Yan Huo was as cunning as Su Quan, on par with An Jin. He had previously posed as a Western Liang merchant to interact with me without arousing suspicion. Now, he could escape from An Jin’s hidden arrangements and find opportunities to meet me, subtly expressing doubts about An Jin.
Perhaps even Su Xi and Su Hui’s initial approach to An Jin was under Yan Huo’s instructions, attempting to probe An Jin’s true nature and see if he was as simple as he appeared, only to be unexpectedly used by An Jin to locate the Southern Rui Fifth Princess’s whereabouts.
Currently, while An Jin had deceived Su Xi and Su Hui, he had not necessarily dispelled Yan Huo’s suspicions. Therefore, although An Jin suspected that Yan Huo definitely kept the token on his person, getting close to him to find Western Liang’s token was extremely difficult.
An Jin could not get close to Yan Huo, but that does not mean I cannot. The Three Kingdoms Competition has not ended, and now is the best time to approach Yan Huo. An Jin knows what I am planning and threatens me that if I go to see Yan Huo again, I will not only be expelled from the secret department but also suffer the same fate as Yuan Xiao—before Yuan Xiao picked up a small golden badge for me, An Jin fed him carrots for three days, and in the end, his eyes turned red and his ears stood up, just like a giant white rabbit.
I stammered and promised that I would absolutely not look for Yan Huo, which finally calmed down the beast An. He was still not at ease and ordered Que’er to follow me closely. The poor colleagues in the secret department must have a boss who is moody.
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 for a while. To be honest, I had no grudge against Yan Huo, and he had not done anything wrong to me. But just as my heart was softening, the desperate and painful face of Princess Nan Rui flashed before my eyes, hardening my resolve once again.
Perhaps it was due to guilt towards her, or maybe because she looked somewhat similar to me. I wanted to do something for her, to let her rest in peace. Bringing the murderer to justice would undoubtedly be the greatest comfort to her spirit.
As usual, I went to the bookstore every day. Under this cover of quietness, I used Yan Huo’s facial features as a reference to create the first semi-nude painting of Yuan Xiao, the thirteenth young master.
I say semi-nude because I abandoned the previous overly direct and rough style, adopting a half-concealed form. The Emperor of Western Liang wears a silk robe that reveals his chest and long legs, with his hair loose, with key areas carefully hidden, leaving much to the imagination.
A girl kneels beside him, her hair half-tied, her arms slightly extended, exuding a post-coital atmosphere. When I finished the sketch, I covered my nose, which was rushing with blood, and stuffed the painting into a poetry book.
Not long ago, Yan Huo had requested to be in my painting. Using this painting as bait, he would surely come to me voluntarily.
I originally wanted to send the painting to the old paintings at Shai Yue Zhai. But Su Hui and Su Xi suddenly visited, and I was busy trying to drive them away. When I returned, the poetry book containing the painting had vanished. Que’er blinked and said that since I was not around, she had taken the liberty of selling it to Lin Shusheng.
It was a thunderbolt from the blue. Lin Shusheng had always been rigid and would likely find it hard to bear the painting’s level of nudity. I was on tenterhooks, afraid that he would return to denounce the bookstore for hanging poetry books with such content. Unexpectedly, the bookstore’s business suddenly improved after that day, especially sales of poetry books, which quickly sold out.
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While I was still puzzled, Lin Shusheng came again, covering his face with his hand, and asked in a conspiratorial tone: “That—do you have any more?”
“Which one?” I was stunned.
Lin Shusheng glared at me with a look of disappointment, immediately covered his face again, and lowered his eyes to whisper: “The one in the poetry book…”
I seemed to understand. “Actually, that’s not—”
He impatiently waved his hand and threw some silver in front of me: “Get me a few more, preferably from multiple angles and perspectives…”
Indeed, the more honest and rigid-looking ones have the most complicated thoughts. Anger rose in my heart, and I unleashed Yuan Xiao to bite him, actually biting this usually morally upright scholar until he covered his buttocks and fled.
Yan Huo came quite suddenly. Because my elder brother’s wedding was approaching, I went to the fabric shop with Que’er to have a well-fitted new outfit made. Just as I was preparing to be measured by the tailor, Yan Huo walked in and smiled at me.
He was holding the eighteen-banned silk painting that should have been in Lin Shusheng’s hands, looking crumpled, apparently violently handled in a moment of embarrassment.
“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 leisurely approached me, his sleeves flowing like clouds. “I don’t understand. 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…” This was the truth.
He had already reached me, his tone teasing: “Actually, I’m quite happy.” He suddenly chuckled. “The fact that you could capture my body’s outline so accurately means you haven’t forgotten me.”
If An Jin heard these heavily suggestive words, I would be completely doomed. In fact, I was wrongly accused; my grasp of his body outline was purely the instinct of a painting professional, with absolutely no ambiguous intentions.
I half-lowered my eyelids, slowly blushing. In Yan Huo’s eyes, I probably looked like a spring apricot attracting butterflies, bashfully charming.
Actually, I was just holding back my anger. To achieve realism, do you think it was easy for me?
“Don’t say it,” 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, with a hint of 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 indeed grabbed my arm. “Thirteen, don’t be like this. We finally have a chance to meet, so why are you still keeping me at arm’s length?”
I helplessly 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 slightly cold. “Is he really worth your wholehearted devotion? I saw everything that happened during the hunting competition. I know you are not the kind of petty, jealous woman.”
These words touched me deeply. If An Jin had shown such tenderness and deep affection back then, I would probably never have thought about marrying into a wealthy family.
Perhaps this is the difference between Yan Huo and An Jin. Yan Huo could always say warm words that could make you lose your senses and unknowingly fall into his trap; while An Jin was more practical, preferring to express himself through actions.
