Chapter 1372 - 749: Duty (Double - )
During these days, although Chen Yi resided in the Prince Mansion, he certainly has not sought out Qin Qingluo for some time during the nights; it’s not because he had forgotten the warmth of the woman of great beauty, nor because he was tired of her strong will. Rather, it’s simply due to being caught up in yearning that he couldn’t extricate himself from.
Of course, if he could have two women in one night, Chen Yi would be more than willing.
However, considering the Princess’s personality, the indulgence on the wedding night was already an extreme honor; otherwise, as a concubine able to exclusively occupy him, how could she be willing to share with others without accomplishing some merits to earn rewards? Naturally, Chen Yi wouldn’t utter any words that spoilt the mood.
Lately, worth feeling lucky for Chen Yi, with winter approaching, Qin Qingluo’s governance affairs have been exceptionally busy, often needing to be dealt with late into the night.
Throughout the Prince Mansion, whether in the inner courtyard or outer estate, a busy scene is unfolding from top to bottom. There remain just two months until the New Year, and many matters need managing properly to have a good year. Being someone who served as a minor official for a time, Chen Yi knows these times are the most exhausting even for the Jinyi Guard, as it’s the period to sprint for achieving end-of-year goals.
The night is deep, and the study room is brightly lit with candlelight, casting Qin Qingluo’s tall silhouette onto the wall, slightly swaying with the flickering flame.
She is deeply engrossed in reviewing mountains of official documents, her snake-like pupils appearing particularly focused under the light, yet also marked by fatigue from days of toil. With the year end approaching, matters from the Southern Border are complex — military affairs, people’s livelihood, taxation, worship... All requiring this Prince to decide, often leading to losing track of time once busy.
In the past during these times, mostly Princess Consort Zhuo was alongside, adding fragrance to the red sleeves, attentively tending to the pen and ink, occasionally massaging her stiff shoulders and neck.
However, since Chen Yi arrived, quite unknown from when this duty gradually transferred to him, and Zhu E also leisurely accepted it, seemingly acknowledging this concubine’s role. Meanwhile, those gossipy maids privately debated whether this concubine had been accepted by the Princess Consort or the new person had been forgotten by the old.
At this moment, Chen Yi sits leisurely at a low table not far from the lower seat, carefully selecting from a pile of documents and articles sent from various places, picking those urgent Chapters to report first to Qin Qingluo.
His movements are unhurried, and for a while, the sound of paper turning is the only sound in the study, alongside the occasional soft pop from the candle wick.
The two attended to their duties, forming a quiet harmony.
Qin Qingluo finished reviewing a document about the winter clothing provision for the border troops, set down the vermillion pen, and rubbed her forehead.
She glanced up, her eyes swept over the tired yet focused side profile of Chen Yi under the lamp. The annoyance from not seeing him for the past few nights quietly resurfaced.
Without a word, she picked up another memorial, skimmed it briefly, then flung her wrist lightly, letting the memorial drop lightly onto the low table in front of Chen Yi with a soft "pa" sound.
Chen Yi’s actions of selecting articles paused, and he looked up at her.
Qin Qingluo’s expression was unchanged, she didn’t even look at him. She picked up the vermillion pen again, dipped it in ink, and casually asked:
"Have you forgotten your primary duties?"
Chen Yi was momentarily puzzled, raised an eyebrow, set aside the article in his hand, and picked up the memorial, "What does the Prince mean by this? At present, am I not fulfilling my duties?"
Qin Qingluo finally raised her gaze, her snake-like pupils were deep and unfathomable under the candlelight, chin slightly raised, nodding towards the memorial in his hand, "Take a look."
Only then did Chen Yi open the memorial, eyes quickly scanning through it,
"Oh, it’s about the Zige Bureau. An adviser impeached that the newly appointed officials of the Zige Bureau have lately been negligent in duties, late for attendance, and official documents have piled up, seeming to think the Southern Border is peaceful, idle, forgetting where the blade should be sharpened."
He recounted it with precision, even adding a touch of casual commentary.
Qin Qingluo fixed her gaze on him, her voice turning colder, "The Zige Bureau is under your charge. Now a complaint has reached me, do you have anything to say?"
She seemed to be slightly shifting her anger.
Chen Yi puzzled for a moment, realization dawning on him, and then directly chuckled, "Prince, are you jealous?"
Qin Qingluo’s hand holding the pen paused, she suddenly raised her gaze, her snake-like pupils as sharp as blades, directly confronting Chen Yi’s playful smile,
"Jealous? Chen Yi, you think too highly of yourself."
She placed the vermillion pen heavily on the pen stand, creating a crisp sound. Her tall figure leaned slightly forward, bringing an unseen pressure.
"I am merely reminding you to recognize your own identity and duties."
Chen Yi seemed unfazed by her anger, continuously smiling at her.
His oil-and-salt resistant attitude completely ignited the bottled-up anger Qin Qingluo had been harboring these days. Seeing him still unapologetically cavalier, the irritated shame of having something exposed was no longer suppressible.
Qin Qingluo suddenly stood, looking down upon Chen Yi seated behind the low table,
"Chen Yi, those nights you linger in someone else’s chamber, thinking I am unaware?"
Chen Yi sighed inwardly, after all, she was jealous.
And her voice, word by word, carried undeniable warning,
"You and Yin Weiyin are seen by the world as a golden boy and jade girl, Taoist lovers, it’s none of my concern. But in this Southern Border, in this Prince Mansion,"
She raised her hand, her fingertip nearly poking Chen Yi’s nose bridge, her tone firm:
"You are my concubine,
That your little schemes, your trifles, I can turn a blind eye and let you have your antics, but if you forget the rules any further, forget who your true master is...
Don’t blame me for showing no mercy, and sweeping you two shameless adulterers out together!"