Chapter 16: Arrival at the Inner Cabinet

Throughout the five thousand years of Yanxia’s history, warfare, palace intrigue, and political machinations have run through every dynasty. The strategies of any one dynasty would be more than enough to overwhelm the people of this foreign world. Witnessing Zhao Heng’s crude tricks, Zhao Su felt no desire to expose them. If you want to play, then I shall play along. Let’s see if, in the end, you don’t come crying for your mother.

“Sixth Brother, I have much to attend to. I must take my leave,” he said, bowing and stepping toward his carriage.

Zhao Heng bid him farewell with a smile, but as Zhao Su turned away, the smile vanished from his face, replaced by a hint of disdain. “A year’s deadline is nothing. I can wait. I only hope you have the skill to drag those factions down with you.”

As Zhao Su entered his carriage, he caught sight of Liu Rushi, her cheeks stained with tears, sunk in a restless sleep. For a man young and full of vigor, whose nerves had only just relaxed, the sight was impossible to resist—a wave of heat rose within him.

He let out a guttural roar and lunged forward, arms outstretched.

Liu Rushi, deep in slumber and lost in memories of happier times, suddenly sensed a fierce specter rushing at her. She woke with a start, greeted by Zhao Su’s wicked, alluring smile looming above her.

Before she could scream, Zhao Su pulled her into his arms. Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he released her, leaving Liu Rushi pale as death. A cold smile curled on his lips. “Let me give you something else.”

He abruptly tore aside the curtains.

Liu Rushi shrieked in fright, hurriedly wrapping herself in a quilt to conceal her body.

Zhao Su gripped her head, forcing her to look at the Sixth Prince, Zhao Heng, standing on the steps outside. He shouted, “Sixth Brother, thank you for sending me such a beauty. I am thoroughly enjoying myself.”

As he spoke, he repeatedly slapped Liu Rushi’s flawless back, each strike leaving a red mark. Zhao Heng’s eyes flashed with murderous intent; his fists clenched so tightly inside his sleeves that the knuckles cracked. Faced with Zhao Su’s provocation, his fury was boundless.

He drew a deep breath, then bowed with a smile. “As long as you’re happy, Brother. I wish you joy, and may you soon have many children.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Sixth Brother,” Zhao Su laughed, shamelessly caressing Liu Rushi’s delicate shoulder as the carriage rolled away.

The Crown Prince’s carriage had barely left when Zhao Heng’s cheerful expression darkened. His eyes glinted like those of a wolf in the night—cold and unsettling. “I will make you pay dearly. I’ll make you wish you were dead,” he growled, his voice like an owl’s cry.

There was no one around; only the icy halls of Qianqing Palace heard his threat.

In the whole of Great Qin, those he trusted could be counted on one hand, and Liu Rushi was among them. Marrying her off as a concubine to the Crown Prince Zhao Su was a temporary measure, a way to monitor his every move. After all, the Crown Prince was a fool—he could never harm her.

But after just a month, the Crown Prince’s madness vanished. From what he’d just seen, Liu Rushi was suffering under his torment. Rage surged within Zhao Heng; he wished he could kill the Crown Prince outright.

Yet a voice within urged him to remain calm: a small loss could ruin the greater plan.

The Crown Prince’s palace was located in the eastern part of the inner city, hence it was called the Eastern Palace.

The journey from Qianqing Palace back to the Eastern Palace was brief, but to Liu Rushi, it felt like an eternity. The maids and eunuchs outside seemed deaf and blind, seeing and hearing nothing.

Zhao Su, bare-chested, lounged against his seat, his eyes burning as he watched Liu Rushi curled in a corner. Her tear-stained face, skin pale as snow, made her all the more alluring. Gone was her earlier beauty; now she resembled a wounded kitten, stirring anyone’s pity.

“I could have killed you. The fact you’re still alive is something to be grateful for. If you keep acting half-dead, I won’t hesitate to finish the job,” Zhao Su said, pouring himself a glass of wine and sipping it with a smile.

She was only a concubine, not the Crown Prince’s wife. Even if he killed her, no one would care.

Liu Rushi remained motionless. From the moment Zhao Su violated her, she had lost the will to live.

Zhao Su suddenly leaned in, staring into her lifeless eyes. “If you dare end your life, I will make Zhao Heng suffer more than death.”

At these words, Liu Rushi’s pupils contracted sharply. She glared at Zhao Su with venom. “He’s an imperial prince. If you kill him, the Emperor won’t spare you.”

Zhao Su laughed arrogantly. “I am the Crown Prince, holding the imperial sword—acting as though my father were present. If I wish to kill him, I need only accuse him of treason. He’ll die without a grave.”

Liu Rushi trembled violently, panic-stricken. She pleaded, “No, you can’t kill him. Your Highness, I beg you—don’t kill him. I won’t die, I promise. I won’t take my own life.”

Zhao Heng was the man she loved. For him, she would do anything. As long as his life was spared, she would endure whatever was asked of her.

“That’s better. As long as you live, so will he. If you dare die, he won’t live an hour past you,” Zhao Su said, smiling.

It was not Liu Rushi’s body he craved, but the knowledge that keeping her alive would leave a thorn in Zhao Heng’s heart—a constant irritation, even if it couldn’t truly harm him.

“I will live. I’ll serve Your Highness faithfully,” Liu Rushi nodded hurriedly, not daring to defy him.

Seeing her aggrieved, delicate demeanor, Zhao Su felt a pang of pity. But remembering she was a spy, he steeled himself again.

Liu Rushi whimpered softly.

Soon, the carriage returned to the Eastern Palace. Zhao Su ordered several maids to escort Liu Rushi to bathe; her body was soaked in sweat and odor, and even her beauty could not mask it.

Jinxiu, accompanied by several maids, came to greet him. Zhao Su suddenly remembered he had forgotten to ask the Emperor to grant Jinxiu the title of concubine.

It was no matter; he could deal with it tomorrow. As the acting Crown Prince, he could confer the title himself if necessary.

He entered his bedchamber and allowed Jinxiu to help him change. Now that he held the authority of regent, he planned to visit the cabinet and the three ministries after changing his attire.

Once undressed, Jinxiu blushed deeply at the sight of Zhao Su’s toned body, her cheeks like ripe peaches.

Passion surged in Zhao Su’s heart, and he pulled her into his arms. Jinxiu stiffened, feeling the Crown Prince’s hands exploring her body. She melted against him, her breath quickening, cheeks flushed.

Zhao Su withdrew his hands from beneath her robes and sniffed them, smiling. “Go bathe and wait for me.”

Jinxiu lowered her head shyly, nodding slowly, her heart pounding wildly.

He donned a python-embroidered robe, fastening it with a jade and gold belt. The token of regency hung at his waist. Only then did he lead his retinue in grand procession toward the cabinet.