After refusing marriage, she was pampered by the prince who acted as a shield.

Chapter 251: The Feast at Hongmen

The men were talking about matters of the court, which Lin Rusi couldn't understand and didn't interrupt. She simply served food to Li Jingyang in silence.

After finishing the meal, Si Yu looked at Lin Rusi with a hint of reluctance: "Sisi, you must come back often. I've been so lonely since you left."

"Okay, Auntie, I'll come often."

Prime Minister Lin, however, was dissatisfied: "Sisi is now the Princess Consort of Jinglie, how can she come back every day? You don't need to worry about her."

"It's alright, Father. Your daughter also wants to get closer to Auntie."

In silence, Lin Rusi led Li Jingyang back to the Jinglie Prince's Mansion as they walked to the door.

Lin Rusi remained silent throughout the journey.

It wasn't until they were almost at their destination that she met the worried eyes of the person beside her and gave a gentle smile.

"It's alright, Your Highness. Go back now. With Your Highness here, I'm not afraid."

Li Jingyang readily embraced her, his eyes filled with tenderness.

the next day.

Lin Rusi was still asleep when she was woken up by a series of urgent knocks on the door. She sat up abruptly in bed, her eyes showing a hint of annoyance.

"Wanxia, ​​Wanqi, who's knocking at the door?!"

Lin Rusi was displeased; her morning grumpiness was the worst, while the others were alright.

However, being woken up like this, her complexion was not very good.

Wanxia walked in quickly from outside the door.

"Your Highness, you're awake."

"Hmm, what's going on outside?" Lin Rusi frowned, her eyes filled with displeasure.

“Your Majesty, someone from the palace has come. They say that the Empress requests your presence in the palace. I told the eunuch that you hadn’t gotten up yet, which is why it’s been a little while.”

The word "Empress" instantly brought Lin Rusi to her senses.

Why is it the Empress again?

Lin Rusi muttered to herself, then frowned, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Just then, Li Jingyang arrived. He knocked lightly on the door and slowly walked in.

Seeing his dark face, he clearly recognized the people from the palace and asked in return, "What's going on?! Why has the palace sent people again?"

"They said they came to invite Her Majesty to the palace for a chat." Wanxia looked up nervously.

Upon seeing this, Li Jingyang's eyes widened in surprise. He approached the person on the bed, his eyes filled with worry.

"Sisi, I think we shouldn't go. It was the same last time. Who knows what she's up to this time?"

Li Jingyang frowned, showing no liking for the Empress.

Furthermore, he was genuinely worried about Lin Rusi's condition, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"It's better not to. It would be difficult to explain to the Empress later." Lin Rusi shook her head and refused directly.

Hearing this, Li Jingyang's expression darkened further: "What do you want to explain to her?"

His tone was annoyed, and he could hardly hide his dissatisfaction with the Empress.

Lin Rusi looked up at him with concern, gestured for Wanxia and Wanqi to leave first, and then said, "Your Highness, it's always better to refuse once than once. After all, she is the Empress. If you refuse too many times, she might turn against you."

Lin Rusi clicked her tongue and explained in a low voice.

Li Jingyang understood these words, but he didn't know how to express them.

He understood this principle, of course, but he knew who the Empress was, so it was best not to offend her.

However, since it concerned Lin Rusi, he was unwilling to drag her into danger.

"What does Your Highness think?" Lin Rusi raised her head.

The latter remained silent, arms crossed. Seeing this, Lin Rusi sighed softly, reached out and took Li Jingyang's arm, and said gently, "Your Highness, isn't there still Your Highness? I believe Your Highness can protect me."

Li Jingyang froze instantly, unsure how to answer, yet unable to refuse.

Only the slight redness on his earlobes betrayed his inner emotions.

For a moment, Lin Rusi's smile became even more beautiful.

Looking at her smiling face, Li Jingyang shook his head helplessly, knowing that he couldn't go against Lin Rusi's wishes, and could only agree.

However, because he was unhappy, he kept a dark expression on his face.

"Your Highness, I'd like to have a proper meeting with the Empress. I think she wouldn't resort to overly obvious methods. What do you think?"

Sensing this, Lin Rusi pursed her lips and tried to change the subject.

Li Jingyang was completely overwhelmed by her coquettishness and looked over seriously.

"Sisi, do you know how dangerous it is inside the palace, especially for the Empress..."

Since what happened before, even the most foolish person would find it hard not to think of Lin Rusi.

Moreover, the Empress is no fool.

Who knows? She probably already knew that she sent the dancer to the palace herself. Since she couldn't touch herself, she naturally wanted to cause trouble for Sisi.

Li Jingyang was aware of this, but the more he thought about it, the more agitated he became.

"Your Highness, do you trust me?"

Seeing his expression darken again, Lin Rusi quickly comforted him, "I will definitely handle it."

Upon hearing her words, Li Jingyang's cold and stern gaze finally softened a little, and he subconsciously reached out to hug her.

……

After all that fuss, Lin Rusi took Wanxia and Wanqi out the door.

When they arrived, the Empress had clearly been waiting for a long time, and she couldn't help but smile as she looked at Lin Rusi.

Lin Rusi was completely bewildered. Before she could react, the Empress stepped down and grabbed her tightly.

"Sisi, how is your relationship since last time? Have you argued about it again?"

The Empress's eyes were full of concern. Seeing this, Lin Rusi shook her head and remained silent.

"Is that so? You see, I'm right. Women should naturally be more virtuous and mind their own business."

The Empress held her hand, speaking softly and gently, appearing exceptionally warm.

First, I asked her about what had happened to her recently, and then I asked how she was feeling.

After being questioned like this, Lin Rusi's body stiffened.

"Your Majesty, what is this...?" She frowned in confusion and stared straight at him.

"It's all because of you. You ran away too fast last time, and I didn't have time to say many things. Now that you're back, I naturally want to have more to say to you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Rusi was slightly taken aback, but then she understood.

It seems that the Queen has made thorough preparations today and has no intention of letting me leave.

She smiled nonchalantly and said gently, "Is that so? Your Highness doesn't know. If Your Highness hadn't summoned me, I would have come to the palace to see you myself."

"Oh?"

The Empress was taken aback. Her gaze fell on something not far away, and she stiffly forced a smile.

"Yes, if it weren't for Your Highness, how could I have cleared up the misunderstanding with His Highness and gotten back together peacefully? I've found out everything; it was just a misunderstanding."

Lin Rusi smiled gently, but when she saw the Empress's familiar face, she still felt a little uneasy.

It was as if a deep-seated fear from her heart made her unable to face it.

After a long while, she slowly said, "Your Majesty, I heard from the eunuch who summoned you that you have a lot to say to me."

She pinched her thigh with one hand, trying to suppress the fear in her heart.

"Yes, isn't this because I care about you? I heard that you and Prince Jinglie were together because of a dancer. How are things now?" the Empress asked rhetorically.