"Even more."
Shen Yaojin held the winning hand, for he knew Shi Wei would agree.
The tea fragrance permeated the air, the atmosphere quiet, with only the sound of the tea stove boiling.
Shen Yaojin was not in a hurry. He calmly sipped his tea, his sharp and handsome face expressionless.
After a long while, Shi Wei, who had been looking down, finally raised his head, his gaze filled with burning intensity, his voice slightly hoarse, "This subject does not want any of what Your Seventh Highness has mentioned."
Shen Yaojin raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his eyes, "Then what do you want?"
Shi Wei was exceptionally handsome, possessing a pair of amorous peach blossom eyes. When he looked at people, it always seemed as though he carried a hint of a smile.
A faint smile played on his lips, appearing calm and collected, but inwardly, his heart was trembling.
"I only want one person."
Shen Yaojin was quite interested, "Is there someone that Lord Shi cannot obtain?"
Shi Wei was known for his romantic entanglements, a frequent patron of Yixiang Garden and Honglou, lingering in these places of comfort. He had countless confidantes among the fair sex. Could such a master of romance still fail to capture his prey?
The image of the face he yearned for day and night flashed through his mind: exquisite and beautiful eyebrows, fair skin, a slender figure, and full, rosy lips.
Every part of her was impossibly beautiful.
He wanted to hide her away and toy with her day and night.
Shi Wei gritted his teeth, his entire body engulfed in flames by the carnal thoughts in his mind.
He wanted to remain calm, but he simply could not.
His eyes reddened, his nerves trembling minutely, all screaming with a craving for possession.
His voice, trembling slightly, finally uttered the person's name.
"Shen Yue."
Shen Yaojin was stunned at first, his eyes gradually darkening, his expression fading, the atmosphere freezing for a moment, but quickly returning to normal.
He looked at the man, his breathing unsteady, his deep, dark eyes seeming to see the many sordid images in the man's mind.
Shen Yaojin unconsciously tightened his grip on the teacup and said indifferently, "You have quite a bit of courage, but I wonder if you have the lifespan for it."
Shi Wei chuckled softly, his tone flippant, "To die beneath the peony, even as a ghost, one is still romantic."
Shen Yaojin lowered his gaze, his thin lips pursed.
After a long silence, it was Shi Wei who could no longer hold back.
"What is Your Seventh Prince's opinion?"
Shen Yaojin remained silent for a while. Just as Shi Wei was beginning to grow impatient, he said calmly, "Good."
After Shi Wei left, Shen Yaojin's face darkened. His expression was blank, yet it sent a shiver down anyone's spine.
Closing his eyes to calm the emotions in his chest, his breathing grew increasingly disordered. Unable to endure it any longer, he swept the tea set from the table, shattering it with a crash. The room filled with the pungent aroma of tea.
His fingertip was pricked by porcelain, and a sharp pain shot through him. Rage ignited in Shen Yaojin's eyes, his jaw clenched, his fingertips turning white.
"Scoundrel, he's simply delusional."
The man's voice carried no discernible emotion.
Warm, fragmented light streamed through the window lattice, casting beautiful, dazzling patterns. However, the faint light did not reflect in Shen Yaojin's eyes. Beneath them lay a suffocating, throat-constricting obsession.
The room was silent, everyone kneeling on the ground. In the extremely oppressive and dangerous atmosphere, they dared not even breathe loudly.
Only those who had been by Shen Yaojin's side for a long time knew how furious he was. This was the first time they had seen their master lose control like this.
***
It was heard that the Fourth Prince had recently taken in a new favorite. Every night, the Fourth Prince would summon him to his chambers to serve, only to emerge at dawn. This went on night after night, eclipsing Cheng Qian'gong's prominence.
As for Cheng Qian'gong, he was treated as if he had been cast aside and neglected. The Fourth Prince had never visited him again, nor had he inquired about him, leading everyone to believe that perhaps he had forgotten about such a person.
The Fourth Prince typically had no one serving him. Now, with that new favorite so highly favored, many people tried to curry favor with him, both openly and in secret.
Qingyue Hall was adorned with carved beams and painted pillars, resplendent with gold and jade. It was arguably the place with the best feng shui in Chengqian Palace, and its scenery was also the most beautiful.
However, because the Fourth Prince had not returned, this place seemed to have become somewhat desolate.
Many people whispered behind closed doors.
It was all about the Fourth Prince and his new favorite.
After all, the Fourth Prince had always been self-disciplined, and Chengqian Palace had always been cold and devoid of life. Now that there was someone lively, idle gossip naturally increased.
As if they felt Cheng Qian'gong had lost favor, the maids no longer concealed their words, even adding barbs and sarcasm.
Cheng Qian'gong had heard such rumors many times. Without even lifting his eyes, he continued to concentrate on his book, as if completely indifferent to these matters, showing no concern at all.
However, the knuckles gripping the pages of the book had gradually turned a frightening shade of pale blue, as if he were desperately suppressing a profound resentment.
It had only been a short time, and Shen Yue already had someone new and had not visited him again. This was actually quite normal. Given Shen Yue's status, countless people would want to get into her bed and beg for her favor.
Perhaps she had simply grown tired and could discard him so easily.
A fierce energy began to burn from the deepest part of his heart.
Cheng Qian'gong quietly read his book, the long lashes casting a deep shadow.
Night fell, the stars dazzlingly bright, the moon clear and bright, casting silver radiance everywhere. Cheng Qian'gong leaned by the bedside, gazing at the moonlight outside the window.
The wind blew the door, widening the gap, and Cheng Qian'gong immediately noticed and looked over.
The door had blown open, scattering petals into the room, like a solitary beauty admiring herself.
Cheng Qian'gong couldn't help but frown, revealing a hint of irritability.
He regretted his own sensitive nature, feeling that he had become like a resentful wife in a secluded palace.
A dark shadow stealthily crept in. He knelt on the ground, holding a letter aloft.
Cheng Qian'gong's long eyelashes drooped indifferently. He picked up the envelope, opened it, and read its contents. After finishing, he placed the letter in the candlelight and burned it to ashes.
He picked up the ink brush and left behind sharp, graceful strokes on the white Xuan paper.
The man in black took the reply and left as silently as he had arrived.
The night was already deep. Cheng Qian'gong walked out of the door. Flowers bloomed and fell, like a magnificent rain of blossoms. He raised his hand, and petals gently landed in his palm. The night was cool, and for some reason, a vague discomfort began to stir within him.
He was alone in this moonlit place, while Shen Yue was perhaps engrossed in tender moments with someone else.
His steadily beating heart was alive, but it was now gradually being devoured by jealousy. Thin black threads tightened around his heart, almost suffocating him.
It was truly absurd. He had wished for Shen Yue to be indifferent to him, to keep her distance. Now, in this situation, wasn't it exactly as he had wished?