Chapter 422: Drinking This Half Cup of Leftover Tea

Chapter 422: Drink This Half Cup of Cold Tea

“Speak, in the dead of night, were you planning to steal a kiss or a jade, only to end up sneaking into Buqi’s room?”

In Tang Wanzhuang’s courtyard, she brewed tea with her bare hands, the fragrance curling and dispersing in the moonlight, vanishing into the void.

At this moment, Zhao Changhe had none of the look of someone who wanted wine over tea. He sat there with an air of elegance, almost on the verge of swaying his head and reciting a poem.

If Tang Buqi had seen this smug demeanor, his expression might have turned into a sweating yellow bean.

Yet Tang Wanzhuang, seemingly graceful as she brewed tea, spoke words far from graceful, choking Zhao Changhe into a sweat: “How, how is this stealing a kiss or a jade? I just wanted to chat with Buqi…”

“Were you really looking for Buqi?” Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly, a hint of mockery in her eyes. “In your heart, who was supposed to be living in that room?”

Zhao Changhe steeled himself: “Wasn’t it, wasn’t it the main commander!”

“In truth, His Majesty ordered me to oversee all matters south of the river. Buqi’s command was granted by me; I am the true commander.” Tang Wanzhuang’s beautiful eyes roamed over his face for a long moment. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”

“Ah, I forgot.” Zhao Changhe seized the chance: “Then why are you staying in this remote corner?”

“I deliberately elevated Buqi, to build his image and status as commander in the soldiers’ hearts, after all, I…”

Zhao Changhe’s awkwardness turned into displeasure. He stared at her in silence.

Tang Wanzhuang’s words trailed off, unfinished. She lowered her head to sip tea.

To elevate Buqi was fine, a normal way to nurture a younger pillar for the family, but it shouldn’t be based on “after all, I won’t live long.” Hearing that only angered him.

In both their minds rose the curses from beyond the secret realm: “You damned woman, dare to open the third secret cache recklessly? When you’re out of strength, see how I’ll handle you! I’ll lay you before the Vermilion Sovereign—she’ll be delighted!”

Tang Wanzhuang’s face involuntarily flushed, yet she couldn’t scold him. To stop her from opening the third secret cache, he had taken a blade from Fa Chi himself, and with a normal body, he wouldn’t be out of bed for a month, let alone come sneaking for kisses and jade.

She said softly, “How are your wounds?”

“Not bad. Someone’s medicine is good.”

Tang Wanzhuang pursed her lips: “It’s from the Four Symbols Sect, isn’t it… My medicinal broth doesn’t have such effects. I know.”

Was that a hint of jealousy?

Sure enough, her next words followed: “The Four Symbols Sect has everything. This teacher is useless, isn’t she? Go with them. Better yet, help their Vermilion Sovereign strike me!”

Zhao Changhe had just taken a sip of tea and nearly choked. He coughed and said, “Where did that come from…”

Tang Wanzhuang fumed: “Dare you say that one of your topics in coming to me wasn’t to plead for their right to interrogate the remnant soul?”

“Uh…” Zhao Changhe had to admit, “That’s only fair. They joined the battle to gain deeper insight into the ancient soul, and they fought with all their might, without holding back. Each of them fought until blood dripped from their lips. The promised benefits should be given.”

Tang Wanzhuang snorted: “Then I’ll give it myself. Why do you need to act as their advocate?”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Tang Wanzhuang continued: “In fact, they are interrogating the remnant soul right now. I gave it to them directly. They can ask whatever they want. You don’t need to say a word, do you hear me? Not a word!”

This girlish petulance—Zhao Changhe couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Tang Wanzhuang fell silent, glaring at him with puffed cheeks. Inwardly, she felt a little smug. At this moment, she wanted to paint a picture called “The Vermilion Sovereign Questions the Ghost.”

Instead, Zhao Changhe began to worry for her: “Hey, if you just let them question it freely, what if they take it away?”

Tang Wanzhuang sipped her tea nonchalantly: “These rustic martial artists, these heretical cultists, treat ancient souls like treasures. We’ve seen such things before. They’re like country aunties who’ve never seen the world. If they can’t resist stealing, let them. It’s not me who’ll lose face.”

Zhao Changhe’s expression twitched, and he fell silent.

Tang Wanzhuang said, “But just now, Yuancheng went to see Buqi. Do you know why?”

Zhao Changhe pondered: “Probably for that lotus pedestal? There’s only one. Although they contributed, it wouldn’t be fair for them to monopolize it. They can’t justify it to the others.”

“Yuancheng knows he can’t monopolize it either. This is the court’s war trophy. He helped and deserves some reward, but he can’t take the lion’s share—unless he’s as shameless as those aunties from the Four Symbols Sect and steals it?”

Zhao Changhe couldn’t help it: “Hey, they haven’t stolen it yet…”

Tang Wanzhuang pretended not to hear: “I promised him I would petition His Majesty to rescind the decree that banned Buddhism. Though that decree has loosened over the years and Buddhist temples are reviving everywhere, an official decree still makes a difference.”

Zhao Changhe nodded: “Exactly. Using the excuse that Buddhists helped destroy the Maitreya cult, we can blame the earlier persecution of Buddhism on Maitreya. Say it was the Maitreya heresy that deceived the people, leading the emperor to ban Buddhism. Now that Maitreya is dealt with, the emperor realizes not all Buddhist sects are like that, so naturally the ban is lifted…”

Tang Wanzhuang chuckled, not commenting on his reasoning, and added, “As for the lotus pedestal, it will be placed in the Demon-Suppressing Bureau in the capital. If they want to meditate on it, they can go to the capital.”

Zhao Changhe smacked his lips: “You’ve got them in your grip, haven’t you…”

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes shimmered, and she said softly, “It’s also your merit. You… do you want a reward?”

Zhao Changhe stared at her without blinking.

No words were needed. Her own question was as good as a tease.

Who didn’t know what reward he wanted?

But Tang Wanzhuang continued: “We studied that lotus pedestal. Taking one or two petals won’t harm the whole. You can have one petal…”

Zhao Changhe said irritably, “What would I do with that?”

“The nature of this object is certainly useful for your Blood Rakshasa Body. Just say whether you want it or not.” Tang Wanzhuang sipped her tea leisurely. “Otherwise, when I mentioned the lotus pedestal, what other reward could there be?”

“…” Zhao Changhe thought to himself that this woman seemed to be learning bad habits.

She was starting to tease him maliciously…

But this kind of teasing—wasn’t she missing the point? For someone shameless, who would settle for such a choice?

Zhao Changhe said directly, “Can I have any reward I want?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes sparkled: “Of course… any reward you want.”

Her words were seductive, but her little hand holding the teacup was tense, her eyes full of threat, as if to say, if you speak frivolously, I’ll splash you in the face.

Zhao Changhe was almost charmed to death. His eyes rolled slyly, and he smiled, “I’m thirsty. I want tea.”

Tang Wanzhuang said, “Isn’t there tea right in front of you?”

“I want to drink the half cup of cold tea personally fed by the First Seat. There’s nothing like it in the world.”

Tang Wanzhuang bit her lower lip, glaring at him fiercely.

Zhao Changhe looked up at the sky. Let her tease.

It was good enough that he didn’t ask for a kiss from the First Seat… Of course, saying that would get him beaten. Asking for tea seemed to be just testing the limits of her tolerance.

Seeing his lazy, shameless look, Tang Wanzhuang almost laughed in anger: “The lotus pedestal is a supreme treasure. Yuancheng nearly knelt to beg for it, and you just want half a cup of cold tea! Do you think you’re entitled to everything no matter what?”

Zhao Changhe gave up: “I don’t care what the lotus pedestal is for. I want tea.”

Tang Wanzhuang made as if to splash him.

Zhao Changhe stiffened his neck and stared at her.

Tang Wanzhuang’s motion to splash froze. She looked into his eyes, and her gaze softened.

He was still wounded, his face pale, but there seemed to be flames in his eyes, burning in someone’s heart.

Before the late spring flowers, under the moon at the third watch.

Even Tang Buqi knew that a man and woman alone in the dead of night was improper… In such an environment, such an atmosphere, any casual word could easily turn the mood amorous. And she had actively teased him.

He was stirred. Wasn’t she?

Just like earlier, when she stood by his bed, gazing at his pale, injured face, unable to look away for a long time.

Zhao Changhe mustered his courage and grasped her hand holding the teacup.

Tang Wanzhuang's body trembled slightly; she lowered her eyelids, gazing at the hand he held, silent.

It was just feeding him a sip of tea, what was the big deal... From the organization to the final battle, he had been paramount in merit, and wounded besides...

Seated across a stone table, it was clearly impossible to feed him.

Tang Wanzhuang gritted her teeth, actually rose to her feet, and gracefully moved to his side, coaxing him like a child: "I really can't do anything with you... like a child..."

She did not realize that if they had been sitting side by side, it could still be interpreted as going with the flow, playing hard to get... but this initiative of standing up and walking over could no longer be explained by "the mood had arrived."

It was that deep down she herself was willing.

Willing to reward him, willing to fulfill this small expectation of his.

A fragrant breeze drew near, a soft voice whispering: "Here... the half cup of leftover tea you wanted..."

Before the words faded, her waist tightened, as Zhao Changhe embraced her waist and then pulled her into his arms.

Tang Wanzhuang instinctively wanted to struggle, but feared touching his chest wound, so she dared not move, only stiffened there, angrily: "Who allowed you to get handsy?"

Zhao Changhe lowered his head: "The half cup I wanted is the half that entered your mouth..."

Tang Wanzhuang watched helplessly as he leaned in; before she could even form a thought, her lips were covered, allowing him to take the leftover tea.

In her heart she knew clearly that inviting him for a "talk" late at night, alone together, was bound to lead to this outcome...

In some secret chamber, Zhuque and Xuanwu surrounded a cloth bag, each squatting with hands tucked in: "Why do I always feel that squatting here is a bit stupid... Why can't we take it out and ask?"