Just thinking of her brought a gentle expression to his face.
[Main Text: Chapter Sixteen – Prince’s Mansion]
After two days of rest, they set out towards the capital on a cool morning.
This time, Long Junhao did not ride a horse but shared a carriage with Lan Lan, sitting intimately close. She leaned against him, finding comfort in his warmth, which reminded her of her mother.
As a child, Lan Lan’s mother loved to hold her, but as she grew busy working to support the family, those moments became rare. Now, as she reflected on her mother’s struggles, she wondered how they were faring.
“Who bullied you?” Long Junhao asked, concerned by the sorrowful expression on her face.
“Hao, if I were to leave you one day, would you miss me?” she suddenly asked, clinging to him tightly. The thought of returning home without him filled her with heartache.
“Even if the sky falls, I won’t let you leave!” he replied resolutely.
His words conveyed his deep affection, but she felt the weight of her previous statement.
“Don’t make such jokes in the future! Understand?” Hearing her worry felt like a pain in his heart.
He couldn’t imagine life without her.
“Mm!” she softly responded, holding him close. Even if she returned, having loved deeply, she would have no regrets.
Drifting in and out of sleep, she felt herself being lifted.
Opening her eyes, she saw the entrance guarded by Long Yun, filled with men and women before a large house resembling a Beijing courtyard, its gate reading “Rui Qin Prince’s Mansion” – their destination.
Two lifelike lion statues stood at the entrance, warning others not to cause trouble. The gate was painted deep red with bronze rings, looking solemn.
“Put me down!” Lan Lan blushed at the sight of so many people.
Those who had been hesitant to greet Long Junhao now called out, “Welcome back, Your Highness!” while glancing at her.
Long Junhao usually didn’t allow such a reception; today’s was clearly orchestrated by Long Yun, as everyone wanted to see the woman who had kept the Prince occupied for a day and night.
“Hello everyone!” Lan Lan smiled. She needed to get along with them, and her sweet smile won them over.
“Stop drooling, she’s already gone inside!”
“Wow! The Princess is so beautiful!”
Being called “Princess” made her look nervously at Long Junhao.
However, he seemed not to have heard, maintaining his calm expression. She sighed in relief.
He held her hand and walked inside. He didn’t mind others calling her that, knowing it was inevitable. The title of Princess required royal approval, so he pretended not to hear. With the Phoenix Token in her possession, he wasn’t worried about their non-acceptance.
Entering the mansion, they were greeted by a man-made lake surrounded by willow trees and delicate rockeries. A long corridor to the right was draped with wisteria.
Two octagonal pavilions sat on the lake, creating a poetic scene. The flower beds were filled with various unidentifiable flowers.
“How beautiful!” she exclaimed, feeling as if she had seen this in a dream, reminiscent of Suzhou garden landscapes she had only seen in paintings. Living in such a house was once her dream, now made real by him.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“I love it! Thank you!” She hugged him and gave him a loud, forceful kiss.
“Welcome home!” Seeing her joyful appearance, he felt happy in his heart.
“Call everyone to the hall,” Long Junhao said to Long Feng.
Passing through the corridor, they reached the hall. The decor was simple, with only a few chairs, tables, and some calligraphy paintings. Long Junhao pulled her to sit in the central upper seat.
”Master, everyone is here,” Long Feng reported after a while.
I roughly counted, about thirty people.
”This is Miss Lan. From now on, whatever she says represents what I say. No one is to disobey, understood?” Hearing him say this, she was deeply moved.
”Understood!”
”Feng, Yun, Lei, Dian, and Lin Bo, stay. The rest can leave!”
”From now on, take good care of Miss Lan. Anyone who commits an offense, whether inside or outside, will be severely punished! Do not fail, or you’ll lose your heads!”
”Yes.” No further words, but a promise was made. In the days that followed, they indeed protected her well.
Lin Bo looked honest and sturdy, with a tall frame, resembling a farmer at first glance.
He was from the previous generation of the Dark Hall, at the intermediate fifth level of the Tianlong Battle Technique. During the changing of the guard in the Dark Hall, Long Junhao transferred him to his side and made him the steward of the royal mansion. With his clear-headed and fair approach, he indeed managed the mansion well and won people’s hearts. [Text: Chapter Seventeen – Crown Prince]
In the sunset’s afterglow, inside the octagonal pavilion, a beautiful woman in white leaned against the railing, her lovely face filled with sorrow. No one knew what she was thinking, not even herself. Situated in a dreamlike garden, she wondered why a hint of melancholy floated in her heart, so unlike herself.
That feeling of helplessness was intense, and a deep, plaintive song with a gentle melody escaped her lips.
I am a fox who loved for a thousand years A thousand years of love, a thousand years of loneliness In the long night, do you know for whom I mend my red makeup? In the mortal world, do you know for whom I comb my beautiful hair? I am a fox who has waited for a thousand years A thousand years of waiting, a thousand years of helplessness When love runs deep, watch me dance for you with my beauty When love hurts, listen to me pour out my feelings in song We swore eternal love while studying by the cold window But golden halls and wedding candles became distant paths. Can you let me cry for love? I am still the white fox who loved you a thousand years ago. How many springs have come and gone, day after day? In every life, I am always your fox. Can you let me cry for love? I am still the unchanged white fox through countless lives. How many springs have come and gone, day after day? In future lives, I will still be your fox.
She had always loved this song’s touching and persistent love, hoping to find someone to depend on, someone for whom she could dance. Now that Hao was by her side, she feared that the song’s longing of waiting a thousand years might ultimately befall her.
Continuously singing this song she loved most in modern times, her face bore a heart-breaking beauty.
The song’s deep emotions could touch anyone, causing passersby to stop.
Hearing applause, she turned her head, displeased at the interruption.
Standing beside Hao was an exceedingly handsome man with phoenix eyes, a high nose, and thin lips carrying a playful smile. Many women would likely be enamored by him—charming yet dangerous, capable of breaking hearts. This was her first impression.
Long Junhao watched her quietly, feeling a sharp sensation in his heart. Her performance made him feel like he might drift away. The deep emotions in her song brought him an inexplicable heartache, and he disliked this feeling of losing control.
He had thought that under his protection, she would be happy and without sorrow. Now, he witnessed another side of her with another man, and it stirred feelings of possessiveness within him. He wanted to treasure her close.
Domineeringly, he walked to her and gently embraced her.
“Lan’er, this is the famous Crown Prince of the Tianlong Empire, my elder brother Long Junxie. Come and pay your respects!”
She bowed gracefully. “Lan Lan pays respects to the Crown Prince!”
“No need to be formal!”
