Li Chenzhou nodded. Too much had happened at the Imperial Court lately, and several members of the imperial family had died in succession. Even if Xue Daoming was not the most suitable candidate for a puppet, this was hardly the time to move against him. Doing so would surely arouse public outrage, and every court official might begin to fear for his own safety.
Xue Lingjun changed the subject and asked softly, "Has there been any news of your wife?"
Li Chenzhou had just raised his teacup to his lips, but at Xue Lingjun's question, his right hand trembled, spilling a good deal of tea. Clearly, the mention of Jian Rongxin still stirred something deep inside him.
Xue Lingjun noticed, but pretended she had not and continued as before. "Rongxin and I have always been as close as sisters. With her whereabouts still unknown, I worry about her terribly."
Li Chenzhou slowly set the cup back down, leaned forward, and reached out to grip Xue Lingjun's lovely face. Then he pressed a forceful kiss to her cherry lips.
Just then, a maid announced from outside the door, "Your Highness, Marshal Yuchi has arrived!"
Xue Lingjun hastily pushed Li Chenzhou away, a blush already spreading across her lovely face. She shot him a reproachful glare. That kiss had surely been charged with retaliation; Li Chenzhou clearly did not want her bringing up Jian Rongxin. A faint displeasure stirred in Xue Lingjun's heart. She had thought Jian Rongxin held no place in Li Chenzhou's affections, but now it seemed otherwise.
Only after losing something did people learn to cherish it, and Li Chenzhou was no exception. Even before driving Jian Rongxin away and plotting her father's death, he had felt no guilt. Yet after someone rescued Jian Rongxin and she disappeared, he