The Beloved Imperial Consort

Chapter 26

After finishing the meal, lady Tang sat in the hall for a little while, politely engaging in a short talk. Afterward, she tactfully rose up and asked to retire. She had figured out that his Highness would rest in the Danruo courtyard today. No matter how unwilling she was, she could only endure. Instead of hanging there and attract disdain, she would rather leave early and make his Highness bear in mind a little bit of her good.

Sure enough. Zhong Zheng Lin turned his head to look at Tang shi and addressed her for the first time, apart from telling her to rise, since she has entered, "You must be tired today. Go back sooner to rest." Afterward, he said no more. Lady Tang immediately complied and, taking along her maidservants, returned back.

Seeing Tang Yi Ru leaving, Mu Xi Yao immediately took back her politeness and returned to her lively self.

"There's no need to take into consideration others." Zhong Zheng Lin was more fond of her various small tempers.

"Qie is thriving to acquire a dignity for you[1], your Highness." Mu Xi Yao complained with a pout. A smile engaged in Zhong Zheng Lin's eyes. This cunning girl!

"Your Highness, is Tang shufei as good looking as Qie?" After asking such a question, she deliberately leaned her face closer so that Zhong Zheng Lin could take a careful look.

Zhong Zheng Lin pinched her face. He has never met someone as brazen as her. One could clearly see a smugness and anticipation for the praise on her little face. He complied to her wish and began to seriously look her over.

"She cannot compare to you." As expected. Mu Xi Yao's face was full of smiles, her calf that hung from the chair swayed back and forth.

Zhong Zheng Lin looked at the embroidered shoes on her feet that swayed back and forth. The light reflected on the embroidery dazzled him till his eyes felt hot. Unconsciously, he has recalled that smooth and tender calf. His body started to burn a little.

"Your Highness, would you like to take a stroll in the garden together with Qie, to aid digestion?" Though Mu Xi Yao's words were asking for his opinion, her little hand has already reached for the corner of Zhong Zheng Lin's sleeve, softly pulling at it.

Zhong Zheng Lin directly caught her little hand and held it in his own. He tidied the hair at Mu Xi Yao's ear, "Bamboo ink forest or koi pond?"

Mu Xi Yao leaned her head to the side and thought for a while, "Bamboo ink forest. Didn't they all say 'arriving in the evening to listen to the sound of the wind?' "

Zhong Zheng Lin slightly nodded and then took the person to the forest.

After arriving to the bamboo forest, Mu Xi Yao let go of Zhong Zheng Lin's hand and happily went to stroll in the east and take a look in the west[2], having great fun.

Zhong Zheng Lin put his hands behind the back and followed her. Looking at the maiden's back that wandered here and there, he took languid steps to match her pace. A faint content overflowed his heart. Imposing and solemn, handsome and tall sixth Highness surprisingly displayed a bit of gentleness at the bamboo forest during the summer dusk. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it's been stolen!

Abruptly, Mu Xi Yao has recalled a matter. She turned back to ask, "Your Highness, about tomorrow's paying respect. All the womenfolk in the estate have to come?"

Mu Xi Yao treated all Zhong Zheng Lin's other women equally. They were classed as 'colleagues'. If their ranks could not compare to hers then it was naturally superior-subordinate relationship where seniority had to be abided. If they had ranks above hers then she should just rely on the unwritten rule of the workplace, going to Zhong Zheng Lin to have him back her up.