Chapter 126 I Just Want the Results

"I just guessed!" Xiao Jin denied it almost subconsciously, trying to cover up this extraordinary ability.

But how could Yun Zhao believe it? In a flash, countless overlooked details of the past flooded back to her mind like a tide! During the time she had been by the emperor's side, her thoughts and feelings, no matter how secret, seemed to be accurately captured or confirmed by Xiao Jin without her noticing!

Yes, how did he predict the future and see through the affair between King Qin and Su Mingli?

How did he predict the King of Qin's rebellious intentions?

Even on the day he was reborn, why did he suddenly stop killing and instead take her straight to the Su Mansion to accurately search for evidence?

Afterwards, she was ordered to enter the palace and became the most special person by his side...

It turns out, there were clues all along, everything had a traceable path! It wasn't that he was incredibly intelligent, but that he could actually hear her heartbeat! And yet, he hid this huge secret so deeply, never revealing a single word to her!

[I can't think about it anymore! I can't let him spy on me anymore!] Yun Zhao panicked and ordered himself in his heart, but his steps stumbled back uncontrollably until his back hit the cold earthen wall.

She looked up at him, eyes filled with shock and anger at being spied on and fooled. Her voice trembled with disbelief, "Your Majesty... you're playing me like a puppet, is that fun? Knowing all my shameful, secret thoughts, you're treating me like a huge joke, aren't you?"

Seeing her expression change drastically, Xiao Jin panicked and hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "Ah Zhao, listen to me! I'm not intentionally hiding anything, it's just... I just don't know how to tell you! I admit that when I first heard your inner voice, I did have the intention of using you, hoping to control the situation and eliminate the treacherous villains... But then, you repeatedly risked your own safety to protect me and save me from danger, and my heart... couldn't help but be tied to you! Why don't I have any children? It's because I've never truly favored any woman in the harem! Ever since I met you, I've put all my thoughts on you alone, never..."

"Enough!" Yun Zhao interrupted him harshly, his eyes filled with pain and determination. "If this is indeed the case, then I must not have any further entanglement with Your Majesty! I should never have met Your Majesty! Now that I think about it, Your Majesty must have heard my heartfelt words and realized that the Yun family is a loyal and steadfast family with no second thoughts. If not, I'm afraid my father would have died countless times already!"

She bowed suddenly, her tone cold and distant, deliberately drawing a line between the two: "Your Majesty, I will take my leave! I will return to Jinzhou with Aze. Your Majesty... please do as you please!"

Seeing that she was determined to escape, Xiao Jin felt a great pain in his heart. He stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, trying to pull her into his arms and imprison her: "A Zhao! I have already apologized! I admit that I was wrong at first, but I have never had any ill will towards you or the Yun family! I will make up for all the mistakes I made! If you don't want to return to the capital, I will accompany you back to Jinzhou! Wherever you go, I will go there!"

Yun Zhao struggled hard, breaking free from his embrace again, her voice as cold as ice: "Let go! Your Majesty, I don't need your company!"

"Yun Zhao!" Xiao Jin looked at her cold and distant expression, and his suppressed emotions finally erupted. He growled, "I've left my official duties behind and ventured a thousand miles to find you. Can't you see my feelings? I've been attracted to you for a long, long time!"

Yun Zhao turned away, hardening his heart: "But your Majesty, I do not like you! I hope your Majesty will show mercy and let me go!"

Seeing her so resolute, the last trace of patience and gentleness in Xiao Jin's eyes completely disappeared, replaced by the emperor's unquestionable strength and control.

He suddenly raised his hand and snapped his fingers, his voice as sharp as a knife: "Come here! Please take Yun Zhao back to the villa!"

Before he finished speaking, Wang Gui appeared silently with several elite guards and surrounded Yun Zhao in an instant.

Yun Zhao's eyes glared, and she was about to draw her sword to resist, but she heard Xiao Jin's icy voice again, accurately piercing her every soft spot: "Ah Zhao, I know you have a strong character, but I also know you are soft-hearted and sentimental. You have too many weaknesses—Zhao Ze, the entire Yun family, your father, mother, brother, sister-in-law, and your newborn nephew... Do you still want to resist me?"

Yun Zhao's sword grip trembled slightly as he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty! A forced melon is not sweet! Under duress, I would rather die than yield!"

"Oh," Xiao Jin sneered, pressing harder. "You're willing to say 'I'd rather die than surrender,' which means you've already weighed the pros and cons and compromised. I'm not a cruel and bloodthirsty king, and I won't kill innocent people. But if Ah Zhao insists on not sharing even a little bit of her love with me... I'll be jealous and go crazy!" His tone suddenly turned cold, carrying the tyranny and paranoia of an emperor. "As long as you're by my side, what's the use of coercion? I only want results!"

With a clang, the sword in Yun Zhao's hand finally fell to the ground. She closed her eyes, hiding all the struggle and despair in them. Yes, she could ignore herself, but she couldn't ignore those she deeply loved, and who also deeply loved her.

Seeing this, Xiao Jin leaned forward and lifted her up sideways. His embrace was still firm, but with an irresistible force.

He looked down at the seemingly obedient yet stiff figure in his arms. His tone was complex, a declaration that could not be questioned, mixed with a subtle plea: "I have come this time not only to supervise the war and to annihilate the Wala, but also to find you! I am attracted to you, and the whole world knows it. How could you not know?"

He paused, his voice lowered, with a hint of self-mockery and certainty: "Everyone knows that my Ah Zhao... is extremely intelligent."

Yun Zhao stopped struggling and collapsed in his arms as if accepting his fate. He only whispered a final request: "Let Aze return to Jinzhou safely. Don't make things difficult for him. This whole journey... thanks to him for protecting me..."

Hearing that name, Xiao Jin's back teeth clattered. He suppressed his surging jealousy and said coldly, "I don't want to hear those two words again!"

He turned to Wang Gui, his voice regaining the calm and dignity of an emperor. "Wang Gui, send someone to contact Xuanhua Prefecture to properly accommodate and recruit the rebels, and provide them with food and wages. As for Zhao Ze... have him join the Vanguard Battalion. Since he wants to serve his country, he should go where he deserves! Also, pass on my oral order, ordering Zhao Mingyuan, the governor of Jinzhou, to depart immediately and come to Xuanhua to see me!"

"I obey your command!" Wang Gui bowed and accepted the order, then quietly withdrew to make arrangements.

Yun Zhao closed her eyes silently, saying nothing more. As long as her family was safe, the righteous army survived, and Zhao Ze was unharmed… her personal submission and freedom seemed insignificant. At least, the man before her, despite his powerful methods, still cared about the people and was not a foolish and tyrannical ruler.

Xiao Jin held her in his arms, and they walked in silence until they arrived at a quiet and heavily guarded courtyard. Outside the courtyard, soldiers stood in rows, and the atmosphere was solemn and stern.

He walked straight into the inner room and threw Yun Zhao roughly onto the bed covered with thick brocade mattress.

Then, he raised his hand and tore off the outer robe stained with blood and dust, and threw it on the ground. Suddenly, he rushed forward with irresistible momentum and grabbed Yun Zhao's red lips, which were slightly pale and cold due to fear.

Yun Zhao's mind went blank for a moment. When he came to his senses, he pushed her away with all his might, filled with shame and anger.

Xiao Jin was violently pushed away by her, and stumbled to his feet. A dark tide surged in his eyes, but he didn't try to force it. He took a deep breath and said solemnly to the outside, "Someone! Prepare some hot water. I need a bath!"

After saying this, he turned around and looked deeply at Yun Zhao, who had quickly wrapped herself tightly in the quilt. His tone was filled with a clear warning and a hint of dangerous possessiveness: "If you dare to escape... I will take you here! If you lose your innocence, or even have my child... I want to see how you can escape."