CH 103

Zhao Zhi suddenly stretched out his fingers towards her, startling her.

The man’s fingers were long and slender. He grabbed the small medicine bottle placed on the table and held it in his hand, staring at it with fixed eyes. He easily opened the seal of the bottle. Although the scent of the medicine was faint, but it smelled somewhat familiar.

Ming Zhu’s heart was tense, her fingers curled up, she pinched herself hard with her nails in order to maintain her composure.

Zhao Zhi returned the bottle of medicine to her.

Ming Zhu was glad that he hadn’t noticed anything wrong with it.

Zhao Zhi picked up the gold hairpin beside her and helped her put it on.

After Ming Zhu was done dressing up, Zhao Zhi walked out of the courtyard while taking her hand.

The carriage was spacious. There was even a small bed inside for napping.

Inside the carriage, enough small snacks had been prepared, pastries and fruits, everything needed was made ready.

Ming Zhu sat tautly beside him. The man was resting with his eyes closed leaning against the carriage.

She was relieved beyond words. Her fingertips were itchy, wanting to lift the carriage curtain to look at the street view, but she was afraid to wake him up. After weighing her options, Ming Zhu decided to do nothing.

She had enough sleep last night, so she was not sleepy at all now, but she was a little hungry.

Ming Zhu picked up two pieces of chestnut cake and put them into her mouth. The chestnut cake was still warm, and when it entered her mouth, it was especially sweet.

She never had any self-control towards sweets, she ate two pieces already but she still wanted to eat more of it. Just as her hand reached out to take another piece, it was caught by Zhao Zhi, “Be careful of overeating.”

Ming Zhu licked her lips, “I’m not full yet.”

She wanted to tell him diplomatically that she still wanted to eat.

She knew that he was stingy, but couldn’t he even part with two pastries for her to eat ?

He was the crown prince, he would be losing face if it was known outside.

Zhao Zhi looked at her stomach, before looking up and reaching out his finger to wipe off the crumbs left on the corner of her mouth, “There are still delicious food in the palace, if you’re full, how are you going to eat later ?”

This reason was acceptable to Ming Zhu for the moment.

It did sound like it was for her sake, not an excuse to keep her in check.

The chestnut cakes were put away by Zhao Zhi and she was all of a sudden no longer angry. After drinking water to quench her thirst, she asked, “Your Highness, there will be many people in the palace today?”

“Mmh.” Zhao Zhi closed his eyes but did not forget to put his arm around her waist, “She likes things to be lively.”

Zhao Xin was a favored princess, those who wanted to be in her good graces would not miss such a good opportunity.

Zhao Zhi slowly opened his eyes and looked at the young girl at his side. Her face was too attracted, it was the kind of beauty most loved and coveted by men. He tightened his hand, “How about you wear a veil?”

After saying that, he himself felt it was inappropriate. On this kind of occasion, if someone covered their face, that person would be looked down on and pointed out by others.

Zhao Zhi frowned, he knew he shouldn’t have agreed to Zhao Xin’s unreasonable request.

Ming Zhu said seriously, “But Your Highness, I didn’t bring a veil with me today.”

Zhao Zhi’s smile faded, “There’s no need anymore.”

Ming Zhu didn’t care if she wore a veil or not, it wasn’t the first time that Zhao Zhi didn’t like people to see her face. At first she felt offended, like she wasn’t being respected, but now it was no matter.

Let him do as he wanted.

She didn’t care anymore.

After entering the palace, Zhao Zhi after all could not bind her to his waistband, thus he led Ming Zhu to his former quarters in the palace and instructed her, “You stay here first, you’re not allowed to go anywhere.”

Today there were many people, it was better to be safe.

Ming Zhu nodded, “Okay.”

Zhao Zhi’s quarters was a place that no ordinary person dared to approach. Except for Zhao Xin. When she heard that her elder brother had taken his concubine along with him to enter the palace, she wore her new dress and flew over there while holding on to the hems of her skirt.

The palace guards keeping watch outside his palace quarters dared to stop other people, but wouldn’t dare to really make a move against the princess.

They exhorted her in a kind voice, “Princess, His Highness has ordered that no one is allowed to enter or leave.”

Zhao Xin wouldn’t be stopped by this, she kicked them, “Get lost.”

The palace guards, unable to do anything, watched her barge in. Zhao Xin rashly pushed open the door of the side hall. The woman reading a book by the window raised her face with a surprised expression, “Princess, did you run here? Your hair is all messed up.”

Zhao Xin’s entire face bloomed with a bright smile, “As soon as I heard that my big brother had entered the palace, I knew you were here too.”

Ming Zhu was also influenced by her smile, she curled up her lips and smiled faintly, beckoning to her, “Sit over here, I’ll re-comb your hair.”

“Zhu Zhu, you even know how to make buns ?”

“Yes.” Ming Zhu paused, “It was my mother who taught me.”

“Your mother must have been a very good woman.”

“Mmh, my mother was very gentle.”

She spoke like a gentle breeze, did things without arrogance nor annoyance, as if she would never get angry. Even if she rolled in a mud puddle and made herself look unsightly, she wouldn’t get angry at her either. She would even laugh and help her change her clothes, saying that she was a little naughty monkey.