In just two short days, Jing Xin had regained imperial favor. Court officials in the capital had already received the news, and Qin Wuheng naturally knew as well.
Coincidentally, Chief Steward Cang entered the hall to report that the Grand Remonstrator requested an audience.
When Qin Wuheng stepped into the hall, he immediately saw the shameless pair sitting on the same chair.
Qi Shen was casually eating pastries, his demeanor relaxed and natural. Even upon seeing Qin Wuheng, he did not hurry, continuing to eat at an unhurried pace, clearly enjoying himself.
Jing Xin leaned against Qi Shen’s shoulder and smiled. “Grand Remonstrator Qin has arrived.”
She was also eating the pastries in her hand.
Qi Shen finally finished the cream puff in his hand. Taking the handkerchief handed to him by a palace attendant, he wiped his hands, then lowered his gaze to Jing Xin, who was obediently leaning against his shoulder. Her snow white face was soft and delicate, her red lips alluring, with a trace of cream still at the corner of her mouth.
He gently wiped it away for her and said, “Ah Heng, come and try Jing Consort’s handiwork.”
Qin Wuheng lowered his gaze and stepped forward, accepting the pastry from a palace attendant.
He did not have high expectations that Jing Xin could make anything decent. Using food to win Qi Shen’s favor had been part of the plan he arranged for Shen Qingyue. How could someone like Jing Xin possibly understand such things? However, after taking a bite, his eyes widened slightly in shock as he glanced at Jing Xin.
“Ah Heng, what do you think?”
“I did not expect Consort Jing to possess such skill. This pastry melts in the mouth, though in summer heat it can become overly sweet and heavy. Brother, Your Majesty’s health should be prioritized.”
It was terrifying. He had never eaten something this delicious before. Compared to this, Shen Qingyue had already lost.
Jing Xin naturally understood exactly what this so-called male protagonist was thinking.
She smiled lightly and called for Chang Huan, saying, “That is why this consort has prepared a fruit tea to balance the sweetness for Your Majesty.”
Chang Huan brought out a bowl of iced waxberry soup from the food box.
Qi Shen was extremely satisfied with this afternoon’s desserts.
Qin Wuheng, knowing Qi Shen too well, understood that this could not continue. He had come today specifically to urge Qi Shen to leave the palace earlier.
“Brother, the weather has become increasingly hot these days. I suggest we move the hunting trip forward so we can escape the heat. There are no urgent matters in the palace. What does Your Majesty think?”
Qi Shen nodded. “Very well.” A faint smile curled his lips. “The feudal lords of the three kingdoms have not yet left the capital. It has been a long time since I have seen their archery skills. Let them accompany the imperial procession as well.”
Qin Wuheng lowered his gaze. “As you command.”
This addition of feudal lords was not present in the original novel. Jing Xin had never met these three rulers. Before his death, Prince Zhou had told her that the lord of Lu was also plotting rebellion. She did not know whether anything would happen on this journey.
What was the name of the lord of Lu again? She could not recall. The original novel never mentioned him in detail. She could only hope that after the failed rebellions of Prince Zhou and Xia Kingdom, he had already been deterred.
Qin Wuheng tested cautiously, “Will Consort Jing accompany Your Majesty on this hunting trip?”
Jing Xin wrapped her arms around Qi Shen’s arm, about to ask sweetly to be taken along, but Qi Shen had already answered.
“Mm.”
She had not even begun to plead, and he had already agreed.
Qin Wuheng’s gaze swept lightly over Jing Xin before he bowed and said he would go arrange everything.
The departure was set for the next day. Jing Xin had no time to prepare much, only instructing Chang Huan to pack a few sets of clothes.
The original owner did not know how to ride horses or shoot arrows. Jing Xin had originally planned to deliver the cream puffs and then ask Qi Shen to take her along, after which she would return to the palace to learn riding and archery properly. Now she could only hastily prepare a slingshot for self defense.
Along the way, she had no idea what traps Qin Wuheng might set. Based on her understanding of this scheming male lead, he would definitely ensure she left alive but never returned.
She had to prepare in advance.
……
On the following day, the grand hunting procession departed from the capital of Biandu in an imposing formation. Jing Xin and Qi Shen rode together in the imperial carriage, with military generals leading the way and feudal lords following behind.
The feudal lords met them outside the city. The three men, each with a commanding presence, restrained their sharpness and bowed respectfully outside the carriage to greet Qi Shen. Qi Shen did not appear, only issuing a few instructions from behind the curtain.
Jing Xin could not tell who was who and simply ate waxberries.
The journey to Shen Qingyue’s farm would take three days. Long distance travel was tiring, but fortunately Qi Shen’s carriage was spacious and comfortable, lined with soft cushions. Palace attendants served tea and refreshments, and when they wished to rest, a curtain could be drawn to divide the space, while attendants waited quietly outside without disturbing them.
The carriage curtains were lifted by the wind, and this was the first time Jing Xin had carefully observed the ancient landscape since arriving in this world. Houses lined the roads, smoke curled from chimneys, and fields stretched with lush green trees and wildflowers. The air was clean, untouched by industrial pollution, carrying the fresh scent of grass through the window breeze.
If not for Qin Wuheng following behind with intentions of killing her, the journey would have been quite pleasant.
After finishing a plate of waxberries, Jing Xin picked up her tea. Just as she set it down, Qi Shen pulled her into his arms.
The man’s handsome face filled her vision as his lips pressed down without warning, while his warm hand slid to her waist.
So this damned emperor had agreed so readily because he still wanted to sleep with her.
Unlike last time, she did not instinctively avoid him. Jing Xin tried to respond, her heartbeat quickening.
His breathing was hot and dominant as he forced her lips open, invading without restraint and pulling her into his embrace. His strength made her body go weak, and she let out a soft breath while pushing lightly against him.
“Your Majesty, this is still in the carriage…”
“Are you afraid of this?” Qi Shen’s voice was low.
“The attendants are still outside.”
“Have them leave.”
The carriage stopped briefly. The attendants were all dismissed.
Qi Shen’s hand remained burning hot as he lifted the back of her head and kissed her again.
Jing Xin realized he seemed to enjoy seeing her become weak under his kiss. She almost wanted to cry but had no tears. She did not want to play the role of a seductive favored consort. She wanted to be the clever, scheming little white lotus type instead, even a green tea personality would do.
During a brief pause, she gasped, “Your Majesty, not in the carriage, I…”
Suddenly, a wave of nausea surged up. She covered her mouth and leaned over the plate of waxberries, retching.
Nothing came out. She only dry heaved, and the rocking of the carriage made her even more uncomfortable.
“Stop pretending,” Qi Shen said coldly.
The strong masculine aura inside the carriage made the space even more suffocating. Jing Xin’s forehead was damp with sweat, and she felt worse.
“I am not pretending. The carriage is simply too bumpy.”
She was motion sick.
No matter how good the carriage was, it could not compare to modern transportation.
A trace of irritation flashed in Qi Shen’s deep eyes. She was ruining the mood, but he said nothing more. His lips pressed into a tight line as he pulled his robe back into place.
Jing Xin apologized on the surface while silently cursing him as a jerk.
There was no tenderness at all. Qi Shen did not show her any real care.
Even though she could now make his favorite sweets, she was still just a tool for his physical desires.
How did Shen Qingyue earn his favor? Was it because she once blocked an arrow for him? Or because she was intelligent and could make pastries?
Perhaps it was simply the heroine’s halo written too strongly by the author.
Jing Xin felt uneasy. She wanted to change the plot and prevent Qi Shen from falling for Shen Qingyue again. But what if she failed to stop their inevitable meeting this time?
Though Qi Shen was displeased, he still tossed her a cushion.
Jing Xin leaned back onto the soft couch.
Qi Shen seemed to prefer soft, gentle types.
She pouted softly. “Your Majesty, the cushion is not comfortable.”
Qi Shen glanced at her indifferently.
Jing Xin grabbed his large hand. “This consort wants to lean on you to sleep.”
The carriage fell silent. After a long pause, Qi Shen moved to the couch, pulled the small table closer, and opened a book.
Jing Xin did not understand his intention.
His voice was flat. “Only my legs. If you want to lean, then lean.”
Ah! So although he showed no tenderness, he was actually a tsundere tyrant.