Chapter 263: Trust

Li Yu was in disbelief.

She really said, to continue the marriage.

Actually, after she said all that, indicating that she had woken up, he thought that she would talk about the marriage.

Since she is no longer Empress Jiang’s ghost, there is naturally no temptation in marrying him, and moreover, she also said that she cares about Zhou Jingyun, she, wouldn’t want to marry him.

He wanted to stop her but didn’t know how to, thinking of saying some pitiful words, trying to salvage the situation, unexpectedly!

“Ah Li!” he said with delight, “Really?”

Immediately, he became anxious again.

“Ah Li, you don’t have to worry about me, for my sake. His Majesty might be angry, but he won’t kill me.”

Speaking of this, he laughed again.

“Neither His Majesty nor Princess Jinyu truly like me, they detest me, so I don’t care even more.”

Bai Li smiled: “It’s not just to prevent you from being scolded by His Majesty, I also think this method is very good. First, it can indeed solve the dilemma of your marriage, so you won’t be used by Princess Jinyu or the Emperor for their schemes. And because of my humble status, they will relax their vigilance towards you, and you will also suffer less.”

She still said it wasn’t for him, this was clearly for him, Li Yu looked at her, his eyes filled with a spreading smile.

“…Furthermore, it’s good for Nannan.”

Bai Li looked at Li Yu.

“Nannan can’t keep following me like this without a clear identity. After marrying you, she will become your daughter. Although it’s a bit messy in terms of seniority, she will be considered back in the royal family.”

She said with a smile.

“Do you still remember what we said before?”

Li Yu slowly nodded, a smile spreading across his face: “We can’t let that kind of mother get her way.”

At that time, he had just recovered his identity and was dutifully guarding the imperial tombs. Suddenly, he heard that Bai Li had disappeared. He rushed back and saw that Bai Li had brought back the little princess who had been replaced by Bai Ying.

Bai Li said at the time, “Although it doesn’t matter whether that kind of mother acknowledges her or not, we should still try if there’s a chance.”

Yes, why should the bad guys get what they want?

She abandoned her daughter and threw her out of the imperial city, not allowing her to be a royal child, so they would bring this daughter back into the imperial city and make her a royal child.

Bai Li looked at him and also smiled: “We should keep our word and honor our thoughts, so, let’s continue with the marriage.”

Li Yu nodded heavily: “Okay.” He smiled again, “I will listen to everything Ah Li says.”

Bai Li laughed: “You don’t have to listen to me.” She raised her eyebrows slightly, “This idea, you came up with it.”

Li Yu laughed heartily.

“Also, you have to think carefully, our marriage is fake.” Bai Li looked at him, speaking seriously, “But what the world sees is real. For a long time, you can’t really marry a wife, have children…”

“I don’t want to marry a wife and have children.” Li Yu interrupted quickly.

Or rather, the wife he wanted to marry was this one in front of him.

But he also knew that he couldn’t say this. If he said it, even the fake wouldn’t be possible.

He quickly added.

“I mean, these things are not important. When I’m not even living like a proper person, I won’t consider these things.”

After saying that, he straightened his expression.

“Ah Li, let’s continue with the fake marriage, this is what I’ve thought through, it’s my own wish.”

He didn’t say he would listen to her anymore.

This was his wish, he was making a decision based on his own will.

Bai Li looked at him and smiled: “Okay, as long as you’ve thought it through.” She picked up the teacup on the table.

Li Yu hurriedly stopped her: “We’ve been talking for a long time, it’s already cold, let me pour you some more tea.”

Bai Li said with a smile, “No need,” and drank the tea in one gulp. She stood up, “Then I’ll go back.”

Although Li Yu’s eyes were filled with reluctance, he nodded and said okay, looking at Bai Li with a smile: “Then I’ll prepare to marry you.”

Bai Li nodded with a smile.

After the woman left, Cai Songnian hurried into the room and saw Li Yu holding a teacup in his hand, a smile playing on his lips.

“Did she say how Zhou Jingyun got injured?” Cai Songnian asked.

Li Yu nodded and hummed: “She stabbed him.”

She stabbed him? Why? Cai Songnian was astonished: “To marry Your Highness?” Zhou Jingyun didn’t agree?

Li Yu chuckled and looked at Cai Songnian: “Yes.”

His Highness’s eyes were curved with a smile, completely different from the gloomy look of the past few days. He was truly happy. Cai Songnian didn’t know what to say for a moment, whether to congratulate His Highness or sympathize with Zhou Jingyun.

But the next moment, the smile in Li Yu’s eyes dissipated, he lowered his gaze and sighed softly.

“I wish it was me who got stabbed.” He said.

This voice was filled with envy again. Cai Songnian was once again astonished, this, what kind of logic was this?

“Your Highness, are you alright?” He couldn’t help but ask.

He couldn’t help but suspect that His Highness was going crazy.

Li Yu looked up and smiled again: “I’m fine.” Then he instructed, “You can spread the news of the marriage.”

Originally, this should have been done yesterday, but Zhou Jingyun suddenly had an accident. Not knowing what had happened, Li Yu didn’t make any moves until Bai Li visited today.

Now everything was clear, and moreover, he would continue with the marriage.

And moreover, he could marry without pretending to be happy.

Ah Li was back!

He was going to marry Ah Li!

A smile spread across Li Yu’s face once again.

“In that case, should we go to Princess Jinyu’s residence first, or wait until His Majesty meets with the Princess and then go?” Cai Songnian pondered beside him, “Going first is a bit risky. The Princess is furious, who knows what absurd things she might do, it wouldn’t be good if she hurt Your Highness.”

Li Yu waved his hand: “Since we have already asked His Majesty, there’s no need to put on an act in front of the Princess. I’ll go see her after His Majesty summons her tomorrow.”

After saying that, he stood up.

“I’m going to sleep first.”

✿✿✿

Cai Songnian was astonished once again, why did he suddenly say he was going to sleep? There were so many important things to do next, was he too tired from the emotional rollercoaster of great sadness and great joy?

As the doors and windows closed, the afterglow of dusk disappeared, and the room seemed to enter nightfall early.

Li Yu picked up half a stick of incense and gently twirled it in front of his eyes.

Although Bai Li had explained a lot to him, and her explanation was very clear, he could also feel that this time, the person standing in front of him was indeed his Ah Li.

But.

He still wanted to see for himself.

He didn’t distrust Ah Li, he knew how terrifying Empress Jiang was.

Bai Li’s carriage didn’t go straight back to the Marquis of Dongyang’s residence, it deliberately turned towards the East Market, taking Chun Yue to pick out some pastries.

Jiang Yun was on guard, frowning.

The Marquis’s Heir was in such a state at home, and she was still thinking about pastries. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and he turned to stand in front of Bai Li and Chun Yue, who were walking over after buying the pastries.

“Who’s there!” He raised his arm, the knife in his hand instantly drawn from its sheath, blocking a man who seemed to be rushing towards them.

The seemingly thin man was not pushed back by Jiang Yun’s single arm, nor was he frightened by the cold blade. He steadied his steps and didn’t move.

Bai Li and Chun Yue also looked over.

“Madam.” The man said in a low voice, “Inspector Zhang wants to see you.”

He pointed to the teahouse nearby.

Zhang Ze? Bai Li looked over. At dusk, on the second floor of the teahouse next door, a figure stood behind a half-open window. Seeing her look over, the person bowed slightly.

This time, Zhang Ze didn’t clear everyone out. The teahouse on the first floor was still bustling, only the second floor was quiet and empty.

When Bai Li walked up to the second floor, a room door was already open. There were no attendants or guards, only Zhang Ze standing inside, still wearing his official robe.

Bai Li walked straight in.

Zhang Ze’s gaze swept over her, seemingly scrutinizing.

“What’s the matter?” Bai Li asked, sitting down, “Do you want to ask how Zhou Jingyun got injured?”

Zhang Ze replied yes: “It was so sudden.”

“Don’t worry, he was threatening me.” Bai Li said, resting her chin on her hand and smiling, “Threatening me to leave.”

Zhang Ze’s expression turned understanding, then he sneered: “Zhou Jingyun really doesn’t deserve your years of kindness, Madam.”

“It’s fine.” Bai Li said, “That’s just his temper, I won’t stoop to his level.”

Zhang Ze lowered his eyes, some people were born to be favored, they were truly fortunate.

He bent down to pour tea, offering it to Bai Li with both hands. Bai Li took it.

“You already know, right?” Bai Li said, looking at him with a smile, “I’m going to marry Prince of Chu.”

Zhang Ze nodded: “I’ve heard. Prince of Chu first approached Bai Ying, persuaded her to speak for him, and only then successfully convinced His Majesty.”

Was he telling her the details? Bai Li smiled and took a sip of tea: “His marriage to me is fake. He said he wanted to prevent Princess Jinyu and the Emperor from controlling his marriage, so he simply injured himself.”

So that’s how it is, Zhang Ze understood and smiled: “But this is a good thing for Madam.” He bowed, “Congratulations, Madam.”

Bai Li hummed: “He’s a little better than his father, barely usable.” She looked at Zhang Ze, “His Majesty will summon Princess Jinyu tomorrow and tell her about this. You keep an eye on things in the palace. Prince Changyang has a weak character, he bullies the weak and fears the strong. Don’t let Princess Jinyu cause too much trouble.”

She snorted softly.

“Jinyu has had a few good years, it’s time for her to wake up.”

Zhang Ze replied yes: “Please rest assured, Madam, I will personally keep an eye on things and will not let anyone sabotage your plans.”

Bai Li finished her tea in one gulp and stood up: “I should go back, I’ve been out for a while.”

Zhang Ze bowed again, watching the woman gracefully walk towards the door. When she reached the door, she turned back and glanced at him.

“Thank you, Inspector.” She smiled, her eyes curving, then turned and walked out.

Zhang Ze stood there. The afterglow of dusk had faded, but the woman’s smile as she turned back had illuminated the entire room.

Madam was so radiant.

Bai Li, supported by Chun Yue’s hand, jumped out of the carriage. The Marquis of Dongyang’s residence was already lit up, a dazzling sight.

“I’ll take it.” Bai Li took the pastry box from Chun Yue’s hands and said, “You go eat first, I’ll go see the Marquis’s Heir. Bring me food after you’ve finished eating.”

Chun Yue replied yes, watching Bai Li happily run towards the house, holding the box.

Zhang Shilin had already left. Imperial Physician Sun was sitting at the desk sorting medicine. Seeing Bai Li enter, he said to her, “The Marquis’s Heir is asleep again.”

Bai Li hurried with light steps, bowing slightly to him, then quietly went towards the bedroom.

Mama Xu was tidying up Zhou Jingyun’s bandages, while the Marchioness of Dongyang sat by the side, seemingly leisurely drinking tea.

“Madam, I’m back.” Bai Li bowed to her.

The Marchioness of Dongyang still ignored her, putting down her teacup: “Mama Xu, let’s go back and eat.”

She said and walked out.

Mama Xu quickly got up and followed.

“The bandages for the evening dressing change are all prepared.” Mama Xu said to Bai Li, then hurried out.

Bai Li smiled and let out a soft sigh.

Although she was angry with her son, she still stayed by his side.

Although she was angry with her, ignoring her, she still entrusted her son to her care.

Bai Li knelt down by the bed and looked at Zhou Jingyun’s face. Under the soft lamplight, his face was as clear as jade.