Xie Jing'an looked at Qin Yun with suspicion, still not quite believing her.
Was this person really that kind?
"Second Prince, why are you looking at me like that? If you don't want it, I'll take it back!" Qin Yun pretended to snatch the Condensing Dew Cream back.
Xie Jing'an held the two bottles of Condensing Dew Cream above his head. "Once something is given, there's no reason to take it back."
"I thought the Second Prince didn't want it!" Qin Yun curved her lips into a smile.
The first step was complete. In two days, once Xie Jing'an or Concubine Li used her Condensing Dew Cream, the business would come knocking on her door.
"Alright! I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness!" Xie Jing'an played with the Condensing Dew Cream for a moment, then turned to leave.
Qin Yun rubbed her chin, smiling triumphantly.
Just as she was leaving, Fang Jing appeared behind her. "Eunuch Fang? What are you doing here?"
Qin Yun touched her heart, thankful for its sturdiness. In the past, she would have been scared to death by Fang Jing's silent approach!
"Young Master Qin, His Majesty wishes to see you!" Fang Jing said softly.
"The Emperor has come to Blue Mountain Academy?" Qin Yun wracked her brain. She really didn't want to see that enchanting man right now!
"Young Master Qin, please follow me!" Fang Jing turned and headed towards Tranquil Heart Pavilion.
Tranquil Heart Pavilion.
Xie Qianmo was in his study, reading a book on military strategy.
Fang Jing slowly brought Qin Yun in.
"Your Majesty, Young Master Qin is here!"
Xie Qianmo nodded, remaining silent, and continued reading.
"This humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long, long live!" Qin Yun knelt and kowtowed.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Xie Qianmo was unmoved.
Qin Yun quietly raised her head to peek.
Then she lowered her head again.
She couldn't help but grumble inwardly, 'What's gotten into this enchanting man today?'
After a while longer, as she still hadn't heard Xie Qianmo tell her to rise, Qin Yun felt a little aggrieved.
"Your Majesty...?" Qin Yun called out softly.
Only then did Xie Qianmo put down his book on military strategy.
He looked at Qin Yun and said coldly, "Rise."
Qin Yun slowly stood up, perhaps her legs had gone numb, as she got up a little slowly.
Xie Qianmo's brows furrowed as he watched Qin Yun struggle to get up.
Perhaps his heart softened. He said unhurriedly, "Go and sit on the couch."
Qin Yun didn't try to put on a brave face. Her knees were indeed a bit numb. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
'Why does this feel like being hit then given a sweet?'
"Your Majesty, why did you summon this humble servant?" Qin Yun asked cautiously.
"I heard you encountered assassins in black a few days ago. Were you injured?" Xie Qianmo's eyes were fixed on Qin Yun, as if trying to see through her.
Qin Yun thought, 'How does His Majesty know about my encounter with assassins?'
'This matter, it's not big, but it's not small either... it's a matter of life and death!'
"This humble servant is unharmed, thanks to Young Master Ouyang's rescue!"
Xie Qianmo snorted coldly. "On the eve of the imperial examinations, Young Master Qin still has the leisure to get drunk at a restaurant? You truly have a broad mind!"
"Your Majesty, this humble servant is an adult male. Am I not allowed to drink?" Qin Yun felt wronged. 'What has she done that Xie Qianmo knows so much about?'
'Could it be that he sent people to follow me?'
'That's impossible!'
'Where am I worthy of such attention from this scoundrel?'
"You are truly shameless, to be pulling and dragging Young Master Ouyang after getting drunk! What sort of decorum is this?"
"Your Majesty, did you send people to follow this humble servant?" Qin Yun was displeased, but she maintained a calm expression.
"As the imperial examinations approach, I pay attention to the actions of every scholar. You will be entering the court to serve me in the future. It is best to restrain those unsightly behaviors from now on!"
Xie Qianmo was furious. Just thinking about Qin Yun pulling and dragging Ouyang Siqing on the street made him want to lash out.
As for why he was angry, he hadn't figured it out himself, but his mood was very bad.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This humble servant will be mindful in the future!"
Qin Yun thought, 'His Majesty said... in the future, I will be serving him. Does this sentence mean I've passed?'
"What did you just give that brat Xie Jing'an?" Xie Qianmo's face darkened again.
'Does this Qin Yun deserve to be punished?'
A few days ago, she was pulling and dragging Ouyang Siqing ambiguously.
Today, she's fawning over that brat Xie Jing'an.
'Why does she always run away whenever she sees me?'
'If I don't come to see her, will she never think of coming to see me?'
"Your Majesty, you saw it just now?" Qin Yun frowned. 'Did this scoundrel just arrive at Tranquil Heart Pavilion?'
'Besides, what business is it of his if I give things to others?'
'Why... is he questioning me about such things?'
"Your Majesty, that is just ordinary Condensing Dew Cream. This humble servant and the Second Prince are fellow classmates and good friends. Seeing that the Second Prince has been riding horses at the stables recently, his skin seems to have deteriorated somewhat, so I sent those little trinkets for the Second Prince to try."
"You certainly know how to care for people!" Xie Qianmo's deep eyes stared unblinkingly at Qin Yun, as if trying to draw her in.
"No, it's just that I happened to have it on me, so I gave it away casually."
"Thud." Two bottles of Condensing Dew Cream fell out of Qin Yun's sleeve.
Qin Yun quickly picked them up.
"Who are these two bottles for?" Xie Qianmo asked coldly.
"I'm not giving them to anyone, this humble servant will use them herself!" Qin Yun smiled.
"I have also been to the stables recently and found my skin to be somewhat uncomfortable. Since Young Master Qin understands skincare methods, I would appreciate some guidance." Xie Qianmo said earnestly, but his eyes were fixed on the Condensing Dew Cream in Qin Yun's hand.
Qin Yun glanced at Xie Qianmo's gaze, then looked down at the Condensing Dew Cream in her hand.
'His Majesty's gaze... does he want this Condensing Dew Cream too?'
She was in a dilemma.
Upon closer inspection, Xie Qianmo's skin was exceptionally good.
"Your Majesty, this humble servant sees that your skin is very good! It's delicate, lustrous, and elastic!"
"Oh... is it? Perhaps Young Master Qin is too far away to see clearly." Xie Qianmo narrowed his eyes, charmingly. "Come closer to me, and I'll let you take a closer look."
"Your Majesty, this is not appropriate. There is a distinction between sovereign and subject. This humble servant fears offending you!"
"I do not wish to repeat myself, Qin Yun... come closer to me!" Xie Qianmo narrowed his eyes, not blinking at all, staring at Qin Yun.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable under Xie Qianmo's gaze, Qin Yun sighed in resignation, slowly got up, and walked step by step to Xie Qianmo's side.
Her voice was soft. "Your Majesty!" It was a soft, cat-like voice, enchanting Xie Qianmo's heart.
"Look at me!" Xie Qianmo stared intently at Qin Yun, his eyes unwilling to move away for even a moment.
"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. This humble servant cannot gaze directly at the imperial power. That would be disrespectful to Your Majesty!"
Xie Qianmo frowned, losing his patience.
He suddenly pulled Qin Yun closer.
And drew her into his embrace.
Time seemed to freeze for a second.
Xie Qianmo looked down at the startled person in his arms from above.
Qin Yun lay in Xie Qianmo's embrace, gazing up at the handsome, beautiful face so close to hers.
"Your Majesty?" Qin Yun's soft voice came, her body feeling limp.