The Crown Prince seemed utterly shocked by her shameless refusal, gritting his teeth, "I will certainly find a way to get a handle on you!"
Shen Yue gazed at him coldly, her posture lofty, her lips a burning crimson.
"I shall await you at any time."
The Crown Prince snorted, flicked his sleeves, and departed in a huff.
Fu An lowered his head, hiding his swollen face.
His chin was lifted by another soft hand, fully exposing Fu An's entire face to Shen Yue.
Fu An's eyelashes fluttered, and he slightly turned his head, subconsciously trying to conceal his wound. He suppressed the urge to leave.
Seeing him up close, he noticed the swelling was even more severe. It appeared the Crown Prince had indeed struck him with considerable force.
Fu An dared not look at the person before him, his gaze constantly flickering away. The soft touch on his face sent a tingling sensation through him; he could clearly feel that he was cherished.
That face, illuminated even more beautifully by the bright light, was etched with frost, exuding a chilling, oppressive aura.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
That voice was exceptionally gentle, like a feather brushing against the heart.
"I will make them pay."
Her icy demeanor slowly warmed, and she offered Fu An a smile, detached and shadowed.
Her breath was warm as she embraced Fu An tightly, almost shrinking entirely into his arms.
Her tear mole was striking; she promised Fu An, with an unbelievable gentleness.
"Soon..."
—
Yixiang Garden was the premier place for leisure in Changan city, a gilded cage for aristocratic families and the sons of the powerful.
This establishment was far more refined than a mere brothel. The dancers here sold their artistry, not their bodies, merely playing music and dancing. They were proficient in everything from Go, chess, calligraphy, painting, to poetry and song.
The women were all as beautiful as celestial beings, their every movement graceful and not at all flirtatious. They were delicate and possessed a unique charm.
Shi Wei was a regular at Yixiang Garden, more familiar with it than his own home.
Unfortunately, he had not visited for a long time. Returning now, he felt something was missing, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what.
The beauties were still beautiful.
The music was still exquisite.
But the former spark was gone. Shi Wei drank the fine wine, his expression dispirited.
After listening for a while, he even felt irritated. Shi Wei waved his hand, signaling everyone within to leave.
Drinking wine idly, Shi Wei found his own behavior inexplicable. He was inherently dissolute, having frequented pleasure houses and gardens for years. If he grew tired, he would simply move on to another.
But now, looking at those faces, he found them all insipid.
His mind couldn't help but conjure that fair, vividly colored face, her tear mole glistening.
Shi Wei lowered his eyelids. In his wine cup, his reflection rippled like the liquid, mirroring his current state of heart.
After a moment, he covered his face in distress.
He was truly infatuated. What was the status of the Fourth Prince? She was not like these lowly dancers, not someone he could simply touch if he pleased.
The voice of a guard was heard from outside, "Young Master, a distinguished guest has arrived at the manor."
Shi Wei looked up abruptly. The only ones who could be considered distinguished guests at his manor, and who would seek him out so directly, could only be—the Fourth Prince.
He quickly stood up, Shi Wei's steps hurried, his eyes holding anticipation and joy that he himself didn't notice.
"Return to the manor!"
—
Shi Wei rushed back to his residence at the fastest possible speed and indeed saw the person he longed for.
She was dressed in black, her sleeves embroidered with exquisite patterns, standing with her back to him, her figure tall and slender.
His previously rapid footsteps gradually slowed. As he drew closer, his heartbeat became erratic, like a pounding drum.
He couldn't help but call out dazedly, "Your Highness Fourth Prince."
The slender figure turned around. Her dark attire reflected her skin, dazzlingly white.
A fervent smile spread across Shi Wei's face, "Your Highness, let us speak inside."
They went to the study and closed the door. Shi Wei's gaze never left that exceptionally beautiful face. He still managed to ask with outward seriousness, "May I ask why Your Highness has come personally?"
Shen Yue's eyes curved upwards, her brows like painted lines, her voice cool and indifferent, like sweet, clear wine, "Just came to take a look."
A simple and polite statement, yet spoken from her lips, it seemed to carry a different flavor.
Shi Wei's greatest asset was his thick skin, comparable to a city wall. He rarely blushed, but now, when he met Shen Yue's eyes, his entire face turned crimson. His usually eloquent tongue became faltering, unable to utter a single coherent word.
He had never felt so embarrassed, especially not in front of Shen Yue. At this moment, he wished he could disappear into a crack in the earth.
Shen Yue's lips curved into a faint smile, she quietly watched Shi Wei's face turn red like a boiled shrimp, tilting her head as if in question.
"Are you feeling warm?"
Shi Wei was practically overwhelmed with joy, "Yes, yes, the study is too stuffy. This subject will open the window right away."
He said as he moved to open the window, wiping away the beads of sweat on his forehead. His cheeks were flushed, giving the appearance of being exceptionally hot.
Shen Yue, however, did not feel particularly warm. She looked at the paintings hanging in the study, all by renowned masters, likely unparalleled anywhere in the world. Shi Wei truly had an eye for art.
"Shi Wei."
That single call seemed to jolt Shi Wei awake. He restrained his gaze, and beneath his thinly veiled, feigned respect lay undisguised adoration.
"This subject is here."
Shen Yue's gaze remained fixed on the painting, "How is the matter I asked you to investigate progressing?"
While the Fourth Prince had her back turned and couldn't see, Shi Wei's gaze became increasingly greedy and yearning. His tone remained gentle and submissive.
"That imperial physician is named Liu Xiao. He grew up with the Empress since childhood. Later, when Liu Xiao's family fell into decline, he took up medicine. When the Empress entered the palace, Liu Xiao followed closely behind. The Empress would often summon the imperial physician under the guise of recuperating her health. It is likely that the two of them had a clandestine affair long ago."
Shen Yue turned her head, her long lashes fluttering like butterflies. The lines of her profile were as graceful as flowing water, her tear mole exquisitely beautiful.
Shi Wei was always efficient in his work, a trait Shen Yue admired. Therefore, she offered him a small gesture of favor.
"Anything else?"
"Every eighth day, at midnight, Liu Xiao would change into eunuch attire and go to the Kunning Palace, only leaving at the hour of the寅."
They had been carrying on this secret affair for so long, and yet no one had discovered it, but this clever individual, Shi Wei, had found out. One had to admit, the Empress's outward composure was impeccable, not even the Emperor had noticed anything. Precisely because of this, when the truth was revealed, it would be even more difficult to salvage the situation.
The Crown Prince...
He was nothing more than a fake.
Without the identity of the Crown Prince, what kind of waves could he possibly stir up?