Chapter 230: Cannot Ask, Dare Not Ask

The guards were all outside, separated by a curtain. Xu Xingchen made no attempt to conceal his actions, brazenly holding Xiao Yang’s hand. He stroked it, squeezed it, and even stole a kiss now and then, making it impossible for her to even drink her tea in peace.

It was only because he was so endearing that she, though exasperated, tolerated his behavior.

Someone rode a bicycle past downstairs, eliciting a flurry of gasps from the street below.

After so many days, bicycles were no longer a complete novelty, but the excitement surrounding them hadn’t faded.

They didn’t need to be fed, saving time and effort. Getting around was as simple as pedaling, which was both convenient and stylish.

Xu Xingchen leaned against Xiao Yang’s arm, letting her pinch his cheek. His gaze swept over the scene downstairs before immediately returning to her.

"The government office has taken on three cases of stolen bicycles," he said. "They’re inlaid with gold and gems—no wonder people are after them."

Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow. "And has Mr. Xu managed to solve the cases?"

Xu Xingchen nodded, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her, as if waiting for something.

As expected, he received a kiss that tasted of tea.

Although Xu Xingchen still blushed, he had at least learned how to breathe during their kisses. He was always well-behaved when begging for affection, letting her kiss her fill before kissing her back.

However, Xu Xingchen was no longer satisfied with just kisses. He wanted more.

He reluctantly sat up straight, a mischievous idea flashing in his downcast eyes.

"Hey, are you blind?"

A woman’s angry voice instantly drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.

It turned out two people had bumped into each other, and the packet of medicine in a young woman’s hand had been knocked to the ground.

The one who had caused the collision, knowing they were at fault, quickly picked up the packet. "My apologies, miss. Here is your medicine."

The woman snatched the packet angrily and stormed off, and with that, the little scene came to an end.

"Ji Feifei."

Xu Xingchen spoke up. "She’s the young lady from the Ji Family. She’s staying at the South Lane Mansion with Xiao Mo now."

Xiao Yang understood. "But... she ran out to buy medicine. Don’t tell me it’s for Xiao Mo? Didn’t the Imperial Physician already send some over?"

Xu Xingchen couldn’t answer, so Xiao Yang immediately sent someone to investigate the situation.

Two hours later, when Xiao Yang returned to the palace, the report was ready.

The Imperial Hospital sent medicine and tended to his wounds every two days. But as soon as the Imperial Physician would leave, Xiao Mo would throw out their medicine and have Ji Feifei buy replacements from outside, including the golden sore medicine.

It was a good thing the Imperial Physician applied medicine during each visit, which kept the injuries from deteriorating too much, but his condition was still not looking good.

It was hard to say whether Xiao Mo was too proud to accept medicine from the Emperor or if he was afraid she was trying to harm him.

Xiao Yang truly didn’t care if Xiao Mo lived or died. If he was going to be ungrateful, so be it. She had provided the medicine. ’Who could stop him from bringing suffering upon himself?’

"Should I go see him?"

Rong Yin had walked over, just in time to overhear everything.

’He could pay a visit, stabilize the situation, and at least make sure the man didn’t die.’

’Whether Xiao Mo lived or died was of little consequence, and Her Majesty didn’t seem to mind earning a reputation for cruelty. Still, to simply let the matter go didn’t feel right, especially since the man was, for now, still alive.’

"Let him stew. He won’t die."

’If the Son of Fortune could die that easily, it would be laughable.’

’Someone had probably already offered him timely aid.’

Rong Yin naturally took Xiao Yang’s hand as they headed back. Their relationship was an open secret; the only thing missing was an official title for him.

Matters in the imperial court were proceeding smoothly. With ample funds, centralized power, and a host of loyal, capable courtiers, everything was running well under the Emperor’s trust and tolerance. Ironically, the biggest sources of controversy had nothing to do with state affairs.

There were two matters: granting Xiao Mo a noble title, and selecting an Imperial Consort.

Now that Xiao Mo’s lineage had been officially recognized, he, as the late Emperor’s eldest son, should by rights have been granted a noble title, regardless of his actual power or status. But the Emperor remained silent on the matter, and Prince Jing refused to speak up for him. The other courtiers certainly weren’t foolish enough to pressure the Emperor into ennobling someone.

Their loyalty was to the Emperor. Pressuring her for someone else’s princely title—what if she saw it as treason and had their entire family wiped out? That would be the height of folly.

So, leaving the topic of Xiao Mo aside, everyone turned to discussing the Imperial Consort.

The Empress had several men in her life. Given her unique status and the fact that these men were all indispensable, capable ministers, it wasn’t necessary for every one of them to receive an official title. However, there must be an Imperial Consort.

The Regent King was the favored candidate. His power was meant to support the sovereign, so becoming the Imperial Consort would not interfere with his duties. Moreover, it would be the perfect opportunity to relieve him of the title "Regent King."

The Emperor was young and firmly in power; a Regent King was no longer necessary. Moving him into the inner palace would solve the problem nicely.

Of course, the Regent King wasn’t the only suitable candidate. The other three men were also worthy of the Emperor. Ultimately, it all came down to her choice.

However, though the memorials about the Imperial Consort piled up like mountains, the Emperor showed no sign of responding.

The Emperor wasn’t in a hurry, but her courtiers were. The people of the realm were. And the four candidates were anxious as well.

"Your Majesty..."

Atop the Dragon Bed, Rong Yin took from her greedily, insatiably sinking into her again and again. Only at moments like this did he feel that he truly belonged to Her Majesty.

He lowered his head, kissing her skin glistening with fragrant sweat and tasting the aroma of the passion she felt for him alone.

"Your Majesty, please hold me tighter?"

He felt her arms tighten, her nails digging into his back. With a heart full of both bitterness and pleasure, he sank into an endless sea of desire.

’He wanted to ask. He wanted to know if she would choose him to be her Imperial Consort.’

’But he didn’t dare ask. There was the difference in their generation, the matter of their blood ties. He had called the late Emperor "brother." He had watched her grow up.’

’He wanted this so badly, yet he couldn’t ask for it—he didn’t dare!’

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

In the dead of night, when the world was silent, someone came rushing to pound on the doors of Zichen Palace.

The palace maid on night watch went to see. At the entrance, the eunuch Liang Sha was conferring with a guard. A moment later, Liang Sha entered and called out from behind the screen, "Your Majesty."

The Emperor’s slightly hoarse voice came from within the room. "What is it?"

Liang Sha replied, "Young Master Xiao Mo is at the palace gates demanding an audience. The guards won’t let him in, and he’s threatening to spill his blood on the gates."

Just as Xiao Yang started to move, an arm wrapped around her waist, pressing her back down. Rong Yin leaned in to kiss her. "Your Majesty should rest. Why don’t you let me go take a look first?"

’Xiao Yang really had no desire to deal with that glowing protagonist in the middle of the night. Besides, for him to cause such a ruckus at the palace gates, it couldn’t be good news.’

But after a moment’s thought, she decided not to shirk her duty. "Let him enter the palace."

The two of them rose, dressed, and straightened their robes. They had just stepped out and taken their seats when Xiao Mo was escorted in.

Whether from physical pain or sheer rage, his face was grim as he limped in and fell to his knees. "I beg Your Majesty to release Feifei! This commoner is willing to leave the Capital City and never set foot in it again."

Xiao Yang was speechless. ’Here comes that feeling again, like the world is going black.’

’She really, truly did not want to deal with this lunatic, but she had no choice.’

"First, why don’t you tell me what *I’m* supposed to have done to Ji Feifei."

’She herself had no idea what she’d done.’

Xiao Mo looked up, his eyes filled with resentment and defiance. "My cousin disappeared this evening and is still missing. I’ve asked everywhere. Today, she only went out to get medicine, just as she always does. She didn’t go anywhere else. The only thing different about today is that Your Majesty left the palace and happened to be on the same street where she was."

Xiao Yang looked at him in utter disbelief. "So, just because I left the palace today, you suspect *me* of abducting her?"

Xiao Mo retorted, "My cousin and I have made no enemies since arriving in the Capital City. I am a mere commoner with no rank; there is no profit to be gained by targeting me. Other than Your Majesty, who else would have a reason to take her?"

"Hah..."

Xiao Yang laughed in mockery. "Did you really write those examination essays yourself?"

Xiao Mo flushed with anger, as if deeply insulted. "What does Your Majesty mean by that? Are you accusing this commoner of cheating?"

Xiao Yang’s reply was mercilessly sarcastic. "I don’t suspect you of cheating, because I trust my officials not to deceive me, and I trust my guards to be vigilant. What I do suspect is that your head is filled with straw."

Finished speaking, Xiao Yang didn’t deign to give him another look. "Guards! Order the Military Department to seal the city gates! Order Xu Xingchen to take over this case at once! Xiao Lan is to accompany Xu Xingchen, bearing the Emperor’s Order. His authority shall be as my own—he is to be granted passage anywhere, without obstruction. Any who disobey this command shall be executed!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Someone immediately received the order and departed. Xiao Yang lowered her gaze to glare down at Xiao Mo. "I do not tolerate slander. I will find this woman for you. But the price for slandering your Emperor... is one I hope you can afford to pay."