2705: Critical Incident

Critical Incident

1In just a short afternoon, the aristocratic women of the patrician family got wind of the change in ownership at the Couture House.0

The clock had struck ten in the evening, casting an ambiance as though Qiao Mu was leisurely wandering through a garden. After perusing the myriad dowry shops owned by Mother Long and Long Chuyun, she inspected the sprawling farmland and the various estates. It wasn't until she had ensured that all the necessary personnel for property transfer were in position that she returned to the Mu Estate, accompanied by Li Ye, Caixiu the embroiderer, Caiqi, and the rest of the entourage.

Despite an entire day of strolling, the young one's vitality remained unyielding.

"Your Highness of the Crown Prince," Zhao Tengdong approached, bowing before swiftly conveying, "His Majesty has decreed that His Highness will spend the night in the southern study for political deliberations."

Upon hearing this, a subtle furrow formed on the brow of the youthful crown prince's consort.

Internally critiquing, although the sentiment didn't manifest on her visage, she mustered a mere "oh" before dismissing Eunuch Zhao.

Observing from the sidelines, Palace Lady Jing couldn't help but admire.

Without prolonging Eunuch Zhao's presence to inquire about the pressing matters the crown prince was engrossed in within the southern study, the crown prince's youthful consort displayed a clear comprehension of her boundaries.

Even if reluctance was inherent, her countenance remained impassive.

Weary, the young one sprawled onto the bed, gesturing with a wave to disband the retinue.

Retrieving a messenger jade tablet from her inner sanctum, she read the lines of minuscule characters that floated there: 'Dearest, I shall return early tomorrow morning. Partake heartily in sustenance and retire early.'

Her Excellency Lady Qiaoqiao, rolled her eyes, utterly indifferent toward personal grooming, plunging onto the bed to embrace slumber directly.

On the ensuing day, as Qiao Mu unveiled her eyes, she sensed a cranium nuzzling against her own.

Locking eyes with him, that individual was grinning at her, distinctly from his habitual style.

"You're quite the fragrance," he jestingly jabbed her petite countenance, meticulously surveying her clothing, which she had retained even while surrendering to sleep…

Qiao Mu felt an immediate flush of embarrassment.

She had returned yesterday, brimming with enthusiasm, eager to share the day's battle outcomes with him.

Yet little did she know that he wouldn't return at all. In an instant, her enthusiasm waned, and the weariness accumulated from navigating challenges throughout the day washed over her. Fatigue won, and she surrendered to sleep without further ado…

"Could her displeasure be attributed to my absence, prompting her to retire in vexation?"

/He hit the nail on the head!/

However, Her Excellency Lady Qiaoqiao refused to concede.

After a teasing eye-roll in his direction, Qiao Mu attempted to rise with a subtle rustle. To her surprise, he scooped her up in the embrace of a quilt, bouncing off the bed.

"Qiaoqiao, it's time to shake off the habit of morning silence!"

/Shake it off my foot!/

"You're probably thinking, 'shake it off my foot.'"

Qiao Mu: …

"You're quite the rebel, Qiaoqiao." Crown Prince Mo held her from behind, his head nuzzling against her neck affectionately. "Everything go as planned yesterday?"

Qiao Mu felt a surge of renewed energy, yet her memory of his absence last night hindered her willingness to acknowledge him.

With an indignant huff, she turned her head away.

The Crown Prince concealed a hidden amusement. Gently encircling her, he nestled his head against her neck. "I'm sure it all went smoothly. With our Qiaoqiao in charge, resolutions naturally find their way."

/Exactly!/ The young one swiveled to meet his gaze and inquired, "Your father likely didn't deliberately detain you for the night, did he?"

The Crown Prince instinctively found humor in the assumption and shook his head. "Not at all."

Guiding her to take a seat before the elegant dressing table, he retrieved a delicately crafted comb made of purple ruby ivory and began to gently work it through her cascading hair.

"Yesterday, we were taken aback by a report. It stated that a small city named Luwan City, not far from the border town where we disembarked in the Divine Province, was suddenly besieged by a series of monster attacks."

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