Who Let You Kiss Me!

With state affairs concluded, the two naturally left Mingde Hall.

The Grand Wedding is still ten days away.

This doesn't really matter; for the two of them, it's merely a nominal relationship.

What excited Chu Ning even more was the change in Ye Qinglian's mindset.

Chu Ning happily held Ye Qinglian's hand, finding it hard not to laugh at her stiff, tense expression.

"Qinglian, the Grand Wedding is coming soon. Is there any need to be so tense? Can't you relax a little? We'll be husband and wife soon, right?"

Ye Qinglian immediately scoffed at his words.

"We're just nominal husband and wife. Your role is to look after the child after the Dragon Prince is born. I'll handle all state affairs myself then!"

"Also, let go of my hand. Did I ask you to hold it? How can you be so shameless now?"

"You've misunderstood."

"Misunderstood what? Isn't that the truth?"

"I've always been this shameless; don't think too highly of me."

Ye Qinglian's expression was blank as she tried to pull her hand away, but Chu Ning held on tightly.

He then smiled.

"I'm just worried you might slip and fall or something. I feel better with you holding my hand."

"Don't you have anything to do? Have you been practicing your cultivation techniques!"

In Chu Ning's hand, a trace of sword intent brewed, and he casually struck a tree in front of them.

The tree, about as thick as a wrist, was cleanly severed.

"Cultivation, I'm quite fast. Otherwise, how would I have time to accompany you?"

Looking at the severed tree, Ye Qinglian was stunned for a moment before saying with a stern face, "Cultivation is boundless; diligence is the path to enlightenment. What is a mere sword intent?"

"Actually, I'm a reclusive master, a very high-level one. I don't need to cultivate at all?"

"No matter how high your level, you must thoroughly study the Ye Family's cultivation techniques to improve. Understand?"

"I understand, I understand. But you can't expect me to cultivate every single day, can you? At least give me some motivation or something."

Ye Qinglian responded with a cold laugh.

"Cultivation is for yourself. If you need motivation for something like this, then you're beyond saving!"

Hearing this, Chu Ning smiled and carefully helped Ye Qinglian sit down.

"That's for others, not me. Right now, my motivation for cultivating is you."

"How are you feeling physically? Have you felt any discomfort lately?"

Ye Qinglian fell silent for a moment, looking at the man showing such concern for her. She didn't know what to say.

Before, she thought he was only concerned about her to seize power, but now it seemed he genuinely cared.

However, whether he cared about her or the child in her womb was still uncertain; perhaps it was purely for the child's sake!

After all, Chu Ning himself had said at the beginning that he had no genuine feelings and would focus on the child once she gave birth!

But this was something that couldn't be proven in the short term, and she couldn't give birth right now. Still, Chu Ning's care during this period was indeed meticulous.

The Ye Qinglian of the past had never experienced such affection. Now, regardless of whether Chu Ning's concern was for the child or for her, she felt quite content.

"Other than feeling a bit sleepy, nothing else."

"Do you usually feel nauseous?"

Ye Qinglian turned her face away and said faintly, "I did at first, but not since you started preparing my meals."

Chu Ning understood and reached out to gently rub Ye Qinglian's slightly protruding belly.

She shot him a glare, clearly displeased!

Did I let you touch it? Believe it or not, I'll chop off your dog paws!

Chu Ning chuckled.

"The sooner the Grand Wedding, the better. Otherwise, it'll be hard to explain. If not for that loose Dragon Robe you're wearing, people might have noticed already."

"If it weren't for you, how could I have ended up in this state!"

Ye Qinglian complained, but she tacitly allowed Chu Ning's actions.

Actually, there were some changes she found difficult to articulate.

That is, her chest had been becoming increasingly swollen lately...

The old bra she wore simply couldn't fit anymore; she had to switch to a larger size every two or three days...

She had heard of such things, likely related to breastfeeding the child herself after it was born...

But even so, it shouldn't have changed so quickly. Was it because she had been eating too well recently?

However, it was too embarrassing to mention, and she certainly couldn't tell Chu Ning.

Otherwise, this guy might say something like "Let's open it and see!"

However, the way Chu Ning cared about her now made Ye Qinglian's heart flutter a little, and she gradually let down her guard against him.

After all, he was genuinely concerned about her now. A gentleman judges actions, not intentions.

As she was thinking this, Chu Ning suddenly sat down beside her, their shoulders pressing tightly together.

Ye Qinglian hesitated for a moment, not moving away, just staring at Chu Ning expressionlessly.

He smiled and then said with some emotion.

"Honestly, I never expected to have a child so soon. Suddenly becoming a father, sometimes it feels like a dream when I think about it."

Ye Qinglian pinched Chu Ning without hesitation.

"What do you think now?"

"That means it's not a dream, so I have to think about how to be a good father. Actually, there are many things I'm not clear about, I can only say I'll do my best to help you solve these troubles."

Chu Ning was still smiling.

"It's normal for you to doubt me. After all, our relationship developed so suddenly, and becoming the child's father was also quite sudden. But no matter what, I always bear this responsibility, which is why I'm doing those things for you."

"What you said today, you don't need to consider anything or worry about anything. I'll do my best to find ways to do what I can, and I'll help you solve the problems I can. You and the child in your belly are the greatest rewards for me."

"How should I put it, perhaps it's a kind of anticipation."

Ye Qinglian narrowed her eyes slightly.

"So what has been supporting you until now is just the responsibility of being a father?"

Her words, seemingly careless, were actually filled with hidden danger.

"If it were just responsibility, there wouldn't be a need to go this far."

Ye Qinglian asked, puzzled, "Then why?"

Chu Ning clasped Ye Qinglian's hand and said earnestly, "Of course, I'm thinking of capturing Your Majesty's heart! I've done so much for Your Majesty, and I'm also the father of your child. Even if Your Majesty has a heart of stone, it should soften a little, right? When Your Majesty truly changes her mind someday, then it won't just be responsibility, but mutual affection?"

Ye Qinglian was stunned for a moment, her face flushing, and then she let out a soft snort.

"A mere mortal, speaking with such arrogance, as if you can solve all my troubles. You don't even weigh your own abilities..."

She hated hearing Chu Ning say such things the most; it always made her heart race.

She could only use these words to hide her true feelings.

Chu Ning, however, could sense Ye Qinglian's thoughts. It wasn't true disdain, just tsundere behavior.

Feeling the warmth emanating from the woman beside him and the fragrance lingering in his nostrils, Chu Ning slowly leaned closer.

"Qinglian, I have something to discuss with you."

She calmed her expression, returning to her usual cold demeanor.

"What?"

She turned her head, and Chu Ning was already close.

There was no escape; he kissed her.

Ye Qinglian's mind went blank!

The soft touch of lips against hers was different from when she had bitten Chu Ning earlier that day; it was gentler, and felt even better...

Her almost frozen brain gradually came back to life, her eyes widened, and her face turned bright red.

"Who... who told you to kiss me!"

She pushed Chu Ning away, glaring fiercely at the man before her, her whole body trembling.

"You dare to take liberties with me, you have a lot of nerve! You're not even an Imperial Sovereign yet!"

Chu Ning looked at Ye Qinglian curiously.

"Didn't you say I didn't need to ask, I could just do it? How could I let such a good opportunity pass me by..."

"You!"

Her expression was one of shame and anger, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground. Without another word, she fiercely punched Chu Ning!

"Even if I said it was okay, it wouldn't be!"

"Even if you treat me well, it's still not okay! If you dare to kiss me, I'll cut you!"