Chapter 40 "I seduced her first."...

Royal banquet

Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the hall, while the moonlight outside was as clear as water.

Xiao Chongheng found the banquet incredibly boring, with everyone discussing the precarious position of the Crown Princess, which annoyed him so much that he decided to go out for a walk to clear his head.

Unexpectedly, they ran into the daughter of the Lu family and the son of the Cui family.

"Lord Duke of Yan."

Lu Xin took the initiative to greet Xiao Chongheng. She and Xiao Chongheng's younger sister, Xiao Yuzhen, were close friends and would visit the Princess's residence every few days, so the two were quite familiar with each other.

"So it's Xin'er. Are you strolling in the garden with Young Master Cui?" Xiao Chongheng asked knowingly.

"It's rare to see lotus flowers still blooming in late autumn. It seems the palace gardeners have improved their skills this year." Lu Xin smiled, tacitly agreeing with Xiao Chongheng's words.

After the Cui family's misfortune, the marriage alliance between the Cui and Lu families was originally intended to be called off, but Xiao Chongheng's perspective suggests that the marriage alliance between the Cui and Lu families might still be possible.

"This is the first time I've seen you since you were transferred to a post outside the capital. Why don't you stay in the capital and spend more time with Miss Lu?" Xiao Chongheng said to Cui Haoxu.

Cui Haoxu and Cui Yingxue did not share the same mother. In fact, Cui Haoxu's biological mother died because of Cui Yingxue's biological mother's constant rivalry. After his mother's death, he was raised by his aunt Cui Yuerong. Therefore, he had no feelings for the deceased Cui Yingxue, but instead had feelings for his aunt's daughter, Xue Yingyue.

Cui Haoxu smiled politely: "You jest, sir. How can personal feelings interfere with important matters of the court? I have something I'd like to say to you, sir. Would you mind if I spoke to you in private?"

Xiao Chongheng was puzzled. He had never had much contact with Cui Haoxu, so why did Cui Haoxu have something to say to him? However, Cui Haoxu was now Ling Zhenli's nominal cousin, so he still had to give him face.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, Cui Haoxu first subtly probed the matter.

"I wonder if the Duke of Yan has a good relationship with the Crown Princess?"

Seeing this, Xiao Chongheng immediately guessed what he was going to ask, so he didn't waste any time and said directly, "We know each other well, so there's no need to be vague. Just say what you want to say."

Although Cui Haoxu and Xiao Chongheng had only met a few times, they were well-acquainted, both being prominent young masters in the capital.

"I vaguely heard that the Crown Prince was angry with the Crown Princess this time, and it was somewhat related to you. Ah, of course, you and the Crown Princess both have families and are both relatives of the royal family, so you certainly wouldn't do anything out of line. However, you and His Highness the Crown Prince have a very good relationship, and you certainly wouldn't want to hurt your brotherly bond, so... I want to confirm with you that you and the Crown Princess haven't crossed any lines, have you?"

Cui Haoxu looked at Xiao Chongheng seriously. Xiao Chongheng hesitated slightly. He knew he shouldn't tell Cui Haoxu the truth, but his vanity got the better of him, and he wanted to admit his relationship with Ling Zhenli.

His guilty conscience prevailed for only a moment. To protect Ling Zhenli's reputation, Xiao Chongheng still denied his relationship with her.

"The Crown Princess and I simply hit it off immediately and got along well."

However, Cui Haoxu had already noticed something amiss through careful observation. But as a subject, he dared not ask too many questions, no matter how chaotic the affairs of the imperial family were. He knew one thing: if a man was too handsome, he was more likely to provoke women to make mistakes.

I had never spoken to Xiao Chongheng up close before, and I only thought he was somewhat handsome. But now that I see him up close, I realize that he truly deserves to be called the number one handsome man by word of mouth among noble ladies.

Xiao Chongheng is so handsome... It seems that the Crown Princess may have made a mistake that every woman might make.

For the sake of long-term consideration, Cui Haoxu still subtly reminded Xiao Chongheng: "If the Crown Princess makes a mistake, you must also remain clear-headed."

Xiao Chongheng hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "I hope Young Master Cui will not take offense; it was I who seduced her first."

Cui Haoxu's eyes widened immediately: "Duke of Yan, do you know what you're saying?"

"It was my mistake that implicated the Crown Princess. I will personally apologize to her." Xiao Chongheng pretended to admit his mistake, but inwardly he was quite pleased with himself.

"You... sigh..."

Seeing this, Cui Haoxu could only shake his head helplessly. Xiao Chongheng patted his shoulder and smiled, "Don't keep Lu Xin waiting too long. Go and keep Miss Lu company."

*

Shengguang Temple

The guards standing in front of the sleeping quarters obediently withdrew after Xie Daojian presented His Highness the Crown Prince's token.

Ling Zhenli asked him where he stole the token, and Xie Daojian smiled and said, "The Holy Light Temple is heavily guarded. His Highness the Crown Prince sent me to visit you, so of course I had to be given a token."

"If Pei Xuanlin knew the purpose of his token, he would be furious."

Ling Zhenli was still angry after arguing with Pei Xuanlin. With her childhood sweetheart and first love comforting her, she naturally didn't want to consider Pei Xuanlin's feelings.

Xie Daojian took out a small bottle from his sleeve, tilted his head back and drank the amber liquid inside, then poured it into her lips.

The sweet juice slid down his chin and was scooped up by the tip of his tongue.

The Lingzhen pear tasted of nectar, mixed with a unique aroma.

Moonlight flowed over the petals, and the stamens trembled as they released a delicate fragrance. Ling Zhenli felt as if she were that epiphyllum, with him peeling away its tightly closed petals little by little, revealing its inner self that had never been shown to anyone before.

"Don't look..."

She reached out to cover his eyes, but he gently bit her fingertip, the pain as fine as a needle, yet it stirred up an even deeper itch.

The water purifier bottle on the table suddenly tipped over.

She felt the rising tide overflowing the crevices of the rocks, her body being stretched into a swollen riverbed, pain and pleasure mingling.

Ling Zhenli winced in pain, turned her head and bit her hair, the black strands tangling between her lips and teeth, like a restraint or a reliance. The candlelight on the offering table flickered violently, causing the shadows of the two of them to sway as well.

"Ah Li, I love you."

The sound of patrolling guards could be heard outside the palace. Ling Zhenli tensed up, her nails digging into Xie Daojian's back. He deliberately provoked her to gasp for breath at this moment. The footsteps outside the door gradually faded away, leaving only the wind chimes on the eaves ringing intermittently, and the sticky sound of the drizzling rain hitting the ground.

...

After a long while, the moonlight shifted, illuminating the willow branch inserted in the jade vase in the room, and also illuminating the two people's appearance at this moment.

Xie Daojian wrapped her trembling body in the blanket, but his fingertips still lingered on her waist.

"Ah Li, I've given you everything, so please like me a little more from now on, okay?" He whispered close to Ling Zhenli's earlobe, "Whether it's Pei Xuanlin or Xiao Chongheng, could you spare a little more attention for them..."

“Ayu, you…” Ling Zhenli huddled under the covers, playfully hugging his waist, “How can you be so cute?”

"Sigh..." Xie Daojian sighed with a smile, patting Ling Zhenli's messy head with his hand, "I'm vying for favor."

"Huh?" Ling Zhenli raised her head, feigning ignorance. "What competition for favor?"

"You're just throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man." Xie Daojian laughed, toying with Ling Zhenli's hair. "I'm jealous, okay? I'm jealous that Pei Xuanlin is your husband, and I'm jealous that Xiao Chongheng is good-looking."

“So that’s how it is…” Ling Zhenli chuckled to herself and continued to bury her head.

"hiss……"

Xie Daojian, in pain, pulled her out of the water again.

Ling Zhenli stared with innocent eyes, her gaze both pure and filled with desire, looking deeply at Xie Daojian. Xie Daojian's gaze was filled with tenderness, and he could no longer hold back, so he kissed her.

As their lips met, his Adam's apple bobbed, his palms pressed hotly against her lower back, and sweet breaths escaped as their tongues intertwined. Silver threads shimmered in the moonlight, like silken threads spun by silkworms, tightly binding their two burning hearts.

"I love you so much, Ah Li. I'm going to ask Pei Xuanlin for permission to protect you at all times."

Aren't you afraid that one day our relationship will be exposed and you'll lose your life?

"I'm not afraid, I'd rather die than stay with you."

"Shh..." Ling Zhenli narrowed her eyes and pressed her index finger to his lips. "Don't say anything unlucky, Ayu. We will definitely grow old together."

Ling Zhenli couldn't help but laugh when she said the last sentence.

"Don't lie to make me happy," Xie Daojian said sadly.

"Huh? What lie? I didn't hear that." Ling Zhenli tilted her head, successfully making Xie Daojian laugh.

Taking advantage of the situation, Ling Zhenli hooked her arm around Xie Daojian's and continued to tempt him, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we just lived happily ever after like this?"

"I'll listen to you, I'll listen to whatever you say." Xie Daojian obediently snuggled closer to her. "But you'll probably be leaving Shengguang Temple soon. Pei Xuanlin didn't come to see you because you two had a fight. He wants me to apologize to you on his behalf."

"Why are you saying nice things to him?" Ling Zhenli stared at him blankly.

“Since you called out Xiao Chongheng’s name in your dream, it means that Xiao Chongheng is the one I should hate. As for Pei Xuanlin… he is, after all, your husband and the crown prince. I hope you two can get along better; it will be good for you.”

Seeing Xie Daojian's righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, Ling Zhenli couldn't help but smile and explain, "Xiao Chongheng and I are a thing of the past. I have no relationship with him now, and I will have no relationship with him in the future."

"You don't need to hide your past with Xiao Chongheng from me." Xie Daojian was still gentle with her. "I know you used to love him, that's okay. If he offers you help, you can acknowledge him, but don't give him your heart again, okay?"

Ling Zhenli nodded blankly, her heart in turmoil.

No matter what, she could never forget Xiao Chongheng. She couldn't be completely indifferent to him, especially since he had repeatedly tried to seduce and tempt her. There were times when she couldn't control her feelings.

As I thought about it, tears welled up in my eyes.

"Why are you crying, Ah Li? Do you still love him?" Xie Daojian's eyes flashed with sadness.

Ling Zhenli sobbed pitifully and collapsed into Xie Daojian's arms.

“I… Xiao Chongheng and I had a child… but I was in poor health and couldn’t keep it. So every time I see him, I feel excruciating pain. I loved him so much before, Ayu, please forgive me. I loved him, but at first he was so good to me. Knowing I was afraid of being alone, he would come to be with me every day. When I was sad, he would comfort me. When I was sick, he would stay up all night to take care of me. But after I got pregnant, he became preoccupied and wouldn’t tell me anything. Sometimes he wouldn’t even come to see me for ten days or half a month. My heart aches so much… I’m emotionally unstable, and my body was already weak… My child is gone just like that… How can I not be in pain…”

The more she talked, the more aggrieved she felt, and gradually tears streamed down her face.

Xie Daojian listened to Ling Zhenli recount her ordeal, his heart clenching with pain. How could Xiao Chongheng be so heartless as to hurt Ling Zhenli?

"There's a well-known secret in the capital: Xiao Chongheng has an unborn daughter, Xiao Chiying, who is enshrined in Huaiming Temple... Ah Li, that's your child with him, isn't it?"

Ling Zhenli did not answer, and burst into tears again. Xie Daojian then knew that he was right.

"Ah Li, don't be too sad, everything will be alright..."