Chapter 45: The Princess Consort, Victory in Sight

  Morning.

  A letter, carrying a faint floral fragrance, was delivered to Su Qing.

  It was an invitation from Prince Qi’s manor.

  Upon opening it, the graceful handwriting inside was immediately recognizable—it was from the princess consort.

  Having not seen her for some time, the princess consort had invited him to a tea gathering at the secluded pavilion within Prince Qi’s estate.

  She had even emphasized that they would be alone, though the specific meaning remained unclear.

  Aside from that, there was nothing particularly serious in the letter.

  "Finally losing patience?"

  Su Qing chuckled to himself.

  Even the most composed and formidable women couldn’t hold out for long.

  After all, he had leverage over her and knew many of her secrets.

  In truth, this invitation aligned perfectly with his own intentions.

  Everything here was nearly settled—now, it was time to deal with the princess consort.

  He enjoyed it when wicked women walked into his trap willingly.

  Time for some proper taming!

  After making the necessary preparations, Su Qing set off for his appointment.

  Under the watchful eyes of many, he strode into Prince Qi’s estate as if it were his own home.

  Without hesitation, he made his way straight to the rear courtyard, where not a single servant or maid could be seen.

  The secluded pavilion was calm, with the faint scent of tea lingering in the air, indicating that someone had been waiting for quite some time.

  When Su Qing pushed open the door, his eyes immediately locked onto a striking figure.

  Her long purple hair was tied up neatly, adorned with simple yet luxurious ornaments.

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  A faint smile played on her exquisite features, as if she had everything under control.

  Her lips, painted with a deep purple hue, exuded a dangerous allure.

  A flowing gown accentuated her seductive figure, while a fur shawl draped over her shoulders added an air of elegance and nobility.

  Her long, black fishnet stockings wrapped around her crossed legs, revealing glimpses of pale skin between the delicate mesh.

  A pair of black stiletto heels further enhanced her commanding aura.

  Every inch of her radiated the presence of a queen.

  For those lacking confidence, merely facing her would be a daunting task.

  But to Su Qing, her aura of dominance was nothing more than a gentle breeze.

  He casually took a seat beside her, glancing at the empty teacup on the table.

  No tea had been prepared.

  "Lord Su, you arrived rather early today. The tea is not ready yet."

  Han Jin Xiu smiled.

  Her demeanor was warm and relaxed, as if she were merely chatting with an old friend.

  Yet, beneath her words lay a subtle tease—mocking his impatience.

  "Too early? I just happened to be free today. Otherwise, I might not have been able to come at all."

  Su Qing casually picked up a pastry from the table and took a bite, his tone indifferent.

  "That is true. Lord Su is indeed a busy man, a pillar of the emperor’s court."

  "All I can do is brew a pot of tea for such a high-ranking official."

  Han Jin Xiu remained unaffected, lifting a teapot gracefully.

  Her movements were elegant and noble.

  Her gestures seemed intricate, yet carried an inexplicable charm.

  As she prepared the tea, she leisurely explained the intricacies of tea culture.

  Her demeanor was akin to an aristocratic lady enjoying an afternoon tea session.

  Such a meticulous tea ceremony was not something an ordinary person could master.

  It signified status—belonging to those at the very pinnacle of society.

  "I don’t know much about tea ceremonies. As long as the tea tastes good, that’s enough for me."

  "Surely the princess consort didn’t call me here just for tea."

  Su Qing leaned back in his chair, his tone casual.

  "Lord Su, you’re quite impatient. Don’t you know that tea must be savored slowly?"

  Han Jin Xiu’s voice remained poised and unhurried.

  Su Qing raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

  Though the princess consort appeared courteous, she had been exerting subtle pressure on him from the moment he entered.

  She aimed to overwhelm him with her aura, seizing control of the conversation.

  Her seductive presence was amplified by the quiet sound of tea being poured.

  Any other man—perhaps even a high-ranking official—would likely find themselves at a disadvantage before her.

  Even Prince Qi had succumbed to her influence.

  But Su Qing was different—he remained completely unaffected.

  For one, he had encountered plenty of influential figures before.

  Whether it was the empress dowager or his own Empress, neither were easy to deal with.

  And more importantly…

  No matter how powerful the princess consort was, she was still his obedient pet.

  Would anyone fear their own pet dog, no matter how impressive it appeared?

  What a joke!

  Still, her actions indicated something crucial.

  Someone had forgotten who the real master was.

  A playful glint flashed through Su Qing’s eyes.

  Did she think she now had the power to negotiate with him?

  How amusingly confident.

  Han Jin Xiu noticed his indifferent gaze, and for a brief moment, her hand hesitated as she poured the tea.

  That look—piercing and dismissive—stung her pride.

  She recalled the humiliation she had suffered during their last encounter.

  A flicker of irritation arose within her, but she quickly composed herself.

  Today, she was not here as a defeated woman.

  She had secured leverage, enough to make Su Qing treat her with the respect she deserved.

  This would be her chance to cleanse herself of past disgrace.

  With that thought, her eagerness grew, and her hands moved faster.

  "The Empress’s greatest headache right now is the ever-growing rebel army."

  "In recent years, the rebels have not only expanded but have deeply infiltrated the imperial court."

  "Even within the capital, there are insurgents plotting catastrophe."

  "Surely, Lord Su finds this information intriguing?"

  Han Jin Xiu’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

  This was her moment to take control of the conversation.

  "Oh, that?"

  Su Qing feigned a troubled expression.

  Seeing his reaction, Han Jin Xiu smirked, folding her arms under her ample chest in satisfaction.

  Perfect.

  This was exactly the response she wanted!

  Now, she just needed to make him beg for her cooperation.

  Just as she was about to assert herself, Su Qing reached out.

  He tugged at the fishnet stockings, stretching the fabric before letting it snap back.

  A sharp sound echoed through the room.

  Han Jin Xiu’s expression darkened instantly.

  Before she could speak, Su Qing’s lips curled into a bright, mocking smile.

  "Tell me—do you think you’re overestimating yourself?"

  With his amused voice pressing in close, the air in the room shifted once more.