Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Pride

The person above her stiffened upon hearing the voice. Cold Jiu leaned back slightly, her delicate skin blushing enticingly, as if it could drip water when pinched. She looked at his frustrated face, interrupted, and her smile became even more radiant!

"Why stop now?"

Long Yueli bit her lip softly, his voice low and hoarse: "Temptress!"

Hearing this, Cold Jiu chuckled, her tender fingers reaching into his disheveled collar: "Desiring more?"

Long Yueli's fox-like eyes darkened further, his throat moving as he struggled to retain a shred of clarity: "Damn it!"

Cold Jiu, hearing the increasingly closer footsteps, chuckled lightly: "Aren't you afraid he'll see you?"

Long Yueli pressed down on her, his forceful grip betraying his frustration: "If you're not afraid, why should I be?"

As they spoke, Long Yi had already reached the door, only to be stopped by Lu Chang: "Your Majesty! The Empress Dowager is bathing!"

Long Yi halted, calling through the door: "I wish to see the Empress Dowager!"

Cold Jiu pushed Long Yueli's hand away: "I am currently bathing, Your Majesty. Whatever it is, can wait!"

"But I don't want to wait!" Long Yi blurted out, then paused, seemingly surprised by his own words.

"Hehe! If Your Majesty doesn't mind, then come in!" said Cold Jiu nonchalantly. Hearing this, Long Yueli narrowed his eyes, nuzzling Cold Jiu's collarbone and steadying her weakening body, smiling contentedly. Cold Jiu glared at him annoyed, thinking, 'Men!'

There was silence outside the door after Cold Jiu's remark, followed by the sound of Long Yi's footsteps receding. He gave no response, nor explained his visit.

"I guess your actions tonight took him by surprise, and he wanted to ask about it! Or maybe... he still has feelings for you!" Long Yueli teased, leaning against her and speaking in a mocking tone.

"What does it matter to me whether he cares or not?" retorted Cold Jiu, raising an eyebrow, then suddenly chuckled: "Was that sour tone just now jealousy?"

Long Yueli's face darkened: "Do you think it's possible?"

"It better not be!" Cold Jiu flipped over, pinning him down, her hand covering his brow and eyes, her nose against his, lips barely touching his, her voice enchanting yet cold: "I don't mind making you my man, but never dream of owning my heart, or having me all to yourself. You're not worthy. Or rather, I have no heart. To me, men are nothing more than playthings."

Long Yueli's eyes flickered, a trace of warmth and anger he hadn't noticed himself: "Really? Was it the same with Long Yi? Or did he break your heart, leading you to this self-degradation?"

"So what if I'm debased? If you disdain me, then stay away from me in the future!" With that, she pushed him away and leaped out of the water, grabbing a silk drape prepared nearby and wrapping it around herself, exiting without a backward glance. Just before opening the door, she paused, turning with a bewitching smile: "Women are poison, so King Xuan, you'd better guard your heart. Otherwise, you'll be the one suffering in the end!"

Before going to bed, Lu Chang received news that Consort Li, after returning to her palace, had smashed many things in a fit and eventually suffered a miscarriage scare. The imperial physicians from the traveling palace were summoned. Long Yi, initially playing chess with the Prime Minister, was hurriedly called away; Cold Jiu, upon hearing this, hugged her blanket and chuckled coldly. Consort Li wanted to use Hua Yuxuan to provoke her, but ended up infuriating herself. It's a case of reaping what one sows. She hoped the child in Consort Li's womb was strong enough to withstand such turmoil!

The next day.

Cold Jiu, having slept soundly, appeared very energetic. Her maids dressed her in a striking red and silver riding outfit, with the sleeves and pant legs secured, and trousers instead of a skirt. Her hair was tied back into a simple ponytail as per her request, and she wore a pair of gold-trimmed riding boots, transforming her aura completely. Gone were the enchanting and aloof vibes, replaced by an irresistibly heroic and dashing look, complete with a striking red scarf!

Lu Chang also changed into a simple riding outfit, intending to stay by Cold Jiu's side. Knowing that Cold Jiu was going hunting, Long Yi even specially assigned ten skilled imperial guards for her protection. Though unsure of his motives, Cold Jiu didn’t refuse; having more people meant less danger, which wasn't a bad thing!

"Empress Dowager! It's time to depart. The Emperor and the others have probably started already!" Lu Chang said.

Cold Jiu nodded, slinging her bow and arrows over her shoulder and mounting her horse: "Let's go!"

The hunting ground was some distance from the traveling palace. It had been a long time since Cold Jiu had ridden a horse, but she was quickly rediscovering her past skill. Despite being the daughter of a criminal underworld family with countless riches and luxury cars, she never liked them. When she was sixteen, her father gifted her a stable, and she fell in love with horse riding.

She had a favorite horse, a purebred Arabian, its chestnut coat shining brightly, with only a white mark on its forehead resembling a dagger. The horse was very human-like in nature, and she would visit and ride it almost every month.

Snapping back to the present, she lightly flicked her riding crop: "Go!"

By the time Cold Jiu and her entourage arrived at the Nanshan hunting ground, everyone had already gone into the woods, even the delicate young ladies had mounted horses to join the excitement. Only some soldiers and maids were left behind. As for Consort Li, she was reportedly recuperating from last night's miscarriage scare!

"Let's go!" Cold Jiu didn’t dismount, but directly spurred her horse towards the forest. This was her first time participating in such a hunt, likely much more interesting than the modern equivalent!

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!" The sound of arrows slicing through the air and the cheers of young ladies echoed from the forest. Cold Jiu raised an eyebrow and pressed on.

"Miss Hua! There's a hare, quick! Over there, a hare!"

"And there's another one over there!"

"Young Master Hua, shoot quickly! Take the shot!"

Cold Jiu almost burst into laughter, not because her thoughts were impure, but because the phrase was too easily misconstrued!

Her amusement was abruptly halted as an arrow whistled through the air, aiming straight at her face. "Empress Dowager, dodge!" Lu Chang's face, already pale, turned ghostly white with round, bulging eyes that could frighten anyone in the dark.

"Empress Dowager!" The guards behind her were also startled, but the arrow was too fast, catching them off guard. By the time they thought to intercept it, it was too late, the arrow already inches from Cold Jiu's face!

Just then, a red figure darted forward, tumbling her off the horse to the ground. They rolled twice before stopping. As everyone sighed in relief, an irritated voice scolded, "Are you mad? Why didn't you dodge?"

It wasn't that Cold Jiu forgot to dodge. Her past in the underworld, filled with countless assassinations, had honed her ability to remain calm in the face of danger. Even facing death, she wouldn't so much as furrow her brow. She knew of the incoming arrow before anyone else but remained unpanicked, confident she could evade it at the last moment - not out of blind self-assurance, but from the pride developed through countless brushes with death.