Ye Lisheng turned his head and saw me lying there, eyes open, asleep. His originally serious expression turned into a suppressed laugh.

He put down his book and slowly sat down with me on the couch. I rested my head on his lap, and then I fell asleep peacefully.

He patted my back gently, like he was soothing a child to sleep.

Ling Ran, who had just entered to say something, immediately retreated upon seeing this.

I couldn't help but wonder if I was seeing my former master.

Ling Shuang played chess with Consort Mo in Yu Huan Palace, but lost several games in a row.

With a mournful face, she said, "Your Majesty, can't you give way to Ling Shuang?"

She smiled, a smile of utmost kindness: "If only Ye'er were as easy for me as you are!"

"Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. Brother Ye knows what he wants! Isn't the point of life to be happy and joyful?"

"Don't worry, Brother Ye will definitely be able to handle those things!"

Hearing her words, Consort Mo finally felt a little relieved and sighed, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings!"

He paused, then saw Ling Shuang eating osmanthus pastries with an innocent expression, and swallowed back the words he was about to say.

"Your Majesty, please speak freely! Ling Shuang is fine!"

"I heard that the prince of Lanyi Kingdom will come to Lingqi in the spring!"

She had been watching Ling Shuang's expression as she said this, but she didn't expect Ling Shuang to seem so indifferent.

"Oh, I've heard my father mention this before!"

She then smiled and said, "I used to always hope that I could grow up quickly so that I could travel the world with Brother Ye. But ever since I found out that I am a princess sent to marry a foreign ruler, I wish I could stay a child forever and have my coming-of-age ceremony later!"

"Ling Shuang!" Consort Mo gripped her hand tightly, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

She reached out and caught the falling snowflakes, watching them melt in her hand.

She said calmly, "But time flies by too fast, and this day has come too quickly. I'm already of marriageable age!"

In the dimly lit cell, a figure was curled up in a corner, dressed in thin clothes, disheveled, and covered in whip marks. Upon closer inspection, it was Mo Sheng.

Just then, the sound of chains clanging rang out, and Wang Qiaochuan was seen standing outside the cell door.

"If you're not dead yet, stand up!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his curled-up body stirred. He tried with difficulty to stand up, but even the slightest movement caused pain in his bones and muscles.

After finally managing to stand up, he still bowed respectfully and said, "Disciple greets Master!"

His face was covered in scars and stubble, which made Wang Qiaochuan feel particularly distressed.

Why did you do that?

"To propose marriage in front of the Emperor—that's the woman the Prince of Anyang has his eye on!"

He smiled, as if mocking himself: "Even I, your disciple, didn't know!"

"Actually, I know that you and okra are from the same place!"

He was taken aback, not knowing how or when he had found out.

"Master, you..."

"If I can spy on others, why can't I spy on you? I knew that from the first moment I saw you!"

"So you wanted to go back that day, right?"

He didn't bow his head, but his shoulders slumped down little by little: "Master, your disciple misses home!"

"As long as you help me, your master will naturally be able to help you return home!"

"Really?" His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"certainly!"

Looking into Wang Qiaochuan's determined eyes, Mo Sheng was filled with hope.

"How can I help you, my disciple?"

He leaned close to Mo Sheng's ear, as if plotting something.

My nose was itchy, and I was about to sneeze. I reluctantly opened my eyes.

I saw Ye Lisheng looking at me with a devilishly handsome expression, gently brushing a feather across my nose.

I was so startled that I pulled the covers up and sat in the corner: "You... what are you doing in my bed!"

He lay down a bit further inside and declared righteously, "This is my royal residence. I can go wherever I want!"

"you!"

I stared at him with a completely exasperated expression.

"You can't get down!"

"No way!" He refused without even considering it.

So I flipped over and straddled his stomach, looking smug: "If you don't get off, I'll crush you to death with Mount Tai!"

He reached out and pulled my arm down, so my face was only millimeters away from his.

A strange feeling flowed through my heart. Suddenly, he exerted force, flipped me over, and pinned me beneath him.

But why is this pose so ambiguous? Wait… as if I had thought of something, my face flushed red instantly.

To ease the awkwardness, I noticed his throat moving up and down and asked, "Ye... Ye Lisheng, are you thirsty?"

It would have been better not to ask, for asking only ignited a fire. He buried his head in my neck, his lips brushing against it like a feather across our hearts.

I was so frightened that I dared not move, my body stiffened and I didn't even dare to breathe.

"Bang bang bang!" A series of urgent knocks on the door saved me from my awkward situation.

"Brother Ye, Okra, are you inside?"

Ye Lisheng cursed under her breath and reluctantly got off me.

Seeing me looking at him, he said, "I am thirsty!"

Outside, snow was falling heavily, a scene of extraordinary gentleness. I never imagined that Jingxin Garden, filled with blooming plum blossoms, would be so beautiful.

The flowers are blooming bright red, and some buds are still striving to open.

Seeing me blush as I came out of the house with Ye Lisheng

Ling Shuang covered her mouth, her mischievous eyes darting back and forth among the crowd.

Did I disturb you?

The words had barely left her mouth when I saw her raise her claws towards her.

A bloodcurdling scream, like a pig being slaughtered, echoed through Mirror Heart Garden: "Help! Murder!"

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