Chapter 158 Adopt a Lower Stance
"She threatened you?"
Duan Gan frowned, his expression suddenly turning cold.
She nodded, her face slightly furrowed, glancing at the emperor behind the curtain, and said softly, "Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have come to see this old emperor."
"The old emperor?"
He chuckled softly, "You really have no tact."
"Isn't it because of you, Master..." Tao Tao looked up with a half-smile.
"You only remember me now? Why didn't you think of me earlier..."
He glanced at her sideways, snorted coldly, looking displeased, but there was a hint of a smile between his brows, and he slightly raised his chin, looking rather arrogant.
"I saved the emperor, and the empress wants me to use this life-saving grace to ask the emperor for a favor and to release the crown prince."
Although he orchestrated all of this, the Empress was unaware that he had single-handedly promoted her. Meanwhile, the Qiu family was in dire straits themselves and resorted to any means necessary to save the Crown Prince.
"This time, I really didn't do it voluntarily."
She looked directly into his eyes, her gaze clear and her face full of sincerity, trying her best to show that she was not lying.
Whether she lied or not, only she knows the truth.
As early as when she learned that the Empress had sent someone to summon her to the palace, she had guessed what the Empress wanted to do with her. The Empress's previous words were just confirmation of her guess.
But she still came. Besides not being able to refuse, the main reason was that she was going to see the emperor. In front of the emperor, she could say whatever she wanted. How could the empress know that what she said was not what the empress wanted?
The only variable now is Duan Gan; she didn't know he would be here before.
The position of Liangdi is indeed very tempting, but it is not as good as the position of Crown Princess. She has some designs on the Crown Prince. Why should she care about the means used to climb up the ladder, since she can climb up whoever she wants?
It seems like it would be quite fun to have these self-proclaimed high-status people under my control.
Upon hearing this, Duan Gan's eyes darted around, his gaze fixed intently on her expression, as if trying to find any trace of her lying.
Fortunately, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.
“Master, she is the Empress, and I am just a county princess. How can I disobey her orders? I really had no choice but to come to see the Emperor. You have not investigated the matter properly before you have wronged me.”
"I'm really sad. Also, you're so cruel. My neck still hurts terribly."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, and she reached out to touch the wound on the side of her neck.
He glanced at her neck and said in a low voice, "Not as hard as the bite you gave me."
After a moment of silence, he said, "You go back first, I'll have Qin Yuebai go to the Prince's mansion to check on you."
"But...but what about the Empress? You can't protect me every second. This time, the Crown Prince was just implicated, not the mastermind. At most, the Emperor will detain him for a couple more days. Why don't you release him sooner?"
Duan Gan sneered: "You really dare to bring that up."
Tao Tao said irritably, "It's not my fault, why shouldn't I dare to mention it?"
His gaze was deep and fixed on her, as if scrutinizing her or pondering something.
She spoke so frankly and openly that it seemed she really had nothing to do with the Crown Prince.
"Understood, go back now."
He reached out and gently patted the top of her head.
Tao Tao, held captive in his arms, looked down at the large hand around her waist and silently thought, "Why don't you just let go?"
She looked up at him, then glanced down at her waist, signaling him to let go.
Duan Gan followed her gaze, understood what she meant, but still didn't let go. He looked up and focused his gaze on her fair face, concentrating on her rosy lips.
Tao Tao saw his direct gaze and instantly understood, but pretended not to know and asked, "How can I get out if you don't let go?"
His brow furrowed, and he did not answer her question.
The two remained locked in this stalemate for a while. Then, a hint of annoyance flashed in his eyes, and he said coldly, "Kiss me."
She's expected to take the initiative, yet her attitude is so bad? No wonder he's Lord Duan; he's truly arrogant.
She smiled and said, "You'll have to beg me."
Upon hearing this, he narrowed his eyes slightly, staring intently at her with a hint of danger in his gaze.
"My beloved minister! Minister Duan… Minister Duan…"
The emperor's indistinct voice came from inside, sounding as if he were drunk and in a daze.
"Your Majesty, please rest. Lord Duan will be here soon after finishing his official duties..."
Wu Xuzi half-squatted down, smiling as he looked at the emperor who had completely lost his composure, and gave a wink to the bewildered woman beside him.
The woman was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening, and with a charming smile, she leaned against him softly and bonelessly.
"Your Majesty, am I not good enough for you? Come, let me serve you..."
How could Duan Gan possibly ask for help? He leaned down to look for that soft red color, but she turned her head away and avoided him.
Tao Tao tilted her head and glanced at him sideways, her eyes filled with mockery, her face full of sarcasm, as if from this moment she had become the one in control.
His eyes were dark, he slightly curled his lips, stretched out two fingers to pinch her chin, and sprayed his icy breath on her lips.
"Master, so you don't like me taking the initiative?"
He paused, his thin lips hovering above hers, as if deep in thought.
In truth, he still hoped that she would take the initiative, to prove that she had feelings for him, even just a little bit, which would show that he wasn't just putting on a one-man show.
"Just beg me... it's just a matter of saying a few words..."
Tao Tao's eyes were bright and sparkling, filled with the charm of spring, and her full, rosy lips were upturned, subtly carrying a hint of seduction.
Seeing that he still wasn't taking the bait, she suddenly felt a little impatient.
Her eyes sparkled, and she gently pressed her fingertips against his soft lips, leaning forward to press them even closer.
He suddenly became breathless and his Adam's apple bobbed as he looked into her extremely dark eyes, a faint desire appearing in them.
"...Please...please kiss me..."
His deep, husky voice carried a strong desire, and although his words were pleading, they still revealed an air of superiority.
"No, the tone is wrong."
She pursed her lips and shook her head.
He took a deep breath and pleaded humbly, "Little Peach... please... please..."
"It's still not right. Say it again."
Duan Gan suddenly realized something, immediately pursed his lips, and then gritted his teeth, saying, "Don't push your luck. If you dare to play tricks on me again, I will..."
Before I could even speak, my lips suddenly brushed against a soft, warm red lip, and the sweet scent of pears instantly filled my nostrils.
His pupils dilated, his expression a mixture of shock and pleasure, and he couldn't help but feel a tingling sensation throughout his body.
Tao Tao noticed that his hand was loosening, so she pushed it forward with both hands, then stepped back, turned around, and walked briskly towards the door.
He was left standing there, stunned, watching her receding figure.
She opened the palace door, where Gao Liangui, Granny Wu, and others were standing.
When Gao Liangui saw Tao Tao, he smiled like a chrysanthemum: "Princess."
"Father-in-law, farewell." She smiled.
The group quickly walked away.
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