Lian Yi lived in the Qin King's mansion like a ghost, unseen and unheard. Had she not gone to find Dan Yu Yan, everyone would have forgotten her existence.
"Miss Dan," Lian Yi greeted with a gentle bow.
"Greetings, Miss Lian Yi," Dan Yu Yan returned the gesture. "Does the Empress Dowager have any instructions?"
Lian Yi was a confidante of the Empress Dowager. In the Qin King's mansion, perhaps only Luo Bing Qing was unaware that Lian Yi had come to find her secretly, suggesting the Empress Dowager had a request.
Lian Yi's gaze fell on the soup bowl in Luo Bing Qing's hand. "Is Miss going to deliver soup to His Highness, the Qin King?"
Dan Yu Yan's heart skipped a beat. "No, it's leftover. I was planning to give it to Liu Zhu to avoid waste."
Lian Yi lifted the lid and peeked inside. It was a ginseng and black chicken soup, its rich aroma so invigorating it made one feel refreshed. "The soup looks good. Why don't you send it to His Highness, the Qin King?"
"Alright." Dan Yu Yan didn't argue. She was merely a pawn in someone else's game, with no right to refuse, at least not until she possessed the ability to protect herself.
Seeing Dan Yu Yan's obedience, Lian Yi's face broke into a satisfied smile. She then reached to her waist, retrieved a small bottle, and poured its contents into the soup. "The Empress Dowager wishes for Miss to become the Qin King's consort soon. As for the other one, rest assured, the child she carries will not pose a threat to you." — Su Dan Novel Network
Dan Yu Yan's expression remained unchanged. She called Liu Zhu to light the lamps and went to deliver the soup to the Qin King.
Lian Yi, still uneasy, followed, watching as Dan Yu Yan entered the Qin King's study. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the study lamp extinguished. Dan Yu Yan did not emerge. Lian Yi smiled with satisfaction and then turned to leave.
Inside the study, Dan Yu Yan sat to the side, while Nangong Yu was seated at his desk. Neither spoke. The soup had cooled, untouched.
"I have caused trouble for Your Highness."
"It is I who have implicated you," Nangong Yu said softly. "You shall rest in the study tonight to avoid arousing suspicion."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Dan Yu Yan watched as Nangong Yu opened the window and leaped out. Moments later, she rose, closed the window, and poured the soup from the bowl into a flowerpot. Then, still dressed, she lay down on the small bed in the study.
Nangong Yu went to the General's mansion. Of all the residences, Shui Yue Xiao Zhu was the easiest to find. No matter how late it was, Shui Yue Xiao Zhu was always illuminated. It was said that Xiao Man feared the dark, so her residence always had a few lamps lit, regardless of the hour.
Nangong Yu arrived with the dew. Xiao Man had already retired when he heard the movement. She sat up immediately and then felt someone force open the window and quietly enter.
Xiao Man crossed her arms. "At this late hour, Your Highness, instead of resting, you sneak into my chambers. What, do you intend to play the role of a flower thief and do something shameful?"
Nangong Yu removed his outer robe, hung it on the screen, and sat by the bed. He took off his shoes and was about to get into bed when he saw Xiao Man sitting resolutely by the edge. "Move over, make some space for me. I haven't had a good rest for several nights helping you with your affairs."
Xiao Man hesitated for a moment and moved inward. Nangong Yu immediately burrowed under the covers. Seeing Xiao Man still sitting, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace. "It's getting cold, don't catch a chill."
"With a beauty in your Qin King's mansion, why do you come to bother me here?"
Nangong Yu held her tightly, inhaling the pleasant scent of Xiao Man, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Shen Xian San, I cannot enjoy it. Nowadays, only here can I sleep soundly."
Xiao Man shifted slightly. Nangong Yu was too close, his breath tickling her neck uncomfortably. Nangong Yu's arm around her waist tightened slightly. "Don't move."
Something pressed against her from behind. Xiao Man stiffened, daring not to move. "You… what do you want?"
Nangong Yu took a deep breath, his grip on Xiao Man loosening. His voice dropped, husky with desire. "You vexing enchantress! Sleep, or I'll have my way with you!"
Xiao Man gritted her teeth and remained silent. Although she had been intimate with Nangong Yu before, both times were under the influence of drugs, beyond her control. The burning heat of the body behind her made her tense and uneasy.
Xiao Man lay awake in the darkness, and soon heard the steady breathing of the man behind her. Nangong Yu had fallen asleep. Xiao Man let out a sigh of relief. It seemed Nangong Yu's talk of sleeping was merely about sleeping. Her mind relaxed, and she soon drifted off.
Once Xiao Man was asleep, a smile played on Nangong Yu's lips. He adjusted his arm around her waist, thinking, *Endure for a while longer. I must have her willing.*
The next morning, when Xiao Man woke, Nangong Yu was long gone. Qiu Tong entered to help her dress and wash. "Miss, rumors are circulating that the lady who entered the Qin King's mansion slept in the Qin King's study last night."
Xiao Man found Qiu Tong's worried nature amusing. "She is the Qin King's guest. She can sleep wherever she pleases."
"Miss!" Qiu Tong stamped her foot. The Qin King used to visit Miss at Shui Yue Xiao Zhu every few days, clearly showing his interest. Recently, he favored a woman from the martial world, and now he brought another lady into his mansion. Fickle and unfaithful, not a good man!
"I am not the Qin King's consort, why should I care about what ladies are in his mansion, or where they sleep?" Xiao Man washed her face and rinsed her mouth with salt. "Who am I to the Qin King? His mother?"
Qiu Tong chuckled. "Miss, just a few days ago you were calling him 'father.' Now you're calling yourself 'mother'."
Xiao Man glared at her. "Are you laughing at your mistress? Believe it or not, I'll punish you by making you wash everyone's dirty clothes?"
"Never, never. Your servant dares not laugh at Miss." Qiu Tong handed Xiao Man a towel to wipe her mouth and served her breakfast.
Just then, the steward entered, holding a calling card. "Miss, the lady residing in the Qin King's mansion has sent another calling card."
Upon seeing it, Qiu Tong rushed forward, snatched the card, and threw it on the ground, stomping on it fiercely. "What kind of person is this? She just slept with the Qin King and now she dares to swagger into our Miss's presence! What a disgrace!"
Xiao Man ate her breakfast, watching Qiu Tong rage and curse Dan Yu Yan. This girl was acting as if *she* had been abandoned.
"Oh my, who has angered our Sister Qiu Tong so early in the morning?" Ying Xue entered, carrying a food box. "Miss, Lord Wen had Wei Feng send some pastries. Would Miss like to try them?"
"He knows exactly when to time things, knowing I'm having breakfast now. Hurry and bring them out for me to taste."
Ying Xue opened the food box and took out the pastries. They were exquisitely made, resembling blooming lotus flowers, so beautiful one hesitated to eat them.