Chapter 188 What's the point of just watching others?
As a result, Chu Yu grabbed her hand and, without saying a word, led her away from the bushes and out of the area.
"Oh dear... Your Highness..."
Xiao Lingxi was dragged away by him, her heart filled with resentment and frustration.
Finally, Chu Yu led her behind a more secluded plum tree before letting go of her hand. Xiao Lingxi complained somewhat discontentedly:
"Your Highness, what are you doing?"
"Why aren't you in the front hall admiring the daughters of other noble families? What are you doing in this secluded corner of the backyard?"
Chu Yu released her, but did not immediately pull away. In his smiling peach blossom eyes, there was now a strange and profound look.
He glanced in the direction of the pavilion, then turned back and asked meaningfully, "So eager to see? Curious about what they'll do next?"
Xiao Lingxi was speechless for a moment when asked the question, and the blush that had just faded returned.
She shook her head instinctively; "No, no! I won't..."
But when she met Chu Yu's penetrating gaze, she felt too guilty to deny it. She tried to make amends, saying, "I...I just wanted to see if lovers...were really like the characters in the storybooks...like that..."
"So tender and reluctant to part?" Chu Yu picked up where she left off, his voice deepening and carrying an indescribable magnetism.
Xiao Lingxi opened her mouth, her ears burning hotter and her heart pounding with panic.
A faint smile flickered in Chu Yu's eyes. He stepped forward, his voice carrying a hint of seduction: "Since you're so curious, what's the point of just watching others? Why not experience it for yourself?"
"Huh?" Xiao Lingxi looked up blankly, her face full of questions.
Experience it for yourself?
How do I experience it?
With whom to experience it?
Before she could figure it out, she saw Chu Yu's handsome face slowly enlarge in front of her, and then enlarge even more.
The next second, a cool sensation came from my lips!
Realizing something, Xiao Lingxi trembled violently, her eyes widened instantly, and her mind went completely blank. Only the unmistakable warmth and scent of another person remained on her lips.
It overwhelmed all her senses.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Xiao Lingxi even forgot to struggle, her little face turning bright red. The redness spread from her ears all the way down her neck, like a boiled shrimp.
"Hmm..."
After the kiss, Xiao Lingxi had completely lost the ability to think.
Chu Yu released her, slightly out of breath, his gaze fixed on the girl whose cheeks were so red they looked like they could bleed, his Adam's apple bobbing.
He reached out and steadily supported Xiao Lingxi's swaying body, saying softly, "Lingxi, my Eastern Palace is still lacking a mistress."
"Father said that if a suitable woman cannot be found at today's flower-viewing banquet, there is no need to return to the palace."
Xiao Lingxi's mind was still a mess; supported by him, her eyes remained dazed.
"ah?"
Seeing her adorable appearance, Chu Yu's smile deepened. "Miss Xiao, you are always kind and righteous. Now that I am in trouble, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"
"How...how can we help?"
Chu Yu hugged her even tighter, her tone seductive: "It's very simple. When we get to the front yard and see my aunt, I will speak. You just need to stand next to me and nod."
"Leave the rest to me."
Xiao Lingxi nodded almost subconsciously, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.
"Huh? Oh... okay, okay then..."
At the same time, all sorts of guesses and far-fetched speculations flashed through her mind.
Just nod, it's not difficult!
Chu Yu's lips curled into a faint smile: "As expected, Miss Xiao is... a woman of great wisdom and righteousness."
Having said that, he no longer hesitated, took Xiao Lingxi's hand, who was still lost in thought and walking unsteadily, and led her around the plum grove, striding towards the bustling area outside the courtyard.
When the two appeared in everyone's sight, the courtyard, which had been filled with laughter and chatter, fell silent for a moment.
It was as if the pause button had been pressed.
All eyes were simultaneously drawn to the two clasped hands. Speculation, discussion, and wild imaginations were brewing at an alarming pace.
Liu saw her daughter immediately, and noticed her daughter's absent-minded and flushed appearance.
Her heart skipped a beat, filled with surprise and doubt. This child... this is...
Before Lady Liu could react, Chu Yu had already led Xiao Lingxi to a stand and walked steadily toward the Princess.
"aunt."
The eldest princess was also taken aback by the situation. Her gaze swept back and forth between the two, finally settling on their clasped hands. She smiled with interest and asked, "Your Highness, what's going on...?"
"I have found a suitable candidate for Crown Princess today and have come to report to my aunt."
As Chu Yu spoke, he tightened his grip on Xiao Lingxi's hand, turned to look at the still dazed girl beside him, and his smile became even more genuine. "She is Xiao Lingxi, the second young lady of the Yongning Marquis's mansion."
These words caused an uproar throughout the courtyard.
Like a drop of cold water falling into a hot oil pan, the whole place erupted in chaos.
Countless gazes were fixed on Xiao Lingxi, some filled with admiration, others with jealousy, and still others with curiosity.
Lady Liu was so shocked that she almost lost her balance. She quickly grabbed the maid beside her, her heart pounding as if it were about to jump out of her throat.
After the initial shock, the eldest princess quickly regained her composure. Seeing that the crown prince's expression seemed genuine, she asked, "Is this really true?"
Chu Yu made a gesture and spoke loudly: "Miss Xiao is bright and lively, kind-hearted, loyal and righteous, and courageous. I have admired her for a long time, but I have never spoken out in the past due to many concerns. Today, I would like to take advantage of my aunt's flower appreciation banquet, where all the beauties are gathered, to ask my aunt and all the ladies and young ladies present to witness this."
The eldest princess's face instantly lit up with a bright and gratified smile as she asked Xiao Lingxi, "Little Xiao, are you willing? Has the Crown Prince forced you?"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Lingxi blushed and nodded slightly, remembering her promise to Chu Yu.
"Hahaha! Good! Good!"
The eldest princess rose from her chair, clapping her hands in satisfaction. "I knew it! The plum blossoms in the garden were blooming exceptionally well today. It turns out it's a sign of this great joy! Crown Prince! Xiao girl, you two, one steady and kind, the other lively and straightforward, are a match made in heaven! Your aunt likes you very much."
"Your aunt wholeheartedly approves of this marriage!"
The eldest princess's statement was tantamount to a final decision.
Although everyone was surprised, they quickly recovered and congratulations and well wishes came one after another.
The Yongning Marquis's family is of high social standing, and Xiao Lingxi is a legitimate legitimate daughter, making her a perfect match for the Crown Prince's wife.
Chu Yu smiled and thanked everyone for their blessings, then turned around, took Xiao Lingxi's hand, and walked to Liu Shi.
He bowed respectfully to Madam Liu, speaking sincerely, "Madam Xiao!"
Lady Liu quickly avoided a half-bow, saying, "Your Highness is too kind to this humble woman."
Chu Yu stood up, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable determination: "My heart is set on Lingxi, and heaven and earth can bear witness to this. It was my fault for not telling Madam and the Marquis this before, and I hope Madam will understand."
The turmoil in Liu's heart had gradually subsided, but her face was still a mess. Seeing that her daughter was clearly still in a daze, she was somewhat worried.
"Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated by my wife and daughter, but..."
“Lingxi has been spoiled by me since childhood. She is impulsive and does not understand the rules of the palace. I am afraid that she is not up to the task. I am also afraid that she will do something wrong in the future and damage Your Highness’s reputation.”
She said it very tactfully, but it was all out of love for her daughter.
Chu Yu understood the implication, but his expression remained unchanged. Instead, he became even more solemn. "Madam is overthinking it. The Eastern Palace is not lacking in rules or mature young ladies. Lingxi's frankness is a treasure to me, not a burden."
He took Xiao Lingxi's hand and said, word by word, "I hereby guarantee that Lingxi will be free in the palace in the future. If anyone makes her unhappy because of rules and trivial matters, I will be the first to object."
"She just needs to be herself; everything else is up to her."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com