My Husband Became the Most Powerful Minister - Chapter 19

At the princess’s birthday banquet, the officials’ families and the families of the meritorious officials were seated separately.

Helan Ci sat with the families of other second-rank officials. Since her reputation was too great and she was quite eye-catching, very few people usually spoke to her at such banquets. Helan Ci was happy to enjoy the peace and only saw Yao Qianxue winking at her from a distance.

When she had just returned from Qingzhou, her cousin Yao Qianxue, who had grown up with her, treated her as before and even tried to help her integrate into the circle of noble ladies in the capital. However, since she knew nothing about cosmetics and jewelry, and had no mother to teach her the things a woman should know, her knowledge were all learned in the academy. If she were a man, it would have been fine, but as a woman, others just thought she was pretentious—after all, she couldn’t take the imperial examination, and she would marry in the end.

Seeing Lu Wuyou’s boundless glory as the Zhuangyuan, Helan Ci couldn’t help but feel envious.

When she was in Qingzhou, her talent and accomplishments were often praised by her teacher, but in the end, the teacher would always sigh, lamenting that she was not a man.

Sometimes, Helan Ci really felt that she and Helan Jian had been born wrong. If he were her, he might not have to worry so much. After struggling for a bit, he might just lie down, pack his bags, and head straight to the Second Prince’s residence.

But it is just this bit of unwillingness.

She was just drifting in and out of thoughts when she heard a loud and clear announcement, “Her Majesty, Noble Consort Li, and the Second Prince have arrived.”

Emperor Shun, of course, came as a guest to celebrate his daughter’s birthday. Beside him, the elegantly beautiful Noble Consort Li had her arm draped over his wrist, smiling in a very charming and captivating manner. The second prince, Xiao Nanxun, who had a cold expression, walked at the back.

Shao’an Gongzhu lifted his skirt and quickly ran over, taking the other arm of Noble Consort Li, sweetly calling out “Mother Concubine.”

The four of them were all dressed in splendid attire, and apart from Xiao Nanxun, who was slightly aloof, they looked like a harmonious family of four.

Helan Ci somewhat inappropriately thought of that rather lamentable Empress.

Although Emperor Yongshun was titled Emperor Shun, his ascension to the throne was not very smooth. He was neither the legitimate nor the eldest son. After the incident involving the former crown prince, several other princes also encountered problems one after another. When the throne was left vacant, the current Empress Dowager, the cabinet ministers, and even the Grand Secretary all engaged in a power struggle. It was largely thanks to the assistance of the Duke of Xunyang that he was able to ascend the throne. In the end, he even sought to marry his niece, who became Empress Xu.

It is said that Empress Xu originally had someone she was interested in, but Emperor Shun, through his persistent and diligent efforts, Duke of Xunyang eventually persuaded her niece and placed all his hopes on him. In the early years after Emperor Shun ascended the throne, the couple was relatively harmonious, and Empress Xu even gave birth to a son, but unfortunately, he passed away at the age of one.

Later, as Emperor Shun’s power grew and his throne became more secure, and after he brought back Concubine Li, it became rare to see the Empress’s figure in the capital. The three grand banquets in the palace and the previous sacrifices in the suburbs were all events where the Empress would accompany him, but now it was always Concubine Li who appeared.The official explanation given to outsiders was that the Empress accompanied the Empress Dowager to meditate in seclusion, not involving herself in court affairs, and rarely making public appearances. However, only those within the palace truly knew the situation.

Looking at this kind-faced, amiable old emperor, Helan Ci felt a bit complicated.

However, before she could feel too complicated for a moment, she sensed Xiao Nanxun’s cold gray-black eyes glancing over at her. She immediately felt a chill run through her body. For a brief moment, a hint of a smile appeared on Xiao Nanxun’s face, as if he was quite pleased with her appearance today.

Xiao Nanxun looked at her as if she were a beautifully decorated gift box, eagerly awaiting to be opened.

It made people feel very uncomfortable.

Helan Ci felt a strong sense of crisis rise again in her heart.

She quickly lowered her head to avoid making eye contact with him, only feeling a sense of relief when that ominous gaze slowly disappeared from her.

After the banquet began, Emperor Shun, followed by the chief eunuch, recited the congratulatory speech written by the Hanlin Academy for Shao’an Gongzhu.

Helan Ci couldn’t help but listen attentively to the words being read.

Those who can enter the Hanlin Academy are the elite of the nation. Apart from the top three of the Imperial exam, only a few second-class Jinshi can be selected as Shujishi*. Their essays are naturally exquisite and magnificent. Even a short birthday congratulatory poem can be written with brilliant and elegant style, with splendid and beautiful prose, and a grand and imposing spirit.

It’s just… why does this style sound so familiar?

Emperor Shun was very pleased and asked, “Which of you, my beloved ministers, wrote this congratulatory message?”

The eunuch beside him respectfully smiled and said, “It was the princess who specifically requested the newly appointed Zhuangyuan to write it for her.”

Emperor Shun turned to look at his youngest daughter, Shao’an Gongzhu, who was cupping her face and pretending to be a little girl, saying, “Father, you said he was a celestial being descended from the heavens, so what’s wrong with me asking him to write a poem for me?”

Sure enough.

His daughter was like this, and the Emperor was quite helpless. At this moment, he looked just like an ordinary father who doted on his daughter: “Minister Lu, please come.”

Although the Hanlin Academy is prestigious, its official rank is not high. Moreover, Lu Wuyou has only been in office for less than a month, and the Ministry of Rites has arranged for him to be positioned outside the hall.

Before long, Lu Wuyou entered.

With a smile on his lips, his gaze affectionate, his posture tall and slender, he walked in at a leisurely pace, his demeanor poised and graceful, even carrying a hint of nobility.

One might have thought he was some noble young master.

The bright red robe, the same color as the high-ranking officials’ attire, was particularly eye-catching on him. Coupled with his face—one that even Helan Ci had to admit was quite handsome—he drew whispers from the surrounding ladies and young misses, with a few even blushing faintly.

It was hard for Helan Ci not to think of him as the proverb, “beauty who brings disaster.” *1

“I heard that beloved minister Lu had an old ailment flare up a while ago. How is your health now?”

Lu Wuyou smiled and said, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am quite well.” His voice was gentle and clear, extremely pleasant to hear.

The Emperor also smiled kindly, as if looking at his own child: “Then, beloved minister Lu, please take care of yourself. Did you write this congratulatory poem yourself?”

“Indeed, it is this humble one’s work.”

Shao’an Gongzhu beside him was twisting her fingers, almost like a piece of twisted hemp, both shy and excited. After all, it was the person she admired who had personally written her a birthday poem. She received it and had it framed and hung in her bedroom.

“Beloved minister Lu’s talent is indeed remarkable. I bestow upon you thirty taels of silver, two bolts of silk, and two bolts of colorful satin as a reward for this poem.”

Shao’an Gongzhu immediately followed up, “Then I want to reward too! thirty taels!”

“…”

Helan Ci was speechless for a moment.

You must know that her father, Helan Jin, held a second-rank official position, and his monthly salary was only sixty-one dan. Converted to silver, it was just over twenty taels.

How could a poem by Lu Wuyou be worth the equivalent of her father’s three months’ salary?

Is this reasonable?

But the so-called rewards given to the emperor’s close ministers and Hanlin officials have always been so unreasonable.

However, it was clear that the Emperor truly appreciated him, no wonder he was reluctant to let him be a princess consort.

Lu Wuyou naturally accepted the decree and thanked the Emperor.

At this moment, a slow yet somewhat cold voice came from the side.

“I have long heard of Lu Zhuangyuan’s talent. Today, seeing it in person, it is indeed extraordinary. I would like to offer you a cup, if I may?”

As he spoke, Xiao Nanxun was pouring wine into two yellow-glazed cups in front of him. After pouring, he stood up and walked straight towards Lu Wuyou, his lips curled up, as if smiling, yet not quite.

At this moment, Helan Ci was somewhat puzzled.

Could it be that the Second Prince simply liked good-looking people?

She looked at Shao’an Gongzhu with some suspicion, only to see her eyes shining with anticipation, as if she was eagerly waiting for something… Did she not think her brother looked dangerous?

As Helan Ci’s gaze shifted, Xiao Nanxun handed the wine cup to Lu Wuyou.

Seeing this, Emperor Shun was quite pleased: “Xun’er, beloved minister Lu is well-versed in the classics and has considerable talent. You should get closer to him in the future.”

Lu Wuyou lowered his eyes and accepted the wine cup handed over by Xiao Nanxun—he had no choice but to accept it since it was handed over by a prince.

When he raised his eyes again, Xiao Nanxun had just finished drinking the wine in his cup. He then turned the empty cup upside down, smiling gently and saying, “Certainly, I also want to get closer to Lu Zhuangyuan.”

Before he finished speaking, Lu Wuyou raised his head and drank the wine in one gulp, his face also smiling with utmost sincerity: “Your Majesty and Your Highness are truly overpraising this humble official.”

Watching from a distance, Helan Ci felt that the smiles on both of their faces were ridiculously fake, no different from paper cutouts.

After finishing the wine, Lu Wuyou retreated back outside the hall.

Then Emperor Shun talked about his blessings for his daughter, he called on Noble Consort Li to say a few words, then announced the official start of the banquet. The music and dance performance by the Jiaofang Department began, and dishes were gradually placed on the tables in front.

Although Helan Ci had never tasted it, she had heard from Yao Qianxue that the food from the Ministry of Rites was notoriously bad.

Now, looking around, it was indeed the case; most of the officials and their families were either chatting or watching the performance, hardly touching their chopsticks.

At such a grand banquet, to ensure the dishes are still hot when served, most of the food is not fresh and has been reheated multiple times. Helan Ci moved her chopsticks and found her clothes were too tight, her head was dizzy, and she really had no appetite, so she put them down again.

Picking up her cup, she found it was wine, so she put it down again.

The maid beside her noticed and cautiously asked, “Noble lady, are you dissatisfied with the dishes?”

Helan Ci hesitated for a moment and said, “Can… you pour me some tea?”

The tea was quickly poured.

The tea was clear and fragrant, and it was indeed tea she asked. Helan Ci took a sip and found no problem. By now, she was indeed a bit thirsty, so she didn’t think much and drank it all in one go.

But she didn’t expect that drinking tea could make her dizzy.

Or perhaps it was that this outfit was too cumbersome. Helan Ci thought for a moment, and while everyone around her was busy chatting, she simply lifted her skirt and quietly stood up, wanting to get some fresh air.

The maid from earlier came over and asked, “Noble lady, are you feeling unwell? Shall I take you to the warm room nearby to rest for a while?”

Helan Ci not only felt dizzy, but her body was also a bit hot, making her feel very uncomfortable. Since she was not unfamiliar with the maid’s attentiveness and didn’t find it strange, she nodded.

Stepping outside the hall, the cold wind made her feel somewhat comfortable, but she was still dizzy, and her brain was becoming a bit sluggish.

The maid supported her arm and led her away. Helan Ci was not familiar with the mansion at all, so she let the maid guide her through the twists and turns into a room, turning left into a warm room in the west wing. Once she was helped onto the bed, she gradually felt an unusual heat in her body.

“Sitting like this isn’t comfortable. Shall I help you take off your shoes and socks so you can lie down for a while…”

As she spoke, the maid was about to come forward to help.

Helan Ci suddenly sobered up.

She always had a strong sense of crisis, especially since being tricked by Li Ting last time, making her even more sensitive. She was not used to having others help her with her clothes, so she immediately declined, “No need, I can sit here for a while.”

“Please don’t make it difficult for me, noble lady.” The maid showed a troubled expression, “You should lie down and rest…”

Helan Ci, holding onto the bedpost, suddenly recalled the scene from her dream.

On the bed.

The person who had been threatening her.

Although the scenes were completely different, the sense of fear surged up. Especially since she had just seen the second prince, she felt uneasy and didn’t dare to stay any longer. Helan Ci forced herself to sit up and planned to leave.

Who would have thought, the palace maid’s expression slightly changed and said, “Noble lady, where are you going?”

She actually blocked Helan Ci’s way.

If she couldn’t sense the problem now, she would be a fool.

Helan Ci gritted her teeth and said, “Get out of the way.”

“You can’t…”

Before she could finish, Helan Ci suddenly raised her arm, and in the blink of an eye, a sharp, cold gleam of a hairpin was pressed against the maid’s throat.

The maid, caught off guard, immediately fell silent in fear.

The tip of the hairpin was still coated with the medicine Lu Wuyou had given her, which she had secretly hidden in her sleeve.

The maid was unaware, only looking nervously at Helan Ci, her eyes seemingly filled with a hint of pity. But soon, her body softened and slowly passed out.

This medicine… really is quite effective.

Helan Ci thought silently, immediately laying the maid down. She didn’t dare to linger, almost leaving immediately. At the same time, she began to feel increasingly hot, as if a surge of heat was rising from within her body, and her consciousness was becoming more and more scattered—at this point, she didn’t need to guess; it was likely that the tea was the problem.

If she had drunk alcohol, she could say she was drunk, but she clearly hadn’t had a single sip.

Li Ting’s head is still not cured right now. The one who is daring to collude with the palace maids to drug her here, it is highly likely that it is…

Panic drove Helan Ci to start running aimlessly outside. She clenched her palm tightly to keep herself as awake as possible, but she still stumbled. She couldn’t go back now; if she did, she might be caught by other palace maids before she even reached the banquet…

Helan Ci bit her lip and ran even more towards the secluded areas.

The mansion was so large, and most of the maids should still be near the banquet. She needed to find a place to hide first and endure the effects of the drug.

—Although Helan Ci had no idea what kind of drug it was or how long she had to endure it.

But she couldn’t be seen by anyone.

Due to excessive tension, her lips were even bitten until they bled.

Tasting the metallic taste of bl00d between her lips and teeth, her body grew weaker, as if her bones had been drained. She forced herself to keep running forward, her breathing disordered and rapid. She didn’t know how far she had run when she suddenly heard a series of chaotic footsteps.

She was startled and stopped, wanting to find a place to hide quickly. Thinking this, Helan Ci turned and hid in a secluded hall nearby.

Unexpectedly, the footsteps followed her in the next moment.

Helan Ci leaned against the wall, scared to move. Her head grew more and more dizzy, and she bit her lip harder, forcing herself to turn and look.

Outside the hall, the dim night enveloped everything, and the red lanterns along the corridor flickered, forming a deep, soft glow. The sky was thick and dark, rolling with a faint red candlelight, creating a somewhat silent and ambiguous atmosphere.

The night banquet was in full swing, and the sounds around them felt very distant.

The young man in the crimson robe was standing at the door, illuminated by the soft moonlight and shadows, looking like a demon descending from the moon.

It was Lu Wuyou.

Helan Ci instantly relaxed her guard a little, but then she realized something even worse—Lu Wuyou’s eyes were watery, his face flushed, his brows slightly furrowed, breathing lightly, not his usual calm and composed self—he actually looked a bit like her current state.

In that moment when their eyes met, both of them saw a glimmer of despair in each other’s eyes.

***

When Lu Wuyou lowered his eyes, he clearly understood that there was probably something in that cup.

Although the Second Prince poured the wine quickly, he still saw it. While pouring the wine, the Second Prince’s little finger gently pressed a mechanism on the side of the wine jug *3 —such a mechanism in a wine jug often allows two types of liquid to be poured out, a clever trick by the craftsman, but it is often used to poison someone—of course, he thought the Second Prince wouldn’t be so idle as to use such a wine jug just to let him taste another type of wine.

Lu Wuyou glanced at the wine liquid and roughly judged that it wasn’t lethal, so he tilted his head and drank it.

Even if it were a lethal poison, as long as it didn’t take effect instantly, he had ways to suppress it and gradually resolve it.

Moreover, he had tried various poisons since he was a child, and ordinary poisons had no effect on him. The kind of poison that could take effect instantly in his body probably didn’t exist.

After leaving the palace, Lu Wuyou casually took out a universal detox pill, popped it into his mouth, and continued sitting at the table, drinking wine and chatting with his colleagues with a smile.

The food from the Ministry of Rites was as terrible as ever, but the wine wasn’t bad.

Lu Wuyou cursed inwardly, finished one jug, and while drinking the second jug, he suddenly felt his body temperature rising abnormally.

His hand holding the wine cup trembled slightly.

Without a doubt, this amount of wine could never get him drunk, not even with ten more jugs.

So, it must be the poison in the cup given by the Second Prince acting up.

Roughly calculating the time, it had been about a quarter to two quarters of an hour since he drank that cup of wine.

The toxicity was quite ordinary.

Lu Wuyou thought to himself, propping his forehead with one hand, his eyes slightly squinted, as if he were closing them, letting his cheeks flush, pretending to be drunk.

The main purpose was to find out why the prince had poisoned him.

Even if he didn’t plan to side with the eldest prince—of course, his current official position was far from being able to do so—understanding this matter was still very necessary.

Sure enough, after a while, a nervous-looking eunuch came over to ask if he was feeling unwell and if he needed a place to rest. The eunuch’s voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes constantly darting around, not daring to look him in the eye, making his acting a bit poor.

Lu Wuyou cursed inwardly for a while, then went along with the plan, responding to the eunuch.

The heat surged through his body, and he suppressed it with his internal energy, still pretending to be unable to bear the heat. The eunuch had no doubts, supporting him as they entered the Shao’an Gongzhu’s main chamber.

Once inside, he was completely clear.

Compared to this, the actions of that Miss of Kangning Marquis were almost indistinguishable.

As for what kind of poison this was, there was even less doubt.

A hint of impatience flashed in Lu Wuyou’s eyes.

The act still had to continue.

After all, he was just a defenseless scholar with no ability to fight back.

The eunuch locked him inside the chamber and then exited.

Through the screen that blocked the view, he could vaguely see a woman sitting on the bed. Her breathing was even more rapid than Lu Wuyou’s, filled with fear, and there were even faint sobs—at this moment, Lu Wuyou was genuinely a bit impatient.

Because he recognized that this person was not even the Shao’an Gongzhu’s main maid.

What did they take him for?

No matter the reason, Lu Wuyou was indeed angry at this moment. If he weren’t skilled in martial arts and didn’t have some resistance to the poison, the actions he would take next, being plotted against and framed, could very well ruin his life.

And he would have to sacrifice the innocence of another innocent woman.

He took out a Qingxin Pill and swallowed it. This medicine could clear the mind and was effective against most poisons. If it didn’t work, he could find an ice-cold pool to stay in until the poison subsided.

Thinking this, Lu Wuyou raised his hand to push the door, but it was locked. He used his internal energy to shake the door latch off.

Then, without looking back, Lu Wuyou walked out.

He thought it would be simple, but he didn’t expect the effect of the poison to be so persistent, even becoming more intense.

Lu Wuyou found an empty pond and considered jumping in. However, seeing the muddy water mixed with grass, he hesitated, as his ceremonial robe was a royal gift, and he couldn’t just let someone else wash it.

While hesitating, he heard someone in the shadows call out, “Lu Zhuangyuan, Lu Zhuangyuan, is that you…”

—The drug’s effect had indeed dulled his vigilance.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have noticed someone nearby only when they were so close.

Upon hearing the voice, Lu Wuyou immediately took evasive action, but since he couldn’t use lightness skills, he could only try to recall the layout and head towards a secluded part of the main estate—thanks to having seen the general layout beforehand.

However, as he moved, the drug’s effect seemed to intensify. Not only did his body feel hot, but even his breath carried a burning temperature. That strange desire gradually seeped into his calm mind.

Finally, he couldn’t help but stop, holding his breath and checking his pulse.

After a moment, Lu Wuyou was stunned.

He didn’t believe it and checked his pulse again. Although Lu Wuyou’s medical skills weren’t particularly exquisite, he could roughly sense how intense and overwhelming the drug’s effect was as it fully manifested in his body.

It was so intense that it didn’t seem easy to resolve.

A drop of sweat trickled down his forehead, and the pursuers behind him were getting closer.

Lu Wuyou quickened his pace, the night thick and misty, the red lights flickering like ghostly shadows, creating a somewhat elusive allure in his eyes. He popped another Qingxin Pill into his mouth, the coolness sliding down his throat. He barely managed to regain his composure, thinking it best to find a secluded pavilion first to evade the current pursuers.

Thinking of this, Lu Wuyou no longer hesitated, turned around, and quickly entered a hall.

As soon as he stepped inside, he realized there was another person here.

And it was a woman.

This was simply the worst situation.

Lu Wuyou raised his head, just about to lower his voice to urge her to leave quickly, when he was stunned to see a familiar figure in the dim red light of the hall.

Helan Ci, dressed in a red robe, was helplessly leaning against the wall, her delicate body trembling slightly, her skirt spreading beneath her like a blooming flower, layers of folds shimmering with golden light, revealing a graceful curve from her slender waist to her enchanting chest, truly captivating.

Her eyes were dreamy, the light in her pupils swaying as if about to fall, the ruby-studded gold ornaments at her hair tips reflecting the rosy hue on her face, which was nothing short of enchanting. Her lips were a deep red, extremely beautiful, and her whole body exuded an alluring, seductive aura.

Yet, Helan Ci looked extremely fragile and delicate, as if she could be easily broken with a single touch, and then… he could do whatever he wanted with her.

Lu Wuyou’s gaze met hers.

In an instant, he felt the drug effects in his body surge violently, crashing against his limbs and bones, his breathing becoming rough, as if the Qingxin Pill he took earlier was completely ineffective.

Even his mind momentarily went blank.

At that moment, outside, a series of calls of “Lu Daren, Lu Daren,” “Lu Daren, are you there?” echoed.

Lu Wuyou reached out and pressed against the palace door, suddenly closing his eyes.

——This situation was really despairing.

***

Helan Ci also heard the voices outside. She pressed against the wall, trying to maintain her composure, and lowered her voice, saying, “You also…”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, like it had been soaked in some kind of sweet, sticky juice. Realizing this, Helan Ci immediately stopped speaking.

At this point, Lu Wuyou would definitely understand.

The next moment, he squeezed out a very soft, “Hmm.”

It was an acknowledgment.

The two of them had stumbled into a trap together, which was both absurd and laughable.

As for who had drugged him, it was obvious it was that spoiled and delicate Shao’an Gongzhu who was still harboring ill intentions. Since they weren’t looking for her, staying together would only increase the danger. Helan Ci clenched her palm, unsure if she had broken the skin. At this moment, only pain could restore a bit of her strength.

Helan Ci rolled up her obstructive skirt, leaned against the wall, and felt her way to the window, intending to push it open and jump out.

Just as she was about to leave, she remembered Lu Wuyou and nervously said, “I’ll go first.”

Lu Wuyou stood there, his eyes lowered, not moving. Hearing her voice, he seemed to finally have some reaction. He pressed against the palace door, turned, and walked towards the other window, saying in a hoarse voice, “I’ll go that way…”

His voice was a few degrees lower than usual, lacking the usual teasing tone.

Just then, more voices came from outside.

“Have you seen Miss Helan?”

“We’re looking for Lu Zhuangyuan, have you seen him?”

Two groups of people had actually crossed paths.

Helan Ci’s expression changed.

“How about we search the nearby halls? We’ve already checked there…”

“Okay, then we’ll search this side, and you search that side.”

Helan Ci’s hand, which was about to push the window open, paused slightly. She instinctively looked towards Lu Wuyou.

After the previous incident, she had developed a strange, indescribable trust in him—because at this moment, if it weren’t for Lu Wuyou, she probably wouldn’t be so calm staying in the same space with any other man.

Although she and Lu Wuyou didn’t really get along, after so many encounters, he had countless opportunities but had never taken advantage of her.

He had always been very mindful of the distance between them.

Lu Wuyou had been pursued by countless women, even the top courtesans had admired him and were willing to offer themselves to him. Yet, she had never heard any rumors about his romantic escapades—so she could at least think that he might not be very likable with his words, but he could still be considered a gentleman.

In extreme fear, Helan Ci’s mind raced.

Lu Wuyou also stopped moving. It seemed he had put something in his mouth.

Helan Ci couldn’t tell what it was, and her body started to tremble again. The people outside seemed to be getting closer. She bit her lip, tentatively trying to speak, very reluctantly saying, “… You don’t dislike her, you think she’s just a spoiled little girl. Why don’t you pretend to be with her?”

With Lu Wuyou’s cunning methods, it shouldn’t be difficult to deal with that Shao’an Gongzhu.

As long as Lu Wuyou acted well enough, the princess would listen, and it wasn’t impossible for him get the antidote.

Although this “soon-to-be-dead friend” suggestion still sounded a bit unscrupulous.

At this moment, Lu Wuyou’s voice seemed to regain a bit of its former tone. He turned to her and quickly said, “Then I think Second Prince is not bad either. Miss Helan, why don’t you consider it? After becoming his concubine, you would enjoy endless wealth and honor—at least you wouldn’t have to repair the roof yourself anymore, and… as well, luxurious clothes and jewels.”

Helan Ci: “……!”

Was it her wish to repair the roof? It was out of necessity!

For a moment, Helan Ci even forgot the current situation between them and blurted out, “……If you keep talking, we’ll both be dead!”

However, at this moment, the people outside seemed to have already reached the hall.

Lu Wuyou slightly lowered his eyes and quickly walked towards her.

Helan Ci was taken aback, the noise outside made her panic and press against the wall, desperately blinking her eyes. After all, she had been forcing herself earlier, and now her brain seemed unable to process what Lu Wuyou was planning to do. She couldn’t sort out her thoughts clearly, only feeling fear—great fear of being caught by the prince and falling into an unimaginable situation.

Lu Wuyou lowered his voice and said, “……Do you want to be caught by the prince?”

Helan Ci instinctively shook her head vigorously.

“Then…” Lu Wuyou said briefly, “Sorry.”

After saying that, his hand swiftly moved from her waist, wrapping around her waist. She then felt her body suddenly lighten as he gently leaped her onto the roof beam. Lu Wuyou’s movements were extremely steady and silent, making no sound at all.

Suddenly airborne with no place to land, Helan Ci’s heart raced, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around Lu Wuyou’s neck.

Before she could settle on the beam, she heard Lu Wuyou, his eyes closed, saying, “……Let go, you won’t fall.”

A drop of hot sweat slid down his cheek, down to his jaw, and then dripped into her collar. It was hard to tell if it was psychological, but it felt scorching and slightly burning.

Hearing his words, Helan Ci quickly let go, but her face was already completely flushed.

Almost simultaneously, the door of the secluded hall was pushed open.

“Come in and check, search everywhere, especially under the bed curtains, under the bed, and in the cabinets. Search carefully, don’t miss any spot, understood?”

“Understood!”

Three or four people carrying lanterns entered the hall, lit the lamps, and immediately began rummaging through everything.

Every moment during this period seemed to stretch infinitely.

Helan Ci had never been this close to a man in her life. The limited space between the beam and the roof made Lu Wuyou stretch his long legs and sit sideways on the beam, almost lying back against Lu Wuyou’s embrace. She could feel the heat of his body behind her—her legs were resting on his legs, her lower back pressed against his abdomen, and her neck was almost entirely resting on his shoulder.

Lu Wuyou remained motionless, but his hot breath lingered on the side of Helan Ci’s neck, carrying a faint scent of alcohol. Then came a hint of sweetness, like the fragrance of a lotus blooming quietly in a cold, desolate, and empty pond. It should have been a light scent, but at this moment, Helan Ci felt it was exceptionally intense and scorching.

It stirred her heart, making her feel dizzy.

The heat still coursed through her body. Her nape trembling under Lu Wuyou’s breath, her own breathing becoming increasingly rapid. The strength that had once remained in her body was being drained away bit by bit, leaving only a strange desire.

She was burning up, her body drenched in fragrant sweat without her realizing it. Helan Ci bit her lip to suppress the sounds between her lips and teeth, finally unable to resist and slightly twisting her body.

Lu Wuyou quickly grabbed her arm.

“Don’t move.”

His voice was hoarse and low, almost broken.

Helan Ci’s instincts had somewhat lost control, replaced by a strong urge to touch him—Lu Wuyou was also very hot; leaning against him would only make her hotter. But she just wanted to do this.

So, her hand gently touched the back of Lu Wuyou’s hand.

The moment their skin touched, a tingling current surged between their fingers.

Lu Wuyou withdrew his hand like lightning. He seemed to realize something, took out a pale blue pill, and handed it to her, signaling her to swallow it.

Helan Ci’s brain understood his intention, but her body uncontrollably lowered her head, rolling the pill into her mouth. At the same time, her soft lips and wet tongue licked over Lu Wuyou’s fingers.

His body trembled violently behind her.

As if he was about to fall.

Helan Ci quickly supported his arm. Lu Wuyou propped himself against the beam and held her waist with the other, finally stabilizing himself. She could hear his breathing, which was much heavier than before.

After swallowing the pill, Helan Ci finally regained a bit of her sanity.

But having this rationality is worse than not having it at all. Realizing what she had just done, Helan Ci suddenly felt an indescribable shame and a subtle apology. Yet, her body’s sensitivity had not decreased at all; even Lu Wuyou’s hands tightly gripping her waist felt particularly distinct.

She could even feel Lu Wuyou’s abdomen…

Helan Ci’s face instantly burned even more fiercely.

The only relief was that the noise from the people below rummaging through things covered the sounds of the two above. They had no idea that the person they were looking for was right above them.

After searching for a while, the people below finally realized that the person was indeed not there, and reported to the outside, “We’ve searched everywhere, not here.”

“Alright, come out and search elsewhere.”

The people inside blew out the lamp and gradually walked out. Soon, the remote hall returned to its previous darkness and silence.

Just as Helan Ci was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she suddenly felt her body lighten again.

Lu Wuyou actually hugged her and fell onto the soft couch below, and the two silently rolled into a soft quilt in the pitch-blackness.

Helan Ci was momentarily stunned.

The next moment, Lu Wuyou’s deep, gritted voice was heard: “……Helan Ci, you really want to kill me.”

1. 红颜祸水 (hóngyán huòshuǐ). it means beauty who brings disaster, calamitous beauty, femme fatale etc.

T/N: I apologize for the messy update schedule lately, i’ve been lacking motivation to translate because of some life & college problem.

Hopefully i will be able to update more often starting from now~