Resisting the Wind and Splendor

Under the moonlight, the shadow was as still as water, yet as majestic as a dragon.

He sat in the tree, his long legs casually draped over a branch. Those strong legs were breathtakingly long.

It was as if a single step would take him directly from the tree to her.

Chu Yueli's heart felt heavy.

Under the moonlight, the half-mask reflected a cold glint.

Can we pretend we didn't see him?

But Chu Yueli thought that since he was already here, if she pretended not to see him, he might just kick her door open.

For a lone man and woman, in the dead of night, it's safer outside than inside.

Chu Yueli closed the window, wrapped herself in a thin robe, opened the door and went out, walking straight to the tree.

"Your Highness, what brings you to our Duke's residence so late?"

He was sitting too high up; Chu Yueli had to crane her neck to talk to him, which was tiring.

Lu Beimo lowered his eyes and glanced at her sideways: "Since I am fond of you, can't I chat with you for no reason?"

"I am still a young woman of marriageable age, Your Highness, please be careful with your words."

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately felt a chill.

In the blink of an eye, his tall figure stood in front of her, blocking all the light that was directed at her.

Chu Yueli was instantly enveloped in his shadow, and inexplicably felt as if she were being held in a cage.

He shouldn't be called the Ink King; he should be called the Demon King, the Great Demon King.

They act solely based on their own whims, completely disregarding the lives of others.

"Your Highness, it's late at night, and you're here to see me alone. This will ruin my reputation."

"Is it because of your Duke's Mansion that you care?" Lu Beimo seemed tired of hearing this.

"Since Your Highness is aware, please..."

"I am not happy." Since he was unhappy, he decided to do something that would make him happy!

Chu Yueli felt a slight headache coming on: "Does the prince get to do whatever he wants just because he's unhappy?"

"If I were to truly do as I please, do you think I would be rolling around with you right now?"

"Your Highness!" Chu Yueli's face darkened, and she glared at him displeasedly, saying, "Watch your words!"

"It's not necessarily a bad thing that your reputation is ruined and no one wants you. Just come back to the Northern Frontier with me. The people there are simple and honest, and everyone lives a very carefree life. It's definitely better than the capital, where you have to be careful with your words."

Lu Beimo took a step and walked to the pavilion not far away, beckoning to her: "Come here."

Chu Yueli really didn't want to pay attention to him, but she was also afraid that he would really do something "as he pleased". After thinking about it, she decided to follow him into the pavilion.

"Your Highness, what brings you here so late at night? There is a banquet in the palace tonight, why is Your Highness not here?"

But he did smell strongly of alcohol, so he must have already had a round of drinks in the palace.

As soon as I stepped into the pavilion, the smell of alcohol became even stronger.

Judging by appearance, he drank quite a bit.

But he didn't say anything. He lay down on the stone bench in the pavilion, bent his long legs, and closed his eyes to rest.

He lay there very lazily and casually, as if he were at home.

Seeing that he ignored her, Chu Yueli called softly again, "Your Highness?"

If he gets tired, can he go back to his Mo Wang Mansion to rest? His Mo Wang Mansion is much bigger and more comfortable than the Duke's Mansion.

Why come here if you don't want to talk to her about anything?

Lu Beimo kept his lips pursed and his eyes closed, ignoring her.

Chu Yueli waited quietly.

He waited for what felt like the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, but he didn't make a sound.

Chu Yueli even wondered if he was asleep.

Just as Chu Yueli was about to call him for the third time, Lu Beimo's thin lips, still reeking of alcohol, moved slightly:

"Ah Li, the only time in my life I was ever trapped was because of you, do you know that?"