I stammered and promised I would not seek Yan Huo, which finally calmed An Jin. However, he ordered Que’er to closely monitor me, restricting any unusual movements. The colleagues in the secret department must endure a boss who is moody and likes to feed people carrots, making their work quite challenging.
However, An Jin had a flaw in his otherwise perfect plan: I promised not to actively look for Yan Huo, but I could let him come to me.
Before implementing this plan, I hesitated. I had no grudge against Yan Huo, and he had not wronged me. Scheming against him felt unfair given our previous friendship. But just as my heart softened, the desperate face of Princess Nan Rui hardened my resolve.
Perhaps it was guilt towards her or her resemblance to me that motivated me to seek justice for her. Bringing her murderer to justice would be the greatest comfort to her spirit.
I went to the bookstore daily. With my mother-in-law’s opposition, Yuan Xiao, the thirteenth young master, had to lay low, and the store returned to its quiet state. Under this cover, I used Yan Huo’s features to create a semi-nude painting of Yuan Xiao.
I termed it semi-nude because I abandoned the overly direct style, adopting a half-concealed form. The Emperor of Western Liang wears a silk robe that reveals his chest and legs, with his hair loose, carefully hiding key areas and leaving much to the imagination.
A girl kneels beside him, her hair half-tied and slender arms slightly extended, exuding a post-coital atmosphere. After finishing the white sketch, I covered my nose, which was bleeding, and stuffed the painting into a book of poetry.
Not long ago, Yan Huo had requested to be in my painting. I intended to use this piece as bait to draw him in, hoping he wouldn’t want to become the male protagonist of more nude paintings.
I planned to send the painting to Shai Yue Zhai when Que’er was distracted. However, when Su Hui and Su Xi suddenly visited, I was busy playing the shrew to drive them away. When I returned, the poetry book containing the painting had vanished. Que’er said she had taken the liberty of selling it to Lin Shusheng.
This was shocking. Lin Shusheng had always been rigid and would likely find the painting’s nudity unacceptable. I feared he’d denounce the bookstore for hanging poetry books with such content, accusing it of spreading unhealthy thoughts and violating sage teachings. Unexpectedly, the bookstore’s business improved significantly after that day, with poetry books selling out quickly.
While I was still puzzled, Lin Shusheng approached, covering his face with his hand and asking in a conspiratorial tone: “That—do you have any more?”
“Which one?” I was stunned.
Lin Shusheng glared at me with disappointment, then whispered: “The one in the poetry book…”
I seemed to understand. “Actually, that’s not—”
He waved his hand and threw some silver in front of me: “Get me a few more, preferably from multiple angles… Oh, besides the Western Liang monarch, do you have any others?” He looked around eagerly: “Like the Crown Prince? Ya Qin Gongzi? An—An Daren, forget it.”
The more honest-looking ones have the most complicated thoughts. Anger rose in my heart, and I unleashed Yuan Xiao to bite him, catching this usually upright scholar off guard.
This misunderstanding eventually drew Yan Huo.
Yan Huo appeared unexpectedly. With my elder brother’s wedding approaching, I was at the fabric shop with Que’er to have a new outfit made. Just as I was preparing for measurements, Yan Huo walked in, smiling at me.
He was holding the silk painting that should have been in Lin Shusheng’s hands, crumpled from having been poorly handled.
“Thirteenth, is this the new character painting you mentioned?” He picked up the silk painting, his handsome face wearing a half-smile.
I stared at the painting, my mind racing. The opportunity had finally arrived. How should I proceed?
“Why aren’t you speaking?” He approached me leisurely, his sleeves flowing. “Are these postures really something you imagined?”
I lowered my head, my voice barely a whisper. “With nothing to do recently, I just figured it out… I really didn’t intend to sell it…”
He had reached me, his tone teasing: “Actually, I’m quite happy.” He chuckled. “The fact that you captured my body’s outline so accurately means you haven’t forgotten me.”
If An Jin heard these suggestive words, I would be doomed. My grasp of his outline was purely professional, with no ambiguous intentions.
I half-lowered my eyelids, slowly blushing. In Yan Huo’s eyes, I probably looked shy and charming.
I shook my head, distancing myself slightly. “This time I have truly offended Your Majesty, and I hope you will not take it to heart.” I glanced at him quickly, hinting at grievance, wanting to speak but holding back.
Finally, I turned and said, “I should go. My maidservant is waiting outside. From now on, I will never paint Your Majesty again to avoid defiling the imperial countenance. Take care, Your Majesty.”
I took a few steps, and he grabbed my arm. “Thirteen, don’t be like this. We finally have a chance to meet, so why are you keeping me at arm’s length?”
I brushed off his hand. “Your Majesty, I have said many times that we are both married, so it’s better not to be too close.”
“Because of An Jin?” His expression turned cold. “Is he really worth your devotion? I saw everything during the hunting competition. I know you are not a jealous woman. Has he ever been faithful to you?”
These words touched me deeply. Although I couldn’t tell if his protective words were sincere, I felt comforted. If An Jin had shown such tenderness, I might have considered marrying into a wealthy family long ago.
Perhaps this is the difference between Yan Huo and An Jin. Yan Huo could say warm words that could make you lose your senses and fall into his trap; whereas An Jin preferred to express himself through actions, providing what I needed at the right time.
When it was cold, he would warm my hands; when I was tired, he would carry me home; when I was hungry, he would buy hot sugar cakes. When I felt anxious, he would open up everything.
In my teens, I liked Yan Huo’s beauty; now, I love An Jin’s authenticity.
My dejected appearance caught Yan Huo’s attention, and he sighed softly, “If I hadn’t missed my chance with you back then, how would you have ended up with the wrong person?”
Chapter Forty-Five: Obediently Complying
I lowered my head and whispered, “There’s no need to bring up past events.”
Yan Huo stood behind me and said softly, “Come to Xi Liang with me, Thirteen. I will treat you well.”
“You?” I sneered, raising an eyebrow at him. “How are you any better than An Jin? At least he only has one wife on the surface. What about you? Should I harmoniously coexist with the Seventh Princess? Don’t you find this ridiculous?”
His expression turned somewhat obscure.
I smiled and took a deep breath. “Qian Zhi, stop saying those foolish words. If you still consider me a friend, just have a drink with me. These days, no one has been able to talk to me, and it feels suffocating to keep things bottled up.”
Calling him “Qian Zhi” after three years felt unfamiliar, but he seemed happy and nodded after a brief consideration. “Okay, I’ll drink with you.”
At this moment, Que’er knocked on the door: “Madam, is it measured?”
I was slightly startled. Just as we were about to succeed, Que’er interrupted…
Yan Huo’s expression remained calm as he waved to someone behind him. I noticed the dark-faced Mo Qu, who had been following Yan Huo, was actually in the room, separated from us by a screen.
Mo Qu understood and opened the window, nimbly jumping out. Yan Huo smiled at me, “Don’t worry, I’ll let her sleep for a while. When she wakes up, you’ll already be back.”
