Сhaptеr 17: Zhаоzhао Touchеd Нim!
Earlу the neхt mоrning.
А соrрse аt thе еntrаnce оf the Grand Judicial Соurt cаusеd а hugе uрroаr!
Nеws quiсkly sprеаd throughоut the caрital аnd beyond!
Еverуonе оn the streеts and alleуs wаs disсussing it—Рrincess Сhаng hаd tоrtured and killеd her mаle cоnsort, her mеthods eхtremely сruеl аnd brutal, uttеrlу appаlling!
Thе mаtter reаched thе pаlасe, whеre civil аnd military оffiсiаls whispered among themselves, wоndеring how the young еmрeror would hаndlе it?
…
Yun Zhaozhao woke up to sunlight filtering through the window gauze, warm and comfortable on her face.
Sitting on her carved canopy bed, she stretched lazily when System 009’s voice suddenly echoed in her mind: [Congratulations, you now have two months of lifespan left.]
“It increased!”
Yun Zhaozhao’s apricot-shaped eyes sparkled with joy, her voice sweet and soft: “Little monster, you said before I could only live for one month, but now I have an extra month! Did Cousin do something?”
[Yes.] System 009 told Yun Zhaozhao that Pei Yan had joined forces with Yan Qing to accuse Princess Chang in court of torturing and killing her male consort, using cruel methods, disregarding human life, and damaging the imperial family’s image!
This matter was known to everyone; punishment was inevitable!
The young emperor publicly docked Princess Chang’s salary for a year and ordered her to reflect on her actions behind closed doors for one month.
[She’s too busy dealing with her own troubles now and has no time for you.]
[Yun Zhaozhao, you did well.]
System 009 praised and encouraged her, but Yun Zhaozhao wasn’t happy.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, she propped her soft, delicate cheek on her hand, her palm squeezing a bit of plump flesh as she pouted angrily: “She killed someone and only got a fine and house arrest. Princess Chang truly wields immense power!”
[She is the Princess Chang.] System 009 stated.
Imperial authority reigns supreme above all else!
Yun Zhaozhao sighed: “I know. A princess is born noble; how could commoners dare provoke her? Cousin is amazing—at least he managed to have her confined!”
“Giving me an extra month of lifespan.”
One month of confinement, one extra month of life for her.
Not enough!
Yun Zhaozhao wanted to live a long life!
“Little monster, is Princess Chang really determined to kill me?”
[She envies you for having won Pei Yan’s person and his heart.]
Yun Zhaozhao, being thin-skinned, blushed pink with embarrassment.
…She hadn’t won Cousin’s person yet!
System 009: [Unless you give Pei Yan to her.]
“No way! Cousin is my fiancé!”
Yun Zhaozhao grew unhappy, clenching her small fists and waving them, pouting angrily: “What belongs to Yun Zhaozhao, I can choose to discard myself! But I will never let anyone snatch it away!”
System 009: [Then, you can only eliminate her.]
Yun Zhaozhao furrowed her delicate brows: “Little monster, you really want to kill Princess Chang! Why? Just because she’s a thief?”
“What did she steal?”
System 009 didn’t answer.
Yun Zhaozhao huffed petulantly, “Little monster, you’re not honest! You’re keeping secrets from me! I won’t kill someone just because you say so—I have my own judgment!”
[Alright.] System 009’s reply was just one short word, yet it carried a sense of indulgence.
Yun Zhaozhao wanted to ask more, but the elusive system vanished again.
“Forget it! I’ll go find Cousin!”
Yun Zhaozhao rolled off the bed and called her maid to help her wash up and style her hair. She was going to wait for Cousin at the entrance!
The Grand Tutor’s Manor had only three masters.
Grand Tutor Pei, Madam Yun, and Yun Zhaozhao. Without the cumbersome rules of high-ranking households, Yun Zhaozhao slept until the sun was high, combining breakfast and lunch into one meal.After she finished her meal, she wandered to the entrance of the Grand Tutor’s Manor and waited, but Pei Yan had not yet returned home.
“Miss Cousin, please have a seat! Would you like some tea?”
The gatekeeper’s old face was beaming with joy. “When the master returns and sees you as soon as he enters, he will surely be delighted!”
“Will he?” Yun Zhaozhao couldn’t imagine what her cousin’s cold, handsome face would look like if he smiled.
It seemed she had never seen her cousin smile before.
In her memory, her cousin was always as cold as a jade carving, as handsome as a celestial being descended to earth, yet anyone who approached him would shiver from the chill!
If it weren’t for her mind-reading cheat, she would never have known that her cousin was fervently twisted inside, constantly coveting and yearning for her…
“Master! You’re back!” The gatekeeper warmly greeted him.
Pei Yan was as cold and aloof as a snow-capped mountain, unattainably distant.
His icy gaze was like a frozen lake, intimidating and making it impossible to meet his eyes directly.
The gatekeeper was long accustomed to this, his smile undiminished as he enthusiastically exclaimed, “Master! Miss Cousin is here waiting for you!”
Pei Yan immediately stopped, a ripple stirring in his eyes. “What did you say?”
“Cousin!”
Yun Zhaozhao stepped out of the doorway tea room, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled at him.
Pei Yan froze in place, momentarily wondering if it was an illusion.
【Zhaozhao’s smile is so delicate… so sweet…】
【Am I dreaming?】
His Zhaozhao was greeting him like a little wife. Should he…
【Go over and hug Zhaozhao… kiss her?】
Hearing Pei Yan’s inner thoughts, Yun Zhaozhao’s face flushed, and her heart raced!
Just as Pei Yan took half a step forward, a figure rushed ahead of him, sweeping like a gust of wind to Yun Zhaozhao’s side, greeting her warmly, “You must be Grand Tutor Pei’s little cousin, right?”
“I am Yan Qing, Deputy Minister of the Grand Judicial Court.”
Yan Qing smiled charmingly and amiably, “Little cousin, I’ve heard so much about you! Finally meeting you today is a pleasure! A true pleasure!”
“Um… Greetings, Lord Yan.” Yun Zhaozhao blinked, giving Yan Qing a sweet smile.
That smile sent a surge of cold air radiating from Pei Yan!
He strode over in a few steps, deliberately positioning himself between Yun Zhaozhao and Yan Qing. His tall, snow-pine-like frame completely shielded Yun Zhaozhao, not even revealing the hem of her skirt.
Pei Yan fixed Yan Qing with a sharp, icy glare. “What are you doing here?”
Yan Qing was puzzled. “Huh? Didn’t you say we should discuss Princess Chang again…”
“Yan Qing!” Pei Yan coldly cut him off. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Farewell, I won’t see you out.”
Yan Qing was dumbfounded.
Yun Zhaozhao then peeked her head out from behind him, tugging at his sleeve. “Cousin, aren’t you going to invite Lord Yan inside for a cup of tea?”
“He’s not thirsty.”
Pei Yan stared coldly at Yan Qing, his eyes filled with warning.
Yan Qing looked at him, then at Yun Zhaozhao, and suddenly understood.
He couldn’t help but chuckle gleefully, “Alright, alright, I’ll go!”
As Yan Qing walked out the door, he glanced back and couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter—he had to go back and tell his wife! Grand Tutor Pei was not at all saintly or ascetic!
His possessiveness toward his little cousin was clearly intense!
Look, he wouldn’t even let him get another glance.
Grand Tutor Pei’s fastidiousness about not letting anyone get close was also miraculously cured in front of his little cousin!
Grand Tutor Pei had fallen into the mortal world!
Caught in the web of love!
“Zhaozhao, did you need something from me?” After shooing away the third wheel, Pei Yan turned and looked down at Yun Zhaozhao, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly.
Though the smile was faint, it carried a breathtaking sense of stirring emotion.
Like the first ray of sunlight when the ice and snow melt in early spring, it dissolved the chill, making him no longer intimidating.So, her cousin could smile this beautifully.
Yun Zhaozhao widened her eyes and, unable to resist her curiosity, reached out to poke the corner of Pei Yan’s mouth.
Pei Yan did not pull away.
Only when Yun Zhaozhao’s fingertip touched the corner of his mouth did his heart erupt into chaos…
[Zhaozhao touched him!]
[Was Zhaozhao… hinting at something?]