Du Gu Luanyue flicked the sleeves of her robe and raised her delicate eyebrows. A smile played on her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, if others were to hear you say that, they'd see you laughing while it's this palace that would be losing its head."
She couldn't recall where she might have slipped up. It was strange that Xie Xuanjin had brought up Huo Wei out of the blue.
Thankfully, he was from Dongning and would be leaving in a few days. There was a high probability that he wouldn't meddle in the affairs of Northern Yan.
Xie Xuanjin waved his hand, and the secret guards behind him retreated.
This Crown Prince of Dongning looked like a cold and noble young man, but there was a deep and cunning glint in his eyes.
"I'm just joking. Even if I knew something, I'd act as if I didn't."
Having been a seasoned player in the game of love, he had noticed during that encounter in the imperial garden that the queen was deliberately seducing Huo Wei, that "wolf."
It was obvious that Huo Wei didn't stand a chance against this queen. Sooner or later, he was bound to get into trouble.
Du Gu Luanyue replied with a polite smile.
"Your Highness, I hope you're finding the hot - spring palace to your liking. Why is there no beauty attending to you? Are you not satisfied? This palace can arrange for a replacement until you're content."
Xie Xuanjin walked slowly with his hands behind his back. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty the Queen, but there's no need. My preferences are different from those of His Majesty of Northern Yan."
Du Gu Luanyue was well aware that the Crown Prince of Dongning would know everything that had happened in the hot - spring palace in the past few days, even with his eyes closed.
"I'm afraid Your Highness has seen something to laugh at, but don't underestimate His Majesty. His heart lies with the court."
Xie Xuanjin said, "Your Majesty is a man who knows how to enjoy the pleasures of the boudoir. It's time for him to indulge."
He had witnessed all the absurdities in the hot - spring palace. The emperor and his officials had behaved outrageously. By the hot - spring pool, an official had chased a naked maid around and even played hide - and - seek. It was utterly ridiculous.
Du Gu Luanyue's eyes softened as she said softly,
"His Majesty is not like my father. The old man didn't know how to enjoy life. He was always concerned about the affairs of the state. During the harvest season, no matter how tired he was, he would often go to the fields to check on the rice crops of the common people."
Xie Xuanjin stopped in his tracks. "The Emperor of Southern Chu does seem a bit like my father. My father was concerned about the safety of the fishermen. He never missed the annual sacrifice to the Sea God."
Du Gu Luanyue also stopped. Her eyes fixed on one point. As crown princes who had grown up in the Eastern Palace, she and Xie Xuanjin had much in common in their thoughts.
She came straight to the point.
"Your Highness mustn't return empty - handed after this long journey. Firstly, it's to bring glory to the King of Dongning and give your father confidence. Secondly, it's to show the court officials that they can have faith in the crown prince.
Your Highness has been in Northern Yan for some time. You must have a good understanding of what you've seen and heard. Why not pay a visit to Southern Chu? You'll find a worthy partner there who can enhance your prestige in the court."
Xie Xuanjin gave her a deep, sidelong glance. He had thought that Du Gu Luanyue had come to talk to him about matters of love, but now he began to think that beneath her extremely beautiful and enchanting appearance lay a heart as vast as the deep sea.
"Should I address you as the Queen of Northern Yan or the Princess of Southern Chu?"
Du Gu Luanyue lifted her chin slightly, and her clear voice rang out.
"Your Highness can call me whatever you like. This palace is just offering you an alternative.
This palace still has some influence in Southern Chu. If Your Highness is willing to visit, this palace will ensure that you won't leave disappointed."
Mei Jiang handed a letter to Xie Xuanjin. "Your Highness, this letter was personally written by the Crown Princess of Southern Chu. You'll be a honored guest when you arrive in Southern Chu."
Xie Xuanjin hesitated for a moment but still took the letter. There was a hint of surprise in his smile.
"The Crown Princess is being sent to marry into another country. Your father is really willing to part with her.
The Queen Du Gu is even willing to abandon the throne of Southern Chu to be a queen subordinate to a man. Are you really content?"
Only now did he understand why Du Gu Luanyue had been discussing state affairs with him. They were both crown princes in their own countries.
The garden of the Half - Mountain Palace was lush with trees. And since it was night, visibility was poor.
It was really hard to spot someone hiding in the shadows.
When they reached a corner of the corridor, Du Gu Luanyue, feeling a bit tired, sat down on the bench in the corridor. Her expression was clear.
"This palace is willing."
Xie Xuanjin raised his long eyebrows. "I'm all ears."
Du Gu Luanyue, eager to persuade Xie Xuanjin to visit Southern Chu, patiently spoke from the heart.
"As the heir to the throne of Southern Chu, the dragon throne is not the only goal in life. The peace and stability of the country are more important."
When Xie Xuanjin heard these words from a woman, he was quite surprised. When he was vying for the position of crown prince in Dongning, the dragon throne had always been his sole purpose.
He couldn't help but look at Du Gu Luanyue again. This beautiful Queen of Northern Yan seemed to be hiding so much in her eyes. There was a hint of admiration in his gaze.
He turned around, cleared his throat, and said, "Brother Yun Qi, come out. You're safe with me."
Du Gu Luanyue suddenly stood up. "What did you say? Yun Qi?"
She quickly turned to Mei Jiang. "Aunt, didn't the person who came back say that they saw Yun Qi leave the territory of Northern Yan?"
Aunt Mei Jiang was stunned. "Yes, that's what the person reported. What's going on?"
Xie Xuanjin stood with his hands behind his back. His handsome face looked even more noble against the backdrop of his golden robe. He said calmly,
"Brother Yun Qi and I have a personal friendship. Don't be surprised. He's in the hot - spring palace. The guards here are not very strict. He said he wanted to see you."
A pair of beast - like eyes hidden in the shadows glinted menacingly.
After Huo Wei had agreed to Shen Guilan's request that day, he had quelled all his feelings for Du Gu Luanyue.
But two days later, he left his own chamber and somehow found himself near the queen's chamber. He happened to see her walking towards Xie Xuanjin and had quietly followed them.
Du Gu Luanyue immediately became vigilant. "This palace won't see him. Your Highness, please tell him to leave quickly!"
Xie Xuanjin said, "Brother Yun Qi said that he won't leave until he sees you."
Du Gu Luanyue's heart was in a flutter. If she was discovered again, she would truly be at a loss.
Aunt Mei Jiang also began to worry. The eldest young master hadn't been like this before. Why was he so persistent this time? If they were discovered, it would be a disaster.
"Please trouble Your Highness to tell Yun Qi that this palace is already married. The past is over. Ask him to find a good marriage for himself."
Her voice became a bit lower. She got up and left the corridor without a moment's delay.
However, on the way, her path was blocked.
The person blocking her was an unfamiliar young eunuch. He glanced at her with hidden tears in his eyes but didn't say a word.
Sheng Yunqi was wearing a human - skin mask. He just wanted to see her, but he was afraid of causing trouble for her.
If someone were to humiliate her like that scoundrel, the Prince of Yuzhang, he might go crazy if he saw it again.
Du Gu Luanyue and Sheng Yunqi had grown up together. How could she not recognize those familiar eyes?
Suddenly, her bright eyes filled with mist. She looked deeply at the young eunuch and said with a trembling voice,
"The winter snow in Northern Yan is boundless, but it's already spring in the south. Turning back will lead to a bright future."
The young eunuch naturally knelt on the ground when he saw the queen. He lowered his head. Just as he was about to speak, he heard footsteps.
Huo Wei walked over unhurriedly. He glanced down at the young eunuch. "To turn back, you need to have a head in the first place."