in2ebook Chapter 478 Passing by
Chapter 478 Passing by
Tang Yi returned to the East Palace, but did not go to Princess Xingluo's room. Instead, he came to Yu Qingli's new room that day.
Everything in the room was arranged as usual. Even the phoenix coronet and bridal robe that Yu Qingli had taken off were placed neatly on the wedding bed. On the desk by the window, the orchids were in full bloom, with an elegant and subtle fragrance, which made it stand out among the red in the room.
Tang Yi stood in front of the window and could even feel Yu Qingli's every frown and smile. Her cold face and the faint smile that sometimes appeared on her face made him deeply attracted and unable to extricate himself.
The biggest regrets in life are not getting what you want and losing what you have lost. Tang Yi happens to have both of these, so he is unwilling to give up and urgently wants to find that woman back.
Putting aside Yu Qingli's identity as a saint, Tang Yi suddenly realized that she alone was enough to make him unforgettable.
Just when Tang Yi was missing Yu Qingli, Princess Xingluo came in from outside with her maid.
"Your Highness, you are indeed here."
Tang Yi raised his eyes, a little coldly, "What are you doing here?"
Xing Luo felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. "I heard that Your Highness hadn't slept a wink or eaten anything for a whole day and night in search of the Saint. I heard that Your Highness had returned to the palace, so I prepared some food, hoping that Your Highness could have a good rest."
"No need, you can go back first, I have something to do at the Ministry of Justice."
Tang Yi was about to leave when Xing Luo suddenly tugged at his sleeve, her voice tinged with tears, "Brother Yi, do you really dislike me now? Even though the Saint Girl is missing, it wasn't because of me. Why are you so cold to me?"
"You're overthinking it. I really have something to do. Concubine Zhao asked the emperor to pardon the Zhao family. The emperor handed the matter over to me and asked me to resolve it as soon as possible."
Xing Luo felt a little better after hearing this. She said shyly, "Your Highness, please calm down. I am also worried about your health."
"Caring too much turns into willfulness, Xingluo. I thought you wouldn't be like this, but I didn't expect..."
Tang Yi's eyes were filled with disappointment, which made Xing Luo's heart clench. "Brother Yi, don't you know why I have become like this today?"
"Enough!" Tang Yi said in a cold and hard tone, "Xingluo, I'm very tired today and don't want to argue with you. You should go back and rest early. You'll be back at home tomorrow morning. I don't want to see anything go wrong."
Xing Luo bit her lip and shouted at Tang Yi's departing back, "Yu Qingli was never yours in the first place. Now she has simply returned to where she belongs."
Tang Yi paused, "I don't want to hear such words a second time!"
Xing Luo couldn't hold back her tears. Was Tang Yi's previous consideration really just perfunctory? At this moment, her heart was filled with despair!
Back in the inn, Yu Qingli slept for a day and a night before finally waking up. Murong Yanhui felt very distressed and personally helped Yu Qingli to dress and eat.
Yu Qingli suddenly remembered what happened before she fell asleep, and asked curiously, "What happened?"
"Don't worry, Lili. Tang Yi and the others have already left. But it seems that Tang Yi hasn't withdrawn his suspicion of us. I have to say, this Tang Yi is really amazing!"
"Tang Yi is indeed cautious, but he's still not as good as you."
Murong Yanhui was stunned for a moment, then revealed a devilish smile, "Lili, are you praising me?"
Yu Qingli's eyes sparkled, "Of course, how could the person I choose lose?"
A warm current surged from Murong Yanhui's heart, melting his heart inch by inch. Years of loneliness had long been swept away. At this moment, he really felt that he was the happiest person in the world.
It turns out that this is what it feels like to love someone. Just a word of praise can make him feel like he is in the clouds.
Looking at Murong Yanhui's obsidian eyes with twinkling stars in them, Yu Qingli's heart couldn't help but move. Just as she was about to say something, a slightly awkward cough suddenly came from the door.
"Ahem, my Lord, my Lady, you two should be more mindful of your influence in broad daylight. We all know you are very much in love, so there's no need to show off all the time, right?"
Yu Qingli rolled her eyes at Xiluo and said, "Girl, your mouth is getting more and more powerful."
"It's all because of the young lady's good training."
As Xiluo spoke, he muttered, "Those soldiers are here again. They seem to be watching us. Even when we go to the toilet, someone is watching us. I really want to poke their eyes out. Your Majesty, when can we leave?"
Murong Yan smiled back, "What's wrong? Are you embarrassed by being stared at?"
"I am feeling annoyed!"
"Xiluo, you don't have to feel annoyed. These people will leave soon." Murong Yan promised solemnly.
Yu Qingli asked curiously, "Why do you think so?"
"Tang Yi has people guarding here simply because he has doubts about us. If we dispel his suspicions, he will naturally stop doubting us."
Yu Qingli asked curiously, "Do you already have a solution?"
"Yes, it has been arranged." Murong Yan smiled back like a fox.
"Let me guess. You must have had someone impersonate us and deliberately show up somewhere else, right?"
"No one understands me better than Lili."
Yu Qingli smiled and said, "So, does Master Qi have any plans for today?"
"I heard there's a lantern festival in the city later this month. How about we go and see it together?"
"Why is there a lantern festival at this time? Isn't it supposed to be after the New Year?"
"It's probably because customs vary from place to place. I heard the Dong Tang Lantern Festival has a long history, and it's said that officials would even set off fireworks to celebrate."
Yu Qingli became more and more interested. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go out and take a look."
"Don't be so anxious. It's still early. Besides, these people are still following us. Even if we want to go shopping, we won't be able to do so safely, right?"
Yu Qingli also thought it made sense and prepared to take a short rest before going out with Murong Yanhui.
As night gradually fell, lanterns began to be hung up one by one on the streets. From a distance, it looked like a river of lights, which was extremely beautiful. In the afternoon, the soldiers who had been guarding around the inn were withdrawn. Seeing how hurried they were, it seemed that they were going to capture the fake saint and her group.
Yu Qingli and Murong Yan replied that they had finished their dinner early and couldn't wait to go out to the street to see the lanterns.
At this time, in the palace, the maidservant beside Princess Xingluo was also describing the lantern festival. "Princess, haven't you seen it? This lantern festival is so beautiful! I heard that some people put their wishes into the moat. When the lanterns float on the river, it is simply beautiful!"
The little palace maid's eyes were filled with happy memories, which made Princess Xingluo feel envious.
"Princess, in my humble opinion, there's a lack of romance between you and His Highness. Although you've indeed shared hardships, you've only ever talked about important matters of state, lacking any romantic feelings. His Highness is grateful and respectful towards you, but he simply doesn't feel any pity for you. Princess, you should create opportunities for His Highness to feel pity for you!"
After hearing what the palace maid said, Princess Xingluo suddenly understood, "That's right. So what do you think I should do specifically?"
"Isn't there a good opportunity right now? Princess, you can invite His Highness to go to the Lantern Festival together."
"But His Highness has been very busy recently..."
"Those are just excuses. No matter how busy you are, you still have to eat and sleep. Besides, what else can you be busy with at this late hour?"
Princess Xingluo felt that it made more and more sense. The last time she returned home, her mother told her that happiness must be achieved through one's own efforts. The best strategy would be to win over Tang Yi's feelings while he still had her in his heart.
"Jin'er, go and ask His Highness to come over now."
The palace maid Jin'er smiled brightly. The princess had indeed come to her senses and hurried towards the imperial study. She had already inquired about it when she came here just now and was told that the prince was in the study now.
Not long after, Jin'er appeared in front of Xing Luo with Tang Yi. Xing Luo suppressed her excitement. She had not held any hope for this matter, but she did not expect Jin'er to bring people here so easily.
Tang Yi didn't waste any words. Xing Luo's purpose had been made clear when Jin'er reported it to him. He came here in person just to refuse him in person, but when he saw Xing Luo's expectant eyes, he couldn't help but change his mind.
Tang Yi suddenly remembered the only time they went out together for the Lantern Festival when they were young. He was only ten years old at the time, and Xing Luo was only eight years old. They ran away from home without telling their parents, took the pocket money they had saved up, and went from shop to shop on the street to eat, trying all kinds of snacks.
As a result, Tang Yi started vomiting and having diarrhea after returning to the palace, and Xing Luo was also slapped on the palm of his hand. Thinking back on it now, those were really unforgettable years. However, as they grew older, the excitement and affection they had at the beginning gradually disappeared. Xing Luo also became less lively than when he was a child, and the occasional stern look between his eyebrows often made him feel unfamiliar.
Princess Xingluo came forward with great joy and saluted Tang Yi respectfully, "Your Highness..."
"I heard you invited me to the Lantern Festival. I have nothing to do tonight, so why not go out with you? Come to think of it, it seems like you haven't been to a Lantern Festival in many years."
Xing Luo lowered his voice and spoke slowly, "Your Highness, you still remember. It has indeed been many years. Ever since that time when I was eight years old, my father never allowed me to go to the Lantern Festival without permission. After entering the palace, naturally, I was even more forbidden to leave."
"It sounds like you're blaming me?"
Xing Luo hurriedly explained, worried that he had angered Tang Yi again. The originally good situation could not be ruined because of this.
"No, no, Your Highness has misunderstood. Xing Luo is just lamenting the passing of time."
Tang Yi laughed unexpectedly. "I know, I'm just sighing. Back then, you were like a tomboy, speaking cleanly and without any scruples. But in recent years, you've become more and more submissive, just like the other concubines in the palace. It seems that letting you enter the palace so early was not a good idea."
"Your Highness..."
"Well, if you don't like it, I won't tell you. Aren't we going to see the lanterns? Are the carriage and guards ready?"