Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 486 - 484

Chapter 486: Chapter 484

Xiao’er then explained to them what prenatal education was.

"I had no idea Crown Prince Di could be such a good husband, such a good father." Ruan Zizhen sighed.

In Imperial City, the news of Di Shaowei’s protection of his wife was well known.

After finishing the court, he refused all of his colleagues’ invitations and just went home to be with his wife.

Everyone said he was under his wife’s thumb.

"My elder brother has always been a good man, it’s just that some people don’t understand how to cherish him." Di Junya commented, watching a red figure approaching Di Shaowei on the shore.

Hearing this remark, everyone else nodded their heads slightly and then turned their eyes towards the lakeshore.

On the bank of the lake, Li Mingfang, having awakened from a nap, was heading towards Di Shaowei.

She originally intended to sit by the lake and did not anticipate meeting Di Shaowei and his wife.

Seeing their extraordinary affection, she felt something indescribable in her heart.

Had she not broken off her engagement with Di Shaowei, would she be the woman sitting there, the happiness on her face?

No, if Di Shaowei had treated her like he treats Jingya, she suspects she would have fallen for him as well.

Shortly after returning to the Imperial City, Shaowei sent a matchmaker to break off the engagement and has never uttered a word of regret since then.

Having spotted Li Mingfang approach, Di Shaowei paused from his activity.

"Shaowei." Mingfang greeted, meeting Shaowei’s indifferent gaze.

Shaowei nodded in acknowledgment, beckoned to Jingya to join them.

Jingya had already stood up. The two families had a longstanding relationship. Even if they had past grievances, maintaining basic manners was necessary.

Seeing Shaowei beckon, Jingya walked towards the shore.

Shaowei also made his way to the pavilion, supporting Jingya along the way as her body grew heavier.

Li Mingfang’s face clouded over just a little bit.

As Shaowei supported Jingya past Mingfang, Jingya nodded at her: "Miss Li."

Shaowei also spoke: "Excuse us."

Seeing Shaowei about to leave, Mingfang became somewhat anxious. She reached out to block his path: "Shaowei, I have a favor to ask of you, can Miss Ming, could you step aside for a moment?"

It was easier for Mingfang to address Jingya as Miss Ming because she found it challenging to call her Mrs. Di, a title which should have been hers.

Upon hearing her words Shaowei’s mood darkened, he spoke coldly: "There is no Miss Ming here, if you are referring to my wife, please call her Mrs. Di. You can call me Young Master Di or Crown Prince Di. We must attend to some errands, unfortunately, I am not able to assist you Miss Li." Having said this, he walked past Mingfang’s hand, supporting Jingya towards the Imperial Garden pavilion.

"Sha, Crown Prince, I really have an urgent matter to request from you. If you don’t help me, no one else would! I might as well just die. Miss Ming, I beg you, could you persuade Sha- the Crown Prince to help me?" Mingfang stepped forward, pulling Jingya’s sleeve as she pleaded.

Upon hearing her words, Shaowei frowned, spotting her action his expression changed, he hurriedly swatted Mingfang’s hand away: "If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t go pulling on Jingya’s hand. She is pregnant. What if something happens?"

Mingfang’s heart filled with injustice as her hand was swatted.

Afterwards, she noticed Shaowei gently caressing Jingya’s stomach.

So it was because of the child that he was treating Jingya so well.

Somehow, knowing this made Mingfang feel a bit better.

Jingya thought that Shaowei was overreacting. It was just a small tug of the hand; how could it have harmed her belly?

Recalling what the Empress Dowager said about the Li family’s debt to the Di family and that some matters had to be handled accordingly to maintain the relationship, she patted Shaowei’s hand and said: "My husband, listen to what Miss Ming needs help with. If you can, help her." - to repay the favor.

Shaowei understood what Jingya meant. If debt was considered, he had saved her life in the desert as well. Her life did not equate to lesser than his father’s, and the silver debt would be equal. Moreover, since his wife had spoken and was not eager to help, Mingfang might do something impulsive, causing Jingya to feel guilty.

Mingfang had always been someone who acted when she thought of something.

"Just say it!" Shaowei said impatiently.

"Crown Prince, may I speak to you in private?"

"Why can’t you say your piece before my wife?" Shaowei’s dissatisfaction grew at Mingfang’s words.

Mingfang looked beseechingly at Jingya.

"Um, I’ll go for a walk over there, you two go ahead and talk!" Jingya casually pointed in a direction.

"This is a palace, and it’s a large area. Don’t go wandering aimlessly. What if you get lost?" Shaowei held Jingya back from leaving.

"Stay here and wait for me. I will go over there to hear what she has to say, but I won’t leave your sight." Shaowei decided after some thought.

Jingya, feeling warm at his words, smiled and nodded.

Shaowei walked two hundred meters away. Mingfang shot Jingya a grateful look and started to follow him.

Mingfang did not intend to keep an eye on them, she just strolled along the lake.

The lakeside path was paved with cobblestones, so she didn’t have to worry about slipping.

With his gaze always on Jingya, Shaowei asked the approaching Mingfang: "What is it?"

Mingfang gave a bitter smile, when had they lost the affection they had for each other growing up together and became so cold, refusing even to look at her for one extra moment?

"Shaowei, ..."

"Crown Prince!’ Shaowei, growing impatient, corrected her title, his eyes fixed on Jingya. Her proximity to the water’s edge troubled him, there was a risk she might accidentally fall.

Mingfang was a bit exasperated, "We grew up together from childhood, do you really need to be this way?"

"It is because we have grown up that we need to avoid suspicion. Is this what you wanted to talk about? If it is, then I must take my leave!" Shaowei replied hurriedly.

"Wait. What I want to ask is for you to plead on my behalf to the Empress, to cancel my marriage to the Third Prince."

Instantly, Shaowei turned and leveled his gaze at her, giving her a look that said, ’Are you crazy?’ He responded: "The Empress Dowager has issued the decree, do you think there is room for the situation to change? I’m sorry but I can’t help with this!"

Leaving his words behind, Shaowei moved to depart.

"The Empress has always pampered you, won’t you ask her to plead for me?" Mingfang stretched out her hand to tug on Shaowei’s sleeve.

"Let go! That was the Empress Dowager’s decree, not the Empress’s!" How could he ever plead to his aunt for Mingfang’s marriage manipulations - that would only put her in a difficult position.

Besides, when the Empress Dowager pointed at a marriage, he had never seen a decree retracted even when a divorce was involved.

"Or go beg the Fifth Princess. The Empress Dowager has always favored the Fifth Princess. If she speaks up, the Empress Dowager will surely listen. The Third Prince and I are truly unsuitable for each other!" Mingfang suggested, thinking of the Fifth Princess who was always by the Empress Dowager’s side.