Almost Scammed

Chapter 87 Almost Scammed

The inner courtyard of Prince Jing's residence.

Led by a maid, Li Chuqiu walked through the courtyard and arrived at a quiet side hall.

"Commander Li, please wait a moment. This servant will go and inform the Princess."

The maidservant finished speaking and left, leaving Li Chuqiu alone in the side hall. She looked around; it was empty and silent, without a single person in sight.

Sunlight streamed into the courtyard from a distance, but it made Li Chuqiu feel inexplicably uneasy—something about the atmosphere felt off.

The surrounding terrain seems to form an encirclement. If an ambush is set up around this place, it would be a sure way to trap and beat the dog!

Thinking this, Li Chuqiu became restless. Why did the Princess Consort of Jing suddenly summon him again?

We just saw him yesterday, why are we calling him here again today?

Could it be that...?

What inappropriate things did Jiang Ning say to the princess this time?

The only thing Li Chuqiu could think of was the exposure of his affair with Jiang Ning. What else could possibly attract the attention of this princess?

The surroundings were quiet. Li Chuqiu was indeed a little uneasy at first, but she quickly calmed down.

He realized that this was probably done on purpose by the Princess Consort of Jing—to ignore him and put pressure on him.

With the capabilities and methods of the Prince Jing's mansion, dealing with him would be a piece of cake; there's no need for such a complicated scheme.

Thinking this way, Li Chuqiu felt relieved.

They come, the security!

He found a seat, sipped tea and ate snacks while enjoying the scenery of Prince Jing's Mansion.

It wasn't until half an hour later that a stern-faced maid appeared: "Commander Li, please come with me."

After saying that, he turned around and led the way. Li Chuqiu followed, and after passing through the side hall, they arrived at an inner courtyard.

They stopped in an inner room.

Inside the hall sat a beautiful woman of elegant bearing.

It was Princess Jing.

"Your Highness, Commander Li has arrived."

The maidservant approached Princess Jing and reported back.

Princess Jing nodded expressionlessly, then turned her gaze to Li Chuqiu, her eyes deep and scrutinizing.

That look in his eyes—

Some were not very friendly.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Li Chuqiu composed herself, stepped forward, cupped her hands, and spoke.

silence.

No one responded.

They waited a long time without the Princess Consort of Jing speaking.

Time seemed to stand still.

—So you're going to try and intimidate him with this kind of pressure?

Li Chuqiu remained expressionless, slowly raised her head, and met the gaze of the Princess Consort of Jing in the inner hall.

At this moment, Princess Jing exuded an aura of authority without anger, especially with her sharp phoenix eyes fixed on Li Chuqiu, a stark contrast to the Princess Jing who was close to Ge Ke yesterday.

Li Chuqiu was no novice and would not be intimidated by the aura of this Princess Jing.

He spoke calmly, breaking the silence: "I wonder what important matter Princess Jing has summoned me for today?"

Princess Jing stared at him for a long time before finally speaking, her voice slightly cold: "Don't you know why I summoned you here?"

A rhetorical question?

Is this an attempt to force him to reveal his true identity?

Li Chuqiu naturally didn't fall for it: "I don't know, please enlighten me, Your Highness."

Princess Jing stared into his eyes, a cold smile appearing on her face: "Even now, you still want to deceive me?"

"Yesterday, Ning'er told me everything!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chuqiu's heart skipped a beat.

bad thing!

That girl, she confessed everything?!

—I knew she couldn't be trusted!

No wonder Princess Jing came to his house early this morning to arrest him—it turns out the girl gave herself away.

The girl swore she would never tell anyone, but then she betrayed him, didn't she?

"Your Highness, is there some misunderstanding here?"

Li Chuqiu remained relatively calm, trying to glean some clues from the Princess Jing's expression.

"Misunderstand?"

Princess Jing stared at him, then sneered and shouted, "Are you trying to say that Ning'er is talking nonsense, or that I'm deliberately smearing your reputation?!"

"Do I really need to misunderstand what you did to Ning'er?!"

His cold tone carried an overwhelming sense of pressure.

At that moment, the atmosphere around us changed!

"I believe there must be some misunderstanding here—"

Li Chuqiu's expression remained unchanged. He naturally couldn't admit it, his mind racing: "The Princess Consort certainly wouldn't slander me, and Her Highness the Princess wouldn't speak nonsense. But—perhaps the truth was misunderstood in its transmission—"

Since she didn't know what Jiang Ning had revealed, Li Chuqiu could only try to probe and see if she could find any flaws.

"snort!"

Princess Jing snorted coldly, her gaze fixed on Li Chuqiu in the courtyard: "Misunderstanding?"

"You deceived Ning'er and stole her innocence—your behavior is despicable! Ning'er has told me everything, the evidence is conclusive, what else do you want to say?!"

"Do you really think I'm easy to bully?!"

As Princess Jing spoke aggressively, the maids who had been guarding the courtyard suddenly drew their swords and pointed them at Li Chuqiu.

Li Chuqiu's eyelids twitched suddenly—was this... trying to hack him to death with a flurry of swords?

wrong----

In that instant, Li Chuqiu's thoughts raced, and she quickly caught a hint of something unusual.

—This Princess Jing's actions seem a bit too deliberate!

Even if the Princess Consort of Prince Jing were furious to learn that her daughter's innocence had been defiled by a man, she would never go to such lengths!

Why should Li Chuqiu, a mere envoy, be made to act in such a manner?

If she wanted to kill Li Chuqiu, she had plenty of ways to do so, and she didn't need to do it herself.

Therefore, her setting up this trap today seems more like a ploy to scare Li Chuqiu.

But why scare him?

In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through Li Chuqiu's mind—given how much the Princess Consort of Jing valued her daughter, if she knew that her daughter had been defiled, would she still be able to communicate with Li Chuqiu calmly?

Why go through all that trouble to call Li Chuqiu here for questioning and dialogue?

This isn't a female-oriented novel, so there's no need to explain any principles.

Unless, of course, this Princess Jing is not actually sure what happened between him and Jiang Ning?

—Just guessing?

Li Chuqiu suddenly understood!

Yes!

This Princess Jing is probably bluffing him!

It's most likely that the way Jiang Ning acted in front of Princess Jing when she mentioned him yesterday aroused the princess's suspicion.

But she only suspected, not confirmed, so she deliberately put on such a show today—just to trick him?

With this in mind, Li Chuqiu's mind gradually calmed down.

In any case, the bottom line is—we cannot admit it!

"I would never dare to deceive the Princess!"

Li Chuqiu looked astonished and said, "Although I don't know what exactly happened, what the Princess said—is indeed nonsense!"

"Even if Your Highness gave me ten thousand lives, I would never dare to act improperly towards Her Highness, let alone defile Her Highness's purity—this is a grave injustice!"

"This matter must be a frame-up. I implore Your Highness to investigate thoroughly and clear my name!"

Regardless of whether Princess Jing had noticed anything or not, Li Chuqiu would not admit to a single word.

Otherwise, death is certain!

"Hmph! You really think I'm just trying to scare you?!"

Princess Jing stared coldly at him: "Out of respect for Deputy Commander Liu, I originally intended to give you some face—but I never expected you to commit such a despicable act. You deceived my Ning'er, forcibly defiling her innocence, and yet you dare not admit it?"

"You dare say you've never touched Ning'er's hand, never made indecent advances towards her?!"

Faced with the Princess Consort of Jing's aggressive questioning, Li Chuqiu felt much more at ease.

—This Princess Jing is definitely trying to trick him on purpose!

Did you touch Jiang Ning's little hand?

Not really.

He only touched the girl's leg; he didn't even touch her with his hand.

"Absolutely not!"

Li Chuqiu's expression was stern as he spoke in a deep voice, "I swear on my life, I absolutely did not touch Her Highness's hand. If even a single word is false, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!!"

silence!

As Li Chuqiu solemnly swore his oath, a brief silence fell over the surroundings.

Princess Jing's expression gradually froze, as if she were stunned into a state of existential doubt, then became increasingly suspicious.

Could it be that we really misunderstood him?

But Ning'er's reaction yesterday clearly had an unspeakable connection with this boy in front of her, and who knows—

Although someone had secretly examined Ning'er last night and found that she was still a virgin, this did not dispel the suspicions of the Princess Jing.

Although the two did not cross the line, what if there was some other contact between them?

"Yesterday, Ning'er's reaction clearly suggested that she had already had an intimate relationship with this boy." Although they didn't go all the way, there was holding hands, kissing, touching her breasts, and using her hands—

These are still things that Princess Jing cannot accept!

Suspicious, Princess Jing sent someone to find out Li Chuqiu's address and invited him over early in the morning.

The purpose of setting up this trap was to trick this boy into confessing.

If this boy really did such a thing to Ning'er, she will definitely not let him off the hook.

Unexpectedly, this person completely denied it and even made such a vicious oath.

From the righteous indignation on his face, and the aggrieved look on his face as if he had been wronged beyond belief, it seemed genuine.

So, he really didn't even touch his own Ning'er's hand?

Such a virtuous gentleman?

But how do we explain Ning'er's reaction yesterday?

Princess Jing was completely baffled.

They've never even held hands, so there's no way they've kissed—let alone had any other physical contact.

—You can't just touch someone's leg without holding their hand, can you?

So, does that mean the two of them are truly innocent?!

Princess Jing breathed a deep sigh of relief, feeling at ease.

Fortunately, Ning'er's innocence remains intact.

Looking at Li Chuqiu in the courtyard again, Princess Jing still had doubts in her eyes, but the previous domineering pressure was gone.

"Since Envoy Li has made such a vow, I am willing to believe it."

From inside the hall, Princess Jing's calm voice rang out: "So it seems I misunderstood Commander Li. I apologize to Commander Li!"

Li Chuqiu quickly replied, "Your Highness is too kind. I understand Your Highness's deep love for your daughter!"

Just then, a figure hurriedly walked in from outside. A maid quickly came to Princess Jing's side and whispered something in her ear.

Princess Jing's previously nonchalant expression froze. She sat up, frowning in confusion, and asked, "Why is she here?"

"Where is she?!"

"She was in the manor, saying she wanted to see the prince. When I told her the prince wasn't there, she said she wanted to see the princess."

Princess Jing's expression shifted between light and shadow. After a long pause, her gaze deepened: "I understand. Treat her well and do not neglect her!"

"yes!"

The maidservant hurriedly left.

Princess Jing looked at Li Chuqiu and said, "I have other important matters to attend to, so I will not keep you any longer, Commander Li. Please forgive me for the trouble today."

"It's alright. Since Your Highness has other matters to attend to, I won't disturb you any longer!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chuqiu cupped his hands in farewell and turned to leave.

After Li Chuqiu left, Princess Jing stood up: "Where is she? Lead the way!"

A maid led the way, guiding Princess Jing through the pavilions and corridors to the front hall. Soon, they saw a Taoist priest in a blue robe standing quietly in the front hall.

"Master Ye?!"

Princess Jing's face lit up with unexpected joy: "I had no idea that Master Ye would grace us with his presence. I have failed to greet you properly!"

"princess!"

The person who arrived was none other than Ye Qingwu.

She bowed slightly to Princess Jing, making a gesture of respect: "It's been a long time. How has Your Highness been?"

"Everything is fine."

Princess Jing smiled warmly, but as she looked at Master Ye, who possessed a cool and aloof demeanor and seemed unfathomable, she felt a vague unease in her heart.

The Celestial Master's Mansion has close ties with the imperial court, and this Celestial Master Ye even has very deep connections with the current emperor. What is her purpose in appearing at Prince Jing's residence now?

"This humble Taoist priest has been traveling the world solely to slay demons and monsters. Unexpectedly, while passing through Liangzhou, I heard of the Crown Prince's assassination attempt, and thus came to offer my condolences—Please, Your Highness, accept my deepest sorrow!"

Princess Jing said, "Thank you for your concern, Celestial Master."

Ye Qingwu asked, "I've heard that the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince may be related to the chaos caused by the demon race. Is this true?"

Princess Jing sighed, "I am but a woman, and I am not familiar with the intricacies of this matter. Whether it is revenge or the work of a demon, I hope Master Ye can help me find the true culprit who killed Yang'er."

"If that could be done, the Prince's Mansion would be eternally grateful!"

"Now that I am here, I will do my best!"

Ye Qingwu spoke up: "I have come here today because I would like to ask the Prince's Mansion for a favor."

Princess Jing said, "Master Ye, please feel free to speak."

Ye Qingwu spoke up: "This humble Taoist wishes to meet the Crown Prince's newlywed wife!"

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the other side.

Li Chuqiu walked out of the inner courtyard and breathed a deep sigh of relief after confirming that no maids were following her!

I almost got caught!

I almost got tricked by that Princess Jing!

Unexpectedly, the Princess Consort of Jing, who appeared dignified and gentle, was not to be underestimated and actually tried to outsmart him.

Fortunately, Li Chuqiu was rational and calm enough not to be easily fooled.

We escaped unscathed!

"Hey!"

Just as Li Chuqiu breathed a sigh of relief, a crisp, slightly sinister voice suddenly rang in her ears.

Looking up, I met a pair of bright, lively eyes!

A delicate, round face, beaming with a smile, peeked out from the side somewhat furtively. Its large, dark eyes looked Li Chuqiu up and down, and after confirming that Li Chuqiu was unharmed and hadn't been chopped into many pieces, it breathed a sigh of relief and patted its chest.

"Thank goodness, my mother didn't kill you!"

"Princess?"

That figure, acting like a thief, could only be that princess.

"What exactly is going on?"

"Shh, come with me first!"

Jiang Ning glanced secretly into the courtyard behind Li Chuqiu, and without saying a word, grabbed Li Chuqiu's sleeve and scurried into the side path.

"Where to?"

"Find a secluded place—"

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