Chapter 267 - Flowery Night~ (2/2)
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”Nalan, why didn't you return to the palace yesterday?” Lei Xing asked narrowing her eyes at Princess Nalan.
According to the report that was sent to the palace, Princess Nalan slept over at the Zou representatives' residence. When the sun started to set, the guards who accompanied her asked after her, but then they were told by one of the maids that she had decided to sleep over at the Zou residence.
Princess Nalan nervously chuckled and then went, ”Ah, that morning, I sparred with Molin for a long time and then we started drinking games. You know the usual stuff, got drunk...I was tired and just passed out hehe~” She finished as she picked up her teacup and downed the tea in one gulp.
”So you slept all day?” Lei Xing asked.
”En.” Princess Nalan nodded.
”Exactly how much did you drink?” Lei Xing asked obviously not convinced by this story. Sparring was one thing but drinking so early in the day was another thing. Also, she had watched Princess Nalan drink jars of wine without even getting tipsy, much less drunk.
”A whole lot...I was tired too. Didn't sleep well...that's why I went sparring with Molin... to release some spare energy.” Princess Nalan finished with a resolute nod and smile as if patting herself on the back for her quick thinking.
Lei Xing scrutinized Princess Nalan for a bit and then said, ”You seem happier these days...”
”Well...You are happier these days~” Princess Nalan threw back at her.
Lei Xing snorted and then shook her head, ”Fine, don't tell me...But whatever it is, be careful and for the last few days you're here, don't stay out again. The Emperor did not like it...”
The Emperor had actually not said anything, Lei Xing was not even sure if he was informed about it as neither of them brought it up the night before. But other than keeping Princess Nalan out of the Emperor's line of sight, Lei Xing also felt that she had to ensure that Princess Nalan did not end up troubling him. So Lei Xing still had to caution Princess Nalan to avoid it becoming a habit.
”En, I won't...I just got carried away this one time.” Princess Nalan said with a reassuring smile.
Lei Xing sighed and then got up, ”Okay then...I'l see you later.” She said and then turned to leave.
Lei Xing was too busy with other things to be concerned over the actions of a flighty Princess. She had just come here out of courtesy after sending Chen You off today. To Chen You's angsty dismay, they could not send her off yesterday as she wanted because the physician said her condition was too weak.
So Lei Xing decided that it was better to wait a few more days but with Chen You's persistent insistence. Lei Xing could understand that keeping her in the palace would make her recovery much harder so she ordered the arrangements and sent her off today.
Lei Xing sent an Imperial physician along to look after her health on the journey, as well as gave them ample funds to make the journey much easier. She also permitted Chen You to visit her father before leaving the city. This was mainly so Chen You could let her father know that this was her decision.
Lei Xing was simply trying to reduce the amount of hate or anger directed towards the Emperor and herself. They already had enough to deal with and since Chen You had presented this opportunity for them to wash their hands off her matter, it would be stupid to let it go to waste.
Apart from Chen You's issue, there was only a few days left now to her ascension ceremony so Lei Xing was busy with the finalities of the occasion as well as those of her own personal arrangements for the Emperor's birthday.
After Lei Xing left her courtyard, Princess Nalan let out a sigh of relief. Her heart had panicked when Lei Xing arrived here and asked those questions, not to mention the way Lei Xing was looking at her. It was as if she could tell. Princess Nalan used her two hands to pat her face as she shook her head and then her lips curved into a happy grin.
{...Of course, she couldn't~...*sigh* It was all like a dream...}
They had only returned to the city in the early hours of the morning, as soon as the city gates opened. They went to the back door of the Zou residence and Prince Yi knocked a code on the doors and the maid, the same one who had been helping them pass the letters opened it. As Princess Nalan walked in she saw that the three guards stationed there were passed out with wine jars next to them.
She really did not need to be told that the maid had a hand in this. Prince Yi had really thought about everything. He was definitely a thorough person and Princess NalanPrincess Nalan happily relaxed in her room there until it was bright. She had breakfast with Molin and then returned to the palace in the afternoon.
They had actually not done anything else last night, they simply relaxed for a long while talking. Well, she did most of the talking and he just listened. But that was nothing new, she liked talking. and then Afterwards, they went to sleep holding each other.
Although they never actually talked about what was next for them, she was not at all bothered. It was enough that they simply enjoyed their time together, the future could always be discussed later.
For now, she was having fun and was happy.