The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go-Chapter 471 - 469: How Should Our Feelings Be Described

Chapter 471: Chapter 469: How Should Our Feelings Be Described

"I feel terrible..."

The young girl gripped Xue Ling’s collar tightly, writhing uneasily in his arms. Her disheveled black hair tangled with the golden hairpin, lashes damp and dense, casting shadows over the brilliance of summer. Her small face was flush with an extraordinary crimson hue, enchanting in its allure.

Xue Ling wasn’t doing much better himself.

He had drunk more iced tea than Xue Mianmian, and now that the heat surged up, he couldn’t help but irritably loosen his collar.

But the restless little one in his arms would not stay still, rubbing her burning cheeks against his palm incessantly, like a spoiled kitten.

After all, this was the Imperial Palace, and Xue Ling wasn’t willing to act rashly in such a place.

With a large hand, he clasped Xue Mianmian’s entire face, his tone tinged with frustration: "Xue Mianmian, settle down already!"

But the fingertips clutching Xue Ling’s collar had already turned a delicate shade of dusky pink.

Xue Mianmian, tears streaking her voice, murmured: "I want..."

Her delicate and tender voice was, however, louder than a summer thunderclap—a temptation heralding a torrential downpour.

"Damn it!"

Xue Ling cursed, reaching the end of his patience. He hoisted Xue Mianmian onto his shoulder and strode away.

Not long after they departed, Lu Qianqian hurriedly returned.

She peered around left and right but did not see Xue Ling. However, she noticed her iced tea had been tampered with.

"What brainless wretch dared touch my tea?!"

She cursed angrily and ordered the palace maid to immediately fetch a new tea set.

After sprinkling fresh medicine into the teapot, she demanded: "Why hasn’t Xue Ling arrived yet?!"

The young palace maid stammered: "Your Grace, I have already sent someone for him. I... I don’t know why he hasn’t come yet..."

"Such a trivial task, and yet you can’t get it done? Stupid fool, you might as well drop dead!" Lu Qianqian furiously jabbed the maid on the forehead before making up her mind, "Fine, I’ll go fetch him myself!"

She stormed off in a hurry.

Soon after, Huo Mingyan and Guan Songyuan strolled along the corridor and happened to pass by the pavilion.

Huo Mingyan smiled, "This pavilion faces the pond directly; the view is excellent. I’ve just become tired from the walk; why don’t we rest here for a bit?"

"That sounds good."

The two of them took seats, and Han Sang promptly poured them cups of freshly brewed iced tea.

Huo Mingyan sipped elegantly and smiled, "Lord Guan, look at the lotus leaves spreading far and wide, and the tender pink lotuses just breaking into bloom. The summer scenery is truly delightful. Compared to the Capital, the lands outside the border are indeed barren; they can’t produce such delicate blossoms during this season."

Guan Songyuan took a sip as well and replied gracefully, "I beg to differ. I believe the flowers outside the border far surpass those in the Capital."

"Lord Guan, you haven’t been outside the border; why are you so certain?"

Guan Songyuan gazed deeply into Huo Mingyan’s eyes: "Because I have already seen the most beautiful flower outside the border."

Silence followed for a moment as Huo Mingyan’s cheeks abruptly flushed red.

She replied, half shy and half vexed, "Lord Guan, you’re always teasing me!"

"How could I possibly tease Your Grace?! Your Majesty is unmatched in beauty and charm, far more radiant and captivating than this pool of lotus blooms!"

"You—"

Huo Mingyan’s face still displayed signs of irritation, but the corners of her lips couldn’t help but twist into a soft, sweet smile.

She bashfully turned away, lowering her head to take a large gulp of iced tea to quench the growing turmoil within her chest, before murmuring softly, "Your sly tongue... honestly unbearable..."

Guan Songyuan chuckled softly, his gaze falling upon Huo Mingyan’s delicate nape as he thirstily downed half of his iced tea.

He commented earnestly, "The Empress’s shy expression is so beautiful; it resembles a lotus bud on the verge of blooming."

"You—!" Huo Mingyan giggled shyly before wiping her hot forehead with a handkerchief. "Oddly enough, why does drinking iced tea make me feel hotter rather than cooler?"

Guan Songyuan hesitated as realization dawned, shaking his sweat-drenched collar, "It does feel unusually warm."

Huo Mingyan’s breathing became heavier, and she leaned softly against the table.

"Your Grace?" Guan Songyuan quickly supported her.

"Mm..." A peculiar, flirtatious moan escaped Huo Mingyan’s lips.

As their skin touched and their eyes locked...

It was like a thunderbolt igniting a raging inferno; they could no longer separate.

...

Shen Yinning arrived at the pavilion only to find two overturned cups on the table. Tea was dripping down its surface, releasing an unusual damp fragrance into the summer air.

"Mianmian?"

She called out softly.

No one answered.

Shen Yinning’s brows furrowed slightly.

Mianmian was always thoughtful and responsible, never one to carelessly abandon cups and leave.

Something must have happened after she left!

Her heart grew anxious—she had initially planned to expose Shen Yunxi’s illegal transactions today, but now that seemed impossible.

Weaving through corridors, she quickly spotted Gui Quan and De Sun standing guard outside the curtained door of an annex.

She had hoped to avoid seeking Lu Ying’s help.

But in this massive Imperial Palace, no one could assist her better than Lu Ying.

Shen Yinning hurried forward, ignoring Gui Quan and De Sun’s attempts to block her, and pushed the door open directly.

The annex was equipped with ice urns for cooling.

Chief of Staff Pei and two elderly ministers were discussing matters with Lu Ying.

The three ministers were startled to see Shen Yinning barging in, their eyes widening in surprise.

Among the court, everyone knew of the past between Princess Zhaoning and the current Holy Emperor. But Princess Zhaoning was now Prince Cheng’s concubine and had borne his heir. No ordinary man would continue harboring romantic feelings for her, let alone someone as aloof and virtuous as the Holy Emperor.

It was common knowledge that the Holy Emperor had taken in the princess and the young prince out of pity for them as fatherless and widowed, showing commendable kindness and a sense of responsibility—truly a model ruler of this age.

But today’s scene suggested their relationship might not be as pure as people assumed...

Under the scrutiny of three curious pairs of eyes, Shen Yinning spoke indifferently, "I came to seek compensation for my husband. Could the three of you refrain from gazing at me with those stares?"

Chief of Staff Pei and the other ministers snapped back to reality, silently reproaching themselves for jumping to conclusions. With awkward coughs, they quickly excused themselves.

Lu Ying set down the vermillion pen: "Zhaozhao, using compensation funds as a pretext—is it perhaps to protect my reputation?"

Shen Yinning sneered, "Of all people, you are the last I’d think of. I care not for my own reputation, but I won’t let Cui Ji become the subject of gossip accusing his widow of entanglement and impropriety with another man."

Entanglement and impropriety...

These four words were deeply cutting.

Lu Ying’s face turned icy as water: "In your mind, is that all our relationship amounts to—just these four words?"

"What other words would you prefer—everlasting love or unwavering devotion?" Shen Yinning scoffed coldly, clearly unwilling to engage with Lu Ying over their private affairs. "Mianmian has gone missing from the Imperial Garden. I suspect Xue Ling may be involved. For his sake, you ought to help locate them."

Lu Ying sat silently, rubbing his temples.

Today should have been the day of celebration for conquering Bei Yan—a day to commemorate his achievements as a king who expanded the realm and etched his name into history. Yet, before this dazzling and fiercely charming woman standing before him, he felt nothing but a sense of defeat, yearning for something unattainable.

Shen Zhaozhao had built countless walls around her heart; no matter how many schemes and strategies he deployed, he could never breach them.

The two exited the annex, and Bai Ling hastily approached, leaning close to Lu Ying’s ear to whisper furtively.

Observing the shift in Lu Ying’s gaze, Shen Yinning pressed him, "Do you have news about Mianmian?"

Lu Ying turned the Moyu Ring idly and walked toward a particular palace without providing an answer.