Chapter 188: Maintain a certain distance Chapter 188: Maintain a certain distance The weather in February was still a bit chilly, and both Prince Jing and Ye Jiu subconsciously drew their clothes tighter around them, even their trembling expressions and the gestures of pulling their clothes closer strikingly similar.

Sikong Mo’s expression darkened a few shades.

Prince Jing, feeling helpless, touched his nose and said awkwardly, “Well, you guys chat, I’ll go find something to eat.”

After Prince Jing left, Ye Jiu shifted her body to maintain a certain distance from Sikong Mo.

Sikong Mo’s eyes darkened, and he leaned in a bit closer, “Do you really… dislike me that much?”

“No… not at all, how can you say that, Sikong Gongzi?” Ye Jiu replied with a stiff smile.

To say she disliked him wasn’t quite it, it was just that the aura of a duplicitous person radiated from him in all directions, truly making it oppressive for those nearby.

Sikong Mo didn’t dwell on that question, but suddenly asked, “Do you like Prince Jing?”

When he asked this question, there was a hint of murderous intent in Sikong Mo’s tone.

And yet, Ye Jiu completely missed it and instead scoffed, “What a joke, I’m only eleven, how could I possibly like an old man who’s so much older than I am?”

Moreover, they were related by blood!

Ye Jiu definitely didn’t want to engage in incest. What on earth were these people thinking?

It was bad enough that Prince Jing was so narcissistic, but even Sikong, with his cold and abstinent appearance, could ask such a question?

Fuck, it seemed she really needed to keep her distance from Prince Jing to prevent further misunderstandings. It really wasn’t good.

Ye Jiu’s answer pleased Sikong Mo, but when he heard the words “old man,” he felt an inexplicable discomfort.

“Do you think Prince Jing is very old?” Sikong Mo asked, frowning.

“A man nearly thirty, he could be my father!” Ye Jiu, misunderstood, was eager to clear the air about her relationship with Prince Jing, and her words came out ruthlessly unkind.

Prince Jing, who hadn’t gone far and was eavesdropping on purpose, fell into deep thought.

That’s right, although he hadn’t asked Ye Jiu her age, judging by the look of this girl, she seemed younger than his eldest son.

His age being enough to be her father was one thing, but being called an old man was really hitting where it hurt.

Prince Jing touched the beard he was intentionally growing, wondering if he really was getting old.

That couldn’t be right; at 27, he was in the prime of his life–how had he become an old man?

Lost in thought, Prince Jing slowly began to walk away.

Similarly, Sikong Mo’s face turned increasingly somber.

If Prince Jing, six years his senior, had already become an old man, was he far behind?

Looking at the girl beside him who wasn’t particularly pretty, Sikong Mo suddenly felt irritable.

When had he started caring about his age?

Sikong Mo kept silent, and Ye Jiu dared not speak either.

She had forgotten that this man most likely worked for Prince Jing.

To insult someone’s superior right in front of them, in an era that greatly valued loyalty and filial piety, was probably no different from cursing someone’s mother in front of their child.

Seeing Sikong Mo’s face darken in an instant, Ye Jiu became even more convinced that her guess was correct.

In an era dominated by imperial power, she realized she needed to be more mindful of her words and actions.

Soon, the aroma of roasted meat wafted over, and Ye Jiu’s grumbling stomach made her forget everything else.