Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1354: A bathtub three times larger than the others stands in the center

The number far exceeded Concubine Qi's expectations.

She knew the prince would suffer a setback in the palace today, but she didn't expect the price to be so heavy...

"Don't you think this king knows more?!"

Prince Jin angrily interrupted Concubine Qi and kicked the rosewood coffee table beside him, causing the teacups to fall and shatter on the floor. "My heart is bleeding!"

"But given the situation at the time, could I have said 'no'? They sang the same tune, forcing me into a desperate situation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly leaned over, grabbed Concubine Qi's collar again, and pulled her close, breathing heavily on her face: "You are socializing in the capital, do you know the details of Bai Mufeng?"

"Why did he suddenly jump out to oppose this king?!"

Concubine Qi was almost breathless under the King of Jin's stranglehold, and said with difficulty: "I... I only know that he is the newly-appointed third place scholar. He seems gentle, but in fact... he is slippery. He keeps a distance from the various officials, and I don't know which side he has defected to..."

"Perhaps, he just wants to show off in front of His Majesty?"

"Show your face?"

Prince Jin sneered, loosened his grip and pushed Concubine Qi away: "I'm afraid it's not that simple."

"Looking at his fearless look, I know there must be someone behind him."

"Royal Consort... or is it Royal Consort Zhuang? Or... is he simply a dog arranged by my brother?"

The more King Jin thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and his anger intensified. "Great! That's really great!"

"I have been so cautious and careful these past few years, but I never expected that they would still team up to trick me!"

"Twenty thousand taels of silver is enough for me to equip another elite force of a thousand men!"

Concubine Qi slumped on the ground, watching Prince Jin running around the room like a trapped beast, her heart in turmoil.

The loss of twenty thousand taels of silver is no small amount.

Before the troops move, food and supplies must be sent first, and money is the most important food and supplies.

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

Concubine Qi struggled to stand up and said calmly, "It hurts to lose the silver, but it is ultimately just a thing outside of my body."

"As long as the prince is safe and the foundation is intact, there will always be a chance to earn it back."

"The most important thing right now is to understand His Majesty's true intentions. Does this mean... that he has noticed something?"

Upon hearing this, King Jin finally slowed down his violent pace.

He stood by the window with his back to Concubine Qi, gazing at the completely darkened night outside. His voice was so gloomy it could drip water: "He may not have noticed anything specific, but he must have become suspicious of me. This is a warning, and also an attempt to weaken me."

"The troops of Bingzhou must not move again!"

"Today, my royal brother was even trying to test the waters, wanting to transfer the troops from my fiefdom to the border. Humph, what a brilliant plan! Wanting to use this to undermine my power? No way!"

Concubine Qi felt a little relieved.

As long as the troops are still there, the prince's foundation will still be there.

"Your Highness, spending twenty thousand taels of silver to buy temporary peace of mind may not be entirely a bad thing."

"At least let His Majesty feel that you are still the mediocre prince who can be manipulated by him and only cares about money."

Prince Jin seemed to think what Concubine Qi said made sense, and his expression improved slightly.

He glanced at the disheveled Concubine Qi and said indifferently, "Clean it up and don't let anyone see any traces."

"You should behave yourself recently and put off all social activities for the time being."

"As for Bai Mufeng... and everyone in Yangxin Palace today, I've made note of them all!"

Concubine Qi lowered her head and replied, "Yes, I understand."

Prince Jin said no more and turned to walk into the depths of the inner room. His back was straight, yet he exuded a cold and stern look.

Concubine Qi was left alone there, her whole body in pain.

She slowly licked the blood at the corner of her mouth with the tip of her tongue, and a rusty taste spread in her mouth.

The prince still needs her, that's enough.

As for the pain and humiliation... she had long been accustomed to it, and even... enjoyed it.

……

Yongshou Palace.

bathroom.

The specially crafted, triple-sized bathtub stood in the center, crafted from precious wood and inlaid with warm pearls and various gemstones. Under the soft light of the palace lanterns, it exuded a luxurious and restrained luster.

The hot water in the bathtub evaporates, emitting a white mist with a faint floral fragrance, which fills the entire space, blurring the vision and softening the boundaries.

Nangong Xuanyu leaned lazily against the wall of the bucket, the warm water flowed over his strong chest, and the water droplets rolled down along the well-defined lines of his muscles.

The fatigue brought by days of court affairs seemed to gradually dissipate in the warm moisture.

He closed his eyes, and there was a hint of relaxation on his handsome face.

Shen Zhinian was right beside the emperor. Her thin gauze dress was soaked with water and clung tightly to her body, outlining her exquisite curves.

She did not try to please him as other concubines did when they were in bed with him. She just leaned against him quietly, her delicate fingers occasionally moving the rose petals floating on the water.

Their posture was relaxed and natural, as if this was just the most ordinary bathing between a couple.

The water rippled slightly, creating ripples that gently hit the wall of the bucket, making a pleasant sound...

Shen Zhinian turned her head, her gaze falling on Nangong Xuanyu's slightly damp temples and relaxed brows. Her charming fox eyes shimmered with water, adding a touch of enchantment.

Her voice was extremely soft, with a hint of moisture, like the murmur of a lover: "Your Majesty is in a particularly good mood today. What is there to be happy about? Tell me too, so that I can share in your joy."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Xuanyu slowly opened his eyes.

In the mist, her face looked even more beautiful and delicate, and the calmness and charm between her eyebrows always miraculously soothed the restlessness in his heart.

The emperor reached out and pulled Shen Zhinian closer, caressing her smooth and delicate shoulders with his calloused fingertips.

It feels cool and smooth to the touch, like the finest white jade.

"Ah."

Nangong Xuanyu responded softly, a hint of joy on the corner of his lips, and he did not hide it from Shen Zhinian: "Today in the Yangxin Palace, I did do something not big or small."

"Oh?"

Shen Zhinian rested her cheek against the emperor's warm, moist chest, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat, her fingertips still gently paddling the water: "It must be a good thing to make your majesty happy."

Nangong Xuanyu chuckled softly, his chest vibrating slightly, rippling along with the water.

He enjoyed the warmth of the beauty in his arms, his tone expressing the satisfaction of being in control of the situation: "My good eighth brother generously donated 20,000 taels of silver today to replenish the national treasury and alleviate the urgent need for war on the border."

Shen Zhinian's fingers fiddling with the petals paused slightly, and a hint of understanding flashed across the depths of his eyes, so fast that it seemed like an illusion.

She raised her wet eyelashes, her eyes showing a hint of surprise and admiration: "Twenty thousand taels?"

"His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin truly cares deeply about the country. Such a gesture is truly admirable."