Zhao E had long known about this matter and was not surprised in the least, but she had simply never known when Princess Jiang planned to make her move.
That was why she had feigned closeness with Jiang Cheng, and sure enough, Jiang Cheng had come to her on his own with information.
“There is something Sister-in-law does not know.” Jiang Cheng leaned in closer. “Princess Jiang is worried that Jiang Huaifu will have no heir, so she intends to drug you unconscious and told me to come and get close to you.”
Zhao E let out a startled cry and took the opportunity to step back, her palm-sized face flushing bright red, her expression full of shock and shame, and for a moment she could not speak.
“Sister-in-law, do not be afraid. I am not that kind of person,” Jiang Huaifu comforted her.
Zhao E only covered her lips, tears welling in her eyes as she refused to speak.
Jiang Huaifu stepped forward, his eyes fixed intently on her pitiful little face. “My feelings for you are sincere.”
Zhao E first looked at him in confusion, then blushed deeply.
“That drug harms the body. I did not want to hurt your health, so I came specially to warn you.” Jiang Huaifu took another step closer, unable to hide the lust in his eyes. “You surely know what I feel for you. I will give you support, and I will take care of you for the rest of your life…”
Zhao E sobbed and shed tears. “I am only a woman. What can I do…”
“With me here, you need only be at ease…” As Jiang Cheng spoke, he reached for her hand.
“Brother-in-law…” Zhao E dodged away, as if shy, and also as if afraid, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. “Come again tomorrow…”
“Good, good. I understand what you mean. Tomorrow will be the perfect chance to go along with it. Afterward, I will surely take you away from this family!” Jiang Cheng’s eyes shone.
“Why still call me sister-in-law?” Zhao E turned her face away.
Jiang Cheng wished he could throw himself forward and embrace her, but he still held back. He had to plan carefully for the long term. “My darling, rest assured, I will never fail you. Whatever you do, do not fall for Princess Jiang’s scheme. I will go first.”
Zhao E watched him leave through the door, then gave a soft snort of disgust and ordered, “Close the door.”
She walked slowly into the inner room, lightly glanced at Zhou Yu, and her apricot eyes held a smile as her gaze shifted. “The adulterer has come swaggering in again?”
“Come here.” Zhou Yu was sitting on the soft couch watching her, his eyes clear and cold.
Zhao E smiled and stepped forward, her slender arms wrapping around his neck as she sat sideways on his lap, her fingers hooking under his chin teasingly. “What is it?”
Zhou Yu lowered his eyes and looked at her for a moment, then laid her down on the couch, bent his head, and kissed her, his large hand sliding up along the hem of her clothes.
Zhao E clutched his collar, her body tensing slightly, both cheeks flushed, her brows and eyes languid.
After a long while, Zhou Yu withdrew his hand, and both their clothes were in complete disarray.
The corners of his eyes were red, his breathing unsteady, his lips pressed almost into a straight line, clearly restraining himself to the utmost.
Zhao E lay beneath him, looking at his state of being caught between stopping and continuing, and smiled lightly with curved lips.
In her eyes, Zhou Yu was still more pleasing when he was like this beast.
Zhou Yu kissed her lips lightly, his voice faintly hoarse. “Why must there be such a thing as Kuishui?”
“You do not like Kuishui?” Zhao E asked with a light laugh.
“I do not like it.” Zhou Yu frowned slightly.
“Then…” Zhao E’s fair, soft fingers traced across his Adam’s apple, her apricot eyes shimmering. “Shall I arrange someone for you who has no Kuishui at all?”
Zhou Yu buried his face against her neck and laughed in a muffled voice. “Find an old woman?”
“What? Do you look down on old women?” Zhao E’s fingertips rubbed gently over his Adam’s apple. “Old women do have one advantage.”
“What’s good?” Zhou Yu lightly bit the tip of her ear.
Zhao E shrank her neck from the ticklishness, curved her eyes, and let out a laugh: “No teeth.”
Zhou Yu held her, and both of them laughed.
“Qu Xiao, hurry up and say it.”
Outside the window came Lu Yi’s low whisper.
Zhou Yu raised his head, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.
The two outside the window were completely unaware.
“Cut it out, today it’s your turn to report,” Qu Xiao shot back.
“We work together every day, what’s wrong with you helping me out a bit?” Lu Yi said with a cheeky grin. “I don’t want to get my head twisted off by Xiao Wangye.”
“Don’t even think about it.” Qu Xiao spoke in a strictly business tone.
“What is it?” Zhou Yu spoke up.
Outside, there was a moment of silence.
“Reporting to Xiao Wangye.” It was still Qu Xiao who cautiously spoke up: “The Crown Prince is waiting at the princely residence, he’s been waiting since evening until now. The Wangye sent me to ask whether you will return to meet with him.”
“No meeting.” Zhou Yu was concise and to the point.
“The Wangye said, there’s no harm in talking it over…” Qu Xiao said, mustering his courage.
“No discussion.” Zhou Yu lowered his head and pecked Zhao E on the lips.
“Then…” Qu Xiao hesitated for a moment before asking: “The matter of the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law…”
“Handle it according to the law.” Zhou Yu’s tone was indifferent.
“Yes, your subordinate takes his leave.” Qu Xiao responded respectfully.
“Aren’t you afraid the Crown Prince will retaliate against you?” Zhao E pushed him.
She had only said it casually.
She was very clear that aside from the Emperor, Zhou Yu feared no one. This was also one of the reasons she was willing to be Zhou Yu’s outside concubine.
Zhou Yu’s father, the Jinyang Wang, held heavy troops in his grasp and had rendered great service to Dayuan. He had many trusted confidants in the military, and even His Majesty treated him with deference.
And Zhou Yu himself was no less remarkable. At a young age, he already held an important post in the Ministry of Personnel, with a future beyond measure.
Furthermore, his maternal grandfather was the renowned Grand Tutor Qin of Dayuan, who had once taught the late Emperor and the current sovereign, with students all over the world.
A person like this—who did he need to fear?
Zhou Yu sat up: “When the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is punished the same as a commoner.”
He lowered his head and gathered his half-open collar, covering his cold, pale, firm chest.
“Why cover up?” Zhao E reached out and pulled down the collar he had just straightened, her tone soft: “Good-looking things should be exposed for people to see.”
Zhou Yu’s ear tips turned red, but he did not raise his hand again.
Zhao E pulled the small table closer and continued folding paper ingots.
Zhou Yu got up, took a sweet pear from the fruit plate, sat down on the small embroidered stool by the soft couch, peeled it with a small knife, sliced it into small pieces, and fed them to Zhao E.
Zhao E ate a few pieces, glanced at him: “Why aren’t you eating?”
“Pears can’t be shared.” Zhou Yu fed her another piece.
“You still believe in that?” Zhao E laughed upon hearing this: “We’re not husband and wife, just eat.”
Zhou Yu said nothing and did not eat either, only continued feeding her.
Zhao E did not insist either.
“Xiao Wangye.”
This time, it was Lu Yi speaking outside the back window.
“What is it?” Zhou Yu raised his eyes.
“The Wangye sent a message. The Yong Wang just now sent someone to the princely residence, saying that after tomorrow’s morning court, he would like to invite you to tea.” Lu Yi replied.
“Tell him, I will handle all matters according to the law, there’s no need for him to trouble himself.” Zhou Yu fed Zhao E another bite of pear.
“Yes.” Lu Yi responded.
Zhao E heard no more movement outside, raised her apricot eyes to glance at Zhou Yu: “Are the Crown Prince and the Yong Wang locking horns?”
“The Crown Prince wants to save his brother-in-law, while the Yong Wang wants to put his brother-in-law to death.” Zhou Yu did not conceal anything.
“Is the crown prince’s brother-in-law such an important figure?” Zhao E blinked and asked, “What crime has he committed?”
For something to warrant the personal involvement of two princes, it was certainly no trivial matter.
“A spoiled son of a noble house, holding a sinecure. He has occupied a great deal of farmland outside the city and set up a private prison. It’s not a capital offense, but it can’t be easily overlooked either.” Zhou Yu said indifferently, “Prince Yong refuses to let it go, largely because this is the beloved son of the Grand General Who Pacifies the Frontier.”
Zhao E pondered for a moment and said, “The Grand General Who Pacifies the Frontier is the crown prince’s father-in-law. Is Prince Yong trying to strike at his heart and cut off the crown prince’s right arm?”
“Yes.” Zhou Yu nodded.
“Isn’t that a good thing for you?” Zhao E asked, puzzled. “The Emperor betrothed the Grand General’s daughter to the crown prince precisely to counterbalance your family.”
“As a subject, one should keep to one’s proper place.” Zhou Yu took a handkerchief and wiped the pear juice from her lips.
“So you’ll side with neither?” Zhao E asked him.
“Forming factions for private gain is a great taboo for a subject.” Zhou Yu set down the handkerchief.
Zhao E reached out and hooked her finger into his open collar. “Say such righteous words after you’ve dressed properly—it’ll carry more weight.”
A faint flush spread across Zhou Yu’s face. He raised his hand to grasp hers. “What do you plan to do about tomorrow’s matter?”
“You mean Jiang Cheng?” Zhao E withdrew her hand and lowered her gaze to continue her work. “I have my own arrangements.”
“I want to come along.” Zhou Yu looked at her and spoke.