Chapter 84: Fulfillment

Spring rain fell continuously, coating a large expanse of tender green leaves. The window was slightly ajar, allowing a cool, damp breeze to drift into the room. The purple bed curtains swayed gently, and clothes were strewn about the floor.

This was the first time Xia Tong woke up to a warm bed. As she groggily opened her eyes, she saw a pair of deep black eyes looking at her, both of them staring at each other.

Turning over, she still kept her eyes closed and mumbled, “Why didn’t you go to court?”

This time, Gu Qin kept his word. He knew that she was still pregnant and did not do anything too excessive last night, otherwise she would not have slept so soundly.

His large hand leisurely wandered over her smooth back, and the man gazed intently at her drowsy little face, his voice low and deep. “This king is unwell and it’s not suitable to attend court.”

Xia Tong: “……”

She slightly opened her eyes to glance at the man who was speaking nonsense. If he were to become Emperor, he would undoubtedly be a debauched tyrant obsessed with women.

“I need to discuss something with you,” she said, still keeping her eyes closed as she leaned against him. “I’m planning to have Xifeng marry Fang Yu. What do you think?”

This was to prevent Xifeng from constantly using the excuse of protecting her while secretly flirting with Fang Yu. When it came to skills in wooing women, Gu Qin was no match for his subordinates.

“No.”

Xia Tong immediately opened her eyes, curiosity etched on her face. “Why not?”

Was he really reluctant to let his own subordinate go?

The man’s expression remained unchanged, but his tone grew cold. “Last time, he failed to protect you. I didn’t punish him then, and now he wants to get married?”

Xia Tong: “……”

Suddenly, she felt a bit sorry for Xifeng. It seemed he couldn’t even marry without his master’s permission. It proved that one should never offend the villain, a man who held grudges.

“But he didn’t do it on purpose. After all, he has been following you for so many years. It’s not like he hasn’t contributed at all,” Xia Tong said, innocently blinking her eyes as she hugged his arm.

Gu Qin didn’t reply. He just looked at her strangely. Xia Tong felt something was off and looked down, realizing she wasn’t wearing any clothes. She quickly shrank back into the covers and muttered, “You stinky hooligan.”

Watching the lump in the blanket, the man’s eyebrows twitched slightly. He coaxed her, “You don’t want them to get married?”

Hearing his words, Xia Tong blushed and huffed, “If they don’t get married, then they don’t!”

After all, it wasn’t her business. It would be fine if Xifeng and Fang Yu continued their relationship.

“Then I’ll leave?” he said in a low voice.

Xia Tong remained silent until she heard the rustling of clothes outside, followed by the sound of the door opening and closing. After a while, she couldn’t hold back any longer and poked her head out from the blanket, but the next moment, she was pulled into his embrace.

“You are even more cruel than me.” His eyes were burning.

Thinking about her lack of clothing made Xia Tong particularly uneasy. Blushing, she stammered, “You big liar!”

His large hand lingered on her soft body, his eyes growing even more intense. Suddenly, he leaned down and took a deep breath at her neck, his voice hoarse. “You annoying little spy.”

Xia Tong dared not move, feeling the unusual tension in his body. Fortunately, after he took advantage of her, he released her, clearly mindful of the child she was carrying.

Xia Tong didn’t go back to sleep. Instead, she got up with him to have breakfast. However, she remembered what had happened yesterday—he promised to take her to Jiangnan, but ended up ditching her. Gu Qin didn’t explain much, only rarely allowing her to visit the Jinyue Teahouse, and that was all.

Of course, he only let her go out alone. After breakfast, he headed to the study. Xia Tong didn’t expect him to accompany her outside. He allowed her to go to the Jinyue Teahouse because it was likely guarded by many people, making it difficult for anything to go wrong.

But staying in the residence felt dull. Xia Tong still decided to leave with Xifeng. Perhaps it wasn’t so cold anymore, as more pedestrians appeared on the streets. Xifeng didn’t seem to care much about the wind and told her that there had been big movements from Xiao Ming and the Grand Tutor’s residence lately, which was why Gu Qin was tied up at the moment.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, it was bustling with people. The girl playing the pipa on stage was quite beautiful, explaining why so many idle young masters were present.

“I want to eat the roasted duck from Jufuzhai,” she said.

Upon hearing this, Xifeng immediately bowed his head and said, “I’ll go get it right now.”

Once Xifeng left, Xia Tong glanced back at Fang Yu and raised her eyebrows slightly. “Go help me buy some candied hawthorn sticks.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Fang Yu seemed to understand her meaning. Her face turned red, and she quickly turned and left the teahouse. Xia Tong couldn’t help but sigh. Gu Qin, the grudging type, wouldn’t let Xifeng marry, so she had to provide them with some opportunities to interact. After all, she had nothing to do, and the shopkeeper was watching her more closely than Xifeng.

“Please follow me this way.” The shopkeeper respectfully led the way.

The woman wore a simple cloak, her slender figure and delicate features drawing the attention of many in the hall. However, anyone who could mingle in the capital had a bit of sense. They knew that someone treated with such respect by the shopkeeper was not someone they could easily approach.

Arriving at Gu Qin’s private room, she ordered some snacks. After that, the shopkeeper lingered in her compartment as if he were afraid something would happen if she were alone. Xia Tong was used to the demeanor of Gu Qin’s subordinates. As long as they were happy, that was enough.

“What do you usually do?” she casually asked while listening to the music playing below.

The shopkeeper, not daring to hide anything from this esteemed guest, answered honestly, “Nothing much, just inquiring about some secrets in the capital. As for other urgent matters, I’m not too clear on those.”

Hearing this, Xia Tong merely nodded. It seemed Gu Qin’s network was quite extensive. It was no wonder he knew everything. When she had tried to escape, she was caught before even leaving the city. Thankfully, she had married him. If they had become enemies, it wouldn’t matter how far she ran. She would have been caught.

“However, it would be best for the princess to stay in the residence for now. It seems the capital is not very peaceful lately,” the shopkeeper said solemnly.

There was also the fact that he was rather timid. If anything happened to the princess while she was with him, he wouldn’t have the courage to face the prince.

“When has the capital ever been peaceful?” Xia Tong said, pouting as she took a bite of a pastry.

The shopkeeper was about to say something else when his expression suddenly grew serious. He leaned closer to Xia Tong, his gaze cautiously scanning the door.

Sure enough, before long, two figures of different sizes appeared outside. When Xia Tong saw who it was, she was startled, but maintaining her composure, she stood up and bowed to them. “I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

That’s right, the people who came were Lin Qin and Xiao Jing. Both of them were in casual clothes and were followed by several followers. Even so, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that they were not ordinary people. However, Xia Tong did not expect that these two people would come out shopping together.

“Princess, there’s no need for such formalities,” Lin Qin said with a forced smile. Yet, as she looked at Xia Tong’s increasingly beautiful face, her palm bore several marks from her own grip.

Xiao Jing slightly tilted his head. “You should return to the palace first.”

Their eyes met, and Lin Qin paused. Although she felt a strong reluctance in her heart, she obediently bowed. “I will take my leave now.”

As she turned, a flicker of resentment crossed her eyes. It was clear he was worried about her interrupting him and that woman. The palace already housed numerous concubines who resembled that woman, but it was never enough. Now she couldn’t hold back her curiosity. She wanted to see if the Emperor truly intended to oppose the regent for a woman.

Xiao Jing stepped forward a few paces, seemingly indifferent to the shopkeeper standing there. Instead, he sat down across from Xia Tong, his expression calm. “It’s cold outside. Why did you leave the residence?”

Xia Tong felt a bit awkward and didn’t sit down. She replied coolly, “I was feeling bored in the residence, so I came out for a stroll. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

After her words, Xiao Jing continued to look at the bustling hall while casually glancing at her. “I’m not concerned about everyone.”

He had never been infatuated with women, and Xia Tong wasn’t extraordinarily unique. Yet, for some reason, whenever he saw those sycophantic concubines, her face would flash in his mind, like a thorn in his heart that, while it didn’t affect him, was hard to ignore.

Xia Tong: “…”

“I have matters to attend to, so I must take my leave first.”

She bowed again, turning to leave immediately. She didn’t check the almanac before going out today. If Gu Qin found out she had encountered the male lead, she would definitely be in trouble.

“It is I who has wronged you.”

Xia Tong stopped in her tracks, her expression strange. The shopkeeper beside her looked equally uncomfortable, clearly shocked that the Emperor had come and seemed to have ulterior motives toward the princess!

“If I had been more assertive back then, you wouldn’t have married Gu Qin.” As he spoke, Xiao Jing’s gaze grew darker, his tone chilling. “I believe you are not truly sincere towards him.”

Xia Tong was left dumbfounded. Had the male lead hit his head on the way out?

After a moment’s hesitation, she turned to face him, her gaze intense. “Your Majesty, you misunderstand. Fate decides our destinies, and this is Heaven’s arrangement. My feelings for the prince are something others cannot comprehend. Ultimately, I must thank Your Majesty for your role in my marriage.”

This was her first time looking directly into his eyes, and the atmosphere in the room became increasingly tense. Xia Tong did not feel intimidated by his status. She liked Gu Qin, not just because he was her husband but because of who he was.

Seeing the cold demeanor of the woman before him, Xiao Jing suddenly stepped closer to her, narrowing his eyes. “If I fulfill your wishes, who will fulfill mine?”

**

Author’s Note: The Emperor is the kind of person who believes that what he cannot have is the best.