After much persuasion, Princess Yuanle was finally pacified, and only then did Xu Ping’an find an opportunity to leave the Palace.
The East Warm Pavilion, strictly speaking, was part of the harem, but one-third of it was connected directly to the central part of the palace.
Therefore, coming and going was fairly convenient.
The little eunuch driving the carriage had been replaced again, and this time, the new little eunuch was quite talkative.
“Lord, where are we headed?”
“First to the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence, then to the Hall of Ten Thousand Harmonies in the southern city.”
“All right, Lord, please hold on tight. I’ll drive right away.”
The little eunuch flicked his horsewhip, and with a sharp crack, the horse responded, raising its hooves.
The carriage wheels rolled forward steadily, and the little eunuch couldn’t help but start chatting.
“Lord, I’m young and this is my first time serving you. If I make any mistakes, please be kind and correct me.”
“No need to be so polite.”
Xu Ping’an hadn’t expected the little eunuch to be so talkative and nodded with a smile.
“It’s no courtesy at all. Everyone in the harem has been talking about you — saying you’re kind-hearted and treat your subordinates well. I’m truly fortunate to have this chance to serve you today.”
This kid had a surprisingly sweet tongue.
“Oh? What else have they been saying about me?”
“Heh! You really asked! I’ll tell you~”
From then on, the little eunuch hardly stopped talking, and Xu Ping’an figured the wind he’d gotten on this trip would be enough to last him through lunch.
About half an hour later, they arrived at the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence.
The little eunuch’s mouth was almost dry from talking but he still didn’t stop.
“Enough, save some breath. Here, take this. A sip will stop your lips from cracking. Don’t drink too much or you won’t sleep tonight.”
“Ah~ Thank you, Lord!”
Xu Ping’an shook his head and silently sighed — life wasn’t easy for ordinary people these days.
This little eunuch had to butter him up relentlessly from start to finish.
Thinking for a moment, Xu Ping’an pulled a gold leaf from his sleeve and tossed it over.
“A reward. Go to the Ban Room and have some tea to soothe your throat.”
“Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!!”
The little eunuch’s face lit up at the reward, bowing repeatedly in thanks.
Xu Ping’an strode directly into the courtyard.
“Why didn’t anyone notify me?”
He glanced around. The gatekeepers greeted him all with smiles, but no one entered to inform anyone.
“Lord, the King and the Shizi have ordered that you need not be announced. You may enter directly.”
“Ah? Isn’t that a bit improper?”
Although Xu Ping’an always regarded himself as an outsider, since he was living in this world, he had to follow its rules.
“Heh heh~ You are a distinguished guest. The Shizi insisted many times that there’s no need to report your arrival. Naturally, we wouldn’t do anything improper. Someone has already informed the Shizi inside.”
“Oh~ Then that’s fine. I… shall go in?”
“Please, Lord.”
Seeing that none of the servants tried to stop him, Xu Ping’an was not afraid at all.
If they didn’t stop him… then he’d go in!
He couldn’t just stand here forever.
He strode inside. He had been here before, so naturally, he knew where the Shizi’s residence was.
Wandering a bit, but not losing his way, he finally arrived at a moon-shaped door.
Just as he was about to knock, the door was pushed open from the inside.
Immediately, a familiar figure appeared.
“Shizi! The gentleman is here!!”
Xiao Jing’er, dressed in male attire, saw Xu Ping’an and was instantly overjoyed. She turned around and shouted loudly, not forgetting to grab Xu Ping’an’s hand.
It felt like she was afraid he might run off if she let go.
“Xiao Jing’er, Xiao Jing’er, let go, let go! What are you doing!”
Xu Ping’an hurriedly scolded, and only then did Xiao Jing’er realize and release her grip.
He then looked up, and at that moment, another figure appeared at the moon door.
Li Yuer stood there, also in male clothing, but to Xu Ping’an’s eyes, she was still unmistakably a woman.
Those chaotic golden eyes could not be deceived.
Nor could the tender affection reflected in those eyes.
“The gentleman is here, please come in.”
Li Yuer’s voice trembled as she forced herself to remain composed.
Xu Ping’an nodded and stepped inside.
No sooner had he entered than the large door slammed shut behind him with a bang.
Startled, Xu Ping’an quickly turned to see Xiao Jing’er leaning against the door, grinning slyly.
That expression… was exactly like a rogue breaking into a bride’s chamber, eyes glinting with lust.
“Uh~ Xiao Jing’er, what are you doing?”
Xu Ping’an felt a chill run down his spine.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jing’er didn’t answer but walked over to Li Yuer and suddenly removed the Jade Pendant that concealed her identity.
Immediately, a fragrant breeze swept into Xu Ping’an’s arms, the twenty-year-old beauty nestled against his chest.
“Gentleman! Why haven’t you come these past few days?”
Looking down at Li Yuer resting against him, Xu Ping’an gave a bitter smile.
No!
He’d only been away for a few days, or counting all together, barely two.
Was this such a big deal, as if they hadn’t met in years?
And… why did she rush into his arms as soon as they met?
Was he some kind of swallow’s nest, and she a baby swallow?!
“Shizi, this isn’t proper!”
Li Yuer’s long hair fell loose once the Jade Pendant hiding her identity was removed.
Though still dressed as a man, the small pointed tips of her youthful bosom were no longer bound or concealed, pressed tightly against her abdominal muscles.
Xu Ping’an could clearly feel their shape through the thin layers of clothing.
There was no way around it — the clothes of this era, especially during this spring-to-summer transition, were never thick.
Even women rarely wore heavy clothes.
Li Yuer’s underclothes were likely simple, covered only by an outer jacket.
Xu Ping’an’s clothes were just as simple, two thin layers of fabric, so naturally, he felt the full outline.
“Yuer!”
“Ah?”
Xu Ping’an was startled, meeting those determined eyes.
“Yuer!”
Only now did he understand that Li Yuer wanted him to call her by name.
“All right, all right, Yuer. Um… you should let go of the gentleman first. He’s a bit unaccustomed.”
Feeling the soft warmth pressed tightly against him, Xu Ping’an’s scalp tingled.
He had barely gotten his lady to spare him once, and now was the time for him to recover his spirit.
Though the stimulation wasn’t strong, it was still stimulation!
Besides, every figure had its charms — large or small, each had its merits.
Hiss! No, no more thinking. If he thought any further, the Second Prince would raise his head!
“Yuer, please, I beg you! Let go for a moment so I can catch my breath…”
Xu Ping’an hurriedly pleaded. Li Yuer seemed to notice something; her cheeks flushed slightly, shyly unable to meet his gaze, and finally shyly released her hold on his waist.
“You two — you and Xiao Jing’er — really…”
“Gentleman almost scared me to death.”
Xiao Jing’er cheekily stuck out her tongue while Li Yuer blushed, coquettishly rolling her eyes at Xu Ping’an.
“Who told you the gentleman hadn’t come for days?”
“It’s not days. I just didn’t come yesterday.”