Chapter 35 (8,000 words) Yin Xing is very obedient but very...
Yin Xing was just trying to figure out the reason when he suddenly heard the emperor's voice from the high platform and had to look away.
"I think you all know that Yin Xing, the son of the Marquis of Xizhou, has been submitting petitions for marriage recently. Today, he declared that he wants to challenge Young Master Xiahou, even at the cost of his life. Recognizing his sincerity, I would like to give him a chance. Xiahou Shao, are you willing to challenge him?"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to try to marry Princess Zhanghua."
Xiahou Shao had also heard about this matter, and without hesitation, he glanced at the thin young master of the Marquis's Mansion with contempt, determined to get him.
This kid dared to challenge the reputation and prestige of the Xiahou family. He was clearly courting death.
Yin Xing met Xiahou Shao's arrogant gaze and did not avoid it. Instead, he felt a little surprised because he was the man he had seen in the carriage outside the villa.
If you calculate it this way, he and Xuan Yizheng have been in contact for quite some time.
When everyone at the banquet saw this, most of them felt that the young master of the Xizhou Marquisate was overestimating his own abilities. How could the young masters of the four great families be easily provoked? He would undoubtedly seek his own destruction.
However, Princess Zhang Hua, who was involved in the conflict between the two, acted indifferently as if it had nothing to do with her, which made everyone more confused and puzzled.
It is rumored that Princess Zhanghua personally chose Xiahou Shao for this marriage, which has not yet been officially announced. However, it seems that she has no interest in it now, making it difficult to tell whether it is true or not.
And Yin Xing was the only one given a golden sign by Princess Zhanghua at the marriage banquet, but now he has not received any favor from her, which is really unpredictable.
The emperor's gaze drifted down at the reflections of the banquet crowd, then slowly turned to Xuan Yizhen, who sat upright. Seeing her calm and indifferent expression, he spoke slowly, "Many of our nobles practice horseback riding, archery, and swordsmanship. However, you are young and impulsive, and inevitably you are merciless. I have drafted a marriage decree and hidden it in the Golden Bamboo Garden. Whoever finds it first will become your consort."
When Yin Xing heard this, he felt a little relieved and thought to himself that the emperor was a good person!
If we were to fight, I probably wouldn't have any chance of winning.
Xiahou Shao frowned, thinking that this experiment was too hasty, but he didn't say much. He raised his hand and saluted, "As you command!"
Seeing this, Yin Xing did not dare to delay. He hurriedly left the platform and rushed to Jinzhu Garden.
After the two figures left the banquet, the court officials were all puzzled about why the emperor would set such a frivolous test.
It was really surprising that Princess Zhanghua's husband was not as wise or as capable as Wendao in military strategy, but instead just went to look for the imperial edict.
Jiang Zhengming, the Minister of the Dali Temple, drank his wine and did not talk to anyone, but he knew very well that the emperor would never do anything useless.
The princesses had different expressions. The fourth princess turned her head to look at Princess Zhang Hua, who was sitting high up and closest to her father's table. This was a treatment that even her three older brothers had never had.
But the gorgeous and noble Princess Zhang Hua had a wooden and silent expression at this moment. If it weren't for her lacquered eyes reflecting the movement of the palace lanterns, she would probably be mistaken for a golden and jade Buddha that was not of this worldly nature.
"Second sister, why would father set up such a hasty test?" The fourth princess called out in a low voice.
"Who knows? Maybe the emperor doesn't like to see blood at festive banquets, so he just found an excuse to let those two go somewhere else to fight." The words were spoken casually. The second princess took a sip of tea and her eyes swept over Xuan Yizheng, who was wearing a golden dress and a high bun with black hair. Fear and resentment were revealed in her eyes.
If she hadn't interfered, the lucrative Quelou would have never been exposed, and he wouldn't have had to give up the amulet of Princess Xinyang to protect himself.
The fourth princess only half understood what was said and thought that if her father really didn't like the fight, he could just issue an edict directly, why bother with such a roundabout way.
But Jinzhu Garden is very large, and it may not be easy to find an imperial edict. Perhaps my father is testing my perseverance.
The third princess drank her wine, feeling unhappy. She didn't expect that Yin Xing would ask her father for permission to compete with Xiahou Shao. He was really impatient with life.
How could this be just an ordinary test? Who knows what secrets are hidden in Jinzhu Garden?
The two future princes-in-law died mysteriously, and the reasons are still unknown. It is hard to say whether it was not instructed by my father.
After all, Xuan Yizhen is the future head of the Wanqi family. Her marriage is enough to change the political situation. My father will never allow the Wanqi family to form a new alliance.
Marriages between ordinary families are not as special as that between the Wanqi family. If this marriage is successful, perhaps the Xiahou family will be helped to become the next royal family.
With such benefits at stake, these young masters from aristocratic families would scramble to compete for Princess Zhang Hua's marriage.
So since Yin Xing agreed to accept the test tonight, it seems impossible for him to escape unscathed.
The full moon was in the sky, its light scattering among the dense forest. The sound of the palace music from the high platform became fainter as it got farther away.
In the Golden Bamboo Garden, Yin Xing raised his hand to push aside the dense bamboo leaves and stared at the bamboo forest in amazement, only to find that the size of this bamboo garden was beyond his imagination.
The emperor hid the edict in such a place. Not to mention it was night time, even if it was broad daylight, it would probably take three to five days to find the edict.
Yin Xing sighed, holding the lantern in one hand and picking up a bamboo stick with the other, sweeping it everywhere, somewhat suspecting that the emperor was playing a trick on him.
Ordinary officials felt that they were overestimating their abilities by submitting petitions for marriage, and that the emperor might look down on them.
After searching for a while, Yin Xing stopped because of some back and leg pain. He tilted his head to look around the deep bamboo garden, feeling that it was a bit eerie.
But soon Yin Xing saw another lamp. Xiahou Shao was tall, so it was inconvenient for him to move around in the bamboo forest. He looked impatient and solemn, and it seemed that he had not found it yet.
Soon, the two of them looked at each other. Yin Xing didn't want to stay, but Xiahou Shao took the initiative and said, "If you withdraw from the test now, I will forgive you."
Yin Xing almost doubted his own ears after hearing this. He tilted his head to look at Xiahou Shao and asked in confusion, "Why should I withdraw from the test and beg you to forgive my mistakes?"
The logic in this statement doesn't make any sense at all.
"Your Majesty originally intended for the Xiahou family to marry Princess Zhanghua. If it weren't for you, a scoundrel, he would have issued an imperial decree to grant the marriage today."
“…”
Yin Xing didn't expect Xiahou Shao to speak so harshly. He didn't even want to look at him. He waved the bamboo stick in his hand and walked to the side, saying indifferently: "Then hurry up and find the imperial edict. Maybe that will help you tear off this dog-skin plaster of mine."
Hearing the voice, Xiahou Shao's face darkened, his palm resting on the hilt of his sword. Seeing that there was no one around, he knew that instead of searching for the imperial edict aimlessly, it would be better to deal with the competitor, and then he would be the only winner.
As long as Yin Xing is injured, he will have to withdraw from the competition.
Thinking of this, Xiahou Shao calmed down a little, raised his hand to break the sharp bamboo branch, not wanting to expose himself.
The night wind rustled the branches and leaves, and the bright moon was obscured by the bamboo leaves and broken into small pieces, casting mottled and sparse silver light.
Yin Xing was searching somewhere when he didn't notice a stone protruding from his feet. He stumbled and fell, exclaiming, "Ouch!"
Bamboo leaves fluttered down like flying petals. Yin Xing climbed up in a daze, only to find that Xiahou Shao was looking at him. He felt that he had made a big joke.
But in fact, Xiahou Shao was just staring at the two broken bamboos that were embedded in the bamboo. He could hit Yin Xing in an instant, but who would have thought that he was dodged. He couldn't help but frown.
Could it be that this kid has hidden martial arts skills?
On the other hand, Yin Xing felt embarrassed and did not want to lose face in front of his rival, so he went to look for the imperial edict elsewhere.
Seeing this, Xiahou Shao continued to follow behind him leisurely, playing with the sharp broken bamboo between his fingers, and decided to try again.
Yin Xing found that Xiahou Shao was following him like a ghost, and felt strange.
Just as his mind was distracted, Yin Xing caught a glimpse of a bright yellow object against the flowing light. He bent down to pull away the bamboo leaves, but he was completely unaware that a sharp piece of broken bamboo passed by his ear and quietly disappeared into the nearby bamboo grove.
Xiahou Shao paused, lowered his brows, and was shocked. This kid could actually avoid the attack so naturally. Could he be an unparalleled master?
At this moment, Yin Xing's face turned pale, and he said with regret: "Help, why is there a snake here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the long snake with a golden luster slowly moved forward, with no end in sight. Its body was light and its movements were fast.
Xiahou Shao paused and wanted to retreat, thinking that this snake was a highly poisonous creature and he would surely die if bitten.
It seems that I don't have to do it myself, which saves a lot of trouble.
Under the moonlight, the palace banquet gradually came to an end, and Xiahou Shao and Yin Xing, who had gone to look for the imperial edict earlier, had no news at all.
The ministers had doubts in their hearts, but did not mention them. They just felt that something was wrong.
The emperor put down his wine cup and said slowly, "These two people seem to have unusual mental fortitude. Someone go and find them and bring them back to the banquet."
"As you command." The general responded and moved aside.
Unexpectedly, Xiahou Shao ascended the platform first, holding the imperial edict in his hand, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have found the imperial edict."
The emperor looked deeply at Xiahou Shao and responded cheerfully, "Young Master Xiahou has indeed lived up to everyone's expectations. I am very pleased. Then..."
Yin Xing came up on stage a little slower, his robes disheveled and his breathing unsteady as he said, "Your Majesty, Xiahou Shao tried to snatch the imperial edict!"
After he finished speaking, everyone's expressions changed. The emperor looked at Xiahou Shao calmly and said, "Is this really true?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you, but Yin Xing has been harassing Princess Zhanghua, and all the court officials have witnessed it. He is now falsely accusing her because he failed to find the imperial edict." Xiahou Shao responded calmly, holding the imperial edict tightly.
"I have already obtained the imperial edict before. It is clearly you who stole it. How can you make excuses?" Yin Xing had never seen such a shameless person.
Xiahou Shao arrogantly met Yin Xing's indignant gaze and replied frankly, "But the imperial edict has always been in my hands. With your skills, you can't even touch it."
Yin Xing was so angry that he didn't know how to refute, and stammered: "You, you!"
Neither of them gave in, and the situation was tense. All the ministers were watching this exciting scene.
The emperor said calmly, "Silence! I have ordered a mark to be left on this edict. If you touch it, it will leave a mark."
After he finished speaking, Xiahou Shao's expression changed slightly. He saw that the lights in the palace maids were turned off one after another, the hall was dark, and a fluorescent light appeared in Yin Xing's palm.
When the lights came back on, everyone was shocked. No one had expected that the young master of the Xiahou family would deceive the emperor.
This matter is neither small nor big. Although it does not involve the disposal of life, it does not conform to the demeanor of a young master from a noble family.
"Actually, I have been interested in Master Xiahou today, but I didn't expect this to happen." The emperor spoke gently, without any anger, and said with regret.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Xiahou Shao looked extremely ugly, and looked at Yin Xing fiercely, regretting that he did not take his life.
The emperor did not respond immediately. Instead, he looked at Xuan Yizhen, whose features were sparse, and said, "This matter depends on Princess Zhanghua's thoughts."
Xuan Yizhen fiddled with the red silk ribbon on his wrist with his fingertips, ignoring His Highness's bright gaze, and said calmly, "Since Young Master Xiahou is disrespectful and untrustworthy, then I ask Father to make the final decision."
These words undoubtedly determined that Xiahou Shao was at fault. Xuan Yizheng knew that the emperor was just waiting for him to openly reject the Xiahou family's proposal.
Yin Xing blinked her round eyes and looked at Xuan Yizheng, with the corners of her mouth raised, thinking that the rumors were not credible.
Now Xuan Yizheng did not favor Xiahou Shao in public. It turned out that she liked herself more!
"In that case, this marriage decree will be given to Yin Xing, the son of the Marquis of Xizhou. Someone come and draft the decree." The emperor showed satisfaction in his eyes and spoke slowly without haste.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yin Xing responded enthusiastically, holding the imperial edict handed over by the eunuch in both hands, with a bright smile on his face, he stepped into the seat.
The third princess couldn't bear to look at Yin Xing's current appearance, thinking to herself, doesn't this guy know how tragically the two previous would-be princes-in-law who took the imperial edict died?
At this time, Xiahou Shao looked at Princess Zhanghua, who was sitting on a high seat and wearing a gorgeous dress with golden threads. She was noble and arrogant, so beautiful yet so cold, and had none of the gentleness she had shown during the negotiation. He felt like a useless chess piece.
But Xiahou Shao didn't understand what went wrong, so he took his anger out on Yin Xing who showed up out of nowhere.
The more Xiahou Shao thought about it, the gloomier his expression became. He felt unwilling to accept this and his blood was boiling. How could a young man from a noble family endure such humiliation!
"Your Majesty, I wish to duel with Yin Xing again..."
But the words stopped abruptly, the emperor's expression suddenly changed, and all the ministers looked at Xiahou Shao in horror. Only Xuan Yizheng remained unmoved.
In full view of everyone, thick blood flowed from Xiahou Shao's ears, eyes, mouth and nose, and soon his clothes were stained bright red. He fell to the ground with a hunched body, breathing with difficulty, and his limbs twitching and struggling, which was extremely weird.
"Quick, protect the emperor!" The general leading the group realized something was wrong.
Yin Xing was stunned, watching Xiahou Shao die miserably with a hideous face before his eyes, unable to believe his eyes.
Instantly, the surroundings were filled with a commotion. The emperor looked around and announced, "Palace guards, seal off the pavilions and terraces. No one is allowed to leave without permission. Immediately call in the imperial physician to treat Young Master Xiahou!"
With this order, everyone at the banquet stopped their trembling escape movements, but did not dare to look at Xiahou Shao.
Soon, Dali Temple Minister Jiang Zhengming and the imperial physician were ordered to check on Xiahou Shao.
Jiang Zhengming did not inflict any fatal injuries on Xiahou Shao, and his death was rather bizarre.
Soon, the imperial physician knelt and said, "Your Majesty, Young Master Xiahou has died. As for the cause of death, I'm afraid an autopsy is needed."
The emperor frowned, his expression solemn, his features no longer as kind as before. Tonight, the son of the Xiahou family died at a palace banquet. The nature of this matter was completely different.
Late at night, the wives of officials, royal relatives and nobles were inspected and registered by the palace guards one by one before they were allowed to pass.
Yin Xing was a little confused holding the marriage decree. Xiahou Shao's death was too sudden, and he didn't look like a frail person with a serious illness.
If it was murder, it would be even more terrifying. Who could take the life of a young man from a noble family in public at a court banquet?
Just as Yin Xing was walking alone at the end of the palace procession, his legs and feet feeling a little sore, a female official suddenly stepped forward and said, "Master Yin, the princess invites you."
Yin Xing recognized that this person was a female official from the other courtyard, so he followed her gaze to another quiet palace road, where a carriage was parked and jade was hanging outside, the luxury still evident under the moonlight.
Yin Xing immediately ran over from the long palace road, her breathing slightly unstable, and her eyes looked at Xuan Yizhen who lifted the curtain. Her makeup was more solemn than the last time they met at the banquet, and her beauty was so sharp that people dared not speak to her easily.
"Are you not coming up yet?" Xuan Yizheng's gaze fell on Yin Xing's sparkling eyes and he said in a calm voice.
"But will we be seen like this?" Yin Xing's heart was moved but he stopped and looked around for the palace guards.
Yin Xing still remembered to avoid suspicion.
Xuan Yizhen smiled and replied softly, "Now that you have received the marriage decree, there is no need to do this."
Yin Xing didn't understand, but because he hadn't seen Xuan Yizheng for some time, his heart was moved, so he got on the carriage without hesitation.
The carriage moved slowly. Yin Xing sat aside, still not daring to look directly at Xuan Yizhen. His heart was pounding, and his face was hot as he said, "Yizhen, when I entered the palace today, I met the emperor privately in advance."
"Then why do you think the emperor summoned you?"
"Perhaps the emperor was moved by my sincerity and gave me this precious opportunity."
Xuan Yizhen's gaze reflected Yin Xing's curved smile. His jade-white face changed slightly as he spoke softly, "Perhaps. So you got a hint and found the imperial edict?"
Yin Xing shook his head and replied, "No, the Golden Bamboo Garden is so huge. I searched for a long time inside, and I almost got bit by a golden snake."
To be honest, many strange things happened tonight. Earlier, Yin Xing was almost attacked by a long snake in Jinzhu Garden and was so frightened that he dared not move.
But unexpectedly, it pounced on Xiahou Shao like lightning, as if he contained a more deadly temptation.
If Xiahou Shao had not drawn his sword in time to meet the attack, he might have died.
Yin Xing told Xuan Yizhen about the thrilling encounter, and with a lingering fear, he muttered, "Perhaps it's because the snake's colors are similar that it guarded the imperial edict so closely. If it hadn't attacked, I'm afraid no one would have been able to find it."
"If you had known it was so dangerous, would you be afraid and regret it?" Xuan Yizheng raised his hand and touched Yin Xing's cheek and murmured, with dark ripples in his eyes.
"No, everything will be worth it as long as I can get the marriage decree. Fortunately, the emperor is wise and brave and did not believe Xiahou Shao's nonsense." Yin Xing put his cheek against Xuan Yizheng's warm and soft hand and sighed with lingering fear.
Xuan Yizhen's eyes reflected Yin Xing's innocent expression, unaware of the danger. He fiddled with the broken bamboo leaves in her hair with his fingertips and whispered softly, "Perhaps the emperor has chosen you by letting you compete with Xiahou Shao."
Between a son of a marquis and a son of an aristocratic family, the emperor would definitely choose the weaker former.
What's more, this is an opportunity that Yin Xing actively sought, and the Xiahou family will only target her, not the emperor.
In other words, Yin Xing was the chess piece chosen by the emperor to destroy the marriage between the two families, but she was full of gratitude and had no idea of it.
"Could it be that Yizhen interceded with the emperor?"
"No."
Xuan Yizheng knew the emperor's suspicion, so he tried not to do too much, so that Yin Xing would have more chances to survive.
After all, even if Xiahou Shao didn't exist, there would still be other young men from aristocratic families who would come to propose marriage. The emperor knew this, and Xuan Yizheng also understood it.
Not to mention that the Wanqi family is determined to let Xuan Yizheng return to his hometown to be the head of the family, so Aunt Ji and Manager Zhang don't like Yin Xing, or in other words, all outsiders will be excluded.
Among the many forces, Yin Xing, a young master from a marquis's mansion, is particularly suitable for the emperor's thoughts.
Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizhen blankly, wondering, "Then why does the emperor trust me so much?"
Xuan Yizhen lowered his eyes, raised his hand and touched Yin Xing's cheek, and said teasingly: "Who knows, maybe it's your sincerity."
Yin Xing didn't feel ashamed to say this himself, but now after hearing Xuan Yizheng say this, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
"You're so tired tonight, and you haven't had a banquet yet. Why don't you try some palace cakes?"
"Well, I was so nervous that I forgot I was hungry."
As he spoke, Yin Xing watched Xuan Yizhen open the snack box and pass the palace cake to him. He bit into the crispy, sweet and greasy palace cake with his face hot. It was filled with a rich floral fragrance. He was surprised and muttered incoherently, "It's delicious."
Xuan Yizhen watched Yin Xing chew her food carefully, feeding her patiently. He asked slowly, "I guessed you would like these sweets, so I let you try them. Are two enough?"
As he spoke, Yin Xing had already eaten two palace cakes and nodded in response: "That's enough. You'll get sick of it if you eat too much."
I always feel a little ashamed to be fed by Xuan Yizheng like this, and it’s easy for me to recall some forgotten scenes.
Xuan Yizhen's eyes dimmed slightly and fell on Yin Xing's lips. He did not move. After a while, he leaned in and kissed her lightly.
Yin Xing was so stunned that he didn't even have time to close his eyes. It was not until his lips withdrew that he reacted slowly.
"Hmm, palace cakes seem a bit too sweet. It seems better to eat less."
“…”
The inside of the carriage was not particularly bright, but when Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizheng's thin lips, he could even clearly see her subtle lip lines.
Xuan Yizhen met Yin Xing's gaze calmly and asked gently, "What's wrong?"
Yin Xing blushed. After all, she couldn't handle it as calmly as Xuan Yizhen. Her ears were red with embarrassment. She looked away and said, "Nothing. I just haven't been close to Yizhen for a while. I'm sorry."
As he finished speaking, a faint smile escaped, which seemed to carry the coldness of a mountain spring, yet also had a hint of sweetness, making people's mouths dry.
"Why are you always so embarrassed?"
"I don't know either."
As he finished speaking, silence fell inside the carriage, leaving only the sound of the jade hanging outside colliding, which was very similar to Yin Xing's pounding heartbeat.
Yin Xing swallowed the sweet taste in his throat, trying to swallow his heart back into his stomach, and said calmly: "Yizhen, do you have any tea?"
Xuan Yizhen picked up the teacup beside him and handed it to him, saying, "Be careful, it's a little hot."
"Oh, okay." Yin Xing took the teacup and drank slowly, concentrating on it, not daring to look at Xuan Yizheng at all.
After a while, Yin Xing drank most of the teacup before putting it down.
The carriage seemed to be driving out of the palace gate, and outside there was gradually a bustling crowd of people.
The Guodu Night Market is always bustling, and tonight is Mid-Autumn Festival, so I think it will be even more lively.
However, Yin Xing thought of Xiahou Shao's sudden death, and his thoughts turned back. He tilted his head to look at the quiet and elegant Xuan Yizhen, and asked anxiously, "Yizhen, will Xiahou Shao's sudden death have any impact?"
Xuan Yizhen replied calmly, "Yes. The strength of the four great families cannot be underestimated. Xiahou Shao died at a palace banquet. The Xiahou family will definitely hold the emperor accountable for his death. I think a dispute is inevitable."
"So Xiahou Shao's death will cause chaos in the court. No wonder the emperor suddenly became serious."
"If Xiahou Shao's death can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then the Xiahou family will have no reason to exploit this issue."
Yin Xing only felt that the story was full of twists and turns, but when he remembered that Xuan Yizhen was involved, he asked worriedly, "Did the two young masters from the noble families die unexpectedly? Did anything happen?"
Xuan Yizhen fiddled with the red silk ribbon around Yin Xing's wrist with her fingertips. Her beautiful eyes lowered, her expression unclear as she replied softly, "Those two noble family sons died outside the palace, while Xiahou Shao died at a palace banquet. Therefore, their circumstances are completely different."
"Come to think of it, the emperor would not want Xiahou Shao to die at the palace banquet. Could it be that someone did it on purpose?"
"Why do you say that?"
Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizhen's beautiful face, hesitant to speak. Thinking of the rumors in the capital, he hesitated and said, "Because I think someone doesn't want Yizhen to get married, so they killed Xiahou Shao, who was originally a popular candidate, just like the previous two young masters from aristocratic families. This is a terrible thing."
Xuan Yizhen held Yin Xing's hand with his fingertips, stroking it soothingly, and said in his usual gentle manner: "Don't be afraid, you will be fine."
"I'm not afraid, I'm just worried about Yizhen." Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizhen, who was too calm, with worry in his eyes.
"Are you worried about me?" Xuan Yizheng asked doubtfully.
Yin Xing nodded, looking at Xuan Yizhen's dark eyes, unable to read his mind, and whispered, "Well, this means someone has been watching Xuan Yizhen in the dark. How scary."
Moreover, Yin Xing felt that there was something strange about Xuan Yizheng, which might be related to her dangerous situation, so that she seemed to have lost many emotions that ordinary people should have.
Xuan Yizheng's eyes are always like the surface of a quiet lake, and it is hard to say whether to say they are calm or dead silent.
"I rarely come out in previous years, so you don't have to worry." Xuan Yizhen let Yin Xing's gaze fall on him, intertwining his fingers with hers, and called out nonchalantly, "Do you think it's appropriate to get married at the end of the year?"
"Ah, can it be done by the end of the year?" Yin Xing blushed and came back to his senses and responded hesitantly.
"You can if you want to, unless you don't want to." Xuan Yizheng's beautiful eyes reflected Yin Xing's expression changes, and she said slowly.
Yin Xing quickly responded, "I do, but I need to make some preparations. Do I need to move to another courtyard in the future?"
Xuan Yizhen laughed faintly and said, "The princess's wedding will be held in the Princess's Mansion. The villa is just a private garden. There's no need to rush to move there."
After he finished speaking, Yin Xing felt like a steamed bun in a steamer and nodded woodenly.
"Well, I've never been married, so I don't know a lot of things."
"It's okay. If you don't understand, I will teach you."
After hearing this, Yin Xing felt even more strange. He raised his eyes to look at Xuan Yizheng, but he couldn't see anything wrong, so he could only digest it himself.
Speaking of which, how do two women spend their wedding night together?
But Yin Xing couldn't say a word to Xuan Yizheng about this, thinking of that bad book.
Just as Yin Xing was lost in thought, his jaw was suddenly pinched by fingers. He was forced to meet a deep gaze. Blinking blankly, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Xuan Yizhen observed Yin Xing's overly quiet demeanor and didn't notice anything unusual, so he could only say, "Nothing. What do you think of my makeup today?"
"It looks good." Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizheng's beautiful face and felt a little nervous.
"Then why are you still in a daze?" Xuan Yizheng pursed his thin lips and asked inquiringly.
Yin Xing was silent, not knowing how to explain to Xuan Yizhen the bad things in his head, so he could only say, "I walked too long in the Golden Bamboo Garden earlier, and now my right leg is a little sore."
After he finished speaking, the fingertips on his jaw moved away and Yin Xing breathed a sigh of relief.
But when Yin Xing's calf was gently grasped, he felt unwell!
Xuan Yizhen grasped Yingying's calf with his fingertips, examined it inch by inch, and asked, "Does it hurt?"
"Just a little bit, it's okay." After saying that, Yin Xing wanted to stop this somewhat ambiguous action.
But Xuan Yizhen didn't obey. She lowered her beautiful eyes, letting the shadows cast on them change. Her expression was extremely focused, and she spoke very softly, "Xing'er, I didn't expect Jinzhu Garden to be so dangerous. Will you blame me?"
If Xiahou Shao died in Jinzhu Garden tonight, Yin Xing would be unable to defend himself.
The emperor's methods were even more ruthless and secretive than Xuan Yizheng had expected. The snake would never appear in the palace for no reason.
Yin Xing couldn't see Xuan Yizhen's eyes, but could only see her gentle and beautiful face. However, he could still sense her depression and said quickly, "How could that be? I wanted to be Yizhen's consort, so I caused so much trouble. If it were any other princesses, they wouldn't even pay attention to me."
"Switch, do you want to be someone else's consort?"
"I'm not, I didn't, it's just an assumption!"
Xuan Yizhen slowly raised his eyes to look at the anxious Yin Xing, and gently pinched her calf with his fingertips. His expression became more and more gentle, and he said softly: "Is that so? The Third Princess has always been very concerned about you. Perhaps she will pay attention to you."
Yin Xing felt a slight pain in her calf from being pressed. She blinked and looked at the bright and open Xuan Yizhen, and replied shyly, "But I only want to marry Yizhen. I don't want the Third Princess to bother with me."
After he finished speaking, Yin Xing was too embarrassed to look at Xuan Yizheng. He half-lay down on the spacious soft seat of the carriage, not wanting to see anyone anymore.
"What are you doing?" Xuan Yizheng called out in a gentle tone, his dark eyes showing a faint smile, and he leaned forward slightly to call out.
"Nothing." Yin Xing buried his face in his arms and responded muffledly.
Xuan Yizheng released his palm from her calf and placed it lightly on Yin Xing's arm. He moved slowly and patiently removed the obstruction. He looked at her cheeks and earlobes that were gradually turning pink and white. It was like the flesh of a spring peach, rolling in his throat. He leaned over and gave her a light kiss.
Yin Xing was made nervous by this sudden kiss. He could clearly feel the teeth grinding against his skin, which was a bit painful. He cried out in fear: "Stop, stop..."
Even though Xuan Yizhen was always gentle and kind on weekdays, Yin Xing found that her intimacy was as if she wanted to swallow him up.
The movement paused for a moment, and Xuan Yizhen tasted a hint of blood between her teeth. She lowered her beautiful eyes to hide the surging darkness, and whispered, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizhen, who was looking down at him with his back to the lamp. He was still a little frightened and felt a slight stinging pain on the side of his face, which became more and more obvious.
Xuan Yizhen picked up the embroidered handkerchief and gently wiped Yin Xing's skin. He stepped back a little and looked at her skin which was red and swollen due to the teeth marks. His eyes were dark and difficult to read, full of restraint.
Yin Xing didn't know what to say for a moment. As he hesitated, an embroidered handkerchief was tied around his neck. He asked in surprise, "What is this for?"
"Don't be afraid, it's just a little skin broken." Xuan Yizheng responded with an apologetic look in his eyes, and looked at Yin Xing's eyebrows and expression, worried that she would be unhappy or disgusted.
"Oh, I see." Yin Xing did not refuse Xuan Yizheng's bandaging, but he could not stand her calm and focused gaze.
Obviously, even someone as slow-witted as Yin Xing could feel the uneasiness and worry in Xuan Yizheng's eyes.
Yin Xing raised his eyes and met Xuan Yizheng's calm eyes, which seemed to be filled with mist, gentle and affectionate, but impossible to see clearly. It seemed as if they contained myriad emotions, surging like a hurricane, enough to destroy everything, perhaps even Xuan Yizheng herself.
Seeing this, Yin Xing kissed Xuan Yizhen's cool lips, took her hand with a hot face, and said softly, "Yizhen, I'm fine."
Xuan Yizhen lowered his eyes and looked at Yin Xing's hand that she took the initiative to shake with his. He carefully wrapped his fingers around hers like a vine, then pressed his lips against hers, lightly touching them. He then withdrew modestly and replied slowly, "Hmm."
Although Yin Xing is very well-behaved, she is easily frightened. It seems that we still need to be careful, otherwise we will hurt her, Xuan Yizheng thought with some regret.
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