Can't a girl be a traitor like Cao Cao?

"Why did you help me to this extent? The Commander-in-Chief and I... should be complete strangers..."

"Maybe I've known you for a long time? Maybe I really like you?"

Yuan Zhaoji looked surprised and looked up at Chi Junlin.

But Chi Junlin's gaze was intense, making one's heart uneasy.

Yuan Zhaoji quickly avoided eye contact.

Chi Junlin smiled and said, "In other words, Yuan Zhaoji, I admire your family's scholarly talents. Come and help me."

"I……"

Wan Zhaoji hesitated, seemingly thinking of the kindness shown to her by the Lou family of Xiangdi.

How could he possibly betray the trust the Lou family placed in him by switching allegiance to Chi Junlin like this?

Her expression was conflicted, and she couldn't answer.

He could only hesitate and shake his head, saying, "I need to think about it..."

“It’s alright, we have plenty of time. I will wait for you.” Chi Junlin said with a smile, “Now that I have seen you, how can I not be happy? You have not let me down, and I will not let you down.”

Upon hearing Chi Junlin's enthusiastic reply, Yuan Zhaoji suddenly felt something was amiss.

Although Chi Junlin's few lines of poetry sound like the words of a wise ruler eagerly seeking out strategists.

But for some reason, it also sounds a bit like a romantic confession between a man and a woman.

She couldn't help but look up at Chi Junlin, trying to discern something from her eyes.

But all she could see in the other person's eyes was an intense emotion that almost wanted to melt her.

Yuan Zhaoji was a little nervous and couldn't help but bury her head in her knees.

Chi Junlin smiled and leaned closer to her.

However, just as Chi Junlin was about to get close to Yuan Zhaoji...

Suddenly, a report came from outside the palace gate.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived—all unauthorized persons please make way—"

Hearing the sounds coming from outside, Wan Zhaoji couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Chi Junlin, however, smiled and sat down beside Yuan Zhaoji without any attempt to hide his presence.

Then, Yang Yuru walked in from outside the palace gate and bowed slightly when she saw Chi Junlin.

Then, she said to Chi Junlin with great gratitude, "This concubine thanks the Commander-in-Chief for paving the way for Your Majesty once again."

This is what Chi Junlin likes most about Yang Yurou.

Be polite and know when to advance and retreat.

Even from Chi Junlin's perspective, protecting Jiang Hao is a matter of course.

Yang Yuru would still come to Chi Junlin's side as soon as she heard the news to express her gratitude.

Chi Junlin even had a feeling.

As long as Jiang Hao can live, she can eat Yang Yuru for the rest of her life.

Chapter 35 Warm Jade Embraced, Beautiful Shadows Together

Yang Yuru was respectfully bowing to Chi Junlin to express her gratitude, but unexpectedly, Chi Junlin waved his hand.

Then she laughed and said, "There's no need to thank me. It was Yuan Zhaoji who spared Jiang Hao's life because she cared about her country. You should thank her."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuru didn't seem to find anything amiss. It was as if she had already heard about what had just happened here.

So he respectfully said to Yuan Zhaoji, "Miss Yuan has suffered a great injustice, yet you have been able to set aside past grievances and spare my husband."

The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people. Miss Yuan is undoubtedly a heroine of this kind.

I thank you in advance.

After saying this, he solemnly raised his hand towards Yuan Zhaoji, performing a gentlemanly gesture.

Yuan Zhaoji stood up, somewhat flattered.

Although she never stopped hating Jiang Hao, she still held the Empress, who was known for her virtue, in the highest esteem.

Upon hearing this, he quickly returned the courtesy and said, "Your Majesty is too kind."

At this moment, Chi Junlin smiled softly at Yang Yuru and said, "You've thanked her, but how should you thank me?"

What were supposed to be normal words turned Yang Yuru's face into a deep blush after hearing them, leaving her speechless.

What an intelligent woman Yuan Zhaoji was! Upon seeing this scene, she immediately became suspicious.

Judging from their tone, something seemed off.

She couldn't quite put her finger on what was strange, but something just felt off.

"This concubine...this concubine naturally wants to thank the Commander-in-Chief..." Yang Yuru hesitated and looked at Chi Junlin's face, as if she felt that with Yuan Zhaoji present, some things were not appropriate.

Chi Junlin patted the couch next to him and said affectionately to Yang Yuru, "Come, sit down."

Left with no other choice, Yang Yuru sat down next to Chi Junlin.

At this moment, Chi Junlin held Yang Yuru's hand and said with a smile, "My hands are cold, Yuru, why don't you warm them for me?"

Yang Yuru glanced at Yuan Zhaoji, seemingly somewhat unwilling.

Chi Junlin feigned anger and said, "Hmm?"

Yang Yuru could only blush and helplessly unbutton her clothes.

Then he placed one of Chi Junlin's hands in his bosom to warm it.

Yuan Zhaoji was completely stunned by what she saw.

Although I had noticed something off about their tone, I never imagined their relationship was this serious.

She simply couldn't understand how the virtuous and kind Empress could have done such a thing with Chi Junlin... such a thing...

Although I hate to say it, the only way to describe it is as shameless...

Besides, how could they do such a private thing in front of me, without keeping it from outsiders...?

Where does this place oneself?

But even with the crimson emperor holding her delicate, creamy hands, it seemed not enough.

He then embraced Yang Yuru and gently kissed her red lips.

"Chirp—bo…General…General…please spare me…chirp…Miss Wan…um…tsk—still watching…"

Yang Yurou was so shy that she quickly hid her head in Chi Junlin's arms after their lips parted, not daring to look into Yuan Zhaoji's eyes.

Chi Junlin glanced at Yuan Zhaoji with a mischievous look, his smile extremely amusing.

Then he lifted Yang Yuru up by the waist and carried her towards the bed behind the palace.

Yuan Zhaoji sat in the front hall, listening to the two whispering and murmuring in the back hall.

I felt my worldview shattered instantly.

Her mind went blank, and she felt superfluous in the room.

But then I thought about it again, and I didn't even know where to go.

He could only sit there blankly, watching the two shadows cast on the screen by the candlelight.

Accompanied by Yang Yurou's soft, pleading hum.

As if entering a dream world.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

is the day.

The eldest princess's mansion.

Jiang Qianju hasn't been inside the palace for several days.

These past few days, I've heard palace maids report on events happening inside and outside the palace, so I have some understanding of the political situation.

Since Jiang Hao was confined to his quarters by Chi Junlin a few days ago because of the imperial edict, quite a few people have been killed in the imperial city.

After all the "loyal ministers" who were loyal to Jiang Hao were purged, no one in the court or the country dared to oppose Chi Junlin's rise to power.

She did indeed wield real power.

I heard that he's been attending court every day these past few days, busy sizing up his opponents in the court.

Several more decrees were issued, stating that the former Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices would be exonerated and his family's honor restored.

Jiang Qianju didn't think much of the decree, but considering the previous case of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices' rebellion, the order to confiscate his property seemed to have been issued by Jiang Hao.

This resulted in Jiang Hao being thoroughly embarrassed, which had a strong sense of self-reproach.

The royal prestige has inevitably been diminished by two points.

Jiang Qianju didn't feel much sympathy for Jiang Hao, after all, everything he was going through was his own doing.

She was also happy to see Chi Junlin take power, and even felt a sense of satisfaction upon hearing about the tragic experiences Jiang Hao had suffered in the palace.

After hearing these kinds of messages so many times, Jiang Qianju also found them boring.

For some reason, I feel like life has become somewhat dull and uninteresting.

Although she had left the palace because the Red Emperor demanded things from her day and night, which made her feel ashamed.

But now that the lingering affection is gone, Jiang Qianju feels inexplicably irritable.

Chi Junlin would greet her occasionally and would also bestow some gifts upon himself under the guise of the Empress's decree.

It can be considered as caring for oneself.

Now Chi Junlin no longer restricts Jiang Qianju's freedom, but only arranges for a team of personal guards to be stationed at the mansion to guard her day and night.

Jiang Qianju can do whatever she wants.

But she just felt unhappy.

I can't figure out why.

I'm just not happy!

Feeling so depressed, it seemed that nothing in her life could interest her.

She would occasionally pick up the jade pendant that Chi Junlin had given her, lost in thought, not really reminiscing about anything.

The same is true today.

That was when she combed her hair in front of the mirror, admiring her own reflection.

Suddenly, a report came from outside the door.

"Reporting—General of the Northern Garrison, Marquis of Anguo, Chi Junlin, has come to pay his respects! He wishes the Princess a long and peaceful life!"

Upon hearing this abrupt report, Jiang Qianju's face lit up with joy, her eyes sparkling with delight, and she instinctively stood up from in front of the dressing table.

But then, she put on a spoiled and displeased expression and sat back down.

Chi Junlin, dressed in a light white robe and with a long sword at his waist, entered Jiang Qianju's boudoir from outside.

It looks like he just came down from the court meeting and came to the Princess's residence before even returning to the palace.

When Chi Junlin saw Jiang Qianju wearing a bathrobe and deliberately ignoring him, looking indifferent, he couldn't help but smile.

Then, with the help of palace maids, he washed his hands in a golden basin.

Only then did he slowly open his mouth and ask Jiang Qianju, "I heard you haven't been eating well these past two days? And you've been looking downcast?"

Jiang Qianju rolled her eyes and replied irritably, "Mind your own business."

Chi Junlin was not angry, but instead gestured to the guards behind him.

"The palace sent some tribute items from Lingnan. I thought you hadn't tried them yet, so I sent them to you to give you a taste."

After he finished speaking, a guard carefully brought over a lacquer box and placed it on the table.

Jiang Qianju couldn't resist her curiosity and looked in that direction through the bronze mirror.

But then Chi Junlin opened the lacquer box, and inside were several handfuls of fresh, chilled lychees.