Chapter 83: The Lost Princess Bai Yueguang 14 Who Wants to Marry You...
After returning to the palace from the sacrificial site, Princess Zhaohua's sedan chair stopped directly outside the Yaoguang Palace. The palace servants hurriedly came forward to welcome the princess back to the palace.
Returning to the familiar bedroom, Wen Qianning let out a long sigh and collapsed on the couch.
She was so tired from traveling so much these days that she fell into a deep sleep as soon as she touched the pillow.
She didn't know how long she slept, but when she woke up again, it was already very bright, as if it was almost noon. She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes, but she still hadn't fully woken up.
Zhuyue brought him some warm honey water and said softly, "Your Highness, are you awake? This is honey water, moisten your throat."
Wen Qianning took it, took a sip, and asked with half-closed eyes, "Where's Zhuiyun?"
"I'm instructing the palace servants outside. Although the ceremony is over, there are still some matters that need to be handled by Yaoguang Palace."
Wen Qianning nodded, said no more, and put the cup aside after drinking.
A moment later, Zhuiyun also entered, holding a stack of newly delivered account books. He leaned over and said, "Your Highness, this is the list of sacrificial offerings sent by the Taichang Temple today. According to the rules, you must review it and file it."
After taking these things, Wen Qianning glanced at them casually for a moment before she felt overwhelmed. She quickly waved her hands and frowned, "No, these are boring things. Please look through them for me first. If you find anything unusual, tell me later."
I knew the princess would say that. Zhuiyun smiled helplessly and replied softly. She had long been accustomed to Her Highness's attitude of being lazy whenever possible.
So the idle little princess leaned against the soft pillow, feeling bored, and reached out to pick up the white jade fan on the table and slowly waved it.
"Your Highness, Master Ji requests an audience."
At this time, a young palace maid came in from outside the hall to deliver a message.
Wen Qianning's face lit up with joy when she heard Ji Hanlin was coming. However, noticing Zhuiyun's teasing gaze, she had to suppress her expression and coughed lightly, pretending to be calm. "Ahem, let him in."
"yes."
Seeing the young man walk into the palace, Wen Qianning subconsciously sat up straighter.
"Why is Mr. Ji here?" Zhuyue spoke first with a smile in his tone.
"The sacrificial affairs are over. I am here to give Your Highness some books according to the Master's instructions." Ji Hanlin raised the bamboo box in his hand with a calm expression.
"Book?"
Wen Qianning was a little surprised and stretched out her hand to signal Zhuiyun to take it.
After bringing it over and opening the bamboo box, she found that there were several books inside as he said.
After taking a closer look at the books, Wen Qianning propped up her chin and raised an eyebrow. "Master, what do you mean by asking you to give me books? Could it be that you think I'm uneducated?"
Ji Hanlin didn't rush to refute her question, but simply said, "These books mostly record the rules and rituals. I think the teacher found these books for you at the behest of Emperor Xuanping."
"Rules and rites..."
Wen Qianning snorted softly, finally understanding that this meant she was being asked to fulfill her duties as Princess Xuanping. She then reached out and took a book, flipping through a few pages.
After putting the bamboo box down, Zhuiyun jokingly said, "If Your Highness really wants to learn, it would be more fun if someone were to accompany him. Since Master Ji has come to give you books, why not read with Your Highness occasionally in Yaoguang Hall? Perhaps Your Highness will learn faster."
Hearing this, the little princess looked up at her with a furious expression and said coquettishly, "Chasing the Clouds!"
Zhuiyun stuck out his tongue, lowered his eyes obediently, and dared not say another word.
Ji Hanlin, who was called out by name, looked at Wen Qianning with a half-smile. He slowly said, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, I would naturally be willing."
Wen Qianning's heart skipped a beat, her face flushed slightly. She pretended to be calm and hummed softly, "If you beg me to teach you, I will allow you to study with me."
The boy smiled but said nothing. He was used to the little princess's duplicity.
At this moment, Zhu Yue hurriedly stepped forward and changed the subject with a smile: "Your Highness, it's already lunchtime. Since Master Ji has brought the book, why not invite him to have lunch with you?"
Wen Qianning glanced at Ji Hanlin, and naturally hoped that he would stay and have lunch with her.
"Let him do whatever he wants." The blushing girl said lightly, covering half of her face with a fan to hide her discomfort.
Ji Hanlin nodded and smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Princess."
The dishes sent from the Yaoguang Palace's kitchen were served one by one. They were small and exquisite, and all of them were rare and fresh in the palace.
Zhuiyun took the soup spoon with a smile, scooped a bowl of chicken soup, and offered it to Wen Qianning with both hands: "Your Highness, please try it. The kitchen said that this soup was just cooked this morning and it is the most delicious."
After taking a bite, Wen Qianning couldn't help but squint his eyes in satisfaction.
Ji Hanlin, who was sitting next to her, looked at her expression quietly. When Zhuyue turned to serve him some food, he raised his hand to stop her.
"Don't bother, I can do it myself."
"How can this be..." Zhuyue was stunned. Although Ji Hanlin was a hostage of Dayan, he was actually a prince and a master. When the master was having a meal, it was normal for servants like them to help the master with the dishes. She didn't expect Ji Hanlin to actually refuse.
"Zhuyue, leave him alone." Wen Qianning curled her lips, "He's even harder to please than this princess."
If they weren't having a meal, Ji Hanlin really wanted to pinch the little princess's face to make her behave.
The boy had excellent table manners. Even when he was eating, every movement he made was quiet and calm, and there was a sense of dignity in his every gesture.
Wen Qianning, who had been casually fiddling with the food, was actually a little affected by him doing this. Her movements unconsciously slowed down and became less casual.
Seeing this, Zhuiyun secretly laughed in her heart. She picked up a few slices of stir-fried asparagus and placed them in Wen Qianning's bowl. She also added two chopsticks of shrimp. "Your Highness has been drinking a lot these days. You should eat something light today."
"I know, I know." Wen Qianning muttered, looking annoyed, but she still put it into her mouth obediently with the chopsticks in her hand.
Ji Hanlin lowered his eyes to hide the fleeting smile.
He didn't say anything, but his eyes were always on her bowl, and he didn't miss Wen Qianning's likes and dislikes.
She disliked onions and garlic, and wouldn't touch anything spicy. However, she would devour delicious ingredients like shrimp. As for the soup, he noticed she only enjoyed the first sip and wouldn't touch it again, apparently finding it too greasy. It seemed she didn't like greasy food either.
The boy silently wrote down all these details.
After lunch, the palace maids cleared the table, Zhuyue tidied up the desk, and placed teacups on it.
It was time to read, Ji Hanlin took out the book from the bamboo box and handed it to Wen Qianning.
She flipped through it casually and frowned.
"Are these all just etiquette?" Wen Qianning looked up at him, her tone tinged with disdain. "Do I have to learn all these complicated things?"
At this moment, there were only two people in the room, and no one else was present. Ji Hanlin didn't need to worry about anything, so he took Wen Qianning's hand and said, "Although the etiquette is complicated, it is related to the fundamentals. Although Ningning is a princess, she still needs to understand the rules."
It was just holding hands, but the little princess's face turned red again.
How can it be so simple, so simple... that it makes people want to destroy it.
Ji Hanlin sighed inwardly and pulled Wen Qianning into his arms. He sat on the chair holding the princess, saying, "I really want to kiss you."
These four simple words completely threw Wen Qianning off balance.
"Stop talking nonsense! This princess won't let you do anything wrong!"
Her little face instantly turned red, and her heart was half panicked, but half seemed to be filled with something extremely sweet.
Looking at the girl in his arms, the smile in Ji Hanlin's eyes deepened little by little, but he never crossed the line. He just held her tightly, as if he wanted to protect the most precious thing in the world in his arms.
The young man casually picked up a book and began to explain its contents to her in a deep voice. His voice was steady and clear, and those articles that should have been boring, after he spoke, actually entered Wen Qianning's ears.
It wasn't until she heard the words "royal marriage" that she couldn't help but feel curious. She snatched the scroll, read a few lines, and sneered.
"It says here, 'When the princess marries, the chariot and procession will circle the capital three times to announce it to the ancestral temple and heaven and earth...' Such a grand ceremony, I wonder if it will be a feast for the eyes or a burden."
She has never liked such complicated etiquette. Seeing that the princess had to go through so much red tape to get married, she didn't want to get married at all.
Fortunately, in the original novel, Princess Zhaoyang committed suicide by drinking poison before getting married, so Wen Qianning didn't need to marry anyone.
Hearing this, Ji Hanlin's eyebrows twitched slightly, and his gaze fell on her profile. The girl complained while unconsciously pointing at the scroll, her delicate white hands forming a sharp contrast with the black ink characters.
"You are wrong." After watching for a moment, he slowly said, "If my beloved is satisfied, then such a ceremony and announcement to heaven and earth is only what is proper for the princess's honor."
His usual aloof demeanor was now replaced by a faint tenderness. The young man continued, "If...if one day, when Your Highness and I marry, I will definitely set up lanterns and decorations for you, and make you a lavish wedding. I will swear to you that I will never let you down."
He spoke sincerely, as if he was reciting an oath.
Wen Qianning was slightly stunned, and the book in her hand almost slipped, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Ji Hanlin, you are shameless!" She came back to her senses, raised her hand and hit him lightly on the shoulder, her voice flustered, "Who wants to marry you? I didn't agree!"
Despite being scolded, Ji Hanlin's smile deepened. His expression didn't give in at all, but instead became more serious. He leaned forward slightly, met the girl's bright eyes, and asked as a matter of course:
"If not marrying me, who else does Ningning want to marry?"
These seemingly joking words were said with conviction and persistence, and his words and expressions showed that he had already decided that she was the only one in his life.
Wen Qianning blushed, bit her lip and said nothing, turning her head away, her heart in turmoil.
At this moment, the young man's hands were still resting on the girl's waist, supporting her. The little princess was even more delicate than he had imagined, almost weightless... so delicate, as if the slightest force would crush her.
If they get married in the future, they will definitely have to have sex. She is so delicate and weak. If he fails to control the strength well, the delicate little princess will probably frown in pain immediately.
Thinking of this erotic scene, Ji Hanlin felt a little dry in the mouth, and he tried his best to suppress this strange emotion.
"Ningning," the young man leaned against Wen Qianning's shoulder and whispered her name in a low, magnetic voice. His hands gripped her slender waist tighter, "You'll be mine sooner or later."
The girl couldn't stand him like this at all. She covered her face and stood up, angrily saying, "I don't want to hear any more! If you keep talking nonsense, I will punish you by making you copy this book a hundred times!"
Ji Hanlin couldn't help but smile, his eyes following her figure, his heart already softened beyond words.
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