Free Web NovelChapter 137: Chapter 137: You’re More Forward Than I Expected
She tilted her head up, staring at his face, waiting for him to continue.
Seeing her earnest, questioning expression, Emperor Wu Su tapped her cheek with a long finger. She didn’t dodge or avoid it, still looking at him with rapt attention.
His heart softened. He continued, "The prescription was only slightly altered. It won’t cause complete infertility, but it also doesn’t affect its other properties. Ming Hong wasn’t faking it. Le Xi checked his pulse, and his body is indeed severely depleted. He won’t be able to recover anytime soon."
A flicker of understanding crossed Ji Qingwu’s eyes. Yin Xiang had told Prince Yong about the prescription. He knew how potent the drug was, yet he still took the risk. Then, Tao Wanxin successfully became pregnant and, incited by Yin Xiang, ran to the Empress Dowager to accuse her.
She frowned. "After going through all this trouble, what is Prince Yong really after?"
Throughout this whole affair, she and Tao Wanxin had both thought they were the predator waiting in the wings. But now that she thought about it, the true architect of this scheme was Prince Yong.
But Emperor Wu Su remained silent.
Ji Qingwu waited quietly for a moment. She desperately wanted to know what it was all for.
Her curiosity was killing her. She looked at the Emperor, unable to stop herself from leaning a little closer to him, and reminded him softly, "Your Majesty."
Emperor Wu Su gazed at her. In the dim light, her eyes shone, brimming with a fervent desire for knowledge.
He said in a low voice, "Come closer."
Eager for answers, Ji Qingwu obediently moved closer, not even realizing she had willingly nestled herself into his arms. The two of them were now pressed together, inseparable.
If he lowered his head just a little, he could kiss her cheek. If his gaze drifted slightly downward, he could see the splendid scenery hidden beneath the blue-and-white plum blossom pattern of her dress.
By the time Ji Qingwu realized their improper posture, it was too late to move away. His arm had locked her in place. So, she decided to throw caution to the wind, her delicate hand reaching up to touch his broad shoulder.
She whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, what was the reason?"
The soft, sweet tail end of her words reached his ear.
Emperor Wu Su’s expression seemed to freeze for a moment. No longer keeping her in suspense, he said directly, his voice deep and husky, "It was for Mrs. Tao." freewebnøvel.coɱ
Having gotten her answer, Ji Qingwu was both surprised and confused.
Prince Yong went to such great lengths, even harming his own body, all for Tao Wanxin.
But Princess Yong had already become the laughingstock of Lin’an’s noble families precisely because of Prince Yong’s habit of favoring his concubines over his wife.
That was enough to prove Prince Yong didn’t care for her at all. Any normal man would be furious upon discovering his wife had given him such a potent, dangerous aphrodisiac. This was especially true for a philanderer like Prince Yong, who loved to sow his wild oats. And yet, he had played along with the scheme...
She thought for a moment before offering her theory.
"Does Prince Yong want to depose the Princess Consort? By letting her make a huge mistake so he can punish her?"
Emperor Wu Su held the warm, soft, jade-like woman in his arms. Since she had been the one to approach him this time, he looked relaxed and content.
He shook his head. "No."
’No?’
Ji Qingwu truly felt that Prince Yong had lost his mind, or maybe he’d been kicked in the head by a donkey. Otherwise, why would he do this?
Her curiosity peaked. She took the initiative again, wrapping her arms around his and resting her chin on his shoulder. Her face was full of anticipation, making it impossible for anyone looking at her to disappoint her.
As if that weren’t enough, she cooed, "Your Majesty, I really want to know. Can you give me a hint?"
The Emperor thoroughly enjoyed her intimate gesture and her melodious, captivating voice. He pressed a hand to the corner of his mouth to hide a smile and cleared his throat.
"All this talking has made Us thirsty."
Ji Qingwu immediately understood his meaning. She twisted around, picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and presented it respectfully before the Emperor with both hands.
Looking at her fair, delicate hands, he didn’t take the cup. Instead, he said with a dissatisfied look, "How did We serve you just now?"
Ji Qingwu gave an awkward smile, raised her arms, and brought the cup to his lips.
As a mother with plenty of experience taking care of a child, she was both considerate and meticulous when it came to feeding someone.
After the Emperor finished the tea, she even used the back of her hand to gently dab the water from the corner of his mouth.
Then, completely unaware that she had just done something so heart-flutteringly suggestive, Ji Qingwu continued to stare at him with her big, watery eyes.
She asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you still thirsty? Would you like another cup?"
Emperor Wu Su only felt his throat grow even drier.
This lotus tea was meant to quell inner fire and calm the mind, but the more he drank, the hotter the flames burned. It felt like a pile of dry kindling was ablaze within him, and the water he drank was simply turning to steam.
His expression grew intensely focused, as if he could only see the woman before him. His scorching gaze was like rolling lava.
He said slowly and deliberately, "It’s the complete opposite of what you just guessed."
’If he means Prince Yong doesn’t want to depose the Princess Consort, then all this elaborate effort was to...’
She blinked, saying in shock, "How can that be? If Prince Yong wants to protect Tao Wanxin, then why go to such great lengths? Why watch the Princess Consort cause so much trouble and even instigate her to take the matter to the Empress Dowager?"
Ji Qingwu was completely baffled. This was beyond her comprehension.
"You want to know?"
"I do!"
Ji Qingwu nodded quickly. Catching on fast this time, she offered, "Your Majesty, are you tired? Let me massage your shoulders."
As she spoke, the hand on his shoulder immediately got to work. She formed a fist, and the force of her blows was just right.
A deep amusement filled Emperor Wu Su’s eyes. He raised a hand, enveloping her small fist to stop her. He shook his head. "This isn’t enough."
Ji Qingwu asked, "What else must I do?"
"This matter is Ming Hong’s secret. If We are to tell you, you must offer something of equal value." Emperor Wu Su said, stroking the spaces between her fingers.
"Then... then what would be of equal value? I can’t think of anything right now." Ji Qingwu rubbed her neck and promised, "How about this, Your Majesty? I’ll owe you this time, and I’ll make it up to you when we next meet. Please tell me first, alright?"
Emperor Wu Su was more agreeable this time. His gaze fell on her lips as he said amiably, "You can owe me, but you have to pay a deposit first, don’t you?"
Ji Qingwu felt as if little claws were scratching at her heart.
If she didn’t get to the bottom of this, she would surely lose sleep tonight.
An idea struck her, and she acted on it.
Ji Qingwu wrapped both arms around him and leaned forward, her soft chest pressing against his firm one. She closed her eyes and moved closer, her eyelashes fluttering like a butterfly’s wings.
The moment she closed her eyes, Emperor Wu Su moved slightly.
A moment later, Ji Qingwu pulled back, her eyes flying open in surprise.
She had felt the touch of something equally soft and warm—not his cheek, as she had intended.
’Is my sense of direction this bad? How could I miss at such close range?’
Emperor Wu Su let out a low chuckle. "Ah Wu, you’re more proactive than We anticipated."
Ji Qingwu’s face flushed red, and her palms grew sweaty. Swallowing her embarrassment, she asked, "Your Majesty, can you tell me now?"
Emperor Wu Su took her hand again and began to speak, clearly in a good mood.
"It’s true that Prince Yong ordered Ji Changyan to assassinate Yan Zongrang. If you hadn’t appeared that night, We wouldn’t have acted so quickly. One must use a long line to catch a big fish."
Hearing him bring this up, Ji Qingwu had a sudden realization. "The ’big fish’ isn’t actually Prince Yong."
Emperor Wu Su smiled. "Ah Wu, you’re truly clever."
As if verbal praise wasn’t enough, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.
