Repeatedly broken branches

She had finally obtained permission from her father to leave the palace, and she wouldn't let Zhou Tingxi's arrival upset her; people get sick from being cooped up all the time.

Xiao Shao brought her a set of casual clothes to change into. Xiao Mu lifted the hem of her skirt and ran to the mirror to turn around. Not bad. She wore a light blue brocade waist-length ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with embroidered crabapple blossoms. Her soft black hair was tied up in a loose Lingyun bun, adorned with only a simple and elegant blue crystal hairpin.

Yu Yanjing stared at her intently. The woman had a slender waist, fair skin, and a beautiful face. Her blue dress seemed to be blown into his heart by an unnamed breeze, rippling like blue waves.

"Let's go, Guard Han." Xiao Mu raised an eyebrow and extended her delicate, jade-like hand. Yu Yanjing tactfully supported her slender arm and accidentally touched her fingers, which were so smooth.

Once outside the palace, there's no one to supervise her anymore, and she can be free and unrestrained. If only she could live outside the palace, she'd heard there's a night market outside selling all sorts of novel trinkets. It's a pity Xiao Mu can't stay overnight outside the palace, otherwise she would have a blast.

A crowd had gathered outside a chess shop, and the words "betting on chess" could be faintly heard from within. Xiao Mu, intrigued, asked Yu Yanjing beside her, "Guard Han, may I go and take a look?"

Yu Yanjing nodded, "Go ahead, I'll go with you. Don't get kidnapped like last time."

Xiao Mu looked at him innocently, and said with a wronged expression, "How dare you say that? That was the first time I had ever been kidnapped in my life. I was so scared!"

Yu Yanjing leaned closer, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "What are you afraid of? Afraid I'll rape you?"

"Get out!" Xiao Mu angrily pushed him away and ran all the way to the entrance of the chess shop.

Yu Yanjing followed behind at a leisurely pace, his peach blossom eyes sparkling with laughter that he couldn't hide. He hadn't laughed so genuinely in a long time.

This chess shop is a form of gambling. You bet on the person playing the pieces. If you want to bet on the person playing black to win, you stand behind them and state the amount you are betting. The same applies if you bet on the person playing white.

Xiao Mu couldn't understand chess; she only understood Gomoku. Yu Yanjing looked down for a long time and realized that the black pieces were about to be forced into a corner, while the white pieces kept attacking, leaving the black pieces with no way out. Clearly, the outcome was already decided.

Yu Yanjing leaned close to Xiao Mu's ear and whispered, "Stand by Bai Zi."

Xiao Mu felt a tickle on her ears, and the overwhelming scent broke down her defenses. She glanced at Yu Yanjing, who was engrossed in the game and didn't notice her flushed cheeks.

Xiao Mu stood on Bai Zi's team, and not long after, Bai Zi actually won.

She excitedly hugged Yu Yanjing and cheered, "How are you so amazing? How did you know Bai Zi would win?"

Yu Yanjing was in a state of turmoil. His heart trembled, and his body felt weak and limp, as if he couldn't muster any strength. Damn it, he suppressed his emotions, smiled at her, and whispered, "It's all based on guessing. Let's go, I'll take you to eat."

He guessed it all? He's really something. She thought this cruel little emperor could play chess, but she was wrong. How could he possibly calm down and play chess?

Zhou Tingxi stood in the tea stall across the street, one hand covering his face. His eyes were icy cold, as if they were about to shoot out icy thorns.

Who exactly is this Guard Han, that he could make Xia Yunzhi throw herself into his arms?

After finishing their meal, Yu Yanjing looked at Xiao Mu, who had a satisfied expression on her face, and couldn't help but laugh, "You're supposed to be a princess, but you eat like a hungry wolf."

Xiao Mu glanced at him and said nonchalantly, "I'm not some princess. I'm just me, and so are you. You're the little emperor of Chaoyang Kingdom, and you're still my bodyguard, aren't you?"

A look of surprise flashed in Yu Yanjing's eyes, his gaze sharp. He covered Xiao Mu's mouth, pulled her aside, and said in a deep voice, "Keep your voice down. If others hear you, won't it cause a commotion?"

Xiao Mu sneered, "Oh~ why are you so scared? Is it because you've done so many bad things and are afraid everyone will want to kill you? I can't protect you, and I don't know any martial arts. Who told you to be so cruel and vicious before?"

Yu Yanjing glared at her, his heart churning. Brutal? Cruel? In her eyes, he was probably just like everyone else, a brutal and tyrannical ruler.

It's no wonder others think that way; he really did these things, but it still makes him a little uncomfortable to hear them from her.

It's getting late,

Yu Yanjing and Xiao Mu went back, barely speaking the whole way. Xiao Mu felt somewhat displeased, her thoughts in turmoil. Could Yu Yanjing be angry? What was she doing just now, speaking ill of him in front of the young emperor? She must be tired of living.

Back in the palace, it turned out that Yu Yanjing wasn't on duty tonight. The new duty schedule had been announced, and Yu Yanjing was now on daytime duty.

Xiao Mu propped her head up and looked out the window. In the past, when Yu Yanjing was on duty, he would always stand outside the window and talk to her. He would take out a lot of candy for her, tell her jokes, and keep her company.

She felt deeply ashamed and angry. Could she really have thought of herself as a pampered princess? Looking back on her actions over this period of time, she realized that she had originally considered Yu Yanjing a friend. How could she have treated her friend like this?

She wasn't home during the day, so Xiao Shao placed the letter Ruan Cifeng had sent on the table.

A dried tuberose petal was stuck to the envelope.

Xiaozhi, it's like seeing you in person as I write this. I've arrived in the Southern Kingdom, where spring reigns all year round. It's even more suitable for growing flowers than Lin Yue. They're skilled in using Gu poison here, and the people of the Southern Kingdom are very hospitable. I'm gradually getting to know myself here, but I know I'll have to return to Lin Yue soon. When I'm on my journey, my mind is empty, and I often think of you and our promise. When will we be able to go to other places together? The outside world is beautiful, but unfortunately, I can only appreciate it alone. But it's okay. I'll pick some petals from here for you, which is as if you've come here too. Cifeng made a white jade ring, intending to give it to you in person next time, but he didn't send it. I hope you're happy every day. Remember to eat. The weather is getting cooler, so ask Xiaoshao to put a cloak on you when you go out. I'm doing well. As long as I'm not in Lin Yue, no one will bully me. They all treat me like an ordinary person. I'm enjoying myself here, but unfortunately, I'll have to go back with the envoys soon. I hope that when I see you next time, you'll still be as lively and cheerful as before, as beautiful as a tuberose.

Xiao Mu poured out a few petals of Yunnan violet from the envelope. She had heard that this flower grows at an altitude of 3000 meters and its flowers are very small and exquisite, with bright and beautiful colors.

Ruan Cifeng is so romantic. He said he would share every place he went with her and send her flowers from there.

It's truly remarkable that he could emerge from the mud and still retain a romantic spirit.