Volume 1 Chapter 13
Lan Zhe left, and it surprised Leng Jiu a bit. An urgent letter arrived from the Snow Country, reporting that the Snow Country’s Emperor had fallen seriously ill, and the medicines were ineffective. They urgently summoned Lan Zhe back to see him one last time. Death was a matter more significant than the heavens, especially for an emperor. Long Ye had to let Lan Zhe go; otherwise, it would be against filial piety and virtue. Lan Zhe received Long Ye’s permission and left that night. Even Leng Jiu only found out about it the next day.
However, she saw this as an opportunity. Although it was a dangerous chance, with a high possibility of no return, it was Lan Zhe’s only chance to return openly to his country and seize everything that belonged to him. She could see his perseverance and stubbornness, which is why she repeatedly let him fight. She didn’t like a person who couldn’t control their own destiny. Hopefully, he wouldn’t disappoint her.
“It seems the Queen Dowager is truly concerned about him. Your reaction upon receiving his news was quite intense!” A cryptic remark came from Long Yue Li. Leng Jiu returned to her senses and smiled faintly, “What do you mean by ‘concerned’? It’s just rare to have the sound of a person’s zither playing so pleasingly, and now that’s gone, I feel a bit lost. Is that considered ‘concern’?”
Long Yue Li didn’t miss her expression at all, but he couldn’t find anything inappropriate. Or, should he say she concealed her emotions too well?
His gaze fell on the emerald green leaves behind her, and he said, “This king is somewhat skilled in musical instruments. How about I play a tune for the Queen Dowager to dispel your worries?”
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a leaf fell into his two hands. Folding the leaf in half, he placed it between his crimson lips, and a string of melodious but unknown music wafted out. It was melodious and graceful yet maintained a subtle tranquility. Leng Jiu watched him play, and her eyes met his captivating gaze. In that moment, she seemed to see an unusually sincere and focused look in his eyes. Her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat, and chaos ensued in her mind.
Lowering her gaze, she no longer looked at his tempting face, only listening to the music he played. Finally, she smiled gently, “Prince, you play so well. If the women outside hear this, I wonder how many hearts will be lost.”
Long Yue Li put down the leaf in his hand, exerting a little force to turn it into powder, which scattered with the wind, covering the ground. “This tune is played only for the Queen Dowager.”
Leng Jiu raised her gaze, slightly turning sideways. They were already sitting very close. Now she leaned over, and his breath immediately rushed into her nostrils. Leng Jiu lifted her wrist, the verdant fingers hooking onto his exquisite jaw. She lightly caressed him, her eyes narrowing slightly, and her ten fingers slid across his lips, ambiguous and charming. He followed her force and leaned in, while Leng Jiu moved to his ear. There was only the thickness of a sheet of paper between them, and they could clearly feel the warmth of each other’s skin. In the eyes of others, it seemed like they were whispering sweet nothings, but the two people involved knew there was nothing at all.
Leng Jiu’s lips approached his ear, a slight hook in her voice, carrying a bit of coldness, “If you were facing the former Leng Qinghua, maybe these tricks of yours would work. But I am not her. I’ve told you before, don’t play tricks with me. I don’t care why you approached me, but I advise you to stop, or don’t blame me for being heartless!”
Long Yue Li hooked up the jade pendant on her waist, playing with it. “What if this king is only interested in you?”
“Do you think I would believe that?” Leng Jiu pushed him away with one hand, then quickly pulled back the jade pendant around her waist. She was confident in her beauty, but she wouldn’t be blindly arrogant. She knew what kind of man she couldn’t provoke.
“Is this king so untrustworthy?”
“What do you think?” Leng Jiu cast a disdainful glance at him, then walked away.
Long Yue Li watched her retreating figure, his thin lips carrying a charming smile. His beautiful fox-like eyes rarely showed seriousness. “It’s rare for this king to genuinely try to pursue a woman, only to be rejected so mercilessly. Truly lamentable!”
Long Yue Li didn’t leave the main hall, but Leng Jiu knew he was gone. She didn’t expect someone so insolent, treating this place like his backyard, to ever learn what manners meant.
Just as Leng Jiu returned to the central hall, thinking of finding something to pass the time, she heard the eunuch loudly announce, “The Emperor arrives!”
Leng Jiu couldn’t be bothered to stand up, lazily leaning against the backrest. In her mind, she sneered. When did her Unending Palace become so popular?
“Greetings, Your Majesty!”
“No need.” Long Ye waved his hand, dismissing the formalities of the courtiers. Then, he signaled for everyone to leave. When the large doors closed slowly, he approached the soft couch, taking two steps before stopping. His deep gaze fell upon Leng Jiu, and then it turned profound. “Queen Dowager seems to have a good relationship with Prince Xuan?”
“How do you figure?” Leng Jiu replied.
“In these days, Prince Xuan has been frequently entering and leaving the imperial palace, and he has visited the Unending Palace several times. Shouldn’t the Queen Dowager explain?” Long Ye’s gaze flickered as he looked at Leng Jiu, and there was a suppressed anger in his eyes.
Leng Jiu sneered inwardly. She really didn’t know what he was so angry about! “Does the Emperor think I need to explain anything?”
Long Ye clenched his fists. “Queen Dowager! He is your uncle, a man, and an outsider. Shouldn’t you pay attention to the decorum of the royal family?”
Leng Jiu laughed at his words, a brilliant smile. “Does the Emperor think I lack decorum in my dealings with him? Where did I lose the dignity of the royal family?”
“To avoid being seen by others, the Queen Dowager should restrain herself!”
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow, a cold light flashed. “So, you mean in my palace, the Emperor has also planted quite a few people?”
Long Ye’s eyes shot over, “Why bother about how I know? I’m warning you only once, Long Yue Li is not someone you can provoke!”
Leng Jiu got up lazily, took two steps toward Long Ye, raised her hand, grabbed the collar of his robe over his chest, and approached him with an enchanting aura, “So, tell me, what kind of man can I provoke?”
Long Ye lowered his head, looking at the face so close to him. The strange emotions suppressed in his heart surged up unexpectedly. He reached out, wanting to hold Leng Jiu’s hand, but she abruptly threw his hand away. She stepped back, already standing three steps away, her expression cold. There was no trace of the previous charm!
“Your Majesty, be careful. I am the Queen Dowager, don’t do anything that would tarnish the dignity of the royal family!” Her words were incredibly mocking. Long Ye clenched his fists, veins popping on his forehead, glaring at Leng Jiu. In the end, he left in anger. He couldn’t guarantee what he might do if he stayed any longer!