Chapter 27
Tonight, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon hangs high in the sky, casting its cool light upon the world. The entire capital is immersed in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere, with fireworks constantly lit and laughter echoing.
His Majesty, dressed in a dark robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns at the hems and a bright yellow jade belt around his waist, slowly stepped out of the hall and stood with his hands behind his back. He gazed at the fireworks blooming in the night sky outside the palace, their brilliance reflected in his eyes. Although a faint smile was on his face, his gaze revealed the depth and thoughtfulness that only an emperor could possess.
Lord Shang was dressed in a dark purple palace dress, with his hair combed into a bun like an eunuch, with a jade hairpin inserted in the bun. He followed behind His Majesty with a respectful look, slightly lowering his head, waiting for His Majesty's instructions.
His Majesty did not turn around, his gaze still fixed on the distance. His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority: "Lord Shang, the Crown Prince has a heavy workload right now, and is at a critical stage of mental growth. You must take good care of him."
Lord Shang hurriedly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said in a gentle but firm voice, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my utmost to take care of His Royal Highness's daily life and diet. There will be absolutely no mistakes."
His Majesty nodded slightly and continued, "On a daily basis, pay more attention to the Crown Prince's preferences and moods. If he wants something, as long as it's not excessive, do your best to satisfy him.
Although studying is important, he should not be overworked. He should be given some recreational activities at appropriate times. He should not be too bound by the palace rules and regulations, which would cause him to lose his youthful vigor.
"I understand that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is kind-hearted and intelligent. I will never let His Royal Highness suffer any injustice." Lord Shang responded seriously.
"Also," His Majesty turned and looked at Lord Shang, his expression showing a hint of concern, "The Crown Prince is kind-hearted. I'm afraid he might be schemed against in the future. You're by his side. You should remind him of the treacherous nature of human hearts and teach him the ways of the world. Don't let him be blinded by treacherous people."
Lord Shang was startled and quickly knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty's teachings, I will remember them in my heart. I will definitely protect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and not allow the treacherous to take advantage of me."
His Majesty waved his hand, signaling Shang Gong to stand. He then gazed out at the bustling palace and said thoughtfully, "I hope he can grow up safely and smoothly in this treacherous court, and in the future shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing the country."
*
"But how does Your Highness know about me and my mother?" Luo Sanying waited for Li Yin's answer with a burning gaze.
Li Yin looked at the pair of eyes that were becoming more and more like the dancer's. He stood with his hands behind his back, his moon-white brocade robe gleaming faintly in the moonlight. He turned his head to look at the eunuch beside him, his eyes as calm as a pool.
Luo Sanrong: "Your Highness, why are you looking at me like that?"
Li Yin: "Although I know this is a bit unreasonable, I can always see another person in you."
Luo Sanrong: "Another person?"
Li Yin's fingertips unconsciously stroked the jade belt around his waist. His eyes swept across Luo Sanrong's drooping crow-feather eyelashes. Suddenly, he chuckled, as if he also found it a little incredible, and muttered, "A woman."
Luo Sanrong's fingers gripping the lantern suddenly tightened, and the bamboo lantern swayed in her palm, the candlelight casting a flickering light on her suddenly pale face.
As she lowered her head, her hair fell from her forehead, covering the panic that flashed across her eyes: "Your Highness..."
Luo Sanrong was about to open his mouth to make up some more words, but the words on his throat were cut off by a distant call: "Lord Luo!"
Luo Sanrong looked in the direction of the sound and saw Ji Zeming jogging towards him, the halo of the lantern swaying on the bluestone slabs.
Ji Zeming looked at Luo Sanrong with a slightly apologetic look and said, "I'm sorry, I'm late."
Then, as if he had just noticed that there were other people, he slowly glanced at the prince, a hint of barely perceptible surprise flashing in his eyes.
But he quickly regained his composure, bowed slightly, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Your Highness, I am terrified, but I have an appointment with Lord Luo."
After saying that, he moved a little closer to Luo Sanrong without leaving any trace.
He leaned over slightly, close to Luo Sanrong's ear, his voice low and gentle, like the gurgling of a mountain stream, yet with unquestionable firmness: "You haven't forgotten your promise to me, have you? Can you come with me now?"
Luo Sanrong's body froze, and then he said to Li Yin in an apologetic tone, "I am very frightened, Your Highness. Then... I will take my leave."
The prince stretched out his long arm, and his powerful hand accurately grabbed Luo Sanying's slender arm.
His movements were filled with unquestionable dominance. Luo Sanrong's body suddenly stopped due to the sudden pull, and he almost stumbled and fell.
"I won't allow it. He's mine."
Ji Zeming was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Yes, he is naturally from the East Palace."
Li Yin: "Then you can leave."
The atmosphere was a little tense.
Ji Zeming thought for a moment and asked again, "Your Highness, is the reason you don't allow it because it's me that you made the appointment with Eunuch Luo?"
Li Yin sneered disdainfully, "Are you someone very important?"
Ji Zeming raised his eyebrows and asked, "Then why?"
Li Yin was stunned. He had never thought about why all this happened. He just instinctively held Luo Sanrong's hand. Now that he had calmed down and looked at his ridiculous behavior, he felt a little regretful.
Just as he was about to answer, he was interrupted by the voices of a group of delicate women.
"Hey, isn't this Master Ji?"
I saw a woman in a pink silk dress walking towards me with graceful steps.
Her eyebrows and eyes were full of spring, and her pair of autumn-water eyes were slightly upturned, just like two crescent moons. The light rouge at the corners of her eyes added a bit of charm.
In her hand, she gently waved a round fan painted with peonies. The peonies on the fan were brightly colored and lifelike, complementing her perfectly.
Her black hair fell on her shoulders like a waterfall, and a few strands of hair fell playfully on her fair cheeks, making her skin look even whiter than snow.
When the woman came closer, she tilted her head slightly with a sweet smile on her lips, a smile that seemed to melt people's hearts.
She exuded a faint floral fragrance, mixed with a hint of powder. As she approached, the scent seeped into Ji Zeming's nostrils.
"Master Ji, you haven't been here for a long time. The sisters are all missing you."
Her voice was soft, with a hint of anger, like a gentle spring breeze, blowing gently.
After saying that, she half covered her mouth with a round fan and began to giggle. Her laughter was clear and pleasant, attracting the attention of passers-by.
Ji Zeming smiled awkwardly. Li Yin looked at the scene of Ji Zeming and the woman pulling each other with a half-smile, and his eyes revealed a certain interest, which seemed to be curiosity, but also seemed to be provocation.
Ji Zeming was already feeling a little upset, and the sudden entanglement of this brothel girl made his irritability even worse.
He felt his face getting hot and embarrassed. This scene was really hard for him to handle.
He frowned, a hint of displeasure flashed across his face, and he forcefully pulled the woman's hand away. His voice was filled with impatience as he said in a deep voice, "Let go!"
The sound was like the water in a cold pond, with a hint of chill.
The woman lost her balance after being pushed by him and almost fell to the ground.
A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She had always been the object of everyone's pursuit, but this was the first time she was rejected so ruthlessly.
But she quickly recovered her composure, a charming smile on her face again, but her tone was filled with a hint of resentment: "Sir, why are you so unromantic?"
Luo Sanrong felt a little embarrassed when she saw this scene. She coughed lightly in her throat, lowered her eyes to avoid the gazes of the two people, and her fingertips lightly hooked the sleeve of the female companion beside her.
The woman, who had come with the other woman to greet them, was startled by her sudden action. Before she could react, she heard Luo Sanrong's soft voice: "Let's go... Let's go play together."
When Li Yin saw Luo Sanrong's actions, a trace of barely perceptible disgust flashed across his eyes, but he quickly concealed it and waved his hand unhappily, "I don't need you, you guys go by yourselves!" Then he turned and left.
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