Chapter 261: Selfish Intention (1/2)

Qi Chen's remark hit home for Prince Duan. Mortification flashed through his face before it gave way to grave seriousness. He glanced at Qi Chen and said to the guard, “Go back to keeping an eye on the consort. If anything goes wrong, you'll be held accountable.”

“Understood.” The guard left without another word.

“Why don't you learn?” Prince Duan sighed and tried talking some sense into Qi Chen. “I told you there wasn't much we could do at this moment.”

Qi Chen knew he'd overreacted again. He stared at the floor silently without a word. After a long period of silence, Prince Duan said that he'd take Qi Chen to see the consort after he put on some disguise.

Qi Chen wasn't going to argue with that. He followed Prince Duan's instruction and changed his look before following him to the palace.

The consort didn't expect to see them here. Tears streamed down her face against her will. She paid it no mind. Pus.h.i.+ng her discomfort from the cold she caught aside, she sat up to look at them closely.

Qi Chen couldn't bear seeing her like this. He knew his mother had a lot to talk about with Prince Duan anyway. He made an excuse and walked out of the Cold Palace.

He heard a laugh as bright as a bell chime. At the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the tail of a dress at the other side of the wall. He hid and took a peek.

He widened his eyes when he saw that it was the woman he'd caught glimpses of some time ago. His gaze then s.h.i.+fted to Nan Xun. His face fell.

He felt a pang of jealousy when he saw their intertwined hands. He wanted to be part of the peaceful picture they painted. He wanted to be in Nan Xun's place.

He stared at the woman, greedily taking in the way moonlight shone on her. Nan Xun must have been transfixed by her to not notice his presence. He fumed. He knew he'd been captivated by the woman the moment he saw her. The snippets of memory were enough to make him lose sleep. He just hadn't realized it until now.

He wanted to take her away from Nan Xun and had her accompany him for the remainder of his life. He didn't care whose side the woman was on. He didn't care if she'd fought him with Nan Xun.

As Qi Chen thought, Nan Xun's attention was solely on Jun Huang. He hadn't noticed that someone was looking at her with desires. If he'd known, he'd have hidden her away.

They came up to an osmanthus tree, the fragrance of its blossoms filling the air. Jun Huang was captivated, reluctant to leave. Nan Xun looked at her with a smile.

Breeze brought a few white flowers to the top of her hair. Nan Xun took them off and chuckled. “Even if you like osmanthus cake, you don't have to look at a tree to quell your hunger.”

Jun Huang knew he was just teasing. She gave him a mock glare the way a woman would to show intimacy. Nan Xun felt electric shoot through his heart. There was nothing he wanted more than to hold her.

He followed his feelings and pulled her close, whispering, “Your absence unsettled me.”