【Chapter Five: Shangjing's Top Beauty】
The sound of grinding ink ceased, and the vast study suddenly fell silent.
Xie Hengwu had no idea how much Xiao Yanzhou had actually seen. Forcing herself to remain calm, she responded with a soft "Yes."
Though only a few steps separated them, she dawdled for what felt like an eternity, fussing over nonexistent wrinkles on her clothes.
But Xiao Yanzhou grew impatient with her sluggishness. With a long reach of his arm, he simply pulled her over.
As luck would have it, the spot where his knuckles pressed was exactly where Xie Hengwu had hidden the Paper Note.
Although her clothing was not thin, a mere pinch might not necessarily reveal anything. Yet her heart still clenched in alarm.
"Your Majesty!"
The panic in her voice held no pretense—Xie Hengwu was genuinely flustered. In that split second, her legs gave way, and she stumbled straight into Xiao Yanzhou's embrace.
In truth, she was unprepared. As she fell against him, her waist struck the huanghuali wood armrest with a painful thud, knocking the breath from her lungs and leaving her dizzy. Uncontrollable tears welled up in her eyes.
The sudden impact of her warm, soft form left Xiao Yanzhou momentarily stunned.
He instinctively wrapped an arm around her, inwardly wondering if he had pulled too hard just now.
An unusual warmth and softness pressed against his arm, and Xiao Yanzhou couldn't help but glance down.
Xie Hengwu lay against his shoulder, her arms encircling his neck. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and her eyes glistened with moisture—a sight that stirred pity.
Indeed, those were tears of pain she hadn't yet managed to suppress.
Following the graceful curve of her neck downward, her form was as soft and supple as a springtime snow-capped mountain on the verge of melting. Pressed so closely together, Xiao Yanzhou could even feel the gentle rise and fall of her breathing with each breath.
…It seemed her clothing was too thick; he hadn't noticed a thing.
Amidst this commotion, Xiao Yanzhou indeed released his grip on her forearm.
With the crisis temporarily averted, Xie Hengwu hurriedly tried to rise.
She remembered all too well the fates of those women who had thrown themselves into Xiao Yanzhou's arms.
Before he could take offense, she needed to plead for mercy immediately.
"Your… Your Majesty, please forgive me. This humble consort lost her footing…" Xie Hengwu stammered timidly, scrambling to extricate herself from him.
But it seemed the earlier impact had been severe. Before she could steady herself, a dull ache shot through her waist, and a chill crept up her spine.
If her earlier leg weakness had been feigned, this time it was all too real.
She stumbled once more and fell back against him.
As misfortune never comes alone, before Xie Hengwu could explain, the door to the Imperial Study swung open, and Commander Huo Heng strode boldly inside.
He had barely uttered "Your Majesty" when he froze mid-sentence, as if his words had stuck in his throat.
There was the Meiren, nestled in His Majesty's embrace, and His Majesty showed no sign of resistance—it looked rather intimate.
Had he… chosen a bad time?
Xiao Yanzhou lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp as blades. "Get out."
Huo Heng broke into a cold sweat instantly, his already dark complexion seeming to grow even darker. As he retreated, his figure from behind carried an air of panic and desolation.
Waiting outside the Imperial Study, Zhao Quan raised an eyebrow at the sight of Huo Heng emerging with a grim expression.
Hadn't they said there were leads on the assassination attempt? Why did the Commander look like that?
Could it be that the mastermind behind it was someone even His Majesty couldn't touch?
While Zhao Quan's mind raced with possibilities outside, inside the Imperial Study, silence reigned.
Xiao Yanzhou was at a loss for words. Finally, he closed his eyes briefly.
Xie Hengwu buried her face in the front of his robe, mortified beyond words.
"Have you had enough of lying there?" Xiao Yanzhou asked, one arm still around her while the other tapped impatiently on the desk.
Xie Hengwu remained silent, yet two blushes spread from her cheeks, gradually tinting her ears and neck a soft pink.
Xiao Yanzhou watched coldly, an inexplicable restlessness rising in his heart.
Suppressing this strange emotion, he gave a light pinch at her waist.
Coincidentally, he pinched exactly where Xie Hengwu had bumped herself earlier. Unable to hold back, she hissed in pain, tears welling up in her eyes once more.
Xiao Yanzhou frowned, but his hand mercilessly pressed and rubbed the injured spot.
Xie Hengwu tried to endure it, yet fragmented cries of pain still escaped between her lips.
"Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?" Xiao Yanzhou mercifully stopped, his voice cold as he questioned her.
She replied softly, "It’s just a minor injury… It’ll heal in a few days after I rest."
"Minor injury?"
Xiao Yanzhou’s tone rose with displeasure. The hand on her waist applied slight pressure, as if about to press down again. Xie Hengwu’s body trembled involuntarily, and she shifted away.
Xiao Yanzhou let out a light laugh, his mockery evident.
Xie Hengwu flushed with embarrassment. "Your Majesty, I truly am fine… It’s just a slight bump."
"Director Zhou happens to be here. Let him examine you."
What?
Before Xie Hengwu could react, Xiao Yanzhou scooped her up horizontally and carried her toward the partitioned room behind the Imperial Study.
During busy periods of governance, Xiao Yanzhou would sleep here directly.
With her feet suddenly off the ground, Xie Hengwu instinctively clutched his lapel, fearing she might slip.
This unconscious dependence undoubtedly pleased Xiao Yanzhou.
A faint curve lifted the corner of his lips. He then stopped before the bed and, not particularly gently, tossed Xie Hengwu onto it.
Soft bedding enveloped her from all sides. She struggled briefly before lifting her head from within.
Outside the bed curtains, she heard Xiao Yanzhou speaking to someone. "Examine her."
An elderly voice responded, likely the Director Zhou Xiao Yanzhou had mentioned.
"Please extend your hand, my lady."
Xie Hengwu complied, reaching her hand out from behind the curtains. She felt someone take her wrist through a silk handkerchief.
Puzzled, she asked, "…Can Director Zhou tell just like this?"
Xiao Yanzhou’s cold voice came from outside. "If he lacked even this skill, he wouldn’t be serving as Director."
Xie Hengwu accepted this without further doubt, murmuring a soft "oh."
After a moment, Director Zhou withdrew his hand and said, "Rest assured, my lady, this injury is not serious. Later, I will have someone deliver ointment to your palace. Apply it with gentle massage for half an hour each day."
"Thank you for your trouble, Director Zhou." Xie Hengwu thanked him gently.
Director Zhou repeatedly expressed his unworthiness and, after receiving a glance from Xiao Yanzhou, quietly withdrew.
Hearing no further movement outside, Xie Hengwu propped herself up, intending to sit.
Suddenly, the dim interior of the bed curtains brightened. A weight settled on her shoulder, pressing her back down.
"Your Majesty?" Xie Hengwu was momentarily confused, turning her head to look questioningly at the person beside her.
Xiao Yanzhou stood with his back to the light, his face shadowed. "Let me see."
"But Your Majesty, Director Zhou already…"
"What does that have to do with me?" Xiao Yanzhou raised an eyebrow, his beautiful phoenix eyes cool and detached. "You wouldn’t want me to force you."
Xie Hengwu lowered her gaze, softly acknowledging with a "yes."
The weight on her shoulder lifted as Xiao Yanzhou moved his hand away.
Xie Hengwu sat up, turning her back to Xiao Yanzhou. Her delicate hands reached for the silk sash at her waist and gave a light tug.
He was her nominal possessor; he indeed had the right to command her like this.
Xie Hengwu never once considered the possibility of concern.
Her garments slipped off, pooling like clouds and hanging loosely below her waist. Most of her body exposed to the air, she involuntarily shivered.
Though facing away, Xie Hengwu still felt a scorching gaze fixed behind her, making her burn.
Xiao Yanzhou focused his gaze, his cool fingertips touching the depression at the center of her spine.
The sudden contact made Xie Hengwu shrink back.
Xiao Yanzhou remained expressionless, his fingers sliding down her spine.
Her skin was delicate, smooth like jade, feeling like silk. Amid the expanse of white, a conspicuous red mark appeared on her waist, as if it had just been harshly ravaged.
Xiao Yanzhou paused his fingertip at the injury, then covered it with his entire palm.
Inner force flowed like water, carrying warmth spreading from where their skin touched. Xie Hengwu initially tensed her body but soon relaxed under the comfortable warmth.
She involuntarily let out a soft sigh.
From behind came Xiao Yanzhou's ambiguous chuckle.
After about the time of a cup of tea, Xiao Yanzhou withdrew his hand and calmly said,
"It's done."
Xie Hengwu touched her waist, indeed feeling no pain at all.
Surprised and delighted, she turned to look for Xiao Yanzhou: "Your Majesty, this…"
The Meiren's eyes were clear, bright like scattered stars, coupled with her half-undressed state, it made one's heart sway. Xiao Yanzhou turned away, coughing lightly and said: "Such a minor injury isn't worth wasting time and effort, I'll handle it for you."
Xie Hengwu smiled gently, putting her clothes back on piece by piece, lowering her eyes and softly saying: "Your Majesty is so kind."
Xiao Yanzhou scoffed: "You'd better not think of me like that."
Xie Hengwu chuckled lightly: "How Your Majesty can control what I think?"
"You intend to defy me?"
Xie Hengwu turned and knelt on the bed, looking up at Xiao Yanzhou with a smiling face: "Your Majesty's words are incorrect, how is thinking of Your Majesty's kindness defiance?"
Xiao Yanzhou's gaze deepened slightly, his palm cupping her cheek, gently stroking.
In the narrow, dim space of the bed, the temperature gradually rose, Xie Hengwu's eyelashes trembled lightly, her breathing grew heavier.
As fragrance drifted, Xiao Yanzhou abruptly said: "Your eyes… are very beautiful."
Xie Hengwu curved her lips, fox-like eyes bending into crescents: "Thank Your Majesty for the praise."
If it were an ordinary man, he would surely be captivated by her appearance.
Unfortunately, the good performance was for a blind audience.
"I heard, you are the first beauty of Shangjing in Nanliang?"
The male voice was low and rich, yet it made Xie Hengwu's hairs stand on end.
Such street gossip merely circulated in Nanliang's common quarters; given Xiao Yanzhou's status, his subordinates wouldn't report such trivial matters to him.
Unless he asked himself.
Xiao Yanzhou investigated her.
Then her identity… did he also…
Seeing the Meiren widen her eyes, fear showing in her gaze, Xiao Yanzhou satisfiedly leaned down, lowering his voice like a ghost whispering: "If dug out and embedded in a crown, they would likely be even more beautiful."
Xie Hengwu's smile froze momentarily at her lips, then she lowered her crow-black eyelashes, shielding Xiao Yanzhou's scrutinizing gaze.
"…If Your Majesty has such intentions, I dare not disobey."
Xie Hengwu spoke unhurriedly, but listening closely, one could detect her voice trembling slightly.
A mocking chuckle escaped Xiao Yanzhou's lips, his fingertip pressing at the corner of her eye, as if contemplating how to gouge out these eyes.
A relatively gentle action, yet it made Xie Hengwu shudder, cold air continuously pouring into her neck.
She lowered her eyes, long eyelashes uncontrollably trembling lightly, like a dying butterfly fluttering its wings, beautiful and fragile.
Suddenly, a warm, soft, and tingling sensation covered her eyes.
Xie Hengwu's breath hitched, her entire body stiffening like a wooden statue.
Xiao Yanzhou kissed her eyelids, then straightened up, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips, his phoenix eyes tinged with a languid allure. "…Never mind. Such eyes are best seen on a Meiren. Ah Heng, don’t you agree?"
The intimate address did nothing to ease Xie Hengwu’s tension. She forced a smile and replied, "Your Majesty speaks wisely."
"Gaining my favor is not necessarily a good thing. Do you understand?"
His expression had turned cold again, the warning in his tone unmistakable. Xie Hengwu dared not even breathe too loudly, hurriedly agreeing.
…The mind of a tyrant was truly difficult to fathom.
Even such simple flattery could provoke his displeasure… Xie Hengwu silently noted to herself, "Do not flatter Xiao Yanzhou unless necessary."
"Go back. There is nothing more for you here."
Xie Hengwu felt as if she had been granted a reprieve. She feigned composure as she withdrew from the chamber, and only once she was certain Xiao Yanzhou could no longer see her did she slip away as if her feet were greased.
Zhao Quan watched in confusion as Xie Hengwu hurriedly exited the Imperial Study. Moments later, Xiao Yanzhou emerged as well, and Zhao Quan quickly bowed in greeting.
"Summon Zhou Qi."
Zhou Qi was Director Zhou's given name.