Xie Qianmo curved his lips and nodded with satisfaction. "Since the Tutor can make the decision, this matter is settled! I will issue a decree on an auspicious day!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Xie Qianmo nodded and said no more.
Seeing this, Tutor Ouyang felt it was inappropriate to stay longer. After briefly mentioning that the academy had matters to attend to, he turned and left.
Fang Jing, standing beside them, understood everything clearly.
He had just spoken to the Emperor about the matter between Scholar Qin and Young Master Ouyang, and then the Emperor immediately arranged a marriage for Young Master Ouyang!
Although not as a principal wife, a concubine was still no small matter.
This completely cut off any lingering feelings between Scholar Qin and Young Master Ouyang!
"Fang Jing, among the young scholars who passed the exams this year, who are still unmarried?"
Xie Qianmo pondered, stroking his chin, and added, "Who has neither taken a wife nor concubine?"
Fang Jing thought for a moment and replied, "Most already have concubines or secondary wives. Only Zheng Haonan, Wei Xiaochang, and that Young Master Ouyang are unmarried and without concubines!"
Xie Qianmo smiled and nodded. "Good, I understand!"
A few seconds later!
Xie Qianmo suddenly said!
"How did Qin Yun look today?"
"Scholar Qin's complexion has improved considerably! He is likely feeling even more energetic now!" Fang Jing lowered his head.
"Summon Qin Yun to the hall to see me!" Xie Qianmo's tone was calm, giving no indication of his emotions.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Scholar Qin's Residence!
"Your Majesty... wants to see me?" Qin Yun stammered.
What does this scoundrel want now?
"Scholar Qin, let's go. We mustn't keep His Majesty waiting!" Fang Jing's tone was not very friendly.
Ever since he saw Qin Yun and Ouyang Siqing embracing that morning, his opinion of Qin Yun had changed.
"But I'm still sick. How can I go see His Majesty? What if I infect His Majesty with my illness?"
Qin Yun frowned. She absolutely did not want to go to the palace to see that person!
"This morning, Scholar Qin and Lord Ouyang were so intimate, with the door closed. Why didn't Scholar Qin worry about infecting Young Master Ouyang with illness then? Why are you afraid of transmitting it to His Majesty?"
Fang Jing snorted coldly. "Scholar Qin, you wouldn't refuse to see His Majesty, would you?"
Qin Yun sighed. She suddenly felt that Fang Jing was such a nuisance!
This fellow, having been around that sly fox Xie Qianmo for so long, had become just as cunning.
"Eunuch Fang, you've misunderstood this morning's incident. It was all a coincidence, and it led to such a big misunderstanding!"
Fang Jing rolled his eyes.
He didn't believe it at all.
If it were truly a coincidence, why would the door have been closed?
"Enough, Scholar Qin. Save these words to explain to His Majesty!"
Qin Yun hesitated. What did he mean by... save these words to explain to His Majesty?
What did she need to explain?
Why should she explain to that scoundrel?
Who was he to her? On what grounds?
Seeing Qin Yun standing still, Fang Jing coughed lightly. "Cough, cough, Scholar Qin, keep up!"
Fang Jing turned and left, giving Qin Yun no chance to speak.
Qin Yun stood rooted to the spot, sighing and shaking her head repeatedly.
What bad karma had she accumulated in her past life?
That in this life, she would be noticed by that high and mighty scoundrel!
More importantly... she was a woman, and certainly not interested in men!
If Xie Qianmo wanted a man to play with, he could find other male courtesans! Why did he have to target her?
If one spoke of appearance, that scoundrel was indeed handsome. She admitted... he was outstanding, so outstanding that she dared not meet his gaze!
If they had met under normal circumstances, like ordinary people, perhaps she could have accepted this relationship. But their current situation... it was impossible!
"Scholar Qin, Eunuch Fang is waiting ahead!" A young eunuch reminded Qin Yun softly.
Qin Yun snapped back to reality. Knowing she couldn't escape this, she could only steel herself and go.
Moving slowly, as she arrived outside the residence!
Qin Yun saw two carriages.
She twitched her lips. He had even prepared carriages for her?
"Scholar Qin, please!" Fang Jing lifted the curtain, gesturing for Qin Yun to get into the carriage.
Qin Yun had no choice but to obediently enter the carriage.
The carriage soon began to move.
Inside the carriage, Qin Yun wore a troubled expression.
That scoundrel Xie Qianmo, knowing her body hadn't fully recovered, why was he so eager to see her?
Was he going to do something improper to her again?
Soon, after a short journey, the carriage arrived at the palace gates.
Qin Yun was urged by Fang Jing to dismount.
Even though Qin Yun walked extremely slowly throughout the process, she still arrived at Xie Qianmo's location at a snail's pace.
Likewise, Fang Jing brought Qin Yun to the Hall of Tranquility this time.
"Scholar Qin, please go in. His Majesty is waiting for you!" Fang Jing stood guard outside the hall, not entering.
"Um, Eunuch Fang, aren't you going in? His Majesty will need you to serve him later!"
"When His Majesty needs service, he will call for me."
"As for Scholar Qin, stop dawdling!" Fang Jing pushed Qin Yun into the hall.
Qin Yun entered the hall slowly.
As soon as she entered, she saw Xie Qianmo sitting on the dragon couch, his eyes fixed on her.
"Your Majesty, may I ask why you summoned your humble servant?" Qin Yun clasped her hands in a bow, her head bowed low.
One second!
Two seconds!
Three seconds!
Qin Yun did not hear Xie Qianmo speak.
Slightly raising her head, she saw Xie Qianmo still staring intently at her.
"Your Majesty...?" Qin Yun called out softly.
"Come here!" Xie Qianmo said the two words coldly.
Qin Yun knitted her brows. "Your Majesty, I am unwell and afraid that if I get too close, I will transmit my illness to Your Majesty!"
"I will say it again, come here!" Xie Qianmo's tone was one of absolute command.
Qin Yun bit her lower lip, seemingly determined to defy Xie Qianmo and refusing to move.
Seeing Qin Yun not coming, Xie Qianmo instantly became angry!
He stood up!
And walked step by step towards Qin Yun.
With each step Xie Qianmo took, Qin Yun felt an urge to flee!
But her body felt as if it were frozen, unable to move at all.
Finally!
Xie Qianmo arrived in front of Qin Yun and looked down at her.
Qin Yun kept her head bowed, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Xie Qianmo reached out and lifted Qin Yun's chin.
Forcing Qin Yun to meet his gaze.
"After such a short time, your boldness has grown. Do you dare to defy me?"
Looking at the handsome face so close to hers, Qin Yun felt her breath catching.
"Your Majesty, I am truly ill and cannot transmit my illness to you! You are the Son of Heaven, the exalted Nine-Five Sovereign. I am also thinking for your sake!"
"What if I say... I don't mind!" Xie Qianmo held Qin Yun's chin with his left hand, while his thumb restlessly stroked Qin Yun's lower lip.
"Your Majesty, no..." Qin Yun became anxious!
"Shhh!" Xie Qianmo made a gesture for silence.
He lowered his head slightly, came to Qin Yun's ear, and said seductively, "May I... hold you?"
Qin Yun shook her head. "Your Majesty, no, no. I am a man, and this is not appropriate between us."
"As long as I like it, nothing is inappropriate! Even if you are a man, I... can try to accept it!"
After speaking, Xie Qianmo pulled Qin Yun into his embrace.
He held her tightly.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his alluring lips coming to Qin Yun's ear, he whispered, "Did Ouyang Siqing hold you like this today?"