Chapter 86: Like

Xia Tong stared wide-eyed, utterly bewildered. The man before her, cold and distant between his brows, was clearly holding back—otherwise, his tone wouldn’t have been so gentle. She hadn’t expected that, after all this roundabout questioning, he would circle back to the same point.

With a strong desire for self-preservation, she immediately straightened up and explained in a serious tone, “Of course, I firmly told His Majesty that the person I like is Your Highness. In life, I am yours, and in death, I will still be yours. I absolutely spoke the truth. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the shopkeeper.”

To prove her sincerity, she blinked innocently, her expression earnest. She wasn’t lying, but she knew that once this man got angry, even ten oxen couldn’t drag him back. She was genuinely terrified.

Maybe it was all the nourishing soups she’d been drinking recently, but her face had grown rounder. Gu Qin narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips, not saying a word.

“What I said is true. My loyalty to you, Your Highness, is as clear as day,” Xia Tong insisted, raising three fingers to swear an oath when she saw his continued silence.

After a long moment, the man finally spoke, his gaze dark and unreadable. “You said you like me?”

Xia Tong froze, then blushed slightly, nodding.

“Just like?” His voice deepened mysteriously.

Her eyes flickered, and she paused, noticing the man’s enigmatic expression. She hesitated before softly replying, “What’s the word for… really liking someone?”

He squeezed her soft, round cheeks, finally easing the tension in his heart. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

“Smooth talker.”

“This time, I’ll let it go. Don’t forget to take your medicine.” He glanced at her with feigned indifference, then turned and left with his hands clasped behind his back.

Xia Tong: “…”

She looked at her injured arm and wondered why he wouldn’t comfort her even a little.

It was unfair that she, a girl, had to confess her feelings while he hadn’t even uttered a single word of affection to her.

After a while, Fang Yu came in as usual with the prenatal medicine, but there was a hint of worry in her expression, as if she had something to say but held back. Xia Tong knew she was concerned about Xifeng, but Gu Qin clearly had no intention of listening to her pleas. Who knew what punishment they would face?

Over the next few days, Xia Tong didn’t see Xifeng at all. Fang Yu appeared gloomy every day, but she still hadn’t spoken to Xia Tong about it. Xia Tong felt uneasy. Gu Qin might act mercilessly toward others, and she feared what would happen if he decided to take Xifeng’s life.

Unable to sit still any longer, Xia Tong brought a chess set to the study that night. However, the person guarding the door was not Xifeng but a stranger who respectfully bowed when he saw her approach.

She glanced around, then leaned closer and whispered, “Do you know where Xifeng went?”

Upon hearing this, the man’s expression changed slightly, and he hesitated to answer. “I’m not sure, Princess.”

It was clear he was lying. Xia Tong glared at him, “I’ll remember you.”

With that, she pushed the door open and walked in, leaving the man behind with a helpless look. If he had spoken, his master would have surely punished him.

Inside the study, a flickering candle illuminated the room. Gu Qin sat at the desk in a dark robe, poring over a pile of documents. He had clearly been buried in work for days without stepping out. Xia Tong approached, clutching her chess set, and gazed at the cool, distant man.

“You spend all day working and haven’t said much to me,” she said in a plaintive tone.

Her tone caught his attention, and he looked up at her, his brow slightly raised. “What do you want?”

Today, Xia Tong had made an effort to dress up. Under the candlelight, her delicate brows lifted slightly, and a charming smile graced her fair face. “I want to play chess with you.”

She had styled her hair in an elegant updo, with flowing beads on either side, making her face appear even more exquisite. Her lips were adorned with a hint of lipstick, radiating an enticing red hue, and her bright, clear eyes reflected her own image, giving her an enchanting aura.

Gu Qin remained silent, his expression inscrutable as his fingers tapped lightly on the table, producing a rhythmic “tap tap” sound.

“Those documents will never be finished. Do you really think I’m less important than your paperwork?” Xia Tong pinched her thigh, and her eyes turned red with emotion.

Gu Qin lowered his head, rubbing his forehead, seemingly exhausted. After a while, he took her hand and said, “How do you want to play?”

With a grin, Xia Tong said excitedly, “Just let me have thirty extra pieces.”

She was confident that with thirty extra pieces, she could win.

Gu Qin didn’t respond, and Xia Tong took that as his acquiescence. She hurried to the couch, set up the chessboard, and selected thirty pieces from the black ones, placing them to the side. Once Gu Qin arrived, she made the first move.

The study fell into a deep silence. After several exchanges, Xia Tong suddenly broke the quiet. “Isn’t it more interesting to have a little wager when playing chess?”

Gu Qin raised an eyebrow, his expression calm. “What kind of wager do you want?”

After making another move, Xia Tong leaned in and quietly said, “If I win, will you let Xifeng go?”

Hearing her true intention, Gu Qin remained indifferent. He had grown accustomed to this woman’s tendency to be overly friendly only when she needed something. Normally, she wouldn’t act so sweetly.

“I can’t let him go.”

Xia Tong’s face fell. “Why not?”

Was he really that strict? Everyone makes mistakes in life.

Gu Qin glanced at her, his lips parting slightly. “How can I let go of someone who’s already dead?”

Xia Tong: “…”

She froze in place, disbelief etched on her face, her mind going blank.

After a long pause, she pouted and looked defiantly at him. “I don’t believe you. If you scare me again, I… I’ll have a miscarriage.”

She couldn’t believe Gu Qin could be so ruthless, but deep down, she knew he was indeed a cold-hearted person…

“Well, he still has half a life left.” The man raised an eyebrow, leisurely placing down a piece. “If you win, I’ll let him go.”

“Really?” Relief washed over her. She had known Xifeng was still alive.

But then he added, “If you lose, you must agree to that matter I mentioned before.”

At his words, Xia Tong’s face flushed instantly. But to save Xifeng, she gritted her teeth and nodded. Looking at his detached, emotionless demeanor, she thought, who knew he could be this type of person in private?

Gu Qin smirked slightly, focusing more on the chessboard in front of him. This woman had come to him so alluringly. If he didn’t accept, it would be unreasonable.

The study fell silent again. Xia Tong felt as if her previous games had been mere child’s play. He must have been toying with her, or else why couldn’t she hold out even for a moment despite having thirty extra pieces?

As beads of sweat formed on her forehead, just when she was about to struggle for another round, a sudden, urgent voice called from outside.

“Master, there’s an urgent report from the palace.”

The voice perfectly rescued Xia Tong from her predicament. She quickly turned to Gu Qin, a serious expression on her face. “You need to go. The important matters come first.”

I’m sorry, Xifeng. As your princess, my abilities are limited. I can only try to save you next time.

Gu Qin shot her a cold glance, exuding an aura that kept people at a distance, before striding out of the study. Xia Tong breathed a sigh of relief. She had initially thought about following to see what the urgent matter was, but she ultimately decided against it.

However, after Gu Qin left, he didn’t return for the entire night. Xia Tong spent the night alone, and fortunately, the weather wasn’t too cold. Otherwise, she really wouldn’t have been able to sleep alone. Even so, she still found it hard to get used to sleeping by herself. Indeed, habits can change a person’s way of life.

The next day, she lazily got out of bed around noon. After gently rubbing her slightly swollen abdomen, she called for someone to come in and wash up. Once the person entered, she inquired if Gu Qin had returned.

“The prince did not return all night, but something significant happened in the palace,” Fang Yu said seriously, leaning in. She lowered her voice and continued, “Although there are no rumors among the common people yet, it’s been circulating in the court that the Emperor was attacked last night and is now in critical condition. Some are saying that the prince was involved, and during today’s morning court session, the Grand Tutor confronted the prince. We don’t know what the current situation is.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Tong was taken aback. She stared intently at her reflection in the bronze mirror, furrowing her brows. “Why would the Emperor suddenly be attacked?”

The palace was heavily guarded, and given that Xiao Jing was skilled himself, how could he sustain such serious injuries?

“I’m not quite sure about that either,” Fang Yu replied as she helped Xia Tong arrange her hair. “It seems there was an insider at Qianqing Palace who colluded with the assassin, leading to the Emperor’s grave injuries.”

Xia Tong remained silent. The situation was indeed suspicious, but she felt quite sorry for Gu Qin. He was being blamed for everything, truly the king of scapegoats. Yet, she wasn’t too worried about what would happen to him. A ruthless person like him would only hurt others, so there were some advantages to being heartless.

“Master,” at that moment, Qing’er hurried in, her expression unusually serious. “The Duke heir’s consort requests an audience.”

Upon hearing that name, Xia Tong was momentarily stunned before remembering Xia Ning. Her cousin had been serving in the northwest with Lin Yi when the Xia family incident occurred. Now, suddenly returning, it was unclear what she wanted. However, since Gu Qin had killed everyone in the Xia family, Xia Ning must be furious with them. Her unexpected visit surely meant trouble.

After putting on a jade hairpin, she checked her reflection in the bronze mirror and said coldly, “I won’t meet her. It’s the same if she sends you to relay her message.”