Leap Forward Comics: Watch How I Become a Villainess

Chapter 117 The Sixth Miss of the Nie Family

In this imperial envoy selection competition, one person died and another was injured, both of whom were people of the Third Prince and the Crown Prince. The Emperor was secretly overjoyed, as he both enjoyed the spectacle and had a legitimate reason to give the official position to Bai Yu.

He also took the opportunity to punish Gao Zhan by reducing his salary, giving the Crown Prince and Grand Tutor Gao a warning.

This was truly a joyous occasion, and the emperor was so pleased that he bestowed upon Bai Yu another hundred taels of gold.

The one who suffered the most in this matter was the Third Prince, Li Yun, who was so angry that he smashed things in his palace and didn't leave the house for several days.

Although Li Guangqi did not get his wish, Sun Haochong was crippled, so it wasn't too much of a loss. He knew about Li Yun bribing the Golden Armor Guards to exchange arrows. If Sun Haochong hadn't died in that round, he would have crushed Bai Yu and Zhou Gang. Moreover, it seems that Bai Yu's martial arts are superior to Zhou Gang's. Even if it came down to the last round, Zhou Gang might not be able to kill him.

This is the will of Heaven.

"Have any reports come from the people who have been following Bai Yu these past few days?" Grand Tutor Gao asked the spies he had sent out.

The Crown Prince instructed him to find out Bai Yu's weaknesses so that he could control the man. He firmly believed that Lu He must have something on Bai Yu to make Bai Yu so devoted.

"Yes, on the day he was conferred his title, he went to a teahouse and arranged to meet Nie Qing, the sixth young lady of the Nie family... It seems they are mutually attracted..."

"Could this woman be Bai Yu's beloved?" Grand Tutor Gao stroked his beard.

"The scouts report that Bai Yu has met with Nie Qing in secret on several occasions, and it seems that this is almost certainly true."

"Who else does Nie Qing associate with closely?" Grand Tutor Gao asked after thinking for a moment.

"Her close relationship with that fortune teller, Mr. Lu, suggests they might be intimate friends."

Grand Tutor Gao suddenly realized why Bai Yu was so devoted to Lu He; there was indeed a reason behind it.

At this moment, Bai Yu met Nie Qing again at the teahouse. Anyone who saw them would think they were a young couple who were in love with each other.

"What's going on this time?" Nie Qing took the handkerchief that Bai Yu offered.

In the past few days, Lu He has been sending Bai Yu to deliver messages, but they are all trivial matters.

“It’s nothing serious. My master said she wants you to help her with some things these next two days. She wants to start some businesses in the capital.” Bai Yu said, taking out a stack of shop deeds from other places. “My master asked me to give this to you as a thank-you gift.”

Nie Qing took the land deed and looked at it carefully: "These can be delivered by Chun Yue and Chun Yao. Why do you always have to come?" Nie Qing covered her mouth and chuckled, teasing him: "You are already the Imperial Envoy, yet you still run errands like a little servant."

"My master has given me a second life. No matter what official position I hold in the future, I will always remember to repay his kindness." Bai Yu said in a serious tone, which made Nie Qing smile.

From a distance, the two appeared to be chatting and laughing.

"We met again today?" Upon receiving the report, Li Guangqi sensed that things were not simple. He slightly opened his eyes, already having made a plan in mind.

In the Imperial Study of the Palace, the Crown Prince requests an audience with the Emperor.

"What is it, my son?" The emperor was practicing calligraphy at his desk, not even looking up.

"Father, I have met many noble ladies recently, and I have found a girl I like." Li Guangqi pretended to be shy, lowered his head, and stammered.

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, the emperor put down his brush and ink. "Which family's daughter is it?"

"Nie Qing, the daughter of Minister Nie."

"Does he intend to marry her?" The Emperor thought that his son had finally come to his senses. He had been aloof from women, showing no interest in settling down and producing heirs for the royal family. Several times, the Emperor had even sabotaged the selection of a Crown Princess for his eldest daughter, Zhang Luo. The Emperor had been watching with growing anxiety. Now that he finally had someone he liked, wouldn't he hurry and marry her?

"Your Majesty, I must first ask the young lady's opinion. I wonder if Your Majesty would allow her to enter the palace more often, so that I may have more contact with her?" Li Guangqi was quite adept at playing the innocent young man.

In any case, it would be best to lure Nie Qing to the palace first, and then detain him.

Even if someone were to report him, the emperor would just laugh it off and speak up for him.

Confining Nie Qing to the palace serves two purposes: firstly, it serves as a warning to Nie Sheng, and secondly, it allows them to control Bai Yu—killing two birds with one stone.

"Will he really take the bait?" Li Cen picked up his hot tea, blew on it, and turned to ask Lu He.

"Although I'm not sure, I've already spoken with Nie Qing today, and I believe she can play this role well." Lu He noticed that the tea was too hot, and she had been using a palm-leaf fan to cool it down. Now that the cup was finally cool, she naturally picked it up and replaced the hot cup in Li Cen's hand.

Taking a sip of the perfectly warm tea, Li Cen smiled, "Why did you insist on deceiving the Crown Prince into keeping Nie Qing in the palace?"