Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The Young Imperial Uncle

Shedding her luxurious clothes, her exquisite body was revealed, glowing pearlescent under the light. She walked barefoot to the pool's edge and dove in gracefully, swimming joyfully. The water was neither too hot nor too cold, perfect for a few laps and a relaxing soak.

"Splash!"

After swimming, she emerged from the water, her long black hair draped over her chest, concealing her alluring form yet adding an even more enticing allure.

Sitting on the stone steps in the water, she leaned her head against a jade stone behind her, preparing to rest with her eyes half-closed. Just as she was about to close them completely, something suddenly fell from the beam above with a "plop," causing ripples in the water. Leng Jiu looked at the splashing water, somewhat astonished.

"Splash!" A figure emerged from the water, the first thing visible being a half gold mask, followed by a pair of mesmerizing, enchanting eyes and thin lips that seemed to seduce souls.

Leng Jiu propped up her head, her phoenix eyes curiously observing the man who had fallen into her bath.

The man, seemingly having watched her for a while, was not surprised by Leng Jiu's presence. Instead, he curled his lips in a devilishly charming smile, his eyes twinkling as he approached her. He leaned close to Leng Jiu, his long, cool fingers tenderly caressing her chin, his voice low and husky, filled with a unique seductiveness, "So the imperial palace hides such a beauty. This visit was indeed worthwhile!"

Unlike most women who would panic when teased, Leng Jiu was unfazed. Matching his mischievous grin, her slender fingers touched his chin, her index finger sliding over his rose-like lips, "Peeping at someone bathing isn't a gentleman's act, you know!"

The man raised his eyebrows in surprise, his hand sliding from her chin down her neck to her collarbone, seemingly heading lower. "I never claimed to be a gentleman. To remain unmoved by a beauty like you would be the real hypocrisy."

Leng Jiu laughed, her eyes curving into crescents. She gently grasped his hand and squeezed it. Just as he let his guard down, her demeanor suddenly shifted. He was startled, but it was too late. She grabbed his arm, pulled at his waistband, and with a burst of energy, flipped him over her shoulder. Before he could recover, she pinned him down and quickly tied his hands with his belt. Transforming his wide garment into ropes, she bound his legs. In the blink of an eye, he was trussed up like a dumpling!

Leng Jiu dropped her seductive facade, her face now filled with mockery. Ignoring the man on the ground, she walked naked to where her clothes lay. Just as she was dressing, Eunuch Lu entered with maids, apparently alarmed by the commotion.

Seeing the bound man on the ground, Eunuch Lu cried out in alarm, "An assassin...” Guest!

"Shut up!" Leng Jiu shot him a cold glance, making him swallow the rest of his words.

Fastening her waistband, she walked barefoot to the man, meeting his resentful eyes. Leng Jiu twitched her eyelid, wondering where this enchanting creature had come from. She reached for his mask and gently pulled it off. Seeing his face, Leng Jiu's eyelid twitched again. Just from his chin and lips, she knew his looks were extraordinary. But why so bewitching?

The man before her had a face like a seductive fox spirit, even more enchanting and stunning than herself. Was this some kind of cruel joke?

"This face is only for my wife to see. You've seen it, beauty, so now you must take responsibility," he teased, still flirting despite being bound. Leng Jiu rolled her eyes at him, dropped the mask, and stood up.

As Eunuch Lu was about to call for guards, he recognized the man's face and exclaimed in shock, "Lord Xuan Wang! How can it be you?"

Leng Jiu stumbled, turning in surprise to look at the man on the ground, then back at Eunuch Lu, "You called him what?"

Eunuch Lu hurried to help the man up, untying him while explaining, "Your Highness, this is Lord Xuan Wang!"

Leng Jiu felt as if thunder had struck. She remembered Eunuch Lu telling her about the imperial family members, and Lord Xuan Wang had left the deepest impression. Known for his androgynous beauty that made even women feel inferior, thankfully he seldom stayed in the capital, or else many women would have been driven to despair. She had been merely curious about how a man could be more beautiful than a woman.

But what truly shocked her was that Lord Xuan Wang was the late Emperor's youngest brother, making him the youngest uncle of the current Emperor Dragon Yi. In other words, he was her junior brother-in-law!

Facing Lord Xuan Wang's still frivolous and seductive gaze and looking at his face, a nameless anger rose within Leng Jiu. In full view of everyone, she walked over and kicked him into the bath...

Dragon Yi was surprised by the sudden appearance of his long-unseen uncle, Lord Xuan Wang. Nevertheless, he promptly prepared a welcoming banquet for this young imperial uncle, displaying the proper etiquette of a younger family member.

Leng Jiu had no fondness for that man, and with Dragon Yi confining her, she had the perfect excuse to skip the banquet. Yet, even if she didn't attend, she didn't stay in her own quarters either.

Still in the desolate ruins, Leng Jiu lay atop a half-collapsed wall, under a large, round moon casting its pure white light, like a fairy's veil, creating a hazy and graceful beauty.

She had always lived in a noisy, indulgent environment, day after day, without even the time to feel tired. Now in this tranquility, she realized she preferred such quietness – no revelry, no obligations, no assassinations or schemes. Just peacefully existing in her little world, undisturbed and content in solitude.

Lan Ze, unsurprisingly, was called to perform again. The ceremonial officers never missed including him, seemingly taking pleasure in humiliating a prince. Lan Ze maintained his usual calm demeanor, neither happy nor sad, humbly going and returning quietly, indifferent to everyone's gaze.

When he returned to his small abode, carrying his zither, he paused upon seeing the green figure on the wall. He didn't know who she was, but recently, she often appeared in the afternoons or evenings, silently listening to him play. She never expressed her opinion or spoke much, like a bird that came only for his music and left when it ended.

In this cold place, having someone silently accompany him, even with his aloof heart, stirred a slight warmth. Approaching the wall with his zither, he called softly, "Miss!"

The person on the wall didn't move. After calling again and still no response, he became slightly puzzled. Placing his zither down, he climbed the wall from the other side and found her asleep. He couldn't help but smile and sat down beside her, taking a closer look. She was the most beautiful and unique woman he had ever seen. When awake, she was lively and clever like a fox; in silence, she was like a quiet lily, elegant and fragrant. Now asleep, her long eyelashes and enchanting, slightly upturned eyes, and alluring lips were more captivating than ever in the moonlight.