Chapter 34: Actually, I told you the answer from the very beginning

Ah!

Impudent!

Do you believe I'll shout for help?

Xiao Zhiqing was startled by Chen Yan's sudden move, her face turned pale, and she screamed.

The forced composure she had put on vanished completely at this moment....

Xiao Zhiqing really panicked; she saw lust in this man's eyes.

Shout!

Shouting till your throat is raw won't help....

Chen Yan suppressed the upward twitch of his lips, forcing himself to play the rogue teasing a maiden, and said, "This is my manor; who could possibly save you here?"

Don't say it, really don't say it—this twenty-year-old Imperial Consort not only looks beautiful, her figure is top-notch.

Her slender waist could be encircled in one hand.

It feels great!

Xiao Zhiqing shoved Chen Yan away, kept retreating until she hit the corner, arms crossed over her shoulders, voice trembling, "Don't come over!"

Don't come over!

If you come any closer, I... I'll bite my tongue and kill myself!

Having said that, she stiffened her neck and glared at the ruffian before her.

She attempted to use this 'threat' to achieve self-rescue.

Bite!

Chen Yan remained unmoved, continued forward, placed his hand on Xiao Zhiqing's head, pinning her against the wall, his gaze fierce, he coldly said, "If you dare bite, I'll send your corpse to the beggars' den for them to feast on...."

Then throw it into the wilderness to be devoured by jackals and hyenas!

Chen Yan's eyes were icy cold, sharp as a blade, piercing straight at the target, with a near‑mad killing intent surging deep within.

A chilling killing intent emanated from his whole being.

A threat?

What Chen Yan fears most is a threat, and what he excels at is also a threat!

You...

Wuu...

Xiao Zhiqing was given a fright, her delicate body trembled, repressed emotions burst uncontrollably, two lines of clear tears streamed down her cheeks, and she cried out.

That frightened, pitiful appearance made my heart ache.

Just thinking about being defiled by beggars after death and ending up as food for jackals and hyenas made Xiao Zhiqing cry even louder.

All right, I won't scare you....

Chen Yan raised his hand, wiped Xiao Zhiqing's tears, curled the corner of his mouth into a smile, and teased, "Such a beauty with flower‑like face and moon‑like grace, I couldn't bear to let you perish."

Hahaha!

Having said that, he held the woman and sat her back at the table.

Who exactly are you?

What do you want now?

Xiao Zhiqing, eyes red, timidly looked at Chen Yan, lightly bit her lip, and asked in a wronged tone.

She could no longer tell how many faces this man, who looked younger than her, actually had....

But just now she truly felt that bone‑chilling cold and killing intent.

At that moment, perhaps she really had murderous intent.

I am Chen Yan; yesterday at Jinque Palace, you should have seen me....

Chen Yan propped his face with his hand and said leisurely.

He paused, then added, "That's me delivering the decree, sending Murong Hao to Zhongyang!"

Xiao Zhiqing stared, yesterday's scenes flashed before her, that face overlapped before her eyes, she looked at Chen Yan in disbelief and said, "It's you..."

You are the Vermilion Bird Inspector of the Bright Mirror Bureau!

And what about Your Majesty?

Xiao Zhiqing never imagined that the kidnapper who had taken liberties with her would be that very person from yesterday.

Where does he get such audacity?

Dead!

Chen Yan lifted the meat porridge, took a light sip, and replied without any emotional fluctuation.

He paused, then continued, "The just‑received news is that Murong Hao and all his family, including Imperial Consort Xiao,...."

They all died in last night's capsizing!

Including the following content, the words were spoken with heavy emphasis.

The implication behind those words goes without saying.

What?!

Xiao Zhiqing jumped up in shock, stared at Chen Yan's calm expression, a bold guess rose in her mind, and she tentatively asked, "This... won't... won't be your doing, will it?"

Having said that, she took a deep breath.

In the depths of her beautiful eyes, only terror remained.

Murong Hao, along with those people, died in the capsizing, and that boat was prepared by Chen Yan....

It's hard not to let one's imagination run wild!

Truly clever, you guessed right on the first try!

Chen Yan not only did not deny, but even snapped his fingers, openly admitting.

He also appraised Xiao Zhiqing with a look of appreciation, saying teasingly, "It seems you're not just beautiful, you also have a bit of brains...."

Not a mere vase-like beauty, she can make accurate judgments quickly even in an unknown environment with little information.

Chen Yan grew increasingly interested in this woman....

Xiao Zhiqing heard this, slumped back to her original seat, eyes vacant, muttering, "It was Yuwen Hu who ordered it...."

"I said he wouldn't let Your Majesty off so easily...."

After a moment of belated realization, a greater doubt arose in Xiao Zhiqing's heart; she looked at Chen Yan puzzled and asked, "Then why did you alone save me?"

"It's just lust at first sight!"

Chen Yan shrugged, obsessively staring at Xiao Zhiqing's magnificent visage, and laughed, "I, Chen Yan, am lecherous, especially fond of other men's wives!"

"Since I first saw Her Ladyship yesterday, I've been utterly bewitched, unable to extricate myself...."

Chen Yan showed no blush, no racing heart.

He spoke with utter righteousness and confidence.

It seemed as if liking Cao Zei and harboring Meng De's ambition were something glorious.

"Nonsense!"

Xiao Zhiqing almost blurted out, declaring firmly, "With your status, plus Yuwen Hu's favor toward you, what woman could you not obtain...."

"It's absolutely impossible that he'd risk everything just for lust!"

Xiao Zhiqing didn't believe a single word of what came from Chen Yan's mouth.

Even if his lust-filled appearance were feigned to perfection....

Taking such a huge risk just because he's craving her body—could he really be treating her like a three-year-old to deceive?

Would Yuwen Hu's favorite minister and confidant still lack women, be swayed by them?

"Big Bear has brains; you woman are far superior to that talentless, overly ambitious Murong Hao—by leaps and bounds!"

Chen Yan dropped his pretense, the corner of his mouth curling into an arc, and spoke solemnly.

He paused, then continued, "Actually, I've told you the answer from the very beginning...."

Xiao Zhiqing startled, reflected briefly, then suddenly realized: "Lanling Xiao Clan, the royal house of Liang—you're after me because of my identity!"

"Chen Yan, your ambitions are not small!"

At that moment, Xiao Zhiqing vaguely guessed the intentions of the man before her.

With her in his grasp, Chen Yan could advance to attack or retreat to defend.

Should he lose power in Zhou State or face personal danger, he could use her identity to flee south and seek refuge in Liang.

This man took such a great risk to prepare for the future, leaving himself ample retreat and room for error....

"Qingyu, from now on Xiao Zhiqing is under your care; her food, lodging, and daily needs shall meet my standards, all reasonable requests fulfilled...."

"She may move freely within the manor, but cannot step half a foot outside the main gate!"

Chen Yan smiled faintly, gestured to summon Qingyu, and instructed.

"Yes." Qingyu nodded in reply.

"You want to put me under house arrest?"

Seeing this, Xiao Zhiqing frowned slightly and asked.

Having just escaped the tiger's den of Jinque Palace, she turned her head only to stumble into a wolf's lair.

The only difference was, there was no longer a threat to her life....

"How can this be called house arrest?"

Chen Yan shook his head, smiling, "It's merely for your safety and my own little life...."

"After all, harboring a former dynasty's imperial consort is a serious crime!"

Li Gousheng's conduct is commendable; playing it safe is always right.

A dog's life is most important.

"You daring lunatic, actually you get scared too!" Xiao Zhiqing laughed, mocking.

"From now on, just settle down here in peace...."

Chen Yan paid no heed, saying to himself, "I won't shun you like Murong Hao does!"

"On the condition you don't court death!"

The Former Yan's Deposed Emperor was notorious for disliking this Xiao imperial consort.

Because of his hatred for the Southern Liang Kingdom and due to Yuwen Xin's coercion to marry, Xiao Zhiqing entered the palace at sixteen and was left neglected for four full years.

Even her wedding night was spent alone in an empty chamber.

"You... you all know?" Xiao Zhiqing was taken aback.

"What do you say?" Chen Yan raised his eyebrows and countered.

Xiao Zhiqing nodded and said in realization: "Ah, you are the Mingjing Mirror Keeper; checking these things is no trouble at all...."

"It's even just a matter of a single sentence!"

Speaking, a bitter smile curled at the corner of the mouth.

Unbidden, memories of the past four years' life in the Cold Palace surfaced.

Even after four years of marriage, she's still like an unmarried maiden—probably only she is like that....

"Alright, first fill your stomach!"

Chen Yan ladled a bowl of meat porridge, shoved it into Xiao Zhiqing's hand, and said: "From now on, if you want to eat something, just tell the kitchen...."

He paused, then added: "Eat more—I like women who look slim in clothes but have flesh when undressed!"

After saying that, he lightly sniffed, the virgin's faint fragrance lingering around his nostrils.

Who asked you to like me?

Xiao Zhiqing's face turned scarlet as she glared, "If you dare harbor any improper thoughts, I'll kill myself and ruin your schemes!"

Even though she couldn't stop it or resist it, she could still put up a tough front.

Threatening me?

Chen Yan gave an ambiguous smile, lifted Xiao Zhiqing onto the table, leaned close to her face, and said, "As for me, I not only dare to think, I also dare to think and act...."

The more others don't want me to do something, the more I want to do it!