The Gilded Cage - Chapter 114

The Painted Lotus – An Ink-Colored Lotus (1)

Chu Ning paused, a ripple in the bottom of her heart, then stood up straight, followed him back to the crowd, and said to Guo’er, “Well, the lanterns are sent off, thanks to Guo’er’s meticulous mind.”

Guo’er was very happy, shook her head, and said in a soft voice, “Your Highness treats Guo’er well, so Guo’er wants to make lanterns for Your Highness!”

Xiao Kezhi heard this and smiled, patted her head, and said in a loud voice, “Good, that’s exactly what you should do. If anyone treats you badly, you don’t have to be polite to them.”

This was to encourage Guo’er, but also to warn the other people around.

A few ladies heard the words, and to drive the point in, added, “Your Majesty is right, Young Lady Wei is His Majesty’s cousin, who dares to treat her lightly?”

The others were reminded and nodded in agreement.

A few days ago, Madam Xu had already politely mentioned to His Majesty that there was no need to let Second Lady Zhao teach the young lady how to ride a horse. The fact that Madam Xu refused his offer and His Majesty gladly agreed to it, showed how much he would defend and tolerate Duke Lu’s family.

If it were two months ago, the people would not be so concerned, but as the days passed, the situation in the court became clearer day by day. No one dared to underestimate the present His Majesty.

Xiao Kezhi took in the reaction of the people, waved his hand, and said, “Well, you all can disperse now, no need to follow.”

The crowd heard the words and scattered. Chu Ning also followed the turn to leave, but was pulled by the sleeve. Guo’er asked in a low voice, “Your Highness can enjoy the lanterns with Guo’er?”

Chu Ning paused, remembered the words of Xiao Kezhi, and did not know how he actually arranged things. She could not agree for a moment, so she could only use the afterglow to look at Xiao Kezhi who was still on the side, shook her head with a smile, and said, “Sorry, today I am a little sick. The Crown Prince is also waiting, I’m afraid I can’t enjoy the lanterns with you.”

Guo’er’s face showed regret, but in the end, she nodded understandingly.

Madam Xu also hurried to say goodbye and dragged her daughter away.

Chu Ning turned her head, curtsied slightly to Xiao Kezhi, and also took Cui He to go elsewhere.

After walking to a less crowded place, she saw a chamberlain from the Imperial court standing by the long corridor and bowing to her. He then turned to go further away, like a sign for her to follow.

Chu Ning paused, saw no one around to pay attention to this place, then followed behind.

In order to prevent flooding, most of the palace chamberlains and staff were transferred to the lantern party so that the other places appeared to be rather empty.

Under the quiet corridor, the chamberlain walked a dozen feet ahead of her, not slowing down, and finally brought her to a remote palace room.

This was a room for people to rest. In addition to a long couch, there was also a bookcase. In case of emergency, someone had even prepared a pen and ink.

There was no one else in the room. A woman’s dress was on the shelf by the bronze mirror.

The main dress color was very bright and eye-catching. It looked like the costume that dance girls often wore, but a closer look at the shape showed that the cuts were regular, without the slightest bit of impropriety.

The only thing was that there is a thin layer of gauze underneath the inner bustier dress. The texture was transparent, the color was beautiful, but the length could only cover about two to three inches below the hip.

She immediately remembered the profane dress she had made for herself when she was still in the Taiji Palace, and was standing in place holding the gown, pondering whether she should change it now, when she suddenly heard a low voice from behind her. “Why don’t you change? I specially prepared it for you.”

“Your Majesty?” She looked sideways and saw that Xiao Kezhi had quietly come in at some point and was standing on the side, looking at her with a smile.

She touched the light fabric in her hand and couldn’t help but ask, “If I change, will Your Majesty take me to see the lanterns?”

Xiao Kezhi nodded and couldn’t help but take a step closer to scrutinize her face reflected in the warm light.

“Then Your Majesty will change for A’Ning himself?”

She said, taking the initiative to approach, holding his two broad, rough palms and gently placing them at the collar of her own shoulder.

The winter clothing was slightly thicker, but as his palm rested against her shoulder, it still seemed to touch the polished delicacy underneath.

“You want me to do so?” His voice was a little rough, and his gaze dimmed.

“Yes, I beg your Imperial uncle to change this niece-in-law’s clothes.” She tilted her head and looked up with those glistening, wet eyes.

His palm grew hotter and hotter, and his fingers moved spontaneously, peeling off layer after layer of the complicated yet dignified clothing.

The lotus that should be closed at night was once again quietly blooming in his palm. The white petals were tinted with a layer of light powder, as if colored with a brush.

He admired the delicate flowers in his palm, but did not rush, instead rubbing it carefully by the candlelight.

The lotus branch lightly swayed, petals full bloom, and the stamen slowly oozed sweet nectar, melting into the dew and silently rolling down.

His finger stroked the bud hidden between the petals, the lotus floating and swaying between the water waves, as if to close and sleep, but it did not get any chance to. The tip of his nose came close, a little sniffing, and now and then touching.

“Your Majesty, were we not to enjoy the lanterns…”

She blushed delicately, slender ten fingers swimming deep in his tightly bound crown of ebony hair.

“The lanterns can be appreciated later, I will reward you first.”

He swept his gaze towards the bookcase and was instantly excited, directly carrying her over and letting her roll over and lie on the case.

“Be good, don’t move.”

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