Chapter 38 Childhood Sweetheart. I've liked her for a long time.

"Yeah?"

Jing Hui turned his head in surprise.

On the dimly lit street, a simply decorated carriage slowly made its way.

This street is a small path leading to the General's Mansion. The road is dark, and the coachman's appearance cannot be seen clearly at first glance. Judging from his appearance, it does not look like the carriage that Jing Hui used to ride in, which belonged to Lu Songyuan.

Although she and Lu Songyuan did not use only one carriage when they went out, and the carriage looked like it could only accommodate two people sitting opposite each other, could it fit Lu Songyuan's wheelchair?

"I think so."

Jing Hui didn't go to the backyard often, but when A Yu occasionally went to the backyard to direct the maids in tidying up Jing Hui's carriage, she could remember the carriages in the mansion.

"This carriage looks a lot like the one in the corner of our mansion."

Jing Hui frowned as he looked at that spot.

When the carriage saw that she had stopped, it also casually stopped on the road.

For ordinary people to act this way is extremely disrespectful.

Snowflakes fell from the sky, and a cold wind blew, causing them to dance in the air before Jing Hui's eyes.

She narrowed her eyes, turned her horse around, and stared coldly at the carriage.

The driver, sitting on the carriage shaft, could be vaguely seen talking to the person inside. After the person inside said something, the carriage started moving again, heading towards Jinghui.

The road was deserted and eerily quiet; the only sound was the rumble of wheels.

"Your subordinate greets Your Highness."

As the carriage approached, Lu Qingyue reined in her horse, stopped, stood up, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Princess."

With him here, the only person in the carriage can be his good master.

Jing Hui sneered and said, "How can this princess feel at ease being followed in the dead of night?"

Lu Qingyue choked, glanced at the tightly closed carriage curtain, and quickly apologized.

"Princess, please forgive me."

Jing Hui also looked at the carriage, but there was no movement from the people inside.

"snort."

His good mood vanished, Jing Hui snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

She understood Lu Songyuan even less. Instead of staying at home late at night, he quietly followed behind other girls, and when he was discovered, he didn't say a word. He was simply insane.

“Ah Zhu”.

Hearing the sound of horses' hooves, Lu Songyuan opened the carriage window and turned his head to look over.

Jing Hui ignored him and continued walking forward.

She heard Lu Songyuan call out Lu Qingyue's name again, and then the carriage behind her quickened its pace, passing her by so that the person inside the carriage window could walk alongside her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jing Hui saw Lu Songyuan move his wheelchair towards the car window and say, "It's snowing, come inside."

Jing Hui wouldn't go. Lu Songyuan was more dangerous than a wolf that hadn't eaten for days in the mountains. Jing Hui didn't turn around or pay any attention to him.

Unexpectedly, upon seeing this, Lu Songyuan reached out of the window and grabbed Jing Hui's thigh, which was wrapped around the horse's belly, and squeezed it.

"Lu Songyuan!"

Jing Hui immediately bristled, swaying slightly, "Let go!"

"Get out of the car."

After Lu Songyuan finished speaking, he stared intently at Jing Hui, not letting go of her hand, as if he would hold her hand all the way until Jing Hui dismounted.

Jing Hui, enraged, slapped Lu Songyuan's hand and shouted, "This princess will not!"

Such a movement was dangerous, so Lu Songyuan naturally didn't dare to hold her too tightly.

He raised his eyes and said, "Then I'll get off and ride with you."

Can you ride a horse with a broken leg?

Jing Hui almost blurted it out.

She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and glanced sideways at Lu Songyuan.

"let go."

Lu Songyuan looked at her without speaking, while Jing Hui gritted her teeth and said, "Let me down!"

Lu Songyuan then let go, and as the car window rolled down, Lu Songyuan curled his lips into a smile where Jing Hui couldn't see.

The carriage and horses stopped together. Jing Hui turned over, stepped onto the carriage shaft, and climbed inside.

As she had expected, there was only a small square table in the car, behind which was Lu Songyuan's wheelchair, and next to it was a small square seat that could barely fit one person.

It would be better to have more space right now!

Jing Hui stood at the carriage door, arms crossed, looking at Lu Songyuan.

"Your carriage is smaller than the belly of a sparrow. Am I supposed to sit on the ground?"

Lu Songyuan frowned, patted his thigh, and said, "Come on my lap."

He keeps dragging people to sit on his broken legs, what a weird habit!

"No, it's uncomfortable."

Jing Hui resolutely refused.

Lu Songyuan turned around and took out a thick, plush blanket from a hidden compartment. He unfolded it and covered his legs with it, then reached out to Jing Hui.

"It's not uncomfortable anymore, come and sit down."

He is sick.

Jing Hui muttered a few words to herself, walked over, and sat heavily on Lu Songyuan's lap.

As soon as she sat down, Lu Songyuan's hand wrapped around her. Jing Hui twisted her body and scrutinized him.

Lu Songyuan asked, "What did you and Lian Zhu go to do?"

She hasn't settled accounts with him yet!

"You still ask!"

Jing Hui's peach blossom eyes were moist as she asked, "Why are you following me around so late at night instead of staying at home?"

Lu Songyuan leaned back in his chair, fiddling with Jing Hui's sash, and casually said, "I was just passing by when I happened to see you and Lian Zhu coming out of the palace together."

"I don't believe you."

Jing seemed to recall something, her peach blossom eyes darting around, a mischievous glint in the corners, as she smiled and leaned closer to Lu Songyuan.

He asked, "Lu Songyuan, you probably can't bear to be separated from me for even a moment. You heard that Lianzhu and I went out, so you deliberately followed behind me, didn't you?"

Lu Songyuan's breath hitched for a moment as he looked down and met Jing Hui's gaze.

His narrowed eyes gleamed with an unusually dark light, a light that seemed to be like a hollow beneath a river, as if it wanted to suck Jing Hui in and devour him completely.

Jing Hui cleared her throat, suddenly feeling a little afraid of Lu Songyuan's answer.

She reached out and pushed Lu Songyuan's neck, talking to herself.

"Fine, don't tell me then, you never tell the truth anyway."

After listening, Lu Songyuan pointed to the table.

Jing Hui followed his hand and saw two or three kinds of pastries wrapped in Fu Gui Lou paper bags on the table.

Fu Gui Lou not only has the best food in the capital, but also the best desserts.

Furthermore, these snacks are sold in limited quantities at the building entrance at irregular times each day, and those who come to buy them must queue up; there is absolutely no chance for anyone to get in through the back door.

You absolutely cannot buy it unless you spend the whole day waiting.

"This is?"

Jing Hui reached out and picked up a bag, the aroma of pastries instantly filling the air. She glanced at Lu Songyuan, "Did you cut in line to buy this?"

"No, I bought it by queuing up."

Lu Songyuan reached into the bag, pinched out a piece of pastry, and offered it to Jing Hui's lips, "Try it."

Jing Hui looked at him with some doubt, opened her mouth and took a bite of the pastry. As she left, her lips brushed against Lu Songyuan's fingertips.

It's cold.

He did it on purpose.

She doesn't believe it.

Jing Hui glanced at Lu Songyuan, slapped his hand away, and leaned against his shoulder.

As Jing Hui chewed, his cheeks puffed up and fell back as he asked, "You still haven't said what you and Lian Zhu did?"

Speaking of this, Jing Hui was overjoyed.

She swung her legs and said cheerfully, "I'm bringing medicine to my older sister. After she takes the last pill, she'll be fully recovered after another half month of rest."

"Yeah?"

Lu Songyuan tightened his grip on Jing Hui's waist. "Congratulations."

Thank you.

After taking a sip of tea, Jing Hui said, "This matter is also thanks to Lian Zhu; he was the one who found the medicine for my sister."

Lu Songyuan's voice was devoid of emotion as he calmly asked, "How do you plan to thank him?"

Jing Hui chuckled and whispered to Lu Songyuan, "Let me tell you a secret, Lian Zhuxin is pleased with Prime Minister's capable assistant, Bai Zhi. She came to our residence before, do you remember?"

Lu Songyuan was taken aback.

He always thought they were childhood sweethearts, their hearts always in love. She was oblivious to it all, but perhaps she would find out someday and rekindle their romance...

Whom do you love?

"Bai Zhi."

Jing Hui rarely saw Lu Songyuan speak in such a hurried tone. She looked up and asked in surprise, "What's wrong with you?"

Lu Songyuan confirmed, "The woman who came to the manor and told you about the things in the deep mountains?"

"Yes, it's her. Lianzhu has liked her for a long time."

A strand of Lu Songyuan's long hair fell down, tickling her cheek.

Jing Hui picked it up and threw it behind him, saying, "When he went south that day, I promised him that if I could help my sister, I would help him pursue Bai Zhi. Now that my sister is better, I naturally have to keep my promise."

Lu Songyuan let out a laugh, then laughed several more times, and said in a low voice, "So that's how it is."

Why are you acting so strangely?

Jing Hui straightened up and looked at Lu Songyuan.

"It's nothing."

Lu Songyuan held Jing Hui's wrist, placed the paper package in her hand on the table, wiped her hands, and then pulled her arm so that she could wrap her arms around his neck.

He leaned forward, his nose touching Jing Hui's shoulder, and chuckled softly a few times before raising his head, licking Jing Hui's earlobe with his lips, and saying, "Ah Zhu, you are such a treasure."

Jing Hui's face turned red, not only because her neck was itchy, but also because of Lu Songyuan's words.

What is he talking about?!

Empress Huixiao and Emperor Jingwen named her Azhu, naturally meaning that they cherished her as a precious treasure.

But when Lu Songyuan said it, it seemed like that wasn't the case at all.

"You, get up."

Seeing that she couldn't push Lu Songyuan away, Jing Hui had no choice but to turn her head to avoid his presence, which made her breathing a little unsteady.

"If you keep pushing like that, I won't take you with me!"

Lu Songyuan relaxed a little and stayed nestled in Jing Hui's neck for a while.

Only when he heard the carriage enter the mansion did he raise his head and ask, "Where are you taking me?"

Jing Hui almost fell asleep listening to Lu Songyuan's breathing. She covered her mouth and yawned, saying, "Let's go to the hot spring palace at Xiaoli Mountain."

Jing Hui briefly explained her plans and the scenery of Xiaoli Mountain to Lu Songyuan, then leaned on Lu Songyuan's shoulder, closed her eyes, and said lazily, "You've been in the capital for a long time, but you haven't seen many scenic spots. Xiaoli Mountain is very beautiful. Besides, your leg is injured, and it must be very difficult to endure in winter. Soaking in a hot spring should relieve some of the pain."

After Jing Hui finished speaking, Lu Songyuan remained silent for a long while.

She looked up in confusion and saw that Lu Songyuan's eyes were dark and deep, his breathing was heavy, and his lips were opening and closing.

Jing Hui immediately sensed the danger, and jumped off Lu Songyuan's lap as if she were leaping away, standing at the carriage door.

She looked wary and said, "Lu Songyuan, if you touch me again without my permission, I really won't be polite to you!"

After saying that, he quickly got off the carriage and disappeared in an instant.

Lu Songyuan looked at the empty car door and chuckled to himself a few times.

Lu Songyuan stopped laughing when Lu Qingyue looked at him with a strange expression. He said, "Push me down. Also, you go to Tangman yourself."

-

Whatever happens during the day, at night we still have to share a bed.

Jing Hui thought that Lu Songyuan would still try to touch her tonight, but to her surprise, seeing Jing Hui's guarded look, Lu Songyuan only kissed her forehead before going to bed and then obediently held her and fell asleep.

Seeing this, Jing Hui relaxed and slept soundly without any dreams.

The next morning, before dawn, news came early from the palace that Emperor Jingwen had woken up.

Upon hearing this, Jing Hui immediately got up, changed his clothes and washed up, and then went to the palace with Lu Songyuan, who was attending the small court assembly.

They parted ways in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. After Jing Hui went inside, she looked at Emperor Jingwen's rosy cheeks and almost burst into tears.

"Father, you seem to be getting healthier and healthier!"

Jing Hui sat on the edge of the dragon bed, feeding Emperor Jingwen medicine as he spoke.

After drinking his medicine, Emperor Jingwen laughed heartily, patting Jing Hui's head and saying, "Father does feel increasingly better, and will be able to spend more time with my Azhu in the future."

"Father Emperor—"

Jing Hui acted coquettishly towards Emperor Jingwen, and after the two chatted and laughed for a while, Jing Hui told Emperor Jingwen about her plan to go to the hot spring palace.

Emperor Jingwen laughed even harder upon hearing this, saying repeatedly, "Lianzhu is just like the Prime Minister; he's been single-minded since he was little. I've noticed he's been interested in that woman for three or four years now, haven't he?"

Yes, we have it.

Jing Hui pouted, "He's such a coward, I have to help him."

“Our Ah Zhu has become a matchmaker.”

Emperor Jingwen sighed and said, "Your mother loved that show the most when she was alive. Go, take your husband, and have a good time."

"Thank you, Father!"

After Emperor Jingwen agreed, Jing Hui and Lu Songyuan left the palace and immediately sent someone to the Prime Minister's residence to inquire about the situation there.

Within an hour, Lianzhu sent a reply saying that everything had been arranged.

The two agreed to set off the day after tomorrow.

After many comings and goings of clouds, on the day of departure, the heavens granted us a rare good day.

The winter sun is large and bright, hanging high in the blue sky, making even the withered trees seem to come alive.

Early in the morning, Ayu, Ayan who had returned from the deep mountains, and Lu Qingyue began loading their luggage into the car.

Around 7 a.m., the carriage of the Prime Minister's residence appeared at the other end of Anping Street.

Ayu came to report, and Jing responded. He then ordered someone to send the memorial he had read that morning to the palace, put on his cloak, and headed towards the gate of the General's Mansion.

From afar, she saw Lu Songyuan with his back to the gate, talking to Lianzhu, who was riding a horse.

Jing Hui strode towards that direction, and as he got closer, he heard Lian Zhu say to Lu Songyuan, "General Lu looks all smiles, but why does his gaze seem like he's plotting something wicked?"