The convoy stopped at an inn to rest for the night.
As expected, Jing Xin shared a room with Qi Shen.
Qi Shen himself did not like long journeys either. He had always been a man who preferred movement and activity. After sitting in a carriage all day, he bathed and then lay down on the couch.
Jing Xin also finished bathing. Unlike the original owner, who would deliberately wear alluring red gauze sleepwear, she simply wore a moon colored sleeping robe and tightly fastened her sash with three knots before walking toward the bed.
Qi Shen was lying on the outer side, eyes closed. Without the cold, tyrannical aura he carried during the day, his features looked so perfect it was pleasing to the eye.
Jing Xin carefully brushed her long hair behind her shoulders and climbed onto the bed.
He suddenly opened his eyes, startling her so much she froze mid movement.
He pulled her slender waist into his arms and moved her to the inner side of the bed.
Just as Jing Xin thought he would continue what had not been finished during the day, his low voice sounded beside her ear.
“I do not fight battles without stamina. Sleep!”
Jing Xin finally let out a breath of relief.
That made sense. A ruler of the world would not allow himself to be physically drained in bed. After a day of travel, even he would be tired.
Over the next two days, Jing Xin truly could not tolerate the long journey. She kept vomiting on the road and only felt better after eating sour waxberries. Qi Shen found her annoying and in the way, so she used the chance to return to her own carriage.
……
The convoy finally arrived at Yuping at noon. This small town was simple and rustic, and its climate was much cooler than Biandu. Even the wind carried a refreshing chill.
However, it would still take another hour to reach the hunting grounds in the mountains of Ping Mountain. Qi Shen was already hungry and planned to have a meal first.
Qin Wuheng arranged for the local magistrate to receive them and led Qi Shen to the magistrate’s residence for the meal.
The magistrate’s residence was naturally not as luxurious as the imperial palace, but the best room had still been reserved for Qi Shen. Behind a carved lacquered screen, palace maids were helping him change into clean casual robes.
Jing Xin said, “Your Majesty, this consort is not very hungry. I would like to go out for a walk. Please grant your permission.”
Qi Shen lifted his eyes lazily.
Jing Xin explained, “I heard that the craftsmen of Yuping are skilled and especially good at making fine face powders. I would like to find some fragrant powder.” She smiled shyly. “A woman dresses to please herself and her beloved.”
Qi Shen looked at her quietly for a moment. Jing Xin subconsciously touched her face and glanced into the bronze mirror in the room. Her makeup had not smudged.
No, she was not even wearing makeup.
The original owner’s face was already beautiful enough. Jing Xin was not used to washing off makeup with cleansing beans. These days she only lightly shaped her brows and used lip color when meeting the emperor. She did not apply powder at all.
The most beautiful feature of this face was her pair of alluring eyes. The slightly upturned corners often made people mistake her for being flirtatious and overly affectionate when she smiled.
Jing Xin smiled at Qi Shen and tugged his hand. “This consort did not bring enough powder with me.”
Qi Shen said, “I think you look better without makeup.”
Jing Xin froze.
He liked her without makeup?
Had he just complimented her?
Could it be that this tyrant emperor already liked how she looked after transmigrating?
Qi Shen said, “This is a small and remote town. Do not linger outside too long. Wear a veil.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then may Your Majesty assign me a hidden guard for protection?”
Qi Shen gave a faint “mm.”
Jing Xin rose onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
It was very quick. Her soft lips touched his cheek for only an instant before she pulled away.
Even with Qi Shen’s sharp reflexes, he had not expected such a fleeting kiss. By the time he tried to pull her into his arms, she was already out the door.
For some reason, his tone carried a slight lightness as he asked, “Has the magistrate been ordered to prepare desserts?”
After receiving Cang Ji’s reply, he finally curled his lips slightly and went to dine.
Qin Wuheng had already arranged the meal. There were thirty nine dishes in total. Although not as lavish as the palace, it was still extremely extravagant for a remote town.
In the main hall, the feudal lords of the three kingdoms and accompanying officials were already waiting. When Cang Ji announced the arrival of the Son of Heaven, everyone rose to bow.
Qi Shen did not see Qin Wuheng. Cang Ji explained that Qin Wuheng was arranging the next stage of the itinerary.
Outside the magistrate’s residence, guards stood in formation. Qin Wuheng, dressed in black robes, was sternly issuing orders regarding the terrain of Ping Mountain and matters of imperial protection. Normally this route was open for travel, but after learning that the tyrant had arrived, the common people no longer dared to pass through.
After issuing his orders, Qin Wuheng turned through several alleys. Two strong guards behind him stopped at the entrance to keep watch while he alone knocked on a wooden door.
The aged door slowly opened from inside. A young woman in red stood behind it. Her face was delicate and refined, yet her phoenix eyes carried a calm and mature composure that felt somewhat out of place. When she saw him, tears shimmered in her eyes.
“Ah Heng…” her voice trembled.
Qin Wuheng quickly stepped inside. The woman threw herself into his arms.
He held her tightly. “Qingyue.”
Shen Qingyue almost cried, but she forced herself to suppress her emotions and smiled through a sniffle. “I finally see you again. Are you alright? Has that dog emperor made things difficult for you? Did he notice anything unusual?”
Qin Wuheng held her hands and answered each question. The two of them lingered in each other’s gaze with deep reluctance, as though they had endless words to say, yet ultimately fell into silence.
Perhaps silence was the only remaining peace between them.
After a long moment, Qin Wuheng set aside his personal feelings and spoke seriously.
“Nothing has happened on the emperor’s side. I cannot go into detail in letters, but I have noticed that Consort Jing has changed greatly.”
He explained everything about Jing Xin wanting to become a good person and even making cream puffs.
Shen Qingyue said, “She committed many evil deeds in the past. Why has she changed so much? Could she be plotting something?”
Qin Wuheng said, “Her methods have suddenly become much more sophisticated. I suspect Prince Zhou may have been helping her plan things before his death. Some time ago, the emperor intended to demolish all City God Temples across the country, which would have greatly damaged his reputation. Yet she unexpectedly knelt before me and begged me to speak in his favor. This is not good.”
Shen Qingyue thought for a moment. “Is she really so cunning? But if there were things we could stop, why not stop them? Even if you had pleaded with the emperor not to demolish the temples, it would not have affected our plan.”
“Qingyue, you are still too kind,” Qin Wuheng said solemnly. “I have told you before, you must not act with such compassion. Qi Shen is an evil tyrant. Only by stripping him of public support and leaving him without any chance of recovery will it benefit us. Have you forgotten how many cruel things Jing Xin has done?”
His gaze deepened. “Think of your entire Shen family. Think of what the Qi clan has done to us.”
Shen Qingyue’s face turned pale as painful memories surfaced. The nineteen year old girl’s expression was no longer delicate, only filled with hatred.
She quickly regained her cold composure, shaped over years of vengeance. “Ah Heng, do not worry. That dog emperor is not so easy to kill, but killing that wicked consort will be easy for me. If I encounter Jing Xin, I will personally kill that wretched woman.”
“I cannot act openly. Once we enter Ping Mountain, it will be your territory. Remember, Jing Xin being alive is an obstacle. She must not return to the capital alive.”
“I understand, do not worry. If I do not kill Jing Xin, I will not be Shen Qingyue.”
Qin Wuheng did not stay long. After instructing her to prepare what she needed, he returned to the magistrate’s residence.
The main hall had already begun dining. Seeing that Jing Xin was not beside Qi Shen, he asked about her.
After hearing Qi Shen’s reply, Qin Wuheng lowered his gaze and said, “Then I will send people to accompany and protect Consort Jing.”
“I have already assigned hidden guards,” Qi Shen said flatly.
Qin Wuheng smiled faintly and said no more.
He had originally intended to take the opportunity to eliminate Jing Xin, but with hidden guards in place, he could not make a move.