She spoke, squirming softly in his arms.
Liu Rongruo remained still, his gaze upon her calm and indifferent.
Chi You sensed his look, as if it could pierce through her skin, embed itself in her bones and blood, and see through her.
A chill ran down her spine. Her eyes, however, were hazy as she looked at him, her seductive gaze languid, her flushed cheeks appearing娇艳媚, truly tempting.
She reached up, hooking her arms around his neck, tilting her head to kiss his lips, then downed the wine in her hand, smacking her lips as if still savoring it.
"Delicious."
The wine cup clattered to the floor. She gently took his hand and led him toward the table.
"Brother, I made some small dishes in the kitchen specially. Do you want to try them?"
Generosity without reason often hides malice.
Liu Rongruo sat on the stool, his gaze fixed on the wine pot, his eyes slightly narrowing. His expression was unchanged. He lowered his eyes to look at Chi You, who was sitting in his lap.
"Brother."
She leaned close to his ear, her breath a fragrant breeze, her voice extremely low, yet it made his heart tremble.
"We Western women excel at song and dance. Do you want to see, Brother?"
She wore only a sheer, gossamer white gauze dress, and sitting in his lap, she ignited a fire within him.
Liu Rongruo looked at her, then suddenly gripped her chin and lifted her face.
"Do you want a whipping?"
"---"
Everyone said that the Grand Chancellor of Daliang possessed the beauty of Mount Jade, a divine presence, unattainable. Who knew how dissolute he was in private?
She truly wished those noble women of Daliang who sought to curry favor with him could see what kind of person their perceived gentle and dignified Chancellor was at his core.
Beneath a facade of gentleness hid a violent heart. Beneath a pure and jade-like exterior, he was merely a beast unable to withstand worldly desires.
Chi You averted her gaze and poured more wine.
Her cheeks were flushed, her hair disheveled, and she drank slowly, her eyes appearing hazy with intoxication.
Liu Rongruo watched the beautiful woman, who sat drunk in his lap, for a long while. Then, he suddenly let out a light laugh.
"Truly a born seductress."
He said, glancing at the dishes on the table.
"You made these yourself?"
"Mhm. I was so bored, so I made some Western dishes. Do you want to taste them, Brother?"
Her drunken demeanor was truly captivating. She called him "Brother" with every sip, clinging to him dependently, her voice soft and sweet, just like before.
Liu Rongruo, knowing it was unwise, still picked up his chopsticks.
"Who else have you made them for?"
"Hm?"
Chi You feigned confusion and tilted her head to look at him.
Liu Rongruo snatched her wine away and grasped the back of her neck.
*This damned beast, always grabbing her neck. He'll crush her sooner or later.*
"Have you made them for Xie Beihan?"
She and Brother came from the same sect. When Master was still alive, of course, she often cooked for them.
But later, when she was brought back to the Western Regions and took on the position of Saintess, she frequented the imperial court and was busy with state affairs, never cooking again.
"No, only for you, Brother."
She smiled like a blooming flower, taking a sip of wine, her lips stained with a dewdrop of wine, appearing as red as if it could drip.
Liu Rongruo raised an eyebrow. "Who taught you?"
Chi You paused, suddenly remembering her mother.
"Mhm?"
He turned his head to look at her. She lightly touched her forehead, picked up the wine cup, and changed the subject.
"Brother, the wine in the Central Plains is so strong. It has a powerful aftereffect."
She nestled in his arms as if boneless, offering him a cup of wine.
She didn't want to talk about her childhood with him.
Seeing her silence, Liu Rongruo didn't press further. He glanced down at the wine, his eyes darkening slightly.
"The wine from the Western Regions is also strong."
Chi You wrapped her arms around his neck, her face painted with rouge, looking charmingly hazy. She nuzzled against him affectionately.
"But our wine from the Southern Borders is sweet and cloying. You haven't tried it."
Liu Rongruo brushed her hands away. "I dislike drinking."
*This damned beast, impervious to persuasion.*
Chi You looked at him for a few moments, then drank it all in one gulp. Leaning forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
The pungent wine slid slowly down his throat. The faint fragrance emanating from her body eroded the surroundings inch by inch.
Liu Rongruo remained still, letting her pass him the wine.
He watched her with open eyes.
She was exceptionally beautiful. Her eyes, smudged with makeup, were as exquisite as the Mandragora flowers of the Southern Borders – fiercely red, glistening, as if rippling with a hazy, watery sheen.
Suddenly, he gripped her waist and swept her up, tossing the dishes and wine cups on the table to the ground with a sweep of his hand.
Her back met the cold tabletop. Chi You's body trembled slightly, and she blinked hazily.
"Brother."
She wore only a thin gauze dress, ethereally alluring.
Liu Rongruo leaned down, kissing her chin, biting her lips.
Chi You trembled all over, instinctively clutching his collar.
The silk fabric in the manor was transported from Jiangnan, smooth and fine to the touch.
She looked at his face with her hazy eyes, sensing his suppressed anger, and a chill ran down her spine.
"This wine tastes good."
Chi You feigned incomprehension and responded to him.
The wind outside blew through the lightly scented sheer curtains. She tilted her head back slightly, and tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes.
Liu Rongruo showed no pity. He looked at her tear-streaked, painted face and the way she bit her lower lip with her teeth. He reached out and cupped her chin.
"Why are you crying?"
Chi You felt a dull ache in her abdomen. Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her fair face. She pushed against him, struggling to get up.
"It hurts."
Liu Rongruo pressed down on her, his grip unwavering, holding her tightly.
Chi You, in pain, slapped his hand away and cursed.
"It really hurts. Go find a doctor."
Liu Rongruo reached out to touch her. The slick, red sensation brushed against his fingertips. His expression changed, and he quickly withdrew.
Chi You, sweating profusely from the pain, was carried to the bed and couldn't help but curl up, clutching her stomach.
"Bai Ze, go fetch the imperial physician."
Bai Ze, who was guarding outside, heard the voice and immediately responded and left.
Liu Rongruo put her clothes back on. Seeing her curled up in pain, he picked her up. Only when he heard the sound of the imperial physician hurrying over from outside did he lower the curtain and allow them in.
"Greetings, Prime Minister."
"No need for pleasantries. Go examine her."
The imperial physician did not dare to look around, quickly approaching with his medical bag and taking her pulse.
Liu Rongruo stood to the side, a trace of an unreadable expression flashing across his deep-set eyes.
The autumn weather could change in an instant. The cold wind outside blew in.
Whether from fear or the wind, the imperial physician's hand trembled as he took her pulse.
*I've long heard that the Prime Minister disregarded the Emperor and harbored a palace concubine. To think... he actually has a bastard child. Will I be silenced?*
He carefully felt her pulse again, his heart filled with trepidation.
*A pregnancy pulse. It's truly a pregnancy pulse.*
"How is it?"
The voice came from behind him. The imperial physician calmed his inner fear, pretending ignorance of who was inside, and calmly stood up.
"Congratulations, Prime Minister. The junior madam is with child."
Liu Rongruo showed no surprise. "How is her condition?"
"She has suffered a violent impact and needs to rest and recuperate. I will go and prepare the medicine."
"Go."