Chapter 44 "Which vixen is it that..."
Oh no, she forgot it was at a small banquet with so many people. How could she ask Xiao Che that question so casually?
In front of everyone, the two of them were always at odds!
Her persona has collapsed!
She frowned and immediately sent a distress signal to Xiao Che with her eyes.
She then added, deliberately in a fierce tone, "If you're not eating, why don't you give me any!"
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow slightly, immediately picking up the act: "Why should I give you my pastries?"
Seeing that the two had resumed their previous confrontational manner, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
This is how they usually interact, in their memory.
Just like before, it was as if I had seen a ghost.
The Empress Dowager then stepped in with a smile to smooth things over, saying, "Jiarou is still as greedy as she was when she was little. Being able to eat is a blessing. Your imperial grandmother loves to see her descendants have such good fortune. If your third brother won't give you any, that's alright. Your imperial grandmother will have someone bring you more, and I guarantee you'll have plenty to eat."
She then gave instructions to the palace maids beside her. Soon, several maids brought over pastries one after another. Yan Jiarou looked at the pastries in front of her with bright eyes, and subconsciously licked her lips. Her rosy lips were instantly stained with an alluring sheen. She looked up at the Empress Dowager and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Grandmother!"
Xiao Che's gaze never left Yan Jiarou. Seeing this, he swallowed hard and suddenly felt extremely thirsty.
He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and subtly curled the corners of his lips into a smile.
It's really strange; sometimes a person can actually envy a piece of pastry.
A breeze blew across the pond, carrying the unique fragrance of lotus flowers, dispelling the oppressive heat in the air and making people feel refreshed.
The Empress Dowager was in a very good mood today, enjoying the beautiful scenery, delicious food, and being accompanied by a group of younger relatives. She couldn't be more pleasant.
As expected of royalty, all of her younger relatives are exceptionally beautiful.
It can truly be said that the scenery is beautiful and the people are even more beautiful.
The most outstanding among them is naturally...
She turned her gaze to Xiao Che and nodded with satisfaction.
Just as she was about to look away, her gaze unconsciously drifted downwards, but she suddenly stopped.
—There was a barely noticeable red mark on the side of Xiao Che's neck.
It was said to be difficult to notice because the red mark was located low and was covered by the collar. If Xiao Che's Adam's apple hadn't moved while drinking tea, causing some disturbance, she wouldn't have easily noticed it.
The shape and size of the mark, and its location, make it seem rather ambiguous.
Moreover, it was bright red in color, and there were even faint traces of blood seeping out around it, as if it couldn't bear it any longer and took a bite out of it.
Is it...that intense?
The Empress Dowager's eyes widened in astonishment, her jaw nearly dropping.
In my memory, Xiao Che has always been indifferent to women and I have never seen him interact with any woman. How come he has been quietly accomplishing great things and has achieved success in one go?
I wonder what kind of woman could have captivated him to such an extent.
She was so shocked that she momentarily forgot the occasion and blurted out, "Che'er, on your neck..."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes turned to Xiao Che's neck.
Including Yan Jiarou.
As luck would have it, the red mark on Xiao Che's neck was not completely covered up at this moment. It was half-exposed, leaning against his fair neck, showing off its power.
It's very eye-catching.
Extremely arrogant.
Those unaware of the details could easily mistake it for a hickey.
Yan Jiarou: "…………"
Yan Jiarou closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and realized that she must have forgotten to check the almanac before going out today!
In contrast, Xiao Che remained calm. He placed his slender fingers on his clothes and gently adjusted them, completely concealing the red mark.
The curious gazes of the crowd gradually dispersed.
But the Empress Dowager was still waiting for a reply.
Perhaps he wasn't actually waiting, but just blurted it out in a moment of carelessness. Although he was probably quite embarrassed afterward, since the Empress Dowager had asked, as a junior, he naturally had no reason not to answer.
Yan Jiarou looked at him pitifully and frantically gave him meaningful glances.
He was almost about to say "Save me" aloud.
Xiao Che curled his lips, lowered his head and stroked the teacup, and said only: "Your Majesty, it was just that when I was teasing the rabbit, I was accidentally bitten by a little rabbit."
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then smiled and said, "So that's how it is... I was wondering, Che'er, you've always been aloof, how could you... cough cough, what I meant was, that little rabbit was too ignorant, how could it bear to bite you?"
“He is a bit immature,” Xiao Che tapped the teacup back on the table, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. “But it’s alright, I will teach him a lesson.”
The word "training" was deliberately emphasized.
As if by accident, she looked up and saw that "Little Rabbit's" snow-white face was flushed red, and she looked extremely guilty. Her jade-white earlobes were stained with rouge, and they looked as if they could drip blood.
She probably knew that she looked terrible in this state, so she kept her head down.
He's still young and inexperienced.
Before anyone else could figure out what was going on, they were already thrown into disarray.
Fortunately, her position wasn't conspicuous; otherwise, if someone had seen her like this, wouldn't it have confirmed that the mark on his neck was related to her?
However, on the other hand—
She's just so incredibly cute.
As if sensing his gaze, Yan Jiarou tentatively looked up and met his slightly amused and interested eyes. She was slightly taken aback and instantly became embarrassed and annoyed. However, with others present, she could not make a scene and could only glare at him with a hint of resentment.
She was born delicate and frail, so she couldn't possibly be fierce. Adding to this, her face was flushed, her eyes were moist, and her expression was hesitant—it was more like a glare than a genuine stare.
It was more like she was flirting with him.
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow and smiled with pleasure.
Yan Jiarou was taken aback, blinking slightly in confusion. She was clearly being fierce with him, so why did he seem to enjoy being glared at?
It then pretended to open its mouth slightly, revealing its two canine teeth, before snapping them shut again, making a menacing, clawing motion.
Xiao Che looked at her; her teeth were white as snow, and a glimpse of her bright red tongue could be vaguely seen in her slightly parted, rosy lips.
An indescribable allure.
He knew how soft it was there.
His eyes darkened for a moment, then he picked up the teacup and took a big gulp. The cool tea made him feel a little better.
He has had a really tough time lately.
It was very difficult to endure.
——
Although Xiao Che had explained during the banquet that the scar on his neck was from being bitten by a rabbit while playing with it, and not a kiss mark.
However, people tend to spread more scandalous rumors, especially those involving Xiao Che. The more unusual and hateful the rumors are, the faster they spread.
Soon, rumors spread throughout the palace that the Third Prince had fallen in love with a mortal and had been bewitched by some woman, acting very passionately and leaving a kiss mark on his neck.
The noble ladies were all heartbroken. They gathered there and analyzed the situation one by one, vowing to find the vixen who had seduced the Third Prince!
Only then can I rest in peace!
When Yan Jiarou passed by the group of noble ladies that day, she saw their gritted teeth and angry tone, and she stumbled and almost lost her balance.
After returning home, I had nightmares for several days in a row.
She hadn't slept well for several nights in a row, and during the day she could only lean against Xiao Che's chest and sob to him.
——
The rumors outside are spreading more and more widely each day.
Inside the artificial hill, the two were pressed closely together. Xiao Che leaned against the hill, his back against the jagged rocks, protecting Yan Jiarou as she leaned against him.
His right hand lightly supported her waist, and he lowered his head slightly, letting her suckle on his neck, looking completely submissive. A lazy smile tugged at the corner of his lips: "Tell me, don't we look like we're having an affair right now?"
The delicate body in her arms trembled slightly. Yan Jiarou lifted her head from Xiao Che's neck and said, "What should we do, Xiao Che? Will they find out... will they find out that it wasn't a rabbit that bit you, but that I was the one who left the mark on your neck..."
Xiao Che lifted his eyelids and smiled casually: "Aren't you Little Rabbit?"
"How annoying!" Yan Jiarou glared at him. "At a time like this, you still have the mood to joke with me!"
"Waaaaah, if they find out, will I ever be able to face anyone again? And they won't let me off the hook..."
“Don’t worry, baby,” Xiao Che lowered his head and kissed her forehead, comforting her, “It won’t be discovered—they’ll suspect anyone but you. You’ve forgotten, we’re known as mortal enemies, like fire and water. No one would ever think that the person I’m doing such intimate things with is you.”
Yan Jiarou sniffed, her eyes lit up, and then she smiled sweetly, "That's right, they wouldn't suspect me, they think you hate me the most, and I hate you the most too."
Xiao Che smiled indulgently: "That's right, that's it."
Yan Jiarou blinked, looked at Xiao Che, and said seriously, "Then you have to continue to hate me in front of others, but you can't let them see it! I will also continue to try my best to pretend that I hate you."
"Keep trying, pretending you really hate me?" Xiao Che raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his face. "What does that mean?"
He gently pinched her plump cheek: "So, my dear sister, you now need to pretend that you hate me?"
Yan Jiarou was taken aback, a hint of confusion appearing in her watery eyes, and a blush gradually rose to her cheeks. She lowered her head and murmured softly, "Um... because we're not mortal enemies anymore..."
Xiao Che naturally wouldn't let her off the hook with such a topic. Upon hearing this, he gave an "Oh?" and asked with a half-smile, "So, what are we now?"
Yan Jiarou hesitated and refused to speak, burying her face in his chest and rubbing against him, saying, "Third Brother..." trying to get away with it by acting cute.
Xiao Che, however, was not going to tolerate her. He pinched her slender waist and said in a hoarse voice, "What are you twisting for? Tell me, what are we now?"
Yan Jiarou looked up, puffed out her cheeks, and hummed, "We're...we're siblings..."
"Heh, what, were we not siblings before?"
"They're different..."
Xiao Che: "Explain where it's different."
Yan Jiarou glanced at him with a mixture of reproach and resentment, her watery eyes misty, her lips still moist with blood, giving them a bewitching red hue, her small face flushed, staring at him intently.
She raised her hands, her slender arms encircling his neck, gently swaying them, the silver bracelets on her wrists jingling with her movements: "Now you're not the brother I hated anymore..."
She gave him a sweet kiss: "Now, you're the older brother I like too!"
Xiao Che raised his eyes, flicked his finger and tapped her forehead, and scoffed, "Who wants to be your brother?"
"However, that kiss just now was quite enjoyable."
"Also? I don't like that word. I want you, and only you to like me."
“I don’t care to be your brother,” he looked at her and gave a slight smirk. “More like a lover.”
After saying that, he kissed her deeply again.
Xiao Che's kisses were always fierce and ruthless, each time as if he wanted to devour her whole, not stopping until he made her cry.
Perhaps he had been holding back for too long, kissing and hugging the little princess all day long, but that was all he could do. He could smell her scent but couldn't have her. This teasing only made it harder to bear, so he could only vent his frustration by kissing her more fiercely.
Outside the artificial hill, rumors were flying everywhere, with everyone speculating about who the woman was. Inside the artificial hill, however, she and Xiao Che were kissing passionately.
Just as Xiao Che said, there was a thrill of "cheating".
The little air left in her chest was completely robbed during the long kiss. As Yan Jiarou was being kissed until she was dizzy, she seemed to hear someone passing by outside the rockery. The tone was so angry, but the voice was strangely familiar: "Damn it, which vixen is it that has seduced His Highness... I wonder what kind of low-class skills she used!"
It's Wang Ruoying!
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