Chapter 18: The Harmless Princess of Beiyang vs. The Fratricidal Prince of Beiyang 18

"No trouble at all, none whatsoever! I shall do my utmost, Your Highness!" A hint of a smile appeared on the face of Physician Furong. "I shall take my leave now..."

With that, she turned and departed. Wen Yurou watched her retreating figure, saying nothing more, then turned to Qingyu and commanded, "We are returning to the estate."

Upon hearing this, Qingyu’s expression shifted slightly. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Physician Furong suddenly recalled something. "Oh, and the Empress Dowager also said that you should remove your hair ornaments before entering the Prince's estate, Your Highness."

Though Wen Yurou did not understand the reason, she complied nonetheless.

Inside the bathhouse, the ice was melting, and the room was thick with mist. Xiao Zexuan, drenched in sweat, sat submerged in the icy water, yet the scorching heat within him had not dissipated a fraction; instead, it grew more intense. The medicinal broth sent by the Empress Dowager earlier was no ordinary decoction; it had been laced with potent aphrodisiacs, which was the cause of his current torment.

"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath.

"Your Highness?"

A soft, sweet voice drifted to his ears. Xiao Zexuan looked up. Wen Yurou had been forced into a change of clothes; her snow-white skin was flushed a delicate pink, her chest partially visible, and her cheeks were stained a deep crimson, making her look incredibly alluring. Why was she dressed like this?

She approached slowly, looking at him with a tender, coquettish gaze. "Your Highness, what is wrong?"

Xiao Zexuan’s eyes darkened as he watched her. After a moment, he reached out and pulled her into the icy water. The moment the frigid liquid touched her skin, Wen Yurou could not help but let out a muffled gasp.

"Your Highness, what are you doing..."

Seeing the look in his eyes, Wen Yurou felt a wave of unease. Suddenly closing the distance, Xiao Zexuan pulled her into his arms, his voice husky and strained. "You went to see the Empress Dowager?!"

Wen Yurou was taken aback, stuttering, "The Empress Dowager..."

Suddenly, Xiao Zexuan exerted force, pinning her against the wall of the pool.

"Pfft—" Wen Yurou choked on the water.

Xiao Zexuan’s eyes burned with feverish intensity as he looked at her, his tone filled with forced restraint. "I will give you one chance: leave now, and there is still time!"

Held in his embrace, feeling his scorching body, Wen Yurou felt her entire frame go limp, yet a strange sensation stirred within her. He had been drugged? By the Empress Dowager?

"No..."

"Hm?" Xiao Zexuan narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze dangerous.

"You need me..."

"Are you certain?!" Xiao Zexuan’s voice dropped, his eyes searing as he stared at her.

Wen Yurou bit her lip and nodded. "Yes!"

An opportunity delivered to her doorstep—heaven was helping her!

Watching her, Xiao Zexuan’s eyes grew profound. "Since you have chosen to stay, there is no turning back!"

With these words, he lowered his head to capture her fragrance, his lips pressing firmly against hers, greedily drawing from her. Sensing Xiao Zexuan’s breathing growing heavier, a trace of a smile flickered in Wen Yurou’s eyes. Yet, the next moment, she felt something was amiss; Xiao Zexuan’s body was burning, seemingly even more intensely than before. How could he become more ardent while immersed in cold water?

Noticing this, Wen Yurou’s eyes darted. Could it be that the effect of the drug was far stronger than she had imagined? At this thought, a triumphant smile crossed her features.

Taking advantage of his lapse in concentration, she swiftly reached out to undo his belt. As her fingers brushed against his taut skin, a rush of intense heat flooded her heart, and her body trembled involuntarily.

Sensing her reaction, Xiao Zexuan’s expression deepened. He gripped her slender wrists, pinning her firmly against the wall, his voice raspy. "Are you... truly sure?"

"...Yes!"

Feeling the hardness against her, her heart hammered against her ribs. Xiao Zexuan’s eyes burned with heat as he lowered his head to nip at her earlobe. "There is no changing your mind!"

"Yes..."

Suddenly, Wen Yurou felt as if her entire body were being consumed by fire, and her mind began to blur. "Mmm..." She whimpered, her face flushed red, her eyes misty and seductive.

Hearing her soft moan, Xiao Zexuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he let out a low growl. "Don't regret this!"

"Yes..."

Wen Yurou let out a soft hum, as if she were floating among the clouds. The pain began to fade, replaced by a deep, numbing pleasure that coursed through her. "Your Highness..." she breathed, gasping.

Xiao Zexuan’s palm stroked her smooth skin while his other hand teased her further.

"Good girl! I am right here!"

Wen Yurou shyly closed her eyes, surrendering herself to him. Water splashed wildly within the pool...

As the night deepened, the bedchamber of the Cining Palace remained silent. Empress Dowager Dean sat on the bed, her expression grave. The light in the hall was dim, with only a single candle flickering in the wind. The Empress Dowager’s face was stern as she cast a sharp gaze upon the man standing before her.

The man had a delicate, feminine beauty, his tall and slender frame draped in black robes, his features exquisite.

"Have you completed the task I assigned you?"

The man bowed respectfully. "Reporting to Mother, I have seen it done."

"Very good!"

"But, Mother, why allow that person into the palace?" As he spoke, his expression was filled with anger and resentment.

Empress Dowager Dean curled her lips into a mocking smile. "You believe your Imperial Brother truly likes Lin Jiao? Hah, you are mistaken. He only wants her to consolidate his power!"

"Why?!"

"Lin Jiao is the Prime Minister’s only daughter. At present, she is the only one who can contend with Noble Consort Ling. The heavens of the inner palace are due for a change."

The man frowned, asking suspiciously, "But will Imperial Brother grow fond of Lin Jiao..."

"Whether he likes her or not, she will always be your brother's instrument. Moreover, once she carries his heir, how could your brother ever discard her?"

The man nodded in realization. "So that is how it is..."

"Very well, return now. And remember, do not let anything be exposed!"

"As you command!"

The next morning, a ray of sunlight filtered through the window lattice into the room. Xiao Zexuan opened his bleary eyes, and upon turning his head, he saw the beautiful woman lying beside him. He froze for a moment, the memories of the previous night slowly flooding back. He could not help but frown—how had he...

Looking at Wen Yurou beside him, her fair skin marked with intimate traces, his eyes darkened. Furthermore, the events of the night before played out in his mind like a film—especially the way Wen Yurou had taken the initiative... He had never seen a woman dare to be so bold...

"Mmm..."

Wen Yurou awoke the moment Xiao Zexuan did. The second she moved, a wave of soreness washed over her, especially in her waist and between her legs, where a piercing ache lingered. The madness of the previous night left an indelible impression, and she could not help but grit her teeth. She had never expected the drug’s effect on Xiao Zexuan to be so potent.

Xiao Zexuan was lost in thought when he realized she had awakened. He quickly composed his mind, his ears turning red. "You... are you awake?"