Chapter 107: Embarrassed State

Chapter 107: An Embarrassing Predicament

"Qin Jiao is in my hands."

In the secluded villa at the southernmost edge of the Northern Suburb Forest Farm, Xie Chengyi's harsh voice rang out. "Who would have guessed he'd be here with me?"

"Your Highness is indeed wise, having sought the Noble Consort Dowager's help to bring him over so effortlessly," Miao Mao echoed softly.

"Your Highness, before we arrived, the Noble Consort Dowager said this is the last time. Consider it a fulfillment of your wish. From now on, you must focus your mind and not indulge in lust any longer." After Miao Mao finished, a female voice chimed in.

"Alright, Nanny Yan, you may withdraw." If it weren't for the fact that Nanny Yan was a close attendant of his mother, Consort Dowager Ying, Xie Chengyi would have gladly taught her a lesson. It was just a casual remark, yet she kept nagging him repeatedly, truly annoying.

"This is the condition the Consort Dowager set for helping you. She only hopes you'll engage in proper matters and not be led astray by such lowly creatures."

As Nanny Yan spoke, she cast a disdainful glance at the young gentleman lying on the bed. Disheveled black hair covered Qin Jiao's bright and delicate face. He had been changed into a plain white robe, his slender waist accentuated by a jade belt. The bed curtains fluttered gently, faintly revealing the young master's alluring charm.

"I know, I know. Get out!" Xie Chengyi waved his hand impatiently. Miao Mao, perceptive as ever, stepped forward. "Nanny Yan, allow me to see you out."

After seeing off the nagging Nanny Yan, Xie Chengyi felt a lightness all over. When Miao Mao returned, he asked cheerfully, "Is Charming Spring ready?"

"Here it is, Your Highness. Please take a look." Miao Mao handed over a bluish-gray bottle.

"Good." Xie Chengyi nodded with satisfaction. "Ha, no matter how capable Xie Nai is, I am the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."

Xie Chengyi laughed arrogantly. "Now that the man is in my hands, no matter how chaste and proud Qin Jiao pretends to be, he's now at my mercy, to be shaped as I please."

Hearing this, Miao Mao frowned slightly. "Your Highness, you need to be quick. The Fifth Prince can't stall for too long. Once you're done, we still need to send him to the medical office."

Miao Mao meant this as a reminder for Xie Chengyi to watch the time and not disrupt their plan, but Xie Chengyi suddenly flared up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "What do you mean?"

"Your Highness, forgive me. I meant no offense."

"He means you're not good enough."

Miao Mao's panicked voice and Qin Jiao's sarcastic inner thoughts rang out simultaneously.

Yes, Qin Jiao wasn't actually unconscious. Xie Chengyi thought he was the oriole, but little did he know, there was an eagle behind the oriole.

Having just obtained his "beauty," Xie Chengyi couldn't be bothered to argue with Miao Mao. "Enough, you get out too!"

Miao Mao softly acknowledged with a "Yes." As he was about to leave, he glanced at the person who had been standing silently in the corner and said softly, "Lord Qin, let's go together."

Because Qin Yuanshan stood in the shadows too quietly, and Xie Chengyi was too carried away with his triumph, he had momentarily forgotten about him.

Xie Chengyi shot Qin Yuanshan a glance, then suddenly sneered. "What, Lord Qin, reluctant to part with your son?"

"Your servant wouldn't dare. It is Qin Jiao's fortune to serve Your Highness." Qin Yuanshan smiled respectfully.

Xie Chengyi was in a superb mood, and Qin Yuanshan had contributed significantly to this success. If he hadn't jumped into the pond to fish out the "fake Qin Jiao," covered his face, and sent him to the medical office, this "stealing the sky" scheme—even with his mother's help—wouldn't have been flawless.

Now, many had seen that after Qin Jiao fell into the water, he was taken to the medical office by his father. Meanwhile, Xie Nai was detained by Xie Ji'an. As long as he had his way and then sent Qin Jiao back, everything would be seamless.

"In view of your merits today, rest assured, I promise you: as long as your son serves me well, the position of Minister of Rites will be yours."

Xie Chengyi patted Qin Yuanshan's shoulder, then added with a mocking laugh, "Oh, I misspoke. He's not your son, just a bastard."

"I..."

Qin Yuanshan opened his mouth, his face suddenly turning very ugly.

"So there's no need for you to put on that reluctant, mournful expression. Who are you trying to fool?" Xie Chengyi fingered the walking stick in his hand. "When you asked me for a man to kill him, you seemed quite ruthless."

On the bed, unnoticed, Qin Jiao shuddered violently. In an instant, cold sweat soaked his back.

Qin Yuanshan: "Your Highness misunderstands. Your servant feels no reluctance. Every moment of spring night is precious. Please attend to your affairs. Your servant will take his leave."

Xie Chengyi was very pleased with Qin Yuanshan's tact. "Go, and on your way out, call in the painter waiting outside."

After Qin Yuanshan and Miao Mao withdrew, the waiting painter entered with his head lowered, carrying iron whips, branding irons, candles, and chili water.

"Go, use this on him."

Xie Chengyi tossed the bottle of Charming Spring to the painter, then picked up a branding iron and placed it into the red-hot charcoal brazier.

The painter obeyed, walking toward Qin Jiao. After a moment, he said, "Your Highness, it's ready."

"Good. Now paint. If you do well, you'll be generously rewarded."

This painter, hired at great expense by Xie Chengyi, specialized in human anatomy. Having obtained Qin Jiao, Xie Chengyi had no intention of letting him go. Even if Qin Jiao had ties with Xie Nai, it didn't matter—he had his own ways to gradually subdue him.

The first step was to have the painter capture today's embarrassing predicament, then tattoo their moment of passion onto his back. The second step was to use the red-hot branding iron to stamp a few marks on Qin Jiao's body.

Everything Xie Chengyi used had to bear his mark.

"Qin Jiao..." The red-hot branding iron was scorching, and the curling smoke blurred Xie Chengyi's sinister eyes. "Three years. Let this mark be my gift to you."

As he spoke, Xie Chengyi didn't hesitate, pressing the iron toward Qin Jiao's back. But just as it was about to make contact, the painter beside Xie Chengyi suddenly leaped up, kicking Xie Chengyi's arm!

"Ah!!"

Xie Chengyi felt a piercing pain in his arm, then the red-hot branding iron clattered to the ground, and he himself was knocked sideways.

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