602 The Secret About the Past 220 (2/2)
”Once you've mastered the techniques of hypnosis, I'll find a chance to send you in. I'll leave the rest to you afterward.”
She nodded earnestly and said, ”I understand.”
—
When An Xiaoning woke up the next morning, the pair of newlyweds were already having breakfast.
They woke up exceptionally early that morning.
Lin Shishi was glowing with her radiant, rosy cheeks, and she allowed her hair to drape down her shoulders. She was dressed in a long, blue dress and continually helped Tuoba Gucheng to the dishes.
Upon An Xiaoning's arrival, Tuoba Gucheng looked up to glance at her before continuing to have his breakfast.
An Xiaoning had spent the whole of last night reading the book and barely caught any shuteye. She was dragging her feet across the room, haggard and weary.
However, her under-eye circles could not be seen since she was wearing the skin mask.
While she was out with Tuoba Gucheng, she was so fatigued that she hung her head low throughout and bumped into him accidentally as a result.
”I'm sorry, Your Highness,” she apologized as soon as she snapped out of her trance.
”It's alright.” He scanned her from head to toe.
The male bodyguard burst into laughter and asked, ”Mu Ning, what did you do last night? Why are you so sleepy?”
”I didn't sleep too well last night,” said An Xiaoning, causing Tuoba Gucheng to steal a few more glances at her.
”Why not?” asked Tuoba Gucheng.
Since she could not tell him that she had been reading the hypnosis book, An Xiaoning had no choice but to answer, ”No particular reason. I just had insomnia and didn't sleep well.”
”Why did you have trouble sleeping?”
An Xiaoning did not know how to answer him and thus remained silent.
Surprisingly, he did not probe further. After achieving his agenda, Tuoba Gucheng suggested that they take a boat trip around the lake.
”You guys may go back first. Mu Ning is a good swimmer, she can stay behind with me.”
The male bodyguards looked at each other in puzzlement and answered in unison, ”Yes, Your Highness.”
”There's no harm in asking one or two more bodyguards along, Your Highness,” An Xiaoning suggested.
”No need for that. Can't you see that there are only two seats on the boat?”
An Xiaoning had no choice but to follow him onto the boat alone.
The boat was manually powered and would require both people to pedal at the same time.
They were supposedly required to wear a safety life vest. However, the stubborn and willful Tuoba Gucheng refused to do so because he felt that it looked hideous.
Being a good swimmer, An Xiaoning decided to follow suit since a life vest wouldn't make a difference for her anyway.
After boarding the boat, they began pedaling and surged toward the middle of the lake.
”I think such boats are meant for couples or siblings.”
”So it's not meant for us? I'd like to have some time alone by myself and a bodyguard to accompany me. What's wrong with that?” he asked with raised brows.
”That's a valid reason, but why do I feel like you're not looking to just spend some time alone by yourself? Your Highness, you have something to say to me, don't you?” she questioned, turning to look at him.
”Did you… hear something last night?” he asked, pursing his lips.
An Xiaoning chuckled and answered, ”Yeah, are you referring to the sounds of you and the Princess Consort getting intimate with each other?”
Noticing the sullen expression on his face, as if he were about to fly into a rage, An Xiaoning stopped smiling and added, ”I didn't eavesdrop on purpose, the soundproofing system of the walls are just not that great.”
”Did you lose sleep because of this?” he probed.
An Xiaoning was at a sudden loss for words. Did he seriously think I lost sleep because I could hear them getting intimate…?