Chapter 174 - 33: The Alluring Princess Consort Jin, a False Devotion

The voice was quite pleasant, just a little weak.

There was a bit of a Lin Daiyu air to it.

"Don’t overthink it, I just transferred you some inner strength, that’s all."

Qu Sisi hadn’t eaten for a long time, her entire body depleted of energy, while Ye Liuyun’s inner strength was enough to replenish all that Sisi had lost.

That’s why Sisi didn’t feel hungry now.

"Thank you!"

Qu Sisi wasn’t someone who didn’t know gratitude.

She didn’t break down crying, demanding answers as to why she was saved, or why she wasn’t allowed to die.

Even though she didn’t know who Ye Liuyun was, Qu Sisi still voiced her thanks.

"No need."

Ye Liuyun waved it off indifferently.

"You’re very pretty. If you weren’t, I wouldn’t have saved you. Maybe I’d have taken one look and left."

When it came to this sort of thing, Ye Liuyun disdained putting on virtuous airs or expecting gratitude in return.

If you’ve lived another lifetime, you shouldn’t be acting pathetic again.

Hearing this, not only did Sisi not feel offended, a flicker of surprise actually flashed across her usually cool eyes.

"You’re very honest."

Because of her looks.

Qu Sisi had seen plenty of people full of deceit, but who kept up an elegant facade.

Someone as straightforward as Ye Liuyun—this was the first.

"Greetings, Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Right then, a maid’s voice came from outside the courtyard.

Realizing it was Prince Jin Yan Ze arriving, Qu Sisi looked to Ye Liuyun—not out of fear of misunderstanding, but simply worried the one who’d just saved her might be angered as a result.

"You—"

But just as she was about to say something,

she turned her head and discovered Ye Liuyun, who had just been sitting there, was already nowhere to be seen.

He’d really run fast.

...

"Where’s the Princess Consort?"

"Her Highness is right inside!"

Outside in the courtyard, after asking, Prince Jin Yan Ze immediately walked in.

He’d originally planned to rest.

But perhaps it was the arrival of the Embroidered Uniform Guard during the day that made Prince Jin Yan Ze feel there’d been some change to his plans.

With his mind unsettled, he couldn’t sleep.

So he got up, summoned the guard Jiang Jing, and came to check in on Princess Consort Jin Qu Sisi.

"Sisi!"

Yan Ze had looked troubled moments before, but at the sight of Qu Sisi, a smile emerged on his face.

"Your Highness!"

Qu Sisi rose and saluted.

Her movements toward Prince Jin Yan Ze were full of formality and distance.

As for this, Prince Jin Yan Ze didn’t find it strange at all, as if he’d long known it would be so.

As he walked over, just as Yan Ze was about to say something, he suddenly noticed the leftovers from the meal.

Lately, Prince Jin Yan Ze knew well that Qu Sisi had been refusing food—so, she’d stopped? Her complexion was indeed much healthier now, not so pale and frail as before.

"So, the Princess Consort has finally figured things out."

"..."

Knowing Prince Jin Yan Ze misunderstood, Qu Sisi didn’t bother to explain.

"Whether I’ve figured things out or not—is that really so important to Your Highness?"

Qu Sisi truly didn’t believe Prince Jin Yan Ze cared at all about whether she lived or died.

"Princess Consort, what are you saying? In all the world, there’s no one this prince cares for more than you."

What he thought in his heart was one thing, but what he said was another matter.

He sat down opposite Qu Sisi in large, quick strides.

Whatever else was true,

the turbulence in his mood had actually stilled as he sat with Qu Sisi for a while.

Prince Jin Yan Ze didn’t stay for long.

After a while, he got up to leave.

"It’s getting late. Princess Consort, you should rest."

With that, Prince Jin Yan Ze stood up. Throughout the entire exchange, Jiang Jing, the guard, hadn’t said a word, following silently at his side.

And as they were just about to leave the courtyard,

he glanced casually at Qu Sisi,

but quickly withdrew his gaze, and left as well.

The courtyard once again fell into silence.

As Qu Sisi sat wordless, Ye Liuyun’s voice suddenly rang out.

"Everyone in Prince Jin City says Prince Jin is the most devoted man in the world, and the Princess Consort is the happiest woman alive. Looking at you now—doesn’t seem that way to me."

The sudden voice actually made Qu Sisi jump.

"So skittish?"

Seeing how startled she was, Ye Liuyun couldn’t help but laugh.

"Where were you hiding just now?"

Qu Sisi had thought Ye Liuyun left, but it turned out he was just hiding nearby.

"I’m a Grandmaster. Hiding my presence is child’s play."

Ye Liuyun shrugged, looking completely unconcerned.

"A Grandmaster!"

Surprise flashed in Qu Sisi’s eyes—even if she didn’t practice martial arts herself, she still knew what that rank meant.

Ye Liuyun looked so young.

Qu Sisi had truly never seen such a young Grandmaster before.

"What, you don’t believe me?"

Is it finally my turn to show off?

"I believe you."

Yet after a brief silence, Qu Sisi chose not to doubt him, and nodded instead.

Perhaps because,

neither she nor Ye Liuyun felt the other had any reason to lie.

"Tsk."

No chance to show off at all.

"Anyway!"

At that moment, it was as if Ye Liuyun suddenly remembered something.

His gaze teasing, he looked at Sisi.

"That guard at Prince Jin’s side, Jiang Jing—he was looking at you oddly, you know."

Though Jiang Jing hid his feelings well—after all, he’s a late-stage Innate Martial Artist—