Chapter 40: Finally Meeting

"Mo, am I going tonight too?" Li Ge asked softly.

Although the imperial decree didn't mention it, seeing Mo had ordered people to send clothes to her, she knew he wanted her to go with him.

Ling Mo nodded. "Yes, I want everyone to know you are my wife."

Ling Mo's words warmed Li Ge's heart. He had just said "wife," the person he would depend on for life, not the title of Princess, which anyone could hold.

What fortune did she have to meet this person who held her so close to his heart in this life? Although she lacked the love of her parents and the care of friends, she felt that Mo was enough.

Seeing the redness in Li Ge's eyes, Ling Mo sighed. "Silly girl, you still don't believe my words?"

"I certainly believe Mo's words." She quickly threw herself into Ling Mo's arms, replying.

A hint of a smile flickered in Ling Mo's deep eyes. He raised the corners of his mouth, and his hand involuntarily reached for Li Ge's delicate ear. It felt just as he had imagined – so soft, so comfortable.

The moment he touched her, Li Ge's heart beat faster, and her body suddenly went limp. She leaned softly against Ling Mo's chest.

This scene was witnessed by Jian Luo and Dongfang Ji, who had just returned. Remembering the punishment he had received earlier, Dongfang Ji quickly turned away, deceiving himself with the thought: "I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything."

Withdrawing his hand, Ling Mo asked coldly, "What is it?"

"The Prince of Linjun has arrived. This is a letter from him, delivered by his subordinates." Jian Luo presented a letter.

Ling Mo took the letter, unfolded it, and saw only one line of powerful characters: "I hope the courage of the Qingyi Prince remains as it always has."

With a forceful squeeze, the paper instantly vanished without a trace.

Ling Mo coldly gazed in the direction of the temporary palace where Qin Lie was staying, his eyes filled with ruthlessness. He knew what Qin Lie meant. He wanted him to accept his direct challenge, and this time, it was his woman who was the target.

Despite the sweltering weather, a chill ran through the three of them. Even the usually noisy cicadas fell silent.

Time passed slowly in this eerie atmosphere.

Finally, the blood-red sunset spread across the entire sky, the dazzling colors painting a beautiful beginning to the upcoming festivities.

Li Ge finally witnessed the legendary ancient imperial palace. It was indeed extravagant and refined, radiating luxury everywhere – a pavilion every five steps, a building every ten. The golden bricks and glazed tiles shimmered with seven colors in the setting sun.

Although incomparably opulent, Li Ge always felt a sense of lifelessness here. She leaned closer to Ling Mo, expressing her discomfort.

How could Ling Mo not know her dislike? However, this would only happen once. In the future, he would never let Li Ge face people or things she detested.

"The Qingyi Prince has arrived! Lady Li Ge has arrived!"

The high-pitched voice of a eunuch at the palace gates instantly silenced the bustling hall. Everyone eagerly turned their gaze towards Li Ge.

The imperial decree from a few days ago had become known throughout the capital. Everyone knew that their Chaofeng Qingyi Prince had fallen for a woman and was about to marry her. This naturally surprised these officials.

Originally, they had thought that the Qingyi Prince was not interested in women. Many had not realized this and had tried to offer their daughters to the Qingyi Prince's manor. The people of the Qingyi Prince's manor didn't refuse, coldly accepting these women, but the next day, they would find the bodies of the women sent the previous day at their own doors.

Over time, those ministers who wanted to build connections no longer dared to approach the Qingyi Prince.

Now, the appearance of Lady Li Ge undoubtedly shattered their previous imagination of the Qingyi Prince. It turned out that this Lord did like women, perhaps he had tasted the sweetness of women and had begun to indulge in them. So, was there a chance for their daughters to enter the manor?

"Royal brother, you've arrived?" In the awkward silence, the prince's voice broke the stillness of the hall.

Prince Ling Dong had Concubine Tong on his arm, smiling as he walked towards Ling Mo. He wanted to see what kind of beauty could capture Ling Mo's heart, a heart that seemed to have no room for anyone.

After taking a few steps, when he saw Li Ge, his heart sank, and his eyes lit up. She was indeed a stunning beauty, even surpassing Chaofeng's first beauty, Concubine Tong. Not to mention her appearance, but her ethereal aura made people instinctively want to get closer. Was this woman a fairy from the mountains?

Today, Li Ge wore a simple long dress specially prepared for her by Ling Mo. Her water-like hair was tied up with a ribbon, and her porcelain skin shone even more alluringly under the glow of the night pearls. From a distance, she looked like a celestial being descending from heaven, her otherworldly aura inspiring reverence.

Ling Dong's gaze made Ling Mo furious. He sneered, "Get lost."

Knowing that bringing her here tonight would cause a stir, Ling Dong's eager expression only intensified his anger. If he weren't busy dealing with this prince, Ling Mo would have slapped him.

Ling Mo's unceremonious words made Ling Dong's face stiffen. The next moment, his veins bulged on his forehead, and he threw off Concubine Tong's arm, preparing to rush forward. Just then, a sharp voice announced, "The Prince of Linjun has arrived! The Prince of Lanhan has arrived!"

"Prince, calm down." Even if she cursed him in her heart, Concubine Tong had to smile and whisper a word of advice in Ling Dong's ear.

Although Ling Dong was foolish, he wasn't entirely brainless. His feud with Ling Mo was a matter of Chaofeng, and if other countries laughed at them, his face as the Prince of Chaofeng would be lost.

So, the next moment, he glared fiercely at Ling Mo and then strode towards the entrance to greet the guests with his concubine.

"侗 has been waiting for a long time, the Prince of Linjun—"