Men In The Royal Harem All Yearn For Her (Female-dominant Setting)

Chapter 13 Eating Together The Male Protagonist Falls into Self-Denial

"One should not accept rewards without merit. This humble official cannot accept these. Please take them back, Your Highness." Qiu Shuzhi pushed the gold pieces in front of Yue Guanyi.

His eyes flickered slightly, and his fingertips involuntarily clenched.

He didn't understand why she accepted gifts from those fawning minor officials, but wouldn't take his.

"Did I do something to displease you?" He lowered his eyes slightly, the corners drooping with a hint of grievance, looking just like a puppy that hadn't received its master's response.

Qiu Shuzhi was most susceptible to this kind of pitiful gaze, especially when it came from Yue Guanyi. Such puppy eyes appearing on a face as cold and proud as a snow-capped mountain created such a strong contrast that her firm resolve almost crumbled.

Beauty trick, beauty trick, she chanted in her heart.

"No, it's just that this official has no interest in these things," she said, taking a deep breath.

"But... alright." Yue Guanyi wanted to say more but stopped himself, outwardly agreeing while inwardly thinking that vulgar gold and silver jewelry didn't catch her eye, but next time he would send some antiques and calligraphy that she would surely like.

"It's getting late. This official should not disturb Your Highness any longer," Qiu Shuzhi stood up, preparing to leave.

Chang'an seized the opportunity to come in, racking his brains to create a chance for his master: "Your Highness, Official Qiu, the kitchen has prepared the meal. Would Official Qiu like to stay and dine with Your Highness?"

"There's no need. The night is deep, and it's not appropriate for a female official like me to stay long in Your Highness's villa. I'll take my leave now."

Yue Guanyi's eyes were full of reluctance, but he had no choice but to watch her leave.

Watching Qiu Shuzhi's figure grow distant, Yue Guanyi mustered his courage to follow, the jade pendant on his belt making a crisp clinking sound: "I'll see you off."

The setting sun hung low, its last rays scattered on the rippling water surface. Yue Guanyi's reflection was mirrored in the water, the ice and snow at the peak of the snow mountain melting into a pool of spring water, tinted by the sunset like an oil painting.

He walked beside Qiu Shuzhi, his steps slow, the evening breeze blowing gently on her face, calm and natural.

Come to think of it, since Qiu Shuzhi's promotion to Zhizhong of Shuntianfu, he hadn't formally congratulated her.

But now she was a favorite of the Empress Dowager, naturally with countless people fawning and flattering her. To her, he was just someone dispensable, she must have never cared about him.

"The Prefect of Shuntianfu, Gu Zheng, is a disciple personally trained by Qin Zheng. He's sharp-minded and cunning, a tough character. Official Qiu must be careful when taking office tomorrow."

Qiu Shuzhi's steps faltered slightly. Although the Prefect of Shuntianfu was nominally a third-rank official position, due to its special status, it had always been held by court officials of second rank or above. Those who could sit in this position were feared even by imperial relatives, let alone Gu Zheng, who was Qin Zheng's disciple, clinging to the high branch of the Qin family, with a status second to none in the court.

It was impossible for someone to reach this position without some real ability. Even though she now had the Empress Dowager's support, Gu Zheng might not give her an easy time.

After all, her current reputation in the court was not good. The Empress Dowager's exceptional promotion had led to rumors of her using her beauty to serve others, but these voices had disappeared without a trace not long after.

Instead, news of Wang Qing's imprisonment for corruption took its place.

She knew it was Yue Guanyi's power at work behind the scenes, but didn't know how to bring it up, so she simply pretended not to know.

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness."

The last rays of the setting sun finally fell, the night curtain dropped, lamps were lit, and crowds gradually gathered in the night market.

Passing by some street vendors, Qiu Shuzhi casually glanced around, her gaze stopping at a small stall selling seasonal fruits. Qiu Qiushuang loved these the most.

"Boss, two jin of fruit, please."

"Right away!" The stall owner beamed with joy.

"Do you like these?" Yue Guanyi asked instinctively, wanting to remember every preference of Qiu Shuzhi.

Qiu Shuzhi shook her head, smiling gently: "My elder brother likes them. He's a gentle man who doesn't like to show himself in public, so I often bring him some when I'm off duty."

Elder brother? Qiu Qiushuang?

Yue Guanyi recalled that night when Qin Shu was arrested, the man trembling in Qiu Shuzhi's arms, that soft-faced, snake-hearted mute. Only Qiu Shuzhi would think of him as a gentle and tender man.

Remembering the humiliation from years ago, hatred ingrained in his bones surged like a tidal wave, stirring up a tremendous storm.

"Does Your Highness like this?"

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