"You, as the Young Master of the Hidden Clan, would be delighted to see her die. How could you..."
Qing Muye harbored suspicions about He Kaliannuo's words.
Logically, it didn't add up.
"Haha... that's because you don't understand me, He Kaliannuo," she turned and placed the photo back on the table, sitting sideways on it. "I'm the type who appreciates talent. Even if I were to take the position of Hidden Lord, I wouldn't casually kill a useful individual."
For some reason, Qing Muye had a gut feeling that He Kaliannuo was a person of her word.
Human intuition was a peculiar thing.
"Come with me."
He Kaliannuo beckoned him, leading him to the bathroom. Standing by the washbasin, she handed him a bottle of solution. "Use this to remove your makeup; it's very convenient."
Qing Muye rolled up his sleeves, took the solution, and leaned over to begin removing his makeup.
Throughout the entire process, He Kaliannuo stood beside him, gazing at him with keen interest, her eyes never leaving his face.
Five minutes later, all the makeup on Qing Muye's face and neck was cleaned off, revealing a fair complexion.
His skin was a healthy tan, but the thick makeup he had worn recently had made it appear fairer.
Qing Muye used a towel to wipe the water from his face and turned to face He Kaliannuo. "Satisfied?"
Face to face, He Kaliannuo looked up at the man before her. Under the dim bathroom light, Qing Muye was bathed in a soft glow, which further accentuated his peerlessly beautiful, almost ethereal features, making them more three-dimensional and profound.
His sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, his eyelashes were thick and long. After removing his contact lenses, his pupils were as dark and bright as obsidian. His nose was aquiline, his lips were of moderate thickness, and the contours of his cheekbones were particularly distinct. He was so handsome it defied all reason.
Especially the slight curve of his lips, carrying a subtle smile that softened his coldness, sharpened his gentleness, and imbued him with an approachable elegance, hinting at an unattainable nobility.
Thump, thump, thump—
He Kaliannuo's gaze faltered, her eyes fixed only on Qing Muye, everything else in the surroundings blurring for a moment.
A surge of excitement coursed through her, her heart pounding like a startled deer, threatening to leap from her chest.
Due to her status as the Young Master of the Hidden Clan, she had never lacked handsome men around her over the years. Those men were either flattering or fawning, resembling yapping dogs.
Only the man before her seemed to disregard her presence, and yet, he possessed such an imposing aura, especially his distinctively recognizable face, which gave her boundless admiration, overlapping with the image of the prince charming she had envisioned in her dreams.
"I am a married man, Young Master Liannuo. You should exercise self-respect."
Qing Muye offered a reminder and walked out of the bathroom.
He Kaliannuo: "..."
She followed him out of the bathroom, raising her hand to touch her face. For the first time, she found herself blushing in front of a man.
She walked back to the desk and sat down. Qing Muye's photo was placed on the table. "It seems you don't photograph well."
While the man in the photo was undeniably handsome, his real-life appearance was beyond description, comparable to a masterpiece of nature.
"It's not important."
"Not important? Then tell me about Meng Jingwei. Why do you love her so much?" He Kaliannuo asked, full of curiosity.
Qing Muye placed his hands in his pockets and stood before He Kaliannuo, saying in a deep voice, "Curiosity killed the cat. I advise Young Master Liannuo to inquire less about things you shouldn't."
"Fine, I won't inquire."
He Kaliannuo nodded, leaning back in the rattan chair, propping her elbows on the armrests and resting her chin on her hands. "Your journey to the Hidden Clan this time is fraught with peril. Would you consider joining my harem? I'll grant you the position of Empress, and I make no guarantees that Meng Jingwei will leave the Hidden Clan alive."
In the Hidden Clan, although gender equality was advocated, if one had to assert dominance, it would inevitably be the female.
The Hidden Clan's royal family, in order to ensure the continuation of their lineage, naturally permitted a wife and multiple husbands.