Chapter 16: Quite Taken by This

A Surprise Visit

Zhao Xingjin was planning to have Xie Jiu join him for a game of chess.

In the entire harem, only Wei Jieyu could match him move for move, but her temperament was such a headache. Playing chess with her was anything but relaxing, and he had to endure her lectures. After one game, Zhao Xingjin had no desire to repeat the experience.

So, when he discovered Xie Jiu’s skill at chess last time, he was quite pleased.

He initially intended to summon Xie Jiu to the main hall, but a sudden whim struck him. He wondered what Xie Jiu was doing alone in the side hall and decided to head there himself.

He went straight to the side hall. Chunrong and Qingfang had no chance to warn Xie Jiu in advance, but since she was only reading inside, they didn’t stop Zhao Xingjin.

Of course, they wouldn’t dare.

Thus, Zhao Xingjin slipped into the room quietly.

A Sleeping Beauty

To his surprise, he found Xie Jiu reclining on a chaise lounge, fast asleep.

She wore an ice-blue ruqun dress, tied at the chest, with a plain short gauze jacket draped over it. Her skin gleamed like porcelain, smooth and fair. Her hair was slightly loose from sleep, the pearl hairpin teetering as if about to fall, adding a touch of languid charm.

Her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, revealing soft, rounded forearms like lotus roots. A jade bracelet hung on her wrist, giving her the air of a beauty from a painting—full-bodied yet refined.

The book in her hand had slipped, her delicate fingers slack. Paired with her serene sleeping face, she exuded an air of leisurely comfort.

A Playful Encounter

A beauty like a painting—Zhao Xingjin was no upright gentleman. He stepped closer and deliberately leaned down, blowing gently at the strands of hair by her temple.

Xie Jiu stirred, her eyes fluttering open. A pair of playful, smiling eyes met hers, startling her awake in an instant.

“Awake?” Zhao Xingjin grinned, clearly in a good mood. Instead of standing, he sat down on the chaise lounge, taking her wrist and giving it a light squeeze. “So soft.”

He had noticed earlier that her forearm looked as tender as freshly made cheese, and he’d wanted to do this.

Xie Jiu’s heart settled after a moment.

Seeing his playful demeanor, she went along with it, staying reclined.

Her beautiful eyes slanted toward Zhao Xingjin. “Your Majesty entered without announcement. I didn’t rise to greet you—surely that’s a breach of etiquette.”

Her words were pointed, but her body didn’t move.

Zhao Xingjin didn’t mind, his eyes glinting with teasing amusement. “If I hadn’t come quietly, how could I have seen such a lovely sight? Did you have a good dream?”

A Flirtatious Exchange

At his question, Xie Jiu’s lips curved slightly.

With a quick twist of her hand, she turned the tables, grasping his hand and pulling gently. Using the momentum, she sat up and rested her chin on his shoulder.

“Living in Chenming Palace, blessed by Your Majesty’s dragon aura, how could I not have good dreams?” Xie Jiu said sweetly.

Her breath was warm and fragrant, and the soft touch of her cheek felt ticklish.

Zhao Xingjin never let himself be outdone. He wrapped an arm around her waist, flipping her to sit in his lap.

“I’d love to hear about this dream blessed by my dragon aura,” he said.

Their closeness intensified, his voice low and almost husky. His deep, starry eyes locked onto hers, making Xie Jiu feel as if she might fall into them if she looked too long.

She couldn’t let him take the lead so easily, she thought.

So, she looped her arms around his shoulders, loosely encircling his neck. Her willow brows arched, and a playful smile lit her eyes.

“In my dream, Your Majesty granted me a favor. Sadly, I hadn’t decided what I wanted before I woke. Such a pity.”

Her face took on a coy, teasing expression as she poked his chest lightly with her finger, pouting. “How will Your Majesty make it up to me?”

A Bold Request

“What nonsense,” Zhao Xingjin said, catching her teasing hand and narrowing his eyes. “You want me to compensate you for your own dream?”

Xie Jiu leaned into his embrace, letting him hold her hand, her demeanor lazy. “Your Majesty is a gentleman, and a gentleman’s word is worth more than a thousand horses. Even in my dream, your promises should hold true. Besides, you woke me and broke my lovely dream. Shouldn’t you grant me a favor to make up for it?”

Her charming, coy manner was enough to make anyone’s heart itch.

Zhao Xingjin found himself quite taken by it, provided she struck the right balance.

Too much, and it would feel fawning, manipulative, and off-putting. Too little, and it would seem awkward, half-hearted.

Xie Jiu, clearly, had mastered the art—charming without being vulgar, utterly captivating.

“Fine, tell me what you want,” Zhao Xingjin relented.

Xie Jiu’s eyes curved into crescents. “I wish to return to my family’s estate. But going back empty-handed feels a bit embarrassing. Could Your Majesty grant me something to take along, just to give me some face?”

Afraid he might refuse, she pressed closer to his chest. “Please?”

A Misunderstanding

A beauty’s coquetry could soften any heart.

But Zhao Xingjin felt a twinge of discomfort.

His mind turned her words over, catching a different implication, and his expression darkened slightly.

“You want to go see another man, and you’re asking me to foot the bill, hm?”

Xie Jiu was caught off guard, not expecting him to take it that way.

But on second thought, it did make sense.

Though they hadn’t crossed that final line, Zhao Xingjin had kept her in Chenming Palace for days, making it clear to everyone that she was his.

So, her returning to Weiyuan Marquis Estate to see Wu Que, while asking Zhao Xingjin for gifts to bring along… well, it did seem a bit…

Still, having gone this far, Xie Jiu decided to double down.

She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, her eyes sparkling. “Your Majesty personally issued an edict praising me. If you don’t grant me this small reward, it makes that praise seem hollow. Besides… I haven’t divorced that man yet, so he’s not exactly ‘another man,’ is he?”

A Spark of Jealousy

So, he was the other man?

Her words sparked a flicker of irritation in Zhao Xingjin’s heart.

It almost felt like he was the shameful lover hidden in the shadows.

His mood soured, and he raised his hand, delivering a light smack to Xie Jiu’s backside.

“Impudent!”

“Ouch!” Instead of pulling away, Xie Jiu burrowed deeper into his arms, throwing caution to the wind. She leaned into her brazen charm, pouting with mock grievance. “Your Majesty even hits me! All I wanted was to go back and watch the drama unfold!”

Her antics left Zhao Xingjin torn between exasperation and amusement.

This woman was getting far too comfortable, playing the part of a seductive consort with ease.

“Enough,” he said, his hand gently stroking her shoulder as if soothing a cat. “You’ll get your reward, but you won’t get it for free.”

A Deal Struck

Xie Jiu looked up. “What does Your Majesty want me to do?”

“Play chess with me. Tomorrow morning, I’ll arrange a sedan to take you out of the palace.” He lightly tapped her nose.

The gesture made Xie Jiu’s neck shrink back slightly, her face blooming with a shy smile.

To her surprise, Zhao Xingjin’s enthusiasm for chess was insatiable. After three games during the day, he dragged her into more matches under lamplight that night.

Xie Jiu was so exhausted her eyelids drooped, begging for mercy several times before he finally let her rest.

Return to the Estate

The next morning, as she left the palace, she was utterly drained.

The sedan carried her to the gates of Weiyuan Marquis Estate, where she finally stirred awake.

When Wu Que heard she had returned, he rushed to the front hall.

He arrived just in time to see Xie Jiu, her eyes hazy with charm, her hair slightly disheveled, reclining languidly in the sedan—a picture of someone who hadn’t slept enough after a tiring night.

In an instant, Wu Que’s mind raced with wild thoughts, and his face darkened.

“You… you still have the nerve to come back!”