Chapter 4: Pet

Upon arriving at Princess Chang’s residence, after being announced by the attendants, Wen Jin walked through the main gate, passed through three courtyards, traversed the winding corridors, and headed towards the direction of Princess Chang’s bedchamber.

Yan Qing was bathing.

A delicate mist filled the air, her flawless body completely submerged in the hot water, petals floating around her, her slender arms lightly resting on the edge of the tub, her eyes lazily closed.

As Wen Jin entered, this was the scene that greeted him, causing his steps to involuntarily pause.

“Come closer.” The woman’s lazy and indifferent voice sounded, carrying a natural air of command.

Wen Jin walked over.

With a slender and graceful figure, exuding an air of elegance and charm, the young man gazed warmly at Yan Qing. The curve of his lips, like it was measured with a ruler, formed a gentle smile, “Your Highness.”

“I have no intention of marrying Xiao Jinghan.” Yan Qing raised her gaze to look at him, her voice becoming more casual, as if asking casually, “Wen Jin, would you like to be my husband?”

Husband?

Wen Jin’s smile faltered slightly, then he regained a clean smile and replied, “I am not worthy of Your Highness.”

“Kneel.”

Stepping back, Wen Jin, without hesitation, lifted his robe and knelt down, lowering his head respectfully and gracefully.

“Come closer, afraid I might eat you?” Yan Qing teased.

Wen Jin moved closer.

“Unworthy?” Yan Qing turned her body slightly, reaching out to lift his chin, a mocking smile on her face, “Do you get to decide if you are worthy?”

Wen Jin lowered his eyes, “No.”

Her slender fingers traced his face, Yan Qing’s voice languid, “Reluctant to give up the position of Prime Minister?”

Wen Jin replied, “No.”

“Being my husband, would that degrade you?”

Wen Jin’s answer remained the same, “No.”

Yan Qing looked at him calmly, then, after a moment, she leaned back against the tub and slowly closed her eyes, “What decree did Yan Chen ask you to convey?”

The current Emperor Yan Chen, the sixth son of the late Emperor, ascended the throne as the Emperor in late December of the previous year, with the regnal title Zhaoming.

Due to the disharmony in the new Emperor’s dragon body at his coronation, the late Emperor’s decree appointed the youngest royal brother, Yan Cang, as the Prince Regent to temporarily hold the regency power until the Emperor’s dragon body became healthy.

Concerned about the Prince Regent’s control over the military power, the late Emperor appointed Yan Qing as the Princess Chang to command the Qilin Guards, protecting and safeguarding the Emperor.

Therefore, the Great Yong royal family was currently in a tripartite balance, with the Emperor and his loyal ministers, the Prince Regent and his Iron Cavalry, and Princess Chang and her Qilin Guards.

Leading the loyalists were Xiao Zhongshan and Wen Jin.

The Xiao family was loyal to the Emperor, the most trusted military leader, used to counterbalance Princess Chang, Yan Qing. In the previous life, Xiao Jinghan indeed fulfilled his tasks exceptionally well, entrusted by the Emperor.

Wen Jin, on the other hand, was the Emperor’s tool to counter the Prince Regent, a young and gentle nobleman who, at such a young age, rose to be the Prime Minister, proving his exceptional abilities.

However, Yan Qing was well aware that the unrest in the new Emperor’s dragon body was not the true reason for the Prince Regent’s appointment. It was to suppress the growing power of the Four Kings guarding the fiefdom, a force the new Emperor couldn’t control, and only the Prince Regent could contain their ambitions.

The late Emperor was profound in his thoughts, meticulous in his strategies, using successive decrees to balance those he feared against each other, securing enough time for his sons to consolidate the throne. However…

“The Emperor commands Your Highness to come to the palace immediately.” Wen Jin said, adding, “Bring Xiao Jinghan with you.”

“Xiao Jinghan has been locked in the dungeon and likely won’t be able to leave the Princess’s residence before his last breath.” Yan Qing’s voice was cold and merciless, “Do you know why?”

Wen Jin lowered his gaze, “Because he committed adultery and betrayed Your Highness.”

Although they were not yet officially married, the late Emperor’s decree for their union was unchangeable, making them legally husband and wife in name, with only the formal marriage ceremony pending.

“What he did is not worth my attention.” Yan Qing’s voice was icy, “Before the late Emperor’s passing, he gave him a task.”

A task?

Wen Jin’s fingertips trembled.

“He was tasked with poisoning me slowly, gradually weakening my martial skills until I couldn’t live beyond seven years.” Yan Qing’s lips curved slightly, “Even my good father, on his deathbed, was worried about me, scheming to ensure my end at an opportune time.”

Seven years was enough time for the Prince Regent to weaken the power of the Four Kings and for the current Emperor to firmly establish his rule. By then, not only Princess Chang but even the Prince Regent Yan Cang might find it hard to escape unscathed.

With the new Emperor on the throne for less than three months, according to the late Emperor’s wishes, Yan Qing and Xiao Jinghan had to marry within a hundred days, or she would have to wait another three years before they could wed—yet neither the new Emperor nor the Xiao family would be willing to wait for three years.

Their marriage was already in preparation, but no one had foreseen that Princess Chang would directly go to the brothel to catch them in the act.

With this mistake in hand, Yan Qing now had a legitimate excuse to break off the engagement.

Xiao Jinghan would never have another opportunity to poison her in this lifetime.

Wen Jin’s thin lips tightened, and his hands by his side subtly clenched, revealing his inner turmoil.

Having her martial skills weakened…

Yan Qing swiftly rose from the tub, her hand swiftly waving, a strong airflow lifting the robe hanging on the rack, gracefully draping it over her body as she emerged from the water, completely covering her flawless figure.

With her waist-length jet-black hair and her slender body cloaked in the crimson robe, tightly wrapped yet exuding an irresistible allure, she seemed both alluring and mysterious.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air, a scent that Yan Qing favored.

Wen Jin greedily inhaled the scent, momentarily lost in memories, his breathing slowly calming down, his features serene and gentle, appearing unchanged from his usual demeanor.

He still looked like a well-mannered gentleman.

However, when Yan Qing turned to look at Wen Jin, her red lips curved into a seductive smile, enhancing her beauty and charm, “Minister Wen, your heart is in turmoil.”

Wen Jin took a shallow breath, maintaining a steady breath, “It’s not.”

“Wen Jin, I remember teaching you manners in the past.” Yan Qing gracefully approached him, bending to lift his chin, a smile playing on her lips, “Lying in front of me… will be punished.”

Wen Jin’s breath quickened, his voice gaining a hint of instability, “Yes.”

Yan Qing’s delicate fingers gently moved, caressing his perfect lips, “Since this mouth of yours always speaks falsehoods, perhaps I should sew it shut.”

Wen Jin became even more submissive, “I will heed Your Highness’s words.”

“I don’t like it when you call me ‘Your Highness’.” Yan Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched him in silence. “Call me ‘Master’.”

Wen Jin lowered his gaze, compliantly amending, “I will heed Master’s words.”

Yan Qing’s gaze narrowed, silently observing his face. In reality, while Xiao Jinghan was undoubtedly a tool used against her, Wen Jin was the wolf she had personally raised, a wolf that turned against its master.

She meticulously nurtured him, personally guiding him, investing heavily in private lessons with renowned teachers for music, chess, calligraphy, painting, military strategy, and tactics. She strictly trained him according to the standards of a noble gentleman. In the entire empire, no young nobleman dared to compare with Wen Jin in terms of looks, demeanor, and strategic thinking.

She also supported him on his path to becoming a powerful minister, carefully paving the way for him.

Yet, this person, who seemed harmless and gentle, betrayed her under his smiling facade, delivering a fatal blow.

Yan Qing quietly observed the young man before her, who appeared innocent yet now faced her cold and piercing gaze, “Wen Jin.”

“Here.”

“If a pet were to betray its master, how do you think it should be punished?”

Wen Jin’s fingertips trembled slightly, his handsome face displaying humility and respect, “It should be taught a harsh lesson.”

“How would you teach it?”

“Remove its claws, break its teeth, so it can no longer attack its owner.”

Yan Qing smiled at his response, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes, “Is that so?”

Wen Jin lowered his gaze.

“In that case, I will follow your advice.” Yan Qing said, her voice carrying an imperceptible chill, “By tomorrow evening, you will move into Princess Chang’s residence, where I have prepared a special gift for you.”

Leaving these words behind, Yan Qing turned to adjust her attire. In an instant, she changed into a striking red dress, with a red silk belt accentuating her slender waist, radiating a dazzling brilliance.

Though her delicate figure seemed fragile, it concealed a fearful power.

“You may go see Xiao Jinghan.” Yan Qing walked out, her striking figure disappearing from view, leaving a mesmerizing impression behind.