Chapter 5: The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches

  The moon is bright and the stars are sparse, with a gentle breeze blowing softly. It's likely that tomorrow will be another good day. Most people in the Wang Fu have already gone to bed, except for the guards who are still patrolling. Quietly, even the wind blowing against the lanterns on the roof seems to make a sound. It's the season when peach blossoms are in full bloom, and the air is filled with the faint scent of peach blossoms.

  "Yun Cong? Are you asleep?" Zi Ruoye gently knocked on the door, it was already midnight, but Yun Cong's room was still bright, she had come to take a look because she couldn't sleep and was wandering around.

  "Your Highness, I'm coming." A flurry of noise came from inside the house, and the door creaked open. Yun Cong had only put on a thin outer garment, his black hair was like a small stream gently clinging to his face, his complexion had a slight flush, he was dazed again, it was supposed to be time for rest, but he couldn't help thinking of the Prince holding him and walking all day, the places that were touched still had residual warmth, this... was their first time being so intimate.

  "I've told you several times, don't call me 'slave' again." Looking at him wearing only a thin outer garment as he came out, "It's chilly outside, if it's not convenient to come out and inform me, I'll just leave, no need to be in such a panic."

  "Yun Ning didn't mind...". He had originally wanted to call himself a slave, but seeing the helpless expression on Zi Ruoye's face, he finally changed it to his own name. How could he not be happy that Wang Ye was coming to him?

  "Prince Wang's night is windy... come in." Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her small hands tightly grasping the outer garment, today...

  Zi Ruoye stepped into the small cottage with a cloud-patterned roof, and the cloud-patterned silk quilt was still neatly spread on the bed. She took a look at the furnishings inside the house and felt fairly satisfied. "The living conditions are quite satisfactory?"

  She turned around and asked, with a calm gaze at the purple leaves, the king's clothes were always without a specific color, but the king's face was the most disgusting to the women of the Purple Mystic Country. His curved eyebrows were like willow leaves, his eyes were like autumn water, although they always had a faint mist in them, but every time he looked at her calmly, it was as if he was a pool of spring water, even his fifteen-year-old body was much taller than the king's... She always unintentionally stirred up people's hearts, even if it was just an act, a dream...

  "Your Highness..." She bit her cherry blossom-like lips and walked to the front of Ziyue Ye, as if she had made a great effort. "Will you be staying at Yun Cong's place tonight?"

  Yun Cong's face had already turned bright red as soon as he finished speaking, but his eyes held a hint of expectation. He must have used up all his energy to say this sentence, it seemed like he had exhausted himself. Zi Ruoye was taken aback by his sudden request, although they had known each other for a year, she had originally intended to wait until Yun Cong settled down before helping him find a good match...

  "Yun Ning, don't be too hard on yourself. I brought you back not to do anything to you." Zi Ruoye softened her voice, fearing that Yun Ning would be scared, and gently wrapped her arms around him. Although Yun Ning had known her for a year, the self-protection in his heart was deeply rooted.

  "After a while, I'll find a good family for you. If you're willing, I'll be the witness to your marriage, don't worry about your identity..." Letting go of Yun Cong, she took out an official token from her bosom, "From now on, you are already the young master of a noble family, if anyone dares to bully you in the future, I, Zi Ruoye, will be the first to not forgive them."

  Yun Cong's body trembled slightly when he heard Zi Ruoye's first sentence, and his eyes flowed with melancholy and pain. He had expected her to refuse, but as he held the official seal in his hand, which was supposed to bring him joy, he couldn't feel any happiness, only a bitter and unbearable feeling in his heart...

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." She raised her eyes, and tears had already fallen onto her cheeks. Hurriedly wiping them away, her eyelashes trembled slightly, "Yun Ning is too happy... please don't mind, Your Majesty."

  Zi Ruoye gently hugged Yun Ning, "Why are you crying? This year, you've also suffered a lot for me that you shouldn't have." She must be bothered by her own identity, Zi Ruoye thought, but didn't know what was hurting Yun Ning.

  "No, it's already late at night, Your Highness should probably get some rest." He hastily retreated from Zi Ruoye's arms, afraid that if he stayed for another moment, his thoughts would be guessed. It might cause her trouble, and even more so, as the king was not well-received in court, everyone only feared her because of her royal status.

  "I'll head back then. You should get some rest too." Zi Ruoye nodded, but why didn't she sense that Yun Cong was happy? All she felt were his tears, not joy.

  Yun Cong had been propping himself up, leaning against the door. After confirming that Zi Ruoye had really left, he could no longer hold back his tears. His long eyelashes trembled lightly, and he suppressed his voice with all his might, even biting his lip until it bled without realizing it. He was so reluctant to let go, but his body couldn't support him anymore, sliding down the wall. Yet, his thoughts were unspeakable, unable to be expressed.

  The mountain has trees and the trees have branches; I love you but you don't know.

  "Your Highness... how should this play end?" He wanted to tell her about the true feelings he had been pretending, his heart having long since fallen for her. But looking at her clear and transparent eyes that only showed concern without a hint of romantic love, the words stuck in his throat and he couldn't bring himself to speak.

  His thoughts might turn into a gentle breeze.

  His clarity will probably turn into smoke and dust.

  The wind has passed without leaving a trace...

  Liu Qingyu returned to her room and waited for the night to fall. How could she marry that Fifth Prince who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun? She absolutely did not want to marry someone she didn't like. Now at twenty, she was still waiting in the boudoir for the person she had in mind, but with the arrival of the imperial edict, her thoughts were reduced to nothingness. She absolutely refused. Sneaking into the palace, she felt even more ashamed. The incompetent prince's guards were also so useless, their defenses were so lax.

  "Is the person that Master Wang brought today the Yun Cong young master from Penglai Pavilion?" Today, Master Wang surprisingly brought someone to the palace, which really shocked them.

  "Yes, unfortunately, I didn't get a clear look at his face. But judging from the way Wang Ye and Yun Cong Gongzi are interacting, they seem to be quite close. Sneaking a smile while covering her mouth, although she couldn't see his face clearly, everyone outside has said that Yun Cong Gongzi is a top-notch beauty."

  "Yes, Prince Wang has been holding on tight." A hint of envy seeped into his tone, for which man's heart doesn't hold a dream?

  Penglai Pavilion? Isn't that the largest... Thinking of this, Liu Qingyou, who was hiding in the dark, was so angry that he wanted to solve Zi Ruoye with one sword. It seems that the rumors outside are true after all, and it's indeed a lustful prince!

  After Zi Ruoye returned to her own house, she couldn't stop thinking about Yun Ning's behavior today. She was afraid that he had suddenly come to the Wang Fu and wasn't used to it yet. But she didn't want Yun Ning to treat herself so carelessly, just giving her body like this. If he really was a lustful king, wouldn't that be truly... As soon as she thought of a certain romantic and entwined scene, Zi Ruoye's face turned bright red.

  Don't think about it, don't think about it, even in her past life... she didn't have this experience. In this life, she also doesn't have such plans.

  "Hmm?" The corners of his mouth slightly curled up, and with a casual wave of the lamp, it went out. He lay down on the bed in his clothes.

  Liu Qingyou had been staring at the roof of Zi Ruo Ye's residence, and this person's appearance did indeed match that of the incompetent prince. He waited until the lights went out, and only after hearing the even sound of breathing coming from inside did he turn over and enter.

  "How can I marry someone like you, who is as useless as rotten mud!" With a flash of the long sword's blade in the moonlight, Liu Qingyu pursed his lips, he didn't want to kill anyone, just threaten her, maybe hurt her, delay the wedding, so he would have time to see the one on his mind...

  "Whose beauty is this, looking at me in the still of night? I've come especially to accompany you." As soon as the words fell, Zi Ruoye instantly grabbed Liu Qingyou's hand and with a spin, pinned him under her body.

  "Didn't anyone tell you that when it comes to assassination, a moment's hesitation is a fatal mistake?"

  Liu Qing's eyes widened, and she found herself lying on a soft cloud-patterned quilt. Her sword had been knocked away, and her movements were being restrained. Could it be that Zi Ruo Ye actually knew martial arts?! Were all the rumors outside false?!