"You don't mind being a concubine?"
After a long standoff, Zhao Zhi finally spoke slowly and asked.
Before she finished speaking, she leisurely admired Yun Zhang's face, which was more interesting than a spilled paint palette, and felt extremely pleased.
"Why not?" Yun Zhang raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Clatter!" Behind the screen, Zhu San Niang's pen, which she was using to review memorials, fell to the ground. She hurriedly bent down to pick it up.
Yun Zhang's expression shifted slightly, but his provocation remained undiminished. "The titles are all empty words; only Your Majesty's are real. I am not one to be jealous. However, for the sake of convenience in the future, I can give up the title of Imperial Consort, but Your Majesty must still grant me the title of Imperial Noble Consort."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi's gaze deepened, and a complex smile appeared on her lips. The smile contained both helplessness at Yun Zhang's unconventional behavior and a hint of barely perceptible appreciation and wariness.
"Prince Yi, Prince Yi, you are always so unpredictable, which gives me both a headache and helplessness." She sighed softly, her tone containing both the majesty of an empress and a hint of tenderness that was not easily revealed to outsiders.
"Since you know that the position of Imperial Noble Consort is no small matter, how could I easily grant it to you? What exactly are you plotting behind this?" Zhao Zhi slowly stepped out from behind the desk, her gaze sharp as she looked directly at Yun Zhang, her eyes seemingly able to see into the deepest secrets of people's hearts.
Yun Zhang met her gaze, his smile widening rather than diminishing, his eyes gleaming with confidence and cunning.
“Your Majesty is wise, and I would never dare to try to outsmart you. However, all I ask for is a place in this deep palace so that I can better share Your Majesty’s burdens. The title of Imperial Noble Consort is both an affirmation of my abilities and a convenience for my actions.”
"Moreover," Yun Zhang changed the subject, his tone becoming more sincere and helpless, "Your Majesty also knows that the Emperor Emeritus still relies on my antidote, and the court officials follow my lead."
“Prince Yi, do you know that just for those words, I could punish you for a grave offense of disrespect!” Zhao Zhi’s tone carried the majesty of an empress, but Yun Zhang was not afraid.
“Since I dared to speak out, I am not afraid of being punished. Is Your Majesty not curious as to why my blood can cure the Emperor Emeritus’s poison?” Yun Zhang slowly rose and leisurely smoothed the folds in his robes.
He stopped in front of Zhao Zhi, his gaze meeting hers directly.
This woman, who in just one year transformed from the eldest daughter of the prime minister into the princess of two countries and has now ascended to the pinnacle of power, has captivating eyes and is unbelievably beautiful.
“When Prince Yi was young, he was sent to Yunluo to make a living under the care of a military doctor. During that time, Prince Yi was treated as a medicine man. I'm afraid he doesn't want to relive that experience.”
The moment Zhao Zhi spoke, Yun Zhang's expression changed drastically. He stepped forward, their breaths mingling, their breaths brushing against each other. "How do you know all this?"
“Of course, it’s written in your little note. Have you forgotten?” Zhao Zhi suddenly pulled a small booklet from her sleeve, gently placed it in Yun Zhang’s hand, then took a step back, turned around and sat down behind the desk.
"Your note is very detailed. I thought that Prince Yi was going to great lengths to become my Imperial Noble Consort!"
She moistened her vermilion brush again, preparing to review the memorials.
Yun Zhang stared blankly at the note in her hand. It was definitely written by him, definitely given by him. However, it seemed he had given it to the wrong person. So, had she also guessed his other identity?
"Imperial Noble Consort, it's just a title. If you want it, I'll give it to you. That would fulfill one of your conditions. But, I will never have a child with you in this lifetime."
Zhao Zhi's words were resounding, and Zhu San Niang, who was behind the screen, slowly relaxed her furrowed brows upon hearing them.
Upon hearing this, Yun Zhang's expression relaxed. Well, regardless of what she thought or felt, she had agreed to bring him into the harem, and his goal had been achieved, so that was fine.
He smiled slightly, bowed, and said with unwavering determination, “Your Majesty, rest assured, no matter how arduous the road ahead may be, I will follow you to the death and pave the way for you without hesitation.”
Zhao Zhi raised her hand and said, "You may leave now."
Yun Zhang slowly retreated, his steps steady, until he exited the imperial study. Only then did a hint of panic appear on his face.
Zhao Zhi slowly rose and stood by the window, watching his departing figure, a strange unease rising in her heart. Judging from Yun Zhang's handwriting, if he was indeed the teacher who had once instructed her in Da Xuan, then his reputation for being a romantic and talented man must have been deliberately created for outsiders.
But on that day, when she asked her teacher, with a flutter of her heart, if he was engaged, she remembered that he told her clearly and coldly, "You have crossed the line."
But right now, if Yunzhang really is the Master, what is he doing?
If Yunzhang is truly a master, his profound knowledge far surpasses hers, so why would he willingly become a subservient subject?
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