Chapter 21: The Mason Prince

Gao Li’s words were nothing short of a lifeline to Yang Guifei. In a soft voice, she whispered, “Let go of me… If anyone sees us, we’ll both be ruined.”

Zhao Su replied, “Your Highness, why don’t you first ask him what he wants?”

Yang Guifei pulled away, putting some distance between them, and only then did her fraught heart settle a little. She loathed this scoundrel who dared take such liberties with her—she wished she could slice him into a thousand pieces—yet, against her will, she found herself lost in the lingering sensations.

“Eunuch Gao, whatever business you have, speak of it outside,” Yang Guifei said, her voice trembling as she shot Zhao Su a furious glare. If not for the presence of others, she would have liked nothing more than to strangle him on the spot.

But Zhao Su seemed oblivious to her anger. He threatened in a low voice, “Enough. If you continue this nonsense, I’ll call for help.”

Zhao Su met her crimson cheeks with a steady gaze. “If we’re discovered, I’ll say you seduced me. Then we’ll see whom the Emperor believes—you or me.”

“You dared to come to Huaqing Palace at night, which is improper. Who do you think His Majesty will believe?” Yang Guifei, sensing she had no way out, decided to take her chances, feigning indifference to the potential scandal.

A sly smile curled at Zhao Su’s lips. “You received me dressed in nothing but sheer silk. Who do you suppose His Majesty will believe?”

“You…” Yang Guifei was flushed with anger. She’d only come out so hastily because she was curious about why the Crown Prince had come to Huaqing Palace, not bothering to dress properly.

Little did she expect that her state of undress would become his excuse for such impudence. Even if she were to face the Emperor himself dressed like this, she could hardly explain herself.

While she fumed in silence, not daring to raise her voice, Gao Li’s voice came from outside: “Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to proceed at once to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.”

Only then did Zhao Su climb off Yang Guifei, sniffing at his damp fingers as he did so, and remarked, “Your Highness truly is a natural beauty, fragrant in every way.”

Yang Guifei glared at him, teeth clenched, as she sat up, wishing she could shred Zhao Su into pieces. “I’ll have your head for this, sooner or later.”

“Careful, or you might find yourself unable to live without me, thinking of me day and night,” Zhao Su teased, settling onto a nearby chair to sip his tea.

“Bah! If this happens again, I’ll drag you down