Chapter 182: Chapter 124: Encountering the Last Person I Wanted to See

Soon, the carriage steadily arrived at Moon Lake.

Jun Moling carefully carried Shen Ruoxi down from the carriage.

The scenery here was breathtaking, meticulously maintained by professionals.

The roads were broad and smooth, with the grass and shrubs on both sides neatly trimmed, resembling art pieces carved by skilled craftsmen.

A short distance away, several pavilions were available for people to sit and leisurely enjoy tea and rest.

The people from Prince Zhan’s Mansion had already prepared in advance.

Soft velvet blankets were laid on the stone benches, and the tables were covered with exquisite tablecloths, neatly arranged with fresh fruits and fragrant tea.

The air by the lake was fresh and pleasant; it was early morning, with a thin mist like a veil over the lake, adding a touch of mystery and dreaminess to the scene.

By the lakeside, the weeping willows gently swayed in the breeze, their tender green branches like the lively brush of nature, vigorously painting the vitality of life.

The gentle breeze stirred ripples on the lake, its shimmering light dreamy and captivating.

“Master, you and Marquis Shen can rest at the pavilion first. I will have the boatman row the boat over,” Mi Yi said respectfully.

Jun Moling nodded slightly, his voice cool, “Go ahead!”

He then gently took Shen Ruoxi’s hand, leading her slowly toward the pavilion.

Xueyan hurriedly followed, and upon reaching the pavilion, she carefully poured tea for Jun Moling first, her hands trembling slightly as she placed the cup beside him, her voice quivering, “Prince Zhan, please have some tea.”

Jun Moling lightly tapped the table with his slender fingers in response.

Xueyan then poured tea for Shen Ruoxi, “Miss, please have some tea.”

Shen Ruoxi nodded and casually asked, “Where are the two of them?”

Recalling the two maidservants made Xueyan a bit indignant. As soon as they reached Moon Lake, they eagerly ran off to admire the various types of lotus flowers, leaving her alone to serve the Miss and Prince Zhan.

In fact, she understood that Chuntao and Xia Lian deliberately created an opportunity for her to accompany the Miss for a good time.

However, with Prince Zhan sitting next to her, his powerful presence was intimidating, making her feel immense pressure, fearing she might say or do something wrong.

“They went to look at the lotus flowers,” Xueyan replied with a hint of grievance, the tense atmosphere making her slightly at a loss.

Shen Ruoxi casually picked a few crystal-clear grapes, first handing them to Jun Moling. Seeing him take them, she then gave some to Xueyan, her face adorned with a gentle smile, “Have some.”

Xueyan instinctively took them. In the Shen household, the Miss had always been generous, treating the servants kindly, always sharing her possessions with them.

But upon receiving the grapes, she suddenly realized the presence of Prince Zhan nearby, breaking into a cold sweat, and quickly said, “Miss, I dare not.”

Jun Moling, expression calm, said in a soft voice, “Behave as you would in the Shen Mansion, no need to feel constrained.”

Despite his words, her heart was truly filled with tension, almost to the point of tears.

“Xueyan, you may leave. I’ll call you if needed,” Shen Ruoxi softly said, noticing Xueyan’s unease.

Upon hearing this, Xueyan felt relieved and quickly replied, “Yes.”

She, holding a bunch of grapes, slowly retreated, accidentally running into Mi Yi.

In an instant, her heart skipped a beat, feeling that anyone around the Prince exuded an intimidating aura, her face turning pale as she quickly bowed slightly.

Mi Yi nodded at her and turned to leave.

“Am I that frightening?” Mi Yi watched her hurried departure, touching his nose and murmuring to himself.

He hadn’t expected to scare her like that; the future Princess Consort’s maid was rather timid, though quite attractive.

Mi Yi dared not think further, quickly going to report that the boat was ready for the host and future hostess.

Jun Moling continuously held Shen Ruoxi’s hand as they approached the lakeside, where a respectful boatman explained how to row the boat.

Shen Ruoxi was a skilled rower, and Jun Moling listened attentively but suddenly heard noisy voices behind them, seemingly a heated dispute.

Jun Moling frowned, saying sternly, “Mi Yi, what’s the matter?”

Just as Mi Yi was about to check, the Moon Lake’s steward rushed over, greeting Jun Moling, “My lord, another couple has come to tour the lake.

I informed them that you have reserved Moon Lake, but the lady in the couple is quite insistent.

They appear to have considerable status; what do you propose we do?”

When Jun Moling reserved Moon Lake, he did not reveal his identity, but it was obvious he was no ordinary person.

However, this couple also seemed not to be trifled with, exuding an air of wealth and nobility; thus, no one dared to offend either party.

“The lake is vast; let them in, it doesn’t matter to us,” Shen Ruoxi said nonchalantly.

Jun Moling didn’t wish to be disturbed by too many people, but since Shen Ruoxi said so, he could only nod in agreement, “Alright, let them in then!”

Upon entry, the lady of the couple seemed adamant, “This Moon Lake is meant for everyone’s enjoyment; how dare someone reserve it? I must see who has such audacity!”

Shen Ruoxi turned at the sound and saw the man’s face full of annoyance, seemingly impatient, yet he did not act out.

At that moment, the man seemed to notice something, raising his gaze slowly.

When his eyes met Shen Ruoxi’s, Xiao Chengyi felt a sudden urge to flee.

Yet his feet seemed nailed to the ground, rendering him somewhat dazed and foolish.

He Hongying invited him to tour the lake, but he was utterly unwilling.

The marriage arranged by the Emperor made him extremely resistant.

But His Majesty had spoken, General Lu was a pillar of the nation, sacrificing for the country, his widow must be well cared for.

Moreover, He Hongying was of noble birth, her father being the Minister of War, and this union was not considered a disgrace.

Yet the main issue was that his heart was still filled with Shen Ruoxi, and having just been taunted by Ning Zhen, he wasn’t in the mindset to marry so soon.

But defying an imperial edict was impossible; he could only bear it silently.

Upon arriving at Moon Lake, they were stopped by the steward, informed that a lord had reserved Moon Lake today.

Since it was reserved, Xiao Chengyi initially decided to take He Hongying back and visit another day.

Unexpectedly, He Hongying became furious upon hearing this, her fierce demeanor leaving the steward at a loss, forcing him to request directions from the one who reserved the lake.

Xiao Chengyi felt speechless, thinking to himself, if someone reserved the lake today, what’s the harm in returning tomorrow?

It’s unlikely that someone would reserve the lake every day. Yet He Hongying was relentless, causing him a headache.

Unexpectedly, the person who reserved Moon Lake was magnanimous, permitting their entry without obstruction.

Xiao Chengyi felt a bit embarrassed, as they had been granted such grace.

But He Hongying’s mindset was always different; instead of gratitude, she brazenly criticized the person who reserved the lake, seemingly ready to quarrel at any moment.

Xiao Chengyi felt numb, utterly uninterested in addressing it.

However, he hadn’t expected the one who reserved the lake would be Jun Moling, and he was truly stunned. His gaze fell on the intertwined hands, his heart suddenly aching with bitterness.

Meanwhile, He Hongying was still unaware of the situation, continuing her arrogant demeanor, shouting at Jun Moling, “So, you’re the ones who reserved Moon Lake?”

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