Chapter 146: Futile Concealment

He raised his cup, about to take a sip, when a fair hand gently tugged at his sleeve. “You forgot, you can’t drink,” she said softly, then smoothly took the wine cup from his hand.

“...Is that so?” Ji Wuqing arched an eyebrow in mild curiosity. Though he didn’t know why Xue’er said that, her serious expression was irresistibly endearing.

“Of course.” She nodded earnestly before lifting the cup and drinking it all at once.

Mmm, the wine smelled intoxicating and indeed had a strong kick.

“So, you just didn’t want me to drink because you wanted it for yourself,” he said, stroking his chin with a hint of playful accusation.

“Either way, you’re not allowed to drink,” Xuexue said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

“How domineering... but I like it,” the king murmured with a touch of grievance, yet a smile graced his face, revealing genuine pleasure.

There was nothing regal about this king and queen—they interacted more like an ordinary married couple, sharing a gentle warmth rather than the formal respect expected of emperor and empress.

Dan Ying and Ling Yin quietly observed the unusual intimacy between them. Their gentle exchange was far from the customary decorum of imperial consorts; it felt like a slice of everyday domesticity, tender and faintly heartwarming.

Their lunch ended with the four of them wearing varied expressions, each lost in their own thoughts.

“By the way, I have something to discuss with Ling Yin,” she suddenly said as she sat.

“Xue’er, this might be dangerous,” Ji Wuqing whispered, not angry but cautious.

Though Ling Yin had helped the Ji Kingdom, she wasn’t truly one of their own. Moreover, he had nearly taken Xue’er away last time. He dared not take chances with someone so unpredictable. If anything went wrong, he couldn’t even imagine his own reaction.

“As the saying goes, ‘Trust those you employ; do not employ those you doubt.’ Do you not trust me at all, Zi Qing? Even if you don’t trust me, you must trust me,” Xuexue replied.

Last time, she had deliberately given Ling Yin the opportunity, and this time, she truly believed in her.

However—

“No, Xue’er,” his lips curled into a half-smile, but his tone was resolute. There was no room for negotiation.

Surprised by his firmness, Xuexue lifted her head and, moving close, straightened slightly so her lips brushed against his ear. “You want to hear what we’re talking about, don’t you?”

“No, I want to watch to be sure,” he teased back, imitating her move by blowing a breath near her ear.

“Such sophistry,” she snorted softly, clearly displeased.

Ji Wuqing merely smiled silently. Xue’er knew his thoughts well—there was no point in arguing.

“Since that’s the case, I shall take my leave,” Dan Ying stood and prepared to depart. He glanced at Xuexue, then at Ling Yin. “Ling Yin, when you return, send word to me. I have matters to discuss with you.”

With a nod to Ji Wuqing, he left the Yishouli Mansion.

Thus, only the three of them remained in the main hall. The attendants were dismissed.

“Do you know why Her Majesty left Ling Yin here?” Ling Yin broke the silence first, surprised she was still willing to speak with him.

Xuexue shook her head. “It’s not that she has orders for you; she just wants to ask you something. Lately, I’ve been inexplicably recalling strange fragments—visions of Yuan Xue standing outside a window, seemingly spying on those inside.”

“Yuan Xue standing outside the window?” Ling Yin’s voice was barely a whisper, trembling like a kite adrift in the wind, lost and directionless.

“Yes. I don’t want to delve into Yuan Xue’s past, but do you know if she had any lingering wishes? Perhaps I can offer some help.”

“What exactly do you mean?” Ling Yin suddenly looked up at her, trying to read her face for clues.

“Don’t overthink it. Yuan Xue is already dead,” she said calmly, aware of Ling Yin’s suspicions. The world held many mysteries, Ling Yin among them.

So, he must believe there is still some possibility Yuan Xue remains in the mortal realm.

“Then why does Her Majesty suddenly ask about Yuan Xue?”

“I just sensed some of her past thoughts, which stirred my concern,” Xuexue replied. She found it odd, these feelings growing more frequent.

Since Ling Yin admitted to being Yu Weiqiu, the buried memories seemed to have cracked open, slowly flooding back and threatening to overwhelm her.

“Is that so?” Ling Yin’s eyes brightened suddenly. “If Her Majesty learns anything, please tell me immediately.” His urgency was unmistakable, as if desperate to uncover the truth.

“For example…” His words were strange, stirring fleeting, unclear images in her mind.

“Her death,” he said solemnly.

Was Yuan Xue’s death truly caused by that poisoned wine? The wine supposedly gifted by Lord Yu Hou himself...

“I never gave her poisoned wine,” he said. He was eager to find out who had impersonated Lord Yu Hou to poison her.

Though he had misunderstood and even despised her at the time, he had never wished her dead.

Could it all have been a tragic misunderstanding?

She rested her chin on her hand, suddenly feeling somewhat lost.

“But since she is already dead and the Yu Kingdom has fallen, does it even matter who used your name to harm her?” she countered. “It’s simple—who in Yu was most favored, who stood in her path to power, that person is the culprit.”

Such a simple truth, yet he seemed unable to see it.

“This matters greatly to me,” Ling Yin insisted gravely.

It truly was important to him.

Hearing this, Xuexue nodded. “I promise you.”

Perhaps Ling Yin’s purpose was to find Yuan Xue’s killer.

But sadly, if truth be told, he was also an accomplice—for if not for his indifference and neglect, Yuan Xue would not have died.

“Why the sigh?” The invisible king suddenly appeared beside her, curious. “And why promise to deal with Yuan Xue’s affairs? You are Xuexue—why entangle yourself in their matters?”

“You ask too many questions, Zi Qing,” she said, looping her arm around his neck and leaning into his embrace. For some reason, she suddenly longed to depend on him, to rest in his arms and forget all troubles.

“Is Xue’er disgruntled with me?” the king asked plaintively.

“Not at all. I like you best,” she whispered, so he must take good care of himself.

Hearing this, he wrapped her gently, his voice soft enough to melt bones. “A new tactic to change the subject, is it?”

“Something like that. Does it work on you?”

“I find it very effective.”

With the matter of the Wu Kingdom somewhat settled, Ji Wuqing clung to her side almost daily, much like their days in the Ji Kingdom.

Night fell quietly. After dinner, Ji Wuqing went to the study to hear the evening reports.

Xuexue went to bathe in the private bath chamber inside their quarters. Steam filled the room, and red flower petals floated on the warm water, releasing a special, fragrant aroma.

She was alone, slowly untying the white silk robe, revealing a pool of warm water.

Don’t think of anything else—just enjoy the bath.

She wasn’t one to indulge often; normally, she only washed to be clean.

She shed her clothes and placed them on the rack beside the pool. Slowly descending the steps into the bath, the water was just deep enough to reach her chest. The petals floated gently, swaying with the ripples.

She breathed out contentedly, resting her head against the warm edge. Her long black hair drifted in the water like thick seaweed.

Her eyes closed in comfort, almost drifting to sleep.

Outside, Ji Wuqing entered the bedroom but found no sign of her. Only the palace maid Yu Zhi was tidying the bed.

“Your Majesty,” Yu Zhi greeted hastily.

“Where is Her Majesty?”

“Your Majesty, she just began bathing a short while ago.”

He nodded and strode toward the bath chamber.

Yu Zhi quietly withdrew, surprised at how quickly the king returned—he couldn’t bear to be apart from Her Majesty even briefly.

He approached, gently drew back the curtain, and pushed open the door.

Inside, a screen and the clothes on the rack caught his eye—those must be her bathing garments. Somehow, seeing her clothes casually draped there stirred a strange feeling in him...

But the bath was silent, which worried him. He quickly moved behind the screen.

In the warm water, she leaned back with eyes closed, her bare shoulders glowing pale and smooth.

Ji Wuqing’s handsome face flushed silently.

Though embarrassed, he still approached slowly. How could she fall asleep in the bath? Was she worn out lately?

He pondered quietly, then crouched to look at her peaceful face.

Unable to resist, he reached out and gently poked her cheek. The warmth of the bath had flushed her skin even more, making her complexion exquisitely delicate.

But his touch disturbed her—Xuexue’s eyes fluttered open groggily.

She tilted her head, meeting Ji Wuqing’s gaze as he crouched beside the pool.

Was this a dream?

She blinked, then confirmed it was not.

The air between them paused.

“I...” Ji Wuqing withdrew his hand quietly, looking slightly sheepish. Just as he was about to explain, Xuexue suddenly scooped water and splashed it in his face.

With her other hand, she grabbed a towel from the bath and held it to her chest, frowning at him.

“Ugh, you’ve already seen everything. Covering up now is useless.”