Chapter 679

"Are you missing your family?" Han Rui casually changed the subject. "Empress, why don't we leave now?"

"Go where?"

"Yangzhou, of course. Do you have any other choice?" Han Rui smiled. "Or we could take a stroll around Yangzhou City. That wouldn't be bad either."

"No need." Imperial Concubine Yang refused. "Time is short. Let's hurry and go."

"No rush. It's still early—I'd like to look around a little longer." Han Rui smiled and pointed at the lake ahead. "Empress, this place is truly beautiful. The lake and mountains make for lovely scenery. Who knows how many people would like to come here, yet over the years, very few have been able to set foot in this place."

"Prince Consort, are you praising me or mocking me?" Imperial Concubine Yang snorted softly. "I'm not some country bumpkin. It's not as if I've never visited the busiest streets of Yangzhou City. But I never tire of these lakes and mountains, which is why I come here so often."

"Either way, I've finally had the chance to experience it. Thank you, Empress, for your generous hospitality." Han Rui smiled. The two strolled along the lakeshore, chatting and laughing as though they had forgotten the unpleasant incident from earlier.

Since Han Rui did not mention it, Imperial Concubine Yang tactfully did not bring it up either. Otherwise, Han Rui would likely refuse to help.

As they chatted leisurely, they unknowingly reached the lakeside. The surface of the lake shimmered with ripples, and the breeze carried a heart-soothing chill. Across the lake stood lofty buildings ablaze with lights, dazzlingly brilliant.

Imperial Concubine Yang glanced sideways, her eyes gleaming as she lightly blinked her lashes. Her slender body leaned slightly toward Han Rui as she whispered, "Prince Consort, I just remembered that my father invited