Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

At this moment, behind the rockery, the two of them kissed passionately, like a blazing flame, as if they were melting each other. Only when their breath became short and they felt almost suffocated did they stop this frantic kiss. When they separated, both were breathless, their chests heaving violently.

Li Chu gazed at Dugu Jingyao's beautiful face, which was flushed with shyness, and couldn't help but reach out and gently touch it. Where his fingertips touched, he felt a slight chill, and a wave of pity surged in his heart: "Jingyao, I'm so sorry. It was all my fault just now. I lost my sense of proportion in the moment of impulse..." His words were filled with guilt.

However, Dugu Jingyao just shook her head slightly, indicating that she did not blame him: "It's okay, this kind of thing is normal. When emotions are extremely strong, it is understandable that it is difficult to control oneself." Her eyes were firm and gentle, and she did not seem to take the matter to heart.

Li Chu thought for a moment, a hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes, and he asked softly: "Today, Uncle Dugu mentioned that he had purchased a house in Chang'an City. If everything is ready, would you be willing to move there?" There was a hint of desire and hope in his voice.

Dugu Jingyao frowned slightly, and after a moment's hesitation, she replied, "It's hard to say for sure. After all, Yue'er needs to teach in the palace, so how can I leave her here alone? If Yue'er can leave the palace in the future, maybe then I will consider settling down in the new house my father bought!" Her words revealed her concern for her sister and her uncertainty about the future.

Li Chu nodded slightly, agreeing with the decision. It seemed wise to put this matter aside for now. Perhaps once Uncle Dugu had the courtyard in good order, he might start thinking about how to arrange for Jingyao and Jingyue to move out of the palace. After all, the palace was full of rules and regulations, and life wasn't always free and easy. Uncle Dugu, who loved his daughters so much, naturally couldn't bear to have them live in the palace all this time.

However, his thoughts quickly returned, and Li Chu realized that the two of them had been away for quite some time. If someone saw them alone here, even though they had been granted marriage by the emperor, their precarious behavior before the wedding would inevitably damage their reputations if word got out.

Thinking of this, Li Chu hurriedly said, "Jingyao, we have been out for a while, and we really should return as soon as possible. Otherwise, mother and the others might send people to look for us again!"

Hearing this, Dugu Jingyao couldn't help but recall the scene when she and Li Chu first made love in the rockery. She was almost caught by Aunt Xu, and she couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Haha, you are absolutely right. Well, let's set off and go back to Zhaoyang Palace!" After that, she turned around and took a step, as if to leave.

However, at this moment, Li Chu reached out and firmly grasped Dugu Jingyao, saying softly, "Be patient. I'll return first, and you should wait a moment before leaving. Although we have been granted an engagement by His Majesty, if someone with ulterior motives were to witness this, I'm afraid someone would still make a big fuss about it and spread rumors to my father and mother."

Dugu Jingyao nodded in agreement, expressing her deep agreement with Li Chu's words. She knew full well that the palace was plagued by numerous flaws, and that spies and informants could be lurking everywhere. Even the slightest misstep, even the smallest, could be seized upon by these people, who would spread rumors and gossip, often becoming increasingly outrageous and exaggerated.

Thinking of this, Dugu Jingyao couldn't help but shudder, and sighed inwardly, "Yes, as the saying goes, 'gossip can melt gold, and repeated criticism can destroy a person.' People's words are truly formidable! So it seems that it would be better for us to act separately." After saying this, she nodded slightly and replied, "Well, you're right. In that case, then let's do as you say and go our separate ways!"

Li Chu noticed that Dugu Jingyao shivered violently just now, and mistakenly thought that she was shivering due to the cold, so he asked with concern: "Why are you shivering suddenly? Is it because of the cold weather? If so, why don't you turn back first, and I will wait here for a while." His words were full of worry.

Dugu Jingyao shook her head and said, "It's okay, I'm not that cold. I just thought of some things and felt a little creepy. You've been outside for so long, go back!" Then she pushed Li Chu out. Li Chu had no choice but to obey the instructions of the future princess and left, looking back every few steps.

Being forcefully pushed out by Dugu Jingyao, Li Chu's heart was filled with longing and reluctance, yet he felt helpless. He slowly turned around, his eyes inadvertently glancing towards the door, only to catch a glimpse of Feng Shengyi quietly handing an exquisite heater to Shi Jian. In that instant, the image was like a piercing light, piercing his eyes directly, causing him to feel a wave of discomfort and blindness.

Li Chu couldn't help but cough twice, trying to break the slightly awkward atmosphere in front of him, and at the same time shouted loudly: "Ahem, Feng Shengyi, the matters between Jingyao and I have been discussed and settled, and it's time for us to go back!"

Hearing his own prince's call, Feng Shengyi snapped back to his senses. He quickly thrust the hand warmer back into Shi Jian's hands, as if it had been electrocuted, as if the warmer had become a burning charcoal, making him eager to let go. Shi Jian, on the other hand, took the hand warmer with a bewildered look on his face, a hint of confusion on his face.

Witnessing Feng Shengyi's panicked behavior, Li Chu couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He secretly thought that if Jingyao knew about this, it would probably cause unnecessary trouble and misunderstandings. With this thought, he frowned slightly and said in a slightly reproachful tone, "Feng Shengyi, what exactly is your intention in acting like this? Aren't you afraid of burning Shi Jian?" He then shook his head gently, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.

Shi Jian was afraid Feng Shengyi would be punished, so she put the hand warmer away and bowed to Li Chu, saying, "Your Highness, it's alright. I was originally going to give this hand warmer to Lord Feng to keep him warm, but I sneezed just now. Lord Feng thought I was cold and wanted to return it to me, but I said I didn't sneeze because I was cold, so I didn't take the hand warmer, which is why that happened."

Li Chu thought to himself: Feng Shengyi, this wooden man, has finally come back to life?

Feng Shengyi didn't expect that Shi Jian would actually defend him. Could it be that Shi Jian also likes him?

Li Chu broke the deadlock: "Alright! Shi Jian, are you okay?"

Shi Jian shook her head and said, "Your Highness, I will do fine."

Li Chu nodded slightly and said, "That's good. Let's go back first. Don't worry, I won't punish Feng Shengyi..." After that, he continued to walk towards Zhaoyang Palace.

Feng Shengyi didn't care about his fluttering heart when he saw this. He just hurriedly caught up with Li Chu and returned to Zhaoyang Palace together.