The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits-Chapter 104: The Love Affair of the Embroidered Ball (14)

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: The Love Affair of the Embroidered Ball (14)

"Oh?"

"Miss Wen from the Second Prince’s Mansion has gone missing?" Su Li asked with raised eyebrows.

"Indeed, although the mansion’s steward publicly claimed that a servant had stolen money and fled, thus launching a widespread search throughout the city, that’s nothing but a tale to deceive the ordinary folk. Those with eyes and ears outside the mansion walls know the real truth of the matter."

Seeing Su Li’s interest, the young servant reporting back spoke even more animatedly, "They say Miss Wen also took off with a considerable amount of jewelry as well."

Mr. Wen said, "I reckon the Second Prince must be at his wit’s end now."

To herself, Su Li thought, of course, he is, on one hand, he must find his fleeing beloved, and on the other, fend off attacks from others.

By now, the memorials from Zhong Shangqi have probably reached the Hall of Heavenly Court and lie directly on the Emperor’s desk.

Su Li glanced at Mr. Wen, knowing fully well that the Eldest Prince wouldn’t let such a good opportunity pass by.

With a trace of a smile, Mr. Wen stirred the floating tea leaves in his cup, "However, with such a minor incident, we must certainly lend a hand."

After a pause and a sip of his tea, Mr. Wen continued, "Recently, a singer entered the Third Prince Mansion."

Su Li was surprised; it couldn’t be such a coincidence that it was the fleeing Wen Rou, could it?

Sure enough, Mr. Wen added, "This singer, it’s said, is just as unconventional as Miss Wen from the Second Prince Mansion. Just a few days ago at the Yanyang Pavilion Courtesan Platform, she wowed the crowd with a rendition of ’I Truly Got Hurt’ and caught the Third Prince’s eye, who then took her back."

The corner of Su Li’s mouth twitched; this girl was certainly daring.

"Sir..."

A servant came running in from outside with a beaming smile.

"The Second Prince and the Third Prince have started fighting at the gates of the Imperial Palace."

Su Li: "....."

Wen Rou indeed had the potential to be a true calamity.

Mr. Wen: "Really?"

Mr. Wen’s face lit up with excitement. He hurriedly gathered his robes, ready to rush outside. Just as he stood, he suddenly remembered Su Li beside him, "Please excuse me, Miss Su, I will return shortly."

"We’ll discuss this later..."

Su Li waved her hand dismissively, "Go ahead with your business, sir."

In the afternoon, Xuanyuan Baiqi and Mr. Wen came in one after the other, both with smiles on their faces.

Upon seeing Su Li, Xuanyuan Baiqi performed a grand bow, "Great joy, great joy...I thank you on behalf of the common people for your tremendous kindness, Miss Su."

Su Li quickly rose from her seat, "No need for such formality, sir."

Also visibly excited, Mr. Wen said, "My lady, your method truly works. We sent people to try it out, and indeed, the grain yield has multiplied several times over. This winter, the soldiers and people on the frontier need not worry about a grain shortage, and they will be able to enjoy a good year."

Mr. Wen also bent deeply in a bow to Su Li.

Xuanyuan Baiqi: "I have already reported this matter to the Emperor, and I expect that a summons for you to enter the palace will arrive shortly."

No sooner had the Eldest Prince finished speaking than the decree summoning Su Li to the palace arrived.

Su Li, having changed into palace attire, stood gracefully; even knowing full well of Miss Su’s talents and beauty, Xuanyuan Baiqi was taken aback, a hint of blush creeping onto his cheeks.

He coughed lightly in an attempt to conceal his reaction, "Miss Su, this way please."

Until now, Su Li’s talents had overshadowed her striking beauty, and it was only at this moment that Xuanyuan Baiqi truly recognized her captivating allure.

On the way to the palace, Xuanyuan Baiqi was very restrained and polite, staying close by Su Li’s side and explaining what she needed to be aware of when facing the Emperor.

Just as they were about to arrive at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, two men with bruised noses and swollen faces happened to come out, heading straight towards Su Li and her party.

Enemy paths are narrow indeed.

With bruises marring his face, at the temples and corners of his mouth, and his clothes in disarray, Xuanyuan Jian squinted and noticed Su Li with Xuanyuan Baiqi.

At that moment, Xuanyuan Jian’s pupils dilated, his face showing an expression of astonishment that did not seem feigned.

The Third Prince, equally disheveled, followed Xuanyuan Jian’s gaze. Even with a face swollen like a steamed bun, his love for beauty was unmistakable.

The Third Prince whistled, "Yo, what a cute beauty..."

"Eh, big brother, you’re here too."

Swiftly, the Third Prince dashed to Su Li’s side, "My beauty, to which household do you belong? How come I’ve never seen you before?"

Xuanyuan Baiqi, familiar with his younger brother’s character, knew that he couldn’t move his feet when seeing someone beautiful or something interesting.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on, dreading the thought of becoming stuck to this bothersome adhesive plaster.

Su Li smiled and crouched slightly to give a bow, "Greetings to the Third Prince..."

Though the Third Prince posed lecherously, Su Li only saw pure admiration for beauty in his eyes, without a hint of other intentions.

This was a person of pure and carefree nature.

Yet, he was also someone who particularly loved to stir up trouble; beside him, the Second Prince, Xuanyuan Jian, was glaring furiously at him.

"Why are you here?"

Xuanyuan Jian pointed at Su Li and attempted to pull her towards him.

Xuanyuan Baiqi slightly extended his hand to block, "Second brother, perhaps you should tend to your injuries first."

With a firm and rebutting tone, he held Xuanyuan Jian back.

"Big brother, Miss Su is an acquaintance of mine..." Xuanyuan Jian, realizing that his embarrassed state was fully exposed to his long-time rival and erstwhile enemies, felt a surge of dark resentment welling up from deep within.

Standing with his hands behind his back, Xuanyuan Baiqi assumed the posture of an elder brother and reproached in an instructive tone, "I am aware of this."

"If I may say, second brother, you are wrong, gravely wrong..."

"You owe Miss Su an apology."

With a sullen smirk, Xuanyuan Jian retorted, "Does she have the good fortune to receive my apology? Let me ask if she dares to accept it..."

Interjecting with a gracious smile, Su Li said, "Since the Second Prince has the intention, wouldn’t it be ungracious of me not to accept?"

Enraged, Xuanyuan Jian blurted out, "You dare..."

Xuanyuan Baiqi’s voice sternly sunk, "Second brother, you should keep your word."

The Third Prince looked back and forth between them, his hilariously swollen face still smiling as he chimed in, "Second brother, breaking a promise to a beauty will bring disdain upon you... You wouldn’t be that lacking in decency, right?"

Xuanyuan Jian glared menacingly at Su Li, "I will remember today’s humiliation."

When Xuanyuan Jian’s gaze fell on her, Su Li felt as if she were being watched by an evil Poison Snake, and instantly, tiny goosebumps sprouted all over her arms.

With a laugh, Su Li said, "The Second Prince jests."

One was breezily nonchalant, the other seething with resentment. The contrast between them made it clear who stood superior.

With exaggerated jumps and loud shouts, the Third Prince exclaimed, "No way, are you still a man? I have no respect for men who quibble with beauties."

The Third Prince’s antics made Xuanyuan Jian, who had turned his back to storm off, stumble in anger.

Without care for his own image, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight once more with the Third Prince.

It was the eunuch nearby who, seeing the situation turning for the worse, quickly pulled the Second Prince away.

Two against one, obviously the Prince of their own household was at a disadvantage.

The Third Prince jumped even higher, shouting loudly, "Come on, I’m not afraid of you... Why are you running away..."

Su Li could now truly say she had witnessed the strategy of dragging an enemy’s intelligence down to one’s level before beating them at their own game, in real life.