The capital's nights were still boisterous, with main streets lit by lanterns. With the New Year approaching, vendors braved the cold winds to sell their wares, hoping to earn a little extra for the festivities.
People bustled past, wine houses glowed with light, and occasionally, carriages and horses passed by.
Xiao Shan rode his horse at a gallop, causing curses and a commotion.
Ling Yao had just stepped onto the carriage when she heard the commotion ahead. She looked up, hearing only the sound of hooves, unable to see the rider. Yet, a premonition struck her, and for some reason, her heart fluttered with panic, making her want to flee.
A figure was suddenly close, astride a tall horse like a towering figure.
"Song Beiting, where is she?" His eyes locked onto the handsome, refined man before him, sharp and intimidating.
Then, without waiting for Song Beiting's reply, he dismounted and strode to the carriage, reaching out to lift the curtain.
"General Xiao." Song Beiting grabbed his hand, his handsome face etched with coldness.
"The Princess is unhappy."
"Your concern is unnecessary!" Xiao Shan's expression was stern as he shook off the other man's hand.
Unexpectedly, Song Beiting continued to block him, grabbing Xiao Shan's arm in a hold to prevent him from approaching.
"Is this how you treat the Princess? Unreasonable, forceful, completely disregarding her feelings? She's even carrying your child, yet she's forced to hide alone in this messy inn!"
Xiao Shan's back tensed, his dark eyes narrowing for a moment. Then, he grabbed Song Beiting's hand, his strength almost crushing the man's bones.
"This is a matter between my wife and me, Commander Song is far too eager to meddle!" Xiao Shan shook him off again and lifted the carriage curtain.
"Xue..."
Seeing the empty carriage, his words died in his throat.
"Where is she?"
Song Beiting was also stunned. He had just helped her onto the carriage? Where was she?
Could it be that while he was looking at Xiao Shan, she had gotten off again and hadn't entered the carriage?
"Where is the girl from just now?" His handsome face changed drastically as he grabbed the coachman's collar and demanded fiercely.
The coachman's face turned pale with fright. "This humble one knows nothing, spare my life!"
Xiao Shan had already quickly circled the carriage, his expression growing increasingly grim.
She was avoiding him.
Why was she avoiding him?
Had he truly hurt her?
His blood seemed to freeze. His body, always sensitive to heat, began to tremble. Something pressed down in his chest, making his heart feel as if it would shatter.
How could things have gotten so serious? Had he hurt her?
Had he actually hurt her?
Damn it!
He raised his hand and slapped himself hard.
So, where had she gone? The bustling streets held no one resembling her. She was pregnant, in an unfamiliar capital, where could she possibly go?
"General, the secret guards monitoring Beidi have sent word that Wu Huai just brought a woman into the posthouse." Du Ling reported.
It couldn't be her!
She was on East Street just moments ago!
Xiao Shan denied it almost instinctively, but the chaotic thoughts were about to make his head explode. His heart was truly in disarray.
...
Ling Yao was sitting in a ostentatious, luxurious carriage. It was the carriage of the flamboyant beauty she had seen earlier that day.
Strings of golden bells hung from the carriage walls, emitting crisp yet jarring sounds.
The carriage was spacious and soft, warm like a complete little room. Glazed lamps hung in the four corners, illuminating the entire interior as bright as day.
The beauty reclined on a cushion, his collar half-open. His golden-threaded robes shimmered under the light. His half-closed eyes gave him a charming and seductive air.
Ling Yao didn't know why, but although she had wanted to see Xiao Shan, when he arrived, she had timidly fled.
She had even climbed into this carriage.
At this moment, her entire attention was focused on the table before the beauty, laden with beautiful food. Unlike the dishes from Great Jing, she had never seen anything like them, and they smelled delicious.
After all this commotion, she was extremely hungry, a gnawing hunger.
"May I eat?" she asked tentatively.
Heh heh, where did this little rabbit come from? And a pregnant one at that.
So fragrant, what scent was she wearing? Crisp and pleasant, it soothed the soul.
"I didn't expect my charm to be so great. Beauties flock to me, but a pregnant woman is a first. Whose family are you from?"
The beauty swayed his cup, the red liquid inside emitting a fruity aroma.
His voice was neither strictly male nor female. Though his words were improper, they carried no malice and were not off-putting.
"May I eat?" Ling Yao asked again, her eyes peeking through her veil shining brightly, like stars, with a hint of imperceptible longing.
Prince Xiebo smiled, making a gesture of invitation with his hand.
The little woman indeed recognized him. Hearing his identity, she showed no surprise. She must have seen him during the day!
Ling Yao extended a finger, picked up a particularly beautiful-looking pastry, and put it in her mouth.
"Delicious, what is this made of?" It had a fresh, natural fragrance, not the sweetness of artificial sugar.
There were only four pieces on the plate, and Ling Yao ate them all, bite by bite. She was truly famished, and the child in her belly was also moving vigorously, clearly hungry as well.
"Little woman, aren't you afraid there's poison in it? We people of the Southern Border are most skilled in gu poisons."
Ling Yao stiffened. She thought of her father's Soul Devouring Gu, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
"If you poison me, I will kill you."
It was said that the people of the Southern Border had harmed her father, so she should hate them deeply. But this Southern Border prince was so handsome, completely unlike that strange gu master, which made her overlook his identity.
Oho, this was indeed a rabbit with fangs.
Prince Xiebo sighed softly and poured himself another cup of fruit wine. "Would you like a drink? Made from red berries, pregnant women can drink it too."
This prince from the Southern Border was also strange. Not only did he not drive her away, but he spoke to her like a friend.
"Drinking is not good for the child." She shook her head and picked up a bamboo tube of rice.
"Very well!" He smiled indifferently and slowly began to drink again.
He was indeed handsome, with eyes naturally upturned. When he smiled, he looked like a fox, giving off an ethereal aura.
Could this be the legendary fox spirit?
Perhaps he was actually respectable? And his appearance was misleading?
"Then I'll try some."
This fruit wine was truly fragrant, with only a very faint alcoholic scent. She knew the smell of alcohol was pungent, but this smelled like fruit juice.
"Pour yourself." Prince Xiebo seemed to feel a bit warm and tugged at his collar again, revealing a large expanse of white skin. He reclined on the cushion with half-closed eyes.
He was truly an enchanting demon.
One who could enchant men, and also women.
Of course, not her.
Ling Yao poured herself a cup of red berry wine, looked at it, smelled it, and after a while, brought it to her veil before tentatively taking a sip.
Her eyes instantly brightened, her long eyelashes fluttered, and she took several more sips.
This was not wine at all, it was fruit juice!
It was delicious.
"How much more do you have? Can I buy a few jars?"
Xiebo lazily shook his head. "Little woman, don't blame your brother for not warning you. No matter how faint the wine's aroma, it is still wine. For ordinary women, five cups are best. Exceeding five cups... Hey, what's wrong with you?"
The wine cup in Ling Yao's hand dropped, rolled across the table, and then fell onto the carriage, staining the soft cushion with dots of red.
No way?
It was only one cup!