Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 587 - 585

Chapter 587: Chapter 585

Shangguan Xuanyi coughed, "Don’t mention her in relation to me at all!"

He found it repugnant!

Zhuge Jinquan was so infuriated that he nearly committed murder! He was asking how they planned to take responsibility for their Princess of the Eastern Jin Dynasty who had experienced such an ordeal in Minze Country! His initial plan was to deliberately question the two princes, thereby escalating the issue between the two nations. But with the little eunuch’s random remarks, in order to avoid further indignity on his sister, Zhuge Jinquan resolved to address the Third Prince only:

"Third Prince, how do you plan to take responsibility!? My sister is the princess of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. She is young and innocent, and you can’t just abscond..."

The Third Prince interrupted Zhuge Jinquan’s words upon hearing:

"Young Master Zhuge, this matter is not what you think. You should ask the Princess first!"

"What? You want to avoid responsibility?" Zhuge Jinquan was unhappy with the Third Prince’s response.

Why should he ask Meiyu? Clearly, his sister was the one at a disadvantage. Should she be subjected to such scrutiny?

"No, I am just worried that you have misunderstood me. It’s not what you think!" He had planned to form an alliance with the Eastern Jin Dynasty through marriage, thereby acquiring their assistance. Naturally, he couldn’t afford Zhuge Jinquan’s displeasure now!

Did they really have to discuss this matter in front of so many servants? Could they allow him to get dressed first? As the Third Prince tightened his robe, he reminded them that he was still yet to get dressed!

In his eyes, these people, who defended their country with blood, and supported imperial authority, were also mere servants. Losing face in front of these servants was a disgrace and extremely uncomfortable!

If his personal guards knew about his thoughts, he wondered, would they remain loyal and devoted to him?

Zhuge Jinquan was even more displeased when he heard this. What did he misunderstand? Could it be that his sister was the one who seduced him?

Xiao Fuzi looked at the Third Prince sympathetically after hearing this: "Third Prince, could it be that you have been assertively pursued by the Princess of Eastern Jin?"

"Xiao Fuzi, how is it that I never knew your analytical skills were so superb? That’s spot on!"

"It’s never too late to know!" Xiao Fuzi proudly replied.

Phu!

Xiao’er couldn’t hold back his laughter.

The soldiers lowered their heads to hide their giggles upon hearing this.

The Third Prince glared at the eunuch who seemed to love spreading chaos! Although his words were a bit harsh, the truth was that it was Zhuge Meiyu who had initiated it. He simply cooperated. Seeing how dark Zhuge Jinquan’s face was, he would naturally not utter those words: "Young Master Zhuge, rest assured, I will report everything to my father tomorrow morning and ask him to make a decision. I will certainly not let the princess be wronged."

Zhuge Jinquan: Finally some reasonable words.

"Then I will wait to see your country’s sincerity!"

The Third Prince nodded, promising his sincerity.

Shangguan Xuanyi glanced towards the direction of Dashu. The young miss had probably fed a lot of mosquitoes by now.

"Since there was not a rapist involved, you should discuss this private matter in private. As a prince, I will remain uninvolved." Shangguan Xuanyi looked at Feng Yang, signaling him to withdraw the troops.

Receiving the instruction, Feng Yang loudly said, "Brothers, we can withdraw now! Don’t obstruct Third Prince returning to his sweetheart...I mean...I spoke too swiftly, and blurted out my inner thoughts... Third Prince, I apologize, I misspoke. You should be returning to Miss Li’s grave instead!"

Feng Yang felt a bit relieved after saying that. He then turned around and left with a brisk pace.

The soldiers lowered their heads to chuckle after hearing Feng Yang’s words, then followed him in an orderly fashion. Their spirited appearance was as if they had just won a battle.

The Third Prince and Zhuge Jinquan were so angry that they turned green.

After everyone had left, Zhuge Jinquan fiercely punched the Third Prince. Sensing the commotion, Zhuge Meiyu, who had been hiding and watching them, quickly ran out to stop her brother: "Brother, stop! This is a long story. Let me explain."

While Zhuge Meiyu was pulling at her brother, she signaled the disheveled Third Prince with her eyes to leave quickly.

The Third Prince took the opportunity to flee the scene.

Zhuge Meiyu pulled Zhuge Jinquan into the inn. She needed to explain that this was an accident.

Seizing the moment of inattention, Xiao’er and Yang Liu quickly jumped down from the tree and ran away.

Shangguan Xuanyi took Xiao’er back to Marquis Shengping’s Residence before returning home.

The next day, the news of the Third Prince being arrested as a rapist at an inn spread all over the Imperial City. Some people with midnight habits even said they saw a man running about in the streets without trousers. They initially thought he was a secret lover, but little did they know that it was the Third Prince!

Most of the memorials on the emperor’s desk were about condemning the Third Prince for his scandalous behavior.

The Emperor was so angry that his face turned green! This was a total disgrace to the royal family!

It was inconceivable that one of his princes would be regarded as a rapist! Where would he place his dignity now!

The Empress Dowager also found it hard to believe that her normally low-key and well-behaved grandson would do such shocking things!

The Emperor wanted to ground the Third Prince and stay at home, but the matter involved the Princess of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and therefore could not be taken lightly. The Minister of Rites and the head of Honglu Temple were dispatched to discuss the engagement between the two with Zhuge Jinquan.

Madam Li fell into a deep thought upon hearing about this, followed by a cold smile!

Well done, Third Prince, who even managed to deceive her old bones! He had made a very good plan!

They had almost lost the lives and properties of their entire family to support him!

Mrs. Li and Li Mingjun also understood. Mrs. Li spat out: "I thought he was loyal, but I did not expect him to be a brute! He claimed he was staying at our daughter Mingfang’s graveyard, but he was actually provoking her! Resulting in her not resting in peace even after death! He is worse than a brute, no, calling him a beast raises his status!"

"There are no good people in the royal family, generations of our Li family’s blood have been spilled in vain!" With such a monarch, should their family continue to sacrifice themselves for him?

The Li family ancestors also had a share in conquering this land. Why should they succumb to others? Why should others be in such high positions? A trace of unwillingness flashed in Li Mingjun’s eyes!

Li Mingjun looked again at his empty sleeve. A physically disabled person like him could not enter the court as an official. If he was to live his whole life as a commoner, having to bow whenever seeing an official, how could he be willing?

If he couldn’t be an official, he might as well reclaim what rightfully belonged to their family!

The Shangguan family had occupied the throne for so many years, it’s time for someone else to take their turn!

Who would dare to look down on him when he was in such a high position? Li Mingjun’s blood boiled at the thought of himself sitting on top, being worshipped by everyone.