Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Chapter 256 Stealing a Kiss

In this situation, Jiang Lige subconsciously shrank back, but Ning Yunxiao did not give her room to retreat. His slender fingers gently picked up the loose hair at her temples and pushed it behind her ears.

"Is it pretty? Not as pretty as A-Li."

At this time, the crowd had already followed the dragon dance team away, and the crowd was no longer there. Jiang Lige blushed and subconsciously took a step back.

"Young Master, Young Lady, let's buy a river lantern!"

A business-savvy stall owner came over with a river lantern and pointed at the moat not far away.

"Write a wish and put it in there, it will come true!"

The river lantern is uniquely shaped like a little rabbit holding a full moon, which is cute and exquisite.

Ning Yunxiao saw Jiang Lige staring at the river lantern intently, and immediately took out the silver.

"Thank you, we want it. No need to look for it."

When the vendor saw the silver, he couldn't stop smiling.

"How can I be so embarrassed! This... good things come in pairs. Why don't you choose one for yourself as well? It'll be my way of repaying you!"

The people were simple and honest, and Ning Yunxiao couldn't help but smile knowingly when he saw them. He reached out and pushed Jiang Lige.

"Ari, can you help me choose one too?"

Jiang Lige held the river lantern in his arms, his eyes sweeping across the stall, finally landing on a square river lantern.

There are no extra decorations on the river lanterns, only a few ink bamboos painted with a few strokes. They look more like ordinary lampshades than river lanterns.

Jiang Lige smiled and pointed at the lamp.

"This is it. It has sharp edges and corners. It looks a lot like our dignified Master Yun Xiao."

Ning Yunxiao heard some teasing words, but he didn't refute them at all. He just smiled and said "Okay".

The stall owner made some money and solved the problem of long-unsold river lanterns. With mixed feelings, he handed the river lantern to Ning Yunxiao and praised it wholeheartedly:

"You two...elegant!"

Ning Yunxiao looked a little silly holding the river lantern, which made Jiang Lige laugh. He then grabbed Ning Yunxiao's hand and ran straight to the river.

By the moat, people releasing river lanterns were crowded around the long fence, and it took the two of them a lot of effort to squeeze to the front row.

As the river lanterns sank into the water, Jiang Lige quickly closed his eyes and clasped his hands together, as if praying.

Beside my ears, there is the bustling noise of people, beside me...

He is the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

Thinking of this, Jiang Lige smiled faintly, and then prayed silently.

"May the tragedy of the destruction of a nation in the past never happen again. May we spend the rest of our lives together with our loved ones."

After Jiang Lige made her wish and opened her eyes, Ning Yunxiao was looking at her without blinking, his eyes were gentle and bright, making people unconsciously indulge in them.

She curled her lips and smiled, "What wish did Yun Xiao make?"

Ning Yunxiao also laughed, "May the world be peaceful and lovers finally get married."

Jiang Lige wrinkled his nose and joked.

"Look, His Highness's wishes are so respectable, without any selfish desires at all."

"Who said I don't have selfish desires?"

Ning Yunxiao reached out and pulled Jiang Lige out of the crowd, "I still hope that A-Li won't be angry with me."

After Ning Yunxiao said this, Jiang Lige had already guessed something, but he still asked even though he knew the answer.

"Why should I be angry with you?"

Ning Yunxiao, who was usually calm, was rarely so hesitant. He scratched his head for a long time before telling Jiang Lige everything about Bai Jingyuan that day.

After listening to the story, Jiang Lige couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and suddenly asked a question that Ning Yunxiao didn't expect.

"This... did you really see Bai Jinyuan's body?"

Ning Yunxiao denied it very quickly, "Of course not!"

Jiang Lige smiled brightly, "Then it's okay!"

Ning Yunxiao probably didn't expect to pass the test so easily. He was obviously stunned for a moment before asking uncertainly.

"You don't blame me?"

Jiang Lige asked back: "Then why should I blame you?"

Ning Yunxiao reflected carefully and deeply, "I... was careless, and that's why I fell into someone else's trap."

"Yun Xiao, to some extent, we are the same. In this life, we have both experienced brilliance that ordinary people could never achieve, but we have also been constantly exploited, schemed against, and questioned. We have lost a lot, and therefore, we cherish the few warmths we have even more. Therefore, some things don't need to be explained. I will trust you, just like... I trust myself."

Jiang Lige looked back at the swaying lights on the street, with a smile on his lips that seemed both free and easy and self-deprecating.

Ning Yunxiao looked at her, slowly curled his lips, and then moved closer without warning.

In a corner where no one was paying attention, he placed a light kiss on the side of her face.

Just a kiss, and the man quickly dodged with a triumphant smile on his face.

"I am so lucky to have such a wife."

Jiang Lige stuttered back, "Meng Lang! Who is your...what?"

Ning Yunxiao was not annoyed at all when being scolded by the girl who was always bold and reckless. He smiled like a fox stealing some fish.

"Whoever is angry is the one who is wrong."

"..."

Jiang Lige turned his head and saw that the two of them were already standing on a viewing platform specially set up for the Lantern Festival.

Jiang Lige leaned on the railing and looked down, and suddenly laughed.

"Your Highness, look at the smiles on their faces. This is the peaceful and prosperous era that generations of kings have dedicated their lives to protecting!"

Ning Yunxiao also looked over. The observation deck was on a high ground. Looking down from it, the brilliant lights stretched for miles, making the smiling faces even more captivating and spectacular.

"Yes."

Ning Yunxiao withdrew his gaze and held Jiang Lige's hand which was leaning on the railing.

"What are you worried about, Ari?"

Jiang Lige was silent for a while before he said:

"I'm worried that no matter how hard we try, some things are unavoidable."

"Why do you say that?"

Ning Yunxiao asked softly, "Nan Chu's plan has been exposed, and we have made sufficient preparations. As long as Nan Chu is not stupid, he should not take action."

"Some people are not stupid, but their ambitions are too inflated."

Jiang Lige shook his head, obviously feeling a little depressed.

"Initially, Nanchu and Sheng Ling formed an alliance not only because Poxiao was too domineering and constantly launched military attacks, so Nanchu and Sheng Ling had to stand together. It was also because Nanchu was weak and had many things against its will, so we were willing to offer our princess and annual tribute in exchange for peace. After generations of hard work, Nanchu is finally prospering today. This prosperity has, to some extent, nurtured my father's ambitions, making him mistakenly believe that he truly had the ability to resist. For many years, my father has always believed that Nanchu's entire nation's submission to Sheng Ling was a great shame. Therefore, if there is an opportunity, no matter how slim, he will not let it go."

Ning Yunxiao believed Jiang Lige's analysis, but his face remained calm. He just said.

"I've thought about this seriously, and it's not unsolvable."