CH 124

Zhao Zhi smelled the fragrance of his mother, which appeased his heart. He did not tell her that he did not have any love for Ming Ru.

Zhao Zhi had lunch with her and then could not escape his fate of always being driven away by his father.

Some of the words his mother had said were right. There is no one in this world who can no longer live if they’re apart from someone else.

Zhao Zhi knew that his mother did not love his father, but they still lived just fine for almost half a lifetime.

Zhao Zhi did not like to lose control of himself, he instinctively hated the him that was controlled by his emotions. For Ming Zhu’s sake, he conceded on too many things, there were some things on which he should no longer concede.

He didn’t know who he was angry with. He thought, through clenched teeth, he didn’t necessarily only love her.

He was the crown prince.

***

Ming Zhu thought that the next time she would see Zhao Zhi would be at the end of summer, but the next evening, she saw him again.

Zhao Zhi did not say anything, grabbed her hand, and got into the carriage.

Ming Zhu didn’t ask where they were going, and Zhao Zhi didn’t tell her either.

In the carriage, the two of them became mutes unable to speak.

After rocking on the official road for a while, before the sky got dark, the carriage stopped in front of the dock.

Ming Zhu lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. A few pleasure boats, decorated with lanterns, were standing on the surface of the calm lake. Their beautiful colored lanterns looked dazzling to the eyes.

The person in charge of the dock was waiting for them and invited them to board a boat.

Ming Zhu followed Zhao Zhi onto the lantern boat in the center of the lake. The sound of music played inside could be heard.

A masked woman, sitting on the side, was holding a pipa and playing a tune for the guests inside.

When Ming Zhu walked in, she saw several familiar people.

Sheng Wenlin and Song Huaiqing both had two young and beautiful women sitting beside them, dedicated to serve them wine.

When Song Huaiqing saw Ming Zhu, he immediately thought of the painful whimpers she had made that night, which were hard to get out of his mind.

Sheng Wenlin, on the other hand, remained as calm and collected as usual, he asked with a cup of wine in hand, “Your Highness, how come you’re bringing her out tonight? Don’t you usually hide her like a treasure?”

His words seemed frivolous and yet not frivolous, for he always spoke in this way.

Ming Zhu was like a deaf person, she sat next to Zhao Zhi and made herself appear deaf, like she wasn’t hearing anything. No matter what they were saying, she would not be angry.

Zhao Zhi’s cold eyes swept over him: “Drink your wine.”

Sheng Wenlin shut his mouth, but he couldn’t stop his gaze from following closely the woman at his side.

Song Huaiqing followed up by asking, “I wonder if miss Ming knows how to play the pipa?”

Ming Zhu honestly replied, “I don’t.”

Song Huaiqing, that sinister and cunning person, was particularly adept at holding grudges, and once he had prejudices, it was difficult for him to get rid of them, so he asked again, “What about the zither?”

“I don’t know how to play it either.”

“Then what can you play?”

“There’s nothing I can play.”

Song Huaiqing didn’t know that the weak and frail woman had this side to her. Her personality didn’t seem as weak as it appeared.

Zhao Zhi suddenly instructed her, “Serve me wine.”

Ming Zhu suddenly understood why Zhao Zhi had brought her along, it was to act as his maid.

She filled the cup in front of him with wine.

Zhao Zhi took a sip, not intending to drink more. There were going to be fireworks at the lake tonight. Counting the time, it was about to begin.

Zhao Zhi lifted the cup of wine in front of him, tilted his head and swallowed a mouthful into his throat. His face immediately burned up, with the color of wine staining his cheeks.

Ming Zhu thought about stopping him, if he became drunk, wouldn’t she have to carry him back to the shore?

He was so tall, and his body was so heavy, she definitely wouldn’t be able to carry him.

Ming Zhu placed her hand on his arm, “You should drink less.”

The stroking sound of her voice seemed to soothe his unsettled heart.

Zhao Zhi took her hand and headed out, “Let’s go.”

Ming Zhu didn’t have the time to ask where to, that she was already brought to the deck. The people on the pleasure boat all came out one after another, looking towards the opposite shore.

Sheng Wenlin and Song Huaiqing followed them out, while the maids beside them were left in the cabin.

The evening wind blowing on the surface of the lake was cold. The bright lights of the colored lanterns were shining on her face.

Song Huaiqing was standing right behind her, and could see half of her face, her eyes were beautiful, her eyebrows were also beautiful, she looked exquisite as a painting. Her gauze dress was floating with the wind, her tranquil demeanor made her somewhat look like a goddess.

Song Huaiqing moved his eyes away from her, but after a short time, his gaze still went back, silently falling on the side of her face.

It was indeed the face of a beauty that would bring disasters.

The few pleasure boats were very close to one another.

The fireworks on the shore, erupted in the sky with a heavy ringing sound, as gorgeous lights fell on everyone’s face.