Zhao Ming was stunned when Ji Cheng held her hand tightly as they walked towards the lotus pavilion.

  She was in daze all the time while staring at him from the back. She has never thought in her wild dreams that Ji Cheng would act this way.

  It was quite surprising and satisfying at the same time. The expressions on Wen Xu and Xiao Li's face were memorable.

  She cannot forget the shocked expression on Xiao Li's face when Ji Cheng asked her to not sit on Empress's seat from next time.

  Moreover, Ji Cheng has also held onto their budget for the next three months which means they will not be given any monetary help for the next three months.

  Though she has no idea what Red Letter means, however, at least, they were deprived of their budget for the next three months.

  She was curious to see their reaction when they will get to know their punishments.

  A sly smile appeared on Zhao Ming's lips as she continued to follow Ji Cheng.

  Even though she had to walk quite a distance from orchid pavilion to Lotus pavilion, she was not tired. Because today's trip was worth it.

  ….

  Ji Cheng left her hand when they entered her chamber. He looked at her and asked questioningly, " Why did you go there alone when I asked you to wait for me?"

  Zhao Ming blinked her eyes as she had no idea what he was saying.

  " When did you say something like this?"

  " Didn't Feng Ju tell you about this?" he frowned when he heard her words.

  Zhao Ming frowned as she shook her head. " He never told me anything."

  Ji Cheng's expressions turned grim as he looked towards the door. He would have asked Feng Ju about it but he has sent him to prepare the official red letters……

  When he went to his chamber to get ready after they reached the palace, he had asked Feng Ju to inform Zhao Ming to not go to the orchid pavilion without him.

  That's why he left slightly early because he went to Lotus pavilion first to look for her. But when he found out that she has already left for the orchid pavilion, he hurriedly went over

  He was hoping for her to go somewhere else rather than an orchid pavilion because he knew that nothing good would come out if she went there alone.

  And his hunch was right. His mother and Xiao Li? forced her to give up on her position and powers.

  He doesn't know what more would have happened if he hadn't went over there.

  " Were you planning to give up your powers if I wouldn't have come early?" Ji Cheng asked with his deep voice.

  He wanted to know her thoughts and what she would have done if he hadn't come early.

  Zhao Ming was caught off guard when she heard his voice. His tone was deep and helpless.

  It felt strange watching him asking this question with all seriousness.

  " Why should I give my powers to them? I am not stupid." she said casually as she made her way to the bed and sat down.

  She didn't realize but her tone has become casual and comfortable.

  A smile appeared on his lips as she saw her talking informally to him. He felt pleased when she talked to him informally.

  " Really? Then why were you standing in the middle so vulnerably? Ji Cheng sat beside her as he turned to look at her.

  When Ji Cheng reached there and saw her standing in the middle looking vulnerable, he felt a pang in his heart.

  She looked pitiful standing there like this.

  Zhao Ming frowned when she heard him calling her, ' vulnerable'.

  In what way she was looking vulnerable? If he wouldn't have come early, then she would have given Xiao Li and Wen Xu a lesson.

  They wouldn't have dared to bother her anymore.

  It was his fault for coming early and ruining her plan.

  " I was not standing there helplessly. I was standing there with my head held high and was confident enough to face them myself." she boasted with her chest puffed out with a confident smile on her face

  Ji Cheng raised his brows as he smiled interestingly. He was glad that Zhao Ming was not behaving weakly.

  Zhao Ming also smiled seeing Ji Cheng's expressions and asked, " Are you planning to sleep here?"

  Ji Cheng was surprised by her question. It was the first time that she had asked him a question like this.

  Generally, she always forces him to go back to his chamber.

  " You want me to stay here for a night? " Ji Cheng asked as he leaned closer to her. He was grinning playfully as he closened the distance between them.

  Zhao Ming was surprised when he suddenly came closer to her. She has asked him this question because she felt more comfortable than before.

  And since she has slept many times with him on the same bed, so she didn't feel that it was such a big deal.

  However, she didn't realize it herself but things have changed so much since they kissed.

  She didn't see this change but Ji Cheng noticed it very well.

  Zhao Ming was surprised when he suddenly leaned closer to her but she didn't back away. She looked at him as she pursed her lips.

  Her cheeks started flushing but she didn't move away and stayed rooted on the same spot.

  Ji Cheng's lips curled up seeing her not stepping back.

  He leaned closer, closing the remaining distance between them. His gaze was fixed on her rose tinted lips which were smooth as rose petals.

  Zhao Ming's body shuddered when she felt his warm breath on her face. Her heart was thumping crazily as he was coming close to her.

  She clenched her dress with her hands tightly in nervousness. She was nervous however, she didn't want to back away.

  Because she also liked this foreign feeling which she felt when they first kissed. She couldn't bother with anything and just enjoy this moment.

  She shut her eyes tightly as she felt Ji Cheng's lips brushing by the corner of her lip. Her body trembled on this slight touch.

  " Your highness."

  Just as Ji Cheng was about to kiss her lips, Feng Ju, who had returned, called out to him from outside as he knocked on the door.

  Zhao Ming, who had already closed her eyes was startled upon hearing Feng Ju's voice and hurriedly pushed Ji Cheng away with her hands.

  She nervously stood up and ran towards the vanity table. She looked at the door and realized that it was still closed.

  She felt her chest tightened as she remembered that the door was shut and he couldn't come in? before Ji Cheng allowed them.

  But since her eyes were closed, she got nervous thinking that he had come in, so she hurriedly stood up.

  'What have you done Xie Ming?' she sighed inwardly as she felt so embarrassed.

  Ji Cheng laughed lightly when he realized what just happened. She has pushed him just because she thought that Feng Ju has entered the room.

  He sighed lightly as he straightened his clothes trying to hide his awkward expressions.

  " Come in."

  ##

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