"No Wedding Unless Enemies and Lovers" 《不是冤家不拜堂》Chapter 87

 There was a lake outside the city's west gate, it looked like a crescent from a distance, thus it was called moongazing lake, it became a place for many literary gatherings and conversations.

The carriage slowly took off, Ji Ling Xue leaned against the side of the carriage looking at Xiao Yi Chen sitting opposite her with eyes closed, she raised her foot to kick the other person's boot, Ji Ling Xue asked, "Ai, why did you suddenly want to take me to a literary gathering?"

She had no interest in poetry, she would be so bored and sleepy.

Xiao Yi Chen opened his eyes looking down at the tip of his shoe, making sure there was no dirt, that's when he said: "Isn't it good to take you out so you're not bored? If it was someone else they would be begging for this."

"I'm so fortunate." Ji Ling Xue curled her lips, she had married Xiao Yi Chen for so long, this was the first time he took her out, and really ought to feel honoured.

Xiao Yi Chen's train of thoughts returned to last night at the empress dowager's side palace hall, midnight, lying on the large bed he opened his eyes, counting Ji Ling Xue's breathes.

Making sure she was already asleep, he stood up walking to the short couch he stooped over, he really did discover there was something hidden at Ji Ling Xue's chest, as the paper was rather stiff, a corner of it stuck out from her chest, it was very easy for Xiao Yi Chen to take out. 

Under the dim candle light, Xiao Yi Chen appreciated the flamboyantly written four words: "Qingfengyashe".

Xiao Yi Chen suspected Ji Ling Xue had entered the palace this time to obtain Xiao Yi Mo's calligraphy, her husband's calligraphy wasn't bad, why didn't she ask him? He thought about it for a night, but couldn't understand Ji Ling Xue's thoughts, only did he recall there was a poetry gathering the next day, he could take Ji Ling Xue out to experience it.

The carriage stopped, they had already arrived, Xiao Yi Chen took the lead and got out turning around he reached out ready to help Ji Ling Xue down.

"Prince Chen you came so late, this young woman had waited so long!" A rather bitter voice came from close by.

Ji Ling Xue lifted the carriage curtain, looking outside, she saw a woman in blue standing under a tree by the lake, a cool breeze made her black hair flutter, the gold ornament dangling in her hair glistened under the sunshine.

Ji Ling Xue turned to look at Xiao Yi Chen, putting on a fake smile she said: "Prince has a lot of close female friends?"

Xiao Yi Chen took hold of Ji Ling Xue's waist and carried her down from the carriage, placing his lips at her ear he said: "Yi Yun isn't this prince's close friend, she is one of the three talented women in the capital, she's about to enter the palace."

Ji Ling Xue gave an oh, "One of the three talented women, who else is there?"

Xiao Yi Chen said: "Prime minister's daughter Chu Xin, and your younger sister Ji Yu Qing."

JI Ling Xue tilted her head laughing, "So younger sister's reputation as a talented woman is well-known in the capital, ai, such a shame prince didn't bring younger sister to the poetry gathering."

Xiao Yi Chen said: "Didn't she say she felt unwell this morning, she went back to her room to rest?"

While the two of them were chatting Yi Yun had already walked over smiling: "Prince, this young lady is..."

Xiao Yi Chen held Ji Ling Xue's hand saying: "This prince's wife."

Yi Yun looked very entertaining with her mouth wide open, maybe because Ji Ling Xue was grandly dressed today, she could not connect her to the rumoured foolish princess.

A decorated pleasure boat was docked at the side of the lake, a man in white leaned against a boat pole looking at Xiao Yi Chen from a distance, even though they were quite far away, Mo Bai could hear Xiao Yi Chen's words.

Mo Bai couldn't help utter: "Xiao Yi Chen is depraved, he actually brought his foolish princess out?"

Ji Ling Xue smiled at Yi Yun, secretly pulling her hand away.

Yi Yun gave a half bow: "So it's the princess, nice to meet you, no wonder prince doesn't bring princess out, it turns out he's built a magnificent house  for a beloved woman."

Ji Ling Xue raised her head to look at the clouds in the sky, ignoring Yi Yun's greeting, this beautiful woman who was about to enter the palace, looked at Xiao Yi Chen with eyes filled with adoration, enmity when she looked at her.

Yi Yun glanced at the carriage asking: "Prince didn't bring Qing Er along, I wanted to compare our skills in chess today."

Xiao Yi Chen said: "Qing Er isn't feeling too well, so she didn't come, let's go, we'll talk again once we're on the boat."

The three of them walked side by side to the pleasure boat, in the pavilion close by, a woman with a white cloak over her stood facing the wind, taking in the entire moon gazing lake.

The cloak flapped in the wind, revealing the drop of tear which followed her sharp chin, the wind blew the brim of her wide hood to reveal a pair of red eyes, the hatred in her eyes wouldn't disappear.

A cold faint voice came from behind her: "You understand now, he doesn't have you in his heart, why don't you work with me, I can help you get that man's heart."