Chapter 94 - Bodyguard

When Yu Yingyi entered the architecture shop, a slumped over Nian Zhen could be seen on the counter. There was also a strong smell of alcohol coming from Nian Zhen which made Yu Yingyi pinch her nose to block out the smell.

"Nian Zhen?" Yu Yingyi called out, unsure if it was her or not. "Is that you?"

Instead of getting a reply, there was a loud cough followed by a hoarse voice.

"Princess...." Nian Zhen muttered as she turned around to face Yu Yingyi. "Is that you?"

Yu Yingyi was startled, there were dark circles under Nian Zhen's golden eyes and she looked like she could pass out at any second.

"Nian Zhen! It's not even afternoon yet, why are you drinking?" Yu Yingyi asked, concern written across her face.

"I'm not..." Nian Zhen's voice trailed off. "I'm not drunk!"

"Yes you are, I can even smell the alcohol coming off your clothes," Yu Yingyi as she looked at Nian Zhen helplessly.

Despite Nian Zhen being drunk, her voice remained monotone and her expression didn't change at all except she looked a bit tired. Yu Yingyi walked over to help Nian Zhen stand up straight before she could fall over and hit her head.

However, before Yu Yingyi could help Nian Zhen, she was pushed onto the ground by Nian Zhen.

*THUD*

Her back hit against the hard wooden floor causing Yu Yingyi to groan in pain. She tried pushing Nian Zhen off of her, but she was too heavy to be moved. It felt like all of Nian Zhen's weight was on her. She had to stay still before Nian Zhen finally started to move.

Yu Yingyi thought Nian Zhen passed out for a second and finally recovered, but she was wrong. Nian Zhen was above Yu Yingyi and Nian Zhen's arms were blocking the way for Yu Yingyi to escape.

"Uh, Nian Zhen?" Yu Yingyi called out worriedly. She could see an unexplainable desire in Nian Zhen's eyes.

"Princess," Nian Zhen muttered.

For the first time, Yu Yingyi heard Nian Zhen's voice, yet she wished it didn't change because Nian Zhen's tone sounded as if she was longing for Yu Yingyi.

Before Yu Yingyi knew it, Nian Zhen was already leaning down towards her while their eyes were locked. It took a second for Yu Yingyi to snap out of it. Yu Yingyi gripped Nian Zhen's shoulders to stop her from lowering any further.

"Nian Zhen! Get off me!" Yu Yingyi shouted, but Nian Zhen didn't seem to hear her. It was as if Nian Zhen was off in her own world.

That was when the sound of a bell ringing echoed through the store which signaled someone entered the door.

Yu Yingyi prayed in her heart that it was Mei Xiang and not a stranger, but it didn't matter who came in since it was going to be awkward anyway.

"Let me help you!" a woman exclaimed, her voice filled with courage and determination.

Yu Yingyi looked up to see who it was, but the hanfu cap with the long white veil covered her face. Only her bright blue eyes, long white hair, white traditional clothing with embroidery, and the black hanging at her waist could be seen.

In a flash, all the weight Yu Yingyi felt disappeared and Nian Zhen was pressed against the counter with her hands behind her back. Yu Yingyi's eyes trailed lower to see that Nian Zhen's hand was being gripped by the woman who came in. Yu Yingyi couldn't help but ask.

"Who are you?"

The silver-haired woman turned to her and smiled as she said, "I'm Qing Shan. I'm a female knight sent here by your mother to guard you. In other words, I'm your bodyguard."

Yu Yingyi was too shocked to say anything, everything was happening too fast for Yu Yingyi process. First, Nian Zhen was suddenly drunk and tried to do something to Yu Yingyi. Now, Yu Yingyi suddenly had a bodyguard? Where did that come from?

"It's okay, princess. You don't have to say anything, let me take care of this person who tried harassing you first," Qing Shan said as her hand started heading towards her waist.

"Wait!" Yu Yingyi managed to call out, "Don't do anything to her, she's a friend of mine. It's just that she's drunk and doesn't know what's going on."

However, Qing Shan didn't stop moving, "It doesn't matter, being drunk shouldn't be an excuse to touch the princess without permission."

"She's someone important to me!"

When Yu Yingyi said that, Qing Shan stopped her hand that was ready to pull out the blade.

"She's someone important to you? Who is she?" Qing Shan asked.

"A close friend. I'm here to take care of her since she's drunk," Yu Yingyi replied.

"Was she already drunk when you got here? Do you know what happened?"

"Yes, she was already drunk when I got here. Though, I don't know what happened," Yu Yingyi said. "Also, can you remove your hand from the sword? There's no need for that."

"If you say so, princess," Qing Shan said as her hands relaxed at her sides.

"Thank you," Yu Yingyi said as she looked at Nian Zhen. "Now, we need to put her on the sofa and then we'll talk."

With that said, Qing Shan easily carried Nian Zhen and put her on the sofa which surprised Yu Yingyi since she couldn't even lift Nian Zhen. After placing Nian Zhen on the sofa, they were back at the counter to talk.

"You said your name was Qing Shan, correct?" Yu Yingyi asked to make sure.

"Yes, princess," Qing Shan answered.

"You said you were sent by the empress, were you really? I'm not saying I don't believe you, but I want to make sure."

"Yes, I have."

"Who knows that you're my bodyguard?"

"The empress and her two daughters."

Yu Yingyi's eyes widened, "How does Song Liya know?"

"We were all in a meeting together, the princess and her sister agreed to it, though the princess seemed reluctant."

Yu Yingyi figured Song Liya was going to be reluctant, after all, Song Liya was the jealous type, but jealous Liya was cute.

'So this was what Song Liya was also doing, she must've been busy,' thought Yu Yingyi.

"Lastly, why are you my bodyguard? It doesn't seem like I need one."

"Reports from several citizens said that the city had unknown intruders. Since the empress was worried, she contacted my family for a bodyguard and here I am."

"Unknown intruders...so it's time," Yu Yingyi muttered.

"What did you say, princess?"

"Nothing, let's go check on Nian Zhen to see if she woke up yet. And call me Yu Yingyi, don't be so formal."

"Yes, princess."

"What did I just tell you?"