Then Chu Youning gave Qing Qianxue a rough account of what had happened that night.
By the time she finished, her eyes were still full of mixed feelings.
"That imperial brother of mine does have a few tricks up his sleeve. I never expected Chu Lange to crash and burn after her little performance ended."
"Still, she was loyal enough not to give me away, and my imperial brother was good-tempered about it. In the end, everything turned out well."
"Oh, you."
Qing Qianxue reached out and lightly patted Chu Youning's forehead with a chuckle.
"If His Majesty had been even a little more hot-tempered, you would both have been punished tonight."
"I know. I only dared to give Chu Lange a few rotten ideas because I knew he was a wise ruler and a good father."
Chu Youning grinned.
"Are you sleepy?"
Chu Youning quickly shook her head.
"Then... shall I take you to the National Preceptor's Residence to see something else?"
"Sure!"
Chu Youning nodded.
They went to the Ice Lake where Qing Qianxue had performed his sword dance before.
In the depths of winter, the ice here naturally froze thick enough.
Yet somehow, Qing Qianxue had managed to keep a faint white mist drifting over the Ice Lake.
As they arrived side by side at the edge of the Ice Lake, Chu Youning looked around, her eyes filled with astonishment.
Ice sculptures stood all over the Ice Lake. All kinds of exquisite sculptures lined its perimeter, while a conspicuous S-curved slide stood in the middle. The farther in they went, the more elaborate the structures became.
The Pavilion at the center of the lake had been transformed into an exquisite palace.
All around them, candlelight shone through specially colored paper lanterns, casting a rainbow of colors. Together