Chapter 138 Judging by Heart, Not by Actions? Jade Snow Melts

The delicate, light kisses successfully made her curl her fingers in unbearable urge.

Ji Qingwu's palms were sweaty just now, and it was kind of him not to mind, but she couldn't stand it, so she withdrew her hand embarrassedly.

Emperor Wusu turned his gaze to the incense burner where smoke was rising, and did not hesitate to tell her the details of important affairs in the court.

"Yan Zongrang was targeted because he found the list of officials involved in the disaster relief embezzlement case. Ah Wu, guess who was the most corrupt among them?"

Ji Qingwu reacted very quickly; she lowered her eyes slightly, and when she looked up again, she had the answer.

"It's Grand Secretary Tao."

Tao Wanyin's father.

She had heard that the emperor had demoted more than twenty local officials in succession because of the corruption case involving flood relief funds, but these were all small fry at the bottom of the chain of interests; the big fish that were really stirring up the water had not yet been pulled out.

Who would have thought that this big fish was actually a high-ranking official under the emperor's very nose?

However, if one wants to touch such a deeply rooted old minister, one must have solid evidence. Given Emperor Wusu's personality of either not acting at all or uprooting the entire family once he does, the Tao family will likely be completely destroyed soon.

Although Tao Wanyin is already married, she is not favored in the Prince's mansion and has no children. She might also be implicated. Pregnant with a royal child is the best way to protect her. Prince Yong has really gone to great lengths.

Ji Qingwu said, "Since Prince Yong knows that the Tao family will be doomed sooner or later, why does he still risk disobeying His Majesty and do such a foolish thing?"

She had many doubts. Prince Yong's instruction to Ji Changyan to assassinate Imperial Censor Yan was tantamount to walking into a trap. He knew that the prescription she wrote contained hidden dangers, yet he still insisted on taking it.

Emperor Wusu chuckled: "Awu, you understand everything very well, but you are incredibly obtuse when it comes to matters of the heart."

He sighed softly, as if he had something to say, "When people are deeply in love, they are all captivated. Even those who are usually clever and quick-witted can be bewitched by it, lose their rationality, and do all sorts of foolish things."

Hearing him describe himself as slow-witted, Ji Qingwu stared blankly.

But she was not convinced about the matter concerning Prince Yong.

She muttered, "Prince Yong is affectionate? He's been too affectionate; it's more like promiscuity." Prince Yong's mansion is almost overflowing with concubines, and every prostitute in the brothels knows Prince Yong's name.

Emperor Wusu recalled some past events and slowly said, "Sometimes, you can't judge things by appearances alone. Before his marriage, Minghong was not so unrestrained. You could even say he was devoted. Tao was two years older than him. The Tao family originally wanted to marry their second daughter, who was of marriageable age to him, but he knelt before me and begged for it himself."

Was this marriage arranged by Prince Yong? Yet he doesn't cherish it at all...

Ji Qingwu still remembers the first time he met Tao Wanyin. She was pale and it was clear that life in the Prince's mansion was unbearable.

However, the fact that the emperor could describe him as devoted suggests that it was indeed true before. But Ji Qingwu felt uneasy when she recalled the Prince Yong's wicked eyes; she couldn't imagine what this innocent young man looked like at all.

It's unclear what happened between the two of them that led to this situation.

Ji Qingwu thought for a moment and said, "It is said that a gentleman judges by actions, not by intentions, but Prince Yong judges by intentions, not by actions." Even if a man has someone he loves, it doesn't stop him from indulging in pleasure.

Seeing the obvious indignation on her face, even though Tao had implicated her in front of the Empress Dowager, she still felt indignant on Tao's behalf.

Emperor Wusu nodded and smiled, "A good summary."

Now that Ji Qingwu understood the whole story, her heart began to pound uncontrollably when she met his intense gaze again.

She sat up straight, trying to move away from him and create a safe distance. However, he sensed her intention and pressed his arm forcefully against her back, holding her firmly in his embrace like an iron clamp.

"You think you can just run away after you've used it? How mercenary!" he joked.

What did she use him for...?

Ji Qingwu felt her face burning.

Emperor Wusu said, "I have already answered your question, and Awu should also answer mine."

Ji Qingwu muttered in confusion, "Is there anything His Majesty doesn't know about me?"

Emperor Wusu looked her up and down, his gaze finally settling on her well-defined, slender white collarbone.

"There are many things I don't know. For example, what is your relationship with Li Shuming? Do you want to marry him? What's so good about him?"

Who is this person, Li something?

After a brief moment of confusion, Ji Qingwu realized who the emperor was referring to.

She hurriedly explained, "I have nothing to do with him."

Emperor Wusu lowered his eyes, the shadows cast by his eyelashes obscuring the true emotions in them.

When did he take a liking to you?

Ji Qingwu felt wronged and explained, "I only found out a few days ago. We have never met and there is absolutely no secret relationship between us."

Emperor Wusu's hand slid to her waist, but it was unclear whether he had listened to what she was saying.

Ji Qingwu's eyes darted around. She thought it best to take this opportunity to get the emperor to cancel the marriage for her, so that Old Madam Ji would stop pressuring her.

So she whispered, "Your Majesty, this is only my grandmother's wish; I do not wish to marry him."

Seeing that he didn't react, her voice carried a hint of grievance.

“That day, I even had a fight with my grandmother. I wanted to refuse the marriage, but she only thought about finding a powerful backer for the Ji family and didn't care about my feelings at all, not even His Majesty…”

Ji Qingwu paused here.

He asked, "Even I, what about..."

She was about to say that even His Majesty had never forced her...

The words were stuck in his throat, but he couldn't bring himself to say them.

Because even the emperor, who held supreme power, had never coerced her into marriage, she felt exceptionally confident in refusing the marriage arranged for her by Old Madam Ji.

Ji Qingwu looked up at the man in front of her, her eyes shining brightly, reflecting her stunned expression.

She said softly, "Even His Majesty has granted me permission to marry as I please."

In fact, what she really meant was that the emperor had always indulged her in her marriage, but to the other party, it still meant rejection.

When Emperor Wusu heard the phrase "marriage is at your own discretion," his smile froze; this phrase was practically becoming a demon in his heart.

He suddenly lowered his head.

Ji Qingwu hissed in pain.

He bit her collarbone. At first it hurt, but it quickly turned into a ticklish numbness. On the green branches embroidered on her clothes, a real red plum blossom appeared.

But it doesn't bloom alone in the cold; rather, it bursts forth in a fiery, passionate display, with more than one flower blooming at once.

Finally, they stretched out into a continuous expanse.

We gradually drove up to the cliffs and the towering, precipitous peaks.

The beautiful scenery captivated the hearts of those who admired the snowscape.

Those who appreciate the scenery are not content to stand at the foot of the mountain and look up; they grip and knead the cliffs and hurry to their desired spot.

Ji Qingwu looked down and saw the bright red spots, which were shocking to the eye. She twisted uncomfortably a few times, but after sensing something was wrong, she dared not move anymore.

A cool breeze rose outside and gently entered the Lotus Pavilion, but when it reached Ji Qingwu, it was still hot, and she gradually felt herself melting from the inside out.

The light in his eyes disappeared, and tears welled up in them.

Ji Qingwu's clothes had been mostly removed, hanging down to her waist, and her honey-colored undergarment was also about to fall off.

Suddenly, voices came from the doorway.

Someone requested to see the emperor, but Eunuch Li patiently and earnestly stopped them at the door.