Chapter 319: He Kissed Her

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Eldest Princess, I’m sorry. No matter what, I didn’t educate my maidservant well,” Qu Yu said, shaking her head. She found it difficult to express her guilt with words. She failed to keep her maidservant in line and almost harmed the

Qu family and Yu Yunxi.

Yu Yunxi smiled and said, “Qu Yu, it’s not your fault so don’t blame yourself.”

After a beat, Yu Yunxi continued to say, “There’s something I don’t understand.

You seem to dislike Qin Wencheng a lot. So why are you still tied to him?”

A hint of helplessness appeared on Qu Yu’s face when she heard these words. She replied, “Father and I have thought of many ways to break off the engagement. However, this engagement was set many years ago by the Emperor Emeritus on the two families’ behalf. We… naturally can’t easily go against the orders.”

‘Grandfather set the engagement?’

Yu Yunxi’s eyelids twitched. Only now did she know that her grandfather liked matchmaking people so much. Not only did her grandfather matchmake Qu Yu and Qin Wencheng, but he also matchmade her with the Third Prince of Beixiao.

Yu Yunxi said seriously, “If there’s a chance, I’ll talk to my maternal grandfather about this matter.”

Yu Yunxi could not bear to see a good person like Qu Yu being ruined by a scumbag like Qin Wencheng.

Unexpectedly, Qu Yu’s worried expression did not disappear when she heard Yu Yunxi’s words. On the contrary, she looked even more worried than before. She said, “Eldest Princess, I thank you for your kind intentions, but once the Emperor Emeritus has spoken, it’s impossible to take back his words.”

Yu Yunxi frowned slightly. “Then, is there any other way?”

Qu Yu’s eyes flashed as she replied, “Perhaps… If I were given a chance to plead with the Emperor and the Emperor Emeritus.”

“You mean…”

“To be honest with you, Eldest Princess, there has been a locust plague in Kongzhou recently, and the people are struggling to survive. My father has already spoken to the Emperor; he intends to bring troops there to deal with the disaster. I plan to go with him. If this matter goes smoothly, we’ll be rewarded by the Emperor. At that time, I’ll have a chance to break the engagement,” Qu Yu said earnestly.

Yu Yunxi nodded in understanding. “I see. Is that why you’re selling your shop?”

“Yes. I heard that the people in Kongzhou are in very dire straits. They don’t have food, and I heard that cannibalism has already happened. Therefore, my father and I plan to sell some of our properties. We plan to use the money to buy food and send it to Kongzhou,” Qu Yu explained.

Yu Yunxi was very touched by Qu Yu’s words. It was a blessing for the people of Xichu to have the Qu father and daughter who were so generous and kind.

“However, disaster relief is the imperial court’s responsibility. You just need to save the people. Money for food is something the imperial court should deal with. Those who understand your painstaking efforts of using your private money to save the people naturally will understand your good intentions. However, those with malicious intentions might make a big deal out of it…” Yu Yunxi said in a grave tone as she shook her head. She continued to say, “If someone were to tell the Emperor that you disregarded the imperial court’s reputation and tried to gain popularity with the people, the Qu family would really be in danger…”

Qu Yu’s heart sank when she heard this. Her father was a general and did not have such complicated thoughts. As such, he was always schemed against in the imperial court. She was also too anxious to help the people so she failed to consider this matter carefully.

Finally, Qu Yu said, looking troubled, “Thank you for your reminder, Eldest Princess. However, if we don’t help the people of Kongzhou, they’ll really starve to death.”

“Why do you say that? Does the imperial court not have enough money for disaster relief?” Yu Yunxi asked, puzzled. She remembered that Xichu’ should be the richest among many countries. Why was it that they did not have money for disaster relief?

Qu Yu shifted her eyes from Yu Yunxi to Feng Yili. After a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, “The money that the Emperor asked to be sent for disaster relief is indeed a lot. However, it’s hard to say that all that money will arrive in Kongzhou…

‘So it’s like that… The imperial court is corrupt…

“Based on what I know, half of the first batch of food sent to Kongzhou is nothing more than stones,” Qu Yu said sadly.

‘What? Do those people not care about the lives of the commoners?’

Yu Yunxi’s expression changed greatly, and anger burned in her heart immediately. She asked sternly, “Whose men are responsible for escorting the money to Kongzhou?”

“It’s Minister Fang. He’s the Empress Dowager’s younger brother,” Qu Yu replied in a low voice.

Yu Yunxi’s eyes glinted coldly. It seemed like there were many people behind this matter. After a moment, she said reassuringly, “Qu Yu, you should keep this shop. Your mother left it to you after all. You and your father should just focus on helping the people. I’ll think of something regarding the food.” Upon hearing this, Meng Xia called out anxiously, “Eldest Princess!”

After all, Yu Yunxi had just returned to Xichu, and her foundation was still unstable. It would not be good for her to make an enemy out of the Empress Dowager now.

Feng Yili looked at Yu Yunxi’s side profile with a gentle gaze as he thought to himself, ‘Although she lost her memories, she still cares about the people…’

Qu Yu heaved a sigh of relief when she heard Yu Yunxi’s words. She kneeled on one knee in front of Yu Yunxi and said solemnly, “Eldest Princess, I thank you on behalf of the people of Kongzhou. I hope that you’ll accept this shop as a gift from me.’

“I can’t accept it,” Yu Yunxi said, shaking her head.

“Eldest Princess, I’ve heard my father mentioned Princess Changning before. When she was in the capital, many commoners were spared the torture of illnesses because of her. I really hope that such a thing will continue. Hence, I

want this shop to be put to good use…” Qu Yu said.

Seeing that Yu Yunxi still did not agree, Qu Yu took a deep breath before she continued to say, “To be honest, Eldest Princess, there’s a reason why this shop hasn’t been sold or rented for so long. I don’t know where Lady Qin heard that this shop is part of my dowry, but she wants it. Previously, the shop was rented out to someone who sold calligraphy and paintings, but due to interference from the Duke of Qin’s Residence, that person was driven away. Ever since then, no one dared to touch this shop at all…”

‘The Duke of Qin’s Residence is really disgusting!’

Yu Yunxi’s gaze became extremely cold after she heard Qu Yu’s words.

Qu Yu said stubbornly, “So, Eldest Princess, please accept this shop. Otherwise, I’ll remain kneeling.”

Yu Yunxi sighed lightly and helped Qu Yu up. She said, “Alright, I’ll open the medical hall here. However, I want to rent this place from you…”

After discussing the matter with Qu Yu, Yu Yunxi finally left the shop. She sighed in relief. She felt as though the burden on her shoulders had become a little lighter.

Suddenly, from the corners of her eyes, Yu Yunxi saw a tall figure following her. She frowned slightly and said, “You seem to be very free, King of Youshan. Why are you still following me?”

“So many people want the Eldest Princess’ life. How can I not follow you and protect you?” Feng Yili replied.

Feng Yili’s eyes seemed to hold the stars and the sea at the same time. Yu

Yunxi’s heart could not help but skip a beat when she looked into his eyes.

“I’m not that weak. I can protect…”

Before Yu Yunxi could say the word ‘myself’ , Feng Yili suddenly moved to stand in front of her, blocking the light. In the next moment, he held her waist and leaned forward.

“King of Youshan, you..

Before Yu Yunxi could finish her words, her lips were sealed. When she felt the softness on her lips, her heart began to race.