Chapter 160: Chapter 160: "Daring to Covet My Empress Is a Capital Crime.

Li Yun had already returned to the palace by noon. Ming Lingyi truly hadn’t expected to see the man again so soon.

’Doesn’t he find it troublesome, coming and going from the palace so frequently?’

Of course, Li Yun didn’t.

He was indeed very busy today. A small battle had recently broken out on the border of the Dayan Dynasty.

While it wasn’t a full-scale war, the trouble stirred up by the small neighboring countries was still cause for vigilance.

If the surrounding small countries were to unite and cause trouble for the Dayan Dynasty, it would be a major headache.

Therefore, before a larger problem could emerge, Li Yun was determined to nip any potential unrest in the bud.

He had returned to the palace at noon because he had received an urgent letter from the border that required his immediate attention.

Li Yun still had people keeping an eye on Ming Lingyi and Ming’s Restaurant.

When he first learned that Jiang Yuchuan had gone to the restaurant again, Li Yun hadn’t paid it much mind.

For the past few days, Jiang Yuchuan hadn’t been able to visit Ming’s Restaurant to see Ming Lingyi.

Jiang Yuchuan had previously seen him with Ming Lingyi at the restaurant. Li Yun believed that this young Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, whom he held in high regard, would have gone home, thought things through, and weighed the pros and cons.

Based on his understanding of Lingyi, he was certain that even though she hadn’t said a word, Jiang Yuchuan would never have a chance with her.

His Yuan Niang had always been a very decisive person.

But when he learned that Jiang Yuchuan had stayed at the restaurant all day, refusing to leave, Li Yun grew restless in the palace.

It was one thing for Ming Lingyi to refuse to take Jiang Yuchuan back, but it was another matter entirely for him to pursue her relentlessly.

’Hadn’t he also relied on shameless persistence to make his Yuan Niang relent a little? What if that scoundrel Jiang Yuchuan copied his method and refused to leave her alone?’

’How could Li Yun possibly sit still at the thought that Lingyi might have a moment of weakness and be kind to Jiang Yuchuan again?’

Even with a pile of state affairs left unfinished, he had to leave the palace at once to shield Ming Lingyi from this unwanted suitor!

When Ming Lingyi heard Li Yun’s voice, she looked up, almost subconsciously calling out his name.

Fortunately, she caught herself just as the name reached her lips. While Jiang Yuchuan was focused on Li Yun and not paying her any mind, she shot the man a fierce glare.

’For Li Yun to call me Yuan Niang in front of Jiang Yuchuan at a time like this... isn’t he just deliberately trying to start something?’

"Emperor..." Ming Lingyi greeted him reluctantly.

How could Li Yun fail to notice her perfunctory attitude?

Li Yun’s gaze shifted to the man behind Ming Lingyi. "Jiang Aiqing, you seem quite fond of coming to Ming’s Restaurant." He was annoyed by Lingyi’s dismissiveness, but since he couldn’t take it out on her, he directed his cold inquiry at the day’s "arch-culprit."

Before Jiang Yuchuan could answer, Li Yun continued his questioning.

This time, however, his question was far more pointed and direct.

"I just don’t know, Jiang Aiqing. Do you come to Ming’s Restaurant because you enjoy the food, or is there another reason?"

This wasn’t the first time Li Yun had asked this. Last time, however, Jiang Yuchuan had hidden his feelings, not wanting to damage Ming Lingyi’s reputation.

But tonight, Jiang Yuchuan raised his head and met the Emperor’s gaze with a certain fearlessness. The Emperor stood not far away, still dressed in his black, golden silk dragon robe.

"In response to Your Majesty, this humble servant admires Miss Ming. That is why I frequent Ming’s Restaurant. Merely seeing Mrs. Ming and exchanging a few words with her brings this humble servant great joy."

Jiang Yuchuan said this all calmly.

Ming Lingyi, however, was startled by his words. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

’Was this what Jiang Yuchuan wanted to tell me earlier?’

"Lord Jiang..."

Ming Lingyi began to speak. No matter what, she felt it was extremely unwise for Jiang Yuchuan to confess all this in front of Li Yun.

And not worth the risk.

’There was no future for them, so why did Jiang Yuchuan have to say all this to Li Yun? He should have known Li Yun would hate hearing it, yet he said it anyway.’

’If he hadn’t spoken up, Ming Lingyi was certain Jiang Yuchuan’s career wouldn’t have been affected. Li Yun wouldn’t cause trouble over something baseless. But now...’

Ming Lingyi’s brows furrowed deeply once more.

Sure enough, after Jiang Yuchuan finished speaking, Li Yun’s expression turned completely grim.

He strode over, his gaze on Jiang Yuchuan anything but calm.

"Jiang Aiqing, do you have any idea what you’re saying?" Li Yun asked coldly.

Jiang Yuchuan replied, "I do, Your Majesty. My mind has never been clearer. I adore Miss Ming, and if Miss Ming is willing, I..."

"You have a lot of nerve!"

In the end, Jiang Yuchuan was unable to finish his sentence.

Li Yun kicked him to the ground, silencing his unspoken words. At the same time, the sharp Xuan Iron sword that had accompanied Li Yun through years of battle was suddenly unsheathed, its cold tip pointed at Jiang Yuchuan on the ground.

"Have you lost your mind, Li Yun!"

Seeing this, Ming Lingyi realized the Black Armor Guards had cleared the street at some point; not a single commoner was in sight. She rushed in front of Li Yun, reaching out to grab the sword from his hand.

"Who do you think you’re pointing that sword at!" Ming Lingyi snapped.

To Li Yun, it was utterly impossible for someone with Ming Lingyi’s slight frame and strength to wrest the deadly sword from his grasp.

But he was afraid of hurting her.

He knew just how sharp his own blade was.

The instant he saw her reach for the lethal weapon, Li Yun raised his arm, dodging her outstretched hand.

His expression grew even darker.

It was as dark as a midsummer sky just before a thunderclap, with clouds that felt heavy enough to press down on one’s head.

"What are you doing? Don’t you know this is dangerous? What if you hurt yourself?" Li Yun snapped at her, his anger flaring. The one thing he could not bear was seeing her harm herself in his presence.

Five years ago, he had fought tooth and nail to return, but in the end, he was a step too late.

He could not bear to see any harm befall her before his eyes ever again.

Ming Lingyi’s temper flared as well. "What am I doing? I’m trying to stop you! Don’t you see what you’re doing? What crime has Lord Jiang committed to make you point a sword at him?"

Li Yun ground his back teeth, his eyes turning crimson as he watched Ming Lingyi defend Jiang Yuchuan.

"He covets Our Empress. That is a crime punishable by death."

The words seemed to be forced from between Li Yun’s teeth, one by one.

He didn’t look at Ming Lingyi as he spoke. Instead, his deadly gaze was fixed on Jiang Yuchuan on the ground.

He wanted to make the man understand Ming Lingyi’s identity. He wanted him to recognize the insurmountable obstacle and retreat, to never again dare to have designs on her.

’His Yuan Niang could only be his.’