Su Qianqian shivered violently—was that voice really from Luo Wuhen? She had never heard Luo Wuhen speak to her in such a tone before.
It was so gentle, but when such gentleness came from a decisive and ruthless Emperor, the only thing it brought was the kind of terror caused by such a sharp contrast!
“No, I have to quickly come up with something nice to say—wait, that won’t work, she’s the type who can’t stand flattery the most, what should I do…!”
Su Qianqian’s mind was nearly smoking from anxiety, completely clueless on how to get out of this situation.
In the end, Su Qianqian simply flopped onto the floor and went totally limp—whatever happens, happens…
Luo Wuhen was so shrewd, there was no way she could fool her now.
Her own cultivation was only at Foundational Establishment; she was no match for Luo Wuhen in wits or strength.
Right now, she was just a fish on the chopping board, and the one facing her was the most skilled of chefs—how could she possibly resist?
Her only hope now was to patiently wait for Lin Muxue to come save her.
But that last time she tried to lock on was already the closest she’d gotten to success.
Now that she was by Luo Wuhen’s side, the chance was even slimmer…
“Prime Minister, are you asleep?”
Hearing Shun’s greeting, Su Qianqian just rolled over weakly and replied, “No, I’ve just lost hope for the future, that’s all. Also, just call me by my current name.”
“How could I dare! Who knows if His Majesty would get angry because of that?”
At those words, Su Qianqian shot up, startled and anxious. “Don’t scare me! I’m afraid—what’s up with Luo Wuhen? Is she really that extreme now?”
“Ying, Ying, you answer—was what Shun said true?”
Ying was silent for a moment, wanting to speak but stopping, and in the end still gave a definite answer.
Su Qianqian’s heart gave a jolt. Could she really hold out until Lin Muxue came to save her…
……
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Court, the corners of Luo Wuhen’s mouth curled up in a smile that made all the court officials too afraid to even breathe.
Who had managed to amuse His Majesty so much?!
“Officials of the First Rank and Deputy First Rank, remain; everyone else is dismissed!”
“As you command—”
After the majority of officials withdrew in an orderly fashion, only a dozen or so remained, none daring to make a sound.
Having thoroughly purged the court of all dissidents, the ones remaining were all Luo Wuhen’s confidants—almost all of them had been screened out during Su Ling’s era.
Luo Wuhen looked at the cautious group below. Her mood was excellent, and she tapped her fingers lightly on the Dragon Throne as she spoke to her retainers:
“There’s no need to be so nervous. I’ve kept you here because the person I trust most will be returning soon, and you are to witness it.”
The ministers’ minds were in chaos. The person His Majesty trusts most—wasn’t that…? But hadn’t he already died? And that was right in front of His Majesty…
Though bewildered, none dared to object, continuing to stand silently and wait.
With their high cultivation, standing like this for years wouldn’t be a problem…
Before long, Shun and Ying arrived before the hall, straightened their robes, and walked in expressionlessly, bowing to Luo Wuhen.
“Your Majesty, we have returned!” Shun and Ying reported in unison, heads lowered to Luo Wuhen.
Luo Wuhen nodded. Then Shun took out the Zhatian Bag from his person.
A streak of flowing light shot from the bag and landed at the front.
Amid the curious gazes of the ministers, a girl appeared on the ground, lying there as if utterly bereft of hope.
The girl stared up at the familiar ceiling, unable to react for a moment.
After slowly getting up, she first looked at Shun and Ying.
Then, realizing something, she stiffly turned her head—Luo Wuhen and a group of familiar retainers were all looking at her.
Su Qianqian’s face darkened—couldn’t they have at least warned her before dumping her here?!
And Shun and Ying, still bowing, of course couldn’t answer her that it was the Emperor’s order not to notify her in advance.
Now, looking at Luo Wuhen sitting on the throne, Su Qianqian didn’t know what to say.
Everything she’d prepared earlier was stuck in her throat; she scratched her head, glanced at the ceiling…
Luo Wuhen simply propped her chin up and watched Su Qianqian go through several gestures in one second, saying nothing, just waiting for Su Qianqian to speak up.
After a long struggle, Su Qianqian finally squeezed out a few words.
She waved awkwardly at Luo Wuhen and said, “Uh, long time no see?”
“Mm, long time no see.” Luo Wuhen’s voice was flat and emotionless.
A long silence followed. Realizing Luo Wuhen wouldn’t speak first, Su Qianqian hesitated for a while longer before blurting out, “How… have you been lately?”
“Since you left, the palace has felt a bit cold and lonely.”
“There are plenty of palace maids and household servants here—surely you don’t miss me?”
“But none of them dare open their hearts to me. Everyone’s always so cautious or even terrified when they see me.”
Another bout of silence. Su Qianqian really didn’t know what else to say, yet Luo Wuhen just propped up her head, gazing at her intently.
Hesitating, Su Qianqian suddenly thought of something and tried, “I… I’m back…?”
At those words, Luo Wuhen finally straightened up, a smile blossoming on her face.
“Welcome back.”
Seeing Luo Wuhen’s smile, Su Qianqian felt a bit more at ease. It wasn’t as extreme as Shun and Ying had said, was it? Everything seemed fine!
But almost immediately, the relief she’d just found was swept away—!
“Sit here.” Luo Wuhen patted her own leg.
“Huh?”
“I told you to sit here.” Luo Wuhen’s face held a half-smile, half-not, but Su Qianqian felt it was extremely dangerous—very, very dangerous!
Hesitant, Su Qianqian slowly made her way past her “old friends,” moving toward Luo Wuhen.
She walked as slowly as possible, but Luo Wuhen was equally patient…
But no matter how slow she walked, she’d eventually reach the “end.”
Standing before Luo Wuhen, Su Qianqian’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t help but swallow nervously.
Up close, seeing that familiar face, Su Qianqian felt dazed and a little scared.
That heroic visage still wore a half-smile, half-not, and Luo Wuhen moved her hand from her lap, making her intent clear.
Su Qianqian couldn’t bear the pressure from that smile. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Then… I’m going to sit now—”
Saying this, she slowly, carefully, and with a slight tremble, perched herself sideways on Luo Wuhen’s lap…
Soon she felt Luo Wuhen’s soft legs beneath her. Su Qianqian sat upright and straight, making every effort not to meet Luo Wuhen’s gaze!
But then she felt her hair lifted, exposing her smooth nape. A warm breath appeared on the back of her neck—it was Luo Wuhen’s breath!
Su Qianqian dared not move at all. In front of so many trusted ministers, surely Luo Wuhen would give her some dignity, right? She would… right?
“You’re much more pleasing to the eye now than before. Petite, delicate, and you even have a fragrant scent. Not bad.”
“Heh, heh heh… As long as you like it.” Su Qianqian’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. Petite? Delicate? Were those even words to describe a person?
Soon, her hair was let go and the warm breath vanished, but before she could relax, she felt arms wrap around her waist and legs, pulling her into Luo Wuhen’s embrace.
Her head ended up resting against Luo Wuhen’s chest!
At that moment, Su Qianqian was held like a child, embraced sideways by a mother to soothe them.
Feeling those arms encircling her waist, Su Qianqian went stiff.
Then, warm breath brushed her ear, and Luo Wuhen’s whisper came: “But what pleases me most… is that you’re now at my mercy, unable to leave my side ever again…”
“Heh, don’t be so stiff. Look forward—don’t you have anything to say to your old subordinates?”
Reminded by Luo Wuhen, Su Qianqian shifted her attention to the group in front of her—many familiar faces.
Back when she was Su Ling, she’d gotten along well with these people. They were practically old friends.
But now, as a little girl being held in such an embarrassing position, she really had no idea what to say.
No, this was too embarrassing! She wanted to cover her face!
“If you feel shy, I permit you to bury your face in my arms to hide. Now and in the future, I will solve everything for you—all you need is to hide by my side…”
As she spoke, a force pressed Su Qianqian’s head toward Luo Wuhen’s chest, and her wide sleeves were ready to cover her.
“Wait, I’ll talk, I’ll talk—just don’t rush me!” Su Qianqian quickly made a show of willingness, and only then did that force let up.
After a moment of internal pep talk, Su Qianqian finally steeled herself to say something—yet Luo Wuhen’s next action made her words stick in her throat again.
“All of you, raise your heads and look this way.”
In an instant, a dozen pairs of eyes focused on Su Qianqian. Her face turned red; she turned away and clapped her hands to her cheeks.
There was no way she could speak confidently, being stared at by so many people while in such a posture!
In the end, Su Qianqian gave up and chose to bury her face in Luo Wuhen’s chest, choosing not to see, hear, or speak—if she couldn’t see them, they couldn’t see her!
Watching Su Qianqian yield once again, Luo Wuhen’s desire for conquest was immensely satisfied! That’s right—she wanted Su Qianqian to surrender to her, little by little!
While gently stroking Su Qianqian’s hair, Luo Wuhen looked up at her ministers:
“I am going to take her as my Consort. Does anyone have any objections?”
How could the ministers possibly object?
Not only did they not dare, but after listening and watching for so long, these shrewd old hands had already pieced it together—based on what His Majesty said earlier, the girl in her arms was the Prime Minister!
Even if they couldn’t quite connect the once revered and powerful Prime Minister with the shy girl hiding in the Emperor’s arms…
Still, if that girl was truly the Prime Minister, then it was a blessing for the Kingdom!
They had always believed that the rule of the Emperor and Prime Minister together was truly complete.
Beyond the Prime Minister’s great strength, he was also the only one who could restrain Luo Wuhen.
Luo Wuhen was like a sharp sword, able to cut down all obstacles, but also so sharp that she could wound herself or her retainers.
The longer the sword was used, the heavier the murderous aura grew…
Back then, the Prime Minister was like the sword’s sheath, covering the blade when it wasn’t needed, giving it a chance to rest and breathe.
This was not merely because of cultivation, but more so because of the trust Luo Wuhen had in him… and her hidden love.
Now that Luo Wuhen wanted to make the “Prime Minister” her Consort, it was surely wonderful news!
Before, he could only offer advice; now he’d be whispering by her pillow.
Before, he provided security; now… he’d provide relief and fulfillment. What great news!
“No, I disagree!” This concerned her entire future, so Su Qianqian quickly objected, but unfortunately—
“Since your betrayal, your opinion no longer matters. Besides…”
The last words were whispered into Su Qianqian’s ear, chilling her to the core—she thought she must have misheard. But what Luo Wuhen said was…
“Take the next few days to decide—do you want a Crown Prince or a Princess?”
Cold sweat broke out on Su Qianqian’s brow. Still trying to struggle, she stammered, “Y-you want to adopt a child? I—I could help look after one…”
“That works. Since you want to raise the child yourself, there’s no need to follow the old rules and find a nursemaid. But don’t rush—there are still about ten months to go. In the meantime, you need to take good care of your health.”
Hearing that, Su Qianqian lost all strength. Her eyes went dull, and the future seemed utterly bleak…
……