Transmigrated As My Former Uncle's Sweetheart

Unaware of Long Yang's thoughts, Chu Qi helped Ji'er put on her shoes and cloak. Gazing down at her, he asked, "Do you want to sit with the Emperor?"

"No." Ji'er shook her head and gripped his sleeve.

Chu Qi decided not to force her and sat down beside her.

Just then, Yaoyao sprinted down the jade stairs and took advantage of her small size to squeeze between them.

Ji'er glowered at her.

With a cheeky grin, Yaoyao kneaded her cheeks and complimented, "My little sister's so pretty."

Ji'er, "..."

Next to them, Lin Qingyuan burst out laughing. "Second Princess, you and Princess Ji'er look exactly the same. Are you actually trying to compliment yourself?"

"We don't look exactly the same. Ji'er has a beauty spot on her forehead--see for yourself." With an air of seriousness, Yaoyao twisted Ji'er's head to face her.

Lin Qingyuan could not contain her laughter. Princess Yaoyao was truly a mischievous little clown.

Ji'er swatted Yaoyao's hand away. "Go back to your own seat."

"No. I want to sit with Big Bro Lil Qi." Yaoyao pulled a face and put her hands around Chu Qi's arm as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Chu Qi shot her a glance and removed her hands from him promptly.

Ji'er grinned, her eyes twinkling.

Seeing the expression freeze on her sister's face, she could not help pulling a face at her in return.

Yaoyao, "..."

Everyone's attention was captured by these two princesses, so amused by their comical interactions that they had completely forgotten about Princess Man Li.

However, Princess Man Li refused to accept this.

Casting one long look at Chu Qi, she took a handkerchief from her maidservant and wiped the blood from her mouth. Then, she curtsied gracefully to the Emperor and Empress seated high on the throne and proclaimed earnestly, "Most honorable Emperor of Great Shang, I have come on behalf of Southern Xinjiang to offer our utmost respect and declare our eternal submission. Therefore, I humbly ask that you..."

Long Yang could discern Man Li's character and the intention behind her words right away.

Although he wished to grant Chu Qi a marriage, he did not want to force a woman like this on him either.

Therefore, he interrupted her coolly, "Thank you for taking the effort to travel all the way here, Princess Man Li. You may return to your seat."

Princess Man Li was stunned. She was certain that the Emperor of Great Shang had understood her intention.

So had Lu Liangwei. Seeing Princess Man Li rooted to the spot, she quickly said to the servants, "Help Princess Man Li back to her seat."

Immediately, a servant approached the frozen-faced Princess Man Li and showed her back to her seat.

Ji'er drew close to Yaoyao and whispered something in her ear.

Yaoyao nodded and tugged at Chu Qi's sleeve, motioning for him to lower his head.

Chu Qi wanted to ignore her, but seeing Ji'er nod at him, he reluctantly lowered his head.

Yaoyao put her mouth to his ear and said cheekily, "Lil Sis said you're not allowed to marry Man Li."

Chu Qi's eyes flickered over to Ji'er in surprise.

Ji'er stared at him expectantly, her lips slightly pursed.

Chu Qi replied wearily, "I've never thought of getting married."

Yaoyao relayed his response to Ji'er without leaving out a single word.

Ji'er beamed, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

Yaoyao put an arm around her shoulder and pretended to chide her like an adult. "Ji'er, you're being too controlling. How could you forbid Big Bro Lil Qi from getting married?"

Ji'er answered without batting an eye, "I didn't forbid him from getting married--he said that himself. I only forbade him from marrying Man Li. That woman looks like bad news."

Lin Qingyuan, who was sitting close by, was flabbergasted when she heard this.

She turned to Long Xuan and exclaimed, "Princess Ji'er is only nine, isn't she? Why does she talk like an adult?"

Long Xuan chuckled. "She's right, though."