Steward Cen was utterly shocked: "Young Master Ji, didn’t you leave?"
Ji Li glared fiercely at Meng Qianqian, "How did you know I didn’t actually leave?"
Meng Qianqian spread her hands: "I guessed."
Ji Li’s face turned dark: "...That works?"
Meng Qianqian said, "Are you going to explain inside, or out here? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. The whole town knows about you eloping with Princess Wanping. People following your movements are as numerous as carp in the river. Speak here if you dare."
Behind the wall, in the alley, on the street... anywhere a person could stand, there were sneaky onlookers everywhere.
Ji Li, upright and unafraid, declared righteously, "When did I ever abduct Princess Wanping? She came of her own free will!"
Meng Qianqian raised an eyebrow, "Oh? So, you’re admitting the two of you ran off together?"
Ji Li clenched his fists, blowing up again, "What running off? Ridiculous! That never happened!"
Meng Qianqian asked unhurriedly, "Did the two of you leave the hunting grounds without notifying anyone?"
Ji Li: I went to hunt the tiger with glaring eyes. Notify who? How? What if someone stole my prey?
Meng Qianqian: "After leaving the hunting grounds, did you continue heading south?"
Ji Li: The compass broke!
Meng Qianqian: "Didn’t you tell Princess Wanping that as long as she had you, she didn’t need Chang Kuan to come along?"
Ji Li: Chang Kuan was injured!!!
The bold onlookers who had only dared to sneak glances before were now brazenly crowding to the Governor Mansion’s gates.
Each time Meng Qianqian issued a piercing question, a wave of realization swept through the crowd.
Meng Qianqian said, "Give us an explanation."
Ji Li said, "What explanation?"
Meng Qianqian, with a dead-serious face, said, "A wedding!"
The crowd raised their voices in unison, "A wedding! A wedding! A wedding!"
Ji Li jumped up, "Shut up! Shut up! All of you shut your mouths for me!"
Just then, a carriage slowly rolled up behind the crowd.
Eunuch Fu stepped off the carriage, raised his horsetail whisk high, and announced in a booming voice, "A royal decree!"
The crowd hastily made way.
Meng Qianqian descended the steps.
Eunuch Fu approached Ji Li, unfurling the decree in his hands: "Rooster Guard Ji Li, talented and valiant, unparalleled in martial arts, having achieved great military merit at the border, is hereby granted marriage to Princess Wanping, conferred the title of Capital Commandant, the wedding to be held immediately."
"Rooster Guard, receive the decree!"
The crowd collectively gasped.
Brother, don’t be so reckless! Defying a decree is a beheading offense!
Meng Qianqian politely said to Eunuch Fu, "Let me try to persuade him."
Eunuch Fu smiled, "Much obliged, Young Madam Lu."
Rules are dead, but people are alive. Princess Wanping is getting married to a Prince Consort – this is a joyous occasion for everyone.
The Supreme Emperor has said, as long as the Prince Consort doesn’t commit murder or arson, a bit of swearing isn’t a problem.
Meng Qianqian said to Ji Li, "Are you really not accepting the decree?"
Ji Li replied rebelliously, "Not accepting."
Meng Qianqian said, "If you won’t accept, I’ll be forced to use stronger measures."
Ji Li sneered, "Are you planning to threaten me using my own weaknesses again? Let me tell you, that won’t work!"
Defying the decree would mean execution. If he wanted to live, he’d have to leave Great Zhou.
Since he’s planning to leave, why worry about his embarrassing deeds being exposed?
One trick might work once, but this little girl shouldn’t get too proud.
Meng Qianqian gave a long, dramatic sigh. "If you won’t drink the toast, you’ll have to drink the penalty wine. You’re forcing me to play hardball. Eunuch Fu, I’ll accept the decree for him."
Ji Li said, "What right do you have to accept it on my behalf? Who are you to me?"
I’m your Grand Marshal!
Meng Qianqian took the decree and said to Ji Li, "Will you walk yourself to the bridal sedan, or should I have people tie you up and carry you there?"
Ji Li chuckled coldly, "Tie me? Little Yin Hu, surely you don’t think your pathetic martial skills can do anything to me. I came back to the capital with Lu Yuan because I *chose* to, not because he forced me. Even if the two of you joined forces, you wouldn’t be my match!"
Tan’er, nibbling on a candied hawthorn skewer, suddenly looked up at the sky: "Wow, so many cows are flying up there!"
"Who said I was going to fight you?"
Meng Qianqian took Tan’er’s hand and headed into the mansion. "Grandfather—"
Ji Li’s body stiffened!
The Miao King swaggered out of the Governor Mansion, "Granddaughter-in-law, you’ve arrived!"
Ji Li secretly clenched his teeth. He and the Miao King weren’t even on the same level. Though a rising star among the younger generation, against an old monster like the Miao King, he didn’t stand a chance!
She had quite the tricks!
Hmph, can’t beat him? Well, he could still run, couldn’t he?
Ji Li spun on his heel and walked off.
Meng Qianqian didn’t even turn her head: "Big Brother—"
Chen Long descended from the sky, blocking Ji Li’s escape route.
Ji Li’s hairs stood on end: Damn it!