Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

Chapter 889: Chapter 889: Please Stay, Dad_1

Li Hongyuan looked at Jiang Ning sideways with a half-smile, half-sneer, asking, “The way you’re taking interest in and helping me, is it because you care about me, or is it something else?”

“We all know why, don’t we?”

“I want to hear it from you.”

“Well, it’s because I love you.”

“Jiang Ning, there is not a word of truth in what you say.” Li Hongyuan pushed her away and stood up, straightening his robes, “Since you are the princess consort and are concerned about the overall situation of the East Palace, you want me to go to other concubines. I can’t always refuse, as I must give some face to you, the princess consort.”

Jiang Ning looked up at him, her smile radiant, “Is Crown Prince intending to go to Concubine Li’s quarters, or to Jin Liangyuan’s instead?”

“I am not interested in the gift sent by the Silla Kingdom.”

“So, it’s going to be Concubine Li then?”

“After all, Concubine Li and I have a long history. It’s been a while since I last visited her, to chat. I am off now.”

He took off just then.

At the front gate, he ran into Lingzi and Wenzan who came to greet him. Lingzi curiously asked, “It’s already dark outside, where is Daddy heading to?”

“Somewhere else.”

“Isn’t Daddy going to spend the night here with Mommy?”

“Not tonight.”

“Why not?” Lingzi, though young, always felt happy and at ease seeing Daddy and Mommy together in harmony.

She also knew that Concubine Li, residing in Plum Blossom Cottage, and Jin Liangyuan of the Yellow Flower Courtyard, they were Daddy’s women too. Daddy could spend the night with them as well.

Despite Concubine Li and Jin Liangyuan both being nice to her, she was a bit reluctant to have Daddy get close to them.

She felt that Daddy should be with Mommy.

Lingzi, the favored one, never hesitated expressing her thoughts out loud. Wenzan, however, was more cautious. He immediately nudged his sister’s arm, whispering, “We shouldn’t meddle in Daddy’s affairs.”

“I want to ask.” Lingzi pouted, then stretched her arms, “Daddy, hold me.”

Who could resist such an appeal from a precious little child?

Li Hongyuan bent down and lifted her up, laughing, “Your Mommy doesn’t want Daddy to stay in the Crystal Clear Manor, so Daddy has to go.”

Lingzi leaned in close to his ear, whispering, “Didn’t Daddy upset Mommy? Mommy is not happy so she doesn’t want Daddy to sleep here?”

“Perhaps.”

“Then Lingzi will help Daddy to please Mommy. Mommy likes Lingzi most. These days, Mommy says yes to everything Lingzi asks for.”

Li Hongyuan chuckled.

My dear little one, it seems you haven’t figured out the whole situation.

The reason why your mother indulges you so much these days is to compensate for the fright she gave you earlier.

But Lingzi didn’t comprehend this. She slipped out of Daddy’s arms, ran to Mommy, and cajoled, “Mommy, don’t be mad at Daddy anymore. I want Daddy to stay.”

Jiang Ning lifted her onto her lap, kissed her cheek, and smilingly said, “Your Daddy’s the one who doesn’t want to stay, it’s not Mommy’s fault. If you don’t believe it, you can ask Daddy.”

Lingzi immediately turned her wide gaze to Li Hongyuan, “Daddy, Mommy said she’s not to blame. So, you can stay.”

“…”

Li Hongyuan glanced at Jiang Ning.

The latter smiled back at him.

Li Hongyuan had no choice but to stay, entertaining the two children, until Lingzi went to sleep, before he could withdraw.

Jiang Ning slyly asked, “Your Highness, are you still going to visit Concubine Li?”

“Of course, I am. When I, the Crown Prince, give my word, I stand by it. Plus, Concubine Li must be eagerly waiting, I can’t disappoint her.”