strictlysupreme Chapter 178 He Kissed Her
Chapter 178 He Kissed Her
The man suddenly moved closer, and Chu Qingyin could almost see the delicate features on his face.
His warm breath, especially when it sprayed on her cheeks and his eyelashes fluttered, made her heart skip a beat.
When she came to her senses, her fair cheeks flushed crimson. She took two steps back in a panic, and only managed to stop by leaning against the artificial hill.
"I... I just feel that Consort Chu's experiences are really tragic. Now her brother is imprisoned and her whole family is exiled. I only gained favor because of her. If I can do something for her, that would be good."
Chu Qingyin carefully chose her words, trying to bluff her way out of it.
Lu Zhiheng's smile remained unchanged. "If the person behind it all really is that person, what can you do even if you know?"
"I..." Chu Qingyin was speechless for a moment.
To outsiders, she is now just the daughter of a high-ranking official.
If it weren't for this face that was so similar to that of the late Consort Gui, she wouldn't have received even the slightest bit of His Majesty's favor.
How will she get her revenge?
Is it because of Pei Yuanling's favor?
Thinking of this, Chu Qingyin found it all extremely laughable.
Pei Yuanling was wary of the Wang family's power. Even after his own assassination attempt and uncertain fate, he never considered dealing with the Wang family, let alone relying on himself.
That would be far too presumptuous of them.
A deathly silence fell over the air.
After a long while, Chu Qingyin suddenly raised her eyes to look at the man in front of her, her expression serious. "I am just a woman, weak and alone. I wonder if Lord Lu would be willing to help me?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiheng's brow twitched slightly. "I'll help you?"
Chu Qingyin nodded: "Mm."
The man did not answer immediately, but narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing her with piercing gaze.
After a long silence, he chuckled softly, breaking the awkward silence: "Consort Qiao, this matter is extremely risky. Once you get involved, there is no turning back. Why do you think I would help you?"
Chu Qingyin took a deep breath before clenching her fingers and looking directly into Lu Zhiheng's eyes.
"If I were to say that I would give you everything I currently possess, as long as you, Lord Lu, are willing to lend a helping hand, would you be satisfied?"
Her eyes were firm, yet also revealed a resolute determination to go all in.
"Everything you own?"
Lu Zhiheng raised an eyebrow, then suddenly chuckled, "Including your body too?"
Chu Qingyin was stunned upon hearing this.
He...he actually...
In an instant, the air seemed to freeze.
Chu Qingyin seemed to find a clue in the man's handsome, pale face, but he still looked indifferent and showed no emotion.
It's really hard to tell whether he meant what he said just now or was joking.
After a long silence, she took a deep breath, straightened her back, looked directly into Lu Zhiheng's eyes, and said earnestly, "If this is what Lord Lu is asking for, I will agree."
After a slight pause, she quickly added, "But I've always believed that Lord Lu is not the kind of person who is lustful."
Upon hearing this, a complex and dark look flashed in Lu Zhiheng's eyes.
"What do you think?"
He said, "I never knew Miss Qiao knew me so well."
Chu Qingyin choked, unsure how to respond.
Lu Zhiheng rarely saw her so speechless and embarrassed, and couldn't help but find it amusing.
It turns out that the once quick-witted and assertive Miss Qiao could one day be speechless.
It makes you want to tease it again.
"That's just the kind of person I am. What, does Consort Qiao still want to cooperate with me?"
Chu Qingyin: "..."
Chu Qingyin clenched her slender white fingers tightly inside her sleeve. After a long while, she suddenly looked up and met the man's deep eyes.
Under the shimmering sunlight, the man's amber pupils reflected her face, and a few strands of hair fell from her temples, making it truly captivating.
No wonder the fourth daughter of the Wang family fell deeply in love with him. He was young and already held a high position, and he never had any concubines in his household. Who wouldn't admire such a man?
"Since you, my lord, do not mind that I am not a virgin and are willing to serve you, why should I be unwilling?"
Lu Zhiheng was surprised that she would actually say that. A look of astonishment flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
He pursed his thin lips slightly, raised his hand to lift her chin, and carefully examined her beautiful face.
It seemed as if he wanted to see right through her.
Chu Qingyin did not flinch, but met his gaze without fear.
The determination in those clear, bright eyes stirred something within Lu Zhiheng.
"Interesting. I thought you were deeply in love with His Majesty."
Lu Zhiheng released his hand, a cryptic glint flashing in his eyes.
"What, are you afraid, sir?"
Chu Qingyin had a faint smile on her lips. Her seemingly delicate figure exuded an aura that should not be underestimated.
Since he dared to make such a request, he must take responsibility for what he said.
Having an affair with a concubine is a capital offense.
One of them is the emperor's most trusted and trusted minister, and the other is the emperor's most beloved concubine.
If the matter is exposed, not only the two of them, but also the Qiao and Lu families behind them, will not survive.
"afraid?"
Lu Zhiheng suddenly burst out laughing.
What he is doing now is a major treason in the eyes of the world. What is there to fear about seizing a mere emperor's wife?
As if provoked by these words, his previously upright posture suddenly shifted.
Before Chu Qingyin could react, he pulled the woman in front of him into his arms and led her into the gap between the artificial hills.
What are you doing?!
Chu Qingyin was startled by this sudden change and was about to call for help when the other person covered her mouth.
"Lu... Ugh!!"
Is this hypocrite already so impatient?!
Just as he was thinking this to himself, he saw the man make a shushing gesture.
Chu Qingyin was startled, and then her panicked expression gradually calmed down.
The next moment, the sound of maids walking around outside the artificial hill could be heard.
The hurried footsteps and hurried pace suggest that more imperial concubines have arrived on the island.
As the footsteps of the maids gradually faded into the distance, Chu Qingyin breathed a sigh of relief.
Lu Zhiheng then released his grip.
However, the gaps between the artificial hills were narrow, and the two bodies were pressed tightly together, their warm breaths mingling, and the atmosphere inexplicably became enchanting.
Chu Qingyin could clearly hear the other person's heartbeat, which was deafening.
"From now on, do not act so recklessly. If someone sees us, we will both be doomed."
Lu Zhiheng warned in a low voice, his tone stern yet still somewhat restrained.
Chu Qingyin's face flushed slightly, both from the danger she had just experienced and from her current predicament.
"I know, I acted impulsively just now, but..."
She lowered her head, bit her lip, and muttered, somewhat unconvinced: "But Lord Lu shouldn't have acted so recklessly."
Originally, everything was innocent and there was no ambiguity. But because of what he did, someone caught them, and now they really can't clear their name no matter what.
In the darkness, the man seemed to chuckle softly.
"It's a matter of expediency in an emergency."
For safety reasons, the two did not go out immediately and remained in that position.
Because they were so close, the man's hot breath sprayed onto her neck, causing Chu Qingyin's heart to beat faster involuntarily.
But for some reason, this time when she got close to him, she didn't feel disgusted. Instead, she felt a different kind of peace of mind.
Perhaps because of their previous fall off the cliff, the two had faced life and death several times and had become familiar with each other.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look up.
Unexpectedly, Lu Zhiheng was also looking at her, and for a moment, their eyes met.
Her image was reflected in the man's deep eyes, and the passage of time around him seemed to slow down.
After a long while, the man leaned down and took her slender wrist in one hand. "Didn't you just say that you were willing to offer yourself to me in order to investigate Consort Chu's matter?"
His warm palm gently caressed her slender wrist a couple of times, his voice slightly hoarse, "Why are you putting on this act now?"
Chu Qingyin never expected him to act so boldly. She tried to break free, but to no avail.
"Lord Lu, please watch your words!"
Chu Qingyin tried to remain calm, but her slightly trembling voice betrayed her inner panic, "Let go..."
At this moment, her heart was pounding like a drum, partly because of the ambiguous and dangerous situation, and partly because of the complex emotions she couldn't quite grasp about the man in front of her.
Having lived two lives, Chu Qingyin knew all too well whether a man was interested in her.
He could clearly see his own reflection in his eyes.
Could it be that Lu Zhiheng really has feelings for her?
Seeing her instinctively try to struggle, a strange emotion flashed in Lu Zhiheng's eyes.
"It seems that Consort Qiao is not sincere in cooperating with Mr. Lu."
He released the delicate, boneless wrist from his palm. Though he smiled, the smile didn't reach his eyes; it even carried a hint of coldness.
Seeing that he had returned to his former aloof and arrogant demeanor, Chu Qingyin's heart trembled.
It was as if the emotions that had just appeared in his eyes were just his own illusion.
She gritted her teeth, a struggle flashing in her eyes, but in the end she still grabbed the other person's sleeve.
"Lord Lu."
Her voice was barely audible, and her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.
The moment he turned around, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him.