Oily and lecherous, the old Ning King's lascivious eyes made no attempt to hide their appraisal of Qing Wu, even deliberately licking his lips…

Just looking at Old Ning King’s face made Yu Qingwu feel disgusted to the core, and she couldn't help but recall how this beast had first met her mother.

It was the same gaze, the same tone used to discuss deals with Qiu Shi…

Unfortunately, she wasn’t her mother, and Xie Jin Yan wasn’t Qiu Shi.

“If Old Ning King wants to make a deal with His Highness, he can say it here. There’s no need for all this dragging and pulling.” Old Ning King was wearing a smug grin, but Yu Qingwu’s sudden words made him freeze.

In an instant, his old face turned extremely ugly, and he glared resentfully at Xie Jin Yan, seemingly hoping that Xie Jin Yan would discipline this ill-mannered concubine.

However, Xie Jin Yan merely smiled, forcefully pulling his arm back from Old Ning King’s grasp. He nodded slightly and echoed Yu Qingwu's words, "Ning King, if you have something to say, say it here. There's no need to beat around the bush. Although A-Wu is only a Liangdi, she is the person I trust most. There's nothing she can't hear."

Every word was polite, yet every word was a warning to him not to covet the Crown Prince’s future wife.

Old Ning King had originally thought that as long as he mentioned what Xie Jin Yan wanted most, trading this woman would be easy.

He never expected that the other party would so bluntly refuse him.

His face instantly turned green, and he was filled with anger and embarrassment. He gave Yu Qingwu a resentful look and threatened, "Your Highness, are you sure you want this subject to speak here? This is a matter of state, and you're letting a woman interfere in politics…"

“Since it's a matter of state, Ning King should properly submit a memorial to His Highness. What does it mean for you to block the Crown Prince's residence and shout about wanting to make a deal with the Crown Prince? What are your intentions in trading matters of state?"

*Pfft…*

"You… you ignorant woman, don't make baseless accusations!" Old Ning King was shocked, his face turning pale.

Just now he had looked like victory was in his grasp, but now his eyes were filled with guilt.

Yu Qingwu scoffed and retorted sarcastically, "Ning King, you know in your heart whether I'm making baseless accusations or not."

"Also, put away your dirty thoughts. I am not my mother. And His Highness is not Qiu Shi!"

She curled her lips, released Xie Jin Yan's arm, and walked towards Old Ning King with a cold smile, looking meaningfully at a certain part of him. "Old Ning King, your secrets… I know them all. If you're not afraid of losing face, I'll definitely… spread them for you…"

Each word was spoken deliberately, filled with contempt, ridicule, and disdain…

"…"

The atmosphere suddenly froze, and even the air became awkward…

Old Ning King shuddered, his old face flushed red, as if his tail had been stepped on. He instantly became agitated, pointing at Yu Qingwu and roaring, "You… you little brat! What nonsense are you spouting? You… you're slandering me! Slandering!"

He almost jumped, completely losing face and unable to stay any longer.

He glared fiercely at Xie Jin Yan, said, 'You'll regret this,' and then stormed off.

Yu Qingwu watched his departing figure with a chilling gaze, adding coldly, "Old Ning King, I know many more things. If you don't listen, I don't mind sending you to your death…"

Her voice was cold, and even the trailing notes were filled with bone-chilling iciness…

Old Ning King paused, feeling a chill run down his back. He was unwilling, but he didn't dare to retort. He just gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and disappeared around the corner.

Yu Qingwu chuckled and turned to walk back into the Crown Prince's residence.

Xie Jin Yan stood there, taking a deep look at her, and followed.

They walked quickly, without a word.

It wasn't until they entered Qingning Courtyard that he suddenly stepped forward, took her hand, and said in a low voice, "Shijie…"

"Mm?" Yu Qingwu turned her head, looking at him in confusion.

Xie Jin Yan frowned, his dark eyes filled with a darkness, a never-before-seen apprehension. He asked her in a deep voice, "Shijie, do you love me?"

"Why is Your Highness suddenly asking this?"

Yu Qingwu was slightly stunned, feeling somewhat lost.

But meeting Xie Jin Yan's vaguely uneasy eyes, she quickly understood.

Qingwu smiled faintly, gently hooking her arm around his neck and softly asking in return, "Does Your Highness want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"Naturally, the truth…"

"The truth is… I don't love you. I'm using you, everything is just flattery." In the afternoon, the cold light shone into the inner room, making Yu Qingwu's cold and beautiful face even colder, and even more dazzling.

It hurt Xie Jin Yan's eyes, and his chest ached faintly.

But the dignity of a man, the majesty of the Crown Prince, forced him to suppress his emotions.

He lowered his eyes to look at the woman, and Xie Jin Yan snorted coldly, "Shijie really doesn't hide anything…"

"But I'm very curious. Since Shijie has the ability to coerce Ning King, presumably you could take revenge even without me. It would be even easier to get rid of me. Why are you still circling around here? Wouldn't it be better to join hands with your beloved Eldest Brother, Xiao Fengyun?"

His words were filled with a strong hint of jealousy…

And killing intent…

Yu Qingwu felt a chill in her heart, and suddenly regretted telling Xie Jin Yan the truth.

But just now, when she threatened Ning King, she had already revealed her true colors. Xie Jin Yan was a smart man, and even if she didn't admit it, he would investigate thoroughly.

Therefore…

She raised her eyes to look at the man, their eyes met, and Yu Qingwu gently placed her hand on his cheek, her fingertips slowly tracing his high nose bridge, then moving to his lips, caressing them intimately, and smiling, "May I ask Your Highness, if you had two paths to take, one that required you to cut through thorns and the other a smooth road, which would you choose?"

Heh, so? In her heart, he was just an easy, smooth road?

How direct! Was she no longer pretending?

Xie Jin Yan didn't answer, he just pushed Yu Qingwu away, his face suddenly darkening.

Yu Qingwu wasn't angry. She smiled, hooked her arm around his neck again, and continued, "Besides, even if I hadn't followed you, if I wanted revenge, I'd have to marry Shen Ke. Thinking about it, it's better to follow you."

"To be honest, I wasn't too willing at first. First, I didn't want to be someone's concubine, especially not yours."

"You were the Seventh Brother I once treated like a younger brother, I always felt awkward…"

"But as time went on, it didn't seem as bad as I imagined…"

"However, to make me love you…"

"Xie Jin Yan, I can't do that yet. I don't want to lie to you."

Yu Qingwu raised her head, a layer of gentle moisture appearing in her peach blossom eyes. She was clearly speaking hurtful words, but she managed to give them a touch of romantic meaning.

Looking at her charming and gentle eyes, Xie Jin Yan's anger unknowingly subsided by half.

He looked at her helplessly and couldn't help but laugh, "Aren't you afraid that I'll be angry when Shijie says these words?"

"What if I am afraid? If I said I was afraid, wouldn't Your Highness realize that I'm not the little white rabbit you see?"

Yu Qingwu tiptoed, her red lips approaching the man's lips with a hint of ambiguity, giving him a light kiss, looking at him with a smile, and then nestled into his broad chest, gently caressing his large hand, charmingly saying, "Or is it that Your Highness knows that I'm not so easy to bully, and you don't like me anymore?"