After being reborn, I stole the female lead's cheat ability and raised the empress.

Chapter 138 Clarifying Relationships

This person strode over and quickly moved between the Ninth Prince and Zhao Jihua, separating the two at a distance.

"How could you go out with him? How could you do this to me?"

Zhao Jihua said politely, "Third Prince, you jest. There is no betrothal arrangement between us, neither by our parents nor by a matchmaker. How can there be any talk of 'being worthy' or 'being unworthy'?"

The third prince was speechless for a moment, his face flushed red, and he said in a fit of embarrassment and anger:

"Don't try to deny it. You must have taken a fancy to Ninth Brother, which is why you're so eager to distance yourself from me."

The Ninth Prince stepped forward and smiled gently:

"Third brother, you are mistaken. It is truly my honor to have gained Miss Zhao's favor."

The Third Prince sneered, "Hmph, she's nothing but a social climber. What's so special about her that you like her? Be careful she doesn't end up clinging to someone else!"

The Ninth Prince's eyes turned cold. "Third Brother, watch your words. Miss Zhao is pure and virtuous, exceptionally intelligent. How could she be the person you speak of? Besides,"

He looked at Zhao Jihua with affection, "The fact that she took a liking to me proves that I still have some value. I will always make myself valuable and will not let her dislike me."

"You!" the Third Prince exclaimed in exasperation, "...I think she's bewitched you!"

"I admire Miss Zhao's talent. A graceful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections. It's just that Miss Zhao hasn't given me a response yet. Third Brother, you mustn't tarnish her reputation."

"I'm not talking to you," the Third Prince said, pointing directly at Zhao Jihua, "Zhao Jihua, come here right now!"

The Ninth Prince pulled her behind him: "If Miss Zhao is unwilling, why should Third Brother force her? Besides, Miss Zhao has already made it clear that you have no connection, so Third Brother has no reason to pester you..."

A warm feeling welled up in Zhao Jihua's heart, and her gaze toward the Ninth Prince held a touch more gratitude.

Seeing this, the Third Prince was even more furious. Just as he was about to speak again, he heard the sound of horses' hooves.

Everyone looked over and saw that it was a palace eunuch who had come to deliver an imperial decree. The eunuch said in a shrill voice, "His Majesty summons the Ninth Prince to the palace for an audience."

The Ninth Prince glanced at Zhao Jihua, seemingly to reassure him, before leaving with the eunuch.

The Third Prince turned away with a cold face.

"Third Prince, please wait!" Zhao Jihua called out.

He was secretly pleased, but his face remained angry as he reprimanded the other party with a stern expression: "What you did today was really inappropriate. How can an unmarried woman walk side by side with other men? Where did all the rules and etiquette you learned go?... But it's alright, as long as you bring me some gifts to apologize and promise that you will not associate with other men again, I, the prince, will forgive you!"

"Oh! You have quite the nerve!" Xia Li immediately became displeased. "Weren't you informed when the reform and opening up took place? My sister is stunningly beautiful and has many suitors. Third Prince, would you like to come here and get a number?"

Seeing that her younger sister was about to rush in and fight, Zhao Jihua quickly pulled her back. "Third Prince, you jest. I called you back just to explain something."

She paused, then continued, "The Third Prince and I have been completely innocent since childhood, and have never overstepped any boundaries. Now that the Third Prince is getting married, I hope he will not tarnish my reputation."

Third Prince: "You!"

Finally, he glared at Zhao Jihua and stormed off, leaving Zhao Jihua standing there, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

"What's wrong? My dear sister?" Xia Li comforted her. "No way, really? Our super strong woman, Zhao Jihua, the beautiful Zhao, is actually hurt by a few words from some ordinary guy?"

"Pfft! Li'er, don't be so funny." Zhao Jihua was already used to her occasionally throwing out some strange words. "I'm not doing this for anything... Oh! Pu Xinnan—I just suddenly feel a little guilty. The Ninth Prince seems to be too good to me."

"You won him over way too fast!"

"Yeah, it's too easy, it seems like it was done on purpose..." Zhao Jihua suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "He's gone! Could he have some other purpose?"

Xia Li: ...

Recalling the Ninth Prince's behavior, she slowly said, "Not quite, but it's possible."

"It must be! I knew it. How could he have taken down the Ninth Prince so easily? He must have another purpose!"

Meanwhile, the Ninth Prince, far away in the palace, sneezed several times in a row: "Achoo! Achoo!"

Could it be that Miss Zhao is worried about her own safety?

Thinking this, the Ninth Prince smiled knowingly.

She is such a considerate person.

The emperor, receiving no response, turned to the Ninth Prince: "Nangong Jing! Did you hear me?"

"Ah? Oh, yes, Father."

emperor:……

He threw the memorial in his hand away: "What is it? I asked you what your opinion is on the natural disaster in Lingnan. What are you talking about? Tell me!"

"Um……"

"Fine, I now order you to set off immediately for disaster relief in Lingnan."

"Huh?" Father? You're suddenly entrusting me with such an important task. Why does this smell like a conspiracy?

He tentatively asked, "How many men, how much food, or how much silver does Father Emperor plan to send me?"

The emperor smiled slyly: "I'll send the sixth prince to assist you. As for the silver? You've made a new friend, right? Take her with you; if that doesn't work, take her friend too."

Ninth Prince: "??? Father?!"

Look at what you're saying! Are you even speaking human language?

The abacus beads are practically jumping in my face!

Emperor: "What are you looking at me for? Go raise the money yourself!"

After saying that, he kicked him out of the imperial study.

Ninth Prince: ...

What kind of situation is this? How is he supposed to explain it to Zhao Jihua?

I'm not very familiar with Zhao Jihua yet!

……

Inside the Golden Jade Hall, the Ninth Prince recounted what had just happened.

"what?"

Zhao Jihua and Xia Li exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other's meaning:

The Ninth Prince definitely had ulterior motives!

Xia Li's favorability towards the Ninth Prince instantly decreased by 100.

Who is this person?!

She even shipped the two of them as a couple!

However, it's fine to develop your career in Lingnan.

This will be perfect for helping my sister win people's hearts!

As luck would have it, Zhao Jihua thought the same thing.

So the three of them hit it off immediately and happily went to Lingnan!

……

A horse-drawn carriage slowly drove into the Lingnan region.

The carriage carried Xia Li, Zhao Jihua, the Sixth Prince, and the Ninth Prince, who were ordered to travel to Lingnan for disaster relief.

Zhao Jihua lifted the curtain and glanced outside; all four of them felt a heavy weight in their hearts.

The scene before my eyes was shocking:

The roads were crowded with ragged, emaciated refugees, who were with their families and whose eyes were filled with despair and helplessness.

Upon seeing them, they cried out, "Please, kind sir, have pity on us and give us some food!"

Seeing this, the sixth prince couldn't bear it and immediately rummaged through the carriage, saying, "They are so pitiful. I... I brought some dry rations with me. Let's share them."

"Sixth Prince, you mustn't!" Zhao Jihua and Xia Li shouted in unison, rushing forward to stop him.