Ning’er noticed something was wrong but didn’t dare ask; she hurried out to prepare. When everything was ready, Xu Qiu’er was already lying on the bed. Her gaze was blurry as she looked at Ning’er, but she hallucinated seeing a man with an evil smile walking towards her. Ning’er anxiously asked, “My lady, are you alright?” Xu Qiu’er forcibly suppressed her hallucinations, instructing, “If anyone comes looking for me, say I caught a cold, took medicine, and am sleeping. Do not disturb me.” Ning’er nodded and withdrew.
Xu Qiu’er looked at the wooden tub and walked in with her clothes on. The cool water penetrated her body, sending a chill through her, causing her lips to tremble. She needed the cold water to stabilize her emotions.
With a face full of hatred, Xu Qiu’er vowed that no matter what happened, she would never let Long Hanjie touch her. Gradually, she adapted to the water’s temperature, her lips turning pale and her body trembling as she removed her clothes, sitting in the wooden tub with her eyes closed, her mind drifting.
She contemplated her Ama and Enna’s deaths, sensing a hidden hand behind her mother’s demise. What was the truth? Why had her elder sister reappeared years after her supposed death? Was her elder sister alive?
Xu Qiu’er shook her head, her consciousness blurring before she passed out.
When Hao Li returned and found Xu Qiu’er floating in the wooden tub, he felt an unexpected tenderness. Yet, he scoffed at the thought, wondering if he even had a heart left after losing someone he cared for. Sighing, he noted that the women of the Xu family were indeed unique—some delicate, others alluring, but this one felt different entirely.
He took a pearl-like object from his pocket and placed it in her mouth. Soon, she awakened; the heat in her chest had subsided, replaced by a chill. As she attempted to climb out, she saw Hao Li smiling. Angrily, she cursed, “You shameless man, get out, get out…” Her words were laced with emotion.
“My lord…” a male voice came from outside.
Hao Li replied, “It’s nothing, keep watch.” He turned to Xu Qiu’er, praising, “Your skin is quite nice.” Xu Qiu’er, furious, wished she could tear his face off. “Why are you here?”
Hao Li approached her, who was cornered against the tub’s edge. She warned weakly, “Don’t come closer. What do you want?”
Disappointed, Hao Li stepped back, saying, “What a pity. I thought you wanted to show off your figure a bit longer…” He laughed softly.
Xu Qiu’er blushed with shame but held back her anger, clenching her fists underwater. “Are you going to speak or not?”
Hao Li’s playful demeanor vanished as he declared, “Make Long Hanjie fall in love with you.”
Confused, Xu Qiu’er wondered why he would want her to approach Long Hanjie, knowing their relationship. She sneezed, prompting Hao Li to coldly say, “Come out.”
Awkwardly, she replied, “I’ll come out later.” If she did now, she’d be completely exposed.
Hao Li’s expression changed: “Do you want me to personally fish you out?” He turned around.
Reluctantly, Xu Qiu’er climbed out of the tub, feeling cold and covered in goosebumps. After dressing, she said to his back, “I’m done.”
Hao Li turned around. Xu Qiu’er added, “It’s impossible.”
You know there’s too much history between us. I hate him, and he might not love me either.”
Hao Li laughed softly, then turned cold. Xu Qiu’er was concerned about what had happened to Xu Xinyi, Ama, and Enna. She frowned: “How did my Ama and Enna die?”
Hao Li gave a sarcastic smile. “You’ll slowly discover that, Xu Qiu’er. The key is for you to find out.”
Xu Qiu’er then asked, “Why did you save me? Weren’t you planning to send me to Long Hanjie?”
She struggled to understand him. Initially harmless and gentle, he now appeared domineering and ruthless. Which one was the real him? What was he trying to do?
“I just want your obedience. Xu Qiu’er, never fight me. I have ways to make you wish you were dead, and protect your body. The more a man can’t get something, the more interested he becomes.”
Xu Qiu’er looked at Hao Li with disgust. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Hao Li lowered his gaze. “When you do what I’ve instructed, I will naturally tell you.” He extended his hand, eyes shooting cold stars. “Are we allies now?”
Xu Qiu’er then slapped her hand on Hao Li’s palm.
He was not angry; his silver-red brocade robe made Xu Qiu’er’s petite figure resemble radiant crimson clouds. Hao Li remarked, “Xu Qiu’er, you truly have the capital to bewitch people…” His tone was low and seemed to address both himself and Xu Qiu’er.
They exchanged glances, their gazes intertwining before breaking into soft laughter.
As the cold seeped in, the Emperor held a family banquet for Hao Li and Rong Jun Wang before their expedition. Xu Qing’er and Qing Ya, being pregnant, were granted a special pardon to rest in the inner palace.
After several drinks, Long Han Jie was noticeably tipsy. Rong Jun Wang, full of cheer, said, “Your Majesty, our Crown Prince is truly a rare talent. What a promising future for the empire…”
The Emperor and Rong Jun Wang shared a laugh. Hao Li, playing with the blue and white porcelain wine cup, lowered his eyes until they collided with another gaze. He drank deeply, while Xu Qiu’er stood, her gold-plated hairpin swaying. She stepped out of her seat, smiling warmly: “Imperial Father, today is to send off Imperial Uncle and the Young Prince. This daughter has a gift for them.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, curious: “What has Qiu’er prepared?”
Though Long Han Jie was drunk, he looked at Xu Qiu’er in her white-blue dress, trying to push the image away. Seeing Long Han Jie shake his head, the Emperor thought he was drunk and told Fu Tong to escort him to rest, his eyes full of concern.
Xu Qiu’er did not expect Rong Jun Wang to react this way, but she quickly handed another cup to Hao Li, saying, “Qiu’er wishes Wang Ye a successful mission.” Xu Qiu’er lowered her head, noticing his throat move as he replied, “This subject thanks the Imperial Consort for the wine.”
The Emperor laughed, standing up and raising his cup, “Wishing Rong Jun Wang a victorious start.” The princes and officials echoed his words. A slight smile appeared at the corner of Xu Qiu’er’s mouth before she lowered her eyes. After three rounds of drinks, when the Emperor was tired, he ordered Fu Tong to send the Crown Prince back to the Ning Xi Hall.
Long Han Jie had awakened when Fu Tong was about to help him onto the carriage. After being blown by the wind, he felt a slight headache and said, “Go to Ru Qiu Hall,” then closed his eyes. Fu Tong thought he might have misheard but assumed the Imperial Consort might take action soon.
Outside the Hall, Xu Qiu’er nodded, feeling a chill in the cold night air. She stepped out of the main hall but was suddenly pulled away by a shadow. Ning’er, seeing Xu Qiu’er being dragged, widened her eyes and opened her mouth to call out but was silenced by a hand. Turning, she was shocked to see the person who covered her mouth, who gestured for silence. Ning’er nodded, and the person released her.
“Rest assured, your mistress will return soon,” she said. Xu Qiu’er, having drunk some wine, had a headache worsened by the wind. She looked angrily at her captor, trying to break free and asked sarcastically, “This is the main hall. Young Wang does not fear being seen?”
Hao Li leaned against the gilded dragon pillar, his dark eyes lost in the night. “Where did you learn that song?” he whispered.
Xu Qiu’er sneered, “Did Young Wang kidnap me just to ask this? Forgive Qiu’er…” Her words were interrupted as Hao Li suddenly pulled her close. She felt his rapid heartbeat and was momentarily stunned, a sensation cutting across her heart.
“You…” she was speechless.
“I’ll ask again, where did you learn it?”
