Chapter 84: Wanting a Head Pat
Xiao Yang hadn’t come out just to see the He family father and son. She was simply out to have some fun,
and had brought along the three Xiao brothers, plus Xiao Jinsu and Xie Liuzheng.
The party of seven arrived in separate groups, all entering the same large private room.
The table was laden with fine food and wine. In the center of the room, performers danced. But these dancers were no longer just women; many handsome men had been added to their ranks, performing a wide variety of styles.
Xiao Yang was amusing herself, and by extension, treating her trusted confidants.
Xiao Jinsu was initially embarrassed. As a young woman from a respectable family, she had never imagined she would one day set foot in such a pleasure den. She was a married woman, after all. ’To watch other men preen and pose like this... it’s a complete breach of wifely virtue.’
But no matter how conservative she was, she was no match for the brazen Xie Liuzheng beside her, who was busy trying to change her mind.
"Sister Jinshu, we’re just looking. It’s not like we’re cheating, and it’s not against the law."
"Sister Jinshu, your husband has taken several concubines. You’re only looking a little. You’re getting a raw deal."
"Sister, look! That waist... HNNNG... Wow... His legs are so long..."
Xie Liuzheng impartially drooled over every handsome male dancer, and Xiao Jinsu’s gaze was dragged along with hers.
She watched with a sense of guilt, but it vanished after a while.
’She was truly just looking, just appreciating a performance. Not a single sordid thought crossed her mind. Her husband, on the other hand, had actually taken women into his rooms, sharing their beds and becoming intimate with them.’
The two brothers, Xiao Lan and Xiao Cheng, sat to one side. They turned a blind eye to Xie Liuzheng "corrupting" Xiao Jinsu—or rather, they saw it but chose to allow it.
That Cui Jialiang was a real piece of work. The Pingchuan Marquis Mansion had needed the Cui Family’s help before, so they’d had to swallow their pride and endure it. But now, with Xiao Cheng serving in the imperial court and Xiao Jinsu a powerful female official in her own right, why should she continue to put up with that scumbag?
They all supported Xiao Jinsu getting a divorce, but they worried she was too traditional. They feared she would find divorce shameful and that even if she went through with it, it would leave a lasting emotional scar.
So having Xie Liuzheng fill her head with "unconventional ideas" was a good thing. It would let her broaden her horizons and become more open-minded.
The centermost and rightmost seats were empty. To the left sat the innocent-faced Xu Xingchen.
He was in no mood to appreciate the dancing and paid no mind to anyone else.
’Your Majesty went out with Xiao Lv a while ago. Why isn’t she back yet? What are they doing?’
Just as his anxious thoughts were making him fidget, Xiao Yang returned.
Xu Xingchen’s eyes lit up, his gaze naturally following her until she sat down. Only then did he speak. "Your Majesty was gone for so long. Did something happen?"
Xiao Yang said, "I went to see a couple of people."
Her eyes lifted, taking in his expression. "What’s wrong? Not having fun?"
Xu Xingchen answered truthfully, "I don’t really like it."
Seeing his listless expression, Xiao Yang tapped the table beside her. "Want to come sit here?"
Without a hint of hesitation, Xu Xingchen picked up his cup and sat down next to Xiao Yang.
Amid the heavy incense, he could still clearly pick out the unique scent that clung to Xiao Yang.
’So close!’
’Your Majesty smells so good!’
Just then, the music changed, and a new troupe of dancers took the floor. This time, it was a group of women with graceful figures, their bodies swaying with the music. Their movements were elegant and full of alluring charm.
Xiao Yang had only ever learned ballroom dancing. She had no interest in studying dance herself, but she loved watching others perform—it was a feast for the eyes.
After watching for a while, she felt a stare so intense it could have bored a hole in her cheek. She turned her head with a resigned sigh.
"What are you looking at me for? Watch the dance."
Xu Xingchen replied, "They aren’t beautiful. Your Majesty is beautiful."
’In his eyes, no one else could hold a candle to Her Majesty.’
’This place made him uncomfortable, but it was all right as long as he could see Her Majesty and be near her.’
He lowered his head and pressed his forehead against Xiao Yang’s wrist. ’He wanted her to pat his head.’
’The last time he helped her solve a case, Her Majesty had stroked his head. He wanted it again.’
’But she didn’t need his help right now, so she wouldn’t reward him.’
Suddenly, a hand came to rest on the crown of his head, stroking it gently.
Xu Xingchen froze. An indescribable, pleasant tingle spread from the top of his head through his entire body.
He didn’t dare move a muscle, terrified of startling Her Majesty and interrupting her touch.
’Xiao Yang, of course, had no idea what her little pervert was thinking. She just thought he looked so obedient and pettable that she couldn’t resist reaching out.’
’She stroked his head while watching the dance, feeling just like she was petting a dog while watching TV.’
She absently stroked his hair, again and again. Only when the dance ended did she snap out of it and look down. Xu Xingchen was leaning against the table, gazing at her with infatuation. The corners of his eyes were flushed a strange crimson, as if he had just been thoroughly ravished.
Xiao Yang’s fingertips suddenly felt scorching hot. ’Wait, all I did was stroke his head. Why does it feel like I just did something... unspeakable to him?’
’He really is a little pervert. Did he actually get off on that?’
’Still, Xu Xingchen’s face was perfectly her type. Just looking at him made her want to tease him.’
Xiao Yang tapped his cheek with her fingertip. Her mouth felt a little dry, so she picked up her teacup and took a sip.
’Isn’t this little pervert under eighteen?’ she thought.
The two of them were now sitting together, with Xiao Yang continuously stroking Xu Xingchen’s head. The others at the table weren’t blind; they all saw it.
Her Majesty had mentioned before that she preferred men, and Xu Xingchen had been the one to approach her. The situation... wasn’t difficult to interpret.
As for the two people in question, Xu Xingchen had a natural ability to block out people and things he didn’t care about. He was completely oblivious to the others’ stares and couldn’t care less what they thought.
Xiao Yang was the complete opposite. She was aware of everything, but she always did as she pleased, never letting others’ opinions change her. She was utterly unconcerned.
’As for Xu Xingchen... hmm. For now, he’s obedient and docile enough. A very interesting little pet. And she was never stingy about spoiling a good boy.’
By the window, a dark figure melted into the night. A long, fair hand gripped the windowsill, its hold so tight that the wood began to warp.
A pair of dark phoenix eyes stared fixedly at the two, who were huddled so close.
Rong Yin wanted nothing more than to rush over and pull them apart, but he knew he had no right or standing to do so. He was, after all, a disgraced man.
Unwilling to watch any longer, he left a guard to keep watch and turned to leave. He couldn’t delay any longer. He had to return to Her Majesty’s side as soon as possible.
Meng Xuechen hadn’t sent anyone to tail them, but he had nevertheless learned that the Little Emperor was out enjoying herself.
Thinking of the Little Emperor’s face, he tapped his index finger. "Keep a close eye on her. Don’t let anything happen."
He still had an answer he needed to verify.
Rong Yin returned shortly. "Sorry for the wait. Let’s go."
Meng Xuechen didn’t move. "Our patron has already left, but I did get the information you wanted."
He took out a piece of paper. The pattern printed on it was an exact match for the Token in Rong Yin’s possession.
"This Token has been around for some time. Fifteen years ago, during the struggle for the throne, its owner was very active. Only after the dust settled and the late Emperor took the throne did these people fall silent."
"This group is hidden deep. We don’t have a positive identification on them yet, but one thing is certain: besides Prince Jing, other descendants of Emperor Taizhong are still alive."