Wow? What a huge ship!
As Yin Li finished organizing the secret records, the stars outside the window were already twinkling. She was marking the map of the suburban mansion when a soft knock came from outside the courtyard, so light it was as if she didn't want to disturb something. When she opened the door, she saw He Mo leaning against a pillar, his black brocade robe gleaming with dark gold cloud patterns in the moonlight, leading two magnificent black horses, their manes still damp with night dew.
"The moonlight is just right, let me take you to try something good." When he looked up, his eyes were filled with tiny starlight, and he flicked the wine gourd hanging from his waist with his fingertips. "The osmanthus wine from the river outside the capital is said to be even more mellow than the one in your mansion."
Looking at the smile in his eyes, Yin Li couldn't help but nod. As she changed into her moon-white dress, her fingertips unconsciously brushed against the hem of her sleeve—remembering the warmth of their hands during the day, her ears quietly flushed red again.
When she went out, He Mo had already led the horse for her. When she came over, he naturally reached out to help her onto the horse, his palm supporting her waist. The warm touch came through her thin skirt, making her heartbeat, which had just calmed down, skip a beat again.
Two fine horses galloped across the long cobblestone street, the night breeze carrying the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms onto their faces. Yin Li sat sideways on the horse's back, occasionally glancing up to see He Mo's tall and straight back. The moonlight fell on the top of his head, making him appear even more gentle than during the day.
"How did Your Highness know I like osmanthus wine?" she couldn't help but ask, her voice soft and gentle in the wind, like a feather landing on his shoulder. He Mo turned around, his gaze falling on her wind-blown hair, and raised his hand to brush it behind her ear. His fingertips inadvertently brushed against her earlobe, the warmth like an electric current running through him, and Yin Li abruptly turned her face away, even her neck flushing red. "I guessed."
His voice was tinged with laughter as he spurred his horse to a faster pace, the sound of hooves echoing clearly on the empty street.
Upon reaching the riverbank on the outskirts of Beijing, the painted boats on the water resembled red lanterns adorning black velvet, and the sounds of string and wind instruments mingled with women's laughter drifted in on the night breeze.
He Mo led her onto the nearest painted boat. The wooden platform swayed, and he instinctively reached out to hold her arm, steadying her. "They say the wine on this boat is the best," he said, lifting the curtain to go inside.
The moment the curtain fell, both of them froze. Inside, a scarlet brocade carpet covered the cabin, the air thick with the mingled scents of incense and alcohol. Several women in semi-transparent gowns were leaning against guests, laughing and joking, their fingertips playing with their sleeves. Yin Li's face instantly flushed crimson, as if burned by embers. She instinctively hid behind He Mo, her hands gripping her skirt tightly until her knuckles turned white—this was no place for drinking; it was clearly the capital's infamous "floating brothel"!
"Your Highness, where is this..." Her voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz. She didn't even dare to lift her head, feeling all the gazes around her burning her with discomfort.
He Mo frowned, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes—he hadn't checked properly and had mistakenly wandered into this kind of place. Just as he was about to pull Yin Li away, a heavily made-up madam approached them, waving a round fan and smiling as she stopped them: "Oh my, you two look unfamiliar, is this your first time here?"
"Would you like me to find you a lovely lady to keep you company while you drink? Our Chuntao girl here plays the pipa beautifully..." "No need."
He Mo pulled Yin Li behind him even closer, his tone turning colder, "We've come to the wrong place, let's leave."
But the madam wouldn't have it, reaching out to tug at Yinli's sleeve: "This young lady is so pretty, are you shy? It's alright, the girls in my family are all gentle, they'll keep you company..."
"Don't touch her!" He Mo's voice suddenly turned cold. When he reached out to brush away the madam's hand, he didn't control his strength well, and the madam staggered back two steps.
He immediately pulled Yin Li closer to him, their shoulders pressed tightly together. The cool fragrance of pine needles emanating from him enveloped her like a soft, warm barrier, calming her flustered heart slightly.
The surrounding customers all looked over, and whispers drifted into their ears: "That young man is so protective, are they a young couple?"
"Look how shy that girl is, her face is all red..." These words were like pebbles hitting Yin Li's heart, making her face even hotter. She buried her head, not daring to breathe heavily, feeling as if the wisps of hair on her forehead were about to be softened by the heat.
He Mo noticed her embarrassment, bent down and leaned close to her ear, his voice low and reassuring: "Don't be afraid, I'll take you away right away."
His breath fell beside her ear, mingled with a faint scent of alcohol and cool fragrance, making her earlobe feel as if it were being gently tickled by a feather, tickling her heart with a flutter. He took her hand and squeezed towards the door, the warmth of his palm passing through her fingertips, so reassuring that she couldn't help but tighten her grip.
As she walked through the crowd, someone drunk bumped into her, and Yin Li lost her balance and fell forward. He Mo reacted quickly, reaching out to catch her around the waist, his grip very light, as if afraid of hurting her.
The two were very close; she could smell the cool fragrance on his clothes and feel the rise and fall of his chest. Even their breaths were intertwined.
"Be careful." He Mo's voice was tinged with nervousness. As he helped her to her feet, his fingertips paused lightly on her waist before slowly withdrawing his hand.
Stepping off the painted boat, the night breeze carrying moisture from the riverbank cooled Yin Li's burning cheeks slightly. The two walked back along the riverbank, the moonlight casting long shadows that occasionally overlapped.
Yin Li clutched the hand he had held, his warmth still lingering on her fingertips. Her heart pounded like a deer's, and even her steps became unsteady. "Thank you... just now."
She spoke softly, her gaze fixed on the tips of her shoes, not daring to look at him. He Mo turned his head, looking at her flushed profile, the annoyance in his eyes gradually replaced by a smile: "It's my fault, I didn't check the location properly, and I made you suffer."
He paused, then added, "I won't let you experience anything like this again." A night breeze blew, lifting the hem of Yinli's skirt and stirring her heart. When she looked up, she met Hemo's eyes. Moonlight fell into his eyes, reflecting her image and a hint of tenderness she couldn't understand.
At this moment, the embarrassment from before seemed to have faded a bit, leaving only an indescribable flutter in my heart, like sugar softened by moonlight, slowly melting away.
Upon arriving at the gate of the Silver Prince's Mansion, Yin Li was about to push the door open when He Mo suddenly called out to her, "Yin Li." He took out a small white porcelain bottle from his sleeve, with delicate osmanthus patterns engraved on its surface. "Inside are calming incense pills. If you have nightmares again tonight, just burn one."
Yin Li took the porcelain bottle, her fingertips accidentally touching his fingertips. The warmth made her immediately pull her hand back, saying repeatedly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
As she turned and ran into the palace, she could still feel the gaze on her back, which burned her ears and made them turn red again. Back in her room, Yinli placed the porcelain bottle on the bedside table, her fingertips repeatedly stroking the cool surface of the bottle.
Recalling how he protected her on the pleasure boat, and the whispers in her ear, her heart raced even faster—so this is what it feels like to be moved, a feeling that is both shy and joyful, like secretly tasting the finest osmanthus wine, where even your breath is sweet.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
