Chapter 178: Mo Qingcheng’s Return Visit

Chapter 178: Mo Qingcheng's Return Visit

Faced with the woman sitting properly on the wedding bed, Jiang Jue was at a loss for how to approach her.

They both understood that those words were spoken solely to protect the Empress. Apart from their few previous encounters, they could only be considered acquaintances; there was no deep emotional connection between them.

"..."

Noticing the man standing at the door, not taking a single step in, Mo Qingcheng shifted slightly.

Her sweet and clear voice rang out, "Aren't you coming to lift my veil?"

Only then did Jiang Jue come to his senses, approaching her nervously and gently lifting the veil.

Mo Qingcheng lifted her head, and their eyes met.

In the past, Mo Qingcheng was often seen in a green robe or a charming pink one. Today, dressed in a brilliant red bridal gown, her lovely face appeared even more captivating, her eyes shimmering with brightness.

Realizing his prolonged gaze, Jiang Jue hastily averted his eyes.

He felt a twinge of annoyance at his own superficiality.

She was a princess, who had consented to marry him for the sake of the Empress and the Emperor. He stepped back and bowed respectfully towards her.

"I am deeply grateful for Princess's life-saving grace!"

Mo Qingcheng caught the fleeting astonishment in his eyes and secretly smiled with a hint of triumph.

She helped Jiang Jue up, intentionally brushing her fingers lightly against his, observing the fleeting panic in his eyes.

"Lord Jiang, there's no need for self-reproach. I did all this out of my own volition, for the sake of Imperial Sister and Imperial Brother's reputation!"

Previously, he had assumed Mo Qingcheng to be spoiled and headstrong. Now, hearing her words, Jiang Jue realized how arrogant he had been.

"The Princess must be tired today. Allow me to summon someone to attend to you as you rest!" With that, Jiang Jue turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Mo Qingcheng reached out and held him, her lips pressed together in a slight pout.

"..."

Jiang Jue turned back, intending to ask what was wrong, only to see her gazing at their reflection in the window.

It was an elderly palace maid, sent by the Empress Dowager to instruct the couple on consummating their marriage. She was currently observing from outside.

If he were to leave now, not only would the Empress Dowager be displeased, rumors might spread by dawn that the princess and her prince were already at odds, sleeping separately on their wedding night.

Though it was his issue, people would likely blame the princess.

"Lord Jiang, let's still sleep together tonight. Otherwise, if word reaches my elder brother tomorrow, we'll have quite an explanation to give!"

With that, she climbed onto the bed, curling up into a corner, a blanket serving as a makeshift partition between them.

Jiang Jue watched her, remaining still.

Mo Qingcheng assumed that despite her suggestion, he was still unwilling to share the bed with her and was about to continue persuading him.

Jiang Jue spoke softly, "Princess, with the hairpin still in your hair, you won't be able to sleep comfortably, right?"

Mo Qingcheng rubbed her nose and slowly sat up. In her attempt to coax him into sleeping together, she had forgotten about it.

Jiang Jue's gaze fell calmly on her head as he reached out gently to remove her hairpin, allowing her hair, like a waterfall, to cascade down her back.

"Thank you, Jue. Let's sleep now!"

Mo Qingcheng lifted her bright eyes, looking at him with a warm smile.

Seeing her close her eyes to sleep, Jiang Jue pondered for a moment before getting into bed beside her.

Silence enveloped the room as neither of them spoke...

The next morning.

Jiang Jue felt a movement in his embrace and slowly opened his eyes, only to find the woman he was holding in his arms.

Startled, he quickly rolled out of bed, his face flushed red.

Gazing at the serene woman sleeping in bed, he felt a twinge of guilt. He supposed it was due to the effects of alcohol from the previous night.

He had taken advantage of her goodwill by exploiting her vulnerability while she slept – truly despicable. Fortunately, she hadn't woken up.

Fearing that she might awaken and witness his beastly act, Jiang Jue turned around, pushed open the door, and fled hastily...

Only when the door clicked shut did Mo Qingcheng open her eyes, curving her lips into a amused smile.

...

Three days later, they made their return visit.

Mo Qingcheng and Jiang Jue arrived at the Shoukang Palace, the residence of the Empress Dowager.

Spotting Feng Xiyao and Mo Cangyan among the guests, Mo Qingcheng reached out to gently grasp Jiang Jue's stiffened hand, offering him a reassuring smile.

The Empress Dowager, cradling her beloved pearl, greeted them with an even broader grin upon their arrival.

"The Princess and her Duke have arrived! Come in quickly, we've all been eagerly awaiting the newlyweds!"

Zhang Luoyi took her daughter in her arms and looked at the pair entering the room.

Mo Qingcheng skipped in merrily, calling out sweetly, "Mother Empress."

The Empress Dowager took her hand, her eyes filled with affection.

She had only this one daughter, whom she adored dearly.

Holding her hand, she scrutinized her from head to toe.

"You must behave properly now that you're married. Don't go causing trouble everywhere, and don't take advantage of your husband just because he's gentle!'

Mo Qingcheng, holding Jiang Jue's hand, smiled with curved eyes.

"How could I bully him? I cherish him too much, Mother. I can't get enough of loving him!"

"Shameless!" The Empress Dowager teased, tapping her forehead gently.

Feng Xiyao watched their loving display and also curved her lips into a smile.

If their love is genuine, isn't this a fortunate turn of events?

Mo Qingcheng had successfully escaped her tragic fate and found happiness with the one she loved.

"..."

Noticing her gaze fixed on Jiang Jue, Mo Cangyan smiled, though the mirth didn't reach his eyes.

"I see you two are so blissful; the Empress and I offer our blessings!"

Jiang Jue met Feng Xiyao's eyes and forced a smile.

"We, the subject and the princess, thank His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress!"

Mo Cangyan took Feng Xiyao's hand. "The Empress can't be happy seeing them so content, can she?"

Feng Xiyao glanced at him and then at the newlyweds standing before them.

"Of course, I am!"

"..."

Perceiving the tense atmosphere between the two, Mo Lingyun, who had been entertaining the child, hurried to diffuse the situation.

"Well then, since everyone's here, let's start the meal. My little pearl is already hungry!"

...

After the meal, they conversed for a while before finally parting ways.

Feng Xiyao was pulled out of Shoukang Palace by Mo Cangyan.

Exiting the palace, Feng Xiyao briskly walked ahead, freeing herself from the man's grasp.

"..."

Observing her departing figure, Mo Cangyan felt a wave of irritation.

Seeing her former lover with another woman was clearly unbearable for her – quite a reaction!

Feng Xiyao hastened her pace back to Fengchun Palace, when the system in her mind suddenly spoke up.

"Host, our big boss has found the object that severed your connection with the Tyrant. It's called the Heavenly Emperor Mirror. We've shattered it before, but someone has restored it!"

"It seems someone is deliberately opposing us, trying to revert the storyline back to its original course!"

Feng Xiyao knitted her brows. "Then what should we do?"

The System replied, "Right now, the only option is for the Tyrant to break through on his own. Otherwise, even if we shatter the Heavenly Emperor Mirror, they'll still find a way to repair it. This repetition will only disrupt the Tyrant's consciousness and make him more irascible!"

Thinking of Mo Cangyan's increasingly impatient demeanor lately, Feng Xiyao asked, "What should I do now?"

The System answered, "Make every effort to prevent the Tyrant from being with the female lead. Otherwise, under her influence, he'll be swayed by the plot and gradually fall in love with her. Eventually, not just your life points, but this entire world might revert to its original state!"