As night fell, Consort Chao of Chaoyang Palace still bore the flush of recent passion on her face. She watched the man who was already dressing and donning his cap, and suddenly asked, "After you move in with Xue Zining, what do you plan to do?"
Xue Wenjie's hand, which was placing his cap, paused slightly. His gaze towards Consort Chao deepened, and he asked, "Why do you suddenly ask this question?"
Seeing that he seemed displeased, Consort Chao put on her outer robe and walked to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She said softly, "Zi Xuan is, after all, our child. I want you to make him your child... after you become emperor."
"Absurd! Wouldn't this be telling the entire world that this king and you were involved?" Xue Wenjie's face turned completely grim.
Consort Chao was taken aback, her tone becoming agitated. "Do you want your child to be the Emperor of Huangze's child for his entire life?"
Seeing Consort Chao's agitated expression, Xue Wenjie embraced her waist and soothed her, "Things are not as simple as you think. Don't you need to give this king some time?"
After appeasing Consort Chao, Xue Wenjie left Chaoyang Palace. He suddenly said to the person beside him, "Go and investigate where Consort Chao went today."
Upon returning to the manor, someone soon reported that Consort Chao had visited Zhaoyuan Palace.
Hearing this, Xue Wenjie's lips curved upwards slightly. "So, the little girl from before has grown up, and her intentions are no longer pure."
With this thought, he gave an order outside, "Go and invite Young Master Yan."
About half an hour later, a tall, slender figure walked in from outside the door. Clad in snow-white robes, he possessed a cool and noble demeanor, his every movement exuding exceptional charm.
He cupped his hands slightly towards Xue Wenjie and asked indifferently, "Regent, are you looking for me?"
Xue Wenjie nodded slightly and said, "Young Master Yan, please sit."
Yan Zhao sat down, his gaze cool and alluring, his tone laced with indifference. "Regent, you must not have sought me out for a night of idle chat. Feel free to speak your mind."
Xue Wenjie chuckled a few times. "Indeed, speaking with Young Master Yan requires no beating around the bush. Since that's the case, this king will dispense with pleasantries."
"Regent, please proceed."
Xue Wenjie's gaze deepened, his tone acquiring a hint of coldness. "The Empress has grown up, and her thoughts have become more complicated. This is not a good thing for both this king and Young Master Yan."
Yan Zhao's gaze remained cool, his expression indifferent. "Regent, there's no need for indirectness. Speak plainly."
"This king believes that besides being resourceful, Young Master Yan's appearance is also outstanding."
An hour later, Yan Zhao emerged from the Regent's manor. Two figures suddenly appeared behind him. One of them said angrily, "Yan Er, no one thinks you're mute if you keep quiet. Young Master is already having a difficult time with this situation, and you're here digging at his wounds."
"Yan Yi, you speak too much. The young master is already displeased enough, and you're rubbing salt in the wound," Yan Yi rebuked Yan Er.
Yan Zhao suddenly stopped. Yan Yi and Yan Er, who had been arguing, also halted. Yan Yi asked, "Young Master, what is it?"
"You two prepare. Tomorrow, we will 'accidentally' meet Xue Zining at the Flower Wine House." With that, his figure vanished into the vast darkness of the night.
Yan Yi and Yan Er exchanged glances. What did their young master mean? Prepare to seduce?
Zhaoyuan Palace
Xue Zining looked at the letter in her hand and asked hesitantly, "Are you sure you saw Yue'er's person clearly?"
Xue Lan replied, "The messenger only said that once Your Majesty reads the letter, you'll know who it is."
Aunt Yuan, standing nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, is something amiss?"