Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love

Chapter 401 - 351: Prince of the Northern Di Tribe (Second Update)

Tong Yao asked suspiciously, "Why did the Northern barbarian prince suddenly come? He didn’t even notify us beforehand.""He said Princess Joyina refused to return home for her eighteenth birthday, so he had to come here to host her adult ceremony. But Princess Joyina didn’t want him to come, so he was worried that if he’d mentioned it ahead of time, she’d sneak away."

"You go ahead; I’ll come down in a moment." Tong Yao straightened her hair. "Luowa, would it be inappropriate for me to just go down like this?"

Yi Luowa glanced at her casual home wear. "If you’re concerned it might come off as impolite, you should change your clothes."

"Alright, I’ll change. You call your dad, Rui’er, and your third brother, get them all to come back. After all, he’s a prince; we can’t afford to be too rude."

Tong Yao said as she entered the dressing room.

"Mom, do I need to change my clothes too?" Yi Luowa followed her into the room with the phone in hand.

Tong Yao turned back to look at her. The sapphire blue trousers paired with the white wide-necked shirt made her look simple yet tasteful.

"Being young is great; you look good in anything. No need to change."

"Mom, you were young once too; no need to envy me." Yi Luowa joked while dialing Tong Airui’s number.

"When I was young, I wore my police uniform every day. The clothes your dad bought for me mostly just hung there unused to look at."

"Dad treats you so well!" Yi Luowa laughed. "Mom, that golden cheongsam looks beautiful!"

Tong Yao picked up the cheongsam and held it against herself. "Alright, I’ll wear this one."

"Hello? Sweetheart, what are you doing? I’ve been connected for ages, and you barely respond." Tong Airui’s voice came through the line.

Only then did Yi Luowa put the phone to her ear. "I’m watching our mom’s strip show! Haha... Mom is so fair! Her skin’s tender enough to pinch water out of it..."

"You brat! Watching is one thing, but you had to share that with Rui’er too?" Tong Yao laughed and scolded.

Tong Airui’s laughter echoed on the phone. "Serves you right!"

"Haha... getting scolded makes you healthier!" Yi Luowa laughed while closing the dressing room door for Tong Yao. "Hubby, Joyina’s brother is here. Mom wants you, Dad, and Third Brother to come back home."

Tong Airui paused. "The Northern barbarian prince is here? How is there no official announcement?"

"He’s here for Joyina’s adult ceremony. It’s private. Mom and I are going down to host the guest now. Can you call Dad and Third Brother for me later? Oh, by the way, don’t let Third Brother tell Joyina her brother is here. The Northern barbarian prince is afraid Joyina might hear and run away again."

"Alright. I’m at Dad’s place now; I’ll be back soon."

"Why are you at Dad’s place?"

"I’ll explain when I’m home."

Yi Luowa pouted her lips. "You’re definitely there on government business. Even if you told me, I wouldn’t understand. No need to explain; just come back quickly."

"Got it—I’ll rush back." Tong Airui chuckled as he hung up. Glancing at Long Che’s somber face, he added, "What’s up with you again?"

"Your mother is too careless! Why doesn’t she bother to be discreet when changing clothes?"

"Ha~" Tong Airui smiled as he glanced at him. "Your daughter-in-law is the one who saw, not some man. Why the fuss? Stop being mad. Mom’s waiting for us to head back!"

"Just wait till I get home, I’ll settle the score with her!" Long Che rose angrily.

Tong Airui shook his head with a resigned smile and followed his dad out the door.

In the car, Long Che spoke in a low tone, "Let’s leave the matter with Haotian as it is. After all, she’s his sister. If it were me, even if my aunt committed a grave mistake, I wouldn’t be able to lay a finger on her."

Tong Airui shook his head in disagreement. "Your situation with my aunt is an internal family issue. The tension between Emperor Haotian and Kai Di is a national one. I don’t understand what Emperor Haotian is thinking. Knowing the base belonged to Kai Di, he destroyed it but still let Kai Di go."

"Couldn’t bear to take action. He could only clip her wings. I heard Kai Di gave Emperor Haotian’s son a herbal remedy, which healed his illness considerably. That’s likely the main reason why Haotian held back."

"I don’t believe Kai Di would have such kind intentions. She probably wishes Haotian had no heir so she or her child could take the throne. But given how much wickedness she’s committed, she’s been trying for years without any news of a child."

Long Che furrowed his brows slightly. "When will you let me hold a grandchild?"

"Fifth Brother and Connie are planning to have one soon, probably very soon."

Long Che gave him a side-eye. "I’m asking about YOU!"

Tong Airui chuckled. "After the big tournament, we’ll prepare. Now’s not the time to talk about it; I should call my Third Brother."

"Changing the subject as always!"

Tong Airui grinned sheepishly as he dialed Mi Chenshuo’s number.

After listening, Mi Chenshuo replied, "I’ll let Joyina return herself. I’ll stay at the Viscount’s estate tonight."

"What did you do to make you this scared of showing yourself?" Tong Airui teased.

"I act openly and honestly; even at midnight, I’m not afraid of ghosts knocking on my door."

"Of course you wouldn’t fear ghosts knocking, you always have someone by your side! Third Brother, you’ve been cohabiting illegally with someone’s sister for so long—you should return home and meet their family out of courtesy!"

"How do your words always sound so unpleasant? I’m hanging up!" Mi Chenshuo ended the call angrily.

Hearing the busy tone, Tong Airui shook his head and smiled.

"Rui’er, I just remembered—your mom had me all flustered earlier—but isn’t this Northern barbarian prince supposed to be gravely ill and unseen for years? How did he suddenly reappear?"

"Who knows! We’ll find out when we get home."

While the father and son still speculated, Yi Luowa had already met the rumored gravely ill Northern barbarian prince.

Yi Luowa supported Tong Yao downstairs. The Northern barbarian prince, seated with his back to the staircase, rose upon hearing footsteps and turned slowly to look toward Yi Luowa.

Yi Luowa’s jaw dropped in shock.

The Northern barbarian prince smiled warmly. "Did I scare you?"

Tong Yao glanced at them suspiciously.

Yi Luowa’s mouth twitched. "Thank goodness my heart’s strong, or I’d have fainted."

Tong Yao laughed and asked, "Luowa, do you know the Northern barbarian prince?"

The prince gave Tong Yao a polite bow. "Madam Prime Minister, hello! Luowa and I attended the same university."

"The world really is small." Tong Yao smiled. "Prince, please have a seat."

"You can just call me Just."

Yi Luowa helped Tong Yao sit down, then looked at Just with some hostility. "Senior, you and your sister tricked me badly!"

Just laughed. "You never asked about my background—that’s hardly tricking."

Yi Luowa pursed her lips. "Fine, sit down. Even if you deceived me, I won’t punish you by making you stand."

Lady Jing Ya and Prince Charles exchanged a glance and smiled without saying a word.

After Just seated himself, Yi Luowa finally sat down, still pouting.

Tong Yao and Just exchanged polite pleasantries, and Just motioned for his attendants to bring in gifts for the family.

Suddenly, the hall was filled with over ten boxes. Tong Yao frowned slightly. "Prince Just, you’re too kind."

Just smiled warmly. "Joyina was being troublesome—it’s just a token of my goodwill."

"Joyina is very sweet. She really hasn’t caused us any trouble."

Yi Luowa clung to Tong Yao’s arm, puffing her cheeks. "Mom, don’t say good things about Joyina. Let’s expose all that bad girl’s deeds and see if she dares to deceive me again."

Just chuckled helplessly. "Looks like Joyina really hasn’t given you folks any peace."

Tong Yao smiled. "Don’t listen to Luowa; Joyina is genuinely well-behaved."

Yi Luowa laughed, shaking Tong Yao’s arm, "Every time it’s important, you sell me out."

Tong Yao laughed and patted her hand.

Just couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips as he gazed at Yi Luowa.

Yi Luowa glanced up and caught him secretly laughing at her. She pursed her lips. "Senior, I heard the Northern barbarian prince has been gravely ill for a long time, but you look radiant and healthy. Are you really the Northern barbarian prince?"

Just laughed. "Absolutely. My father announced that I was gravely ill not only to protect me but also to use the pretense to allow me to work behind the scenes in rebuilding Northern barbaria."

Yi Luowa sighed softly. "If only there were no war—it would be so much better."

Just smiled wryly. "Ideals are always beautiful, but reality is hard. Fortunately though, you met Tong Airui—he protects you very well."

"She’s my wife; of course I’ll protect her!" Tong Airui walked in without expression. "I must’ve been blind to have known you for so long without realizing you’re the Northern barbarian prince. I apologize for neglecting you before—please understand!"

Just’s mouth twitched slightly. Somehow, the polite apology from Tong Airui didn’t sound polite at all.