Chapter 200 Seize the Day

This princess, who had taken many lives, was usually kind and friendly when she greeted him with a smile. But now, with her brows furrowed and her one eye radiating intimidation, she exuded an aura of unparalleled allure and fierceness.

Guan Yi'an was unaware of why Princess Qiongxiao had suddenly changed her attitude towards him upon his return. However, besides needing Master Fu to help him restore his reputation, he also needed to use Princess Qiongxiao's influence to request an audience with the Emperor.

With his current lowly status, he wouldn't even be able to enter the palace without help.

He was afraid that if he asked other officials to help him, they would take credit for his work, and he was also afraid that these officials were colluding with the Meng family, and that if he failed to report them, he would be secretly harmed instead.

Now, both major matters depend on Princess Qiongxiao, and Guan Yi'an, no matter how humiliated he feels, can only grit his teeth and do as she says.

Guan Yi'an, with an air of resignation to death, bypassed the male dancers, went straight to number five, gritted his teeth, and lay down.

She even closed her eyes, as if to say, "Please feel free to take what you want."

A sneer came from above, "You blind fool, take a look and see if there's anything wrong with it?"

Guan Yi'an opened his eyes and saw Princess Qiongxiao looking at him with disdain and disgust, while the male concubines around her were looking at him as if he were an idiot.

Number Five, who was lying next to him, kindly pointed to his body.

Guan Yi'an understood.

The male concubines were all naked, and Princess Qiongxiao was only wearing a light veil, leaving him completely covered up, making him look out of place.

But to be as open and honest with these male concubines as he was, he would rather die. This reminded him of the humiliation Wan Gonggong had inflicted on him. He immediately stood up and mustered his courage to speak to Princess Qiongxiao.

"I have come to see the princess to ask for a favor, not to serve her."

When he first arrived at the princess's residence, he also considered using his good looks to win over Princess Qiongxiao and make her work for him.

However, Princess Qiongxiao's mansion had too many handsome men, and Princess Qiongxiao was also a smart woman. Whether out of concern for Han Cui or knowing his ambition, she always kept her distance from him.

Now that he has returned after two months away, Princess Qiongxiao's attitude towards him has changed drastically, and she seems to want to treat him as a real male concubine.

He was willing to dedicate himself to Princess Qiongxiao, but that was definitely not the case.

The positions are reversed; he is the one sitting in the main seat, and Princess Qiongxiao is the one lying at his feet.

"How dare you!" Number Five tugged at his trouser leg, reminding him, "Have you forgotten the rules of the Princess's residence? Hurry up and kneel down to apologize to the Princess."

The princess's residence had many male favorites, and there were hundreds of rules specifically for them.

The first rule is that male concubines are not allowed to wear clothes in the princess's bedchamber.

Guan Yi'an had no intention of thanking a male concubine for his kindness. He glared at Number Five and said with a straight face, "Those are rules for you, not for me."

"Oh?" Princess Qiongxiao smiled regally. "Life is short, so enjoy it while you can. I am very busy right now. Since you are not here to serve me, please do not disturb my enjoyment. I want to have some fun with them. You may leave now."

Guan Yi'an was anxious and whispered, "Princess, I have something to say..."

Princess Qiongxiao raised an eyebrow and interrupted, "I'm not in the mood to listen to your nonsense right now. Either take off your clothes and lie down or get out of here. Choose quickly!"

Guan Yi'an was so angry he felt like his teeth were about to break.

"I will wait outside for the princess, and I will request an audience when she is available."

He walked out with a frosty expression, and before he even stepped out the door, he heard all sorts of lewd noises and groans behind him.

Guan Yi'an, being sensible, closed the door behind him.

After thinking for a moment, he knelt upright outside the door.

He believed that the princess treated him somewhat differently and probably wouldn't bear to see him kneeling for too long.

The result, however, greatly disappointed him.

Guan Yi'an knelt from day to night, and from night to dawn. Apart from Han Cui coming to persuade him once, the palace servants and the princess in the palace acted as if they didn't know he existed.

Various lewd sounds emanated from the bedchamber. The male concubines were changed twice, and food was brought in three times in between.

Separated only by a door, inside they lived a life of debauchery, while outside they were ignored by everyone.

Guan Yi'an had countless thoughts of leaving, but he suppressed them countless times and continued to persevere.

Later, his legs went numb, and he felt that if he knelt down any longer, his legs would be ruined, so he pretended to be exhausted and "fainted" on the ground.

With his eyes tightly closed, Guan Yi'an realized that someone was carrying him into the room. A moment later, footsteps approached in the hall, and a figure appeared beside his bed.

The hoarse, unpleasant sounds appeared almost simultaneously.

"Kid, you think I'm blind, pretending to be unconscious in front of me?"

Guan Yi'an opened his eyes and saw that he was staying in a guest room in the princess's residence.

The person who came was none other than Old Fu, who had changed his face. He quickly said solemnly, "Old Fu, please don't be offended. I just woke up."

Old Master Fu snorted, "I'm healing you on the princess's orders, and I can't be bothered with anything else. However, I must remind you that this face of yours is something you've traded for, and it's not the same as your own skin. You can't keep messing with it like this. I can repair a minor injury or two, but if the injury is too severe, this face will be ruined."

After saying that, she took out the medicinal powder and tools and directly repaired the wounds on Guan Yi'an's face. She didn't know what she added, but although there was a slight tingling or itching, it was extremely mild, and Guan Yi'an didn't even groan as the repair was completed.

Before he could even ask, the princess had Old Master Fu heal his wounds, which gave Guan Yi'an a glimmer of hope after his initial frustration.

After Master Fu left, Princess Qiongxiao and Han Cui, dressed neatly, went to Guan Yi'an's room.

Guan Yi'an immediately stood up to prepare to bow, but Princess Qiongxiao stopped him first, saying, "You have been kneeling for too long, so the ceremony is unnecessary."

She sat down opposite Guan Yi'an and said casually, "I've taken some time now. What is it you want to say? You can speak now."

Guan Yi'an glanced at Han Cui, and Princess Qiongxiao couldn't help but laugh, "What's so important that even Han Cui can't stand to hear about it? If it weren't for her, would I even know you?"

Seeing that Han Cui looked very disappointed, Guan Yi'an quickly said, "That's not what I meant. This matter involves the royal family, and she can't help with it. Why make her worry?"

Princess Qiongxiao's smile faded.

"In the end, you still care about Han Cui's status. I can't interfere in royal affairs now. If you still want to say something, we'll listen; if you don't want to say anything, neither Han Cui nor I will listen."

"The princess will definitely be able to get involved in this matter."

Guan Yi'an didn't want to give up the opportunity, so he quickly said, "I was saved by the princess and have been looking for an opportunity to repay her kindness. During my trip to Jiangnan, I received an important message: if the princess takes me to see the emperor and I explain this matter, the emperor will surely reward the princess handsomely."

"A generous reward?" Princess Qiongxiao seemed to have heard the funniest joke. "What kind of reward do I not have? The Emperor only bestows gold, silver and jewels and grants marriages. Do you think I'm someone who lacks these two things?"