Chapter 100: Unpacified Intentions, Tender and Sentimental Words / Ji Jin

  "Zhao Zhuo put me down——"

  The sound of the wind is gentle and lingering, the neighing of horses is clear and distinct, in the quiet night it sounds especially clear.

  But all of these are nothing compared to the collapse on July 7th...

  Before today, if anyone had told her that Zhao Zhuo would do something like "snatching people" in public, she wouldn't have believed it even if you killed her. But now he not only did it, but also did it so naturally, so righteous, and so effortlessly, as if he didn't know how crazy his behavior was at all, and then ran away with her.

  She wasn't so collapsed at first.

  No matter what, she is a young woman with quality, culture and upbringing in the new era, right? She reasoned with Zhao Zun, saying all sorts of big truths. But he didn't reason, didn't answer, didn't respond, a typical "three noes" man who owed her an apology. Letting her make a fuss and shout, he remained unmoved, one hand lightly holding the reins, the other tightly encircling her waist, as if listening to a lullaby, his eyes slightly closed, cold and elegant, not a single ripple on his handsome face that was chiseled by time.

  What makes people most angry?

  It's when you're about to die from anger, but your opponent doesn't even care.

  On the seventh day of summer, the air was extreme and attacked her heart. All past grievances and events rushed to her mind, thinking about how he had bullied her in the past, all old and new accounts were turned over at once. Her heart felt like it had been fried in a pot of oil, fried once, flipped once, flipped again, and fried again, scolding more and more fiercely, but no matter how much she scolded, she couldn't vent her anger.

  "Zhao Zhu, you bastard!" She cursed again!

  "Zhao Zhu, are you still going to pretend to be innocent?!" She struggled!

  "Zhao Zhu, what kind of man are you? Can't play anymore?"

  "Solving problems with force, bullying women...... Shameless shameless shameless......"

  It's infuriating for a person to perform without an audience. She scolded fiercely, but didn't know her own image - the corners of her mouth slightly curled up, her eyes like two sparkling springs, with long eyelashes casting a thin shallow shadow in the moonlight, and her shoulders shaking constantly as she scolded, how could it be described as "a combination of Sun Erniang and Mei Jiaoniang"?

  Zhao Zhuo's face turned black and he fell silent for a long time, as if thinking of something. Suddenly, he raised his hand and tore off the beautiful hairpin on her head, then used force to pull out a few strands from her scalp, causing her originally well-combed hair to become disheveled and fly wildly in the wind.

  Son of a turtle!

  It's hard for her to be beautiful once, is it easy for her?

  Why can't he just let her look good for once?

  "Zhao Zhu, I have offended your ancestors..."

  Anger turned her around on the horse, she turned from back to him, and faced him. Originally prepared to collect him properly, but he closed his arms, in the big bird's run, the two people's bodies rubbed ambiguously close together, mixed with his low head at the time of spraying hot breath, let Xia Chuyi self-inflicted, accidentally choked a mouthful of saliva.

  "Cough...cough..."

  Why is she so unlucky? She lamented in her heart and started coughing heavily.

  That person, however, remained silent, gently stroking her back with a calm and unruffled demeanor, causing the irritation, distress, regret, and despair in her heart to rise by countless degrees.

  "I'm telling you, if you don't let me go down, I'll bite my tongue..."

  Biting her tongue to death was what a fool would do, and she wouldn't. But before she could finish her sentence, her furious face froze. She never expected that the stiff man, like a sculpture, would suddenly grab the back of her head and swallow her words along with her tongue into his belly.

  "Hmm...hmm..."

  Her face turned red with rage, and she wildly pounded him with both hands.

  He remained expressionless, covering her mouth, however.

  He didn't seem to be satisfied with just a few pecks, so he let go of the reins and wrapped one hand around her slender waist, while using the other to hold her head in place. He also pulled open her cloak, letting her damp body fully enter his embrace. A kiss full of aggression, long and unrelenting, as if he wanted to swallow her tongue whole. The waves of stimulation came fast and strong, making her body tremble uncontrollably under the heat of his chest.

  Her ears turned bright red, feeling utterly humiliated.

  "Hmm..."

  He kissed her and she hit him.

  Desperately, desperately hitting, turning all the accumulated anger into fists.

  The big bird slowed down...

  It was a horse that followed Zhao Yun through battles in the south and north, having been on battlefields and in military camps, extremely intelligent, as if it knew its master's thoughts. In order not to disturb the people on its back who were engaged in a passionate kiss, it slowed down its pace, with a noble and elegant posture, yet calm and composed.

  Kiss kiss kiss...

  It suddenly let out a loud snort...

  Forgive it, the program on its back was too stimulating, and it couldn't help itself for a moment.

  A small noise, but it caused a big commotion.

  Those two people, who seemed to be yearning and communicating with each other, had been exchanging saliva for a long time without anything happening. Suddenly, Xia Zhiyu snapped back to reality and found that he had unknowingly reciprocated the intimacy. For a moment, he felt both annoyed and angry, resenting not only him but also himself... Seeing no way to escape, she viciously grabbed his shoulder, punched him ineffectively, and then bit him instead.

  A hiss, and Zhao Zhu's lips felt a burning pain.

  He released her, his dark eyes deep and heavy with breathing, "Good cruel little woman, murdering your own husband?"

  "Damn your mother's big butt..."

  She lay on her side with a pair of big eyes, Xia Qiuli almost didn't catch her breath in one gasp.

  "Zhao Zhuo, what makes you think you can be so overbearing?"

  Zhao Zun seemed to be savoring the moment, pursing his lips slightly, and gently touching the corner of his mouth where she had bitten him. His movements were slow, rhythmic, and elegant, with a carefree and unrestrained posture, still as majestic and unparalleled as ever.

  "Dad was just helping you bite your tongue."

  “……”

  Looking at the faint smile on his face and the pleasure in his tone, like a cat who has stolen fish, Xia Qi's anger grew even more. This man had always been this way, no matter what he did, he always had to win. He was cunning, detestable, and yet always managed to look so innocent, it made her want to strangle him to death on the spot.

  Alright, pretend away! I'll let you pretend...

  Staring at him unblinkingly, Xia Chuqi no longer struggled or got angry.

  Not making a single move, just staring at him, staring all along.

  Until he raised an eyebrow in suspicion, she calmly lifted her eyes and smiled slowly.

  "Zhou Zhu, do you love me?"

  She wouldn't have told you even if you had beaten her to death back then.

  But today she was "robbed" back by him, and he even "forced a kiss" on her again, almost losing her heart. After the pain subsided, she felt that she had to get things clear directly, no longer guessing what was in his mind. Who doesn't say? Many times, men will make you feel like they've fallen in love with you, but actually, they haven't; while women have already fallen in love with them, yet refuse to speak out, and this is the cause of tragedy.

  She finished asking, feeling that her questions were high and above, with a strong sense of Qiong Yao's style.

  Ke Zhao furrowed his brow but didn't respond.

  Her heart sank slightly, and she smiled wryly with a hint of resignation.

  "Look, I knew it would end up like this. Zhao Zhu, in your opinion, just because we've had a physical relationship, does that mean I must belong to you? Can't you tolerate the possibility of me falling into someone else's arms again? Let me tell you, my perspective is not like that. In my view, I have always been free, it's not like I'm destined to be with you for this lifetime, do you understand?"

  His dark eyes were deep in thought, staring at her silently.

  Encountering such a stubborn mule, Xia Chuyi felt quite helpless.

  When it was time to part again, there were a few more hints of melancholy in her smile.

  "I know my views don't fit the times, and you may not be able to accept them. But this is the truth: I don't like beating around the bush. Let's just be honest, the emotional weight I require is heavy. Regardless of whether you're a prince or an ordinary man, if you're mine, you must be only mine. I won't tolerate deception, betrayal, or any other woman's mark on my man, whether it's physical or emotional. When it comes to emotions, I'm a woman with a strong sense of purity. If a man wants to spend his life with me, everything else can be compromised, but when it comes to emotions, he must follow my theory of love and live with me accordingly. Do you understand?"

  She spoke with such grandeur and majesty, as if her words could move mountains and rivers...

  Holding her head high, chest out, raising an eyebrow and curling her lip, she was the epitome of the prince's arrogance.

  That person... was still looking at her strangely.

  She was somewhat annoyed, "Zhao Zhu, can't you even handle these things? So, the generation gap between us..."

  She said so, and with both hands, she pulled open and gestured.

  That was a long distance.

  "You're a feudal lord at heart, you need your woman to absolutely obey you, you need your woman to look up to you. And I... don't ask my man to look up to me, but hope to be equal with him. Before, I thought I found that person. But after all these things, I've come to realize, I was foolish. However, this thing can't be blamed on you, it's because our two people have different ideas. I understand your deeply rooted feudal thoughts, understand your standpoint, and at the same time, also hope you can understand my thoughts, okay?"

  Zhao Zun's eyebrows were about to furrow into a "river" character, but in the end he still opened his mouth.

  "Ah Qi, what are you talking about?"

  What does it mean? She said so many lofty ideas, but he didn't understand them at all?

  Chao Tian rolled her eyes and thought she was going to bite her tongue off this time.

  "You don't understand, that's okay. It just proves the generation gap between us is even bigger. I'm talking about human hearts. Your heart, my heart, both of our hearts have too many secrets hidden inside. Not to mention... you have your own unfulfilled desires, and I have my own little emotional struggles. You don't love me, and I won't miss you either."

  "Ah Qi..." Zhao Zun's dark eyes narrowed, as if he had thought for a long time, before raising his hand to stroke her hair, "I don't understand what you mean by love, but I will definitely be very good to you."

  What is good?

  He's going to marry another woman, and then he comes to find her to be his concubine?

  Is it right for him to have someone else in his heart and still hug, hold and kiss her as if nothing is wrong?

  Mom, she said so much, can't all be nonsense, didn't he listen?

  He suddenly waved his hand open, and she was so angry that a kettle could be hung on her nose.

  "Your Highness, King of Jin, your kindness is too much for Chu Qi to handle..."

  "Say it again?" His face turned dark once more.

  "I said I couldn't afford it, I couldn't afford it before, now and in the future even more so..."

  "What did you just say?"

  "What did you say?"

  "...owe a kiss..." He hummed softly, lowered his head and came to peck at her lips, his posture on the horse was stiff and sharp. Compared to her who was struggling constantly, he seemed like someone who had been wronged, aggressively attacking her, entwining their bodies tightly together. They kissed, they nibbled, they bit, they sucked, with eyes lowered and spirits closed off, not allowing her to twist or dodge.

  This kiss was different from usual.

  Not the joy and exploration of first love, but a struggle of plundering and dominance.

  Or it's a clash of two ideologies. Zhao Zhu is a man, a big man, a high-ranking prince and also a brave general who has conquered many battlefields. He is used to conquering, controlling and being in a dominant position, how can he tolerate his woman refusing him?

  The more she resisted, the more he was excited.

  That kiss, exciting the big bird to one loud snort after another.

  "Zhao Zhu! You son of a bitch..."

  At last, in the roar of the seventh day of summer, a bloody kiss ended. Zhao Zun's arms tightened, holding her tightly to his chest, close to himself, and his usually cold voice softened a lot, calling out "A Qi" in a low voice, with his forehead against hers, and a sigh of satisfaction and helplessness escaped from his mouth.

  "Let's just drop it, okay?"

  Is she making trouble?

  At the beginning of summer, Qi Yue's face stiffened for a moment, and he didn't know what he was thinking about. He suddenly looked up at him with an eerie smile and stroked his chin. Maybe he hadn't rested well these past few days, and a thin layer of stubble had appeared on his usually radiant face, which felt a bit prickly to the touch.

  She stroked for a moment, learning from the vicious woman image in TV dramas, and sneered with a sarcastic smile.

  "Grandpa, it's not that I want to quarrel with you, but today, you really are late."

  "What's going on here?" Zhao raised an eyebrow.

  "The meaning is, the meaning is... " Purposely prolonging her gentle voice, Xia Chuyi suddenly laughed softly, "I'm already a great commander. Just before you came... in that water... I and he... hmm, it was still quite thrilling..."

  She spoke languidly, trying to make herself look even more disgusting. At the same time, she stared at his face without blinking. He lowered his eyes, like a hungry wolf that had lost its fresh meat, and glanced over at her with a ferocious gaze, as if he wanted to swallow her whole, his expression extremely frightening.

  In an instant, the gloom in his eyes dispersed again.

  "Ah Qi is not allowed to joke around, how can you say such things?"

  Obviously, he doesn't believe it?

  At the beginning of summer, she subconsciously lowered her eyelids to avoid his scorching gaze. Only then did she raise her hand, grasp his, and gently place it on her waist, slowly moving it downwards. However, her head was held high, staring straight at his eternally elegant and cold face.

  "Grandfather, don't you still understand my character? I've always been one who doesn't take this seriously. Fine, if you really don't believe me, then check for yourself! Just look at my skirt and you'll know... There's still a red stain on the hem of my skirt..."

  She spoke extremely slowly, with a smile at the corner of her lips.

  "Grandfather, if you don't mind... why not take a look now?"

  She stared at him, watching as his gaze shattered inch by inch, and he stood there like he had been struck by lightning, completely still.

  That one face of hers which she thought would never change color for anything...

  It's changed after all!

  She curled up the corners of her lips, and she was pouring oil on fire, painfully and happily. "Hey, why are you looking at me like that? In our place, if men and women like each other, doing this is no big deal. Of course, it's not necessarily about liking, but most directors look so good and have a lot of charm, it's really hard to resist? Besides, I hate you so much, I need to find a man to fill the emptiness in my heart."

  "Chu Qi..."

  He suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled it tightly, with a force that seemed to want to crush her bones.

  "What a big nerve you have!"

  In the quiet world at night, everything around was silent. Xia Qi could almost hear Zhao Zun grinding his teeth in anger, but after shouting that sentence, he didn't say anything else. It seemed like he really believed it. In an era where chastity was more important than life, a prince like Zhao Zun couldn't possibly not care about a woman's reputation.

  Get angry! Get indignant!

  It's better this way, after all she didn't die in such a miserable state.

  It can be said that this is also a counterattack, and it's not so passive anymore.

  Ignoring the turmoil in her heart, she quietly raised her head and looked at his eyes shining with a faint light in the darkness. She smiled slightly and went to pull on his arm which was still tightly clenched. "Why get so angry? It's not necessary, is it? Let's just be happy for now, shall we? After all, there's no banquet that doesn't eventually disperse. Later on, we'll each live our own lives, okay?"

  Zhao's face was quiet and serene under the moonlight, profound and unfathomable.

  That bulging Adam's apple seemed to have received some kind of stimulation and kept sliding up and down.

  But he still held her hands very tightly, without any intention of letting go.

  Come on, force her to use her ultimate move!

  Her eyes were also a little hot, and Xia's mood was excited. Her heart was beating fast. But she had always been decisive and didn't like to drag things out, so since she had decided to cut ties with him completely, she would do it resolutely and thoroughly, just like a true heroine.

  She quickly pulled out a purse from her bosom.

  "Now, this is the knot you tied in your hair that night... no need to keep it."

  She said, then reached out to pull out his sword... but when the sword was pulled halfway, her hand was tightly grasped by Zhao Zhu. She tried to pull it back, but couldn't move, and involuntarily raised her head with some annoyance. Just as she was about to scold him, she saw that he had a hurt expression on his face.

  "Ah Qi..."

  The Jin Wangye who has always been high in the clouds still has a majestic and noble demeanor.

  That fleeting fragility at the bottom of her eyes, however, did not escape the moon's gaze.

  "A Qi, it's okay... don't mind."

  His low voice echoed in the night wind.

  Before his eyes, countless crows seemed to fly by, Xia Qi's eyes widened in shock, staring incredulously at the man in front of him who looked like he had just walked out of the underworld, his dark face strained to remain calm. He thought his own ears must have gone mad.

  Otherwise, how would I have heard him say "don't mind"?

  She swallowed hard and her voice was also a little difficult, "Let go."

  "Don't let go."

  Zhao's eyes were heavy, his voice was hoarse, but he chuckled softly.

  It was just that laughter, which seemed particularly eerie and desolate.

  "A-Qi, this is no big deal."

  "What's the big deal about this?" Xia Chunqi thought he had seen a ghost, and with great effort, waved his hand in front of his eyes. "Your Highness, King Jin, do you still want to have any dignity left?"

  "What's 'jiecāo'?" Zhao Zun's eyebrows jumped up, as if he hadn't reacted yet. "A-Qi, you always mention 'jiecāo', what exactly is this thing called 'jiecāo'?"

  I don't know whether to cry or laugh, Xia Qi looked at him, her lips twitching violently, "Don't you understand dignity? Also. Dignity is something I have, but you don't." After saying that, she narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced at herself intentionally, using body language to hint to him that "dignity" was similar to "chastity", and those who valued "dignity" should also care about "chastity".

  And so, the man fell into her trap.

  "Let's just forget about dignity..."

  With a snort, Xia Chuqi burst out laughing.

  She had always enjoyed teasing the old man, and couldn't help but laugh, releasing a lot of "dopamine" that seemed to dispel some of the gloom in her heart. After laughing for a while, she saw that the old man was still serious, frowning with a face full of sorrow, and only then did she realize that perhaps she shouldn't have laughed so heartily under these circumstances?

  A woman who has lost her chastity... shouldn't she be crying loudly?

  She pursed her lips, coughed dryly twice, looked bitter, and then composed herself.

  "Your Highness, look at me now... why must you lower yourself..."

  "Shut up!"

  He abruptly interrupted her, and then she felt herself being swept off the ground, already being carried horizontally by him. The large bird that had been snoring loudly all night suddenly took flight. She let out a stifled growl, but he didn't say anything, only his hot, wet breath sprayed onto her face, as if the fire in his heart had reached a boiling point...

  My goodness, she won't get angry, let's just kill her off?

  Her heart skipped a beat, "Where are you taking me? I've told you clearly, don't do anything crazy like killing someone and destroying the evidence just because of love..."

  I thought he wouldn't respond, but unexpectedly, he did.

  "It's windy outside, let's talk about it when we get back."

  ……

  ……

  Zhao Zun is a man of his word and has a very high efficiency in handling matters.

  But what he said was "go back", not the magnificent Jin Wang Fu, nor any familiar place in Xia Chu Qi, but a quiet small courtyard not far from Gongyuan.

  Looking at the quiet and spacious courtyard in front of her, Xia Chuqi hugged her arms and asked with a forced smile.

  "They say that the masters of Ying Tian Fu all like to have a house outside and keep a mistress. Indeed! Master, where is the lady of this house? Why haven't I seen her come out to greet you?"

  On the way back, Zhao You had no emotions at all. No matter how provocative she was, he seemed to have not heard her, and of course, this sentence also got no reaction from him, only a slight frown on his brow.

  "This is Zheng Er Bao's house."

  "Ah," exclaimed Xia Chuqi, raising an eyebrow.

  It's hard to tell whether Er Bao Gonggong is still a wealthy eunuch or not, being able to own such a large mansion in the capital.

  Unfortunately, there isn't even a single maid in this house of Second Master Zheng's. It looks like it has been vacant for quite some time, and clearly Second Master Zheng hasn't returned to live here either.

  Think about it, she's even more bizarre.

  "Why did you bring me here?"

  Zhao Zun glanced at her lightly and said, "The Jin Wang Fu has many people and prying eyes, it's not convenient."

  Inconvenient...

  It's really inconvenient.

  Since it's so inconvenient, why bother bringing her back? Has she become so useless that she doesn't even qualify as his concubine anymore? Is he planning to set up a separate house for her and raise her as his mistress, making her a woman he can't show off in public for the rest of his life?

  "Hmph, Xia Chuqi's heart felt even more unwell. 'I'm saying, Your Highness, whether you're convenient or not is your own business. Can't you just not make things difficult for others? I'm very comfortable wherever I am alone. Especially now that I've followed Qing Xuan, it's even more so. Look at this, what is this?'"

  She took out the token of the Brocade Guard and flaunted it in front of him with a triumphant smile.

  "Can't you see? I didn't deceive you... My relationship with Qing Xuan is extremely good."

  Zhao Zun furrowed his brow, and a hint of gloominess appeared in his eyes.

  But he didn't respond to her words, instead saying something completely unrelated.

  "It's getting late today, you can stay for the night and I'll send you to Chengguo Gongfu tomorrow."

  Chengguo Gongfu?

  Suddenly, Xia Qi's heart was filled with a hint of expectation.

  "What am I going to the Imperial Palace for?"

  Zhao Zhuo's eyes widened slightly. After a sleepless night, he seemed to have just realized where the contradiction lay... No wonder there is a saying "intelligent for a lifetime, confused for a moment". In front of his enemies, Prince Jin was fearless in the face of thousands of soldiers and horses. In the court's stormy weather, Prince Jin could turn the situation around with ease, but tonight, he was repeatedly at a loss against an unarmed young woman.

  His gaze fell on her face, and he suddenly pursed his lips.

  "A Qi was angry and said: 'Father wants to marry Princess Jingyi?'"

  What's going on...?

  It's really nothing, just nonsense.

  At the beginning of summer, on the seventh day, she saw his response was different from what she had expected, and the corner of her mouth curled up sarcastically.

  "Mind your own business! Just remember, don't get any weird ideas, I'm me and you're you, we're like the Chu River and the Han border, not interfering with each other. Don't come meddling in my affairs... Today, I'll borrow Er Bao's place to take a bath and relax a bit, and then leave tomorrow. But starting tomorrow, you go your way and I'll go mine, don't come looking for me..."

  Listening to her chatter, Zhao Zun's tightly furrowed eyebrows relaxed a lot.

  "Wait until you've washed up first, then Grandpa will talk to you."

  It was probably for the convenience of her and Zhao Zhu to "sneak into the warehouse" without being detected that all the servants in this large mansion were sent away in advance. Not only that, but even Zheng Erbao and Chen Jing, who had been following Zhao Zhu's side for many years, were nowhere to be seen. However, everything that should have been in the house was still there, and there were even many women's clothes that fit her perfectly, all of which were newly made.

  Xia Zhi Qi's body was soaked, sticky and uncomfortable. She didn't think much, only knowing that Zhao Zhuo had poured water for her to wash up and brought her a change of clothes. After enjoying the "seven-star" super treatment, her mood, which had been stifled all night, improved a lot.

  Damn it!

  If there is water this morning, then wash; if there is food this morning, then eat!

  She waited until she had tidied herself up and came out, only to see Zhao Zhen lounging lazily on a beautiful rosewood beauty couch, slowly flipping through a book. He seemed to have hastily wiped himself clean after his bath, his ink-black long hair scattered about, his outer robe loosely tied, revealing the moon-white undergarment inside, looking dignified and noble, with the shadows cast by the candlelight even more beautiful than the exquisite rosewood beauty couch itself.

  Unfortunately, Xia Zhi Qi didn't have the heart to appreciate it.

  "Your Highness, Duke of Jin, it's getting very late."

  Zhao Zun looked at her and rubbed his forehead.

  "Yes, it's going to be dawn."

  "Suit yourself, aren't you going back?"

  "It's almost time for court, might as well not go back."

  She thought this was someone else's husband's territory, she couldn't drive people away, Xia Chuqi curled her lips, swept him a indifferent glance, "Forget it, I'll find a place to stay for the night outside, goodnight."

  "Ah Qi..."

  She heard him shout but didn't respond, quickening her pace instead.

  This guy is like a tyrant today, using his overbearing methods one after another.

  Before she could walk far, her waist was tightened and she was hugged back by him.

  "What are you doing at this late hour? Let go—" She was really angry.

  Zhao Mou let out a sigh, pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, not letting her move. Only then did he tell her about how he had previously planned to secretly replace her with Cheng Guo Gong Yuan Hongchou's daughter and then marry her off to the Jin Wang Fu as a concubine. He told her everything from start to finish. Xia Chuyi listened in a daze, her heart feeling like it was on a rollercoaster ride - one moment sweet, the next stupid, one moment beautiful, the next awkward. One moment she felt like it was true, the next she thought the explanation didn't make sense.

  Her eyes were full of doubt, "But why didn't you tell me?"

  "Would you agree if I told you?"

  "......" Could she? She should have been able to at that time.

  But at this moment, she couldn't say it out loud anymore.

  The troubles in my heart are too many, and can't be dispelled with just a few words.

  "Alright. I believe what you said, but...". In his warm embrace, Xia Qiuzi straightened her back and looked at him steadily, then slowly spoke out word by word, "I have too many doubts in my heart, will you tell me everything?"

  "What can be said, I will naturally say."

  What is called sayable? On the seventh day of summer, her eyebrows were slightly raised and her tone was lowered.

  "Does the death of the crown prince have anything to do with you?"

  "No."

  "Did you know about it beforehand?"

  Hesitating for a moment, Zhao Zhu seemed to be suppressing some emotion and finally nodded.

  "Informed."

  Thinking of Zhao Ke's warm and smiling face, Xia Chuqi's heart ached, and her tone became even sharper. "Huh, then why didn't you stop him? Or should I say, you also wanted him to die? Only after he died could you marry his widow?"

  Zhao Zun glanced at her with a cool gaze, "I tried to stop him. But didn't... succeed."

  Lowering her scorching eyes, Xia Chuqi observed his expression, and her eyes were still somewhat hot.

  "The person in the plum forest... is Dongfang Amu?"

  She asked quickly, afraid that if she slowed down a bit, she would lose her courage.

  Zhao Zun's shoulders stiffened for a moment, his eyes dim and distant, but he nodded slightly.

  "Is she going to kill the Crown Prince? For you? Or for herself?" Xia Chunqi sneered, her words pouring out like beans from a bamboo tube, each one hitting Zhao Zhuang squarely. "After all these years of solitary confinement in an empty chamber, she really can't bear it anymore, can she? Thinking about it, it's quite pitiful - with the title of Crown Princess, this lifetime is probably doomed to be loveless. Unless... unless the man she finds has such great power that he can silence the world, rewrite history, and make her the mother of the nation. Otherwise, for the rest of her life, she'll have to bear the name of Widow of Crown Prince Zhao Zhuang. Ah, think about it, intoxicating, isn't it? Your Highness, King of Jin, don't you feel sorry for her?"

  "No."

  "Isn't there? Then why don't you catch the person who killed the crown prince?"

  "Ah Qi..." He murmured, gently stroking her back, "Things aren't as simple as you think."

  "How complicated is it? Tell me."

  "May I not ask?"

  "Why can't I ask?" Xia Chuyi raised an eyebrow.

  "You just wait and become the Princess of Jin, the rest will be taken care of by me."

  Another fierce stare, Xia Chuyi rolled her eyes with great force.

  Although she is a sharp-tongued and venomous woman, she is not a person who doesn't understand emotions. If she cares about a man, she should allow him to keep some private space and secrets. Perhaps, that Dongfang Amu is the secret he wants to keep? After all, being "robbed of his wife" in the past isn't very glorious, probably even the King of Jin would feel embarrassed if he mentioned it. Maybe this matter is also related to a bigger court struggle or conspiracy?

  She made a few wild guesses, thought for a moment, and then changed the subject.

  "Do you like her?"

  Zhao Zun sighed and shook his head, "A Qi, it's not what you think."

  It doesn't matter what it is, as long as he shook his head in person, she felt relieved.

  "Alright, so I'll ask you again, what's the washing method for my skin wax? Why did you tell her?"

  "Hmm?" Zhao Zhuo slightly narrowed his eyes, carefully looked at the scar under her bangs that was still not fully covered, and stretched out his thumb to gently rub it for a moment. In a calm tone, he said: "The things between you and me, how would I tell others? Ah Qi, you're also too dismissive of my integrity..."

  "Ah oh", Xia Chui's serious face almost collapsed.

  You really are a quick learner! So soon you've grasped the true meaning of dignity?

  He sighed, "Once we arrive at Beiping Prefecture, there's no need to be so hard on ourselves. Whether it's covered or not, it doesn't matter."

  She looked at him with a slanted gaze, Xia Qiuzi didn't quite believe that there were men in the world who didn't care about appearances.

  "Do you really not care?"

  "That's natural." Zhao Zun's expression didn't change, and he gently stroked her hair with a calm tone, "Things are precious because they're rare. Having seen too many beauties, I find that the ugly ones catch my eye instead..."

  “……”

  After all, it's still ugly?

  She gritted her teeth secretly, slapped his hand away, but couldn't figure out how her "personal trick" was known to Dongfang Qingxuan. So, she looked at Zhao Zhu with suspicious eyes, scanning him up and down with a disbelieving face. Zhao Zhu patted her face, gave her a sideways glance, also seemingly deep in thought.

  "That day, the Imperial Guard searched the residence of the King of Jin, could it be...?"

  Ning Wang Zhao Xi's coup, Xia Chu Qi still did not know. Until Zhao Zun told her what happened that day, she suddenly realized, as if she had found a theoretical basis, "So, they investigated the medicine I used to wash my scars and identified its composition? No, even if they knew, why were the washing steps so clear?"

  She muttered a few words to herself and shook her head after thinking for a moment.

  "But it's also my fault for being too careless, maybe I was indeed seen by someone with ill intentions. The Imperial Guards have many spies, perhaps in the Prince of Jin's residence, there are piles and piles of... "

  Now she can only find this explanation.

  Ke Zhao Zunana tightened her grip on him, "Isn't there one in your arms?"

  His playful tone relaxed her tense emotions a bit, and his dry big hand also warmed up her stiff body that had been frozen for several days. Leaning on him, she opened her mouth several times wanting to tell him that there was nothing between her and Dongfang Qingyun, but he didn't show any particular concern, and she felt a little resentful.

  Forget it, he's got what he deserved, who let him deceive her like this and make her suffer so much?

  She let out a big yawn, and although she felt that this hard-won companionship was somewhat reluctant to part with, thinking about the long days ahead, she still had to speak up, "Grandpa, have you ever heard of a great saying?"

  "Huh? What?" he asked.

  "Drowsiness has arrived, I must sleep." She winked her eyes slyly.

  "Good." Looking at her, Zhao Zhu seemed to be suppressing something with great effort, and gently wrapped his arms around her, "Let's go in, Grandpa will carry you."

  "Ah, never mind, I can walk by myself."

  He looked down at her and said, "Anyway, it's already like this, what's the difference?"

  Looking into his deep and unfathomable eyes, Xia Chuqi suddenly came back to her senses.

  He didn't mess with her before because she was a virgin, he thought he should cherish her and save the beautiful first time for their wedding night, not wanting to ruin her reputation. Now that she says she has "tainted" herself with Dongfang Qingxuan, does he mean that since she's already a "broken jar", might as well just "smash it"?

  Mama...

  Her elder female cousin is still there, how can she share a room with him?

  No way, it's just that Big Aunt isn't around, she can't let him sleep either.

  But one lie requires a dozen more to cover it up, doesn't it?

  She coughed lightly and pouted, "I'm not used to it."

  "Ah Qi, don't be shy, you'll get used to it after a few more times..." His eyes were piercing, his expression firm, and his movements still so forceful. He didn't give her another chance to refuse, and swept her into his arms, heading towards the inner room. Xia Chuqi was shocked, her body trembling with fear, her hair standing on end as she desperately struggled and pounded on his chest.

  "No, no, I'm not feeling well today..."

  He was hitting and hitting, but suddenly he frowned and let out a hiss. Xia Chuqi's fist stopped in mid-air as she carefully looked at his expression, which didn't seem quite right. She then cautiously reached out to touch his arm. Earlier when they were on horseback, he had been wearing thick clothing and she hadn't noticed, but now that he was dressed more thinly, it was clear that there were bandages wrapped around his arm...

  She was shocked, "What's wrong with your arm?"

  Zhao Zun's face turned slightly pale, but he lowered his eyes.

  Nothing happened.

  Trouble is brewing out of nothing.

  Summer begins on the seventh day of the first month with a cold hum and sneer.

  Under her persistence, Zhao Zun reluctantly put her down and sat back on the beautiful wooden couch, letting her take off the black outer garment, revealing only a thin white undergarment underneath. As she struggled, the injured arm had already begun to seep out blood stains.

  "Are you an idiot? You're injured and I can beat you up without you even fighting back?"

  "Grandpa told you not to make trouble, but you're still making trouble?"

  “……”

  How did she go from being a slave to becoming a general, only to become a little slave again in just a short while? Not only was every sentence her fault, but she also had to sit on a small stool and examine his wounds for him, like a nanny in his household. It's truly a case of having no human rights whatsoever.

  Her eyes widened, she coldly commanded.

  "Take it off!"

  Zhao Mou's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't say a word. He cooperated and took off the thin undergarment, sitting bare-chested on the beautiful couch. He let her focus on his wound, only occasionally glancing at her with a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes.

  "Can still enter Ah Qi's eyes?"

  "To a doctor, all wounds are the same, what's the difference?"

  "Grandpa said, it's grandpa's body."

  Her ears flushed slightly, and Xia Qiuli gave him a quick glance.

  "Have you no shame?"

  The King of Jin is far away, and naturally won't answer such a shameless question. Xia Chuyi lazily didn't want to argue with him, lowered her eyes, avoided his gaze, reorganized the gauze that Sun Zhengye had bandaged before, and then said seriously.

  "When it gets light, I have to go find someone and take medicine again."

  "Aren't you a doctor?"

  "A clever woman cannot cook without rice, understand?"

  His knife wound was very deep, and although it had been treated by Sun Zhengye for several days, the wound was still a bit red and swollen, especially after being "abused" again today, making it even more eye-catching. As a doctor, Xia Chuqi really had seen many wounds, but he was Zhao Zun, and his wounds were indeed more likely to catch the eye. Pouting her lips, she put all the unpleasant thoughts in her mind behind her and muttered for a while longer.

  "A Qi is very concerned about Grandpa?"

  She hummed coldly and carefully rewrapped the gauze.

  "Professional Ethics."

  He pursed his lips and fell silent.

  Are you sulking again? You're not still thinking about her "losing her virginity", are you?

  At the beginning of summer, Qīěr smiled and pressed down on his arm again.

  "How did you get hurt?"

  Zhao Zun furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, then looked at her and said, "Accidentally pricked."

  As soon as he heard this, Xia Chuyi's face turned black. "Prince Jin's skills are so good that 'playing with a knife and selling cheaply' can also be stabbed into his own arm. Are you treating me like an idiot or insulting your own IQ?"

  Looking at her shining eyes, Zhao Zhuo raised his hand and stroked her head.

  "Ah Qi, don't worry, it won't affect my skills..."

  He dragged out his ambiguous tone and raised an eyebrow with a hint of meaning, "The sky is about to brighten up, going to sleep?"

  Her little face suddenly fell, as a "broken pot" she felt especially helpless at this moment. But looking at Zhao Zhu's serious and solemn face, she always thought that maybe she had misunderstood him. Maybe he really didn't have any other thoughts, just simply wanting to accompany her to sleep, like last time?

  "Alright then, sleep if you must, but don't get any ideas!"

  She glared at him, tossed the outer garment to him and was about to get up. But just as she turned her head, she suddenly found that there were several obvious red marks on the stool where she had sat earlier...

  It's done!

  She said "falling red" can't fall to now, right?

  Even if he hasn't eaten pork, has he never seen a pig walk? How could he not know the difference between celery and radish?

  Isn't this cursing oneself?

  Her body stiffened for a moment, and she felt both embarrassed and flustered, just like in her previous life when she had accidentally dirtied the chair for the first time and was afraid of being seen by her classmates. Her heart was racing wildly, "thump" "thump", and with a "slap", she sat back down again, forcing out an awkward smile to its extreme, meeting Zhao Zhu's suspicious gaze.

  "Grandpa, look, it's almost dawn, sleeping is pointless, why don't I give you a head massage instead? You take a short rest?"

  Her sudden enthusiasm made Zhao Zun narrow his black eyes slightly.

  "Isn't Ah Qi tired of talking?"

  "Alas, I'm not as tired as you are precious and important. Why don't you come and take a rest? You've been busy all day today, close your eyes for a bit, I'll press them for you. Aren't we going to attend the early court session soon?"

  After some thought, Zhao Zun finally nodded.

  "Good."

  "Ugh! He lazily lay back down, closing his eyes in sync. Xia Chuqi secretly let out a sigh of relief. She adjusted the small pillow under him and sat closer, placing her hand on his forehead, sneaking glances at him several times. Seeing that his eyebrows remained furrowed without relaxing, she couldn't help but sigh and began to massage him seriously."

  Sleep tight, sleep tight...

  She murmured softly, her hands exerting a gentle and soothing pressure that was neither too light nor too heavy.

  Before long, he seemed to feel comfortable, his eyebrows relaxed. In a little while, his blinking eyelashes also slowed down, and his breathing slowly became even, just like an innocent big child, sleeping comfortably.

  My goodness!

  He is comfortable now, but she is exhausted to death.

  But who made her look for it herself?

  Originally wanted to make others uncomfortable, on the premise that oneself is even more uncomfortable.

  She withdrew her hand and on July 7th of summer, she shook her hand, her gaze falling onto his face.

  This guy looks really good!

  Especially those two plump and shapely lips...

  Today it has been troubling her for a long time, will she take this opportunity to retaliate?

  She licked the corner of her mouth, and her heart was filled with excitement for secretly doing something bad. Of course, it was mainly because those two lips were really too tempting... It's really the kind that's said to be most suitable for kissing, right? Otherwise, why would she feel like this when she secretly looked at him, her heart beating faster, and her face burning hot?

  Yes, I must go back personally. To fight for women's dignity.

  She made up a bunch of excuses, took a deep breath, held it in and lowered her head.

  Getting closer, it was all his seductive aura, which made her dizzy and flushed...

  She kissed him hard on the lips.

  Seeing him lying there motionless, letting her "bully" him, she felt relieved in her heart.

  Cool!

  It's finally my turn to mess with you, huh?

  She proudly hugged her arms and stared at him with one eye, holding that blood-stained small stick, and slipped out quietly.

  On the beautiful woman's couch behind him, Zhao Zhu slowly opened his eyes...

  Chen Jing

  As soon as he finished speaking, a figure in black clothes suddenly floated into the room.

  "Your Highness, what instructions do you have?"

  He touched his lips, which had been kissed by her before, and Zhao Zhu's eyes narrowed, his voice low.

  "Turn back and tell Yuan Yu, his 'Emotion Saint' signboard has been smashed by me—"

  Like being struck by a ghost, Chen Jing's tall body stiffened on the spot...

  Digression

  The month is over, come on, guys' votes!

  Acknowledgments:

  Dear [99788], upgraded to Triple Crown - Grand Champion (The 14th champion of this book, also my old reader, many thanks for your support.)

  Dear [happyli228] upgraded to become a Yuan (the 67th Yuan in this book... hehe!)