Chapter 60

Note: There's nothing to argue about; not all the characters that appear are the main female leads, and some might just be characters that drive the plot forward.

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"Leave... the palace?"

Princess Yulong looked at Zhao Hongrun's serious expression and felt her heart flutter.

Indeed, for the princes and princesses who had long been confined within the palace walls, the prospect of seeing the world outside one day was extremely tempting, especially on this Dragon Boat Festival, when the city was far more lively than usual.

However, thinking of the consequences if their plan were to be exposed, Princess Yulong's face showed a hint of hesitation.

After all, she was just a princess, seemingly noble in status to outsiders, but in reality, she was merely a high-end marriage pawn, with a status far lower than that of the princes like Zhao Hongrun.

Moreover, she was not a favored princess. What would happen if their plan were to be exposed?

"I... I think I'll go back to Yujiong Pavilion..."

Thinking of the consequences, Princess Yulong retreated.

However, Zhao Hongrun did not loosen his grip on her wrist: "Sister, do you think it's more regrettable to regret something you've done, or to regret something you wanted to do but never did?"

"..." Princess Yulong was slightly moved, but her expression still showed struggle.

Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun had to persuade her, as he felt that his sister, who had been confined in the palace for so long, was truly bored to death and would eventually suffer from depression.

Under Zhao Hongrun's gentle persuasion, Princess Yulong finally could not resist the allure of the world outside the palace and nodded lightly.

Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun first took Princess Yulong back to his Wenzhao Pavilion, as the clothes she was wearing could not be worn outside the palace.

To avoid drawing attention, Zhao Hongrun instructed the palace guards to provide cover, using various excuses to pull away the guards outside Wenzhao Pavilion and temporarily dismissing the eunuchs inside.

"Change into this."

Zhao Hongrun led Princess Yulong into Wenzhao Pavilion and took out his own clothes from the wardrobe in the inner chamber, asking her to change into them.

Holding the male attire in her hands, Princess Yulong's face turned slightly red.

To her, although these clothes belonged to her half-brother, wearing them close to her body was still a very embarrassing thing.

Fortunately, Zhao Hongrun noticed her bashful expression and, suppressing the urge to swallow, explained: "Sister, don't worry. These clothes are mine, but I haven't worn them yet. You don't need to be concerned."

"I... I'm not being picky..."

"I understand. Go ahead and change."

"Okay." Princess Yulong, her face red, held Zhao Hongrun's new clothes and ran to the screen behind the bed, enduring the embarrassment as she changed in a place that did not belong to her.

Hearing the slight rustling sounds, Zhao Hongrun felt as if his heart was being scratched by a cat's claws.

His eyes involuntarily glanced at the screen.

Unexpectedly, the candlelight behind the screen cast Princess Yulong's shadow as she changed clothes.

Watching the slender and graceful shadow slowly take off her clothes and then slowly lift her long legs to put on the pants, Zhao Hongrun shamefully found himself having a physiological reaction.

He quickly turned his head and muttered to himself.

"That's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister, that's my sister..."

He didn't know how many times he repeated it before the strange excitement in his heart gradually subsided.

At this moment, Princess Yulong had already changed her clothes and, with a red face, timidly walked out from behind the screen.

"Are you ready?"

"Um..."

Hearing the response, Zhao Hongrun turned around and his eyes lit up.

If Princess Yulong's previous attire made her appear exceptionally pure and elegant, then now, wearing Zhao Hongrun's clothes, she looked like a handsome young man, though her features still retained a touch of femininity, and her mannerisms were still somewhat feminine.

"How do I look?" Princess Yulong turned around in front of Zhao Hongrun, asking with a mix of excitement and shyness.

"Hmm, quite feminine..."

"Still okay." Zhao Hongrun gave her a thumbs up and reminded her: "Sister, watch me."

Princess Yulong looked at Zhao Hongrun with confusion, but saw him put on a serious face, shake his sleeves, and walk a few steps in front of her with a confident gait.

Then, Zhao Hongrun held some of his sleeve in his right hand, placed his left hand behind his back, and made a few gestures as if looking around.

Princess Yulong, being a smart person, immediately realized that her brother was teaching her the proper demeanor and aura of a man, and she tried to mimic him, but unfortunately, it only looked like a superficial imitation, and anyone could tell she was a woman in disguise.

"Is it not good?"

Seeing Zhao Hongrun frown and shake his head, Princess Yulong felt disappointed, as she thought she had done a good job.

Zhao Hongrun taught her a few more times, but seeing that she still couldn't shake off her feminine mannerisms, he decided not to push it further.

"When we leave the palace, try not to give yourself away."

"Okay, okay."

After giving the instructions, Zhao Hongrun called his guards, and the ten guards had already changed into ordinary civilian clothes.

Because of the precedent set by Luo Rong, this time, Shen Yu and the other ten guards did not dress as commoners but as attendants of a wealthy young master, all wearing brocade clothes with silver embroidery, looking majestic and impressive.

Since Princess Yulong would have to pretend to be one of Zhao Hongrun's guards when leaving the palace, the ten guards decided by a game of rock-paper-scissors who would stay behind in Wenzhao Pavilion.

Zhong, as his name suggested, was unfortunately chosen, which made him secretly resent his name.

At this moment, the guards outside Wenzhao Pavilion had been temporarily dismissed, so Zhao Hongrun was not worried and led Princess Yulong out of the hall, heading straight for the palace gate.

The palace gate was already closed, and seeing Zhao Hongrun and his group approaching, the commander of the palace guards immediately led a few guards to greet them.

The commander was about to scold them, but upon seeing it was the Eighth Prince Zhao Hongrun, he immediately swallowed his words.

Who didn't know that the Eighth Prince was not only a formidable figure but also favored by the emperor?

"Jin Ju pays respects to the Eighth Prince."

The commander bowed and performed a military salute.

"Commander Jin, please rise." Zhao Hongrun gestured for him to stand.

Commander Jin Ju stood up, glanced at Zhao Hongrun and the familiar faces of his guards, and asked in a low voice, "Is the prince leaving the palace?"

He knew that Zhao Hongrun had a token that allowed him to enter and leave the palace freely.

"Yes, please trouble Commander Jin to open the palace gate."

Jin Ju hesitated, looking troubled, and said, "But the palace gates are already closed..."

"Everything has exceptions." Zhao Hongrun put his arm around Jin Ju's neck and whispered, "Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and the city is so lively. How can I not go and enjoy it?... I believe even Father would turn a blind eye today."

Jin Ju thought about it and found that Zhao Hongrun's words made sense: "However, Prince, even so, I must report this matter. ... Please forgive me."

"This is your duty, and I wouldn't blame you. ... Lü Mu." Zhao Hongrun gestured to his guard Lü Mu.

Lü Mu understood and approached Jin Ju, subtly slipping him a few silver ingots: "A small token, for the brothers to have a drink after their shift."

"Thank you, thank you." Jin Ju dared not accept money from others, but a prince's reward was fine.

Moreover, the Eighth Prince Zhao Hongrun and his guards were familiar faces who frequently entered and left the palace.

"Open the gate." Jin Ju ordered the guards.

"Rumble—"

The palace gate opened just enough for Zhao Hongrun and his group to leave one by one.

Seeing this, Jin Ju immediately ordered the gate to be closed again.

Seeing that his commander did not intend to report the matter immediately, a guard could not help but ask, "Commander, shouldn't we report the Eighth Prince's departure immediately?"

"What's the rush?" Jin Ju glared at the guard.

Human relationships were reflected here. Even though Jin Ju knew that the Eighth Prince's departure at night must be reported, he would delay it a bit. This way, even if the emperor did not allow Zhao Hongrun to leave and sent someone to bring him back, Zhao Hongrun could at least enjoy a moment outside the palace without being immediately called back.

However, it turned out that Jin Ju's concerns were unnecessary. Even if he reported the matter half an hour later, the emperor showed no intention of bringing Zhao Hongrun back.

As Zhao Hongrun had said, today was the Dragon Boat Festival, and everything had exceptions. Even the emperor knew that his son would not stay in the palace.

The only one who suffered was the Sixth Prince Zhao Hongzhao, who was waiting in Yafeng Pavilion for Zhao Hongrun to attend his poetry gathering, unaware that Zhao Hongrun had already forgotten about him, having secretly taken his sister Princess Yulong out of the palace to let her enjoy herself.

One was a good brother, and the other was like a first love. There was no comparison.

"Ah... I hope the Sixth Prince won't come to demand an explanation tomorrow, as he can be quite devious sometimes..."

Standing at the bustling intersection of Chaoyang Street, Zhao Hongrun silently smiled bitterly.

Beside him, Princess Yulong, dressed as a man, was protected by Zhao Hongrun's nine guards. She looked at the various small toys on the street stalls with curiosity, or savored the delicious smell from the pastry shops, or simply enjoyed the new sensation of being in a crowded street, her delicate face beaming with genuine happiness.

"Let's go, and have a good time..."

Zhao Hongrun extended his right hand to Princess Yulong.

"Okay."

A white, tender hand rested on Zhao Hongrun's palm.

Seeing her smile, Zhao Hongrun felt a sense of fulfillment well up in his heart.

"Fine! Even if the Sixth Prince comes to demand an explanation tomorrow... it will be worth it!"