Cheng Qian Gong's voice remained cold and indifferent, betraying no emotion, "I'm not cold."
Although he was dressed thinly, he genuinely felt no chill. Instead, in such an environment, he felt a strange heat.
After speaking, he saw Shen Yue's eyelashes tremble, like butterflies entangled in a dance, fragile and beautiful.
But that fragile posture shattered like an illusion.
Her beautiful, dark eyes slowly lifted, gazing at him.
Her eyes curved slightly, her dimples shallow.
"Then let's invade."
She led the stiff man to the bed.
The bed curtains were lowered, the candles extinguished, plunging the room into darkness. Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, casting peculiar and beautiful shadows on the floor.
Shen Yue did nothing. She simply held the man, almost shrinking entirely into his embrace. As if afraid of being disliked, she didn't dare to be too forward, merely clinging to his arm with affection.
Perhaps truly tired, Shen Yue soon fell asleep, her breathing steady.
Her arm wrapped around the soft body, the rich, sweet scent filling his nostrils, Cheng Qian Gong dared not move a muscle, like a lifeless piece of wood.
Cheng Qian Gong thought he would be sleepless all night, but unexpectedly, after a while, he felt a wave of drowsiness and fell into a deep slumber.
Cheng Qian Gong requested sick leave. As he had said, and as Shen Yue wished, Cheng Qian Gong voluntarily reined in all his sharpness and was sequestered in the inner court.
Even knowing it was a pretense, knowing it was merely an illusion, Shen Yue was still pleased. The worry lines around her eyes lessened.
Shi Wei initially thought Shen Yue's improved mood was due to the Crown Prince's downfall, her rival's demise, and the increased odds in Shen Yue's favor.
Since he had contributed significantly to this, Shen Yue would also delegate some authority, allowing Shi Wei to taste some success.
However, what Shi Wei truly desired was something else entirely.
The study.
Shen Yue propped her chin on her hand, playing with a piece of jade, listening to Shi Wei's progress over the past few days. When he finished, he asked, "Your Highness, should we perhaps... the Crown Prince..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his eyes conveyed a murderous intent.
Unexpectedly, Shen Yue didn't immediately agree. Her white jade-like fingertips traced the tear mole at the corner of her eye, making it appear even more alluring.
She had no idea how captivating her casual gesture was.
"I will handle the Crown Prince. You send a few people to keep an eye on him."
Shi Wei looked up at Shen Yue, his respectful and obedient expression laced with a hint of obsession he himself hadn't noticed. "Why? Shouldn't we strike while the iron is hot?"
Perhaps due to Shen Yue's leniency in recent days, Shi Wei's fear of her had diminished, and he even dared to openly question her decisions.
But Shen Yue didn't dwell on it, merely saying, "The Crown Prince is still useful."
Shi Wei didn't understand. He also knew that asking further would annoy Shen Yue, so he changed the subject.
"Your Highness seems to be in a very good mood lately."
Of course, she was in a good mood. It was visibly apparent, making Shi Wei's heart ache. Secretly, his Adam's apple bobbed several times, his throat dry and parched.
Perhaps thinking of something, the Fourth Prince's dark, moist eyes held a genuine smile, unlike his usual mocking sneer.
The faint, ethereal smile was radiant, the gentle curve seeming to be tinged with sweetness, spreading from the corner of his eyes to his lips, creating ripples.
It was from the heart.
It was something Shi Wei had never seen before.
He couldn't bear to look away, not daring to blink. A chilling current coursed through the nerves in his limbs, and his vile desires suddenly swelled.
How he wished...
How he wished to touch, he could barely hold back...
Greedy as he was, he wanted nothing now. Not gold or silver, not precious jade or pearls. He only sought a place by Your Highness's side.
But Shi Wei became increasingly insatiable.
It wasn't enough, far from it.
A dark desire, such as he had never experienced, almost frightened him.
A daring thought emerged in his mind.
His desires were insatiable, unable to be satisfied.
His gaze fell upon the shallow dimples, and darkness in his heart grew to an unprecedented depth.
If only he could chain that slender white ankle with a strong shackle, bind the proud and beautiful Fourth Prince with heavy fetters, hide him in a high tower, to sing only for him.
Shen Yue was thinking of someone else and didn't notice Shi Wei's gaze.
The seemingly docile Shi Wei stared intently at Shen Yue, almost unable to control his thoughts, and spoke them aloud.
"Your Highness, you smile so beautifully."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Shi Wei, with a slight delay, realized how presumptuous his statement was.
Shen Yue quickly withdrew the smile from her face, returning to her usual gloomy and indifferent demeanor. Her gaze became ambiguous, causing Shi Wei to break out in a cold sweat.
Shi Wei's dark eyes narrowed, his voice dropping considerably, "I was presumptuous, Your Highness. I hope you will not hold it against me."
Shen Yue glanced at him indifferently. Her gaze was light, but a cold glint flashed in the depths of her eyes.
"Minister Shi, watch your words. After all, offending a great figure is not a matter of a few sentences."
This gentle but firm reprimand caused Shi Wei's expression to falter, his almost fiery, burgeoning desire instantly extinguished by a chill.
He clearly recognized the gap between them.
If he were merely a minister, he would never receive a proper glance from Shen Yue. Even if he tried his utmost, using all his talents, he would never be able to touch someone like the Fourth Prince.
Unless...
Once this thought surfaced, he could barely suppress it. He had truly endured for too long, driving himself almost mad.
Shi Wei lowered his head, fearing his expression would startle Shen Yue. Beneath his partially lowered lashes, a flame ignited in Shi Wei's eyes, his demeanor becoming somewhat disheveled. He pinched his leg, trying to calm his boiling blood, but the tone of his voice couldn't help but change.
"Your Highness..." his hoarse voice trembled slightly, "Your Highness is kind. I shall never dare to do so again."
Shi Wei, ever adaptable, was not overly scrutinized by Shen Yue. She suddenly asked, "I heard you possess Mr. Sun Lijun's rare treasures."
Mr. Sun Lijun was an excellent painter, his works priceless and coveted by many. Shi Wei collected many such rare treasures.
Shi Wei had regained his composure. He said in a gentle voice, "Indeed, I do."
It had taken him considerable effort and resources to acquire those paintings. He had them hanging in his study, but with just a word from Shen Yue, Shi Wei would readily offer them with both hands.