Without a warning, a grown-up man pounded into Jiang Yu. In order to save his dignity, he cannot allow himself to topple over the ground. Grinding his teeth, Jiang Yu endured the pain from the impact.
"Jiang Liu! Mind your manners!"
The emperor lost his manners as well in anger.
"This brother misses you too!"
Jiang Liu filtered the emperor"s words. By the time it reached to his ears, the words are filled to the brimmed of twinkling sounds.
This is an absolute self-defense mechanism against his brother"s scolding nature!
With Jiang Liu sudden appearance, Ye Ai Ning was startled. For a moment, she stared in a daze.
The moment it registered to her that it was the sixth prince, she snapped awake. Knowing it was her cousin, her tensed shoulders relaxed and she chuckled.
In an affectionate tone, she called out, "Xiao Liu---"
"Imperial n.o.ble Consort Ye," Jiang Liu interjects sharply. He stopped clinging into Jiang Yu and neated his robes. In a proper posture, he gave salutations towards Ye Ai Ning. "Benw.a.n.g didn"t notice you and was not able to greet properly. Please excuse my manners just now."
Ye Ai Ning was taken aback.
Granted that she did have her reservations when in public. To retain her clean image, she dare not gamble the chance to be caught being intimate with the emperor and goes as far as avoiding his touch if they"re far from her inner chamber.
But then, Jiang Liu addressing her like a complete stranger when it"s just the three of them was too much!
"No need to be so courteous, your highness," Ye Ai Ning replied with much annoyance.
This younger cousin of hers didn"t like playing with her since they were young. She put up with it since he appears to not like Jiang Yu"s other consorts as well.
"The emperor was occupied with his consort. This prince lacks consideration and interrupted."
His words expressed goodwill but his body language says otherwise. Jiang Liu ignored Ye Ai Ning and acted bothered with her presence.
He opened his folding fan to hide his face and his eyes were looking everywhere except straight to Ye Ai Ning.
Although the palace policies were not strict on matters regarding the distance between a man and a woman, Jiang Liu was right not to meet eye to eye with the emperor"s consort. Only that, isn"t the consort"s the one who supposed to hide her face?!
Who was actually acting like Jiang Yu"s consort?
Ye Ai Ning was seething with anger but was able to maintain a smile.
To break the brewing awkwardness, Jiang Yu spoke first. "You may return first, Lady Ye."
"That..." Ye Ai Ning appeared reluctant to part.
"In a while, Zhen will accompany you," Jiang Yu promised.
"Then, this consort shall wait for his majesty." Ye Ai Ning did not act complicated and appeared to understood things in a few sentences. "Please enjoy your time together, Ning"er will go first."
Once the consort turned her back towards them, Jiang Liu"s eyes sharpened. The expression deep within them was the same one Wei Yi Yi had each time she saw Jiang Chen alone and ready to drag him for some mischief with their servants.
Different scenarios flashed within them in a blink as they stare at the target of their fun. As Ye Ai Ning become the soon to be victim of the trouble he was cooking in his head, suddenly, she was easier to look at for Jiang Liu.
Just like that, the two lovers were separated once again. Wei Yi Yi took a lot of effort and saliva to keep them together, yet, they left each other in a few sentences!
A reunion of two lovers after prolonged separation! How romantic is that! They had missed each other to the point of insanity and would like to be as close as they could be! After this, their love for each other will strengthen until they got obsessed!
That"s how the script should be. Yet an antagonist came and broken them apart!
If Wei Yi Yi knew that the absolute plan she directed was shattered by Jiang Liu in nothing but moments, she"ll faint on the spot that the imperial doctor will come running to rescue. Of course, she"ll bash Jiang Liu on the head first before fainting in anger.
"Someone go and check the Empress. If she"s still not feeling well, bring her medicine and delay the departure."
Ye Ai Ning was not far off yet. Those were the last words she heard from Jiang Yu.
Once she disappeared within sight, Jiang Yu berated Jiang Liu. "Did you have to make it awkward with your older cousin?"
"Royal brother, let me a.s.sure you, it is far less awkward than anything that I might say," Jiang Liu declared with confidence.
"Heed this warning Liu w.a.n.g, behave yourself."
"Don"t accuse the innocent emperor! This brother is behaving his self but the bird needs to quack somewhere else. As sister-in-law would say, stir away from trouble and clean up after the mess. This time, I stepped it up a bit and shoo away the evil spirit before trouble arise!"
"Don"t drag the empress into muddle waters! Unlike you, she has good relations.h.i.+ps with other consorts. Must you really act like this towards them every time?"
Jiang Liu raised a hand and lay it flatly to his chest. In a heartfelt tone and a serious face, he said, "It brings me spiritual healing."