"What on earth do you want, Bai Yue?" Xin Zizhao's tone carried a hint of aggressiveness.
However, Bai Yue didn't mind. "What? Are you worried that I'll betray you?"
"You betrayed Sima Tianhai so easily. How can I be sure you won't deceive us?"
Bai Yue let out a soft laugh. His eyes passed over Xin Zizhao and landed on Wei Shuxuan. "I once made an agreement with Miss Wei. If I ensure your safe departure, she'll guarantee that I can stay out of the war between the Kingdom of Yulong and the Kingdom of Qiangfeng."
Wei Shuxuan, who was mentioned by name, was momentarily stunned but quickly regained her composure. "Yes... there was such an agreement."
"Everything was in the hands of fate from the very beginning. Things developed according to fate's will. I was just following the mandate of heaven. Besides, I was never Sima Tianhai's man. I'm just a humble warlock."
Looking at the smile on Bai Yue's lips, Wei Shuxuan really believed that this man was sincere. She didn't say a word. "Xin Zizhao, forget it. Since he said so, let's trust him."
Coincidentally, Wei Shuxuan and Xin Zizhao thought alike. Xin Zizhao nodded and retracted his hostility. "I see. If you have nothing else to do, you can leave after saying your piece."
"Sure. Also, keep an eye on your younger brother. That's all I have to say." Bai Yue casually noticed a bit of food crumbs on Wei Shuxuan's lips and showed an ambiguous smile. "Miss Wei looks really cute."
However, before Xin Zizhao could explode, Bai Yue had already left the room. Wei Shuxuan felt that dealing with a man like Bai Yue was really tiring.
Xin Zizhao turned around and looked at Wei Shuxuan with crumbs still on her lips. Wei Shuxuan was a bit scared of the man's dark face. "What are you doing? I didn't do anything to him. Why are you getting angry with me?"
"I'm not getting angry with you, you silly girl."
Xin Zizhao simply sat down beside Wei Shuxuan, put his arm around her shoulder, leaned over slightly, and licked off the pastry crumbs on Wei Shuxuan's lips with his tongue. The warm and soft touch made Wei Shuxuan blush uncontrollably. Although it was just a fleeting feeling, it still made her cheeks turn red. The blush spread from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.
"What? Are you shy already?" Xin Zizhao raised an eyebrow and looked at Wei Shuxuan with great interest.
".... I'm telling you, don't do anything rash. You've exhausted me enough these days. I don't want it today. I'm going to sleep now. Good night."
As soon as she finished speaking, Wei Shuxuan dropped the chopsticks in her hand and scurried to the bed to sleep. Xin Zizhao looked at her with a mixture of amusement and helplessness. He didn't intend to do anything at all. She was just overthinking. Looking at the messy tableware on the table, Xin Zizhao couldn't help but shake his head. He called the Chief Steward Li in to clear away the tableware.
The weather had been really nice recently. The sky was blue, the clouds were white, the sunlight was brilliant, and the flowers were colorful. Everything seemed so beautiful. Wei Shuxuan thought that it would be even better if they could go to the seaside on such a day.
"Dad, how do you feel about your health?" Wei Shuxuan supported Wei Tu as they went out for a walk.
"I feel quite good. The medicine prescribed by the imperial physician is very effective."
"That's good."
"Xuan'er..." Wei Tu looked at Wei Shuxuan, hesitating to speak. "Dad is really worried about Sima Tianhai."
"It's okay, Dad. Xin Zizhao and Zian will handle it. You just stay here and recuperate in peace. I'll take good care of you."
Wei Shuxuan gave Wei Tu a gentle smile. The sunlight shone into her eyes, forming a bright spot, just like a bright moon hanging in the dark night. Since Wei Shuxuan had said so, Wei Tu had nothing more to say. He felt like a useless person now.
Although Xin Yeheng had managed to get Sima Tianhai to stay in Huaman Palace, he still hadn't found an excuse to enter Sima Tianhai's room. Since the weather had been really good recently, Xin Yeheng must seize this opportunity.
One night, as usual, Xin Yeheng brought dinner to Sima Tianhai. "Grandpa, it's time for dinner."
Sima Tianhai, who was sitting cross - legged on the bed, got up and walked over. "Heng'er, when will your plan be put into action?"
"Soon. It's not the right time yet."
"Do you know where the imperial seal is?" Sima Tianhai simply asked Xin Yeheng.
"It's in the imperial study. Grandpa, you're not thinking of..." Xin Yeheng turned around and looked at Sima Tianhai's sinister smile.
However, Xin Yeheng didn't stop him. "Grandpa, I'll distract Xin Zizhao and the others. You go and get the imperial seal."
"You're really my good grandson. Leave it to Grandpa."
So, on the next night, Xin Yeheng invited Wei Shuxuan and Xin Zizhao to Huaman Palace for dinner. Wei Shuxuan was very happy to see Xin Yeheng. "Yeheng, why do you suddenly want to have dinner with us today?"
"I see that Sister Xuan and Brother Emperor have been very busy recently, so I thought I'd find an opportunity for us to have dinner together again. It's really boring to eat alone in my bedroom..." A look of loneliness flashed across Xin Yeheng's face, which made Wei Shuxuan feel a bit heart - ache. After all, he was her younger brother. Although not a blood - related one, Wei Shuxuan still regarded him as her own younger brother.
Xin Yeheng had prepared a sumptuous meal. Wei Shuxuan, Xin Zizhao and the others ate for a long time. After the meal, Xin Yeheng tried to keep them. "Sister Xuan, Brother Emperor, wait a moment. I'll go and prepare some delicious food for you."
After Xin Yeheng ran away, Wei Shuxuan looked at Xin Zizhao. "What's wrong with your younger brother? Why is he so attentive today?"
"Isn't he always very attentive to you?" Xin Zizhao replied calmly.
"I know, but he's not very attentive to you."
"So what?"
"I think there's something strange about it." Wei Shuxuan gave a mysterious smile. However, she still sat in her original place without moving. "But no matter what's strange, I believe Yeheng won't harm us. Am I right?"
"Yeah."
Slipping out of the main hall, Xin Yeheng quickly took out the dragon carving and brought it to Sima Tianhai's room. He placed it on the bookshelf near the window. He had calculated that the sunlight could shine directly on the dragon carving at this position. He gathered the books on the bookshelf together to cover the carving so that Sima Tianhai wouldn't see it so easily.
After everything was ready, Xin Yeheng quickly left Sima Tianhai's room. He had only taken a few steps when he saw Sima Tianhai coming back.