无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Li Hongyuan’s gaze followed her as she sat down across from him.

Jiang Ning also looked at him.

Apart from his overly fair complexion and his parched lips, he seemed very spirited.

Counting the time, he had not had anything to eat or drink since last night and morning.

Li Hongyuan’s voice was slightly hoarse: “How did you get in?”

“I walked in.”

“…I saw.”

“This.” Jiang Ning showed him the Phoenix Pendant, “You recognize it, don’t you?”

Li Hongyuan glanced at it: “It belongs to my mother, I can recognize it. How did it end up with you?”

“I stole it.”

Looking at his expression, Jiang Ning laughed: “You don’t believe it?”

“Believe it. Being able to steal from her is quite an achievement on your part. I remember this pendant, she never lets it out of her sight. Did you stun her to steal it?”

“She did faint, but not because of me, but because of my enticing food.”

Li Hongyuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Seems like his laughter is quite pleasant. Jiang Ning asked: “What are you laughing at?”

“I am laughing at my mother’s greed and at your cuteness.”

“Today, I brought two smelly things for your mother to eat. While she was sleeping soundly after eating and drinking, I stole the pendant hanging from her waist.”

“Actually, she let you steal it on purpose.”

“Ah, true to the bond between mother and son, despite the disharmony, they understand each other.”

“You knew all along?”

“She took the initiative to send someone to my house to invite me over. Could it really be just for a meal or to see her grandchildren?” Jiang Ning laughed, “So it seems, a mother is always a mother. But she’s quite frustrating though, caring about you but not willing to come herself, and had to beat around the bush to let me come.”

Li Hongyuan laughed: “I think you are more like her daughter.”

Concubine Jin didn’t mention a thing, and Jiang Ning didn’t ask either. One barged in and went to sleep, and the other stole. And just like that, the deed was done.

Jiang Ning said: “If I were her daughter, then our relationship would be quite chaotic.”

Li Hongyuan laughed: “If my mother didn’t invite you, would you have thought of a way to come see me?”

“I guess so.”

“Doesn’t that mean that you care about me?”

“What are you thinking?” Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, “How could I not care about you? If it weren’t for you, how would I become the Princess Consort?”

Li Hongyuan:”…”

Jiang Ning waved to the door: “Gucheng, bring the stuff in.”

Gucheng nodded his head, pushed the wheelchair in, and closed the door on his way in, obstructing the view of the imperial soldiers outside.

Jiang Ning reached under the wheelchair, pressed a mechanism, and a box sprung out from underneath.

She picked up the box, set it on the table, and smiled, “Take a look inside.”

Li Hongyuan gave her a glance, and opened the box.

Inside, pastries and dry food were neatly arranged along with two water flasks.

“The weather is hot, I didn’t dare to bring anything else as it might spoil. These things should be enough to sustain you for three days.” Jiang Ning said.

“This flask of water is enough.” Li Hongyuan picked up a water flask, tilted his head back, and gulped down a mouthful, then let out a sigh of relief. He seemed considerably more relaxed.

At this moment, his face looked somewhat pure.

Jiang Ning thought to herself, He’s just a nineteen-year-old boy after all.

After being confined in the Prison of the Court of Judicial Review for a full three months, and then made to kneel and copy scriptures here without food or water.

Yet, he remained calm and composed.

He didn’t resemble a pampered prince at all..