The Princess Cannot Escape: The Cunning Prince Is Not to Be Messed With

Chapter 56 Entering the Palace to Meet the Emperor

Thinking of this, she pursed her lips, turned around, and asked Harina and Lian Hongling to bring all the books in the mansion about the history and geography of the Western Liang Kingdom.

She's meeting her future father-in-law tomorrow, so she needs to thoroughly understand the history and geography of this place. Ideally, she can win over the emperor in one fell swoop!

The next day, when Yin Quan opened her eyes from her pile of books, it was almost noon.

With several sheets of paper stuck to her face, she suddenly woke up, only to find Xiahou Ying sitting opposite her, staring at her intently. She was so startled that she almost fell off the stool.

He casually glanced at the books in front of him, picked one up, and looked at her. His cold, clear eyes held a deep and unfathomable expression.

He now appeared to have regained his usual aloof and elegant demeanor, his features sculpted from ice and snow. Aside from the slight embarrassment that lingered on his cheeks, he was simply breathtakingly beautiful.

Yin Quan's gaze was fixed on his slender, elegant, and jade-like fingers, and she was completely lost in thought.

She blinked, her peach-pink lips slightly parted, her eyes fixed on Xiahou Ying's radiant features, which seemed to shimmer with a faint jewel-like glow, and she even swallowed a few mouthfuls of saliva from time to time.

Hallucination?

Was she hallucinating, or did Xiahou Ying look even fresher and more alluring than yesterday?!

Damn it, someone tell her!

Those thick eyebrows that swept slanted upwards like flowing clouds, those deep, dark eyes that seemed to hold the depths of pearls and jade, and that skin as white as snow! Those thin lips that were as red as dripping blood!

Ahhhhh!

Looking at Xiahou Ying's pure and aloof face, which seemed to be both holy and alluring, Yin Quan was so conflicted that she wanted to scratch the wall.

Only one night!

It's only been one night, but it feels like that guy's whole aura has become more sacred, more dazzling, and more eye-catching!

This is unscientific!

Could it be that the martial arts he practices have a built-in beauty filter like Photoshop or Meitu Xiu Xiu?!

Damn, she wants to learn too!

It's all-natural, pollution-free, and good for your health!

It's so much more environmentally friendly than plastic surgery in South Korea!

As if sensing Yin Quan's burning, undisguised gaze, Xiahou Ying lifted his book and looked at her, his lips slightly parted: "What?"

Ah... that bling-bling background and gaze were simply unbearable to look at!

God...please save me!

Feeling an urge to bang his head on the table, Yin Quan shrank back as Xiahou Ying's crystal-clear gaze shone brightly, and then subconsciously looked away.

"No……"

You can't just ask him why he suddenly seems more handsome overnight...

Thinking this, Yin Quan felt so depressed she wanted to cry.

"You've been watching this stuff all night?" Just as I was feeling annoyed, Xiahou Ying's clear, melodious voice rang out behind me.

"Huh?" Startled by his words, Yin Quan blinked and turned to look at him.

The yellowed, curled-up copy of "The Founding Examination" looked particularly worn between his snow-white fingers, a stark contrast. She tilted her head and said, "I've read it..."

"Just because you want to see Father?"

"So... what are you doing right now?" Yin Quan frowned as she looked directly at him.

Looking at her, Xiahou Ying's clear gaze softened suddenly, and his thin lips moved: "Actually, you don't have to do this."

Her heart skipped a beat under his gentle gaze. Yin Quan pursed her lips, circled a strand of long hair that fell across her chest with her index finger, and chuckled softly, "Oh, this is nothing really...hehe, it's just learning something new...learning something new..."

Although she spoke with a dismissive tone, she was inwardly seething with rage.

What on earth is she saying?!

A surge of intense anger welled up in Yin Quan's chest, but he felt helpless about it.

Since what happened yesterday, she has found that she can no longer look Xiahou Ying in the eye.

She couldn't help but recall the strange sensation of his soft, moist lips caressing her body, like an electric current coursing through her entire being, as brilliant as fireworks, filling her with endless longing. At that moment, every pore on her body seemed to bloom in the spring breeze, bathed in a warm and gentle feeling, as if she had undergone a cleansing and transformative experience, a tender and poignant moment tinged with a sense of grandeur, making her blush and her heart race, yet she wanted to savor it all the more.

Seeing the faint blush on her face, Xiahou Ying pursed his lips, his originally cold black eyes flickered, and a faint embarrassment appeared.

He knew he had lost control yesterday and almost did something irreversible to her.

"Don't take yesterday's matter to heart." Noticing the fleeting strange look in Xiahou Ying's eyes, Yin Quan spoke softly.

Hearing this, Xiahou Ying opened his eyes, wanting to speak, but she waved her hand to interrupt him: "I know you're not good with words in these matters, so I'll do it for you. Don't take it to heart, I understand..." As she spoke, Yin Quan reached out and squeezed his fingers, then changed the subject and continued: "When are we going to the palace?"

"When you're ready, I'll be waiting for you outside." Hearing this, Xiahou Ying smiled slightly, gently squeezed her hand, and then got up and left the room.

Following his tall figure, Yin Quan, who had calmed down a little, immediately became nervous again.

Going to the palace... what should I wear?!

First impressions are very important!

But what should she wear...?

Yin Quan was so frustrated by the layers of clothes in the wooden cabinet that she wanted to pull her hair out. She truly understood what it meant to regret not having enough clothes when you need them.

It was nearly 3 PM when they entered the palace. Led by Xiahou Ying, Yin Quan walked forward, somewhat distracted.

Although she had calmed down considerably by this time, it would be self-deception to say that she was not nervous at all.

From the moment she transmigrated to this era, she knew that she not only didn't have any special advantages, but she also wouldn't be like the heroines in transmigration novels, who were rich and loved by everyone. Her only minimum expectation was not to be disliked by the emperor or eunuch.

Following Xiahou Ying, she stepped into the vast Yonghe Hall. The moment she stepped onto the dark marble floor, she felt a gentle breeze on her face, an indescribable comfort.

The palace wasn't very deep. Near the golden dragon wall, there was a long, slightly dark-colored camphor wood couch. On the couch was a small, square table with intricate carvings, on which sat a chessboard.

On each side of the long couch in the hall, there are three nanmu chairs of the same color, with the same patterns carved on the back of the chairs as on the couch.

On either side of the long couch stood a bronze crane lamp. The crane lamps had beautiful and smooth lines, and they glowed with a faint golden-green light in the sunlight. The eyes of the cranes were inlaid with emeralds, and a faint wisp of smoke appeared in the dim light, making them look lifelike, unique and spiritual.

In the center of the main hall stood a silk screen, on which was painted a unicorn-like beast with a blue face and fangs. Yin Quan frowned, feeling that the beast resembled the Xie Zhi, a rare unicorn-like creature symbolizing legal justice.

The hall was filled with a faint scent of ambergris, and as Yin Quan inhaled its gentle aroma, her emotions gradually calmed down.

After waiting inside the hall for a while, an elderly man dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and supported by a eunuch came out.

However, the old man was not alone; he was accompanied by a man whose features resembled Xiahou Ying's.

"You've arrived." Emperor Tianxi said as he sat down on the long couch. The two palace maids who had been following behind him immediately stood on either side of the couch with their heads bowed.

Xiahou Ying was not too surprised to see Xiahou Jue.

The fingers holding Yin Quan twitched slightly, and the latter quickly reacted, standing with him before Emperor Tianxi, kneeling and saying, "Your subject (daughter) greets Father Emperor (Your Majesty), long live the Emperor!"

"Get up, Fourth Prince. Is this the woman you are going to marry?" Emperor Tianxi waved his hand, a hint of question and curiosity appearing on his face, which looked as if it had been carved by an axe and exuded an imposing aura.

"Indeed, Father." Xiahou Ying nodded slightly, his expression remaining calm, like a smooth, still sea, where even the night wind could not stir up a single wave.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Tianxi glanced at Yin Quan. Although his face was etched with the marks of time, his bright and vigorous gaze still possessed a strong penetrating power, as if it could see right through one's soul.

Yin Quan felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by Emperor Tianxi. Despite her discomfort, she still braced herself and met his sweeping gaze.

With a slight flicker in his eyes, Emperor Tianxi pursed his lips beneath his grayish-white mustache, then suddenly reached out and twirled the beard on his chin.

In fact, he was not entirely unfamiliar with Yin Quan.

He knew that this woman was the one who had run away from her arranged marriage...

Therefore, he was indeed somewhat surprised when Xiahou Ying brought up this marriage proposal.

Yin Quan...

There was probably only one woman who dared to meet the emperor's gaze so fearlessly.

She is indeed a woman with some courage.

Thinking this, Emperor Tianxi suddenly burst into laughter, his booming voice echoing throughout the hall: "Miss Yin is probably unfamiliar with my son. This is the Crown Prince, Xiahou Jue."

Seemingly having no intention of mentioning the marriage, Emperor Tianxi changed the subject and looked at the Crown Prince, who was sitting opposite Xiahou Ying, wearing a dark blue brocade robe with a large auspicious cloud pattern embroidered on the chest.

Her previously tense nerves suddenly relaxed. Upon hearing the sound, Yin Quan rose and gave a slight bow to Xiahou Jue, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

As they were talking, she caught a glimpse of a palace maid carrying a dark chestnut-colored tray to serve tea, and her expression suddenly wavered.

Yin Ru?!

When did Liu Ruyue's daughter become a palace maid?! Could it be that Yin Zhengting sent her to the palace?!

Damn, do they really have to add some melodrama at a time like this?!

With her mind racing, Yin Quan was somewhat shocked, but she maintained a beautiful smile on her lips.

Raising an eyebrow at her, Xiahou Jue's lips curled into a smile, his sharp, hawk-like eyes narrowing slightly. He then spoke with a half-smile, "From now on, Xiahou Ying will be in your care. He's a cold-hearted person by nature, so please bear with him..."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Xiahou Ying took over the conversation expressionlessly, a cold, eerie light flashing in his clear, moonlit eyes.

Uh……

Hearing this barbed and scathing conversation, Yin Quan was speechless.

These two really don't hide anything...

Do you have to be so confrontational in front of your own father...?

She looked at the two men and then at the emperor, her eyes widening immediately.

She actually fell asleep!

Damn it! This isn't what we agreed on!

Xiahou Ying's father is just too... too unique!

What exactly is going on?!

Disheveled in the wind, Yin Quan glanced at Xiahou Ying subconsciously, only to see Yin Ru adding water to Xiahou Jue's cup.

Her brow furrowed slightly, a bad feeling welling up inside her.