The moonlight shone brightly, illuminating the inside and outside of Feihua Palace. Outside the window, several birds chirped and chattered on the branches, occasionally flapping their wings and causing the branches to tremble slightly, breaking the tranquility of the night.
Xiao Huaijin quietly pushed open the palace door. The palace maids inside had just finished helping Shen Yunjiao get dressed. When they saw His Majesty arrive, they respectfully knelt and bowed before walking out.
Xiao Huaijin strolled into the inner hall and, through the screen, saw Shen Yunjiao sitting on the bed, seemingly lost in thought.
She wore a light blue Hangzhou silk gauze dress, and half of her jet-black hair had fallen down. The dim glass lamp at the foot of the bed flickered, reflecting her slightly melancholic yet delicate and moving features.
Xiao Huaijin stood outside the screen, his eyes darting around.
He knew that Shen Yunjiao had worries in her heart, but he didn't know what she was worried about.
Was it because of Yelü Qi?
Thinking of this, Xiao Huaijin coughed lightly and asked, "Why are you standing here in a daze?"
He spoke as he slowly stepped inside.
When Shen Yunjiao saw him arrive, she came to her senses, shifted her position slightly, patted the bed, and said, "You're back."
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Huaijin had already arrived in front of him. Under the moonlight, his brows looked as if they were covered with a thin layer of frost, and his originally gentle temperament seemed to have been tinged with a sense of aloofness.
Shen Yunjiao's heart couldn't help but tremble.
She glanced at the bright moon hanging high in the sky outside the window, her anxiety growing even stronger.
Tonight, she will force the Gu worm out and put it into Xiao Huaijin's body to absorb the poison.
After the Gu worms have finished absorbing the poison, she will use needles to expel them from Xiao Huaijin's body.
One step after another, and every step must be flawless.
That's why she preferred to set the location at Feihua Palace, so that at least Nanfeng and Zhuye would protect them if anything happened.
Shen Yunjiao lowered her eyes, concealing her inner anxiety, before smiling and saying, "Huaijin, I'm so glad you were here today."
Hearing Shen Yunjiao laugh, Xiao Huaijin focused his attention on her.
Her smile wasn't as genuine as usual; the joy barely reached her eyes.
Was it because she was worried about Yelü Qi?
Xiao Huaijin slowly clenched his fist and then slowly relaxed it. He said gently, "Jiaojiao, don't worry, Yelü Qi has returned to the city safely."
After hearing this, Shen Yunjiao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Really? That's great."
Why are you still unhappy? Isn't this what Shen Yunjiao is worried about?
Xiao Huaijin felt a little irritated, but he thought that if Shen Yunjiao didn't want to talk about her troubles, he wouldn't force her to.
The two sat on the edge of the bed, speechless for a moment.
The moon outside the window shone like a silver plate, casting a soft glow. Seeing this, Xiao Huaijin gently asked Shen Yunjiao, "Would you like to go outside for a walk?"
Speaking of which, Xiao Huaijin hasn't properly shown Shen Yunjiao around the Feihua Palace at night yet.
Shen Yunjiao paused for a moment, then nodded and said okay.
Behind the main hall of Feihua Palace is a long covered walkway that winds its way upwards, leading directly to the highest point of the palace—the Moon-Viewing Pavilion.
Xiao Huaijin held Shen Yunjiao's hand tightly and led her step by step up the steps toward the pavilion.
Shen Yunjiao looked around curiously. They were indeed climbing higher and higher, just like climbing a mountain. When they reached the pavilion, they could see the entire Feihua Palace, the palace itself, and even the buildings and markets outside the palace.
Looking up, one sees countless stars and a bright moon; looking down, one sees countless lights shining and streams flowing.
A gentle breeze blew during this time, making it a truly pleasant experience.
Shen Yunjiao couldn't help but exclaim, "This place is so beautiful!"
Seeing that she was engrossed in the scenery, Xiao Huaijin focused his attention on her.
Under the silvery moonlight, she wore only a thin gauze dress. A gentle breeze made her exquisite figure even more graceful. Her skin was delicate and fair, and her eyes were bright and clear like apricots. Half of her freshly washed hair was loosely held in place by a white jade hairpin, while the other half fell casually down her chest.
She looked extremely charming and alluring.
The moonlight was so beautiful, and her outstanding appearance naturally added to her allure.
Xiao Huaijin's Adam's apple bobbed as he forcefully suppressed the agitation in his heart before asking, "Now that you see such pleasant scenery, are you in a better mood?"
Shen Yunjiao was stunned. "How did Your Majesty know I wasn't in a good mood?"
Xiao Huaijin's gaze froze, and after a moment of pursing his lips, he asked in return, "Weren't you worried about Yelü Qi just now? Now that you know he's safe, are you feeling a little more at ease?"
Even if Shen Yunjiao was oblivious, she could still sense the jealousy in his voice.
But she couldn't explain to Xiao Huaijin that she was more worried about the two of them than about Yelü Qi.
Shen Yunjiao could only smile gently and say, "I am much calmer now, thank you, Your Majesty."
"Don't call me Your Majesty." Xiao Huaijin frowned subconsciously upon hearing her words. "I am your lover. You can call me by my name, or..."
"Or what?" Shen Yunjiao immediately asked curiously.
Xiao Huaijin coughed and said in a seemingly indifferent tone, "Or you can call me Brother Jin."
Shen Yunjiao's expression was complicated. Do all men like to be called "brother"?
However, as long as Xiao Huaijin is happy, it doesn't matter if she shouts it out.
So Shen Yunjiao gently tiptoed and whispered "Brother Jin" in Xiao Huaijin's ear.
Her voice was softer and more delicate than usual.
As expected, Xiao Huaijin's handsome face rippled slightly, and his clear and gentle gaze instantly became unfathomable.
Seeing his strong reaction, Shen Yunjiao was a little frightened and quickly turned around to look into the distance.
She placed her hands on the railing of the pavilion, leaned her upper body slightly forward, and leaned out of the railing, as if trying to reach the moat in the distance.
For a moment, Xiao Huaijin felt as if she were drifting away on the breeze.
Xiao Huaijin's expression hardened, and he reached out and hooked Shen Yunjiao's slender waist, gently lifting her back into his arms.
"How can you be so brave?" Xiao Huaijin hugged her affectionately and gently kissed the top of her head. "It's so high, what if you fell?"
"Where would I fall?"
Before she could finish speaking, the strong hand around her waist spun her around quickly.
In an instant, Shen Yunjiao's lower back was pressed against the railing of the pavilion.
The man in front of her held her tightly, his hand on her waist with an undeniable strength that gave her a great sense of security.
In this way, their bodies were pressed intimately together, fitting perfectly without any gaps.
In comparison, Shen Yunjiao felt that the man in front of her, whose eyes were filled with desire and who seemed to want to tear her apart and devour her, was even more terrifying.
Shen Yunjiao instinctively leaned back, "Huaijin..."
"Are you scared?" he asked softly, leaning forward mischievously, making Shen Yunjiao feel a little breathless.
"I'm scared... I know I was wrong." Shen Yunjiao reached out and hugged Xiao Huaijin's back, her face flushed as she admitted defeat.
Her body and voice were trembling, whether from shyness or fear, it was hard to tell.
"Good girl." Xiao Huaijin chuckled as he stood up, led her away from the railing, and then released his hands from her waist.
"It's late, let's go back," Xiao Huaijin coaxed.
Although the scenery was beautiful, Shen Yunjiao was frail and might get a fever if exposed to the cool breeze for too long.
Just as Xiao Huaijin was about to turn and descend the steps, Shen Yunjiao grabbed his sleeve, "Xiao Huaijin..."
This sound was like the gentle flow of spring water.
Xiao Huaijin turned around.
But his gaze met Shen Yunjiao's eyes, which were as clear as spring water.
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