Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 709 - 707

Chapter 709: Chapter 707

"Mother has been back in the capital for quite some time now and rarely goes out of the palace. Fortunately, I will be free tomorrow. Would you like me to accompany you out for a leisure trip? Over these years, I have been too busy with affairs of state that I haven’t had time to accompany you. Let’s go out and have fun tomorrow!" Having decided to visit the zoo, the Emperor persuaded the Empress Dowager to join him after hearing that she, too, was interested.

The Empress Dowager was rather moved by his words, and after thinking about it, she nodded in agreement.

It had been many years since she last went out with her son.

Although she dare not walk too much under the sun, there was still the grand circus to see. She decided to watch the circus.

Princess Ling’er glanced at Shangguan Xuanyi, then said to the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, let me accompany you tomorrow!"

The Empress Dowager nodded in response.

Shen Xiao’er gave Princess Ling’er a dismissive look: So she’s just trying to get a free ticket!

After finalizing this, Shangguan Xuanyi and Shen Xiao’er left Cining Palace together.

Watching the retreating figure of Shangguan Xuanyi, Princess Ling’er felt a sense of sorrow.

During the time they were in the palace, the Sixth Prince didn’t talk to her, nor did he give her any look.

It had been like this for many years.

The Empress Dowager observed Princess Ling’er’s feelings and had an idea.

However, it could wait. She would need an excuse when Shen Xiao’er became pregnant.

"Ling’er, I have something to discuss with the Emperor. You may leave for now."

After Shangguan Xuanyi left, Princess Ling’er was eager to follow him. The Empress Dowager’s words came as a great relief to her. She bowed and left the room.

Shangguan Xuanyi held Xiao’er’s hand, and they walked side by side to the palace gate. Both of them were outstanding in appearance and distinguished in demeanor. It was a perfect match indeed.

"The Imperial Palace is not good at all. It’s so big. The Cining Palace is so far away from the palace gate! They won’t let us ride horses or take carriages, and the scenery is not beautiful. The weather is hot, and the sun is so intense now. It’s torturous just to walk! I walked all the way here at noon, and now I have to walk under the burning sun again. I suffered from back pain because of you, and I’m so tired that I hardly can walk!" Shen Xiao’er was kept busy by Shangguan Xuanyi all night and now complained after being called to the palace by the Empress Dowager after she wanted to take a nap at noon.

Many people in this world wish they could live in the palace, enjoying luxurious clothes, abundant food, and wealth.

Only she could complain that the palace was not good.

But compared to the mansion of the Sixth Prince, her love nest with her maid, indeed the palace was not good.

Remembering their intense lovemaking the night before, Shangguan Xuanyi, worried that she was really tired, softly comforted her: "It’s all my fault, are you tired? I’ll carry you."

What does it matter if there are no horses or carriages? He would gladly be her beast of burden.

Upon saying this, Shangguan Xuanyi squatted down in front of Xiao’er, his hands supporting his knees.

Xiao’er was not a child anymore. She was just complaining verbally. How could she let someone carry her in the palace, where there were maids and bodyguards everywhere? She was too embarrassed.

Seeing her still without any reaction, Shangguan Xuanyi turned his head and looked up at her. Noticing her blushing cheeks, he knew she was too shy and chuckled, "Hurry up, or I won’t carry you any longer!"

Shangguan Xuanyi was about to stand up.

Realizing this, Xiao’er immediately jumped onto his back. If someone were willing to carry her, why would she refuse? Shyness was nothing compared to the exhaustion. It was too hard on her to walk on her own.

Shangguan Xuanyi quickly reached out to support her thighs lest she fall.

"You can take a nap on my back."

"Mmm."

The maids and eunuchs passing by gave them a sidelong glance upon seeing this scene.

Even the bodyguards, who usually remained as stoic as statues, were caught off guard.

Such displays of affection!

Princess Ling’er had followed them out from Cining Palace, just in time to see Xiao’er jump onto Shangguan Xuanyi’s back.

What shamelessness! Does a proper lady behave this way?! Not even a brothel woman dares to flaunt such actions in broad daylight and in front of a crowd!

Her anger and jealousy clouded her judgement and she impulsively blocked their way.

"Do you have no shame, Rui’an County Lady?! Riding on the Sixth Prince in broad daylight, without a shred of decency!"

"I’m tired, I couldn’t walk further, my husband is carrying me. Where is the impropriety in that? You, who can’t stop concerning yourself with other people’s husbands, aren’t you the shameless one? Hah! I’ve seen shameless, but this is just ridiculous!" Xiao’er lifted her head from Xuanyi’s back, showing disdain.

Princess Ling’er’s intentions exposed by Xiao’er, she look flustered, then looked expectantly at Xuanyi.

Carrying Xiao’er on his back, Xuanyi slightly leaned forward to ensure she wouldn’t slide off. His eyes were devoid of warmth, filled with impatience and even a sliver of killing intent, he coldly uttered, "Move away!"

Frightened by Xuanyi’s cold demeanor and that killing intent, Princess Ling’er turned pale and uncontrollably trembling, she retreated to the side unconsciously.

Xuanyi, with Xiao’er on his back, walked past her without hesitation.

Watching their retreating figures, Ling’er couldn’t help but feel a sense of bitterness and reluctance. From a young age, she had fallen for the Sixth Prince. He might not have ever given her the slightest attention, but that didn’t matter since he never paid attention to any maiden.

But she couldn’t believe that one day his gaze would fixate on another maiden, just like hers had always been on him.

Now, he even wanted to kill her for that shameless vixen.

With the thought of that killing intent, she shivered involuntarily.

Should she give up just like this? But after waiting for so many years, how could she...

Princess Ling’er turned back and headed towards Cining Palace again.

With no more obstacles, Xiao’er again rested her head on Xuanyi’s back.

Walking leisurely, Xiao’er swayed gently on Xuanyi’s back and actually fell asleep.

Upon reaching the palace gate, Xuanyi carefully bent down and stepped onto the carriage. Once in, he knelt on the luxurious Persian carpet and gently laid Xiao’er down from his back.

The moment Xiao’er left Xuanyi’s back, she woke up. Still half-asleep and drowsily tired, she immediately cuddled up to Xuanyi’s arm after he had settled and rested her head on his broad, solid shoulder: "Let me sleep a bit more, wake me up when we arrive."

"Alright." Xuanyi kissed her forehead and then unfolded a folding fan to drive away the heat for her.

Xiao’er slept deeply into the night before finally waking up.

Since she had slept so much in the afternoon, she ended up tossing and turning half the night unable to sleep again.

Xuanyi, who was cuddled up with Xiao’er, noticed her uneven breaths. "Can’t sleep?" he asked.

Xuanyi’s voice was slightly hoarse, clearly holding back from something.

"I slept too much in the afternoon," Xiao’er grumbled.

Feeling sympathetic towards Xiao’er’s exhaustion, Xuanyi had initially planned to let her sleep undisturbed tonight. But now, seeing that she couldn’t sleep, he decided not to restrain himself any longer.

Xuanyi’s hand began to sneak inside her clothes, "Since we can’t sleep, let’s do something else. After getting tired, you’ll be able to sleep."

The long night stretched on, filling the room with an air of intimacy.