Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

Shui Rong leaned back on the soft couch covered with fox fur, his gaze fixed intently on the woman dancing before him.

Qin Keqing wore a moon-white satin dance dress embroidered with magnolia blossoms, the hem of her skirt swaying lightly with her dance steps.

Her figure was as graceful as a willow swaying in the wind, her sleeves fluttering, her eyes filled with affection, and her gaze radiant.

These days, Shui Rong is living a comfortable and pleasant life.

During the day, one can see the maids sweeping the courtyard, hanging red lanterns, and pasting Spring Festival couplets, decorating the Prince's Mansion with a strong festive atmosphere;

In his spare time, he would exchange letters with Daiyu, and the two would discuss military strategies and strange tales in their letters, with a tacit understanding between them between the lines.

Whenever she had free time, she would go to the palace to ask her brother, the emperor, for permission to return to her residence for the New Year, thus fulfilling her wish.

For him, such peaceful and carefree days were a rare moment of leisure.

"Your Highness," Qin Keqing's dance steps gradually ceased, and she moved lightly to the soft couch, her breath slightly short, her cheeks flushed, her voice as gentle as warm water:

"My dancing is clumsy; I hope Your Highness will forgive my poor skills."

Shui Rong reached out and gently grasped her wrist, his fingertips caressing her delicate skin, before pulling her into his arms.

He let her sit on his lap, wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, rested his chin on the top of her head, and let the fragrance of her hair linger in his nostrils.

"Qing'er's dance is superb; I never tire of watching it."

No sooner had he finished speaking than hurried footsteps sounded outside the warm pavilion. Zhao Zhong rushed in, looking flustered, clutching a series of sealed letters tightly in his hand.

Seeing the intimate scene inside the tent, he paused, his face showing unease: "Master, I...I have something important to report."

Shui Rong did not loosen his grip on Qin Keqing, but merely looked up at Zhao Zhong, his tone indifferent: "What's the matter that you're in such a panic?"

He gently tickled Qin Keqing's waist with his fingertips, causing the woman in his arms to chuckle softly and snuggle closer to him like a docile kitten.

Zhao Zhong bowed deeply, not daring to look up, and said urgently, "My lord, a secret letter has arrived. His Highness the Crown Prince was assassinated yesterday!"

"Oh?"

Shui Rong raised an eyebrow, the languidness on her face fading slightly, and slowly loosened her grip on Qin Keqing's waist.

He still held her shoulder, letting her lean on his, and reached out to take the secret letter Zhao Zhong handed him:

"How could that be? The Crown Prince holds command of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and is accompanied by agents from the Eastern and Western Depots. With such tight security, how could he be easily assassinated?"

He opened the secret letter, his eyes quickly scanning the handwriting on the paper, his brow furrowing slightly: "The assassin actually escaped?"

The paper clearly states that yesterday afternoon, the Crown Prince was assassinated while surrounded by guards. The assassin was swift and deadly, and after injuring the Crown Prince, he broke through the encirclement and disappeared without a trace.

"I have verified it; the news is absolutely true."

Zhao Zhong said in a deep voice, "Normally, the Crown Prince's bodyguards are so tight that not only would an assassin be unable to get close, but even a fly would have a hard time getting in and out. This assassination attempt is really suspicious."

Shui Rong tapped her fingertips on the armrest of the soft couch, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes:

"If I remember correctly, the Crown Prince not only has members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern and Western Depots around him, but also secret guards personally bestowed by my elder brother."

"Such layers of protection, an assassin who could wound him and escape unscathed, probably only exists in martial arts novels, right?"

As soon as the words were spoken, a dark figure appeared like a ghost in the corner of the warm pavilion, knelt on one knee, and presented a folded note with both hands.

Without waiting for Shui Rong's response, he flashed and disappeared outside the door, leaving only a slight gust of wind.

Shui Rong picked up the note, unfolded it, read it, and suddenly chuckled softly, her tone full of mockery:

"Impressive, impressive! What a prince! He actually went to Wan Jin Lou and even caused an assassination attempt."

"I finally had a few days of peace and quiet, and he just had to cause me all this trouble."

Qin Keqing, standing beside her, heard the words "Crown Prince assassinated" and "Wan Jin Lou".

Startled, she froze, quickly covered her ears, closed her eyes, her face turned pale, looking terrified.

Seeing this, Shui Rong's heart softened. She reached out and ruffled her hair, speaking gently, "Don't be afraid, it has nothing to do with you. Zhao Zhong, go and rest."

Zhao Zhong bowed in agreement, silently turned and left, and the warm pavilion returned to tranquility, with only the lingering fragrance of sandalwood incense.

Shui Rong looked down at the trembling woman in his arms, reached out and gently lifted her chin.

His fingertips caressed her delicate cheek, and he lowered his head to lightly peck the tip of her nose, teasingly saying, "Why are you so docile, like a frightened little rabbit?"

"Ouch..."

Qin Keqing's cheeks flushed from his kisses. She opened her moist almond-shaped eyes and playfully patted his chest.

"Your Highness is teasing me again. How dare I listen to these secrets of the court? Listening to them would cost me my head."

As she spoke, she playfully stuck out her tongue, but a hint of dependence lingered in her eyes.

Shui Rong chuckled softly, lowered his head to kiss her lips, lingering for a moment before slowly releasing them, his voice deep and gentle:

"In my palace, there is no need to be so restrained. With me here, no one will dare to harm you."

He reached out and gently stroked the soft satin collar of her dress, his fingertips burning with heat.

"Tomorrow is the New Year. I will have Qin Zhong take you to visit the Lin residence. He knows the way there and will take you there in a royal carriage."

"I have prepared all the gifts for you. Qin Zhong knows about them and they are already on the carriage."

Shui Rong lowered his head and kissed her lips lightly again, looking at her intently, "My Qing'er."

Qin Keqing's body went limp from his kisses. She leaned against him, her cheeks flushed like ripe apples, and her voice was barely audible: "Your Highness..."

"Hmm?" Shui Rong responded, gently combing her long hair with her fingertips, her movements extremely tender.

"Aren't you going to deal with the important matters at hand?"

Qin Keqing raised her hand and gently stroked his cheek, her fingertips feeling slightly cool to the touch.

"Besides, you've been working so hard these past few days. This kind of cozy behavior will make you feel unwell, won't it?"

As she spoke, her delicate hand moved slightly down and gently pressed against his chest, her tone full of concern.

Shui Rong took her hand, brought it to her lips and gently kissed her fingertips, her eyes filled with doting smiles:

"I am delighted that you care for me so much."

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, his voice suggestive, "I told you last time, with a figure and face like yours, I'm not a saint, how could I resist?"

Qin Keqing blushed deeply at his words, burying herself in his arms, her shoulders trembling slightly, and she chuckled secretly.

After a long pause, he finally raised his head, a hint of probing in his eyes, and asked softly:

"Your Highness, when do you plan to... remove this mark of virginity from me?"

Shui Rong's heart skipped a beat. He lowered his head and kissed her lips fiercely, urgently and passionately. He didn't release her for a long time, his breath slightly ragged as he looked at her, his voice hoarse:

"Sooner or later, I will take you in a grand and glorious way, and make you completely mine."

He gently stroked her hair, his tone solemn:

"Tomorrow is the first day of the new year. I have to go to the palace to pay my respects to my elder brother and sister-in-law, and lead the princes of the imperial clan in paying their respects. I will not be able to accompany you to the Lin residence."

"Lord Lin is a reasonable and sensible person, and he will not deliberately make things difficult for you."

"Your words are appropriate and your manners are proper, so I am at ease."

"If necessary, pretend to be weak; no one will make things difficult for a frail woman."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and gently kissed the corner of her eye, his voice full of apology: "I'm sorry to have wronged you, Qing'er."

Qin Keqing's eyes reddened slightly as she leaned against him and nodded vigorously, "This servant understands, Your Highness."

She knew in her heart that, given Shui Rong's status, he didn't need to explain things to her so gently, but he always considered her feelings. How could she not fall deeply in love with such affection?

"I understand, Your Highness, and I will certainly not fail in your trust."

"Good girl." Shui Rong sighed softly, holding her tightly, his fingertips gently stroking her back, feeling her softness and warmth.

The two embraced and kissed for a long time, the fragrance of sandalwood in the warm room growing stronger. As the morning light gradually slanted westward, the light filtering through the window turned into a warm gold, bathing them in a tranquil and cozy atmosphere.

After an unknown amount of time, Qin Keqing gradually fell asleep in his arms, her breathing even, her eyebrows and eyes relaxed, like a sleeping baby.

Shui Rong lowered his head, looking at her peaceful sleeping face, his eyes full of tenderness. He gently placed a kiss on her forehead and whispered, "Little enchantress."

He carefully lifted her up in his arms, his movements so gentle as if afraid of disturbing her sweet dreams.

He walked step by step to the canopy bed in the inner room and gently placed her on the softly quilted bed.

He covered her with the quilt, sat by the bed, and quietly watched her for a long time before turning around and tiptoeing out of the inner room to the study.

By this time, the sky was gradually darkening, and the red lanterns inside the Prince's Mansion had already been lit, their warm yellow glow reflecting on the plum blossoms in the courtyard, adding a touch of New Year's spirit.

Inside the study, the candlelight flickered. Shui Rong walked to the desk, her gaze falling on the unfolded map of the territory. The tenderness and doting she had shown earlier faded, replaced by a deep and solemn expression.

"The Crown Prince's move was indeed brilliant."

Shui Rong tapped her fingertips lightly on the map, muttering to herself:

"If we were truly assassinated, my brother would first suspect the various princes and nobles in the capital, especially myself, the Prince of Qin, and the Prince of Zhao."

Even if this was a play he orchestrated himself, once the seed of doubt is planted, it can never be washed away.

A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes: "Interesting, very interesting."

Just as he was deep in thought, a sharp sound of wind breaking suddenly came, and with a "whoosh," a short blade coated with cold poison went straight for his back!

It was incredibly fast, and carried a chilling cold!

"Ding!"