Chapter 8: There is nothing to discuss between you and the King of Qin
"Not at all!" Yun Zhao's voice was firm, and his palms were hurt by his nails.
Xiao Jin sneered, his gaze returning to the memorial, and his command fell like an icy bead: "Serve tea!"
Yun Zhao agreed, stood up with weak legs and feet, and forced himself to walk towards the tea room.
Wu Lingyu had already prepared the teacup and handed it over.
Yun Zhao was slightly stunned, not believing that this cold person could be so kind.
"It's just you and me serving tea," Wu Lingyu's voice was still clear, but she pointed out the key point, "If something happens to you, can I get away?" His eyes swept over Yun Zhao's red and swollen fingers.
Yun Zhao understood and immediately took over: "Thank you, Sister Yu."
When he turned around, Wu Lingyu's warning came: "Be careful, don't get me into trouble."
Yun Zhao held his breath and steadily carried the tea back to the main hall.
The atmosphere in the hall grew even darker. Xiao Jin was frowning as he reviewed documents, a surge of anger surging through him. Several hurled memorials lay scattered around the desk, creating a mess.
Zhang Fuan stood with his head bowed, not daring to breathe.
Yun Zhao walked lightly and placed the teacup carefully on the corner of the table without spilling a drop.
She then squatted down, silently picked up the scattered memorials, and quietly put them back into the pile that had already been reviewed.
"Bastard!" Xiao Jin shouted angrily, slashing across a memorial with his red pen like a knife, "You say I'm incompetent? Let him sit on the throne and see!" "Bang!" The memorial was thrown to the ground.
Zhang Fuan fell to his knees: "Your Majesty, calm down! The dragon's health is more important..."
"What a big deal!" Xiao Jin's chest heaved, his rage boiling. "These termites! They eat my food, drink my blood, and yet they dare to bite me back!"
What's the point of cursing back? Can sulking solve the flooding in Jiangnan? Yun Zhao scoffed inwardly, "It's clearly written in the memorial: Jiangnan is ravaged by floods, the victims are crying out for food, and you're so stingy! Who else should I scold if not you for your incompetence?!"
Xiao Jin's eyes, like the sharp edge of a knife, suddenly swept towards Yun Zhao: "Who allowed you to touch the memorial? You are so bold!"
Cold sweat instantly covered Yun Zhao's back, and she fell to her knees: "I didn't peek, I just... just tidied it up a little." Her voice was tense.
"Slave?" Xiao Jin slammed down his red brush, sneering coldly, "Finally you remember your identity? Just now, calling me 'servant' was so easy!"
Yun Zhao's scalp tingled, and she immediately changed her words: "This humble servant knows her fault! Your Majesty, please calm down!"
Xiao Jin picked up the teacup, took a sip, frowned, and put it down heavily: "This tea is not prepared by you?"
[Dog nose?! Can you taste it?]
"It was prepared by Sister Wu Lingyu." Yun Zhao lowered his head and told the truth.
Xiao Jin snorted coldly, no longer looking at her. "Zhang Fuan, tell the King of Qin. He should be stuck in the Queen Mother's Palace right now, right?"
Zhang Fuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin has returned to the capital. Upon hearing the news, His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin has entered the palace to meet the Queen Mother."
Xiao Jin waved his hands impatiently, as if to shoo away a fly: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up!" His eyes swept over Yun Zhao, and suddenly a hint of sarcasm appeared in his eyes. "The King of Qin is your fiancé, his taste preferences... you should know."
[Who knows! Your future imperial concubine, Su Mingli, probably even knows exactly what kind of underwear he likes!]
Yun Zhao suppressed her surging anger and said in a calm voice, "I will go prepare tea for His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin."
Just as she was about to turn around, Xiao Jin's voice, tinged with obvious malice, came back: "Oh, you've become so attentive since you heard your fiancé is here."
Yun Zhao clenched his teeth and dug his fingertips into the flesh.
[Stupid ruler! This isn't right, that isn't right. Why don't you find someone else to serve you? Do you think I care?!]
A barely perceptible hint of amusement flashed across Xiao Jin's eyes, as if he had caught something interesting. He opened his thin lips and uttered two words: "Get lost!"
Wu Lingyu saw Yun Zhao coming back and raised her eyelids slightly: "Who did your Majesty summon?"
"Your Highness the Prince of Qin." Yun Zhao answered straightforwardly.
"What kind of tea does the King of Qin like? You should know." Wu Lingyu said in a flat voice.
Yun Zhao shook his head: "I don't know."
Wu Lingyu raised his chin towards a place on the cabinet and said, "Over there, the tea prepared by the nobles."
Yun Zhao followed his instructions, found Xiao Yan's name tag, and removed the tea leaves. It was Pu'er tea, with lime in it? The taste was truly bizarre. She suppressed her thoughts and focused on cooking.
Wu Lingyu was holding a book and dozing off.
A quarter of an hour later, Yun Zhao returned to the main hall holding a teacup.
King Xiao Yan of Qin has arrived, dressed in a brocade robe and looking relaxed.
She gently placed the teacup on the table beside him.
Xiao Yan's gaze passed over Yun Zhao, then turned to Xiao Jin, smiling warmly, "Royal brother, Ah Zhao and I are getting married soon. Tonight, will you allow me to take her out of the palace?"
Yun Zhao sneered in his heart: [Why are you meddling in other people's affairs! ]
Xiao Jin tapped the tabletop lightly with his fingertips, his eyes glancing over Yun Zhao, his tone subtle, "Fifth brother, why don't you ask her in person? Maybe... she'd like to stay and serve the emperor?"
Xiao Yan was full of confidence: "A Zhao is of course willing." He turned to Yun Zhao, his tone filled with unquestionable intimacy: "A Zhao, go pack your things, I'll take you back home."
Yun Zhao lowered her eyes, bowed, and spoke in a clear, distant voice, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness. I volunteer to remain in your service. Although my father has been pardoned, his crimes remain unsolved. I am of humble status and unworthy of Your Highness. I beg Your Highness... to ask His Majesty to cancel this marriage."
The King of Qin was visibly startled, his smile froze. "Cancel the engagement? Why would Ah Zhao say that? Duke Yun has been cleared of suspicion, so why would he be accused of a crime?"
[Pretending! It's all for the Yun family's military power and jade mines!] Yun Zhao's heart was filled with hatred. [In your previous life, you seized mines and soldiers, poisoned the tyrant emperor, and plotted to usurp the throne!]
"In short, I will not leave the palace!" she said in a firm voice.
[It's better to die at the hands of a tyrant than to marry a hypocrite like you! Whoever wants to wear the green hat can wear it!]
The corner of Xiao Jin's mouth twitched imperceptibly. "Fifth brother, it seems the flower has intentions, but the water flows on. How about I order you to withdraw right now?"
How could Xiao Yan give up if he didn't achieve his goal?
He stood up suddenly, suppressing the gloom in his eyes: "Brother Emperor! Please give me a moment to talk to Zhao in private?"
Yun Zhao flatly refused: "Your Highness and I have nothing to discuss!"
[Put away that affectionate look you give even to dogs! Disgusting!]
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Yan had already grabbed Yun Zhao's wrist!
The force was so great that she gasped in pain!
[Hiss—it hurts! Xiao Yan, if you don't die first in this life, my name, Yun Zhao, will be written backwards!]
[You dog emperor! You just stand there and watch?!]
“Fifth brother, you two…would be well off to talk.
"Xiao Jin's voice came slowly, with a subtle hint of amusement.
[What the hell! Tyrant! Just wait for this dog king to poison you and force you to abdicate and seize the throne!]
Yun Zhao was dragged out by Xiao Yan and could not struggle.
Zhang Fuan looked anxious and wanted to stop him, but was stopped by Xiao Jin's eyes.
Xiao Jin stood up and said slowly, "I'm tired too, so it's a good time to walk around. Zhang Fuan, follow me."
…
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