Chapter 113 Marrying Prince Jing was truly a smart move.

These words were a killer move! Mu Cenlin was so shocked by her threat that he couldn't speak for a long time.

He knew Li Bao'er; she was absolutely capable of doing it! The thought that she might actually disregard everything and go to the war-torn land to find him sent chills down his spine!

Mu Cenlin was both amused and exasperated. With a helpless sigh, he reached out and scooped the ferocious kitten back into his arms, holding her tightly as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

"Fine, fine..." he murmured resignedly, his voice filled with indulgent compromise, "I'll take you with me. I just can't do anything with you."

Li Bao'er's scheme succeeded, and she immediately beamed with joy, snuggling against him triumphantly: "That's more like it!"

Although we have decided to go to the border together, the specific arrangements still need to be carefully discussed.

"What about Mother Consort?" Li Bao'er lifted her head from Mu Cenlin's embrace, somewhat worried. "She just came out of the Cold Palace and needs to rest. She certainly doesn't want me to go on this dangerous journey with you. The road is long and cold, and she will definitely stop me."

Mu Cenlin pondered for a moment: "Mother's concerns are reasonable. We need to find a solution that satisfies both sides."

Li Bao'er's eyes lit up, and she had an idea: "How about... inviting my mother to come and stay at the manor for a while? With her keeping your mother company and helping her pass the time, we can feel more at ease."

Mu Cenlin's eyes lit up: "Mother-in-law? Excellent!"

He knew that Wang Qingzhi was gentle and resilient, and that she was the perfect companion for his mother.

Mu Cenlin recalled Yuan Ting's report today: "I heard that my mother-in-law seems to be at odds with Prime Minister Li lately?" Mu Cenlin also treated Bao'er's mother as an elder and family member, but Li Xiangyuan was still an outsider.

Li Bao'er nodded: "Yes. Ever since I married into the Prince's Mansion, my uncle has had someone to rely on when he returned to the capital. My mother seems to have suddenly seen through many things. She said she was tired of the endless struggles and hypocrisy in the inner quarters and didn't want to force herself anymore. She is currently discussing divorce with my father."

"In that case, please invite your mother-in-law to stay at our residence for a while. It will be a good opportunity for her to relax and escape the troubles of the mansion. I will send someone to the Prime Minister's residence tomorrow to formally invite her."

Li Bao'er thought of her younger brother, "Ayu probably wants to go to the border with us for training. Can we take Ayu with us?"

Mu Cenlin thought for a moment and said, "Although Ayu is young, he is quite opinionated. Let's ask him about this together tomorrow, respecting his own wishes, shall we?"

"Okay, let's do it this way." Li Bao'er felt relieved and buried her face in Mu Cenlin's warm chest again, listening to his steady heartbeat. This was her first time leaving the capital, and she felt a sense of anticipation for fighting side by side. "As long as we are together, we are not afraid of going anywhere."

Mu Cenlin pulled his arms closer, placed a kiss on the top of her head, and said with a firm gaze, "Yes, let's be together."

As parting drew near, the reluctance and longing transformed into a silent tenderness. Mu Cenlin's kiss was no longer content with the top of her head, but traveled down her smooth forehead, her trembling eyelashes, and finally captured her slightly parted lips.

This kiss was different from the domineering and forceful ones of the past; instead, it carried an almost devout tenderness, meticulously depicting and deepening the kiss, as if trying to etch each other's essence into their very bones.

Li Bao'er closed her eyes, took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck, responding awkwardly yet firmly. Between their intertwined lips, there was an intense and unyielding affection.

001 also very sensibly went to the dark room.

A warm, large hand quietly slipped inside her nightgown, caressing her delicate waist, igniting a cluster of trembling flames wherever it touched.

Their clothes had been removed without them noticing, and their skin was pressed together, exchanging burning body heat. Every touch was accompanied by suppressed gasps and her soft sobs. He whispered her name in her ear, his hoarse voice full of tenderness.

The red curtains swayed, concealing a room full of spring colors. Sweat mingled, breaths mingled, and all the unknowns were absorbed into this passionate embrace.

Until the moon was high in the sky and the rain and clouds had just stopped.

Li Bao'er curled up wearily in Mu Cenlin's arms, her cheek pressed against his vigorous heartbeat, and fell into a deep sleep. Mu Cenlin, however, was wide awake. By the moonlight, he carefully traced her peaceful sleeping face, his gaze as deep as the sea.

"Madam, how fortunate I am to have you by my side."

The next morning, Li Bao'er was slowly awakened by the chirping of birds outside her window. She instinctively reached out to her side, only to touch a brocade quilt that was already cold.

"Your Highness is awake?" Linglong heard the noise and came in with warm water to serve you. As she deftly hung up the bed curtains, she said, "His Highness got up before dawn. He said he was going with the Old Madam to the Prime Minister's residence to pick up his in-laws to stay for a while. He wanted you to sleep a little longer."

Bao'er rubbed her slightly sore waist, her cheeks flushing as she recalled the passionate night before.

She got up to wash up, and just as she finished and was instructing Miao Yi and Miao Qing to start packing the clothes, medicines, and some easily portable money and valuables that she might need for the trip to the border, she heard a series of hurried footsteps approaching from afar.

"Bang!"

The door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and Li Yu rushed in like a firecracker, her hair still a little messy, obviously having just gotten up and run over after receiving the news.

He rushed to Li Bao'er, grabbed her arm, and said accusingly, "Sister! You've gone bad! Are you and your brother-in-law planning to sneak off to the border without me?!"

He stomped his feet in anger: "Am I not your real brother anymore?! Such a big thing, and I was the last to know! That big mouth Feng Li only told me this morning! Do you think I'm a burden and want to leave me in the capital?!"

Li Bao'er was taken aback by his barrage of questions, then chuckled and pinched his puffed-up cheek: "Who said we weren't taking you? We were just about to ask you today!"

"Ask me?" Li Yu blinked, still doubtful. "Really? You're not kidding me?"

“Of course it’s true.” Li Bao’er pulled him down to sit and said seriously, “The border is not like the capital. It’s not only bitterly cold, but it can also be dangerous. Your older sister has to go with your brother-in-law, but you are different.”

“Your brother-in-law and I have discussed it, and it’s up to you to decide. If you want to go, you can go with your brother-in-law to train in the army, but you’ll have to endure hardship and follow military regulations. If you want to stay, you can stay at home to keep your mother and mother-in-law company, so they can take care of you. The choice is yours.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yu shouted without hesitation, "I'll go! Of course I'll go! Who will take care of you without me!"

"Who needs you to take care of him? He's just a little kid. We'll go together then. But it's a deal: you have to follow the rules and not be reckless."

"I, Li Yu, am finally able to leave this golden cage and go out to gain some experience!! Sister, I think it was incredibly smart of you to suddenly realize that you should marry your brother-in-law!"

"You brat! When did your older sister ever become less bright?!"

Li Yu didn't care what Bao'er said; her face lit up with a smile, and her heart was filled with joy.

As Li Bao'er looked at the gradually brightening sky outside the window, she felt a renewed sense of determination for her upcoming journey.

A family should be together, weathering storms together.

Isn't this the happiness she sought in her second chance at life? God, thank you for giving me this opportunity to start over.

001 interrupts the pleasant atmosphere: [How can you not thank your master for his discerning eye in choosing you!]

Bao'er: Get lost!