"I will not become a pawn in your games. If you wish to play, may go and find someone else!"
Gripping her chin firmly, his gaze deepened. "I am not Xie Ziyuan. Do not expect me to have his courtesy or patience!"
QingWu suddenly realized that Xiao Chenyuan was truly acting unhinged tonight. Out of nowhere, he was bringing up Xie Ziyuan. Why?
She nodded, her tone casual yet cutting. "That's clear. When it comes to being likable, you're definitely no match for Xie young master."
Even as children, she preferred Xie Ziyuan. She loved to provoke him, always competing over trivial things. He would scold her, claiming her eyesight must be faulty, and once even dragged her to the Imperial Hospital, threatening to have her eyes treated with needles to "fix" them.
Hearing her answer, Xiao Chenyuan let out a cold laugh but released her.
"My apologies for inconveniencing my Queen."
"Whatever your feelings for someone else, I won't interfere. But remember your position as the Queen of Dread King Manor in public."
"And as for Xie Ziyuan, you'd better stay away from him."
With that, he turned and strode away.
QingWu rubbed her wrist. If she wasn't upset earlier in the day, now she was genuinely fuming.
What was wrong with him? Was Xiao Chenyuan out of his mind?
"Why is he acting crazy?" she muttered.
The Judgment Brush chimed in, its tone half-amused. "No idea. Maybe he's mad because you embarrassed him by eating and taking things at the Duke of Dingguo's residence today?"
QingWu scoffed. "The food at the Manor is so bad even dogs would turn their noses up at it. Am I not even allowed to enjoy a proper meal outside?"
The Judgment Brush clicked its tongue. "Still, he's not entirely wrong. You are playing him."
"Am I?" QingWu feigned innocence. "I've been helping him all along!"
The Judgment Brush chuckled knowingly. When teasing him, she would sweetly call him "My King," but when her patience wore thin, it was back to "Xiao Chenyuan." Sure, she helped him, but always with conditions—never taking a loss and always looking carefree.
But when she saw Xie Ziyuan, her eyes lit up, and she offered help without hesitation, brimming with enthusiasm.
Xiao Chenyuan wasn't blind. He could clearly see the two faces she showed him.
The Judgment Brush, however, kept these thoughts to itself, merely muttering, "Perhaps he's just afraid you'll actually set your sights on Xie Ziyuan. After all, he's his cousin. Maybe their relationship is close, so naturally, he'd want to protect him."
"Close?" QingWu scoffed. "You've got it all wrong. They've never gotten along."
Xiao Chenyuan and Xie Ziyuan were only a few months apart in age. In their youth, Xiao Chenyuan was fiery and bold, embodying the spirit of a proud young nobleman. In contrast, Xie Ziyuan was calm and refined, an unattainable figure like a celestial being.
Fire and water, they clashed often but never had any major confrontations. However, before her family left the capital, the two did end up in a fight—one that Xie Ziyuan started.
The reason? Even now, QingWu had no idea. She only knew that the two weren't on good terms.
She waved a document in her hand and smirked.
"Who cares? Xiao Chenyuan and I aren't truly husband and wife. Once our tasks in the mortal realm are complete, he can go his way, and I'll go mine."
The more he told her to stay away, the more she wanted to stir things up. Rebellion was her hallmark.
The next day, QingWu woke early for breakfast, a rare occurrence. Noticing the spread of dishes, she raised an eyebrow. "Did Madam Mu prepare these for me again?"
"The other day, the King heard the Queen say the food was bad, so he hired a new chef specifically for the Yuanwei Courtyard," replied Lü Qiao.
QingWu's hand paused mid-sip of her congee. She uttered a nonchalant "Oh" and showed no further reaction.
The Judgment Brush couldn't hold back. "Men! So inconsistent! If he'd just told you last night that he'd arranged for you a new chef, would you two have argued at all?"
QingWu rolled her eyes. If Xiao Chenyuan wanted to be stubborn, how was that her fault?
After finishing her meal, she casually instructed, "Slice a piece of the ginseng root in the garden and make a brew for your King. Remember to add some sugar."
"Of course. But, My Queen, sugar isn't necessary—his taste buds won't detect it anyway."
"Just do what as I said," QingWu replied, offering no explanation.
Lü Qiao nodded but murmured, "The Queen still cares about the King."
QingWu arched a brow, her gaze sharp. "It's the gift to him from the Little Mountain Spirit. Do you think I'd stoop so low as to take credit for that?"
Lü Qiao quickly excused herself to carry out the task.
Just as Lü Qiao left, Hong Rui entered with news. "The Minister of Revenue's residence sent someone to deliver a message to Madam Mu."
Moments later, Madam Mu herself arrived.
"The Minister's messenger called for you?" QingWu asked directly.
Madam Mu nodded, unfazed by how QingWu seemed to already know. "They sent a divorce letter this early in the morning. I verified the handwriting—it's his. But he didn't seal it with his private stamp. He says I must meet him personally at Changfeng Pavilion for that."
"The seal?"
"In Dayong Dynasty, without the man's private stamp, the letter is invalid," Madam Mu explained, her tone serious.
"What's your plan then?"
"I find it suspicious," she admitted. "He agreed too easily. I worry he's discovered the records and might retaliate."
The ledgers had already been handed over to Xie Ziyuan, so Wang Sheng couldn't alter the outcome. However, there was the risk of him retaliating out of spite and dragging Madam Mu down with him.
Noticing a faint shadow over Madam Mu's expression, QingWu said, "Since I have nothing planned today. I'll go with you."
Meanwhile, in the Manor, Xiao Chenyuan sat at his desk, staring at the ginseng soup in front of him.
Lü Qiao, standing nearby, said with enthusiasm, "This was personally prepared by the Queen this morning. It's her heartfelt gesture—Your highness, please drink it while it's warm."
"She personally made it?"
"Personally… instructed," Lü Qiao clarified awkwardly.
Xiao Chenyuan scoffed but picked up the bowl. He drank a sip, only to pause abruptly, his expression unreadable.
For the first time in years, he could taste something—sweetness.
Sweetness bloomed across his tongue, spreading warmth throughout his body. He stared at the bowl, a mix of disbelief and complex emotions churning within.
"She specifically told you to add the sugar?"
"Yes."
He drained the bowl. The lingering sweetness was something he couldn't quite define.
"Did she enjoy her breakfast?"
"She did."
For a moment, Xiao Chenyuan appeared deep in thought. Then, waving Lü Qiao away, he retreated into silence.
At the same time, Lü Qiao returned to find the Yuanwei Courtyard deserted. QingWu had already left with Madam Mu.
Hearing this, Xiao Chenyuan narrowed his eyes and turned to leave.
Watching him walk away, Lü Qiao muttered to herself, "Wasn't he uninterested? The King is so strange."