Chapter 113 Is this something the King of Scrolls would say?
Upon reaching the lakeside, they found it deserted; there was no trace of Xiao Lingxi or the Crown Prince.
Su Xiaoyu's heart skipped a beat.
"Oh no, Your Highness, the Second Miss has probably been taken away by His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Will she be punished?"
Xiao Jingheng stopped his horse, somewhat puzzled: "Crown Prince?"
Su Xiaoyu nodded, and then concisely recounted the scene of Xiao Lingxi disturbing the Crown Prince's carriage. She concluded by saying:
"Judging from the Crown Prince's expression, he seems very angry, but he's suppressing it. Do you think the Second Miss might be in danger?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng's tense jawline slowly relaxed.
He dismounted and smoothly lifted Su Xiaoyu off the horse, saying:
"Your Highness is always calm, insightful, and has a deep understanding of things. Lingxi's mistake was unintentional and caused no damage. Why would Your Highness punish Lingxi for such a small matter?"
Su Xiaoyu paused.
That makes a lot of sense.
So, all that worrying and anxiety was for nothing?
But if His Highness the Crown Prince didn't mind, why didn't he let the Second Miss leave back then?
Su Xiaoyu's mind flashed, as if some truth had flashed before her eyes.
Just as Su Xiaoyu was wondering what was going on, Xiao Jingheng had already taken her hand and led her to the lakeside. There, a boatman was waiting for passengers.
"Boatman, I need to rent a boat."
He casually tossed out a silver ingot, saying, "Keep the change, take us for a spin around the lake."
The boatman happily agreed and quickly set up the gangplank.
It wasn't until Xiao Jingheng led her into the boat that Su Xiaoyu came to her senses, and her almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise.
"Young Master! Aren't we going to go find the Second Miss? Aren't you worried about her...?"
"What are you worried about? Is His Highness going to eat her?"
Xiao Jingheng looked completely unconcerned. "Don't worry, Your Highness is not a narrow-minded person."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding scenery, a rare smile in his eyes.
"The weather is so nice today. Since we're already out, we can't let this trip go to waste. Let me show you around before we go back, as a way to calm your nerves."
"ah?!!"
Su Xiaoyu could hardly believe her ears.
[Openly skipping work to go on vacation? Would someone as frivolous as Xiao Jingheng say something like that?]
Did the sun rise in the west today?
She hesitated for a long time before tentatively asking, "Then...aren't you going back to the Dali Temple to handle official business?"
Seeing that the small boat had already sailed away from the shore and drifted towards the center of the lake, with weeping willows all around and a cool breeze blowing, it was quite pleasant.
Xiao Jingheng leaned back against the soft cushions in the cabin, his posture languid, exuding a sense of leisurely enjoyment.
"Changfeng and the others will handle the follow-up matters; I don't need to keep an eye on things."
Seeing that Su Xiaoyu was still in a daze, he reached out and gently pulled her into his arms. Su Xiaoyu was caught off guard and ended up lying on the soft pillow with him.
His breath filled the air with a crisp, clean scent.
"It's rare for us to get out, so stay and look at the sky with me for a while."
Look? Look at the sky?
Su Xiaoyu looked up and saw that the autumn sky was exceptionally clear, as if it had been washed by water, a deep, clear blue, with a few wisps of white clouds drifting slowly by. A gentle breeze caressed her face, carrying the fresh scent of the lake.
Indeed... it was very pleasant, and it dispelled much of her earlier anxiety.
She turned her head, just about to say "So beautiful," when she saw that the person next to her had already closed their eyes, breathing evenly and deeply, and had actually fallen asleep.
Su Xiaoyu was slightly taken aback. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that he already had faint bluish shadows under his eyes, and even in his sleep, his brows revealed a hint of fatigue.
Su Xiaoyu suddenly remembered that the two of them hadn't seen each other for several days since that kiss in the tree last night.
Su Xiaoyu couldn't help but sigh, "So being the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is this tiring?"
He looks glamorous, but behind the scenes he probably can't even get a good night's sleep. Is there no one left in the Dali Temple? How come he has to do all the work by himself?
What a work machine.
Thinking about it this way, Su Xiaoyu felt a surge of heartache that she herself hadn't even realized she was experiencing.
Even the most capable person is still just a flesh-and-blood being; they get tired and sleepy.
Looking at Xiao Jingheng's sleeping profile, Su Xiaoyu unconsciously softened her breathing and even stiffened her body a little, afraid of disturbing him.
Xiao Jingheng's other hand was still on her waist, its warmth seeping through the thin fabric.
Given their current situation, would you say they're... sharing a boat and sleeping in the same bed?
This realization caused a blush to creep up Su Xiaoyu's cheeks, and her heart inexplicably quickened its pace.
She secretly raised her eyes and, up close, unabashedly admired his sleeping face.
With thick, long eyelashes, a high nose bridge, and beautifully shaped lips, Xiao Jingheng, when asleep, is unbelievably handsome, setting aside his usual coldness and majesty.
Like a meticulously crafted ink painting, it is quiet, beautiful, and captivating.
Su Xiaoyu admired the view for a while, but her eyelids gradually grew heavy. Before she knew it, she could no longer resist the drowsiness and slowly closed her eyes...
In the small cabin, the two slept side by side, the warm sunlight shining on them, willow branches swaying gently, and water rippling. Time seemed to become exceptionally gentle and tranquil at this moment.
...
Meanwhile, Xiao Lingxi was restless the whole way in Chu Yu's carriage, trying to shrink into a corner of the carriage and not daring to look Chu Yu in the eye.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, and the air grew quiet. Only the rumbling of the carriage wheels could be heard.
Chu Yu leaned against the carriage wall, closed his eyes to rest, his breathing even and long, exuding a calm aura.
After much deliberation, Xiao Lingxi finally couldn't resist and quietly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to peek out the window. The sight made her heart leap into her throat.
This is clearly the way we're going, not the way to the palace, and certainly not the way to the Marquis's residence.
Her anxiety grew stronger: "Your Highness...where are we going?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Yu opened his eyes, a faint smile flashing across his dark gaze.
"What? Are you scared?"
Xiao Lingxi was taken aback by the question, and managed a dry smile: "Your Highness is joking. This humble woman... Since this humble woman has promised Your Highness to make amends, how could she go back on her word halfway?"
Chu Yu stared into her evasive eyes and spoke with certainty.
"You are afraid of being alone."
It's not a question, but a statement.
Xiao Lingxi's heart skipped a beat when she was asked this, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She instinctively denied it outright.
"Your Highness misunderstands. Your Highness is a man of great bearing and magnanimity, benevolent and magnanimous. You are the crown prince of the country and a role model for all people. Countless noble ladies in the capital admire and respect Your Highness and yearn for you. How could I, your humble servant, be afraid?"
After saying that, Xiao Lingxi felt a little embarrassed and laughed awkwardly twice.
"oh?"
Chu Yu listened to her obviously insincere flattery, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
"And you? Do you, like those women, also yearn for me...?"
"..."
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