Ten days later, the Xuanzhou flood had been resolved and the epidemic eliminated. Hua Zhuyu accompanied Ji Fengli’s party back toward the capital, Yudu.

After experiencing a flood and plague, everyone had gone through life and death, especially those guards who had contracted and recovered from the epidemic – they felt reborn. Returning to the prosperous and magnificent Yudu, everyone was overjoyed. Some even whispered about going to the Drunk Red Tower for some fun that evening.

Hua Zhuyu was quite disdainful – all men were like this. Previously in Liangzhou, after winning a battle and returning, many generals in the army would go to Liangzhou’s brothels for entertainment. Each time, they would forcibly drag her along. If she didn’t go, fearing others would suspect her identity, she would go along without being coy. Speaking of it, she could be considered a regular at Liangzhou’s brothels, but this regular had never solicited anyone. She only accompanied the girls for tea and wine, much to their displeasure. It was then that Hua Zhuyu met Dan Hong.

At that time, Dan Hong had been beaten by the brothel madam’s people, covered in injuries, because Dan Hong refused to receive clients. A general who didn’t visit prostitutes meeting a prostitute who wouldn’t receive clients – what a coincidence. From then on, Hua Zhuyu kept Dan Hong for herself. Each time she went to brothels, it wasn’t to solicit prostitutes but to teach Dan Hong to play the qin. Later, Dan Hong insisted on following her no matter what. Hua Zhuyu also pitied Dan Hong for being sold to a brothel at such a young age and redeemed her. Unexpectedly, Dan Hong’s following didn’t just extend to the battlefield but all the way into the deep palace.

Now that Huangfu Wushang had become emperor, those selected maidens had all become Huangfu Wushang’s concubines. How was Dan Hong faring now? When she was beside Huangfu Wushuang, she had planned to look after Dan Hong, having her become a concubine beside Huangfu Wushuang to preserve her chastity. Now, she couldn’t even accomplish this small thing.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart inevitably felt somewhat downcast. Those guards, seeing her expression was wrong, stopped their whispering and fell silent.

During the Xuanzhou journey, Hua Zhuyu had resolved the epidemic and saved many lives. These guards had changed their opinion of her and no longer showed the same disdain as before. Perhaps thinking she was a eunuch, they stopped discussing visiting brothels.

Returning to the Prime Minister’s residence, Hua Zhuyu still lived in Xin Garden, but Lan Bing had moved elsewhere. The vast Xin Garden became Hua Zhuyu’s solitary dwelling. At night, there was no Lan Bing monitoring her from next door. During the day, there were no Ji Shui and Ji Yue following her around. Hua Zhuyu became much freer than before.

This evening, feeling somewhat stifled staying indoors, Hua Zhuyu unconsciously wandered to the Prime Minister’s residence’s rear garden.

The evening sun seemed ready to set, leaving traces of light on the horizon.

Under the setting sun, a large lake was shrouded in faint rouge-colored light, with flowing radiance. On the lake surface, several pavilions were built, each in different positions, forming a lotus flower shape floating on the water. Each pavilion was connected to the shore by a long, winding balustrade.

Hua Zhuyu walked along the lakeside for a while when she suddenly heard flute music like gentle wind brushing willows, drifting across the lake.

Hua Zhuyu stopped to listen. This melody was very familiar. Thinking carefully, it was the piece “Weak Water” that Ji Fengli had played at the evening banquet in Huangfu Wushang’s residence.

According to Wen Wan, this piece was composed by Ji Fengli. That day at the evening banquet, she had only found this melody melodious and pleasant. However, today amid the lake’s reflection and flower shadows, hearing this piece again, she detected a trace of lofty loneliness from the leisurely melody.

Hua Zhuyu loved music and couldn’t help sitting on a rock to listen. Later, her hands became itchy – if this piece were played by someone else, she would very much want to harmonize with them. However, thinking that the flute player was Ji Fengli, she lost interest.

She glanced toward the water pavilion and saw Ji Fengli standing by the pavilion’s edge, holding a jade flute horizontally, playing. Lan Bing sat bored on a railing to one side, looking around.

Fearing Lan Bing might see her, Hua Zhuyu hurriedly stood up from the rock and quickly slipped into the flower bushes, wanting to return along the small path through the flowers. After walking just a few steps, she heard Lan Bing’s voice calling: “Yuan Bao, come here, come here! Why are you running?”

Hua Zhuyu frowned. This Lan Bing had sharp eyes. She had no choice but to turn around and slowly walk over along the winding balustrade.

“Lord Lan, you called Yuan Bao over – do you have any instructions?” Hua Zhuyu asked with a light smile.

Lan Bing raised an eyebrow: “Naturally there’s something. You just listened to the Prime Minister’s music – you can’t listen for free. You must return the favor with a piece. I’ve heard your qin skills are quite good and you once worked as a qin master. Today, let me see for myself!”

Hua Zhuyu was startled and smiled charmingly: “Lord Lan, the Prime Minister’s music is beautiful and moving. How dare I show off before the Prime Minister?”

The setting sun slanted westward, evening colors desolate. Ji Fengli stood facing the wind by the water pavilion, as if deaf to their conversation.

Lan Bing frowned with displeasure: “Yuan Bao, to speak honestly, I’ve never heard music more beautiful than the Prime Minister’s ‘Weak Water.’ Could it be that Yuan Bao fears his own music can’t compare to the Prime Minister’s? Don’t worry, I won’t mock you.”

“The Prime Minister’s music is heavenly – if I can’t compare, what’s shameful about that? Does Lord Lan have other matters? If not, I’ll leave,” Hua Zhuyu said with narrowed eyes and a smile.

Lan Bing shook his head and lightly plucked a string with his finger. A clear, magnificent musical note rang out from under his finger.

Hua Zhuyu looked at the qin under Lan Bing’s finger – entirely white wood, snow-white like a handful of snow, crystal clear, the qin surface gleaming with cold light. Hua Zhuyu was startled and couldn’t help blurting out: “Qing Lian?”

Lan Bing looked at her in surprise: “You know Qing Lian?”

Hua Zhuyu realized her slip and smiled lightly: “Not really know it – I’ve just heard of it. It looks like what others described as Qing Lian. Is it?” Qing Lian, one of the famous qins, renowned for its ethereal, clear tones.

“Correct, this is indeed Qing Lian,” Lan Bing said with a grin. “I never expected Yuan Bao to recognize Qing Lian. Now you should be willing to play a piece, right? Qing Lian isn’t so easily encountered.”

Hua Zhuyu hesitated for a moment. Though her qin skills were good, she had never owned a famous qin. Seeing Qing Lian now, she was somewhat eager to try. But she really didn’t want to play before Ji Fengli. Just as she was about to refuse, she heard Ji Fengli’s voice drifting over lightly: “Lan Bing, is Qing Lian something just anyone can touch? To play it, one must see if the music is worthy of Qing Lian.” His elegant, pleasant voice carried disdain in its tone.

Hua Zhuyu turned her head to glance lightly at Ji Fengli, then slowly walked to Qing Lian and sat down.

Ji Fengli had his back to Hua Zhuyu. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hua Zhuyu sit before the qin, and the corner of his lips curved in a faint smile.

“Prime Minister, what kind of music would be worthy of Qing Lian?” Hua Zhuyu asked coldly.

Ji Fengli held his jade flute and said lightly: “Music that can harmonize with this Prime Minister’s ‘Weak Water.’ If you can truly harmonize with it, this Qing Lian will be yours!”

Hua Zhuyu frowned. What arrogance from Ji Fengli! Was he certain she couldn’t harmonize with his music, actually using such a precious qin as stakes? It seemed this qin would be hers today. Originally, she had played qin before Emperor Yan and Huangfu Wushuang – her ability to play was no longer secret and didn’t need concealing.

“It’s settled then. Please begin, Prime Minister!” Hua Zhuyu placed her fingers on the strings and said lightly.

Ji Fengli said nothing more, picked up his jade flute, and “Weak Water” sounded again.

Hua Zhuyu’s jade hands moved across the qin. Beautiful qin tones and ethereal flute sounds merged together, floating leisurely across the lake.

After a long time, the piece ended.

Hua Zhuyu had only intended to harmonize with Ji Fengli’s music but hadn’t expected such perfect harmony. Her heart stirred slightly. Suppressing her surprise, she looked up with a light smile: “Prime Minister, you won’t go back on your word, will you? This Qing Lian truly belongs to me now!”

Ji Fengli looked toward Hua Zhuyu. The setting sun’s afterglow shone from behind him, casting shadows on his face. These shadows made his phoenix eyes particularly bright.

Lan Bing said in shock: “Could this be the legendary heavenly music? This – this – this is simply a match made in heaven, perfect harmony, mutual affection, childhood sweethearts, a natural pair…”

Hua Zhuyu was thunderstruck by Lan Bing’s words, her face darkening. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Ji Fengli coldly shout: “Get lost! If you can’t use idioms properly, don’t use them randomly!”

Hua Zhuyu shuddered, suddenly somewhat admiring Lan Bing – to make the eternally elegant and composed Ji Fengli utter the word “get lost” was truly not easy.

Ji Fengli was somehow enveloped in a chill. The late summer evening breeze blew gently past him, and when it reached Hua Zhuyu, it was bone-chillingly cold like winter wind.

He looked at Hua Zhuyu and said slowly: “This qin is yours!”

He strode along the winding balustrade. Seeing this, Lan Bing hurriedly chased after him, urgently calling: “Prime Minister, what’s wrong?”

Ji Fengli suddenly stopped. Lan Bing, rushing forward, nearly collided with him. He stared at Lan Bing and said lightly: “Lan Bing, go to the brothel!”

“Huh?” Lan Bing was stunned, not reacting, staring wide-eyed: “What? Prime Minister, what to do in a brothel? This subordinate never visits brothels. This subordinate is a good man. In this subordinate’s heart, there’s only…”

“Redeem a courtesan!” Ji Fengli lightly interrupted his words, clasped his hands behind his back and strode forward. Soon he walked out of the winding balustrade to the lakeside.

“Do what? Redeem a courtesan for what?” Lan Bing still hadn’t reacted.

Ji Fengli stopped, suddenly turned back. The setting sun’s last ray illuminated his handsome face, making half his face glow brilliantly. His phoenix eyes narrowed as he coldly uttered a few words: “This lord wants to break his fast!”

Lan Bing immediately froze, standing like an idiot in the flower bushes.

For Ji Fengli’s instructions, Lan Bing always completed them perfectly. Naturally, this task would be no exception. He spent five days selecting from brothels throughout Yudu, carefully choosing a woman. Lan Bing knew the Prime Minister extremely detested men’s fickleness, so he hadn’t even taken any concubines. If he didn’t fancy them, he wouldn’t want them. And the Prime Minister had such high standards – he hadn’t even looked twice at Wen Wan, the capital’s first beauty, or Third Princess Huangfu Yan from the deep palace.

So choosing a woman for the Prime Minister couldn’t be careless. Though this woman couldn’t be called devastatingly beautiful, she was still outstanding.

Night was cool as water, a crescent moon hung in the sky like a beauty’s eyebrows, curved. Stars filled the sky, twinkling like a beauty’s lively eyes, expressing endless charm and affection.

In the simply but elegantly furnished room, Ji Fengli sat at a table reading. From the doorway came Lan Bing’s low voice: “Prime Minister, the person you wanted has arrived! Should she come in now?”

Ji Fengli frowned slightly, glanced at Lan Bing, and hummed lightly.

Lan Bing smiled and withdrew. Soon a woman entered carrying a pipa. A goose-yellow embroidered silk dress enveloped her graceful figure like smoke and mist. Her skin was like congealed cream, her breath like orchid fragrance, her features like a painting – truly a rare beauty.

Upon entering, she curtsied lightly to Ji Fengli and said sweetly: “A’Rui greets the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister prefer listening to music or watching dance?”

Ji Fengli put down his book, picked up the wine cup from the table, slowly took a sip. His deep gaze swept lightly over the woman as he said slowly: “None of that is necessary.” He put down the wine cup and rose toward the bed.

The woman was stunned. She hadn’t originally known tonight’s patron was the Left Prime Minister. She’d only heard someone paid a great sum to redeem her but only needed her for one night. She was quite happy, having prepared several pieces to please the patron, but hadn’t expected it to be the Left Prime Minister.

How many officials in the capital tried every means to send women to the Prime Minister’s residence! How many young ladies in Yudu wanted to become the Prime Minister’s concubines! How many women in brothels dreamed of climbing into the Prime Minister’s bed! Tonight, the Prime Minister had actually summoned her. If those women in Yudu who adored the Prime Minister knew, they would be heartbroken. The woman was extremely happy, but she hadn’t expected the Left Prime Minister to want neither music nor dance, no foreplay at all, walking directly toward the bed.

She was a courtesan who sold art, not body, but in a place like a brothel, even courtesans understood matters between men and women. Though she’d heard many patrons were impatient, none were as direct as the Prime Minister, catching her off guard.

The woman gazed at Ji Fengli standing by the bed, feeling the man before her was like a magnificent flower blooming quietly in the night. She bent to gently place her pipa on the floor and gracefully walked toward the bed. Drawing near, she raised her eyes, gazing infatuatedly at that handsome face. Just looking was enough to bewitch hearts and leave her breathless.

Ji Fengli frowned slightly and said lightly: “What are you dawdling for? Remove your clothes!” His voice, gentle as wind, carried no emotion.

The woman wiped sweat that had somehow appeared on her forehead and began undressing – first the outer goose-yellow dress, then the inner white undergarment. Finally, she stood quietly before Ji Fengli.

Ji Fengli’s gaze slowly swept over the woman’s body like floating clouds, his deep eyes showing no ripple.

The woman leaned toward Ji Fengli, nestling into his embrace. Coming from a brothel, though somewhat nervous, her seduction skills were quite strong. As his jade belt fell, Ji Fengli’s silk robe immediately opened, sliding to the ground like clouds.

A glimmer passed through Ji Fengli’s phoenix eyes as he leaned toward the bed. The woman bent over him. As Ji Fengli half-reclined on the bed, feeling that soft, warm sensation, he thought of another person – softer and warmer than the one before him, like spring flower petals, so gently touching him, pouring life-saving blood into his mouth. Originally, he’d thought it was medicine, but overhearing her tell the woman to give the child blood, he suddenly remembered – what he’d drunk, that liquid with a faint bloody smell, wasn’t medicine at all but blood, that person’s blood.

He had used his own blood to save him!

The woman lifted her head slightly to look at Ji Fengli. Seeing he remained unmoved, her rippling gaze turned to him, only to discover the man before her, though those phoenix eyes seemed to be gazing at her, had actually looked through her toward some unknown distance. The woman’s eyes dimmed. Her beautiful eyes, full of charm, gazed at him as she called softly in her gentle voice: “Prime Minister…”

His phoenix eyes lowered to the woman before him, but his mind thought of that person – sometimes they fought each other, sometimes that night they faced each other naked, sometimes they opposed each other with sharp words.

The woman pouted prettily. Ji Fengli’s eyes deepened, the corner of his lips curved in a faint smile. Under the romantic lamplight, this smile was particularly lazy and seductive. He extended his slender fingers, caressing the woman’s snow-white, smooth face, his hand finding the ties of her undergarment at her neck. With slight force, the ties came undone.

Gazing at the woman, Ji Fengli’s eyes flickered. What appeared before his eyes was that night when that person stood in the lake water. When he suddenly appeared, that person looked at him coldly, unhurriedly diving underwater.

Suddenly understanding what he was thinking, Ji Fengli’s eyes deepened, his heart inexplicably irritated. He suddenly rose, reached out to grab the woman’s soft hand, turned over, and pressed her beneath him.

He pressed against her, his beautiful phoenix eyes filled with deep desire, yet he uttered three words completely at odds with the current atmosphere: “Go down!”

The woman was stunned. She reached out with snow-white arms to tightly embrace Ji Fengli’s neck, saying sweetly: “Prime Minister… let A’Rui serve the Prime Minister just once. Prime Minister, don’t let A’Rui leave.” The woman pleaded miserably, her features showing some coquetry and resentment. She was very puzzled – the Prime Minister was clearly aroused, so why did he suddenly stop?

Ji Fengli had been very busy these days, reportedly preparing to open martial examinations. During the day, Hua Zhuyu had no opportunity to see him. She decided to return that Qing Lian to Ji Fengli. Such a precious qin wasn’t appropriate for her to keep. Moreover, she wanted to use the opportunity of returning the qin to persuade Ji Fengli to let her accompany him to court to work. Always staying at the Prime Minister’s residence, she had lost contact with the outside world.

Hua Zhuyu carried the qin and walked near Feng Garden, encountering Lan Bing pacing back and forth in the night.

“Yuan Bao, what are you doing here?” Lan Bing rushed to her, extending his arms to block her path, his handsome face full of wariness.

Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help laughing: “I’m returning the Prime Minister’s qin. I’m not here to assassinate the Prime Minister – why are you so nervous?”

“It’s nothing. Wait a moment. Let me go report first!” Lan Bing quickly went to Feng Garden and walked around. He naturally didn’t go to report – he just wanted her to see the Prime Minister’s scene of pleasure-seeking, to make him understand the Prime Minister liked women. Moments later, he quickly walked out from the garden, saying with a light smile: “Go in. The Prime Minister is waiting for you in the bedchamber!”

Hua Zhuyu frowned: “Bedchamber? Has the Prime Minister retired?”

Lan Bing smiled: “No, he’s reading! Yuan Bao, you’re not a woman. If the Prime Minister has retired, so what? You still can’t go see him?”

Hua Zhuyu frowned and smiled: “I just don’t want to disturb the Prime Minister.” She carried the qin and strolled toward Feng Garden. Soon she reached Ji Fengli’s bedchamber and slowly pushed open the door.

In the vast bedchamber, only one glazed lamp was lit, casting quiet light. Hua Zhuyu had originally stepped inside but slowly withdrew her foot. However, remembering what Lan Bing said – her current identity was that of a man – being too careful might make them suspect she was a woman. Thinking this, she slowly walked in again.

“Prime Minister, I’ve brought Qing Lian back to you.” Hua Zhuyu’s voice rang clearly in the dim room. As soon as she finished speaking, she stopped.

The woman had originally been sorrowfully climbing down from Ji Fengli, but her waist suddenly tightened. The hand that had been pushing her away now slid to her waist, embracing her and pressing her against him. The woman’s heart leaped with wild joy – had the Prime Minister changed his mind? Her snow-white arms reached out again to embrace Ji Fengli’s neck.

Hua Zhuyu stood frozen in shock. On the bed before her, Ji Fengli reclined lazily while a woman nestled in his embrace. Romantic lamplight, suggestive atmosphere, the embracing man and woman – Hua Zhuyu naturally knew what they were doing.

She cursed Lan Bing thoroughly in her heart. The corner of her lips curved in an intoxicating smile as she said lightly: “Prime Minister, please continue. I’ll withdraw first.” She slowly placed the qin on the ground and was about to quickly retreat.

“Wait!” Ji Fengli’s lazy, seductive voice came from the bed: “Bring the qin inside. Placing it by the door – do you want to kick it?”

Hua Zhuyu frowned slightly. Since he didn’t mind being seen by others, then she didn’t mind watching either. She bent to pick up the qin from the floor and slowly walked inside. Passing around the couch in the room’s center, she slowly walked to the table: “Prime Minister, should I place it here?”

Ji Fengli didn’t even glance at her, only saying lazily: “Mm, put it there. Yuan Bao, don’t leave yet. This Prime Minister has something to tell you later!”

Hua Zhuyu was stunned. She pursed her lips. Honestly, she really didn’t want to see this scene. She felt it made her chest feel blocked, the air in the room too stifling. But since they’d invited her, she couldn’t refuse.

Hua Zhuyu turned to sit on the couch in the room, supporting her chin with one hand, somewhat bored. The woman’s low, sweet cries came from the bed. Hua Zhuyu felt goosebumps slowly rising. No way – Ji Fengli couldn’t have such perverted tastes, liking to be intimate with women in front of others!

On the red wood table, a white glazed wine cup held half a cup of rouge-red wine, probably what Ji Fengli had left earlier. A faint wine fragrance wafted over.

Feeling bored sitting there, Hua Zhuyu reached for a new white glazed wine cup from the wooden rack beside the table. She picked up the wine pot, poured a cup of wine, held the cup, and slowly leaned back against the couch. The wine’s fragrance was enticing. Just as she was about to taste it, her lips already touching the cup’s rim, she suddenly frowned. Memories of their wedding night flashed through her mind like lightning. She stopped – it was better not to drink Ji Fengli’s wine, lest she be poisoned again.

Ji Fengli watched Hua Zhuyu, with legs crossed, lazily reclining on the couch holding a wine cup. His phoenix eyes suddenly narrowed. This Yuan Bao really thought he was watching a show? Displeasure immediately surged in his heart. He suddenly reached out, grasped the woman’s hand, and slowly pushed her away.

“Prime Minister…” the woman looked up resentfully, saying softly.

“Go down!” Ji Fengli’s refined brows slightly furrowed as he said lightly. His gentle tone already contained a trace of impatience.

The woman silently picked up her clothes from the floor, put them on piece by piece, curtsied gracefully to Ji Fengli, and slowly withdrew.

Hua Zhuyu’s eyes focused. Originally, she had steeled herself to watch to the end. She didn’t understand why Ji Fengli would suddenly stop, but deep down felt slightly relieved. After all, she was still an innocent maiden. If Ji Fengli hadn’t stopped, she wasn’t sure she could really watch from beginning to end – this wasn’t observing warfare or martial arts contests. She didn’t want others to teach her such things – she wanted her future husband to teach her.

Once the woman left, the room instantly seemed to reach ultimate quietness.

Ji Fengli remained motionless on the bed for a long time. Hua Zhuyu turned the wine cup in her hands for a long time without drinking – she dared not drink.

“Prime Minister, what are your instructions?” Hua Zhuyu looked up with a smile. She very much wanted to know what matter he’d mentioned when he kept her here.

Ji Fengli lazily reclined on the bed, phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, looking toward her. Rippling light passed through his eyes, fatally alluring.

“Come here!” he suddenly said coldly.

Hua Zhuyu stiffened, frowned as she placed the wine cup on the table, and slowly walked over.

Ji Fengli maintained his previous posture without moving. His upper inner garment had fallen open like clouds, revealing most of his chest – firm and sensual. His entire appearance was disheveled, with a particularly lazy, casual air. His ink-black hair hung unrestrained over his shoulders, very soul-stirring.

If it were her in the past, Hua Zhuyu thought she might have been enchanted by him. But now, she was immune to him, just as she was immune to plague.

“Prime Minister!” Hua Zhuyu frowned slightly and asked lightly: “What does the Prime Minister need Yuan Bao for?”

“Dress this Prime Minister!” Ji Fengli said lightly with narrowed eyes, his beautiful phoenix eyes gazing at her.

Hua Zhuyu was stunned, standing there motionless. What was this situation? She was somewhat confused!

Ji Fengli’s night-dark gaze settled heavily on her face, the corner of his lips curving in a faint smile: “Is this how you served Huangfu Wushuang in the Eastern Palace?”

She had indeed served Huangfu Wushuang with dressing in the palace, but she was his personal eunuch – these were her daily duties. But now, Ji Fengli also wanted her to serve him?

“What, you’re unwilling? Don’t you want to stay by this Prime Minister’s side as his personal guard? You’ve been at the Prime Minister’s residence for many days but have never fulfilled your duties!” Ji Fengli’s voice was lazy, revealing no emotion.

Hua Zhuyu smiled lightly, turned to take a white robe from a wardrobe on the side, and slowly walked to Ji Fengli’s side.

Actually, what he said was completely correct. She had come to the Prime Minister’s residence intending to gather intelligence from his side. Tonight she’d come here also hoping he would assign her some work. Just serving him with dressing – it was nothing significant.

She slowly walked before him, pulled his inner garment tight and properly dressed, then draped the white robe over him, picked up the jade belt, went behind him, and fastened it for him.

Ji Fengli stood still, letting her manipulate him, his face indifferent as he gazed ahead. Feeling Hua Zhuyu’s breath flowing beside him, carrying a trace of faint fragrance. She was extremely careful, but still occasionally touched his skin. That light touch made his heart surge with unprecedented stirring. His gaze unconsciously followed her movements until it focused on the red lips before him. He seemed stung and turned his gaze away.

“Prime Minister, is there anything else?” Hua Zhuyu asked with a smile.

Ji Fengli’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. His ice-cold gaze turned from Hua Zhuyu’s face as he said lightly: “Get lost!”

Hua Zhuyu suspected she’d misheard.

All along, Ji Fengli had been gentle as wind, but recently he’d said this word twice – first to Lan Bing, now to her.

Sometimes gentle as jade, refined as a gentleman; sometimes cold as ice, ruthless as a demon – she found him increasingly unfathomable.

Though she was a servant, a personal guard, she couldn’t be summoned and dismissed so casually.

“Prime Minister, what has Yuan Bao done wrong?” Hua Zhuyu stood without moving, asking clearly: “If I’ve done something wrong, please enlighten me, Prime Minister. Yuan Bao will definitely correct it in the future.”

As soon as Hua Zhuyu finished speaking, a pale hand reached over, suddenly grasping her chin. His movement was nearly divine in speed. Caught off guard, she had no chance to dodge. His five fingers exerted force, compelling her to look up at him. Had she revealed some flaw that made him recognize her identity? How did she feel that Ji Fengli seemed to hate her extremely? Actually, if he recognized her female identity, that wouldn’t be frightening – what was most frightening was if he recognized her as Ying Shuxie. Then she would be in danger.

Hua Zhuyu quickly steadied her mind, enduring the waves of pain in her chin, gazing steadily at Ji Fengli. Her clear eyes showed calmness and stubbornness but not a trace of panic.

“Listen, from today, this Prime Minister permits you to follow and work beside me. But remember one thing – finish your work and leave immediately. Don’t ask why! Go!” He suddenly released his grip on her chin, turned away without another glance at Hua Zhuyu, and walked composedly to the table, his entire being radiating an aura of “do not disturb.”