"Where were we?" Chi Ying originally only intended to scare them, so she didn't pay much attention and turned back to Yang Qiong.
Yang Qiong was still shaken: "You... Commoner pays respects to Your Highness!" He quickly knelt down.
Chi Ying bent over and made a gesture to support him: "Sir Yang, please rise. If I am not mistaken, Sir Yang's ancestors were General Yang Hai, the Great Northern Guardian during Emperor Wen of Eastern Jing's reign?"
Yang Qiong nodded, puzzled: "Yes, how did Your Highness know?"
Chi Ying casually pointed to the broken straw mat next to where he had just knelt, beside which lay a silver spear: "It was that spear that told me." Of course, she couldn't tell him that she had heard him recount the history of the Yang family firsthand.
Yang Qiong sighed in relief: "That is the Silver Moon Spear passed down from our ancestors. To be honest, when my father was ill, I thought about pawning the spear to get money for his treatment, but he firmly refused, saying it was the backbone of the Yang family, even if it meant death..."
Chi Ying also sighed: "I understand. Please accept this money and bury your father. It is heartbreaking to see the descendant of a famous general reduced to selling himself on the street to bury his father."
Yang Qiong's eyes reddened, and he lowered his head in shame: "I have been unfilial... I don't know how to repay Your Highness's great kindness."
"If Sir can live up to your father's expectations and continue the legacy of the Yang family's spear, contributing to the country, it will be enough to repay my kindness," Chi Ying smiled.
Yang Qiong looked at her with mixed emotions, bowed deeply to her, and Chi Ying added: "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, come to Prince Wu's residence and seek me out. As long as I can help, I will not refuse."
Although she knew that Yang Qiong, being grateful, would certainly join Prince Wu's residence, Chi Ying didn't spell it out, allowing him to think it over. This way, she gave him face. Yang Qiong agreed, and Chi Ying left without delay, accompanied by Xiaoqiu, returning to the residence.
As soon as she got into the carriage, Xiaoqiu eagerly asked: "That Sir Yang, Lady recognized him as a descendant of a famous general just by looking at the spear? How powerful is the Yang family's spear? Who is stronger between that Northern Guardian General and His Highness?"
Chi Ying laughed: "How should I know? Should I summon a Taoist priest to bring General Yang Hai's soul back to fight with His Highness?"
Xiaoqiu stuck out her tongue and changed the subject: "Who is stronger between Sir Yang and His Highness?"
"That's hard to say," Chi Ying leaned against the carriage wall lazily, "The Yang family's spear has been passed down for over a thousand years since the Eastern Jing dynasty. If we talk about spear skills alone, His Highness may not be Sir Yang's match. But His Highness has extensive battlefield experience, far surpassing Sir Yang in combat techniques and experience. In a real battle, pure martial arts are not enough. Sometimes, strategic planning and tactics, which seem abstract, play a decisive role in determining the outcome of a war. That's why people say that one can win battles thousands of miles away by strategizing within the tent."
Xiaoqiu looked at her admiringly: "So Lady also understands military strategy. I never knew before."
Chi Ying smiled but didn't explain: "Your Lady knows many things, you'll find out later."
Back at the residence, Cao Qian was walking over from the stables.
"General Cao?" Chi Ying was surprised to see him there at this hour, "Has His Highness returned?"
Cao Qian's face was pale, and he whispered urgently: "His Highness just returned from the palace, and he is in a very bad mood. Lady must be careful."
Chi Ying nodded doubtfully, intending to ask what happened but decided against it, thinking he probably wouldn't know. So she simply said, "Understood, thank you, General Cao."
Cui Yi went to the palace? For what, to pay respects? No, if he planned to visit the palace in the afternoon, he should have informed her beforehand. If not to pay respects, then what? Full of questions, Chi Ying quickened her pace.
In the courtyard, maids and servants were whispering among themselves. Chi Ying approached and asked, "Is His Highness inside?"
A maid replied, "Yes, His Highness is in a terrible mood—"
Before she finished speaking, there was a loud crash inside the room. Chi Ying immediately ordered everyone to stay put and rushed in.
On the floor, a wine pot was shattered into pieces. Cui Yi was still wearing his armor, sitting on the couch, panting heavily, veins bulging on his forehead, clearly very angry. Chi Ying hurriedly stepped around the shards and approached him: "What happened, Your Highness?"
Cui Yi suddenly raised his head and glared at her viciously. Chi Ying was at a loss and sat beside him, taking off his helmet and unbuttoning his collar: "Did something upset you? Tell me, it might make you feel better."
Cui Yi clenched his fists on his knees and said coldly: "You did this yourself, how could you not know?"
Chi Ying shook her head innocently: "I really don't know. Did Your Highness blame me for going to Chengfu today instead of accompanying you to the palace?"
Cui Yi gritted his teeth: "This afternoon, I was training troops at the western camp when Father suddenly summoned me, saying he needed to talk."
Chi Ying gently helped him remove his armor, neatly folding it aside, and then looked at him: "What did the Emperor want to discuss?"
Cui Yi said, "When I arrived at Wansheng Palace, I found the Empress and Mother Consort Duan were also there."
Chi Ying immediately understood: "Was it about Miss Xie? Is it Mother Consort Duan's idea? Does the Empress agree?"
"You're pretending to be innocent!" Cui Yi exploded, grabbing her wrist as she wiped his sweat: "You were the one who arranged everything!"
Cui Yi's grip was so strong that Chi Ying winced in pain but dared not cry out, biting her lip: "How could I? Miss Xie has always been hostile towards me, why would I hope for you to marry her?"
Cui Yi snorted: "Who else could it be? I told Father that I only wanted you, no more marriages. But Mother Consort Duan said you agreed to it. Could she have wronged you?"
Chi Ying defended herself: "This is indeed unfair! When I visited Songya Palace last time, Mother Consort Duan herself mentioned wanting you to marry Miss Xie. At that time, I said you wouldn't agree, but she insisted that royal decrees cannot be ignored."
Cui Yi's brows twitched slightly, and he released her wrist. Chi Ying held her sore wrist, sweating profusely: "I shouldn't have presumed to plan your marriage without understanding your wishes. But what is so good about Miss Xie? There are many more beautiful and gentle ladies in the capital. Besides, she treats me poorly. Why would I wish for you to marry her?"
"Hmph," Cui Yi remained cold, seemingly unconvinced.
Chi Ying sighed: "Your Highness holds me in too high regard. I am not a saint, just an ordinary woman who wants to spend her life with one person. If you weren't a prince, would I have advised you to marry another woman? Since you said you have no interest in the throne, isn't it best if you love only me?"
"When did I say I loved you?" Cui Yi suddenly countered.
Chi Ying: "..."
Caught off guard, Chi Ying didn't know what to say: "I... uh, I thought..."
Cui Yi watched her confusion with amusement, then couldn't help but smirk. Realizing he was teasing her, Chi Ying felt both embarrassed and annoyed: "Your Highness!"
Cui Yi chuckled and pulled her into his arms: "You look much more interesting than usual just now."
Chi Ying was exasperated: "What do you mean by interesting? You usually don't joke around."
After removing his armor, Cui Yi wore only a simple brown-red warrior robe, soaked in sweat. The faint scent of sweat wafted from his collar. Held tightly by his strong arms, Chi Ying felt a tremor at the natural scent, different from the dragon marrow incense used by the previous Cui Jie. She hugged his waist and nuzzled his shoulder.
Cui Jie once brought her unparalleled sweetness, making every day feel like a dream, making her feel like the luckiest and happiest woman in the world. But Cui Yi wasn't romantic; he focused on eating, sleeping, and training. He spoke little and had a poker face, yet being close to him brought a sense of security, as if nothing could go wrong.