Chapter 15 How do you want me to serve you?
As she spoke, her tone became increasingly aggrieved, almost on the verge of tears: "I don't want to be met with a cold shoulder, and then no one comes...wouldn't I become a huge laughing stock?"
Looking at Qian Yueshu's pitiful appearance, I felt a pang of sympathy for her.
Xiao Qingxuan's heart instantly softened like a pool of spring water.
He couldn't bear to see her suffer even the slightest grievance.
Xiao Qingxuan stretched out his long arm.
Without a word, he pulled her trembling body into his arms, letting her lean against his firm, warm chest: "Don't worry, if you don't have enough face..."
He noticed that Qian Yueshu was looking at him pitifully.
He paused deliberately, raised his hand, and gently stroked the tip of her upturned nose with his fingertips, the gesture incredibly intimate. "Isn't there still my face to save? I'll back you up!"
These words instantly calmed Qian Yueshu's flustered mind.
"Is Your Highness going to host a banquet for me personally?"
The man said indulgently, "Yes, I'll host it myself."
"But even if you step in!" Qian Yueshu puffed out her cheeks, "they still won't come!"
"They dare?" Xiao Qingxuan's voice was steady and powerful, each word striking her heart. "I will personally host the banquet. Not to mention those noble ladies, even their fathers and brothers will have to think twice about the implications. Go ahead and host it with confidence. I will have the Imperial Household Department send people to assist us. Invitations will be sent in the name of the Crown Prince's Palace. Let's see who dares not to come."
I felt the person in my arms gradually relax.
The man continued to coax, "Not only will we invite those noble ladies and wives, but also all the young noblemen of the capital and all the civil and military officials of the court."
"Really!" She snuggled closer to the man.
"Of course, would I lie to you?" The man's tone was full of affection.
Her earlier hurt and vulnerability vanished instantly, replaced by a sly glint like that of a little fox: "Your Highness is right! I was mistaken. With you as my powerful backer, what do I have to fear?"
She excitedly grabbed Xiao Qingxuan's sleeve: "Well... since we're going to hold it, I have a great idea for the location of the banquet!"
"Oh? Tell me about it."
Xiao Qingxuan watched with great interest as her expression changed instantly, knowing that this little money-grubber was up to something again.
"The banquet will be held at Mingyue Tower." She blinked. "Perfect, it'll also be a good opportunity to promote my Mingyue Tower."
The more I thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
Qian Yueshu's eyes lit up, as if she could already see the grand scene of guests filling the hall and the gleaming silver flowing into her pockets.
When it comes to Mingyue Tower...
Xiao Qingxuan then thought of the time she tricked him.
The man was extremely aggrieved: "I can't go to Mingyue Tower. After all, I'm broke and can't afford the 3,000 taels of silver entrance fee."
With a "pfft".
Qian Yueshu took out a token from under her pillow and handed it to Xiao Qingxuan: "This is my symbol of status in the Qian family. With this token, you can eat for free at Mingyue Tower. When you need money, you can withdraw 10,000 taels of silver at any of the Qian family's stores."
He took the token she handed him. It was neither gold nor jade, but made of an extremely rare type of wood. It was warm to the touch and exuded a deep and mellow fragrance.
The front of the token is engraved with an ancient-style character for "money".
The brushstrokes are vigorous, and on the back, the complex emblem and cloud patterns of the Qian family are engraved using micro-carving techniques as fine as hair. In the center, there is a small piece of black iron as thin as a cicada's wing, with special hidden marks on it, which is extremely difficult to imitate.
Xiao Qingxuan really didn't expect this.
Qian Yueshu is a selfish and self-serving person who always puts profit first.
They actually gave her such a token!
This is an incredible bargain.
Not to mention that when you urgently need money, you can easily withdraw 10,000 taels of silver from the Qian family's shop.
Is it just about eating for free at Mingyue Tower?
This is an immense fortune.
With a hint of disbelief and mockery in his tone, Xiao Qingxuan slowly asked Qian Yueshu, "You've been...kept by me?"
With a "boom".
Qian Yueshu's cheeks instantly turned bright red, like ripe cherries.
"Dream on!" she scolded playfully. "This is just for when you're broke."
"Alright!" Xiao Qingxuan's lips curled into a calculating smile: "Anyway, I, the Crown Prince, am never rich."
"I'll take care of you from now on!" She didn't want to argue with him about these things.
She was naturally happy to spend this small amount of money on him.
Anyway, she didn't lose out.
After all, she had previously unearthed thirty-two boxes of treasure, and he had given her six boxes of treasure, enough to support him for several lifetimes.
Of course, even with so much treasure, it was more than enough to support him.
If it's used for seizing the throne, it's still not enough!
Fighting for the throne is incredibly expensive...
Then, as if she had just thought of something, Qian Yueshu looked at Xiao Qingxuan with seductive eyes and said, "I used to be the one who tried to please you. Now that I'm taking care of you, shouldn't you try to please me too?"
The man's voice was hoarse as he kissed her lips: "How do you want me to please you?"
"I think..." Qian Yueshu hadn't finished speaking.
Xiao Qingxuan's hand, with its distinct knuckles, then touched her chest...
The scalding heat of his palm penetrated her thin inner garment, leaving a clear imprint on her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.
This action was full of possessiveness, which contrasted sharply with the word "flattery" he uttered.
His lips, with a punitive yet incredibly tender force, covered her slightly parted red lips.
This wasn't a gentle kiss; it was more like a declaration, an instinctive reaction as he tried to regain control.
The kiss paused briefly.
Qian Yueshu's breathing was slightly disordered, but her eyes became increasingly shimmering and dreamy.
Instead of backing down, she raised her head and exhaled softly, "That's it..."
She guided his hand, lingering on the contours of his body, "...use your hands, your lips, everything about you... please me."
Her words were like the most seductive enchantment, each one striking his taut nerves, "Just like... just like countless nights before, when I carefully tried to understand your feelings and cater to your preferences."
The next day.
In the Golden Palace.
Because he stayed up too late last night with Qian Yueshu and talked for a while, Xiao Qingxuan only slept for less than an hour.
I kept yawning during the morning court session.
Inside the imperial palace, all the officials stood solemnly.
The wisps of blue smoke from the ambergris incense burner rose gently, a scene that should have been invigorating and refreshing, befitting a royal court.
To Xiao Qingxuan, however, it had become a hypnotic spell.
His consciousness began to blur, and the figures of civil and military officials became overlapping phantoms, while the bright yellow figure on the throne gradually diffused.
"What is the Crown Prince's opinion on this matter?" The Emperor's voice wasn't particularly loud, but it was like a thunderclap.
He shuddered, but his exhausted nerves failed to react clearly at first, leaving him standing there blankly.
The hall fell silent instantly.
All eyes turned to him.
Standing beside him was the Crown Prince's tutor. Seeing that the Crown Prince seemed not to hear, the tutor spoke up to remind him: "The Emperor is asking you a question. He's asking your maternal grandfather about the military pay."
His Majesty on the dragon throne had a slight frown.
The Grand Tutor noticed that the Emperor was displeased.
He didn't care about anything else, and under the cover of his wide sleeves, he reached out and tugged at Xiao Qingxuan's sleeve in a very discreet yet forceful manner.
That pull was quite forceful.
Xiao Qingxuan was already unsteady on his feet, and he only managed to stand up by sheer willpower.
Pulled by this unexpected external force, the body immediately lost its balance, and the person involuntarily staggered forward noticeably.
Although he managed to stay upright in the end, he did not actually fall and embarrass himself.
A few short, sharp laughs came from the corner.
The Third Prince, who had always been at odds with the Crown Prince, curled up a mocking smile that he made no attempt to hide.
He took a small half-step forward, his voice clear yet sharp: "Your Highness seems to be in poor spirits today, presumably from working too hard on state affairs these past few days. However... this Golden Palace is a place of important political discussions, and if you were to fall asleep here, I fear it would damage the dignity of our court."
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