Chapter 569: Her Presence is Awkward

Chapter 569: Chapter 569: Her Presence is Awkward

Mo Lingwei didn’t sleep for long. After a light doze, he stirred and woke up.

He turned his head and saw Shen Ningning beside him. Her eyes were also closed, her slender frame curled up slightly as she lay there.

The water rippled gently, and she, too, had been lulled to sleep by the skiff’s rocking.

Even in her sleep, Shen Ningning still held the large lotus leaf over his head.

Mo Lingwei’s sharp brows relaxed, his gaze softening with a lingering tenderness.

’If only it could always be like this.’

Mo Lingwei suddenly realized he had lost interest in possessing supreme power.

The only thing he wanted now was to see Shen Ningning the moment he opened his eyes.

Mo Lingwei reached out, subconsciously wanting to touch her fair, rosy cheek. But just then, the skiff lurched violently.

Startled from her sleep, the boat’s momentum sent her tumbling into Mo Lingwei’s arms.

He instinctively pulled her close, then straightened to look at Wu Fang at the stern, his cold gaze a clear warning.

Wu Fang flinched and pointed at a cluster of rockeries rising from the lake ahead.

"Your Highness, I couldn’t avoid it in time! I deserve death. Are you and the Princess unharmed?"

Wu Fang cried foul in his heart.

It wasn’t his fault. How could he dare to watch the path ahead?

The moment the Crown Prince and the Princess had lain down together, he had sat up and stopped poling the boat.

After all, Wu Fang could see how much his master anticipated being alone with the Princess. Now that this rare, peaceful opportunity had arrived, Wu Fang only wished the boat would move even more slowly.

Who could have known that the boat, left to drift on its own, would crash into the rockeries in the middle of the lake?

Mo Lingwei looked down at Shen Ningning in his arms. The girl’s bright, lovely face was still dazed with sleep.

Her beautiful, misty eyes were filled with confusion. After hearing Wu Fang’s explanation, she turned to look at the rockery they had just hit, then looked back up at Mo Lingwei.

Just then, he looked down at her. Their eyes met, and a jolt went through their hearts.

Shen Ningning quickly pushed him away, a blush rising on her face, which was as lovely as a peach blossom.

"When are we going to pray for Uncle Emperor?" To ease the awkwardness, Shen Ningning took the initiative to ask about the official matter at hand.

Fortunately, Mo Lingwei had no intention of teasing her. He simply picked up the pearl hairpin that had fallen onto the boat’s floor and handed it to her before speaking.

"There’s no need to pray for him. In truth, I’m sure you understand. I brought you to the palace because you’ve been avoiding me so persistently. I had to find a way to make you see me."

Shen Ningning was speechless, her glistening dark eyes fixed on him.

His expression was earnest. "I’m being honest because I can’t bear to lie to you. So, for the next few days, you just need to stay by my side. When the time is up, I’ll let you leave the palace."

After a moment of silence, Shen Ningning said, "But Uncle Emperor’s illness..."

Mo Lingwei let out a low chuckle, his eyes sparkling as he watched her. "Do you really think praying for him will make him better? What his illness requires is quiet rest and for me to not anger him. I don’t want to trouble you over this."

Shen Ningning didn’t argue, simply nodding in silence.

’If she could just coexist peacefully with Mo Lingwei and not provoke his anger, maintaining a friendship like this would be perfectly fine.’

At noon, they ate together. Afterward, they sat back-to-back on a low couch under the window, reading their books.

The sun was so warm and cozy that Shen Ningning drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

As Mo Lingwei got up to leave, he made a point of instructing Qing Yuan and the others, "She’s asleep. Don’t go in and disturb her for now. When she wakes up, bring her the pastries that were prepared."

They all curtsied. "Yes."

Mo Lingwei took two steps down the stairs, but still felt uneasy. He turned back to add, "She likes sweet, chilled desserts, so I had the Imperial Chef prepare some. But you must watch her and not let her eat too much, or she might catch a chill."

Qing Yuan said, "Rest assured, Your Highness. I will take good care of the Princess."

Only then did Mo Lingwei nod, adding that he would return to Zichen Palace for dinner that evening.

As soon as he left, the other palace maids couldn’t help but start whispering with Qing Yuan.

"Sister Qingyuan, from the looks of it, the Crown Prince wishes he could be glued to the Princess’s side every second of the day. Have they made up?"

"Is there even a need to ask? Of course they have. Didn’t you see the look in the Crown Prince’s eyes? He’s completely smitten with the Princess."

"That Miss Meng definitely doesn’t stand a chance now. I’m afraid it won’t be long before we have a new Crown Princess Consort."

Qing Yuan cut them off. "Alright, that’s enough. You’re all noisier than the sparrows in the trees. Be careful the Crown Prince doesn’t hear you and have you punished."

The palace maids pouted and dispersed.

The sparrows in the tree chattered nonstop. CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP.

They were the same two plump little birds who had been discussing the plot to poison the Crown Prince earlier.

They had watched the whole time as Mo Lingwei treated Shen Ningning with the utmost gentleness. When the two of them were leaning on the couch reading, even though they weren’t speaking, the atmosphere was tender and warm.

And so, the little sparrow who had bet that Shen Ningning would become the Crown Princess Consort began to boss its companion around.

"You lost the bet! Now hand over all your millet!"

"Drat it! Don’t be so hasty! My seventh aunt just flew past the Emperor’s window and heard him send someone to invite Meng Wanning to the palace. It’s not over yet, so we still don’t know who’s won! Hmph!"

Shen Ningning, asleep beneath the window and oblivious to everything, simply turned over. With a flutter of wings, the two little sparrows in the tree flew away.

When she awoke, Qing Yuan immediately served tea and refreshments with a respectful attitude.

"Princess, the Crown Prince also said he would return for dinner tonight."

Shen Ningning was preparing paper and an ink brush, wanting to continue copying the sutras.

Hearing this, a soft light filled her lovely eyes. She thought for a moment and said, "In that case, there’s no need to hurry with my dinner. I’ll wait to eat with him."

"Very well." This was exactly what Qing Yuan had been hoping for. ’The Crown Prince will surely be pleased.’

’It’s such a good thing that Princess Funing is no longer resisting spending time with the Crown Prince.’

For the entire afternoon, Shen Ningning stayed in her room, copying sutras for the Emperor’s recovery.

’Besides, she had nothing better to do anyway.’

Dusk came and went. The Golden Crow sank completely behind the western mountains, and the vast, indigo curtain of night slowly fell.

Shen Ningning waited for another hour, but Mo Lingwei still hadn’t returned.

Qing Yuan craned her neck at the doorway, peering out. A short while later, the little eunuch from before, Blind Student, came hurrying over.

"Sister Qingyuan, my apologies for the trouble, but could you please tell the Princess that our Crown Prince has been suddenly tied up with official duties and can’t come for the time being? His Highness says the Princess shouldn’t wait for him, and that if he returns early tonight, he will come to see her then."

Qing Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. ’I knew it,’ she thought. ’The Crown Prince knows the Princess is waiting for him. He wouldn’t just fail to show up; he would at least send someone to let her know.’

"I understand. The poor Princess has been waiting all this time, she hasn’t even had her dinner. I’ll go tell her right now."

With that, Qing Yuan turned and went inside to tell Shen Ningning the news.

"Princess, since the Crown Prince isn’t coming back, shall I have dinner served for you now?"

Shen Ningning shook her head. "As it happens, I’m not hungry. I’ll copy the sutras for a while longer. You can have my bath drawn later tonight."

Just as Qing Yuan was about to reply, Commander Lu’s voice sounded from outside the door.

"Is the Princess present?"

Lu Fu, head of the Imperial Guards, was the Emperor’s personal bodyguard and commanded the entire force.

His presence meant the Emperor had a message to deliver.

Shen Ningning led Qing Yuan to the door. In the dim light of night, Lu Fu stood with two squads of imperial guards, his expression stern and calm.

"Princess, the Emperor requests that you temporarily leave Zichen Palace and make yourself scarce."

Shen Ningning was taken aback. "Make myself scarce for what?"

Lu Fu couldn’t bear to be too blunt, afraid he would hurt her feelings.

But ultimately, he had to carry out his duties impartially.

So, he pursed his lips and said, "Miss Meng has entered the palace. She is currently dining with the Crown Prince at Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, and they will be coming to Zichen Palace for a stroll afterward. The Emperor’s meaning is... he is afraid that if Miss Meng sees you, it might cause a misunderstanding."