Chapter 43: Entering the Palace to Practice Dancing, Li Ruantang, even if she forgot about the kiss…

The soft lips gently brushed over his brow, light and quick, like a dewdrop-laden petal falling upon the heart. Those dense, crow-feather-like long lashes trembled as if blown by the wind. The gauze lamp was bright, and the two overlapping shadows obscured a hint of charm.

Li Ruantang’s knee bumped against the edge of the bed. She let out a low groan of pain. She barely managed to support herself with both arms, avoiding the abruptness of sticking to Meng Jun.

Their breaths intertwined, like a fierce fire, burning one’s mouth dry and tongue parched.

The arm around her neck softened a little. Li Ruantang pulled it down and placed it properly on the bed. The young gentleman sleeping on the soft pillow had his hair undone, and the corners of his eyes and brows were flushed with a faint redness, as if he were drunk.

He was sleeping soundly, completely unaware of the intimate moment that had just transpired.

Li Ruantang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She carefully pulled the brocade quilt over him and walked a few steps outward. Her feet paused, and she turned back, letting down the tied-up gauze curtain.

The receding footsteps, the crisp sound of the bead curtain swaying, and her low voice instructing the servant.

Each sound deepened the smile on the lips of the person who was originally fast asleep. It was not until the courtyard quieted down again that those extremely beautiful phoenix eyes quietly opened a crack.

Long fingers gently touched the spot between his brows where she had just touched. He could still vaguely feel the gentleness she had left behind, soft yet scorching, like the most glorious light of spring, shining straight into the endless green waves. Light and shadow surged in the darkness, and joy seemed to overflow.

Li Ruantang, even if she forgot about the kiss, she was still very gentle with him.

The young gentleman curled up in the brocade quilt, giggling foolishly. At times, he hugged the soft pillow and called out “Tangtang” in a low voice. At other times, he rolled back and forth wrapped in the quilt. The sweetness on the tip of his tongue was overwhelming, pressing heavily on his chest, making him want to dig out his pounding heart.

“Young Master?” Zhiqiu entered from outside the door with a low announcement. Others might not be able to tell whether Meng Jun was truly tired or just pretending to sleep, but he had been serving by Meng Jun’s side since childhood. How could he not tell the difference?

Moreover, if he were fast asleep, how could he tightly hold onto Li Shinu’s neck and refuse to let go?

Now that things had quieted down on the side of the Suqing King’s Manor, he brought in water, ready to serve Meng Jun in washing up.

The young gentleman sitting in the brocade quilt sat up. His face was solemn, but the laughter hidden in his eyes was not diminished. “Zhiqiu, no one in the manor knows about me going out tonight, right?”

“Rest assured, Young Master! The people in our courtyard have been with us for four or five years. They are very tight-lipped. However—” Zhiqiu wrung out a towel to wipe his face, somewhat hesitant, “How come you suddenly care so much about Li Shinu?”

Usually, even with Lady Wei, Meng Jun only mentioned her occasionally.

“Care?” The young gentleman shook his head. “I don’t!”

“It’s mainly because I caused her to get injured, and she treated me very well in Hu Family Village, so I’m just worried about her.”

He said it to the servant in a self-contradictory manner. The towel covered his forehead, and his handsome face instantly turned red.

The young gentleman slowly applied face cream, pretending to ask casually, “Just now, in my daze, I heard Shinu’s voice. What did she say to you?”

“Shinu only instructed this servant to remember to send the Young Master to the palace for training on time.”

“Oh? Have all eight members of the Ruihuang Constellation been selected?”

Meng Jun was stunned for a moment, having forgotten about this matter. In previous years, eight young gentlemen were selected to enter the palace together to train for the Heavenly Sacrifice Dance. It seemed that the imperial decree had arrived late this year, likely because he had once again pushed aside some young master.

The young gentleman sighed with a long “Ah.” Speaking of which, what he disliked the most was dancing. With only a few days left until the Dragon Boat Festival, it seemed he would have to practice diligently these days. He wondered if he would return too late in the future.

He secretly glanced out the window, and his heart settled a little more. In any case, they were close. If she fell asleep, it would be easier to act.

Zhiqiu brought over a comb and reported back, “Just now, the guard of the courtyard passed on a message saying that the eight members of the constellation have been determined. Besides you, Young Master, there is also Young Master Qi from Grand Tutor Qi’s family, Young Master Sang from Minister Sang of the Ministry of Justice…”

The servant recited a list of names. Meng Jun rested his chin on one hand and sighed lightly. Among these eight people, he was only somewhat familiar with Sang Shen, having exchanged a few words with him. The rest were just nodding acquaintances.

Especially, the young gentleman pressed his lips together, Qi Yun was among them.

“Young Master.” Seeing Meng Jun’s low spirits, Zhiqiu’s mind turned a few times. He hurriedly lowered his voice and said, “This year, for the Dragon Boat Festival, Li Shinu has also been personally appointed by the Empress to be responsible for escorting the eight young gentlemen in and out of the palace.”

“Only her alone?”

There was only one Li Ruantang, and the palace schedule could not be delayed. How could she simultaneously escort eight gentlemen?

The young gentleman immediately became worried about her again. Zhiqiu paused for a moment, not daring to conceal it from him. “Young Master, you are aware of the relationship between Young Master Qi and the Empress. They say it’s to escort the eight young gentlemen, but in reality—”

In reality, it was just an excuse found for Qi Yun.

Meng Jun was stunned for a moment. He walked towards the bed in disappointment. He irritably kicked off his shoes and buried himself under the brocade quilt without making a sound.

Indeed, not only had he discovered Li Ruantang’s goodness, but there was also another person who had tried every possible way to closely follow behind her since several years ago.

The more the young gentleman thought about it, the more upset he became. He poked his head out from under the quilt, clutching the mutton-fat jade hanging on his chest, and muttered, “Zhiqiu, did the housekeeper ever mention when Mother will return to the manor?”

The servant shook his head.

Lady Meng’s whereabouts had always been kept secret, and even the exchange of information was delayed by a lot. Otherwise, Han Fushi would not have been able to cover up the sky with one hand and not go looking for Meng Jun, who had fallen off the cliff.