No Need to Make Up the Story!

To be honest, Bai Yuji was a little startled by the sudden turn of events.

Their faces were very close. His heavy breaths fanned across her face, carrying a strong herbal smell and brimming with grievance and indignation.

Just now, he'd asked why everyone thought it was only natural for him to make that sacrifice.

Could sacrificing his marrow to save his father not be the whole truth? Had he... perhaps not been willing?

She parted her lips. "Qin Muye, if you've been wronged, you can tell me."

Qin Muye's smile turned a little feral. "As if you're qualified."

Bai Yuji: "..."

Maybe she wasn't. After all, I'm a kidnapper.

Qin Muye's emotions only got the better of him for a moment before he calmed down. He let go of Bai Yuji's wrist. "When is that 'master' of yours coming?"

Bai Yuji rolled her eyes at him. "Why do you ask?"

Qin Muye glanced at the medicine bowl he'd just drained. "Naturally, to wait for him to 'prescribe' something."

"If you need him, 'he' can come anytime."

"Then get him here as soon as possible! I'm going to wash up. Don't follow me."

Qin Muye turned and went back to his bedroom.

Bai Yuji fell into thought. She picked up the medicine bowl and dabbed a finger in the remaining liquid, then sniffed it.

So bitter!

Her expression shifted slightly, and she couldn't help glancing in the direction he'd gone.

Did he have to drink this bitter medicine every day just to stay alive?

His father had relied on his blood and marrow to improve his cultivation, command a powerful army, and carve out a fiefdom for himself.

Yet his son had been left utterly drained, stuck in the Capital City, bullied at every turn, and forced to cling to life with this bitter medicine.

He must have suffered terribly...

No!

She couldn't think like that!

If he'd been wronged, wasn't she wronged too?

As it happened, although he acted like a hedgehog around other people, deep down he must have felt utterly helpless.

If she could use that, wait for the right moment, and play on his feelings, she could make him work for her and bring out even greater value.

Yes!

That was it!

Bai Yuji pushed the door open and went inside.

Hearing the noise, Qin Muye hurriedly wiped his face. His eyes were slightly red as he glared at her viciously. "Didn't I tell you not to come in?"

Bai Yuji reached into her robe, pulled out a candy, peeled away its brownish-yellow wrapper, and held the sweet out to him. "Here! That medicine was bitter. This is really sweet. I'm giving it to you!"

Qin Muye: "..."

You little minx. I set a trap and you walked right into it?

He snorted. "Who needs your fake kindness? My monthly allowance may not be much, but I could buy a whole cartload of cheap candy like this."

"This candy is different."

"How so?"

"I'm giving it to you."

"..."

Qin Muye fell silent for a moment, then slowly furrowed his brow. "Bai Yuji, do you realize how crude your tricks are?"

Bai Yuji didn't get angry. She only asked, "So, are you going to eat it?"

Qin Muye remained silent, as if he couldn't make up his mind.

The corners of Bai Yuji's mouth lifted slightly. She was just about to say something.

But Qin Muye suddenly gave a mocking laugh. "I might eat it, if you feed it to me with your mouth!"

Bai Yuji: "???"

She shot Qin Muye a sharp glare and pretended to throw the candy away. "Fine! Eat it or don't!"

Qin Muye quickly stopped her, snatched the sweet, and tossed it into his mouth. "Be mad all you want, but don't waste food. You don't want to feed me with your mouth, but I can feed you with mine! Come on, give me a kiss!"

Bai Yuji jumped in fright and hurriedly backed away a few steps, fixing him with a warning look. "Show some respect."

Qin Muye scoffed. "You came to me to have a baby, but you won't even give me a little sweetness first. You're too stingy to invest, so what are you playing at, trying to overthrow the regime?"

Bai Yuji: "..."

This man was a little too clear-headed. He really wasn't easy to fool.

To be fair, she thought Qin Muye had a point.

But she was playing on his feelings, not trading on her looks.

The latter was worthless, and Qin Muye couldn't even get it up in his current state. He'd only end up spitting all over her, making her seem even cheaper.

There was a knock at the door.

A maid's voice sounded from outside. "Young Master! It's time to eat!"

"Come in!"

Creak!

The maid came in with a tray and set it on the table. She sneaked a look at Bai Yuji, then reflexively compared her own chest and hips to Bai Yuji's. She immediately felt crushed.

Bai Yuji pretended not to notice and sat down with Qin Muye to eat breakfast.

Just as they were finishing.

Chen Sui's voice sounded at just the right moment. "Muye, are you done eating? If you are, let's go!"

"Coming!"

Qin Muye answered, ignored Bai Yuji, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and headed out.

Bai Yuji pursed her lips. Twisted though he was, he still had the temperament of a child. Was he sulking at her?

Qin Muye left with Chen Sui and headed straight for the Zhenfu Division. He took a squad of Brocade Guards and then made for the Prime Minister's Mansion.

But the farther they went.

The more uneasy Chen Sui felt. "Nephew, you're not planning to abuse your authority to get revenge, are you? The Brocade Guards belong to His Majesty. You can't misuse them!"

Qin Muye's brows knitted together. "Uncle, even you don't believe me? I'm going there to see Shen Jin and help recover some of my memories. Besides, I promised His Majesty yesterday that I wouldn't deliberately frame anyone, much less torture a confession out of them. No matter how twisted I am, I wouldn't dare deceive His Majesty!"

"Fair enough!"

Chen Sui let out a breath of relief.

Shen Kui had just returned from court and was lying on a recliner, catching up on his sleep.

He hadn't slept well the night before. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his heart. After all, the blame was still pinned on him. Every day the real culprit remained at large was another day his reputation suffered.

Thankfully, during court, the emperor had specifically ordered Chen Sui to find the scoundrel who had incited civil strife in Great Gan.

He hadn't spelled it out, but it was still a show of support for him.

At least he could feel a little more at ease.

"Father! You really don't need to worry so much!"

Shen Jin sipped lotus seed porridge at his leisure. "Qin Kaijiang was already up to no good in the Southwest. And that's not even counting the fact that you were framed. Even if you really..."

Shen Kui snapped, "Silence! A prime minister must win over all under Heaven. His reputation must not suffer the slightest slander!"

Shen Jin hunched his shoulders, still wanting to say more.

Then he saw the gatekeeper hurry over. "Master, this is bad! Chen Sui and Qin Muye have brought a squad of Brocade Guards!"

Shen Kui abruptly sat up. "What are they here for?"

Shen Jin flew into a rage. "That good-for-nothing's here to pick a fight? Father, I'll throw them out!"

"Hold it!"

Shen Kui stopped him. "Chen Sui is highly trusted by His Majesty precisely because he never plays favorites. He won't abuse his position. They're probably only here to ask some routine questions. Invite them in and cooperate fully. We must clear the Prime Minister's Household's name as soon as possible!"

Shen Jin was furious, but he could only sit back down.

Before long.

Chen Sui and Qin Muye strode into the Prime Minister's Mansion. The servants hurriedly kept their distance, not daring to meet their eyes; some were even trembling.

The infamous reputation of this ruthless official had long since sunk into people's hearts. Getting involved with him never led to anything good.

Shen Kui didn't go out to greet them. Only after the two entered the room did he smile and cup his hands toward Chen Sui. "Lord Chen, what brings you here today?"

He didn't even stand up as he spoke.

The Prime Minister's Household wasn't spotless, but it could certainly withstand an investigation. The worst thing Shen Jin had done lately was mock Qin Muye with a few cutting remarks. Was that illegal?

As the prime minister of a nation, he didn't have to be overly cordial to Chen Sui.

Chen Sui gave a polite bow and said evenly, "Yesterday, the Heir to the Marquis of Southern Suppression recalled a few things about the Flower Boat. But he needs to see your son to remember them clearly. Prime Minister Shen, there's no need to worry."

"Oh..."

Shen Kui nodded slightly. "Go ahead. Tea!"

Chen Sui gave Qin Muye a look, then sat down to drink tea.

Qin Muye sat across from Shen Jin. He didn't provoke him; he just ate the Prime Minister's Household's fruit while staring hard at Shen Jin, putting on an expression of deep concentration.

Shen Jin was intensely annoyed by his stare. He wanted to get up and curse him out, but Shen Kui glared him back into his seat.

He could only stick out his neck and say, "The Prime Minister's Household has done nothing wrong. Let's see how you plan to frame me!"

Qin Muye didn't argue. He just kept looking at him.

As he continued to stare.

An hour passed.

Everyone was getting impatient.

Even Chen Sui couldn't help asking, "Heir, have you remembered anything yet?"

Qin Muye set down the melon rind, wiped his mouth, and stood up. "No. Let's go!"

"What? You haven't remembered a thing?"

"If I haven't remembered, I haven't remembered. I can't just make up a story to frame the Prime Minister's Household, can I?"

Chen Sui: "..."

He shook his head and had no choice but to take his leave.

Shen Jin was practically laughing with anger. "A good-for-nothing will always be a good-for-nothing. I thought he had some kind of ability, but he was just here to mooch food and drink!"

Shen Kui pondered for a moment, then waved a hand. "Let's eat lunch!"

They ate lunch.

Then went straight for a nap.

But halfway through it.

The gatekeeper came running again. "Master! The Brocade Guards are back!"

Shen Kui bolted upright, his heart sinking. "What's the situation outside?"

The gatekeeper lamented, "Those Brocade Guards stood outside the mansion for an hour this morning and drew plenty of attention. Now the passersby see them back again, and lots of people are saying the culprit must be from our Prime Minister's Household."

Shen Kui: "..."

This was bad!

Qin Muye didn't dare make up a story to frame the Prime Minister's Household.

But the people could make one up themselves!