By the river, people setting off flower lanterns were packed shoulder to shoulder.
Yet the tall Western Regions beauty in a red cloak was immediately recognized by Yun Chunnuan.
She didn’t dare to make a sound, pulling the corner of the Barbarian General’s clothes to tell him the direction.
The tall figure turned around and looked toward the southwest corner on the opposite bank of the river as she indicated.
With just one glance, he froze.
"Mother... looks beautiful."
He curled his lips and suddenly smiled.
"This is the first time I’ve seen Mother in Bianliao’s attire. It’s really beautiful."
Yun Chunnuan raised her small face and looked at the expression of the man with eyes glistening yet trying hard to smile.
Her heart suddenly ached.
She held his hand.
He wrapped her small hand in his palm.
"Husband, we are too obvious here. Mother doesn’t want to implicate us, so she chose this time... Let’s find a more hidden spot."
In the dark of night and amidst the crowd, Yun Chunnuan, with a mask on her face and her petite figure, naturally didn’t draw any attention.
But the Barbarian General stood out!
Even in Bianliao, where the average height was over 180 cm, he was exceptionally tall.
"Alright."
He responded softly, but his gaze never left the Western Regions beauty in the red cloak.
The two bought lanterns and arrived on the opposite bank.
Pretending to release lanterns, they continuously observed the movements across from them.
The Western Regions beauty said something; the middle-aged man beside her seemed very happy, letting out a hearty laugh and giving her shoulder a friendly nudge.
Afterward, they went to release a sky lantern.
As the faint light of the lantern slowly ascended into the sky, the beauty removed her mask, and against the backdrop of her red attire, appeared stunningly glamorous.
She smiled, planting a gentle kiss on the lips of the man whose half-face was exposed from under the mask.
She was so beautiful, radiant and dazzling.
From the moment he first saw her, Yelyu Erlun was captivated by her green eyes.
He wished to deepen the kiss, but she chuckled softly and pushed him away.
"Husband." She had not called him that for a long time.
Yelyu Erlun only felt his heart beat faster, wanting to take this gorgeous beauty back to the palace, pressing her onto the bed...
"In this half of my life, I’ve loved, hated, laughed, cried, gone crazy, caused trouble, been carefree, and suffered... I once thought I would spend the rest of my life in hate.
But now, I don’t resent anymore.
If it weren’t for you, where would my rich life experiences come from? Where would I have my foolish son who protects the country?
Thank you, Yelyu Erlun."
These words left the man in front of her stunned.
The gentler she acted these days, the more pleased he became, recalling the youthful innocence of early days.
Yet this joy was inexplicably accompanied by a sense of unease.
Yelyu Erlun couldn’t quite understand why, but his attendant who had served him for years said: It’s because the King did something to make the Princess Consort happy! She hated the Queen, and the King severely punished the two Princes, even allowing the Princess to be slapped a few times without interference. The Queen, having her plans, was pleased and turned gentle.
Originally, Yelyu Erlun thought the same, but at this moment, the unease crept back.
But before this feeling could escalate, he saw the men and women releasing river lanterns all get up and run towards the city.
Soon, everyone beside Yelyu Erlun was gone.
He sent someone to see what was happening, and quickly got news that people from Chuqing Kingdom had infiltrated the city under the guise of chaos, causing disturbances and looting.
Yelyu Erlun hastened to follow his attendants, but after a few steps remembered the beauty hadn’t followed.
She looked at him with a smile, "Your Majesty, go see what’s happening, I’m feeling a bit tired."
"No way, together." Yelyu Erlun didn’t hesitate, grabbing the woman’s hand to leave.
She didn’t resist, stumbling along as he pulled her.
Across the river, Yun Chunnuan got anxious, "What to do! Mother was dragged away by him! Could it be..."
"It won’t."
Yelyu Lie slowly stood up from the shadows, "Everything is within Mother’s calculations, though she forgot one thing..."
"What thing?"
Yun Chunnuan was truly worried for her soon-to-be mother-in-law. Look at that King, he’s just a self-centered jerk, oblivious to others’ feelings.
The soon-to-be mother-in-law was being dragged by him, almost stumbling, and yet he didn’t care at all!