Xiahou Qing was serious. He said that if she didn't finish copying, she wouldn't be allowed to step out of the door. Fortunately, there was still a plate of desserts left in Chunxing Pavilion, enough for her to fill her stomach.
However, the amount was too large. Even if she copied for three days, she might not be able to finish copying. Ning Shu stared blankly at the sunset outside the window. The sky was intoxicated, and the Milky Way was filled with stars. Outside the pavilion, the clear croaking of frogs could be heard. She copied until late into the night. Lying on the table, she fell asleep.
Jiu Si supported Xiahou Qing as they stood outside the window. In a low voice, he said, "Heir Apparent, you trapped Miss Ning here to copy. Is it because you don't want her to be involved in this matter?"
In the night wind, half of Xiahou Qing's black hair was tied up. The other half, along with his black robes, fluttered in the wind. His voice was like the fluttering of his robes, so light that not a trace of it could be found. "Right now, she should still be in prison, reflecting on her mistakes. She shouldn't be outside. If she gets too involved in this matter, once her identity is exposed, her punishment won't be as simple as twenty beatings a day. It's very likely that she won't even be able to keep her life."
Separated by a window, Xiahou Qing stood quietly without saying anything. He only maintained a slightly sideways posture. It was as if he was listening to the clear summer night wind blowing for ten thousand li. It was as if he was listening to the witty croaking of the frogs at his feet. It was also as if he was listening to her shallow and even breathing.
After a moment, he said, "Fang mama, I'll have to trouble you to find that thing on her body."
Fang mama received the order and walked in as lightly as the wind. Feeling around Ning Shu's body, she found something and walked out. "Your Highness, is it this wooden box?"
This morning, she had been running back and forth in a hurry. Sure enough, she had hidden this thing on her body. Xiahou Qing said, "Take out the thing inside and burn it."
Jiusi was startled. "Your Highness, this is the only clue we have. If we burn it, even if Princess Changping really does discover something, it will be very difficult for us to gain her trust."
Under the starlight, Xiahou Qing's pale face didn't show the slightest bit of hesitation. "As long as this note exists, she'll still think of ways to get close to Princess Changping. At the same time, she'll expose herself to countless pairs of eyes and be drawn into a dangerous vortex. It's better to completely cut off her thoughts. As for Changping, I'll think of something else. "
Xiahou Qing ordered again, "Burn it."
Jiusi had no choice but to obey.
He opened the fire and blew on it gently. The flame immediately devoured the note that contained the secret of the Plum Blossom Kiss, leaving only a bit of dust that was blown away by the wind.
Hearing Xiahou Qing's suppressed cough, Jiusi said, "Your Highness, the things have been burned. This subordinate will help you back to rest."
Xiahou Qing waved his hand to indicate that there was no harm. Then, he thought of something and asked Fang Mama, "Is she wearing something?"
"No, Miss Ning fell asleep in the middle of copying. She didn't wear anything."
"I remember that there's a velvet blanket on the soft couch in the inner room. Go get it for me." Xiahou Qing indicated for Jiusi to help him into the pavilion. He walked to the sleeping Ning Shu's side, took the blanket, and bent down to drape it over her.
Ning Shu was still in a deep sleep. She murmured a few words, then turned her face to the side and fell back into a deep sleep.
"Let's go." Xiahou Qing stood by her side for a while, quietly tracing her figure in the pitch black darkness. Then, he turned and left.
When their footsteps disappeared into the distance, Ning Shu, who had been sleeping all this time, slowly opened her clear eyes. She looked at the flickering lights on the table and silently pulled the blanket tightly around her body, completely wrapping it around her. After a moment, she closed her eyes again.
The next morning.
"Where is she?" Xiahou Qing's face was as cold as ice.
The guard Hu Zhou knelt on one knee, his face pale, "Reporting to Your Highness, subordinate, subordinate sent her out of the residence."
"Didn't you hear what this prince ordered yesterday?"
Hu Zhou's other knee also knelt on the ground, "But Imperial Bodyguard Ning had Your Highness' official seal. She said that she had received Your Highness' official seal and had urgently left the residence to do something for Your Highness. This subordinate was also hesitant, but Imperial Bodyguard Ning also said that Your Highness kept the official seal close to your body. If it wasn't given by Your Highness, how could she have the ability to steal it? She also said that the matter was urgent and couldn't be delayed. Otherwise, no one would be able to bear the consequences. While this subordinate was hesitating, she had already run out … This subordinate is slow-witted. Your Highness, please punish this subordinate! "
Xiahou Qing frowned. He reached out and touched the official seal on his waist. Sure enough, it wasn't there. He thought back and realized that she must have stolen it when he was covering her with the blanket last night. She hadn't fallen asleep at that time and had pretended to fool his ears.
This woman!
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