cold clothes

Zhao Qun seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and then reached out his hand to Leng Yi.

Leng Yi held on somewhat fearfully. So far, she couldn't find any fault with the Third Prince; in fact, he was exceptionally outstanding, treating a woman of her status with utmost courtesy—this was truly frightening.

Zhao Qun led her to the study, where the underfloor heating was already on, making the room warm and cozy, and a chessboard was already set up on the table.

Leng Yi's chess skills weren't very good; she was just barely passable. She played black pieces while Zhao Qun played white pieces. At first, Zhao Qun seemed casual and self-satisfied. Although she said she was playing chess, most of her attention was actually focused on Leng Yi. She was letting Leng Yi play, and her real intention was not what she was looking for.

Since that was the case, Leng Yi didn't intend to play chess properly anymore. She started setting up the chess pieces on her own. Zhao Qun noticed this and stopped playing, not stopping Leng Yi's actions.

Leng Yi used the black pieces to form the shape of a swallow, perfectly encircling Zhao Qun's white pieces. After finishing, Leng Yi glanced at Zhao Qun with a hint of smugness.

Zhao Qun smiled slightly and praised, "Miss Ningbi's chess skills are superb; this prince has lost."

“Your Highness’s flirting skills are superb; I am completely outmatched,” Leng Yi said.

Zhao Qun was slightly taken aback by Leng Yi's teasing, and his face turned slightly red.

"It was I, the prince, who was showing off my limited skills in front of Miss Ningbi." Zhao Qun lowered his head slightly and then raised it again. Leng Yi saw Zhao Qun's lips curl up, his eyes sparkling like stars, revealing a slightly embarrassed smile after his thoughts were exposed.

Leng Yi's muscular body trembled. Was the Third Prince feeling shy?

Dude, you're actually the innocent type.

"However, although Ningbi's appearance without makeup is more delicate than when she was wearing makeup before, she is even more charming and beautiful."

How could that be? Her current look—no makeup and loose hair—doesn't add any charm points at all. That's just awkward praise, bro.

"Moreover," Zhao Qun thought for a moment and then said, "this appearance feels more like the real you. That night at Fengxiang Pavilion, when you saw Miss Ningbi, you deliberately tried to please me, but now you seem very natural. I prefer you like this."

Because I'm off work, we don't operate outside of working hours.

Leng Yi silently complained to herself. However, she couldn't refuse to work overtime in the end. What Zhao Qun didn't know was that what he thought was her true self was also an act.

Leng Yi lowered her eyes, revealing a hint of melancholy, and said, "I am very upset right now. My mother suddenly took me and my sisters away to escape, and then used me as a hostage to hold my master hostage. I can't get over it for the time being. I woke up from my coma in an unfamiliar place, so I am a little lost. Please don't blame me, Your Highness."

"Of course it's not your fault. It was I who brought you here."

"Then why did Your Highness save me?" Leng Yi looked at Zhao Qun with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

"I received news that the madam of Fengxiang Pavilion had absconded and taken you away. I was worried that something might happen to you, so I went out of the city and found you injured. So I took you away. As for why I took you away..." Zhao Qun raised his eyebrows and smiled, "I have decided that you are my woman, so it is only natural for me to take you away."

This declaration was quite domineering, just like the image Leng Yi had of Zhao Qun before. Although he often had a friendly smile on his face, domineering and arrogant were his innate privileges.

Upon hearing this, Leng Yi knelt down.

"What are you doing?" Zhao Qun asked in surprise.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness, and I have no way to repay you..."

Zhao Qun helped Leng Yi up, his broad hands supporting her delicate, slender body. He looked intently at Leng Yi and said, "Didn't I say last time that you would repay me with your body? Now, Fengxiang Pavilion has suffered a great upheaval, earlier than I expected."

"You will no longer need to return to Fengxiang Pavilion. Once I redeem you, you will no longer be a slave and will be able to become a prince's concubine."