Chapter 26: Fang Xu's Inferno

Until the very last moment when Fang Xu left the grand hall, he could still vaguely make out the hint of a smile in Qin Suwen’s eyes and brows. This nearly made Fang Xu explode with anger. Only now did he fully realize that Qin Suwen had been feigning ignorance the entire time! But things had reached this point—what could Fang Xu possibly change? In the presence of outsiders, he still had to maintain the dignity of his status as the consort and Qin Suwen’s as the emperor.

Once she was sure Fang Xu had left, Qin Suwen could no longer restrain herself and let out a peal of laughter. Even covering her mouth with the velvet blanket could not conceal the joy and mirth that danced in her eyes. To have put Fang Xu in his place like this filled her with excitement.

After all, how could she not know Fang Xu’s real intentions earlier? Was he joking? Who was Qin Suwen, after all? She was the current sovereign of Great Qin! And precisely because Qin Suwen understood Fang Xu’s true purpose, she had no intention of responding to him. In her eyes, if she so much as acknowledged him, she would become entirely passive. If she let Fang Xu into her bed, who knew what mischief he might attempt later? Fang Xu already had a history, after all! And more importantly, Qin Suwen herself was unsure whether, at that moment, she would have the will to reject his reckless advances.

To avoid such a situation, she had resolutely rejected Fang Xu, even opting to feign ignorance. Yet, watching Fang Xu’s exasperated and defeated appearance still made it impossible for Qin Suwen to keep from smiling. Unbeknownst to herself, she wore the expression of a young girl, with none of the solemn dignity she displayed in court.

Outside the hall, Fang Xu stood somewhat disheveled in the chilly wind. Had it not been for the two maidservants standing beside him, he might have rushed back in to settle the score with Qin Suwen.

“Your Grace, what should we do with these two velvet blankets?” The two maidservants holding the blankets looked nervously at Fang Xu, for his current expression was rather intimidating.

“Ahem, just lay them on the ground,” Fang Xu replied, glancing at the tightly closed wooden doors, a subtle smile curling his lips as if he’d thought of something.

“But… Your Grace, isn’t that somewhat improper?” The two maids seemed at a loss, unsure if Fang Xu was joking or not.

“And why would that be improper?” Fang Xu raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with displeasure.

“Please forgive us, Your Grace! The ground is icy at night—we only worry for your health…” The two maids hastily lowered their heads, explaining, afraid they had incurred her wrath.

“So that’s it? No matter. Even if I catch a chill, it hardly matters—after all, who would care?” Fang Xu replied with a smile, then took the blankets from their arms and began making a bed on the floor for himself.

The two maids could only look on in confusion, unable to fathom what Fang Xu, their consort, intended. Yet a faint smile played on Fang Xu’s lips. He had spoken just loudly enough for Qin Suwen inside to hear every word.

That, in fact, was his real purpose; sure enough, upon hearing Fang Xu’s words, Qin Suwen was vexed. She knew full well how cold it grew at night. If she let Fang Xu sleep outside, she would truly worry for his health.

As Qin Suwen sat on her bed, uncertain what to do, Fang Xu outside looked every bit the schemer who had succeeded in his plot. Yet sometimes surprises come abruptly, so much so that Fang Xu himself was caught off guard.

“Brother! Brother, what are you doing here?” Just as Fang Xu was waiting for Qin Suwen to admit defeat, a familiar voice called out nearby. Turning toward it, he saw that little Ya had arrived, and as soon as she spotted him, she ran over.

Little Ya blinked her large, innocent eyes, curious about Fang Xu sitting atop the velvet blankets, wrapped in one as well.

“Brother, are you playing a game?” she asked, bending over with naïve curiosity. Fang Xu opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.

“How dare you! Is that any way to address Her Grace? Guards!” The two maidservants, still standing beside Fang Xu in confusion, finally came to their senses and scolded little Ya with some annoyance.

“Wait! Little Ya is my sworn sister—who dares to be disrespectful?” Fang Xu waved his hand with a trace of irritation, displeased to see little Ya seemingly frightened.

“Don’t worry, little Ya. As long as I’m here, no one will bully you,” Fang Xu said, ruffling her hair with a smile.

Hearing this, little Ya dove under the blanket with him, letting him tousle her hair as she grinned happily. The surrounding maids were stunned, hardly able to believe what they saw, while those who had accompanied little Ya could only smile wryly.

It was obvious that Fang Xu genuinely treated little Ya as his own sister.

“Brother, what are you doing now?” Little Ya, nestled in his arms, clung to the blanket and looked up at him with pure innocence.

“Ahem. Your brother can only sleep here tonight—how pitiful,” Fang Xu replied with mock sorrow, a playful smile on his lips. Anyone with sense could see he was joking, but little Ya, innocent as she was, took him seriously.

She seemed to ponder deeply, as if making a weighty decision. “Then… little Ya will keep brother company!” she declared with gallant resolve, making Fang Xu laugh.

“Really?” Fang Xu teased, ruffling her hair again. He’d only meant to joke, but little Ya nodded solemnly.

“I’m serious! Didn’t you say before you wanted me to keep you company?” she murmured shyly, her cheeks flushing, and Fang Xu couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

“Well, well, what a lovely sibling relationship.” Before Fang Xu could reply, a mocking voice sounded from behind the wooden doors. Hearing it, Fang Xu’s face immediately went pale.