Chapter 46: A Dog Only Gets One Chance or Countless

  The moment the words left his mouth, there was a loud thud.

  Han Jin Xiu was pushed down onto the floor, landing flat on her back.

  The carefully prepared tea trembled upon the table, spilling over and staining her exquisite garments, stripping away much of the noble elegance she had painstakingly maintained.

  Now, she appeared somewhat disheveled—there was even a tragic beauty to her current state.

  Yet before she could rebuke the young man for his audacity, a suffocating pressure filled her chest.

  The boy, standing over her, had already begun his delightful game of riding the big dog.

  Even for someone as calculating as Han Jin Xiu, she had never anticipated such an approach.

  For a moment, she was at a loss for how to react.

  "I’ve always prided myself on being an honest man, and I despise those who go back on their word."

  "I made our relationship very clear last time. And yet, here you are, trying to renege on our agreement."

  "It seems I have no choice but to discipline you—so you may rediscover the honesty and virtue buried deep within you."

  Su Qing spoke before the enraged queen could even open her mouth.

  He wanted to remind the princess consort of her position, to rekindle the fear of submission she had once tasted.

  And sometimes, physical persuasion was far more effective than mere words.

  Especially for a dog—it ensured obedience.

  Without further ado, he took action.

  The sound of swift and firm discipline echoed through the room, the sharp slaps piercing the silence.

  Had the maids not been dismissed earlier, they would have surely overheard the unmistakable sounds, even from outside the door.

  Due to the sheer force of his actions, buttons flew in all directions.

  For a moment, Han Jin Xiu was stunned by Su Qing’s seamless, flowing movements.

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  It wasn’t until a searing heat spread across her skin that she finally snapped out of her daze.

  Humiliation and fury tangled within her heart.

  What kind of punishment was this? It was clear he was just taking advantage of her!

  And… why was there a tight-leather-clad pervert recording this with a memory stone?!

  This was the "upright man" he claimed to be?!

  Even with her usual composure, Han Jin Xiu found herself on the verge of snapping.

  "Do you not care about the consequences of your actions?!"

  "Are you not afraid of what this will mean for your Empress, that it may shake her rule and create unforeseen chaos?!"

  Her expression burned with both shame and anger as she glared at the boy.

  How dare he treat her like this? He would pay for it!

  "Ah… the consequences? I’ve already accounted for them. You’re talking about assassins, right?"

  "Why don’t you, oh wise and cunning princess consort, take a guess—who is truly the one ensnared in this web?"

  Su Qing’s voice was laced with amusement, completely unfazed by her threats.

  As someone who had foreseen everything, such words held no weight to him.

  "How do you know about this?!"

  Han Jin Xiu’s body stiffened, her voice trembling in disbelief.

  Her once composed and in-control expression had completely shattered.

  For a woman who prided herself on control, such a reaction was proof of how deeply shaken she was.

  How had he obtained such classified information? How could he know these secrets that even she had hidden so well?

  "If this is all you have for leverage, you are truly desperate, princess consort."

  "How about I share something more valuable instead—like the whereabouts of what you seek?"

  Su Qing’s tone was filled with disdain.

  "What I seek? Lord Su, you need not test me."

  Han Jin Xiu’s expression mirrored his, filled with condescension as she attempted to stand her ground.

  She was indeed searching for something, but she had never exposed her true intentions.

  Logically, there was no way he could know—

  Before the thought could fully form, he continued speaking.

  "The Heavens’ Vault has searched the world for a hundred years, unable to locate one of the three legendary artifacts—the Imperial Jade Seal."

  "That’s what you’re after, and it just so happens to be hidden right here in the capital."

  Su Qing dragged out his words, teasing her.

  Han Jin Xiu’s eyes widened in shock before she held her breath, fully focused on the young man.

  By now, she was beyond surprised at his knowledge.

  Fine, so he knew. He already knew far too much about her.

  She was numb to it.

  But what mattered now was… where was the Imperial Jade Seal?

  That was all she cared about!

  She stared at him intensely, desperate for the answer.

  Yet just as he had her completely enraptured, Su Qing suddenly stopped speaking, casually reaching out to toy with her once more.

  No one who hadn’t played "ride the big dog" could possibly understand its appeal.

  "Why did you stop?! Do you truly know where it is?"

  Rather than being angry at his actions, Han Jin Xiu now looked at him with an almost pleading expression.

  If he could give her the location, sacrificing a little dignity meant nothing.

  "There’s no need to provoke me. Of course, I know. But why should I tell you?"

  "You’re just an unfaithful dog. If I handed it over, wouldn’t I just be feeding an ungrateful beast?"

  Su Qing chuckled.

  Han Jin Xiu was momentarily speechless.

  "If you want the information, you know what to do."

  "Please me, make me happy—only then do you qualify to know this secret."

  With those words, Su Qing lifted her chin once more, reclaiming dominance of the situation.

  Then, he leisurely stood up from his warm and comfortable seat, making his way to the table to sip his tea.

  Han Jin Xiu watched him, her teeth gritting in frustration.

  Many had accused her of arrogance.

  But compared to this boy—

  He was the truly arrogant one!

  Yet, if she wanted to achieve her goal, she had no choice but to endure, to bend, to serve!

  Was this a trap?

  The Imperial Jade Seal was too important. If there was even a sliver of truth to his words, it was worth the risk.

  As Su Qing sipped his tea, he watched Han Jin Xiu rise from the floor.

  No, "rise" was the wrong word—she knelt up instead.

  She made no attempt to fix her disheveled attire, the deep valley of her exposed chest more apparent than ever.

  Her slightly stiff body trembled as she crawled toward him.

  The once lofty and regal queen lifted her head, her expression filled with an effort to appear obedient and meek.

  Her slender, pale hands tugged at the edges of her garment, further deepening the enticing view between her exposed curves.

  Her subservient posture was a stark contrast to the commanding presence she had exuded earlier.

  Su Qing took in the sight and couldn't help but marvel.

  He knew she was playing a part, employing a beauty’s tactics.

  But at least she executed it far better than that so-called goddess.

  Such dedication.

  Perhaps it was time to have the goddess watch and learn from her.