Chapter 1299: 1296: Testing

Chapter 1299: Chapter 1296: Testing

She was almost on the verge of falling asleep, but now her spirits had completely revived.

“Ah Heng,” Ye Muyu suddenly called out to him.

Chu Heng grunted in acknowledgement, his movements uninterrupted, still standard and gentle.

“What if I become ugly?” Ye Muyu’s query was tinged with a hint of covert worry, yet her face wore an interrogative expression.

Chu Heng’s motions paused momentarily.

Decisively, he stood up, walked over to her, faced her, and extended his hands to continue massaging her shoulders from the front.

Gazing at the girl’s clean face, Chu Heng kissed her lightly on the nose and asked, “Why would you say that?”

“I heard that Duke Zheng has proposed to send you a concubine at court,” Ye Muyu said, her gaze fixed firmly on him.

Indeed, there had been such an incident, well concealed by Chu Heng, who was startled for a moment when it was abruptly brought up: “This matter is not as you think.”

He knew that now was not the time to counter-question how she knew. He could always investigate later. It was more important to prevent Ah Yu from misunderstanding.

Ye Muyu deliberately said, “How do you know what I’m thinking?”

Chu Heng, his pupils black as ink, met her gaze, then suddenly bent down to kiss her forehead, his warm breath fanning across her cheeks.

“Duke Zheng is trying to sow discord between me and the Emperor,” Chu Heng said, his hand gently stroking her head, seeing her clear gaze and realizing that she had no misunderstandings, merely taking this opportunity to inquire about the matter.

Chu Heng was unsure whether to laugh or to be angry. Meanwhile, Ye Muyu tugged at his sleeve, shaking it eagerly and asking, “So, how is he causing the discord?”

“Duke Zheng wants to see whether I am willing to relieve the Emperor of his worries by agreeing to this marriage or if I would rather defy the imperial command and not betray my lady,” Chu Heng explained.

Ye Muyu blinked in confusion, “But if the Emperor genuinely likes you as his subject, he definitely wouldn’t use this matter to put you in a difficult position.”

After all, the political situation at court was unclear, especially since Duke Zheng’s reach was growing longer. If Emperor Xuanming actually rewarded Chu Heng with someone, it could potentially estrange the bond between monarch and subject. She couldn’t guarantee Chu Heng wouldn’t get angry, leaving no one at court to counterbalance Duke Zheng.

That would leave Emperor Xuanming truly isolated and helpless; an emperor would definitely not allow himself to be in such a situation, especially since even immediately promoting a loyalist would take time.

“Actually, he’s also testing things out, probing the Emperor’s thoughts as well as my standing in the Emperor’s heart,” Chu Heng revealed.

“There’s something he didn’t get wrong: if merely the reward of a beauty from the Emperor could drive a wedge between the monarch and his servant, it would also indicate that I am not fit for heavy responsibilities,” Chu Heng reasoned.

Even if Emperor Xuanming was wise, he was still an emperor.

Ye Muyu didn’t underestimate Duke Zheng, “So, this time he’s testing your standing in the Emperor’s heart, and he probably wants to take action against you even more.”

“What do you think?” Ye Muyu asked tentatively: “Alternatively, should we settle this once and for all and keep a house full of freeloaders?”

Chu Heng’s face darkened immediately: “Is it the impression I’ve been giving you that allows you to even utter such words?”

As he spoke, he patted her head.

Ye Muyu clasped her head, pleading for mercy, “Am I not here to consult your opinion?”

“If I truly took a concubine, you, this jealous jar, are bound to do something,” Chu Heng said helplessly.

Having understood his thoughts, Ye Muyu smiled, “I wouldn’t do anything. At most, I would just divorce you and find myself a little pretty boy.”

She now had quite a few assets; she could easily retire and live comfortably in a modest place.

The teasing words came out without a second thought.

Upon hearing this, Chu Heng felt his anger surge to his head, and through gritted teeth, he demanded, “What did you say?”