Chapter 84 Baili Xunzhou boldly went to meet them…
The streets and alleys were lit up like stars, and the smoke from evening meals rose between the gray bricks and tiles. Pedestrians were either hurrying home to eat or looking for a small shop or food stall to order. In front of a shop with no customers, the waiter squatted on the stone stool by the door, slurping soup noodles and looking around at the passers-by with boredom.
A carriage with a "sealed" sign hurriedly turned in, traveled to the other end of the long street, and then turned right again. Was the princess rushing back to the Prince's residence for dinner?
Just as the carriage was turning a corner, Baili Xunzhou galloped from the left on horseback, just missing the rear of the carriage.
The waiter, with a bowl of soup cake in his mouth, wondered, "Where is the young master going if he's not returning to the palace at this hour?"
Inside the carriage, Feng Mian heard the sound of galloping hooves and inexplicably lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside, just in time to catch a glimpse of Baili Xunzhou's figure rushing past like the wind.
"Stop the car!" she shouted without thinking.
The carriage stopped at the corner of the alley, neither forward nor backward. Before Liu Ying could get out of the carriage to help her, Feng Mian had already jumped off the carriage, lifting her skirt. There was a series of jingling sounds, and she didn't even notice when the hairpin behind her head fell to the ground.
She stood at the crossroads, gazing at the long street. The lights illuminated the bustling crowd, but Baili Xunzhou was nowhere to be seen. Only then did she realize with a start that since he was riding a horse, he should have already vanished in the short time it had taken her to stop and get out of the carriage.
Judging from the direction he's heading, he must be going to the princess's residence. Now that he's turned back in his carriage, he should still be able to catch up.
Just as Feng Mian was about to turn around and get into the carriage, she saw a figure on horseback ride around the donkey cart piled with goods and appear in her field of vision, quickly running towards her.
In the brief moment when he passed the carriage, amidst the commotion, Baili Xunzhou keenly caught Feng Mian's voice. Somewhat incredulously, he reined in his horse and brought it to a sudden stop. His figure was conveniently obscured by a donkey cart carrying goods passing by behind him, but because his field of vision was higher, he could see Feng Mian's peering figure through the piles of goods.
Is she looking for him?
His mind went blank for a moment. He instinctively spurred his horse back, dismounted a few steps away from Feng Mian, and strode to her. His breath was rapid, and his bright eyes were fixed on Feng Mian. He blurted out with urgency and relief, "You didn't go...!"
Before he could finish speaking, he keenly sensed the subtle gazes cast upon him from all around. Street vendors and passersby were all secretly observing the two of them.
He immediately swallowed back what he was about to say, and without further ado, he took Feng Mian's hand and whispered, "It's not convenient to talk here, I'll take you somewhere!"
Baili Xunzhou helped Feng Mian nimbly mount her horse, then leaped up himself, holding her securely against his chest. With a tug on the reins, the horse galloped off in the direction they had come from.
The night wind howled in his ears, and the candlelight blurred into a bright shadow on both sides. In the turbulence, Feng Mian's back was almost pressed against Baili Xunzhou's chest. He could feel the rapid heartbeat from his chest, which gradually overlapped with his own pounding heartbeat.
Silence gradually descended, leaving only the sounds of the wind and insects. Dots of light gradually appeared before Feng Mian's eyes, reflecting on the rippling lake and mingling with the stars and moon.
The pavilion in the lake is draped with sheer gauze on three sides, which flutters in the night as the wind blows, like a gentle, tangible ray of moonlight.
Baili Xunzhou helped Feng Mian dismount, nervously holding her hand as they stepped onto the covered bridge leading to the waterside pavilion. The delicate fragrance of tuberose wafted from both sides, lingering around them, while the night breeze carried damp air, making everything even more thick and alluring.
His fingers felt the warmth and softness of her palm, and he could hear the light tapping of her footsteps on the covered bridge. Slowly, his fiercely beating heart calmed down, and the tension transformed into the courage to take a desperate gamble.
The lake water rippled gently. He stood in the pavilion, looked solemnly at Feng Mian, and said in a firm and clear voice: "Mianmian, I do not want to divorce you."
His eyes reflected the shimmering lake water dotted with stars and the moon. Moonlight filtered through the snow-white gauze, casting a hazy, frost-like glow on him. His sharp features were softened by the gauze's shadow, making him appear even more beautiful.
Feng Mian could almost foresee what he was going to say next, and before she could even hear it, she felt a heat rising to her cheeks.
The sounds of wind, water, and insects were filtered out, leaving only his slightly tense but clear voice, like the ringing of gold and jade, like the echoing of a chime: "I love you, and I want to be your true husband and wife, one for life, one love."
Strange, I didn't drink any alcohol just now, so why do I feel dizzy and lightheaded now?
Seeing that Feng Mian was just staring at him without speaking, Baili Xunzhou felt uneasy and hurriedly added, "My feelings for you are genuine, please don't feel burdened. Whatever your feelings are, I will accept them. It's just... I don't want you to misunderstand that I still want to divorce you, and that you can't see my feelings for you. I hope you can seriously consider me in the future..."
His words came to an abrupt halt when Feng Mian suddenly stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, hooked one arm around his neck and gently pressed him down, then placed a soft, feather-like kiss on his lips, interrupting all his carefully crafted thoughts.
The heat hit his cheeks, making his mind go blank. Suddenly, he heard a heartbeat like a drumbeat in his ears. His thoughts were pulled away, and four of his five senses disappeared in an instant. Only the warmth between his lips showed its strong presence.
He stood frozen in place, helpless, unable to react. He stared wide-eyed at the face so close to his, watching the snow-white skin gradually turn a vibrant pink, like peach blossoms in early spring.
It felt like an eternity had passed, yet also like only a fleeting moment. Feng Mian released her grip, stepped back two paces, her cheeks flushed, her eyes lowered with a gentle smile, and she said in a light voice, "I'm hungry, let's go back."
The air remained still, and the person in front of her stood frozen as if she had been struck by lightning. If it weren't for the evening breeze blowing up the hem of her robe, it would have seemed as if she were the only person in the waterside pavilion.
Was her answer not direct enough? Feng Mian gently bit her pale pink lips, then hesitantly opened her full, moist lips, wondering if she should say something more.
Suddenly, a dark shadow loomed over him. Baili Xunzhou bent down and approached her from below, his nose almost touching Feng Mian's. His dark pupils were fixed on her face for a moment. He could clearly see her long eyelashes trembling slightly. His gaze moved down her pretty, fair nose and saw a faint tooth mark on her soft lips.
The moment he leaned in, her lips closed, and his gaze lingered on them, tracing their beautiful shape.
The two breathed into each other's ears. After a long while, Feng Mian did not look away. She simply lifted her eyelids and glanced at his face, seemingly puzzled, yet also silently urging him.
Baili Xunzhou boldly went to meet her, his soft lips pressing against hers.
At first, it was just a simple touch. The warmth and softness on his lips had just flashed by, and he hadn't had a chance to savor it properly. Now, feeling the soft, flower-like touch of his lips, a tingling sensation gradually flowed to his limbs and bones.
A burning fire ignited in my heart.
He gently rubbed his lips against his, the dryness gradually becoming wet, the coolness gradually becoming hot, the distance gradually drawing closer, until all the space between them was filled.
His large hands covered Feng Mian's waist, his long fingers almost encircling her slender waist. The heat of his palms penetrated through her thin summer clothes and touched the skin on her side. The rough calluses between his fingers rubbed against her delicate skin, causing a jumble of itchiness and shivers.
Feng Mian trembled slightly like a leaf dampened by the rain, her ticklish waist trying to escape backward, but she was held even tighter and pressed against the hot, hard body in front of her.
Baili Xunzhou, like a puppy that adores humans, expressed his affection in a haphazard way, his warm, thin lips licking the person's skin until it was wet and tinged with his own scent.
Fireworks suddenly exploded in the distance, the loud noise startling the two of them. Baili Xunzhou paused for a moment, and Feng Mian gasped for breath, turning her head away and refusing to let him kiss her anymore. She breathed heavily in the damp, cool air by the lake and raised her soft, weak hand to push him away.
His arms tightened around her, and Baili Xunzhou buried his head in her neck, pleading softly, "Let me hug you a little longer."
His low, husky voice, tinged with a hint of restrained desire, and his vulnerable tone softened Feng Mian's heart. She let him gently nuzzle his fluffy head against her neck, his high, straight nose, glistening with a bit of sweat from the evening breeze, pressed against her hot neck. A slight itch rose in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to refuse. She could only close her eyes and try to calm the dizziness brought on by the lingering, awkward kiss.
The colorful flames that exploded on the horizon dyed the fluttering veil with vibrant colors, and the chaotic light and shadow swept across the embracing figures. Bai Lixun's high-tied ponytail drooped down, blown by the wind, and wrapped around the two of them, making them indistinguishable.
On the opposite shore, amidst waist-high grass, Chu Jingqi swatted away the insects that swarmed his face and body, cursing under his breath. He then looked up triumphantly at the fireworks that illuminated half the sky, humming twice, "This moonlight, these fireworks, how romantic! Little Baili, you'd better thank me properly!"
The night was so thick that it seemed impossible to see through. Inside the bedroom of the Zangong Temple, a single lamp shone through the thick lampshade, barely illuminating the hanging bed curtains.
The figure sleeping on the outside suddenly turned over gently. Baili Xunzhou turned to touch the sleeping face of Feng Mian beside him, and the smile in his eyes could not be suppressed.
He stared quietly for a while, then suddenly sat up carefully and tiptoed out of bed.
The lights in all the courtyards of the Prince's mansion had been turned off. Only the patrolling guards, carrying hexagonal lanterns, walked through the courtyards, which were as calm as ever. When they passed the study of the Prince of Dingbei, the group suddenly stopped.
Inside the window, a blurry lamplight flickered.
The lead guard suddenly led his team inside, shouting, "You little thief, don't you dare run away!"
The "little thief" straightened up, slowly turned around, and the lantern in his hand illuminated Baili Xunzhou's expressionless face. His cold gaze swept over the nameless guard who had suddenly barged in.
The guards immediately shrank back and bowed their heads respectfully in unison: "Your Highness!"
Baili Xunzhou said coldly, "I'm here to find some books. You all go about your business."
"Yes!" The guards hurriedly turned and left, crowding together as they exited through the door, making sure to close it behind them. They huddled together and whispered, "His Highness is still looking for books so late; he must have encountered some difficulties."
"The young general is indeed the young general, so eager to learn!"
Inside the study, Baili Xunzhou awkwardly stuffed several books with titles similar to "The Tale of Love and Lust" into his arms.
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