73 Too Embarrassing (1/2)

”You knew that I was coming? Were you waiting for me?” Xia Chunyu was a little surprised.

It took him much difficulty to coax Princess Liu Li back to the palace so it was a long time before he was able to come to Yaoyao. He also had been forced to say things in front of her that he knew she wouldn't like. This woman was very petty so he knew that if he didn't explain himself to her, they'd be in an even worse relationship than they already were. Luckily, he had instructed his guard to follow her, otherwise, he would've never found out where she currently was.

”I was waiting for you to settle some scores. Why else would I sit here and stuff myself?” Ye Jiayao leaned on the chair painfully, gingerly touching her stomach.

Xia Chunyu flushed red. Was she really that unconcerned with her image? He felt like walking away and pretending he didn't know her. She's too embarrassing!

He said in a low voice, ”I'll wait for you outside.”

”Hey,” she protested. ”You made me wait for so long, you have to pay for this meal.”

Ye Jiayao said it so loudly that the customers around her all turned to look at them.

He snarled at Yaoyao, hoping that his glare was conveying his annoyance. Ye Jiayao simply raised her chin challengingly.

”How much?” Xia Chunyu asked the waiter.

”Seven taels, sir.”

Xia Chunyu paid and left.

With that crisis averted, Ye Jiayao was finally able to walk out of the place dignified. Well, as dignified as she could with her stomach too full.

She stood by Fu Ji's door with her hand on her stomach and looked around. She could not see Chunyu anywhere. Where is he? Did he run away?

”Come on up.”

Ye Jiayao turned to see the curtain of a horse carriage lift up. Dumb Donkey was looking impatiently at her, motioning for her to climb up.

She huffed and puffed as she spent a great deal of effort to hoist herself up the carriage. She pushed Chunyu to a side and took more than half of the space in the carriage as she lied down. She was literally stuffed to the brim with food and her stomach was revolting with every move she makes.

”Why did you get a carriage?” Ye Jiayao asked.

Xia Chunyu snorted, ”I couldn't very well walk with someone who can't even take half a step without doubling in pain, could I?”

Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes angrily.

”Would it have killed you to take one less mouthful? Are the dishes in Fu Ji so delicious? Better than the ones you make?” Xia Chunyu really could not stand how sloppy she looked. Up in the mountains, he used to tell her that she does not behave like a rich man's daughter, but this was on a whole new level. She was behaving and looking like a total greasy ruffian.

”What do you care?” Ye Jiayao retorted. Do you really think I chose to do this? This is all because your precious princess is so spoiled that she can't take it when someone's right! I lost my money!

”Do you think I want to care? You're the one who begged me to, remember? Or have you forgotten biting my nose just to make me swear not to abandon you? Aren't you angry with me now just because I didn't fulfill that promise?” Xia Chunyu mocked before instructing the coachman to move.

Ye Jiayao barely heard him as she curled up in pain. Her stomach was aching so much, she has no energy left to bicker with him.

”Is it really very terrible?” His big hand reached over and rested on her stomach.

”Go away! If you don't want to care, then don't!” Ye Jiayao slapped his hand away.

Xia Chunyu placed his hand on her stomach again and started rubbing it tenderly. ”Just shut up and accept help for once.”

Even through the thick layer of clothing she had on, she could still feel the warmth of his palm. This scene reminded her of the night in Black Wind Ridge when she was struck by horrible period cramps. He patiently rubbed her stomach like this, too, back then. For the whole night.

When did she start growing dependent on him? She wrinkled her nose in displeasure. Ye Jiayao turned her face away, not wanting him to see the weakness in her eyes.

”In the future, if you come across people or things you disapprove of again, just ignore it. Let the manager and the shopkeeper handle the disputes in the restaurant. This is Jin Ling, Yaoyao, anyone on the streets could easily be a nobleman or a prince. You might offend someone powerful unknowingly,” Xia Chunyu said in a gentle but firm voice.

Princess Liu Li spent the ride back to the palace complaining to him about how Yaoyao has scolded her in Heavenly Residence, and how she was humiliated and teased on the streets. Of course, he knew that Princess Liu Li was not telling the whole truth, but he also knew how ruthless Yaoyao could be when she was scolding someone - he had experienced it first-hand.

Being spoiled rotten, today was the first time Liu Li has met someone who did not bow and scrape the ground before her. This hit her too hard, and Xia Chunyu knew with certainty that she was not going to let this go. The princess' favorite past time was holding grudges.

He has to make Yaoyao see reason. She has already provoked Helian Xuan, a formidable enough enemy on his own, but now that Princess Liu Li has joined the mix... Yaoyao could not afford to offend another powerful noble.

Ye Jiayao knew he was right. She really didn't want to interfere at first, but that brat mentioned her and she could not help jumping in.

”Some people are not so reasonable, unlike me who talks things over…” Xia Chunyu continued.

Ye Jiayao snorted, rolling her eyes. You? Talk things over? Since when?

Xia Chunyu ignored her and said, ”Princess Liu Li is the seventh prince's daughter. The seventh prince and his wife passed away in an accident, leaving the two-year-old Liu Li behind. The empress dowager pitied her so she raised her by her side, doting on her extremely. Even the emperor spoils her! Ever since she was a child, she has gotten whatever she wanted, it's unavoidable that she'd grow up willful and arrogant.”

Ye Jiayao was surprised to hear that Princess Liu Li lost her parents. That was quite pitiful. No matter how much care and material things she was given, it could never compare to parental love.

”The year before, West Mongolia wanted to arrange a marriage with Song. His majesty merely mentioned that Liu Li was already of age, and the empress dowager erupted. In the end, His Majesty could only send his 13-year-old princess, Jing He, over to West Mongolia,” Xia Chunyu said.

Ye Jiayao clicked her tongue. It was apparent that Liu Li has a higher position in the empress dowager's heart than the actual princess! She was suddenly worried that she has kicked an iron plate.