The prince’s carriage had barely left Lingyan Temple when the temple gates were shut behind it.
Leng Yan coldly gave the order:
“Kill them.”
Soon, screams echoed from inside the temple.
Bright red blood stained the temple walls an even deeper red.
By the time they returned to Prince Zhenguo’s residence, it was already dark.
Everyone had thought that since it was the Dragon Boat Festival, the prince would stay at the residence at least until the next day.
However, after safely bringing the little prince home, the prince did not even enter the residence.
He immediately returned to Mo City overnight to deal with military matters.
This left Lady Song, who had carefully dressed herself up in Linglong Pavilion, deeply disappointed.
Even the sweet rice dumplings she had prepared for the festival tasted bland to her.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather became hotter day by day.
By July, it was the hottest time of the year in Guangling.
The little prince was now five months old.
Holding him felt like holding a small heater.
Fortunately, blocks of ice had been placed in the room to keep it cool. Otherwise, the little prince would probably have developed a heat rash.
One day, Lady Song took the little prince to look at the fish in the pond.
When he became sleepy, she brought him back to Linglong Pavilion for an afternoon nap.
Lady Song had once been a palace maid serving the Empress.
When the Empress gave birth, she lost a great amount of blood. Lady Song had donated her own blood to save the Empress’s life.
Because of this, she might never be able to have children of her own.
Knowing that Lady Song admired the prince, the Empress asked the prince to give her an official position in the household so she could help care for the little prince.
Lady Song knew how much the prince loved his younger brother.
Naturally, she wanted to build a close relationship with the little prince.
If the child became attached to her, then the prince would have more reason to visit her courtyard.
Not long after lying down with the little prince, however, Lady Song began to feel too hot.
It was not nearly as cool and comfortable as when she slept alone.
So she asked Lianxiang to lie beside the little prince and accompany him during his nap while she went to sleep in the west wing.
Not long after Lianxiang lay down, the little prince began making soft noises.
It was clear that he wanted milk.
She turned onto her side, loosened her clothing, and fed him.
The little prince could roll over by himself now.
After eating his fill, he smacked his lips, rolled away to one side, and went back to sleep.
He looked almost like a heartless man who lost interest after getting what he wanted.
The previous night had been so hot that Lianxiang woke up several times to wash herself.
She had not slept well.
Hearing the little prince’s gentle snoring and confirming that he had fallen asleep again, she was too tired to tidy her clothes properly.
She simply adjusted them a little and fell asleep herself.
The inner residence was filled with women.
The only man was Prince Zhenguo.
Since he was usually busy with military affairs and rarely returned home, there was little reason for concern.
Outside, the sky was dark and heavy.
The weather felt extremely humid, as if rain were about to come.
Taorui and Green Willow sat outside, sleepily fanning themselves.
“It’s so hot today…” they complained.
Just then, a tall and noble figure walked into the courtyard.
Both women immediately felt a chill run down their backs and quickly knelt.
“Your Highness…”
Wasn’t the prince supposed to return only during the Mid-Autumn Festival?
“Lady Song is napping with the little prince?” Yun Suiwu asked.
He wore a cloak and wrist guards.
It seemed he had just been drinking with his advisers while discussing important matters.
The fresh scent of wine lingered around him.
“Yes,” Taorui answered respectfully.
Yun Suiwu removed his cloak and walked inside.
His steps were slightly unsteady.
Through the layers of curtains, he could vaguely see two figures lying on the carved wooden bed—one large and one small.
He strode forward and lifted the curtain.
Originally, he only intended to check on the little prince before leaving.
Instead, he suddenly saw a figure that had been engraved in his heart and missed for ten long years.
The person lay on the bed with her collar slightly open, revealing a large area of fair skin.
Her profile was graceful and beautiful.
At that moment, his heart was thrown into turmoil.
It was really her.
His slightly drunken eyes instantly turned red.
He became almost frantic.
Unable to control himself, he pulled the person into his arms.
After realizing this was not a dream, he repeatedly murmured someone’s name.
Lianxiang had been sleeping soundly.
Suddenly she felt a heavy weight on her body.
Something seemed to be pressing her down, and it felt very hot.
Instinctively, she pushed against it.
The next moment, her soft lips were covered.
A warm breath carrying the scent of alcohol brushed against her face.
Her nose was filled with a strong masculine scent.
Thinking she was dreaming, Lianxiang suddenly woke up.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she met a pair of deep, unfocused eyes filled with drunkenness.
She was shocked.
Where had this madman come from?
How dare he enter Linglong Pavilion and act this way?
“Mmm…”
Lianxiang struggled with all her strength and angrily bit the man’s lip.
Yun Suiwu felt the pain.
His voice, however, was unusually gentle.
“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
The prince!
Lianxiang’s mind exploded in shock.
Her face turned pale.
She pushed even harder, trying to get away from him.
At that moment, a loud crash of thunder split the sky.
The sudden sound made Lianxiang flinch.
She was immediately pulled back into Yun Suiwu’s arms.
Then heavy rain began pouring outside.
The room grew as dark as night.
Yun Suiwu softly comforted her.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
His breath carried the scent of wine, yet his tone was full of tenderness.
“Y-Your Highness… this servant is Nurse Shen…” Lianxiang stammered.
A possibility flashed through her mind.
She was sleeping in her cousin’s bed.
The room was so dark.
The prince had returned unexpectedly.
He must have mistaken her for her cousin.
The hand around her waist suddenly froze.
It was as though Yun Suiwu had abruptly awakened.
Half of his drunkenness disappeared.
He immediately lifted himself up to look at her.
In the darkness, her features were blurred by shadow.
Only her clear eyes stood out, bright and pure like reflected snowlight.