I waited despondently for him to finish. I decided not to explain further, as it would only seem like a cover-up to him. Yan Or continued talking, seemingly consoling but actually gloating. His conscience wasn’t particularly admirable; he likely remembered what An Jin had done to him and was seizing this opportunity for revenge.
Finally satisfied, he ended his “consolation” with a rosy complexion and gave me a lingering look. “If you regret it, what I said before still stands.”
I was speechless and forced a laugh. “Your Majesty certainly knows how to joke.”
“I’m not joking,” he insisted, his expression serious.
“I guarantee I’m completely healthy.” I was angry, and my hand instinctively reached for the broom under the table. “Your Majesty should visit a medical clinic,” An Jin’s clear voice came from behind him. “Coming to the study won’t solve any problems.” Yan Or’s expression turned cold as he turned sideways. “An Daren arrives quite quickly.” “Likewise,” An Jin stepped forward, his eyes like a cold pond, mouth curling into an evil smile. “Your Majesty is adept at seizing opportunities.” Yan Or flashed a radiant smile. “Thirteen, I’ll come again another day.” Before I could respond, An Jin said: “If nothing urgent, Your Majesty should not come. It may provoke gossip, making the people of Qi Country think Your Majesty has improper designs on my wife.” Yan Or remained calm. As he passed An Jin, he paused briefly, speaking sincerely: “An Daren, some matters are best addressed early. If not treated, one might waste their prime years.” An Jin lowered his head. “Your Majesty is still dealing with your own affairs yet is concerned about my household. I’m truly touched.” Yan Or chuckled and leisurely departed. An Jin turned to me. I shuddered and tugged my earlobe, finding my voice trembling: “It’s not me…” “Not you?” he maintained his smile. “It’s me. A hidden illness? When did I not know I had such an illness?”
” “Well—this is quite complicated to explain—” I smiled apologetically, noticing the “Ritual and Music” book, which I quickly stuffed under the table. “In any case, there was just a misunderstanding between us…”
“What misunderstanding could you possibly have with him?” My husband, annoyed by the former rival’s arrogance, looked at me with anger.
Just as I was at a loss for words, Que’er led Yuanxiao into the room. Lately, I had entrusted Yuanxiao’s walking to Que’er. However, Yuanxiao was clingy and always eager to rush toward the study when we went out, just to see me and have me rub its belly. After a few times, I asked Que’er to bring Yuanxiao to me every evening, and they’d return home together when the study closed.
Que’er and Yuanxiao’s arrival rescued me from my predicament. As soon as Yuanxiao entered the study, it rushed toward me like a dog on a mission but stopped and hesitated upon seeing An Jin.
Yuanxiao was both respectful and afraid of An Jin. If An Jin said to go east, it wouldn’t dare go west; if told to lie down, it wouldn’t stand. Although I was its most important master, in non-principled matters, it often submitted to the stronger force…
So it wagged its tail, stuck out its tongue, and fawningly nudged An Jin’s feet.
I felt quite indignant. “
Quer timidly called out, “Sir.”
An Jin waved his hand. “You can go back.”
Quer quickly left, while Yuanxiao, unaware of the situation, continued to whimper and tried to please An Jin. Seeing he had no intention of suppressing it, Yuanxiao carefully approached me.
I pushed it under the table, awkwardly laughing and leaning close to An Jin to divert his attention. “What could there be between us? Have you forgotten what you said before?”
His expression softened slightly as he supported my waist. “This guy is quite persistent, trying every method to get at you.”
I was delighted. If not for Yan Or causing such a disruption, he wouldn’t have set aside his duties to find me. Just as I was about to act coquettishly, Yuanxiao wiggled out from under the desk, joyfully running to our feet with a book in its mouth.
An Jin frowned, about to bend down, but I stopped him.
I knew that book was a shameful spring palace disguised as ritual music. If An Jin saw it, it would mean trouble. So I hugged his waist and offered a fresh, hot kiss.
An Jin was initially uncomfortable but quickly got into the mood, his breath as cool and slightly sweet as always, making me forget my original intentions.
We hadn’t been intimate for a long time, and this touch ignited a passionate spark. Though the study might seem empty, the possibility of interruption heightened our desire. He pressed close, breathing hotly as I was pinned between the bookshelves, the atmosphere charged with urgency. Manuscripts and scrolls fell around us, disregarded.
“A Yao… my dear A Yao…” he murmured, his voice hoarse. I melted into him, allowing him to take control. Just as we were about to lose ourselves in passion, we heard two dog barks—Yuanxiao, perhaps thinking we were fighting, bravely warning us.
An Jin, face flushed, glanced at Yuanxiao. His expression turned wide-eyed, and he halted suddenly.
Following his gaze, I saw two rough sketches of naked figures on light yellow paper in a position like ours. Yuanxiao’s white paw sat on the paper, its round eyes curiously watching us.
An Jin let me go and picked up the album titled “Ritual Music.”
I looked helplessly at Yuanxiao, still naive to the situation.
“Ritual Music?”
“An Jin’s blush hadn’t faded, his breath not yet calm, his voice still hoarse. ‘So this is what you’ve been studying in the study all day.’
‘Misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding—’ I said for the second time, looking at him reproachfully. Could we not stop right now… it’s so bad for health…
He flipped through the album. ‘These days have been too busy, neglecting A Yao. It’s my fault.’
Good that you know. I pulled him, humming to express my desire to continue our previous interaction. He caught my hand, suddenly realizing, ‘No wonder Yan Or—’ He turned angry. ‘Damn!’
I looked at him pitifully. Look at me, look over here!
He indeed looked over. ‘In a couple of days during the break, I’ll stay home and accompany you, okay?’
I nodded vigorously, still hoping with my eyes.
He lost his previous demeanor, seriously saying, ‘We should go home. Mom and Dad are waiting for us to have dinner.’
With that, he left me behind, full of spring feelings, leading Yuanxiao away.
I dejectedly straightened my clothes, collecting the scattered books and scrolls, and suddenly understood. Wasn’t he getting revenge for me looking at the spring palace?
An Fu Jun’s revenge always came with ill intentions, quietly and inexplicably. Whether realized or not, his revenge was there, silently victorious.”
His revenge was far from over…
I put on my clothes and walked out of the room. Yuanxiao heard my footsteps and woke up, wobbling over to lick my feet. I held its head and squatted in front of the house, looking at the moon.
Yuanxiao was loyal, abandoning sleep to keep me company under the moonlight. I sighed, “You’re the best.”
Sensing my low spirits, it suddenly leaped up and tugged at my skirt, pulling me forward. I followed it to a mulberry tree in the courtyard, where it began digging furiously in the ground. I prepared to see its mouse trophy again.
It dug a small hole and proudly presented a fish-shaped copper token, inside of which were carved the characters: Nan Rui.
Author’s note: If nothing unexpected happens, An Jin’s identity will be revealed in the next chapter… Unexpected situation: Inspiration will burst sideways… Overlords, it’s time to emerge… Roar roar roar
Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Secret of An Residence
