Zongzheng Mufeng felt relieved. The fact that the beauty had taken the initiative to invite her to her home meant that she also had feelings for him.
He hadn't yet denied calling her "Princess," so could he have imagined it?
If we present the betrothal gifts now, we can marry this beauty.
The person, who was secretly overjoyed, completely failed to see the twisted expression on An Yi's face as he returned.
Your Highness, could you please not laugh so creepily? Look, the Princess Consort is almost scared away by you.
Xunmi wasn't scared, she was just a little speechless.
Why did this perfectly normal person suddenly go crazy? It's inexplicably... unbearable to watch!
"Sister, Mother said that Uncle and Uncle are coming back today, we..."
Looking at Prince An, who had been following his sister, Wenren Lu felt conflicted.
"It's alright, let's go." Xunmi gently patted her younger brother's head with a faint smile.
Under the bright sunlight, it has an even more ethereal beauty.
How could she not know what her brother was going to say next? But her grandfather's words from last night kept echoing in her ears.
The current political climate is turbulent, and their Duke's Mansion is already a target of envy and suspicion. It's hard to say whether the person on the throne doesn't want to take them down.
The reason she was so easily granted the title of Princess Roujia was simply a favor.
If the Duke's mansion were to truly fall, no one would say that the emperor was ungrateful; they would only feel that he was tolerant and compassionate.
In addition, his two older brothers are both generals with great power. Who dares to say whether there is a deeper meaning behind their sudden summons back to the capital?
The best course of action right now is to establish a connection with Prince An. With Prince An's protection, at least the Duke's mansion can be saved.
Even if you are a loyal subject and a royalist, you cannot escape the emperor's suspicion.
In addition, Prince An is her beloved husband, so she needs to get closer to him. This is a win-win situation, so why not?
Of course, it was because of this premise that she was willing to take this path.
If Prince An were not her lover, she would have chosen a different path to protect the Duke's mansion, even if it was a thousand times more difficult.
"My beauty, there is nothing in this world that I cannot do or solve."
"If you're willing, I'd give you the whole world with both hands."
He leaned closer to Xunmi's ear and whispered, his face still carrying the playful tone of their first meeting, but his eyes were full of seriousness.
How could he not understand the conversation between the siblings? Yet, he had taken a liking to this person.
Even knowing that she wanted to use him, he wouldn't let go.
He would only lock her away in a place where only he could see her when he found an opportunity, keeping her firmly by his side.
Unable to move or escape.
However, he seemed unable to detect any inappropriate emotions in the beauty's eyes.
It remains so open and honest, so clear and transparent, bringing joy to anyone who sees it.
Xunmi stroked her long hair, her eyebrows curved slightly, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye seemed to come alive.
"I will remember this search. If I ever need it, I hope Prince An will lend a hand."
"...As for the world, I'm used to being free and don't really like such heavy things."
Gazing at the palace not far away, with its celadon tiles, red roofs, and glazed walls, bearing the marks of time, it exudes majesty and solemnity.
On the highest rooftop, a square pagoda, a lifelike dragon is coiled.
It is grand and magnificent.
A palace is a palace; no matter how beautiful the surrounding buildings are, they will pale in comparison and fall into the dust.
She turned around and walked down another path without hesitation. She was not from this dynasty and could not understand its obsession with power.
But she knows that if you're not strong, you can only watch others step on your head and look down on you.
The same rules of survival apply everywhere.
Therefore, she did not have Wenren Yunfei's naivety, nor did she have her idiotic ideas.
Perhaps the female lead is truly pampered and doted on in every way, able to achieve whatever she desires and succeed in whatever she does.
Supporting characters and cannon fodder are merely there to highlight the main character; they are always unhappy and nothing goes right for them.
"Then I will risk my life to accompany the beauty to travel all over this beautiful land and see all the wonders of the world."
Zongzheng Mufeng paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow and smiled.
He also liked freedom, and if he wanted to sit in that position, it wouldn't have been his brother who took over back then.
Despite being a generation younger than his emperor brother, it's only a matter of time before he seizes the throne.
Xunmi smiled brightly and said, "Okay." She looked forward to the day they could travel together.
As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance of the Duke's mansion.
The gatekeeper immediately welcomed them inside. The old Duke was quite surprised to see Prince An.
Shangguan Yan was quick to recover, after all, this prince had openly professed his love for her in the main hall.
"Your Excellency, there's no need for such formalities. I'm just here to freeload a meal."
Zongzheng Mufeng was very respectful to the old Duke, after all, he was going to abduct the old Duke's granddaughter.
The old Duke was about to say something when Shangguan Yan stopped him.
It was still early, so Xunmi took Zongzheng Mufeng to the back garden.
"My beauty, can I understand that you want to be alone with me?"
Once away from his elders, Zongzheng Mufeng reverted to his old ways.
Xunmi laughed and scolded, "Nonsense."
Inwardly, however, she rolled her eyes: "I knew men weren't being serious all this time! Turns out he was just faking it o(╯□╰)o"
"The beauty is shy." Zongzheng Mufeng said with interest, lifting Xunmi's chin.
Oh my, seeing a beautiful woman blush is truly captivating.
Those moist, dark eyes looking at you shyly are so alluring, aren't they?
If you could find out what a man is thinking, you would definitely want to slap him.
She was simply forced to tilt her head back, and the sunlight made her eyes uncomfortable, which is why they misted.
Covering my eyes was just to block out the glaring light, not because I was shy.
"Your Highness's movements are so skillful, do you do this often?"
Xunmi's eyes narrowed dangerously, as if she could bite the man immediately if he answered yes.
And it must be the kind that draws blood!
Zongzheng Mufeng couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Beauty, are you jealous?"
"I am very pleased, but there are some things that need to be made clear. I am not such a blind person."
"Only a beauty like her could catch my eye." The implication was that he had only ever flirted with her.
Seeking elegance, she raised her chin and asked casually, "So, Your Highness is just a vulgar person who only cares about good looks? Ha..."
She was quite calm inside; she naturally knew the answer, she just wanted to tease her man.
Who told this guy to flirt with me like a thug the first time we met? Humph ╭(╯^╰)╮
Xunmi, you're being arrogant, do you know that?
Zongzheng Mufeng panicked and quickly explained, "My beauty, no, it's just because it's you that I couldn't help but want to take you home."
I just had an itch to tease him ╮(╯▽╰)╭ Is it his fault?