Every day, Xie He ate delicious meals and was waited on by servants. His complexion had become much rosier.
He groaned as he opened his eyes. He found himself still in Xiao Yan’s embrace and couldn’t help but flush. He weakly called out, “Your Highness….”
Xiao Yan hugged Xie He, weighing the other with his arms. He felt like the other was still too thin. Being this thin wouldn’t do. He should plump up the other a bit…. He kissed Xie He’s ear. When he saw the other turn bashful, his mood soared. Suddenly, his gaze changed and he whispered into Xie He’s ears, “Call my name.”
Fear emerged in Xie He’s eyes. He said at once, “Nu…Nu doesn’t dare….”
Xiao Yan returned his gaze, expression turning stern. “You’re disobeying me?”
Xie He was even more scared now, body shaking. After a long silence, he bit his lip and quietly said, “Xiao…Xiao Yan….”
With that, Xiao Yan was satisfied. After he heard Xie He softly call his name with his little mouth, he roughly did the other once again.
Xie He couldn’t bear it in the end. His eyes were misty and he looked pitiful. Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan gently dressed him and held him in his arms. He then ordered the servants to serve their meal.
Very quickly, the table was crammed full of various dishes. They all appeared refined and delicious. There was no lack of medicinal dishes and delicacies. It was absolutely extravagant.
Xiao Yan was in a very good mood. He directly fed Xie He while continuing to hold him with one arm. He seemed to enjoy himself.
Xie He’s eyes were lowered as he cautiously ate everything Xiao Yan gave him. He looked like a lovable little rabbit…. Xiao Yan’s heart itched and he couldn’t help but take a bite of Xie He’s lips. Compared to the dishes, he thought that he hungered more for this courtesan….
At that moment, a eunuch reported that Bai Qiuchi had arrived.
Xiao Yan hid his expression from just now and placed a soft cushion on the seat next to him. He then placed Xie He down onto the seat. Since Bai Qiuchi had arrived, it wouldn’t be good to let her see such an indecent scene. He had to pay a bit more attention to his conduct.
Bai Qiuchi had hesitated for a few days, and thus hadn’t come to see Xiao Yan. But very quickly, she had heard that Xie He had gained Xiao Yan’s favour. She hadn’t been willing to believe it. That was why she had finally decided to come today.
Who would have expected that as soon as she entered, she would find Xie He sitting next to Xiao Yan, clad in the most magnificent and luxurious clothes. His skin was glowing and there were faintly discernible marks on his neck. It was obvious that he was doing well and had been heavily doted on by Xiao Yan. Immediately, her chest began to heave with anger. Xiao Yan had indeed fallen for Xie He!
This nightmare had finally come true!
Bai Qiuchi could not conceal the hatred in her eyes. She forced her voice to remain calm. She said to Xiao Yan, “Gege, it’s not appropriate to allow that servant to sit next to you.”
Xiao Yan knew that Bai Qiuchi didn’t like Xie He. However, he would not continue to allow Bai Qiuchi to continue her torment of Xie He. After all, it was rare for him to like someone. Xiao Yan said coolly, “It’s fine.”
He was the master of this wangfu. Whoever he wanted sitting next to him would sit next to him.
Bai Qiuchi nearly ground her teeth to shreds. But she didn’t dare speak back. She said, “Gege, will you let Yuan Jin wait on me?”
Xiao Yan said, “No. Have another servant wait on you.”
Bai Qiuchi’s eyes reddened and she choked. “I only want him. I’m not trying to steal him from you. You still won’t give him to me&#k2026;?”
Xiao Yan looked at her coldly, clearly getting impatient with her.
Xie He felt uncomfortable. He knew that Xiao Yan was protecting him, but he didn’t want to make things difficult for the other. He didn’t want there to be a crack between the siblings because of him. At worst, he just had to endure for a while. He hesitated and then quietly said, “N-Nu can serve the young miss, it’s fine….”
Bai Qiuchi immediately said, “See, even he agrees!”
Xiao Yan stood up at once, eyes ice-cold. He stressed each word as he spoke. “I said no.”
When Bai Qiuchi saw Xiao Yan’s stern appearance, she was frightened. Her whole body went stiff. A long time later, she slowly said, “S-sorry….”
Xiao Yan gathered Xie He into his arms. He didn’t bother with Bai Qiuchi anymore and carried Xie He into the room inside, placing him on the bed. He looked into the other’s eyes, expression serious. With a cold voice, he said, “Don’t be so presumptuous next time. You do not need to worry about Benwang.”
Although Xiao Yan looked strict and terrifying, for the first time, Xie He wasn’t afraid. He was moved. His Highness…was protecting him. He had been willing to refuse his most beloved little sister for his sake. What had he done to merit His Highness treating him like this….
Xie He was choked with emotion, tears filling his lovely eyes. “Nu understands.”
Xiao Yan was pleased and left.
Outside, he said to Bai Qiuchi, “I know that you don’t like Yuan Jin, but you’ve already tortured him for so long. Has your anger still not dissipated?”
Bai Qiuchi looked down, biting down onto her bottom lip. She said, “Gege, do you…really like him…?”
Xiao Yan obviously was not the kind of person who wouldn’t own up to his actions. He was even less the type of person who would be unable to protect the person he liked. Furthermore, he wanted to dash Bai Qiuchi’s hopes. Therefore, he nodded. “Yes.”
Bai Qiuchi was silent for a long time before saying, “I understand. I will not target him anymore. Don’t worry, Gege.”
Her nails dug into the flesh of her palm. The fierce jealousy in her chest seemed to transform into millions of ants gnawing at her heart. Gege…Don’t blame me…you threw me away first. I liked you…it’s not because I want to betray you.
It’s you who forced me to betray you….
Bai Qiuchi returned to her own courtyard. Shui Rong immediately shut the door. She asked Bai Qiuchi, “Young Miss, have you made your decision?”
Bai Qiuchi looked at Shui Rong and asked, “You said that the Crown Prince is willing to make me his cefei. Is that true?”
Shui Rong smiled. “Or course. As long as Young Miss can help the Crown Prince get rid of Prince Su, that is. The day the Crown Prince ascends the throne, you won’t just be a cefei, you will be a huangfei. At that time, the glory you will possess will be much greater than what you would have as a prince’s woman. From then on, your family will become relatives of the imperial family.”
Determination filled Bai Qiuchi’s eyes. She said, “OK, I understand.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………
From that day on, Bai Qiuchi still continued to occasionally visit Xiao Yan’s courtyard. However, she stopped treating Xie He with discontent and even acted amiably towards him. It was like she had completely put down all ill feelings towards him.
Although Xie He still felt uncertain about Bai Qiuchi, he didn’t want to make things hard on Xiao Yan. Moreover, Bai Qiuchi was treating him nicely. Therefore, he accepted her kindness. In a short period of time, their relationship seemed to take a turn for the better.
Today, Bai Qiuchi came to see Xiao Yan again. After eating, Xiao Yan left. Bai Qiuchi went to take a stroll around the garden with Xie He. The two of them toured the grounds leisurely. After some time thought, Bai Qiuchi excused herself, saying that her stomach hurt. She asked Xie He to wait for her here before leaving first.
Xie He thus sat in the garden, waiting for her.
【444:Host dada! Bai Qiuchi is trying to frame you! She stole your fragrance pouch and has it on her! 】
【Xie He:I know. Young Miss Bai is the best “helper gong” in China. ???? 】
【444:……】
Bai Qiuchi returned a moment later. She didn’t look very good. Claiming she didn’t feel well, she said that she would return first and that they would come back another day.
Xie He nodded and respectfully sent Bai Qiuchi off.
That night, Xiao Yan returned very late at night. Recently, his fight with the Crown Prince had been intensifying. He was really tired. However, as long as he had Xie He in his arms at night, he would feel very at peace.
Xie He knew that Xiao Yan had been very busy lately. He served him in an even more compliant and dutiful manner. Xiao Yan also treated him even more gently. Xie He knew that his status was low, so he could never be Xiao Yan’s wife, but the days they spent entangled with each other…gave him the illusion that they were a loving couple.
After making love, Xiao Yan held Xie He. He never thought that this courtesan would be able to keep his interest for so long. Although time passed, his desire for the other never waned. Instead, it seemed to only increase. He caressed Xie He’s hair affectionately. Suddenly, he said, “Don’t worry. Even after I marry my princess-consort, I won’t let anyone bully you. OK?”
It was rare for Xiao Yan to coax anyone like this. His gaze was very soft.
Xie He’s eyes glistened. He was actually able to hear such words from His Highness. He would never be able to return this favour in his lifetime. The only thing he could do was to wholeheartedly serve His Highness. His red lips parted and he reached out to wrap his arms around Xiao Yan. With a soft voice, he said, “Nu will definitely serve Your Highness well….”
Xiao Yan smiled, whispering in Xie He’s ears with his intoxicating voice, “Alright. Show me how you’re going to serve me….”
………………………………………………………………………………
Xiao Yan and Xie He spent the night entwined with each other. The next morning, Xiao Yan was about to wake Xie He up to eat breakfast when he suddenly heard Qi Qing’s frantic voice outside. “Your Highness, Shuxia requests an audience!”
Xiao Yan’s expression changed instantly. Qi Qing had always been steady and courteous. He would never disregard the rules and barge in to see him. It must be something urgent! Xiao Yan sat up in bed and said to Xie He, “You eat first.”
As he said this, he dressed himself and left.
Xiao Yan brought Qi Qing to his study, expression cold as he asked in a low voice, “What’s the matter?”
Qi Qing’s face was ashen. He said, “Vice Minister Zhang is dead. His wife discovered that he had suddenly died in bed.”
Xiao Yan shouted, “What?!”
Qi Qing said, “It is likely the Crown Prince’s work. I’m afraid he already knows that Vice Minister Zhang had sided with us. He must have killed him to silence him, to prevent him from leaking their secrets. But I don’t know where the Crown Prince got this information from.”
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed in thought. He suddenly examined his study. Very quickly, he found signs that his things had been touched. He said coldly, “There’s a spy. Conduct an investigation!”
Xiao Yan sat there, expression heavy. Qi Qing immediately had the secret guard and the scouts investigate. Less than half a shichen later, everything that had happened yesterday had been thoroughly investigated.
Qi Qing held a fragrance pouch and respectfully handed it to Xiao Yan. He said, “This fragrance pouch was found in the corridor outside. Yesterday, Yuan Jin and Bai Qiuchi came over here….”
Xiao Yan squeezed the pouch and slowly said, “This is Yuan Jin’s.”
Qi Qing looked panicked. He immediately knelt down. “Your Highness, Yuan Jin would never do this!”
Xiao Yan gave him a chilly look. He said, “If it wasn’t him, do you think Bai Qiuchi did it?”
Qi Qing was left speechless. Bai Qiuchi had even less reason to betray Xiao Yan. However…if His Highness doubted Yuan Jin, Yuan Jin would die….
Xiao Yan twirled the fragrance pouch in his hands. A long time later, a dark, unreadable light flashed through his eyes. In the end, he said, “Carefully watch over Bai Qiuchi. But don’t let her notice.”
Qi Qing looked at Xiao Yan in disbelief. He said, “Your Highness?!”
Xiao Yan spoke slowly, tone icy. “You’re right. It’s Bai Qiuchi.” It didn’t show on Xiao Yan’s face but he was furious. He had never expected that Bai Qiuchi would betray him! He had treated Bai Qiuchi very well but she actually threw her lot with the Crown Prince. Furthermore, since Bai Qiuchi could side with the Crown Prince, that meant that the Crown Prince had other spies in Xiao Yan’s wangfu. They had really hidden well!
It wasn’t like he hadn’t noticed the occasional rancour and hatred slipping out from Bai Qiuchi’s eyes. That woman couldn’t hide her emotions at all. Furthermore, this attempt at shifting the blame was clumsy. As long as they looked into it, they would find evidence exposing her.
But…he had trusted her so much.
When Qi Qing heard this, he was enraged. He knew how well His Highness treated Bai Qiuchi. Even in his wildest dreams, he never thought Bai Qiuchi would ever betray Xiao Yan!
Xiao Yan had already calmed down. His tone was frosty. “Watch her closely. See who else is on their side. Take this chance to uproot all of the Crown Prince’s eyes!”
Qi Qing’s face was full of murderous intent. “Shuxia understands!”
Xiao Yan shut his eyes after speaking. Xie He’s limpid, breathtaking eyes flashed through his mind. Those eyes were always concentrated on him, looking at him with worship inside…
A long time later, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. His pitch-black eyes were dark like a bottomless pool. A cold determination flickered through. He slowly spat out, “Lock Yuan Jin in the dungeon.”
Eve: Reaching the peak of scumminess for this ML soon. A few more chapters before gong abuse starts. But it’s coming!!