She was on the verge of fainting when Lu Zixiu arrived just in time. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the carriage.
Bai Ke let out a sigh of relief, thinking it was good that Lu Zixiu would take the princess back. But he was shocked to find that the carriage was not heading towards the Regent's Mansion.
He panicked and rushed after it. "Mr. Lu, where are you taking the princess?"
He blocked the way in front of the carriage. Lu Zixiu had no choice but to rein in the horses.
"Bai Ke, get out of the way," he said coldly, his face devoid of the usual amiability.
"Where are you taking the princess?" Bai Ke spread his arms, indicating he wouldn't let them pass.
Lu Zixiu turned to look inside the carriage.
"The regent didn't return last night. Is he going to do the same tonight?"
Bai Ke sighed. "I won't lie to you, Mr. Lu. I'm quite dissatisfied with this, too. But I've been keeping an eye on things for the princess. The regent hasn't done anything out of line. Even if he had, it's normal for a man like the regent to have concubines."
Lu Zixiu sneered. "Fine. Even if you're right, it doesn't conflict with my taking her away. Get out of the way!"
Seeing that Lu Zixiu was determined to take the princess away, Bai Ke had to bring up Mu Yanming.
"Mr. Lu, have you considered the consequences if you take the princess away today? Women are different from men. Do you want the princess to be gossiped about and have her reputation tarnished?"
Lu Zixiu tightly grasped the horsewhip in his hand. His attitude wavered. Bai Ke took the opportunity to step forward. When he reached the carriage, he patted Lu Zixiu on the shoulder.
"Sir, take the princess back to the Regent's Mansion. I'll go with you."
Lu Zixiu was helpless, but he knew Bai Ke was right. He couldn't let his momentary anger put her in the whirlpool of public opinion.
He raised his hand and rubbed his temples, then drove the carriage towards the Regent's Mansion.
On the way, Bai Ke asked Lu Zixiu, "Sir, when did you start to like the princess?"
Lu Zixiu forced a bitter smile. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
Bai Ke nodded with a smile. "I do."
He patted Bai Ke on the shoulder. "Since you believe it, it means you've had such an experience. In that case, we understand each other."
Bai Ke sighed. "I still have hope, but for you, Mr. Lu, you have to hold back."
Lu Zixiu licked his lips. "Yes, out of reach."
When the carriage arrived at the mansion, he got on the carriage and carried the princess out. Then he suddenly put her into Bai Ke's arms.
"You take her back. Don't tell her I was here. I'm leaving."
Before Bai Ke could say a word, he got on the carriage and drove away into the rainy night.
Bai Ke quickly carried Mo Qinghuan into the mansion. Before he stepped into the Yangyang Hall, he shouted loudly, "Dan'er, Dan'er, quickly prepare hot water for the princess to take a bath."
Dan'er and Shuang'er ran out from inside. They were both shocked when they saw Mo Qinghuan.
Especially Dan'er. "When did the princess go out?"
Bai Ke carried the princess into the room. Since she was all wet, he had to put her on the couch.
"You take care of the princess. I'll leave first."
Shuang'er nodded and wrapped Mo Qinghuan in a quilt.
About a quarter of an hour later, Dan'er prepared the bath water. The two sisters worked together to undress Mo Qinghuan and put her into the wooden tub.
"Sister, what's going on?"
Dan'er sighed. "Shuang'er, I'm worried that there's going to be a big change in the mansion."
Shuang'er didn't understand what Dan'er meant and asked impatiently, "Come on, stop being so mysterious. Just tell me what's going on."
Dan'er let out a long sigh. "First, there was A Tahuan. Now there's this Miss Shishi. Do you think the princess can not be sad?"
"Mu Yanming..."
The two sisters heard Mo Qinghuan's murmur and quickly bent down to listen to what she said. Before they could hear clearly, the door was pushed open forcefully. A figure wrapped in wind and rain rushed in and came to the wooden tub.
"My lord."
He gave them a cold look. Dan'er and Shuang'er immediately left sensibly.
"Huan'er, are you okay?"
He picked her up, dried her off, and put her on the bed. He gently covered her with the quilt.
"Mu Yanming."
He held her hand and looked at her lovingly. "I'm here."
She seemed to see Mu Yanming in a daze. "You're here."
She hooked the corner of her lips. "I knew you would come."
Hearing her voice, Mu Yanming felt a sharp pain in his heart as if it was being pulled.
"Yes, I'll come. No matter when, I'll always be by your side." He kissed the back of her hand.
She turned her face, smiling with her eyes curved. "Mu Yanming, I think I've fallen in love with you."
Mu Yanming felt as if his heart had been hit by something.
He raised his hand and gently stroked Mo Qinghuan's face. Her eyes were tightly closed, and tears slid down her cheeks.
Mu Yanming leaned over and kissed away her tears. She suddenly raised her hand and hooked his neck.
Her delicate and fair arms wrapped around his neck. The woman he loved was right in front of him. His reason was instantly shattered.
"Mu Yanming."
At her murmur, he could no longer control himself. He leaned over and kissed her.
"Huan'er..."
Feeling the heat source, she instinctively leaned closer to the burning Mu Yanming.
"Mu Yanming..."
He wrapped his arm around Mo Qinghuan's waist. With a flick of his finger, the bed curtain was lowered.
Outside the house, the wind and rain raged, while inside, the atmosphere was full of passion.
The next morning, after the rain stopped and the sky cleared, the sunlight shone through the window lattice and scattered on the dark red brocade quilt.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes. A chill on her arm made her suddenly open her eyes wide.
She lifted the quilt and saw that she was completely naked. Her body ached as if it had been run over by a carriage wheel. When she saw the red stain on the bed, her mind went blank.
"Dan'er!" she shouted.
Dan'er opened the door and came in. When she saw Mo Qinghuan, she smiled and stepped forward to pick up the clothes and put them on her.
Seeing Dan'er's happy face, she was more certain of her suspicion.
"Princess, you're up. Do you still feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
She shook her head and carefully recalled what had happened last night.
"How did I get back last night?"
Hearing this, Dan'er remembered Bai Ke's special instructions this morning. But she was afraid that Mo Qinghuan would notice something strange, so she got up to get the clothes and averted her gaze.
"You fainted after getting caught in the rain. It was the regent who carried you back."
She said it all in one breath and then turned around to hand the clothes to Mo Qinghuan.
Mo Qinghuan seemed absent - minded and didn't seem to suspect anything.
She waved her hand, indicating for Dan'er to go out.
Dan'er nodded and walked out.
Bai Ke pulled Dan'er aside. "How is it? Is the princess in a good mood?"
Dan'er shook her head. "Not very good. She doesn't look happy at all."
Hearing this, Mu Yanming coughed lightly.
The two stepped aside, and he pushed the door and walked in.
Mo Qinghuan seemed not to notice. She sat dejectedly against the head of the bed.
"Huan'er, what's wrong with you?"
She looked up at Mu Yanming, and tears streamed down her face.
"Huan'er, what's wrong?" He took a step forward, but she dodged towards the corner of the bed. He stood still on the spot.