cold clothes

A number of people were gathered in an inconspicuous house in the city. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that these people all had extraordinary bearing and were of unusual status.

One of the swordsmen was handsome and aloof, Qingyou from Langxuan Pavilion; the middle-aged man who looked slender and refined, yet shrewd and vigorous, was An Leyun, the Minister of Justice; next to him was Li Quan, the Right Vice Minister of Justice, who was round in stature; there was also Fang Rui, a newly promoted Jinshi, and other well-known dignitaries in the capital.

They appeared to have little interaction on the outside, but secretly they were both henchmen of the Fifth Prince.

Zhao Yin arrived shortly afterward, removed the hood of his cloak, and sat around a table with his subordinates to discuss matters. The small oil lamp on the table cast a sharp glare on the contours of his face.

“Mother Hu destroyed all the ledgers of the underground businesses.”

“The Wang family is deeply entrenched and has not completely erased the accounts, but the Wang family is so large and powerful that ordinary amounts cannot be used to find fault with them.”

“We don’t need to rush to deal with the Wang family. Let the Second Prince and the Third Prince fight it out first, and we can reap the benefits later,” Zhao Yin said. “This time, our main target is Madam Hu.”

“Young Master, it wouldn’t be right for us to turn against each other before our great cause is even finished,” Fang Rui said, wincing, then rubbing his hands together. “Of course, I’m not questioning your decision, Young Master, it’s just that Fengxiang Tower is making far too much money. Without Fengxiang Tower, our military expenses in the North will…”

"So you all follow Madam Hu as your master?" Zhao Yin asked rhetorically.

"Of course not." Fang Rui was sweating profusely.

Zhao Yin wasn't truly angry. He explained, "If Fengxiang Tower collapses, another Fengxiang Tower can be built. But those with disloyal intentions within must be eliminated."

"Qingyou, have you delivered the prepared account books to the Ministry of Revenue?"

"The new account book of Mrs. Hu has been switched."

“Very well,” Zhao Yin smiled. “I also admire Madam Hu for being a woman and helping to strengthen the Xie family’s remaining assets, but she is determined to oppose me, so I can only apologize.” Zhao Yin’s eyes reflected the candlelight, and although he spoke gently, his face showed no trace of reluctance or compassion.

At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), at Fengxiang Tower and Liuyun Pavilion—

Leng Yi felt a weight pressing down on her body as she slept, making it hard for her to breathe, which woke her up.

Opening her eyes in the darkness, she felt a pressure on her waist, heard rhythmic breathing behind her ear, and felt warm breath on her neck. Leng Yi froze for three seconds, then raised her hand, gathered her strength, and used all her inner force to deliver an elbow strike to the unknown creature behind her.

"Humph--"

"Zhao Yin, what are you doing? Why are you in my bed?"

"..."

The unidentified creature remained silent, but got out of bed and lit the oil lamp by the bedside, instantly illuminating the silhouette of Zhao Yin's ape-like back and wasp waist.

“Yiyi, if I appear in your room at night, you can say ‘you’re back’ or give me a kiss, instead of asking me what I’m doing or why I’m in your bed. These words are meaningless and hurt me deeply.”

Leng Yi's eyes were filled with blatant disgust: "Stop disgusting me. Wasn't the wound you inflicted yesterday deep enough? If you want to be tortured, why don't you go to the Ministry of Justice prison? Aren't there enough torture instruments for you?"

Despite Leng Yi's cold treatment, Zhao Yin smiled and said in a cheerful tone, "I just want to pester you." With that, Zhao Yin hugged Leng Yi again.

Leng Yi felt utterly disgusted; every inch of skin Zhao Yin touched felt like it was covered in goosebumps. But Zhao Yin hugged her, closed his eyes, and rested his head against her chest, showing no sign of wariness.

Zhao Yin always tormented her like this.