Chapter 14: Slick Talk

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As night fell, Fang Xu sat on the edge of the bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time. What was the reason? Naturally, it was because the previous afternoon, Fang Xu had spent the whole day telling stories—so many, in fact, that he had recounted every tale he knew, one after another. Anyone's throat would suffer after such an effort, but fortunately, Qin Suwen proved herself to be not entirely without conscience.

Realizing his voice was about to give out, she instructed a maid to prepare a bowl of pear soup with rock sugar for him. Yet, this gesture was not born of concern for his suffering; rather, she feared Fang Xu might not be able to continue telling stories if his voice failed, and so she ordered the remedy. When Fang Xu realized the true reason, he nearly wept.

Still, if it hadn't been for the soothing effect of that pear soup, he might truly have lost his voice entirely by now.

Standing by the window, gazing at the expanse of starlight outside, Fang Xu found himself momentarily entranced.

"What are you looking at?" It was only then that Fang Xu realized someone had been standing quietly behind him for some time. The newcomer looked at him with a gentle smile.

By the light of the moon, Fang Xu could finally make out her features, but he grew curious nonetheless.

"Does Your Majesty not have memorials to review tonight?" The visitor was none other than Qin Suwen, though she had shed her imperial robes and now appeared far less imposing, almost delicate and gentle, like a maiden from a humble household.

"What do you mean, beloved consort? Do you not wish for me to be here?" At Fang Xu's words, Qin Suwen pouted in mock displeasure.

"How would I dare?" Fang Xu was half amused, half exasperated at her sudden change of mood. There was nothing he could do but accept it; after all, this little empress was a mystery he could never hope to solve.

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There was no helping it. In his previous life, Fang Xu had focused solely on making money and enjoying life. He had never been in a relationship, remaining a bachelor for over twenty years before inexplicably finding himself in this world.

Now, Qin Suwen sat upon the bed, her gaze layered with complex emotions as she watched Fang Xu standing beneath the window, his face lit by a soft smile.

A flicker of nervousness stirred within her heart, though even she could not say what it was she truly felt. Why did she not dare meet Fang Xu's eyes?

As the ruler of a nation, Qin Suwen had never allowed herself to show such a feminine side. Her mother had taught her that as a sovereign, she must put the country first. For this reason, she had never given much thought to matters of the heart.

But for reasons unknown even to herself, ever since she met Fang Xu, from the very first moment, a strange sensation had taken root within her, one she could neither explain nor understand.

"Little lass, why do you look at me like that?" Sensing her gaze, Fang Xu narrowed his eyes with a smile, the corners of his lips lifting as he teased her.

"You! Didn't you promise not to call me 'little lass'? You never keep your word!" At his words, the flutter in her heart vanished, replaced by a pout of annoyance.

"Very well, then. In that case, may I ask why Your Majesty is gazing at 'this humble consort'?" Fang Xu found great amusement in teasing her; at the very least, it let him forget his homesickness for a while—perhaps that was why.

"You… Why did you seek me out in the Hall of State yesterday?" Qin Suwen suddenly recalled Fang Xu's visit the day before. In her mind, he must have had some important reason for approaching her.

"Oh? Did I not say? I did, didn't I? I missed you." Fang Xu feigned contemplation, then looked at her with a wicked glint in his eyes.

"You! How can you be so glib-tongued?" Qin Suwen stared at him, her eyes blazing as though she might devour him on the spot.

"Glib-tongued, am I? I wasn't aware. Unless last night—" Fang Xu brushed his lips with his fingers, his tone laced with a hint of intimacy as he looked at her and spoke half to himself.

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"You… you… you scoundrel!" Qin Suwen was truly incensed now, unable to fathom how Fang Xu could be so shameless.

And yet, for reasons beyond her understanding, a trace of shyness crept over her heart and slowly climbed up her neck, finally settling on her cheeks.

She could not tell what was happening to her. She felt as though she might fall apart at any moment.

She had always detested such glib, teasing behavior, finding it improper and even repulsive.

But for some reason, when Fang Xu spoke to her this way, she felt no displeasure at all. Instead, she found herself wishing he would be even more shameless. The moment this thought appeared, she felt certain she must be broken, for how else could she harbor such scandalous ideas?

"You… you… you're always bullying me…" For once, Qin Suwen did not refer to herself as the sovereign, but instead lowered her head, her voice growing soft and almost inaudible, as if she dared not let Fang Xu see her face.

Hearing her words, Fang Xu felt as though a jolt of electricity had run through him, grateful he was still holding on to the window frame, lest his legs give way entirely.

"Ahem, alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you," Fang Xu said, though he had planned to tease her further. But now, he worried more about making a fool of himself in her presence.

After all, with just a single sentence from Qin Suwen, he found himself at a loss. He feared that if he tried too hard to play the part, he might end up outmatched and outwitted by her.