CH 117

Lantern-Watching – It’s Best to Ask the Crown Prince’s Consort to Step Down (2)

The crowd’s discussion from time to time flew into Chu Ning’s ears, so she could not help but feel a burst of tension at the bottom of her heart as if at any time she may be seen through by the public.

But turning her head to look at Xiao Kezhi, she saw that he was still walking idly.

He turned his head and reached around her shoulders to bring her closer to himself, pointing to a huge dragon lamp not far away and whispering, “I said I would take you to see the lanterns myself. Will this do?”

The warm breath brushed against her skin, causing Chu Ning to tremble, and a faint blush gradually crept up from her ear to her neck.

“A’Ning is naturally happy, but only fears that His Majesty’s reputation has gotten even worse.” She tried to relax her mind and laugh along with him, but she still subconsciously paid attention to the gazes of the bystanders, afraid of being seen.

Xiao Ke Zhi lightly laughed, simply kissed her on the ear, and said, “My reputation does not matter, I would like to let people live more outrageously!”

Chu Ning smiled a little surprisedly and suddenly tilted her head to ask, “Why?”

“Naturally, it is for the future.” The smile on his face deepened, hiding his usual coldness and sharpness, appearing pleasant and calm, “If I am a person who is lustful, it will not be unusual for me to steal my niece-in-law in the future.”

But she froze, her eyes looking straight at him through the narrow hole in the mask: “Your Majesty has called for songs and dances in the Feishuang Hall these days-”

“For that reason as well.” He simply nodded his head without any intention of evasion, and even added, “Today, I brought you out for this purpose as well.”

He worried that she might misunderstand and be discontented, so he wanted to wait until today to explain, but he observed her for a long time and did not find any difference. She did not even intend to ask about it, so he could not help but feel lost.

However, although this was his first love, his mind was mature, and he would not be resentful. He simply took the initiative to reveal this, not only to avoid possible future misunderstandings, but also to show her his true self.

“Your Majesty, why do you bother…” she said in a low voice, in addition to the confusion in her tone, there was a flattered and overwhelmed note, “A’Ning really does not know how to respond…”

He reached out to rub her head and said softly, “You don’t have to respond, I’m just telling you what I’ve done. I’m patient and will wait for you slowly.”

With that, he took her towards the heavy bright pavilion where a huge bird lamp was hanging, viewing and commenting all the way.

Fortunately, Chu Ning could exert strong control over herself. She just tried to ignore the gaze of the next person, and they walked through hundreds of noblemen and women together, as if a pair of ordinary lovers.

……

On the other hand, after Xiao Yu left, his heart was heavy with uncertainty, and he did not go to look for Chu Ning, nor did he return to the Crown Prince’s Tang, but took someone to see Xu Rong and told him what he had promised.

Xu Rong was overjoyed, l, arching his hands and saying, “Your Highness is wise! In this way, you can make up for your weakness in military power and be able to fight against the Emperor!”

Xiao Yu looked at the other, almost crying with joy, but his face did not show any joyful expression. Instead, it was empty and numb.

“I have promised, but I don’t know how Minister Xu will handle the next matter.”

Xu Rong knew what the prince was asking was how they could block the criticism of others and smoothly marry another. He thought about it and said, “Your Highness, don’t be anxious. I think that it is better to find a reason that can make outsiders say nothing and ask the Crown Prince’s Consort to give up her position.”

Then, he told the countermeasures he had come up with in his mind for several days.

Xiao Yu listened to this and was silent for a long time before slowly saying, “Let’s do as you say.”

……

Chu Ning became weary of walking around, so Xiao Kezhi directly carried her back under the gaze of everyone.

She had a shock, bringing her hands up to check her mask and hold it in place so that her true identity would not be revealed.

When they were finally seated securely in the closed palanquin, he refused to let her sit beside him, but stubbornly wrapped his arms around her, forcing her to face him and sit on his lap.

“Your Majesty, don’t touch,” Chu Ning sighed, thinking of the lotus.

“You also do not move. Otherwise, I will not let you go.”

His voice was already a bit hoarse, and his deep, dark eyes shone with a strange luster in the moonlight. He wanted to see her face, her expression, but through the mask, he could only see the two wandering soft waves of charming eyes.

He said, “Not enough, now we are still outside, and there are countless prying eyes behind us.

The hand holding her waist tightened, and he violently ripped open his lapel, lifted the wide outer robe, covered her head, pulled her to his eyes, and lifted her upwards.

The noise of people and the sounds of joyful singing and dancing were cut off and became distant.

The mask was taken off and tossed aside, and the wide tunic separated a narrow and cramped space, enclosing the two together, forehead to forehead, nose to nose, and lips to lips only half an inch apart.

“Sixth Uncle…”