The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 531 - 403, Together in the Same Room for the Second Time (6k)_2

Xu Zhenguan got up, "Aunt, take care."

Princess Wen Zhu turned around and walked a few steps toward the door, but as she was about to step out, she suddenly looked back and winked: "By the way, it seems the Emperor just said he wants to send Mr. Lin with me back to the Western Regions?"

"..." Xu Zhenguan was stunned. Her first instinct was to deny, but then she remembered the Emperor's words, and felt a bit awkward.

"Pfft." Seeing her look like that, Princess Wen Zhu suddenly burst into a bright smile, returning to the demeanor of an elder, and jested: "Just joking, would Aunt really snatch men from her niece?"

No... Even if you're getting older, you shouldn't just say such things openly even with the open customs of the Western Regions, my dear old Aunt... Zhao Douan thought to himself.

After saying this, Princess Wen Zhu walked calmly out of the courtyard, straight out of the bedchamber.

"Princess!"

The tall female warrior standing guard outside the palace saw the longing princess return and couldn't help stepping forward.

Princess Wen Zhu said calmly, "Return."

Then, this unfortunate woman who was married off to the Western Regions in her adulthood turned back to look at the red walls and black tiles, with a touch of envy and self-pity in her eyes.

Perhaps what Zhenguan said was true, and she really was different from her.

...

Within the palace walls, in the dining hall.

Watching "Aunt" leave, the servants discreetly departed, leaving sunlight to stream over the corners of their robes as it passed through the doorway.

"Mr. Zhao," the Empress suddenly gazed at the courtyard and spoke softly.

"I'm here."

"You're quite impressive. Even in chess, you're remarkably unconventional. Tell me, what kind of creature are you, truly?" Xu Zhenguan turned her head, her eyes staring at him darkly.

Zhao Douan, adopting an obedient and honest demeanor, responded: "It was mere luck, Your Majesty."

Mere luck... Xu Zhenguan snorted but didn't argue with him over Go. Yet the surprise in her heart was no less.

Though ever since the chess match was reported, she had wildly speculated whether "Mr. Lin" might actually be Zhao Douan, that suspicion was as baseless and uncertain as it was fantastic. If it had been confirmed, she wouldn't have rashly suggested giving Lin Ke to Aunt...

But the guess turned out to be right... Was the one chosen by the ancestor's Dragon Essence such a demon?

"Tell me, why did you disguise yourself to get close to Wen Zhu? Don't dismiss me with coincidences." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Xu Zhenguan's slanted phoenix eyes narrowed into a line, her tone tinged with danger.

She felt that this gigolo was unreliable, always seen near Bodhi or approaching Wen Zhu, and seemed to have a stepmother at home... wait, did this mean he preferred older women...

Zhao Douan felt terribly wronged and quickly swore oaths to explain, claiming he only noticed Wen Zhu investigating him, so he followed to scout out the enemy. After much talking, he managed to make Zhenbao drop the issue.

"Your Majesty, let's continue the meal, or else the dishes will get cold." Zhao Douan graciously walked back to his chair and sat down.

Xu Zhenguan glared at him, "Sit over there! Are you addicted to acting?"

Zhao Douan reminisced about the brief contact when his right hand moved down the waistline earlier, wanting to nod and admit it was true, but survival instincts made him silently move the chair aside.

Xu Zhenguan angrily sat down, and they continued eating. Once they were fully satisfied, she wiped her mouth and said blandly: "To avoid the monks causing trouble, you should go home tomorrow."

Zhao Douan was taken aback, "Then where will I sleep tonight?"

Xu Zhenguan hesitated, then calmly said, "Aunt is staying in the palace and hasn't left yet; if we're acting, we'll finish the play. Tonight you sleep in the warm hall."

Leaving those words, she rose and left.

Zhao Douan was in a daze for a moment before suddenly coming to his senses—so, like last time, he was allowed to share a room with her?

...

...

Later that afternoon, the stories from the scripture debating spread in the capital, causing an uproar.

Zhao Douan idled in the Imperial Palace, wandering aimlessly in the garden for hours. He wanted to take a nap but found himself too alert to fall asleep.

Eventually, he went to the Martial Arts Hall to chat with Mr. Hai, bragging about his brilliant moves from the morning, especially elaborating on the Worldly Venerate's challenge, hearing Eunuch Hai click his tongue in wonder.

Finally, after much anticipation, the Empress wrapped up her day's work and returned to her chamber, finding Zhao Douan eagerly waiting at the courtyard gate.

Upon re-entering the Empress's quarters, the sky outside was already pitch black.

That night, the moon hung high and bright, the stars clear, with the last remnants of white snow in the courtyard glimmering under the moonlight. A few thin clouds passed over the sky, making the ancient night sky seem as if even the cold winter wind had turned gentle.

Inside the warm hall, lights were already on, and the candles spread a bright glow.

"Bang."

Removing the heavier outer garments, wearing only a thin long robe, her long hair lazily draped over her shoulders, the barefooted Empress carried a new quilt, crossing the curtain that separated the warm hall from the bedroom, throwing the bedding onto the "living room" floor.

"You'll sleep here tonight. Behave, or if you mess around like last time, I'll throw you outside to sleep in the ice and snow."

Xu Zhenguan said with a look of disdain.

She was referring to when Zhao Douan lost his rationality under the influence of Master Gu Huo's Divine Soul, driven by desire.

That's not fair... Last time, I was beaten quite badly, wasn't I... and you're still being disdainful... Besides, can you blame me for that time, as the ancient saying goes: "Big-headed son, little-headed father," it's only natural for the son to listen to his father's words...

Zhao Douan secretly pouted, fully agreeing verbally.

As the Empress turned elegantly, swaying her hips, and entered the adjacent bedroom.

He finally exhaled lightly, cautiously removed his robe, neatly laying it on the Luohan bed.

With only his inner garments left, he secretly glanced at the other side of the curtain, where the silhouette lay hazily on the bed. Then he lifted the quilt and slipped into the bedding.