Chapter 15: Relying on Favor to Act Willfully

Chapter 15: Relying on Favor to Act Willfully.

For the next two days, Huo Qiu was nowhere to be seen.

The weather grew increasingly sweltering. The azure sky was cloudless, allowing the fierce sun to become even more unrestrained. If one stood outside for even a short while in such heat, they would surely succumb to sunstroke.

Tang Zhuozhuo stayed in Yiqiu Palace all day. Given the weather, she had no desire to move about and was happy to enjoy the leisure and quiet.

It was the transition between late June and early July. The crape myrtle in the courtyard had bloomed later than in previous years; she had thought it wouldn’t bloom at all, but unexpectedly, on this day, it delicately unfurled with a lingering fragrance.

An Xia gathered a bunch of freshly picked China roses and carefully stripped the thorns from the stems before entering the inner hall.

Tang Zhuozhuo was reclining in a comfortable lounger, swaying gently. From a distance, her slender figure looked like a small, delicate bundle, yet her beauty was so stunning it captured the eye. Behind her stood several ice basins, their chill radiating outward with a hint of sweetness.

Seeing An Xia enter with the flowers, she couldn’t help but smile faintly. “These China roses have bloomed quite delicately. You just picked them from the garden, didn’t you?”

“The flowers are delicate, but the person is even more so.”

Seeing An Xia stomp her foot in bashful annoyance, Tang Zhuozhuo turned her head to ask Zi Huan, who had been waiting behind her: “Look at her getting upset. Do you think what I said makes sense?”

Zi Huan was a senior maid who had been promoted just a few days ago. She was a meticulous soul; she pursed her lips and followed with a smile: “Since Your Ladyship said it, then it must be so.”

Tang Zhuozhuo rose slightly, her water-colored long sleeves fluttering to reveal a portion of her skin as white as lotus root. Her coral bracelet set off her snowy complexion, and her expression grew even more languid.

An Xia placed the roses into a jade-white porcelain vase. Turning to see Tang Zhuozhuo had risen, she glanced at the sky outside and said, “Would Your Ladyship like to call for the evening meal?”

Tang Zhuozhuo’s slender fingers brushed the rose petals. The cool, soft sensation made her squint her eyes contentedly, and then she nodded.

“By the way, has the letter I asked to be sent to Father been delivered?”

These were turbulent times. The Tang Estate, having already chosen a side, was not particularly stable. Internally, there were petty people causing trouble, and externally, other princes watched like tigers eyeing their prey. Every move had to be exceptionally careful.

The contents of her letter were ordinary, just some palace trivia—but there was a hidden mechanism within. The warnings she wanted to give her father and brother were concealed inside. As long as the letter was delivered, they would naturally understand.

An Xia’s expression turned serious. “Rest assured, Your Ladyship. It was sent out with Xiao Guizi, who mingled with the water carts leaving the palace. By this hour, the letter should be in the Old Master’s hands.”

Only then did a few ripples of a smile appear on Tang Zhuozhuo’s face. Her graceful figure traced a distinct curve as she covered her mouth and let out a yawn.

At that moment, a familiar high-pitched voice came from outside, carrying its usual fawning tone.

“Crown Princess, this servant has received His Highness’s decree to invite Your Ladyship to the Main Grand Hall for dinner.”

Nightfall descended quietly. It took Tang Zhuozhuo the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to reach the magnificent and grand Main Hall.

Li Desheng had been waiting outside for a long time. Seeing her arrive, he hurried forward with a smile. “Your Ladyship has arrived! His Highness is waiting inside.”

Tang Zhuozhuo nodded slightly and entered the study.

Several bright lamps were lit in the room. Huo Qiu, his tall figure upright, had one hand behind his back while the other held a brush. Perhaps hearing the movement, he looked up. Seeing it was her, he paused for a moment and set down his brush.

“Golden peace to Your Highness.”

Tang Zhuozhuo performed a bow, her charming peach-blossom face wearing a faint smile. “Your Highness should go about your business.”

Perhaps because it was night, Huo Qiu’s features seemed a few degrees softer than usual. His voice was mellow and low. “I have nothing pressing tonight, which is why I called you to dine together.”

Tang Zhuozhuo arched an eyebrow. “It is clearly because Your Highness snatched the chef who makes my snacks, and your heart feels guilty.”

Huo Qiu’s black sleeves brushed over the ink that had not yet dried. His eyes were deep, and after a moment of unknown thought, he let out a low chuckle.

“You truly have an argument for everything.”

As his voice fell, he saw the petite person not far away frowning with dissatisfaction. He couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine. I will find another one for you another day.”

Only then did Tang Zhuozhuo’s brow smooth out. Her ivory hand touched the lid of her teacup, and feeling the dampness beneath her fingers, she unobservably hid the shift in her eyes.

It appeared Huo Qiu had already noticed something.

In her past life, the chef in her small kitchen made excellent snacks, but he was low-profile and reticent. To anyone else, he just seemed a bit simple and honest. Yet, that very man was a mole planted in the Eastern Palace, whose true master was the Sixth Prince, Huo Qi.

If it weren’t for the fact that in her previous life, his master hadn’t hesitated to expose him just to poison the pastries, which Huo Qiu happened to eat, falling into a coma for several days—Tang Zhuozhuo would never have remembered such a person.

Having been reborn, she had only mentioned a few words to Huo Qiu, both directly and indirectly, during their last meal. The very next day, that chef was taken to the Main Hall and never returned.

As for whether that man entered a private dungeon or went to the mass graves, it was not her concern.

Tang Zhuozhuo squinted comfortably and took a small sip of the freshly served tea. Instantly, her palm-sized face puckered into a ball.

“Your Highness… why was so much tea leaf put in this?” She lifted the lid; the tender green leaves were unfurling in the water, floating up and down, the fragrance overflowing.

But the amount was indeed too much.

Huo Qiu hid a trace of a smile in his eyes and answered quite seriously, “I usually handle government affairs late. Stronger tea is better for refreshing the mind.”

The bitterness in Tang Zhuozhuo’s mouth didn’t fade. She picked up a piece of pastry from the desk and popped it into her mouth. The sweet flavor spread, finally suppressing the aftertaste of the strong tea.

“Handling affairs is important, but Your Highness shouldn’t use such a method.”

Hearing her soft, delicate grumbling, Huo Qiu’s heart trembled. His fingers twitched slightly, but his expression returned to its usual serious mask.

“Mmh.”

After dinner, Tang Zhuozhuo remembered the event the day after tomorrow. She leaned toward Huo Qiu and asked, “Your Highness, the birthday gift I am to give Imperial Grandmother…”

He should finally tell her what it was. The day was almost here; if she didn’t have a clue, it wouldn’t just be a matter of making a fool of herself, she feared it would draw dissatisfaction from certain people in the palace.

Huo Qiu had naturally thought of this. Without even lifting his eyelids, he flicked his sleeve at Li Desheng, who bowed and withdrew.

“You will know when it is brought out in a moment.”

With her hovering beside him, Huo Qiu naturally couldn’t settle his mind to work. His gaze, deep as a well, moved from the memorial in his hand to her clean, flawless face. His eyes tightened slightly.

“I heard you went to Yuxi Palace the other day?”

Tang Zhuozhuo’s spine stiffened. Her fingertips traced her palm before she abruptly caught herself. Knowing she couldn’t hide it from him, she decided to admit it openly.

“Your Highness doesn’t know. Zhong Liangdi is used to relying on favor to act willfully. She doesn’t even respect me, the Crown Princess…”

Huo Qiu extended a long index finger to silence her next words. His expression was somewhat somber as he looked at her with a half-smile, carefully mulling over those words. “Relying on favor to act willfully?”

Tang Zhuozhuo wore a translucent jade bracelet on her delicate wrist. Beautiful as jade herself, she nodded without changing her expression.

Huo Qiu looked at her through the hazy lamplight, feeling both annoyed and amused. Knowing she couldn’t deceive him, she still insisted on lodging a complaint first. In this world, there was no second person as thick-skinned as this little creature.

His aura was too overbearing. Tang Zhuozhuo felt a bit guilty and dodged his eyes, not quite daring to meet those freezing, sharp pupils.

“Relying on favor? Where does her ‘favor’ come from?” Huo Qiu rubbed the space between his brows, asking with great interest.

Tang Zhuozhuo, sensing his slightly softened tone, blinked. “Naturally, it is the favor given by Your Highness.”

What else could it be? Although she knew Huo Qiu’s feelings for her now, he had always been decent to Zhong Yuxi. In her past life, after she was sent to the Cold Palace, Zhong Yuxi was the sole star of the inner palace, enjoying unending favor. Even in the Eastern Palace, she was the most respectable of the Liangdis.

To Tang Zhuozhuo, Huo Qiu naturally “favored” Zhong Yuxi.

Hearing her answer, which carried not a shred of hesitation, Huo Qiu’s brow furrowed deeply. The cold air around him suddenly became incredibly thick.

Tang Zhuozhuo grew nervous. After a moment, she lowered her head and whispered, “Your Highness should just act as if you didn’t hear it.”

Huo Qiu suddenly stood up. His eyes were like an overturned inkwell, churning with dark, inexplicable emotions.

“Jiaojiao, my favor has only ever been given to one person.”

What was a Zhong Yuxi? He hadn’t even touched a finger of hers. Ever since he had developed feelings for a woman, his heart and eyes had been full of only Tang Zhuozhuo.

What did other women have to “rely on favor” for?

His tone was both dangerous and lingering. His tall frame pressed close. Tang Zhuozhuo instinctively took a step back, her eyes darting around as she was surrounded by the man’s crisp scent.

Unable to withstand Huo Qiu’s burning gaze, Tang Zhuozhuo’s face turned scarlet. She lightly bit her lower lip. Even her call of “Your Highness” was soft and weak, sounding more like a peculiar sort of humming coquetry.

Huo Qiu’s eyes darkened further. The faint sweet scent of the woman drifted out. This small, delicate bundle was both embarrassed and anxious. He suddenly broke into an extremely shallow smile.

So now you know how to be afraid?

Just then, Li Desheng walked in smiling, carrying an object.

Tang Zhuozhuo’s face felt like it was on fire. She flew away from Huo Qiu’s side and picked up the cup of tea—which had grown somewhat cold, sipping it to suppress the heat in her heart.

Huo Qiu’s face instantly turned black.

This tactless, stupid servant!

The smile on Li Desheng’s face froze bit by bit until his expression finally collapsed.

It was over. He feared his master now had the urge to kill him as a sacrifice to the heavens!