Chapter 170: Don't You Go Too Far!

Perhaps Ren Yidao is right; what I truly need is a brother.

"Since you are so adamant in your refusal, then I... shall press you no further."

Li Long is not the type of fellow to quibble over trifles or insist on having his way.

A free-spirited nature makes up a large part of his character.

"However, you have helped me with quite a few things, so I cannot leave you unrewarded."

He drapes an arm over Ren Yidao's shoulder and laughs heartily:

"Speak, what reward do you want? Tell me."

A reward?

Ren Yidao blinks, unable to keep up with Li Long's erratic train of thought for a moment.

Whoa.

As expected of a big boss; is this his method for winning people over?

Terrifying, truly terrifying.

"What? You don't even want this?"

Seeing Ren Yidao make no response, Li Long raises an eyebrow and says, feigning anger:

"Since you wish to be my brother, then do not be so evasive with me in everything; do not make me look down on you."

Evasive?

No, no, no.

If you ask me to do work, I won't accept.

But if you are talking about giving me money directly, then I have no reason to refuse!

"Uh, no, I do indeed have one request."

Thinking of the matter that has been hidden in his heart for a long time, Ren Yidao cannot help but show a bit of excitement and shyness on his face.

He says:

"Ahem, for this matter, as long as you give the word... no, as long as you give your tacit consent, that is enough."

"You just pretend you know nothing, and leave the rest to me."

Li Long:?

What is this kid up to?

Looking at the shyness on the youth's face, Li Long instinctively feels that something is wrong.

Oh no!

There is a problem, this matter is highly problematic!

Have I invited a wolf into my house?

"Uh, I will warn you first: do not suggest any excessive reasons."

In short, to prevent him from saying anything rebellious, Li Long speaks his mind first.

Do not you dare have any designs on my Inner Palace!

Unaware that his good brother has become guarded against him, Ren Yidao remains immersed in his own beautiful vision.

"As long as he gives his tacit consent, everything else will be easy to handle."

"Hehe..."

Feng Palace, secret chamber.

"..."

Having awakened, Li Fengyao looks at the empty bed beside her and rises in silence.

"Gone?"

The room no longer holds that person's scent; it seems they have already been gone for some time.

Frowning slightly, Li Fengyao does not know why she feels dissatisfied.

Is it because he did not stay according to her wishes?

Or is it because she was actually looking forward to him staying?

Not raising a hand to cover the quilt on her chest, she lets the dragon-and-phoenix quilt slide down, revealing her fair skin.

Walking off the bed naked just like that, she looks around the room and finally lets her gaze rest on the table.

Compared to last night, there is now a clay pot on it that is still steaming.

Lifting the lid, she looks at the congee inside and is speechless for a moment.

"I am actually feeling a hint of being moved by something like this... Heh."

Shaking her head to cast away the unfamiliar emotion in her heart, she intends to lift it and pour it out, but stops before she can act.

"Doing that would make it seem like I have a guilty conscience."

Muttering to herself, she silently puts the lid back on the clay pot.

As for what she is truly thinking, perhaps only she herself knows.

Stretching her body comfortably, Li Fengyao is about to change into her clothes when she suddenly raises an eyebrow.

"This..."

The groom's robe she had been wearing has been taken away, and all that remains in its place is the bride's wedding dress that the youth had been wearing earlier.

And at this moment, she suddenly realizes something she had subconsciously ignored before.

There is not a hint of discomfort on her body.

The pain and fatigue rumored to be felt the next day were entirely absent; there was only lightness and comfort.

Recalling it, it seemed that while she was half-asleep and half-awake, someone had cleaned her body and even massaged it.

"Ren Yidao..."

Gently murmuring this name, Li Fengyao, as if possessed, picked up the bridal gown, hugged it, and covered her face with it.

She covered her cheeks, but could not hide the pink tips of her ears that were exposed.

After a while, a refreshed Li Fengyao walked out of the secret chamber.

She had already returned to her usual appearance as the Second Prince, her demeanor no different from before, showing not the slightest change.

Her steps were firm, without any unsteadiness or discomfort; the things she had originally worried about had already been easily resolved by someone.

As for the events of yesterday, she only intended to keep them in her heart.

Regardless, what happened had happened, and she believed he would be the same as her, keeping silent about it.

This was the tacit understanding between the two of them.

And being able to achieve this was already enough.

"You will be mine."

"No matter how long it takes."

Silently murmuring in her heart, Li Fengyao smiled and nodded at every servant she passed, causing those young maids to blush and hide away.

What surprised those maids was the Second Prince's smile, which was even softer and warmer than usual.

"His Highness seems to be in an especially good mood today."

"Mm-hmm, I noticed it too; he feels even more approachable than usual."

"I really envy that woman from yesterday; I wonder whose daughter she is to be able to win His Highness's heart."

"Shh! Stop talking; the events of yesterday must never be told to anyone else, or it will bring trouble to His Highness!"

"Oh, oh, I understand."

The pile of food, wine, and decorations in the secret chamber was naturally not the work of Li Fengyao alone; there were a few maids who knew the situation.

But what they knew was very limited, only that after the Second Prince returned yesterday, he brought back a woman who had lost consciousness.

Not only did he have them prepare the secret chamber, but he even personally changed her into the bridal gown!

Li Fengyao was aware of the maids' discussions, but did not care much.

These people in her palace were all people whose backgrounds she knew thoroughly, and she held leverage over all of them.

Without sufficient bargaining chips, these people would not betray her.

Moreover, if she could not even make these people obey her orders, then she might as well stop competing for the imperial throne and find a place to bury herself early.

"The Emperor should have returned from Wanhua Valley by now; I wonder how exactly it was handled."

And as she returned to her study, preparing to ponder how to act next, she stood still before the door.

Inside the room, there was an unfamiliar aura.

The other party had not concealed their presence, appearing brazenly within her study.

Who is it?

An assassin? No, an assassin would not be so arrogant.

Narrowing her eyes, Li Fengyao only pondered for a few breaths before making a decision.

She did not retreat, but instead gently pushed open the door and walked in with her head held high.

No matter who you are, you cannot act presumptuously here...

Hm?

Before she could even speak, Li Fengyao's originally solemn expression suddenly relaxed.

"This is..."

Looking at the small creature sleeping on her desk, her furrowed brows smoothed out, and she examined it uncertainly for a long time.

"A white fox?"