Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

The seal of the Queen means the imperial decree, and not going would be disrespectful. Liu Rusi had no choice but to accept it.

Chu Shiyu, on the other hand, had a sullen face and looked serious.

"You will go there too, right? There shouldn't be any problem." Liu Rusi said comfortingly.

"If you have to go, I will go."

Chu Shiyu said seriously: "Normally, the palace officials should distribute the invitation letters, and you can find an excuse not to go. But the letter was specially sent to you by Consort Xian, and it was stamped with the queen's seal, which means you have to go."

Hearing this, Liu Rusi also realized that things were not simple and began to think about it carefully.

"Don't worry too much. I will never let anyone hurt you, anyone!" Chu Shiyu said solemnly. He wanted her to be on guard, but he also didn't want her to worry too much.

Ruifeng's eyes seemed to be firm in his oath, but Liu Rusi was more worried that he would be stressed out by some of her little things and cause serious consequences.

"Chu Shiyu, if you hear from the palace maid that I was punished by Concubine Xian, what will you do?" Liu Rushi asked.

"Of course I will find you immediately!" Chu Shiyu couldn't help but reveal a chill when he heard this assumption.

"But there should be some places in the harem that you can't enter, right? What if someone says I'm in those places?"

Liu Rusi said softly and seriously: "You must know that I am not important. The purpose of this invitation letter must be you."

"But you are very important to me! I will always protect you!" Chu Shiyu roughly understood what she wanted to say, but he did not agree: "You don't have to worry about these! No matter where I break into, I can get out safely."

"Are you sure? Don't want me to take care of this?" Liu Rusi asked calmly with a raised eyebrow.

She didn't say anything threatening, but Chu Shiyu's back stiffened. His intuition told him that it was better not to deny it! He quickly softened his voice and said, "Of course you can manage it, but I just want you to stop worrying."

"If you want me to not worry too much, you have to promise first that you won't make a big deal out of it and be paranoid." Liu Rusi advised patiently. Chu Shiyu's pathological condition of being inseparable has improved a lot recently. This proves that he can change, but it is more difficult.

"The question just now, 'You heard the maid say that I was punished by the imperial concubine', is suspicious. Is what the maid said true? Losing in a game is punishable, and being forced to kneel is also a punishment. Shouldn't we first clarify what the punishment is?"

"I know what you mean. You might be setting up a trap to lure me there."

Chu Shiyu also explained in a gentle voice: "But I don't want to gamble whether you are really wronged. Anyway, if this is the case, I will find you and everything will be clear."

"But if you mobilize a large force just because of some unfounded rumors, there will definitely be trouble!" Liu Rusi was a little helpless. Chu Shiyu was really ill to a certain extent!

"You are the Prince of Duan, and you may not be in danger of your life if you cause trouble in the harem, but what about me? I was originally harmless, is it possible that I will be punished because of your actions?"

Chu Shiyu lowered his eyes slightly. It’s not that he didn’t consider these things, but first, her safety always comes first, and second, “As long as you are not in the palace, no one can easily touch you, not even your father.”

Not knowing whether he was confident or conceited, Liu Rusi asked quietly, "I believe you are stronger than you appear, but if you want to go against your father, you will still pay a price, right?"

Chu Shiyu remained silent. She knew that she had guessed right. No matter how outstanding he was, he was not omnipotent, and the emperor was not a pushover.

Walking a little closer, she gently took one of his hands and held it between her own. Liu Rusi looked up at him and said softly, "Since I was brought here by you, my safety has been closely related to you. Only when you are in good times can I be free from worries."

Unable to extricate himself from indulging in the gentleness she created, Chu Shiyu leaned over and kissed her forehead, and asked softly in a submissive voice: "What do you want me to do?"

"Don't gamble our long-term stability for a momentary calculation."

In the quiet corner of the corridor, the whispered instructions continued for a long time.

……

There are still three days until Mid-Autumn Festival.

Chu Shiyu seemed to be busy these days. For several days in a row, he only came to stay with Liu Rusi for a moment or two before leaving again.

The women's clinic received five patients these days. They were all suffering from common diseases, all within the scope of the 22 prescriptions that Liu Rusi had learned. In addition to seeing patients and prescribing medicine, they also successfully sold some menstrual belts and soaps.

Finally, except for the twins' family, the business is officially open!

"Your medical skills are really good. My aunt's bleeding symptoms improved after taking the medicine you prescribed for five or six days." Fang Qiu sat on the steps at the entrance of the women's clinic and chatted with Liu Rusi beside her.

"These prescriptions are effective. I can only make a superficial diagnosis."

Liu Rusi still had self-knowledge. If there was no prescription, she would not be able to treat the disease even if she knew the cause. Therefore, she was even more impressed by Teacher Li Chunfu's ability to cure diseases. Most of those prescriptions were written by Teacher Li himself.

"If you can use it, it's yours." Fang Qiu looked bored, which was very different from his usual energetic appearance.

"Miss Fang, why are you upset? Do you want to tell me?"

Liu Rusi felt a little guilty. She originally wanted to bring Fang Qiu and Chu Shiyu together, but now she has changed her mind about Chu Shiyu... Although she probably wouldn't stop him if Chu Shiyu changed his mind and married someone else, she can't add fuel to the fire now.

"Alas... I went back that day and asked my father. It is not certain that I will be promised to the King of Gui, but His Highness is too powerful now, and it is difficult for me to find a marriage partner..."

Fang Qiu lowered his voice and said, "Unless the Ziwei star changes, Your Highness will ascend to the top."

Liu Rusi felt a little nervous. The Purple Star symbolizes the emperor... She had just entered this circle and didn't know much. She didn't quite understand why everyone was so optimistic about Chu Shiyu. He was indeed very good, but King Kang didn't seem to be weak either...

"But now Ziweixing is still strong..." Fang Qiu whispered, and sighed sadly: "And I am nearly eighteen years old, and I can't delay my marriage any longer. There should be no hope for me and His Royal Highness Prince Duan."

"Eighteen years old is still the age of the rising sun. You are so outstanding... Even if you are not Prince Duan, you will definitely have a good home." Liu Rusi tried her best to comfort him.

Fang Qiu shook his head and said disdainfully: "The other princes are too young, and most of the other people who are equally matched with me can't even beat me! How can those weaklings belong to me?"

"A good place to belong... doesn't just mean being a man. Do what you like and manage your own life. Even if you can't marry the right person, you can still be your own support and place."

If it were any other woman, Liu Rusi would not say such a thing, because women like Du Ruo and Su Qing were like floating duckweed and could not control their own destiny. But Fang Qiu had the background of General Zhenyuan, so she had the conditions to lead her own life.

Fang Qiu was stunned and muttered, "I like things... If I were a man, it would be great. When my eldest brother and second brother were 18 years old, they would have gone to guard the border..."

Liu Rusi didn’t know whether she should say something. This was Fang Qiu’s life... But, being able to choose one’s own destiny should be the greatest satisfaction of being a human being, right?

"Will there be any punishment for women joining the army?"

"It's not that there is a punishment, but the army simply does not accept women. Even if you are lucky enough to get in, you can't be promoted. Otherwise, when the emperor presents you with a reward, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor..."

As Fang Qiu spoke, his eyes lit up slightly, and he said to himself, "But you can block my military merits. As long as I don't become a deputy general, I won't be rewarded in front of the emperor! If I accidentally make a great contribution, I can confess it immediately! I was born in the Fang family, so His Majesty won't make things difficult for me..."

"No, I just can't get past that! I've asked my brother and father before, but they both disagree with me joining the army! If they don't help, I can only go through the civilian recruitment selection, which requires stripping naked for inspection!"

"The Ministry of War is in charge of recruiting soldiers. In order to prevent spies from enemy countries, the screening process cannot tolerate any falsehood! How can I get past that level without anyone to help me..." Fang Qiu became more and more depressed as she spoke. She knew everything about the military.

"If... I mean if, His Royal Highness Prince Duan helps you, is it possible?" Liu Rusi asked quietly.

"According to military law, the prince does not have the power to send people into the army...but His Royal Highness Prince Duan has extraordinary powers and is not an ordinary person!" Fang Qiu's eyes were already shining!

"Madam Liu, can you please ask for me?" Fang Qiu's eyes were full of hope.

"Okay, I'll ask when the prince comes."

Liu Rusi felt a little guilty. Was it not good to be generous to Chu Shiyu because of her guilt towards Fang Qiu? However, she hoped that Fang Qiu could achieve her wish. The star-picking competition in the Ladies Pavilion that day was enough to prove that Fang Qiu was excellent.

"No matter if it succeeds or not, thank you in advance!" Fang Qiu's depression disappeared instantly and he became full of energy!

"You and Princess Changning introduced the patient here, I should thank you." Liu Rusi smiled gently. Although her target group was common women, noble ladies were actually less influenced by Confucian ethics. They had a broader vision and knew that health and life were more important than observing trivial principles.

"Oh! Just something I mentioned casually!"

Fang Qiu then complained bluntly: "It was me who said that I came to ask you to go out and play, but you insisted on staying in the women's clinic, and no one showed up for a long time!"

Liu Rusi smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm just afraid that if someone comes, I won't be here... It's already twilight hour now, why don't you go out for a walk? Or have dinner at my house later?"

"Okay, let's go~" Fang Qiu readily pulled Liu Rusi and was about to leave.

The guard of Prince Duan, who was drinking tea under the shed nearby, stood up immediately and stepped forward and said respectfully, "If Madam Liu wants to go out, please bring the maid and the guard with you!"

Fang Qiu said unhappily, "Why do you need guards when I'm here? Just call two maids inside!"

"Caiyun, would you like to come together?" Liu Rusi asked hurriedly. Fang Qiu was an impatient person and would do something immediately after saying it.

Caiyun nodded and came out happily. Like her sister Si, she hadn't gone out to stroll since she came to the house! Xuefei and Qiuju followed consciously, leaving Meihong, who was working at the women's clinic, to close the door and look after the house.

Seeing that the maid was there, Fang Qiu pulled Liu Rusi to the east, as that side was closer to the imperial city and more lively.

The guards quickly caught up with the man who was blocking the road and said urgently, "The prince has asked for four guards to guard the palace, or you can bring us guards with you!"

Before Liu Rusi could answer, Fang Qiu said unhappily, "Why are you all strolling around? I told you I'm enough. If you don't believe me, all three of you come at me together! Try to fight me!"

The guards looked embarrassed and shook their heads quickly. It was not that they really thought they could not win. They were all masters who were able to obtain the Heavenly Stem Sequence and were one in a hundred. Even His Royal Highness Prince Duan himself would not have an easy time facing the three of them joining forces. However, they did not want to offend Fang Qiu on behalf of their master because of his identity.

"Miss Fang and I will be back in an hour. I will explain to the prince later." Liu Rusi also persuaded. She and Fang Qiu had the same idea on this point, otherwise they would not have stayed at home for so long after moving.

"Alright! I promise to bring Madam Liu back safely, or I will cut off my own head as compensation to His Royal Highness Prince Duan!"

Fang Qiu pulled Liu Rusi over and tried to bypass the guards. Seeing that they were still trying to stop him, he raised his eyebrows and shouted angrily, "If you try to stop me again, I'll beat you up!"

The three guards exchanged glances, then lowered their heads and made way. They could find other ways to make up for it, but they could not really come into conflict with the Fang family's eldest daughter.

Liu Rusi was finally able to follow Fang Qiu. She felt very happy with the east wind. Once there is a chance, there will be a second chance. She will surely be freer in the future.

Five women gathered in the streets of the capital, and after walking around for a while, they were soon filled with laughter and joy.

What they didn't know was that four guards were quietly following them, and halfway through they discovered six other martial artists who were also following them!

"Don't be nervous, brother! We are secretly protecting Miss Fang Qiu!" The person who spoke was actually a woman!

Although it was surprising that the other party had two female secret guards, Prince Duan's guards also nodded in understanding. It was common sense for the legitimate daughter of General Zhenyuan to have someone secretly accompanying her to protect her.

Liu Rusi's house was in a good location, so even if the women walked slowly, they soon reached Chang'an Street, the most prosperous street in the capital.

Caiyun smelled the fragrant glutinous rice balls on the street stalls and said, "Sister Si, Sister Qiu, wait a moment, I want to eat this."

Caiyun has a simple and honest personality, and Fang Qiu has a straightforward personality. After getting to know each other, they both have a good impression of each other.

"I'll buy one too. It smells delicious. Do you want to eat it?" Fang Qiu asked Liu Rusi and took out his wallet.

Liu Rusi nodded, but smiled and put back her hand that was taking out the money and said, "I'll treat you when we go to the street to buy snacks. This is customary."

"What strange convention?" Fang Qiu looked confused, but she didn't refuse. She hated tugging and pushing the most.

Liu Rusi smiled and turned to ask Xue Fei and Qiu Ju: "Do you want to eat?"

Caiyun had already taken the hot meatballs, took a bite, and nodded to them while sniffing, indicating that they were delicious!

The two little girls couldn't help but nodded.

"A total of fifteen cents...Thank you for your patronage!" The stall owner sold five strings of meatballs with a smile.

While chewing the golden meatballs, Fang Qiu joked, "You even bring copper coins with you when you go out. Aren't they heavy?"

Liu Rusi swallowed the meatball carefully, then said softly: "I carry about a hundred coins with me to remind myself that I am just an ordinary person."

"Ordinary?" Fang Qiu looked Liu Rusi up and down, thinking how could this appearance not be ordinary...

"Madam, did you drop your handkerchief?"

A well-dressed middle-aged man with a servant came forward with a square handkerchief in his hand, looking at Liu Rusi with burning eyes!

Everyone knows this old-fashioned way of chatting up people. Fang Qiu stood in front of him, and how could someone tease her next to her?! She raised her eyebrows and angrily shouted, "Open your dog eyes and see who I am?!"

The middle-aged man really didn't know who this was, but Fang Qiu's aura also intimidated him. The emperor never lacked important figures under his feet. He quickly said, "It's good that it's not the lady's handkerchief. I am sorry for offending you."

The man turned around and left with his servants, but he looked back reluctantly as he walked. He could see that the women were dressed in extraordinary clothes, but the woman was really beautiful, and the kind that made people want to be with her...

"Swish!" The sound of swords being unsheathed!

"Dismiss those inappropriate thoughts!"