Chapter 392 Hot Spring

After finding out that the person who negotiated with Xie Yunyun was likely from the Yue Kingdom, Xie Tingzhou felt even more troubled.

Since this involves diplomatic relations between the two countries, it is no longer a matter he can decide on his own; he must report back to the Emperor as soon as possible.

"You must come with me to the yamen to turn yourself in right now, while there's still time!" Xie Tingzhou pondered for a moment, then said ruthlessly.

Rather than waiting for the Ministry of Justice or the Qilin Guard to come knocking on your door, it's better to take the initiative, admit your mistake, and perhaps you can save your life.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyun was filled with resistance: "How can that be? I'm your sister. If you ask me to turn myself in, wouldn't that completely ruin both our reputations? How am I ever going to get married?!"

Xie Tingzhou laughed angrily: "Get married? You still want to get married? If this comes to light, it would be a miracle if the Emperor spared our lives. Do you even know what you've done?!"

"I won't say anything more to you now. Everything will be decided by His Majesty. Come with me." After he finished speaking, he strode forward, grabbed Xie Yunyun, and tried to take her away without saying another word.

Halfway there, the courtyard door was opened from the outside in, and Xie Yunyun's mother, who was also Xie Tingzhou's aunt and stepmother, walked in.

When she saw Xie Tingzhou holding her daughter, her first reaction was to rush forward and rescue her daughter from her brother's grasp: "Xingzhi! What are you doing? Let go of your sister right now!"

Xie Tingzhou's eyes were dark as he stared at his mother, who was adorned with gold and silver, his grip on her hand not loosening in the slightest: "You knew about this too?"

Although it was a question, the tone was so certain that Xie's mother was startled and hurriedly said, "I don't know!"

Xie Tingzhou sneered: "I haven't even said what it is yet, and you're already so eager to deny it. It seems you and your daughter are conspiring to deceive me."

He removed his official hat with one hand, exuding a defiant and reckless air: "I can overlook all the things you did in the past, but today you have committed the crime of treason. I will risk all my official rank and prestige to make you pay the price."

On their way to the yamen, the three members of the Xie family were stopped by Chu Heng.

Seeing that Xie Tingzhou was still wearing his official robes and had taken off his official hat and was holding it in his hand, Chu Heng understood.

He patted Xie Tingzhou's thin shoulder: "It seems you know too. This matter is of great importance, but don't worry, we all believe you were kept in the dark and did not do it intentionally."

"Tonight is His Majesty and the Empress's wedding night, and I'm afraid they won't have time to deal with this matter. I'd appreciate it if you could take them to stay in the Qilin Guard's prison for the night. The matter is not yet settled, and it will be convenient for you to stay with us for protection."

The current situation between Qi and Yue is delicate. The current emperor of Yue was recommended by the Nangong family and other powerful families. However, two of the Nangong family's descendants have turned against each other. It is still unknown whether the Yue emperor is behind this or whether the Nangong family is orchestrating it themselves.

If we let the three members of the Xie family live until tomorrow, who knows if the Yue people will destroy the evidence and exterminate them all?

Xie Tingzhou understood, of course. He bowed deeply to Chu Heng and then led his mother and Xie Yunyun towards the palace with the Qilin Guard.

Poor Xie's mother and Xie Yunyun had their mouths gagged and hands tied by Xie Tingzhou at the Xie family home. They couldn't even defend themselves and could only obediently be escorted away by a team of Qilin Guards.

Chang Le Palace.

Qi Yuxuan had already removed her hairpins and was only wearing her undergarments. After taking a bath, she was soaking in the hot spring in the back hall of Chang Le Palace.

This hot spring pool is several meters long and wide. It has an underground heating system underneath, which keeps the water at a perfect temperature, neither too hot nor too cold. There are also many fresh flower petals scattered in the water. I wonder how they managed to find so many flowers in the winter.

Leaning against the perfectly rounded jade wall of the hot spring pool, she suddenly remembered that the late emperor had bestowed upon her a hot spring resort in Nanyuan, but unfortunately she had never had the chance to go. Now that Qi Jun had just ascended the throne, he probably wouldn't be able to spare the time for a while, and she would have to wait until at least this winter.

Thinking about having to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager tomorrow, she felt a little nervous. In the past, she had always paid her respects as a princess, with her mother always by her side. But this time, she was paying her respects as Qi Jun's wife. Her status and situation were different, and she wondered what they would say...

Lost in thought, Qi Yuxuan didn't notice that the palace servants around the hot spring had quietly left, and she was now all alone.

"Splash—" Suddenly, a large hand reached out from behind and stirred the water in the pool next to her shoulder.

Qi Yuxuan was startled, but she immediately realized who would be coming.

She quickly regained her composure, and then heard the person say, "It's a little hot."

Qi Yuxuan's fingers twitched in the water, then she turned to look at him: "I think it's fine. Go and tell someone to bring a few buckets of cold water. I'm not going to soak anymore..."

Before she could finish speaking, Qi Jun began to undress in front of her.

"Why are you even wearing your undergarments..." She quickly looked away.

The water was probably really hot, because Qi Yuxuan's face was burning from the steam, and she unconsciously sank down a little, giving the young emperor, who was already stripped down to only his underpants, orders without any politeness:

"I'm not soaking anymore, turn around now!"

Qi Jun was faster than her, stepping onto the steps and entering the hot spring first.

His red underpants were quickly soaked and completely submerged in the pool. He stared at the empress, whose head was the only part of her body visible, and maintained a respectful distance of about ten feet from her, his tone slightly mocking:

“I thought you had seen this before and wouldn’t be so surprised.”

Qi Yuxuan's face flushed even hotter. What do you mean, "I've seen you before"? It's as if she deliberately spied on you at Beiyuan half a year ago!

However, she still remembered that Qi Jun, who was still the crown prince half a year ago, was somewhat different from the new emperor he was now. His skin was still fair, but he was stronger, his arms were thicker, and the bulges on his chest and abdomen were more pronounced...

Wait, what is she thinking?!

"That was just an accident, and besides, I didn't even see it clearly." Qi Yuxuan turned her head away from him. "I'm going out now. If I stay any longer, there will be gossip spreading throughout the palace tomorrow..."

As she spoke, she tried to avoid seeing Qi Jun's body and walked towards the only hot spring pool steps.

Qi Jun, however, easily blocked the way on the steps with his long arm.

He asked earnestly, as if he truly didn't understand the meaning behind her words: "What gossip are you spreading?"

Qi Yuxuan was speechless with anger: "You and I bathing together, this is too, too..." too embarrassing to say, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Qi Jun tilted his head and looked at her with a leisurely air.

Now that they are the emperor and empress, on their wedding night, who would dare to spread any gossip?

She was just too shy to stay there any longer.

Noticing his gaze, Qi Yuxuan looked up and immediately understood: "Fine, you know perfectly well what I'm asking?"

"No," Qi Jun denied, his arm still blocking the edge of the steps. "Don't you want to take a good look and see how I'm different from six months ago?"