Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 410: Cultivation with Hair Kept Intact

Liu Xi followed Bai Chen’s finger and looked over. She knelt on one knee by the bedside, with the other knee crossed over Bai Chen’s leg, leaning forward to examine the corner of the bed.

She reached out, but a moth flew away. Liu Xi looked at Bai Chen with disdain, "Princely Heir, how can you even fear moths? Where there’s candlelight, there would naturally be moths."

In the next moment, the room suddenly darkened, with only the faint glow from the adjacent room filtering through.

"Why did you put out the candlelight, Princely Heir?" Liu Xi frowned. She wanted to get off the bed, but Bai Chen’s leg accidentally tripped her, causing her to fall onto his body.

It was unclear whether Bai Chen was in pain or something else; he let out a low groan as he shifted his position.

Liu Xi hurriedly got up and said, "Princely Heir, don’t move. Let me go light the candle."

Just as she was about to get off the bed again, Bai Chen pulled her back onto it. Liu Xi’s expression turned chaotic as her hand inadvertently landed on Bai Chen’s lips, feeling the soft texture of his lips and his hurried breaths intertwined.

"Don’t move, I’ll do it."

Bai Chen’s hand clasped onto Liu Xi’s, making her cheeks flush immediately.

Her body remained pressed against Bai Chen’s, the warmth between the two making the air suddenly grow steamy and intense. In the darkness, they stumbled off the bed hurriedly.

Bai Chen had only intended to extinguish the candlelight to tease Liu Xi, but when her fingers brushed against his lips just now, his heartbeat raced uncontrollably.

Feeling his way, Bai Chen picked up the fire lighter on the table and reignited the candle.

When the candlelight lit up the room, their gazes crossed paths. Liu Xi, seeing the burning intensity in Bai Chen’s eyes, abruptly turned and left.

Bai Chen pursed his lips and said, "Miss Liu, I truly didn’t mean anything just now."

"I genuinely am afraid of these little insects. As a child, one crawled into my ear..." Bai Chen explained.

Liu Xi, sitting on the soft couch outside the room, replied, "Princely Heir, just sleep."

Moments later, the candlelight inside the room dimmed. Liu Xi, sitting on the soft couch, hugged her legs tightly, her heartbeat quickening.

She pinched her nails into her skin and silently reminded herself: These are nothing but tricks from a flirtatious young master. Ignore him, and he’ll stop.

By midnight, Liu Xi grew too tired to fight off sleep and finally lay down on the soft couch.

Bai Chen got out of bed and walked to the outer room. He saw Liu Xi sleeping soundly on the soft couch, her arms resting outside the blanket, her posture meticulous even in sleep.

Bai Chen approached and tucked the blanket higher for her before gazing at her serene sleeping face beneath the light of the candle.

His hand lingered near her cheek; he wanted to touch her face but didn’t dare cross the line.

Liu Xi’s appearance wasn’t breathtaking—it could only be described as graceful and dignified. Her family background wasn’t remarkable either. Yet Bai Chen liked the unwavering poise and delicate simplicity she carried.

As long as Liu Xi was by his side, all the unrest in his heart seemed to fade away.

Bai Chen stared at her for a while. When Liu Xi shifted slightly, he quickly got up and returned to the inner room.

Lying back on the bed, a faint smile played on Bai Chen’s lips. Moments like this felt wonderful; he almost forgot about the injury on his leg.

...

The next day, at the Hour of the Rabbit.

Zhan Lan arrived at Xue Lingling’s room. Still sound asleep inside, Xue Lingling, hearing the noise, tried to linger in bed for a bit longer.

Faintly, the aroma of delicious food wafted in from outside. Sniffing the enticing scent, Xue Lingling opened her eyes.

She draped a robe over herself, only to see Zhan Lan and Xiao Tao standing at the doorway.

Xiao Tao was holding a food box. Elated, Xue Lingling ran over, "Princess Sister, you brought me tasty food again!"

"Yes, come in and see." Zhan Lan walked ahead while Xiao Tao carried the food box into the room, with Xue Lingling eagerly following.

Opening the box, Xue Lingling saw translucent crystal shrimp dumplings, steamed buns, deep-fried crispy meat, and tofu pudding.

"Wow!" Xue Lingling quickly went to freshen up while Xiao Tao seized the chance to tidy up her room.

Xiao Tao thought to herself how well Xue Lingling must have been taken care of back in the Poisonous Insect Clan—otherwise, her room wouldn’t be so messy and she wouldn’t struggle to do anything herself.

Holding crystal shrimp dumplings in her left hand and crispy meat in her right, Xue Lingling said, "Thank you, Xiao Tao!"

Xiao Tao beamed brightly, "It’s what I should do."

With a full mouth, Xue Lingling mumbled, "Princess Sister, is Xiao Tao my age?"

Zhan Lan nodded slightly, "Yes."

Xue Lingling looked at Xiao Tao and said, "Then just call me Xue Lingling, or Ling’er—it’s fine!"

Folding Xue Lingling’s clothes neatly, Xiao Tao replied, "That won’t do. You’re the Princess’s friend; I wouldn’t dare."

"Do you want a steamed bun, Xiao Tao?" Xue Lingling, seemingly oblivious to her reply, walked over and handed her one.

Xiao Tao glanced at Zhan Lan, who nodded with a smile. "You should stay together. Xue Lingling will be lonely here alone anyway," Zhan Lan said.

Xue Lingling grinned radiantly, "Great, great!"

Zhan Lan sternly reminded the equally delighted Xiao Tao, "Xiao Tao, you must be careful. Never touch Miss Xue Lingling’s poison-refining items, and don’t enter the room where she makes her toxins."

"Understood, Princess." In no time, Xiao Tao and Xue Lingling were sitting together, enjoying a meal.

"Xiao Tao, this bun is so flavorful, especially the meat and scallions inside—it’s perfect!"

"You’re just as wonderful as the Princess—this shrimp dumpling is amazing, too. It’s translucent, the shrimp is chewy and deliciously seasoned. I could eat a whole steaming basket in one sitting!"

"That happens to be my lady’s favorite. Try some crispy meat, too. It’s fresh from the fryer!"

"Mmm! Delicious, so delicious!"

Standing in the doorway, Zhan Lan looked at the two young girls laughing and enjoying themselves. She thought to herself how lovely their carefree joy was.

Unlike them, Zhan Lan carried her burden of concerns.

Lately, everyone seemed to be fleeing from arranged marriages—Xue Lingling had come to the manor to escape one, and Bai Chen was staying here for the same reason.

Despite it all, Zhan Lan quite enjoyed the lively commotion.

...

The Crown Prince, after mishandling matters, was found guilty of secretly consorting with palace maids. Following an investigation and impeachment by the Imperial Censorate, he was confined to his home.

As a result, Mu Yan began to single-handedly oversee the court’s affairs.

In the Golden Throne Hall, he addressed the assembly of ministers, "Gentlemen, the Emperor remains unconscious. Noble Lady Lan, who has been caring for him during his illness, wishes to take up religious observances and pray for him. Do any of you object to this?"

The ministers murmured among themselves, recalling how Noble Lady Lan was said to be the reincarnation of the living Bodhisattva—Lady Yin Yi.

Her heartfelt desire to renounce the world and pray for Emperor Xuanwu’s recovery was touching indeed.

Master Lu Zhong spoke out, "Prince, this is a matter of the Imperial Harem. Has the Empress issued an Imperial Decree?"

Mu Yan turned his gaze to Master Lu Zhong. "She has, of course."

"Then I have no objections," Master Lu Zhong conceded, returning to his place.

The other officials also understood—since the Empress had already decreed it, Mu Yan was merely informing them.

Mu Yan raised his hand slightly, prompting the head eunuch to announce loudly, "Raise your petitions if any, otherwise this session is dismissed!"

The ministers dispersed.

Mu Yan remained alone within the grand hall, holding the Empress’s decree in his hand. He knew that the Empress deeply detested Noble Lady Lan and would undoubtedly be glad to see her leave the palace.

Noble Lady Lan was nominally the mother of Si Jun.

Si Jun’s rebellion was only a matter of time, and Mu Yan, along with Zhan Lan, was determined not to let an innocent person like Noble Lady Lan become collateral damage in the struggle for the throne.

Zhan Lan was a person of integrity; she had previously promised Wanlan that she would reunite her with her family.

For such matters to proceed smoothly, Noble Lady Lan would first leave the palace. After some time, once the issue was forgotten, Wanlan could reunite with her loved ones.

Mu Yan also agreed with Zhan Lan’s approach to remove Noble Lady Lan from the palace, knowing that in Emperor Xuanwu’s absence, someone would inevitably try to take advantage.