It was all Baili Xi's fault. Why did he have to come at this particular time? Didn't he have plenty of spies around her? Why didn't he know to gather information beforehand and then enter? He had to run into Gu Beichen.
And he had to spout useless nonsense. Wasn't this deliberately causing trouble for her? Couldn't he just give her some peace of mind?
"You are the princess of Xiliang, and he is a Xiliang minister specifically assigned to protect you. It's only natural that he cares for you so much and protects you with all his might. I should be relieved, how could I possibly be unhappy..."
"I just felt that what Baili Xi said was a bit unpleasant, and I couldn't help but argue with him a couple of times. I've caused you trouble, don't be angry because of this."
Just now, she was only focused on her own pleasure and had severely berated Baili Xi. Her mouth felt good after speaking, but afterward, she regretted it. Wasn't this causing trouble for Murong Jinyun?
That Baili Xi was not someone to be trifled with either. He had a fierce and imposing appearance. He had left obediently now, but what if he turned back after she left to find trouble with Murong Jinyun?
"It's alright. This was Baili Xi's fault. A scolding or two is enough. By the way... I've been cooped up in this courtyard for several days. The weather is nice today, shall we go for a walk together?"
She had indeed been cooped up in this courtyard for several days and really wanted to go out. Moreover, it had been a long time since she had spent time alone with Gu Beichen.
Gu Beichen's expression suddenly changed, appearing somewhat troubled. After a pause, he said with deep apology, "I'm afraid I can't today. I still have some official duties to attend to. Tomorrow... tomorrow, after I've handled my current tasks, I'll take you out of the city, alright?"
There were only a few fun places in the capital, and she had seen them all. There was nothing else to see.
Only outside the city, where Murong Jinyu had not been yet. If she wanted to go, after he finished his current tasks, he could take Murong Jinyu out of the city for a good time.
"Still have to wait until tomorrow?"
Murong Jinyun's tone was slightly disappointed, and her joyful mood gradually dampened.
"I'm sorry... you mentioned it so suddenly, and I haven't prepared anything..."
This was indeed not his fault. It was just that he had too many tasks on hand these past few days, and a pile of them were still waiting to be processed.
Murong Jinyun suddenly bringing up wanting to go out meant he really couldn't free up that time. He could only wait until tomorrow.
He just didn't know if Murong Jinyu would still be willing to wait.
"Then it will have to be tomorrow, I guess..."
Although Murong Jinyun was slightly dissatisfied, such matters were beyond her control. She had to let Gu Beichen finish his tasks before they could go out.
"I've wronged you this time. I will definitely find an opportunity to compensate you properly."
Gu Beichen, full of apology, held Murong Jinyu's hand and gently comforted her. After staying for a while longer, he hurried back to handle his official duties.
After Gu Beichen's figure disappeared, a maidservant stepped forward and whispered into Murong Jinyun's ear, "Princess, General Baili is waiting for you in the side room."
Murong Jinyun's eyes narrowed sharply. Her slightly narrowed eyes suppressed her anger. Baili Xi, that impudent fellow, still dared to stay here. Was he deliberately trying to displease her?
"Princess, shall this servant go and invite General Baili?"
They couldn't let the princess condescend to meet General Baili. No matter how arduous Baili General's efforts or how high his merit, the ruler is above the minister, and the princess is the ruler. Asking the princess to personally meet General Baili was something she couldn't say.
"No need, this princess will go see him!"
Murong Jinyun said with an unkind tone. Baili Xi was becoming more and more arrogant and presumptuous, and he was showing her even less respect. He wished she would do everything according to his wishes. Those who didn't know might even think that Baili Xi was the master.
Her courtyard was filled with Baili Xi's spies, and he wanted to control everything about her.
She had tolerated it for so long. If Baili Xi could be more compliant, she could endure it. If he continued to push his luck, she wouldn't be a pushover.
"Princess, you're so busy. You've finally arrived," Baili Xi said sourly upon seeing Murong Jinyun.
Knowing he was here, the princess still continued to talk with that Gu Beichen as if he didn't matter, deliberately leaving him waiting here for a long time.
Baili Xi's dissatisfaction grew, all his emotions written on his face. His expression was not pleasant.
"What's wrong? Did this princess arrive late and displease General Baili, or do you feel that waiting for this princess here has wronged the General?"
Murong Jinyun was also full of anger at this moment. When these two balls of fire collided, it was naturally impossible for things to proceed calmly. A verbal battle was inevitable.
"You all go down. No one is allowed in without this princess's order."
"Yes, this servant obeys!" The maids following Murong Jinyun curtsied in unison and retreated together, not daring to delay for a single second, leaving the space to the two of them.
"Princess, what is the meaning of dismissing all the maids?"
"It's merely to save General Baili some face. Does General Baili want the servants to witness your disheveled state?"
Baili Xi took a deep breath to suppress the anger in his heart. He was merely a minister, and the princess was the ruler. No matter how angry he was, he could not be disrespectful to the princess.
"I am informing you one last time, withdraw all the spies you have planted around this princess. Otherwise, don't blame this princess for taking action herself. If I act too harshly then, it will be difficult to save your face!"
She was truly fed up with living under surveillance. Every move she made felt like it was under Baili Xi's watchful eye.
"Princess, the reason this subject planted these spies is absolutely not to monitor the princess, but only to protect the princess's safety. You are in Dongchu territory, and Dongchu deliberately separated the princess and Chen, giving the excuse of preparing for the wedding, but in reality, harboring ill intentions!"
"This subject is ordered by His Majesty to protect the princess and absolutely cannot afford any oversight. If the princess suffers any harm, even death would not atone for my sins. Therefore, for the princess's safety, these spies cannot be withdrawn by this subject. I implore the princess to understand my earnest efforts!"
Baili Xi's heartfelt words were enough to move listeners to tears and deeply touch those who heard them. He was truly loyal.
"You really won't withdraw them?"