"I've been having nightmares lately, and it's always the same scene."
Mo Qinghuan looked into her eyes. Her eyes were full of tears, looking so pitiful.
"I wonder if Your Highness the Princess still remembers what happened the first time you saw us sisters?"
Mo Qinghuan seemed to suddenly recall that day. Her heart tightened, but she still forced a smile. "Alright, Shuang'er. It's all in the past. It's our fault. We shouldn't have asked."
Seeing that Mo Qinghuan had believed her, she let out a long sigh of relief. "I know it's all in the past, but that day, when I left the General's Mansion, at an alley entrance, I heard a girl crying for help inside. She was wailing, hoping someone would save her, but I was too scared. I didn't dare to get closer." As she spoke, her whole body began to tremble. Dan'er hugged her. "It's okay, it's okay."
Mo Qinghuan also comforted her. "It's not your fault. Don't take it to heart. Otherwise, you'll be tormented by your inner demons."
Shuang'er nodded. "I understand, Your Highness the Princess. Thank you."
Mo Qinghuan reached out and stroked Shuang'er's head. "Then have a good rest."
She walked out of the side room, closed the door, and stood under the corridor, looking at the sky in the quadrangle. There were a few twinkling stars in the sky, and the moon that occasionally hid behind the dark clouds.
She walked towards the empty room and pushed the door open.
There was only one lamp lit in the room. The movement of pushing the door brought a gentle breeze, making the dim yellow light flicker.
She walked to the bedside and sat down. Looking at the empty room, her thoughts couldn't help but drift back to the day of their wedding.
The memories came flooding back. The intimate scenes between them made her blush when she recalled them.
There was also the argument that happened in this room after A Tahuan came.
Actually, it was to confuse the opponent and make them think that Mu Yanming didn't dote on her.
But the plan failed after just a few days. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile.
That day, she almost lost her life in the palace. Mu Yanming flew into a rage and personally killed more than a dozen guards by the lake for her. This incident immediately made everyone in the capital know that she was the apple of Mu Yanming's eye.
Thinking of this, her little face fell again.
The memories in her mind were still raging when suddenly the door was pushed open. She looked over through the screen.
Mu Yanming staggered towards her.
She felt something was wrong and got up to support him.
What a strong smell of alcohol!
"Have you been drinking?" He leaned on Mo Qinghuan's shoulder, mumbling something in a low voice.
"Why! Why did you do this?" His voice was very soft. Even at such a close distance, Mo Qinghuan couldn't hear clearly what he was saying.
She helped him to the bedside and laid him down. She took off his boots and made him lie comfortably. Just as she was about to turn around to pour him a cup of hot tea to sober him up.
Mu Yanming reached out and pulled her. She lost her balance and fell heavily on him. She heard him grunt, and then he reached out and hugged her waist tightly.
The harder she struggled, the tighter his grip became.
"Qinghuan, don't leave, please."
He pressed her head against his chest. She listened to his strong heartbeat, and her cheeks flushed.
She whispered softly, "Okay, I won't leave."
"Good, it's a deal. You must always stay by this king's side, forever."
She lay on his chest. Suddenly, she felt a warm feeling in her heart. Perhaps only when Mu Yanming was drunk could she truly feel his love.
She maintained this position until dawn.
When Mu Yanming opened his eyes, he saw Mo Qinghuan lying in his arms. His hand was tightly holding her.
He gently lifted one hand and rubbed his head.
Mo Qinghuan was awakened by his movement.
"Did I wake you up?"
She sat up straight and reached out to cover her stiff and sore neck.
"No."
Mu Yanming also sat up. "I didn't talk nonsense last night, did I?"
Mo Qinghuan shook her head. "No. You were drunk and went to sleep as soon as you came back."
Mu Yanming let out a long sigh of relief and got out of bed.
Just as he was about to walk out, Mo Qinghuan called out to him.
"Where are you going?"
Mu Yanming stopped in his tracks, turned around to look at her, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly. He was in a very good mood.
"To take a bath." After he said that, he gently raised his eyebrows, as if asking Mo Qinghuan if she wanted to join him.
Mo Qinghuan blushed instantly. "Oh, then go ahead."
"What's wrong? Do you have something to say?"
She lowered her head, nodded slightly, and then shook her head. "Oh, no."
Mu Yanming walked back to her, squatted in front of her, and asked, "Is there something or not?"
Mo Qinghuan seemed to muster up a lot of courage. She looked up at Mu Yanming.
"Yes. I want to ask if you're free this afternoon. Can we go boating on the lake together?"
She let out a sigh of relief after she finished speaking in one breath.
After hearing her words, Mu Yanming seemed to be in an even better mood. He reached out and stroked her head. "Of course this king is free for the first invitation from my beloved concubine."
He walked out of the Yangyang Palace with a smile and headed towards the hot spring pool.
Bai Ke followed behind, looking completely confused. Weren't they looking bitter and vengeful and eager to kill someone yesterday?
How could he recover so quickly after just one night of drinking?
After Mu Yanming left, Mo Qinghuan just came to her senses.
Beloved concubine! This was the first time Mu Yanming had called her that.
Suddenly, the image of him whispering "Huan'er" during their intimate moments flashed through her mind.
Realizing that she was daydreaming, she shyly covered her face with her hands.
When Dan'er came in with water, she happened to see Mo Qinghuan sitting on the edge of the bed, covering her face and stomping her feet.
She put down the water and walked over quietly.
"Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"
Mo Qinghuan was startled. She removed her hands and saw Dan'er looking at her curiously.
"Your Highness, it's time to wash up."
She coughed lightly, stood up straight, and said, "I know. You can go down first."
Dan'er nodded and turned to walk out.
She finally let out a sigh of relief, and her shoulders slumped. Dan'er took two steps and suddenly turned back. She immediately straightened her shoulders and stood up straight.
"Don't you go out yet!" She deliberately shouted to cover up her nervousness.
After Dan'er went out, she closed the door.
She walked to the washbasin and was about to wash her face when suddenly Mu Yanming's face appeared in the basin, smiling at her.
She took a step back, shook her head, and walked over again.
The water in the basin returned to normal.
After washing up, she deliberately chose a light cyan long gown and hung a smooth and transparent white jade ring around her waist.
She simply tied her hair into a flying fairy bun and inserted a jade hairpin. She looked gentle and charming.
She opened the door and walked out. Dan'er and Bai Ke were chatting in the yard.
When they saw her, both of them were stunned on the spot.
Seeing the flash of surprise in their eyes, two blushes rose on her cheeks.
Dan'er walked up to Mo Qinghuan, looked at her in disbelief, and reached out to touch her forehead. "Your Highness, are you alright?"