Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

Shui Rong watched Wang Xifeng's graceful figure disappear into the depths of the corridor. The lingering fragrance of cosmetics and plum blossoms in the study still lingered at the tip of his nose.

He slowly turned around, let out a long sigh, and felt a thin layer of sweat on his back—this fiery woman was indeed a stunner who could throw people into chaos and never allow anyone a moment's peace.

Upon returning to the Zitan case, his gaze swept over the mountain of documents piled on the desk, but a sudden sense of unease arose in his heart.

The documents and memorials from the Imperial Clan Court that he used to meticulously review, now seemed utterly tasteless. He casually picked up a register of imperial clan salaries, flipped through a couple of pages, and then casually circled a few formatting errors in the footer, his tone tinged with impatience: "Uncle Zhao!"

Upon hearing the sound, Zhao Zhong, who was outside the door, quickly stepped in, bowed, and replied, "This servant is here."

"Take these few files back to the Imperial Clan Court with two nimble servants and tell them that they have been revised according to my annotations and will be presented to me again."

Shui Rong pushed the booklet to the side of the table, his tone indifferent. As Zhao Zhong responded and was about to leave, he added, "Oh, by the way, call Qin Zhong here when you have time. Take care of him more often, teach him to manage some of the Prince's household affairs. You're getting on in years; you don't need to do everything yourself."

Zhao Zhong understood perfectly that the prince was paving the way for the Qin family and cultivating his confidants. He quickly bowed and replied, "This servant obeys and will certainly teach Young Master Qin with utmost care." After saying this, he quietly took the dossier and left.

After seeing Zhao Zhong off, Shui Rong got up and walked out of the stifling Hanhui Hall.

Although the afternoon sun in winter was bright, it carried a chilly edge. He stood in the courtyard and took a deep breath of the cold air, finally dispelling most of the stale air in his stomach. He looked up towards the direction outside the city, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of buildings, landing on the location of Ci'an Temple.

"Judging from Jia Zhen's efficient work, Qin Shi should have already arrived at the temple."

Shui Rong muttered to himself, a meaningful smile curving his lips, "I should go to Ci'an Temple tomorrow, just to offer incense and pray for blessings, and also to check on her situation."

His thoughts suddenly drifted back to Wang Xifeng, her captivating phoenix eyes and her charmingly naive appearance when dressed as a man lingering in his mind.

This woman was completely different from Qin Keqing. Qin Keqing was like a dodder vine, gentle and soft, needing to be cherished and protected; while Wang Xifeng was a blazing fire, shrewd and capable, with extraordinary skills, someone he was unwilling to easily provoke—after all, she was the wife of a subject, and there was also the common saying that "one should not covet a friend's wife."

But fate is fickle. The accidental touch inside the carriage that day, and the enchanting illusions in the Land of Illusion, kept reminding him that his feelings for this fiery phoenix had long since transcended mere admiration.

"So be it, let nature take its course." Shui Rong gave a bitter smile. Now that he was involved, it wouldn't be easy to extricate himself. He turned his gaze southward, thinking to himself, "It's a pity that Bao and Dai are still young and ignorant, otherwise it would have been a fortunate opportunity."

The thought had barely formed when Shui Rong's eyes suddenly lit up—according to the timeline, Lin Ruhai was still alive! This was a huge variable.

Lin Ruhai was a former third-place scholar in the imperial examinations and currently serves as the Salt Commissioner of Yangzhou. He is also a trusted confidant of the Emperor. If one can establish a good relationship with him during his lifetime, wouldn't it give them more control over Daiyu's future when Lin Ruhai entrusts her to someone else?

He turned to look at the servant sweeping fallen leaves and casually asked, "Where is Lord Lin Ruhai currently working?"

The servant quickly dropped the broom, stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Your Highness, I heard from the purchasing manager that Lord Lin is currently in Yangzhou supervising the salt administration and still holds the position of Salt Inspector."

Yangzhou.

Shui Rong nodded, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "Immediately give the order to keep a close watch on Lord Lin's movements. Also, in my name, prepare a generous gift and send it to Yangzhou, saying that we are grateful for his efforts in sharing His Majesty's burdens and working hard for the people, and this is a small token of our respect."

The servant asked, "What has Your Highness chosen?"

Shui Rong pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's send the warm jade disc that the late emperor bestowed upon you. That jade is warm and translucent, which is most suitable for the refined taste of a gentleman like Lord Lin."

"Yes, Your Highness!" The servant acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Shui Rong stood still, a confident smile spreading across his lips.

This jade disc is both a gesture of goodwill and an investment. If Lin Ruhai could entrust Daiyu to me when he is seriously ill and leaves his orphanage, that would be the best outcome.

"Your Highness~"

A sweet and melodious female voice suddenly came from the pavilion on the artificial hill next to him, interrupting his thoughts.

Shui Rong looked up and saw Wang Xifeng leaning against the balustrade, still wearing her wide, moon-white brocade robe, holding a freshly broken red plum blossom in her hand, looking down at him with a mocking gaze in her eyes.

"What's making you so happy that Your Highness is secretly laughing to yourself here?" Her voice was as crisp as a silver bell, with a hint of languor.

Shui Rong composed herself, smiled faintly, and raised an eyebrow, not revealing her true thoughts: "I was just thinking about some old memories. Instead of going out for a walk, you're standing here in the wind. Are you perhaps not dressed warmly enough? Your clothes should be dry by now, right?"

Wang Xifeng glanced down at her men's clothing, showing a hint of disdain, and then gracefully walked downstairs.

Perhaps because her robes were too loose, or perhaps it was intentional, when she reached the corner of the corridor, she tilted her body slightly and leaned against the pillar beside her. The wide sleeves slid down to reveal a section of her fair and jade-like wrist, which paused slightly as it brushed against Shui Rong's arm. The cool and delicate touch sent a jolt through Shui Rong's body like an electric current.

She seemed oblivious, only glancing up at Shui Rong with a charming smile, her tone slightly coquettish: "It should be soon, I'll go down and take a look."

After saying that, she leaned closer to his side, their shoulders touching. The rich fragrance of her perfume mixed with the crisp scent of plum blossoms wafted straight into Shui Rong's nose.

As she approached the entrance to the warm pavilion, she deliberately stepped aside to let the threshold pass. With the movement, her proud breasts brushed against Shui Rong's arm, the soft touch fleeting, yet it made Shui Rong's Adam's apple bob suddenly.

She turned around and curtsied, her collar slightly loosened as she bent over, revealing a glimpse of delicate skin. Her voice was so soft and sweet it could melt your heart: "Thank you for your kindness today, Your Highness. My clothes should be dry by now."

Shui Rong composed herself, looked away, and said in a slightly hoarse and teasing tone, "Since it's dry, hurry up and change and go back. Master Lian is probably worried about you at home."

Mentioning Jia Lian, Wang Xifeng's coquettish expression faded slightly. She then took a half-step forward, almost touching Shui Rong's side, raising her hand as if to brush away non-existent dust from his shoulder. Her wrist brushed against his forearm again, her tone both coquettish and provocative:

"Your Highness, please don't tease me with that scoundrel! He's probably out having fun somewhere right now, he doesn't care about me, his legal wife." Her breath gently sprayed on Shui Rong's neck, carrying a warm, sweet fragrance that made one's heart itch.

After saying that, she turned and went into the warm pavilion, and soon changed into her light red brocade dress.

The brocade dress was tailored to fit her perfectly, outlining her exquisite figure to the fullest. Her hair was styled in a new updo, adorned with pearls and jade, making her even more alluring and charming. The decisive and ruthless Second Madam Lian now exuded a seductive charm.

As soon as she stepped out of the warm pavilion, she deliberately swayed her skirt and walked up to Shui Rong. She raised her hand to adjust the pearl hairpin in her hair, and her elbow accidentally bumped into Shui Rong's arm. Her shoulder breasts brushed against her again, with a hint of deliberate probing.

Shui Rong's eyes darkened, and she said, "Oh, by the way, you don't need to come tomorrow."

Wang Xifeng's smile froze instantly, a clear hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. Yet, she leaned forward reluctantly, her voice softening with a touch of grievance: "Does Your Highness dislike me?" As she spoke, her fingertips lightly brushed against Shui Rong's sleeve, the slender, cool fingertips sending shivers down one's spine.

Shui Rong chuckled inwardly at her feigned pitiful appearance, but remained outwardly composed: "It's not that I dislike you, it's just that I have important business to attend to tomorrow."

Although Wang Xifeng was still unhappy, she dared not disobey and could only nod listlessly and reply, "...Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

Seeing her wilted appearance, Shui Rong secretly sighed at the woman's first-rate ability to manipulate people.

A faint smile played in his eyes as his gaze swept over her flushed cheeks. His tone was filled with doting affection, yet also contained a direct hint: "Don't spoil the mood, Phoenix. Come to the Prince's residence again the day after tomorrow morning. I'll have some free time then, and I'll definitely take the time to cure this 'ailment' of yours. I'll also let you know that it's wrong to seduce the Prince."

Upon hearing the word "illness," Wang Xifeng's cheeks flushed instantly. Recalling the unusual "treatment" she had received earlier that day, she lowered her head and pursed her lips, but then deliberately glanced at him. As she took a slight step, her jade-like fingers brushed against his arm again, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz yet carrying a seductive tone: "It's all up to Your Highness's arrangements."

She said no more, turned around and boarded the sedan chair that the Wang family had come to fetch her. Before getting into the sedan chair, she deliberately looked back at Shui Rong, her phoenix eyes sparkling with a captivating charm.

The sedan bearers lifted the sedan chair, and the curtain slowly fell, obscuring her figure, leaving only the sound of the sedan bearers' footsteps fading into the distance.

Shui Rong stood there, gazing in the direction the sedan chair had disappeared, her soft touch and sweet fragrance still lingering on her arm.

He raised his hand to stroke his arm, a playful smile playing on his lips: "The day after tomorrow... I'll have to give you a proper 'treatment' and see what other tricks you can pull."

The cold wind in the courtyard swept up a few fallen leaves, but it couldn't dispel the lingering enchanting atmosphere in the air.