Chapter 404: This Chapter Number Is Very Appropriate for the Occasion

Chapter 404: This Chapter Number Is Quite Apt

Over there, Zhao Changhe had just peeled the little white rabbit halfway when he began to hesitate.

The little girl was deeply alluring, stirring his heart and mind until he couldn’t resist… but when it came to the critical moment, doubt crept in—he still felt she was too young.

True, her age was more than sufficient in this world, but Zhao Changhe’s twenty years of modern education hadn’t been fully eroded by this era; he still thought she was a bit too young, and it weighed on his conscience.

Then he thought of her noble family—premarital intimacy was deeply frowned upon. The young girl’s mind was hot, not thinking far ahead, but as a man, he had to be careful not to let Yangyang become a target for gossip.

In truth, as the moment drew near, the little girl herself grew more flustered. One moment she wondered if premarital intimacy was truly improper, the next she feared that giving herself so easily might make him take her for granted. Her heart was in turmoil when she sensed Zhao Changhe’s hesitation.

They opened their eyes, their love-struck gazes clearing slightly.

Cui Yuanyang knew what Zhao Changhe was thinking, and her eyes grew even softer.

He was still like this, always considering her reputation.

They stared at each other for a long while, until Cui Yuanyang, embarrassed, whispered, “Brother Zhao, I…”

She was about to say, “Let’s wait until we’re married,” when the courtyard gate was knocked on, and a messenger announced: “The Imperial Consort summons Master Zhao for an audience. She says if he does not come, the promised reward is forfeit.”

“?” Cui Yuanyang’s tender feelings shattered. Her brows shot up: “Oh, so I thought you were worried about my reputation, but it turns out you have a date with another man’s wife!”

“Hey, hey, hey?” Zhao Changhe was dumbfounded: “That’s really not why…”

“She knows how to please, while I know nothing. Go to her, boohoo.” Cui Yuanyang fled in tears: “If Brother Zhao finds me dull, just say so—don’t make me seem unreasonable…”

Zhao Changhe: “Damn…”

The little rabbit scampered into the next courtyard. Once over the wall, she leaned against it, patting her chest with a sigh of relief.

So it wasn’t me seducing Brother Zhao only to back out at the last moment… The Consort is truly a great benefactor—she’ll go put out Brother Zhao’s fire for me.

Come to think of it… isn’t she Xia Longyuan’s consort? And Xia Longyuan played dirty tricks on our family’s divine sword—this is fitting revenge!

The little rabbit “hmphed,” blushed, and ran back into her room, diving under the covers: “Wuwuwu, Cui Yuanyang, you’re useless…”

Zhao Changhe scratched his head and reluctantly went to Huangfu Qing’s place.

Huangfu Qing had already dismissed her attendants. She lounged alone on a soft couch, reclining sideways as she watched him.

Zhao Changhe’s heart gave an unworthy leap.

Both were leaning on a fragrant couch, hand propping up their foreheads, but when Tang Wanzhuang read a book, she exuded a lazy, intellectual charm, blending with the pavilions and rocks like a painting.

But at this moment, Huangfu Qing radiated an astonishing allure from head to toe. The corners of her lips were slightly lifted, deliberately painted with a red that was more bewitching than usual; the collar of her robe was cut low, revealing the top of her bodice, with snowy white hemispheres squeezed together, startling to behold.

Any man would, at a single glance, instantly think of bed.

“You’re here?” Huangfu Qing said lazily. “Did I interrupt the bear eating the rabbit?”

Zhao Changhe sighed. “Why must it be like this? I wasn’t planning to go that far anyway—she’s too young…”

“So I was meddling for nothing, was I?” Huangfu Qing snorted. “No matter. Even if it plants a thorn in her heart, making her unhappy with you, it’s worth it. Why should she cling to a man forever? What for? Because she has no chest?”

Zhao Changhe didn’t argue. He stepped forward slowly, sat on the edge of the couch, and gently stroked her hair. “Thank you for today.”

Huangfu Qing was taken aback, then laughed. “I don’t know what I did to deserve thanks. Do you realize that the one who secretly released Wang Daozhong might not be Empress Wang, but me, after I returned to the capital? At the very least, I conspired with the empress.”

“I figured as much,” Zhao Changhe said nonchalantly. “What does it matter? Your instinctive help today showed your true heart… That’s why I thank you.”

“But releasing him afterward still works against you, doesn’t it? Wang Daozhong is your enemy and always wants to kill you.”

“The Four Symbols Sect owes the Wang family a favor. When the Venerable One commands, you have to obey… But I suggest you tell the Venerable One that the situation between the Wang family and the sea clan has gone beyond ordinary favors. At some point, they might not even be in control of themselves—what use is a favor then?”

Huangfu Qing looked thoughtful. “I understand. I’ll advise the Venerable One.”

Zhao Changhe smiled. “Even if the Venerable One doesn’t listen, it’s no big deal. Even if he gets out, so what? Wang Daozhong couldn’t handle me before, and he won’t be able to in the future… Honestly, I don’t know if this counts as growing fond of an enemy, but I kind of don’t want him to die in prison…”

Huangfu Qing chuckled softly.

Zhao Changhe stared straight at her smiling face, and their serious conversation came to an abrupt halt.

Huangfu Qing’s smile turned knowing. “I stepped in to stop the Wang family—no big deal. What I want is for us to control the Yang family ourselves, not to pave the way for the Wangs. But I’m a little worried…”

“Worried about what?”

“Worried that instead of paving the way for the Wangs, I’m paving it for Tang Wanzhuang,” Huangfu Qing said leisurely. “Are you a spy for the Demon Suppression Bureau, or are you the Fire Pig?”

Zhao Changhe said seriously, “This matter won’t earn the Demon Suppression Bureau any favors.”

“Because Xia Longyuan is behind it, and it can’t be resolved?”

“Exactly. Wanzhuang is patching things up for him, but it’s pointless. Right now, Yang Jingxiu has no solid proof, so he remembers her favor. Once it’s confirmed that Old Xia is behind it, nothing Wanzhuang does will matter…”

“So, at least in this matter, you’re the Fire Pig?”

“…I’ve always been the Fire Pig.”

“I thought you were only the Fire Pig when you wanted to devour me.”

Zhao Changhe said, “The Demon Suppression Bureau’s favor is meaningless, the Wang family is the troublemaker, and the Cui family doesn’t want to take the lead. If the Yang family wants a reliable partner, it has to be the Four Symbols Sect. Whether I’m the Fire Pig or not, as long as your Venerable One isn’t stupid, they’ll be the biggest beneficiaries in this matter.”

Huangfu Qing’s smile turned seductive, captivating. “It sounds to me like someone is asking for a reward.”

They had already slept together naked, so Zhao Changhe had none of the reservations he had with Cui Yuanyang. He leaned down directly, kissing her cheek. “I’ve completed your request without cutting corners—don’t I deserve the reward? You can’t go back on your word, can you…”

He had been holding back since earlier. With the promised reward on the table, why hesitate?

Huangfu Qing didn’t resist his kisses. She let him guide her from a side-lying position to lying on her back, compliantly allowing him to kiss from her cheek to her lips, then down to her neck, burying his face in the softness above her bodice.

Feeling the man’s surging desire, she held his head and panted, her own emotions stirred.

Ever since that time they had slept naked in each other’s arms and he had passed the test, she had been willing. She had even said, “If you don’t eat me, I’ll eat you.”

Now, under the premise of “if you do well, choose any reward,” being alone together in the same room almost hinted at the final outcome. Both sides were mentally prepared.

Yet, despite her apparent willingness in the heat of the moment, Huangfu Qing had no intention of giving in.

She wasn’t blinded by emotion.

Had Zhao Changhe truly completed the task without cutting corners? That was debatable. The nature of this matter depended on his whim—if he claimed he had nothing to do with the Four Symbols Sect, then the sect would gain no favor from this affair.

Was he manipulating the Yang family, or the Four Symbols Sect?

Huangfu Qing didn’t want to expose this too openly. In short, before summoning him, her plan was to give him some trivial little reward, enough to make him jump in frustration, letting him know she wasn’t clueless.

Who was manipulating whom?

Her robe was easily parted, and they embraced tightly, kissing passionately as the atmosphere heated up.

Zhao Changhe reached behind her to untie her bodice straps, but found her lying too flat for his hand to reach. “Lift up a bit…”

Huangfu Qing obediently raised her back slightly, making it easier for him to untie the bodice.

He continued to undo it, but suddenly she grabbed his hand.

Zhao Changhe: “?”

Huangfu Qing cooed, “Your request was for me to lift up a bit, and I’ve completed it without cutting corners. The reward is over.”

Zhao Changhe was dumbfounded. “Hey… hey hey…”

Huangfu Qing giggled. “Neither of us cut corners, right?”

The hint was obvious. Zhao Changhe realized her concern and said helplessly, “How can I prove it? Should I go straight to Old Yang and say I’m the Fire Pig? You wouldn’t tell him you’re the Winged Fire Snake either—this identity can’t be casually exposed…”

Huangfu Qing was also pondering this. Normally, such things didn’t need to be said. If he truly acted as the Fire Pig, he only needed to ensure that the Yang family’s actions aligned with the Four Symbols Sect’s interests… but that wasn’t something visible immediately—how long would it drag on? And she couldn’t bear to keep dragging it out either.

It's all because of those wretched men, coveting Tang Wanzhuang's beauty with their shady intentions—it's only with Tang Wanzhuang that one would worry about which side he leans toward; otherwise, there'd be no need for such proof at all.

Just then, Tang Wanzhuang's angry voice transmission came from outside: "Zhao Changhe, are you messing around with Huangfu Qing again?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Huangfu Qing blinked her eyes.

This furious, defeated-dog demeanor—it feels so good.

Tang Wanzhuang continued in anger: "If you truly defy human ethics like this, I will be deeply disappointed, and from now on, I will never support you as a prince again. Think it over!"

Zhao Changhe listened in confusion—Tang Wanzhuang should know full well that he never wanted her to support him as a prince; that was always her own wishful thinking, hoping that at some point he'd naturally step into the role. So why was she threatening him with this now?

But to Huangfu Qing's ears, the meaning was entirely different.

You're angry? Don't want to support him anymore?

Then that's just right!

Before Zhao Changhe could sort things out, Huangfu Qing replied on cue: "Let the First Seat down—I told you before, I'm a rebel of the Four Symbols Sect, and I deceive this sovereign."

Tang Wanzhuang was utterly indignant: "Zhao Changhe, do you dare?"

Zhao Changhe instinctively wanted to say something, but his mouth was sealed tight by red lips. The same Huangfu Qing who had been holding his hand to stop him earlier now turned over instead, pinned him beneath her, and mounted him.

Zhao Changhe's eyes widened: "Mmm mmm mmm..."

With a pained grunt, Huangfu Qing furrowed her brows slightly, then broke into a smile: "I wonder if the First Seat can sense it—the prince you support is already entangled with the imperial consort. Please take your leave."

Tang Wanzhuang fell utterly silent, like a defeated dog.

Huangfu Qing felt immensely satisfied.

Baoqin stood nearby, carefully watching her mistress's expression.

The mistress spoke words of extreme anger, but in truth, there was no trace of fury, nor any other expression—it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.

Baoqin scratched her head. No, mistress, do you think you're being clever with your scheming? But why do I feel like you've lost completely?