bayedsolid Chapter 127 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (31)
Chapter 127 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (31)
Lu Liruan lay on the bed, looking up at the shadow of the flickering "ghost fire" reflected on the wall, and suddenly felt a sense of disorientation.
I've only been away from the Marquis of He'an's residence for three days, but it feels like I've been gone for a long time.
Indeed, once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. When I was in the Marquis's mansion, every day from morning to night passed in the blink of an eye, but now it feels like an eternity.
"Why aren't you asleep?" Ji Shumin asked, turning to the side as he listened to the person beside him breathing heavily and lightly.
"Thinking about going home tomorrow..." In the darkness, they couldn't see each other's faces clearly, but Ji Shumin's voice was faint, which aroused Lu Liruan's desire to talk.
"Hmm?" Ji Shumin asked in surprise.
"You really want to go back?" he continued.
Lu Liruan didn't know what he meant by asking that question, but she still answered honestly, "Of course, of course I want to go home."
"Why?" Ji Shumin leaned forward, and Lu Liruan's hand, which was placed beside the pillow, could touch his soft, cool hair.
Ji Shumin always kept his hair neatly tied up, but Lu Liruan was surprised to find that his hair was so long, almost reaching his waist. It fell down and landed beside his face, making him look much gentler.
"Why is there a reason? I've lived at home for so long, I have parents and siblings there, of course I want to go."
The Marquis of He'an's residence was a relaxing place. Lu Liruan enjoyed being with them; it was a close, intimate, and heartfelt kinship.
"Isn't this your home?" Ji Shumin suddenly asked. "I believe that the place where you live with me after we get married is your home."
Lu Liruan was taken aback, not expecting Ji Shumin to say such a thing, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.
I wonder what His Highness the Crown Prince is suddenly struggling with. If I say something wrong and upset him, who knows what kind of trouble he might cause.
Hearing Lu Liruan's suppressed sighs, Ji Shumin placed his hand on her shoulder: "Why doesn't the Crown Princess answer me?" he insisted.
“Your Highness is right. Now that I am married to you, wherever you are is my home…” Lu Liruan explained softly, “But the Marquis of He’an’s residence is also my home. Don’t talk to me about a woman’s obedience to her husband after marriage. Does that mean that just because so many women in the world get married, the home they have lived in for more than ten years is no longer their own home? What kind of logic is that?”
“…Hmm, that makes sense.” Ji Shumin was clearly hearing someone explain this for the first time. After a moment’s thought, he gave his affirmation of understanding.
"The Marquis of He'an's mansion is your home, and the place where I am is also your home. Why are you so eager to return to the Marquis of He'an's mansion? Is there a difference between two homes?" Ji Shumin's voice was clear, clearly indicating that he was not going to fall asleep immediately, and he raised another question.
Lu Liruan almost burst out laughing. What kind of question is this?
"Is my question ridiculous?" Ji Shumin had never had the experience of making the other party laugh after he asked a question. Moreover, the Crown Princess's laughter made it seem as if she regarded him as an ignorant child!
A hint of annoyance rose in Ji Shumin's heart. His eyes, adjusted to the darkness, stared at Lu Liruan's profile, waiting for her answer.
“It’s not laughable. It’s probably because Your Highness has never changed your living environment. The palace is your home, so you don’t feel anything.” Lu Liruan coughed lightly, suppressing her smile, and gave Ji Shumin a reason.
“Not all homes are the same. A home is not just the house and yard where you live, but also the people who live in the house and yard. I live with my family day and night, taking care of each other. They care for and love me, and I care about them in return. So when I leave that home, I miss it and feel nostalgic. It’s only natural,” Lu Liruan said wistfully.
“This is also my home, but I’ve only been here for two days. I’m not even familiar with the path in front of the door or the furnishings inside. How can I simply compare it to my old home?”
"The Crown Princess isn't afraid of angering me." How could Ji Shumin not understand her subtext?
She had no feelings for this place, or perhaps she never wanted to come here in the first place...
Thinking of this, Ji Shumin's tone became cold and sharp: "It must have been difficult for the Crown Princess."
Lu Liruan thought to herself: Here it comes! This person always thinks in the most extreme direction, and always acts with a ruthless spirit of "nothing is more important than madness".
But after observing everything that happened in the palace these past two days, Lu Liruan could understand how he developed such a personality.
"Sigh... I'm telling you the truth, and you're still angry." Lu Liruan sighed.
She had to find a way to help him adapt and communicate at her own pace, otherwise communication would definitely be very difficult in the future. Lu Liruan subtly implemented her guidance.
"I'm not angry."
"It's precisely because I believed Your Highness's words that we shouldn't hide anything from each other that I told the truth. Otherwise, would I have coaxed you? I don't miss home at all; I just want to be with you every day." Lu Liruan also turned to the side, and the two faced each other in the darkness.
"Ha...you think I would believe your lies?"
“Of course I don’t believe it, but look, you can see through my lies, but you get angry when I tell the truth… You’re really hard to please.” Lu Liruan muttered under her breath.
"Hmph." Ji Shumin snorted lightly, but did not refute Lu Liruan.
See... you just subconsciously stir up trouble, you just don't want others to be comfortable! Lu Liruan shouted in her heart, but on the surface she remained calm and composed.
"I didn't intend to lie to you, nor did I want to. Trust is built little by little. If I lied to please you, would you doubt me next time I tell the truth?" Lu Liruan coaxed gently. If it were daytime and she could see clearly, Lu Liruan would still feel a little uneasy.
But now that it's dark, Lu Liruan is particularly adept at this.
Do you think I can't distinguish between truth and falsehood?
"Of course not, Your Highness, you're the smartest!" Lu Liruan said cheerfully, and she wasn't lying.
Ji Shumin has been praised by countless people for his unparalleled intelligence, but when the Crown Princess says it, it just sounds a bit... off.
Under Lu Liruan's barrage of coaxing, praise, and "we're best friends," Ji Shumin narrowed his eyes, realizing he had indeed forgotten... what had gotten him angry just now?
She is quite eloquent. Ji Shumin reached out and pinched Lu Liruan's cheek, giving it a tug.
"Ouch—it hurts!" Lu Liruan grimaced. Was it a success or a failure? Why did they resort to violence when they couldn't win an argument?
The soft kneading sensation eased Ji Shumin's mood. Ignoring Lu Liruan's struggles, he pressed her cheeks down and pinched them all over before saying in a low voice, "What the Crown Princess said makes some sense."
"so what?"
"What, so..." Lu Liruan had just escaped, rolled to the innermost part of the bed, and covered her face warily.
"So, when will the Crown Princess consider the place where we live as a familiar and warm home?" Ji Shumin finished speaking, somewhat dissatisfied with his question. How could he have asked such a pleading question?