Rumor Has It That I'm Pregnant with His Highness' Child

214 Luring the Enemy

Yu Niaoniao asked someone to set up tables and chairs in the courtyard.

She sat behind the table and dipped her pen in ink, drawing as she listened to a description.

Portraits flowed from her pen. When those people saw the portraits, they were shocked by how lifelike they were.

As if they had obtained a treasure, they carefully held the portrait and kept kowtowing to Yu Niaoniao to thank her.

!!

Yu Niaoniao got someone to bring over a bench and invited these people to sit down for tea and rest. At the same time, she asked them about the details of the girls’ disappearance.

Soon the morning passed.

Yu Niaoniao asked them to stay for lunch, but they declined.

It was already very kind of her to be willing to help them draw a portrait for free. How could they be thick-skinned enough to stay and freeload?

After everyone had left, Yu Niaoniao got someone to tidy up the courtyard. From the corner of her eye, she saw Shen Xu sitting under the porch and sunbathing.

He was wearing an apricot-colored kilt and two jade hairpins in his bun. In order to make his skin look more like a woman’s, he had specially applied makeup to his face. He had also applied a little lipstick to his lips and his eyebrows were described as thin.

At first glance, he really looked like a young and beautiful lady.

He held his round fan and fanned it from time to time. From time to time, he sipped his tea and looked very relaxed.

Yu Niaoniao walked over. “Why are you here?”

When Shen Xu saw that it was her, he immediately sat up and said solicitously.

“Sit down too.”

After Yu Niaoniao sat down, Shen Xu continued.

“I’m afraid to go out, so I can only sit here and bask in the sun and drink tea.”

With his character, he would definitely have to go out and have fun when he reached a place. However, the situation was disadvantageous to him now. In order to survive, he could only suppress his nature and stay at this small relay station.

Yu Niaoniao smiled.

“If you want to go out, I can accompany you.”

Shen Xu was delighted at first, but then he wilted.

“You don’t know martial arts. What if we encounter assassins again If we go out together? We don’t even have the ability to protect ourselves. Let’s forget it.”

He was still more willing to save his life than enjoy his freedom.

Yu Niaoniao was full of confidence. “Don’t worry. I’ll arrange it. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Shen Xu was skeptical. “Really?”

Yu Niaoniao said, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll go to Duke Lang now. I’ll explain this to him clearly. He’ll definitely agree.”

Shen Xu immediately responded.

“As long as Duke Lang says yes, I’ll follow you out.”

Yu Niaoniao immediately smiled. “Alright, wait for me.”

She stood up and walked into the house.

At this moment, Xiao Juan was consulting a dossier in the guest room on the second floor. When he saw Yu Niaoniao walk in, he put down the dossier and asked.

“What can I do for you?”

Yu Niaoniao walked to the table and poured tea for him solicitously.

“I have something to discuss with you.”

Xiao Juan looked to be all ears. “Speak.”

Yu Niaoniao said, “There’s a market in the city today. I want to take Shen Xu out for a walk.”

Xiao Juan was puzzled. “That’s it?”

Yu Niaoniao told him her plan.

“I just chatted with the families of those kidnapped. From what they said, the big girls and young wives had been abducted while they were visiting the temple fair, watching the big show, or touring the lantern fair. There was something in common. They were all abducted when there were too many people around to care about them.”

Xiao Juan quickly understood what she meant and asked with a frown.

“Are you trying to lure the enemy out?”

If that was the case, Xiao Juan would definitely object. He could not let her fall into danger.

Unexpectedly, Yu Niaoniao waved her hand.

“I’m a man now, so I can’t lure the snake out of its hole. I still have to rely on Shen Xu for this. He’s the real wife now.”

Xiao’s tired brows relaxed. This plan was not bad. It could lure the snake out of its hole without risking her life.

As for whether Shen Xu was in danger?

That didn’t need to be considered. The guy deserved a beating. It was a good chance to make him suffer.

Xiao Juan made a decisive decision. “We’ll do as you say. I’ll arrange for someone to protect you in secret.”

Yu Niaoniao pinched her fingers in the shape of a heart.

“Your Highness is really wise and mighty. I love you more and more!”

Xiao Juan lowered his eyes and said nonchalantly, “Don’t be glib.”

After Yu Niaoniao ran away, Xiao Juan raised his right hand and imitated her. He pinched his index finger and thumb together and gestured a small heart in an unfamiliar manner.

He had never understood the specific meaning of this action, but for some reason, every time he saw Yu Niaoniao do this, he felt that she was especially cute.

Shen Xu sat on the porch and waited for a while. When he saw that Yu Niaoniao had returned, he hurriedly asked.

...

“What did Duke Lang say?”

Yu Niaoniao gave him an OK gesture. “He said yes!”

Shen Xu was extremely surprised. “Really?”

Yu Niaoniao said, “If you don’t believe me, you can ask him yourself.”

Seeing that she was so open and did not seem to be lying, Shen Xu could not help but believe her.

But he was still worried. “What if we run into danger out there?”

Yu Niaoniao patted her chest and promised.

“Don’t worry, Duke Lang will send someone to protect us in secret. Nothing will happen!”

Hearing this, Shen Xu no longer hesitated and immediately stood up.

“Shall we go out now?”

Yu Niaoniao agreed.

...

Dang Gui wanted to follow them.

However, Yu Niaoniao let Dang Gui stay in the courier station.

She whispered to Dang Gui.

“We have something else to do this time, so it’s not convenient for us to bring you along. Let’s wait for the next time. The next time we go out, I’ll definitely bring you along!”

Although Dang Gui was still unwilling, she did not want to make things difficult for Yu Niaoniao. In the end, she nodded reluctantly.

“Okay, then.”

After comforting Dang Gui, Yu Niaoniao accompanied Shen Xu out.

They settled into the carriage.

Not long after they left, Xiao Juan asked someone to call County Magistrate Liu over.

After knowing that Prince Min had summoned him, County Magistrate Liu did not dare to delay for a moment and quickly rushed to the courier station.

Xiao Juan threw the pile of dossiers in front of County Magistrate Liu.

“These are all the cases you’ve handled in recent years. I’ve read them all.”

Cold sweat broke out on Magistrate Liu’s forehead.

He also knew that the cases he had worked on were unpresentable, but he had no choice. It was not good to offend local gentry. All he could do was try not to offend either side.

Xiao Juan said coldly, “Just based on the cases you’ve handled, I can send a memorial to the emperor to convict you of being lazy and incompetent.”

Magistrate Liu hurriedly knelt down and begged for mercy.

“I know my mistake. I won’t dare to do it again. Please forgive me!”

“I can give you a chance to redeem yourself.”

Xiao Juan threw a stack of portraits of women in front of County Magistrate Liu.

“As long as you can find these lost women, I will let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, you will be sent to the prison of the Justice Department.”

Magistrate Liu felt as if someone had grabbed his throat. He could not even say a word. He could only accept his fate and kowtow.

“As you command.”