Lu Ze did not leave after all. He lay down beside Qi Yuning with his clothes on, just like he did in the past.
But before, the two of them would always look at Lingling who was sleeping soundly beside them.
But today, Lingling was not there, just the two of them, the fragrance of the inn and the scent of orchids intertwined.
The sound of spring raindrops can be heard outside.
Qi Yuning said: "It's raining again."
Lu Ze nodded slightly: "There is a lot of spring rain this year."
The two chatted idly.
Qi Yuning thought she could fall asleep, but she became more and more awake due to nervousness. She could even hear the thumping sound coming from Lu Ze's heart.
The spring rain outside was getting heavier. Qi Yuning said slowly, "I don't know if it's raining in North City now. This is Lu Yun's first time in North City. The spring weather in North City is not something that people can bear..."
When Lu Ze heard Qi Yuning mention Lu Yun, he asked in a low voice, "Why are you bringing him up?"
"After all, she is my ex-fiance..."
Before the word "husband" came out of her mouth, it was swallowed up by Lu Ze's red lips.
Lu Ze's kiss was very affectionate. The sound of spring rain outside was like beads falling to the ground, covering up the ambiguous sounds in the room.
Qi Yuning felt her whole body go limp, and her hands and feet, which had been cold for years, felt warm. She had never known that a kiss between two people could be so wonderful.
After a long time, with both of their faces flushed, Lu Ze finally let go of Qi Yuning, and Qi Yuning was able to breathe smoothly.
Lu Zelou hugged Qi Yuning tightly and sighed slightly, "If you and I were engaged today, I wouldn't want to endure it any longer."
Qi Yuning understood what Lu Ze meant. Her ears turned red, and she pretended to fall asleep in Lu Ze's arms without saying anything.
Seeing Qi Yuning pretending to sleep, Lu Ze chuckled and tucked her hair behind her ears, then hugged her tightly and fell asleep together.
…
The second day of February.
It is the most lively Flower Goddess Festival for girls in Shengjing City.
A Ping had just arrived in Shengjing City and had never left the palace. When Qi Yu'an learned that there was a lot of excitement today, he took A Ping to Shengjing City to watch the excitement of the Flower Goddess Festival.
Qi Yuan'an is now a well-known figure in Shengjing City. He supported a beautiful woman to the street, attracting many people's attention.
It was the first time that Ah Ping saw the bustle of Shengjing City's streets. "So Shengjing Flower Goddess Festival is so lively."
Qi Yu'an nodded and said, "There will be a parade of flower gods later, with unmarried women dressing up as flower gods scattering flowers."
A Ping gently stroked her belly, fearing that too many people would harm the fetus.
"Who is the woman next to Prince Qi?"
"He looks a bit like Prince Lu?"
"I don't think so, but she is indeed a great beauty."
The ladies and daughters who came to the street to join in the fun were all talking about the beauty next to Qi Yu'an.
"She doesn't look like Master Lu, but more like Master Lu's daughter. Princess Lingling looks very similar to her."
"I said I've never seen Princess Qi pregnant. How could she suddenly have such a big daughter? Could Princess Lingling be this girl's daughter?"
"That's possible. We don't remember Princess Qi being pregnant."
"But didn't Princess Pingrou say that she saw Princess Lingling being born with her own eyes?"
"In that situation, it's possible that Princess Pingrou was trying to help Princess Qi out. We have never seen Princess Qi pregnant."
Qin Yuli listened to the discussion of the crowd, clenched her hands, and looked at the girl Aping beside Qi Yuan with burning eyes. She did look similar to Lingling.
Maybe she is Lingling's biological mother.
Seeing more and more people looking at Ah Ping, Qi Yu'an held Ah Ping in his arms and asked, "Are you going back?"
Seeing the Hundred Flowers Parade coming, Ah Ping smiled and said, "Watch for a while."
"Prince Qi."
“Your Highness!”
When Qi Yu'an heard the Crown Prince's voice, he bowed and said, "Your Highness."
Qi Yu'an saw Ah Ping standing there stiffly, and said to her, "Ah Ping, this is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Ah Ping looked up at Zhao Chong in front of her, and was stunned for a long time before she bowed and said, "Your Highness."
Zhao Chong lowered his eyes and glanced at Ah Ping, then said with a smile, "Prince Qi is so lucky, congratulations."
A Ping looked at Zhao Chong's kind face. He was much gentler than she had imagined. It was impossible for her not to resent having her identity taken away from her. But A Ping also knew very well that she could not hate Zhao Chong.
When their identities were swapped that year, Zhao Chong was just a baby. Although Zhao Chong robbed her of her life, she couldn't blame Zhao Chong.
Qi Yu'an smiled and said, "I heard that the prince has also chosen a princess. Congratulations."
Zhao Chong looked into Ah Ping's eyes and said, "This girl must be Ze'er's sister. They look a bit similar."
Qi Yu'an said: "I don't think they are very similar, they just have peach blossom eyes."
Zhao Chong looked at Aping deeply. A few days ago, he learned that Qi Yuan was determined to marry a mountain girl as his princess. He thought Qi Yuan was crazy. But today, he saw that Aping was indeed a pretty girl.
When Ah Ping saw Zhao Chong looking at her, she whispered to Qi Yu'an, "Your Majesty, I want to leave."
Qi Yu'an said to Zhao Chong, "Your Highness, Ah Ping is pregnant and it's not good for her to stay outside for long. We'll take our leave first."
Zhao Chong nodded and said, "Yes."
After returning to the palace, Ping drank a glass of warm water and calmed down.
Qi Yu'an looked at Ah Ping and said, "Ah Ping, why are you so afraid of His Highness?"
Ah Ping raised her eyes and looked at Qi Yu'an: "I am not afraid of Your Highness."
Qi Yu'an looked into Ah Ping's eyes, and seeing that she was hiding something, he guessed, "Is your identity related to His Highness?"
Ah Ping shook her head and said, "No, no, I don't have any identity."
Qi Yunan frowned slightly and said, "Pingping, we will be husband and wife. I don't want my wife to hide anything from me."
Ah Ping wrapped her fingers around the handkerchief and said, "I didn't hide it from you."
Qi Yu'an sneered and left A Ping's courtyard angrily.
Ah Ping poured a cup of warm water and continued to sip it. Actually, Zhao Chong was her cousin. If Zhao Chong could really be a good prince and bring welfare to the people of the world, she would have to keep her life secret for the rest of her life.
Otherwise, why would wars break out and so many lives be lost because of her?
Aping gently touched her belly. Her only wish now was that the baby in her belly would be born smoothly, healthy and safe.
…
Imperial tomb.
After lunch, we set off back to the city.
Lingling and Zhao Jie are inseparable. When Lingling got on the carriage, little Zhao Jie and Lingling staged a life-and-death farewell, which was very touching.
Lu Ze chuckled and said, "Lingling, we can come to see uncle during the Qingming Festival. It will only take a month."
Lingling said to Xiao Zhaojie with red eyes: "Uncle, wait for Lingling for a month. Lingling will come to play with you in a month."
Little Zhao Jie waved to Lingling with tears in his eyes and said, "Lingling, you must come!"
Lingling nodded and said, "Lingling will come. Goodbye, uncle."
Lingling entered the carriage and cried in Qi Yuning's arms. Qi Yuning hugged Lingling and comforted her, "Okay, okay, it won't be long before you can see your uncle."
Lingling cried, "Why doesn't my uncle come back to the palace?"
Qi Yuning said: "My uncle is probably the safest in the imperial mausoleum."
She thought that Zhao Jie's success in the struggle for imperial power was not due to his ability, but rather to his inconspicuousness and luck.
Princess Duan brought little Zhao Jie to stay safely at the imperial mausoleum. Even if there was a raging war outside, as long as people with the surname Zhao were fighting for the throne, Zhao Jie would be the safest.
Zhao Jie's uncles would not touch these orphans and their widowed mother.
After returning to the palace, it was already time for dinner.
Qi Yuning noticed that something seemed to be wrong with Qi Yu'an and A Ping. A Ping was eating quietly, while Qi Yu'an had a stern face and looked slightly annoyed.
After the meal, Lingling was already feeling a little sleepy. When Lu Ze was about to carry Lingling back to Chunjiang Courtyard, Qi Yu'an stopped him.
"Does Master Lu have time to have a drink with me?"
Lu Ze handed Ling Ling to Qi Yuning and said, "Okay."
Qi Yu'an took Lu Ze to a pavilion in the middle of a lake in the palace. The pavilion was hung with palace lanterns, making it as bright as day.
After Qi Yu'an dismissed the servants, he asked directly, "What is Ah Ping's identity?"
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