Chapter 17: Moving into the Prime Minister's Mansion (3)

Lou Xiyan, the person she was so desperate to escape, was currently looking at her with a leisurely and relaxed air. Looking at herself in contrast, she had run a huge circle, made herself look completely disheveled, and now, she had actually walked right into a trap.

"What a coincidence, we meet again." A light, shallow male voice, carrying a hint of irrepressible amusement, rang out softly.

Coincidence...

Zhuo Qing felt like crying but had no tears; this wasn't how things were supposed to go!

Frozen by the carriage door, Zhuo Qing was caught in a dilemma. She lowered her head in frustration and saw the light green hem of her skirt tied around her waist. Her eyes lit up, and she secretly warned herself: *Stay calm, stay calm. He might not recognize me! *

She looked up and met Lou Xiyan's slightly upturned, narrow eyes. Zhuo Qing wailed internally—it would be a miracle if he didn't recognize her! Knowing full well she was only deceiving herself, Zhuo Qing still gave a light cough, tugged down her skirt, and while backing away, said in what she considered her softest voice: "I'm sorry, I... got the wrong carriage."

Lou Xiyan raised an eyebrow slightly, his clear, mellow voice carrying a smile as it sounded low: "I thought you were going to say you were just passing by~"

Zhuo Qing's body stiffened, and she glared fiercely at Lou Xiyan.

As she looked up, the bright red bloodstain on her throat was clearly exposed. Lou Xiyan's narrow eyes narrowed slightly, his expression shifted, and he asked: "You're injured?"

She lightly touched her throat, which didn't hurt as much anymore; the blood had basically coagulated. Zhuo Qing replied nonchalantly: "It's nothing, just a scratch." What hurt more right now was her waist! Women really weren't suited for being fierce and aggressive—unless, of course, you counted women like Gu Yun who were genetic mutations!

As Zhuo Qing was slandering him in her heart, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. When she came to her senses, she had already been pulled by Lou Xiyan onto the soft couch of the carriage. Noticing a large patch of blood on the back of Zhuo Qing's neck, Lou Xiyan's heart tightened.

Feeling a slight pain in her wrist, Zhuo Qing looked at Lou Xiyan and saw his deep eyes fixed on the back of her neck. Remembering the man with the bushy beard who had sprayed blood all over her, Zhuo Qing quickly said: "That's not my blood!"

Lou Xiyan gently lifted her collar a little; indeed, he only saw bloodstains and no wounds. This woman was truly not simple; she had only been out for an hour and had already managed to provoke a "bloody case."

Her neck was itching, and Zhuo Qing, feeling very uncomfortable, struggled to stand up.

"Don't move." With a weight on her shoulder, Zhuo Qing was pressed back onto the soft couch by Lou Xiyan. His light, shallow voice sounded different from his usual gentle tone; it sounded somewhat low. Zhuo Qing looked up and saw Lou Xiyan retrieve a plain white handkerchief from the carriage. One hand lifted her chin, while the other gently wrapped the silk handkerchief around her neck. His hands were somewhat cool. Being so close, there was a faint scent of sandalwood on him—it wasn't overpowering, and it smelled better than ordinary men's cologne. Lou Xiyan's nearly perfect profile was swaying before her eyes again. Zhuo Qing felt it was becoming difficult to breathe, but she would never admit to being bewitched by his good looks, resolutely attributing it to the handkerchief being wrapped too tightly.

Feeling Zhuo Qing's body becoming increasingly stiff, the corners of Lou Xiyan's mouth curled up almost imperceptibly. When necessary, the "handsome man tactic" was also feasible. Lou Xiyan's movements became even gentler, and he took a long time just to tie the knot.

Zhuo Qing cursed inwardly; he was definitely doing this on purpose! Was it necessary to get this close just to bandage a wound?! Once he finally finished, Zhuo Qing awkwardly retreated a bit, stood up, and said: "Thank you, I'll be going now." Even if he knew she was the youth in the gray robe, he had no reason to stop her from leaving.

Unless—

"Qingfeng, if you leave like this, I'm afraid your sisters will also be implicated, and even the Haoyue Kingdom will not escape its fate." It was that same faint, light, indifferent chuckle again, which almost drove Zhuo Qing crazy.

The grief and indignation! She knew it; those villagers were simply not to be trusted! They had actually betrayed her! And she had helped them so much.

Turning back with resentment, Zhuo Qing replied coldly: "Are you threatening me?" She wasn't Qingfeng; he had better not think about threatening her! It was impossible.

Leaning against the carriage and sitting cross-legged, Lou Xiyan replied with a faint smile: "Miss Qing has wronged me. I never do things like threats that have no practical effect." Such a casual sitting posture didn't make Lou Xiyan look crude; instead, it revealed an elegance mixed with free-spiritedness.

Unfortunately, Zhuo Qing was in no mood to appreciate it. This person was too vengeful! He had actually thrown her own words back at her.

*Stay calm, stay calm! Cultivate your character! * Zhuo Qing took several deep breaths before she managed to stabilize her about-to-erupt emotions. She simply sat down beside Lou Xiyan and challenged him: "Then what do you want, Prime Minister Lou?"

Seeing her trying her best to suppress her temper, Lou Xiyan secretly found it amusing and replied softly: "Actually, Miss Qing, you need not worry. Inviting you to stay at the Prime Minister's Mansion is not meant to make things difficult for you. It is just that the Emperor's grace is vast, and I have no choice but to accept. Since you are injured, you can recuperate well at the mansion, and I can even try my best to arrange for you to meet your sisters. How about that?"

Sisters? She had fainted together with Gu Yun; was it possible that one of the Qing sisters was Gu Yun?! Although the possibility was slim, Zhuo Qing still wanted to see them; she wouldn't let any opportunity pass! Looking straight at Lou Xiyan, Zhuo Qing asked in a deep voice: "Can you let me see them?"

The fish had taken the bait!

With gentle eyes and an incomparably earnest tone, Lou Xiyan replied aloud: "I will certainly do my best."

Zhuo Qing rolled her eyes. It would be a miracle if she believed such a perfunctory answer. "What I want to know is whether you can or cannot."

A flash of interest crossed his eyes; this girl wasn't stupid after all.

Nodding slowly, Lou Xiyan replied firmly: "I can." It was only a matter of time.

After pondering for a moment, Zhuo Qing asked again: "If I go to the Prime Minister's Mansion, is my status that of your concubine?"

Lou Xiyan's expression was sincere as he smiled and replied: "Of course, you are an honored guest." The Emperor had already bestowed her upon him; her status had long been determined—she was a concubine~ He had no choice in the matter.

"Can I enter and leave the Prime Minister's Mansion freely?"

Nodding nonchalantly, Lou Xiyan replied generously: "You can." Though it would be freedom under his supervision.

Zhuo Qing replied readily: "Deal!"

She had no choice at all. She was penniless and covered in wounds. Not to mention that Lou Xiyan had gone through such a big circle just to block her path—it was absolutely impossible for him to let her go. Even if he really did let her go, where would she find money in the short term! Those who know the times are wise; she would just have to submit for now.

She didn't know if Zhuo Qing would still be so ready to agree after hearing Lou Xiyan's supplementary explanation regarding the answer, but at this moment, it was better that she didn't know.

"Return to the mansion." The light, cheerful voice revealed the owner's good mood.

"Yes."

Hearing the voice from outside the carriage, Zhuo Qing stiffened again. She gently lifted the curtain. Outside the carriage, Mo Bai stood proudly by the side. Seeing Zhuo Qing, he still wore a cold expression, and a mocking smile of self-righteousness flashed in his eyes.

Could it be that everything today was within Lou Xiyan's grasp, planned by him alone?

A chill ran down her spine; Zhuo Qing felt she had been tricked!

Had she just escaped the tiger's den only to enter the wolf's lair...

Inside the carriage, Lou Xiyan and Zhuo Qing occupied opposite sides. Since going to the Prime Minister's Mansion was a foregone conclusion, Zhuo Qing stopped looking for trouble for herself. She had always been one to adapt to circumstances—home is where you are. After all the tossing and turning, Zhuo Qing felt a bit dizzy. Fortunately, the carriage ride was relatively smooth. Supporting her head, Zhuo Qing glanced sideways at Lou Xiyan. He was looking at a book with his head slightly lowered. She didn't know if it was his habitual expression, but the corners of his lips seemed to always be slightly upturned. To be honest, he looked very good like this, but unfortunately, Zhuo Qing couldn't feel the joy that a smile should have; it was like a professional smile—polite and distant.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 18 =====