Palace Banquet
The annual palace banquet is about to begin.
Naturally, Yin Li wouldn't let this most convenient opportunity to investigate the case pass by. As the princes and grandsons gathered, the factions among the imperial relatives and nobles gradually became clear.
He Mo had already been corresponding with her, and he would also attend the banquet.
Before the palace banquet even began, a large number of imperial relatives and high-ranking officials had already gathered in the side hall of Chang Le Palace. The warm pavilion was filled with the elegant fragrance of ambergris, and the candlelight flickered on the gilded candlesticks, illuminating the entire room with a dazzling glow.
Yin Li, dressed in a light purple palace gown, stood quietly in the corner, but her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the outside of the hall—He Mo had just entered the hall with the elders of the He family and was exchanging pleasantries with several ministers. He turned his head unintentionally and his eyes met hers.
The moment their eyes met, Yin Li's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head, her ear tips turning a subtle red.
Just now on the palace path, He Mo had secretly slipped her a warm osmanthus cake and whispered to her that the palace banquet would be long and she should remember to eat something. His gentle tone still lingered in her ears. As He Mo watched her flustered and evasive manner, a faint smile appeared on his lips, his eyes full of doting affection.
This scene was witnessed by Crown Prince Gao Xi, who was not far away. He held a wine cup, his fingertips tracing the rim, his gaze fixed intently on Yin Li and He Mo.
The joy and shyness in Yin Li's eyes, and the tenderness and indulgence in He Mo's eyes, were like a fine needle, gently pricking his heart. He had thought that although Yin Li was wary of him, she was not entirely unmoved, but now it seemed that all her tenderness and care were reserved for someone else.
A strange sense of irritation welled up inside Gao Xi. He put down his wine cup and slowly walked towards Yin Li. He stood tall and straight, dressed in a bright yellow prince's robe, exuding an aura of authority that drew the attention of many people around him.
Yin Li sensed his approach and her heart tightened. Just as she was about to politely bow, her wrist was suddenly grabbed by him.
Gao Xi's strength wasn't heavy, but it carried an unyielding force as he pulled Yin Li sharply to his side, avoiding He Mo's gaze.
He looked down at her, his eyes swirling with complex emotions—displeasure, inquiry, and a hint of panic that even he himself didn't realize.
"Yin Li," his voice carried a deliberate coldness, yet concealed a barely perceptible tension, "I have something to discuss with you. Come with me."
Yin Li stumbled a few steps as he pulled her along before regaining her balance. She looked up at Gao Xi and saw that his jawline was taut and his eyes were sharp as knives; he was clearly angry.
She was puzzled, but dared not resist. She could only let him pull her through the crowd toward the side door of the side hall.
The corridor outside the palace was silent, with only the soft rustling of the palace lanterns in the wind.
Gao Xi stopped and released Yin Li's wrist, but still stood in front of her, looking at her with a deep gaze: "Just now in the palace, you and He Mo were exchanging glances, quite enjoying yourselves." His tone was somewhat sarcastic, yet it also concealed a hint of barely perceptible grievance, "What? Have you forgotten your place after staying in the Eastern Palace for so long?"
Yin Li's cheeks flushed from his question, and she quickly explained, "Your Highness misunderstands, Lord He and I are just..."
“Just what?” Gao Xi interrupted her, raising an eyebrow. “Just a chance glance? Or just meeting an old friend? Yin Li, do you think I can’t see it? The way you look at him is completely different from how you look at me.” His voice gradually lowered, with a hint of self-mockery. “It seems that in your heart, I am ultimately no match for him.”
Seeing the disappointment in Gao Xi's eyes, Yin Li felt a pang of pity. She knew Gao Xi had feelings for her, but she had already decided on He Mo. She could only say in a low voice, "Your Highness, Lord He and I have a deep friendship. I did not mean to offend you. However, matters of the heart cannot be forced. Please understand."
Looking into her determined eyes, Gao Xi felt his frustration grow even stronger.
He suddenly reached out and grabbed Yin Li's chin, forcing her to look at him, his eyes filled with resentment: "Can't I force you? Yin Li, you won't even give me a chance?"
Just then, a eunuch's voice rang out from inside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Gao Xi paused, slowly releasing Yin Li's chin. The emotions in his eyes gradually subsided, and he regained his usual composure.
He gave Yin Li a deep look, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "The palace banquet is about to begin. Follow me inside. Remember, inside the palace, you are my person. If you have any thoughts you shouldn't have, put them away now."
Yin Li had no choice but to obediently follow the Crown Prince.
The palace banquet was in full swing, with melodious and graceful music playing as actors on stage gracefully moved their sleeves, drawing cheers from the guests.
Yin Li sat beside Gao Xi, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of her wine glass. The warm breath Gao Xi had whispered in her ear just now still seemed to linger there, making her heart pound. She wondered if she was afraid of this unpredictable master.
She instinctively tried to distance herself from Gao Xi, but unexpectedly, he gently grasped her wrist. Gao Xi's eyes held a hint of mockery as he whispered, "What? Scared?"
Yin Li's cheeks flushed slightly, and she was about to pull her hand away when she caught a glimpse of He Mo looking in their direction. His aura instantly turned cold, and his deep eyes were fixed on her hand that was touching Gao Xi's, his jawline taut.
Yin Li's heart tightened, and she quickly broke free from Gao Xi's hand, picking up her wine glass to hide her panic.
Seeing her evasive manner, He Mo felt a surge of jealousy. He had originally accompanied his elders to a banquet at the palace, but he never expected to witness this scene.
Although he hadn't entered the palace these days, he had been constantly concerned about Yin Li's safety. Now, seeing her behaving intimately with the Crown Prince, he felt as if something was blocking his chest, making him feel suffocated.
The performance on stage was reaching its climax when suddenly the sound of gongs and drums rang out, drawing the attention of all the guests.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, He Mo stood up, walked through the crowd, and before Yin Li could react, grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from her seat.
Yin Li gasped, but He Mo covered her mouth, his voice urgent and hoarse: "Come with me."
He pulled Yin Li through the noisy crowd to the back of the stage.
This is where the actors wait for their turn on stage. Various costumes and props are piled up here. In the corner, there is a hidden passage leading to a small room offstage, where the actors take a temporary rest.
He Mo led her into the secret passage, pushed open the inconspicuous wooden door, and pulled her into the room.
The room was small, furnished only with a simple wooden table and two chairs, and layers of curtains hung around it, isolating the room from the outside world.
The singing and instrumental music from the stage upstairs could be faintly heard through the floorboards, yet it also carried a sense of hazy privacy.
He Mo released his grip, turned around, and pinned Yin Li against the door. His aura was scorching and intense.
He looked down at her, his eyes swirling with complex emotions—worry, jealousy, and a long-suppressed longing. "Just now, your closeness with the Crown Prince made me quite jealous," he said in a low voice, tinged with a hint of grievance, a stark contrast to his usual composure.
Yin Li felt flustered under his gaze, her cheeks burning, and she whispered, "Your Highness and I are just..."
Before he could finish speaking, He Mo leaned down and kissed him.
His kiss was both urgent and domineering, yet cautious, as if confirming her presence.
Caught off guard, Yin Li's body trembled slightly, and her hands instinctively pressed against his chest, but he held them firmly and pressed them against the door.
The curtains swayed gently around the two of them, and the opera upstairs continued, the melodious singing intertwining with their breathing.
He Mo's kiss gradually softened, lingering and caressing, filled with endless longing and affection.
His hand gently stroked her cheek, his fingertips carrying a familiar warmth, which gradually made Yin Li lower her guard. She closed her eyes and immersed herself in this sudden intimacy.
After a long while, He Mo slowly released her, his forehead pressed against hers, his breathing rapid.
He looked at her flushed cheeks and moist eyes, and asked softly, "Ah Li, do you like this?"
Yin Li's cheeks burned even hotter at his question. She quickly turned her face away, not daring to look him in the eye, and whispered, "You...you shouldn't do this. What if someone finds out..."
He Mo chuckled, picked her up, and carried her to a chair in the center of the room, where he sat her down and had her straddle his lap.
His hands encircled her waist, his chin rested on the crook of her neck, and his warm breath sprayed on her skin, causing her to shiver.
"Afraid of being discovered?" He deliberately lowered his voice and whispered in her ear, "Then Ah Li, you'd better keep your voice down, otherwise, people outside might come in and see what our Master Yin is doing."
Yin Li's face instantly turned bright red, the blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears. She tried to get off his lap, but he held her tightly, preventing her from moving.
"He Mo, let me go..." Her voice was choked with sobs, filled with shame and helplessness.
"Let you go?" He Mo pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him, his eyes full of mockery. "Just now at the banquet, when you were chatting happily with the Crown Prince, why didn't you think that this day would come? A-Li, do you also like the Crown Prince's strong personality?"
"No!" Yin Li hurriedly denied, her eyes slightly reddening. "Your Highness and I are just allies, there's nothing more to it."
"No other meaning?" He Mo raised an eyebrow, lowered his head and kissed the tip of her nose. "Then why didn't you push him away just now? Why did you blush?"
Yin Li was speechless at his question, and could only bite her lip, her eyes growing redder and redder.
She knew that He Mo was jealous and was deliberately making things difficult for her, but she couldn't refute him and could only let him tease her.
Looking at her like this, He Mo's jealousy gradually dissipated, replaced by deep pity.
He stopped teasing her and gently stroked her back to soothe her. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore." His voice softened considerably. "I know you and the Crown Prince have no other intentions. I just... get jealous when I see you being close to other men."
Yin Li leaned on his shoulder, listening to his words, and the grievances in her heart gradually dissipated, replaced by waves of sweetness. She reached out and gently hugged his neck, whispering, "He Mo, I only love you."
He Mo felt a warmth in his heart, hugged her tightly, and lowered his head to kiss her lips. This kiss was free of testing and teasing, filled only with love and tenderness.
The performance upstairs continued, the sounds of gongs and drums intertwining with the singing, adding a touch of mystery to their intimacy.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the door, accompanied by the actor's voice: "Hurry up, it's our turn to go on stage."
Yin Li froze instantly, her body tensed, and she gripped He Mo's clothes tightly with both hands.
He Mo hugged her tighter and whispered in her ear, "Don't make a sound, they'll be gone soon."
The footsteps paused for a moment outside the door, as if someone wanted to push the door open and come in. Yin Li's heart jumped into her throat, almost leaping out of her chest.
He Mo gently kissed her lips, diverting her attention, while simultaneously shielding her completely in his arms.
A moment later, the footsteps faded into the distance. Only after confirming that she was safe did Yin Li let out a long sigh of relief, collapsing into He Mo's arms, her cheeks still burning.
Looking at her still-shaken appearance, He Mo couldn't help but laugh out loud: "It seems that our A Li is still so timid."
Yin Li glared at him, but she didn't have the strength. She just leaned against him, feeling his warmth and security.
Two dead men! Aaaaaaah!
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