The tea that A’Jiu had specially prepared for her — under ordinary circumstances, never mind fine premium tea, even the poorest tea found in commoners’ households would be a rare delicacy to her.

Drink it, of course she was going to drink it!

Only tonight, given the circumstances, it was nonetheless a little puzzling.

“A’Jiu, why so late, and why specifically invite me here to taste tea?” The Empress held heavy suspicion in her heart, though she did not let it show on her face.

“This Prince had someone put poison in this tea, and invited the Empress here specifically to taste it.” Zhan Qingcheng’s expression was as light and indifferent as a breeze, making it entirely impossible to read what he was thinking at that moment.

Whether his words were true or false, no one could tell.

However, the Ninth Prince was not one for jokes — that much, at the very least, the Empress clearly understood.

But poison? The charge of poisoning an Empress — the carefree and unrestrained Ninth Prince might truly not fear taking on such a crime, but was it necessary? All for a Feng Jiu’er?

She didn’t believe it. She simply could not believe that A’Jiu would want her life for the sake of some ugly wretch.

Most likely he was simply displeased in his heart and looking for someone to vent on.

The Empress told herself that she had been patient enough with her A’Jiu, and if he truly only wanted to let off some steam, then she would simply let him do so.

Holding the cup of tea that still carried warmth in her hands, the Empress raised her head and gazed at the figure seated in the chair.

That trace of pristine white — like an immortal, like a shimmer of light resting upon the clouds. No matter who laid eyes on him, he was always that brilliantly, radiantly dazzling.

No — it was a vibrant, living allure. Even without speaking, without reacting, even without the slightest movement, he was that captivating.

“If A’Jiu is unhappy in his heart and wishes me to drink poison tea, then I shall drink it.”

“Only, A’Jiu, you must understand — I cherish you so dearly. Even if it means suffering a ruptured gut to make you happy, I am willing.”

She raised the cup to her red lips. The gaze she fixed upon him was always filled with adoration and tender affection.

“A’Jiu, I want you to know — whatever suffering and hardship I endure, it is all for you. A’Jiu…”

He said nothing, only gazing at her with calm detachment.

Being stared at by him like this — even though his gaze was clearly cold, even though those beautiful starlit eyes of his carried not the slightest thread of feeling — her heart still went thump thump, leaping wildly in her chest.

One had to know, it was exceedingly difficult for anyone else to earn even a single glance of attention from the Ninth Prince.

And yet now, he was staring directly at her.

The Empress hesitated no longer. She raised the cup and drained the tea inside in a single gulp.

Poisoning an Empress — A’Jiu would never do such a thing. At most, the tea contained some kind of purgative, or perhaps a medicine that would make her feel miserable for a while.

She wanted him to see clearly who truly held a sincere heart for him, and who was merely pretending.

“A’Jiu, I have already passed your test. Will you now open your heart to me?”

The Empress turned the cup upside down. A single drop of tea fell — and after that, nothing else.

The cup was completely dry. She had truly drunk the entire cup of tea.

“What test?” Zhan Qingcheng furrowed his brow slightly. “This Prince issued you no test. That tea truly was poisoned. This Prince warned you.”

The Empress frowned, feeling somewhat wronged. So in his eyes, the warning he had given meant that her drinking it was not a gesture of devotion toward him, but rather — stupidity?

“A’Jiu…” Suddenly, the Empress’s brow drew tightly together, and her breathing grew rapid and hurried.

A surging heat rose from the depths of her body, and in an instant, it wrapped around her entirely. It was scorching — so hot she wanted to tear off even her clothes!