While the security of the main courtyard might be tight, it was no match against Su Jin’s supernatural abilities empowered by the System.
With her agile movements, Su Jin evaded the watchful eyes of the guards on patrol and brazenly marched into the prince’s ‘boudoir’ under the guidance of the System.
Ming Jue suddenly opened his eyes the moment he sensed someone entering his room.
He directed a piercing gaze towards the entrance, while grabbing the garments beside him.
With an authoritative voice devoid of any warmth, he questioned, “Who is it?”
While he sought for the identity of the visitor, he secretly prepared to activate the hidden mechanism on the ring in his hand.
Su Jin had not expected the man to possess such sharp senses. Afraid that he would send out a distress signal and cause a disturbance to others, she reluctantly revealed herself, “There’s no need to call for help, it’s just me.”
Ming Jue placed the ring down with a slight frown, concentrating his eyes to stare through the darkness as he stood up to light a candle.
(So she had arrived at the capital… Visiting at such hour, did something happen?)
Ming Jue furrowed his brows as he tried to pick up any kinds of hint from her appearance. Maintaining his composure, he asked Su Jin, “Is there any urgent matter that brought you here at such an unearthly hour?”
“Just casually passing by, had the sudden urge to take a look at my little one, and to check on you too.” Su Jin met his gaze straight on, carrying a hint of playfulness within her eyes.
Their eyes were locked in an intense exchange for a moment, as a pout formed on Ming Jue’s face.
He had never encountered such a candid and brazen woman like her.
He slightly lowered his eyelids and averted his eyes, before uttering in low voice, “It’s late. You should return home. We can talk tomorrow.”
After taking the trouble to make this detour, Su Jin would never agree to simply leave like that. Staring at the man, she suddenly leaned forward and teased him, “I came over mainly to see you.”
Ming Jue’s heart skipped a beat as he took a step back, about to retort her, but his eyes suddenly froze, following the trajectory of an object that had slid to the ground.
He quickly regained his exposure and turned away.
Su Jin was puzzled by the man’s reaction, raising an eyebrow as she shifted her eyes to the place where the man last looked at.
A thin piece of embroidered fabric had slipped out!
“Uh…” Su Jin was momentarily lost for words.
After a short moment, she finally remembered what that object was.
(Even the personal belonging takes after its owner in stealing the limelight!)
Su Jin nonchalantly tried to clear up the situation, “Please do not misunderstand. This is simply an embroidered handkerchief, not some kind of inner garment.”
Ming Jue continued to avoid her, maintaining the pout on his lips without a word.
Su Jin scratched her head, troubled by the predicament.
She could not figure out how she should conquer the prince. He was a man of little words. Wouldn’t her dream be dashed if she had taken the passive approach?
She was not fond of a wishy-washy relationship. But she also lacked the experience of engaging in sweet-talking in an adult romantic relationship.
Su Jin could feel her inner self frantically racking her brain, attempting to figure something to break the ice.
After some time, Su Jin took a deep breath and mustered up her courage in a moment of desperation. She seized the opportunity to grab the man’s hand and asked sincerely, “Would you like to be my husband? I promise to take good care of you!”
She decided to take the simplest approach. If he likes her, then they could work things out. Otherwise, she would no longer pester him.
With his back facing her, Ming Jue was unable to dodge and had his hand caught tightly within her grasp.
He was stunned by her sudden words, casually raising such a life-defining topic, and did not regain his senses for quite some time.
This woman…
After a while, he regained his composure and tried to pull his hand out of her grasp, but was unsuccessful. He had a somewhat uncomfortable expression as he murmured, “Let go…”
Su Jin’s eyes lit up, obstinately staring at him as her grip unconsciously tightened.
The man’s hand was firm and broad, totally opposite of the tender hands she had expected. There was even a thin layer of calluses on his palm, probably caused by the practicing of martial arts.
Ming Jue was shocked by the strength behind her grip, feeling his discomfort gradually growing as the temples of his forehead throbbed. He was about to resort to pushing her away with his other hand.
Receiving no response from the man, Su Jin continued asking.
“If you do not reply, shall I take your silence for consent?”
Ming Jue’s head jolted as he looked at her.
She was grinning as she tugged him forward, leaning towards his side as she whispered in his ear, “Come find me tomorrow, I have two big treasures to show you!”
The warmth of her breath made him flinch, and Ming Jue felt as though his body temperature was rising unnaturally.
Finishing her words, Su Jin subconsciously puffed up her chest with great pride.
Ming Jue witnessed the law of physics in action from his peripheral view1TL note: bounce bounce, numbers match too., and lost his breath for a moment.
He was too preoccupied with his thoughts to pay attention to the words of Su Jin. He felt as though his entire body was burning up.
Su Jin noticed his cheeks and ears had flushed red, to the point where it was easily noticeable.
She felt her heart flutter slightly, itching for more, but she also understood that she should not go overbroad in teasing him.
With that, Su Jin decided to end it like this for today.
He had become embarrassed, she did it!
Clearing her throat, she continued leading the conversation, “Well, I should take my leave for now. Remember to bring my little one along when you visit me and I’ll show you two big treasures.”
When Ming Jue heard her mentioning ‘two treasures’ again, his gaze discreetly swept crossed her chest.
His expression darkened…
Su Jin flashed a smile, straightening her posture as she casually walked away, acting as though nothing had happened.
But she soon heard the man gritting his teeth as he requested, “Then, can you please release my hand now?”
Su Jin ceased her feet, lowering her sight.
She… had been holding onto his hand the entire time?! This should not cause him to be under the impression that she was a hooligan, right?
“Sorry, my bad. My hands seem to have a mind of their own. I will punish them for being disobedient.”
She pretentiously slapped her hands several times, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Look at those naughty hands, behaving as though they had been living an abstained life and never touched a man before. Why were they still grabbing onto him!
After the charade, Su Jin rubbed her nose with a poker face, before quickly disappeared in a few strides.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Ming Jue continued to stare at the departing figure. His eyes fixated in the direction of the door for an extended period of time, until a cold breeze blew past him and dissipated the heat around his ears.
Reactively rubbing his palms to keep his hands warm, he then proceeded to fold his clothes and lay down in bed, but he could no longer fall asleep for the night…
……
In the next morning before dawn, sounds of sword swings could be heard from the training grounds in the prince’s residence.
By the time Zuo Yi came by, the first thing that came into his view was his master with a grumpy expression, ferociously swinging a sword, giving off an imposing aura that was more suffocating than usual.
He took a step back, feeling somewhat surprised. What could have happened that caused his master to be in such a fiery mood? Was that his method of releasing pent-up emotions, which had accumulated over an extended period of time?
Based on the slash marks on the wooden stake, his master must had been at it throughout the night.
Ming Jue sheathed his sword with fluid movements, taking a deep breath before he relayed to Zuo Yi. “Arrange for the security of the mansion to be reinforced by an additional layer.”
Although Zuo Yi was confused by the abrupt instruction, he acknowledged the orders and was about to leave the training ground to make the necessary arrangements.
He took a few steps before he was halted again by the slightly hoarse voice from his master.
“Hold up…”
Ming Jue had an awkward expression as he creased his brows. He let out a light cough and changed his mind.
“Nevermind. Maintain the status quo.”
Zuo Yi: “…”
It was increasingly harder to read the mind of his master these days with his fickle tendencies. Did puberty arrive late?
The mystery of a man’s heart truly runs even deeper than the ocean.
