Chapter 90
Just as Si Yanmo was about to speak, she heard the person next to her utter two words, "No."
"So that means there's no room for negotiation?"
The atmosphere was almost frozen. Just then, the charcoal fire in the room went out. Si Yanmo raised her hand to call someone in to add some firewood, and patted his hand to comfort him. She said to Zhou Junsong, "Your Highness knows that we are a loving couple. We agreed on this before, didn't we?"
“Of course.” Zhou Junsong put away the bracelet and looked at her. “But that was before this matter. Aunt should know what I’m worried about?”
Of course she knew.
This suspicious fellow is just afraid that the combined forces of Qin and Sak will seize the throne faster than he can.
He really can never trust anyone!
Si Yanmo really couldn't do anything with him, so she had no choice but to use the method she least wanted to use: "Your Highness, don't forget, the Princess Consort is still in Qin."
Do you think I care?
His voice was icy, as if the person Si Yanmo was talking about had nothing to do with him, which made Si Yanmo unable to believe it.
He clearly loved his sister deeply in his past life, and his feelings for her never wavered in his destiny. Even if he were the most selfish person, he shouldn't be so indifferent to his lover.
She saw the mockery in the man's raised eyes. "I don't care, but your aunt does, right? Are you really going to kill your sister? Or..."
He then looked at Zhou Yanqing, "Would the King of Qin kill his beloved's sister?"
Si Yanmo scoffed inwardly, knowing she could never match her husband from her past life when it came to understanding people's hearts.
He used to control himself like this, and he can still do it now.
Just as she was about to continue being stubborn, Zhou Yanqing, who had been silent all along, spoke up, "But I can kill you."
Zhou Junsong's smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned. "It seems our alliance is meaningless."
Their eyes met, a scene of flashing blades unfolded, and even the charcoal fire seemed unable to warm the icy chill in the room.
Si Yanmo didn't want things to stay in this stalemate. They didn't care about the others, but Sano couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
They didn't know what Zhou Junsong's backup plan was, so to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, she said, "So you want me to help you? I can't possibly follow you around every day as your aunt. If we're working together from the inside out, do you really think the divination institute in Nandu can accept a shaman from Qin?"
"What good plans does Auntie have? Why don't you tell me?" Zhou Junsong smiled faintly; this woman's intentions couldn't be clearer.
Now, Zhou Yanqing is the one who can't figure out the situation.
Si Yanmo: "I have a witness who knows about that fortune teller's scandalous affairs. After things are over here, the Third Prince will help us coordinate from the inside out. Once that person steps down, he can recommend me to the Southern Emperor, and everything will fall into place."
"Amo!" Zhou Yanqing's heart tightened when she heard that she was leaving.
She squeezed his hand, telling him not to rush.
What does brother-in-law think?
"sounds good."
Her idea would allow Zhou Junsong to place his own people in the court, while also making her his hostage, ensuring Zhou Yanqing would behave himself. Zhou Junsong had no reason to disagree.
The two hit it off immediately. When they returned to their place, Zhou Yanqing finally couldn't resist pinning her against the wall, his eyes reddening with a fierce yet aggrieved expression. "Are you leaving?"
The puppy's pitiful appearance softened Si Yanmo's heart, and she quickly raised her hand to rub his face. "No, isn't this just a delaying tactic?"
"The witness you mentioned is Tan Muhe. You have to help him. Once everything is over, Zhou Junsong will definitely arrange for you to go there. You're leaving, so don't lie to me." He held her hand tightly, as if afraid she would disappear in the blink of an eye.
"Oh dear, that's not necessarily true!"
Si Yanmo explained her plan to him.
It would be very difficult for them to handle Tan Muhe's matter on their own; whether the Southern Emperor would even trust them was another question. But if someone were to work together from the inside, it would be a different story, as they could also uncover the divination master's weaknesses.
Once they exonerate Tan Muhe, Si Yanmo only needs to find a way to make the Southern Emperor think she is useless. At that time, even if Zhou Junsong recommends her, the matter will not succeed.
"Your Majesty can't possibly use just anyone, can you? I used to be an idiot, so all I need to do is pretend a little, right?" She shook her head smugly. "Don't worry about me."
Zhou Yanqing breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "I thought you didn't want me anymore."
He pulled her into his arms, burying his head in the crook of her neck with lingering fear, "Amo, don't go."
His arms wrapped around her waist with such force that it seemed he wanted to embed her into his body.
Covered by the man's body heat, Si Yanmo felt a sense of peace and, as if possessed, did not push him away.
“Zhou Yanqing, even if I really have to leave, I will come back after everything is over.”
Hearing the person in his arms say this, Zhou Yanqing's heart skipped a beat, and a huge joy spread through him. Afraid that she might change her mind, he asked again, "Really?"
Si Yanmo was intrigued by his cautious demeanor and harbored mischievous thoughts. "It's fake. I've already performed divination, how could I possibly come back?"
She turned her head away so he couldn't see her smirk.
To everyone's surprise, the puppy actually believed her, and nervously gripped her shoulders, saying, "No, you have to come back, otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?"
"Otherwise I'll sue you for abandoning your husband and children!" Zhou Yanqing's face was unusually lively, full of grievance, which made Si Yanmo laugh.
"Hahaha, where is there a child? Your Highness, you mustn't talk nonsense!" She tapped the other person's nose.
The man's nose was red from the cold outside. He pursed his lips and said, "Then let's have one before you leave, and after you run away, I'll hold the baby and cry at home every day."
"Then I can't see it." Si Yanmo wouldn't stop until she had made the puppy furious, which made Zhou Yanqing extremely angry.
He tightened his grip around her waist, exasperated, "How can you be so heartless, woman!"
Si Yanmo giggled, pinching his cheek. "Oh, don't be angry, I knew you were like a puppy."
As if to confirm her words, Zhou Yanqing lowered his head and gently bit her neck, saying, "You're the puppy!"
"It tickles!" she laughed, trying to get away, but the man picked her up in one swift motion.
The two laughed and joked, eventually collapsing onto the bed. Gazing at the carvings on the ceiling, Si Yanmo felt a strange pleasure in these daily bickering sessions with Zhou Yanqing, but this pleasure brought her not happiness, but unease.
“Zhou Yanqing, a witch doctor examined me before, and my blood condition… makes me infertile.” As she spoke, she talked about more than just that.
Zhou Yanqing noticed it too, pulled her into his arms, kissed her between the eyebrows, and said firmly, "We can do without children, I only want you."
"Does His Highness the Prince of Qin have no intention of having an heir?"
He knew she was saying they weren't a good match.
Zhou Yanqing countered with a question: "Has the Princess Consort of Qin ever considered having me take a concubine?"
Upon hearing these words, Si Yanmo felt a pang of sadness. It was a strange and uncomfortable feeling, one she had never experienced in her previous life.
She inexplicably resisted the man's words, but still stubbornly said, "If you want, then take me. Anyway, I might not be the Princess Consort of Qin in the future."
Hearing this, Zhou Yanqing felt bad. He sighed, "Amo, don't say things like that, only you would say that."
"It sounds so nice." Si Yanmo realized that such a thought had popped into her head, and she quickly shook her head, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of pleasure.
"Zhou Yanqing, you will meet someone better."
"No, there won't be anyone better than you." He turned around, staring intently at her, his arms tightening around her. "Amo, don't leave me. Just give it a try, I'll be very obedient."
The room fell silent for a moment, while the wind howled outside and the charcoal fire flickered inside.
Just when Zhou Yanqing thought there would be no reply, he heard the girl say resignedly, "Then... I have no intention of asking you to take a concubine."
He sat up instantly, his eyes filled with surprise as he looked at her, his breathing becoming rapid. "I will not take a concubine, absolutely not! I, Zhou Yanqing, swear that you will be the only one in my life! I will treat you well for the rest of my life."
Si Yanmo lay on the bed, her eyes smiling, and teased, "A lifetime is so long, your vow is a bit of a waste."
“It’s worth it, not at all!” He bent down and pulled the smiling woman into his arms, gently stroking her cheek, his breath drawing closer. “Amo, trust me.”
Just then, there was a knock on their door. Seeing that he finally had a chance to kiss his Amo, he gritted his teeth in anger, "Never mind, let's continue."
He didn't want the atmosphere to be ruined. He bent down again, trying to stir things up once more, but the damned knocking became even louder, and the person outside called out, "Your Highness, Prince Qin, our Prince invites you and your wife to a banquet."
Si Yanmo quickly pushed him away, "Get up! That old man is up to no good!"
So annoying!
The puppy had no choice but to obediently stand up and straighten its clothes, its mouth pouting so hard it was practically pointing to the sky.
Si Yanmo squeezed his hand to comfort him, "Okay, let's go over first."
Afraid of upsetting him, she blushed and added, "Wait until tonight."
The puppy's tail instantly wagged like an oar. He casually called to the waiter outside, who brought her a fox fur coat and draped it over her shoulders. He whispered in her ear, "No taking it back!"
"rest assured."
The two tidied their clothes together and followed the waiter to their seats at the banquet.
If it were true that King Sak knew how to enjoy himself, Si Yanmo thought that this banquet would just be some food and drink served in the main hall, with people dancing and playing music. She never expected that he would actually build a "garden" with the scenery of Nandu inside his palace.
The garden is as warm as springtime, with bamboo groves, peach orchards, flowing water, and streams... If you don't look closely, you might really think you've arrived in the Jinjiang City area.
Si Yanmo discovered that the bamboo was made of jade; the trunks of the peach trees were made of peach wood, and the flowers and leaves were made of embroidery; the stream was real water, but it was connected to a water room outside, and people were constantly pouring water into it... Everywhere she looked, she saw luxury.
She couldn't help but think of the people who fled from Sak to Qin. For them, having a full meal and finding a place to stay were mere pipe dreams. Anything here could save them from hunger and cold, and some of them could even survive.
She sat down with Zhou Yanqing, her eyes involuntarily reddening.
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