Chapter 128 Blackbird
The atmosphere in front of the Prince's Mansion was somewhat subtle.
Ye Xunyang was looking at the legendary rival in love, wondering how to bring it up with the prince, when the man himself delivered himself to his doorstep.
He instinctively tensed up.
Lou Jin sensed his nervousness, gently squeezed his palm, then looked at Xu Zhaoyun, his tone quite calm: "Miss Xu? Is something wrong so late?"
Xu Zhaoyun curtsied and said in a gentle voice, "Zhaoyun is being presumptuous, but I have something I'd like to discuss with Your Highness privately."
"Come in." Lou Jin nodded and pulled Ye Xunyang, who was still a little awkward, inside.
As soon as Xu Zhaoyun entered the flower hall, she seemed like a completely different person.
She casually took off her cloak and tossed it aside, then walked naturally to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, gulped down most of it, and finally let out a long sigh: "I was so thirsty, I stood at the door for ages."
Ye Xunyang was dumbfounded. This was completely different from the dignified and reserved talented woman in the rumors!
Xu Zhaoyun put down his teacup and gave Lou Jin a rather awkward bow with a grin: "Your subordinate 'Xuanque' greets Your Majesty~"
The tone was completely devoid of respect; it was more like an old friend greeting someone.
Lou Jin shook his head helplessly: "Alright, stop joking. Tell me, why did you come all this way so late, and with this whole setup? What are you up to?"
Xu Zhaoyun blinked, her gaze shifting between Ye Xunyang and Lou Jin, before suddenly chuckling, "Oh dear, Your Highness, are you... jealous?"
She leaned closer to Ye Xunyang and winked mischievously, "Don't worry, my relationship with your prince is completely innocent. What happened back then was just a temporary measure."
She sat down casually to the side, crossed her legs, and although she quickly realized it was inappropriate and put them down, her nonchalant attitude was still undeniable.
"Actually," Xu Zhaoyun lowered her voice, a rare hint of shyness appearing on her face.
"I have someone in my heart, my half-sister. If it weren't for the prince helping me cover it up back then, my father would have married me off long ago. So all those rumors about waiting for me for years are just an act!"
Ye Xunyang was stunned, overwhelmed by the amount of information and didn't react immediately: "Sister? Half-sister?"
“Yes,” Xu Zhaoyun said matter-of-factly, “She is older than me and is very kind to me, so I recognized her as my older sister. So according to seniority, Your Highness should also call me older sister.”
Lou Jin sighed and said helplessly, "Stop teasing him." He then turned to Ye Xunyang and explained, "That's just how she is, she doesn't respect elders. You'll get used to it."
Ye Xunyang then realized that he had been jealous for nothing!
He glared at Lou Jin with annoyance: "Why didn't you say so sooner!"
"It's just that we haven't found a suitable opportunity yet," Lou Jin said with a smile, putting his arm around his shoulder. "Besides, why did you look so preoccupied in the carriage earlier and refuse to say anything?"
Xu Zhaoyun watched the two interact and smiled so hard her eyes disappeared: "Oh my, it's so sweet. Okay, okay, let's get down to business."
Her expression turned serious, and she finally regained some composure: "I rushed back this time because I found that Lou Shang was acting strangely."
"What's wrong with him?" Lou Jin frowned.
“He’s been acting suspiciously lately, constantly going to the Imperial Clan Court and secretly inquiring about Lou Yi’s situation.”
Xu Zhaoyun lowered his voice, "I suspect... he might be planning to harm Lou Yi."
Ye Xunyang gasped: "He's going to kill Lou Yi?"
“Most likely.” Xu Zhaoyun nodded. “Although Lou Yi is under house arrest, he is still a potential threat. You all know Lou Shang; he’s petty and narrow-minded, and he’ll definitely want to eliminate him completely.”
As she spoke, she took out a small bamboo tube from her sleeve and handed it to Lou Jin: "This is a secret letter I intercepted. Although the contents are incomplete, the direction is very clear. You'd better make plans early. I think Lou Shang is determined to cause trouble this time."
Lou Jin took the bamboo tube, his face darkening.
“I understand,” he said to Xu Zhaoyun as he put away the bamboo tube. “Thank you very much this time.”
"Don't mention it," Xu Zhaoyun waved his hand, reverting to his usual playful demeanor. "Just remember to invite me to your wedding, oh no, I mean, remember to say a few good words for me to my sister!"
As she spoke, she stood up, put her cloak back on, and waved to the two of them: "Let's go, let's go, if we stay any longer, a certain princess will get jealous again~"
Ye Xunyang blushed at her words and retorted irritably, "Who's jealous!"
Xu Zhaoyun left with a loud laugh, and the flower hall returned to silence.
Ye Xunyang looked at Lou Jin and couldn't help but sigh, "What kind of people do you know...?"
"Your Highness, you are truly a hidden gem. I had no idea you had such a confidante by my side, and I worried for nothing."
Lou Jin walked to his side, leaned down to look at him, and smiled mockingly: "Oh? Worried? Worried about what? Worried that I'll be snatched away by that infatuated and talented woman?"
Knowing that his secret had been exposed, Ye Xunyang's ears turned slightly red, but he stubbornly said, "Who, who's worried! I just find those rumors annoying!"
He reached out and poked Lou Jin's chest. "You knew what was going on all along, but you didn't tell me. Did you find my expression at the door funny?"
Lou Jin grabbed his mischievous fingers, held them in his palm, and chuckled, "They are kind of cute. Like a cat with its fur standing on end."
He pulled the man up from the chair and hugged him, his chin gently rubbing against the top of his head. "I didn't mean to hide it from you. Xuan Que's identity is top secret, and the fewer people who know, the better. I didn't expect her to come here on her own and cause such a big misunderstanding."
Ye Xunyang leaned against him, smelling the familiar scent. His little complaint had long since vanished, replaced by a feeling of complete peace.
He hugged Lou Jin back and said in a muffled voice, "Don't do this again next time. Talk to me first if anything happens, so I don't... overthink things."
"Alright, whatever the Princess wishes." Lou Jin readily agreed, his tone indulgent. He paused, then added, "However, just now someone seemed to have agreed to call her 'elder sister'?"
Ye Xunyang immediately lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes wide: "That's just her saying that! I won't call her that!"
Seeing his sullen expression, Lou Jin couldn't help but lean down and lightly peck him on the lips, chuckling softly, "If you don't want to call me that, then don't. Anyway, she wouldn't dare to actually let you call her that."
The kiss was tender and lingering, dispelling the last trace of unhappiness.
Ye Xunyang's cheeks flushed slightly, but he took the initiative to wrap his arms around Lou Jin's neck, deepening the kiss.
A moment later, the two separated, their breathing slightly disordered.
"Alright," Lou Jin said, his voice a little hoarse, pressing his forehead against Lou Shang's. "I'll inquire about Lou Shang's matter tomorrow morning. Tonight... let's not worry about those troublesome things."
Ye Xunyang nodded, then remembered something and looked at Lou Jin with bright eyes: "Then... Your Highness, would you have time tonight to give me some pointers on my spear technique? The one you mentioned last time, I always felt that the power transfer wasn't smooth enough."
Lou Jin raised an eyebrow, his eyes darkening, and tightened his arms, picking her up horizontally: "Since my beloved consort is so eager to learn, then I, as her husband, will naturally impart all my knowledge to her."
He carried Ye Xunyang in his arms and strode into the inner room, his deep voice carrying an undeniable possessiveness, "However, tonight we'll 'spar' in a different way..."
The candlelight flickered red, the curtains gently fell, and a sense of spring quietly filled the room.
The turmoil of the outside world is temporarily shut out by the warm night.
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