Chapter 385: Kiss of Commitment

Chapter 385: The Kiss of Commitment

She returned to her room and stepped into the space, pulling out a bunch of fireworks and firecrackers from it.

Among them were some sparklers that could be held in hand. Ji Yuntang lit one and personally demonstrated how to play with them, showing everyone how to do it themselves.

Hong Xiu had never seen such fireworks before. She clapped excitedly on the sidelines, saying, "Princess, your fireworks are gorgeous—way better than the ones they set off outside."

Colorful fireworks burst in the sky, lighting up her delicate profile, making her look even more stunning. Her bright, bell-like laughter rang through the courtyard.

Luo Junhe couldn't help but stare, completely mesmerized!

Just then, Ji Yuntang grabbed a firework as thick as her wrist and handed it to Luo Junhe.

She gave a sweet smile. "A He, wanna give it a try?"

Luo Junhe didn't hesitate and reached out to take it. "Alright."

The firework lit up, and golden sparks shot into the sky. A sense of peace and contentment washed over him.

"A He, the new year's almost here. Let's both make a wish!"

Ji Yuntang silently counted down in her head. She closed her eyes, put her hands together, and made a wish.

Luo Junhe copied her and did the same.

She opened her eyes and asked Luo Junhe, "A He, what did you wish for?"

Luo Junhe's eyes grew warm, and he said gently, "I wish that every year brings today, and every year brings this moment. I hope you're by my side every New Year's Eve from now on."

Ji Yuntang curled her lips into a smile. "That wish of yours is definitely going to come true."

Luo Junhe was thrilled, gazing at her with pure adoration.

"A Tang, what about you?"

Ji Yuntang said, "I hope to get the Dragon Scale Herb soon so you can stand on your own two feet again."

At the mention of the Dragon Scale Herb, Ji Yuntang couldn't help but think back to some things she'd looked into.

The Dragon Scale Herb was a national treasure of the Xishu Kingdom. It took a hundred years to grow just that single plant, and it could cure a hundred different poisons.

It was kept in the Xishu Kingdom's imperial palace, heavily guarded, so getting close was nearly impossible.

She'd heard that in the Xishu Kingdom these days, the old emperor was deathly ill, the crown prince had vanished, and Empress Dowager Yuan had the whole court under her thumb. With the empress's relatives meddling in politics, plus internal strife and external threats, the situation was a total mess.

Under such circumstances, getting the Dragon Scale Herb was like trying to reach the heavens—basically impossible.

Ji Yuntang had considered negotiating with Empress Dowager Yuan, but that woman was extremely ruthless, and the odds of a successful negotiation were basically zero.

And stealing it? That was even more out of the question!

Not to mention the Xishu Kingdom's palace was nearly impossible to get into, the spot where the Dragon Scale Herb was kept was also protected by an advanced formation.

Only a direct heir of Xishu's true royal bloodline, and specifically someone with a pure yang constitution, could unlock the formation.

The catch was that the crown prince was missing, and Empress Dowager Yuan had basically killed off all the other Xishu princes!

That was exactly why even Empress Dowager Yuan herself couldn't open it.

So the Dragon Scale Herb stayed perfectly preserved—right there in sight but impossible to touch. Anyone who wanted it just had to put their plans on hold for now.

Ji Yuntang was a bit relieved but also uneasy. The longer Luo Junhe's illness dragged on, the harder his recovery would be.

Plus, with the Dragon Scale Herb on someone else's turf, their lifeline was basically in someone else's hands, and that feeling really rubbed Ji Yuntang the wrong way.

Thinking of all this, Ji Yuntang murmured to herself, "Looks like I need to come up with another plan!"

If it came down to it, she'd have to find time to make a personal trip to the Xishu Kingdom.

Meanwhile, by the largest prayer river in the capital, Luo Qingge and Xie Liuzheng had also written their wishes on lotus lanterns and floated them down the river.

The lanterns flickered softly, their glow reflecting off the shimmering water, where colorful flower lanterns floated everywhere, adding a romantic touch to the night.

Xie Liuzheng suddenly turned to Luo Qingge and asked, "Princess Jiu, what did you wish for?"

Luo Qingge crouched by the river, her bright eyes full of hope.

"I hope Third Brother gets better soon. Third Sister-in-law managing the entire manor alone is too exhausting. Not only that, she also has to deal with all those troublemakers outside. I just want Third Brother to stand up and walk side by side with Third Sister-in-law."

Unexpectedly, Xie Liuzheng curled his lips into a faint smile and immediately said, "What a coincidence—this Heir's wish is that Sister Yuntang can cure her husband soon, restore his vigor, and then they'll have a pair of twins for my parents to dote on."

Luo Qingge: "..."

Luo Qingge: "!!!"

Hearing Xie Liuzheng's words, she nearly tumbled headfirst into the lake.

Luo Qingge stood up, her expression utterly speechless.

"Your wish... that's a bit too much, isn't it?"

She knew Xie Liuzheng was outrageous, but she didn't expect him to be this outrageous—wishing for Third Sister-in-law to have children.

And that comment about restoring Third Brother's vigor—any man would find that unbearable!

If he dared to say that at the Night Manor, he'd probably get thrown out by Luo Junhe.

Embarrassing, truly embarrassing. Luo Qingge didn't even want to admit she knew Xie Liuzheng!

Seeing the woman's look of disdain, Xie Liuzheng found it utterly adorable.

He let out a low chuckle and spoke leisurely, "If you think this Heir's wish isn't quite right, and you want to have children yourself, then this Heir would be more than happy to oblige."

"How many you want—you decide."

Once Luo Qingge heard that clearly, her eyes widened in shock, and her fair ears, half-hidden beneath her hair, blushed a shameless red.

She turned her head away awkwardly and started walking forward. "Pfft, who would have children with you?"

Seeing her leave, Xie Liuzheng panicked and followed along.

"Of course, it's you. Don't forget—this Heir is your future consort."

"No, I should say you are this Heir's future wife. You agreed to it yourself."

Seeing Luo Qingge walking faster and faster, ignoring him completely, Xie Liuzheng directly grabbed her hand.

"Luo Qingge, this Heir is sticking to you for life. It's useless even if you try to back out now. This Heir will definitely marry you."

When he finished speaking, he reached out, pressed his palm flat against the back of Luo Qingge's head, then lowered his head and kissed her.

Luo Qingge's eyes widened as she stared in shock at the handsome, unrestrained man before her.

The soft touch on her lips told her—had she really just been kissed by Xie Liuzheng without permission?

Right then, Xie Liuzheng released her and said with a faint, teasing smile:

"Last time you kissed me, and this time I kissed you—let's call this our love pledge!"

"Luo Qingge, you're this heir's, so don't even try to run from me."

The man gazed at her intently, a flicker of amusement he didn't even realize was there shining in his dark eyes.

Luo Qingge's heart raced wildly; for the first time, she realized Xie Liuzheng really knew how to flirt.

Not only that, but he took "shamelessness" to a whole new level.

But she didn't hate it, not one bit!

She reached out, tilted his chin up with her finger, and gave a coy, flirtatious smile. "This princess isn't running anywhere."

"This princess will let Luo Qianxue see that her consort can't hold a candle to mine."

The two leaned against each other under the moonlit tree, making a beautiful picture.

Three days later, at Marquis Yongning's mansion.

A carriage stopped at the front gate, and a gaunt, weary young man stepped down from it.

His hair was disheveled, his face covered in stubble, and his bloodshot eyes gazed dazedly at the dazzling gilded plaque before him.

Half a month—he had finally returned!

This man was none other than Ji Zihang, who had been imprisoned in the Dali Temple.

That time had felt as unreal to him as a dream.

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