Chapter 63
He carried Wen Xin as they leaped across rooftops, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck, her face buried in his chest.
Hearing her cling to him so tenderly, Emperor Chengyuan chuckled softly, his chest heaving, his joy undisguised.
Wen Xin's ears burned from his laughter, but she didn't dare to move, so she pretended not to know anything.
Well, since he was a eunuch, it's okay for them to hug and cuddle, right?
"arrive."
A man's deep, magnetic, and pleasant voice rang in her ears, enveloping her with the refreshing scent of ambergris.
Wen Xin suddenly realized that his scent was pleasant and reassuring, as if it had appeared in her distant memory before.
Who is that person?
Wen Xin didn't hear what he said for a moment, so she hugged him even tighter.
Emperor Chengyuan looked down at the obedient girl nestled in his arms, his eyes filled with a deep smile, and carried her into the pavilion.
"master."
Wen Xin suddenly snapped back to reality upon hearing the voices of others.
She looked up and saw a man in a green robe standing at the door, bowing respectfully to them.
He was pale and beardless, with delicate features... a palace eunuch?
What...where is this place?
Wen Xin was a little flustered, and even more afraid that others would recognize her.
If word got out that he was meeting with someone he suspected was a powerful eunuch in the dead of night, his reputation would be ruined.
Emperor Chengyuan noticed her unease, gently patted her back, and went into the side room.
The door closed, cutting off all outside views.
Wen Xin nervously clutched his collar and whispered, "Where is this?"
Emperor Chengyuan placed her on a soft couch, saying, "Qixia Pavilion."
The girl's pretty face froze in shock.
She had often heard of the famous Qixia Pavilion when she was still a young woman.
It is said that this place is suitable for both the refined and the common people, and has both romantic and poetic aspects. Literati can enjoy composing poems and chatting here, while ordinary people can drink, make merry, and enjoy singing and dancing.
However, it's not easy to get in here; only those with an invitation issued by Qixia Pavilion can enter.
Many powerful and wealthy people in the capital considered it an honor to have an invitation from Qixia Pavilion.
Before Wen Xian entered the palace, she would always invite a group of her sisters to a gathering, which aroused envy and jealousy among her other cousins in the Wen family.
Since they didn't dare target Wen Xian, they would often go to Wen Xin to make sarcastic remarks, taking pleasure in belittling her and satisfying their twisted vanity.
Wen Xin was always speechless, but that was just how the Wen family was.
She ignored them, pretending to be weak and helpless. She would just agree with whatever they said, but in the end, they were the ones who were left feeling resentful.
However, her cousins said that someone like her would never be qualified to step into Qixia Pavilion in her entire life.
I wonder if they'll feel incredibly embarrassed if they see her already here?
Alas, it's a pity she's such a kind and gentle person, so she can't have any fun with them for now.
There's no rush, there will always be opportunities.
Wen Xin looked around the room with some curiosity. It was elegantly decorated, with windows opening onto the water. Outside was a lake, with lanterns of various shapes floating on it, creating a hazy and beautiful scene. There were painted boats moored in the center of the lake, where singing and dancing were taking place.
There was a pavilion in front of the lake, where a group of young people were drinking and reciting poetry, a scene of prosperity and flourishing.
It was Wen Xin's first time in such a place, and she looked around cautiously yet curiously.
Seeing her bright eyes and relaxed, carefree demeanor, Emperor Chengyuan's thin lips curved slightly, and his mood also improved.
He poured her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her.
There was a sudden knock on the door of the side room.
Like a startled little rabbit, Wen Xin looked nervously at the man opposite her.
Emperor Chengyuan reassured her in a low, magnetic voice, "It's alright."
Several waiters respectfully pushed open the door, bowed their heads, brought in the food, and then quietly withdrew, never daring to look at them once.
It's unclear whether they were wary of the man beside her, or if the service at Qixia Pavilion was simply exceptional.
But undoubtedly, this made Wen Xin very relaxed.
The aroma of food filled the air, and her stomach was rumbling again.
Blushing, she covered it, not wanting it to embarrass its owner.
Emperor Chengyuan chuckled softly and handed her the chopsticks. "Eat."
Wen Xin was indeed very hungry, so she didn't refuse and thanked him quietly with a blush on her face.
She was eating, and the man was sitting across from her drinking.
The girl raised her watery eyes and asked him, "Aren't you going to eat?"
She glanced at the wine glass in his hand and said softly, "Alcohol is bad for your health, don't drink too much."
Emperor Chengyuan paused in his pouring of wine, then suddenly burst into laughter.
Wen Xin held her rice bowl, her fair face full of innocence, not understanding what was wrong with this person.
His emotions were always strange to her.
Emperor Chengyuan looked at the petite, soft little dumpling in front of him with a half-smile, "You're supposed to be timid, but you're also incredibly brave."
Who in the world dares to control an emperor?
Even his birth mother was terrified of him.
Oh, perhaps they wish he would drink himself to death.
This little dumpling is so fragile, and despite being frightened by him time and time again, she always thinks he's a good person and has no defenses against him at all.
It seemed to her that he was just a kind-hearted person who was a little strange.
His Majesty sighed: They're so easily fooled. What if they get tricked by someone else? So, it's best to stay obediently by his side!
Wen Xin looked blank, as if she couldn't understand what he was saying.
Emperor Chengyuan casually rested his chin on his hand, his tone languid, "Hmm, you are pardoned."
Wen Xin: "..."
What crime did she commit?
She hesitated for a moment, then asked him sincerely, "Are you drunk?"
So you're talking nonsense?
Emperor Chengyuan laughed again, as if Wen Xin had struck a nerve with his laughter.
Wen Xin lowered her head and started eating. This mysterious big shot was clearly not in a normal mental state, so she, a timid and soft-hearted girl, wouldn't make things difficult for herself.
After finishing her meal and watching the song and dance performances on the lake for a while, Wen Xin covered her mouth and yawned delicately, her eyes misty with sleepiness.
But seeing the person opposite her still enjoying their tea, she didn't dare to say she wanted to go back.
"Tired?"
The man finally took pity on him and asked.
Wen Xin nodded obediently.
Emperor Chengyuan put down his teacup. "Alright, let's go back then."
He got up and was about to walk towards the door, but Wen Xin stood still, her little face full of struggle.
"Um?"
Emperor Chengyuan turned to look at her, seemingly puzzled as to why she had stopped leaving.
Wen Xin bit her red lips lightly; even with her good temper, she wanted to scold him.
How does she get there?
There are people all outside. What if they recognize her?
Could this person be any worse?
"Could you... find her a straw hat, or a veil would also be fine?"
However, before she could hesitate and speak, Emperor Chengyuan strode over and picked her up.
Wen Xin exclaimed in surprise and quickly hugged his neck.
The man chuckled softly, "So delicate. If you don't want to walk, just say so. Do you think I wouldn't carry you?"
Wen Xin: "..."
I didn't, I'm not! It's clearly you who are heartless!
Emperor Chengyuan: "Hmm?"
The girl hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "...You are so understanding."
Emperor Chengyuan paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. His gaze was bright and intense, so intense that she dared not look at him for long. She could only blush and bury her face in his chest, foolishly believing that this way no one would see her and she would not be recognized.
...
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