Chapter 55.2: Everything Falls into Place

Upon arriving at her father’s study, Xia Tong truly had something to discuss with her father, which was to practice chess.

Her father’s chess skills were unmatched among the officials in Suzhou, and if she could win, it would show that defeating the villain was still possible.

Xia Zhian never expected his daughter’s chess skills to advance so rapidly. He assumed it was due to the regent’s guidance. They played for a full half hour before deciding the victor, and in the end, Xia Tong emerged victorious.

This time, Xia Tong hadn’t used all her strength, yet she still won. Her confidence soared, and she couldn’t wait to see the look on the villain’s face when she triumphed. He always wore a poker face and had never treated her kindly. Xia Tong was determined to clear her name.

After discussing some court matters with her father, Xia Tong returned to the regent’s residence. Her father mentioned that there had been a large-scale purge in the court, with many officials dismissed and replaced by scholars from humble backgrounds. Even the Grand Tutor’s family had suffered. Some officials were seeking an audience with the emperor, but he had refused to meet them.

Of course, the emperor wouldn’t meet them. The existence of powerful families was like a cancer, and the old emperor would be glad to have the villain take the blame and eliminate this tumor. However, Xia Tong suddenly felt a bit sorry for the villain. He had been unjustly blamed over the years without ever explaining himself, which likely contributed to his bad reputation.

Back at the regent’s residence, after dinner and a bath, Xia Tong, filled with ambition, took a chess set to the study. The night was pitch black, and cold winds howled outside. Inside, the flickering candlelight illuminated a man dressed in a thin black robe, seemingly oblivious to the cold, as he spoke with Xifeng.

“Your Highness, the princess is here.” Xifeng announced.

Seeing the chess set she brought, a hint of confusion flickered in Xifeng’s eyes.

As Xia Tong excitedly approached the desk, she instructed Fang Yu to set down the items. “I’m here to play chess with the prince.”

The man at the desk looked up, his gaze resting on her as he lowered the brush he had been holding.

Xifeng looked at the princess with a puzzled expression. To put it bluntly, he had never seen someone so presumptuous as to challenge their prince to a game of chess.

The man raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze cold. He tapped his fingers on the table, producing a soft “tap tap” sound. “I am not like you, idling away my days. I don’t have time to play around with you.”

“How is that playing around? Didn’t you say I had no strengths at all?” Xia Tong furrowed her brows, then boldly added, “If you win, I will do as you say in the future—I will never go against your wishes.”

Well, that’s how it will be from now on.

After her words, the man seemed to show some interest. A glimmer sparkled in his deep eyes, and he smirked slightly. “Xifeng, go fetch the white jade chess set.”

Xifeng: “…”

He glanced at the princess silently before going to get it.

Once he left, Xia Tong leaned in, her eyes gleaming. “If I win, how about the prince agreeing to one condition of mine?”

The candlelight flickered, illuminating her fair little face, which radiated confidence. The man chuckled, his lips curling slightly. “Alright.”

When Xifeng returned with the white jade chess set, Xia Tong couldn’t keep her hands off it. Indeed, the villain had good things. She would definitely take it home with her later.

Sitting on a soft couch, Xia Tong tightened her fox fur coat and timidly glanced at the man across from her. “I’m cold.”

Taking a sip of tea, the man said nothing but ordered someone to bring a charcoal stove, accustomed to her “delicate” disposition.

Once the room warmed up, Xia Tong had Qing’er drape a thin blanket over her before beginning their game.

The room was silent, and the cold wind seeped through the window cracks. The flickering candlelight danced beautifully, and Xia Tong’s unadorned face wore a serious expression as she intently focused on the chessboard, the white jade pieces clinking as they fell.

Gu Qin glanced at the woman across from him, a flicker of light in his eyes. Her technique was certainly different from others.

In less than the time it took to brew a pot of tea, Xia Tong was sweating and anxiously moving her small hands over the chessboard, feeling as if she had walked into a trap.

“If you are cold, once I finish my work, I’ll take you to the Jiangnan area to warm up.” the man said casually, sipping his tea.

Xia Tong didn’t hear what he said. After shakily placing a piece, she suddenly remembered something and hurriedly picked it up again. “I… I just trembled and made a mistake.”

Gu Qin remained silent. After she rescinded her move, he placed a piece down calmly. Xia Tong’s expression changed as if struck by a bolt of lightning, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

Xia Tong began to doubt herself. She knew she wasn’t in the same league as the villain, but she still wanted to put up a fight. Yet, so soon into the game, he had her cornered. After all, she was a national youth champion!

She clenched her sweaty palms and wiped her forehead with a handkerchief, hesitating to place the piece, her face a mix of anxiety and frustration.

After half a pot of tea had passed without her making a move, Gu Qin didn’t rush her. He continued reading the bamboo slips, his sharp features softened in the candlelight, and the quiet atmosphere felt strangely warm.

“I… I’m tired. How about we continue tomorrow?” Xia Tong said, still clutching the piece and stealing glances at the man opposite her.

The man didn’t look up, merely responding with a soft “Hmm.”

Xia Tong’s eyes flickered, studying the cold expression of the man before her. She suddenly felt a strange sensation. Clearly, he had already won, so why was he letting her off the hook?

As she placed the piece down, she crawled from one end of the couch to the other, kneeling beside the man. Blushing, she boldly wrapped her arms around his waist, speaking softly. “Why is the prince so nice to me?”

A hint of fragrance wafted through the air as Gu Qin lowered his head slightly, catching a glimpse of the lovely little face buried in his embrace. She blinked her bright eyes at him, and their gazes locked. Her rosy lips shimmered slightly, causing the man’s eyes to darken.

“Then how do you plan to repay me?” His piercing gaze swept over the strands of hair that had fallen over her robe.

Meeting his eyes, Xia Tong instinctively looked away, her ears turning slightly red. She felt the urge to distance herself from the man. “I… I’m feeling tired. Let’s continue our game tomorrow, Your Highness.”

Before she could finish her sentence, she was suddenly pressed down onto the soft couch. His deep, bottomless eyes were fixed intently on her, making her feel exposed and trapped.

“I want you,” he said, a storm of desire swirling in his gaze.

He didn’t want to wait any longer.

Their eyes locked, and Xia Tong involuntarily held her breath, her mind going blank. She had never expected him to be so straightforward, especially when he referred to himself as “I…”

“I… I…” She stammered, feeling flustered and at a loss for words. “I’m not ready yet…”

The man continued to stare at her, a flicker of disappointment flashing in his deep-set eyes. His lips pressed into a tight line, and the grip he had on her wrist loosened.

Feeling a surge of emotion, Xia Tong tightened her grip, suddenly wrapping her arms around his neck, her long eyelashes fluttering. “If… if Your Highness wants…”

Before she could finish, he abruptly sealed her soft lips with his, forcing his way in as he pried open her mouth. His large hand gradually found its way to her waist, violently tearing at the intricate belt she wore.

Xia Tong wasn’t sure what she was doing. In a moment of impulsiveness, she felt a warmth spread through her, realizing that perhaps she did have feelings for him. Otherwise, she would surely find his touch repulsive.

The candlelight flickered seductively, casting intertwined shadows on the floor, enveloping the room in a dreamy haze…

“Mm…”

Her mind was a blank slate until she suddenly felt a chill in front of her. As she gradually regained her senses, she realized a head was nestled against her neck, and she was left with only a loose-fitting bodice. Embarrassed, she wanted to grab a nearby blanket, but she suddenly felt a sharp pain beneath her, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

“No… no more…”

Her voice was hoarse, her eyes reddening as she tried to push him away. However, her small hands were tightly grasped, pulled above her head, while a tingling sensation coursed through her neck.

“I won’t move…”

His voice was husky, strained with restraint, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead, revealing the tension in his body. He lowered his head to kiss the smooth skin of her neck, with sweat trickling down the sharp contours of his jaw.

Just then, an urgent voice came from outside. “Your Highness, we have news from the palace. The Emperor has suddenly fallen into a deep coma, and his condition is critical.”

“Get lost!”

His furious tone caused the person outside to turn pale. They glanced back at the candlelit study, as if they understood something, and ordered the surrounding guards to leave.

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered, casting uneven shadows on the walls. Xia Tong pressed one hand firmly against his shoulder, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, reflecting the man before her. She gasped softly, “The Emperor…”

“Are you still thinking about others at this moment?” The man, holding back his desire, was drenched in sweat, his dark eyes filled with insatiable longing, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Thinking about anyone else at this point meant she had lost her sensitivity.

Xia Tong’s heart raced, and with a flushed face, she turned her head away, unable to resist sneaking a glance at him. “Does Your Highness… like me?”

Though she knew the man’s words in bed might not be trustworthy, she still wanted to ask.

Inhaling her delicate scent from the nape of her neck, the man couldn’t help but move, his voice low and raspy. “I would give my life for you.”

Outside, the cold wind howled, while inside, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and intimacy…

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Author’s note: The female lead: Heh, everything a man says in bed sounds so nice →_→