Chapter 52: A Moment of Bliss

Chapter 52: A Fleeting Moment of Bliss

The hand-carried palanquin carried Liu Yun steadily to Lizheng Hall. As she descended, she spotted Su Lin standing at the hall's entrance.

As soon as their eyes met, Su Lin recognized who it was and hurried over with a smile of just the right measure. "Ah, it's Her Ladyship who's come. His Highness is currently in a meeting inside. Please wait a moment—I'll go let His Highness know you're here."

Hearing that the Crown Prince was in a meeting, Liu Yun feared disturbing him and immediately waved her hand. "No worries, no worries. I'll just wait in the side hall for a while. I'll see him when he's done with his meeting."

With that, before Su Lin could persuade her otherwise, Liu Yun headed straight for the side hall.

Su Lin seemed about to speak, then stopped, and just went straight into the inner hall to report to His Highness.

Others might be set aside, but the Crown Princess must always be kept in mind.

Otherwise, His Highness wouldn't let him off the hook.

He hurried into Lizheng Hall with quick steps and saw His Highness with his head lowered, reviewing a memorial from the Ministry of Revenue about the flood disaster in the Jiangnan region.

His brow was furrowed with displeasure, and the officials below didn't dare breathe too loudly. The atmosphere was frozen solid with tension.

"The flood disaster in Jiangnan is urgent and cannot wait. Repairing houses and dikes, distributing relief money and grain, settling the victims—and special attention must be paid to disease outbreaks after the floods. All of this must be taken to heart."

Slamming the memorial down on the table, Xiao Hang rubbed his brow and said, "Go draw up a plan and submit it to me tomorrow."

He gave the order with swift, decisive action—after all, the disaster couldn't wait for anyone.

The officials below all responded with assent, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

They had heard that even His Majesty in his youth hadn't been so stern and strict. The Crown Prince had outdone his predecessor, and they could already imagine what life would be like once he took the throne.

Oh, that is, if they were still lucky enough to remain in court by then.

Just as they were barely daring to breathe, they saw Su Dianling, the Palace Secretary of the Eastern Palace, come over, lean in, and whisper something into the Crown Prince's ear.

"Really? Where?"

The officials saw the Crown Prince immediately look up, his expression easing as he asked.

Then they saw Su Dianling say something else. The Crown Prince first stood up, then, as if remembering that his group of old ministers was still there, turned around and said, "Let's end today's discussion here. You can all head back for now—just don't forget your tasks."

"We will spare no effort and live up to the expectations of His Majesty and Your Highness."

The ministers said in unison, their stances respectful.

Xiao Heng flicked his sleeve and walked out through the side door with his hands behind his back.

Su Lin smiled warmly as he saw the ministers out, his demeanor genial and courteous.

When the Crown Prince arrived, Liu Yun was sitting on a stool, swinging her legs, watching her skirt hem ripple out in circles like flower petals.

Until she heard familiar footsteps, and Liu Yun looked up.

She had to admit—her husband was extremely handsome. No matter how many times she looked at him, it never failed to stun her.

"Your Highness."

Giving a slight bow, Liu Yun went to meet him. Because she had an ulterior motive, her smile was three parts sweeter than usual.

Xiao Heng was quite pleased by this. He took her hand directly and led her out, speaking softly.

"What made you think of coming to find me?"

"Missed me?"

That was rather suggestive, Liu Yun thought to herself.

But when seeking a favor, one's attitude ought to be good. Liu Yun didn't refute him, only feigning shyness as she lowered her head, letting him think whatever he wished.

"I brought some of Your Highness's favorite dishes."

The young woman's tone was soft and obedient, the corners of her lips curving up as she smiled, which lifted Xiao Heng's spirits even further.

Holding her hand without any pretense of discretion, he led Liu Yun out of the hall—and happened to run into the ministers who had just departed.

They hadn't understood what urgent matter had called the Crown Prince away, but now it was clear.

No matter how solemn and stern he was on ordinary days, wasn't he still just a young man in love?

The ministers dared not utter a word openly, but inwardly they teased without end.

Bowing toward the Crown Princess, the ministers turned and left Lizheng Hall, not wanting to disturb the newlyweds' affectionate moment.

Being led by the hand by the Crown Prince and running into a group of officials in purple and crimson robes made Liu Yun somewhat nervous. She feared being criticized for lacking proper decorum with her husband, or having etiquette cited against her.

But clearly, she had worried for nothing. The ministers said not a word—after offering their respects, they turned and left.

Liu Yun breathed a sigh of relief and followed the Crown Prince into the main hall.

"It's midday now—Your Highness must be hungry. Do eat."

Smiling as she guided Xiao Heng to his seat, Liu Yun was all attentiveness.

Jin He also deftly unpacked the dishes from the food box and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Xiao Heng sensed something unusual, but he wasn't in a hurry to call it out. He decided to keep watching and see what little show might unfold.

When he saw Liu Yun even pour him a cup of wine, Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow, growing more curious by the moment.

Seeing how hard she was trying to please him, Xiao Heng decided that whatever she asked for, he would do his best to grant.

Even if it meant returning to accompany her.

Downing the cup of amber wine poured by his wife's own hands, Xiao Heng felt his heart burn warm from the drink.

"Go on then—what favor have you come to ask of me today?"

Xiao Heng admitted that when facing her, his patience was lacking. His thoughts rose and fell, and he could no longer hold them back.

Caught off guard by the question while still biding her time, Liu Yun was momentarily taken aback. But she didn't try to hide anything.

Pulling the note listing the four young men from her sleeve, she unfolded it and held it up before Xiao Heng's eyes.

Before he even read the words, Xiao Heng had even entertained the wild thought that it might be a love letter.

But after a cursory glance, his gaze landed on the names of those young men, and his expression shifted with uncertainty.

Silence hung for a few breaths. Just as Liu Yun was about to speak, Xiao Heng cut in before her.

"What are you doing? Taken a liking to them?"

"Or four?"

Even though the guess was utterly absurd, once spoken aloud, Xiao Hang was already starting to get angry.

Hearing this, Liu Yun was shocked, her eyes widening with immense alarm.

"Your Highness, what are you talking about? I came here for Zhen Zhen."

Afraid the Crown Prince might say something even more scandalous, Liu Yun hastily explained the whole story.

"With a husband like Your Highness, how could I ever look at another man? Please, stop joking around."

Fearing misunderstanding, Liu Yun even swallowed her pride and said sweet things she rarely spoke, to prove her innocence.

"Oh, I see."

Xiao Hang gave a faint grunt, appearing calm and composed, but his heart was pounding.

He never knew that this little fool could speak such sweet words.

Knocking back a cup of wine in one gulp, Xiao Hang kept his expression stern, then suddenly grabbed her and planted one on her lips.

At that moment, all the palace attendants in the hall lowered their heads, not daring to peek.

They had long heard from the sisters in Cheng'en Hall that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were very much in love, though they couldn't imagine how a man like him could be so affectionate with a woman.

Now it all made sense.

They were secretly excited, already planning to eagerly discuss it with the other maids when they got off duty.

Stunned by the kiss, Liu Yun stared blankly at the Crown Prince for a moment before suddenly covering her mouth, looking at him in disbelief.

This is the Lizheng Hall, and there are so many people around!

As if that weren't enough, the Crown Prince wrapped his arm around her, and Liu Yun was suddenly sitting on his lap, leaning against his chest.

A clean, cool scent surrounded her, and Liu Yun tensed up like a statue, wanting to struggle but afraid to move—torn.

"Your Highness..."

His chin resting on her soft hair, Xiao Hang found being called "Your Highness" grating on his ears.

Too formal, like one of his servants—where was the intimacy?

They were husband and wife; how could she call him that?

Holding her tightly, he whispered in her ear: "Didn't you come to beg me for your good friend?"

"Is this how you ask?"

The intimate posture and suggestive tone made it seem like they were making some shady deal.

Liu Yun's face turned bright red, and she couldn't find the words to argue, nor could she refuse him.

As the Crown Prince said, she had come to ask a favor, and being teased a little by her own husband wasn't worth making a fuss over.

"I beg Your Highness to help. Zhen Zhen is my best friend. If Your Highness is willing to send the Eagle Guard to investigate these four men, I will forever remember Your Highness's kindness."

Liu Yun felt she had been very sincere, but it didn't seem to interest the Crown Prince.

Thinking of Zhen Zhen, she mustered a bit more courage, boldly wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his chin.

When he didn't move, she kissed him again.

Clearly, Xiao Hang hadn't expected his usually shy and reserved wife to do such a thing, and he was caught off guard.

Then a wave of emotion hit him.

"Everyone out."

With a cold command, the palace attendants of Lizheng Hall left without hesitation. Only Jin He hesitated, looking uneasy, but she dared not disobey the Crown Prince's authority and followed Su Dianling out.

Once everyone was gone and only the couple remained in the hall, things got simpler.

Without hesitation, Xiao Hang bit down on those full, red lips, like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey.

Liu Yun was kissed until she couldn't breathe, her head spinning, and when she opened her eyes again, she found herself on the bed in the inner room.

A sudden storm, a brief moment of indulgence.

The bedding of Lizheng Hall likely never imagined it would get dirty like that that day.

The meal was only half-eaten, but no one had any interest in it anymore.

Feeling that familiar warmth, Liu Yun grabbed her wrinkled clothes to cover her chest, worried he might want to go again.

She truly couldn't understand how things had escalated to this point.

Thankfully, he knew this wasn't a proper place for that—he'd only done it once, quickly, and hadn't taken all her clothes off as he did at night.

Only her trousers had been removed, so they weren't dirty and could be worn again.

But the rest of her...

She didn't dare move, afraid something might leak out.

Still lying atop the Crown Prince, both of them tried to catch their breath as the feeling faded.

After a long while, Xiao Hang lazily stroked her back and readily agreed to everything.

"I'll have it looked into this afternoon. Just wait at home."

Having barely satisfied his appetite, Xiao Hang was in a good mood, his tone lazy.

Hearing this, Liu Yun was thrilled and quickly thanked him.

"Thank you, Your Highness! You're so good to me!"

Her smile blossomed, but being called "Your Highness" grated on his ears, so he said bluntly: "Change what you call me. Always calling me 'Your Highness' is too formal—I don't like it."

Liu Yun suddenly found him rather demanding, but since she still had the rest of her life to deal with, she asked openly: "Then what should I call you, Your Highness, that would be less formal?"

Liu Yun had realized one thing: with someone like the Crown Prince, directness was the best approach.

Author's note:

New chapter here

I'm so sleepy, could only write this much