LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 189: Summer Stars

Tonight, the Emperor dined on the Breeze Tower. Feasting in the open air, looking up, you could see the stars twinkling in the sky, the cool breeze blowing, and the cicadas singing tirelessly. Hu Ling passed by with several pots of wine. After two steps, she suddenly turned around and stopped in front of you.

Hu Ling: [Smiling] Your Highness, this is plum wine. It's very sweet. I think you may like it. Why don't you try some?

As she said that, she filled your glass and put a pot of wine on your table. You could smell a faint aroma of plums. Seeing this, you picked up the wine and tasted it. Surprised at its sweetness, you couldn't help drinking it up.

Hu Ling: Your Highness, I knew you would like it.

Saying that, she turned around and moved on. The plum wine was refreshing, especially good for the hot summer. You drank up one cup after another. You've finished the whole pot when Shi Lian found you.

Shi Lian: Your Highness, When did you drink so much? Stop it!

Xiu Ying: It doesn't matter. It's fruit wine. It's very sweet. Would you like to try it, too?

Shi Lian: Your Highness! You're drunk!

Looking up, you saw the stars shining brightly, but they seemed to twinkle a little fast, making your eyes hurt and you slightly dizzy. You had no idea that you were drunk. I just thought the wine tasted very sweet, and I wanted to ask Hu Ling for another pot of wine. Shi Lian stopped you and Hu Ling also noticed you. She came to you quickly.

Hu Ling: Your Highness, you drank up a pot of wine? It's my fault. I forgot to tell you that the wine is very strong...

Hu Ling: Your Highness, let me help you put some water on your face and get rid of the smell of alcohol. Shi Lian, why don't you go to the kitchen and bring Her Highness some hangover soup?

Shi Lian: All right. Thank you.

Hu Ling: Don't worry, leave it to me!

Hu Ling helped you up and smiled when she saw your drunken face. While telling you to watch out , Hu Ling helped you to the side hall. The music gradually drifted away, while the sound of cicadas became louder. Hu Ling held you and walked very slowly. You frowned and was trying to urge her to hurry up. Suddenly, you fell to one side.

Hu Ling: Oops! Your Highness, look out!

Maybe because you were really drunk, you fell to the ground and made Hu Ling fall as well. In dizziness, you tried to stand up. Someone suddenly reached out a hand, firmly held your arm and pull you up. You looked up and saw a pair of starry eyes.

Fu Heng: What are you doing? Are you hurt?

Xiu Ying: I'm all right... I'm fine.

You suddenly heard a cough and subconsciously followed the sound. You saw the Emperor standing in front of you with a calm look on his face. A cool breeze coming by, your heart thumped. You sobered up. You took a few steps back to avoid Fu Heng's hand.

Hu Ling: Your Highness, are you all right?

Hu Ling got up and asked with concern. She smiled when she saw you shaking your head. At the same time, she immediately noticed the Emperor in front of her and quickly came forward to greet him with you.

Emperor: Pingle, Fu Heng, come with me.

There was no emotion on the majestic face of the Emperor. As he spoke, he turned and moved on. You and Fu Heng had to follow. The bright stars fell into the edge of the pool, and when you turned around, you noticed a familiar figure under the lights on the side of the pool. He stood there quietly. You didn't know how long he had been standing there. You moved on with Fu Heng, only to hear the sound of Hu Ling greeting behind you.

Hu Ling: Your Highness.

Fu Heng turned around and looked at the person beside him. He saw only a pair of calm and indifferent eyes from you but no emotions. But there were emotions going up and down in his heart. With their own thoughts, they followed the Emperor in front of them into the hall. They stopped together and greeted the Emperor again.

Emperor: Have a seat!

Xiu Ying: Your Majesty, can I ask for a cup of tea? I drank too much just now and I was a little drunk. I worry that I may forget myself later.

Emperor: [Taking a deep look at you and whispering] Hu Ling, bring a cup of hangover tea for the princess.

Holding the cup, you took a sip, trying to stay relaxed, pretending not to see the exploratory look the Emperor gave you.

Xiu Ying: The plum wine was so delicious that I accidentally drank more. So I felt dizzy and couldn't walk straight, making Hu Ling fall with me.

Emperor: You don't have to explain. I'm aware of what happened.

Emperor: You and Hu Ling fell on the floor together, Fu Heng had nobody but you in his eyes.

Hearing this, you almost choked on your tea and coughed a few times to cover up your embarrassment.

Xiu Ying: Your Majesty, don't you remember? I told you before because Fu Heng's sister Hui Xin and I are close, so Fu Heng takes more care of me.

Emperor: This is not a valid reason.

Xiu Ying: What do you think, Your Majesty?

Emperor: I don't want to hear this from you. Fu Heng, tell me, what do you think of the princess?

Xiu Ying: Your Majesty...

The sound of cicadas came through the half-open window, and there was a moment of silence in the hall. You didn't expect the Emperor to ask such a question. You were surprised but the Emperor was staring at Fu Heng instead of you. Fu Heng clenched his fist and slowly loosened it. He glanced at you, and that glance stunned you completely.

Fu Heng: Your Majesty, Her Highness the princess is very important to me as you can see.

At this moment, the refreshing breeze from the mountains came into your heart, as if the stars fell into the lake on a summer night, and the sky and earth were bright. Looking at you two, the Emperor suddenly smiled and started speaking thoughtfully.

Emperor: The princess is indeed old enough to get married.

Xiu Ying: I'm not that old...

Emperor: Fu Heng, I want to hear your thoughts on this.

This question confused you, you didn't how to respond to it, only saw Fu Heng's eyes brighten up. He stepped forward and was about to kneel, then there was a sudden sound outside.

Eunuch Hai: Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince asked to see you to make an important report.

Emperor: [Frowning] Tell him to wait.

Eunuch Hai: Your Majesty, His Highness said that it was about the floods in Qizhou.

Emperor: Qizhou? That can't wait... Pingle, Fu Heng, retreat for now. Send the Crown Prince in.

Fu Heng turned around, brushed past the incoming Yin Zhen. Their eyes met, and they immediately looked away. They didn't seem to notice the coldness in each other's eyes.