Siqin stared off in a daze by the door, the purpose of his visit not registering even after a long while.
It wasn’t until the kindling in the fire pit crackled that he was startled back to his wits. Great Zhou really is a wonderful place. The earth and waters are fertile, resources are plenty, and even the women are pale and tender. Their skin looks as soft as tofu.
This was why he was so fixated on the land to the south. Compared to a nomadic peoples like the Tatar in constant search of pasture, a country that relied on field cultivation like Great Zhou was patently more suited for the long term development of a country.
Siqin walked quietly to Qin Yining. Footsteps extremely light, like a cat stalking its prey, as he approached the side of the bed. He reached out with his right hand, upon which an agate ring could be found. Just when he was about to touch Qin Yining’s cheek, the eyes of the beauty on the platform snapped open.
Their eyes met; Siqin was so arrested by a sharp look that he forgot what he was doing.
Frowning, Qin Yining slapped his hand away and stood up with a piercing gaze. Her voice was cold as she demanded, “What is the khan consort doing?”
Siqin’s hand burned from the slap, which he placed behind his back in a balled fist. He smiled gently, “A bonfire’s been made up front. They’re preparing to roast a whole lamb, so I’ve come to bring you to supper.”
Qin Yining narrowed her eyes. “I don’t understand your meaning.”
“Don’t understand? What’s there not to understand?” Siqin’s line of sight honed in on her parted lips.
“The khan consort treated me the same as the other captives on our way here. Apart from an occasional word of ordinary topics, the two of us had no further interaction. You are the lofty khan consort, and your wife the ruler of all Tatars. I am just your prisoner. In this scenario, not only do I not have the right to eat a roasted lamb, but there is no need for the consort himself to come with an invitation even if I was allowed to partake. And what was that gesture just now?”
Siqin’s eyes glinted as a hint of a real smile slowly floated onto his face. “You really are a smart girl. I hadn’t thought you’d be this perceptive.”
The princess consort responded with a look that brooked no nonsense. “Anyone can discern something is off with such a noticeable difference in treatment. Or is the khan consort so confident that you think all women will be utterly bespelled by you just because you flash them a handsome look?”
Siqin’s sharp eyes narrowed dangerously when he heard this, killing intent flooding out of them!
Chapter 472: A Complete Act
It was all too clear what his true motives were.
Siqin’s behavior had struck Qin Yining as odd from the start. As she’d just recounted, his attitude toward her in the desert was worlds away from how he was after seeing the khan. The manner in which he treated others aside, Siqin initially hadn’t the slightest interest in her–why act deeply smitten with her now?
She wasn’t so naive as to believe there was a chance for genuine attraction between them. There was definitely something fishy going on.
If one set aside Anari, his command inspired the most obedience from the Tartars, but his true self was hardly the pure and loyal front he displayed.
Furthermore, she knew two other men of equal notoriety–her husband and Ji Zeyu, and she understood what kind of people they were better than anyone. As such, she wasn't about to buy Siqin’s act.
As a stranger in foreign territory, it was imperative that she stayed vigilant, lest she find herself ensnared in someone’s traps. These thoughts unfolded in her mind in the mere span of a moment.
The ice in Siqin’s eyes also receded instantly, as if that previous murderous intent couldn't have possibly come from him. “You certainly know how to joke, Your Highness. The Faithful Prince of the First Rank evidently treats you very well.”
Qin Yining gave him a wordless smile.
“There’s no need for concern,” he continued. “Since you know you hold a special position in the prince’s heart, you must also realize that he’ll agree to anything we ask of him and that we will keep you alive. Your life will not be in danger.”
Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh at that. “It seems that a word of thanks is in order for sparing my life then, Your Majesty.”
Siqin didn’t seem at all angered by her words. In fact, he found himself enraptured by the bright gaze of her response. He couldn't resist touching those watery eyes of hers and promptly acted on this urge.
Stepping forward, he raised a hand to stroke Qin Yining’s cheeks, only for her to turn away. All he managed to touch were the strings of agate trailing from her hat. The beads clinked against each other, tinkling melodiously as they swayed.
Siqin dropped his gaze to study her face; outright rejection and disdain were brazenly written across her indescribably handsome face.
"No need to get cross with me. If you must, direct your anger at your man for failing to protect you. He allowed you to travel alone and exposed you to so much danger, and even let me to spirit you off to Tartar.
“You should also know that it was I who had people see to your grievous wounds. That’s how you managed to crawl back to the world of the living. With all the texts on virtue you Great Zhou people read growing up, are you that unfamiliar with the word ‘gratitude’?”
Qin Yining’s temper flared at his words. She jerked her head up to fix Siqin with a furious glare and answered coldly, “Should I feel gratitude toward my kidnapper? Why do you presume I needed to be saved by you? I would have rather died on Great Zhou soil and leave my body to my husband, if it means sparing him from ceaselessly searching for me like a headless fly. Furthermore, I wouldn't have had to grovel to live and become a hostage you can blackmail others with!”
An inferno ignited in her eyes, fanning the flames of desire in Siqin’s own heart. He grabbed Qin Yining by the neck, forcing her to look up at him and face his venomous glower. His voice was so tight it sounded like he was forcing it out from a crack as narrow as a toothpick.
“You better not be joking with me. I take everything quite seriously. If you say things like that, I won’t be able to resist the desire to kill you!”
His grip around Qin Yining’s throat was so tight that she could hardly breathe, but she refused to give in to him. Glaring straight back at Siqin, she choked out, “I take everything quite seriously as well. I will be disappointed in you if you don't kill me!”
Siqin had never met a woman with no fear of death like her! Perhaps he had, but none of them held a candle to Qin Yining’s unforgettable brilliance. Not only was she noble-born, beautiful, and smart, she had quite a fiery temper.
How Siqin envied Pang Xiao’s luck with women—why didn’t he have the fortune to have such a likeable wife?
“What are the two of you doing?!”
Qin Yining’s eyes were already closed to await death when she heard the sudden furious roar from the door.
Anari rushed inside. From the doorway, it’d looked like Siqin and Qin Yining were in an act of intimacy, what with how close the two were standing together. Her mind buzzed with rage as she howled with fury, dashing forward to give Qin Yining a piece of her mind.
Yet when she drew near, she realized the two weren’t touchy-feely at all—Siqin wanted to kill the Great Zhou princess consort!
Anari disliked Siqin touching other women, but her anger died down regardless. “What is the meaning of this?” she inquired, confused. “Didn’t you plan to use her to talk terms with the prince of Great Zhou? If you kill her on a whim now, we’ll lose half of our hold on them.”
Anari’s voice seemed to snap Siqin back to reason. Fuming, he slowly loosened his grip. As soon as he let go, Qin Yining wobbled and fell to the ground in a coughing fit.
Siqin clasped his hands behind his back and looked at her. “On behalf of the khan, I will spare you. If you anger me one more time, you will not be let off so easily!”
&nbs
p; His threats delivered, he turned to face Anari. His demeanour instantly shifted to one as gentle as a lamb. His smile curved his eyes, and his breath oozed with the sweetness of sugar.
“My apologies for alarming the khan.” Siqin tugged at Anari’s hand.
Anari squinted at Siqin with a rebuke in her eyes. “I wasn't alarmed,” she replied without hiding the displeasure in her voice. “I was just angry, as I thought this vixen had entranced you just by changing into a fresh set of robes.”
Siqin’s features instantly grew severe at her words. “The khan must not joke like this ever again. Do you still not know what kind of person I am? In all the time that we have been in love, have you ever seen me flirt with another? Not only is she nothing extraordinary, my love for you is so strong that I wouldn't exchange you for any number of fairies who descend straight from the heavens!”
Anari was so moved by Siqin’s speech that tears sprang into her eyes. She snuggled against Siqin’s chest and nuzzled at him like a docile kitten.
The khan consort wrapped his arms around Anari and hugged the woman tightly, his low voice dripping with indulgence as he cooed, “My khan, your loveliness knows no bounds. Noble blood flows through your veins, a descendent of the most superior of bloodlines. Not only do you possess an unequivocal beauty, you have a smart head on your shoulders and an acute eye for observation.”
Chapter 473: Something Afoot
“I’ve seen plenty of women your age, but I’ve never seen one who isn’t afraid of the enemies’ blades. On that day when you saved me, when you protected me at all cost without thought of your own safety, I had eyes only for you.
“No other woman is as exceptional as you. Those younger or prettier lack your talents and courage. Those with courage do not bear a true heart for me as you do.
“My dear khan, what is there to be unconfident about? You are my goddess, and so precious that I wouldn’t trade you for all the world.”
Siqin’s words were low and measured, every word marked with sincere affection. Anari blushed violently from the emotions expressed, so embarrassed that she wanted to burrow deep into her beloved’s embrace and never come back out.
“What are you talking about? How am I that good? I’m not pretty and I have a bad temper. As the most genteel and superb man of the Tatars, I’ve always known that you’re settling for less with the two of us being together.
“Siqin, don’t blame me for being paranoid. I’m really afraid of losing you. You are so wonderful and I am so unworthy…”
“Silly girl.” Siqin placed a finger on Anari’s lips. “Don’t you dare look down on yourself like this. You are the ruler of the Tatars and my wife. Above all, you are my mistress. How are you unworthy of me? It is I who is reaching above my station and the unworthy one. It’s all my fault that you feel so insecure. Beat me, Anari. Anything as long as you are no longer sad.”
“How could I ever bear to do so?” The khan lifted her head and planted a loud kiss on Siqin’s cheeks.
Moved by the straightforward and heartfelt gesture, the khan consort grinned and bent over to kiss her back.
……
Slumped on the ground, the extreme dosage of loving murmurings whacked into Qin Yining again and again. Her goosebumps had goosebumps, and she suspected Siqin even more than ever.
Sweet nothings were normal between a loving couple, but between those two, it was plain to see that Anari was in the weaker position. Siqin had to comfort and coax her so that she could spend her days peacefully.
In fact, his words were too comforting, like they’d been rehearsed endless times before finally being delivered. He felt like he was reading off a script.
But why was Siqin treating Anari like this? Was it just out of love for his wife?
Qin Yining lowered her head, her long lashes fluttering rapidly and mind painting endless possibilities. She went through all of them carefully, then discarded each one. Who knew how much of what he said was true? If it were up to her, she wouldn’t believe him at all.
The truest test of one’s heart wasn’t in the words, but in the actions. Though Siqin painted a pretty picture, it was undeniable that he’d visited a woman’s tent of his own accord.
Oh, he’d done so to interrogate the captive? Who would believe that?
Probably only someone as trusting and straightforward as Anari.
Qin Yining made up her mind to thoroughly investigate the Tatar power structure during her stay here. Siqin was overly wily and Anari too honest. It was too easy for the khan consort to set up trap after trap for his wife. He was only a consort, so no matter how splendid he was, others would still think he’d slept his way to the top.
Maybe there was some unpleasantness between the two! That would be the perfect opening to make her escape.
Her scalp suddenly tightened in this moment. When Qin Yining came back to her senses, she realized that Anari had grabbed ahold of her hat and had yanked it upward, along with her hair. She was forced to stand from the strength in the khan’s hand.
“You slutty fox! Stay away from my man in the future! If you really are so hungry that you can’t stay away from men, don’t blame me if I send in a dozen soldiers to serve you!”
When had Qin Yining ever suffered such humiliation? She was one of those who’d rather die on her feet than live on her knees. How would she possibly take this kind of treatment lying down, especially after hearing those disgusting words??
Qin Yining grabbed Anari’s hand and forced the khan’s fingers open, standing to jeer, “I’ve long since heard that the ruler of the Tatars was now a woman, and was quite curious and respectful of you when I heard how you handled your people’s affairs as regent.
“But I hadn’t thought that the venerated regent would turn into someone else entirely after being made khan. Just look at how unconfident you are, spending your days pouncing with paranoia, worrying that your husband will like another woman!
“If you really are that wonderful and competent, then you should be confident that your husband will have eyes for none other than you. But just look at you now, blaming others because you didn’t leash your dog properly!
“As a fellow woman, don’t you dishonor your upbringing to voice such disgusting words?”
Qin Yining’s voice was clear and resonant, her perfectly enunciated words delivered so quickly that there was no way to interrupt her.
Livid with rage, Anari pointed at Qin Yining and opened and closed her mouth wordlessly. “Who, who are you calling a dog!”
“Didn’t you hear me clearly the first time? That’s strange, so there’s actually people in this world who like to be cursed at. Do you want me to say it again so you can have a good listen?”
“Blasphemy! Look at you trying to swing the situation with perverted logic! It was you who used your looks to seduce someone else’s man. You tried to tempt my man because you’re afraid of death! How high-principled are your actions!”
“Which of your eyes saw that I was trying to seduce him? It was your man who barged into my tent. Even though I’m a captive, you still need me to blackmail Pang Zhixi. Aren’t you worried that he’ll come down on you in a fit of furious revenge if I don’t make it back to him alive?”
In the throes of her rage, Anari still managed to calm herself down. It wouldn’t do to yell and stomp at this vixen, it would only make her lose face in front of her consort. Instead, she opted to titter madly like she’d heard an incredible joke.
“Fascinating, how fascinating! I’ve never seen such a stubbornly willful captive like you! So you don’t care about your life and don’t care if we kill you or not!” Anari’s fingers were still smarting from Qin Yining’s grip. A tide of envy threatened to erupt like a volcano when she noted that the Qin princess consort only grew even more beautiful when angry. She unsheathed an exquisite dagger in her boot, its hilt embedded with jewels, and waved it at Qin Yining's face.
“Let’s see how you seduce men without that face of yours!”
&
nbsp; Chapter 474: Two-faced
Qin Yining hadn’t thought Anari would be someone who acted before thinking—and certainly not someone who pulled a knife just because of a perceived slight. Thankfully, her own reflexes weren’t too shabby, so she quickly took a step back and dodged the tip of the blade.
Yet nimble as Qin Yining was, she didn't have any fighting skills.
The enraged khan had her heart set on making the princess consort pay—even if she couldn't kill the girl right here and then, she wanted to carve a few bloody lines into that hateful face and turn her into a hideous creature.
Anari swung her blade at Qin Yining with everything she had, every slash aimed for the face.
Qin Yining dodged agilely, but was only just barely able to keep up. She’d been in a weakened state for so long that her strength and stamina were no match for someone of Anari’s strong stature. It wasn’t long before sweat poured down her face, causing her to trip over herself and fall to a sitting position.
Anari’s eyes shone. An opportunity had presented itself! She plunged the dagger at Qin Yining. Meanwhile, Siqin had finally had his fill of the commotion. He stepped forward to grip the khan’s wrist.
“Alright, please calm yourself, my khan.” His gentle voice seemed to have the power to dissipate her homicidal tendencies as Anari settled down a notch.
“Why are you stopping me?! Let me cut up her face! We'll see how she plans on seducing men once I’m through with her!”
Siqin took the dagger from Anari with a smile and took her hand instead. “Silly girl, have you forgotten how I plan to use this woman? Do you know of the feud between the Qins and the Faithful Prince of the First Rank?”
Anari considered this for a moment, then nodded. “Her father came up with a plot to kill the prince’s father.”
“Correct. Her father killed the father of the Faithful Prince of the First Rank, yet His Highness was willing to marry a woman who has his father’s blood on her hands. Why do you think that is?”
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