Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The elderly eunuch immediately lit up with a smile and addressed Qin Zhenzhen, âI shall return to the palace first. Tomorrow, at this very hour, Iâll come to escort Miss Qin into the palace.â
The Emperor had granted Qin Zhenzhen a dayâs reprieve.
For this night, she could remain within her current abode.
Her immediate concern was to confer with Su Bin on how to expedite their exit from the palace, so she could resume her role as the wealthiest individual in the prefecture.
Little did Su Bin anticipate that Qin Zhenzhen would make plans to depart the palace so swiftly.
Among the palaceâs eunuchs, he was compelled to restrain his excitement and, with a longing in his eyes, draw Qin Zhenzhen into an embrace.
âMy beloved, Iâve yearned for you endlessly!â
Qin Zhenzhenâs cheeks flushed as she instinctively attempted to extricate herself from Su Binâs sudden embrace.
How audacious of him to embrace her like this without warning!
Softly, Su Bin whispered in her ear, âPlay along, quick!â
Qin Zhenzhen was taken aback.
During their previous ruse, their intimacy had rarely exceeded handholding or flirtatious words. Embracing each other so tightly, as they were doing now, was entirely unprecedented.
And with so many witnesses present, her grandma includedâ¦
Had Su Bin somehow misunderstood the situation?
Nevertheless, Su Bin continued, addressing the Emperor, âYour Majesty..
Qin Zhenzhenâs heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Su Bin had received the secret letter and become aware of the Emperorâs inappropriate advances toward her?
Yet, in the end, the Emperor remained oblivious.
Observing that Qin Zhenzhen was uncooperative, Su Bin felt compelled to salvage the act and sealed it with a kiss upon her cheek.
Qin Zhenzhen furiously stepped on Su Binâs foot, but he remained unyielding, refusing to release her grip.
Su Ping and Qin Silong were both left stunned by Su Binâs audacious actions.
They were fully aware that Su Bin had not yet consummated his relationship with Qin Zhenzhen. Furthermore, they knew that Qin Zhenzhen and Su Binâs intimacy was all part of their act.
Nonetheless, Su Binâs theatrics had crossed a line.
Even if he had genuine feelings for her, there was no need to embrace her so openly in public.
However, ever since Su Bin had devised a brilliant plan to rescue Qin Zhenzhen and their grandma, Qin Silongâs attitude towards him had undergone a profound transformation.
They recognized Su Bin as a resourceful, fearless, and astute individual, whose capabilities knew no bounds. His knowledge of the capitalâs affairs and the palaceâs inner workings, along with his strategic thinking, had earned their admiration.
It had been a relatively short span of time, but Su Bin had transformed from a timid scholar into a confident and enigmatic young master.
Upon witnessing this display, the elderly eunuch couldnât suppress his laughter and, with a hand covering his mouth, departed with the young eunuch driving the carriage to report back to the palace.
Once the carriage had disappeared from sight, Su Bin finally released his hold on Qin Zhenzhen.
Qin Zhenzhen blushed and remained silent. She couldnât help but wonder if Su Bin had deliberately showcased their affection for the old eunuch to witness.
Could that lecherous old man truly have sinister intentions towards her, a married woman?
In their moment of privacy, it was Su Bin who broke the silence, seeking an explanation.
âDo you recall the woman responsible for harming your grandma?â
âYour grandmaâs eldest sister was once wed to the Seventh Princeâs former wife.
Qin Zhenzhen nodded, her memory fresh. âHow could I forget? How is she now?â
Su Bin informed her, âShe was apprehended and incarcerated alongside the Jiang family. The Empress Dowager, fearing she might reveal a decades-old secret, attempted to expedite her fate.â
âHowever, this woman proved to be quite shrewd. Prior to her residence being seized, she assumed the guise of an elderly servant and had her nanny stand in for her in death.â
âBut her ruse unraveled when guards discovered the makeup concealed beneath her disguise.â
âIn the course of her interrogation, she resorted to a desperate ploy, claiming she possessed vital information that she wished to convey personally to the Emperor. She asserted that if she werenât allowed an audience with the
Emperor, sheâd prefer death over divulging it.â âJust this morning, the Emperor visited the prison..â