Zhao Changqing: ...

The official document in my hand was almost crushed, leaving a mark.

"How beautiful she is?"

"The lady said he has a very masculine appearance, making women want to sleep with him."

Zhao Changqing: The fist has hardened.

"The lady also said that she couldn't bear to see a hero in distress and wanted to help him."

hiss--

"Master, don't worry, Madam was probably just saying that. Later, she took the second head of the Cheng family to have tea and chat, and never went back to look for that Wuhuan man."

Zhao Changqing: But Cheng Tingrui is also someone I can't trust...

He Youyou was in a good mood when she came out from behind the screen after taking a bath.

I got two things done today: I secured some sought-after goods from the northern border region, and the purchase of seedlings is also progressing well. It was truly a fruitful day.

The happier she appeared, the more uneasy Zhao Changqing felt.

"He Youyou, come here." His tone was a little cold and hard.

He Youyou was in a good mood at the time and did not notice the odd tone in his voice.

"What?" She walked over and sat down next to him.

The fragrance of his body after his shower immediately filled his nostrils.

The climate on the border of Youzhou is dry, making skin prone to cracking. After taking a shower, He Youyou specially applied body lotion all over her body; it smelled of roses, making her smell fragrant, like a flower.

Zhao Changqing was momentarily captivated by the fragrance.

It wasn't until He Youyou leaned closer to him and asked, puzzled, "Did you need something?"

Zhao Changqing quickly came to his senses.

"Today...that..."

He suddenly forgot what he wanted to say.

What was he going to say just now?

It seems like he's about to scold her.

What were you scolding?

"Zhao Changqing, what exactly are you trying to say?" He Youyou looked at him with a questioning gaze.

Zhao Changqing shook his head vigorously.

"Are you feeling unwell?" He Youyou asked with concern.

Looking at her concerned gaze, he suddenly realized, "Oh no, the atmosphere is ruined."

This atmosphere is not suitable for lecturing someone.

He couldn't get an erection under her soft gaze.

"Don't move, let me rub it for you." He Youyou's hand started to reach into her sleeve again.

Zhao Changqing watched her actions silently.

How come there's everything in her sleeve?

He Youyou took out a jar of peppermint balm, scooped out a little with her ring finger, and applied it to both of his temples. Then, she used the pads of both hands to massage it for him.

"Have you been too busy with official duties lately? Are you tired? And the opening of the military city has also worried you for many days. You must be exhausted."

Zhao Changqing: I was clearly angry.

To be honest, He Youyou felt a little guilty.

After all, while opening the military market would benefit him, the initial intention was still to help him out.

They've helped us so much; offering a massage is just what she should do.

"Zhao Changqing, are you feeling any better? Is this pressure okay?" she asked as she massaged him.

Zhao Changqing felt her fingers gently circling his temples, his nose filled with the scent of roses and the refreshing aroma of mint, and his mind was intoxicated.

"Hmm, not bad. It feels very comfortable."

I closed my eyes and thought for a long time before I remembered what I originally wanted to say.

He wanted to reprimand her for contacting spies from enemy countries.

However, in this situation, when I opened my mouth, I just couldn't muster any strength in my voice.

“He Youyou…” His voice was very low, with a slight echo and lingering sound in his nose.

"Hmm?" He Youyou responded.

"That person is a spy from the Wuhuan Kingdom. His intentions are unclear, so we must not be careless. You'd better be cautious."

"Oh, I know why he came."

You know?

"Yes, he came to exchange for food."

"You want to give it to him?"

"Yes, I have already arranged for people to transport the grain."

Zhao Changqing was taken aback: "But he's from an enemy country, how can you help him?"

"So what if they're from an enemy country? They're here to exchange grain, not to steal it. When they enter the border, they pay customs duties; when they enter the military market, they pay rent and taxes. In my view, this is normal bilateral trade. Besides, I'm not helping them; I'm doing business with them. It's a fair trade, and each gets what they need."

(Customs duties: These refer to import tariffs.)

“But what if his motives are impure and he has ulterior motives?” Zhao Changqing’s eyes darkened.

“One thing at a time. If you find evidence that he has ulterior motives, you can take him down and deal with him according to the law. If you don’t, then he’s just an ordinary merchant.”

Zhao Changqing frowned: "This person has a special identity; he's not an ordinary merchant. Do you know who he is?"

He Youyou tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "His name seems to be Chakchin."

"...You know?"

"Oh. They told me their name."

"Then do you know who Chakchin is?"

He Youyou shook her head: "I don't know."

"Chakachin is the second prince of the Wuhuan Kingdom."

"Wow, such a high status?" He Youyou exclaimed in surprise.

If that's the case, then Chakchin's value is even greater.

As a second prince, there are many opportunities to utilize him.

If the goods in Chakchin's possession are economic assets, then his identity is his political asset.

Isn't this just like cooking fish two ways?

He Youyou suddenly stood up, and Zhao Changqing immediately felt a void in his temple.

“I want to see Cheng Tingrui now,” she said.

Zhao Changqing's face immediately darkened.

"What kind of behavior is it for a man and a woman to be alone together in the dead of night?"

He Youyou looked at him with a puzzled expression, pointed at him, then at herself: "A lone man and woman alone in the middle of the night?"

However, He Youyou ultimately did not get what she wanted.

It was too late, and no one was there to take her there.

She couldn't help but sigh and reminisce about modern life with telephones.

If only I could make a phone call!

The communication difficulties are causing too much delay.

It was past midnight.

She tossed and turned on the couch, unable to sleep.

He kept thinking about how to make better use of Chakchin.

A voice suddenly came from the darkness.

"He Youyou, can you please be quiet?"

The voice was very close, as if it were right next to her.

The tent was pitch black in the dead of night, with no windows or lights, and nothing could be seen.

He Youyou asked in surprise, "Zhao Changqing? Is that you?"

She felt someone suddenly sit down next to her and push her legs inward.

"You're tossing and turning on the tatami mat, it's so noisy."

He Youyou: Oh no, I was so engrossed in thinking that I forgot to go back to my space.

"Sorry, I'm not going to look anymore. You should go back to sleep." She reached out and pulled the blanket up a little.

She was met with silence.

Snap—

The sound of flint and steel suddenly rang out.

In the still darkness, a single light suddenly appeared.

Zhao Changqing lit the oil lamp on the table.

He was only wearing an undergarment and a sable coat, his hair loose and falling over his body.

Like a fairy.