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墨書 Inktalez
Qing Wu felt embarrassed after witnessing his actions earlier. Now, hearing his words again, she could hardly bear it.
She immediately turned her face away, refusing to acknowledge him.
Looking at the ground a few feet away, she thought about the delicious food in front of her and felt a bit unwilling to let herself miss out on it just because of a quarrel with him. She turned back, picked up her bowl and plate, and moved to the other side to eat by herself.
Just as she was about to take a bite, recalling his previous behavior and noticing that the cute, glistening dumpling wasn't too big, she decided against biting it. Instead, she tested it by placing it whole in her mouth and took a few bites.
At that moment, he called out to her from behind.
Qing Wu refused to respond and simply placed her bowl and plate back on the table, savoring her food.
Unexpectedly, he wouldn’t give up when she ignored him.
Suddenly, he forcefully embraced her from behind.
With food in her mouth, she was afraid of choking. Unable to speak, she turned around to glare at him in anger.
Little did she know this would lead to trouble.
Just as she swallowed the dumpling, the Emperor had already closed in. Before she could even scream, her lips were invaded by his, and he recklessly plundered between her lips and teeth.
When he finally released her, nearly causing her to lose her breath, she heard him hoarsely say, “Next time you want to sneak away and eat quietly, I’ll just take it from you.”
With food in her mouth, it was easy to guess how he would take it.
He appeared seemingly reserved, yet was actually quite explicit, provoking much imagination.
Qing Wu felt both shy and annoyed. She stood up abruptly but, having been entangled with him for a long time, her legs felt a bit weak. Shaking her body, she was pulled back into his arms.
How could she compete with him in strength?
Forced to sit on his lap, they managed to eat most of the tangyuan together.
On the way home, Qing Wu was acutely aware of how hot her face was. There was no need for a hand warmer; she simply pressed her slightly cool fingers against her cheeks to lower the temperature.
By the time they arrived at Liu Residence, she had calmed down somewhat. Hearing her family's voices outside the carriage, Qing Wu took a deep breath, got off the carriage, and exchanged glances with her family members who had come to greet her.
The Emperor's reward was undoubtedly precious and could not be delayed.
Dou Mama spoke about the eight large boxes containing thirty-two flavors of tangyuan that the Emperor had bestowed upon them, and had someone bring out the items from the carriage to present them to everyone.
When Liu Anfeng saw so many tangyuan to eat, he couldn't help but smile and turned to his parents and elder brother, saying, "Hey, we are in for a treat this time." Then he turned to Qing Wu and asked, "By the way, how do you plan to eat them?"
He intended to ask Qing Wu whether she preferred them boiled or fried so he could instruct the kitchen accordingly.
Unexpectedly, his casual question made the girl’s face turn bright red.
"How to eat?" Qing Wu's face flushed as she replied, "Whether eaten whole or bitten into is fine; just go ahead according to your preference. It has nothing to do with me."
Having said that, she could no longer stay there. After greeting her parents and elder brother, fearing that those around might notice her embarrassment, she quickly turned and dashed back to the palanquin.
Everything happened quickly and suddenly. Liu Anfeng said hesitantly, "What did I do? Why is she avoiding me?"
The others didn't think too much about it.
When Qing Wu greeted them earlier, she had wanted to rest in the sedan chair, so she smiled at Liu Anfeng and said, "Qing Wu just got home and is a bit tired, so she's resting. Why would she be avoiding anyone?"
"Is that so?"
Liu Anfeng thought for a moment; perhaps that blush he saw earlier was just his imagination. He looked at the girl's sedan chair, scratched his head, and with a puzzled expression similar to his family members, they all dispersed to attend to their own matters.
On the night of the Lantern Festival, it was different from usual. Regardless of gender, there was no need to be overly reserved; everyone could go out to see the lanterns and solve riddles.
Dinner was served much earlier this evening.
As the Golden Crow sank in the west and darkness began to fall, the whole family had already finished dinner.
The three young men and Qing Wu were going out to have fun on the streets, so they started changing their clothes and preparing to leave.
Liu Fangyi and the He couple did not share the same enthusiasm for such festivities as the young ones. Moreover, with the children going out, they could enjoy some rare time alone together, so they decided not to go along. They only called for a servant who would accompany the four of them and carefully instructed him.
Accompanying Qing Wu out was Dou Mama.
Having been by Qing Wu's side for many years, she was capable and efficient. Now that they had entered the palace, she managed affairs very well. The He family did not need to remind her too much; they only emphasized that she must ensure the young lady's safety. If any unfamiliar person approached intentionally, she should protect the young lady and leave quickly.
Dou Mama solemnly agreed.
When they had all followed the instructions, the young men were already ready.
The four siblings originally planned to go out together, but unexpectedly, Wu Linxi rushed over from home, intending to join them on their outing.
The He Family intended to keep Qing Wu at a distance, so they only allowed Liu Anfeng and the two older brothers to meet him. They also told Qing Wu and Dou Mama to leave the residence first. If the young men were busy, she could entertain herself.
Qing Wu understood her mother's intention; she did not want to deceive Wu Linxi but also did not wish for him to meet her. This arrangement would at least ensure that she had no interaction with him for an entire evening. Thus, she carefully agreed and assured her mother that she would take good care of herself and would not cause any trouble.
She had grown up and was always sensible. In the past, when she was in the Northwest, she could take care of herself very well.
The He Family had no major concerns about her, so they smiled as they sent her out through the side door.
Today's bustling market occupied six whole streets.
Qing Wu took a carriage to the outermost edge and then got off. After agreeing on a time to be picked up in an hour and a half, she instructed the driver to return first.
In the market, lanterns lit up everywhere; looking around, it resembled a river of stars gathered in the night sky, dazzling and beautiful.
Dou Mama saw this and was delighted, smiling at Qing Wu: "If it were me, I would still say the Lantern Festival in the capital is more beautiful. The beauty of the Northwest is indeed striking but lacks refinement."
Qing Wu thought for a moment and replied, "The ruggedness of the Northwest has its own charm; it is also breathtakingly beautiful."
While they were talking, they looked up and saw a familiar yet surprising figure appear at the street corner.
In astonishment, they stood still as that tall figure slowly approached. It wasn't until he was right in front of them that they finally regained their composure.
Seeing Huo Yun'ai suddenly appear here, even someone as calm and composed as Dou Mama couldn't help but be startled. She instinctively thought of the lady's previous instructions.
After a moment of consideration, she realized that His Majesty and the young lady were certainly not strangers. The promise made to the lady was not being violated. With that thought, she felt somewhat reassured and hurried to observe the young lady's reaction.
To her surprise, the young lady had already turned and was standing behind her, keeping a distance of seven or eight feet from Huo Yun'ai. It was clear that she was trying to avoid him.
Dou Mama dared not stand between the two masters and quickly thought to step aside. But then she felt it would be unfair to the young lady. So she firmly planted her feet and smiled as she greeted Huo Yun'ai.
Before she could speak, the figure of the young man suddenly flashed and had already circled around to stand in front of the girl.
Qing Wu quickly tried to escape. But how could she get away?
In just an instant, the young man had grasped her hand in his palm, leaving her unable to move even a bit.
Not far away, there was a crowd. If she shouted loudly, it would surely attract attention from others.
Qing Wu had no choice but to say softly, "Aren't you afraid of being seen?"
"I'm not afraid," Huo Yun'ai replied with a low laugh. "If you're scared, I can let go. Just one condition: you must not run away."
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