Chapter 25
On the surface, Yu Xi and Ling Huanchen had not seen each other for several days, and Yu Xi did not mention him at all, as if they would never have any contact with each other again.
But every night, the usually solemn and majestic lord of a city would jump out of a window in the dark, just to relieve his longing and hold his little mermaid in his arms, so that he could sleep peacefully. When dawn came, Yu Xi would sneak out the window and escape back to her Ziyi Palace, as if nothing had happened.
Ling Huanchen didn't comment on this. After all, she happened to be the person he was thinking about. After a few times, the two of them became familiar with this way of getting along with each other in secret at night.
Hearing the slight noise from the window, Ling Huanchen immediately got up and got off the bed. After waiting for a while, there was no movement. He frowned slightly. According to the past, Yu Xi should have been in bed by now. How come there was no sign of him for such a long time, and only the noise from the window was heard?
Ling Huanchen put on a coat and walked to the window. He felt that the wind outside the window was louder than every night. The shadows of the trees were shaking and rustling, as if waiting for someone to pay attention to them.
He pushed open the window, and a few petals fell on the window. Ling Huanchen spread out his palm to catch them, and soon a few more petals floated over.
Ling Huanchen looked up and saw a person sitting on the locust tree opposite. In the moonlight, he could see the person clearly. It was Yu Xi who had been missing for a long time.
This guy... is he trying to do something new?
As soon as their eyes met, Yu Xi flew over, put her arm around Ling Huanchen's shoulder, and brought him out.
"Want to go look in the tree?"
It turns out to be a new idea.
Ling Huanchen didn't want to spoil his fun and nodded immediately. The next moment, his feet left the ground and he was carried up the locust tree by Yu Xi.
In his two lifetimes combined, he had never sat on a tree, looked up at the breeze, and overlooked the eaves and roof tiles.
"Are you afraid of heights?" Yu Xi put one arm tightly around his waist, letting his back lean against her, so that no one could knock him down if he fell.
Ling Huanchen shook his head. He had jumped from high places before, so this height was not enough to scare him, especially since Yu Xi was right behind him.
"The dignified King of Youcheng not only jumps out of the window to trespass every night, but now he even climbs up a tree." Ever since Yu Xi became addicted to nightclubs, he often teased Yu Xi about this matter.
The thing on his waist suddenly became restless, Ling Huanchen didn't dare to move and had to suffer in silence.
Yu Xi pulled one back and said happily, "You even know how to tease me. It shows you're not afraid."
Ling Huanchen hurriedly covered his hand, telling him to stop. "Judging from the king's proficiency, he must be a repeat offender. He must have climbed trees to harm birds many times before, right?"
Yu Xi hugged him tighter, resting her chin on Ling Huanchen's shoulder. She raised her eyes slightly and looked at the crescent moon in the sky, her gaze gentle and distant.
"When I was four or five, I was the most mischievous. I often led the palace servants on a tangled mess, and climbing trees was a common occurrence. But I didn't harm them. On the contrary, I got along very well with the birds in the trees. I remember one time their nest fell down, and I held it in my arms, climbing up the tree amid the palace servants' terrified screams, and helped them put the nest back. But afterward, I got a good scolding from my mother, and my hands were numb from copying books."
Ling Huanchen listened quietly, not interrupting him. This was the first time Yu Xi had taken the initiative to share a funny story from her childhood. She hadn't expected the mighty King of Youcheng, who would grow up to be so mischievous as a child, getting into trouble and playing like any other child.
The corners of Yu Xi's lips, slightly raised, slowly softened. "Back then, my mother was still around, and my father was still a loving father. Zhao'er didn't even exist then. Later, when Zhao'er grew up to my age, he was just as naughty and sneakily climbed trees. But things have changed, and now it's my turn to punish him by making him copy books."
It is difficult to be mediocre when born into a royal family. Generally, there are only two outcomes: either you are at the top and enjoy unlimited glory, or you are controlled by others like a stray dog.
Ling Huanchen turned his head, and because they were too close, his lips just brushed against Yu Xi's cheek.
"Huanchen, is this to comfort me and throw yourself into my arms?"
Yu Xi was just joking, but Ling Huanchen just paused and actually came over.
After a passionate embrace, when Yu Xi let go of the person, she saw a pair of sparkling eyes in front of her.
"Huanchen, this is not good. What if I do something? How can you expect this old locust tree to bear it?" Yu Xi said in a hoarse voice.
Ling Huanchen just wanted to comfort him just now, and felt that no words were enough to express himself, so he got carried away and did what he did just now. Now that he has calmed down, he can't help but want to stay away from this frivolous person.
"I don't think the king would be impulsive. After all, he's used to having beautiful women around him every day. How could he be easily provoked?"
When Yu Xi heard this, she immediately changed the subject, "What beauty beside me? I'm always in need of a beauty, that's why I climb over walls and jump through windows in the middle of the night, hoping that a beauty will look at me more. I don't even remember what other people are."
Ling Huanchen chuckled, "But is it almost time to reel in the line?"
"Right away."
The two were whispering to each other on the tree when suddenly a cluster of fire lit up not far away. A team of patrolling guards came in at a brisk pace and were about to pass by the Yuluan Palace.
"Hold on to me."
Before he finished speaking, Yu Xi picked up the person and jumped into the window before the guards arrived.
After all this trouble, they both went to bed late. When Ling Huanchen woke up the next day, Yu Xi was still lying on the couch.
He looked at the time and saw that it was almost time for the morning court session, so he hurriedly woke up Yu Xi and said, "Your Majesty, please return to Ziyi Palace."
Yu Xi didn't care. "It's okay. At worst, I'll just go back from outside. No one will dare to say anything."
"Master, Master, are you awake?"
The two looked at each other, and Ling Huanchen perked up and replied, "What's the matter?"
"The prince has requested an audience. He said he has something to discuss with you before the morning court session."
Yu Zhao? What was he doing here at this time?
"Just say I haven't gotten up yet."
"Sister Wang, I know you're still angry with me. Last time, I was useless and ended up making things worse. I won't do that again this time. Sister Wang, I'm about to go to the morning court. Could you please allow me to see you? I'll just say a few words and then leave."
What trouble is this unlucky kid going to cause next?
It would be impossible to not let him finish what he said today, so as not to waste time. Ling Huanchen winked at Yu Xi, asking him to quickly leave the window and tidy up his clothes.
"Zhao'er, please wait in the outer hall."
Since he had concealed the truth from everyone from the beginning, he had to keep it a secret until the end. When Ling Huanchen appeared in the outer hall, he had already put on a cold, disheartened look. He figured Yu Xi must have left Yuluan Hall by now, so he put on all his confidence and began to act.
Seeing him like this, Yu Zhao blamed himself even more, "Sister Wang, I'm sorry, I didn't think it through last time."
"I don't blame you. This is a matter between the king and me. Don't take it to heart."
Hearing him say this and still only caring about comforting himself, Yu Zhao felt even more guilty. "Don't worry, my wife. I will go to the court today to advise the mermaid envoys and the prince to leave Youcheng as soon as possible. That way, they can't come to destroy the relationship between you and my brother."
Ling Huanchen sighed and thought to himself, "Silly child, even if they were really quarreling, you can't help them like this. It's clearly making things worse."
"No need, your brother will be angry with you."
Yu Zhao snorted coldly, "I'm not afraid. From childhood to adulthood, every decision my brother made has its reasons. In my heart, his words are more effective than those of the gods. But this time, he clearly went too far. How could he treat my wife like this for a piece of worthless pearl? Let him vent his anger on me. If my brother really punishes me because of that mermaid prince, I will, I will curse the tyrant emperor in the court!"
"Who do you say is a tyrant?"
"I say..." Yu Zhao suddenly paused, turning stiffly. His eyes widened upon seeing Yu Xi. He had just spoken so much to Ling Huanchen, but now he couldn't utter a word. Forget calling Yu Xi a tyrant. Even asking him to say something would require careful consideration.
"Wang, Brother Wang, why are you here?"
Not only Yu Zhao was dumbfounded, even Ling Huanchen didn't know how to react. The person he thought had left now appeared in the Yuluan Palace in a swaggering manner.
"Your Majesty, why are you..." not leaving?
Yu Xi stood with her hands behind her back, shaking her head at Ling Huanchen. At the same time, she pondered, "Why don't you say anything, Zhao'er?"
Yu Zhao's mind went blank. "Greetings, greetings, brother. I, I..."
"Zhao'er meant well, Your Majesty, please don't be offended." Ling Huanchen came out to rescue at the right time.
Yu Xi walked past Yu Zhao and walked towards Ling Huanchen, whispering, "Don't worry, I know what's going on."
Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between the two, Yu Zhao no longer had the tension of the past few days. Fortunately, he was not too stupid and figured it out after thinking it over.
"Are Brother Wang and Sister Wang acting?"
Yu Xi held Ling Huanchen's shoulders and asked him to sit down. "What else?"
Yu Zhao knew he had caused trouble. He scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "I was saying that my brother and my wife's love is so strong that they can't quarrel so easily. It's all your fault for acting so convincingly that you even hid it from me."
"You don't have to go to court today. Stay and keep Huanchen company. If someone comes without any eyes, don't stop them, but teach them a lesson. Remember?"
When Yu Zhao heard the mission, he immediately became extremely alert. "Don't worry, my king. I will protect your wife and will never let anyone bully her."
Yu Xi then showed a little relief, patted Yu Zhao on the shoulder, avoided everyone and slipped away through a side door to attend court.
Although Ling Huanchen did not hear Yu Xi explain the entire plan, when he saw that he had left Yu Zhao behind, he knew that success or failure depended on this day.
Yu Zhao stayed in Yuluan Palace for about an hour. Around noon, an uninvited guest arrived unexpectedly.
This was the first time Ling Huanchen had allowed Ling Xi into the Jade Luan Palace, so the palace attendants didn't try to stop him. Yu Zhao, standing by, was rubbing his hands in anticipation. Since Yu Xi had told him not to be polite, he was determined to teach this troublemaker a lesson.
After Ling Xu entered, he perfunctorily bowed to the two of them. After being offered a seat, he took it as a matter of course, sitting in the seat just behind the main seat. He surveyed the hall's furnishings, as if he were about to become its next occupant.
"I heard Your Highness was feeling lonely lately, so I came to visit you. I've been serving the King lately and haven't been able to come and see you sooner. I hope Your Highness won't mind."
The author has something to say:
Yu Zhao: The clown is actually me.
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