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Yan Qing returned to the Cloud Perch Pavilion, where a maid approached to help her remove her outer garments, and soon after, tea was brewed and served.
The room was filled with the fragrant aroma of tea.
Yan Qing held a cup of fragrant tea and walked leisurely to the cage, her gaze slightly lowered, casually glancing at Wen Jin, who was sitting in the cage reading a book, “You seem quite obedient.”
Wen Jin set down the book, respectfully kneeling upright, “Please, Your Highness.”
Yan Qing calmly observed him, “Do you feel bored being alone?”
“No.” Wen Jin shook his head, “When I can’t focus on reading, I recall the ten years I spent in Zhuque City. It feels fulfilling, with an indescribable sense of happiness.”
“Happiness?” Yan Qing raised an eyebrow, “Are you sure you’re not using the wrong word?”
Wen Jin lowered his gaze, “All memorable things bring happiness to people.”
Yan Qing chose to believe his words for the moment and spoke calmly, “I poisoned Yan Chen.”
Poisoned?
Wen Jin was momentarily stunned, looking up at Yan Qing’s unparalleled beauty, sensing a sudden shift in her demeanor, unsure if it was for better or worse.
“Do you have something to say?” Yan Qing inquired.
Wen Jin shook his head slowly, “Your Highness, I have no right to intervene in your decisions.”
Yan Qing smiled faintly, “As the Emperor’s most trusted favorite, your reaction at this moment is rather unexpected.”
Wen Jin responded, “I am merely one of Your Highness’s…”
“What about being someone’s pet?” Wen Jin paused, then replied, “A pet.”
“You do have a certain obedient quality as a pet.” Yan Qing took a sip of tea, her voice carrying a hint of coldness, “Having a pet does indeed bring joy, it’s comforting. You can admire beauty in your leisure time, vent out frustrations when needed, switch if you grow tired, without any responsibilities. It’s more comfortable than those men with multiple wives and concubines, wouldn’t you agree?”
“…Yes.” Wen Jin’s face paled slightly, his tone increasingly submissive and docile, “As long as Your Highness is pleased.”
Yan Qing chuckled, set down the teacup, and turned to walk towards the inner hall, “Prepare the bath.”
Wen Jin lowered his head in acknowledgment, got up from the cage, unlocked the handcuffs with the key, and followed Yan Qing to the inner hall.
The mist lingered, a subtle fragrance wafting in the air.
The woman’s skin was like ice and snow, flawless and perfect, every inch resembling exquisite jade. Wen Jin quietly knelt by the edge of the bath, gently cleansing her body with a soft towel.
The room was tranquil.
“You allowed Imperial Censor Hu’s son to enter the residence?” Wen Jin kept his eyes down, concealing any hint of his inner turmoil.
“Do you have any objections?” Yan Qing inquired.
“I dare not.” Wen Jin replied.
“It’s best that you don’t.” Yan Qing’s voice was indifferent, “My affairs are not for your concern.”
Wen Jin fell silent, his noble features tinged with a hint of melancholy, inexplicably evoking a sense of sorrow.
Leaning against the edge of the bath, letting the warm water envelop her body, Yan Qing’s demeanor grew even more languid and chilling, “There are too many in the court who resent me, many who fear me. From now on, anyone who disobeys me, I will choose the most precious from their sons or grandsons and have them serve in the inner court as slaves. Let’s see if they dare to provoke me.”
Wen Jin pressed his lips together, “If so, the inner court may soon be overcrowded.”
“Overcrowded? You’re overthinking it.” Yan Qing’s lips curved slightly, “The Zhuque Palace has vast grounds and numerous courtyards. It’s no trouble to accommodate a hundred or more attendants.”
Wen Jin lowered his gaze, “Does Your Highness intend to send them to Zhuque City?”
“I am considering it.” Yan Qing’s voice was nonchalant, “I don’t want to see these annoying things around, send them far away. Let’s see if their fathers and brothers dare to defy me.”
Wen Jin remained silent and focused on attending to Yan Qing.
The scene at that moment was captivating – a beauty bathing, mist swirling around, a subtle fragrance in the air, and a handsome young man serving with gentleness and precision. It was a scene that captivated the eyes.
Such was the treatment of an Emperor.
However, as Yan Qing closed her eyes, unpleasant memories involuntarily surfaced in her mind, putting her in a dismal mood.
“Wen Jin.” Yan Qing opened her eyes, tilting her head to look at his elegant features, her voice becoming more relaxed and indifferent, “You’ve been in the court for three years, appointed as the Prime Minister at a young age, possessing such a picturesque appearance. Isn’t there a single noble lady in the city who admires you?”
“I do not know.” Wen Jin replied respectfully, “I have never cared about such matters.”
“Has any colleague in the court mentioned marrying their daughter to you?”
“No.” Wen Jin remained calm and gentle, “Even if such thoughts exist, they wouldn’t express them so quickly.”
During the late Emperor’s reign, several princes in the court vied for power, each backed by influential ministers.
Wen Jin, a young rising star entrusted by the late Emperor, swiftly climbed to a position of power within three years. Many eyes were on him, but no one dared to make a move.
Because the courtiers were adept at understanding the Emperor’s intentions, aligning with powerful figures in front of the Emperor could lead to his displeasure and suspicion.
“Princess Chang.” Shen Mo reported from outside, “Imperial Censor Hu’s youngest son has been brought here. Please give your instructions.”
There was a slight pause in Wen Jin’s actions, a fleeting glimpse of fierceness in his lowered gaze, quickly replaced by a composed demeanor as he continued tending to Yan Qing.
Yan Qing remained silent, stepping out of the bath, her voice indifferent, “Am I beautiful?”
Kneeling by the side, Wen Jin responded, “Beautiful.”
“Do you like me?”
“I do.”
“Since I am beautiful and you like me, why are you unwilling to become my husband?” Yan Qing casually draped a large robe over herself, concealing her slender figure, as if asking casually.
Wen Jin paused for a moment, “I—”
“Not worthy?” Yan Qing raised an eyebrow, looking down at him, her smile lazy and aloof, “You’re right. In that case, I won’t bring up this topic again. Just be a pet peacefully. When I grow tired of you, I’ll set you free.”
With that statement, she walked away.
Wen Jin slowly raised his gaze, watching her slender figure, “What I wanted to say is, I’m willing…”
“It’s too late.” Yan Qing’s voice was cold, “I don’t need a husband. Having a pet suits me fine.”
Wen Jin was taken aback, his hand by his side clenched slowly.