C253

The laughter of the guests and the sound of the wine cacophony did not stop. Today, they had already heard the congratulatory words a thousand times, but they were still talking about them over and over again. [I wonder, how much of it is real?]

Mu Qinghan smiled gently. It was hard to describe the feelings in that silent smile of hers.

The door was pushed open gently, then it closed softly. The person that walked in stood at the door for a moment, then walked over to Mu Qing Han's side, and once again fell silent.

Mu Qing Han was startled. She raised her head and looked at the blurry figure through the thick veil before her eyes, asking tentatively, "Crown Prince?"

Zhao Qingyan was startled by her voice and quickly said, "It's me." After a moment of silence, he said again, "Sorry, I was lost in thought."

Mu Qing Han didn't know why, but the gloom in her heart dissipated as a result. With a slight smile, she replied, "It's alright."

Zhao Qingyan looked at the jade ruyi in her hand and carefully used it to remove the bright red veil covering her head.

From the time they had returned to the palace, Mu Qinghan had only worn simple clothes and thin makeup, and there hadn't even been any decorations in her hair. She was not a person who liked fine clothes. She was dressed in her normal clothes.

However, there was no woman who would not meticulously dress up when she got married. She did not want her appearance to become the most beautiful moment of her life. Mu Qinghan was the same.

Zhao Qingyan was the Crown Prince's son, and he was also King Mo. His wife was the Great Song's Princess Mo.

This set of wedding clothes that could only be worn once in her life was embroidered by thirteen embroidery ladies for a whole eight months. It was the most beautiful wedding dress Mu Qing Han had ever seen in her life – even though she had only seen it once. But she firmly believed that this was the most beautiful wedding dress.

The scar on her cheek was covered with makeup, and there was no trace of it in the dim candlelight. After experiencing life and death, her beautiful appearance had become even more determined to face everything. She was no longer an ordinary woman who only possessed beauty and talent, but a heavy and frail woman who understood life. She would do her best to support a family, to protect a family, and to love her and the people she loved.

Perhaps it was because of her transformation, or perhaps it was because it was the first time she saw such exquisite makeup, or perhaps it was because her beautiful body was astonishingly beautiful. At this moment, she looked a hundred times more beautiful than when they met in Zhao Qingyan's memories.

He had to admit that Zhao Qingyan was tempted at that moment. His heart had been frozen when the once wet, ice-cold beloved had been carried away before him like a discarded object.

The candlelight was too hazy and the wedding dress too dazzling. For some reason, Zhao Qingyan felt like he was tempted by something – but only a tiny bit.

After losing his spirit, his eyes were still as calm as a deep pool. "It's beautiful, a hundred times more beautiful than I thought," he said.

This was the truth, and even her gentle voice was filled with sincerity. However, his sincerity wasn't everything. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't give her his full heart.

Mu Qing Han pursed her lips and smiled, but her smile was not bashful and was filled with gratitude. "Thank you, this is the best praise I have heard."

Perhaps it was due to her smile, but Zhao Qingyan could not help but laugh. Warmth seeped into her eyes like melting snow. He stretched out his hand. "From now on, you have to take care of me."

Mu Qing Han couldn't help but laugh at his rare look of embarrassment. She raised her hand but didn't grab his hand. Instead, she raised her head and looked at him seriously. "If you catch me, I won't let go."

Zhao Qingyan said, "I hope you do not disappoint me."

Mu Qing Han lowered her gaze and looked at the hand that had been waiting for a long time, slowly approaching and grabbing it.

He crossed his ten fingers and slowly exerted force, as if he really didn't want to let go.

Zhao Qingyan felt her fingers trembling slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she pulled her fingers together and held her hand tightly without using much strength.

The two were speechless. They just looked at each other's clenched hands and silently made a promise in their hearts. A promise that he would live up to his expectations.

"You …" The sudden strength that came from her hands caused Mu Qing Han to raise her head in surprise. She used her strength to stand up and fell into a chest that was a bit stronger than what she had imagined. As for the voice, it came from the top of his head, it was a little distorted: "Thank you."

Mu Qing Han didn't struggle free of him, but stayed quietly in his embrace. After a moment, she said softly, "I always feel that there will be endless' thanks' from now on."

Zhao Qingyan laughed. It was a very gentle and pleasant laugh. "So what?"

Mu Qing Han looked at the red dress in front of her and suddenly felt relieved. An Xin was at ease with the light smell of the man's wine. She was at ease with the fact that he held her in his arms without using much strength, and she was also at ease with the shadow cast by him under the candlelight, which was sufficient to cover her.

Over the past few months, Zhao Qingyan had maintained a polite and distant attitude towards her. He was softer to others than he was to her.

Ever since the Qi King's Manor and the Manchu Mansion had made their agreement, Mu Qinghan had never dared to ask for any love or love. Because she was well aware of this engagement, and was only forced to do so as a noble king's family. No matter how much tenderness there was, it was all for naught. Rather than dreaming, it was better not to have any expectations at all.

The two of them didn't have any feelings for each other, so it was reasonable for them to be estranged from each other.

But at this moment, even if gentleness was but a fleeting bubble, she was willing to indulge in it.

Mu Qing Han slowly closed her eyes and took in the pungent smell of the wine, which was mixed with the purposely changed spices, unwilling to wake up even after a long time. However, she took a deep breath and remembered the smell. She said softly, "I heard that you were drunk and worried."

His voice broke the silence, ending the silent embrace. Although he wasn't willing to part with it, it was inevitable.

Zhao Qingyan paused and smiled, "Yes, I'm a little drunk." I went to blow the wind, rinsed my mouth, and drank some Jiujiu Tea, so it shouldn't be a big deal. " He let go of her arm and took half a step back, maintaining a distance that would not make her nervous or distant.

Mu Qinghan tilted her head slightly. "I heard that the Crown Prince has a good capacity for alcohol, but he can actually get drunk?"

There was no disappointment in his eyes, not even a trace — perhaps as if he had covered up all his thoughts and not revealed any desire to stay. They could not read each other. However, no one would try to pry into his concealed thoughts.

In the candlelight, Zhao Qingyan's eyes, which were filled with smiles, looked exceptionally pretty. "Sometimes I can't get drunk, sometimes I don't want to wake up, sometimes I can't get drunk. Tonight, I don't want to get drunk either. "

Mu Qinghan lowered her gaze, her gentle eyes concealing her temporary grief. "It's good that I'm not drunk."

Zhao Qingyan walked to the side of the table and poured a cup of wine. After looking at it for a long time, he said slowly, "Since the Marquis died, I should have waited for you for three years. But the protection that I can give you now is the marriage contract that day, the identity of today's Princess Mo. To the extent that I am able to do it, I shall mourn for the Marquis with you for three years. "

Mu Qing Han raised her head in disbelief, unable to speak for a long time.

"Tomorrow, I'll go with you to pay my respects to Big Brother. When the winter snow is done, I'll accompany you back to the house of the Marquis to take care of the aftermath." Zhao Qingyan flipped his arm and slowly poured the wine on the ground, "When we return to Hangzhou, I will dress in mourning with you and clean up the Hou Mansion, so that Master Hou can feel at ease in the underworld."

Mu Qinghan was moved. "Crown Prince … Your Highness, you don't have to go so far for me. "

Zhao Qingyan lightly shook his head, "If it wasn't for the fact that I'm from the imperial family, I wouldn't have avoided the topic. I will never be able to repay the kindness that the marquis has given me in this life. What I can do is already insignificant, how can I avoid it? "

Mu Qing Han replied happily, "I will never be able to return the favor of the crown prince. "I only wish that my father will get revenge and my son will be safe for the rest of his life. I have nothing else to ask for."

Zhao Qingyan bowed deeply in return, "Since the Marquis has met with misfortune, I shall do my best to avenge myself. "If I can't take revenge, I will never be at ease."

Mu Qinghan was at a loss for a moment. When she came back to her senses, she realized that she had been staring at him for a long time, so she quickly lowered her gaze. Your Highness, please don't put your heart at ease because of your concubine. "

Qing Han." Zhao Qingyan bent down to help her up. His eyes were warm and a little helpless as he said, "You and I are husband and wife. How can I teach you to only care about me and to let you feel wronged?" It was only natural for me to be filial to the marquis, and it was also wrong for me to be unable to do my best when I had many scruples, so you still have to thank me. "If you keep bowing like this, how many times must I return the gesture?

Mu Qinghan pursed her lips and smiled, "Crown Prince, you don't mind that I'm being rude."

Zhao Qingyan laughed, "The Qi King's Manor usually doesn't have many visitors. If there's no one else present, why should we stand on ceremony?"

"En." Mu Qing Han replied gently. Looking at the gentle smile in his eyes, the sorrow in her heart finally disappeared. Tonight, he shouldn't need to be nervous anymore.

— —

"Is marrying into the palace really the best destination?" Perhaps because she heard the footsteps behind her, she raised her head to look at the sky and softly said, "I would rather marry into the Wen family and spend her life with junior brother to protect her."

Xiao Zhiyu stopped behind him and smiled faintly, "She's married to Wen Lun, not Wen Wan."

Xia Qingqian said in a low voice, "Qing Han and junior brother are the only family I have in this world — if second brother is still alive."

Family... Xiao Zhiyu's gaze darkened, not knowing how to console her. "Huan'Er has too much on her shoulders, he really can't afford to shoulder another horse. Apart from Hedonist, Zhao Qingyan was the only one who could protect her and give her happiness. "Compared to Wen Lun, at least the power backing him is stronger."

Xia Qingshang lowered his head. After a while, he said, "I know that I shouldn't say such words in front of you, but I really can't help but be selfish."

Xiao Zhiyu slightly shook his head, knowing that he couldn't see it, he spoke again, "It is precisely because he is my disciple that I understand him. In terms of character, ability, and bearing, he was definitely not like Wan'er. But in terms of gratitude, he would give up his life and everything to repay it. I can assure you on his behalf that he has only a wife and no concubine in his life. "

Xia Qingshang muttered, "But his surname is Zhao."

Xiao Zhiyu had a bitter smile on his face, "But it is precisely his surname that saved him from the storm of this chaotic world that none of us can save."

Xia Qingqian raised her hand to rub her eyes, "The Mu Family is the only family left." He seemed to have made up his mind. He slowly said word by word: "I won't drag down Junior Brother. I must protect every blade of grass in the Mu Family."

"You can do it." Xiao Zhiyu spoke with certainty, "If you don't want to shout, then go ahead. "It is time for the people who have been hibernating for too long to appear again in the martial arts world."

A pain that he hadn't felt in many years had seeped out of his eye sockets. Something seemed to have come alive in his heart — perhaps it was hatred, perhaps it was unwillingness, perhaps it was courage to live …