Chapter 24

An Qiao’er noticed that ever since the Emperor and the Grand Tutor descended from the archway that day, though His Majesty’s face remained as calm and unreadable as ever, she—being deeply familiar with her master—could sense that something had happened.

At the very least, the Emperor now seemed to be avoiding the Grand Tutor.

But the Grand Tutor, like a cat that had caught the scent of fish, had completely shed his previous indifference and now frequented the Emperor’s quarters with alarming persistence.

Like now, for instance.

After finishing the morning court session, the Grand Tutor had once again strolled casually into the Emperor’s bedchamber, insisting on supervising His Majesty’s calligraphy practice.

After mercilessly critiquing the lack of strength in a few characters, he positioned himself behind the Emperor, took hold of the sovereign’s delicate hand, and began guiding the brush with excessive familiarity.

An Qiao’er watched anxiously, helpless, as the Emperor sat stiffly, trapped within the Grand Tutor’s embrace.

Finally, with a wave of his hand, the Grand Tutor dismissed all the attendants again.

Who knew what torment her young master would endure behind those closed doors…

“Grand Tutor, We are tired and shall not detain you any longer. You may take your leave.”

Pressed too tightly against the man, Nie Qinglin found it hard to breathe.

As she spoke, she tried to rise, but those iron-like arms remained immovable.

Wei Lenghou raised a thick brow.

“Is Your Majesty dismissing this humble subject?”

Unable to free herself from those clinging hands, Nie Qinglin could only manage to put a slight distance between herself and that firm, scorching chest.

Biting her lower lip, she forced a bitter smile.

“The Grand Tutor is a pillar of the court, coming and going in the palace as if it were his own home. How would We dare to dismiss you?”

Wei Lenghou was no fool—he heard the resentment in the little dragon pearl’s words.

Chuckling, he leaned closer to the Emperor’s delicate ear and murmured, “Then, does Your Majesty find this subject’s ‘coming and going’ in another manner… satisfactory?”

Nie Qinglin’s face flushed crimson once more.

She never expected that this usually cold, immortal-like man could be so domineering and shameless.

That kiss on the archway that night had been suffocating.

In the end, she had no choice but to surrender, allowing that man’s tongue to invade freely until her mouth was filled with his strong, wine-laced scent…

Nie Qinglin had never been so intimate with anyone before.

Due to her secret, the Fourteenth Prince had grown accustomed to keeping a certain distance from others.

Other princes, even if they lacked their birth mothers’ affection, at least had the warmth of their wet nurses.

But from the moment she could remember, it seemed no one had ever held her gently or kissed her tenderly…

When the man had crushed his lips against hers, the shock of the sudden violation had struck her harder than the heat of the kiss itself.

That night, upon returning to the palace, she lay awake in rare insomnia.

She had planned to play her usual trick—pretend the Grand Tutor had been drunk and never mention that night’s transgression between ruler and subject again.

But Wei Lenghou seemed determined not to let the matter fade so easily.

The Grand Tutor’s previously indifferent attitude toward her had shifted dramatically, becoming so scorchingly intense that she—someone accustomed to coldness since childhood—was utterly at a loss.

These past few days, whenever they were alone, the man would pull her into his arms and kiss her wantonly, his ferocity making it seem as though he wanted to devour her whole.

Even after repeatedly insisting she had no inclination toward the “cut-sleeve” tendencies, she couldn’t ward off this wicked serpent’s advances.

If not for her obvious resistance, who knew what else this audacious traitorous minister might attempt!

Nie Qinglin’s heart was heavy with worry.

If things continued like this, that man—who had clearly developed a taste for her—might push things even further.

And then…..

Before she could finish the thought, the man’s firm nose brushed close again, and his domineering lips captured hers once more…

Just then, Eunuch Ruan’s soft voice called from outside the palace: “Grand Tutor, the Deputy Minister of War awaits you in the study!”

Reluctantly, the Grand Tutor released the little figure in his arms and strode out of the bedchamber with a faint smile.

Seeing that the Grand Tutor had left, An Qiao’er hurried inside.

Finding her young master’s flushed face, her eyes burned with unshed tears.

Nie Qinglin, however, merely smiled and said, “Qiao’er, since we have nothing else to do, go and take stock—how much of our private savings remain?”

Among the princes of Great Wei, each had their own strengths.

Nie Qinglin prided herself on being frugal.

Back when her mother, Consort Li, was alive, she had secretly amassed a considerable fortune, fearing for her daughter’s future.

After her mother’s passing, though confined to the palace and living a life of hardship, Nie Qinglin had upheld her mother’s tradition of thrift.

Even the reward silver from the Lantern Festival had been carefully saved.

An Qiao’er was taken aback.

“Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?”

Nie Qinglin turned away, lightly touching her slightly swollen lips, and sighed.

“To see if We can buy a place to settle down safely…”

Though the Lantern Festival had ended, the nobles and aristocrats had not yet dispersed.

Firstly, it was rare for them to visit the capital, so they naturally wished to enjoy themselves.

Secondly, many eligible young ladies had seized the opportunity to seek suitable matches in the city.

In a few more days, the spring imperial examinations would begin.

A flood of talented scholars would pour into the capital, eager to leap through the dragon’s gate—both for the glory of the rankings and for the chance at a golden bridal chamber.

This was another perk of attending the Lantern Festival in the capital.

Nie Qinglin was somewhat comforted to find that while she had to endure the improper advances of her minister, there were still some benefits.

At the very least, during court breaks, the Grand Tutor would take her on incognito outings around the city, allowing her to broaden her horizons.

Most of the examination candidates lodged near Guang’en Temple, making the area especially lively during the spring exams.

However, scholars were not all of equal virtue—there were inevitably those whose lust emboldened them to reckless acts.

Though the Grand Tutor had brought the little dragon pearl out for leisure, he also intended to inspect the Imperial Academy near Guang’en Temple incognito.

This year’s examinations were of particular importance—after the court’s recent purge, fresh talent was urgently needed, especially those who could serve his purposes.

Thus, upon arriving at Guang’en Temple and securing a quiet, elegant teahouse, the Grand Tutor instructed the guards to watch over the Emperor before abruptly leaving to inspect the academy.

From the second-floor private room, Nie Qinglin could gaze down at the bustling streets below, a lively and vibrant sight.

This teahouse was the most expensive in the capital—the cost of a single pot of ordinary oolong tea could sustain a common family for three months.

As such, the patrons were few.

Just as Nie Qinglin was savoring a freshly baked crystal lotus cake, a commotion erupted downstairs.

Since the Grand Tutor had reserved the entire second floor, guards had already been posted at the stairway to prevent unwanted disturbances.

But the newcomers were exceptionally brazen.

Judging by their accents, they were men from beyond the frontier, yet even in the imperial capital, they showed no restraint.

After a brief argument with the guards—who refused to let them pass—one of the intruders actually kicked a highly trained imperial guard clear off his feet.

When the tall, burly man and his seven or eight companions stormed up the stairs, their eyes fell upon the figure seated by the window—and they froze.

A youth in white robes sat quietly by the window, his dark hair tied loosely with a white headband.

His skin was pale as snow, his lips like peach blossoms, and his large eyes shimmered with quiet depth.

Even as they barged in unannounced, the beautiful young man showed no fear, his serene expression as indifferent as if he were merely observing a tea-server…

Such should be the appearance of a true beauty!

Xiu Tulie stared greedily at the youth, his mind filled with only this thought…