Chapter 725: Chapter 724: 724: Make the Emperor Obsessed

Lingzi said proudly, “I’m just like my Mom! Does Daddy think Mom looks good in her clothes?”

Li Hongyuan glanced at Jiang Ning, his gaze passing over her face as flawless as the first snow, and nodded slightly: “Beautiful.”

Jiang Ning, leading Wenzan, came up to him and asked, “Where did Your Highness come from?”

“Crystal Frost Hall.”

“You last night…”

“Mom, let’s go quickly! Lingzi wants to see Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle sooner!” Lingzi’s yell interrupted Jiang Ning’s speech.

In front of the children, it’s indeed inappropriate to say much, so Jiang Ning swallowed the words that came after.

This time, Jiang Ning brought all the serving girls from the Prime Minister’s Mansion with her, which naturally included Gucheng and Xiaoman.

When it came to riding in the horse carriage outside the palace gate, Jiang Ning originally wanted to ride in the same one as the two children, but Gucheng and Xiaoman both stepped up to the carriage at the same time.

Gucheng wanted to follow Jiang Ning, and Xiaoman wanted to be with Lingzi by any means necessary.

Having no choice, she let Xiaoman ride in the carriage behind with the two children, while Li Hongyuan joined Jiang Ning in her carriage.

Jiang Ning was accustomed to reclining leisurely while riding the carriage, so having another person squeezed in made her feel cramped.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Your Highness, can’t you ride a horse?”

“Don’t want to.”

Li Hongyuan replied flatly.

Jiang Ning had to adjust her posture, moved closer to him, and asked, “Did you visit my room last night?”

“What, you thought you were dreaming?”

“You come in the middle of the night and leave before dawn; anyone would think you were sneaking in.”

“I was just busy. Moreover, it was you who asked me to come.”

“I asked you?”

“You’ve been trying to please me these days, even hand-delivering pastries to me, wasn’t that to invite me to your room?” Li Hongyuan retorted.

“I was just showing concern!” Jiang Ning emphasized, “It’s girls like Jin Liangyuan who are begging for your attention. They wait for you in revealing clothes in the snowy weather, ready to perform a strip dance for you.”

“Whatever.”

Li Hongyuan turned his head to look at the street view outside the curtain.

The streets were bustling with life. People were out visiting relatives and friends for the New Year, and children ran around, laughing as they used their New Year’s money to buy snacks and fireworks.

Even Jiang Ning could clearly feel Liu Hongyuan growing increasingly distant towards her.

She wasn’t quite sure what was on Li Hongyuan’s mind.

Did he dislike her, or was he purposely distancing himself?

If it’s dislike, why would he sneak into her bed at midnight, cuddle with her until dawn, then run off?

If he still liked her, why would he act so aloof and indifferent when they met?

Men are indeed difficult to understand.

Jiang Ning took out some crab roe melon seeds from her purse and offered them to him: “Would you like some?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

So Jiang Ning then moved to the window on the other side, eating melon seeds while watching the scenery outside.

But Li Hongyuan spoke to her again: “Last night, Emperor Father spent the night at Concubine Ya’s place.”

Jiang Ning laughed: “Really? The Emperor seems to be quite fond of Concubine Ya. But, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for you, as a son, to concern yourself with your father’s love affairs?”

“There’s no trivial matter in the royal family.”

“That’s true. Ever since Concubine Jin passed away, the Emperor rarely visited the harem. Didn’t the Empress spend a great deal of effort looking for a woman who resembles Concubine Jin, hoping to win the Emperor’s affection? But she miscalculated.” Jiang Ning laughed, “Concubine Ya looks nothing like your mother, and still, she has managed to mesmirze the Emperor.”

She suddenly realized: “Ah, at this rate, we’ll have another little brother in a short while, won’t we?”